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Post by Ranger on Feb 7, 2006 5:48:41 GMT -5
Ranger walked on toward the small farming town. A smile on his face as he enjoyed the warm rays of sun on his skin.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 7, 2006 11:04:16 GMT -5
As Ranger headed onward toward the farmland, the green grasses abruptly gave way to fields plowed and sown. A variety of plants grew in rows here, some barely as high as Ranger's ankle, and others on large stalks that towered above his head. Just as abruptly as the change in scenery, was the change in smell; the distinctive odor of natural fertilizer hung in the air around the fields.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 7, 2006 14:39:29 GMT -5
He continued on to the small housing inspecting the crops.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 7, 2006 16:04:15 GMT -5
Ranger was not much of a botanist, but he could recognize some of the more distinct food plants. Tall stalks of corn were off on the eastern end of the farm, while the small shoots of root vegetables were planted nearby. However, many of the plants were not immediately identifiable without some training in that regard.
As Ranger moved through the fields toward the nearest building, the stench of manure went from obnoxious at the edge of the fields, to almost overwhelming in their midst. However, as he approached the building he had spotted before, and could now identify as a small barn, it started to fade as he neared the edges of the fields again.
Ahead of him was a corral, which fenced in the yard in front of the barn. groups of cattle meandered back and forth inside the corral, grazing on sparse patches of grass or lowing to one another. However, there was no immediate sign of any people around.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 7, 2006 16:24:00 GMT -5
Ranger decided to keep on and inspect the barn. He was sure that if the people growing the food disappeared the Kestral guards would like to know a little more than they weren't there.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 7, 2006 16:59:44 GMT -5
Ranger moved around to the front side of the barn as best as he could without climbing the corral fence, and found the doors wide open. The light inside was dim enough, and the noise level outside high enough, that he couldn't tell if anyone or anything was inside.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 7, 2006 20:34:44 GMT -5
He walked around the edge of the corral ready to dodge any animals making a rush for him towards the barn and then steps inside.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 7, 2006 20:54:50 GMT -5
Ranger climbed over the fence and moved toward the barn, while keeping a wary eye on the cattle. However, not one of them did much more than stare at him, and most didn't even bother to do that; apparently this herd was well acclimated to people.
Ranger stepped through the open bran door, to find himself facing a rather unremarkable barn interior. Blaes of hay took up most of the far wall, and there were several feeding and watering troughs lined across the side walls. However, inside was also an elderly looking man facing away from Ranger, milking one of the cows. He wore a wide brimmed straw hat and overalls, and altogether seemed to fit the part of stereotypical farmer pretty well. He had also apparently not noticed Ranger enter, since he remained engrossed in his chosen task.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 8, 2006 0:32:20 GMT -5
"Hey there," Ranger said in a wary tone as to try and not to scare the man,"I noticed you're all alone here do you need any help around here?"
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Post by Draxas on Feb 8, 2006 2:05:36 GMT -5
Before Ranger could even get out much more than a "hey there," the man whirled around. He had a nasty looking crossbow in his hands, and certainly looked like he knew how to use it.
"Back again, you bastard?" he growled, cutting off the rest of Ranger's sentence, "Thought that you'd come back to steal some more, huh? Thought you could get away with it again, just because I hadn't caught you yet, huh? Well, who's laughing now, funny boy?"
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Post by Ranger on Feb 8, 2006 4:02:59 GMT -5
Ranger ran around behind the edge of the Barn.
"I don't even know who you are old man. I just came to talk," Ranger said hastily and a little annoyed that he was immediately attacked by some old codger.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 8, 2006 17:47:55 GMT -5
"What, you want to apologize?" came the reply from the inside of the barn, "That's not going to bring back what you stole! I was too soft on you before, and look where it got me! But not this time, no way! This time, you're going to pay!"
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Post by Ranger on Feb 8, 2006 21:31:37 GMT -5
"What is it you think I am to have stole," Ranger said confused,"This is the first time I have been here."
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Post by Draxas on Feb 8, 2006 22:32:50 GMT -5
As Ranger finished speaking, he was confronted by the business end of that crossbow as the farmer whirled around the corner of the door. Whatever else he was, this guy was FAST...
"Down on the ground, now!" shouted the farmer, "Because at this range, this bolt will probably pop right out of the back of your skull, too."
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Post by Ranger on Feb 9, 2006 0:07:52 GMT -5
Ranger began kneeling and getting down on the ground as he was told.
"Do I look like the guy you are talking about," Ranger said tension in his voice,"I have never been here before and I was only here to check to see if everything was alright. It seemed very empty around here."
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