Chapter 6

Leaving and landing

"Halt I let my guard down, I didn't think" Will started to say. It had been a few days after they had left the harbor and this was the first time Will had been strong enough to say much of anything. It was had to think of what had happened, for both of them but mostly for Will.

His nightmares of darkened eyes and his body being in pain kept him awake most nights. Not that he wanted to sleep when the risk of attack was so near. Since waking Halt had not left his side, and some part of him realized that Halt probably blamed himself for what happened. But mostly Will blamed himself, that he could not see what was going to happen.

"Shhhh Will, its not your fault, or mine. Slavers are always hard on their captives, but I will promise I will get us home, dear one" Halt said gently after cleaning the wounds on Will's back, all the bruising and cuts were healing, so physically Will would be fine. The pain from the main bruising was the most troubling to the older ranger because this was a reminder of what they did.

Mentally would be another matter, the boy was broken. When ever a skandian came into the room, Will would try to hide and if he was touched by anyone other than Halt he would freeze and let them touch him how they wanted to, his body would even respond to their touch. Halt never let them in the room for long once he realized that was happening with Will. He knew he had to come up with a plan to get them away

"Halt" Jarl Erak said one day "how is the boy?" since the attack the skandian had been a little kinder, always stopping by, checking to see how he was and whether there was anything he could do. He even kept some of the more troublesome pirates away from the two rangers, some thing that Halt was very greatful for

"Physically he is better the wounds are healing nicely, there might not even be a scar. Mentally is another matter but for him to heal from that, he needs to go home and I know your not going to go that for us, are you Jarl Erak?" Halt said coolly. He knew that he would have to wait, Will panicked at the slightest sound now and sickened as he was by what had happened Jarl Erak was the only person right now that could help them.

"Halt I will do what I can to keep the two of you together. I have some contacts, I am sure that they will take the two of you and then you can do what rangers do best"said Erak, the last part he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Oh and what is that?" Halt asked

"What rangers do best is to disappear" he said and with that he left. Halt could still hear his soft chuckles as he walked away. He knew that given half the chance, no one in the world would catch those rangers if they got away and he was going to make sure of it. They both deserved to be home and happy with family and friends that loved them. Not in a cold room, in a place they did not know.

"Will it really be that simple? I...you get away? I don't think I will ..."Will started to say. Halt swiftly took the boy into his arms, only to have Will curl up into him.

"Will listen to me. No matter whether I can get away or not I will not leave you. We will come home together you must believe it and if Erak keeps his promise and keeps us together, I know we will be able to get away, but if we are a part no matter what I will find you. Where ever that might be" Halt said holding Will closer.

"I believe it and if we are not together I will do what ever I can to stay alive until we are" Will said laying his head on Halt's chest.

One month later Will and Halt were standing on the deck as the Skandians moved the ship under oars, as it worked its way through the fog that surrounded the skandian coast, which had them into the harbor an hour later.

Nestled under mountains the coastal town that hosted the slave markets, it consisted of wooden buildings that huddled the harbor. One stone building further on and one wooden sale yard. Smoke curled up from all but the stone building. Will felt large hands touching his own, as thick rope was being tied around them. Will looked over at Halt to find his hands were being bound as well.

Halt and Will were soon locked up in the stone building with heavy chains around their legs. Halt knew he could not get them away yet, his hope had to lay with the ship's captain. As he looked at the other captives, there was only a few Will's age. Some how Halt knew he and Will would not stay together long.

Erak was in the tavern, it was a smoke filled low ceilinged none too clean place but he knew that his friend like to come here a lot and he was right. For in the corner calling out blurred words was Stevedore. He was a fur trader and would always loose his slaves to the mountain's cold weather or the dangerous animals that frequent it. Erak made his way over to him if he could sell the two rangers to him, he was sure that they could get away.

"Stevedore, my old friend. How is business? plenty of bears I hope" Erak said, he knew that bear was Stevedore's favorite to hunt.

"Erak, my friend, take a seat. Not many bears this time of the season. Plenty of mountain cut though. Hoping for wolves next time. Lost my slaves to the cold a few nights ago" he said.

"So your up here for the markets then" Erak asked and when Stevedore nodded "well have I got a deal for you. Two Araluens, a man about forty or so and a boy fifteen, hunters themselves".

"Sounds good, I will say..."Stevedore started to say before his throat was closed over by a large hand and a dark look.

"Don't you know Jarl Erak, all children under the age of sixteen are mine and all men are hers"said a dark voice. Erak looked up to see Panis Rauly.

The next day Halt watched as Will and two other boys were pushed into the cage on the back of a wagon. Halt saw the man brush his hand on Will's lower back as he was put into the cage. Halt reached out threw the bars, fingers brushing Will's, giving him a silent promise that they would not be parted for long.

An: now the real story starts, sorry it took so long to get here. more soon.

An2: the name is said like this Pan - is Rau - lly

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