A/N: My version of how the Rangers were formed under King Herbert. I haven't seen a story of this nature so I thought I'd write one myself :) We don't learn much about this in the books, so I'm going off the little that we know(if i get something wrong I'm sorry! Just lemme know and I'll try to fix) I hope

Prince Herbert was practicing sword play in a small clearing. One of the Battle School knights was his opposition. Their engagement was not a proper spar, rather a series of random strokes so Herbert could practice his defensive techniques. The blows came from all directions, at a persistent rate. The Prince dealt with all the blows easily. He was just sixteen years of age, and already he was among the best swordsmen in Araluen. They had been practicing for five minutes when Herbert called a halt.

"Have a break shall we? I need to go inside anyways, it's almost time for my war strategy classes."

The knight nodded his thanks for the respite. He jogged over to a small shack and grabbed two cups, and he and the Prince moved to a nearby well and drew water. It was cold, crisp, and refreshing. Their throats had been parched in the late summer sun, and they welcomed the cool drink.

"Well, thank you for sparing, Frank. Hopefully I'll see you around," the Prince said with a smile.

"It was my pleasure, your majesty." Frank replied with a nod of his head.

"Please, call me Herbert," Responded the prince with a smile.

Frank smiled back and nodded his thanks, and with a short, shallow bow, he headed off for the barracks.

Herbert turned and walked briskly towards his quarters to get changed. On his way through the hallways, he passed by tapestries of his ancestors, of great boar hunts, and several actual boar skins. He paid these no heed, for he had seen then hundreds of times as child, strolling through the halls as he marveled at the skill and talent displayed by those that came before him. He nodded to the guards that were outside his entrance way. They stepped aside, allowing him to open his door into his suite of rooms, which included his room to sleep, a washroom, a small study, and a room for relaxation. A fresh set of clothes had been set out for him in the washroom. Herbert walked into the classroom with the other Battle School apprentices. Normally he would have been given private lessons, but the Prince enjoyed the company of his fellow knights. The lesson today was about siege techniques, how to assault a castle. Prince Herbert was here on nothing more than ceremony, he knew exactly how to siege a castle, and was in fact already a tactical genius. As the apprentices quieted their conversations, and the instructor began to speak, Herbert brought out several sheets of paper on which he would take notes. He already knew all of the information listed, but he was wise enough to know that a refresher never hurt anyone. He settled into his chair and waited for the inevitable drag through the very basics of it.

"These classes aren't very advanced." Herbert thought to himself.

He jotted down a few things the instructors spoke of, mostly ratios and necessary equipment, before he moved onto several famous examples of sieges, both failed and successful. Herbert had of course, memorized all of these. He was just on the verge of yawning when the door behind them was thrown open.

"Prince Herbert! Instructor Adam! Come quick!"

Herbert spun around in surprise, scattering his notes as he did.

"It's about your father! He's been killed!" The speaker didn't wait any longer for them. Herbert jumped up and followed the messenger.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I'm hoping to get a couple more up soon but I'm usually very busy. Let me know what you think of it!