The C.I.A. in the Works of John Flanagan

6

The Heron

The next morning,  the Herons  cleaned up camp and packed everything aboard the Heron.

About an hour after leaving  Shelter Bay, Jesper winked at Cora, who just giggled, waiting for her plan to unfold. Isack had told her the previous  morning  that if Jesper irritated him one more time, he was going overboard.

Talk about a rude awakening.

Jesper walked up to Isack and started a casual conversation  about their axes and different  techniques.

As Jesper walked away, he patted Isack on the head.

Isack slowly turned to the Skandian.

"Why did you just touch my hair?" He demanded angrily.

"Ummm..." Jesper  stuttered, backing up.

Araluen

The boys were natural rangers, Gilan realized. They were picking up  the skills rapidly, so it was time to get their horses.

"Don't  bother practicing." Gilan told the boys.

"Why not?" Austin asked, shoving Stephen.

"Because we're  going on a trip."

"Really? Where?" Stephen asked, punching Austin in return.

"That's a surprise."

A while later, a stable came into sight, and that's where  they headed.

There was an old man who came around the side of the building, and waved to them.

"Ranger Gilan! Two apprentices? Aren't  they a bit much to handle?" He questioned,  eyeing the two boys suspiciously as they both  tried to look innocent.

"Hello Old Bob. Sometimes they are. Are the horses ready?" Gilan  asked.

"They sure are. Right this way."

They were led to a bay mare and two smaller horses, both grey.

"Which one's  mine?" Stephen asked.

Old Bob pointed toward one of the horses, and Stephen, being the person he is, just rushed  to mount the horse. As he tried  to get the horse to walk, he felt the  muscles in its shoulders tense up, and he was unprepared  for what happened next.

He was thrown from the saddle, and had his breath knocked out of him.

"Stiv you idiot." Austin  laughed. "Ranger horses need code words before you can ride them."

The Heron

Everyone  on board fell silent, watching the confrontation.

"I'm... I'm  sorry..." Jesper stuttered.

Next he knew, Isack had a hold on the front of his shirt, and his feet were no longer on the ground.

Ingvar, who of course had no idea what was going on, just heard a splash.

"Hal, what was that?" The large boy  questioned his skirl.

"That, Ingvar," Hal laughed. "Was Jesper. Ulf, Wulf, pull him back up."

Isack made his way to the bow, where Cora  was leaned against the railing.

"I'm sorry Isack, I really wanted to see that happen so I kinda told him to do it." She smiled, laying her head on his shoulder.

"You're fine, he had it coming." He replied, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"Oh really? Why?" Cora asked with a devilish smile.

"Well..."

"Just say it silly."

"I may have gotten a tiny little bit possessive when he was flirting with you and not listening about you needing space."

"Ha! You finally  admitted you're possessive!"

"Blaaah!"