NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Bruce and that whole group.

So it seems this story won out. Therefore, I will be continuing with this story. For any who didn't vote, you can thank those who did. Light Against Dark has been removed permanently. Why? Because many of you were begging for Unknown Blood to become a series. I will admit that it was never planned that way but I am already in the process of reworking my plans so that it can be.

So be patient as I work around my hand. You have another series to sit through!

Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 7

"Stay safe, Will. We'll miss you," Alyss whispered into her friend's ear.

Will felt tears pricking his eyes, "I'll miss you too. All of you."

With that, the two separated. Alyss smiled warmly at him, trying to fight back the tears in her eyes. Now it was Jenny's turn to hug her friend. The blond, plump cook was crying tears of joy for Will. She was so happy that he finally had a family. Horace and George were waiting patiently for their turn. When it came, they warmly shook hands with their friend and Wardmate. Then bowed to King Duncan and Baron Arald. Cassandra wrapped him in an embrace as well, not wanting to say goodbye to the man that saved her from Skandia. They had been through so much together but now this was last she was going to see of him. However, she was happy that he was finally going home.

After them came Halt. The grizzled Ranger did not want Will to go. He felt that something was going on that he could not figure out. However, Bruce had only ever taken care of the boy. Now they were leaving. It pained Halt to say goodbye but Will deserved to have his true family. He took Will's hand, shaking it firmly. His other hand rested on the young man's shoulder. Those dark eyes met Will's brown gaze, fighting back the tears that he was also feeling. The young man smiled warmly at him.

"Remain safe. I don't want to have to come and rescue you," Halt said gruffly.

That brought a laugh from Will, "I will, Halt. I promise to stay in touch. No matter what, I won't forget everything you taught me."

Now that truly made Halt's heart warm. He was really going to miss his lively, energetic apprentice. Will removed his bronze oakleaf and stepped towards Crowley. The Ranger Commandment took the oakleaf and put it in a pocket. However, he stopped Will from handing over his cloak and knives.

"Keep them. They may come in handy at some point. They're yours, as is Tug. Stay safe, young Will. The entire Corps is sorry to lose you but we are happy to see you finally found your family," Crowley had said softly to the boy.

Nodding, Will shook his hand. Then he turned and mounted Tug. Bruce had been patiently waiting for his son to say his goodbyes. Now they were ready to go. Clicking his tongue, he set off at a trot. Tug tossed his head and quickly followed. The guards set off in a protective circle around the two. Will looked back once when they reached the rise he had stopped on when racing to get aid against the Kalkara. The sun was making the red stone glow. He was going to miss this place, especially Halt's cabin. Smiling, Will knew he would never forget. Now he was on his way home, to his true home, with his father.

Will leaned over Tug and whispered, "Come on, boy. Let's go on another adventure."

Tug whinnied happily. He set off at a gallop after the group. Bruce looked startled as the two raced past him. Then he smiled. He was glad to see that his son was happy to be going home. Deep down he had been afraid his son would change his mind. Not that he would blame him. Araluen had been his home his entire life. Tapping his heels to the paint's flank, Bruce set off after his son. The guards followed, remaining silent.

They were just there to guard their master and his son.

"Welcome to Thornguard, my son," Bruce said as the ship pulled into a harbor.

Will looked over the railing of the ship. He was excited, to say the least. This was the first stop on the way to his father's castle. The town was strewn along the harbor's shore. It really did not look much different from Araluen. People bustled around, going about their daily lives. The men on the docks called to the captain and the crew. Soon the ropes were thrown down to them. Will could here shop owners calling out there wears. A large bell tolled for midday. Seagulls flew overhead, cawing away. Will took a deep, steadying breath. Bruce remained at his side. Those brown eyes watched his son take in the new surroundings. A proud, happy smile appeared on his lips.

The guards guided Tug and the other horses down to the docks. Bruce followed shortly after with Will. Quickly they mounted and set off. Will's eyes scanned the world around him. He wanted to see as much as possible while they were here. However, he understood that they had to hurry. The king wanted to see Bruce as soon as possible. His sharp eyes were trained by Halt to notice the smallest things. Because of this, Will noticed how people glanced worriedly at Bruce. His father had changed on the ship, replacing a tan shirt with a white one. Sewed carefully into the shirt was his emblem of the four-legged snake. It was this symbol that people were looking at. Will frowned, confused. Why were they worried? Who did they think his father was? As far as Will knew, they had nothing to be fearful of. Bruce was kind man.

Wasn't he?

Will's mind saw the image of Horace struggling against his bonds under the water. Someone had attacked him. Someone wanted him to die. Will could not forget seeing his father and his guards in that clearing. They had been planning something. But what? Looking at his father's back, Will felt that worm of doubt in the pit of his stomach. Maybe Horace had been the target. Maybe it had been Bruce's guards who had attacked the knight. Quickly Will shook the thoughts from his mind. Bruce was his father. He loved Will. Surely he would not want Will's friends to die. That would not be right. No, Horace had been attacked by someone else.

But Will did not know the secrets his father was hiding.

The first came when they reached Bruce's castle.

Leaving it as a cliffhanger.

You guys can't even begin to comprehend how many secrets Bruce has hidden away. Try to see if you can guess the one I just referred to. It's not too hard but it has a lot of implications behind it.

See you soon!