Araluen's Peril

Chapter 1 Uprise

Hi all, before you read this story ill make the notice up here, i probably will mention this at the end. Disclaimers will be posted every few so chapters, i suppose the first chapter isn't at a prime state, ill look into it.

This fanfiction story has snipits of the whole rangers apprentice series by John F. and Brotherband chronicles books 1-4.

I want to point out that I haven't read the 5th brotherband book, Scorpion Mountain yet. So I won't be making any referrals from that story, no worries of spoilers for that.

Chapter 1 Uprise

A clouded, small, but built figure walks into the tangy old bar where all the sleazy sailors drink away their nights. His boots thumps as he walks through the rough tavern. He looks around making eye contact with everyone in the place, his eyes show no emotion but some dark light behind them. Everyone returns to their own conversations. He brings up the nearest stool and sits down on the counter. The innkeeper wipes some mugs with his grimy cloth. The figure looks at the innkeepers hand with slight disgust.

"What can I get yah ye fore'gner?" innkeeper asks.

"Nothing, but information, I suppose you might have a bit of that in your noggin' of yours?" with a silky smooth but imminent low threat stressed in each word.

The innkeeper looks at the small figure with surprise but recovers with a toothy smile, people around here always ask for information, good business aside from the drinks around.

" Why of course! What would you like to know? I have steady price for what information you would like!" with a high pitched voice, flustered with pleasure.

The stranger looks at him with unmoving, icy eyes. -Doesn't say anything. The innkeeper starts to shift nervously. He soon realizes how young this man is. But according to his eyes he also realizes that this is also a stranger that probably shouldnt be meddled with.

"Why, sea to air, air to sea, we can...ah... come to... some agreement.. of course that can be arranged" with some obvious attempt to be good-naturedly.

The shadowy figure nods, he slides his hands across the rough surface of the bar counter. 5 kroners appeared.

"Now there is more where these came from, however it depends on how easily you would cooperate" he stops waiting for the innkeeper to nod in acceptance. "what do you know about the treaty set place between the Araluen and Skandia?"

"Ah.. what I know is that it was ..." gulps nervously "was.. a treaty set uniting terms with the legendary Ranger, Will, and legendary Ranger Halt. It was also because to attempted invasion force of the Temujai of the eastern steppes."

Figure nods with acceptance of the information, "where do you think I can find this Ranger Will?"

Tavern keeper responds

"Aye, you can find him by Castle Araluen" in more of a silent voice. "Rumors say that there is a girl apprentice being trained by Ranger Will himself! Quite an extraordinary piece of.....idea" the innkeeper amended looking nervously.

"Quite intriguing, well thank you kind sir, here's your 5 kroners and 2 more for your cooperation, have a nice day" and then immediately walks out. The tavern keeper looks at the swinging door the figure just went out, he thinks, well that was certainly an interesting confrontation.

ooo

Around noon, the figure arrives at Ranger Will's cabin. No one was around so he sat on the porch leaving Phoenix grazing through the grass. He takes out a piece of bread and some jam and had a quick meal. -And dozed off on the steps waiting for the Ranger to come back. Soon enough he heard the digga-dum digga-dum of the 2 horses, Tug and Bumper he thinks. He lay still keeping his breathing even. Hearing Pritchard in his mind, having him reminded "keep your breathing even, so your unsuspecting presence being suspected." He smiles a bit of the thought, oh he will have to talk to this Greybeard Halt about an unfortunate death of a great man. And one of the forthmost "relieved ranger".