p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"A.N.: Thanks for all the reviews and supports I have received so far! I really appreciated you for dropping your review, AHEM, I mean, reviewS for my story! I hope you have enjoyed it so far and will be so in the future./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I guess I can't really wait until Wednesday to post this since I already finished. Plus, school is starting soon and I want to finish this as fast as I can or I might not get time. So for the sequel, the update will be slow, slower than this definitely./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Well then, without further do, here is strongChaoter 29: The Serendipitous Happenstance/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongP.S. A long name, I know.../strong/p
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p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gilan," Halt called from the other room./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan looked up from musing over his cup of coffee, "What is it, Halt?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We are called back to Castle Araluen." Halt said, coming into the room, "Crowley said something about extra security."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He should have said that sooner before sending us back," Gilan groaned, "I don't want to move."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was a moment of silence and Gilan felt Halt's stare boring a hole in the back of his head. Finally, giving in, Gilan stood up with great reluctance, "I am packing."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It didn't take them that long to pack and soon they were on their horses. Gilan glanced back at Tug. During the absence of Will, Tug was getting thinner and thinner than he already is. He wasn't eating very much. The shabby horse that was once full of energy now was closed to being a wilted plant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Guard the cabin, Tug." Gilan called cheerfully./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tug looked up with what seems like bleary eyes and neighed softly before dipping his head again. The tall ranger took that as a yes and trotted away silently behind the older ranger. Tug's mood seemed to affect the other two horses, for they no longer nicker their friendly greetings nor bumping each other in good nature. Will… Gilan thought./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It took them less than three hours to reach Castle Araluen on their horse. The guards ushered them in after Gilan and Halt as soon as they placed their horse in the stable boys' care. The youngest of the pair was wondering as to why they were called to the castle. Halt told him that it is because of the need for tighter security. Gilan glanced around. There weren't a lot of additional guards as far as he could see. Actually, there were none. It was the same old Castle Araluen with the same old patrols and sentries. Just what is going on? What is the use of them coming if they weren't going to do anything else to improve the security?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Through the hallway, they were lead into a small room and the man sitting behind the desk stood up with a smile./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I am Peyton Semmersky, the head of the security department." The man said, bowing slightly, "Welcome to castle Araluen."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The two rangers merely nodded and Peyton continued, "You might be wondering why you were called here. We are enforcing a tighter security from now on. But to do so without alarming our targets, the assassins, we chose to modify the security from the behind. You will be stationed in castle Araluen for a while until this crisis can come to an end. You will not be officially listed as a patrol but you will be part of the security force."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Halt spoke up suddenly, "Does His Majesty know of this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"To Gilan's surprise, Peyton shook his head, "No, this is all done without the consent of His Majesty. We do not want to alarm him and give him a sense of insecurity until it is time. A king's action affect his subjects also."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you want us to do?" Gilan asked, cutting straight to the point./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Be part of the patrol." Peyton said, coming around the desk, "But don't show yourself. Work behind the scenes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But wouldn't warning the king be a wiser decision?" Gilan pointed out, "It can gives His Majesty an earlier warning and keeps the citizens in the castle alerted."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Like I said, it causes unnecessary sense of insecurity. True, the king's safety is our top concern, but the king's health is part of it." Peyton said apologetically./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What a bunch of crap." Gilan muttered, then louder, "You just don't want to spend money on deploying guards and soldiers, right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Halt coughed to interrupt his outburst and Gilan fell silent, "I understand your point. We will do whatever we can to ensure the security."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thank you for your cooperation." The head said, relieve in his voice, "Why don't you take your rooms down on the second floor? It should still be open."