A/N: The 100 Themes poll is now live in my profile. Go over and let me know what you want!
Sabrin: And now they're back!
Alex the Rogue: I like to think that with all of Halt's apprentices there comes a time they just stop questioning his actions.
alice1529: Curse typos! 'Scaniel'...sounds like 'scandal'
Gold Patronus: So much talk about Halt, it's given me an idea for one of the 100 Themes :) These will start coming in soon.
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. No clever addition this time either.
"What's this meeting about?" Gilan asked Will as they walked towards the clearing. This would be the last year Gilan was classified as 'junior'.
"Who do you think?"
Gilan and Will both fell silent as they came upon the huddled bunch of Rangers already gathered. Crowley and Lina stood side-by-side in the middle. Lina's carefully tailored high-necked coat did nothing to hide the fact she was a woman. She did herself no favors by letting her hair hang loose down her back, only a few tiny braids keeping it from her face. The sun had not yet began to rise but birds were singing as the familiar eerie blue just before morning light cast shadows on the clearing.
"Everyone," Crowley promptly began as the first ray of pink shown through the trees. "This is Nerilina, from Hibernia. She escaped a sect of soldiers who want us dead." A mummer of disbelief rippled through the small crowd. Crowley held his hand up for silence. "I have spoken to her in depth and have decided we will be taking this threat seriously. She is to be trusted, understood?"
Everyone nodded though many clearly doubted Crowley's decision.
"Now, when Lina broke off the plan was to take us out individually. Lina has demonstrated their tactics. They are a very real threat and there are more of them than us. The girl and I will ride out tonight to prepare for this attack. Halt is in charge while I'm gone. Go on with the Gathering as planned. There are no fifth-year apprentices so there will be no family wandering about. Be aware. If you see anyone outside the Corps other than Lina take them into custody immediately with extreme caution. Halt will walk you through what we believe will be the chief tactics in play .Are there any questions? Good."
Crowley waved everyone away. Obviously, the plan of action had been decided in the senior meeting. Only on rare, important occasions could senior Rangers be pulled away from the juniors. Rangers valued cunning too much to rely on experience often.
"I didn't think anyone would have a force similar to ours that was actually bigger than ours. I mean, I know pockets of ten to twelve and the Senshi in Nihon-Ja, but…" Gilan trailed off shaking his head.
Will shrugged. "Lina told me they start training as young as four. They learn languages and customs first and then how to fight. She said they hate Skandians and are mad at us for setting off the motions that have made Skandians businessmen rather than raiders."
"Why would the Hibernians care, though?"
Will shrugged. "Are you going to tell Jack?"
Gilan shook his head. "Not here. I'll clue him in when we head home."
Once back at their campsite Will realized Lina's tent was no longer pitched next to Halt's. She must have risen early or stayed up late to prepare so quickly. "When Crowley said they were leaving he must have meant right then," Gilan observed with a shrug before slipping inside his tent. "Jack, wake up! We've got work to do."
Will grinned as he pulled back the flap to his own. He went to his pack and poked through what could become breakfast. He came to a tin that hadn't been there before and pulled it out curiously. He pulled back the leather closing and found a note on top of powdered contents.
Will,
When all this is over I'll teach you how to make your own. In the meantime, this should get you through about five meals. Don't worry, it's not poison. Enjoy.
Lina
P.S. It's good with squirrel and cabbage if you have any
Only then did he recognize the container as being very similar to the one she'd made soup from earlier. He smiled and buried it in his rations bag. The act of kindness was touching, if a little confusing.
Will stepped back outside to find Gilan trying to teach Jack how to make coffee correctly. He enjoyed the show while fixing everyone toast.
"What were the meetings about?" Jack asked inquisitively as he worked. How curious apprentices always were.
"First year apprentice initiations," Gilan lied.
"What?"
"Gilan, that is supposed to be a secret," Will teased Jack. The friends shared a discreet smile as Jack looked back in the direction of the only other first year apprentice, camped out with his mentor five meters away.
"Why don't you go find more firewood?" Gilan told the boy. Jack ran off almost too eagerly. "Having an apprentice to mess around with is fun. You should try it one day."
Will shook his head. "I think I can wait a few more years."
Gilan laughed. "Oh, that proposal to Alyss…did it work this time?"
Will frowned as he shook his head. "It was my sixth one. I'm beginning to think she's changed her mind altogether."
"Maybe it is time for you to recruit some help."
"From who, exactly? You? Halt? There's not a chance in hell either of you can get through to Alyss if I can't."
"From a female, oh wise one."
"What? Ebony thought making her dinner and asking the question on a walk through the woods was great."
"It is great. What did you do wrong?"
Will frowned, staring down at his coffee. "I let Ebony come along."
"I thought Alyss liked Ebony?"
"She does, but the dog got sprayed by a skunk right before I asked."
Gilan laughed much harder than Will thought appropriate.