What If? - Rangers Apprentice

Mistake

This is an idea I had while re-reading The Battle for Skandia in the middle of history class. It takes place in chapter 38 when Horace stabs the Temujai attacking Will. 

SHIPS: Horace/Will (Either platonic or not you decide)

Enjoy! (If you have any requests or ideas feel free to let me know and I'll write it)

I DO NOT OWN RANGERS APPRENTICE SERIES 

MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH

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Horace sensed of someone directly behind him and pivoted rapidly, his sword swinging back, ready to cut side handed. Seeing the slightly built form of his friend there, grimly engaging a Temujai swordsman with his two knives, he widened his stroke and laid open the Tem'uj's forehead with the point of his sword. The trooper staggered away, hands to his face, sinking to his knees.

"What do you think you're up to?" Horace yelled, in between parrying another attack from the front.

"I'm watching your back," Will told him, as he blocked a thrust from another Tem'uj trying to take Horace from the rear. 

"Well, next time let me know," Horace said, grunting as he sides stepped a lance and hammered the hilt of his sword into its surprised owner's skull. "I nearly cut you in half just there!"

Horace flicked a rapid glance over his shoulder. Will was using the Ranger's double-knife defense to parry and block the Tem'uj's saber. But it wasn't a form of fighting he was particularly skilled in. Besides, it had been over a year since he and Horace had practiced the moves in the hills of Celtica. The Temujai swordsman was having the better of the exchange and in that quick glance, Horace had seen the blood seeping through the left arm of Will's shirt. 

"When I tell you, drop to your knees," Horace said. 

"Fine," Will replied grimly. "I may even do it before you give the word." 

In spite of himself, Horace grinned. Then, as he drove two attackers back, he called over his shoulder: "Now!" 

He sensed that Will had dropped to the ground and, flicking the sword into a reversed grip, he thrust backward and heard a startled cry. 

"You alright?" he called, reversing the sword again and deflecting hat persistent lance once more. For a moment, there was no response. Suddenly he felt a sudden jolt of fear that he had just stabbed his best friend. Deciding to get this over with and to check on his friend, he grunted in satisfaction as the lancer stepped a little too close and took the sword to his shoulder. As the man sank to the ground, Horace withdrew the sword, flicking it into a whirling overhand cut at the other Tem'uj. The cavalryman's thick felt helmet saved his life as the sword crashed down on it. Luckily for Horace however, there was enough force to knock him out cold. 

Now focused on will he turned around and nearly gasped as he saw the shorter boy. His fears from before was confirmed, he had stabbed Will. Blood was seeping from the wound in the ranger's abdomen. He did this. He hurt his comrade. He hurt his friend. Will. Tears sprang to his eyes, and before he could stop it they ran down his pale cheeks. Falling to his knees he put two fingers to Will's neck, hoping, praying there would be a pulse. It felt like hours he waited there, in reality it was only a few seconds, without finding one. 

A sob retched its way through his throat. Horace begged his best friend to breath. Eventually he couldn't take it anymore. So he screamed, "No! Will please, no! I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so so sorry, I love you! I didn't mean for this to happen, I swear!" 

By now he had forgotten about the Tem'uj that he never took down. His sword was resting at his side, blood covered his hands. It was only when he heard a hissing sound flying by him, did he stop his sobbing to look up. The Tem'uj that caused this had been struck in the neck with an arrow. The man dropped to his knees, dead. "Evanlyn," The name felt sour on his tongue, foreign almost. The girl still had the archers firing, which was great since it saved his life. It just didn't save Will.

Reluctantly, he stood up, grabbed his sword and grimily fought with the Temujai who has surrounded him. But it was about five to one. Horace slashed at the men and tried to defend himself and Will's body as much as possible. He had defeated most of them but before he could fight the last two he was knocked to the ground. His life flashed before his eyes as the enemy rose his weapon, ready for the killing blow. 

And then he heard it. A blood-chilling roar and a huge figure was standing over him, plucking his adversary from the ground and throwing him a dozen meters to the side. Now he realized who it was. It was Ragnak, terrifying in his berserker rage. His shirt was had been reduced to ribbons and he had no more armor save for the massive horned helmet he wore. The battle cry came constantly from his throat as he plunged into the midst of the Temujai attackers, his huge double-bladed axe whirling in giant circles as he struck his enemies down on either side. 

He paid no attention to his injuries, or to protect himself. He slashed down as many men that had invaded his country as he could. As quickly as possible to. In the midst of the fighting, he grabbed his sword off the ground ready to fight more, guilt still eating away at him for what he had done. Then he heard another sound. The familiar deep-throated thrum of a longbow. As he watched, the attackers seemed to fade away like water vapor. 

Knowing he was okay; he fell back to Will's side. The apprentice ranger's eyes were closed, skin pale and clammy. Horace felt the tears stream down his face again as he hugged Will tight enough to kill a man. He vaguely remembered Halt calling out to him, asking what happened. All he could say was the words, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." The last thing he saw before everything went black was the look of knowing horror on the senior ranger's face.

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Well, that was quite the ending. I mean I did say I was going to torture Will, but I guess this was more of torturing Horace...

Have a good day! 

- Kyra