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Chapter 5 – In The Baron's Quarters

Baron Arald had been sitting at his desk going over paperwork that was to be sent to the King when his door opened.

"Baron," Sir Rodney said as he came in.

"Oh my God," Arald gasped, rushing over when he saw Halt. "Sit him here." he said pulling over a big, cushiony chair. Rodney gently lowered Halt down who gasped slightly at having to bend and his vision flickered. Halt took a deep breath and steadied himself.

"What happened?" the Baron asked.

"Will's gone." Rodney replied immediately.

Baron Arald widened his eyes in shock. "Where?"

Rodney shrugged.

Arald looked at Halt, he was obviously in pain and fighting to stay awake. "Go get a healer," he said to Rodney who nodded and moved out of the room. The Baron knelt down, face to face with Halt and took his head in his hands.

"Halt," he began softly, looking him in the eyes. "What happened? Who did this?"

There was no reaction from Halt, no flicker in the eyes, not the slightest movement from his body. Just as Arald was about to ask him again Halt whispered, "They took him."

"Who?"

Halt shook his head. "I don't know. I came home from the meeting and he was out the back practising, he was fine. Then I went back out a while after and there were men…" at this point Halt's eyes started to fill with moisture, "and Will was on the ground and then they started beating him up and there was nothing…I-I couldn't…" Halt's voice broke and Baron Arald could tell he was trying so hard not to cry. He pulled the Ranger into a hug, trying to comfort him, but nothing could lessen the pain he felt.

At that moment Rodney came back with the healer, Arald broke the embrace and stood up. He let the healer look after Halt while he took Rodney over to the corner and told him what he knew.

"Blimey," Rodney whispered. "Imagine what he's going through right now?"

"I know," Arald replied. "If Halt's not alright, which it's obvious he's not, we'll have to send for another Ranger to help get Will back."

"Maybe Gilan?" suggested Rodney.

"Yes, Gilan would be good, he knows Will."

"I'll go send for him now." Rodney said.

As Sir Rodney left the room the healer stood and walked to the Baron.

"How is he?" he asked.

"Not as bad as it looks," was the reply. "He'll live and, although I have no idea how, nothing is broken. All he needs is some decent rest and make sure those cuts don't become infected."

"Thankyou," Arald said simply and the healer left. Arald then went back to his original position in front of Halt. "You need rest Halt."

"No."

"Yes. Come on you can sleep in here."

"No I have to find Will," he said distraughtly.

"Rodney's sent for Gilan. Will is going to be fine and you can't help him if you're not healthy yourself."

Tired and sore, reluctantly Halt agreed and slept.

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