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Understood." The two rangers said simultaneously and left the room, their cloak swirling behind them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sensing that his former apprentice wanted to say something, Halt glanced at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan sighed, "Can't say I miss being here exactly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between them before Halt broke it, "We will get Will back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan glanced at his former mentor and took a deep breath, "That we will. Definitely."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey, Halt." Gilan spoke up again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you think Will is doing right now?" Gilan asked, glancing up at the high ceiling./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The taller ranger saw the shorter one glanced toward the window, "Probably asleep."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You are right." Gilan smiled as he saw the darkened sky, "I wonder if he is comfortable where he is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The older ranger cleared his throat, "I hope not. Because I am dragging him back soon."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For once, Gilan didn't feel like this is a laughing matter. He felt sad and depressed, yet nervous at the same time. He had known Will for quite a while now and ever since a month ago, everything had turned down hill. Will, from that energetic boy, to an assassin that murders people. The Will right now is very different than the Will from before./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"A sudden scream split the air and he jerked up involuntarily. Swinging around, he found nothing threatening around them but it didn't cease the uneasy feeling he had./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Exchanging a glance with Halt, he asked the question they had in their mind, "What was that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They were silent for a moment, hoping that it will come again. But it didn't, instead, a sudden rush of guards pushed passed them and headed toward the fourth floor. The two rangers sidestepped to let the group passed. Knowing that they can't perform their duty unless they know what is going on, Gilan reached out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dragging one of them from the group, he asked, "What happened?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It was Princess Cassandra!" The guard exclaimed, "It came from His Majesty's room!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With that, the guard brushed aside Gilan's hand and rushed away with his group. Gilan was stunned and surprised. Just what in the world is happening? Without another moment of hesitation, Gilan and Halt ran toward the King's chamber. He felt dread filling his heart. Something bad is bound to happen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Halt asked /Gilan swallowed and voiced their thoughts out, "It is the assassins. Again."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They rounded the corner just in time to see a fast and red figure rushing past the turn in front of them. He was then followed by a guard and an archer. Halt held out a hand to stop Gilan from advancing. Together, they hid in the shadow and listened./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He is over here! Get him!" The guard yelled loudly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The tall ranger heard the sound of a window being forced open and the night breeze whooshed in. Wrapping his cloak tighter around him, Gilan snuck a peak over the corner. A uniformed guard was standing on the sill of the window, dangerously closed to leaping away. His back was to him and Gilan was unable to identify him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Stay where you are, or I will be forced to shoot!" The guard closer to him called in warning./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Was it a traitor? It wasn't the assassins after all? Gilan was confused. Then the guard on the window turned toward the archer. The sight almost knocked the breath out of him. It was Will. The uniformed guard was Will. The tall ranger saw the archer lowered his bow in misunderstanding and with a sly smile, the boy on the window gave the frame a hard push and fell, tumbling towards whatever lies below him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will." Gilan breathed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He felt rather than saw his former mentor stiffened at the name. Without a second thought, he brushed past the stunned archer and the guard and leaned out the window./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"In the air, he saw that Will was positioned to land. He felt a relieved sigh coming out of him. Then his eyes widened in horror as he saw what was below the falling boy. Water. A large and deep pool that was built just recently for transporting water. The water was constantly being pumped and pulled away with two large tubes on either side. A sharp intake of breath escaped him. Will cannot swim well and Gilan knew that. If Will was to be sucked into the tubes…The tall ranger was too horrified to even think about it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will!" Gilan screamed as Will fell into the water./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Was Will trying to suicide? Gilan leaped onto the window sill./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gilan, calm down." Halt said hurriedly from behind him, "Don't be rash."