A/N: Well this chapter was getting out of hand, I started writing and suddenly I had 4000 words for just this chapter. So I decided to split them up, and I will probably post the rest of this/next chapter tomorrow.
To RAPJ thank you so much for understanding and kind words! I hope I can make the suffering of waiting a bit less with posting two chapters this week.
AreiaCannaid thanks again for your wonderful input, I'm always a bit nervous of what to include and what not, so I'm really happy you liked it.
As for everybody else reading, I hope you still like it, I'm far from done and enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 4
Halt brought Abelard skidding to a stop beside his three companions at the camp. Abelard was barely breathing hard, being trained to run all day if necessary.
The ranger's eyes immediately found the smallest of the three and noticed the pale face. The words of Erak about the slaveyard still ringing in the back of his mind. Despite that it was Will who fired the first question, "Did you find the main party?"
Halt nodded grimly, "we found them all right."
"Thousands of them," Erak added and he explained shortly to his own companions what they had seen and what the plans were from now on.
After the explanation he turned to Halt with a meaningful expression on his face, "As for you, you can stay and fight with us or go on your way. It's of no consequence to me."
Halt knew it was a kind gesture from the Jarl but he shook his head in bitter disappointment, "It's too late for us to go now," he said simply and turned apologetically towards the three young friends and more specifically to Cassandra and Will.
"The Temujai main force lies right across the path back to Teutlandt. We've no choice but to stay here." It killed him to see his apprentice exchange glances with Evanlyn and Horace.
"It's my fault," he continued looking at the two former captives. "I should have gotten you out straight away, instead of going to see what the Temujai were up to. I had no idea it was an invasion."
It was Will who answered for the both of them, "It's all right, Halt." He said truthfully, making Halt feel more guilty about himself. He knew that in Will's eyes he could do no wrong, even after being kidnapped by the Skandians.
Meanwhile, Will's mind went spinning as he started thinking of going back to that wretched place. He knew Halt was not going to let anything happen to him, but he had learned as well that some things couldn't be avoided. Halt also hadn't meant for Will to get kidnapped in the first place and yet here they were.
Something inside Will told him to go to the horses and while Halt was discussing further plans with Erak, he slowly made his way from the group. His feet found instinctively the perfect spots to step on, making no sounds whatsoever and soon he stood in between his own faithful horse and Evanlyn's black stallion.
He started petting Tug who looked at him curiously, knowing that his master was on the verge of completely panicking. After a few strokes on the soft nose, Will turned to the black battlehorse Evanlyn had rode the past days.
A voice in the back of his head told him to look in the saddlebags, just one little peak. He couldn't resist and before he knew it he had the bundle of herbs in his shaking hands. He quickly glanced over his shoulder to see whether the rest of their company was still in conversation and luckily for him they were.
Then he met the accusing brown eyes he was so familiar with. He didn't know what to say to Tug to reassure him, after all he didn't know himself what he was going to do now.
"I'm not going to take it, don't worry." He whispered, but only got a soft snort back from his horse.
What are you doing with it then? He seemed to ask.
Will bit his lip and felt his eyes get wet, all of him screamed not to get close to that awful weed. He hated the scent as it reminded him of a terrible time. Yet, he felt like he needed to be close to the scent as well, maybe just to know that no one could take it. How could someone hate and love a simple weed at the same time he thought bitterly.
"I don't know, Tug. I just have a feeling that I need it with me." he answered as he saw that his horse was still waiting for the answer. Tug shook his mane, clearly disapproving of the situation, but Will didn't mind this time and placed the small bag of warmweed in his pocket and walked back to the rest of the group.
Halt was finally done with speaking to Erak and he walked towards his apprentice. The older ranger saw the small tremble in the fingers of his apprentice and immediately felt even more guilty about the whole situation.
"I'm really sorry to take you back to that place again Will." He said softly and took the small hands in his own, trying to rub some warmth in it.
Will bit back his tears as he looked into the dark eyes and he tried to smile, "I know, Halt. At least this time, if they suddenly decide to take us as slaves, I won't be alone in the yard. I've a feeling you and Horace will be placed there too. I don't think we'll have the committee on our back then." He joked but was immediately shocked at his own dark humor coming out, but frankly he didn't know what else to say.
For Halt it was a right sting into his heart, not only to hear such a dark joke coming from his formerly innocent boy, but also because there was some truth in it. Will had been alone there, with no one to protect him or at least share the burden.
He took Will's shoulders with both hands, "No one will take you ever again. I'll burn down all of Hallasholm before that happens."
Will laughed softly at the image he got with that, "I don't think King Duncan would be very pleased if you started a war with the Skandians."
But just like Halt had quickly noticed the small details in Will, the latter seemed to be just as quick in picking up bodily signals. It was just a split second of Halt's face getting tense, his jaw muscles stiff just long enough for someone to see if they weren't blinking. And Will wasn't blinking, he had seen it for sure and curiosity sparked once again before Halt could say anything.
"Did something happen back in Araluen?" he asked simply and saw the surprise on his mentor's face.
