The Ruins of Gorlan- Character Reaction

23

"Your turn, Halt." The grizzled Ranger took the book and cleared his throat before beginning to read.

IN THE WEEKS FOLLOWING HIS FINAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE three bullies, Horace noticed a definite change in life at the Battleschool. Horace smiled.

The most important factor in the change was that Alda, Bryn and Jerome were all expelled from the school—and from the castle and its neighboring village. Sir Rodney had been suspicious for some time that there had been a problem among the ranks of his junior students. A quiet visit from Halt alerted him as to where it lay and the resultant investigation soon brought to light the full story of the way Horace had been victimized. Sir Rodney's judgment was swift and uncompromising. The three second-year students were given a half day to prepare and pack. They were supplied with a small amount of money and a week's supplies and were transported to the fief's boundaries, where they were told, in no uncertain terms, not to return.

"It makes me wonder where they went," Will said thoughtfully. Horace shrugged.

"As long as they're not here."

"And wrecking havoc somewhere else?" Halt asked.

Once they were gone, Horace's lot improved considerably. The daily routine of the Battleschool was still as harsh and challenging as ever. But without the added burden that Alda, Bryn and Jerome had laid upon him, Horace found he could easily cope with the drills, the discipline and the studies. He rapidly began to achieve the potential that Sir Rodney had seen in him. In addition, his roommates, without the fear of incurring the bullies' vengeance, began to be more welcoming and friendly.

"It's sad that there are people like that in this world," Alyss commented.

In short, Horace felt that things were definitely looking up.

His only regret was that he hadn't been able to thank Halt properly for the improvement in his life. After the events in the meadow, Horace had been placed in the infirmary for several days while his bruises and contusions were attended to. By the time he was released, he found that Halt and Will had already left for the Rangers' Gathering.

Will and Gilan both grinned at each other.

"Are we nearly there?" Will asked, for perhaps the tenth time that morning.

"Ten times?" Crowley raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of asking, Will."

"I was curious," Will protested.

Halt gave vent to a small sigh of exasperation. Other than that, he made no reply. They had been on the road now for three days and it seemed to Will that they must be close to the Gathering Ground. Several times in the past hour, he had noticed an unfamiliar scent on the air. He mentioned it to Halt, who said briefly, "It's salt. We're getting close to the sea," then refused to elaborate any further. Will glanced sidelong at his teacher, hoping that perhaps Halt might deign to share a little more information with him, but the Ranger's keen eyes were scanning the ground in front of them. From time to time, Will noticed, he looked up into the trees that flanked the road.

"I wonder why," Will said slyly.

"Are you looking for something?" Will asked, and Halt turned in his saddle.

"Finally, a useful question," he said. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. The Chief Ranger will have sentries out around the Gathering Ground. I always like to try to fool them as I'm approaching." Halt smirked.

"Why?" asked Will, and Halt allowed himself a tight little grin.

"It keeps them on their toes," he explained."They'll try to slip behind us and follow us in, just so they can say they've ambushed me. It's a silly game they like to play."