So, I had the most awesome review, tying in my two favorite loves (which, if you don't know me by now, are Percy Jackson and Ranger's Apprentice). Just for that, you get an update. And yes, I know I suck at updating this thing. I apologize. But with the Nicercy Contest up, my focus has been on that.

…

Will sat, bleary-eyed, on the veranda, nursing a mug of coffee. He hadn't slept one wink last night. And now, to keep himself up, he needed the bittersweet drink. He'd spooned a generous spoonful of honey into the drink, but it did almost nothing to expel the bitter taste. His coffee didn't normally taste like that. So he took small sips, hoping the taste, and the feeling that came with it, would disappear. But no such luck. He was stuck in the same rut he'd been in last night. He had no idea where Horace had gone, but he needed to find out.

"Tug!" he called to the little horse, abandoning his mug of coffee. It didn't taste right today anyway. The little horse trotted over, looking up at him quizzically. He almost seemed to be asking what Will wanted so early in the morning. "Don't look at me like that," Will scolded. "Did you see where Horace and Kicker went the previous night?" Tug nickered and swung his head until it pointed due east. So Horace had just blindly rode through the forest. "Alright boy, we're going after them," he told the horse. "Just wait a second." Will stepped back inside the cabin, shedding his night clothes and slipping on hunting clothes, as well as his ranger's cloak. He slung his quiver of arrows over his shoulder and took up his bow. Finally, he strapped his knives to his belt. He stepped out onto the veranda, and Tug looked at him. "Again, don't look at me like that," Will told him, swinging up into the saddle. "Easy does it now," he added as Tug he swung Tug around to the direction the little horse last saw the apprentice warrior and the battle horse disappear to.

…

Horace had managed to get himself lost in the stretch of woods outside Castle Redmont, a fact he didn't appreciate. He'd become more familiar with the land during his training as an apprentice knight, but he wasn't completely familiar with it yet. So, riding off blindly into the woods was a bad idea. He'd dismounted long ago, leading Kicker behind him. The horse seemed content to follow his master, so long as Horace seemed to know the way they were going. Horace didn't want to admit quite yet that they were lost. That would be a trifle embarrassing.

He stopped, and Kicker took a few more paces before following his lead. He glanced around. This stretch of woods didn't look any more familiar than the last or the next. It wasn't a big woods by any means, but it got dark and confusing, with paths twisting and turning back in on themselves. Coupled with the fact Horace set out well after sunset as it was, it made for a very confusing and lonely night.

"I think we're lost," he told Kicker quietly. He let his gaze travel over the trees and underbrush, secretly hoping Will, with his superior Ranger training, would appear virtually out of nowhere and lend a hand. But he doubted that very highly after their scrape last night. They'd fought before, but not like that. That hurt worse than any punch or kick either one of them could deliver. Kicker yanked on the rope, nearly sending the battleschool apprentice toppling. "What was that for?" he asked angrily. His horse might not have been trained to remain as still as Will's horse, but he could stand to stay relatively still while Horace thought about what they should do. Kicker yanked again, and this time Horace's grip on his reins slipped. Kicker turned and cantered off. "Kicker!" Horace called, running after his horse. But it was hopeless. Kicker could far outrun him, and already he'd lost him. "Great," he muttered. Now he really was alone. He began to retrace his steps, walking slowly back the way he'd come.

"Lose something?" someone asked from behind him, and Horace nearly leaped through the tree branches. Nonetheless, he whirled around to see the newcomer. He was greeted with a fresh, young face he'd grown quiet fond of.

"Will!" he exclaimed, the relief clear on his face. "Thank God you've found me. I've been having a hard go at it by myself." He noticed with delight Will had snatched Kicker's reins and his beautiful horse was following behind Tug obediently. Tug nickered a greeting to the battleschool apprentice. He knew this boy meant a lot to his master, so he'd made it his personal mission to find him and lead him safely back home. One part satisfied, he tossed his head and danced sideways a few steps. Will looked down in surprise, patting his neck to calm him down. Horace let out a weary chuckle.

