A/N Wheel of time/rangers apprentice.

Warnings: Abuse, runaway Will, Wolfkin Will, Warder Apprentice Will, Thief Catcher (Taker) Will.

...

Below the two Thief Catchers, one young in his mid-teens and the other in his mid-thirties stood on a rooftop. Two pairs of eyes watched the city below them. They were watching for a thief who had stolen the jewels of a young Lady. She had hired the older Thief Catcher. It just so happened that the younger was in the city as well.

The older man was Juilin Sandar. He had shaggy black hair that fell into his dark eyes. A tall man of six and a half feet. He was well muscled. Many would mistake him for a young Lord or a captain. That he had plenty of gold. The younger had seen him take five men with only his staff. Juilin wore a black tunic and trousers. He didn't wear any cloaks.

The younger was Will, he had no last name as he was a Ward of Redmont Castle. An orphan was brought in within weeks of his birth. He was now 16 years old and had left the castle when he was ten after begging the man to who he would be first apprenticed. Brown hair just as shaggy as his companion's fell into dark brown eyes. Will had studied under this man for two years off and on until he could take the Thief Catcher exam. A falcon was tattooed onto the inside of his right wrist. It was the mark of the Thief Catchers. If anyone didn't believe he was truly one of them all he had to do was pull off the gloves. Will wore a light brown tunic and trousers. A pair of gloves covered his hands. He wore a worn summer cloak that had dust from traveling.

Both of them carried a Sword-breaker. Sword-breakers were a thick staff with hard notches that would catch a blade. A skilled Catcher knew how to twist the blade so that it would break. Even direct attacks could break the blades if steel wasn't strong enough.

Unlike Juilin however, Will carried a sword. It was not the broad sword that his first teacher carried, the one who introduced him to Juilin. Instead, it was an average sword, its blade being 24 inches long. With practice, he had been able to go through his forms both one-handed and two. He was short but strong.

His first teacher was al'Lan Mandragoran. He preferred being called Lan, only those who had known him before the fall of his people called him by his full name. The man was a Gaidin, a Warder. Someone who was bound to an Aes Sedai, a woman who could channel the One Power. One Power or magic as others would call it. He didn't even want to think about what a woman could do with that power.

Will had spent three years with Lan learning the ways of the Warders. He had learned how to wield a sword and how to hide himself. Everything about being a Warder except about the bond. He was too young even now to be bonded to one of the women. After his three years, Lan had sent him off to train with Juilin. Only giving him a sword and his own Warder's cloak. There were several in his bag, one that fit and others that were too big. So that he could avoid returning to the Tower unless it was necessary. A Warder's cloak could only be made in the White Tower.

A falcon's cry came screeching above him and Will's eyes shot up to scan the sky. Aiden his silver winged falcon was high above their heads circling something to the rest. He did not have to say anything to his former teacher. They both ran lightly across the rooftops. Following the falcon who had been his friend for the last two years.

They stopped on a rooftop where Aiden landed waiting. Upon seeing him, the bird flew to his shoulder. Absentmindedly deft fingers were raised the pet the back of the bird's head. Aiden gave a happy sound. Their target was idly talking to what seemed to be a baker.

Once he was sure it was their target Will dropped from the roof in front of the man. Green eyes went wide with surprise as he stumbled back. Only to bump into Juilin who had dropped behind him.

Juilin ordered his voice deep, "Merit Kane you are under arrest. Give up now by order of Baron Tyron and authority of the Thief Catchers."

"Thief Catchers?" Croaked out the man in surprise, "In Dinol?"

It was Will who said, "Thief Catchers go wherever we are needed. I just happened to be in town when the call went out."

"You're a Thief-Taker?" Asked the man incredulously, "You can't be older than 14."

"16 actually," replied Will with a yawn as he pulled off his gloves revealing his tattooed hand, "You will make things easier on your if you give up now. The punishment the Baron will give you only gets worse if you resist. Besides, there are two of us. Can you really fight off two Thief Catchers?"

Will took notice of the person the thief had been talking to earlier. The man was trying to edge away from them without making it obvious. He also held what appeared to be a small blade likely a knife. Oh yes, he would need to watch this one. He didn't fancy getting a knife in the ribs for helping out a friend this night.

To the man, he snapped, "Don't try it. You won't like the consequences. Attacking a Thief Catcher has the same sentence as attacking a King's Guard."

For half a moment the person paused considering him. Then he sheathed the blade and raised his hands in defeat. There was a loud crack followed by a thud. Turning he saw that Juilin had knocked their teeth out. Already he was beginning to tie up the man. When Juilin caught Will's eye he shrugged.

It was an easy catch. They didn't have to chase the idiot out and through the city. That would have taken a while and he had a place to be tomorrow. Tomorrow he was due to be back at Castle Redmont. Only the Baron knew what he had been up to. When Lan took him in the agreement had been that he would be returned for an apprenticeship choosing. If he wasn't chosen by one of the Masters he would be allowed to do as he pleased. Whether that was to return to the White Tower or to go about his life as a Thief Catcher. The choice would be his.

For now, though they would go collect their bounty and return to the inn. On his shoulder, Aiden let out a soft sound and rubbed his head against Will's neck. Absentmindedly his free hand scratched the back of the bird's neck.

Together with Juilin, they headed towards the castle. Outside of the castle, they were met by the King's Guard who took the thief and paid them. Four silver marks were their payment. Split evenly it would last them a good while.