Here's another quick chapter to keep you guys updated. Enjoy.
Stunned, he found himself face to face with Sir Rodney.
"Good evening, sir. What brings you here?" Will asked. The mask of concern the Battlemaster wore was incredibly worrying. The ghastly pallor to his cheeks, and the uncharacteristic fidgeting of his fingers was enough to inform Will that something wasn't right.
When he failed to answer, Will asked, "Are you alright, sir? Is everything okay?"
"Oh, no. Everything is dandy! Positively dandy," he replied hurriedly, as if trying to reassure the both of them that everything was, in fact, dandy.
"Are you sure? Pardon me, but you seem a bit… On edge."
"I'm perfectly fine, young Will. No need to worry about me," he said quickly, and with a needless hostile tone.
Taking the hint, Will simply gave a gentle okay, and went on his way. Strolling up the path towards the castle, he pondered on what Sir Rodney must be so worried about. Everything seemed to be in great shape over at the Battleschool, and with Christmas quickly approaching in the next month, surely he would be in high spirits, like everyone else. What was going on? Maybe Horace knows, Will thought. Perhaps his old childhood friend was aware of what his teacher was so bothered by.
Turning around, he sprinted back to where Rodney stood, gazing blankly at the quiet forest, with a million glittering stars dancing in his eyes.
"Sir!" Will yelled. The Battlemaster was too occupied to notice the call. Walking a bit farther and closing the gap between them, he tapped him on the shoulder and tried to awaken him again.
"Oh, my apologies, Will. I didn't notice your approach," he said.
"It is fine, sir. Do you happen to know where I can find Horace?" he asked.
After a long pause, he simply said, "I'm sorry, Will." Then he blanched, and with a single tear trickling down his cheek, hurried into the forest without another word.