RAVEN IS BACK! THAT'S RIGHT, PEOPLE! I AM BACK! I know all of you are probably sick of hearing this, but I am sorry for this whole not-updating-for-three-months fiasco. I got one of those writer's blocks where your mind goes blank and every time you sit down at the keyboard, you simply cannot write. But NO LONGER! I swear that even if I'm not perfect and don't update regularly, even if it totally sucks, I will force myself to write until my fingers bleed. And by the way, 22 REVIEWS! Thank you so much you guys. Your reviews made my day. I appreciate all of you who have stuck with me as I make my first endeavoring steps into this vast realm-my poetry voice is broken... God, I just fixed it...

Many thanks to all reviewers, especially those of you that screamed at me to update. That's what really got me going. I formally thank you, Tom and firenotfired. And Amanda Racette, for giving me a good suggestion for how to write this.

Disclaimer: *Takes deep breath* I do not possess the story-line of articulateness and impressive vessel of creativity that is Ranger's Apprentice. This anecdote of pure treasure that sustains the spark to my existence is exclusive only to Mister John Flanagan, writer of the-Oh, forget it.

Will's mind froze. Then, just as suddenly as the gears stopped, they began cranking at twice their normal speed.

"OHMYGODIT'SFERRISHALTAREYOUHAPPYORCONFUSEDIWOULDN'TLIKEITBUTYOUWERESADWHENHEDIEDAND," Will took a deep breath. Halt cleared his throat and glared at his unruly apprentice. He was very confused, it was true, but Will blabbering about it certainly didn't help.

"Are you going to introduce yourself?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Oh," said Will, "Of course. Well we met before, Your Highness-"

"Just call me Ferris," Ferris corrected, "I'm not a king anymore." Halt stared at him.

"Right well, I'm Will the Ranger. Halt is-was-my mentor. I didn't really expect to see you, I mean, people were coming back to life and all, but-"

Ferris coughed, "Are you going to let us inside?"

"Ahhhh, yes, sorry..."

Will stepped aside and the two brushed past.

"How did you deal with an apprentice with that?" Whispered Ferris.

Halt smiled grimly, "I had my ways." He was then flooded by another wave of confusion. This was not the Ferris he had come to know and despise. Why was he so friendly and casual all of a sudden?

Maddie looked up from her map-making as Ferris entered. Being only fifteen, she wasn't alive when Halt, Will and Horace went to Hibernia. She had no idea that Halt had a brother. She stared.

In many ways, Ferris was different from Halt, but they were still very similar in appearance. Ferris had the same eyes and hair color that Halt had, but Halt's features were a little sharper. Ferris looked strong enough from his eighteen years of slavery, but while he had been lugging heavy things around, Halt had actually been training for almost his whole life. Ferris's hair also curved back a little, as though there was usually something keeping it that way. The most noticeable difference, she thought, was the eyes. His eyes tended to slide away from hers after a few seconds. Halt, she knew, could probably hold her gaze for hours.

"Finished staring?" Ferris asked dryly. Maddie jumped. His voice sounded so much like Halt's.

Well, this was going to be an interesting day.

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River and Alyss were walking next a small pond in the woods. After the bad misunderstanding, they had nonetheless become friends. River had been staying Alyss's old apartment, and she had decided that they needed some fresh air.

"So," Said Alyss, "What do you think of Araluen so far?"

River frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you have an Iberion accent. I'm assuming that's where you're from."

"Oh yes," replied River, not wanting to correct her about where she was from, "Well, it's a lot colder and wetter and the temperature is pretty mild. It's also a lot more organized."

Alyss nodded in agreement. "I have to say, that's a fair description. Your country was always a bit hot for my tastes."

River blinked. "You've been to Iberion?"

"Of course. It's part of my job as a courier."

"Do you know Halt, then?"

"Yes. He lives in Castle Redmont, with Lady Pauline. She's my mentor."

They both walked in silence for a minute, then River stopped. She had the odd feeling that someone was watching them.

"What is it?" Alyss asked.

River scanned her surroundings, but couldn't see anyone. "N-nothing. Lets keep going." Hidden behind a bush in the dense forest, unfriendly eyes watched them. Raven, hidden from sight, had overheard their entire conversation. She smiled. She now knew exactly where Halt was. It was time to bring out her army, to bring hell to this peaceful little fief.

It was time for revenge.

A/N: I rushed through the ending, but I was very eager to post this. I hope you all enjoy this new chapter (finally). Oh, and a virtual brownie to my first reviewer for this chapter. Because it's been so long, I will instantly begin working on the next chapter. That's all for now!

-Raven