NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice!
Just a random idea I had. Don't know how far I'll continue this. Depends on the support it gets.
Unknown Blood Chapter 1
Will gasped as his foot tripped over a root in the ground. With a grunt he hit the forest floor. Almost instantly he was up and running onward. Behind him he could hear the dogs barking madly as they picked up his scent. Shouts cut through the silent forest. Horses' hooves sent vibrations through the trees. They were on his tail. So close to capturing him again.
He knew that if he was caught then he would never escape again.
His feet moved faster.
His heart pounded in his chest.
Sweat raced down his body.
The bushes lashed across his face and hands, tearing apart the fancy clothes he was wearing.
Sliding down an incline, Will desperately sought to regain his breath. The creek water splashed onto his brown pants as he ran. Those shiny, black leather boots were caked in mud as he struggled up the other side. Hissing angrily, Will felt himself pulled backwards. A branch had caught onto the white, wool shirt. Quickly he tore it free, leaving another sign of his passing. That mattered little to him. His main priority was to run. His only hope was to outlast his pursuers.
Reaching a road, he stopped and looked around. No one was in sight. Quickly Will dashed across into the trees on the far side. Just in time. A force of mounted men galloped into view, rounding the bend on his left. Spotting them, Will went low, slowing his pace drastically. From along his path came three huge hound dogs and their master. More mounted men followed them. Quickly the two groups exchanged news. The leader, seeing that Will had gotten through their fingers, cursed violently. The dogs already had their noses to the ground. Soon they began barking loudly, straining on their leashes in his direction.
"Find him!" bellowed the leader.
Will heard his command and picked up his pace. They were right behind him. He could not afford to be captured. Not now. Not when he knew the truth. Not when everyone he cared about was in danger. Glancing up at the sun, he saw he was still going in the right direction. Only a few hours until dusk. Hopefully he could last that long. Gritting his teeth, Will pushed onward. He had to last that long. They were counting on him.
Dusk spread across the sky. The last rays of the sun glimmered on the small river. Birds chirped in the trees. Owls began to hoot, knowing their time was coming. A few squirrels nibbled on nuts by the riverside. Instantly they scattered as Will broke the surface. He dragged himself out of the water, breathing hard and soaking wet. It had been a long hard swim. The underwater current was strong, pulling him down to the bottom. Shaking the water from his ears, Will listened for any sound. Nothing. Only the forest. Maybe he had finally gotten away. Maybe he had done what was deemed impossible.
Stumbling into the woods, Will knew he had to keep moving. They would not be tricked for long. Soon they would realize he had swam downriver. Exhaustion made his sight blurry and his feet heavy. His lungs felt like they were ready to burst. Numbly he felt the cold breeze blow past his body. He kept moving. When night was strong then he would rest. Until then he had to keep moving…
That's when something pinned his arms to his sides.
Growling angrily, Will twisted violently. It only succeeded in tightening the rope. Exhaustion replaced with adrenaline, Will's eyes spotted the mounted figure. Calmly, firmly he held the boy at bay. His brown and white paint stallion stood firm beneath him. A powerful sword could be seen at the man's left hip. No armor could be seen. The man knew he did not need it. The boy had no weapons. Will took a step away from the mounted man. Instantly he drew the rope in a little, dragging Will back towards him. Desperately Will dug in his heels but the man was far stronger than him. More mounted men appeared around the two. Will let a snarl appear on his face. Then he closed his eyes and bowed his head.
He had lost.
The mounted man with the rope spurred his horse forward. Easily he leaned over and grabbed Will's wet collar. The boy grunted as he was hauled into the saddle. Then the little group turned and headed back towards the castle. The tops of the towers could barely be seen in the distance. Another cold breeze blew past, making Will shiver. The man wrapped a warm blanket around his small body. A powerful arm pulled him close to the man's chest. Turning his head slightly right, Will saw the emblem of a four-legged snake sewn into the man's cloak.
Again Will closed his eyes.
So much for beating the impossible.
So much for saving his friends.
"I understand why but that doesn't mean I forgive," the man said quietly into Will's ear. "I suspect you already know your punishment,
My son."
Again, may or may not continue.