NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.
AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon: The last sentence in chapters 3 and 6 are hints to the ending of my story. Foreboding I believe it's called. It's supposed to make you feel worried and scared.
I was asked what songs I use to write these chapters. Answer: I use different songs, sometimes happening upon them by chance. For this chapter I used "Animal I Have Become" by Three Days to Grace and "Savin' Me" by Nickelback.
Review and Enjoy!
Dripping Blood Chapter 7
The army was marching out of the mountains. Carmichael believed they had waited long enough. Their strength was half of Quarize but they had the advantage of surprise. Supporters were scattered throughout the massive country. Very few would stand against them. Even less would warn the Quarize army. The final destination was Bruce's castle, home of the king. Tyler had made it clear that Bruce would be left to him. He would finish what Will could not do. Soon Quarize would lose its king. The second family had no heir other than Ilene to give. It would send their enemies into confusion. Then their allies would come in to help them set up a new regime.
Everything was going perfectly.
Will rode with Ilene near the front of the army. Tyler was several rows ahead of them. Sometimes they could see him, sometimes they could not. Ilene had an arm wrapped around her stomach. The signs of her pregnancy were starting to appear. Morning sickness. Hunger. Even her stomach was betraying her desire to keep the child hidden. Will kept calm at her side. Tyler pretended to put "Barret" on guard duty of Ilene. That meant no one could get near her to discover her secret. However, it would not be long before someone started to notice her sickness and bulging belly. Will bit his lip. He was in a tight spot. Perhaps tonight he would try to convince that they should hide Ilene somewhere they alone would know. That way she would be safe. That way no one would discover her secret.
Ilene reached over and grabbed his hand. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"I'm worried about someone finding out," Will whispered, his eyes watching those around them carefully.
The black-haired woman sighed, "Soon we won't be able to hide it."
"That's why I'm hoping to remove you from the army. Do you know of anywhere I can hide you? I know that I can convince Tyler. Shouldn't be too hard," he said, his tone casual.
Ilene frowned as she thought. Tyler's original hiding spot had been discovered by Bruce. Was there any place that this army did not know about? Where could she hide from the king of Quarize? Then she smiled. There was one place. It was old and run down. Her family had abandoned it long ago. However, no one would expect her to go there. It was too obvious of a spot.
She nodded slowly, "I know of a place. It won't be perfect but it'll do."
"Don't tell anyone else about it. I'll talk to Tyler tonight," Will replied, squeezing her hand gently.
After all, Tyler could not say no.
Tyler looked at his brother like he just lost his senses. "Send Ilene away!?" he cried.
"Yes," Will said, his exasperation evident in his tone.
His older brother shook his head, "No. I left her alone once and I nearly lost her because of it. I'm not doing it again."
"Brother, listen," Will growled, hands planting firmly on Tyler's makeshift desk. His voice dropped to low register. It was an intimidation technique of Halt's. This time it attracted Tyler's attention. Will continued softly, "Ilene is sick. All this traveling, all this fighting won't do her a damn thing. She needs quiet and rest. If what you say is true then you have nothing to fear. Bruce thinks she is still locked away or vanished into thin air. These men won't hurt her. So let her get some proper rest."
Tyler looked away from Will's gaze. He knew that his brother was right. Ilene was looking very ill lately. He was scared and worried. However, rest was the best thing for a sick person. Will was an honest person. Never once had he tricked Tyler. Never once had he went behind his back like Tyler did to him. Also, who knew what could happen to her near the battlefield. Yes, Will was right. Tyler was just too stubborn to admit it so quickly.
His gaze met Will's, "Fine. But I want a healer to look at her before you take her to who knows where."
"Done," Will lied. A doctor was the last thing he needed but he could work around it.
Tyler's voice cut into his thoughts, "Anything else, brother?"
"Not anything I can get away," Will replied. He rose and turned to leave. That's when Tyler's hand grabbed his arm. "Yes?" Will asked. His eyebrow went up to emphasize he question.
His brother sighed weakly. He sat down in a chair and signaled for Will to do the same. After Will was comfortable he asked, "Am I making the right decision?"
"You have to be a lot more specific," Will answered with a smile.
Surprisingly, Tyler smiled back. "I mean with this whole war. Am I right?"
"Personally I find war to be a horrible way to solve problems," Will said softly. "It only causes more pain than good. Believe me, I fought through two wars in a matter of a few years. Three if you count Quarize's attack on Araluen. So no."
His brother spread his hands, "Then what can I do? He won't listen to reason. All three of us tried to reason with him. Mother. Me. You. So what can I do other than fight?"
"That's the question I've been struggling with," the younger brother said with a sad sigh. "I don't know the answer to that. I believe that there's a better side of him. We just need to be patient. However, this war of yours has thrown patience out the window. I don't know."
