NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice!

Continuing for now. I'm not so gun-ho over this story like I was over the other one. However, if you want me to continue, please let me know. I'll do it for you, my fans!

(See I really do care about you guys. I'm not totally mean.)

Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 2

Five months previous- shortly after Will, Cassandra, Halt, and Horace return from Skandia (before Erak's Ransom- Halt and Pauline aren't married yet)

The arrow slammed into the target. Two more quickly hit their mark. All were in the center ring, a bull's-eye. Will lowered his bow, studying his handiwork. Truth be told, he was getting better. He had come a long way from his time in Skandia. He still had much to remember. Halt had been right. It seemed that his skill with the recurve bow had become instinctual, a habit that he could rebuild. Sighing tiredly, Will walked towards the targets. One by one he pulled out the arrows. Each arrow returned to his quiver, ready for another round.

A soft, sweet voice came to his ears, "You shouldn't overwork yourself, Will."

Turning around, Will smiled at young Alyss. The young Courier's blond hair shimmered in the light. Those gray eyes drew his gaze. He approached her, noticing the basket that she held in her hand. Understanding dawned. She had come to share lunch with him. It was her way of saying she was happy he was back, safe and sound. Taking the basket, Will led her into the cabin. The little space seemed empty without Halt but his mentor had to leave on an assignment. Normally he would have brought Will but the grizzled Ranger felt his apprentice deserved a break.

"How are things going in the Diplomatic Service?" Will asked politely as he brought out plates and silverware.

Alyss chuckled, "Busy as usual." Seeing the worry that suddenly sparked in Will's eyes she continued, "Pauline encouraged me to come out here. She has enough help."

"I don't want to get in the way of your work," Will mumbled.

Alyss gently wrapped her hand around his, "You're doing nothing of the kind, Will. I'm glad your back. Jenny and George would join if they had time."

That brought a wry smile to Will's face. Together they ate the delicious meal, food hand prepared by Jenny herself, and enjoyed each other's company. Being old friends meant they had missed each other a lot. The feelings each had deep down inside made each other miss the other more. Now they were together again. They talked about life and their jobs. Together they laughed and mused over the day's events. It was nice day for such talk.

After Alyss left, Will pulled out the maps and charts. Since he was inside he might as well. Halt would be sure to test him on this at some point. The sun was going down by the time Will gave up on studying that. Carefully he put them away, took care of Tug, and then started making his own dinner. Knowing he was not going anywhere, Will pulled on his night clothing. As he pulled out his shirt, Will spotted the small box that contained his valuable belongings. Smiling, he brought the box out to the dining table. Never hurt to look at old memories.

His dinner was good, not as good as Halt's cooking. However he was getting better. The contents of the box, however, held his main focus. Subconsciously his senses searched for signs of danger. His eyes looked over small paintings of him and the other Wards. Then his hand pulled out a ball that he dived into the river to save when Horace accidently hit it too far. Soaked, the ball had been useless from then on. Will, however, kept it around for the memories. Some things were new, coming from his adventures as a Ranger's apprentice or from Skandia. With a sigh, Will rose to put everything away. That's when he saw it:

A piece of purple cloth.

Reaching into the box, Will gingerly picked it up. In the dancing firelight, the golden emblem shined brightly. A four-legged snake. The symbol of his missing father. Halt had told him the whole story: how Daniel, Will's uncle, had saved him but how Halt had failed to save Will's mother. Then Halt had brought Will to Redmont, leaving him on the Ward steps in a basket. The note he wrote said:

His mother died in childbirth. His uncle died a hero.

His father bears this emblem, if he ever comes for the boy.

Please care for him.

His name is Will.

That had been many years ago. No father had ever come. Halt had tried desperately to find the boy's father to no avail. When they had returned home, Cassandra and her father had searched through the history of crests for the emblem. No one had ever carried a four-legged snake. That meant that Will's father came from somewhere else. Perhaps the man did not know he had a son. Perhaps he did not care.

Grimacing at the thoughts in his head, Will replaced the piece of cloth. What did it matter anyway? He was on his own journey now. He had grown up. Having a father now would do little good. Will smiled. If anyone was to be considered his father then it was Halt. The man had done much to care for Will. His mentor was the closest thing to a father Will had. That was good enough. It would always be good enough.

Will cleaned his dishes then returned the box to its hiding place. Then he started blowing out the candles and putting out the fire. Time for bed. He had to wake up early and finish cleaning the cabin. Halt was due to return any day now. If he found that Will had not cleaned the cabin then Will would be sleeping in the tree for the next several nights. Not something he wanted to do. He was about to fall asleep when his ears heard Tug's call.

Someone was approaching the cabin.

Instantly Will was up and changing his clothes. Perhaps something was going wrong. He had to be ready. Hoofbeats sounded on the ground as Will pulled on his boots. The knock rang out just as Will grabbed his bow and arrows. With a deep breath, Will opened the door. A castle servant stood there. He was young, about in his teens, with blond hair. Blue eyes sparked with fear as Will appeared. Then, realizing this was the one he wanted, he took a breath to speak.

