Story (c) Alden MacManx 2004

Carroll Donovan (Ranger Don) Treverick stood on top of the pinnacle, surveying the part of his patrol area he could see from there with both his binoculars and his senses, searching for wounded animals, lost hikers, uncontained campfires, or whatever else. After a few moments of searching, he felt an animal in distress about half a mile away to the east, downslope. Stowing his binoculars in one of his saddlebags, he trotted off to where his senses told him he was needed.

Arriving on scene, Don found the trouble- a young fawn had fallen down a slope, and the doe was upset. Extending his feelings, he calmed the doe. Then, he carefully picked his way down the slope.

When he got near the fawn, the first thing he did was calm her down. Then, he came close enough to the fawn to touch her. Squatting down, he touched her, feeling for injuries. The injuries he found, he healed. Then, Don carefully picked up the fawn, sending calming thoughts to her, so she wouldn’t panic on the way back up.

It took him twenty minutes to pick his way back up the slope to where the doe waited. He let the doe sniff the fawn and himself before he set the fawn down. He could feel both the doe’s and fawn’s relief and, well, call it gratitude. The two deer skittered off, leaving Don behind. "Glad to help." he said quietly as the deer went about their own business.

He then looked up. The sun was already behind the 15,000+ foot cone of Mt. Pomeroy, and he could see dragons circling the summit craters. "Time to head home." he thought. He proceeded to put actions to thoughts. It was a ten-mile hike to his cabin.

Half an hour later, he arrived at his log cabin. The first thing he did was to remove his saddlebags and blanket, putting them neatly away. Then, he headed over to his outdoor shower, because the day’s running had made him hot and sweaty, but the pool in the stream was too cold yet for swimming. He hung up his hat, removed his shirt and belt pouch, and then shifted from his centaur form to fully human. He luxuriated in the shower for fifteen minutes before he shut the water off. Toweling dry, he wrapped the towel around himself, then went into the cabin, thoughts of a thick steak or three, along with some large baked potatoes and a large green salad on his mind. Being a centaur all day makes him hungry.

It was in the spring of 2123 when Don had some company at his cabin. Answering the knock on the door, Don saw an utterly nondescript man there, along with a slim boy with bright strawberry blonde hair. It took him a few seconds to recognize the man as Dr. Rex Pomeroy, one of the foremost veterinarians and animal specialists in Sagania, if not the world.

"Don, step outside, please. I have something to show you, along with a request." said Rex.

When Don stepped outside, Rex introduced the boy as Peter Smith. "You are acquainted with Smith and Son, Farrier and Leatherwork?" Rex asked.

"Of course. I get most of my leather products from them. Is Peter a relative of theirs?"

"Yes. This is a secret. He’s Bradley’s son." Rex said. When Don blinked at the news, Rex continued. "His mother’s a dryad down on Mount Dodge. Few people outside the family know his parentage, because Brad wants it that way.

"The reason I have brought him to you is because he, like Brad and Ethan, is a shapeshifter. Unlike them, he is not a wolf. He is a hind.

"We would like you to train him in woodland skills because his second skin is centauroid, like you are. Show him, Peter."

At Rex’s command, Peter shapeshifted into a centaur with the body of a deer, instead of a horse. He still retained the upper body of an 8-year-old boy. Peter looked at Don, took a deep breath, and said "Would you teach me about the woods, sir?" He spoke slowly, enunciating with care.

"Of course I will. Are you prepared to work hard, accompanying me on my rounds, listening to what I teach you?"

"Yes, sir. I will listen to what you say. I will do as you tell me." Peter said, still speaking very slowly.

"You won’t have to worry about him slowing you down, Don. He’s even faster than Bradley is, even at his age. Even his thoughts are at high speeds." Rex told him.

"Good. Why don’t you go home tonight, and be here first thing in the morning tomorrow, bringing what you need for your stay. It will give me time to get my place ready. I haven’t had an apprentice before. This should be interesting." Don said, looking at Peter.

"I will be here at sunrise, sir. I promise you that you will not be sorry to teach me." Peter said. As they turned to leave, Don signaled to Rex to phone him.

A half-hour later, Rex phoned. "Rex, is there anything else I need to know about him?" Don asked.

