Author's Note: This is my first story guys, so don't be too harsh. In other words, no flames please. Also, I hope that you don't not read it for the Will x Cassandra shipping, as it wont truly begin until later into the story. However, there will be hints every now and then.
Oh yeah, one last thing, sorry about the cliffhangers and the short chapter, I just couldn't resist (the cliffhangers).
EDIT: I'm incredibly sorry for the long wait that you guys had to endure, I went to China over the break and didn't have time at ALL to write. Furthermore, I took the week after that off too, so I didn't have that much time to write either (still in China at that time). But now I'm back and I should be able to get one edited version up once in a while.
Also, if you haven't noticed, here's the key for the various markings/styles.
" = Speech
' = Thought
BOLDED = Author's Note
ITALICS = Dream, Flashback, ect.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranger's Apprentice, and all crap related to it. That belongs to John Flanagan.
Summary: Will's almost finished with his training, but an unexpected invasion by the Rossanians from the Northeast has forced King Duncan to take action. Sending Princess Cassandra, Will, Horace, and Alyss on a mission to scout and talk with the Rossanians (of peace), the group embarks on an adventure that will change all of them.
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"Hey, George, it's your turn to take watch," mumbled Joe to his sleepy companion.
The two of them were currently situated on top of a watchtower at the edge of Hackham Heath. The tower stood at roughly three stories high, and was made of an interior of wood, and an outer casing of stone. It was overlooking the beachhead and the sea that lead to the mainland. The two were lightly armed with leather padding, a bow and arrows, along with a short sword, since there wasn't much indication of an attack at the area.
Both Joe and George were pseudo-warriors with little training; they only took the job to get a bit more money under their belts. However, they were both brave and willing to do their job.
"Huh…?" George said sleepily. "It's time already?"
"Yeah. Hurry up and take watch, I'm going to sleep," replied Joe.
Just then, there was a large horn sounding at the distance. It seemed that there was someone out at the sea.
"Wuzzat?" asked George, still groggy from sleep.
Joe squinted and looked. There appeared a rough outline of a boat. It appeared wider than it was tall, so that meant it wasn't Skandian. And yet, it was too wide to be a Galacian one. Who could it be, that had a queer boat like that?
As the boat came closer, it was clear who they were. Joe had seen them once before, when he was reading to his kids and fairytale of people from the far north. What the picture in the book depicted was identical to what he was seeing now.
The Rossanians were attacking.
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It was a dark day at Castle Araluen, as news of the Rossanians came to pass. Yet, the scenery was still beautiful, despite the black news. The sun was shining in a perfect, blue sky, while Castle Araluen stood towering over the little town that surrounded it. Inside, King Duncan was conversing with his attendants and helpers, over what to do about the Rossanian Invaders. The room was gilded with gold and paintings, yet the three men paid no attention to them. Instead, they were in a heated discussion next to the table.
The first man, King Duncan, was wearing his usual red rode, gilded with gold, his crown gleaming atop his head. His brown hair was tainted with grey, yet his green eyes still had the glint of knowledge and youth. Next to him was the Battlemaster from Caraway Feif, Sir David, dressed in full battle armor. (A/N: I think that's his name) His helmet covered most of his face, yet some of his blonde hair stuck out at certain points. The last person at the table was Lord Anthony. He had a slightly scholarly look about him, as his brown eyes glinted with knowledge. However, he was quite round around the belt, because he spent most of his time inside. Atop his head sat a bush of uncombed black hair, yet he paid no attention to it.
"My lord, we should take action quickly and fiercely, finishing the Rossanians before they can react," insisted the Battlemaster, who was also the commander of the king's forces.
"That is good idea David, however, I hope to end this conflict peacefully, without bloodshed, as that would be best for the people. If it shall come to a matter of force, then it shall. But for the time being, I would prefer it if we knew the intentions of the enemy, and tried to make peace with them." replied the King.
"Sir, if I may, we should send an expeditionary group. You know, with the intention of peace, or reconnaissance or such," Lord Anthony said.
"But they can be eliminated so easily if they were to fall into enemy hands! It would be a death wish to send them straight towards the enemy. Plus, they could be used as a bargaining tool. And how would we get a treaty signed without one of noble lineage?" said the Battlemaster.
"What if we were to send an elite group specialized in their task, carrying with them the royal heritage? One who specialized in stealth or some such," asked Lord Anthony.
"But I am too concerned with the kingdom, I have no time to go squabble with the Rossanians!" replied the king.
"I never said anything about you my lord, and I know just who to pick for this group," replied Lord Anthony calmly.
"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" asked David.
"I think you're correct," answered the Chamberlin.
**********
Meanwhile, at Castle Redmont, Will was training fiercely with his master, Halt. Or rather, he was in a heated training process that Halt deemed necessary. In the forest, Will had to seek out five concealed dummies, which Halt had put, at random areas, to hone his logic and sight. The dummies had a small green flag, for stealth of course, on them, which Will had to collect.
"It will save your life someday," Halt had calmly said, an hour prior.
'Yeah, right,' thought Will. 'This sure as hell is taking a long time. Plus, he says that for every training routine I go through.'
And he was right. The dummies were cleverly concealed in trees, in bushes, lying on the ground, all camouflaged in a mottled cloak modeled after the one Will wore. So far, Will had found four of the five dummies, yet it was taking him quite a long time to find the last one. Halt said it would be, at the maximum, a league radius from his cabin in the woods. Yet Will had scoured close and far for all the dummies, and they were nowhere to be found. He was nearly going to admit defeat; he was tired, and his feet were sore from walking.
However, that was not Will's way or nature.
Will had realized, with no surprise, that the training he was undergoing was getting harder and harder. Will jogged back to Halt's cabin, looking at the ground. He was going to restart from the cabin, and search where he already hadn't.
While he ran, Will thought about the past few years. They had been tough, and he realized with some surprise that he had gained a good deal of muscle and knowledge from it. In other words, he had learned. But his thoughts slowly reverted to other things. How he was hungry, how Halt would react if he came back with four flags, and then to… her. Will shook his head.
'Best not to think of her know, in the middle of training,' he thought. Lately, he surprisingly found that his thoughts riveted mostly on her, yet he didn't know why. 'Stupid brain,' he thought.
He was almost back to the cabin now. The trees were thinning as he reached the small clearing in which Halt's cabin resided.
And then he saw it, the last dummy. It was right there, hidden under the shadow of the stables. Will mentally slapped himself for missing something so obvious. It was usually under him to do so. He quickly ran and grabbed the flag, then proudly went into the cabin, grinning. He was satisfied that he had completed the routine, and wanted to show Halt how he did so.
However, inside the cabin, there was someone else there. Someone he hadn't seen in ages.
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So, what do you think? Too short? Not enough description? Constructive Criticism is greatly appreciated, but flamers will be blocked. I'll try to get up the next chapter as soon as I can.
