Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (besides those I made up) nor do I own anything else besides the places (that I might make up) in the story. All of the credit goes to John Flanagan.
Ranger's Apprentice
Chapter 2
A DEAD SILENCE ENGULFED THE ROOM, SHUTTING DOWN ALL LIVING ORGANISMS' ABILITY TO THINK OTHER THAN HALT, BARON ARALD, OR PRINCESS CASSANDRA HERSELF.
Then: "Will, your colleagues will be accompanying you. Halt and Crowley will each investigate the North and the West; you and your friends will head for the South East."
"Ah, Princess Cassandra," Baron Arald continued. "Perfect timing. I've just recently finished writing the latest events. Please make sure your father receives them." He handed her an elegantly decorated envelope. The ribbon on the envelope was vibrant red, tied into a beautiful bow, along with a 500-year-old, priceless stamp capable of bringing in fortunes.
Will only stared, his mouth gaping about a fraction of an inch.
The Baron, noticing Will's reaction, gave a small smile, and said, "What, did you think Princess Cassandra would come with you? After what happened in Skandia?"
"No, sir," was Will's immediate reply. The moment Will spoke these two words, he realized what was going on. Baron Arald was making a joke once more. He then grinned and nodded toward the Baron, whose glum face transformed into a hearty laugh.
The Baron's vigorous laugh filled the room with instant joy, causing Halt to actually give a feeble smile, and Crowley to join in with the Baron's chuckle. Horace grinned foolishly, Jennifer and Alyss danced, Will stood to the side observing George, who took notes of this occasion. Princess Cassandra just stared.
When it was all over, George was covered with notes. The Baron smiled once more at him, and Will slowly understood why.
Almost immediately the Baron issued, "Halt and Crowley, you will leave for your destinations tomorrow at sunrise. Will, you and your friends will leave immediately. I fear there is more trouble in the Far East than either of the North or the West. They say the sorcerer in the Far East was the master of the other sorcerers and once overpowered them shortly before they split paths."
Halt and Crowley slipped on their cloaks and swept out of the room, Crowley giving Will a quick pat on the back as a sign of faith. Will and his friends followed after, abasing their heads to the Baron as they left. Baron Arald waved them good-bye, and Anthony, the chamberlain, shut the door.
When Will, Horace, Alyss, Jenny, and George arrived at the stables, Will advised them not to take a colossal battle horse, for it would not aid them. Horace, being stubborn as usual, took a battle horse anyhow, as Jenny, Alyss, and George took light and fast horses. Will gave Tug an apple and saddled up. Will then took out a map, showing Horace and the others where to go.
"We're right here in Araluen," Will began, gesturing his finger at a small fief in the center of the map. "Halt is going to the North… well maybe… I'm not exactly sure, since the sorcerer might be in the Northwest or the Northeast… Crowley is going to the West… he might kind of… no… Crowley might encounter Halt if they both go to the Northwest, so they might be able to help each other… or maybe Halt will come to the Northeast. We're going to the East, but we might actually be going to the Northeast, so if we're lucky, we'll be able to get Halt's help… or he might accidently shoot us instead of the sorcerer in the East. I thought we might stop by Skandia; maybe to ask Erak for some provisions or backup if we need it then. Got it?" Will looked up at the puzzled faces of Horace, Alyss, Jennifer, and George.
Alyss whispered a few words into Horace, Jennifer, and George's ears, and they smirked. "Explain to us," Alyss said politely, "In the simplest words possible about what you just said.
"We're right here in Araluen," Will said once more, gesturing his finger at a small fief in the center of the map again. "Halt is going to the North, so he'll probably encounter Malcolm, while Crowley is going west, probably to Clonmel. We're going to the East, so we might stop by Skandia to ask Erak for some provisions or backup if we need it then. Get it now?" Will looked up at the brightened faces of Alyss, Horace, Jenny, and George.
"Got it," they replied, smiling at Will. Their faces looked like idiots hit in the head by a large rock.
Will put on his multi-colored, inconspicuous cloak and headed towards Tug. Compared to the small horse, Horace's was a giant, and Tug was a puny human. In his self-obsession, Horace had named his horse Horace, who was a large and fit creature capable of running as long as Tug, although not as quickly. Alyss chose a noble stallion almost perfect for a venture if you ignore the fact she could be spotted a mile away. Jenny and George, not used to riding fast horses, just chose loyal, yet arrogant Galician horses.
"We ride until daybreak," Will said, spurring Tug.
They rode into the morning, predicting what adventures would await them in the Far East.
Twelve figures arose from their hiding places behind the bushes. Black as the night, swift as the wind, and as quiet as a heartbeat. Another being appeared, far more intelligent than the others. The Shade, Dark as a Black Hole, faster than the quantum of time, and as inconspicuous as a Ranger. His mind would find what he called 'unattainable ways' to play with them. But for now, it was time to report back to him. The one in the Shadows.
Will rode on, the sound of the horses galloping echoing in his ears. He listened for any sign or sound of movement, that they were not alone. There was a faint footstep once in a while, and when Will shot at it, there was naught to be seen. Horace, George, Alyss, and Jenny, not as of a keen listener as Will, simply scanned the area and left the rest for the Ranger to spot. They reached a bend that led to a dark, eerie forest. Abnormal. A forest? Here? There were no forests this close to Araluen!
"Stay here," Will ordered, as he gestured for Tug to move on closer to the forest area.
He scanned the area in front of the forest four times. Three for security, and one more just in case. There was nothing to be seen but the usual bug and insect. Will signaled for his friends to come inside the forest.
Will on the right, Alyss on the left, Horace at the front, and Jenny and George following behind.
All of a sudden, multiple events occurred. A beam of light from the path in front of them blinded their eyes. Will and Horace, being trained for things like this, turned the other way and quickly checked around them. An arrow whizzed through the air, as fast as Halt's arrow, from Will's side. Enchanted as it was with a blue aura protruding from it, Will and Horace leaned forward, dodging the arrow as a slipped right past them. There was a slight thump as the arrow met skin and bone.
A high-pitched scream went off as the Courier on Horace's left fell of her horse. Blood oozed out of the wound, and she fainted. The last thing she saw was Will's face pale with horror.
From behind the "trees" in the so-called forest, the Shade smirked. This was getting even more interesting than he had expected.
Sonín al distpúrr lóso!
May your arrows stay sharp!
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