Chapter 13 Feelings

"With the new addition in our expenses and with the Resistance ageeing to help us out, we have a decent force." Horace said while polishing his Nihon-Ja sword.

Evanlyn looked at the Senshi's and then at Horace, "Decent?"

He looked up, seeing the golden armor reflected off, laughing "Alright, deadly"

Will took off his gloves, as he walks by them, "Alright, we secured the ships, every Temujai has been locked up"

Horace raised his eyebrows at the notice, "How? Without at least one person slipping out?"

"With Faye's help, we managed to convince them into submission. No bloodshed needed"

"Ah… how is Jack holding up?" with the thought occurring to Horace's mind.

Will turns around and then replied, "He has brightened even more, with the notice of one of his family is alive, it has gave him a lot of energy"

They all looked out on the field, where some Senshi's are training, and some of the rebels joining in.

Horace stood up, then announced "Well, I better go see these Senshi and Rebels, maybe I can sharpen up their old swords abit" with a smirk

Will laughed "You go do that, I need to go talk to Hawkin, figure out what is our next plan"

They both parted in different directions, Evanlyn noticed a figure shifting in and out of the forest. Maddie. She thought.

She soon caught up with her, who was holding a bucket of water. She clearly saw some annoyance from her actions.

Evanlyn decided it might be best if she waited until her daughter noticed her presence…or ever she began to think.

She sat down under a tree close enough that Maddie could easily trip over, she walked from the well to the stables and bins where they kept the water. Started with 1 trip… then 2…soon 5 then 10.

Maddie walked, not caring her hands were beginning to feel sore, but since the long weeks of training and drawing the bow, it was a bare feeling. She had a feeling someone was watching her, she looked at where Jack and Faye were running around. She could hear them laughing. Feeling left out again, the feeling returned and walked away heading towards the well…then she stops. The feeling wasn't gone, someone IS still watching her. Where… then she saw someone under the shades in the trees, she sighs and drops the empty bucket, and walked over there.

Sighing again, "What is it Will?"

She hears a soft laugh, definitely wasn't Will.

"Mum?"

"My Daughter, you've been going past me back and forth at least 10 times, Now you noticed me sitting here?"

"Sorry, just filling the water barrels up" then began to turn away.

"Those barrels are filled up enough, they can probably last us the next 100 years"

Maddie rolls her eyes, "They cannot"

Evanlyn laughs, "Alright, maybe not. But they do seem a bit…overflowing is it not?"

Maddie was going to roll her eyes again when she looked at the barrels, realizing her mother was right.

Seeing that, Evanlyn stopped the horse talk, "Come on over, rest."

Reluctantly, she walked over and sat beside her mother. Looking at the grounds where it was busy with attention. They all camped on the high cliffs, that gave a good look at the town and its movements. Of course, this position was thought by Will…and a bit of help from Maddie and Jack.

Evanlyn looked at her daughter, "What is the problem?"

Maddie said nothing.

Seeing the silence isn't going to break, "Did someone pull your leg? Maybe we both can get back at them."

Still no reaction.

Evanlyn's eyebrows furrowed with concern, figuring she should use her trump card, "You know how I was when I was younger, my old adventurous spirit is burning, do you want to go climb and see who can reach the highest peak over there in the cliffs?"

That got a reaction from Maddie. With her shoulders slumped down, the idea of the Queen of Araluen being adventurous was not seen before, especially the thought of mother being adventurous was a bit overwhelming, even through the past events recently. It seemed impossible, the idea got her more and more attracted to it. "Alright, let's go."

Evanlyn smiles, that brought her out of the mood, let's see when she will be willing to talk about what is on her mind.

They both raced up the wall, as fast they both could climb. There were short breaks on the cliffs, then resumed to climb to the highest point. Later on in the day, they managed to get to the top. They collapsed in exhaustion. Evanlyn gave a weak cheer, "…Yay!"

Maddie laughed, "We did it!" then sitting up, she saw the amazing scenery. She could see the harbor and all the surrounding islands. Evanlyn followed where she was looking at and sighs slowly at the sight. Then turned around… not far she saw a small path downwards. She puts her hand on her daughter's shoulders, "There was a path up here, we could have took that instead"

Maddie giggles, "We-ell, are you saying the 'Queen' is too fancy to climb the cliffs?"

Evanlyn puts her hands on her sides, mustering a mock posture of a queen, "Is that a challenge?"

