NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Flare, Disk, and the Hunters.
I don't want to do an essay but now I have to. I did this quickly because I probably won't have time to do another chapter for a while. I promise to try and get one done over the weekend! If not, send Halt after me.
Let's see what trouble Will and Evanlyn get themselves into now. However, they are not alone! Some old friends are about to make an appearance.
Review and Enjoy!
A Shadow and a Warrior Chapter 25
The Temujai scout was hurled into a pile of melting snow, skidding across the wet ground for several feet after that. A second one just managed to roll away from the axe that almost severed his head from his body. The massive Skandian stepped back as a third scout leaped onto his shoulders. He bellowed with rage, grabbed the scrawny man, and threw him onto the ground. This Temujai was not as lucky as his partner as the axe buried itself in his chest.
A second Skandian leaped into the fray and scattered several more Temujai with his axe. Together the men fought back to back. Other Skandians were scattered around the two carts. These carts had to be protected at all costs. They contained provisions and weapons for the upcoming war. The Temujai knew that they had to weaken the Skandians before they attacked. Therefore, these raids were becoming more and more common. Ragnak had ordered them to guard this shipment. The Skandians would die doing just that.
"We're outnumber five to one here!" shouted the second Skandian. He looked over his shoulder at his skirl, "What are we going to do, Erak?"
Erak ripped a man in half with his axe then punched a second man, "Keep fighting, Svengal. That's all we can do. Hopefully aid will come soon."
"Doubt that, Boss," Svengal growled as he blocked a cut then pushed the man back into several others. "These Temujai seem to have an endless supply of help."
Erak shook his head, "They will run out of men soon enough." He noticed that a few of his men were being forced backwards towards the carts. He raised his voice and bellowed angrily, "Keep fighting, no matter what! We need these carts to make it to Halasholm!"
At once the men launched back at their attackers. The Temujai were not ready for the sudden counterattack. The Skandians quickly broke their line and began tearing into them. Berserker rage was starting to overcome them. Erak knew that they needed the strength. However, berserker rage would make them blind to everything but their target. A surprise attack would quickly finish them off. This battle had to end soon. Svengal's words were starting to look true. They were not far from Halasholm but no help was coming for them.
Perhaps this is how the gods want us going down, Erak thought as his axe hurled another Temujai into a tree.
"Look out!" shouted Svengal.
Erak spun to find three men charging him. Two more were on their heels. They knew that he was the leader of this group of Skandians. They were hoping that by ending his life, they could stop the fight. Erak smiled at that thought. The Temujai were getting desperate. After all, he was the best fighter out of the group. But five against one were not good odds, even for him.
That's when he got the shock of his life.
The arrows seemed to appear in the men's chests. They gave out single, shocked cries as they fell. Then Erak heard it: THRUM. Another arrow took out one of the two still charging him. The second tried to backpedal but Erak's axe slammed into him. More cries of shock and pain came to his ears. Turning to the carts, Erak saw a medium figure land on top of the supplies. A sling spun over the figure's head. The stone brought down another Temujai who was planning on stabbing one of Erak's men in the back.
Svengal came to his side, mouth open in shock. Based on the torn black clothing, this person was obviously a runaway slave. Yet here he or she was fighting for them. A yell of anger made both men turn. Two Temujai charged them with weapons raised. Then Erak saw movement out the corner of his eye. A red and white dog leaped onto the closest man's back, jaws snapping around his neck. He cried out and fell. An arrow tore the second man's throat…
A smaller person cloaked in black landed on the ground, bow spinning in his grasp.
Charging forward, a Temujai hope to end the new threat. However, a huge black, grey, and white dog leaped onto him and tore his neck open. The smaller figure locked into a fight with another Temujai. Hearing footsteps, Erak turned to face the incoming threat. The man barely raised his blade when a stone slammed into his temple. The other black figured leaped to the ground at Erak's side. The sling rocked back and forth like a deadly pendulum. Svengal growled as he locked with a new Temujai. An arrow in the back quickly ended him.
The second, smaller figure rolled closer, his attacker locked with him in combat. Then the smaller figure kicked the man over his head. The man hit the ground. Erak's axe opened his chest only seconds after. The smaller figure gave him a nod of recognition. Those brown eyes glowed a deep, dark brown. Erak trembled as he saw it. So familiar yet so different.
"Their retreating, Boss," Svengal stated, pointing after the running figures.
Erak looked around and saw that all remaining Temujai were dead. He cursed angrily, "I wish we could have caught one alive."
"Not a problem," whispered a cold, deadly voice.
