Sorry about the last chapter. The bit towards the end in the restaurant was supposed to be the second chapter.
Well here it is.
Will and Jenny completed their argument. Jenny got outmatched by Will's wit, and sighing, she let him have the meal free and gave him three silver royals.
"Should be enough," said Will carefully studying the coins. He looked up. "May I have the pelt?" he asked.
Jenny nodded. "Hal, will you please get the pelt from the back?" Hal nodded and went out back. He found the pelt by the door. The pelt was soft and silky and his mother had washed it until it shone.
Hal went back front with the deer skin and handed it to Will. Will nodded good-bye to Hal, Stig, and Jenny. "See you tonight," he said to Hal and Stig, "and be on time." Both boys nodded and watched as Will slipped silently out side.
The night was cool and crisp. When Hal and Stig got there, they found Tursguard and Rolland already there. Both brother band leaders were arguing. Tursguard's face was red, but Rolland seemed cool and collected. By the time the three Skandians arrived, Hal had managed o talk some sense into them. Svengal nodded, seeing Hal's skill in negotiation.
Gundar frowned, turning around. "Wonder where Will is. He's hardly ever been late before."
Svengal shrugged," You never know with Rangers. Even knowing Will and Halt for so long, I barely know any more than I did before." Ulf grunted in agreement.
They took their positions, waiting for Will. Soon the older Skanidans grew uneasy. The boys were still oblivious to their unease.
"It's not like Will to be so late," Said Gundar at last.
Stig shrugged. "It's normal for people to be late. Maybe he forgot or something."
Ulf shook his head." He wouldn't forget about something so important."
A thought suddenly occurred to Hal. Will wasn't late or forgetful. That hardly ever happened. "I think," He said slowly." That Will's here, but he's just hiding."
Svengal considered and nodded. "You could be right." Then louder, "Will! Get your butt out here and stop hiding!"
A shadow darted out behind Svengal and a hand clamped over his mouth.
"Shut up!" Will hissed. "There's a group of men hiding in a clearing not too far away. They are bound to hear your blundering and bellowing."
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Svengal hissed back.
"I've been trying to signal you for the past ten minutes. You were too blind to see."
"Oh yeah. I saw them." Tursguard drawled. "My father, you know, the Matking, taught me how to spot Araluen spies."
Rolland rounded on him." Why didn't you tell us?" He demanded to both Will and Tursguard.
Will looked away meekly. "I didn't think of that. I didn't want to call out, but I didn't want to leave the tree incase they heard your bellows of surprise, or they moved."
"Who's they?" Stig asked. "Bellows of surprise?" Svengal asked indignantly at the same time.
"I can't tell who they are at the moment. And yes. If I can still scare Horace out of his pants, I could do the same to you." Will answered slightly smirking.
There was a slight rustle and a few faint shouts toward the direction where Will said the invaders had set up camp. Will sprinted to the nearest tree and resumed his look out position. The other Skandians resumed their posts too and stayed there for the rest of the morning.