Sorry this is so late college sucks! I have been so busy but they should come quicker now that it is summer so I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Chapter 3

A New Friend

The smell of burned stew filled the air as Hana came racing out of the forest. "NO..no..noo! Halt is going to…" Hana slide to a stop through the pine needles and leafs that scattered the ground. Halt was sitting on one of the tree trunks around the fire just looking at the stew. Will was standing behind looking sympathetically at Hana. Hana knew she was SOOO… busted! She had only stepped out, for what she thought was a few minutes, while the stew cooked and practiced with her new long bow, but she had forgotten the stew and was gone for about half an hour. The stew was completely wrecked and even though Halt didn't show any anger or say anything that is what Hana feared the worse. Hana stepped over to the stew and gently took the pot off the fire and smiled weakly. "I am so… sorry Halt I smelled the burning and came as fast as I could I completely forgot!"

Halt didn't say anything still for a few minutes but finally he gave in and talked, "Start again and don't wreck it this time food isn't unlimited here you know!" Halt got up and headed for the cabin, but before he went inside he turned around and said to Hana. " Get it right or I will be forced to make Will cook tonight and no on wants that!" Will's mouth dropped and he looked like he was pouting'

"That is not fair I am not that horrible of a cook!" Hana tried not to laugh, because for one thing she didn't want to attack poor Will when this was her fault, and two she wasn't sure that was Halt joking or him using that as a serious threat. His emotions always looked so serious she could never tell.

Hana started up the stew again. It has been a month since she began as Halt's other apprentice. It wasn't really fun of course it was chores, chores and more chores with maybe some training in. Hana was getting antsy and impatience wanting to go out and do some ranger stuff and get more training, but it seemed like Halt was so uninterested and just wanted a pair of slaves to clean after him so he didn't have to keep doing it. Hana had learned patience, hard work, loyalty, and to know your mentor is always right while training to be a knight, but it seemed like nothing was happening and she wasn't use to that. Will seemed about as frustrated as her. He has been here for two months and it has been the same for him too.

In half an hour the stew was done and they were eating in the cabin. Everything was silent. Hana had learned in the past month that asking a lot of questions and talking a lot so put Halt in a bad mood and he just ignored or threw the questions back at you anyway. It wasn't like he was a mean man or something he just seemed to Hana like a grumpy old man that was trying to ignore his aching joints.

But of course when the silence became to much Will had to speak up to it, "SO… are we learning anything interesting tomorrow?" Hana wanted to slap her forehead to symbolize Will's mistake as stupid. He didn't mean anything bad by the question, but Halt had a way to twist words to make you just STOP asking questions, which this time was no exception.

"What everyday isn't interesting enough for you?" Halt asked like he was asking Will how the weather was, but it still made Hana just stay silent and Will to stutter.

"No, that isn't what I meant, I just meant that…" Will gave up and just continued eating.

"You two just ask too many questions, too talkative." Halt added and finished his stew. "Will you're cleaning up after dinner tonight while Hana goes out to get more firewood. Hana let out a loud groan in her head, because outside would get her a lot more chores than just collecting firewood. Halt looked over at Hana, "And no small little twigs this time they burn too quickly." Hana just nodded but she was grumbling inside her head about what she wanted to do with those small twigs he hated so much.

An hour later everyone was back in the cabin and Will's hands looked like plums gone bad, but he never complained. Hana on the other hand was complaining the whole time she went out and cut and collected some firewood, only inside her head. Halt was looking at something by the door. Hana looked over, "Hey, what's that Halt?

Halt didn't answer for a minute when he did it wasn't to answer her question, "Head off to bed you two I have something planned for tomorrow." Will was too excited for what was planned tomorrow that he didn't notice how deep in thought Halt was. Hana did though…she had always been good at reading people. Halt was a harder nut to crack 90% of time with what he was thinking or feeling, but right now it was simple what he read bothered him.

So Hana asked again, "What's the letter say though?"

Halt sighed and finally answered, "The report says that Lord Northolt is dead. Killed by bears last week while he was out hunting in Cordom Fief."

Will asked the question that Hana was thinking to, "Who is Lord Northolt?"

"Former supreme commander of the King's army", Halt answered still deep in thought.

Hana looked confused, "But people die form bear attacks all the time, especially where I am from. So how is that so interesting?"

Halt looked over finally at the two, especially Hana, "You're not from around here Hana, and so I will tell you that Cordom Fief is usually to far west for bears. Plus I had known Northolt to be too experienced of a hunter to go out there alone." Halt looked for another minute like he was thinking about the situation but then seemed to push it to the back of his head, "He was a good man, but life is always full of surprises and people make their mistakes… so like I said you two go off to bed now that you're done with your chores for today." Halt sat back and looked deep in thought again, whatever happened to Lord Northolt seemed to be really bothering Halt and he didn't seem like he was about to let it go anytime soon.

