Chapter 2

The trip to Celtica was a quiet one. Though neither Halt nor Crowley would admit it, the prospect of them not coming back was all too possible. After three days at the rangers' forced march place with only small rest at night they were exhausted. They decided to slow it down a small bit considering they were already so close to the Celtic border. It was the next day around mid afternoon when they reached the guard post. Twelve Celtic Guards stepped out to block their path. They filed out in a line across the road. Halt and Crowley slowed their horses to a stop.

Stand and be recognized!" called the guard. He raised his spear as if to threaten them but the attempt was half hearted and it just looked awkward. It was obvious the guard was scared of them. His hands were shaking slightly and he was so tired it looked like he might faint any moment.

"Halt and Crowley, King's rangers of Araluen," called Halt as he fumbled to get his oak leaf out from under his shirt. The soldiers visibly relaxed. Despite all there hard training they broke formation, one even sat down. They all looked worn out and were happy to see somebody that could help.

"Good to see you here," replied what looked like the leader allowing a small smile to creep on to his face as he spoke. He was glad somebody else with power could hear about his pain. We've been stopping people from crossing the border day and night. We've even repelled a slave trying to cross into Araluen. Our replacements were supposed to be here months ago but they never arrived.

The guards took a quick look at their oak leafs and waved them on their way. They started going slower after they crossed into Celtic territory. They kept lookout on both sides and had to constantly scan their surroundings. "I'd say we make camp here tonight," Crowley said to Halt. There was about an hour left of daylight and neither of them wanted to try to find a snake in the dark.

The camp was just off the side of the road. It was nothing more than a small patch of flattened grass but it was the best they'd seen all day. Crowley got out pot to make stew when Halt stopped him. "We can't make a fire in this flat land; it would be seen for miles." Crowley cursed a little, another thing he learned from Halt. "It's cold rations as long as we are in Celtica." After their meager meal they scouted out around the camp for water. That night they set watches.

That night Halt dreamed he was back in Clonmel growing up. He was living the day he decided to run away again and again almost as if the dream was urging him to stay back in Clonmel. Then he felt a tap on his solder. He turned around slowly. It was Ferris, he was a holing a sword. He brought it up to kill him. Halt tried to run but it was as if his feet were glued in place. In one swift movement Ferris swung the sword and ripped it thorough Halts dreams.

Halt jolted awake. Crowley was shaking his solder. "Your turn for the watch," he said. He was a little scared about the way Halt was trembling in his sleep and how he almost jerked Crowley's arm out as awoke. Sitting out alone on watch gave Halt to much time to think. He thought about how to kill the basilisk how to capture by it, and then he started thinking about his old life. In Clonmel they would have tons of soldiers on watch and a castle to defend them. Halt shook off those thoughts he was a ranger now, this was how rangers lived.

When Crowley got up that morning Halt was grouchy. With no coffee and a bad sleep it wasn't long before he and Crowley started fight about what to do next.

"If we go into town there are bound to be some people who know around where the basilisk is and it will narrow down our search a lot," argued Crowley. The argument had been going on for some time now with no change.

"Yes," agree Halt, frustrated the argument had gone on so long, "but you'd also risk getting seen by a slave and letting the basilisk know we are here. I say just eavesdrop on a few people and go on without being seen." Halt new the element of surprise was the most powerful thing they had right now.

"I think the villagers would know if there was a slave in their midst. The town innkeeper would all we have to talk to. What could go wrong?"

"Everything!" Halt said annoyed. He knew Crowley was probably right, but backing down would hurt his pride too greatly. Crowley seemed to notice it also.

He let a sly grin break through his face, "Oh poor Halt you think you would have learned to be wrong after working with me for so long. We are doing it my way and you'll just have to go with it."

"Fine but we aren't staying a night in the Inn it's too risky." Crowley seemed very but down by that.

With a quiet string of curses; something about the cold hard ground and a few other not very friendly words Crowley began to saddle up.

What put Crowley down even more is that Halt even though seeming against it Halt didn't seem to be all that upset they were going along with his plan. Halt was resting against a tree waiting to leave. In the depths of his cloak Crowley could just make out a small smile.

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