"Baron Arald has summoned you, Will. He says it's urgent."

"Very well," Will said, grabbing his cloak and exiting the cabin.

Quickly he saddled Tug and headed for Castle Redmont. As he approached, Will noticed that many lights were on. That made him frown. The castle was never this busy this late at night. The guards quickly stepped out of his way as Tug trotted into the courtyard. Waiting at the steps was Sir Rodney. Beside him was a huge man with broad shoulders, heavily muscled arms, thick legs, and covered in armor. His helmet was being held by his left hand, next to an immense broadsword. Dark eyes watched as the apprentice Ranger pulled Tug to a stop. Seen up close, Will could see several scars of his face, a bald head, brown eyes, and a broken nose. Swinging from the saddle, Will handed the reins to a stable-boy and commanded Tug to follow him.

"Good evening, Sir Rodney. What's going on?" Will asked politely as he mounted the steps to the two men.

Sir Rodney opened his mouth to speak but the other man beat him to it. His voice was deep and powerful yet quiet, "You'll learn soon enough."

With that, he turned on his heels and marched away. Will quickly fell in line beside Sir Rodney. The Battlemaster was watching the huge man with suspicion and anger. Quietly he whispered to Will, "These men rode in as if they owned the place. Immediately they demanded to speak with Baron Arald, calling him out by name. I was going to chase them off when I noticed…" Will glanced up as the Battlemaster paused. Unconsciously the Battlemaster was chewing his bottom lip nervously. Then Rodney continued, "Will…They're bearing your father's insignia."

That made the blood in Will's veins freeze. His father's emblem! His father commanded such powerful men as the one he was following. His father had finally found him. Was he here in the flesh? Was he waiting at some rendezvous point, waiting to make sure Will was truly his son? What was he like? Friendly? Caring? Mean and distant? Would he be proud of Will? More importantly, would he accept a son who was so short and had no physically daunting power? All these questions raced through Will's mind in the time it took to reach the Baron's office.

Inside was Baron Arald, Lady Pauline, Nigel, and four men. Three stood standing around the room, ready for a threat. Each was big and heavily muscled and armored. The fourth was seated in a chair across from Baron Arald. As the three entered, Arald looked up from a piece of paper. Handing the paper to Nigel, he signaled Rodney and Arald forward.

As Will stepped forward, Arald spoke up, "Everything seems to be in order." The man rose from the chair, turning to face Will. "Will," Arald continued, "meet your father."

The man was of medium height and slight build. The guards seemed to dwarf him. A gleaming sword, a precious sapphire embedded at the top of handle, rested at his left hip. Hanging from his right shoulder was a purple cloak, sewn to his shirt by the emblem Will all too well. Shining brown eyes studied Will as the apprentice Ranger stepped into the light of the lamp. Black hair was carefully combed away from his face towards the right side. A powerful jaw was set in a slight frown. However, as the man looked at Will, that frown broke into a loving smile.

Carefully, slowly, he stepped forward. "My son," he said, his soft voice breaking slightly, "I've finally found you after all these years."

"Father?" Will managed to whisper.

He could just how much they resembled each other. Father and son stepped forward and embraced each other. Tears were trying to force their way out of Will's eyes. His father did not even bother to stop his own. As they embraced, Will could feel the power in his father's muscles. However, his hold on Will was gentle. Will's father, in his turn, could sense the whipcord strength inside his son but also his strength of heart. The others in the room remained silent, giving father and son time. Will realized that Arald was ready to speak and pulled away from his father. That's when Arald cleared his throat. Will's father instantly turned towards the Baron, his right hand remaining on his son's shoulder.

Arald spoke calmly, "It is late. You are more than welcome to stay for a few days while everything is prepared. King Duncan has a special interest in your son and will want to know about this. Also, Halt, Will's mentor, must learn about this as well."

Will's father nodded, "I understand, Baron." His brown eyes turned to look at his son, "We'll leave as soon as my son is ready."

"Then it is settled," Lady Pauline spoke, nodding to Will.

Several servants guided the newcomers to their apartments. Apologizing to his father, Will explained that he had to return to Halt's cabin. With a kiss to his son's forehead, his father wished him happy dreams. With promises to see each other the next day, the two separated. Will retrieved Tug and set off for the little cabin in the trees.

So your father is finally here, Tug snorted.

"Yes he is, Tug. He is finally here!" Will replied.

Does mean we'll separate? his horse asked, tossing his head.

"I hope not. I hope my father will let me keep you around. Well, I also need Crowley's permission but I doubt he'll deny it," was Will's reply. A frown of worry appeared on his face. "I guess I'm going to miss it here. I never thought he would actually come."

You'll be fine. His horses smell nice and are nicely groomed. He must be some sort of noble, Tug rumbled.

"I guess so," Will said as they turned down the little road. "There's a lot we don't know about him. These next few days I'm going to have learn as much as I can."

Then let our next adventure begin! Tug neighed loudly.

Will's father doesn't have a name yet. Can't think of one. Any suggestions? Also, let me know if you want me to continue. I'll update more often if you guys are behind this.