SKANDIAN PRANKSTER FOUND! RANGER COMMANDANT EXTENDS SANCTUARY
The month-long manhunt for the “Skandian Salt Bandit”, Jesper of the Heron brotherband, came to a dramatic conclusion this past week, as its leader, Jennifer Dalby received a message from former wardmate Sir Horace Altman. “I think I’ve found that Skandian kid you’re searching for, Jenny. He’s been here at Castle Araluen helping Crowley with paperwork,” the note read in its entirety. Shortly after the note arrived in Redmont, Ranger Halt was seen making his way to Castle Araluen. Locals cite “some gibberish about an important Ranger mission,” while castle servants report seeing an unidentified youngster fly overhead and land in the moat shortly after his arrival. After Halt left, we spoke to Commandant Crowley about the incident. “So far as I can see, all Jesper was trying to do was prank Gilan,” he said. “The fact that Halt also got targeted was simply happy accident. I can respect a good prank now and again, though he was unfortunate enough to get on Jenny’s bad side with the cakes. I found him pilfering food from the castle kitchens and offered him a deal. Protection from the wrathful Rangers and chefs in his wake in exchange for help with my paperwork.” Jennifer Dalby spoke for those affected by the prank, stating that she is satisfied with the justice that has been meted out. “Between Crowley’s paperwork and Halt’s moat tossing, I think Jesper’s suffered enough.” She declared the manhunt over, and most parties involved seem satisfied. Possible exceptions include Crowley, who has lost his assistant, and Baron Arald, who is still sulking about his birthday cake and could not be reached for comment.