Note: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Flare, Disk, and the Hunters.

So here we have a longer chapter. This was a pain to right, considering I'm trying to hide certain facts about Raven that this story would have brought out. Oh well, gives me more practice in writing without giving away everything.

I feel the need to say this: WARNING: The story told gets bloody and dark so read with care! Also, don't hurt me!

Review and Enjoy!

A Shadow and a Warrior Chapter 21

Evanlyn walked through the halls on stone. Torches lit the area at regular intervals. Padding docilely at her side was Disk. While Flare maintained a close relationship with Will, Disk seemed connected to her. It did not bother Evanlyn that he followed her everywhere except when Will called for his services. The large dog kept anyone who might be hostile away. Tiger was the only exception but he was locked up in his room.

Loneliness burned inside her heart like cold fire. Disk was good company but he wasn't perfect. She missed him dearly. Before she did not know what her feelings were but now she knew: it was love. Every time she saw him, her heart beat a little faster and her hands became clammy. His eyes are always bright and friendly. That half smile made her just want to smile back. Evanlyn could not forget how he remained so close to her, so loyal, despite everything that they had faced together. Evanlyn wished that Will was there...but he was not…

He was with Raven.

Disk sensed his master's pain and let out a whimper. Gently he nuzzled her left leg. Evanlyn smiled at him and knelt down. Her fingers ran through his fur as she scratched his ears the way he liked. For all their protection, Disk and Flare could not stop the one threat they now faced. Evanlyn was certain that Raven was up to something. What she could not fathom though she tried. Every night Will would return with a new collection of bruises and cut. They would heal without scars but the damage was still there. Yet he acted as if nothing had happened. Evanlyn knew that something was going on, whether or not Will knew it.

Rising to her full height, Evanlyn continued on her way. She had just seen Will and Raven talking in whispers. Whatever the conversation was, Will was paying deep attention. Evanlyn believed that even she could sneak up on him. Raven had also been engrossed in the conversation, his hands moving slowly and smoothly. The movements meant nothing to Evanlyn but Will seemed to understand as he nodded. Flare laid at their feet, ready for a command or to bark a warning. Still deep in thought, Evanlyn did not hear Disk's low growl of warning. Then, as she rounded a corner, Evanlyn slammed into someone else.

"Sorry," was her instant response, backing away.

The slim, medium height figure stepped back as well and shook its head. Then a female voice responded, "No. It was my fault."

"Banita?" Evanlyn asked, recognizing the voice of Raven's only child.

The woman looked up (she is an inch or two shorter than Evanlyn) into Evanlyn's eyes and a smile seemed to spread across her face, "Evanlyn! How nice to see you!"

"Same to you. What are you doing? I never see you alone."

Banita's brown eyes filled with sadness. She looked away and sighed weakly, "Sometimes I need to be alone. It's hard to be yourself when everyone knows you…and knows your father."

"I understand that," Evanlyn said, wrapping her left arm around the woman.

Banita smiled again and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Like you, trying to get some space so I can think," Evanlyn said with a sigh.

Banita laugh slightly then asked seriously, "Where's Will?"

"Where he is always is nowadays," Evanlyn growled, looking away from Banita, "He's with Raven."

All light seemed to vanish from Banita's face. She grabbed Evanlyn's face in both hands and brought their faces close together. Fear. Raw fear and worry shined in her eyes. "Is my teaching him how to fight?" she asked in a soft whisper.

"Yes," Evanlyn replied softly. Then she frowned, "Why do you ask? Didn't you know?"

Banita shook her head, "My father keeps all his leader duties hidden from me. I rarely know what my father is up to. However, this I do know…"

"Banita…" Evanlyn began as the woman pulled away, hands shaking. "What's going on?"

The woman's eyes darted around as she whispered, "Not here. Come."

With that, she grabbed Evanlyn's left hand in her right and raced off. Disk bounded after the two. Evanlyn kept easy pace with the woman. Banita continued on long after Evanlyn would have stopped. Only when they came to a massive door did Banita slow down. This was the deepest Evanlyn had ever been in the Hunters' home. Calmly Banita stepped forward and pushed one side of the door. It opened easily, allowing Evanlyn to hear the clanking of metal as the hinges moved. Then she stepped through the threshold after Raven's daughter.

