I should probably do another disclaimer now shouldn't I? Nevermind that was a rhetorical question=P

As every characters mentioned so far up to this chapter, belongs to John Flanagan, I am not him, it isn't mine obviously. I only own the character Jack, and the unnamed dark armored pirate/raider. (Which someone please suggest some names for him? keep in mind he is going to be an enemy, Jack's past devil)

TURNS OUT I MANAGED TO WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER! yay!

That should be all it! *Grabs a microphone* Ladies and Gentlemans! Purrsenting,

Chapter 7 Rise of the Shattered Past

Early in the morning, it was a cloudless sky. Jack smelt the open air-freshness of the sea on the deck of the Heron. He sighs, how the air had reminded him of when he was young. "When he was young" echoed in his mind. He pulled out a necklace, the only thing he has left from his family.

He started remembering, he and his parents were in Hibernia for a trip, to visit his grandmother. Jack had a complicated family, he was born in Araluen when his parents settled down there, but his parents were actually from Hibernia. During his time there, due to the fact that the kingdoms are pretty still corrupt. There was a deadly raid, his mother killed by a ruthless bandit. His grandmother ran out tried shooing away them, instead of knocking her out, a nearby killed her without a second thought and charged into a house robbing. His father who protected him while shouting "RUN! JACK! DON'T EVER STOP" While fending off a kill meant for him. He saw one man, a man who wore a dark armor, with a black bird on his shield. Jack looked right into the deep, deadly green eyes. The man began to chase him, suddenly a flurry figure came and striked him down. Jack sat there hiding behind a tree, when a gentle, old man helped him. And asked "I am a Ranger from Araluen, I can get you out of here, will you trust me?" Young Jack only nodded; when they ran Jack looked back, the man in the dark armor looked at him, right into the soul. Eyes saying we will meet again.

The Jack realized how white his hands are from the hard grip he had on the rail. He shook the past out of his mind, it frightened him really. But since Pritchard's intervention, he decided to go back to Araluen, but he was a boy who didn't know how to get back. So he decided to join a trading crew, who they needed an extra hand. At that time, Madelyn walked out on the deck and saw Jack standing there all tense, and then relaxed. She chose the time to ask,

"Jack, you alright?"

Jack jumped a bit and snapped back quickly, "Yes I am"

Maddie was taken back the tone of Jack's voice she never heard him use. Then noticed the necklace he was holding and reached out the see the beautiful thing, it had 2 things, a locket, and a gem.

Jack jerked his hand back with lightning speed and shoved down his pockets. She froze slightly and surprised at the sudden reaction. Her usual Ranger instincts pondered,

"What is that? It's beautiful"

Jack didn't say anything, for what seemed like a long time, replies "It was my mother's."

Immediately she realized how important that must be to him.

All she could say was "Oh."

She became conscious of the fact that, she doesn't know much about Jack's past life. Knowing it was a thin ice she was walking on, "What happened?"

Normally Jack, whenever anyone questioned him he didn't reply, if he did it was either a rough reply naming it was not open for discussion, or threats. However he noticed this was a different ground, he was talking to Maddie, apprenticed Ranger to Legendary Ranger Will, whom he guessed the princess of Araluen. He did trust her, but he felt that, there will be another time when it's right.

Simply he replied "Another time, when I try to explain, I won't be choking on every word"

Maddie let out the breath she was holding in the whole time. She nodded at the response and then walks away giving him space. Her mind whirled; I thought he was going to kill me. She instinctively knew that subject to him was really a touchy one. His past is definitely something I want to hear, soon or later. Suddenly a loud cheer emits from the cabin door. She looked inside and there was Ulf and Wulf fighting about something. She smile evilly, everyone on board knew the twins loved to quarrel with each other, they looked seriously alike, yet they called each other "Your ugly" and fighting about some girls they knew from Hallasholm like which twin the best. Maddie climbed up and saw Stig and Hal in a deep conversation. She clears her throat, getting their attention,

"Hal, erm, you might want to bring Ingvar and go down to check the cabin."

Hal looks at her, and shrugged, leaving Stig to steer, Hal goes down, ducks in and walks into the room, immediately there was dead silence. Silently, outside Maddie was laughing, holding her sides, shaking uncontrollably.

Hal asks "Alright, which one of you want to catch some fishes today?" then adding on like an afterthought, "In the water.'

Wulf and Ulf didn't even dare to move. On ship, no fighting, Hal's rules. Hal nodded with satisfaction,

"That's what I thought, alright guys enough fooling around, set sail we got much stronger winds now."

Everyone scrambled out. Hal stood by the door, and looks at Maddie who failed to conceal her amusement, before Hal had the chance to say that she was invited to join some fishes as well, "It's impressive and hilarious how you deal with them." and walks off.


Irritated, Evanlyn asked no one in particular, "So how long will we reach an actual port?"

Wulf (or Ulf?) replies "About another half day of sailing"

Before Evanlyn could say anything.

