A/N: Hey peeps. I'll cut to the chase with a prologue. My character actually doesn't appear until chapter 1. This is actually kind of angsty. sorry. Enjoy!
Prologue
1 year earlier...
The bearded man pulled the cowl of his cloak low over his face, as he sat in the corner of Wensley Inn. The people at nearby tables avoided his gaze. He was a Ranger. Rangers, it was rumored, practiced black magic. Best to stay away. The Ranger stroked his beard, which had once been black, but had now faded to silver, his dark eyes thoughtful.
Should I or shouldn't I?, he thought. But he knew that it was pointless. Just then, he noticed a movement to his left, near the door. He glanced in that direction, moving only his eyes, and saw another Ranger leaning against the wall. The other man, upon observing that he had been noticed, sidled up to the table and slid into the seat next to the Ranger in the corner.
"Evening, Halt." the newcomer muttered, "Think you could pour me a mug?" he asked, gesturing at the coffeepot.
"Getting lazy in your old age, Crowley?" Halt responded, raising an eyebrow. Crowley grumbled something unintelligible and reached for the extra mug. He poured himself a cup of coffee, then sat back, sighing in pleasure as he took a sip.
"Now, what did you want me for?" he asked.
Halt took a deep breath. Then e began. Crowley's eyes widened as Halt continued his narrative. Finally, about a half hour later, Halt finished, and Crowley let out a low whistle.
"My, you have gotten yourself into a pickle!" he exclaimed, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I don't want to do this at all, but I have no choice."
"You're going to notify Pauline before carrying out this escapade, I assume?"
"Of course! But only, you, Pauline, and Duncan are to know. No one else."
"Not even Will?" Crowley's voice betrayed mild surprise. Halt told his former apprentice just about everything.
"It's too dangerous for him to know." Halt said, the slightest hint of pain in his voice.
"You know, he's a grown man now. You're going to have to start treating him like one at some point. "
"I have to do this, Crowley. He can't know. Swear you won't tell him, or anyone else." Halt said. It was not a plea. Crowley hesitated.
"Alright! I swear!" he said, raising his right hand. "My word as a Ranger."
"Thank you, Crowley."
"Why do I do these things for you?"
"Because you're my best friend?"
"Yeah, okay, we'll go with that. It makes me look less like a ninny than the fact that you can shoot me in a half second!" Crowley said jokingly.
There was a minute or so of silence, as they both thought over what had been said. Then,
"He's going to be heartbroken, you know." Crowley said. There was no need to ask who he was talking about
"I know." Halt sighed. Looking at Halt's troubled face, Crowley saw all the regret and pain wash over it at what was about to be done. Then it was replaced by his usual stoic expression.
"It'll only be for a year or so, anyway." he paused, "Crowley, see that he doesn't do anything rash?"
"Of course." Crowley answered. Both men stood up. Halt payed the bill, and rode home.
A few weeks later, Halt went on a short mission through the swamps. Days went by, then weeks, then a month, and he did not return. Search parties were sent out. Will and Gilan were almost constantly on the hunt. After three months, it was declared that he was most likely dead. Will still rode through the marshes, day after day, searching for his lost friend. His lost father.
But five months after Halt's disappearance, Will was forced to admit defeat. He stopped looking. He threw himself into his work, and took comfort in Alyss.
Will had given up looking.
But he never gave up hoping.
A/N: Oh no! What did I do to Halt? Why would he keep something from Will? What has mysteriously killed him? Is he even dead? Find out somewhere near the end of this fic, about 20 chapters ahead :P
R&R!
-Lorrie the Ninja Elf, Ranger 30
