NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and the country of Quarize.

Don't know if it will stay this way but I'm thinking of making this a four part story. What do you guys think? Please post either in the comments or feel free to private message me with suggestions. However, Dripping Blood is the only set in stone piece of this series.

Please let me know what you think!

AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon: I really appreciate someone carrying for me. To be honest, my wrist has me stressed out very bad. I feel ready to snap at any moment. Writing these fanfictions for you guys is helping me relax. Without it, I doubt I would last for more than a week before snapping. Thanks for caring! I really need it.

Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 13

Tyler's words haunted Will. Every time Will saw his father, he heard Tyler telling him about what Bruce did to their mother. Seeing the hunters bringing back food, seeing the dripping blood, made Will's heart beat faster. He could not sleep without seeing images of his father and uncle standing over the bodies of his friends. It was torture for Will.

What if Tyler was lying? What if he was the one planning to threaten Araluen? Was that even Tyler? Will could not be sure. He had never met his brother. Also, so many of his words fit with Will's observations of their father. Was it all lie? By either of them? Who could Will trust now that they both were there? If what Tyler said was true then how could he warn Araluen? His father did not use messenger birds. Called them too unreliable. Mail? No. Bruce already had that one shut off. Something was happening to his mail to Araluen and their mail to him. Was it because of Bruce? If so, why?

Will did not know who to trust…

Did not know what to do.

Grayson remained at his side throughout it all. Not once did he let out a peep about what was going on. Not once did he question his master. Will was a smart lad. Grayson knew he would figure out what to do. In the meantime, Grayson kept his ears to the ground. Maybe he could learn something of value. Maybe he could do something worthwhile for once. No matter what, Grayson would help Will out. He liked his master. If he could do anything to help then he would. He was, after all, an extremely loyal soul. His master needed him and so by his master's side he would stay.

To be honest, Grayson did not know what to think. Will's brother, alive! Not only that but carrying huge news. Now Grayson watched as Will struggled to find answers, within and without. Maybe it was all an elaborate trap. Maybe someone was out to hurt the only heir to the throne by using a brother look-alike. There were no whispers about Tyler possibly being alive. Bruce never seemed to suspect it. King Othon never seemed to care. The only thing Grayson knew for certain was that all of this was tearing his young master apart. He just hoped that Tyler was a lie, a fraud, dead wrong. Then everything could go back to normal. His master happy and safe.

That's why he almost did not wake his master one night.

"Will, wake up," he hissed in a whisper, shaking Will. When Will groaned, he shook harder and hissed a little louder, "Master!"

Slowly Will's eyes opened. Seeing Grayson, Will snapped wide awake, "Grayson, what's wrong?"

"Follow quietly," Grayson whispered.

Quickly he led his master out of the apartment and down the hall. Reaching the King's apartments, he stopped. Will whipped around him and pressed his right ear to the door. Voice could be faintly heard. Gingering Will pulled down the door latch and opened the door. The voices were now much clearer. Bruce and Othon, along with three others that Will did not recognize. Grayson, however, did. In Will's ear, he quickly informed his master that they were the leading generals of the army. That made Will's blood freeze inside his veins. Shallowing, Will returned his attention back to the conversation. Grayson remained on watch.

"Are we ready?" Bruce was asking, his voice cracking with irritation.

"Almost, my lords," came a meek voice of the heavy artillery general. "The machine parts are almost completely loaded on the boats. The problem is hiding them below deck."

Othon's voice snapped at that moment, "We are going to war and all you can say is that you are having a hard time getting the materials below deck! By the kings before! The longer we wait, the longer we delay, the more likely that he will find out. We can't have that happen."

"Understandable, sire," the cavalry general said. "The boy probably won't appreciate being the center of an all-out war. Not when his friends and family are on opposite sides."

Will sucked in a breath. His heart began to beat faster and faster. So it was true. His father and his uncle were planning to attack Araluen! They were planning to attack his friends who had taken care of him since his mother died. Tears welled in his eyes. It was not fair. Araluen did not deserve their wrath. They were just trying to protect him, care for him! It was not right.

"Mark my words, generals," Bruce's voice snapped. His fist connected with a table. Will dared to open just a little farther in order to see his father. The man's brown eyes were flashing and his black hair seemed to stand on end. His entire body quivered with rage. "I don't want to delay. I don't want to have to explain everything before we do it. He won't understand. We need to be ready as soon as possible. I want Araluen to pay for taking away my wife and son. I want their king to drown in the blood of his people. I want his friends, most importantly his teacher, to die by my hand! It's what they deserve!"

