NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.
I'm still shocked at how much support I'm getting! A lot more than I expected. It's truly touching. Thank you all so much! I just got a shot that should limit the pain I'm in (from my wrist). Along with all the ergonomic tech my mom has bought for me, I should improve. "Should" being the key word there.
AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon and Pennydragon: I know sticking my finger in a door is a bad idea. It was so unplanned for. And it hurt…a lot…but no real damage other than a scrape. Still, I appreciate the care.
Guest 3: Thank you so much for the support! Your review only just came in…don't know why…but it lifted my spirits so much. I'm glad you're enjoying my story (or stories if you've read the others).
Your support has encouraged me to get this chapter done (it has nothing to do with the fact my online class website crashed and I have nothing to do. Nothing to do with it at all…maybe a little…BUT your support still encouraged me to get this done!)
Review and Enjoy!
Unknown Blood Chapter 21
Araluen's scouts spotted the Quarize army several hours before they crested the hill. Halt and Crowley were surprised about their chosen position. A charge would put them directly in the center of Araluen's forces. Duncan did not question it. The large force placed themselves directly opposite. The rest were split to either side, hidden by trees. Rangers kept scouting on either side. Crowley expected a surprise attack to come from either side. But the Quarize men never wavered. Their march was consistent.
Halt was starting to suspect that Will and Tyler were somehow involved.
Cassandra, Alyss, and Jenny crouched on the battlements of Castle Redmont. Before them, lined in several rows, were the men of Araluen. In the middle was a clear space. Duncan, Baron Arald, Halt, Crowley, Sir David, Gilan, Sir Rodney, and Sir Horace sat calmly. The men of Araluen kept glancing at the center group. Their calm demeanor was spreading through the army. They trusted their king and his advisors. Unknown to them, the main group was terrified. Duncan's jaw was set. Baron Arald and Sir Rodney kept glancing nervously at each other. Sir David was as still as stone, his blood seemingly frozen in his veins. Gilan and Sir Horace were staring ahead, not focusing on anything but the hill Quarize would appear over. Only one was calm
Halt felt his stomach clenching tight with fear. He knew he had to remain relaxed. He alone had been looking forward to this fight. Regardless of orders, he would join the initial attack. He was not going to risk Bruce or Tyler getting killed before he tore their heads from their shoulders. Those dark eyes studied the hill he would have to fight his way up. Tyler told him that Bruce and Othon would hold back, furthest from the enemy. A snarl slowly curled on his face. They were cowards, liars, and clever. Halt hoped that when Will saw his friends alive, the boy would forget everything and come running to them. He did not want his apprentice to be mistaken by the Araluen soldiers.
Unknown to Halt, every Ranger still alive was planning an attack on the central command. They wanted to see just how smart these leaders were. Could they match every Ranger still left standing? No matter what, these men would protect one of their own. Rangers are a loyal breed after all. Unlike Halt, however, they were planning to be more cautious. They intended to use the skills they were best at: silent movement, archery, and camouflage. Will was going to be free of his family's control. That was an oath every Ranger muttered under their breath.
Dust was the first clue of Quarize's arrival. It was stirred by the many marching feet. Horses' hooves sent it billowing behind them. Araluen farmers had made certain of this. While the army desperately tried to push them back, they had been hard at work removing as many plants as possible. One, it would clear the ground for Araluen's mounted cavalry. Two, it would loosen the soil, allowing it to fly as the men marched. Soon the rising sun was glinting off of the armor. The Quarize army kept marching, showing off their strength of numbers, until the central command could be seen. Then the men stopped and remained still. Araluen's response was simple. The first line went to one knee, bracing their spears in the ground. Behind them, the second line lowered spears to chest level. Two deadly rows of razor sharp spearheads. The Battehorses pawed at the ground, sensing the fight coming, seeing the enemy.
For several long minutes, the only sound was the wind flapping the flags.
Halt's eyes bore into the opposite command center. He could see Tug standing between a white horse and a paint. Bruce on Will's right with Othon on the left. Even with Araluen preparing to attack, they kept their only heir trapped between them. Abelard, Blaze, and Cropper tossed their heads. On the other side, Tug copied the action. He knew who they were. He knew friends were waiting for him and his rider. A snarl of rage appeared on Halt's lips. Bruce had just laid a hand on Will and pulled the young man back. Will did not fight or argue. Heart pounding in his chest, Halt realized that Tyler had been right…
Will believed them dead…
And was planning to kill his own father in cold blood.
Gilan and Horace exchanged a look behind Halt. They saw it as their personal duty to help Will. Horace was his best friend. Gilan was like a brother. Both knew that the other Rangers were also going to be attacking the command center. Both understood that Halt would be charging in at the first moment he possibly could. Horace's hand flexed on the hilt of his sword. Gilan fingered the arrow he had chosen the moment Quarize had appeared. One licked his lips while the other bit his. Kicker and Blaze remained relaxed. The moment Gilan and Horace gave the signal, they would charge, gathering speed in a matter of minutes. They could see their friend and his rider. Like their riders, they knew Will and Tug would have nothing to do with this. They, too, were loyal souls. Nothing would stop them from saving their friend.
Cassandra, Alyss, and Jenny exchanged a glance. Then, with nod, both Alyss and Cassandra pulled away. Jenny remained on watch. The other two headed for the back. Late last night they had prepared for this. Reaching the chosen spot, Cassandra grabbed a rope, tossed it over, and descended. Alyss followed shortly behind. At the base of the wall were two horses. These animals were built for speed. The two women rode quietly into a clump of bushes. Here they would await Jenny's signal. Then they too would join the fight. Their goal was to reach Will, help the others to show him how Tyler had played him. But unlike Halt, these girls knew that Will, deep down, still loved his father. Yes, the man had made mistakes. Yes he had chosen to attack Araluen. However, he was only doing what he thought was right. Will only hated him now because he thought Bruce had taken everything away from him.
Alyss did not want Will to lose his father.
No one knew who started it. It seemed to be by mutual consent and understanding. One minute everything was quiet and tense. The next it was loud, thousands of voices being raised. Quarize's trumpets blew the call to charge. Feet pounded into the ground, making it shake. Araluen's cavalry charged from either side. The men-at-arms braced for impact. Almost all of Quarize's men were open. It was then Duncan signaled for the red flag to be raised. Charging from the trees were the rest of their forces, both men and horse. Quarize desperately tried to stop and turn but it was too late. Araluen's forces crashed into them like a tidal wave. The men-at-arms who were initially in the way never had someone hit them. Instead they dropped their spears and charged into the fray. They were not going to be left out of the fight. It was then things started to happen:
Duncan and Crowley noticed that Halt, Gilan, and Horace were missing.
Jenny gave Alyss and Cassandra the signal to go.
Bruce and Othon noticed their guards being shot down.
Every Ranger made the charge for one of their own.
A whistle echoed over the land and battle.
Next chapter will be up later. It's already in the making. Should be up tomorrow or Thursday…maybe sooner…
Thanks again for all the support!