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The dark figure below the water was still sinking. Sinking to oblivion and darkness. Will made no visible attempt to get back up again and Gilan felt his heart beating faster and faster with desperations./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Giving the window frame a hard shove, he leaped after the falling boy. Will, please hold on. He plead as he broke into the water. He heard his former master yelling his name behind him but he ignored him. Diving toward the deep bottom of the pool, he felt his ears popped. Not caring one bit, he swam on. The icy cold water cut into his cloak but he didn't realize. The only thing in his mind was Will and Will only. Bubbles escaped from his mouth as he swam deeper and he held his breath. The pool was too deep and he felt his oxygen running out. Struggling, he thought he saw Will dimly. Still further down. Giving his last spur or energy, he pushed forward./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Then he reached him. Even under water, he could see that Will wasn't in a good condition. His lips were blue and his skin was pale white. Gathering the light boy in his arms, Gilan gave the floor a hard kick and propelled themselves upward. The tall ranger felt the coldness radiating from Will onto him even in the water. He was cold, colder than the water itself. Then they stopped moving upward from the momentum and slowly began sinking. Gilan realized that he had ran out of air a long time ago. No! He screamed in his head. He had to at least get Will out of here. If he doesn't… Will will surely die. He felt his vision growing dim and the boy in arms grew heavier. He reached out toward the light weakly, his fingers brushing the unemotional water./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was that moment that he felt strong arms pulling him upward, toward the light. He opened his eyes and through the blurry water, he saw Halt with a grim look on his face. With Halt's strength, the three of the broke through the water and took in deep breaths. Or at least, two of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He tasted something salty all of a sudden and realized that tears of relieve and joy he didn't know was there, had already began pouring out of his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Gilan swam for the shore a few meters away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"As soon as they were on shore, guards rushed toward them with blankets. The chilly night wind made things worse. Clutching Will tighter to his chest, Gilan wrapped the layers of blankets around them tightly. He won't let go of Will ever again. Reaching out, he felt for a pulse and exhaled sharply as he felt one, so weak and slow, as if the person has lost the energy to live anymore. No, definitely not. Pulling Will closer, he tried to warm him up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Take him to a healer, quickly!" One of the guards said, "Before he dies. At least we managed to catch one of them, we can't let this one die."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Too tired to feel angry at their choice of words, Gilan was rushed to the hospital wing of the castle with the help of Halt. What happened after that was darkness. He doesn't remember when he fell asleep or how. The last thing he felt was them prying Will out of his cold grasp. And then, the welcoming darkness./p
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p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongLittle Wishlet: Will? Die? No way! How can I make a sequel if Will died? Unless I make Will a vampire... Hehe. As for your question, I think this is more like...let's see...after the skandia, I think. Well then, do stay tune and I hope you haven't come down with any more of my mysterious illness!/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongGuest 2: THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA(voice cracked)ks. Yay, I reached a 100 reviews already! Am really happy! Thank you for your support so far! Well, btw, you mentioned publishing. Just wanna tell you that I am writing a different(original) story in my spare time and I think I am gonna publish it soon. :) Nope, not gonna tell you the name just yet. Well, no need to write that many reviews if you don't think it is necessary or your nature! I read every review carefully and I never forget even a single one! :D/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongCassandra Altman: Thanks for reading my story! I am glad that you are so energetic about it! Well, the plot I have planned out is somewhat similar to your idea, but not everything the same! Do stay tune and thanks for loving my story! BTW: REALLY, REALLY REALLY REALLY?! THE MOVIE IS COMING OUT? OMG, I HOPE IT WILL BE GOOD! I mean, that movie for Percy Jackson was just so crappy and it didn't match the awesome book Rick Riordan wrote at all. I hope this one will be good! Can't wait to see who will be Will's actor./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongMaddie Altman: Thanks for reading my story, oh and, supporting me on GOOGLE+. I hope you have enjoyed my story so far and will do so in the future! YAY, CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT A NEW READER(WILLING TO REVIEW) !/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongHope4mustangs: Nonono, Will just can't die. If he dies, then the story will just end with the most crappy ending I have ever came up with. I mean, I never let a character(Main) die in my stories because I can't deal with sad stories. ^ ^/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"emWell then, before I peace out quietly, do keep in mind that my update will vary but it will always stay within the 'twice' per week rule, if not more. Just a time limit, you know. But school starts next week, so I might have to move it to Wednesday and Sunday. You know how schools are. Oh and lastly, for the Sequel that I (hope) will be writing, it will take place in Skandia. I haven't decided the plot yet but it will involve the assassins and the rangers again. So if you have any suggestions and ideas, I will be happy to listen!/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Well then, Peace out!/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"-Her Highness, Kawazoe Kumiko /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I guess I can't really wait until Wednesday to post this since I already finished. Plus, school is starting soon and I want to finish this as fast as I can or I might not get time. So for the sequel, the update will be slow, slower than this definitely./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Well then, without further do, here is strongChaoter 29: The Serendipitous Happenstance/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongP.S. A long name, I know.../strong/p
