Chapter 8

When the group reached Araluen, Halt got a chance for payback as he teased Thorn about his hatred for horseback riding. They rode to Roxie's home, intent on finishing their mission.

As they rode up to Roxie's house, they saw Richard Forestel standing there, an angry look on his face.

"Roxanne! How dare you leave home without me! Do you know how worried I've been?!"

"Sorry," Roxie mumbled, dismounting. "I'd heard the rumors about Zavac. I wanted to see if..."

"I'd heard that. Your brother told me. Imagine how surprised and worried I was when Sam showed without having even seen you."

"Your apprentice was very helpful in defeating Svend, Zavac's twin brother, and his men," Will said in a placating tone.

"Hmph. I'll talk to you about this later. I'm sure you want to talk to Sam."

"Thanks!" Roxie said with excitement and slight nervousness.

"Come on." Richard led them away from his house at the edge of the town to the center of it where a celebration was going on. There were banners saying, "Welcome Home Sam!" and Sam and Nick were talking on the left side of the town square.

"Welcome home, Roxie!" Nick said when he noticed her. "We were worried about you."

"It's nice to see you again, as well," Roxie replied. Roxie turned to Sam and they just stood there, looking at each other awkwardly.

"Hey, Sam," Roxie said finally. "Are you OK? Well, obviously, you're not really…but…um…what happened?"

Sam smiled. "It wasn't so bad, actually. It was pretty scary at first when I was kidnapped by pirates and then sold to slavery but I was freed pretty quickly when I saved my master's son. It only took so long for me to get back because I had to use most of the money I earned for rent and food."

Just then, Crowley came walking up to the group from the direction of Richard's house.

"What are you doing here?" Will asked.

"I was talking with Richard about Zavac's possible invasion. When I heard Roxie had also gone after him, I decided to wait here for all of you to come back."

Crowley turned to Richard, "I think your apprentice has proven herself. What do you say?"

Richard looked upset but after a little hesitation that Roxie had indeed proven herself.

Crowley reached into a pocket, pulled out a bronze leaf and handed it to Roxie. She put it around her neck, overjoyed at finally being considered an official apprentice.

Crowley smiled at her. "Now that you are an official apprentice, I expect you to write up the report on what happened with the pirates. But first, go enjoy yourself!"

The group congratulated Roxie and then went off to enjoy themselves. Hal turned to Roxie and held out his hand in an offer to dance. She smiled warmly at him, took his hand, and walked off to start a new adventure.

THE END