"Sandy? Sandy is that you?" A voice asked from over Sophia's shoulder as she stood in front of a flower stand. She jumped and spun around as she came face to face with the ranger's apprentice. (A/N: I had to do that) Will had appeared behind her while trying to collect flowers for Chubb, and now he raised an eyebrow at her surprise. "Did I startle you?"
Sophia managed a smile, "Will...I didn't know you were there!"
Will beamed "Really? Because Halt has been teaching me about sneaking around and blending into the shadows! I couldn't startle him, though, but at least I got you. But I guess that's because you aren't a ranger, but still I am very happy! What are you doing?"
Sophia sighed, her smile faltering a fracture of a degree. "Nothing, I got a new job...I found deer a few days ago, but it seems the rest have run away." She nodded as if pleased with herself, "What are you doing...Well, besides for scaring girls."
Will blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, just you know, running out to get coffee for Halt. He couldn't live without the stuff! Either that or he'd kill everyone he knows for coffee...Either one is bad. I have started to like coffee too, I drink it every day. How about you? Drink coffee, or perhaps you are a tea person? My friend, Alice, she likes tea, she drinks it as much as Halt drinks coffee. Coffee is creamier than tea, though, and that's why I like it better. It smells good."
Sophia shrugged, "I love coffee, guess its something I picked up from my dad. He's always been fond of it..." She trailed off and bit her lip as she braced herself against the rush of sorrow that had found its way into her heart.
"Yeah, coffee is good. Halt drinks it a lot. What job do you have?" Will looked at the flowers, "Are you selling flowers?"
"No, I work for Chubb now. I am his slave girl basically, running around doing chores he doesn't want to do." Sophia shrugged again and looked back at the flowers, "Which one of these is Juniper?"
Will pointed to the purple ones and she picked them up, giving the flower woman a few silver coins. "Well, I guess I have to go. Bye, Will."
"Wait," Will grabbed onto her elbow and spun her around, "Can you get a break and come over to my cabin-Halt's cabin I mean-and have coffee with us. Since you love it?"
Sophia shook her head, "I'm just too busy right now, sorry."
Will looked upset as he let go of her elbow then perked up again, "But your staying in town for a while so maybe we could see eachother again. Do you have anywhere to stay?"
Sophia nodded quickly, "Yes, I do. Don't worry about me, now I really have to go or I'll get hit on the head with that famous ladle of Chubb's." Without another glance at the young man, she hurried away to the kitchens in Redmount."
~RA~
"Juniper?"
"Check."
"Bread?"
"Check."
Chubb nodded as he spilled a few silver, copper, and a couple golden coins into a pouch and handed it to the worn out Sophia. She had been running errands for him all day, sending messages to other people and grabbing supplies for a special dinner they were supposed to have.
"What is the special occasion?" Sophia asked as she collected her payment.
Chubb's face darkened and he grimaced at his shoes, "The funeral for Henry Manchester, the Princess's fiancee. Poor lad was murdered in cold blood by some shadowy figure. Halt thinks it might be the same shadowy person who he'd met in the forest. I don't see how he couldn't have detected them, he's known for his skill. He says that Abelard knew she was there, Abelard is his horse, but when he got there he saw no one. There was no footprints, which is odd."
Chubb shrugged, "Come to the dinner tomorrow to help out and share your condolences. The king and princess will leave shortly after. Shame, to waste such a young life."
Sophia ignored the weight that plunged to her stomach and the rising panic. "Sure, I'd love to come." Me: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice and- Crowley: Why wasn't I invited to the party! (Yells and walks through doors) Horace: NO! CROWLEY RUN! (Runs to him and tries to open the doors but they're locked.) Halt: (In a dark corner muttering) Barney is a man in a suite, not real, Barney is a man in a suite not real... Will: (Cries) Why GirlNextDoor98! Why hurt us so! Me: I'm sending you to Imagination Movers fanfiction with Crowley and Horace. (Snaps fingers.) Halt: What about me? Me: I'm taking you to the psychiatrist...(Pats Halt on the head) You need mental help.