NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice!
Sorry this took so long. I've got like three full books to read and their respective essays to write. Man, school can be a pain!
Review and Enjoy!
A Shadow and A Warrior Chapter 2
Evanlyn moved forward slowly, keeping low in the bushes. Her sling rested calmly in her right hand with the rock in the other. She was almost to the spot she had to be. The only problem was that she had very little cover. Making use of the shadows was her only solution to that problem. However, that meant she had to move much slower.
A twig cracked somewhere nearby. Evanlyn froze, making sure she remained completely still. Only her eyes darted around. Even the slightest movement could mean discovery. That was something she could not allow. She was so close to finishing. Not hearing anything anymore, nor seeing anyone, Evanlyn moved onward. The breeze picked up, causing the shadows to move faster. At once Evanlyn matched the movement. Almost there…
SLAM!
The arrow appeared two trunks ahead of her. Evanlyn stopped and cursed. So close! What did she do wrong? How did he know where she was? She was doing everything he taught her to! The bushes swayed out of the corner of her eye. Turning around, placing her hands on her hips, she faced the young man. His brown eyes sparkled warmly, a smile spreading across his lips. The three scars snaked across his face like tiny rivers of pink. His hair was ruffled and unruly as always. His boots were practically half buried in snow. Snow also powdered his gray clothes and black cloak.
Evanlyn shivered inwardly. That cloak was unnerving. Though it was not a Ranger cloak, it still allowed him to vanish into the shadows. Erak had given her three cloaks: a green, a brown, and a black. After waking up from his warmweed addiction, he had automatically grabbed the black one. When Evanlyn tried to argue about using another one, he had shaken his head and declined to explain his choice. Now here he was, that happy and optimistic person wrapped in that sullen black cloak.
"You did well that time," came the cheery voice.
Evanlyn shook her head, one to clear her thoughts and second to show her disproval, "No, Will. You saw me a long way off."
"I heard you from time to time but that does not mean I could see you, Evanlyn. You did great," Will responded kindly, laying a hand on her shoulder.
Evanlyn met his brown gaze, "What did I do wrong this time?"
"When the breeze kicked up, you moved faster, which was good. However, as you increased your speed you lost the rhythm of the shadows. When you lost the rhythm I could see you easily," Will replied, indicating the dancing shadows created by the swaying branches.
Evanlyn frowned angrily, "It's so hard to find that rhythm."
"No. It just takes time and practice," Will said with that signature half smile. Stepping away, he continued, "Let's get back to the cabin. If not then the frost will destroy what meat we have."
With that, he pulled the hood over his face. His makeshift bow twirled once in his hand and moved with his right leg. Evanlyn shook her head as he moved forward. Injured in his shoulder and yet he could still shoot an arrow like there was nothing to it. Injured in the leg and yet he could move silently and unseen. Evanlyn followed behind him, watching how he moved from shadow to shadow. As they moved on, she began to copy his actions.
I'm doing great! she thought excitedly at one point.
"Evanlyn," Will said, coming to a stop as if he heard her thoughts. "Stop copying me. The rhythm of the trees is different for you and me. You must watch for your rhythm and match that, not copy me."
Evanlyn snarled in frustration, "How do I do that? I can't even see any pattern!"
"Take a deep breathe to calm down first," Will replied gently. Movement of his hood told her that he was trying to look back her. However, the hood prevented that. She breathed deeply and slowly let it out. "Good, now sit there and watch the shadows for a little bit. You'll see the rhythm."
Closing her eyes, Evanlyn tried to relax. Will learned how to do it. I can do it too. Just relax… relax and breathe, she thought. Opening her eyes, she pushed aside all other thoughts. Her eyes studied the shadows before her. They moved back and forth with the breeze. Other shadows remained constant, indicating a trunk of a tree. Somewhere in her mind she realized that Will was nowhere to be seen. Mentally she shrugged. Probably moved on to give me space.
With a deep breathe, she began moving from one shadow to another. It was slow and tedious but Evanlyn was determined to do better. She used the solid shadows to hide her while she got her bearings on the next patch of shadows. Then she moved onward. Finally the cabin within sight. Evanlyn shoved down the urge race forward. In a real situation that would lead to disaster. After a few more minutes she reached the edge of the clearing that the cabin was situated in. With that, she rose and walked forward. She felt quite happy. It was slow progress but she did it! Then she stopped. Will was nowhere to be found. The only sign of life was the pony munching on hay in the lean to.
Evanlyn looked around in panic, "Will? Will!" Where is he!? Could he have had another lapse? Was he hurt? Did something happen to him and he could not let out the warning whistle? Oh Will! Where are you?
"Well done, Evanlyn. Slow is always better. Well, that's Gilan always says," Will said from behind.
Evanlyn jumped several feet into the air. She spun around and hugged Will so hard that he gasped for breath when she finally released him. He looked at her in confusion. It was then that he realized how much she had worried about him. Will smiled warmly and gently touched her shoulder. Evanlyn felt her racing heart calm down at the touch. No words were necessary. Together they understand how much comfort could from that simple gesture.
"Why do you worry about me?" Will asked softly.
Evanlyn looked away, tears in her eyes, "I can't help but remember when you were addicted to warmweed. It nearly broke my heart to see you brought so low." She looked up at him and finished, "I was worried that you had a relapse."
"You did destroy the rest of it, right?" Will asked, both eyebrows going up.
Evanlyn nodded, "Just as you told me to do. I went into the woods and burned the rest of it, keeping my mouth and nose covered as I did so."
"Then we have nothing to worry about. Well, in terms of the warmweed," Will said. "Without that stuff around I shouldn't have relapse. Relax, Evanlyn. I'll be fine."
Evanlyn pressed her head into Will's chest. The young man froze, uncertain about what to do. After a few minutes, he gently pushed her away and turned her towards the cabin. Once inside, the two of them set to work preparing their meal. It required skinning and dressing the rabbit meat and fetching water. Then Will started adding herbs that he had collected the previous summer to the simmering pot. Soon a delicious aroma filled the cabin.
During the meal, Evanlyn glanced at Will every now and again. He was doing so much better since the warmweed incident. Maybe this summer they could make their escape. With Evanlyn practicing the silent movement skills and Will practicing his shooting they had a chance of slipping out of Skandia safely. Also, it had been several long months since they made their escape with Erak's help. No one was looking for them. All they had to do was survive the rest of winter…
Then they could go home.
