26 Ymiden 721
continued from here
The break was late afternoon, and the sun was well down in the western sky, so that Oram had to keep his hat low and his eyes on the road to avoid being dazzled. As a result, he was nearly upon Darbyton before he finally noted its first buildings. The traveler had seldom come here, notwithstanding its closeness to Scalvoris, and that he had been with the Rangers a good two seasons. This would, in fact, be only his second visit to the Ranger Headquarters since joining, and he was anxious as to whether he would even remember the way.
He need not have worried; it was one of the most prominent places in the settlement, near the water not far off the Felltree Run. Still, he felt relief when he beheld its rough-hewn timbers, and he allowed himself a sigh as he dismounted Mule to lead him to a hitching post well within the shade of the building’s ground level. That shade, afforded by the bulk of the structure overhead, was cool, a welcome relief from the long, hot road. Thanks to his connection with Faldrass, Oram was not strongly affected by the heat, yet he had still experienced a feeling of stifling monotony beneath the unbroken Ymiden glare.
A couple Rangers lounged there, leaning against the building's huge support timbers, and they nodded to the traveler neutrally as he clove-hitched Mule to a beam. Perhaps they recognized him or perhaps not; he did not immediately recognize any of them. When he asked them if Elliott was in, they shrugged. ”He’s around,” one of them responded, ”but I couldn’t say what he was up to, or if he’ll see visitors.” Nodding his acknowledgment, Oram continued up the stairs that led to the veranda surrounding the first storey.
He removed his hat and fanned himself with it once he reached the top, taking a second to look out over the railing at Darbyton before ducking into the even more deeply-shaded interior. The Ranger Headquarters still bore signs of the organization's past associations with the Logging Consortium, one of which was the skill of its construction and woodwork. It managed to be airy and cool in the summer, without being too drafty and cold in the winter.
Oram did not wait once inside to be shown to the Chief Ranger, nor did anybody hinder him on his errand once he had identified himself. He found Elliott quickly enough, sitting at a desk reading reports. The man frowned upon seeing Oram Not because he was upset that the traveler had barged in without having an appointment -such formalities did not interest the Chief Ranger much, and the reports he had been reading had been dull. No, he frowned because he could tell that Oram had not come with pleasant news.
”Oram,” he greeted laconically. ”This is a surprise. What brings you to Darbyton?”
The hunter gestured towards the door, mutely asking if he should close it. Elliott’s frown deepened, but he nodded. After Oram shut the door, he turned and approached Elliott’s desk. Leaning forward as close as respect allowed, he quietly announced: ”It’s Pattis.”
