Disclaimer: I do not own Ranger's Apprentice, nor any of the characters, though I wish I did.

The following morning, of course, they were faced with the problem of what to do with Bart and Carney. The two bandits had spend a supremely uncomfortable night, tied back to back and so forced to sit upright on the stony ground. Several times during the night, Gilan had loosened their bonds for a few minutes to give their cramped muscles brief respite. He even eventually relented and allowed them a small amount of the party's food and water. But it was still a very unpleasant experience for them, made even more so because they had no idea with he planned to do with them in the morning.

And, truth to be told, neither did Gilan. He had no wish to take them along as prisoners. As it was, they had only four horses, counting the pack horse that had been carrying their camping supplies and would now have to carry Evanlyn as well. He felt that the news of Morgarath's puzzling foray into Celtica should be taken back to King Duncan as soon as possible, and dragging two prisoners along on foot would slow them down immeasurably. In addition, he was already considering the idea of sending Will on ahead at top speed. Ideally, he would go himself, but there were still answers he wished to find in Celtica. There were dangers with carrying the message, of course, but Gilan felt that staying to scout in Celtica carried more danger. Horace's battlehorse, Kicker, and the pack pony Evanlyn would ride would never keep pace with Tug's mile eating lope. Gilan reasoned that Horace, capable of defending himself, could accompany Evanlyn back to Araluen at a more comfortable rate.

So, faced with deciding these serious matters, he frowned to himself as he ate breakfast, allowing himself the luxury of a second cup of coffee from their dwindling supply. After all, he thought, if he did send the others home and remain in Celtica, it was the last coffee he'd see for some days. After a while he glanced up, caught Will's eye, and beckoned him over.

"Will, I'm thinking..." Gilan paused, thinking of how to best phrase his idea to the boy. "I'm thinking of sending you ahead with the news to King Duncan." Instantly he saw the look of alarm in Will's eyes.

"You mean alone?" Will asked, and Gilan nodded.

"This is vital news, Will, and it needs to get to King Duncan as soon as possible. Aside from anything else, it means that there'll be no reinforcements coming from Celtica. He needs to know that."

"But..." Will hesitated. He looked around the little campsite as if searching for some argument against Gilan's idea. "Why alone? Why can't you come? What about Horace and Evanlyn?"

Gilan recognized the self-doubt that was racking the boy. He stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's walk a little." He said, and they began to pace away from the campsite. Blaze and Tug glanced up curiously as they passed, then realizing they weren't required, went back to cropping the sparse vegetation. "I know you're nervous, but you'll travel fastest alone. The pack pony and Horace's horse won't be able to keep up with Tug." Gilan held up a hand to cut off Will's protest. "I can't come, because I need to look around in Celtica more."

Will bit his lip. "How will Horace and Evanlyn get home? And you'll be alone in Wargal infested territory!"

Gilan gave a crooked smile. "Horace is more then capable of accompanying Evanlyn back to Araluen. As for me, I do know what I'm doing. I know that this is a lot to take in, but if I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't have asked. I know you're worried about what happened with those four Wargals." Will paused to look at Gilan.

"Halt told you?" Will asked. There was a note of doubt in his voice. He wondered what Halt has said about his behavior. Gilan nodded gravely.

"Of course he told me. Will, you have nothing to be ashamed of, believe me."

"But, Gil, I panicked. I forgot all my training and I-"

Gilan held his hand up again to stop the torrent of self-recrimination. "Halt says you stood your ground." He said firmly. Will shuffled his feet.

"Well...I suppose so. But..."

"You were scared but you didn't run. Will, that's not cowardice. That's courage. That's the highest form of courage. Weren't you scared when you killed the Kalkara?"

"Of course." Will answered. "But that was different. It was forty meters away and attacking Sir Rodney."

"Whereas," Gilan finished for him, "The Wargal was ten meters away and coming straight at you. Big difference."

Will wasn't convinced. "It was Tug who saved me." Gilan grinned.

"Maybe he thought you were worth saving. He's a smart horse. And while Halt and I aren't nearly as smart as Tug, we think you've got what it takes too. Which is why I want you to carry the message to the King."

"It's so much responsibility. I doubt I can do it..." Will trailed off, looking down.

"Then don't!" Gilan said forcefully. "Self doubt is a disease. And if it gets out of control, it becomes self-fulfilling. You have to learn from what happened with those Wargals. Use the experience to make you stronger."

Will thought about Gilan's words for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "All right. What do you want me to do?"

Studying him for a moment, Gilan grinned broadly. There was a newfound determination in the boy's stance. "The plan is pretty straight forward. After we deal with our two little friends, you ride as fast as you possibly can to the King's camp."

I've always wondered what would have happened if Gilan had a reason to remain in Celtica, and had sent Will, Horace and Evanlyn back to Araluen. As always, please review! Chapter two to be up soon, stay tuned!