"Land Ho!" Edvin called from his post.

Everyone looked up; there was an island full of palm trees. Will looks at the map; no one has been here except a fisherman from Araluen who needed to drop off some bothersome birds.

Will called out "Look for an entrance to some lake inside. Then seal the ship and cover it up blending in with the trees around."

Hal nodded and found a hidden path, it was swampy but it was a perfect cover. Together, they covered the ship up, Will took a look, and commented,

"Well, Halt would most certainly impressed."

Horace grins, "Do you think so?"

Will thought about that, and then shook his head, "Never mind, probably not."

Stig scratched his head, "So, are we going to just leave it like that?" saying it out loud.

Will gave him a baleful look, "Why? Were you thinking of something we go do with it that it could be beneficial for all of us to here?"

Stig stammered at the Ranger's rapid fire of question, "Well, I mean... I haven't thought it that far yet, it's just that we seem to pick it up one day, then we drop it the next."

Hal grins at his friend, "We will need it when we are escaping from the Temujai when we cause enough trouble. They won't expect us to already have one of their own under our control."

Thorn stumbled in, "Alright, are you boys going to talk about dresses like Lydia over there, or we going to move off now?"

Lydia, who was nearby heard him and absentmindly, replied "Shut up, old man"

Thorn grins at Hal. Will and Horace exchanged a glance, seems like a thing they do often.

It took them another half day of sailing like Ulf (or Wulf) had said. Just a little over past noon, Jack nudged Will who seemingly leaning on the mast, looked like he was sleeping.

"Ranger Will, you might want to take a look at this"

Will pulled back his mottled cloak's cowl back and stared at the harbour. Aside from the small group of trader boats docking point, the whole place was filled with Magayran pirate ships, and Temujai built ships.

Maddie whistled lowly at the sight.

Will simply said "Well, now we obviously know what the Temujai have been busy with, building a large, massive fleet of ships to transport their men."

Horace scoffed "Since the failed invasion of Skandia, they had a least a decade to do so"

Will looked painfully at Horace, with the look that wasn't helping.

Horace puts his hands up in defeat.

Will asked "Hal, how many ports are around here?''

He took a quick look and slowly replied "There are about...30 other ports along this coast... more further down...near Raguza if not further.." he trails off, realizing where Will was going with the question.

He continued "That. Is a lot of ships... with the support of Raguza, safe haven for pirates and the ideal plan from Temujai over here, this would be a deadly encounter"

Will shook his head slowly. Halt wouldn't like the sound of this, hope he is gathering enough armed help from our friends.

Jesper called out with a hint of a worried tone, "Guys! One of the smaller Temujai ships has taken notice of us!"

Will ushered everyone inside the ship, leaving Hal and Thorn to deal with this. Will whispered, "Use some of the supplies we captured as an excuse in a way to get to the dock. Your goal is to dock, don't let them push us away" Hal nodded in understanding.

The Temujai ship pulled alongside with the Heron. Thorn calls out, "Hows the wind fellow sailor?"

The Temujai looked amongst themselves then found a man who spoke the common tongue. In a rough accent, "Who are you and what are you doing here? How are allowed to pass the barrier?"

Thorn quickly made up something "We, are pirates from Hallasholm…" seeing the Temujai beginning to be more suspicious and unconvinced. Thorn remembered that the Temujai hated them, even if the target wasn't on them this time.

"… I was, a sub-command of Slagor's ship, we tried to aid you guys against Hallasholm few years back! Some girl uncovered our plans, and we were nearly captured by Ragnak at that time. Now The new Oberjarl… that tax loving Erak"

Thorn prayed to the gods he knew from Skandia, all this was an act, he actually respected and good friends with Erak, Thorn added with an afterthought, my oh my would Erak be hopping mad if he heard that, Thorn wore a ghost grin at the thought. Every jarl knew Erak was always sent by Ragnak to tax collect others. Erak didn't mean to be like that, he was ordered to.

The Temujai talked to his commander and recognized the name Slagor, they had a heated discussion, and then looking at the large pile of crates.

He spoke, "You are allowed to pass, however, we will be keeping an eye on you, northmen." Thorn puts up his hand for a pause, and asked Hal to grab one of the crates of very good wine.

Thorn hefted in his hands and gave it to the Temujai, "Here, token of your appreciation."

The Temujai commander opened it and popped one of the bottles open and smelt it. He nods to Thorn and shouted an order. They pulled away. Everyone sighed in relief; Horace praised Thorn of the idea giving a part of their share, showing the mutual understanding. Will rubbed his head as he climbed out, Thorn noticing that the Rangers didn't have their cloaks on now. Hal looks at Will, "With them keeping an eye on us, what we do here will be a bit more complicated."

Will looks at the tiny specks moving back and forth on the docks, Temujai moving in and out supplies.

