Halt was resting in his lounge chair. They would be going to the market later today, since they had , sadly, run out of coffee, eggs, and bread. Will was shooting arrows in the back. The boy had been doing very good in training this week, Halt thought. He deserved a reward. Not something huge, like a new bow, but maybe something small, like a sweet.
He got up and stretched his old, tired muscles. " Will!" he called. Will poked his head in. " Yes?" he asked. "We're going to the market today, for more coffee and bread," Halt said. A grin spread over Will's face. "Put on your cloak, saddle Tug, and we'll head off," Halt said.
On their way, Halt started asking will about the tracks on the ground. " What's that?" Will squinted. "Rabbits?" Halt sighed. " Are you asking me or telling me?" This time Will said, determined, "rabbits!"
"Okay, okay! I'm not deaf," Halt muttered.
When they got to town, Halt passed the bakery. He went in, with Will at his side, looking very confused.
Why are we going in the bakery? Will wondered. Inside, Halt looked around. Then, he spotted a pack of 12 chocolate chip cookies. He grabbed them and went over to the baker and poured a few coins from his pouch. He then walked swiftly out of the bakery. Will couldn't stand it much longer. " Halt!" he burst out. " Why did you just buy a pack of cookies?" Halt raised an eyebrow, a skill he had perfected over the years.
" Why can't I?" He asked, slightly amused. " Well, because,….." Will faltered. "Well, I bought the cookies because I wanted to give you a treat," he shrugged. Will broke into the biggest smile he'd ever seen on his face, and that was really saying something. " Thanks, Halt!" Will said. There was one other reason for Halt buying the cookies. And that was that the annual Ranger gathering was coming up, and Halt was in a good mood.
They bought bread and coffee, and left. When they were riding back, Tug gave Will an expression that said, "Save a cookie or two for me, okay?" Will scratched his ears and said, "Sure, boy, but if Halt catches me it's your head. Tug twisted his head around and raised an eyebrow. Wait, Tug raised an eyebrow? " You must be learning from Halt," Will grinned. "I'm just kidding! Halt won't mind if I sneak a few cookies," Will whispered. Tug whinnied.
"Will! Stop muttering to that horse of yours and bring the coffee and bread inside," Halt yelled. Sorry, Halt," Will smiled sheepishly. But on the inside, Halt smiled.
The next day, Halt had gone to a meeting with Baron Arald and Will was home alone. He was shooting at some targets. He heard his stomach growl. It wasn't time for lunch yet, so he decided he'd have a snack. He walked inside and immediately his eyes landed on the cookie jar. Just then, he had a flashback.
Halt was walking to the door and turned around. "Will, you are not to eat the cookies all at once. Understand?" Will nodded. FLASHBACK ENDS. He would only eat one. That wouldn't do any harm.
He opened it the jar and took out a cookie. He put it in his mouth and slowly chewed. Mmmmm!
He went back to training. Now, he was throwing his knives. He frowned. All of his throws were missing their marks. He was never this terrible at knife throwing . He wondered what was wrong with him. He looked at the sun. It was around afternoon. He may as well have some lunch. He went inside and saw the cookie jar. He remembered how delicious the cookie was and decided another one couldn't hurt.
He ate it, chips melting on his tongue. So tasty. "Now you have to eat lunch!" he told himself sternly. "You will not eat another one or else you'll get a sugar rush and Halt will be furious!" But, as he was eating lunch, his eyes never left the cookie jar. So yummy… he thought. One more wouldn't do much harm. He took one out. Ahhhh… he closed his eyes. One more. Mmmmm… Another one. Yummy! Just one more! One more. Just another one. The cookies tasted like heaven.