So this isn't exactly the Gathering but I promise (yes, I upmostly swear) that the next chapter will fully be the Gathering. I have a surprise for you... :) Thank you ALL who reviewed for me ;) Your reviews helped me get back on track with this after a MONTH! Oh dear, that was too long. I'll try to update again this or next week.
I am starting a new FIC! Sorry to all you Ranger fans, but it is NOT a Ranger's Apprentice fic. It's and X-men First Class fic :D
Please check out my other Ranger's fic 'Peace is a Questionable Luxury'! please please please!
Hope and love: Thank you! Sorry you had to wait this long but it's finally here!
Eclaire98: And I want to thank you for taking your time to review on said great chapter/story! Ahahaha maybe she'll like Gilan and maybe she won't... There's a twist for that :) Thank you!
RangerSage: I know! Thanks a bunch! Hahaha yuppers! And yes we did! I liked writing her parents :) Lol you never did release the Plot Dragon on me xD.
Raider1472: thanks, and i do that a lot, don't I? There's a bit of a quick ending on this one too cuz I like to leave it hanging! Thank you for that correction! I was horrified when I read it because it is completely noticeable! I thank you for looking after my mistakes!
Dragon Lovers in BC: Thank you :) Yes, we'll see on how well I'm able to write his past. Maybe not too soon. Or maybe he will... new chappie!
Tessi: And I'm sorry to say that this isn't exactly the Gathering but I'm hoping you love it as well! Ahahaha they seem to be quite the pairing, don't they? I wonder if someone else also has Avina's eye... Here it is!
Littlbmw: Hey thanks a lot! I'm still learning every week but I try! Of course I'm going to write more! I'm sorry it took so long to update but this story is far from over! Yeah, I try to make it very mysterious while in my other fic I'm hoping for a more humorous outlook. Thank you! Sorry I didn't message but for some reason my message thingie's not been working!
callmecat: Thank you! As I've said, I'm still learning to do a better job! My first chapters sucked hahaha! Not quick, but it's here! I love it too!
Tessi: Wait no longer! Even though you have... Hope this is awesome too. If not, tell me! And not exactly the Gathering but I promise the next will be!
pricey: Thanks a lot! And would you still follow my story if I made it with Braxton? ;) I have a satisfying partner for her... Note, this does not mean it is Braxton and that it rules out Gilan...
xbamsod: I'll definitely try my hardest. I think she's a Mary Sue, but I like her like that. She definitely has weaknesses though... Not the Gathering per say, but close.
luke: 3 I absolutely love Muse 3 and there's gonna be romance, I promise. I'd just like for you guys to get to know her get to know her love interests...
They approached the Gathering grounds in silence. The mouthwatering smell of meat cooking blew in with the wind and Avina could already see tents pitched. She gave a small twitch of her lips in anticipation and her eyes wandered over to where Halt and Gilan were riding. They were both so calm with the same expression upon their faces. It was amazing to see for once how alike former teacher and apprentice were.
Her gaze turned back to in front of her and she gently caressed Kashmar's neck to which he replied with a small snort of happiness. Now, she could see the Ranger horses grazing in one group and archery targets set. Excitement coursed through her and she raised her head to get a better look. She was now going to take the final test. The test that would determine if Avina really had what it took to be not just a Ranger, but the first female Ranger.
They rode closer until she could make out people. The Rangers were busying themselves, pitching tents, cooking delicious foods, and some already having humorous contests. Some of the men gave quick, curious glances towards the young girl riding upon a dark horse next to two of the best Rangers in the whole Corps. Avina met each and every one of their gazes but neither lowered nor raised her head. Halt had told her already that people would always stare at a Ranger. If she had abruptly turned her eyes from them, they would've sensed her nervousness and thought her fearful. However, if she raised her head it could be misconstrued as her believing that she was higher in status than all of them.
Avina, of course, was already familiar with certain tactics such as these. It was all about the psychology and she sure knew how to use her mind to manipulate people. It had served her well in Hibernia, when she had met a young girl that had nearly turned her in for knocking out several of the King's guards. She briefly recalled the memory.
"You! Stop right there!" a feminine voice with a heavy accent called out. Avina had no intention of letting somebody catch her and did not hesitate to run faster. Dodging people soon turned to dodging trees and she was quick to assess the landscape to determine a fit exit route. What she didn't anticipate however, was the girl throwing a bola at her. Avina went down with a fierce cry of pain and clutched her aching and possibly broken leg.
"I told you to stop didn't I?" Avina could finally see the girl. She had dark chocolate skin with shimmering hazel eyes that were dark with anger and suspicion.
"And get caught and thrown in jail for no reason? Right," Avina replied dryly. The girl bristled and took a few steps forward to where Avina was laying. She grabbed hold of the bola before wrenching it off of Avina's leg carelessly, eliciting a shout of pain from her.
"You messed with two of the King's Royal Guards. You got what was coming."
"Why do you think I knocked them unconscious? They wouldn't let me leave."
"Leave where?"
