NOTE: I don't own the Ranger's Apprentice world. I just own the story and the characters.

Any excited about the end of Raven's Story. The next chapter is the last one!

Review and Enjoy (I know some of you will)!

Raven's Story Chapter 9

It's getting worse every, single day. It made Raven's heart twist in pain to hear it. Eagle said it was only to get worse from here…much worse. That idea pained him greatly. He was not the only one. Little Banita constantly crawled to the door and tried to push it open. When it would not move, she sit on butt and start crying. Raven had tried to get him to come out, or at least let her in. No luck. He was as hard headed as Raven was tall.

When it first started, it was just wheezing, hard time breathing,

Then it was coughing…

Then dizzy spells…

Exhaustion…

Thirst (despite a large amount water every day)…

Throwing up….

Now he is coughing up blood.

Raven stepped up to the door and knocked gently. A bell answered him. The sick man's throat was too sore to even talk. Just a whisper. Opening the door, Raven entered with his tray. On it was medicine, water, and food. Hopefully his stomach would accept the food this time. An hour before it would not. Laying on the bed in the dark was the one man Raven cared about above all. His skin is pale and shriveled. Weakly the blue eyes looked at Raven. That once powerful chest faintly rose up and down. A grating, wheezing breath came from his mouth. His hands remained at his sides, their owner being too weak to move.

Raven set down the food and touched his father's forehead. Hot. "How are you feeling, Father?"

"Weak," was the soft reply.

Raven touched Serpent's shoulder, "Can you eat?"

"Maybe," Serpent said, his eyes looking at the tray. The food looked wonderful to him. If only his stomach would agree.

Raven gently lifted his father up. Making sure the bucket was nearby, he took the plate of food. Slowly to not anger Serpent's stomach, Raven began helping his father eat. The man hardly had the strength to chew. Therefore, each bit was small enough to swallow. Seen up close, those blue eyes were dull and swollen. His thin and shaking body leaned heavily against Raven for support. The food managed to go down without incident. Then Raven gave his father the medicine sent by Eagle and the cup of water. With an exhausted sigh, Serpent laid back down.

"My ssson," Serpent whispered, a hand reaching for Raven.

Raven took the hand and knelt beside the bed. "Yes, Father?"

"The time…hasss…come…for me," Serpent said, struggling to talk. "You must…lead…our people…from now…on."

Raven let the tears fall down his cheeks, "I will, Father. I won't let anything happen to our people. I promise you."

"When the time…comesss…train…another. Find…the perfect…heir," Serpent gasped weakly.

Raven nodded, pressing Serpent's hot hand into his forehead, "I will. My heir will be perfect. Worthy of your love."

"None…but you…are worthy…of…my love," Serpent growled, finding the strength to make his voice stronger in that moment.

Raven smiled slightly. Serpent smiled back.

The Hunters were gathered together. Placed on a litter made of cedar wood, the softest animal skins, and gold handles was Serpent. His hands were clasped together on his chest. Those eyes were closed. His hair was as spikey as it had always been. He was dressed in his finest clothes and the ornate vest depicting a snake. Beneath his hand, running from his throat to his feet, was a staff. At the head was a hawk spreading its wings. In all, he was the depiction of "royalty" to the Hunters.

Before the hawk statue Raven stood, his green eyes studying his people. Serpent's sabers were attached to his waist. Since the fight with the Skandians and the death of their Oberjarl, Serpent had proclaimed that Raven would inherit his sabers. This was a high honor to Raven. He would carry them proudly. They would always remind him of his father. Serpent was always there for him. He knew that deep in his heart. Now it was time to carry on that legacy.

Raven stepped forward slightly and raised his voice, "Hunters. We are gathered today to pay our last respects to a fallen warrior, a great leader, a loving protector. Serpent loved us all above everything, even his own life. Every threat he saw as a threat to himself. Every promise he held close to his heart. Every member was a brother or sister, son or daughter. We were blessed he stayed with us for as long as he did. Let us be grateful for all he has done for us. Let us remember him in our hearts and souls."

"Long reign Serpent in the halls of our ancestors!" the Hunters cried at once.

Raven nodded then spoke again, "It was his wish, his will that I inherit his throne. From Viper to Serpent and Serpent to me. Before the rising hawk, before the body of Serpent, before all of you, I swear to lead, protect, and love all the Hunters just as Serpent did before me. I swear to see our lands protected. I swear to uphold the laws set down by the leaders before me.

I swear all of this and you are my witnesses that shall hold me to my oath.

I am Raven, your new leader."

"Hail, Raven, Leader of the Hunters!" everyone cheered.

With that, six of the Mordasins took their places, three on each side. They grabbed the handles and lifted their master to their shoulders. Raven walked down the steps and towards the entrance. The Mordasins fell into place behind him, forming a barrier around their master's body. The Hunters all fell to one knee as Serpent's body past them. At the entrance to the ceremony hall, Wind stood there with Banita. The young girl saw her grandfather and made a cooing sound. Raven gently touched her cheek as he passed. The Mordasins followed.

Outside, Raven picked up his pace. The others did the same. Snow slowly fell around them. It crunched beneath their feet. The guards readied their weapons. Nothing was going to stop them from delivering their master's body to its final resting place. Along a hidden path, shown to Raven after Serpent's death by Fox, they trudged. Higher and deeper into the mountains they climbed. Rock and brush soon changed to cedar trees. The tall, thick trunks were black against the darkening sky. Then Raven reached them:

The Stone Steps.

Quickly the group mounted. At the top was a cave set deep into the mountainside. No one could find it on their own unless they had a guide. Raven stepped aside when he reached the top step. The Mordasins carried their leader inside. Fox and Quartz stopped at Raven's side. Fox gently wrapped Raven in an embrace.

"I'm sorry for your loss. We all understand that you are hurt more by this than we ever will. Remain strong, like your father before you," Fox whispered.

Raven looked at them, "You're not coming back with me."

"We will stand guard over our master for eternity," Quartz replied. "That way his slumber will never be disturbed."

Raven bowed his head. He watched as Fox and Quartz joined the ring of twenty Mordasins. They stood there, facing outwards. Serpent remained in the middle, just as he was supposed to be. Raven smiled at his father one last time. Then he turned on his heel and headed back home. Time would come when he would seek out the perfect heir, just as Serpent had ordered. One day he would see a new leader take his place. Until then, he was the leader of the Hunters. They were his responsibility.

They were his family.

Last chapter will be up soon! It has a major surprise and explains where Raven got that gold and silver emblem that he gave to Will from.

Enjoy the Super Bowl! Watch the Puppy Bowl if you can! (Can't wait for it!)