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 get me wrong, I'm not angry, I'm furious. I never said my writing was good and I admitted that this was all practice for me so I could get better. But yesterday I asked a friend (we aren't very close but I still counted him as a friend) to critique my writing. The response I got back made me feel worse than dirt. It's not the first time I've gotten such comments, though most of them have been given to me privately. I am a real person, with emotions, and most of friends are often worried about me because I have stress and nervousness issues. I'm prone to panic attacks at the worst times. Though I rarely admit, there are times I'm depressed (no I'm not clinically depressed but I do drop to those lows occasionally). However, I've tried to keep fighting through those days but words like those hurt me more than anything.

"Why?" you may be wondering. Well, all my life I've been looked down on. I was bullied verbally from second grade through sixth grade. People use to avoid me in middle school because I'm not adept at social interactions due to years of hanging out with kids years younger than me. I'm also hard of hearing, a fact my bullies used to their advantage. People treat me as lesser because I can't hear very well. I rely on my spell check to help with my writing because certain sounds don't connect in my brain as they should due to my hearing. I've spent my whole life trying to prove that my hearing doesn't mean I'm not smart or capable of doing things on my own. The way some people have treated me just because I have to ask them to repeat due to my hearing hurts. I'm your equal. I'm not lesser in any way. But when people insult me like that or point out that my spelling isn't always correct in my stories, it feels like your stabbing me with a hot knife.

Many of you may not have realized this so I forgive most of you. But some of you, and others outside of here, have crossed my line. And believe me when I tell you that my line is very hard to cross. It takes a lot to make me as mad as I am now. My stress levels right now are bad. I am in pain from my wrist, my knee, and back spasms. On top of that I have some people telling me that I shouldn't even try to write, that I'm no good at it. I don't need it and I won't tolerate it. The fact that I dedicated most of this fanfiction chapter to this rant should tell you that.

So remember, please, that I'm a human being who writes because it calms me down, helps me get through life. To see anyone even slightly enjoy my writing brings me a sense of calmness and happiness. I've tried to ignore the more barbed comments, knowing that most of you probably don't mean it that way. And this doesn't just go for me. I've seen how people bully others on the Internet. I know someone who draws, whose art people have been claiming as their own, and telling her to go kill herself when she tries to fight them. She is clinically depressed and has thought of suicide many times. Your words hurt more than you know. Remember that.

Sorry for the rant. I had to get off my chest before I snapped at mother and had to explain it to her.

Review and Enjoy! (Sorry this chapter is shorter)

Unknown Blood Chapter 18

Quarize

Othon and Bruce approached Will's tent, not knowing what had just transpired within. The guards were at attention. They knew that the life of the heir was in their hands. Seeing their king and his brother, they saluted, arms crossing their chests. Othon waved them aside. They obeyed, holding open the tent flaps to let them in. Othon and Bruce didn't even give them a second glance. Due to this, they didn't see the triumphant smiles the guards passed to each other.

Will glared angrily at them as they approached. Those brown eyes told them that he was never going to forgive them. They, however, did not know what he believed had happened. Had they known, they would have reassured him that his friends were still alive. But it did not matter to them. Will was securely tied to his post. He was not going anywhere. Most importantly, he could do nothing to them or to help his friends.

"Will," Bruce said calmly, coming to knees before his son, "We will reach Castle Redmont in a few short days. By then I would rather have you at my side than tied up in here."

A cold snarl appeared on Will's face, "Of course you do. You want me to watch as you destroy everything I care for. You want me to be a hollow as the two of you."

"We aren't hollow. We're free," Othon replied gently.

Will's head shook, "You're hollow and crazy. Can't you see that destroying Araluen means destroying me? They built me, helped me to grow into the man I am today. Without them, I would be dead alongside my mother and my uncle."

"You don't understand, son," Bruce whispered, placing a calm hand on Will's cheek. "Araluen has made you weak. I know they helped you to become the man you are. However, our enemies are constantly waiting to strike. They want to destroy us. Most importantly, they'll see you as the heir and think our country is weak. We can't let them see weakness in us."

