DON'T TELL HALT YOU THINK HE'S AN IMPOSTER
Halt and Will were going out for yet another training session
. Will had officially been Halt's apprentice for a month and the older ranger had taken that as an excuse to torture Will with constant training.
He had roused will before the sun had risen and both of them had a hurried breakfast before Halt told Will to saddle Tug and the two rode out. "so what are we doing?" Will asked after a long silence. He knew not to question Halt when he was like this. The old ranger had hardly spoken a word to Will, well less than usual.
"well be tracking today" Halt replied after a long silence. "what's that" Halt suddenly asked.
"Rabbit" Will replied.
Halt looked at him.
Will took another look, "rabbits" he quickly corrected.
"good" Halt mumbled. Will nodded and fell silent. He scanned the ground around him looking at the tracks, waiting for Halt to start question him.
Dear, rabbit, human, squirrel, wait what's that?
"Halt" Will said. Halt swung down from his saddle and fell on one knee to inspect the track. "well this is certainly one I haven't shown you yet" Halt stated the obvious. "not many around here, but good to remember, take a look" Halt moved over to let his apprentice get a better look. "What is it" Will asked again. "Wild boar" the ranger said briefly. Will gasped in shock and looked around.
Boar were extremely dangerous, and wild ones were very unpredictable. "he's not here" Halt said. "you know that for a fact" Will shot back. Halt gave a mild glare to his apprentice. "yes, id the animal was anywhere near us the horses would have alerted us" Will replied with a small 'Oh'. The boy relaxed the death grip he had on his bow.
All of a sudden, a bush near the two moved ever so slightly. Will inspected the plant closer. He noticed that the wind wasn't blowing and it continued to move. Quickly he laid an arrow on the bowstring.
"Halt" he whispered quietly. His master looked around, his eyes finally resting on the bush will was gazing at. "I hope you're not going to shoot that poor farmer Will, I really don't want to do the paperwork" he said seriously. "no no don't shoot its me, me, me" the old man came out of the bushes in a rush, hands held high to ward off an attack.
After realizing the old farmer was no threat, Will rereleased the tension on the string and put the arrow back in his quiver. "How'd you know" Will question quietly. "saw him a while ago" Halt made no move to lower his voice.
"now why are you spying on us" the ranger turned his attention back to the farmer. The man still didn't take his eyes off Will's bow. "no not spying, never spying sir. I thought ye was that monster porker comin' back" he explained.
"You thought I was a boar" Halts eyebrows drew together while the man hid a smile. The farmer shook his head. "no not when I saw you, thought you might be soldiers or bandits" Halt sighed. "you from around here?" the ranger asked.
"nope, live in Willowtree Creek, I do sir" he replied, "been tracking tha' porker fer days" Halt looked mildly interested.
"you've seen it"
"yes sir, he's a bad un"
"certainly bid" Halt glanced back at the tracks.
"and evil sir" the farmer reminded Halt. "whats your name" Halt inquired. "names Salt Peter, over the fact that I likes a little salt on me meat sir" he jabbered. "I bet you do" Halt said absentmindedly. "has he been causing trouble" halt asked again. Salt Peter nodded.
"then we better be doing something about it" the ranger said under his breath. "Salt Peter I need you to take a message to the baron for me" the farmer nodded excitedly. "Baron Arald?" he asked. Halt sighed in annoyance, "Yes baron Arald. His castle is a few kilometers from here". "I've never seen a castle" peter said in an exited voice.
Halt sensed that this was going to be difficult.
"ok well go up to the gate guard and tell them you have a message from ranger Halt-" he was interrupted by peter. "Where's Halt" he asked. Halt gave him a glare. "Im Halt" he confirmed. "no you're not, Halt is 10 feet tall and as broad as three men. A giant! Fierce in battle he is, you can't be 'im" Peter would not give in. "I'm halt" the ranger replied as civil as he could, the old man was getting in his nerves.
"People shrink when they get old" he told the farmer. "if you say so.." peter trailed off, still not believing that the old, small man was the kingdoms greatest hero. Halt sighed again, making this on easily heard.
"still don't think your 'im" peter mumbled. Unfortunately for him Halt heard. Faster than lightning Halt had whipped out an arrow and aimed for Peter's shoulder.
The arrow went straight threw his clothes and pinned him to a tree. "common Will, we will find someone else" Halt left the clearing without another word. Will released the poor farmer from the tree and rushed to get back to Halt.
In the distance they could here a small, "bye Halt" came the cheerful voice of Salt Peter. Will turned his head to hide a grin. Halt looked like he wanted to scream.
Ok so this one was in the book, with a different ending
When your right no one remembers, when your wrong no one forgets