"Several things. One, he has a metabolism that is higher than yours. Even with his bottle, he still eats a lot. Two, he’s a forestwalker, but only in human form. He can’t fit his wereform into a tree. Three, he’s very active and mischievous. You have permission to use firm discipline on him if he misbehaves, and he knows it. Anything else you want to know?"

"Yes. Why me as his teacher?"

"Because you’re a werecentaur. Having someone with similar shapeshifting abilities teaching him we hope will enable him to be comfortable in both forms. He only started shifting ten days ago."

"I understand now. Okay, Rex. I agree without reservation. I better put in for more equipment for him to use."

"It’ll be shipped out in the morning, Don. Way ahead of you there."

Early the next morning, Peter arrived, along with the necessary additional equipment he would need to stay with Don for the next however long. Peter proved to be an exceptionally apt student in forest lore, learning very fast indeed. Peter proved to be very fast on his feet as well, outracing Don at every turn. One of the hardest lessons Peter had to learn was patience. That and foraging for the proper foods his young growing body needed and craved.

This training lasted for a year, Peter rapidly growing and maturing. After a year, Peter was a trim, slim youth in human form, with an unruly shock of reddish-blonde hair that resisted all efforts to comb smooth. In hind form, he was still sleek, slender and swift. He could outrun his father and grandfather both in hind form and human form, although he preferred forestwalking in human form.

Peter was ready to graduate his apprenticeship and move on to his own patrol area. He was out on a sweep with Don, the summer rains making footing treacherous on the mountain trails.

"What was the latest report on the weather?" Peter asked, picking his way carefully.

"From what I heard, thunderstorms from the southeast until after noon, tapering to steady rain for another day before clearing." Don told his apprentice.

"Wonderful. Just another day in the life of a forest ranger, right?"

"Got that right, Peter. You should be used to the wet by now." Don said, wiping his face.

"Used to it, yes. Enjoying it, well…" Peter laughed. "Not quite yet! At least it’s warm!"

The two rangers made it to the top of the ridge. Looking down, through the gloom, all they could see was the wet, dripping forest. "True. Blizzards can be a challenge, right?" Don said with a small chuckle.

Then, a loose rock turned under Don’s right front hoof. As he shifted his weight, the ridge slid out from under him, crumbling. Peter could only watch as his friend and mentor fell into the valley below.

Thinking fast, Peter shifted from hind form to human. Picking up his bags, he dove for a tree, entering it and translocating to a similar tree in the valley. Exiting, he could hear the rockslide off to his left, and see some of the taller trees shaking. Slowly, he headed in that direction, listening for the slide to stop. When it did, he looked for his friend.

After a few moments searching, Peter did find Don, battered, bruised, and bleeding. He had remained in centaur form, and his equine body had taken a lot of damage. Two legs were obviously broken, and he was bleeding from many points. Quickly, Peter took his first-aid kit from his pack and did what he could, but he knew Don needed more help.

As he worked, Peter thought about where he could get help on a day like this. The dragons wouldn’t fly in the storms, and the nearest town was over 20 miles away. No roads led directly there, either, and the storm would make using the Teltrans system dangerous at best.

Suddenly, he had a thought. The furries lived nearby! The furries were humans who, through the Sagan virus, has shifted into animorphic forms, and actually enjoyed being the way they are. Peter knew some of them were powerful healers as well, especially the leader of the furries, Belic Bear.

Gently, he patted Don’s unconscious form. "I’m going for help, Don. Don’t worry." he said quietly. Peter then took a locator beacon from his pack and placed it next to Don, activating it. He then got up and walked, looking for an oak tree. Finding one, Peter walked into it.

Peter exited from another oak tree, which is inside the bounds of Belic’s Castle. As he exited, a red panda swung from a branch. The red panda, named Runtt, was the sentinel of the castle.

"Peter! What brings you here on a miserable day like this?" Runtt asked.

"Sound the alarm, Runtt! Don’s hurt in a rock fall several miles from here, and I can’t move him by myself." Peter said, almost too fast to be understood, but the furs here knew him, and could understand Peter’s excited rapid-fire speech.

"Yes sir, Ranger!" Runtt said, and then leaped for the alarm triangle hanging from the branches of the tree. Picking up the striker, he started sounding an alarm.

