NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.

Sorry, this is the actual chapter 10. I needed to speak to Little Wishlet without anything else in the way. This is now listed as chapter 11 but you know its chapter 10. I just hate it when my chapter numbers don't match up with the website's chapter numbers.

After this chapter, I'm probably going to have to hide. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that all my fans are going to hunt me down with fire and pitchforks. Hehe (nervous laughter)…You'll find out in this chapter.

Next Installment: Forgetting Blood

"Never too Late" – Three Days to Grace

Review and Enjoy!


Dripping Blood Chapter 11 (Actually 10)

The fighting started shortly after Will returned from his mission to hide Ilene. Quietly, the young Ranger Apprentice looked into Carmichael and the twins, Wren and Tren. So far he had found nothing that pointed to a double cross. Tyler acted like nothing was wrong. Carmichael still acted suspicious of Will's older brother but never once gave Will a second glance. That was good. It meant that Will could search without getting caught. And meant he could possibly find out what they were planning before it was too late.

Tyler took the lead in most of the battles that were fought as the rebellion inched towards Bruce's castle. Carmichael and twins mixed in with the rest of the battle. It had been agreed that Tyler, as the face, would be seen as the "leader". Will's brother had accepted the role without complaint. It made sense to him. Carmichael had but "Barret" in charge of keeping Tyler alive. His bow would come in handy, allowing him to hide in the trees and bushes. Quarize would see Tyler striking down men left and right. That would strike fear into the heart of Quarize's men, making them more likely to run. So far it had worked. Fewer and fewer men were willing to face Tyler in battle. More and more men were trying to Quarize's army.

Will frowned as he watched Carmichael's plan working. The man seemed a little too knowledgeable. But no one else ever seemed to be spying on the camp. Will had snuck in several times to see if anyone inside might be a spy. No one stood out to him. However, he did not know how well trained the spy might be. He might recognize Barret and stay away. If that was the case then Will was facing an uphill battle. Tyler always waved away his apologies for not bringing in anything concrete. His brother believed that Will was trying his best. When the time came, Tyler would take care of Carmichael and the twins. Until then, they would stick to the plan of keeping their spying quiet.

But Will kept noticing a change in his brother. Every time that Bruce was brought up, Tyler would become quiet. A thoughtful look would enter his eyes. Before Ilene was hidden away, Tyler would have chewed his father out. He still did in front of Carmichael. In private, however, he rarely seemed to talk about their father. A quiet, thoughtful tone would enter his voice when he did speak. There was no more of the anger. No more cursing or hate. Just quiet thoughtfulness. It was if Tyler was trying to piece something together. Will kept his mouth shut for fear of snapping Tyler out of this mood. Still, the younger brother could not help but feel hope rising in his chest. It seemed his brother was starting to question his position. Maybe, just maybe, Will was making a dent. The younger brother just hoped that it would be enough.

He got his answer in the middle of the worst fight.

Bruce had finally marched out from his castle to meet the threat head on. His men hardened with their king in their midst. The rebellion was overjoyed. Now was the time to tear Quarize apart. Remove the head and everything else would fall. Tyler was going to fight Bruce. Barret would back him up. Once again, Carmichael and the twins would hide in the army ranks. The king would never know what hit him. Should Tyler and Barret fail, Carmichael would finish the king off. Tyler swore that he would not fail. Bruce would die. He had to finish what his little brother could not do. It was a matter of honor and hate for him. Carmichael simply nodded before waving them out of the tent.

The next day was the battle. Both sides were thirsty for blood. Will hid among the trees as it raged on. Those brown eyes were locked on his brother. Tyler was doing just fine on his own. No one wanted to face him. Render, Bruce's head guard, fought him. Though Render had the strength, he lacked Tyler's speed and agility. Not only that but Tyler had been trained to minimize massive strength when he was forced to block. Render was well trained. Tyler was better. The result was Render losing his head. Without hesitation, Tyler leaped back into the fray. His sword flashed as he danced among the soldiers, bringing them down. Will only fired three shots. One was for a man who was aiming to stab his brother in the back. The other two were in the legs. Tyler had jumped by five men. Not even his skill could get him through that alone. So Will took out two of them. Once done with the other three, Tyler finished off the two that Will brought down. It made him sick to do so but he needed to draw Bruce out.

Soon Bruce did appear. Blood caked his armor like paint. Tyler and his father circled each other as they sought an opening. Quickly Tyler stabbed forward but pulled back as his father raised his shield. Bruce tried to cut at Tyler's legs but the younger man leaped over the blade. Will bit his lip as he watched. An arrow was on his bow, ready to fire. However, he would not shoot Bruce or Tyler. They had to work it out on their own. No, the arrows were for anyone who tried to interfere, no matter what side they were on. As he watched, Will managed to hear the conversation that was passed between the two men.

"I hope your happy, son," Bruce growled.

Tyler spat back, anger in his voice, "Happy? I haven't been happy since the day you made me kill my best friend!"