They were in a large room. A red carpet was rolled in a straight line from the door to a statue. Others stood along the walls. Two torches sat next to each statue. Banita walked over the one at the end of the carpet and bowed her head. Evanlyn simply stood there and watched. What did she have to do? Why did Banita bring her here? What was Raven doing to Will? Turning, Banita slowly came back to Evanlyn. Once at her side, she indicated the statue on Evanlyn's left.

Banita began quietly, "I'm going to tell you a story. Listen carefully:

Hunter was the creator of this group. From him came such knowledge of these mountains, knowledge that not even the Skandians had. He gathered outcasts and runaway slaves to this place. He taught them how to survive, to fight and hunt. Soon he trained Eagle, who trained Frost, who trained Thunder, who trained Rock, who trained Trickster, who trained Blade, who trained Viper.

Viper was unlike any leader before him. He was cautious and cunning. The Skandians were starting to figure out that there was a group of people hidden up here, taking in runaway slaves. As they came up here in search of them, Viper prepared the Hunters for war. Yet he believed that blades were useless. From him, we learned to sneak like shadows. Because of him, we began dressing mostly in black with stripes of color to mark our identities. The Skandians were frightened of us and ran, calling these mountains cursed.

Life went on and Viper got older. Soon a child was born among us. His first name was William but he later changed it. Viper taught him everything from a young age. William, however, wanted to know how to fight with blades, not shadows. So he practiced with every skilled fighter among the Hunters. They taught him all their tricks and poured their skill into him. Soon he was unbeatable. Yet, he was not done. Leaving Skandia, William sought out other warriors who could teach him more. By the time he returned, there was none who could beat him in the entire world. He knew everything from swords to bows and arrows to knives to poisons to traps. He became known for his legendary skill with his sabers. After Viper's death, he took up the mantle of leader and renamed himself Serpent.

Many years passed but Serpent could fine none to take his place. That was, until he found my father lying in the snow, fighting off death. He trained my father, taught him everything he knew. Every skill, every trick, every poison and trap became my father's knowledge. It was during this training that my father took the name Raven…"

Evanlyn interrupted at this point, "Why? Why did he choose that name?"

Banita sighed before replying, "He once told me: 'Life is nothing beyond pain and death. To survive, one must become what they fear the most. I was always told that a single raven meant death. That is who I am. I am Death, marked by the sign of a single raven perched on a branch."

With a breath, Banita continued:

"Serpent and my father had a special relationship. Often my father refers to Serpent as his father but I think that the relationship goes deeper than that. One year during my father's training, a group of Skandians made their way into the mountains. They were going to prove that the mountains were not cursed, just filled with runaway slaves trying to scare them off. Serpent was pleased with this development and planned to make an example of them. With my father at his side, he attacked them openly. Not one man remained alive. Then my father took his knife and mutilated the bodies, hanging them from the trees at the very foot of the mountain. Serpent was so pleased that he willed his sabers to my father in the event of his death. The training continued, getting darker with every session. My father became fixated on pleasing Serpent in every way that his teacher wanted. I met Serpent before he died. I was three but was old enough to know safety and love…and fear. Serpent welcomed me, wrapped me in an embrace, and joked with me. However, the moment a man came in saying that there was trouble, Serpent changed. He became serious, angry, and cold. My father emulates in many ways."

Banita turned to Evanlyn, tears in her brown eyes. She grabbed Evanlyn's shoulders and whispered in her right ear, "Only you can protect him, Evanlyn. Serpent's dying wish was that my father was to find the perfect leader to come after him. If Will continues to train with him then…then he…oh Evanlyn! Will would become a different man…a colder man…a darker man if he stays under my father's influence." Her head pressed into Evanlyn's chest as she cried.

"Evanlyn, don't lose Will like I lost my father!" she sobbed. "Don't let Will carry that weight…that shadow…around with him! Please, save him!"

Evanlyn remained still for a long time. Banita left after some minutes, the tears still running down her face. She had to return to her room before Raven knew that she was gone for so long. He would not be happy with her if he discovered what she had told Evanlyn. Evanlyn, however, could not move a muscle. Her mind was reeling from what she had just learned. Images, bloody and dark images, flashed across her eyes. A shiver ran down her spine.

Will…He's trying to turn Will into a monster! That happy, optimistic, loyal, and brave Will. Why? Will isn't like him! Will has another home, in Araluen…Why? What does he hope to gain? she thought, her mind picturing Raven mutilating Skandian men in an effort to make a point.

