NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Bruce and that whole lot.
Got this done faster than expected. Since finals are right around the corner, you won't see me for the next two weeks. I have to study…big time. And since my wrist still can't do anything I have to talk to my teachers about the finals. Good luck to any with finals!
Ok, as promised: My bottom Author Note contains the preview of my book. HOWEVER, it will only be there for a week. I don't want too many people getting wind of my story.
Review and Enjoy!
Unknown Blood Chapter 6
Will raced towards the Tarbus River at top speed. Shouting had come from that direction. By the sounds of it, someone had fallen in and had not come back up. His heart in his mouth, Will pushed himself harder. His father's words rang in his ears. Was this the doing of his men? If so, who was it in the river? Halt? Horace? George? Jenny, maybe? Deep down Will prayed really hard that it was not Alyss.
Reaching the riverbank, he searched the moving water. There! A hand appeared briefly from the water. At once Will dove in. Even if this was not his father's doing, the person still needed to be rescued. As a Ranger, that was his duty. Finally Will got close enough to see the person in the water…
Horace, bound and gagged.
The struggling young knight had managed to get one hand free. It was that hand Will had seen from the bank. Will swam to him, hooked his arms under the knight's shoulders, and heaved. Lungs about to burst, Will and Horace broke the surface. With a whistle, Will called for Tug and started towards the riverbank. Horace was breathing heavily and coughing up water. It had been a close call. Will, his back to the riverbank, heard hoofbeats then splashing water. Tug had arrived. But then hands seized ahold of him and yanked him out of the water. Shocked, Will barely managed to hold on to his friend. Soon they both were laying on shore. That's when Halt appeared next to Horace, cutting the knight's bonds and helping him to cough up the last of the water. Will thought for a second that it was Halt who dragged them out. That thought, however, was dispelled the instant someone behind him began rubbing his back.
With a groan, Will tried to sit up. Instantly Bruce's voice entered his ears, "Easy there, my son. Everything is alright now. You did good."
"Who…" Will coughed, signaling to Horace.
Bruce pulled his son close, close enough that Will could hear the growl in his voice, "I don't know. Whoever is responsible will pay. Horace didn't deserve this."
"Agreed," Halt said gruffly, helping the knight to his feet. "None of Will's friends deserve this."
That put a snarl on Bruce's face, "You think I or one of my men had something to do with this outrage!?"
"Logical but no. Will had made several enemies over the years as a Ranger's Apprentice. The same goes for Horace. Someone may be targeting them to attack one of these two," Halt replied calmly, his dark eyes narrowing at Bruce.
With that awkward, tense silence, the little group headed for Redmont.
"You sure it was them?" Halt asked.
Will nodded fervently, "My father's guards are not easy to miss. Plus, I may not know him well but I know my father enough to recognize his voice. It was them."
Duncan frowned worriedly, as did Arald and Rodney. Horace shook his head and rubbed his temples. Cassandra, seeing this, gently laid a hand on his shoulder. The young knight gave her a weak smile. He did not know who attacked him. However, it was a group of men. He was sure of that. They pounced him as he walked towards Wensley Village, threw a sack over his head, then bound him hand and foot. Next thing he knew, he was hurled into the river and left to drown. Eventually the current took the sack off his head so he see. Shortly later Will dove into the water after him.
Now Duncan, Cassandra, Halt, Crowley, Will, Baron Arald, Sir Rodney, and Lady Pauline were in the infirmary "checking on him". In truth, Will had asked for everyone to meet him there. With his nighttime story told, Will hung his head. Everyone gave him a look of sympathy. It would be hard to admit your own father had something to do with the attempted murder of your best friend. Pauline gently laid her hands on the boy's shoulders. Even Halt drew closer to his apprentice in an attempt to cheer him up.
Crowley finally broke the silence, "Now that we have a suspect, how are we going to find evidence? Obviously whoever it was went out of their way to cover their tracks. Also, Bruce and his men already know that Rodney and Halt are keeping an eye on them."
"I don't think we can do anything," Duncan sighed. "All evidence is bound to be destroyed by now. Bruce and his men, if it was them, will be cautious now. Also, I have no real power over them without substantial evidence. I can't even order a search."
Will perked up at that moment, "I can search. I doubt my father would be prepared for that."
"I think not," Pauline said quickly, giving the boy a tight smile. "It's hard enough to have your father appear out of the blue like this. Now you're worrying if he had something to do with Horace's attack. I think, for now, we should give them the benefit of the doubt. Keep an eye on them for sure but also keep our distance."
The others nodded in agreement. Halt and Crowley exchanged a look that told everyone they would figure out some way of tracking down Horace's attackers. Arald and Rodney declared they would keep an eye of Will's friends, just to be safe. Halt's earlier comment to Bruce may not have been far off. Duncan would continue preparing the official paperwork, releasing Will from Araluen custody.
It was at that moment that a knock rang on the door.
Duncan called for the person to enter. Bruce apologetically stepped in. He asked how Horace was doing, adding that he hoped the men responsible were captured. The Araluens gave him a warm smile, accepting his kindness. Then Bruce gave his son a sorrowful look.
Holding up a piece of paper, Bruce spoke quietly, "I have been called back by my king. Sorry, my son…
But we must leave tomorrow."
No, I won't tell you if Bruce was behind Horace's attack. That's for all to figure out.