Sorry I've went so long without posting (not too long, I guess, but longer than I had been going.) I've been combatting Writer's Block, and a busier-than-usual life

Chapter Eight (Sorry there's no chapter name.)

Will absentmindedly recounted his arrows. Halt hadn't said a word during their ride.

It was better this way. Halt's words repeated themselves.

Bettter? Will slung his quiver onto his back. Better for who? Will bit back a growl. If Halt refused to acknowledge him, he certainly wasn't going to try to engage him in deep conversation, or show his feelings about it.

Will patted Tug, Halt didn't seem to care about Will's feelings anyway. Will sucked in a breath.

I'm just an apprentice to him. Getting emotional about it will seem weak, or worse, stupid, Will told himself. Keep frowning, keep frowning.

~A~A~A~

The spy, James, sat carefully lodged in a tree. His legs had gone numb a while ago. But, he couldn't move just yet. The Araluens were still too close.

He waited another fifteen minutes after they had started off for Seamus' camp to be safe, then climbed down.

He paused a moment at the base of the tree to let his legs fully wake up. Which didn't take too long. He'd sat in one position without moving a hair for much longer times. The crickets chirped, having come to life in the dusk. Birds still occasionally flitted from tree to tree, owls called.

James started off at a nimble run down the alternate path to their camp. Seamus was right about the Araluens.

~A~A~A~

Gilan slid off Blaze, and gripped his sword.

He glanced from Will to Halt. He'd split them up. Hopefully that was enough.

Beside Gilan, Horace was checking his blade. Though he had sharpened earlier.

The whole forest sounded too normal. All the night animals going about their lives. The stars were slowly popping out. The sun had set.

The only difference in the whole world seemed to be the thick tension between Will and Halt. If it had been a rope, even a good, sharp blade couldn't have cut through it.

Gilan pulled his sword out a little and touched his thumb to its blade. Sharp, smooth.

Gilan forced himself to take a deep breath. There was no reason it shouldn't work out good. Right?