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

So sorry for the delay. Finals week got really busy when some friends of mine needed help at work. Not only that but…OW…(gritting teeth) wrist has gotten worse. Fighting through it but I only have so much energy to give.

Please give me encouragement and support. If you do then I'll try to have a chapter up in a few more days. If not then you'll have to wait while I figure out what's wrong and how to fix it. I can only do so much. Even my book is on hold right. Again, really sorry. I tried to make this chapter longer for you guys.

Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 8

(Country: Quarize- like Core-ize. Where: Beyond the mountains of Celtica)

"Welcome home, my son," Bruce said, looking down at his son riding beside him.

The large castle loomed above them. Wisps of clouds danced around the top of the tall spires. The dark grey stones that made the foundation were huge and heavy. The castle walls themselves were completely smooth, carved from the mountainside. A thick drawbridge crossed a deep gorge, a natural fortification that everyone referred to as the Split. Will shivered unconsciously, remembering the Fissure in Araluen/Celtica. This divide and the bridge reminded him all too well about those days when he and Cassandra were captured.

Bruce noticed the shiver. His brown eyes looked questioningly at his son. Will, however, was preoccupied with his memories. Shrugging, Bruce figured we would ask about it later. After all, he had already seen his son's good head for heights. Will had shown him by climbing a tall tree while they were on a hike around Redmont. It terrified Bruce to see his son so nonchalant up that high. Worried and scared, he had ordered Will down before his son was even half way up. Will had been utterly confused but had obeyed. Later Bruce challenged Halt about it. The Ranger had shrugged it away, saying that Will had been doing stuff like that since he was little. After that talk, Bruce had vowed to make sure Will never did something like that again.

Beyond the towering walls was a large courtyard. Servants bustled to and fro, doing their jobs. A statue stood tall in the center, surrounded by grass, of a man. Bruce quickly explained to his son that this was the first king, King Render, who united the country in a time of constant war. Under his leadership, the country not only united but carved out a place and name for itself. Nodding, Will allowed his eyes to scan the rest of the area. A large stable was off to the left. In front was a powerful, long-legged, white stallion. Several servants were working on the animal, brushing its coat until in shined, currying the mane and tail until it was perfect, and polishing the hooves.

"Hm," Will heard his father mutter, "Wasn't expecting him to be here so soon. Not with the northern border disputes."

Servants from the stables raced forward to claim the horses. One, a blond haired young boy with brown eyes, stepped towards Tug. Will shook his head, tossed the reins over Tug's back, then pointed to the boy. To Tug he said softly, "Follow, Tug. Follow." Tug tossed his head and stepped towards the boy. The young man looked stunned as the small horse nudged his arm. Most of the horses trained here would have kicked him or tried to bite him. Will smiled and gestured for him to turn and walk to the stables. Obeying, the young man watched Tug worriedly. The small horse simply snorted and walked calmly behind him. Then Will turned back to father. Bruce was waiting patiently, brown eyes watching in amusement of the scene. Then, together, they headed inside.

If Will was impressed with the outside then his breath was taken away by the inside. Smooth granite pillars stretched high above him. Marble, smooth and continuous, washed over the floor. Flags hung from where they were imbedded in the walls. Each depicted a different crest. Bruce told his son that every lord honored the others by hanging flags bearing their crests. Pictures also decorated the walls. Each was of a man or woman, important people in history. One alone caught Will's eye. It was a painting of Bruce and a young woman. She was exactly as Halt had described her. His mother. Tears appeared in his eyes. Tears of pain, of anger. Why had fate been so cruel to him? He never got to meet his brave uncle, his beautiful and kind mother, and he barely got to meet his father. Bruce wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders. He understood what was going through his head. Slowly he drew his son away from the painting and onward down the halls.

Soon they reached two massive doors, stretching from the floor to almost the ceiling. His father's symbol of the four-legged snake was plated in gold. The rest of the wood was red. No damage could be seen in the wood. The servants kept it in top condition. Three guards came to attention as Bruce and his son approached. However, each man bore a different symbol than his father's. Will's eyes narrowed as he studied it. It was a similar: a snake with four legs but this one had wings and sharp spines growing from its back. Again Will wondered what type of animal this creature was.

"Is he here?" Bruce asked.