As he growled those last words, Will pulled the door silently shut. Grayson could see the pain within those lively brown eyes. So much for everything going back to normal. He grabbed Will's arm and hauled his towards his apartment. Then escorted Will back to his room and bed. Once there, Will collapsed to the ground, tears pouring down his cheeks. He could not believe that his father was planning to attack Araluen. He could not understand why. All Araluen had ever done was take care of him. Halt and Daniel had done all they could for his mother. Who knows what would have happened without them. It was wrong to blame Araluen for everything. It was so wrong. Tyler's actions had led to this but they would never believe him. They all thought Tyler was dead and gone.

"I'm so sorry, master," Grayson said, laying a hand on his master's shoulder.

Will looked up at him and smiled faintly, "Not your fault. I needed to know the truth."

"What are you going to do now?" Grayson asked. Deep inside, he swore on his own life that he would help Will with whatever plans his master had. It was his duty.

A hard look came into Will's eyes, "I need to warn Araluen. That means I have to escape."

Will marched down the hall with purpose. Grayson had been secretly moving his weapons to Tug's stall in the stables. By the time Will got down there, Tug would be ready to go. Hopefully Will would not run into his father. A confrontation now would ruin all his plans. Araluen needed him. Everyone's life depended on his escape today. No matter what, Will would not let Araluen suffer would a crime they did not commit. It was not right. Will's eyes closed for a brief second. Even if it meant standing against his own father.

Reaching the courtyard, Will stayed to the shadows. His Ranger cloak was also with Tug. Once safely in the woods would he put it on. For now, he had to trust daily routines to keep himself hidden. The knights were on the far side, busy practicing with weapons. They knew they would be needing them soon. The servants bustled around. None of them even registered his existence, even one he almost ran into. Guards patrolled the castle walls. However, their purpose was to keep people out, not in. That was what Will had been hoping for. Silently he opened the stable door and vanished within.

Grayson, seeing his master enter, guided Tug out of his stall. The horse was well-groomed and well-fed. A good thing at least, Will thought grimly. Sensing something was amiss, Tug silently tossed his head. He was willing to obey the slightest command given. Grayson handed Will the reins. He then did a quick check of the saddle, weapons, and food supply. All had been carefully prepared. All was carefully hidden. As far as anyone was concerned, Will was simple going for a small ride. His weapons were there just in case anything happened to him. With Tug ready, Will led him outside.

If only things could have gone as planned.

"Stop!" barked Render.

Will felt his heart leap into his chest but kept walking. Render did not call his name. Maybe he was talking to a servant. Maybe he was talking to Grayson. That's what Will's mind said. His gut instinct told him that Render meant him. Bruce might have been getting suspicious. That would mean he would place Render on constant watch of the boy. That meant Will could not escape.

"I mean you, my lord," Render sneered as he stepped in Will's way.

"We need another plan," Tug snorted as he stopped.

"Tell me when you have one," Will hissed softly back.

"Where do you think you're going?" Render asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Will met the man's eye and said calmly, "Out for a brief ride. I should be back before lunch. Is there a problem?"

"Yes," Render growled. Slowly he bent his waist until his face was centimeters from Will's. "I have orders from your father. They think some enemy spies have gotten close to this castle, knowing that the royal family is here. My job is to make sure you don't leave."

"I have a plan," Tug let out a rumble.

Out of the corner of his eye, Will spotted Grayson. His servant and friend was indicating a path along the wall. Going up and over would put Will next to the bridge across the ravine. From there he could run on foot. But that meant leaving Tug behind and him making the journey on foot. He smiled warmly at Render as Tug butted his shoulder. If that's how it had to be. Araluen had to be warned.

His voice came out as a soft whisper, "Sorry, Render. Change of plans."

With that he dropped Tug's reins. The little horse reared, front hooves catching Render on the nose. He jerked back, hands reaching to stop the blood. Will darted past him, vanishing into the shadows. Several servants raced to calm Tug. Grayson was one of them. Casually, his movements hidden in the fray, he grabbed the materials Will needed for his journey. Once everything had been taken but the weapons, he vanished into the stable. It was not wise to alert everyone that Will had help.

Tug's distraction worked. As he shook off more servants, it became clear stronger hands were needed. The guards and knights leaped from their positions. That left the hole Will needed. Movements quick and smooth, Will raced up steps. A rope left by Grayson wrapped around a spear imbedded in the rock in case of emergencies. Then Will dropped over the edge. Landing on the small area of rock, Will struggled not to look down. Easily he leaped onto the bridge and raced towards the trees.

"Stop him!" Render's gargled voice bellowed.

Too bad Tug's distraction had worked wonders. No one understood what Render had meant. Will vanished into the trees right as some guards looked in that direction. To them, nothing was amiss. Only one truly saw what Render had meant. Bruce's fist struck the stone side of the window. So much were having it easy. Now he had to find his son.

That's when his eyes spotted Grayson leaving the stables.

Those brown eyes narrowed.

He should have known.

You all know how the escape ends. Next chapter may or may not be up by Saturday. Mostly likely on Saturday if I'm lucky. Don't worry, it will be up soon!