Death of a Hero

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Gilan looked concerned, he quietly asked Halt and Will "Is everything okay?" They replied "Everything is fine"

Cassandra continued to read.

And despite his claim that he needed to talk to Will, once the usual greetings were out of the way he seemed almost reluctant to begin the conversation.

"I'm not surprised now that I know what its about." Stated Will

'You had something you wanted to tell me?,' Will prompted. Halt shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"That is a first" muttered Will and Gilan together.

Then, with an obvious effort, he plunged in.

"Are you sure that everything is okay" whispered Gilan to Will who replied "Yes. Now just listen and you might learn something about my life before I went to became a Redmont ward"

'There's something you should know,' he said. 'Something I probably should have told you long ago. It's just... the time never seemed right.'

Will's curiosity grew.

"When does it not?" Muttered Halt.

He had never seen Halt in such a mood. He waited, giving his mentor time to settle his thoughts.

'Pauline thinks it's time I told you,' Halt said. 'So does Arald. They've both know about it for some time. So maybe I should just...get on with it.'

"Yes, you should and not keep me is suspense any longer." Said Gilan slightly annoyed that he didn't know what his former mentor was so worried about and if something annoyed Halt it was probably worth worrying about, well other then boats but that was another matter.

'Is it something bad?' Will asked, and Halt looked directly at him for the first time in several minutes.

'That really should ring alarm bells' Gilan muttered to which Will whispered softly back 'Yep, it sure did. I was really scared that it was something super bad'.

'I'm not sure,' he said. 'You might think so.'

"I think it wasn't really bad, but I wish you had told me earlier." Interjected Will

For a moment, Will wonder if he wanted to hear it, whatever it might be.

'Yes I really did want to hear it, and earlier, Halt.' Will told Halt. To which Halt just nodded.

Then seeing the discomfort on Halt's face, he realised that, good or bad, it was was something that his teacher had to get of his chest. He gestured for Halt to continue.

Halt paused for a few seconds, then he began

'I suppose it starts after the final battle against Morgarth's forces, at Hackham Heath. They'd been retreating for several days. Then they stopped and made a stand. We'd broken their main attack and we were forcing them back. But they were rallying on the right, where they'd found a weak point in our line...'

"And that is the end of the chapter who is reading next?" Asked Cassandra "I will." Replied Halt.

Authors Note: I decided that since Christmas was today/yesterday depending where you are in the world I would update this for you. Merry Christmas. I hope that you had a good one. Thanks to everyone who has commented on this story so far. Please read review. I hope you enjoyed reading it.