NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.
Little Wishlet: I'm so glad that you are doing ok. You had me worried there. Please, go talk to someone about your problems. I don't care who. I favorite teacher or go to a church in your neighborhood. There's not much I can do here other than pray and listen. Please.
AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon: Little Wishlet says thank you. Also, don't worry about the late review. I know I posted it at a weird time.
I didn't have long to write this so I'm sorry that it is so short. "Skinny Love" by Birdy and "Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Ray.
Warning: I'm going to be gone this weekend at camp and very busy next week. You probably won't see another chapter until late Saturday or Sunday next weekend.
Review and Enjoy!
Dripping Blood Chapter 12
Will reached the cabin in time to see two men trying to break down the door. Tug, without a command, picked up his pace. A scream rose from within. Will's heart leaped into his mouth. He knew what that scream meant. Ilene was giving birth. His bow went into position. An arrow leapt off the string moments later. One of the men screamed as the arrow went through his heart. The other man managed to leap out of the way of the second arrow.
Thunder shook the air as Tug slid to a halt. Will was off in a heartbeat. The second man leaped off the porch. Lightning reflected on his long sword. Quickly the young apprentice dodged the blow. Then his saxe drew a shallow cut on the man's arm. With that, the two began exchanging attacks. Will let his father's teachings take command. His opponent could not break through his defense. However, the man was good enough to block or deflect all of Will's attacks. Finally Will decided to change tactics. He spun, through his cloak wide. His opponent expected him to use his knives. What he got was a knee to jaw. Will landed firm before lunging. His saxe drove into the man's chest. Those brown eyes never looked into his opponent's face. As the man collapsed, Will stepped back, withdrawing his knife.
Ilene let out another scream. Putting Tug on alert, Will raced inside. The woman was in her room. Her breathing was fast and shallow. Those green eyes showed the pain she was in. Her hand reached out to her brother. Will quickly took it, whispering comforting words. The woman gritted her teeth as another wave of pain hit. Her brother grabbed some water. He did not know what to do to help. However, he was trying his best. Ilene reached up and touched his chest. There were stains where his tears had soaked into his shirt.
Her voice came out weakly, "Why…have you…been crying?"
Another wave of pain hit.
"I'm sorry, Ilene. I failed you," Will said, closing his eyes. Ilene's hand grabbed his. Somehow he found the strength to tell her, "Tyler forgave Bruce. He was slain by a hired servant of Carmichael."
New tears appeared in Ilene's eyes. She could not believe it. Tyler was dead. Her Tyler. Her wonderful, loving husband. Gone. Dead. A hiss escaped through her gritted teeth. She pulled Will close. Those brown eyes told her that he had tried to save him. He had tried to protect him but had failed. A small smile touched her lips. She did not blame Will. If she was going to blame anyone, it would be Carmichael. Suddenly a new wave of pain, stronger than all the others, washed over her. The child was coming. She would mourn for Tyler later.
Will perked up as Tug let out a warning call. Grabbing his knives, Will exited the room. Three men were standing there. A snarl of rage appeared on Will's face. Carmichael. Wren. Tren. The men who were responsible for the death of his brother. Carmichael cocked his head at Barret. He did not understand why the young man was so mad. Word of who Barret really was had never reached him. Barret approached him. Carmichael signaled for the twins to take care of him. He was here to kill Ilene and the child. That was his mission. To make Tyler pay for his betrayal.
The twins stepped forward to fight Barret. Suddenly the young man spun. Both men went down seconds later. Will's knives had torn the tendons in their knees. Neither one could stand after that. With a growl, Will charge Carmichael. The older man dodged the rapid-fire punches. Then he replied his own. Barret remained safely out of the way. Going low, Will rammed his head and shoulder into Carmichael's stomach. They crashed into a wall. Using his knees, Will pinned Carmichael down. His fists connected with the leader's face, over and over.
"Murderer. I'll kill you for what you have done. And you call Tyler a traitor," Will yelled.
Carmichael's bloody face lolled to one side. His eyes stared at Will with shock, "Why…do you care so much…about him?"
"Because," the Ranger apprentice hissed as he leaned down, "Tyler was my brother."
A look of horror crossed Carmichael's face before he smiled. Softly he growled, "Will. I'm surprised. However, I know you won't kill me. It's not who you are."
"You're right," Will said. A sick smile touched his lips, "But I'm not going to do anything to you. I'm going to hand you over to one who will kill you. Nice and slow."
Before Carmichael could speak, Will slammed his fist into the man's temple. The rebellion leader slumped unconscious. In the background during the fight, Will had heard Ilene struggling. Now he could hear nothing. His heart started pounding in panic. He raced into the room. Ilene was lying on her bed. A small bundle was in her arms. As he watched, a small hand reached towards its mother. Will stepped forward. Ilene was crying silently. She looked up at Will. Pain, true pain, glowed deep in her eyes. Her hand reached for her brother. Quickly Will took it, kneeling at the bedside.
The new mother looked at her child, "Jason. After Tyler's best friend. That's what Tyler would want our son to be called."
"Jason is a good name," Will replied.
Ilene laid her head on the pillow. Will touched her cheek, heart pounding. There was something going on here that he did not understand. The woman's eyes were starting to close as she spoke, "Please take care of him Will. Jason will need a better family."
"Ilene?" the young man said.
Those green eyes glowed faintly, "I can't live without Tyler. He was the love of my life. Also, I don't want Bruce to know that Jason was born. Better to make him think…that the child died in childbirth…next to me."
"Ilene, don't! Jason needs his mother!" Will cried, knowing that's what he would want if he had a choice to bring his mother back.
A small smile touched her lips, "I love you both…Goodbye."
Will stared at her for several minutes. Slowly her hand went cold in his hand. It was Jason who stirred him out of his thoughts. Carefully Will picked him and held him close. There was nothing that told Will how he would look one day. No way Will could tell Ilene that her son would resemble her or his father. The child cooed as Will held him. Tears raced down Will's cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Jason. I tried to keep your family safe, alive. I failed you," he said softly. Then he looked westward, towards his home. "But at least I can keep you safe for the rest of your life."
Bruce was called outside his castle the next day. Hanging from a tree, rope tied tightly around their arms, were the three leaders of the rebellion. Yet there was also a body on the ground. Uncovering the head, Bruce gasped when he saw Ilene. Closing his eyes, he hide her face once more. Attached to the blanket she was wrapped in was a note. On top was one word: Barret. It read:
Bruce. These men attacked while Ilene was giving birth.
Both she and child died.
Her last wish was to be buried with her husband.
I'm sorry.
So Bruce did what Ilene wanted. He buried the two together, in the family burial plot. Then he went to work. There was information that he needed. There was blood that needed to be paid. All the while, Will was riding home. In his arms was his baby nephew. Jason rarely made a sound during the trip. Only when he was jostled too much would he cry. Even then, it was only a whimper. Reaching a port, Will sent a letter ahead to his mentor. He needed help setting up something for his nephew. Tears raced down his cheeks as the boat sailed for Araluen.
He had failed his family.
But he would never fail Jason.
I'm sorry, Little Wishlet. There would be no next installment unless Ilene died. I couldn't change it. No matter how much I wanted to.
Next chapter will be the last of this installment. I'll give more details on Forgetting Blood then. See you later!