Then breaks into a grin, "You know, Will could climb virtually anything."

Maddie replied, "I know, so can I"

Evanlyn shook her head, "No, I mean like climbing towers, without anything helping him"

Maddie widened her eyes, "Nothing? No ropes?"

Evanlyn nodded, "Yes, an amazing man he is."

They sat in silence. Then Maddie asked, "Mum… did you and Will…"

Evanlyn looked at her, seeing the question before it was completed, "No no, we weren't.."

Maddie rose her eyebrows, she never seen her mom this flustered, she gave a gesture to continue.

"Well… I did at this one point, I thought I liked him, back in Skandia because he kept us positive, in hard times. "

"Then he had a choice, to get a chance to be in the Royal Scouts. Or continue the training as a Ranger."

Maddie silently gasped, the Royal Scouts were equivalent as a Knight.

Maddie said slowly, "…And I am guessing he chose not to be a Royal Scout."

Evanlyn nodded, "That's right, just like you have, Ranger over Crown. It was also another message meaning, he rejected my offer too. Eventually I found it wasn't Will I was looking for, it was your dad."

"And Alyss…"

Evanlyn looked sadly at the ocean, "Alyss, we had our little fights, then in the end, we began to become really close friends, she was my closest advisor. Until you know what happened."

The silence settled in, Evanlyn sensing it was the right time, she asked, "So what is bothering you?"

Maddie wrapped her arms around her legs, making her look like a ball, replied with a more silent tone, "You already asked that, nothing"

"I don't believe that"

"You don't need to"

"Is it about Jack? Are you feeling left out?"

Maddie opened her mouth; strings of denial were on the tip of her tongue. Then sighed, "Yes"

An awkward silence fell, "Don't worry, he will soon realize that he is feeling someone is missing in his life, he already had that and he just found the person who he thought died a long ago. His sister"

Maddie nodded accepting the fact, "I guess so"

"Yes, just let him settle with his long lost sister…There's a fire"

Maddie replied with a slight tinge of annoyance, "Yes I know I know"

Evanlyn stood up, "No I meant, smoke, over there"

Maddie looked up, then seeing the smoke rising. "It must be a camp fire"

"It is too dark to be a campfire, something is wrong, come on lets go" Turning around picking up her equipment, she ran down the path. Maddie too, runs not far behind her. In a while, they found a deserted camp, Maddie looked around worried, "Did they get ambushed and captured?"

Evanlyn looked on the ground, "There isn't any blood stains."

They heard a roar of commotion down by the town, they also saw the ships began to sail. Selethen and 2 of the Senshi' ran onto the camp, "Evanlyn! Maddie! You guys are here! We have been looking all over."

"What happened?" Evanlyn quickly asked.

"Two major problems, someone got past the guards, and released the pirate, Temujai prisoners."

Maddie found where her stuff was, picked up some more arrows "Let's go then"

Selethen walked by the cliffs, "That's the second problem, we are too late. They got banded together and their top priorities was to get the ships."

Evanlyn asked, "Anyone hurt?"

One of the Senshi's stepped forward, "Nothing Kitsune-san, aside from tumbled town villagers from the rampage; even the pirates prioritized the ships. They must have known if they were to stop, they would be caught."

"That is good. Prepare to settle for the night."

Ooo

Late in the night, they leaders sat at a table, everyone with a face of concern, anger and distraught of the news.

Hawkin gruffly garbled, "Who the bloody devil was on duty last night?"

Horace shook his head slowly, "With the ships out in sea, there is no way to take them down now"

"Not yet" Will said, everyone looked at him puzzled.

Horace wobbled his head, "Face it, We have failed. They may have not got any weapons, but they can acquire some when they meet up with the main fleet."

Will took a step outside, seeing the sun beginning to set behind the sea, he went back in, he sighed with a smile on his face. "I wish I had a boat right now to see them at sea"

Evanlyn looked at him, this began to make no sense at all, "What are you talking about? They escaped, how would we stop them now?"

"Faye, please come in"

Everyone looked at her, some were still suspicious of her, but some didn't mind as much anymore.

"I was the one who released them" Everyone exploded in commotion, Jack was the worse, he had a pain displayed all over his eyes.

Will held up his hand for silence. Then seeing no one was paying attention, he brought out his saxe knife up and on to the table with a loud thunk. Silencing them all.

