A/N Warning! This chapter might, just might have gone a little crazy. Emphasis on the crazy part. I'm really sorry that I didn't get this chapter up sooner! ... I really hope you like it! And for no apparent reason (me putting this extra in, not I don't know/doubt that this is); E=MCsq. Thanks!

Chapter 4

By Swiftly Sailing Ship, Or Fast Flying Horse (not really!)

When we left off with David:

David's family was a spread-out one. He had family all over Araluen. He finally stumbled to a plain house after hours of running. Although he had rushed out in a hurry, he hadn't forgotten to get 2 week's supply of food water and money. He knew that he would have run out of food, drink, and water way way before he ever got to Castle Araluen. Thats why he wasn't headed for Castle Araluen. He was about to knock on the door when it opened. Oh shiz thought David. The person who opened the door had on a quite distinctive mottled green-and-grey cloak... David had found himself a Ranger.

Crowley's pov

Crowley was on visit to the Ranger of Seacliff Feif. He wanted to check on the apprentice. He needed a Ranger to help in Araluen. He was having dinner and coffee (well duh) in the Ranger's cottage when one of the horses snorted a warning. The horse didn't sense danger, and was just alerting them to someone's approach. Both Rangers and the apprentice Ranger rose swiftly and silently, donned their cloaks and quivers, and held their bows by their sides. Crowley stood to the front, ready, listening for the sound of footsteps on the venderah. Not so long after the Rangers had stood by the door did Crowley open the door to find David. Crowley was shocked. But years of training had asserted themselves, and he showed no outward sign of it. From the outside he appeared calm, but on the inside, his mind was asking questions with a speed faster that a Ranger's horse can gallop.

Someone's pov

The bronze glinted in Crowley's closed fist. Crowley clenched and unclenched his fist around the striker. "So you mean that you want me to bring you to Araluen and put you to work there as a servant for some stuffy noble? With your family?" Crowley said emphatically after yet another cup of coffee while David told his story. "I have to! How else will I earn a living? Any suggestions?" Crowley started to say something then stopped. He dropped the striker without noise and leaned back in his chair. The saxe knife seemed to leap to his hand in a silver-blue deadly arc. David quickly took in this change of mood and continued to make his point while pulling out his long dagger/short sword. He continued to make good points like he had his entire focus on the issue. He knew that his sheath wasn't silent. He also knew what Crowley had been about to suggest. He wanted that. It was the only other option. It was much preferable to being a servant. And Crowley had been about to suggest it. Whatever was coming must be bad. Bad enough to distract Crowley from the conversation. Bad enough that the houses had come to the window instead of whinney or neigh. It was bad.

The person crept outside. They crept through the dark, watching, waiting. The cabin fell silent. They muttered under their breath. They cursed the person that was supposed to meet them here. It had been a setup. Now that they had been sensed, they would have to go through with it. Finish what the other had started. Kill the boy. But the Rangers made it much more complicated. He'd have to kill them all. His purple cloak snagged on a branch, and he cut it free. The cross bow weighed down as he moved. He resecured the poison darts' case to his belt (do you know who he is?!). How to kill them? Well it's not going to be clean. He let a slight smile to touch his lips as he drew two of his daggers.

David's pov

He knew something was terribly off. Only a moment after the room fell silent, David heard somthing. Or, he thought he heard something. There it is again! It sounded vaguely familiar. The rangers stood, but Crowley gestured for David to sit. David frowned, sitting was a bad way to start a fight. *epiphany* He was in front of the window! To any observer, casual or no, it would appear that nothing had changed, while if he had gotten up and not sat down again soon, it would be strange. All of a sudden, David felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise, and when he could stand it no longer he slowly turned around, just in time to duck as a dagger glinted in its deadly arc towards him. The suddenness of the movement made Crowley turn and see the man running towards the window. In an instant, he had drawn the bow and fired. From the cabin, they heard a thump of impact at such a short range, and a softer thud as the body hit the ground. Crowley dragged the purple clad body in, and said so softly so that David had to strain his ears to hear, "Or you could be a ranger." David had never been so happy yet in all his life.

They set off for Castle Araluen on a bright and sunny day and lived happily ever after!

Not really, and if that's what you wanted, you've got the wrong fanfic!

This is what actually happened.

David's pov (again)

"Ugg... The sun's not even up yet! Go away I'm sleeping." "And I thought that you lived the farmers' hours!" "That means up at dawn, not before!" "Well, get used to it!" "It's like 3 in the morning!" "And It's a long ride to ol' Bob's place, then to Castle Araluen!" "Who's ol' Bob?" "He's one of the horse trainers." "So I'm getting a Ranger horse!" "Glad you picked up on that! For a moment there, I thought that you had rocks in your head!" "Good to know that you have so much faith in me." "Yup!" "Fine, you win, I'll get up!"

A few hours later...

"Ummmm... Crowley?" "That's my name don't wear it out." "I'm cold, tired, hungry, and its raining. And was making me walk all this way really necessary?" "Too bad, too bad, eat a piece of jerky, I've noticed, and yes."

A/N Hmmmm... Was Crowley out of charactor here? And the title was... Semi-random!