"Life is nothing but pain and death…I was always told that a single raven meant death. That is who I am. I am Death…"

Evanlyn's eyes narrowed into angry slits. Yes, he was death. He was the killer of all things good and right. Raven made his own daughter suffer from neglect and expectations. Now he was turning his focus on Will…her Will! He planned to change Will, to warp him into something hideous, unrecognizable. Not while Evanlyn was there to protect him. She would not let him destroy the man who had protected her against all odds, who had saved her from impossible situations, who went to death's door but still came back because he knew she needed him.

"This isn't the end. It is only the beginning of a long journey. One that we will survive together."

"I promise, Evanlyn, that no matter what it takes I will get you home. I won't rest until you are safe in your father's arms again in the place you call home."

"I promise you, Cassandra, they will never touch you again. I'm ending this!"

Will's voice echoed in her head. Evanlyn knew that Will would keep every word. However, would Raven be able to talk him to returning? Would he convince Will to become the next leader of the Hunters? After this, would Will ever want to return to Araluen? Sure, he would escort her back but would he stay? He was a Ranger's Apprentice but does that mean anything to him anymore? Shaking her head, Evanlyn turned and exited the hall of leaders. Her feet raced through the maze. Disk bounded at her side, sensing her fear. He growled and picked up the pace, guiding her through the maze of passages. Soon they reached the training room. There Evanlyn slowed down. Disk slide to a halt and backtracked to her side.

Flare was lying on the ground, head on her paws. Her eyes never the form of her master. Yet something was amiss, she could sense it. Evanlyn and Disk could also sense it. Disk joined Flare's side, nuzzling her in order to comfort her. Slowly, carefully, Evanlyn approached Will and laid a hand on his left shoulder. The man jerked out of his thoughts. That happy, half smile appeared on his face. His brown eyes shined with exhaustion and happiness. He rose from his crouch and faced her.

"Hey, Evanlyn. What's up?" Will asked, sensing that she had come searching for him.

Evanlyn took a deep breath and asked, "When are we leaving, Will?"

"When spring comes and the passes clear," Will replied instantly. "Raven's men know a secret way through the mountains. It will get us around the Temujai. Then we can get you home."

Evanlyn felt her heart twist. Get you home. "Of course. Just wondering. I'm getting kinda bored here. I look forward to being home, with my dad." She looked him straight in the eye and said, "I'm sure you will be happy to get your bronze oakleaf back…and join Halt once more."

A dark look entered Will's eyes. He frowned slightly at her then shook his head. Evanlyn's heart cracked into a million pieces. Too late. Will put his back to her and sighed. Then he began pacing in front of her. Flare and Disk both whimpered, sensing a change in their master's manner. It was not a good change. Evanlyn watched him closely, not knowing what was about to happen.

Finally she spoke again, "Do you not want to go home? Don't you miss your friends…?"

"Some friends," Will snapped suddenly, interrupting her. Evanlyn actually stepped back at the force of his outburst. "We've been here for two years, approaching a third. Yet where are they? Nowhere!" (His voice is rising)

Evanlyn interjected quietly, "Halt is probably trying his best. He did promise to find you."

"A promise he has failed to keep!" Will growled, glaring straight at her. "Face it, Evanlyn, They abandoned us to the fate of slavery and death!"

Evanlyn stepped forward angrily and shouted, "Don't say that! They love us! We just need to give them time!"

"Time we don't have, Evanlyn," Will replied calmly. Evanlyn shivered. His voice was colder than the blizzard they had fought together. His eyes were dark and foreboding. The man that she loved was no longer there. This was a something else. This was a shadow of her friend, carrying his form and mannerisms.

"We are alone, Evanlyn. I will get you home but I no longer belong there."

For anyone who is curious, I love the Polish language. Banita means exile, outcast, outlaw in Polish (If google translate is to be trusted. If not, please correct me!). Anyone curious as to why Raven chose that name for her?

If you haven't figured it out by now, I love puzzles and questions that make you think. If you're not that type of person then just ignore me. For those who are like me, give it a crack (I won't tell you if you are right or not- all is revealed in Raven's story). The clues about Raven and Banita are all over the place.

Also, does the reasoning given by Banita for Raven's name make anyone shiver? I hope it did because that was the whole point. If not, oh well…guess I'm a little cliché.

By the way, Banita is almost twenty years old.