"From here, obviously. I need to get out of Hibernia. I was going to catch a ride with a couple of mean, ol' Skandians."
The girl's eyes bulged for a moment. What? That's it? No fight for information, no need to interrogate anybody? Did she honestly just give up her plans? Avina seemed to sense the young girl's internal fight.
"There's no need for me to keep my means of escape private," Avina commented slyly and gladly noticed the shudder that passed through the Hibernian.
"I'm taking you under arrest," the girl slowly, hesitantly, said. Avina shook her head.
"No, you won't. What's it to you? You turn me in, and then what? You'll be rewarded by the King himself for your efforts? You'll be given a substantial sum of money? Face it. You gain nothing by turning me in."
"I do not need rewards to care for my country!" she thundered scarily over Avina.
"No. But that was a different time. A different Clonmel. Before King Ferris was "given" the throne, eh?" Avina edged. Her words were seducing, full of contempt and yet, grace. This girl knew exactly what she was talking about.
"What do you know of the King and his people?" she growled.
"Tell me your name, first."
"Only if you tell me yours," she retorted. She was surprised when Avina relented.
"Avina. And you?"
She hesitated for a moment. "Ieka."
Needless to say, Avina managed to wriggle her way out of Ieka's grasp. It had been relatively easy for the young girl. After all, mind tactics were all she had back then.
"They're staring," she spoke out the corner of her mouth to Gilan. He nodded.
"I know. It's all part of being Halt's apprentice. And being a girl, at that."
"Quiet!" Halt shushed them both and they fell silent. "Go pitch our tent. I'll go find Crowley. And actually get something done. I will still tan your backside, Gilan, if you distract my apprentice!" he threatened gruffly. Avina quirked a smile and her amused eyes fell on Gilan who was trying to pass off the last comment.
As Halt rode away, Avina teased, "Don't worry. He's just making sure that I'll be able to defeat you today in front of everyone else."
Gilan seemed to find this funny for he laughed. He stopped when he caught her serious yet amused expression. He gazed at her quizzically.
"I'm being serious," she relented. His eyebrows rose before he nodded and smiled.
"Well then, I'll have to watch my back today."
She chuckled, "You will." She looked up at the cerulean sky. Her eyebrows were dented as she seemed to study it and in turn, Gilan looked up as well. For a moment, he wondered if she had actually seen something or if she was jesting. There were no blemishes in the sky, not even a wisp of a cloud. Avina did not laugh and tease him for looking. Nothing. He looked back at her.
"Avina?" he asked, tilting his head in a childlike way. As if in a daze, a look of realization entered her face and she snapped her eyes towards him. They cleared considerably.
"We should begin our tasks. You know for a fact how annoyed Halt is when you can't clean the cabin in under twenty minutes," she said casually. He agreed with a smile but a small part of him wanted to ask just exactly what she was looking for. But he didn't.
When Halt had returned to them he half expected to see the two apprentices (Gilan would always be his apprentice) gone. Or not see them, would make more sense. Instead, he came to three pitched tents and the horses already lightened of their loads. He grudgingly admitted to himself that they had done a good job. But he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing that. Avina and Gilan were talking casually and seemed not at all surprised when Halt had stormed in quietly and demanded why they were just sitting there and not getting ready.
"Relax, Halt, the dragons have yet to come alive with your untamed fury," Avina joked.
"You should not be spitting out pretty words while your apprenticeship is in the balance."
"Halt, if you had no faith in me then I wouldn't be here," she replied. She stood up, rubbing her stomach and frowning. "When do we eat?"
Gilan laughed, "After your assessment is over."
She nodded. "And when's that?"
"Right now if you'd let me get a word in," Halt replied dryly. She pursed her lips in amusement and followed him back to… wherever he had come from. They approached a tent, a tent far larger than the others. Halt pushed back the flap as they both entered. The men inside stopped talking as they looked at the new, young apprentice. One cocked an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Another one, a tall man with dark blonde hair and a creased face that clearly held many smiles approached her with a hand out.
"So this is the young Avina that I fought for in the Battle of Genesis."
They shook hands and her face lit up in surprise. "It has a name now?"
He nodded. "A great mark it's made. The Battle that could've decided Araluen's fate."
She nodded absentmindedly. "You know my name. What of yours?"
"My name is Crowley," he replied cheerfully. In a way, he reminded her of Gilan before she actually registered the name.
"Crowley as in the Corps Commandant, Crowley?" she asked, dumbfounded.
He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm also known as that."
If Halt didn't have a reputation to keep, he would've chuckled at the split second expression on his apprentice's face. It was replaced by a mask and she nodded respectfully nodded at the senior Ranger. Her eyes slightly shifted to the other Rangers for a moment but Crowley caught it.
"Ah, yes, you have yet to be introduced to some of our Rangers!" Crowley remembered. He gestured to each Ranger as he introduced them. "Merron right here, Garrett, Bartell, and my apprentice, Will."
Her eyes swiveled to each until they rested on Will. So this was the apprentice who had gotten caught up in the boar hunt. Interesting.