Disclaimer- I do not own any rights to Rangers apprentice or any of their charactors.
Halt stumbled and muttered an incoherent curse, regaining his footing he struck the bandit in the nose with a closed fist. Only a week ago he would have been back in Redmont with Pauline, but Crowley had to send him on this blasted mission. Taking one last look around the clearing then dropping his strikers into the pouch on his belt. Glancing around the clearing his eyes settled on the bandits who had not been as lucky as the one he had most previously confronted, he cursed his luck. This was the third group who had tried to ambush him on his return, only delaying him one more day for the sun was beginning to set. Riding a bit further north, towards Redmont Halt stopped and made camp, unsaddling Aberlad and pitching his tent. Shielding his eyes as he looked into the horizon, he assumed it would be around half a day journey before he would return home, sighing at the fact.
Reflecting on the mission Halt was slightly confused. It had been fairly simple, just the tracking of a caravan of bandits which had caused an up rise down in the southern fiefs. He had been quite surprised when Crowley had assigned him and not one of the Rangers from the nearby fiefs, for why Crowley had to send him was unreasonable.
"You may go ahead." The guard stated, pure boredom clear in his voice. Putting Aberlad in the stables Halt began to make his way towards his quarters, only to become confronted by a hasty Crowley.
"Good you're back!" Crowley exclaimed, "They were just about to send me to find you. I need you to meet me up at my office in an hour; I have a mission for the special task force." Crowley said before walking away.
"Oh joy." Halt muttered then continued on to his quarters.
Will looked at the door of his cabin, expecting Alyss to sweep in through the doorway. It had been like this for the last two months, he knew she was gone to Clonmel but he hadn't expected her to be gone this long.
She had just been sent to renew the treaty with Sean; seeing both Halt and himself had been previously occupied on a special task force mission he had been unable to accompany her. Nothing would go wrong would it? She was capable of handling herself, but Will had been worried ever since he had returned, two weeks after her departure. He disliked her being gone as it was but the fact that they had heard nothing was the main root of his concern, for every mission she had sent a report once she arrived, well as far as he knew anyways.
The sound of hooves coming down the road jerked Will out of his thoughts and quickly grabbed his bow. Stepping out onto the veranda a young voice called nervously to him.
"Ranger Will, Crowley has requested that you meet him in his office in an hour." The boy stuttered then turned around then rode away.
"Oh joy." Will said not realizing that was what Halt had just said moments earlier.
"So as you are all aware, we sent Alyss on a mission to Clonmel well over three months ago." Pauline sighed, "I have complete confidence in Alyss's abilities, but considering the fact we have had no word from her is concerning." The attitude in the room was gloomy; they had been here for well over an hour considering possibilities and explaining the situation as the small group of three discussed the matter of Alyss prolonged mission.
"Halt you know Clonmel the best, I was hoping you would join me…" everyone but Halt jumped and turned to the far corner of the room "And I will make this clear now, there is no way of stopping me from going" he growled glaring at Crowley as to challenge him to try.
"Will we didn't think you were coming…" Crowley trailed off.
"The answer to your question is yes, I will come along with you" Halt said, noting the determination in his companion's eyes, and the slight smile that receded just as quickly as it had come.