Here you go, Rangers! BTW I love reviews even though I don't own RA. Enjoying will make me happy. Reviews will double it.
A shadow flitted across the courtyard of Castle Dun Kilty. It came to a halt next to the castle wall. Around the bend was a guard, awake but not fully at attention. The shadow hesitated, then shrugged something long from his shoulder. A hand reached up and brought back down a stick-like thing. It was laid a ninety degree angle on the first long piece. The shadow then proceeded to draw a string back, and then released it.
The sergeant guard had been at the same position for several hours. He'd been alert but had abandoned to be after one or two hours. He leaned on his spear and thought about his day instead.
He was just mulling over his argument with a fellow soldier... when an arrow slammed into the wooden door, about a meter or so from his head.
He jerked up and let out a high-pitch scream, dropping the spear as he did so. Then, as he saw the arrow, discipline took over and he cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted "Intruders! Enemy archer in the yard! Intruders!"Above him, he could hear the soldiers on the battlements running for the alarm and repeating his cry.
The shadow, who, in fact, was not an intruder and not an archer - not officially, anyways - ran lightly away, threading his way carefully through the shadows, making his way to one of the many watchtowers. He could see half-waken soldiers blearily streaming out of the door. He quickly joined in the throng, blending in with them. He pushed into the tower and wedged him up to the highest level. A brief shaft of light from a torch illuminated his features - messy black hair and dark eyes, a boy about thirteen years old.
When he emerged to the top he leaped onto the battlements and ran lightly into the central castle. There were no guards - they had left their posts for security. The boy shoved open the door and made his way in. After several chambers and hallways, he swung out of a window, grabbed a protuding brick and started to climb. He had gone about ten meters when he found an open window, Without bothering to check in the insides, he slid in, shrugged the bow and quiver off his shoulders and shoved them under a bed. He then closed the window behind him and took in his surroundings. It was a simple room, with a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, a closet and a wooden casket. He stepped up to the door and opened it.
A guard who happend to be running past hurriedly stood at attention. "Your Majesty!" he said instinctively. Then he racked his brain for something to say. "The sentry has been attacked! We are to warn you, sir. Reports to Prince Halt, sir."
The shadow, who was none other than Prince Halt himself, said nothing but raised an eyebrow. Rather hurriedly, the guard set off again. Halt stepped out into the hall and moved to the door oppsite his. He hesitated, then knocked. When there was no reply, he cautiously opened the door.
The hallway light fell in. "Caitlyn?" Halt called out softly. "Can I come in?"
"Please do," a voice replied.
Halt picked up a candle from the wall and stepped in. "Hey cat," he said. "It seems one of the guards got attacked. They're yelling for intruders."
Caitlyn, who was ten, sat up. The candlelight revealed curly golden hair and brilliant blue eyes. She grinned cheekily at him. "Intruders?" she asked. Halt grinned back at her. "The arrow wasn't intended to harm him. It hit a meter or so from his head."
Caitlyn turned a skeptical gaze at him. "And you can tell all this by simply listening?" Halt shook his head. "I was born with an uncanny sense of perception and foresight," he managed with a straight face. "At least the guards wil be more aware now," he reasoned. "They're too lazy these days."
"Are you taking credit?"
"Anonymously."
"You'd better hope father doesn't discover its you"
Halt's lip curled contemptuously. "It's too late to suspect me."
Caitlyn regarded him suspiciously. "How did you do it?" He smirked. "Ah, the castle's easy." he said vaguely.
Caitlyn pinched him on the arm. Long ago, Halt had found that it was a sign of impatience. He toyed with the idea of keeping her away, but finally he relented. "Fine," he said. "I climbed out of the window."
Caitlyn's eyes widened. "How? You climbed out the WINDOW? We're several hundred feet up and you're telling me you CLIMBED?"