"Have you been on your feet all night?" Will asked, finally getting a good look at the battleschool apprentice. Horace swayed unsteadily on his feet, like at any moment he could collapse. "Come on big guy, let's get you home," Will said at last when Horace didn't answer. Horace swung astride Kicker, swaying in the saddle. Will took the lead rein once again and led the tired apprentice and horse out of the woods, with a little help from Tug of course.

…

Will offered to take the couch when they arrived, and Horace was so tired he didn't complain. He dropped like deadweight into Will's bed and was promptly snoring. Chuckling to himself, Will laid on the couch and laced his fingers behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Now that Horace was back, he felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he could breathe a little easier. He felt horrible for the events from last night, and he wanted to make it up to Horace somehow.

Will jerked awake, realizing he'd dozed off. He smiled. He'd actually managed to snag a few hours' sleep without the battleschool apprentice's arms around himself. He checked in on Horace, who was still sleeping like the dead, then went out back into the clearing Halt had devised as Will's personal training ground. He had is bow in his left hand, and he selected and nocked an arrow in one smooth motion, lifting the bow up. He shot at the target two hundred meters away, and sent a second arrow flying after the first. Both arrows thudded into the target just centimeters apart, but Will didn't take notice. He'd already switched his focus to the target fifty meters from himself, shooting instinctively.

"That's pretty good." Will glanced quickly over his shoulder to see Horace leaning against the cabin, arms crossed over his massive chest. Already the effects of battleschool were beginning to show themselves. Horace was built massively at his shoulders, but he slimmed down at the hips. Will glanced away quickly, blushing furiously. He couldn't let himself get caught staring like that again. He went to retrieve his arrows, and was surprised when the muscular battleschool apprentice fell in step beside him. He wrestled his arrows out of the soft wood and replaced them in his quiver.

"Do you need something?" he finally blurted, unable to pretend Horace wasn't there any longer. He'd honestly expected the apprentice warrior to stay asleep for several more hours. Horace merely shrugged and walked in step with Will as they made their way back to the cabin. Will leaned his bow against the side, then sat himself comfortably next to it. Horace continued to stand, able to do so now that he'd had a good rest. Will looked up at his friend, squinting against the sunlight.

"I just heard the familiar hum and smack of your bow, and it drew me out of sleep," Horace said with a shrug of his massive shoulders. So I thought I'd come see what you were up to." Will thought that over. It seemed logical enough. After all, it wasn't every day one was roused by the sounds of a bow shooting.

"You could've stayed inside," Will pointed out. Horace snorted.

"And miss the chance to see you in action? No thank you!" he said vigorously. And, in spite of himself, Will smiled. "I don't know why you were so worried about your test. You'd pass with flying colors."

"Except that is barely average as far as the Corps is concerned," Will put in mildly. "I still have a lot to learn." Horace merely waved the comment aside.

"So do I," he pointed out. "But Sir Rodney already sees big things for me. Don't worry Will. You'll pass. And besides, you might be the best Ranger for decades."

"Surely not better than Halt?" Will asked, but he was pleased with the praise nonetheless. Horace threw back his head and laughed.

"I don't think anyone will be as good as Halt," Horace agreed. "But you'll be one of the best. I've seen very few people who can honestly match your speed with that bow of yours." Will glanced sideways at his weapon, unstringing it as he did so. There was no reason to keep the string taunt, as he was done with practice for the day.

"I guess," he said uncertainly. Horace finally sat beside him, nudging him with his shoulder.

"Well I know," he said. "I have complete faith in you Will." And that caused a big grin from the apprentice Ranger.

"Thank you Horace," he said. "That is greatly appreciated." And it was.

…

So, I hope that you liked that. I've been reading through the series again, and I've been in the mood lately. I write for whatever has my interest at that point in time.

He wasted no time in mounting Tug. He spurred the little horse on, but then brought him down to a trot. There was no need to overextend the little barrel-chested horse yet, even though Tug could go for miles on a gallop.