"Not a worry everyone" Will assured, "I asked her to."

Before anyone could start again, he continued, "These were very suspicious soldiers, and as far as they know, they think Faye, their leader is still captured, and if she was the one who released them all, it would be at least convincing for them to escape. That's why they didn't hurt anyone on their … run to the ships."

Uncertainly looking at the girl, then looked back at Will for more information seeing the sense behind his explanation. Selethen coughed, "Wait Will, your telling me, YOU intentionally to let THEM escape?"

Will shrugged, "I did you guys a favor, now we don't have to put guards up for them. Lessening our division of our forces."

Moka, who was briefed with Shigeru, knew the reason of Will's name was named Chocho, in the past. They saw how his mind seems to dart here and there. Like a butterfly. He saw small smile playing near his lips, he took that as a confirmation to his suspicions, "Chocho-san, I suppose that must not the only reason you let them go?"

Will looked at Moka, then starts smiling even wider, "That is right. I visited all the ships, and locked most of the doors where they keep the storage. Not only that, in those rooms, i made some holes. And if my calculations were correct, all 10 ships by sunrise in the deep sea, they would sink. And judging the course, there is no islands around. Plus after their honorable escape they won't bother looking more below deck, because I left the supplies visible on the first level."

Practically everyone looked at him with mixture of amusement and irritation.

Maddie stutters, "D-DID YOU NOT THINK THAT YOU COULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT TELLING US THAT EARLIER?"

Horace and Evanlyn were speechless, they were too stunned at Will.

Will fell off his chair, began to laugh uncontrollably at them, gasping "I..You should have seen your guy's faces"

Making an impression, 'Wait YOU LET THEM ESCAPE'. Everyone finally got the information sanked in, they we all too shocked what Will did, either the releasing part or the whole idea of it.

"Sorry guys, I couldn't have told any you all, my part in the fault, but I had to make this AS real as possible. There was no other way" Will apologized,

Horace walked up to Will, "That, was the most riskiest, most stupid idea you did, there WAS a risk they could have escaped, releasing our presence here." They all nodded in agreement.

Jack stood up, "But you managed to remove 10 ships, AND all of the men and soldiers potential threat in this invasion. Smart thinking."

Hawkin, recovered and then turned to Horace, "Is this man always like this crazy?"

Horace laughed, "Sometimes more so, but that's why we are friends, and that's why he is legendary like his Mentor. The one who was here a few years back"

"Yes, yes…"

Evanlyn posed a question, "What if they didn't sink?"

Everyone looked at Will, He thought about it. "Well…the mast, I tampered it so it would give away from the strong winds, if that doesn't cut it. Then the food supply is short. First top crates were real food, below were rocks I just filled up"

Will continued "But I am certain the ships will sink. If not, I also instructed the Herons to fire down any ships coming near sight of the island, they will be passing by there enough for them to see according to the map on the ship… I drew the course and modified its map so it seemed like they were on course."

Moka gave a throaty laugh, "Well done, well done Chocho."

"Risky, but it was a help from Faye."

"Halt-o san would approve"

Horace started to laugh, "Smart pull you did, you always loved a good drama around here, especially when revealing something really great"

"I suppose I do"

Ooo

"Apprentice Knight Faye, helped us escape, we must repay her fall for ours, WE WILL SAIL TO DESTROY THE ARA-LAND. FOR THE GLORY OF TEMUJAI." The Commanding officer shouted. As the 10 fleet of ships set course in the night.

"We must get out of here, before they can catch up to us, they have ships ready, if they pick up where we are headed we will surely be dead, no weapons to defend." They signaled to the other 10 ships. They veered off course, farther into the ocean. To Will, this was far more better than he had hoped.

They all soon grew tired, and then the ships slowly disappeared below the waves. All 10 ships, seemed to vanish into the waters, like they were never there in the first place. By the time in the morning when the sun rose, the 10 ships were no longer there.

Ooo

"Hey Will" Selethen stood near the flaps by the tent, "May I come in?"

Will nodded, "Why not?"

"What is it?"

"I just wanted to give you this, Halt told me to give this to you before we left." Nodding slowly and then ducked under the flaps and out onto the field.

Will wondered what the letter was, without hesitation, he opened it and began reading the contents.

