Chapter 2

That awkward silence lasted for what seemed to be over an hour, but in reality it was only a few minutes. Halt put a hand gently on Hana's shoulder and turned her towards Will, "I am sorry young lady, but if you haven't noticed I have an apprentice."

Hana glared at Will, but not because she was mad at him for being Halt's apprentice, but because she really wanted to glare at Halt who was behind her. She shoved his hand off her shoulder roughly and turned around to face him.

"I noticed and have been told," she said like she was just stating a fact, "what about it?" Halt raised an eyebrow at the girl. He kind of liked her attitude.

Halt shook his head and looked at Will, "Will could you take Hana over the cabin and whip her up something to eat. She looks half starved. I have someone to talk to." Will nodded and started walking towards the cabin waving Hana to follow.

Before Hana followed Will she glanced at Halt, "Please think about it I have come a long way and you're the only one I want to train with." Halt looked down at this young girl. She had so much determination in her eyes that Halt couldn't help but admire her, but he didn't show it.

"Go to the cabin I will be back to tell you my decision." Halt said this without any emotion showing on his face. Hana nodded and watched the back of Halt's hood as he left into the woods. "Please, I can't go back," she whispered to herself. Once Halt was out of sight Hana finally followed Will to the cabin.

The cabin wasn't anything fancy, it was actually pretty small. It opened up to a small little living area with a fireplace, and a dining table. She ran her fingers gently over the wooden table surface. Will was at the fireplace placing a pot of water over the fire. He stood up and smiled at Hana but stayed quiet as if he was waiting for her to talk first.

Hana sat down at one of the chairs, "This place seems cozy."

Will laughed and shook his head, "I wouldn't know Halt keeps me busy all the time." Will sat across the table from Hana looking serious, "Tell me, why do you want to become a ranger?" Hana glanced at him confused.

"Why do you?" she asked back.

Will laughed, "I asked you first."

"Yes, but if you know why you want to then why is it so strange that I want to become an ranger."

Will sighed and a little guilt past across his face, "Actually I wanted to be a knight, but I couldn't get in."

Hana tried not to laugh, "Well that is because you're a little," Hana didn't want to say it and burst out laughing, "short." Will glared at her and Hana backed down. "Sorry, but true. Don't worry about it though the life of a knight is boring and the warrior training is harsh. To be honest I see you more as a Ranger and trust me that isn't a bad thing."

Will glanced at her, "Why do you want so badly to be a ranger?"

Hana leaned forward looking Will straight in the eyes, "People sit back in their cozy town lives looking down and in fear of rangers not knowing what they do for them. Rangers are such an important component in keeping Araluen alive. I am not one of those people that fear them, I have seen first hand what they can do and I want to do that to." Hana leaned back in her chair staring off into space thinking to herself.

She sat like this for a minute before she answered again and looked at Will, "Rangers life might be a lonely life, but it is a honorable one." She looked seriously at Will, "Don't believe those people that fear rangers they are naïve. As an apprentice you will see first hand what I mean. I envy you; don't let this go."

Will looked shocked at Hana and nodded. She was so determined and loyal to the rangers he didn't know what to say. Hana was looking back into space again so Will left her to his thoughts. He went back to the pot and started adding the ingredients to make stew. As he cooked Will wondered where this girl came from, and what made he love rangers so much.

Suddenly Will stood up shoving his chair back making Hana jump a little. He stuck out his hand to her. "Come on while we wait for Halt to return I will teach a little about a longbow." Hana looked up at Will suspiciously, but he looked back at her causally. She smiled and took his hand and nodded slightly.

"Don't try to play innocent I know you told her," the angry grizzly voice was yelling at Baron Arald, Arald didn't seem fazed by the yelling, he seemed more amused. Besides he didn't chances to see Halt so rallied up like this. Arald actually had been expecting Halt a lot sooner than this. Halt had just banged down Arald's library doors with guards quickly tailing behind him trying to control him.

"Well I have no idea what you're talking about Halt," Arald was trying to hide his amused smile. He knew right after he sent the girl to Halt's cabin that he would show up just didn't expect so angry. "How about you start by telling me who this, her, you are talking about is?"

Halt pointed at him and moved closer, the guards hurried to stop him. Arald put up his hand to stop the guards. Hesitantly they obeyed. "Will you two please leave us alone I think Halt has something… important to tell me." Arald said trying not to laugh. The guards were reluctant to leave, but they had to obey and quietly left closing the doors behind them. Like everyone else in Araluen, besides Baron Arald, they were afraid and suspicious about Halt; or any Ranger for that matter.

Halt was glaring at Arald which is usually enough to scare anyone away. With those dark eyes hiding under the hood the light making them shine evilly at the person. It was as if there wasn't someone under the hood, but some kind of creature. But Arald just smiled at Halt which just made him anger. "Why did you send a young girl to my cabin when you know I have an apprentice already?'

