Disclaimer: I do not own Ranger's Apprentice or any of its characters
Gilan and Will rode into camp with Halt ahead of them. They were smiling wickedly but Halt looked as if he could kill a bear with his hands right about now. As they rode past Rangers, the Rangers smiled. Anytime that Halt was angry was a funny time as long as it wasn't directed at you.
They dismounted their horses and made camp next to the forest line but close enough to be in the thick of things. Halt was finished first and started setting up a fire. Will and Gilan finished and each sat uncomfortably close to Halt on either side. Halt just gave them death stares. When the coffee was made and the apprentices had given Halt a little breathing room, Crowley walked up and smiled.
"Good to see you! I suppose you want to give me some of that coffee." Crowley sat next to Gilan and looked at Halt.
"It's funny, you seem to show up at the perfect moments," Halt said not the least bit amused.
"Well then, somebody's a little grumpy today." Crowley made a mock mad face. Halt only frowned more.
"You didn't have to ride here with these two." Halt motioned at Gilan and Will who were grinning broadly. "They've been driving me crazy." Halt glared at the two.
"Halt, you're already crazy." Crowley smiled but stopped when Halt switched his gaze to him.
"Am I now? I seem to remember some funny stories that would make some question your sanity."
"Is that anyway to treat your commandant?" Crowley shrank under Halt's look. He decided to change the subject. "What have these two done to get you so angry?" Crowley looked to Gilan.
"We are deciding who Halt's favorite is. We annoy him and at the end of the Gathering, whoever is threatened the most loses." Gilan smiled broadly.
"I think that whoever sneaks up on him and scares him should be the winner." Crowley looked at Will and he considered the idea.
"Why?" Will finally asked.
"Well because, whoever can sneak up on him was the one he probably spent more time training and who he put the most effort into." Crowley smiled as both the apprentices nodded. "I want in on this."
"You were never my apprentice!" Halt yelled. He hated this.
"I don't care. It's always fun annoying you." Crowley smiled then turned back to Gilan and Will. "So can I be in on this?" They both nodded. "Okay then, whoever sneaks up on Halt and scares him is the winner. But remember, if you scare him you have to get away before he kills you or it doesn't count."
"I hate you all." Halt stood and walked away. This was going to be a long three days.
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