Will,

I hope this letter arrives safely and on time. Whatever there is needed to be done, finish it, but we are on our way to Skandia, we have obviously the Arrida and Nihon-Ja with us, they are forming men up. By the time you read this letter, I am probably heading back to Araluen, to get final preparations ready there. Take necessary risks and if it is too risky, don't do it. Leave it for later. I have a feeling the Hibernian kingdoms will assist along with the Celtics…that is if they ever get their nose out of their mines. That is all Will, keep them all safe

Halt

As he finished the letter, he got some comfort there was SOME guidance. Now what is the next plan…

"WILL!" He heard a shout from outside. Maddie rushed up, "There is an oncoming Temujai ship! It's bigger than the ships we've ever seen. IT MUST BE THE GENERAL"

Everyone gathered at the cliffs for a better view. Hawkin groaned, "We are so, so very dead"

Horace squinted, "That sail looks awfully familiar"

Evanlyn scoffed, "You think every ship looks the same". As non-intelligent knights tend to be, Horace is rather quite deceiving. He has been with the Rangers way too long, and with his personal training, he is very strategic when he wants to be.

"No I am serious dear, THAT sail looks really familiar"

"Oh please don't tell me you all seen the General's ship before you didn't mention anything about tha-" Hawkin began to laugh nervously.

Jack confirmed it, "Horace is right, it does look familiar and no Hawkin, we never seen the General's ship…yet"

Will climbed on to Tug, "Come on, let's meet these warriors"

They all went down to the town. It was a large ship. The villagers saw the ship and quickly walked to the sides, clearing a path. And when they saw the other group of warriors, they quickly went into their houses. Cautiously they divided in the streets spread out. Normally this wasn't a great idea, but for now, Will's idea was to try to get to talk.

Horace bellowed, "TEMUJAI, SHOW UP AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN…or a woman" as he looked at Maddie, Faye and his wife. Grinning he backed up Kicker a bit.

There was utter silence. No movement on deck or anywhere. A flash of swords appeared on the railings. All over, assortments of spears, shields, swords clanging, shocking them for a second. Suddenly, the flag of the Temujai slowly lowered…it was painful to watch because it seemed like it took the whole day. Then after a few min, another flag rose. Followed up by the another one. They quickly recognized the flags it was the Araluen and Skandian flags!

Hal, Stig, Thorn first appeared, and then rest familiar faces appeared. Everyone started cheering. All worries were washed away. Horace bellowed, "HEY! HERONS EVERYONE FRIENDLIES"

Will breathed, "Gorlong's teeth, did they grow in numbers?"

The Skandians indeed grew in numbers, Will hopped down from Tug, and walked up to Hal and Thorn, "Nice to meet you all, and Hal, you seem to redone the ship…quite well"

"Thanks" Hal said "I hope I didn't miss any minor details"

Will laughed, "So where did the rest of the Skandians come from?"

Hal introduced them. "This is Bjarni, Skirl of Wolftail. Anders a man from Skandia who works at the shipyard, he and I were working on his ship."

Bjarni shook Will's hand solemly, "Aye, finally I met ya Ranger"

Will smiles, "Glad to hear it"

Jack whistled, "The Temujai should be afraid. Be very afraid"

Bjarni looked at Jack and roared with laughter, "I like this boy!"

Thorn patted Bjarni's back, "You would rather like these guys rather very much., and very deadly also adding a bit of crazy"

Thorn looks at Horace an Evanlyn for permission, they both nodded, Bjarni has a puzzled look on his face, "What makes me think these Araluens would be crazy?"

Thorn replies, "In order to protect their kingdom, Horace and Evanlyn, are King and Queen of Araluen. Personally came here to fight. We gave a helmsman oath to protect them on any cost."

That raised Bjarni's interest a lot, "Well, King and Queen, pleasure to meet you" going to bend down.

Horace laughed, "Don't bother the scraping and scruffing. I know how you Skandians don't do that"

Bjarni nodded laughing. Will stepped forward, "Where the devil did you pick them up?"

Stig laughed, "Funny story actually, we were giving Arrow a last test sail when suddenly a Skandian wolfship moored beside us and started shoutin, Thorn immediately reacted and bellowed that we were the Herons, he had to knock two heads together before they settled. Turns out they were out raiding until they lost track of where they were… then saw this ship"

Edvin whispered but everyone could hear it, "Fate"

Selethen sheathed his saber, and awkwardly asked, "So…what is our next best move?"

