Prologue: The Barony of Harkenwold

As Hunter is making small talk with the Senior Hunters and his friends, he is approached by Yorenan. "Excuse me everyone but I need to borrow my nephew for a minute. Shouldn't take too long."

"Nothing serious I hope," says Symania.

"More like important rather than serious," says her son with a shrug. "So how about it Hunter? Coming?"

Hunter looks between them and says "Of course." He stands up, and his eyes flicker over the Senior Hunters (one in particular). "See you all in a little bit."

Everyone acknowledges him in some way, from a small wave to raising their glasses in salute, before Yorenan leads the two of them away from the bulk of the partygoers and further into the grassy fields of the wold. Yorenan smiles at Hunter the way he does right before proposing some dangerous course of action before launching right into it, "So, I'm no longer a Harkenwold Ranger."

Hunter's eyes bug out. Not even a full-blown Ranger anymore? "What? R-really?"

"Oh man, you should see your expression right now," says his uncle, doubling up in laughter.

Hunter wipes the surprise off his face, and whips his tail. "Oh ha-ha, Uncle." Despite the annoyance, he's suppressing a smile too.

"Sorry, couldn't resist," says Yorenan, flashing him his cheeky grin. He coughs and adopts his serious expression, saying, "But seriously, I am no longer a Harkenwold Ranger."

"Oh..." Hunter puts two and two together, and it doesn't take operating a gnome's abacus to figure out why his uncle got demoted. "I'm sorry. You're really good at it."

"Sorry for what? I wasn't punished, I was promoted. You are looking at the first Captain of the Fallcrest Rangers," he says with a proud grin, before adding in self-depreciating tone, "Of course, I'm also the only member of the Fallcrest Rangers."

Remembering his talk with Leo, Hunter mutes his negative thoughts, before the other half of the news catches up with him. "Oh... Wait. So they're letting you start a new Ranger post? In Fallcrest? That's awesome!"

"It is awesome. But that's also why I wanted to talk to you," he says. "I can't do it alone. I'm going to need experienced Rangers to help fill out my upper ranks and I'm hoping you'll consider joining up."

Almost immediately, the answer comes confidently and resolute, albeit absent of an elaboration. "Yes."

"Ha, good man," says Yorenan shaking his hand and clapping him on the back, "I knew you couldn't say no to your Uncle twice!" He laughs.

Hunter gives him a half smile. "Well, yes and no, I'm still gonna see my brothers... But honestly, I passed on the better deal the first time around. I like being a Ranger. I like the work, and I like the cause. So, I want to be official."

"Then consider this official. Welcome aboard, Senior Ranger Hunter Thrul," says Yorenan with a smart Nerathi salute.

Hunter salutes him back. "Glad to be part of the team, Uncle. Anybody else you wanna bring on?"

"Let's see," he says, counting them off on his fingers, "So far I've invited my former team Bjark, Eira, Eric, Elric, and Hush, as well as Gorduin and Shandalar. I've given all of them until tomorrow to give me an answer. I was going to do the same for you but honestly, I wanted you to be the first member I recruited, even if you weren't the first I asked. It means a lot to me that you said yes."

Hunter skips a beat at the mention of Wolf Girl. "No problem! Things are going to change now that there's gonna be some Rangers in Fallcrest. Not a moment too soon, from what we've heard. To think, I used to aim for Captain back when I was still Sergeant. Things sure are working out."

"I don't know about working out. We'll see how you feel about things once you see how much work it really is. Though speaking of work, I already have your first commission.

"Your work with Ser Kathryn and your other friends is of the utmost importance and will take up the bulk of your duties going forward. Besides advising me on local matters while we get situated, I want you to continue with them as our liaison. What that means is you will do everything in your power to make sure your friends and the Alliance succeed. Can you do that?"

Hunter smiles. "Absolutely. Thank you!"

"Excellent. I'll be counting on you to help us coordinate our efforts," he says.  "On a more personal note it gives me great peace of mind to know I have someone I can trust in this position."

Hunter looks like he's about to mist up. He nods and blinks away some moisture. "I'm so honored. You have no idea." Then, he smirks and says, "After all, I wasn't your only candidate..."

Yorenan laughs, "You know what the Rangers say: Always have a plan B and C." When they both stop laughing Yorenan adds, "Just keep this news to yourself until the signing ceremony. We are going to announce it right after."

"Oh, cool, cool," Hunter says, lowering his voice, and looking around the field. "I'll try not to look so..." he starts smirking again, "uh, over-the-moon. Speaking of which, lately you seem to have a little 'feather' in your stride."

"A little...feather in my--oh!" he says, finally catching on. He suddenly looks very cagey but the flush in his cheeks gives his feelings away as he says, "It was a...lovely gift." He clears his throat and adds, "It looks good in her hair. Not that her hair looks bad usually."

Hunter gawks at his uncle's reaction. Wow, she's not here, man. "Uh-huh... do you want to know how to say that in Deep Speech, or are you fine with just using the hand signals?" His smile becomes more like a certain cat's, that ate a certain canary.

He's still squirming a bit but manages to say, "T-the drow sign is surprisingly useful but I'll take whatever Deep Speech lessons you might offer. You never know when they might be useful."

"Alright, I'll teach you something. The next time time you see her, just say this, and hopefully she'll laugh:"

Deep Speech:

Yorenan and Hunter spend the next while practicing the phrase, before heading back to the others.