The arrow shot straight and true into the target that was about 20 feet from the bow holder. Hana was smiling happily for Will. He had come a long way in his only two month apprenticeship so far. Hana would love to be able to shot like that but a bow was never was her specialty. She could disarm a man twice her size with just her hands, could take down a master in sword skills, and she could sneak like fox staking his prey… almost sometimes she still stumbled over tree roots or sounds like a buffalo stomping through the leaves. One thing she was getting good at was tracking and charts. She was great at organizing and getting the details, of course she was still new at it and made tons of mistakes, but Halt was impressed by her even if Hana didn't know it. But when it came to the long bow Hana might as well be balancing on a high wire, while juggling fire torches, and singing on tone… it seemed impossible.

Just today Hana had learned how not to snap the bow string against her arm. There were scratches and welts up and down Hana's arms, but Halt had to give her some respect for not giving up. But for course Halt didn't expect Hana too, since the first day he knew this was a girl that didn't take no for an answer or had giving up in her vocab. She was determined to become a Ranger but Halt could see long bow was not going to be her strong point.

Hana took her long bow up trying to copy what Will had done and pulled back on the string. She knew right before she let go that she had done it wrong and knew as she let go that the string would hit her. The string went shooting straight for her arm and cut open a welt that had already been on her arm. Hana didn't flinch even though she was bleeding and it stung badly she just continued to watch the arrow fly through the air… 5 feet. It was SO… pathetic! Hana groaned and letting herself feel the stinging of her arm wound.

"Don't hold it that way and don't think so much that is always your problem." Halt came up and guided Hana into the position she should have been holding the bow and let go. "Now try not to force the arrow in position let the arrow rest between the first and second fingers on the string." Hana closed her eyes for a second and lifter the bow back up positioning everything like Halt showed her and followed his instructions. When Hana felt ready she let loose. This time it still didn't feel right but it was closer. The string didn't hit her arm and the arrow went to 20 feet but was too far to the left and too high to be able to hit the target. But that little success of getting that far made Hana happy.

"OH! YEAH!" Hana jumped up and down smiling. She was so proud.

Halt didn't show any emotions and just nodded, "that is slightly better keep trying and aim towards the target." Hana's joy was a little killed by how Halt was talking but she tried not to let herself feel horrible she was getting better and she knew it. Will smiled at Hana and gave her the thumbs up.

"Alright time for knife practice you two. Collect your arrows and put down your bows." Hana wanted to smile, this was her element. These knifes were completely different from swords but she had learned knife throwing and the use of a knife in defense while learning sword. Usually that isn't what they teach you in battle school but Hana was a special case. Will and Hana collected the arrows and put them away and set the bows against a tree trunk not to far away. A ranger always has their bow near by and ready for anything.

Hana took out a small knife that's weight was more towards the tip than the handle, with a razor sharp point. This was a throwing knife, she loved using it and that was what they were practicing right now but her favorite would always be the bigger of the two knifes. A saxe knife, she could use it for throwing and defense.

Hana got in front of the target at the same 20 feet distance before when they were practicing with the bow. She positioned with her throwing knife, with quick aim check Hana swiftly and quickly threw the knife and with a thud the knife stuck 5 inches from the target. Will smiled at her, "great job Hana, I might have you bet in bow practice you have me at knifes." He laughed and took his turn. Will threw and it thudded about 3 inches away from Hana's and away from the target into the woods. Hana could tell he was about to swear but he keep to himself and smiled, "I will get it next time." Hana tried her hardest not the giggle at Will's frustration. It wasn't like she was enjoying his struggling it was his emotions he puts into it. He seemed so focused and it was kind of cute and funny at the same time.

Hana got up and went to Will and got behind him, "You are aiming with your eyes, but you don't aim also with your arm." She had him close one eyes and then the other to see the difference in the direction it was going to go that way and had him practice like that for a while to get the difference and aim with both ways.

Will closed his right eyes and aimed this time moving his arm with his eye to aim and then threw as hard as he could it went the right way but fell with a thunk to the ground and was off by the way he was throwing. "I thought I had it that time."

Hana and Will practiced for a little while longer, them both getting advice from each other while Halt stood by watching and cutting in almost every 10 seconds to help with the advice. Finally they went inside where Will set up the fire and Hana started cooking. Halt sat down and relaxed like usual letting his little slaves do his work for him.

