The ranger turned to glare down at the boy angrily, "I can see that," he spat, "And look at what it got yeh.... You'll be killed, and it'll be my fault. Another death to add to the list. Yeh blasted fool."<br/><br/>He growled, kicking at a rock, "Of course they didn't come. They weren't supposed to. It was better to let them think the worst of me, than to allow them to come and risk their lives. I couldn't let that happen.  They deserve to go about their lives in peace!"<br/><br/>He finally stopped pacing and braced his hands against the wall, digging his fingers into the stone in an attempt to get hold of himself. "Years ago... I was part of a crew that was sent to fell a demon pestering the eastern villages. We killed the beast and returned home. We didn't know it would regenerate. Every man of that party was killed. We managed to banish the beast, but he manages to gain control of mortals by extending his consciousness toward them. I have carried a pendant that protected me for many years. When I was abducted, it must have fallen off. He'll take me soon. I cannot be near anyone when that happens."