Within seconds, the denizens of the castle started coming out of the building, responding to the alarm. Peter stood straight and tall, ready to assume command.

Peter waited until he saw the leader, Belic Bear, a 15-foot tall, incredibly fat ursinoid. "Sir Belic, I come to request assistance. Ranger Treverick has fallen from the ridge overlooking Canyon del Oro. He is badly hurt.

"I request your aid, and the aid of those here, to bring him here for healing. Will you help?"

As a ranger, Peter could ask for aid, but could not compel them unless the threat is immediate, such as a forest fire. He was counting on the old bear’s kindness and gentle nature.

"Ranger Smith, of course we shall help. Ranger Treverick is a friend of us all here, as you know."

The big bear looked at the group of furs. Pointing a fat paw, he indicated two in particular.

"Baron, Kody, you go with Runtt and Ranger Smith to bring back Ranger Treverick. Speed is indicated, but be careful!"

Baron, a strong horse morph, and Kody, a dragon-bear mix, stepped forward, Kody shrinking down from 20 feet in height to a reasonable 7 feet. Peter handed his tracking device to Baron. "This will guide you to Ranger Treverick. I will take Runtt and go on ahead. I hope Runtt can stabilize him long enough to get him here." he said.

The older horse-morph looked at the tracker, making sure he understood how it worked. Kody suggested, "Maybe you should take a larger first-aid kit?"

"Good idea!" Peter said. Belic’s mate, K’gra, a leopardess, brought out the large rescue bag. Peter accepted it with a smile of thanks.

Then, a bright flash lit up the surroundings, and a large crack of thunder shook the castle and grounds. Peter put down his pack, then slung the big rescue bag to his back. Taking Runtt by his paw, he called out, "Time is of the essence! Make ready for us when we return!" He then led Runtt into the large oak tree.

Baron and Kody headed out of the castle gates, the dragon-bear growing large enough to allow the horse morph to get on his back. Baron began calling out directions to Kody, who set off at a surprising pace.

"Why would Belic send both of us? You’re big enough for most anything, when you put your mind to it!" Baron said in Kody’s ear.

"You’re not only strong, you are older than many of us. Peter is barely out of childhood. Belic must think you will be able to help Peter remain calm." Kody said as he ran.

"Good point, friend." Baron held on as Kody raced through the forest.

In a few moments, the dragon-bear and horse morph arrived on the scene. Peter and Runtt were hard at work, trying to dig out Don and treat his wounds.

"Help them move rocks, Baron. I’ll stop this storm. It will make it easier to get the job done." Kody said, rising up on his hind legs and gathering a ball of mystical energy between his forepaws. Baron just nodded and moved in, picking which rocks to move and toss aside.

Kody gestured, sending the ball into the clouds, roaring like an angry bear. The storm subsided a bit, the rains slowing from a downpour to a steady rain. Lightning flickered only one more time, and the winds slowed. Only then did Kody go to help Baron uncover the stricken Ranger.

It took several minutes for the furs to uncover Don from the rock pile. Runtt had kept his paws on Don’s body the whole time, sending healing energy into him. "He’s hurt bad, gentlefurs. We need to get him to Belic as fast as we can." the red panda reported.

"Will he be all right?" Peter asked nervously. He had been splinting Don’s broken legs as they were uncovered.

Baron put a hand on Peter’s shoulder. "When we get him to Belic, he will be. Remember, Belic is a Master Healer. He will be all right. You did well, Ranger Smith." he said, putting as much calming tones as he could into his voice.

Peter settled down under Baron’s words. "I’m not a full Ranger yet, sir." he said, moving back to allow Kody to pick up the fallen Ranger.

"You will be."

Kody teleported the group back to Belic’s castle, where the bear managed to heal all of Don’s injuries. Don was allowed to sleep until the next morning, completing the healing process. Peter reported in to Ranger Base then, describing the incident and all actions taken.

Several days later, Peter graduated from being an apprentice ranger to full Ranger status. He insisted that the ceremony be held in Belic’s castle, because he was grateful to his friends for helping him when needed. Seeing as the Rangers knew and appreciated the furries, agreement was easy to obtain. Plus, Belic was an old friend of the Head Ranger.