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p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gilan," Halt called from the other room./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan looked up from musing over his cup of coffee, "What is it, Halt?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We are called back to Castle Araluen." Halt said, coming into the room, "Crowley said something about extra security."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He should have said that sooner before sending us back," Gilan groaned, "I don't want to move."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was a moment of silence and Gilan felt Halt's stare boring a hole in the back of his head. Finally, giving in, Gilan stood up with great reluctance, "I am packing."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It didn't take them that long to pack and soon they were on their horses. Gilan glanced back at Tug. During the absence of Will, Tug was getting thinner and thinner than he already is. He wasn't eating very much. The shabby horse that was once full of energy now was closed to being a wilted plant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Guard the cabin, Tug." Gilan called cheerfully./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Tug looked up with what seems like bleary eyes and neighed softly before dipping his head again. The tall ranger took that as a yes and trotted away silently behind the older ranger. Tug's mood seemed to affect the other two horses, for they no longer nicker their friendly greetings nor bumping each other in good nature. Will… Gilan thought./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It took them less than three hours to reach Castle Araluen on their horse. The guards ushered them in after Gilan and Halt as soon as they placed their horse in the stable boys' care. The youngest of the pair was wondering as to why they were called to the castle. Halt told him that it is because of the need for tighter security. Gilan glanced around. There weren't a lot of additional guards as far as he could see. Actually, there were none. It was the same old Castle Araluen with the same old patrols and sentries. Just what is going on? What is the use of them coming if they weren't going to do anything else to improve the security?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Through the hallway, they were lead into a small room and the man sitting behind the desk stood up with a smile./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I am Peyton Semmersky, the head of the security department." The man said, bowing slightly, "Welcome to castle Araluen."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The two rangers merely nodded and Peyton continued, "You might be wondering why you were called here. We are enforcing a tighter security from now on. But to do so without alarming our targets, the assassins, we chose to modify the security from the behind. You will be stationed in castle Araluen for a while until this crisis can come to an end. You will not be officially listed as a patrol but you will be part of the security force."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Halt spoke up suddenly, "Does His Majesty know of this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"To Gilan's surprise, Peyton shook his head, "No, this is all done without the consent of His Majesty. We do not want to alarm him and give him a sense of insecurity until it is time. A king's action affect his subjects also."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you want us to do?" Gilan asked, cutting straight to the point./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Be part of the patrol." Peyton said, coming around the desk, "But don't show yourself. Work behind the scenes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But wouldn't warning the king be a wiser decision?" Gilan pointed out, "It can gives His Majesty an earlier warning and keeps the citizens in the castle alerted."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Like I said, it causes unnecessary sense of insecurity. True, the king's safety is our top concern, but the king's health is part of it." Peyton said apologetically./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What a bunch of crap." Gilan muttered, then louder, "You just don't want to spend money on deploying guards and soldiers, right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Halt coughed to interrupt his outburst and Gilan fell silent, "I understand your point. We will do whatever we can to ensure the security."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thank you for your cooperation." The head said, relieve in his voice, "Why don't you take your rooms down on the second floor? It should still be open."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Understood." The two rangers said simultaneously and left the room, their cloak swirling behind them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sensing that his former apprentice wanted to say something, Halt glanced at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan sighed, "Can't say I miss being here exactly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between them before Halt broke it, "We will get Will back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Gilan glanced at his former mentor and took a deep breath, "That we will. Definitely."