The lead guard nodded, "Yes, sir. He awaits the both of you inside."

With that, the guard knocked on the doors. Then the hinges groaned as the doors were pulled apart to either side. Inside Will could see was a throne room. Large windows were on his left. On his right was seating for a jury and spectators. Flags bearing his father's emblem hung high overhead. A red carpet was rolled out from the door to the far end. There Will could see a raised area, five steps leading up to it. All of it was made from pure marble. A large, wooden throne with soft cushioning sat tall. It was occupied by another man. Will felt his heart beat faster.

The king!

The king was of medium height with broad shoulders, black hair and beard, and piercing blue eyes. Like Bruce, a purple cape hung from his right shoulder, his emblem holding it to his white shirt. His sword rested against the throne by his left leg. Should a threat come his way, he would draw the razor-sharp blade in seconds. A large ruby glowed like a drop of blood from the hilt handle. As Bruce and Will approached, a warm smile appeared under that black mustache and beard. He rose from the throne, walked down the steps, and embraced Bruce.

A deep, rumbling chuckle came from his chest as he spoke, "So glad you made it back safely, Bruce. Even happier your mission was a success."

"Thank you. I was not expecting you to be here," Bruce replied, holding his king at arms' length.

Will was shocked at the nonchalant, even challenging tone in his father's voice. He thought his father would be more respectful. This was the king he was talking to! Both men seemed to sense his shock. They turned to him, warm smiles on both of their faces. Then the king stepped closer. His powerful, massively muscled arms wrapped around Will in an embrace. He even picked the young man off the floor.

His voice was deep but very soft in Will's ear, "Glad to have you home, Will! I've been bursting with excitement ever since Bruce told me he found you!"

He gently put Will down as Bruce came over. Will's father smiled at his son. Then he gestured to the king.

"Will, this is King Othon (Oath-on). He is the eldest son from King Thorn. He is also my brother and your uncle."

That was the first surprise that Will was going to receive. He was of royal descent! Together the group left the throne room. With a man on either side of him, Will was shown the rest of the castle. According to his uncle, the King's castle was even more magnificent than this castle. However, Bruce had wanted this one when their father offered him his choice. Bruce had never cared about the throne. He was perfectly happy leaving it in the hands of his eldest brother. Both informed Will that he did have three other uncles but all had passed, either in combat or from illness. That's why finding Will had been so important.

He was only heir they had.

Later that night, Will was talking to his father by a warm fire. They had eaten a delicious meal of venison, freshly hunted just for them. Will's curiosity had kept him asking questions the entire night. King Othon and Bruce tolerated it. They could understand how he wanted to learn as much as possible. Will knew nothing of his homeland. All he knew was Araluen. But now Will was tired, ready for bed. However, he had one question for his father now that they were alone.

Will looked up at Bruce and asked tentatively, "Father?"

"Yes?" Bruce replied, meeting his son's questioning gaze.

Will frowned, trying to figure out how to ask it. Finally he continued, "When Halt and King Duncan were asking you about your family, you said you were a lord. Why?"

"Because I am, Will. That's my station in life," Bruce replied easily.

Will shook his head, "Why did you not tell them that you were related to the royal family, that you are of the royal family?"

"Will…" Bruce began, pulling his son closer. "We have many enemies. Many other people want our land. By leaving to find you, I opened myself up to an attack. It was better to hide my true nature, just in case someone was eavesdropping nearby. I didn't want to put you at risk."

That made sense to Will. Yet the image of his father talking with those massive guards flashed before his eyes. Looking back into his father's gaze, he nodded and smiled. Bruce smiled back. It was not long after that Bruce noticed Will had fallen asleep in his arms. Quietly he picked up the young man and carried him to his new bed. With his son wrapped in the blankets and sleeping peacefully, Bruce quietly left. However, he did not head for his own bed. Instead he left their apartment and walked down the hallway to another apartment door. Softly he knocked, watching his own room with suspicion. Soon the door opened and he vanished inside.

It was almost dawn by the time Bruce and Othon were done with their conversation.

If you give me support and encouragement, I'll work as hard as I can on the next chapter. Most of the time lately I only have enough energy to get through my basic life. Your encouragement and support will go a long way in helping me.

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