The Ranger's Apprentice - A New Story ON HOLD

Chapter 4- A Chance Worth Taking

Anna sighed as she stood, staring into the forest on the edge of the farming land. She had been here for about an hour before dawn, not being able to sleep. She stared back at the castle in the early morning light, and although her time there may not have been the best, she was sad to leave it behind. She continued to stare and think as the sun rose all the way into the sky.

"Don't worry," said a voice. Anna jumped and turned to face the voice. It was Will, and he was smiling. "You will be returning often," he finished. Anna nodded, but did not relax. Will sighed.

"Before we go to my fief, we have to get you a horse, or it will be a very long, hard walk," Will said. Will turned and rode into the forest. Anna hesitated, then ran to catch up. She ran up along side of Will and his horse and slowed to a walk. They traveled in silence until the forest started clearing and Anna saw a stable up ahead.

"Normally, I would wait until you were a couple months into your training to get you a horse, but because we have to travel to Seacliff, I am getting you one now." Anna nodded in reply. Will stopped and faced Anna.

"Anna, look. There is no need to be afraid of me. I know you may distrust Rangers, but I am not here to attack you, kill you, or do what ever you think I am going to do. I am here to be your mentor, to help you become a Ranger. I know this may not have been your first choice, nor was it mine when I was chosen. I promise you that we are not as bad as you think," He gave me a warm smile that made Anna realise that maybe she was being too harsh. Some fear still lingered though, and she tried to put it aside and try to trust Will.

"Yes, sir," she replied. Will continued to look her over, then nodded and continued on. Once they were out of the trees, Anna gained a complete view of the stable. It was not a large place, and it seemed slightly worn with age. The horses in the pasture nickered at Will's horse and a man came out of a stall, carrying a horse brush. He was a middle aged man, with rough hands but a bright face.

"Hello Will," said the man, "it's been a while. What brings you down here?" He was eyeing Anna, already suspecting why.

"Yes, it has been a while. I am here to get my new apprentice a horse. She is from the castle, and we are heading back to Seacliff, so a horse is needed. This is Anna by the way, Anna, this is Young Bob" Will replied. He jumped off his horse and greeted the man.

"So this is her! I was wondering who it would be. One of the only girl rangers I know of," Young Bob began to look Anna over, like a piece of meat he was about to cut, and Anna fidgeted under his gaze.

"I think I have just the right horse for her," he exclaimed, as he turned toward the pasture. Will followed, with Anna close behind. Young Bob grabbed a beautiful solid gray pony with a black mane and tail. Keane walked the pony over to Anna.

"This is Ping. Bring him over to the empty pasture and try him out," he said. Anna nodded and silently walked the horse up to the pasture, opened the gate and went in.

"Need help getting on?" Will asked. He had a mischivious smile that Anna did not like.

"No, sir." Anna put her foot in the stirrup and jumped on. As soon as she did, Ping shot out from under her and she fell to the ground. Will and Keane were laughing and Anna glared at them. She hated looking like a fool. She got up and dusted herself off.

"Is that why he is named Ping?" she asked Young Bob.

"Part of the reason. He is a Ranger horse, so you have to say a secret message to the horse in order to ride him. He is the fastest that I have seen when it comes to that," Keane confided.

"What do I say?"

"You say, 'With Permission?'" Anna nodded and went over to Ping and asked, "With Permission?" Ping then stood still as Anna got on again, and braced herself for Ping to shoot out. When he didn't Anna smiled. She had never been on a horse before, and it felt great. Young Bob saw her smile.

"Fun, right? Now kick and walk the horse around," he ordered. Anna did as she was told and went at a walk.

"You have great posture, a natural position. Kick again and go faster," Keane told her when she passed him. Anna kicke and the horse started trotting. She chuckled to herself as she felt the bounce of the horse make her vision vibrate. She kicked again and Ping went to a slow canter. She actually laughed this time, but cut short as Ping turned, and she flew off the horse. As she fell, she closed her eyes and felt her head hit the hard ground. She opened her eyes, then closed them when she saw her vision blur.

"Anna are you alright?" She heard Will ask.

"I'm fine, just bumped my head. Let's try again," Anna replied. She opened her eyes and started to stand. Her vision no longer was blurry but her head hurt. She felt Will try to help her up, but she pulled herself away. She had done everything on her own so far. She did not need help. Will pulled away, and followed her out the gate. Young Bob came up holding Ping.

"Don't worry," Keane said, "it takes a while to get the hang of it. Why don't you sit down." Anna nodded as Will brought her some water. she drank as she recovered from her fall.

"Are you sure you are up to going to Seacliff? It is a long way away. If you do not want to, we can stay at my cabin here in Redmont," she heard Will's voice as he sat down next to her. She shook her head and stood up.

"I am fine, and I want to start my training as soon as possible. I promise I will only ride Ping at a walk," Anna replied. Will stood up as well. It was about an hour after dawn and Anna grabbed Ping from Keane. 

"Leaving? Why don't you take some apples along with you on your trip. Goodbye!" Keane called. Anna bid him goodbye as well as she got on Ping and followed Will out of the stable.