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hey, Halt." Gilan spoke up again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you think Will is doing right now?" Gilan asked, glancing up at the high ceiling./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The taller ranger saw the shorter one glanced toward the window, "Probably asleep."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You are right." Gilan smiled as he saw the darkened sky, "I wonder if he is comfortable where he is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The older ranger cleared his throat, "I hope not. Because I am dragging him back soon."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For once, Gilan didn't feel like this is a laughing matter. He felt sad and depressed, yet nervous at the same time. He had known Will for quite a while now and ever since a month ago, everything had turned down hill. Will, from that energetic boy, to an assassin that murders people. The Will right now is very different than the Will from before./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"A sudden scream split the air and he jerked up involuntarily. Swinging around, he found nothing threatening around them but it didn't cease the uneasy feeling he had./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Exchanging a glance with Halt, he asked the question they had in their mind, "What was that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They were silent for a moment, hoping that it will come again. But it didn't, instead, a sudden rush of guards pushed passed them and headed toward the fourth floor. The two rangers sidestepped to let the group passed. Knowing that they can't perform their duty unless they know what is going on, Gilan reached out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Dragging one of them from the group, he asked, "What happened?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It was Princess Cassandra!" The guard exclaimed, "It came from His Majesty's room!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With that, the guard brushed aside Gilan's hand and rushed away with his group. Gilan was stunned and surprised. Just what in the world is happening? Without another moment of hesitation, Gilan and Halt ran toward the King's chamber. He felt dread filling his heart. Something bad is bound to happen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Halt asked /Gilan swallowed and voiced their thoughts out, "It is the assassins. Again."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They rounded the corner just in time to see a fast and red figure rushing past the turn in front of them. He was then followed by a guard and an archer. Halt held out a hand to stop Gilan from advancing. Together, they hid in the shadow and listened./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He is over here! Get him!" The guard yelled loudly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The tall ranger heard the sound of a window being forced open and the night breeze whooshed in. Wrapping his cloak tighter around him, Gilan snuck a peak over the corner. A uniformed guard was standing on the sill of the window, dangerously closed to leaping away. His back was to him and Gilan was unable to identify him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Stay where you are, or I will be forced to shoot!" The guard closer to him called in warning./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Was it a traitor? It wasn't the assassins after all? Gilan was confused. Then the guard on the window turned toward the archer. The sight almost knocked the breath out of him. It was Will. The uniformed guard was Will. The tall ranger saw the archer lowered his bow in misunderstanding and with a sly smile, the boy on the window gave the frame a hard push and fell, tumbling towards whatever lies below him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will." Gilan breathed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He felt rather than saw his former mentor stiffened at the name. Without a second thought, he brushed past the stunned archer and the guard and leaned out the window./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"In the air, he saw that Will was positioned to land. He felt a relieved sigh coming out of him. Then his eyes widened in horror as he saw what was below the falling boy. Water. A large and deep pool that was built just recently for transporting water. The water was constantly being pumped and pulled away with two large tubes on either side. A sharp intake of breath escaped him. Will cannot swim well and Gilan knew that. If Will was to be sucked into the tubes…The tall ranger was too horrified to even think about it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will!" Gilan screamed as Will fell into the water./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Was Will trying to suicide? Gilan leaped onto the window sill./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gilan, calm down." Halt said hurriedly from behind him, "Don't be rash."