There was a deadly silence in the forest that only a Ranger could love. But in the midst of that silence a piercing cry was let out. It was a sound Will had only heard once before in his life.
He and Halt were out patroling in the forest on the search for a group of bandits that had recently been stirring up trouble. The two partners had just seen sight of them when Halt was hit.
When Will got to him Halt's usual molted cloak was stained red. There was no sign of the once camouflaged cloth that covered his body. Will averted his eyes to Halt's face and saw the pale color that had taken place of the toned skin that once was.
"Will?" Halt whispered.
"Yes Halt, I'm here." Will replied while kneeling down and taking Halts hand. "I'll always be here."
"Good. You were always a great apprentice. I'm glad to have known you."
"What are you talking about Halt? You're not going anywhere." Will cried
"Ah Will. You know better. I won't bounce back from this. I've lost too much blood. I'm going too..." he was cut off by Will's cry of "No Halt. You will not die. You will not leave me."
"No Will. Stop it! Don't waste my laste moments in denial. Stop beong so selfish. This moment is about me." Halt started to chuckle at his own joke but it only caused him more pain. He wanted to see Will smile one last time. Will always had such a happy smile.
"I'm sorry Halt." Will apologized.
"It's ok. Just promise me one thing." Will nodded, "promise me that when you get your own apprentice don't try to be like me. You've always been the better ranger, be the ranger you when you were still my aapprentice I knew you would be the best we have ever had. Better than Crowley, better than me. You're unlike any Ranger we've had. You're the purest, kindest, cleverest Ranger I know. Thank you for giving me the chance to meet you and know you." Halt smiled.
"Halt," Will said through tears "it's you. You are the great one. Halt, the great Ranger. I have always wanted to be like you. You've been like a father to me."
"Tell Pauline I love her and say goodbye to everyone for me." Halt said as he felt life slipping away. "Goodbye my son. I love you and I'll miss you." Then Halt left this world with his bow in his hand. Following along in all Scandian fighters footsteps.
But while Halt left. He left the lone Ranger in the dark of the forest to cry. He left Will to remember the good times: the hand that reached out for him in the datk of the castle the night Will became apprenticed to Halt. The meeting of Halt's former aprrentice Gillan. Seeing Halt again after escaping from slavery. Bursting with pride when Halt would smile t Will. Taunting Halt endlessly about his seasickness.
All great memeories. All part of Will's life forever.
