Disclaimer: I do not own any of Rangers Apprentice (still dreaming...)
Dun Kilty was twice as busy as the two rangers had expected, the streets were packed with people, well beyond the use of horses so they had left Tug and Abelard just outside the town in a nearby glade. Will's face was hard set and Halt could tell his apprentice was anxious to receive news on Alyss, Halt had attempted to keep him busy enough he wouldn't dwell on it but now there was nothing he could do.
"State your business!" The guard called out, way louder than necessary, obviously trying to show that he was in command.
"We are here on a mission from Arulen." Halt replied smoothly, only seeming to annoy the arrogant guard even more.
"Names?"
"Halt Arratay and Will Treaty."
"Treaty? What kind of surname is that?" The guard mocked.
"Mine." Will stated, the guard noticing the hard eyed young man for the first time. If Halt hadn't been making the guard nervous, Will definitely had him worried.
"You may go ahead…" the guard said nervously. He believed the Arulens were on a mission, but the younger man… He seemed to be here for a reason, and he was not going to be stopped easily.
"What do you mean she been here!" Will shouted, pacing vigorously.
"I mean exactly what I said. I am sorry Will." Sean said. The younger ranger obviously seemed flustered.
"Will you need to calm down…" Halt said, putting a reassuring hand on Will's shoulder, only to have it thrown off, turning to face Halt.
"Calm down Halt! You want me to calm down!" Will growled, then in a mocking voice "Here your wife has officially gone missing, but you are to stay calm!" Will shouted then turned and stormed out the doors.
"Well that was dramatic." Halt sighed and looked at Sean, nodding an apology then following after Will.
"Will you okay now?" Halt questioned, Will had been gone off on his own all night, Halt had known where he was just felt it was safest to let his apprentice cool down and think.
"I'm sorry Halt for how I acted…" Will said, looking up at Halt, clearly ashamed of himself, "I am going to find her… I know I will." Halt nodded his approval then was startled by what Will said next. "You can return to Arulen, your wife is back there and she will be missing you… You don't deserve to not be with her because of me…" Will said before sitting down.
"Will have you really become that arrogant? You really think I am going to leave you on your own? You are our only son Pauline and I are going to have and Alyss is like a daughter. Don't you ever say that again to me, understand?" Halt growled, his annoyance growing, but soon going down as he saw the look on Will's face.
"I always knew you treated me like a son… But I never knew you and Pauline both considered me one…" Will said, shock evident on his face. "You called me your son…" the fact had Will downright surprised. He had always known they had considered him their son, but had never heard it from Halt himself. "Thank you…" Will muttered then walked away.
"I don't even know where to start looking for her!" Will said, the look he received from Halt convincing him otherwise. "Well we know she made it on into Clonmel and up to Mount Shannon from what I heard from the locals. But she didn't make it to Clonmel." Halt nodded his approval, "So we should split up and see what we can learn from the farmers within that area." Will concluded. Halt easily agreed and the two rangers headed off in different directions.
LB
"What did you find out?" Will called to Halt as he rode up to join him.
"Some interesting facts. You?"
"Nothing… So what did you find out?" Will asked anxiously.
"Well when she was just past Mount Shannon, a couple saw what they described to be her with a strange foreigner." Halt said in a concerned tone.
"What!" was Will's immediate reaction, catching Halt's look he quickly shut his mouth and waited for Halt to continue.
"She was also spotted joining a west bound caravan with the same foreigner by another couple… they were quite willing to tell me…" Halt said, his hand resting on the hilt of his Saxe knife.