NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.
This is a very short chapter. It sets up the sequel Dripping Blood. This chapter was supposed to be the Prologue. I changed it for you guys. The first chapter of the sequel should be out later today.
Summer school is finally over. I have two weeks before I go back to regular school. I want to try and post as much as I can before that point. My schedule will be hectic since I'm also trying to get a job and getting more involved in the Christian club near me. I'm hoping for roughly two to three chapters a week.
Dripping Blood warning: Will and Horace are the primary characters from Ranger's Apprentice. Halt, Gilan, Crowley, Alyss, Cassandra, and Duncan appear here and there. Mostly in flashbacks that Will has. Just wanted to let you all know.
Now for the final chapter of Unknown Blood!
Review and Enjoy!
Unknown Blood Chapter 23
Roughly two years after the last chapter:
Tyler spurred his horse along the mountain cliffs of Quarize. He was nearly there. His heart pounded hard in his chest. There were signs all around him. Bad signs. Could it be that someone learned the truth? Were they after the only person that lived up here? He hoped not. He prayed not! After everything he had been through, after everything he put his brother through, he just wanted to lay low. But if his fears were true then any peace he had would be shattered.
The armed force turned down a hidden path in the mountains. Tyler's heart began to sink. He spurred his horse on even faster. Maybe he could get there in time. Maybe he could stop them. His entire world lived up here. The only hope for putting Quarize back together lived up here. If this person was killed then Quarize was doomed. King Bruce had no heir that he recognized. No more of the royal family was alive. Only one had any hope for the throne. The rejected one. The one that was ignored. Beaten. Forgotten.
One of the pine trees that grew here had been cut down. The gray horse snorted, readied himself, then jumped. Landing on the other side, Tyler felt his heart shatter. He was too late. They were gone. The cabin before had been torn apart. As the wind blew by, the door swung weakly on its last hinge. Slowly the gray stallion trotted over. Tyler dismounted and headed inside. He could see evidence of a massive fight. Tyler had trained the last heir well. Spots of blood could be seen here and there. Nothing suggested a kill. Nothing told him what to expect.
Entering the bedroom, Tyler spotted something that made his heart go could. He picked up the bits of unneeded rope. They did not kill the person Tyler was here to protect. No. They had captured the person. Quarize's king was now in possession of the only possible heir. However, Tyler knew what Bruce would do. Torture. Find out any information on Tyler and his allies. He would then kill the person. He would slay the only one besides himself and his brother who claim the throne from Bruce.
"I swear, father, if you hurt her then I'll kill you in the one way you fear," Tyler hissed to the darkened room. Then his eyes went southwest, to the only person who could help him.
"But first I need help."