Ranger's Apprentices (Will X Reader) Book 1 (Discontinued for now)

Chapter 8

Halt examined the target Will and I had been shooting at and nodded. "Not bad at all, your shooting is definitely improving," he said.

Will and I grinned at each other, though that was probably the wrong thing to do at this point.

"With more practice, a lot more practice, you might even achieve mediocrity."

Will's face fell but I stayed with the grin on my face. It had only been a few weeks and I was perfectly fine with achieving mediocrity by Halt's standards. He dismissed the subject with a wave of his hand and Will and I sat our bows aside.

"That's enough shooting for now. Let's go," he said, and set off, striding down a narrow path to the forest.

Will and I looked at each other again, shrugged, and half ran to keep up with Halt's long strides deeper into the trees.

"Where are we going?" Will asked, speed walking on the other side of Halt that I was on.

Halt looked up at the trees above him and sighed. "Why do these kids ask so many questions?" he asked the trees. Naturally, they didn't answer.

We walked for about an hour, Will and I keeping steady pace with the Ranger before we came to a small collection of buildings deep within the forest.

I wanted to ask more questions, but by now I knew that Halt wasn't going to answer them, so I held my tongue along with Will and knew that sooner or later the Ranger would tell us why we were here.

Halt led the rest of the way to the largest hut, then stopped, signaling for Will and I to do likewise.

"Hullo, Old Bob!" he called.

I had a brief thought that it was quite rude to call someone "Old" whatever their name was (in this case Bob) but that thought was quickly forgotten when a man came out of the hut.

His beard was long and matted and a dirty white color. He was almost completely bald. As he moved towards us, grinning and nodding a greeting to Halt, I noticed Will catch his breath and I stifled a laugh, quickly catching mine as well. Old Bob smelled like a stable, and not a very clean one at that.

"Morning Ranger, and who are these young one's you've brung to see me?"

He looked keenly at Will and I, eyes bright and very alert, despite his appearance.

"This is Will and (Y/n), my new apprentices," said Halt. "Will, (Y/n), this is Old Bob."

"Good morning sir," Will and I chorused politely. The old man cackled.

"Call me sir! Hear that Ranger, calls me sir! Make fine Ranger's you will!"

Will and I smiled at him and then at each other. There was just something instantly likable about Old Bob, he seemed kind and familiar with the Ranger, making it instantly noticeable that they had some sort of history.

"Are they ready?" Halt grunted impatiently.

The man cackled again and nodded. "Ready they are in indeed!" he said. "Step this way and see them."

He led the way to the back of the hut, where a small paddock was fenced off. At the far side, there was a lean- to shed. A roof and supporting posts. No walls. I wondered what it could possibly be for when Old Bob let out a whistle.

Will and I jumped, grabbing onto the other's arm as if it were second nature, which it was.

"There they are see?" he said, pointing to the lean-to.

Will and I looked out and saw three small horses emerge and trot across the yard to greet the old man. As they came closer, I realized that two were ponies and one was a horse, a horse that could be either Halt's or Old Bobs, and I assumed it was not Old Bob's.