Well, here it is. The Stuff of Legends: Revamped. For those of you who haven't read my announcement, please do now. If you're new, then it's unnecessary. You don't have to know about the previous SOL but if you want, feel free. I guess since SOL is abandoned, this and Technology will be my focal points.
Gee, I sound really serious. I guess I am, and stressed too. Piled under with homework due to this long break. *sigh*
IMPORTANT: Alright, I'm gonna try to clear up confusion first. I'm thinking that this happens after book 10, but book 12 never happened. Because seriously, I was very disappointed. Alyss isn't dead, Cassandra and Horace proposed and yadda yadda yadda. Will had been a fully fledged ranger for about, let's say, ten years? He's thirty now, I guess. When did he propose to Alyss? No frickin idea. But I guess that's about it.
On with the improved story! (I hope.)
Will slumped back in the old wooden chair. He sighed contentedly. He had just returned from a job. Nothing too serious, just some bandits who stole a precious heirloom from one of the families in the village. After identifying himself as a King's Ranger, they surrendered quite readily. He tied them up and strapped them to the back of their horses. They were sent to Castle Redmont for trial. He returned the heirloom back, and the beaming smiles he got lifted his mood greatly. He felt good.
He busied himself making a cup of coffee, adding honey after just as his mentor had done. He picked up a sheaf of reports and settled back down into his chair, ruffling Ebony's hair as he went. His trained eyes scanned the reports quickly. Nothing interesting happening so far. In fact, apart from those bandits, Redmont was relatively peaceful. Nothing had happened for five months before the recent robbery. He felt bored. As he always did.
He grinned as remembered complaining to Halt that he was bored, and when Halt told him to improve his unseen movement or shooting, he would say that he wasn't anymore, until the whole process repeated after a minute of silence. He roused himself from his musings when he saw a large linen envelope with a red wax seal. On the seal was the insignia of an oakleaf, and his name was written on the front. He tore open the envelope and read the letter.
Dear Will,
How do you like the new seal? Duncan had it made for the Ranger Corps. Looks quite official, don't it? I like it. Will took a moment to sigh at Crowley's antics. But enough of that blabber. Time to get to business.
I'm hosting a meeting at Castle Araluen. Halt, Gilan and his apprentice are going to be there. Will's eyebrows momentarily rose. Gilan had an apprentice? He didn't know about that. But then again, Gilan would be busy training him, and he did assume everyone liked surprises.
Meet at my office at 8 a.m. in three days time. I would have liked it to be earlier, but my old bones need to rest. Will snorted. Halt would have a tart rejoinder to that. It's a very serious issue, so no tardiness, Will.
See you there.
The best Ranger Commandant in the World,
Crowley
Will took a moment to be surprised at the sign off, but only a moment. Crowley was Crowley. And if he didn't sign off as he did, he might as well have retired, took up playing the harp and changed his name to Ermentrude.
Will drained his now lukewarm coffee and retired to his bed, ruffling Ebony's fur again. He would make for Castle Araluen tomorrow, for it was already dark outside. And Tug always said, if it's dark out, don't travel. I can't see you very well and I wouldn't know if you fell. He had just laughed at his horse and told him he knew how to ride a horse. And every time, his horse would snort and do the horse equivalent of a raised eyebrow.
As he drifted off to sleep, he though about Gilan's apprentice, and considered getting an apprentice himself. He involuntarily shuddered. As he reflected back and remembered how he had pestered and annoyed Halt, he decided it was best not to. Halt was patient, tolerable. And himself? Much less so. With that thought, he lulled to sleep.
I feel like it's quite short. Is it? Tell meh ples. Review, please! Tell me if it was better written, or you like the old one better. It's still up, so I'll try to concoct something if you like the first one better.
Seeya!