Will shook his head, "I shouldn't think so, they are too busy, with Jack's assumption, their deadline is now even closer, and they are going to be real busy. See how they would barely care the traders around, just don't cause major attention." "Alright let's get to port quickly"

Ooo

As they moored alongside at the dock, they saw some curious eyes shift at the sight of the wolf ship. They had heard or witnessed the raids these skandians have done in the past, and knowing they don't normally raid nowadays, they still are vicious. Wondering why was it moored along here. Maddie, was the one who asked the unspoken question, "So what do we do now? We have arrived at Toscana."

Will smiled grimly, it was a question he had pondered in his mind since they took over the Temujai ship. What do they do now when they reach Toscanian ports?

"Let's settle here for a couple days. We need to think through a plan. Everyone replenish your armory, supplies and rest."

Then Will pulled Jack aside, "I believe you know where the main camp of the Temujai is when we reach them?"

Jack thought and then nodded, "When we reach their borders I can find them"

Will nodded then he found another place to give Jack a test, "What do you think?"

Jack looked blank, "Huh? Sorry about what?"

Will nodded to the group, "The Herons, who do you think that has the ability to help us out if on foot?"

Jack looked over and then quickly thought, "Well, Jesper would come in handy, since he was a former thief, he would be nimble, so goes with Lydia. And if you didn't notice, that hunky Thorn would be helpful too, his silent when he chooses to be"

Will raised an eyebrow, Jack mentioning Thorn in his assessment was interesting, Will knew that to be a Maktig, especially for 3 years, he would need to master many fields. Being silent was one of them.

Jack saw Will raised his eyebrow, he began to think Will was beginning to be displeased. He asked Maddie about that and all she did was laugh and walked away.

Will nodded, "Interesting alright, go rest up, you might want to recheck your arrows. I am going to walk around the streets a bit to check out surrounding."

Jack acknowledged "Alright Ranger Will Good night stay safe"

Will pulled Jack a little closer "Don't mention the name "Ranger" at all, especially here. And by the way, friends call me Will"

Then Will turned around put his cowl over his face and walked into the busy dark streets.

Jack watched with surprise and then headed back to the ship.

ooo

Will turned into a dark alley, and he was faced with a wall. Pulling in his ability to climb walls with out ropes kicked in and he easily and silently climbed up the wall on to the roof of an inn. He crouched low and looked out at the harbour. There were exactly 3 Temujai ships built, large and bigger than the one they captured. Then he counted 10 ships same size as the Arrow. Mentally, Will did a rough calculation, each ship with 1200 men...10...and 1 large ones... that's approximately 40,000 thousand men all added together from the other 3 major ports!

Will shuddered at the thought of all these ships arriving at the Araluen soil. With their efficiency of command and archers, this invasion is a major threat. This was one of the major ports, 2 more of these and small harbours along the coastline infested with Magayran pirates who want to take part and lend a hand, this isn't good, Will thought furiously. He saw a command tent near by, he silently leaned down just enough, to his luck they were speaking in common tongue,

"General Haz'kam must not underestimate the Araleun men. Especially those cloaked Rangers." Will saw a figure, seemed like a knight, with dark armor and had a black bird as his crest. He filed away that piece of information.

With the obvious accent, it was a Temujai officer, presumably one of the General's closest war officers, spat with distaste at hearing the Rangers name, "The General won't underestimate the Ara-lands. We nearly have 7 times more men we originally had on the invasion of the Northmen, when we had only a command of around 6000 men."

The armored knight replied "Yet you failed. Merely against 2 Rangers. Mind you, one of them were an apprentice."

The officer replied "Mind your manners pirate, we didn't fail, it was too costly for us to continue, if we were to claim the northmen's country, we'd be too weakened."

"However, with 40 thousand men, put it on ...what do you pirates call it, a scale, we have a large army."

The knight looked doubtfully at the Temujai, "Whatever you say, just I might remind you, the General has put ALL of the men on this line. If we were to fail this invasion, the Temujai army will be severely weakened and no more. On behalf of the pirates, I say, first sign of non-ability to finish this task, we are out of there, and you will be forced to depend on your own people and your own ships. Warn your General about that"

Then he walked out of tent and down to the docks. On to a dark coloured ship, flag emblazed signing as a Pirate ship.

Will thought, he need to warn Halt about this, what the numbers are, everything he just heard, all written down to give them an idea what they are up against.

Just then a Temujai patrol saw him hanging there, they started shouting and exclaiming, drawing their swords. Will bit his lip, he can't shoot them, they can't know an archer is here. The officer came out of the tent, to see what was all the commotion, he half-spoke something in Temujai and then common tongue,

"What...HEY! INTRUDER, a spy! DO NOT ALLOW HIM TO ESCAPE"


Hey again!

So, I thought of title for legit 5 minutes, to think of a perfect one. I thought that, Jack's past seemingly intwined in the future...or is it?

I am also considering, should I allow Will's to escape? or to be captured?

:) I dunno, its a hard choice, anyways

Me: (whisper) suspense, Suspense, SUSPENSE..! *Slow deep drum beat*

~~Pulse out!