This is my first story so please don't expect much of it. Also, constructive criticism is always good.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice, John Flanagan does.
Will was riding Tug on a mission to Skandia when he heard a slight rustle behind him. He tensed and continued riding slowly.
"Let them think I didn't see them and surprise them," he thought. Then he heard the sound of a knife being drawn and he knew the moment was near. He then suddenly turned around taking an arrow from his quiver and drew back the bow to full draw all in one swift movement. He frowned as he couldn't see the target. Then, he cried out in pain as he felt a sharp pain in his back.
"It was a standard diversion," he thought as he felt the poison coursing through him veins now. "And I fell for it." Then, a second later, he felt himself sliding out of the saddle, and then everything went black.
That was one year ago. Halt blamed himself for what happened to Will. He was the one who assigned the mission. He agreed to let Will go. He was the one who was supposed to go. He was the one who was to blame.
Gilan thought it was all his fault. He was the one who suggested Will going. He was the one who didn't let Halt go because Halt was getting old. He was the one who thought that Will could handle it alone. He was the the one to blame.
Horace thought he was to blame. He didn't have time to go with Will. If he was there for Will this wouldn't have happened. He was the one who couldn't find him. He sent many search parties but none found him. He was the one to blame.
Crowley said it was his fault. He couldn't persuade Will from going alone. He couldn't find Will. He wasn't able to help at all. If only he was there with Will. Even if he died with Will, it would've been better. He was the one to blame.
They all thought it was their fault. Nothing Pauline, Alyss, Jenny, Arald, Cassandra or anything anyone could say would change that. Nobody could convince them it wasn't their fault. They all thought about what Will would say if he saw them right now.
"I took the risk and I don't regret it," Will would say. "It's not your fault. Sitting around like this isn't going to help anyone. You need to do what you're supposed to and help the citizens of the kingdom." But, they couldn't. It just didn't feel right without him. The more they thought about it, the more it hurt...
I'm tired now so that'll be it for the first chapter. Hope you liked it and remember, constructive criticism is appreciated.