NOTE: I don't own any characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and the country of Quarize.
Sorry for the wait. My review page went down for a few days so I couldn't see your lovely posts. On that topic: Thank you all so much for the support! I'm glad to see that you are still hanging in with me, with my wrist, with my doctor appointments, and with my schooling.
This chapter is shorter. I figured you guys would want to meet Tyler a little more. Trust me, you'll walk away with more questions than answers.
Review and Enjoy!
Unknown Blood 10
It was deep in the mountains. The sky was dark with overcasting clouds. Rain was coming quickly. Everyone knew it, felt it. Here in these mountains lies a cave. In the back of the cave is a hidden door. Slowly this door was pushed open. A cloaked figure slipped inside, looked around carefully, then closed the door. He had to be cautious. His mission was life or death. Now his mission was even more important.
Three men appeared from the shadows. Together the four pushed back their cowls and revealed their faces. One's graying hair made him look ten years older than he actually was but his green eyes flashed with as much youth as those around him. The second was a brown haired, brown eyed young man. A scar pulled his left, upper lip away from the bottom one, revealing white teeth. The third was bald with blue eyes and extremely muscular. Lastly was Tyler himself. A beard and mustache had grown thicker over the years but one could still recognize him. Those brown eyes sparked with frustration and exhaustion.
Roughly nineteen years.
Roughly nineteen years he had been hiding in these mountains. Away from his family. Unable to do a thing. Now it seemed as if all his effort was going to fail. With a snarl on his face, Tyler slammed his clenched fist onto a table. After nineteen years he had hoped for it all to be over. All his spying. All his plotting. All his hard work. Pointless! Useless! Tyler's body began to tremble with the suppressed rage inside of him. Tears were welling up in his eyes. He had tried so hard but now everything was falling apart. He had failed…
Failed his mother…
Failed his brother…
Failed his country…
A hand rested on his right shoulder. Looking that way, he saw the oldest of the group standing beside him. Those green eyes showed Tyler that the man understood. They all had given up so much for the cause. Everything they had done barely seemed to make a dent. Now they faced a wall they couldn't beat down. Not without spilling innocent blood. Not without ending a life that knew nothing. How could they? It was not right.
"There's still hope," said the scarred-lip man.
Tyler turned left to look at him, "What hope, Johnson? There is no hope. Not anymore."
"There's always hope when people still try," Johnson replied, giving Tyler a warm smile.
"Indeed," rumbled the deep voice of the bald man, known to everyone as Michael. When everyone was looking at him, he continued, "I've looked into his past, Tyler. I doubt he stands there willingly. More like unknowingly."
Tyler shook his head, "Most likely but what can we do? They've probably already whispered so many lies into his head. I know how hard it is to find the truth once all those whispers get in."
The older man, Thomas, tightened his grip on Tyler's shoulder, "Have faith. I watched with my own eyes as he saved a slave from a beating. He knows right from wrong. All we have to do is show what is right."
Tyler felt hope starting to lift his heart. Looking from Thomas to Michael to Johnson, Tyler felt as if they had a chance to win. Then he frowned. Who would he listen to? Would he believe them when they tried to show him? If he did listen, whose side would he stand on? After all, the line was drawn in blood and chains. Tyler had faced the same traps and barely managed to escape. Even then, it tore his heart to shreds. His body stood erect, his brown eyes flashing with determination, his beard and hair seeming to bristle with purpose. He knew what had to be done. Back to the castle he would go, not for a visit…
But with warning on his lips…
Truth in his heart…
And fate in his hands.
For he alone knew the consequences of failure: rivers of blood.
Hope you guys liked getting a looked into Tyler. No AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon, Tyler is not Gilan. However, he carries just as many secrets as Bruce.
The only difference is the consequences.