The Ranger's Apprentice a New Era

Max

"Alright Max what's up, you haven't said a word the entire meal?" Jack had been Max's best friend since both of their parents had died. Jack's parents died of sickness. Max's mother had died during birth and his father during the war with Morgarath. When the mighty warrior Horace who was only 16 or 17 at the time had defeated him. When the Ranger Halt had taken out a force of the sea pirates called Skandians his father was taken in battle. Max's full name was Maxwell Holdor. One of his very few but excellent talents was cooking and knowing good food. "Master Chubb has made better meals." He muttered to himself. "Oh I'm sure he has but there is something else Max what's bothering you?" This time it was Grace. Oh how he loved her. He sometimes could hardly contain himself around her. This was not one of those times. "Alright do you really want to know?!" "Yes just spit it out Max for god's sake!" "Alright fine. I'm stressed! But I have a reason! Ok?! What if I don't get a craft master?! Well?! It's possible! I don't want to be sent off to one of those ruddy farms!" Everyone in the rooms looked at him with shock as their only expression. He walked out before anyone had time to react. "What was all of that shouting?!" Baron Arald and Master Chubb had both walked in. Arald awaited an answer. Then he heard the door slam and noticed Max was gone. "Oh. Is Max having stress issues again?" All of the ward mates nodded. "Master Chubb you seem to connect with the boy more, and he probably feels more comfortable with you anyway. Why don't you go talk to him." "Of course sir." Master Chubb walked out following Max. "Max! Maxwell! Stop at once!" But he was already out the door. Max ran across the courtyard to his secret spot. The spot was a small cooking pit under some loose bricks. He lit it with some flint and iron that he snatched off of the Baron's desk. He began putting in small herbs and assorted meats into the small pot. "Something smells good. What are you making Maxwell?" "Oh Master Chubb you startled me, I'm just making a small stew." He began pouring a small bottle of wine into the pot. "And where did you find these ingredients?" "I may have swiped ten from the kitchen while you were out." He received a hard whack to the head from the wooden spoon Chubb always carried. "And the wine?" Chubb asked. "I may have harvested some from the cellar." Another whack. "I'm sorry I didn't think anyone would-" Master Chubb cut him off. "Anyone would what, notice that you stole ingredients from my personal stores? Or wine from the Baron?!" Chubb was shouting so loud that he could have woken a hibernating bear. "I'm sorry!" He shouted tears coming to his eyes. "I just wanted to make something to impress you!" "Well now you have completely shattered your chances! Come here I am taking you to the Baron!" Suddenly out of nowhere a hand came out and latched onto Master Chubb's wrist with an iron grip. "What in the name of sanity?!" "Let the boy go Master Chubb." Max looked up and saw the last person he would ever even think to see. Will Treaty. The Ranger. A friendly but mysterious person to see. Will was the only ranger at castle Redmont now that the old ranger, Halt, had retired and settled down. Will could often be seen patrolling the castle, if he wasn't in the walls in the first place. Rangers are known to be mischievous and strange, using black magic to hide in walls and trees. "Did you not here what I said? Let the boy go!" Master Chubb let go and ran back to the castle, as fast as he could. Which was very fast for a man of his stature. "Now about you Maxwell." Wills eyes stared straight into Max, as if reading his thoughts, and secrets. "I want you to go to the Baron and apologize for stealing some of his wine. And then go to the kitchen and apologize to master Chubb about taking his herbs. You got it?" Max nodded quickly and began walking off. He stopped, with a thought that had been idling in the back of his head when Will appeared. "How did you know Chubb would follow me here? And what were you doing here?" "I was in the kitchen when you stole the herbs, and in the cellar when you stole the wine. Fine work I must say. Probably better than mine when I was your age." "I didn't steal the wine though, Jack did. I just took the blame." "I know. I just wanted to see how honest you were." Max ran off. Max was very quick and he was very small in stature. So was Jack, but that's what made them get along do well. When he got back to the dining room where all of the other children in the ward were still having dinner, he grabbed Jack and pulled him out of earshot from the others. "Will knows what we did." "Who's Will?" "Will Treaty. The Ranger. Ring any bells?" "Wait you mean he knows I stole wine, and you stole those herbs?" "Yes and he wants us to apologize to the Baron, and me to Master Chubb." "Ok let's go." He and Jack ran up the steps to the baron's office, and knocked on the door. "Come in." They heard muffled slightly by the door. They slowly pushed it open the hinges creaking loudly as it moved. "Hullo boys, what brings you here?" It was Jack who spoke first." Baron Arald, I stole some wine from your personal cellar." They both waited as the Baron contemplated what had happened. "What?! You stole from my personal stores?!" "Not the entire bottle sir just enough to fill a small cask." Still Jack spoke. "Well, how old was it?" "It was just a 10 year sir." "Oh well that's not so bad. Alright boys all is forgiven. But thank you for being so honest." "Your welcome Baron Arald. Come on Jack I have to go to the kitchen now." They both left, Jack stopped at the boys dormitory and went in. "Good night Max I will see you tomorrow." "Good night Jack." He ran to the kitchen and knocked on the door. "What?! Who's there?" "It's Max sir." "Oh don't come in yet!" "Ok sir." A minute later he came out. He was covered in flower. And what he thought was egg yolk. "What do you want?" "I've come to apologize sir. I felt bad about taking those herbs from you." "Well, you are forgiven for now. But don't think I won't forget what you did boy." "Of course sir. Good night." He walked off quickly and ran to his bed. He didn't realize how tired he was until he had laid down. He fell asleep almost immediately.