"No," Halt said, amused. "If you climb out, and go a little down right, there's a window to the room of flags and coat-of-arms. It's a good place, plenty of hiding places and a carpet to muffle your footsteps. Well, throughout that, you go down to the battlements and then there's the watchtower. I took refuge in the confusion. Well, then the courtyard is easy. And I used the curtain on the first several attempts"
Caitlyn shook her head in wonder. "You never cease to amaze me, Halt. You made up all this?" "No, I've been scouting ahead for a few days. I planned the route for several weeks."
They heard a patter of footsteps and voices, then the door opened and in came Queen Hazelle dragging a half-waken Ferris in his nightclothes and trousers behind her. Despite himself, Halt snorted at his brother.
"Caitlyn!" the queen exclaimed, then, noticing her other son, added "Halt!" she stode across the room and pulled out a Caitlyn's coat."Children, come quickly. Your father has summoned us. Halt - ah, I see you've already dressed."
"I'd heard the alarm and thought I'd need to go out," he lied smoothly.
Their mother led her three children out. Caitlyn, who knew that the midnight alarm was Halt's fault, glared at him. Halt shurgged. They were led to their father's study. Farlon O'Carrick was waiting for them, sitting on his high chair at the head of the table. His lips were pursed together in a determined line. When he saw his family he gestured at them to sit at the table. The Queen took the seat opposite him and Ferris sat next to her. Halt and Caitlyn moved around the table.
"Children," began the king. "I must tell you something. I'm sure you were alerted of an intruder int he courtyard. We haven't caught him yet, but I suspect it's an assassin." Halt nearly laughed out. He covered it with a cough. His father continued, still serious. "Children, you are the most important people in Clonmel. It also means that if somebody unblanaces you, they disturb clonmel also. You are born into this life of caution and cliff journeys. I regretfully announce that you must adapt to this nature. You are thirteen and eight. I hope you are aware of this. You need support, even in this age. Trust the trustworthy. Make the faithfull loyal to you. As the highest class in clonmel, you are to be trusted in this." He looked around at his family. "Go back to bed, then," he said at last.
But as Halt took Caitlyn's hand and started to lead her out, Farlon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay. I need to talk to you." Ferris overheard and scowled. As he walked down the hall, he saw Caitlyn disappearing into her room. He paused. This was a good chance.
Particularly because he was standing in front of a certain door.
Halt sat next to his father. He felt uncomfortable. But at most, he felt a deep root of hate at the man. He recalled the long-ago event. Yes, it was long ago, but he would never be able to forget it. The jagged scars on his left shoulder blade made sure of that.
"You whelp! You mocked me of my honor!"
"Father?"
"Don't you father me! How dare you behave like that!"
The seven-year old was blown sideways by a savage kick. He landed on the ground. Kicks and blows landed on him. He curved into a ball. He whimpered and cried, but the figure towering over him was oblivious to it. He could smell the alcohol. His rib cracked. Bruises throbbed. The figure still towered over him. The figure raised a hand and brought it back onto the seven-year-old's back.
By chance, it was holding a glass.
Farlon crossed his fingers. Finally he broke the awkward silence. "Halt... son," he started. "You're 13. You're to be the next king. And I know you're still young, but because you are the crown prince, people will look up at you for guidance. You are important to Clonmel. And because of you, enemies will make you their top priority. It seems the assassin had tried to unbalance Clonmel. Whatever the case, you need to stay strong and resiliant. And I trust you to be that." Still Halt said nothing. He was certainly not moved. And he knew there was no invasion. The 'assassin' was him.
Farlon sighed. "Good night, then," he said. Halt stood up and left the room. As soon as he closed the door behind him, he let out a laugh. "Assassin," he muttered.
But when he searched under his bed, he found his quiver gone.
I mean, *dodges the tomato* Halt can't be always *potato sails over head* grim, can't he? He was a kid. I bet he wasn't so sad, only shy but *dives into cover behind the computer and types in furiously* I think he's taciturn and grim because he's grown up hard. His father, when drunk, beats him. And nobody understands him except for Caitlyn. She's the only think that keeps him sane, I think.
Criticism fine! I just don't like brocolli! *dodges the brocolli*
Please review :)
Have a nice day! Or evening, whatever time you read this.