Tyler looked down at his feet. Then Will rose to his feet and headed for the entrance. Before he left, Will turned back to his brother.
"Just remember that he isn't all bad," he whispered then left.
Will and Ilene left the next day. With a small bribe, Will got a doctor to say that Ilene was fine, sick, but fine. A good rest would do her good. That had convinced Tyler. The doctor would never be able to say anything else as he never saw Ilene. If he had, the doctor would have instantly known the source of the sickness. That's not what Will needed at the moment. He had Tyler's trust. He had Tyler's love. To reveal that he knew of Ilene's pregnancy would destroy all that he had done. The young woman had wished her brother luck. He promised her that all would be taken care of. After the war, they could settle down. Vanish. Have a family of their own. Will swore that he would see that Ilene was safe and comfortable before returning.
The road was a long one. Through the mountain paths they had to travel. Ilene had shown Will the place on a map. They would not be too far from Bruce's castle. Quietly the Ranger apprentice debated his next move. That was, after he dropped off Ilene. He would be able to spy on Bruce a little bit before heading back. However, such a move could mean discovery. Such a play could put suspicion into Carmichael. With a grunt, Will made his decision. After Ilene was safe and comfortable, he would head to his father's home. A little look around then leave. He would not stay long. He would not do anything that would risk getting capture.
Three days later was when the old cabin came into sight. It was well hidden among large rocks. The wood had been painted the same gray. Will smiled as he saw it. A perfect hiding place. Ilene had told him that it was resting place for her family. In times of major trouble, the heirs to the family, both lord and king, could be sent here for safe keeping. However, it had been so long since it was last used. She doubted many remembered its existence. That was good enough for Will. However, he had several Ranger tricks that he could use to help keep Ilene safe.
Stepping inside, Will had an arrow on his bow. Better safe than sorry. The cabin was empty except for the few pieces of furniture that been left behind. A table, three chairs, and a bed. Will found that the bed mattress had been taken. However, a little bit of work could make the hard frame more comfortable for the pregnant woman waiting outside. The kitchen had nothing hidden in any of the shelves. The floors were dusty and broken. Will would build barriers around the holes to keep Ilene from hurting herself. Satisfied that everything was safe, he called Ilene in. Then he set to work.
The mountains around them had plenty of dried bushes and trees. Will gathered a large supply of wood for Ilene to use. He hunted what game he could so that she had food. Using rope, sticks, and the natural environment he set up several traps. Some were for prey. Most were to trap people trying to hurt Ilene. The woman kept complaining that Will was being overprotective. Based on her tone, Will realized that she thought he was worse than Tyler. That made him smile. He told her that he making sure that Tyler would not kill him for not doing his job. Ilene merely rolled her eyes at that. Once the traps her set, Will set about cleaning the cabin. Again Ilene complained to no end. Will calmed her down by saying that she would be cleaning the cabin after was gone. He was making sure that nothing dangerous had moved in after people left. He also inserted long sticks into the holes so that Ilene would know where the holes were in the dark. Lastly was the bed. Will formed the Ranger bed using the thick branches of several trees. Flat rocks were the based to keep the branches from falling through the frame. Once done, he had Ilene try it out. Turns out it was quite comfortable for her.
He spent the first night sleeping in the living room. Ilene slept well in the peace and quiet. Will awoke to every sound outside. His weapons were at his side, ready for an attack. Mostly it was the wind howling through the mountains. Beyond that, his sleep was plagued with nightmares. He could see his brother and father fighting to the death. Carmichael's hate filled gaze as he looked at Tyler. The twins with hands on their weapons. Then he saw Ilene in danger, the child hidden somewhere behind. There was nothing he could do. Nothing he did stopped the bloodshed. With a jolt, he woke up time and again. Seeing that dawn was coming, he finally decided to rise.
The outside was cool. Heat from the sun had not yet come. He stared out into the gray land. Faint wisps of cloud floated not far overhead. Will frowned, his hands balling into fists. He did not want to feel helpless. He did not want to watch the last of his family get torn apart. Something about Carmichael made him nervous. Those twins had a bad feeling about them. It was the innermost secret reason why he wanted to get Ilene away from the army. He had a feeling that they were hiding something. Something important. Something deadly. Those brown eyes hardened. He would have to keep a close eye on them. Sooner or later they would show their hand. Halt always told him to be prepared for the worst. That's what Will was going to do. But first he had to spy on his father. He had to find something to help stop Tyler. Only then would everything he wanted be granted. With Tyler and Bruce, he could stop whatever plans Carmichael was hiding.
After breakfast he headed out…
Not knowing that he was being followed by a shadow…
Hope you all liked it!
