Chapter : Recognized!

Halt's POV:

As I stared into Raven's eyes, I was engulfed with memories I had long since forgotten . . .

Third person POV:

The cloaked figure fled across the field, clutching a small bundle to his chest. Arrows zipped past him, one snagging his sleeve. He clutched the bundle closer to him, feeling the heartbeat of the infant increase. He cast an anguished glance over his shoulder, and saw the mounted pursuers gaining ground. The boy turned to the forest in a last, desperate attempt to escape his pursuers. He ran deeper into the forest, branches slapping at his face. The thrumming of hooves faded away, and the boy slowed, drawing many ragged breaths. A shrill cry came from the bundle he had risked his life to save. He pulled the bundle away from him now, and brushed the jet black hair out of the girls faced.

"Hush, Gale. We'll be out of Clonmel soon." The boy assured. The baby opened her sage green eyes and held the boys dark brown ones. A snapping twig caused the boys head to jerk up, his cowl falling back to reveal his mass of black hair. The boy, once a prince, now an outcast, dove deeper into the forest.

Halt's POV:

I backed away, a brief look of sorrow, regret and surprise flashed through my eyes. I covered it up quickly, and walked stiffly down the hall. I didn't speak much for the rest of the day, and Will picked up on it. After supper, he cornered me.

"Halt? Are you ok?" Will asked, frowning in concern.

"I'm fine," I replied curtly. "I just . . . have a lot of things on my mind."

"Ah. The Red Soldiers?"

"Yes," I replied rather hastily. "Could you go see what Gilan is up too? One of the servants complained that he is going to wear a hole in the floor; he's so restless." Will nodded emphatically.

"Of course, Halt," he said and turned and walked away. I headed to my bedroom with every intention of retiring early. Every intention was dashed when I heard a knock on the door. Why do these servants have to be so obsessed with cleaning?!

"Who is it?" I asked anyway.

"It's Gilan," a muffled voice said. Oh. Ops. It was Gilan, not a servant.

"Come!" I called so Gilan could hear me through these absurdly thick doors. I heard the door creak open as Gilan entered. I frowned at the worried look on Gilan's face.

"Everything ok?" I asked my former apprentice. His brows contracted even further as he answered.

"No, everything is not alright. Raven's gone missing. Again." He added heavily.

Raven's POV:

My nerves bugged me all through supper, driving me more and more on edge. I was jumping at every sound, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. After the tortuous meal was over, I fled to my rooms, hoping to distract my nerves by buying my nose in a book. That plan failed. I tried writing. No success. Eventually, I was about to scream to release the tension when I realized what had happened. I'd been inside for more than a day. Not bothering to change, (this dress was just fine for romping in the forest after dark) I grabbed my cloak, wrapped my bow and sword in it and eased the door open. I made all the way to a door (that I presumed to go outside) when a guard stopped me.

"Where are you going, thief," he asked harshly. I gave him a long suffering look.

"I have a name, you know."

"Not interested. Now answer the question."

"Raven."

"What?"

"That's my name. Raven."

"I didn't ask your name!"

"Oh. My apologies. What did you ask me?"

"Where. Are. You. Going."

"Outside." I shouldered him aside. I smirked. These guards were fun. I strode into the forest, and was promptly knocked down by a furry object. It began licking me all over.

"Shadow! Can't breathe!" I gasped between licks. He back off of me, and cocked his head.

'Where've you been?' I started in surprise.

"You just . . . talked. To me."

'I did.' I shook my head and marveled.

"I'm going crazy."

'No, you're not.' I swear Shadow just smirked at me. I frowned.

"If I'm not going crazy"

'Which you're not' At this I glared at him.

"Be quiet and let me finish. Can anybody else hear you?"

'Not unless they want to.'

"That's a relief. I'm the only one going crazy."

"You're not going crazy." The new voice surprised me. I looked up to see Halt standing over me.

"You can hear Shadow too?"

"Yes."

'Of course he can!' Shadow cut in. I glared at him.

"You're quite the sarcastic wolf." I informed him.

"Why'd you come after me?" I asked Halt.

'He didn't want you to get lost.' Shadow answered for Halt.

"Great. I just found out my pet can talk, and he's a cheeky wolf to boot." I said, glaring Shadow into silence.

"I came to bring her back before she gets ambushed. Again." Halt added with a look at me.

"We need to go back to the castle," I put in hastily, hoping Shadow wouldn't come with us. My hopes were dashed.

'I'm coming with you.' He announced.

"Of course you are," I muttered under my breath.

'I heard that!' Shadow protested. I glanced at Halt and noticed he was trying to hide a grin. The look was all to familiar. Then I realized what was bothering me all along. Halt and Arratay were so similar. Then it clicked. They weren't similar. They were the same person.

"A-Arratay?"

Authors note: The secret comes out! I hope I surprised some of you. I'm going to update regularly now; my Frozen book needs some MAJOR improvements. And inspiration. But I'll work on it later XD.

Nightshade2412: thank you for bringing that to my attention, I'll fix the summary. I saw the problems in chapter one, and tried to fix it, but it didn't work. I changed the document but it still didn't work. Same for the part with Seth. How do I fix it?

I would appreciate any ideas! Constructive criticism is appreciated.