will couldnt say anything as his chains were removed and replaced behind his back once more. when he got the courage to talk he mustered out ''what are yo..'' whatever he was going to say to finish that sentence it was cut off by a dirty gag being shoved in his mouth.
''shaddup'' his guard answered. he was half dragged to where men were saddling and mounting their was chained to two horses in front of him one he recognized as morgraths dull grey white horse that could hardly be called a battle horse.
they rode, well everyone else rode will walked behind the warlords horse, for what seemed like hours. wills guards took every opportunity to hit him upside the head for falling, stumbling, or even looking up. they finally stopped and will heard the awful sound of the bugal that would start the war. for the next half hour he watched as he saw men falling from both sides and their crys of pain or silence before a thump as they fell to the ground hit with a black shafted arrow.
will looked around despreatly trying to find the princess whom he had been seperated from since brought to morgrath. he saw her and looked horrified as he saw her cowering before a wargal about to kill her he made a decision right then that would save the princess's life
he kicked flat footed at the man holding him infront, right behind his knee then he spun and shoved the heel of his hand into the nose of the guard behind him. in a matter of seconds he picked up the sword and was blocking the killing stroke. ''run!'' he yelled at the princess she got up and ran for cover of trees will following behind.
when he caught up to her he looked around and saw what he was looking for. ''there'' he pinted to a break in the trees. ''its a game trail it will lead to your fathers army!'' they both broke into a run but will was suddenly grabbed from behind by one of his guards. ''RUN! RUN LIKE HELL" he screamed at cassandra. she nodded and ran blurry eyes through the trees.
will was taken to stand infront of morgrath himself. morgrath was obviously loosing the battle by the curses streaming from his mouth. ''what is this master plan falling to pieces'' will asked.'' not yet it isnt'' he replied ''show the white flag'' he called to one of his men. ''you will help me win this war'' he said. ''you and the damn girl'' with that he was brought forward just behind morgrath but kept out of sight from onlookers.
''morgrath,'' king duncan started ''have you given up'' ''hardly king duncan'' replied morgrath. will was searching the crowd and saw a tomboy blond walk next to the king he smiled widley knowing atleast she was safe. ''cassie?'' king duncan asked incrediously ''morgrath was fuming he had the daughter of the KING! and she escaped!
halt seeing the princess looked for will. ''wheres the boy?'' halt asked stonly serious. morgrath turned to him. ''what boy?'' he asked innocently. halt had to stop himself from launching at the man before him. ''THE BOY! THE RANGER BOY!'' he said indicating his cloak and silver oak leaf.
''oh yes that one'' morgrath said his face twisting into a huge sadistic grin. ''your little snot nosed brat of an apprentice'' he said. ''he was quite a nusance'' ''was?'' halt asked deathly quiet. ''yes was, he got on my nerves'', he said pausing for effect ''i killed him'' he finnished. this time halt had his bow out and drawn before he heard a voice from behind morgrath. ''like hell you did'' came a small and battered voice but it definatly belonged to his beloved apprentice. ''will'' halt asked confused. morgrath was fuming he turned and grabbed will by the hair pulling him infront of himself and putting his sword to his throat. ''DONT!'' the cry came from atleast four throats. halt, horace, cassandra and the king all said it in unison.
''then as my right before god, i challenge halt the ranger to trial by combat.'' halt surged forward but was stopped by crowley and the king. ''i forbid it'' the king said. ''hmm then if the boy'' he spat ''can stand his own and survive an hour of my 'fun' then i will forfeit this battle. wills eyes grew wide with fear and then determination. ''no'' halt said flatly. ''then i kill him now'' morgrath replied. ''your choice eaither he dies now defensless or he may have a slim chance of survival and maybe you will win this fight''.
''fine, do it then'' king duncan replied. ''are you insane!" halt asked '' halt its ok'' will said ''its kingdom before ourselvs, you know it and i know it we both took the same oath.'' ''but your only an apprentice'' halt replied ''why you!" ''because he knows it will hurt you just as much as it will hurt me'' will replied. ''then lets get started'' morgrath said.
and with that the next hour of wills life became pure hell. he was whipped,beaten,stung,burned, cut, and humiliated ,by half an hour halt was silently crying will was breathing heavily and shaking from the pain. '' have you had enough" morgrath taunted looking will in the eyes, ''not even close'' will replied and spat in morgraths face. morgrath backhanded him and continued on the assault.
when he finished will was let go and he fell to the floor face first and for a horible second noone could tell if he was breathing. then will took a huge shuddering breath and pushed himself on his back ''time to forfeit'' will said slowly to the outraged warlord. halt ran forward and grabbed morgrath and with one hit knocked him out. he ran to will and cried at his appren, no his sons beaten and unconcious form. he picked him up and ran to a healers. and morgrath was incarcerated