DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own in any way the Ranger's Apprentice series or characters. If I did, Will would have gone through many near-death experiences.

Prologue

"Mama! Daddy!" cried the small five-year-old huddled in the corner of the small cottage. A few of the Wanderers, a group of thieves and bandits who kidnapped children, tortured innocent people, and burned down small farms for the fun of it, had broken into the weathered house and now had Farmer Wheatley and his wife at knifepoint.

"Shut up, girl, if you know what's good for you!" snapped the first bandit. He turned to the thin woman cowering beneath him. He shoved his dirty face up into hers. "I'm only going to ask you one more time-tell me everything you know about the Ranger Corps!" The Wanderers were longtime foes of the infamous Ranger Corps and vowed to defeat them in any way possible, so when the members asked questions, it usually had to do with them. The bandit knew the farmer's wife wouldn't know a thing about the elusive group, but, for he and his comrades, it was great fun to watch the simple peasant folk bluff their way through the question. "Don't lie to me, I'll know! And if you do…" He let the warning trail off, grinning crookedly.

The five-year old had tears running down her face, praying to God that her parents wouldn't get hurt. "Shh, Alex, it'll be all right," her mother whispered quietly. She turned to face the Wanderer. "I've told you before, and I'll tell you again. I-I know nothing about those Rangers!" Her voice quavered against her will. The bandit glared at her for a terrifying minute. He opened his mouth to speak.

"So be it." The bandit nodded to his right-hand man. "Jerek, kill them." Jerek nodded and drew his knives. He brandished them in the air, grinning at the thought of another victim's blood on his hands

"Mina, Alex, run!" shouted Farmer Wheatley. He tackled Jerek, and the two slammed into the ground. Unfortunately, several other Wanderers surged forward, and the brave man disappeared under a mass of bandits. A handful was left to intercept the mother and daughter running for their lives.

Mina urged her daughter to keep running faster. The two ran like Satan himself was behind them. We have to go faster! Mina's mind screamed. But she couldn't leave Alex behind. Mina took a glance behind her, and screamed incoherently. The bandits were catching up fast! There was only one thing that could save her daughter. She pushed Alex into a concealed rabbit hole. "Hush, darling. You must be very quiet. Remember, Daddy and I love you," she whispered quickly. Mina kissed Alex on the forehead. Tears were streaming down both girls' faces. Mina broke away and ran like hell.

A minute later, screams could be heard. Then, there was silence.

(Character change)

Alex carefully crawled out of the cramped dirt hole a few hours later. "Mama?" she called softly. Alex screamed as she saw her mama's body slumped over in the grass. Huge sobs shook her small frame. She wrapped her small arms around her mama's chest and hugged her, weeping rivers of tears. Alex stayed there for about 2 minutes when a sudden thought snapped into her mind, and the girl took off for their cottage, her long black hair streaming out behind her.

"Papa!" Alex screamed as she heaved open the heavy door. A strangled cry was torn from her. Papa was in the fetal position, a look of fear and pain on his face. Alex ran into the bedroom and curled up in a corner. Heavy sobs racked her frame as the reality of the situation sunk in. My parents are dead, and they aren't coming back.

(Character change!)

Will reined Tug in for a halt, sighing softly as he surveyed the scene. A woman lay in the cornfield, multiple stab wounds crisscrossing her back. She was obviously gone. The Ranger carefully scrutinized the area around her body, looking for something that might point to her attacker. Will noticed two sets of footprints-one that looked like it would belong to the woman, and another, much smaller set. He also saw that the smaller set had turned around, perhaps after seeing the body, and fled in the direction of a small cabin in the distance. Will lightly tapped Tug with his knees, and the shaggy grey pony shot off, following the footprints.

A while later, Will came to a wooden shack. He carefully opened the door, bow at the ready. The room was deserted, save for a man's body. Will examined the body, noting the same pattern of stab wounds as the ones on the woman. His eyes scanned the room and came to rest on a door. Will carefully approached it. The closer he got, the more certain he thought he could hear sobbing. Will opened the door quickly to reveal a little girl. She looked about 5 or 6 years old, with long black hair that was wet with tears. When she saw Will, the girl quickly retreated deeper into the corner, whimpering in fear.

"Shh, don't worry. I won't hurt you," he comfortingly spoke. "Can you tell me your name?" The girl looked up. Her grey eyes with golden flecks stared at him, as if she was taking in every detail. Finally, she spoke.

"How can I trust you?"

Will simply replied, "I'm a King's Ranger." He didn't know whether the girl even knew what a Ranger was, but it was worth a shot.

"How do I know you're not lying?" Will thought for a brief moment before pulling out his silver oakleaf. The girl gazed at it admiringly before looking up at Will. "My name is Alexandra, but everyone calls me Alex," she mumbled.

Will nodded in response. He'd need to take the girl to Baron Arald's (who was still alive, amazingly) ward. "Well, Alex," he began, "I need to take you somewhere where people will take care of you, ok?" Alex nodded, her mind numb with grief. Will held out a hand to help Alex up. "Come on, let's go." Alex took his hand, her eyes brimming with sorrow. Will helped her onto Tug, and the two rode off in morose silence.

It was raining by the time they reached Redmont castle. Will dismounted, carrying Alex, who had fallen asleep during the trip. He met up with one of the sentries who Will felt he could trust. Xander, the sentry, listened quietly as Will explained everything that had happened in the past few hours. Xander nodded and took Alex into his arms and carried her inside. Will watched them go, then turned back and headed home.

AN: So, that was not much of an ending to the prologue, was it? R&R please, and if you liked the story, please drop a follow or a fave.