His unruly hair pokes through the cabin doors on a cool summer night. His thin but muscular legs step out into the moonlit night. His bright blue eyes, twinkling with happiness, peer out into the forest. "Halt! Halt, look!"
The grim-faced Ranger grunts and turns toward Will's voice. He walks to the door, his own salt-and-pepper gray hair just slightly taller than his former apprentice. "What is it?" He looks around, wondering what would cause his son-like figure to get all happy in the middle of the night. Then again, he's always happy, Halt thought, except for that time with the warmweed. It still pains him to think about the time that he let the Skandians, their burly former enemy, take Will away from Redmont when he was right in front of him. "So, what is it? What had you so captivated that you didn't even bother closing the door?"
Will's smile fades a little but comes back full force a second later. "I don't need to close the door if you're coming out as well." Halt continues to frown at him so he continues to talk. "Besides, look at this, Halt. It's so pretty!" He makes a gesture the air around him. "These glowing flies are amazing!"
"Glowing flies?" The mockery in his tone is noticeable but Will thinks he just doesn't believe him.
"Yes, Halt, glowing flies. See?" Halt smirks underneath the cowl of his Ranger cloak.
"Glowing flies, Will? Is that what you said?"
Hearing the smirk in his voice, Will frowns. "Yes, that is exactly what I said."
"Will," Halt's voice now serious, causing Will to straighten up a little. "This will be the most important thing I will ever teach you." Will nodded, slowly at first but full of vigor afterwards. "These 'glowing flies.'" The younger ranger leans in subconsciously. "These glowing flies," he repeated. "Are actually called fireflies."