"No, what makes you think that?" Halt answered, thinking he could get away with it quite easily. He didn't think it wasn't the time nor place to discuss everything that had happened in Araluen after the war.
"Hmm, well Horace mentioned something but wouldn't talk about it any further. And when I just mentioned the King's name, you flinched." Will said as the corners of his mouth began to quirk. There wasn't a better feeling in the world than outwitting a mentor.
Halt was chocked by how easily he was read by an apprentice, especially one who hadn't seen him for quite some time. It seemed he should better train on his emotional control.
"I didn't flinch, and nothing important happened. At least not something we need to concern ourselves with now." Will heard in the voice that the matter was closed and it frustrated him. He knew of course that Halt would tell him if it was important, and patience was mostly rewarded in the end. He decided it was best to leave it for now.
Halt took the body language in from the boy and wondered whether he had made a mistake just then. He was sure that it wasn't the time to discuss his banishment, but now he realized that maybe just telling the truth immediately would also encourage Will to tell more about his troubles.
Just when he took a breath to reveal the story, Will nodded thoughtfully as he always did when given instructions and the young man turned to his horse. The chance was gone and Halt walked defeated to his own horse who had the most judging look a horse could get.
For the almighty Halt, you do know how to screw things up, don't you?
If it wasn't for the love of his horse, Abelard would have gotten the dangerous raised eyebrow from his master.
"They didn't really give me a handbook on how to deal with traumatized apprentices in a foreign country after being banished yourself. How am I supposed to know what to do?" he grunted as he tossed his leg over the saddle and sat down on the horse's back.
Maybe take the Ranger approach; watch, listen and learn. Figure out what he needs the most right now. When he is ready to trust again, he will tell you his story.
Halt grunted, knowing his way too clever horse was obviously right again.
The city came into sight, wooden palisades protecting the city and palace of the Oberjarl. Memories flooded back as they rode closer and closer.
It felt like an iron fist had clenched itself around Will's throat and he struggled to breathe normally. His heart thundering rapidly in his chest as he grabbed Tug's manes like he was in a storm and had to hold on to stay alive.
He knew it was irrational, he was safe, he was not getting sold again. Halt had told him about Erak's safety assurance so there was nothing to fear.
But rational thinking was not enough to rid his body and mind of these memories. They were moving forward while he himself only wanted to turn around and run away as far as possible. He knew he couldn't, beside the probability of being caught, he feared it would disappoint Halt.
The shaggy grey horse under him felt the emotions running high, and he turned his head towards his master.
They need to deal with me first if they ever want to take you again, don't worry.
It made Will smile a little, he could picture a group of Skandians taken down by his small horse. And although his breathing was still far from normal, he relaxed a bit.
That was until they reached the gates keeping them from the palace of the Oberjarl. They creaked open and they were let inside.
It was different without the thick layer of snow, but at the same time it was as time never passed. Will knew exactly how much steps it was from this gate to the slave yard, he counted them on his first way there, when there was still hope in his mind.
He grabbed Tug's manes again to keep himself steady, reminding himself again and again that he was safe. But the terror was too strong, his heart was pounding its way outside his chest and he didn't know exactly how to breathe anymore.
Suddenly Tug let out a whinny, making Will jump and it pushed his instincts to search for his weapons with trembling fingers.
Out of nowhere a strong hand gripped his wrist and Will had almost yelled, when suddenly he saw his mentor next to him on Abelard.
Tug had not released a warning for him but for Halt, to notify the ranger that help was required. He looked into the dark but somehow reassuring eyes.
"Easy Will, nothing will happen, I promise." Halt said calmly, although a hint of worry was visible in the lines across his face.
Stiff with emotions Will just stared at the gound, trying to get his breathing under control. He focused on the strong grip still holding his wrist and slowly the breathing slowed.
"I'm sorry," he whispered while playing with Tug's manes.
"For the last time, don't apologize for being scared. Next time just tell me immediately when it happens, although I'm glad that apple eating machine of yours does have some senses." Halt smiled gently as he released Will's wrist.
Halt had seen Will stiffen the closer they came to Hallasholm and he wondered what the boy still remembered from that place but decided not to push it this time. When Tug had called out for help he knew it was too late and Will was already far away in his mind, hyperventilating and clawing at his pony's manes.
Without exactly knowing what to do he had gripped Will's wrist hoping it would snap him out of his flashback and luckily it had worked.
While Will was relaxing a bit more he focused on what Halt had actually said to him.
"You think it will happen again?" he asked, scared for the answer.
"I hope not but this place will most likely trigger some memories like it did just now. Speaking of which, we are about to enter the great hall, do you think you're up to it?"
Even though it wasn't a pretty foresight, Will was glad with how honest Halt was. Ever since waking up from that drug, Evanlyn had been unwavering kind but was also always trying to reassure him that everything would be okay.
Halt wasn't like that, he would always be bluntly honest with the facts. It could hurt sometimes, but at the same time it felt as a relief. It felt like he didn't have to pretend anymore that he was okay.
After a couple of deep breaths Will took back control and jumped from Tug's back, ready to face the great Hall.
"I'm ready for it." He said and followed Halt closely through the doors.
