Disclaimer: I do not own Rangers Apprentice, thank you.

Chapter 10

I wandered around the castle corridors searching for either Will or Chase because it took me a while to gather my thought and get off the ground after Chase left. I still can't believe he just figured me out in the 5 minuets we spent together. Then he walks off and just leaves me there knowing I have no idea where to go. I mean who does that? I understand how he was going for the I-know-your-secret dramatic effect but he could of at least just let me gather my thoughts and then shown me where to go to get back to Will.

Storming down the castles halls if finally came across the mess hall. Two large doors were propped open so I could see the many tables lined up with people sitting at them eating lunch. Before walking in I scanned the tables for Will since I had yet to meet Horace I did not know what he looked like. I didn't want to just walk in and have everyone's eyes on me and then find out that they were not in there.

After a minuet I saw them sitting at a table in the back corner of the room. Will was sitting so his back was facing the wall and I'm guessing the person across from him was Horace.

I walked quickly and quietly towards their table not wanting to draw any attention to myself. I wasn't even halfway to their table when I heard a loud voice say, "I'm sure they will get along great. I mean look at how me and you turned out." It wasn't Will who spoke, so it must have been Horace. I had a feeling he was talking about Chase and I, but what he meant by his last comment I had no idea.

As I approached their table Wills head turned my way. Does anything get past this guy? It wasn't like I was trying to sneak up on him but does he ever let his guard down? Hmmm maybe that's something I could keep in mind for the future. Hehehe….

"Alex, where is Chase?" Will asked curiously.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. He just left me at the training grounds and I eventually found you here." I replied. I glanced at Horace who had just looked up from the mountain of food on his plate. He had brown hair like my own but his most likely was trimmed by professionals where I hacked mine off with a dull knife blade. His blue eyes were assessing me probably like any knight seeing how much of a threat I am.

"Since I don't think Will is going to introduce us anytime soon I will. I am Horace." He stuck out his muscular arm and I placed my hand in his and shook it. "Sorry about Chase I'm sure he just forgot you didn't know your way around yet."

"It really doesn't matter I found my way here didn't I? Is there any food left? I'm pretty hungry." It was true; I was hungry. When I walked in my stomach grumbled when I smelt all of the food people were eating.

I looked over to Will and he slid over a plate that he had beside him. It was filled with food and was almost the size of Horaces. I hesitated picking up my fork not knowing where to begin. I was slightly worried because I was unsure if I could eat all of the food that was on my plate. I didn't want to waste food.

Will must have noticed my concern because he quickly explained that I didn't need to eat all of the food. He just didn't know what I liked and decided just to get a little bit of everything. Will also described how all of the food that was not eaten was used as fertilizer on the crops. Knowing that even if I didn't eat the food and it would be used as fertilizer (or Horace offered to eat the left overs) helped me just enjoy eating my meal instead of worrying if I could eat it all.

When I was about halfway through my meal and almost done Chase finally decided to come and join us. He walked up to the table flashing me a friendly smile. I didn't know what his deal was but it was obvious he wanted me to go along with him in pretending that we were already best of buddies. There was no way I was just going to let him get away with leaving me at the training grounds and then let him act as if we got along great to impress Horace and Will.

"Hey Alex! I see that you made it here in one piece." Chase joked. He turned to talk to Will and Horace but before he could I spoke.

"I did, thank you for leaving me there not even staying a couple of more seconds to give me directions." I said sarcastically. Chase raised his eyebrow at me evidently surprised at what I had said. He thought I would just let that go!

"No harm was done. I'm sorry. I forgot that you did not know your way around yet. I was hoping that I could just joke about it and forget about it. If I knew you were so upset I would have said sorry and not have joked about it." Chase said sincerely. I couldn't believe him! Chase was sucking up just because Will and Horace were here other wise he wouldn't have said that.

I didn't know what to say so I just grumbled and replied, "Just don't let it happen again."

I looked to Horace and Will wanting to gage what they were thinking. Both of them looked back and forth at Chase and I and then gave each other a knowing look What was that all about? I just shrugged and started to eat suddenly feeling to tired to care or think about it.

I finished half of my plate and then I was full. Horace gave me one look and I immediately knew what he wanted. I silently slid my plate over to him without a second thought. I couldn't believe how much Horace ate. I know he was a boy, but honestly! This was just ridiculous.

After I while everyone was done eating and all talked out. I noticed that there were only a couple of people left and they were helping clean up.

"Sorry guys but Alex and I should get going. It was great catching up with you Horace and a pleasure to meet you Chase." Will said. I noticed that he didn't want to leave quite yet. Anyone could tell that Horace and Will were very close.

Horace said his goodbye and then hugged Will. Chase and I stood there awkwardly watching them and not knowing what to do. After Horace was done hugging Will he turned to me and almost killed by unexpectedly almost squeezing me to death. He finally let go and I wheezed trying to gulp air into my lungs.

We finally departed and Will and I started our ride home.