Ranger's Apprentice: Tales Untold

Paperwork

"WILL! HE'S HEADING TOWARDS the castle!" His former mentor's horse thundered behind him. Will waved one hand in acknowledgment, pressing his knees harder into Tug's side.

"Come on, boy!" he shouted. The little horse burst forward with a new burst of speed, and Will hunched over. He scanned the area around them, only to see the surprised looks of the villagers.

"Blast it," he muttered. "Come on, come on!"

Their day had started out normal enough, not counting the Genovesan that had been spotted. To add icing to the cake, the man had been seen headed towards Castle Redmont. The only available target was none other than Baron Arald. Any attempt to catch the Genovesan by surprise was pointless now. He was closer to the castle, and surprise was abandoned for speed. 

The drawbridge came into view, and thankfully, it was down. Will pulled on the reins and Tug braced his forelegs, slowing to a stop. The Ranger leaped off the little horse, his feet pounding against the wood as he drew his knife. The thud of footsteps behind him told him that Halt was right by his side.

"Blast it, he's going to make it before us!" Halt uttered a string of curses. "We have to hurry."

"He's got to make it to the top of the tower first," Will said grimly. Shouts of alarm were all around them. "And this chaos isn't helping any." He hesitated, and then wheeled around. "You continue on towards the stairs. I'm going to climb the tower. He might well get to the stairs beforehand. And even if he gets there before us, he won't be able to escape with us on either side."

And before Halt could protest, he raced towards the Baron's study.

~<>~

BARON ARALD SIGHED AS he stood, collecting the stack of paperwork. "If I see another piece of paperwork I'm going to lose it," he muttered.

He looked up in mild surprise as a shout came from below. "Ranger, what do you think you're doing?" Arald sighed and headed towards the window.

"What in the name of heaven—?" His question was cut off as an exclamation of surprise escaped his mouth.

A familiar face had popped in his face, his eyes wide and frantic. "Baron Arald!" he exclaimed, clambering onto the ledge and dropping to the floor. "There's a—!"

The door slammed open, and the shouting increased. Vaguely, Arald thought he heard Halt's voice mingled in with the rest, and then his attention was diverted from both Rangers.

There was a flash of dull purple, the only warning given before the hand started towards him, a blade raised. Caught by surprise, still startled by Will's sudden appearance, he reacted without thinking.

The attacker snarled in annoyance and anger as the stack of papers fluttered everywhere, obscuring his vision. He had a glimpse of a green and gray blur, and then another knife in turn headed towards him. A dull pain flashed through his head, and then there was a dull thump as his body fell to the ground.

Will stood up, panting. He looked at Baron Arald, who stared at him in bemusement. "What in the name of heaven just happened?" the other man asked. Will shook his head.

"Well," he said after a moment, "I guess paperwork can be used as a weapon."