Will cocked his head to left, analyzing his father's words, before asking, "Wouldn't taking all of the Quarize forces from our home be considered weakening us? I mean, wouldn't they attack when our army is no longer there to stop them?"

"They can't," Othon growled happily. "We only brought half of our forces into this conflict. Our country is a lot larger than you know, young Will. We've trained so many young men to fight in our name, under our crest. The rest of our forces are on the defensive. Our enemies wouldn't dare attack."

"Please, son, understand we want what is best for you. Stop trying to fight against your family, your own blood," Bruce begged, touching his forehead to his son's. He did not know it but this was the same position Tyler had been in as he discussed the plan with Will.

With a shuddering breathe, Will closed his eyes. He was exhausted. He was in pain, both physical and emotional. His heart beat faster, his stomach tightened, as he thought of his role. But he knew he had to do it. No matter how revolting it was. He had to fight them but not the way he had been doing before. I'll play you like you played me, he thought. Those brown eyes opened, letting a look of tired acceptance appear on his features.

His eyes met his father's as he spoke, "Alright. I'll fight with you. However, promise me that you won't hurt Alyss."

A burst of rage ran through his body as a look of guilt flashed through his father's eyes. But then his father smiled and nodded, sealing a promise that was too late to make. Othon cut Will's bonds with knife. Bruce pulled his arms under his son's body and legs and lifted him up. They escorted him to their shared tent. Here Will would be caught up on the plan to attack Araluen. Tyler had told Will how he had captured and killed the spy. Using the spy's connection to the King, he had sent false information on Castle Redmont's defenses and on the army's camp. As they caught Will up on the plan, he could see how Tyler's false information would have them trapped. A smile spread larger and larger deep within. He was going to enjoy watching his father and uncle fall.

Castle Redmont

Tyler moved through the shadows like a wraith. His plan was in motion. Too bad this had to be part of it. When Will found out, he would be furious. After all, Tyler had given him the largest lie of all. His brother was not on his side. His brother did not care what happened to Will's friends. They were just a means to an end. Their lives meant nothing compared to his desire and obsession for revenge. All of his plotting was now coming to a close. One way or another, Quarize would be decimated. It was not enough to kill his crazy family. No, he wanted his family had ever built to stand. It did not matter how many lives were lost.

Even if those lives were those closest to his brother.

Easily and quietly he turned the nob that led to the apartment. Inside were several sleeping figures. However, Tyler knew how to sneak in and out without being noticed. His long dagger was hidden up his sleeve. The cold metal pressed against his skin. That would be the last thing she would feel. Cold steel cutting open her throat. With care, Tyler moved through the group towards the back. Beyond another door was a bedroom. Two sleeping women were inside. One was the Princess Royal of Araluen. The other was Alyss.

A sickening smile touched his lips. Alyss was sleeping peacefully, not knowing she was about to die. To see such a beautiful young woman sleeping peacefully might have given a killer pause. But Tyler was no ordinary killer. All he could see was his brother stabbing Bruce through the heart. All he could see was his plans coming to fruition. Then he could happily say his life was a success. The dagger appeared, reflecting the moonlight briefly. With no excess movement, Tyler place it beyond her neck, lining it up perfectly.

But that's where everything went wrong.

Alyss suddenly grabbed his wrist, holding it firm. Cassandra sat up with a dagger in her own hand. Tyler could hear the faintest whispers of feet. His eyes, accustomed to the darkness, could see that he was surrounded by Rangers. They had replaced the normal sleeping guards. All of them had been trained to act as if they were sleeping. Now he was trapped. With a long hiss, he released his dagger. Not only was he caught but he was caught in the act. There was nothing he could do to say otherwise.

As the Rangers tied his hands behind his back, he smiled causally at Alyss.

"At least I convinced my brother. Come time, he will slay our father without a second thought. My dear Alyss, you should have seen how his heart shattered to here that you were dead."

That's when Halt punched him in the jaw. He sagged to floor, unconscious.

I'm not going to continue the short crossover unless people ask for it. Again, sorry for the rant.