The newcomer had a neat beard and auburn hair clipped close to his head. His green tunic was notched at the bottom, and a sword hung at his side. Ganix perked up when he noticed the golden stars decorating the man’s cloak pin. “You’re a ranger!”

“True!” he replied with a bow. “Warner Robins, at your service.”

Rangers were sort of like knights. They upheld the laws of Liberty and helped people in need. The freckle-faced boy thrust out his hand and said, “Hi! I’m Ganix!”

—excerpted from Byways #4,...