They ate in silence until everyone was done. Will and Hana instantly got up to do the usual chores of cleaning out the fireplace, cleaning the dishes, cutting the firewood for later that night, and many others, but Halt stopped them before they got far.

"Grab your packs you two we have some where to go." With that he got up and grabbed his pack and headed out the door. Hana and Will looked at each other for a second to see if each other had any idea where they were going but the confused looks they gave each other confirmed that was a negative for both.

In a few minutes the three were traveling into the forest. "Where are we going?" Will asked, as he ran to catch up to Halt.

Halt looked down at Will and shook his head, "You ask too many questions. Why can't this boy just stay silent and find out when we get there?" Halt ask no one in particular but that stopped Will from asking and further questions and keep Hana from asking the same question as Will no matter how much the both of them wanted to know.

An hour later of walking the forest opened up into a collection of buildings hidden away in the forest. Hana could see on Will's face that he was dying to ask probably a billion questions at once, but he knew that Halt would never answer a one. Hana had same ache but knew that if they both just stayed silent for now that they would find out sooner or later.

They walked towards big ramshackle huts, and then stopped about midway there because Halt signaled them to wait. "Hullo, Old Bob!" Halt called out. In just a few seconds there came a sound from inside the hut and an older, bald man came out of the hut smiling widely at Halt. Hana looked confused; she had never seen anyone actually smile while seeing a Ranger, besides maybe the Baron. This old man seemed to be very friendly with Halt knowing like Will and Hana that Halt was just a grumpy old man.

"Why Ranger! It is nice to see you here and who are these two?" Old Bob said, gesturing at Will and me.

"These are my apprentices Will and Hana." Hana could tell the man was shocked, probably because Halt had two apprentices, plus one being a girl. Hana liked Old Bob he seemed sweet and had that cute old man look to him… if you could see it behind all the dirt and unkempt hygiene.

"Two apprentices Halt? That is a new one to me and a girl no doubt." Old Bob said, but he was smiling at Hana not judging her like everyone else. Most people either look down at her with pity thinking she was trapped in the apprenticeship, or they looked at her like she was devil and didn't belong in the Ranger world because she was girl and they were a tough, dangerous group that nothing good comes from. Old Bob was different he didn't seem to think any of that of her he was just stating a fact.

"Good morning," Will said politely. Hana had been so shocked by Old Bob's reaction towards her she forgot to say a polite greeting.

"Good morning it is nice to meet you," Hana said finally and nodding towards him in a friendly greeting. Old Bob smelled of the stables like he actually sleeps in there instead of his own bed. Plus all the dirt and the unkempt hair with some hay sticking out in some places it really looked like Old Bob loved his horses more than his own personal hygiene. She wasn't judging Old Bob; she actually liked him and respected him. She loved animals and would probably do the same if it came down to it.

"Are they ready?" Halt asked, breaking Hana's focus on Old Bob's looks. Hana looked at Will confused, he had on his want-to-ask-those-billion-questions again, but he still tried hard to bite his tongue. Hana couldn't blame him, she wasn't use to asking questions either she was always asking for advice or what was going on, but she was always curious.

"They indeed ready follow me." Old Bob said guiding the three to the back of the hut where the stables were. There was a fenced off area, and to the right a lean-to shed with just a roof and support posts. There were no walls, but Hana still couldn't see into it. Old Bob whistled and three small horses trotted over to them. Hana realized that these weren't battle horses, they were ranger horses. Ranger horses were smaller than battle horses and looked to have less muscle. Anyone would think to choose a battle horse over a ranger horse, but Hana had meet a ranger horse before and they were quick and smart unlike a battle horse that just followed orders like a puppy. She still loved battle horses but she had always wanted a ranger horse. Plus she loved the shaggy look they had it made them more… unique.

The larger of the horses ran over to Halt and nudged him in the shoulder like he missed the Ranger a lot and was shoving him for not visiting sooner. Halt handed the horse an apple and patted his neck, "Sorry I haven't been around buddy." The horse stomped his feet and neighed like he understood what the Ranger was saying and accepted the apologize.

Old Bob was leading one of the ponies over and handed the reins to Will, "He seems to the right size for you, am I right lad?" Old Bob said jokingly. Hana tried not the giggle at the face Will gave the old man like he had just sucked on a very sour lemon. The horse was short, with a grey shaggy coat and mane. His mane fell across his face, but he looked sturdy. Nothing looked brushed, and he didn't look to Will like the perfect horse. Hana could tell Will was disappointed, but she knew he would learn. The horse could tell too and nudged Will in the shoulder, like he was telling him to stop pouting. Hana giggled that horse was going to sure put Will in his place.