Baron Arald just shrugged in response and continued to stare at Halt. Halt shook his finger at him and laughed, "Don't play innocent, the only person that could tell her where my cabin is you." This made Arald crack a small smile.

"Come on buddy, don't you have a sense of humor." Arald sat down on his desk top, "She looked so determined I couldn't just send her away."

"So you send her to me to do your dirty work." Halt said lighting up a little bit. "I must admit she is pretty good at sneaking I didn't notice her until she was almost into eye sight of the cabin."

"Halt, I know you can't take another apprentice in, but I couldn't tell her no. I am truly sorry."

Halt looked at Arald and shook his head all emotion out of his face now. He was finally back under control, "No you not, but now I have a girl back at the cabin hoping for good news."

Baron Arald got up and walked over to Halt and patted him on the shoulder, "Let her down gently she is a very brave girl I can tell that. But something tells me this no is going to kill her." Halt nodded in agreement.

Halt turned to leave, but when he went to open the door he heard a noise. He jumped back in time for the door to swing open. "Phillip what in lords name are you doing banging in here like that," Arald shouted at the panting young man. Phillip weakly walked over to the Baron and handed him a note.

"Important note sir," Phillip panted out, completely out of breath from running so fast. "The messenger outside the gates delivered it from Celtica." Arald looked confused; they didn't get much news from there. Baron took a knife and carefully opened the letter taking out a page note.

Halt was carefully slipping out of the room to tell the girl, Hana, the bad news. He would have made it unseen if Baron Arald quickly said, "Don't leave Halt this note involves you too." Halt perked up and moved back. Baron Arald handed over the note to Halt who quickly scanned the words. When he was finished he looked shocked but quickly hid it. Baron on the other hand was showing the shock outright

"Looks like things are going to get interesting for you old friend." Halt slipped the note to Baron Arald.

"I have to get back." Halt slipped out quickly and easily without being seen, because no one was paying attention to him anymore.

'Crack!' The sound of bark breaking off a tree trunk echoed in the silent forest.

"No, you have to find the certain spot on the bow to let go at." Will coached Hana, as she let go of another arrow. The arrow whizzed past her target tree once again and landed somewhere in the bushes. "You have to relax, don't think so much," Will said laughing slightly.

Hana glared at him, "It is my first time at this stop laughing at me."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh and you're not doing… so… bad." Hana could hear the hesitation in his voice.

"Oh, don't lie. You're a terrible liar."

Will pretended to look offended, putting his hand to his heart and gasped, "Hey! I didn't think I was that bad of a liar."

Hana threw a stick at him, "Shut up you jerk." But Hana couldn't help but smile. Will was sweet, and funny. He was a little on the short side, but cute. He walked over and turned her around to face her target again.

"Alright here I was will show you." Will grabbed her hand that was holding the bow and grabbed her other hand that was holding the arrow and string. His arms were now wrapped around her and Hana felt nervous, but she was trying hard not to show it. Will was so into the shot he didn't notice Hana's nervousness.

"Now just pull back like this." Will helped Hana pull back on the string to a certain point. "Now take a deep breath, just relax." Hana did as she was told, but he was hard to relax with him so close. She could feel his breath on her ear, "Now aim and release." Hana released the arrow shooting past trees, barely scraping leaves, and missed her target by barely an inch.

"Much better," Will said letting Hana go and stepping back. "Now just a lot of practice and no help from me, you will soon be a pro at this."

Hana laughed, "Better but I still missed my target."

"Well that is because you weren't relaxing like I said."

Hana stuck her tongue out at Will. "Or you could just be a horrible teacher," she said jokingly.

"Oh… you're going to get it now," Will laughed and started to run at Hana. Hana's eyes went wide and she ran away screaming and laughing at the same time.

"No, go away creeper." Hana yelled back at Will running through the trees, dodging bushes and jumping over roots sticking out of the ground. Will wasn't having a easy time like Hana was running through the forest. He wasn't too far into training so far. Hana however has always loved the forest so she could navigate and watch out for hidden things with ease. When Hana thought she lost Will she relaxed and sat down. She wasn't far from the cabin and she could see the smoke from the fire Will and her made earlier, when he was teaching her how to make one that didn't give off to much smoke.

Suddenly out of the corner of Hana's eyes she saw something move in the shadows of the forest trees. Hana went to get up and run off knowing it was Will, but it was too late and she was tackled to the ground. Will pinned Hana's hand down on the leaf covered ground and laughed evilly.

"Now I have you," Will had a evil look in his eye. "What will I do with you now?" Hana struggled to get away laughing so much her sides hurt.

