Yay, new chapters and things!

Later today I'm going on the epic adventure of getting my hair cut off. I'm going short for the first time since I was a baby, and I'm really excited,, but also kind of nervous because what if I hate it? What then? I know it'll grow back, but not for like...a while. *deep breath* I think I'll like it, though. After the initial shock of suddenly having very little hair.

Then I'm going to go to the library and get the last five books in the Saga of Darren Shan series, and I'm going to read them all in one sitting. If you've read that series, you should PM me about it, because I really want to talk about my theory with someone who has actually read the series. If you haven't read them, I recommend them. I thought they were going to be really dumb, I mean, the author actually named the protagonist after himself! Why...would anyoone do that? I don't know. The point is, they're good books.

Halt waited patiently as Gilan fed and watered Blaze. Then, as his former apprentice entered the cabin, flustered and nervous, Halt handed him a steaming mug of coffee.

"You didn't let them drink the whole thing!" Gilan exclaimed.

"Well, obviously I didn't. I wanted some too, and with you who were handling the mission I knew that there would be no time to get more from the shops. What's wrong, Gilan?"

Gilan sighed. His former mentor could read him so well. "I lost Blake," he said.

Will and Horace, who were feeling ignored, piped up, "So we just have to track him."

Gilan sighed. "Apprentices," he moaned to Halt, who chuckled.

Halt, who had more patience than Gilan, explained, "I do believe that Blake was kidnapped."

"By Genovesans," added Gilan miserably. "How could I lose an apprentice so easily?"

Will chuckled. "Blake isn't lost yet. Exactly who is it that you're facing?"

"Slave traders, from Magyara," replied Gilan.

"Well then, we'll just track your cult and help Blake escape," said Horace, as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

"We need to find the leader, and kill him. Then maybe they'll scatter and we can rescue him, as well as the other children, men and women," said Will wisely.

Halt nodded approvingly and Will glowed with the praise. Halt wasn't one to let his apprentice's ego expand overmuch, and so he added, "If they realize that we are after Blake, they could kill him."

Gilan looked even more distressed, before saying, "Then maybe we need to simply head there and pretend as if we don't know Blake, and rescue him in the last so they won't do something like that?"

"Is that a question or a statement?" asked Halt sharply.

Gilan grinned sheepishly. "I'm just on edge," he said apologetically. "Let's get going."

"Um, what about supplies?" asked Horace, "Wouldn't we need things like food and water and medicines?"

Halt remained quiet for a few minutes. Will slurped down the last of his coffee. Horace bit his lip. Gilan tapped his foot impatiently, his usually smiling face creased with worry.

Then Will spoke. "What if we met up with Halt later? We might learn something in the time he's gone."

"I'm going with Halt," said Gilan suddenly.

"Why, Blake is your apprentice!" exclaimed Horace.

"Exactly," said Gilan, biting his lip, "He is my apprentice, and even though he is one of the most annoying kids I have met in my life, I cannot stand by and wait in case they…do something to him. So I will go with Halt, and we will meet you there by tonight. I'll give you a map. It's a perfect plan!"

"Nothing is perfect," Halt intoned, "Expect something to go wrong and you won't be surprised when it does."

"Forever the optimist," chuckled Will, but soon subsided.

"You're right," he said, "We should begin immediately.

Let me think, what else? As always, leave a nice review. Or a nasty review. A nice review is preferable though.

Hmm...Well my birthday is in ten days, and I'm not sure if I'll post anything between now and then, so we'll just let this be the official 'Happy Birthday to Me' update. Okay. Good. Done.