"His name is Tug and he might be small but so are you, so no doubt the little guy." Will looked up at Old Bob and nodded, still a little disappointment in his eyes.
"I am sure he is a great horse," Will said politely and Old Bob nodded at him.

Next was my turn, the horse Old Bob lead to me was a small, but still taller than Tug by a bit, but just as shaggy. His mane was not brushed and fell over his eyes, so Hana almost couldn't see that he had one dark blue eye and the other was yellow. He was a black color, but that still didn't make his coat shiny or anything it was still a dull black. Hana didn't care she could tell he was a sturdy smart horse no matter how unimpressive he looked. Hana stuck a hand to his nose and he stepped back a bit. She was a little disappointed but Old Bob stopped that instantly.

"I should have warned you not to come up on his bad eye." Old Bob walked up and patted the horse on the side of his blue eye. "He still ain't use to people coming up on his bad side. He was blind in that eye at birth, but he has proved to be a smart, loyal little guy so doesn't worry about nothin".

Hana nodded and ran her fingers through his mane on his good side and the horse neighed and rubbed his nose against her arm telling her he liked that.

"His name is Lighten, on the account of the color in his blind eye, but also because he is a quick, spit fire," Old Bob smiled like he knew something Hana didn't, which is probably true, because she had just met Lighten. "He will keep you on your toes so watch him."

"So what do you two think?" Halt asked, even though Hana was sure they could tell they both didn't expect this.

"He still seems a little small and…" Will didn't finish he felt bad, because he didn't want to hurt Old Bob's feelings.

But Old Bob just laughed, "He might be no fancy battle horse, but he could run circles around those clumsy, big horses."

Will still didn't look like he believed Old Bob, but he nodded and smiled weakly, "I'm sure he can," Will said politely.

Halt then looked at Hana for a responds. Hana didn't know what to say she was glad she got a Ranger horse, but she didn't know what to think about a half blind one. She dreamed of her Ranger horse being more… able. Hana spoke quietly almost in a whisper worried about her response and like she didn't want the horse to hear so she won't hurt his feelings. "I don't know… I like him just worried about the whole eye thing."

Old Bob nodded, "I figured but it will be fine you will see."

"Why don't you two try letting them loose that way Will can see how Ranger horses are better than he thinks," Will looked down a little ashamed of himself, but Halt kept going, "and Hana can see a half blind horse is not a terrible thing. All you two have to do is catch them." Will and Hana looked at each other and shrugged, it didn't seem like a bad idea. Will thought this would be easy and Hana thought because of the eye thing just coming up on his bad side it would be simple enough to catch him.

Hana let Will try first and he let go of Tug's reins. Tug trotted into the center of the fenced area like he was accepting the challenge and was ready to stomp Will to the ground in embarrassment. Hana fingered Lighten's reins looking into his yellow eye wondering how he could actually be made into a ranger horse.

Will grabbed for Tug halfheartedly thinking Tug would just stay there, but the little horse bounced out of the way of his grasp. Will looked shocked and Hana wanted to giggle. "Come on Will he is just a small little horse," Will turned around on her and glared which made Hana giggle more. Will grabbed quicker for Tug, but again he gracefully pounced out of the way. Will looked frustrated and started moving to the back of the horse and jumped for him, but again Tug just sidestepped and watched as Will slammed into the ground. Hana winced at how much that must have hurt and laughed. Old Bob seemed to be enjoying the show, because he was smiling and laughing too.

This game went on for a while Will was tiring out, chasing the horse and the horse dodging easily and quickly like he was a small little mouse you just couldn't get your hands on because he just slips just out of grabbing reach. Will was getting angry and he could tell Halt was watching intently so he just stopped and started staring at the horse. Hana could tell he was trying to think this whole thing through but she had to mess with him a little.

"Hey give up already?" she giggled and Will glared at her again. But then a smile crossed his face, but he wasn't looking at Hana anymore. He ran over and grabbed an apple out of the bin and started waving it at the horse.
"You want a fresh, juicy apple boy?" Will said with a cooing tone in his voice. "Come here and get it!" Tug seemed to like this part of the game and started trotting over and took a bite out of the apple in Will's hands happily. Will grabbed the reins and smiled, "Ha! Got him!"

Halt nodded, "Well thought out! Good job don't you think Old Bob?"

"Clever boy I think and very polite. But what will the girl do?" Old Bob asked smiling at Hana.

Will crawled back under the fence and tied up Tug. He bend in half and gestured like he was a butler that was allowing someone to come in. "You turn Oh-Great-Hana," Will said trying to hold back the laughter. Halt scowled Will for the cockiness, but Hana knew he was just trying to have fun.

