Takes place during book four, after they meet up.

Surrounded

The Skandian party had them surrounded! There was at least 10 of them.

"Drop your weapons!"

The command had come from a big burly Skandian who seemed to be the leader.

Halt considered this and decided that the best course of action was to do what they said. They each dismounted slowly and dropped their weapons. Horace put his sword and his dagger on the ground, while Halt put down his bow and arrows and then proceeded to remove the many hidden weapons he had on him. Will put down his bow and 2 knives, and Evelyn added her dagger to the growing pile. The Skandians looked on in astonishment. How could a party of four have so many weapons? Furthermore, why would they need them?

"Lookey, lookey. What do we have here? Some more Aruleuns for the slave house. How exciting. Put down your hoods I want to see your faces!"

Will looked on in fear. If they recognized him or Evelyn, they would be done for! The others were thinking along the same lines. Then his hazy memory remembered the face before him. It was Slagor. He couldn't believe it, what was he doing clear out here?

Halt watched Wills reaction carefully, the start of recognition, then the slight tremble of his hands as he went to lower his hood. He was scared of this man. And no wonder, that mans huge! At least three times Wills size ,Halt thought.

Slagor stepped closer to take a look at his captives, but not to close to Halt, cause he had seen the dangerous look in his eyes. Instead he went over to Will, who was trying to advert his face.

"and who might you be?"

When Will said nothing, Slagor backhanded him. Will whimpered, but still said nothing.

"Answer Dog!"

Halt started for ward, but one of Slagor's men grabbed him from behind, Halt shook him of and stood still.

"Don't touch him" he growled.

"Who are you to give orders?!"

Slagor turned back to Will. Roughly, he took his chin and turned his face towards him so he could see better. Suddenly dropping Will, he turned back to his men and said sharply "Tie this one up tight." He paused to consider Horace and Halt. "On second thought, tie them all up."

Obviously, from Slagor's reaction, Will had caused him some trouble in the past. Halt smirked to himself at the thought. Slagor continued talking.

"Do you know who this is?" he smiled, directing his question to Halt. "You are harboring a fugitive. That is punishable. Now, I'm going to take you all back to Hallasholm and sell you for a nice profit." He looked the each up and down. "I reckon you all are gonna bring me some profit. So don't go running off like last time." The last comment he addressed to Will and Evelyn. They shrank back in fear.

They were both huddled together against the cold. Their hands were tied together and the Skandians attached a rope to each one dragging them on at a grueling pace. Well, not so hard for the Skandians, but they were a considerable amount bigger than any of them, even Horace.

By the end of the day, they were halfway to Hallasholm and Will was exhausted. The forced pace through the deep snow was troublesome and chilled them to the core. Every time he stumbled a Skandian jerked him back to his feet with the rope. It was miserable and he feared what would happen when they finally made it back.

OOOOOOOOO

As the Skandians built a fire and put on some food, Halt was thinking through the situation. If it was just him, and maybe Will, he could easily slip away, but he couldn't leave Horace and Evelyn here. Fighting was out of the question, there was just too many. Halt surveyed the scene before him. They were in a sheltered grove of trees, with a fire in the middle. The Skandians were grouped on the other side of the fire. Horace was sitting next to Evelyn, who was shivering, on account of not having warm cloths. Will was huddled under the tree he was tied to, shaking. Halt scootched over to him, sharing his cloak. He pulled Will into his lap, and Will cuddled closer, seeking warmth and comfort. He let out a quiet sob into Halts chest.

"Shh. Hey, it'll be okay. Shh."

He must be terrified, Halt thought. He held him until, exhausted, they both fell asleep. The Skandians didn't seem to notice. At least, not until about an hour later.

OOOOOO

Halt and Will woke with a sharp cry of pian. The Skandian standing over them had just booted them in the ribs.

"oi! What are you two doing?"

Will, already cranky from getting woke up in such a rough manner, rounded on the Skandian and snarled "What was that for?!"

Then, his mind seemed to catch up with his mouth, but he didn't apologize. The Skandian, startled at the violent reaction, backed off, then realized what he had just done. He grabbed Will by the back of his thin shirt, pulling him out of Halts lap and dropping him in a deep snow drift.

"Slagor warned me about you. All it takes is a firm hand he said. Do you want to come play with him some more, hmmm?"

Wills face was pale and he started to shake.

"Scared now are you? Learn some respect dog. And stay away from him." He pointed and Halt.

Once he was gone, Will slunk back to Halt, glaring after the big Skandian. Halt gave him a warning look, but Will ignored it and curled up next to him. Halt listened to his breathing deepen and wondered what the Skandian meant by 'want to go play with him some more?'

OOOOOO

please R+R!!! i wont post then next chappie till i have some reviews. pay up people!

sorry im so mean to poor willy boy. i like him, but that usually bodes unwell for him. muwhahaha!