A/N: The prompt for this one is "radio silence". Does the world of Ranger's Apprentice have radios? No. Did I still make it work? I'd like to think so.
Crowley sat at his desk, tapping his fingers against the polished wood and staring at the stack of reports that had just been delivered. He had already flipped through them briefly, but he reached forward to check them over again, searching for one name in particular.
It wasn't there.
He tried to convince himself it was nothing. After all, missions like the one Halt was on didn't allow for constant communication. There could be a multitude of reasons why Halt hadn't made contact.
Nevertheless, it was nearing two weeks since he had heard from Halt and the silence was making Crowley uneasy. On one hand, it could simply be that there was no easy way for Halt to send a message. Or he had sent a message and it had been delayed or lost on route. It would not be the first time something like that had happened.
On the other hand, however…
The mission had come with dangers. None that Halt was unprepared to fight, but danger nonetheless. And Crowley trusted Halt's capabilities—Halt was one of the best, if not the best, Rangers under Crowley's command—but ill chance could happen to anyone.
The weeks continued to pass and Crowley's unease turned to concern turned to worry. The castle's communication master took to preemptively shaking his head every time he saw Crowley, already knowing what he would ask.
The silence was almost more than Crowley could bear.
Then one day Crowley was in the castle courtyard and Halt rode in. He was swaying slightly and stumbled on the dismount. Crowley caught his elbow, steadying him while checking for any obvious injuries.
Halt must have sensed his apprehension. "I'm fine, Crowley," he reassured. "It's nothing a hot meal and a long rest won't fix."
Crowley grinned widely for the first time in weeks. "Well then, you've come to the right place."