Death of a Hero
Chapter 1 - part 1
Princess Cassandra opted to be the first reader and so she started.
It had been a long hard three days. Will had been on a tour of the villagers surrounding Castle Redmont.
"Complaining as usual are you, Will?" Questioned Halt. Cassandra ignored Halt's interruption and continued reading.
It was something he did on a regular basis, keeping in touch with the villagers and their headmen, keeping track of everyday going-ons.
"So that's what you Rangers do" interrupted Horace.
"Yes, that and other things." Replied Halt and Crowley.
"Like not asking questions or not thinking when you're not ready to." Continue Gilan and Will together with perfect timing as if the had rehearsed it.
"Do all you Rangers do that or is it just the four of you?" Muttered Horace to himself hoping that the Rangers would not hear him but no thanks to their keen ears they did.
"Do what?" Four voice replied simultaneously as if it had been rehearsed.
"That!" Exclaimed Horace earning a stern look from his wife Princess Cassandra. "Oh... Sorry you can keep reading dear."
Sometimes, he had learned, little, pieces of gossip, seemingly trivial at the time, could become useful in heading off future trouble and friction within the fief.
It was part of being a Ranger. Information, no matter how unimportant it might seem at first glance, was a Ranger's lifeblood.
"Really?" Questioned Horace
"Yes! That and coffee." Replied all the Rangers simultaneously.
"Seriously please stop that!" Horace asked at the same time that Will requested "Please continue, Cassandra." So Cassandra, ignoring Horace, continue.
Now it was late in the afternoon, as he rode wearily up to the cabin set among the trees, he was surprised to see lights on the windows and the and the silhouette of someone sitting on the small verandah.
"Well at least you saw that someone was there." Halt said.
"Can all you rangers please stop trying to pull each other down" Cassandra replied before continuing.
Surprise turned to pleasure when he recognised Halt. "Good to know that I'm wanted" muttered Halt, earning an evil stare from Cassandra as she continued.
These days Will's mentor was an infrequent visitor to the cabin, spending most of his time in the rooms provided for him and Lady Pauline in the castle.
"Well they are a lot nicer." Explained Halt to Crowley's raised eyebrow. Annoying Cassandra once more.
Will swung down from the saddle and stretched tired muscles gratefully.
'Hullo,' he said 'What brings you here? I hope you've got coffee on.'
"Wasn't that that pretty much how you greeted me yesterday, Will?" Asked Halt "yes it probably was." Replied Will.
'Coffee's ready,' Halt replied.
"That's great." All the Rangers added.
'Tend to your horse and then join me. I need to talk.' His voice sounded strained.
"What about? Why the strained voice?" asked Gilan. "Wait and see and don't ask two questions at once" replied Halt, making Will laugh and while he tried to say "At least it's not me this time," before he earned an evil stair from Halt and Gilan.
Curiosity piqued, Will
"When isn't it?" Baron Arald asked
"Never." Answered Halt and Crowley, followed by "It's kinda a part of our job, and so it must always be pipued" from Gilan and Will.
led Tug to the stables behind the cabin, unharnessed him, rubbed him down and set out feed and fresh water.
"Really you have to do all that for a horse?" Muttered Horace, just to get the replied "yes if it is a Ranger's horse" from all the Rangers, "do you have to do that every single time?" Muttered Horace
"No" replied Halt's two former appreciates. "We just enjoy doing it." Added the two older Rangers.
"Seriously do you have to?" Wondered Horace a little too loudly
"Nope, we want to be difference." Retorted Will, Halt and Gillian. Crowley would have but he was too busy smothering his laughter and couldn't keep a straight face.
Will patted Tug's neck then headed back to the cabin.
Halt was still on the verandah. He had set out two cups of hot coffee on the small side table and Will sat down in one of the wood and canvas chairs and sipped gratefully at the refreshing brew.
"You know, all anyone who knows you Rangers well enough would just put a pot of coffee in a room and they would capture all of you." Cassandra interjected interrupting herself
"Yes, that has been stated before, and it is not, will not and has not been funny, ever." Replied all the Rangers present for they were all accustom too that joke that pretty much all royals and noble often made. "Seriously there you go again saying everything together." Whispered Horace gaining a evil stare from all the Rangers present, making him sink down into his chair.
He felt the warmth of it flowing through his chilled, stiff muscles. Winter was coming on and the wind had been cold and cutting all day.
He gazed at Halt. The grey-bearded Ranger seemed strangely ill at ease.
Gilan looked concerned, he quietly asked Halt and Will "Is everything okay?" They replied "Everything is fine"
Authors note: Thanks to everyone who revived my story, it meant a heap to me. The more reviews I get the fastest I will write chapters.