"What in the world is going on here?" The grizzly voice made Will and Hana jump. Will quickly stood up to face his mentor. Hana sat up still a little weak from laughing.

"We were just having some fun," Will said guiltily. He was shifting back and forth nervously.

"Will was just showing me a few things about the longbow, which I hope to use as a Ranger." Hana said hinting to Halt that she wanted an answer. Hana stood up dusting off the dirt. Halt shook his head at the two and started towards the cabin. Will went to follow, but Hana didn't know what to do. She was getting worried, was the silence a no or was he wanting her to follow him because he was going to talk to her about it. Hana stood rooted to the same spot trying to decide what to do.

Right when Hana was about to move to follow Halt he turned around to face her, "Hana go find where all Will's arrows went." Hana was shocked, this still wasn't an answer. Halt was starting to frustrate her.

Hana was going to give him a piece of her mind, but she couldn't get a word in before Halt spoke to Will, "Will, you go show her how the right way to pick up an arrow is. Hana will need to know this if she doesn't want her arrows to be ruined easily." With that Halt turned and went inside the cabin. Hana was awestruck. She was going to be the Halt's apprentice. Will smiled at Hana. They both went looking for the arrows in silence.

When the two were almost done collecting the arrows Halt stuck his head out of his cabin door, "Hana when your done I need to talk to you in private."

Hana nodded and quickly gathered up the few remaining arrows and Will gladly took them off her hands, so she could talk to Halt. Hana ran inside the cabin and saw Halt sitting at the table. Will entered the room, but was told to wait in his room. Hana sat down across from Halt and everything was silent.

The silence continued for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes. Hana didn't know what to do, so she just waited for Halt to speak. She didn't mind waiting she got what she wanted, what else could, she ask for.

"Hana if you are to become my apprentice I need to know your full name and where you came from." Hana shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Halt noticed this and noted it for future needs. "All I know is your first name and that you have traveled far."
Hana sighed and nodded, "I know I haven't said much, but I will tell you. My name is Hana… Core. I traveled all the way from Taerain, my father was a blacksmith and my mother a cook. The ranger in Taerain rescued me from a bear when I was only seven years old, since then I have always wanted to be a Ranger."

Halt was expressionless so Hana just sat back shifting uncomfortably in her chair. "Why do you carry a warrior's sword and apprentice uniform?" Hana sighed and continued to explain herself.

"In Taerain I tricked my way into becoming a battle school by dressing up as a boy. I had natural born talent with a sword and they never asked any questions. When they found out the battle school teacher I had at the time wanted to kick me out but the master of the school keep me in, saying I had amazing talent and skill. I was as good as the guys, but battle school isn't what I wanted and my parents didn't want it for me either. My mother and father wanted me to have a political position, but I wouldn't be able to stand that. I wanted adventure and a life outside of the village." Hana was getting into the story and continued on with passion and brought life to her story, "When I told my parents I wanted to become a ranger they were angry and forbid me from trying and the ranger there had heard what my parents said and didn't even give me a chance." Hana looked up at Halt and shrugged, "That's when I thought of my idol… you… I ran away from home to find you in hope that you didn't already have an apprentice. It was a week of traveling and almost got mugged a few times, but they didn't know I was great with a sword and wasn't just a little helpless girl. And then I went to Baron Arald to help me find you, and after that I think you know what happened and here I am." Hana was picking at the string coming loss from her trousers.

Halt sighed and leaned back in his chair, "I think I have a ranger's cloak that will fit you in the closet, go look. You will be sleeping in her on the couch. Sorry the only room I have is for Will, I have never had two apprentices before." Hana jumped up smiling with joy. "There should also be some blankets and a pillow in the closet too."

"Thank you so much Halt, I won't let you down." Hana ran around the table and hugged Halt tightly. Halt was shocked and stiffened up, but Hana was so happy she never noticed. She ran off to find the closet and set up her bed.

"Hana," Halt called out, Hana turned around and looked at him. "Write a note to your parents I am sure they are worried about you." Hana nodded and ran off again. Will was standing in his doorway, leaning against the doorframe smiling.

"Maybe it won't be so lonely here with Mr. Grumpy with you around. Congrats, I am glad you got what you wanted."
Hana smiled at Will, "I am glad too thank you." She went into the closet and got the blankets and pillow and put them on the floor as she looked at the cloaks. She found one that looked as if it might fit. Hana slipped the cloak around her shoulder and put up the hood over her head. Hana became overjoyed and smiled widely, the wooly, forest green colored cloak was perfect for her. It was as if it was made for her. "I was made for this. I just know it!" Hana whispered to herself. A small tear of joy slipped down her cheek, down her chin and fell to the floor. There was nothing that could stop this young girl now that her dream was on track.