Halt's heart stopped at the most chilling sound he had heard in his long years as a Ranger: Will's brief cry of pain, followed by the sound of his bow dropping.
"Will!" he shouted, all thought of the Genovesan forgotten for a moment. He searched vainly, looking to where Will had risen into view. There was no sign of him. Halt felt fear clench his heart as he realized Will was down. He's hit, Halt thought with horror. He whirled angrily towards the sound of the escaping Genovesan. He released three quick arrows, but none found their mark. He snarled a little at the retreating form but then turned his attention back to his fallen apprentice. He ran to where Will had fallen. Will was doubled over, turned away from him.
"Will!" he yelled, concern coloring his voice. He fell to his knees beside Will. "Will! Where are you hit?" Will didn't answer. Halt's face grew pale. Will, no, oh please son, no. His apprentice turned over, groaning. Halt felt relief flood him.
"I'm...okay," Will gasped. "The bolt grazed my arm. Hurts like anything."
"Let me look at it," Halt said gently. He sighed in relief when he saw that the wound was indeed only a scrape. He glanced up at his apprentice's clenched teeth, knowing he was in pain. A miniscule expression of pity crossed his brow as he gently touched the wound, causing Will to wince. Halt cut away Will's sleeve and dressed it with the kit at his belt.
"He almost missed you," Halt commented. "Only a centimeter to the left, and you would have been fine." Will grimaced as Halt washed the wound. Halt looked at him apologetically.
"Where's the other Genovesan?" Will asked.
"He got away," Halt admitted, knowing Will would blame himself. His suspicions were confirmed by the stricken and ashamed look on Will's face.
"I'm sorry, Halt," he told him. "If I had done…"
"There was nothing you could have done, Will," Halt interrupted quickly, tying a bandage around his arm. "Neither of us could have known we would aim for the same Genovesan."
"Not only did I let the other one get away, but I got shot in the bargain," Will frowned, feeling as though he had let his mentor down.
"Will, stop," Halt ordered, laying a hand on Will's shoulder. "It's not your fault. At least we got one of them. And I would rather have not gotten either of them if it would have prevented you being shot." Halt glanced down. Will smiled.
"I'm fine," he assured him.
"I know that, but now I have to mend your jacket," Halt replied gruffly. Will grinned.
"Well I can't do it, I'm wounded!" he rejoined. Halt gave him one of his rare smiles, merely glad Will was still there at all. He helped his pupil to his feet and retrieved his bow.
"Probably ought to get back to Horace," Halt commented. "He'll be going crazy."
Will was quiet as they set out the next day. Halt noted his apprentice's disinterest in their conversation as they rode through the forest. He realized he hadn't heard Will say more than two words the entire morning.
"You alright?" he inquired, reaching over to clap him on the shoulder.
"Fine," Will answered, not even looking up. Halt frowned a little. He watched his apprentice worriedly. Once or twice, he caught him rubbing his wounded arm.
"Is your arm alright?" Halt asked his apprentice.
"Perfectly fine," Will replied. He stopped rubbing it. Halt raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Horace. Something was bothering Will. Horace shrugged; he figured Will was still down on himself for not getting the other Genovesan. Halt was more worried however. Will was never this quiet unless something was bothering him. He always had something to say, some question to ask. They reached the bank of a small creek and Halt caught sight of tracks. He stopped to examine them.
"Most definitely our men," Halt affirmed.
"Heading south?" Horace asked. Halt nodded.
"Should we camp here then?" Will asked suddenly. Halt looked at him in surprise.
"Will, it's noon!" he frowned.
"Oh," Will shrugged. Halt frowned at him again, but mounted without a word. He continued to watch Will, who was beginning to mutter to himself very faintly. Halt grew concerned. His apprentice was usually so focused. He seemed distracted. Something stirred in the bushes to their right, and Will reacted instantly. He fired an arrow into the bush before Halt could stop him.
"Will!" Halt cried out. Will did not move, but stared into the bush.
"What is it?" Horace asked in confusion. Halt dismounted and went quickly to the bush. Will's arrow was sunk deep into the neck of a chipmunk.
"Frightened by a chipmunk?" he asked his former apprentice a little sternly.
"Thought it might be the Genovesans," Will shrugged, putting down his bow.
"Genovesans?" Halt asked, incredulously. "Will, that bush wouldn't conceal a three year old! And there's only one Genovesan, remember?"
"You got one?" Will inquired, turning a blank gaze on him.
"We both did," Halt replied, a hint of alarm creeping into his voice. Will shrugged again, and kept riding. Halt quickly mounted to follow him.
"How's the arm?" Halt asked, riding close to his apprentice.
"Fine, why do you keep asking?" Will snapped. Halt's eyebrows shot higher. Will never used that tone, especially not with him.
"Will, hold on," Halt reached out and grabbed Tug's reins.
"Let go! Now!" Will shouted. Horace gasped. He had never heard Will speak so disrespectfully to Halt. Halt's brows drew together.
"Will!" Halt replied sternly. "Stop. Now." Will's expression contorted for a split second, as if realizing what he had done. Tug snorted, trying to look back at Will, as if he sensed something was wrong. Will glared again.
"Tug stop it!" he snapped. Halt's jaw dropped. Rangers never spoke to their horses like that.
"We should get going," Will said sharply. "The Scotti will reach Macindaw soon!"
"Macindaw? Will, what in the world…," Horace asked. Halt's suspicions were confirmed. Will was not in his right mind. Will jerked the reins from Halt and urged Tug into a canter before Halt could stop him. Halt followed him, his expression grim and anxious.
"Will, wait up! That's an order!" Halt yelled. He heard Horace behind him. His apprentice suddenly slumped in the saddle and fell to the ground.
"Will!" Horace shouted in anguish. Halt felt his heart drop. He drew Abelard up next to Will and flung himself down on the ground next to his former apprentice; but Will wasn't breathing.