"He wasn't good enough for you. You are a prince. Jason was a common lord," his father said.

The son hissed, "That still gave you no right to kill him. He was the only one who was ever honest with me. He was the only one who cared about me."

"Cared about you? I am your father. I love you with all my heart, even now! I only wanted what was best for you, for your mother, for your brother."

"Some love! You torture us when we didn't agree with your decisions."

"So you're here to kill me? To make me pay for what I did to you. Believe me, son, I have suffered enough because of it. I lost you, your mother, and your brother. I lost everything because of my choices." Bruce tossed his sword and shield to the ground. His arms went wide as he said quietly, "Kill me. You deserve it after everything I did to you."

Will's mouth dropped open with shock. This was not something he had expected to happen. His father was actually going to allow Tyler to kill him. Then the next shock happened. Tyler's sword hit the ground. The young man glared at his father, pain in his eyes. Bruce stepped closer. His son did not move. Soon Bruce reached out and laid a hand on Tyler's shoulder. The young man bowed his head. A snarl appeared on his face as a whimper came from his throat. He stepped closer, resting his head on Bruce's chest. The king wrapped his son in an embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Tyler. I never meant for any of this to happen. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. I never realized that my choices were killing the very thing I wanted. I'm so sorry. I love you more than anything I own," Bruce said to his son.

Tyler shook in his arms. A breaking voice soon came to Will's ears, "I love you, father. I'm sorry."

"Sh. Don't be. You had every right to do what you have done. I forgive you," Bruce said, tears falling from his eyes.

Slowly Tyler pulled away. A smile touched his lips. Bruce smiled back, his hands on Tyler's shoulders. Will felt his heart soar with joy. His face broke out into a large grin. He had done it. He had managed to mend the hearts of his father and brother enough for them to fix the rest. His eyes closed with pleasure. Maybe now he could admit to his father that he had been here, helping to bring this about. His eyes opened and looked at his father and brother once more.

Then his heart beat faster in fear.

There was black cloaked man standing on the other side. A crossbow was in his hands. Will was about to shout a warning when Tyler spotted him. A twang echoed across the land. Tyler shoved Bruce. Blood flew as the bolt tore clean through Tyler chest. As his brother collapsed, Will stepped out of the trees and fired his arrow. It took the man in his throat. Then Will raced over to where Bruce was kneeling beside his son. Tyler was coughing up blood. Bruce was whispering reassuringly to his son. Will grabbed his medical kit. He knelt beside them. Bruce's eyes narrowed as "Barret" reached for Tyler's wound. He was about to put medicine on the wound when Tyler seized ahold of his wrist.

His older brother coughed weakly, "Barret…"

"I'm here," Will replied, his voice deepening.

Tyler was struggling to breathe as spoke, "Please…please tell…Will…I tried…tried to follow his example. Tell…him…I love…him…more than…anything." Those brown eyes turned to Bruce before he continued, "I love…you…Don't lose him…like you…lost…me."

His eyes closed slightly. His chest stopped moving. Those convulsions that racked his body stopped. Bruce let out a soft sob. Tears poured down his cheeks. Will remained still, Tyler's hand still gripping his wrist. He did not want this. He never wanted this! Those brown eyes closed as he fought the pain that stabbed through his chest. His hand tightened on his brother's fingers, which were slowly losing warmth. Bruce finally pulled his son close to his chest. His tears fell onto the wound that had ended his son's life.

"I promise…" Will said weakly.

"Where are you going?" Bruce asked, his voice shaking.

"To uphold my promise to Tyler. He asked me to take Ilene to Will. I will do just that. I will deliver his final message to his brother," Will replied, struggling to keep his voice level. His feet took him to the fallen figure. Quickly he tore through the pockets. A snarl of anger touched his face as he pulled out Carmichael's symbol. He turned to find that Bruce had followed him. He tossed him the symbol, "That's the man who killed your son. Keep your men alert. You will be hearing from me again soon. I'm sorry."

With that he raced away. He had to grab Tug and head for Ilene. Carmichael would send men after her. Will had to beat them there. As his loyal steed galloped towards the hidden, Will let his own tears fall. Tug raced up the mountain path. Certain that no one could hear him, Will let out a cry of pain. His horse glanced back briefly. Those ears flicked. He could sense his master's pain and breaking heart. The little horse snorted in anger before neighing. Will patted him on the neck as his loyal friend continued racing onward.

"I promise, Tyler, I'll keep her safe just like you wanted to. I just wish you could have lived to see your child born," Will said, his tears flying from his face. Then those brown eyes hardened with rage, "I'll kill him. I'll kill them. They won't get away with any of this!" His voice raised into a shout, "I'll kill them all!"

Thunder rumbled above him. Turning onto the path he needed, Will noticed something that made his heart leap with panic: Fresh hoof prints in the rocky soil…

Heading straight for Ilene's cabin.


That was hard to write. Anyway…I'm going to go hide…(in a small voice) For those who understand my foreboding, please don't kill me.

See you all soon!