This chapter took such a long time! I can't believe it! I forgot to write any more chapters and only just realised today when a lovely miss 'Ranger Katie' reminded me to update. Thankyou so much Katie!
Ok here goes...
It was about 10 O'clock at night when the suspicious staff of the castle started appearing at the cove. The Rangers and Alyss were already there, lying in wait in the shadows. The rangers were concealed by the cloaks and Halt had lent one to Alyss. It was a little small but it did it's job.
The first to come was a tall, handsome young man who would not have been much older than 25. He strolled down to the cove, gave a quick, cursory glance around and then disappeared into a cave in the cliff face.
Then came the others. Halt recognised Joseph and Baxter. Will stiffened as he recognised George, Norman and Harold. They came down to the small beach and also went into the cave.
"Not to cautious, are they" commented Halt softly. The men had not even bothered to look down the beach.
"Shall we go and take a look?" asked Tyson.
"Yes" replied Halt.
They moved off and ghosted across the sand. They crept up to the mouth of the cave and paused, listening.
"So, what's the plan?" said a rough voice.
"Get the stuff, remove the real baron and get out of here" responded another voice. "There are too many snoopy rangers around now. I heard that sneak Tyson sent for reinforcements."
"Ok, Adrian" replied a few voices.
"Drop the fake names!" snarled the voice that they now knew belonged to Adrian. "We're leaving tonight and the names can go. I am Alda, you," he said obviously pointing to Joseph, "are Jerome and he is Bryn. You others never changed your names so can stay the same."
All the listeners stiffened at these names. They were the three Bullies from the battleschool! They were now making trouble in another fief! Will went for his bow but Halt stopped him, gesturing for him to wait. They kept listening.
"So we kill Carloman and leave with the loot?"asked another man.
"Yes" said Alda. "You did a good job, Felix, impersonating the Baron. I bet no one noticed."
The men all laughed. Halt had obviously heard enough. He motioned for the others to move forward. With their bows in hand and an arrow each knocked to the string, they stepped into the mouth of the cave.
"Stay where you are and raise your hands above your head!" Halt commanded. Startled, most of the men did so. Alda however snarled and reached for his knife.
"You never give up, do you Halt! Were you not content with driving us out of Redmont?"
"No!" growled Halt, "I now know your natures better than ever and this country needs to be rid of you. Now surrender or I put and arrow through your leg!"
Alda smirked and took a step forward. He then fell to the ground with a cry as the arrow tore through the fleshy part of his calf. The other men froze and did not move, fear of that devastating shooting rendering them helpless.
"Tie these men up will you, Tyson and Will," said Halt.
They did so and as they were doing it, Halt stayed at the entrance and kept an arrow on the string of his bow, so that the men wouldn't get any ideas of escape.
When the men were secure, Halt sent Tyson back to the castle to get some help. It would be too hard to cart eight men back to the castle alone.
Tyson arrived with help and together with some soldiers, they piled the men into a cart and wheeled them off to the castle dungeons, where they awaited trial.
"Well," said Halt, Now there is only the problem of the baron mix up to uncover." He yawned. "But that can wait till tomorrow. Let's go and get some sleep."
So what do you think? Alda, Bryn and Jerome turned up again! It never says what happened to them so I decided to use them as my bad guys. I hope you liked it. There is only one more chapter to go. If anyone has any ideas of what my next story should be, LMK. I like getting idea suggestions. I might do a story about Tyson. I like creating characters and Tyson seems like a good opportunity.
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