"Why thank you good sir I will show you how it is really done," she joked. Hana crawled under the fence and let go of Lighten's reins. He didn't go out to the middle like Tug just walked away like he didn't care about this game. Hana sighed, not only was he half blind but he didn't care either. Hana started walking over to just grab his reins again and she was on his good side so he could see and not freak out. But before Hana could grabbed his reins he slide away slightly taking the reins away a little. Hana thought he was just moving a little and tried again, but he slides a little away again. Hana tried to grab the reins three times before she realized he was playing with her. He was playing the follow the target game but never be able to get it. Hana stood up and could hear Will laughing in the back ground.

"I am watching, but I don't think that is how it should be done," Will shouted out to Hana in between his fit of laughing. Hana glared at him even though she did deserve the joking she made fun of him first.

Hana decided that she should change strategies and backed up. Lighten ignored her like she didn't matter enough for his attention, but Hana knew he was still making sure where she was. Hana moved to Lighten's bad side and started slightly moving towards him, when she was close enough she jumped him. This seemed like a good plan in her head but in reality it didn't work out as planned. Lighten was good at sensing things on his bad side and could hear he foot steps, smell her close by, and had a feeling someone was behind him. Lighten planned at the last second and moved to the side and trotted away ignoring that Hana just did the same thing as Will and smacked into the ground. A puff of dirt blew into her face and she coughed.

Old Bob started laughing, "Good idea if he wasn't better with that side than the other." Hana glared at him and looked at the apples, she knew that was Will planned and ignored it. She would come up with her own!

Hana looked around and saw some ropes; she walked over and started tying a rope. She was thinking about roping him, but she had no ideas how to do that just tie the knot. But in the corner of her eye she saw Lighten looking over like he was wondering what she was doing and why she wasn't playing anymore. Hana smiled… this might work. She continued to tie knots in the rope and making sure Lighten couldn't see what she was doing. Soon Lighten couldn't help himself and started moving closer but still acting like he wasn't wondering. When he got closer Hana moved position so he still couldn't see and pretended to ignore him.

At first the horse was suspicious, but the curiosity got the better of him and he tried to look over his shoulder. Hana had to relax so Lighten couldn't sense the tense in his muscles and figure out what she was about to do. Hana was getting this horse was very sensitive to movement and body language so she had to be careful. She says the reins and tried to say relaxed. Hana pretended to picking up the end of her rope, but at the last second grabbed the reins swiftly and Lighten neighed in shock. He back up shaking his head like he was trying to break free so he wouldn't have to face defeat but Hana held on and he finally gave up.

"Looks like you got two clever ones on your hands Halt," Old Bob said smiling at her. Will was laughing but gave her thumbs up for a job well done.

"I agree these two were pretty clever at catching those two." Halt said and nodded, but didn't show anything besides that he approved, but that was enough for Hana and Will. "Now two take those horses to the lean-to and Old Bob will show you how to groom and care for them. We will see how you guys ride them tomorrow." Halt then turned to Old Bob, "And we will be staying here if that wouldn't be intruding."

"Of course not, I spend too much time alone with these horses; I might just turn into one." Old Bob then grabbed an apple out of the bin and took a bite like Tug had not to long ago. Plus he made a sound that sort of sounded like a nigh the horses made when they were enjoying something.

Halt was watching and looked a little concerned, "I am thinking we came just in time to stop that my old friend."

Old Bob guided Will and Hana to the lean-to and taught them all they needed to know and then they went into the hut to settle down for the night. There were only two rooms so Halt got one and of course so did Old Bob. Will and Hana slept on two different bunches of hay from the lean-to and laid near the fire place.

"Hana?" Will asked to see if she was still awake.

Hana was wide awake thinking of tomorrow and riding Lighten. She wasn't worried anymore about Lighten's eyes and was excited to start riding. She had only ridden once and it was fun, but she wasn't very good at it.

"Yes Will?"

"Have you ridden before?" Will asked and turned over to look at her.

Hana nodded, "Yeah, only once though. Why? Have you?"

Will shook his head, "Is it hard?"

"Yeah it was, I just hope this time it will be easier."

Will looked a little worried like he was going to fall off Tug and Tug was going t stomp all over him or something. Hana smiled to reassure him and it seemed to work.

"I am sure we will be fine," Hana told Will and Will nodded. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Hana" Will answered back and they turned over on their backs. That night they both dreamed of what it would be like riding their horses tomorrow. Some involved falling off and some involved flying through the air at break neck speed gracefully traveling across miles of open fields. No matter what the dreams only tomorrow would tell what would really happen.