Ranger's Apprentice is owned by John Flanagan. Period.

Chapter 4

Will was right I thought. His cabin was very close to the way he explained it. I like it already!

Will took care of Tug in the small stable beside the cabin while I returned the pack horse to its owner. It was a small village, but then again I liked it. Less people and more space, I'll admit it I was shy but when I got to know someone I let loose. I would rather listen than talk. That was just the way I am, even though I don't like it. I would rather have to fight a Skandian than have to be in a room with a whole bunch of people I don't know.

When I got back I checked in the stable for Will bit he wasn't there. I shrugged and made my way to the front door. I was about to reach to open it up but the door swung open before I could even touch it.

Will was standing in the doorway smiling. He was obviously exited to show me around. I guess he doesn't get that many guests.

"Well don't just there! Come on in." Will called from inside the cabin. I didn't realize that I had been standing there thinking while Will walked away further in to the cabin.

I stumbled in and took a look around. There was a fire place to the left. There were no ashes in the fire place and it was well cleaned I noticed. Across from the fire place was a small round table with four chairs surrounding it. On the table there was a vase of flowers and a couple letters. I noticed again that there was no dirt or dust.

Everything was clean. I shuttered; I had the feeling that I just might be the one keeping the cabin clean.

The kitchen was small but again tidy. The pots glistened and there was already a pot of coffee being brewing over the stove.

"Here, I will show you your room." Will said with a big grin plastered on his face. He looked more excited than I was.

"Ya sure, sounds good." I answered. Will lead me down a small hallway and opened the door on the left. While he opened it he gestured me inside the room. I poked my head to take a look first and then walked in.

It was a small room with only a bed, a small desk, a dresser, and a window looking into the village. I looked at Will and gave him a shy smile.

"I know it's small…." Will began.

I cut him off before he could go any further. "No. don't apologize I like it. It's just I have nothing to put in it. I mean I don't own anything but the cloths I'm wearing now." I said pointing to the raggedy shirt and pants I had on.

When I looked back up at him his face was understanding and he nodded several times. His eyes were focusing on the floor and his face down. Great, now I made him depressed. I mentally kicked myself. Then Wills head shot up causing me to jump. His face was now lit up and I asked, "What?"

"Oh" He said apologetically. "I was just thinking and I got the idea we should go to the castle tomorrow. I could show you around and you could by some things from the market."

"That sounds excellent!" and then I remembered. "But I don't have any money."

"I know. That's why I will give you some." Will answered easily.

"I can't just take your money!" I almost yelled.

"You won't be taking it. I'm giving it to you. Consider it a present."

"Fine" I exclaimed and added, "But I'm making dinner!"

Having said that I briskly walked past him and walked to the kitchen. Cooking was one of the things I was exceptional at. I wasn't making up my own recipes but I wasn't screwing up recipes either. The only thing I needed Will to do was for him to tell me where everything was kept.

Will was surprised by how well I could cook and explained to me during dinner how he learned how to cook. I enjoyed listening to him telling his stories. Like I said I was more a listener than a talker.

After supper I cleaned all of the dishes and sat down beside Will. He was telling me how he could play the mandola when someone knocked on the front door.

He answered "Come in" obviously not surprised at all by the knock on the door. Could it have been possible that he had heard the person walking up to the door? I couldn't hear anything. But before I could think any further a women stepped into the room. She was tall with a round wrinkled face and her hair was almost completely white. I wasn't the greatest at guessing how old people were but I defiantly knew she was well, old enough to be my grandma.

I looked at Will and was puzzled by the expression that was on his face. He looked pleased and maybe concerned? I thought.

"Edwinda!" He exclaimed. "I see you have taken care of my cabin while I was away. Thank you again."

"You're very welcome! I just came to welcome you and to tell you that business has been very busy and well…. I can keep on cleaning you cabin if you like but if you wouldn't mind doing it yourself for a little while that would be a tremendous help." She said the last part very fast. Edwinda looked worried as if she didn't want to sound rude but at the same time looked questionably at Will wondering what his answer would be.

Will laughed and then shrugged before responding. "That will be no problem Edwinda. Here I haven't introduced you to my new friend." His eyes fell on me and I saw Edwinda follow his gaze. Her eyes brightened and I didn't know what to do. I really didn't like being shy! Will was waiting for me to say something but then realizing I didn't know what to do he spoke.

"Alex, this is Edwinda. She is the works at the inn in the village and she cleans my cabin for me." He explained and then added, "Well did."

"Pleasure to meet you Alex" Edwinda said pleasingly.

"Pleasure to meet you too Edwinda" I forced out. I made sure I sounded just as pleased as her. I had to keep on working on hiding my true emotions.

"If I may ask, where did you meet this handsome fellow?" Edwinda asked Will.

"You wouldn't believe it but I met him on the side of the road on my way back." Will explained.

Edwinda started laughing at what Will had said. Tears started springing out of her eyes. In between burst of laughter she said, "Same way you picked up the dog! Ranger Will I must say this one will hopefully turn out better than that dog you have now!"

I looked at Will to see him chuckling too. He looked at me and I gave him a questioning glance.

"On my first trip to Sea-cliff I found a dog on the side of the road. Shadow was her name. It's a long story but I gave her to a friend of mine and he promised when she had puppies he would give me the pick of the litter. When shadow had puppies he gave me what he promised. He gave me the puppy and told me her name was Ebony. I didn't want to take Ebony along with me to one of my trips so I asked Edwinda to take care of her for me. Ebony is a very…. hyper dog. She doesn't get along well with people. I made sure she stayed in Tug's stall when we got here so she wouldn't frighten you. If you would like we can go to the stall and you can meet her. Then you will get a good idea of why we are laughing." Will explained to me.

By the time he was done talking Edwinda had already stopped laughing and was wiping the tears off of her cheek.

"Good to see you Ranger Will and it was a pleasure to meet you Alex. But I must get going. I have some work to do at the inn." Edwinda told us.

"Yes, it was good to see you again Edwinda." Will said as Edwinda walked out the door.