The smaller figure drew an arrow, showed it to the dogs, then said "Fetch!" and fired. Instantly both dogs tore after the arrow. It struck a man in the leg, bringing him down with a scream of pain. The red and white dog easily loped through the snow. The bigger dog followed but was much slower due to his weight. The red dog waited until he caught up then both dragged the prisoner back towards their master.
The medium figure stepped closer to the smaller one and whispered just loud enough for Erak to hear, "Don't let him control you, Will. Fight him off."
"I am, Evanlyn," the boy, no young man, whispered back. He rubbed his head as he continued, "Too much blood far too soon. Are you hurt?"
Evanlyn shook her head, "No. Some of the Skandians are though."
"Thought so. Let's see what we can do for them," Will replied, still clutching his head.
Erak stepped forward and put his hands on his hips, "Thought I told you both to stay out of sight."
Evanlyn looked up at him and spat, "We won't leave you and your people to be massacred. We've seen the size of the Temujai army. We thought it best to come and warn you of the threat you are facing."
Erak let his shock be known, "You mean they're through the passes?" When both nodded, he shook his head, "How? Those passes won't open for another few weeks."
"They found another way through the mountains. They used several smaller footpaths while the horses and men carried the supplies since the wagons could not fit," Will replied calmly, that cold voice starting to fade away.
What's happened to him? Erak wondered. Then he shook his head and turned his attention to the new prisoner.
Meanwhile, he could see Evanlyn and Will scatter. Each went up to a wounded Skandian and started tending to them. Inwardly he sighed. Ragnak would want to question them himself about their news. Someone would recognize them as the runaway slaves from almost three years ago. After all, Erak knew of only one who had three scars running down his face: Will. The young man and young woman were risking a lot by returning to help them.
After all, Ragnak did not take kindly to runaway slaves who returned.
(This happens that night while Will is asleep)
Will blocked the blow. Shadow continued to pressure him into backing up. Black dust was being kicked up under their feet. Will blocked two more blows, sweat starting to run down his face. Then Shadow punched him across the right face of the face. Pain made Will hiss but it also gave him a chance. He used it to spin, acting as if he planned to punch Shadow. Instead, his right foot slammed into Shadow's stomach. The image growled and back away.
"Enough, Shadow!" Will cried as the image prepared to lunge again.
Shadow snarled angrily, "Why? You nearly got us killed! Now we are in the hands of the Skandians!"
"We must warn them," Will spat.
Shadow shook his head, "They won't listen. They will remember who we are and imprison us again. I won't become a slave!"
"We won't!" Will hissed as he blocked Shadow's blades.
Shadow raised an eyebrow at that response. He disengaged and stood there. Will sighed happily. The image was willing to listen.
"Shadow, we have knowledge about the Temujai forces. We can help them defeat these invaders. I intend to make a deal with Ragnak. Our information and aid in exchange for our freedom."
Shadow nodded, thinking. Finally he replied, "What if Ragnak refuses to listen to us?"
"Then we keep our mouths shut and leave them to their own devices," Will replied with a cunning smile.
"He could force the information out of us."
"Not if we forget the information the moment we see a whip."
Shadow finally started smiling. He nodded quickly. The idea had merit. Then he frowned, "They may listen but not trust us because we ran away."
"They will believe us," Will said. "We wouldn't risk our own capture and punishment unless we really meant to help them. We wouldn't return unless we are being genuine."
Shadow nodded, "Fine but the moment they turn on us I'm taking over."
Will bowed to his image. Those were acceptable terms to him. He was certain that Shadow would start seeing things his way. After all, he was willing to listen. Obviously his double, his shadow was willing to bend and work with him. Will started to walk away then he thought of something. He turned and called to Shadow, who had also started walking away.
"Shadow!"
The image turned to face him.
"I will need your skill and ferocity in the war to come," Will said, "Can I count on you to be there?"
Shadow smiled warmly and nodded, "Of course. I'll will make sure that these Temujai learn that we aren't to be messed with."
Will smiled warmly in return. The two separated once more. As Will walked towards the bush, he noticed a change around him. Not everything was as black as it had been before. He paused and stared at the bushes. The leaves looked a little greener. Carefully he pushed his way through the large bush. His eyes opened as dawn began to break across the sky.
Unknown to him, Shadow was starting to notice the same changes around him. His darker half smiled as he touched a leaf.
"With love comes loyalty, with loyalty comes faith, with faith comes hope, and with hope comes strength. Learn that and maybe we can learn to get along" Shadow whispered the words Will had spoken.
Maybe you're right, Will, Shadow thought. He looked around at the lightening forest.
Prove me wrong. Prove to me that others love us for who we are.
Awesome! I managed to get this done quite quickly.
Shadow is starting to see things Will's way. However, this truce is fragile. Things are about to heat up. Wait to find out how long this truce can hold out!