"Will, wake up. We're home," said Halt.

Will had fallen asleep on Halt's lap on Tug's saddle. Will sat up straight in the saddle, a little too fast, and began to fall.

Halt quickly wrapped his arms around Will to keep him steady.

"Whoa, take it easy," said Halt as he helped him down from the saddle.

Will started swaying back and forth on the ground. Halt jumped down and then faced Will.

"Can you walk?"

Will tried to take a step forwards but immediately started to fall again. Halt got behind Will and held him up under his arms.

"Now you can. Come on walk forwards," said Halt.

Will began to walk towards the cabin, with Halt behind him, supporting him so he wouldn't fall again.

When they reached the door to the cabin, Will paused as if not knowing what he should do next. Halt made his decision for him.

Halt picked up Will and carried him to inside. He then gently lay Will down on the couch.

"I have to go speak to our Commandant, stay, there, right there, stay," said Halt as he started walking towards to door.

"Like I can move?" said Will from the couch.

Halt smiled and then shut the door. Will heard the sound of Tug whinnying.

Will lay there on the couch, feeling useless. He couldn't even move, how could Halt not be mad with him. Will couldn't be a ranger while in this condition. He had to get better.

Will rolled off the couch and then tried to walk to the door. He could walk, but just barely. Will wrote a little note and then left it on the table.

It read;

Dear Halt,
Due to not being able to do anything, I left the cabin to go train
Sincerely, Will

Will thought that sounded good. Will then limped over and out the door.

Will walked to a little clearing and then set up a few targets, all at different varieties of ranges. Will then took out his bow and plucked 3 arrows from his quiver. He began to shoot.

He couldn't shoot though. The arrows barely went 4 meters each. So Will took out his saxe knife and throwing knife. He chucked each one at the same target, missing by at least several meters.

Will felt weak. He had a huge headache and his side was hurting.

"Damn! I can't be a ranger this way!" screamed Will at the top of his lungs.

Will took off running towards the cabin, yet he was so weak he ended up tripping and falling numerous times along the way. When he got there he went in his room and locked the door to his bedroom and silently sobbed into his pillow.

An hour later Will heard a pounding fist on the door.

"Will! Open this damn door! You are not allowed to lock this door from me! OPEN IT!" bellowed Halt.

"Go away," mumbled Will, still sobbing into his pillow.

Suddenly Will heard a knife in the lock and then the door flew open, revealing a livid Halt.

The anger in Halt subsided when he saw Will sobbing into his pillow. He could hear the quiet moans from him.

"Will," the concern showing through in Halt,"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Go away." sobbed Will, not bothering to look up.

Halt calmly walked over to Will and sat down next to him.

"Will, tell me, what's wrong?" asked Halt again.

Will made no effort to to reply.

Halt sighed and stretched out on the bed next to Will.

"Will tell me what's wrong. Otherwise I'll just keep bugging you."

Will finally turned towards Halt and looked into his eyes. There was no anger there, just concern.

"I can't shoot my bow, I can't use my knives, I can't run, I can barely walk. How can I be a ranger this way? Halt, how are you not mad with me? How are you not disappointed?" said Will as more tears came.

Halt stared wide-eyed at Will.

"Will, you are badly injured, it's not unusual that you can't do much. But trust me, you will get better. You will fully heal and you will be able to continue training. Just give it time. And Will, I'm not disappointed. I'm so proud of you," said Halt as he slowly stood up.

Will suddenly gasped in pain and then held his side. Halt noticed this and stared at the boy.

"Will, are you okay?" asked Halt moving to Will and gently prodding his wound. It was throbbing.

"Oww!" screamed Will in pain.

"The salve! Damn! I forgot to put your salve on you! Damn!" exclaimed Halt as he rushed out of the room to find the salve. In a few seconds he returned with the salve.

Halt took a little bit of the salve and then gently rubbed it onto Will's wound. The pain slowly went away.

"Thank you Halt." said Will as he lay back down. Halt then plopped on the bed next to him, groaning in relief. His legs were so sore.

Will lay his head down against Halt's chest. Will felt safe, next to his former mentor.

Will soon fell asleep. Halt smiled to himself as Will slept silently next to him.

Halt soon fell asleep too. His head rest gently above Will's. He vowed he would help Will get through this.