The Ranger's Apprentice a New Era

Darkness Rises

Max awoke earlier than Jack did. He found Will looking at a letter. He seemed stressed and anxious. "Is something wrong Will?" "It's.... It's hard to explain. Have you heard the stories of when I was an apprentice?" "Yes! Of course I have! Who hasn't heard of how you destroyed Morgarath's bridge! Or how you protected the crown princess Cassandra from the hardships of slavery in Skandia!" "Something like that. Anyway do you know the story of how I helped defeat the Kalkara?" "Of course." "Well legends and rumors stated that there were only 3. But there have been recent killings in the Far plains. It is suspected to be bears. But no bears have been sighted on the plains since our people first settled here. But we wiped them out almost instantly." "So what is it?" "Well it has to be a fourth Kalkara. This one must be the alpha of the species. It clawed through steel armor in one paw. We think that this one will be harder to track and kill because it is stealthier, stronger, and faster than the others." Max thought for a long time. And then he spoke. "Do we have to deal with them?" "Of course we do. We are the closest fief to the Far Plains, even though we are miles and miles away." The door to Max and Jack's room opened just then. "What's all the ruckus about?" "We're going on our first mission Jack!" "Really?! What is it?! What's happened?!" Will decided to push into the conversation so that neither boy would lose their head. "Jack I'm sure that you are familiar with the stories of my adventures?" He nodded in reply. "Well in these stories you know, I helped kill the last 2 of the 3 Kalkara. But it has become a fact that there might be a fourth. And it has been taking on missions to kill. And in great amount. Whoever is doing this is either very rich or happens to live near a silver mine." The two boys could hardly contain themselves. Hardly any apprentices it to go onto missions with as much importance as this one, but they both got to go with the famous Will Treaty. "Now go pack your camping bags and stock your quivers. We'll be leaving in an hour and a half. I have to talk to the Baron about an old friend of mine who might be joining us." Max connected the dots a lot faster than Jack did. "Do you mean H...." "Yes I do mean him. Horace Altman. Or more popularly known as the Oak Leaf Knight. Now go pack your bags."
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Spirit nickered a greeting as the boys were preparing their horses for riding. They turned to see Will coming through the tree line on Tug. "Alright let's go. We need to make it to Castle Araluen in two days. And in case you haven't noticed its far away. Now saddle up and we'll head off. Do you have everything that you need?" It was a simple list. Bow, quiver with two dozen arrows, extra arrows, rations, camping gear, and strikers. The strikers we're a special Ranger weapon. It was a brass cylinder with blunt knobs on the ends. Jack made note of Will's special leather case. He always kept it close around the cabin, but neither boy knew what was in it. When the boys made sure they were ready to leave, they pulled themselves into their saddles and got settled. They began riding towards the Castle Araluen, but they kept conversations to a minimal. They never found a good subject to talk about for too long. When the sun was nearing the horizon they decided to camp for the night. Max took first watch of the night. "When that star is in the center of the sky, wake me for my watch." Max found a small crook against a tree that would make a nice resting spot for the night. He took his bow and quiver with him and got settled in. He noticed Jack having trouble getting to sleep. He tossed and turned in the camping bag, and either being too hot, and then too cold. Obviously from never changing with Max to the floor.

Max shook Will awake and took his turn of sleep. Finally right at home.
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When they finally arrived at castle Araluen it had been a day and a half's ride. They took the rest of the day to rest and refill. Will went to visit Queen Cassandra and talk to Horace, her husband. Horace was excited to go. It had been some time since he had been on an adventure, and even longer since he had gone with Will. Max and Jack were in saddling their horses when Will and Horace came up into the stable. Will on Tug and Horace on his battle horse Rampage. His old horse Kicker had retired a few years back. Kicker served him well but it was just the time. "Boys introduce yourself to Sir Horace." They waited for him to dismount before they greeted him. "Hello sir. My name is Max." "And I'm Jack." "Hello nice to meet you both. I hear you are Will's new apprentices. Has he worked you to the breaking point yet?" "Nearly. But I think we can withstand it. Least it's not the pain on just one of us." They all laughed and cracked jokes to each other for a while, then they headed in to eat dinner. They were the guests of honor, sitting at the head of the table. "Night seems a little dull, perhaps we could have some entertainment?" Horace looked to Will, stressing on entertainment. Will stood up and grabbed his leather case. When he pulled out what was inside, the boys were very surprised to find it was an instrument. A Mandola, similar to a mandolin but with more strings. Will played lots of songs that night, including, Old Joe Smoke, Will's variation of that called Greybeard Halt, and the knights Who's pants fell down. That one was the favorite of the younger citizens from the kingdom. When the night drew to an end, everyone went up to their rooms. "Rest tonight. We'll depart early tomorrow, so we can arrive to the far plains as soon as possible." Max and Jack were both given their own rooms. Even with the nice comfortable bed in his reach, Max continued to sleep on the floor. Best not to break a habit.
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A/N Hi thanks for reading. This was a fun chapter to write because I got to incorporate older characters, and I will continue to do so throughout the book. So please keep reading. BAI!!!