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The dark figure below the water was still sinking. Sinking to oblivion and darkness. Will made no visible attempt to get back up again and Gilan felt his heart beating faster and faster with desperations./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Giving the window frame a hard shove, he leaped after the falling boy. Will, please hold on. He plead as he broke into the water. He heard his former master yelling his name behind him but he ignored him. Diving toward the deep bottom of the pool, he felt his ears popped. Not caring one bit, he swam on. The icy cold water cut into his cloak but he didn't realize. The only thing in his mind was Will and Will only. Bubbles escaped from his mouth as he swam deeper and he held his breath. The pool was too deep and he felt his oxygen running out. Struggling, he thought he saw Will dimly. Still further down. Giving his last spur or energy, he pushed forward./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Then he reached him. Even under water, he could see that Will wasn't in a good condition. His lips were blue and his skin was pale white. Gathering the light boy in his arms, Gilan gave the floor a hard kick and propelled themselves upward. The tall ranger felt the coldness radiating from Will onto him even in the water. He was cold, colder than the water itself. Then they stopped moving upward from the momentum and slowly began sinking. Gilan realized that he had ran out of air a long time ago. No! He screamed in his head. He had to at least get Will out of here. If he doesn't… Will will surely die. He felt his vision growing dim and the boy in arms grew heavier. He reached out toward the light weakly, his fingers brushing the unemotional water./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was that moment that he felt strong arms pulling him upward, toward the light. He opened his eyes and through the blurry water, he saw Halt with a grim look on his face. With Halt's strength, the three of the broke through the water and took in deep breaths. Or at least, two of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He tasted something salty all of a sudden and realized that tears of relieve and joy he didn't know was there, had already began pouring out of his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Gilan swam for the shore a few meters away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"As soon as they were on shore, guards rushed toward them with blankets. The chilly night wind made things worse. Clutching Will tighter to his chest, Gilan wrapped the layers of blankets around them tightly. He won't let go of Will ever again. Reaching out, he felt for a pulse and exhaled sharply as he felt one, so weak and slow, as if the person has lost the energy to live anymore. No, definitely not. Pulling Will closer, he tried to warm him up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Take him to a healer, quickly!" One of the guards said, "Before he dies. At least we managed to catch one of them, we can't let this one die."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Too tired to feel angry at their choice of words, Gilan was rushed to the hospital wing of the castle with the help of Halt. What happened after that was darkness. He doesn't remember when he fell asleep or how. The last thing he felt was them prying Will out of his cold grasp. And then, the welcoming darkness./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongLittle Wishlet: Will? Die? No way! How can I make a sequel if Will died? Unless I make Will a vampire... Hehe. As for your question, I think this is more like...let's see...after the skandia, I think. Well then, do stay tune and I hope you haven't come down with any more of my mysterious illness!/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongGuest 2: THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA(voice cracked)ks. Yay, I reached a 100 reviews already! Am really happy! Thank you for your support so far! Well, btw, you mentioned publishing. Just wanna tell you that I am writing a different(original) story in my spare time and I think I am gonna publish it soon. :) Nope, not gonna tell you the name just yet. Well, no need to write that many reviews if you don't think it is necessary or your nature! I read every review carefully and I never forget even a single one! :D/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongCassandra Altman: Thanks for reading my story! I am glad that you are so energetic about it! Well, the plot I have planned out is somewhat similar to your idea, but not everything the same! Do stay tune and thanks for loving my story! BTW: REALLY, REALLY REALLY REALLY?! THE MOVIE IS COMING OUT? OMG, I HOPE IT WILL BE GOOD! I mean, that movie for Percy Jackson was just so crappy and it didn't match the awesome book Rick Riordan wrote at all. I hope this one will be good! Can't wait to see who will be Will's actor./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongMaddie Altman: Thanks for reading my story, oh and, supporting me on GOOGLE+. I hope you have enjoyed my story so far and will do so in the future! YAY, CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT A NEW READER(WILLING TO REVIEW) !/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongHope4mustangs: Nonono, Will just can't die. If he dies, then the story will just end with the most crappy ending I have ever came up with. I mean, I never let a character(Main) die in my stories because I can't deal with sad stories. ^ ^/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"emWell then, before I peace out quietly, do keep in mind that my update will vary but it will always stay within the 'twice' per week rule, if not more. Just a time limit, you know. But school starts next week, so I might have to move it to Wednesday and Sunday. You know how schools are. Oh and lastly, for the Sequel that I (hope) will be writing, it will take place in Skandia. I haven't decided the plot yet but it will involve the assassins and the rangers again. So if you have any suggestions and ideas, I will be happy to listen!/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Well then, Peace out!/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"-Her Highness, Kawazoe Kumiko /p