Will nodded at the fact, "With this vessel under the Herons command, and the new warriors now enforcing we SHOULD put up a final fight against the Temujai at the harbor before we actually head back to Araluen for our final stand there."

Hal coughed loudly. Will gave him a raised eyebrow, "Problem?"

Hal coughed again, "Er..yes actually, The Herons agreed that…we rather stick to our Heron ship…well the wolfship we have right now and the smaller one before that…and since you were the one to…capture this ship… I was ..well we thought…"

Jack finished sentence for him, "You want to give the ship to Will?"

Hal nodded.

Will stood there. Arrow, it reminded the brave horse that saved him back in the deserts of Arrida. "I guess I have no choice but accept huh?"

Thorn nodded, "I guess right"

Will turns around, "Alright, so who here knows how to handle a ship?"

Moka and his warriors raised their hands, "We aren't as professional as the Northmens, but we can sail."

Will bowed, "Alright, get use to this new one, we are going to get close with this ship."

Moka nodded and saluted, "Yes captain."

Will whistled, "Captain?"

Horace laughed, "Yes, a captain, if I am not wrong, The Arrow was now passed down to you, you own this ship…captain"

"The king, respecting a mere captain?" Will asked, Horace laughed, "No, just respecting an old friend"

Faye marveled at the sight of the ship, "This… is amazing"

Thorn asked, "Who is that? And why does she wear the armor of a black devil?"

Will patted Thorn's shoulders, "It's a long story we can settle at sea."

Within a few hours, they gathered their camp supplies and everything they need, and we on board the ship. Some of the villagers started cheering. Either about them leaving or wishing them good luck.

Selethen remarks, "So now we have a small fleet, 2 Wolfships full of deadly Skandians and a ship full of Senshi and Araluen's finest Rangers and Royals."

Horace grunts, "You know, I don't feel like a Royal on board, but what I do feel is the old adventures we had when we are young." Patting his stomach, "Gives a good old feels there"

Selethen gives a bark of laughter. "Well Kurokama, I am also giving a big guess here you still love a good large meal?"

Horace grins, "And the Taka name still precedes you"

Selethen nodded, "That's right"

Then a thought occurred to Horace, "How is Toshak doing?"

Selethen stopped laughing, "Oh him, he's still in prison. Lost in his mind."

"Evanlyn hit him hard"

"Yes she did"

Maddie sat on the bow of the ship. Letting the wind blow in and out of her hair, feeling the wind course through.

Jack suddenly appeared at her side, sitting beside her.

Maddie said, "So, how is it like having a sister back?"

Jack thought about that question, then replies, "It's nice, all the good memories come back. At least I have one family left."

Maddie caught a but, in that sentence. "But…?"

Jack sighed, "I already also got a new one here."

Maddie tried to keep her voice even, "Who?"

Jack looks at her, not able to read her expressions, he said, "Well… Will…the king and queen…Skandians….Hawk-nosed man…"

"And you"

Maddie turned away hiding a smile, and started coughing loudly. Jack shifted in surprise, "Do you need water or something?"

Maddie regaining her posture, alleged, "No, I am fine now."

Jack nodded, half to himself, "Okay, if you need water I can go fetch some…I may recall you did fill enough barrels of water to last us a few years."

Maddie turned bright red, "I DID NOT"

Jack smiles widely, "Oh yes you did, I saw you back and forth you went. You were pretty busy, so I thought I shouldn't have disturbed you."

Maddie was shocked, "Oh." Was all she could say. So HE DID notice me, why why why did I have to be filling those water barrels. Stupid stupid me.

"But.. there was one good outcome from that." Jack implied…

Maddie turned around, only to meet a bucket full of water. Jack tosses a towel and runs across the deck. He shouts behind him while nearby people saw it, "There is plenty of water to do that!"

Maddie laughs while being mad, "I will get you for that!"

Jack laughs somewhere, "I'm sure you will"

Alright, Hey everyone, I trust everyone is having a FABULOUS start to their summer.

Very hot i might add. anyway that is all... disclaimers.. right alright FINEEEEE i must do them again

Disclaimer, the series of Rangers Apprentice and Brotherband chronicles and its characters belong to John Flanagan. (that includes ship names)

The names/characters i own, made up is Jack, The arrow, Faye, Dark Raven, and some minor un-named characters. or any characters basically not in the original series. (If i missed any i made up)

That is all

PulserRay -salute-