Ranger's Apprentice: A Twist in Time
Chapter 1: A Surprising Guest
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character involved except Hueven
It was a normally peaceful day at Castle Araluen. The sky was clear, the sun was shining, the fields around the castle rustled in the slight breeze. Nothing could possibly make this day any worse. Knights were patrolling the ramparts of the castle, keeping constant vigilance, this was the capital after all, anyone could attack at any time, they all knew this, it was a constant thought in their minds. The sentries at the gate had the most boring position of all, having to stop and interrogate anyone who came through at any time. This wasn't so bad at Castle Araluen, as most of the riders and persons seeking entrance were Rangers, all they needed was to open the gate and watch them ride inside. That wasn't the case today.
The two sentries were sitting around in the guardhouse when they heard the familiar drum of horse's hooves on the dirt road. They looked out the window and saw a figure riding the barreled body of a Ranger horse, but instead of the normal gray and green mottled ranger cloak, his was a mixture of black and dark gray, the effect was there his form shifted slightly out of focus, but not to the extent of the Rangers.
The two sentries hurried down the stairs and stepped out of the side-gate to interrogate the stranger, walking to both sides of the gate and barring the way with their spears.
"Why do you claim passage into the castle?" one of the sentries asked, the one who had taken a position on the left
The rider checked his horse at a distance as he realized they weren't opening the gate. As the stranger approached he threw back his cowl revealing a youth of about 17. His eyes were blue and hardened with a severity only Ranger's training or Knight School would give, and his hair was jet black with a tousled and dishelved look.
"Who are you?" The other sentry asked
"Come on Fred, I don't have time for this, I must see Sir Duncan." The stranger replied
Immediately both of them grew hostile. Duncan was king of Araluen, and as such would be addresses King Duncan, or, my lord. This stranger also seemed to be too at ease for approaching the castle like this.
"Nobody can just see the king." The first sentry spoke
"Bart, this isn't the time to be playing around." The stranger said, anger growing in his voice
This was definitely strange. The stranger had, without meeting either of them, got their names right. The only problem was he'd gotten them backwards. Bart was the guard on the right, who'd asked who the stranger was, while Fred was the sentry who had asked why he was here, and warned him that no one could just walk up to the king.
"Who are you?" Bart asked again
The stranger sighed "Fine, I'll play along. I am Hueven, King's Shadow number 42, stationed at Castle Araluen and son of the battlemaster, Sir Duncan."
The two looked at each other strangely before lowering their spears at the stranger. He noticed the action and held up his hands. "What's the problem?"
"Duncan is King of Araluen, and will not be insulted as you just did." Fred stated angrily
"Yeah!" Bart called
Hueven sighed in exasperation. In an instant he had two knives flying through the air and two more in his hands. The first two drilled themselves into the chain mail the sentries wore under their armor. This effectively pinned them to the wall. He dismounted and made his way across the drawbridge.
"Sorry guys, but you were wasting my time, and this is important." He stepped past the sentries to the right side and made his way about five paces down the wall, leaning against it, nothing happened. He suddenly looked very confused. He turned and tried the left hand side, and found the side-gate the sentries had used.
The two looked at each and thought they heard Hueven mutter "Strange, thought it was on the other side."
Once he was inside the castle he made his way to King Duncan's appartments, finding instead the Ranger Corps command center.
"What the?" Hueven asked as he opened the door.
Crowley, leader of the Ranger Corps looked up to see a similarly dressed figure to himself, only with black instead of mottled green, gray, and brown. He was immediately on the alert.
"Can I help you?" Crowley asked
"Yes, I'm looking for the battle-master." Hueven said
Crowley nodded. "I believe he would be on the practice field, but before you go, I curious about your cloak." He said motioning toward the black garment he wore.
"Oh come now Crowley." The man said "You designed it." He said
Crowley nodded slowly "I guess I did didn't I?"
"Yes, now if you'll excuse me, I've got to report to Duncan." Hueven replied
"Wait, I thought you were looking for the battle-master?"
"I am, Sir Duncan, battle-master of the fief Araluen." Hueven replied
Crowley knew something was definitely wrong here, but now he realized it was more than wrong, it was downright strange.
"Well, I'm sure what you have to tell him is very important, but how about you wait here and I'll go talk to him, let him know you're here." Crowley said standing
"Crowley, why are acting so strange?" Hueven asked
"Really? How should I be acting?" Crowley asked
"Well, for one, you don't ask a Ranger to give you audience with anyone, and second, that especially applies with the battle-master."
"Really, and why wouldn't a Ranger get you audience with anyone."
Hueven chuckled "Crowley, come on, you know as well as I do that Ranger's fell in rank a long time ago."
"Really now, when did this happen, I seem to have forgotten."
Hueven sighed in exasperation. This was taking way too long, and it seemed everyone here was in on the same joke, if things went on like he was half-expecting to see Duncan sitting on the throne.
"It happened seven years ago, when Morgarath took over Araluen." Hueven said