The Ranger's Apprentice - A New Story ON HOLD

Chapter 10- The Past Hurts

Anna kept her hood up as they rode up to Castle Redmont. It loomed on the horizon, and after three months in SeaCliff, Redmont felt welcome and huge. The castle at Seacliff is like a pebble at the bottom of a stream compared to Castle Redmont. Will rode up to the castle and the guard automatically recognized him and let them in. As they entered, there came an overwhelming of sound and people. Anna felt crowded and guided Ping carefully through the crowd of people. Will lead the horses over to the stables and dismounted. Ping eagerly ate the hay in front of him as Anna patted his neck and left to explore. She followed Will carefully through the crowd, because even though she had lived here all of her life, she was so isolated she knew no one. Will glanced at her.

"Take down the hood. It makes people feel uncomfortable," Will said, heading off to Jenny's Cafe. Anna hesitated, then gently lowered her hood. She instinctively reached for her hair to pull it out of the way, then realized how short it was now. Her hair used to be down past her shoulders, and was now a little below her ears. She followed Will into the cafe.

The inside of the cafe was not very crowded compared to outside, but it was busy enough to keep the chefs busy. Anna looked for Will in the crowd. She saw him making his way toward the counter, toward a chef. The young apprentice followed, trying to reach him. She stopped behind Will as he seemed to be unnoticed by the busy, female chef.

"Hello Jenny," Will said gently. She turned around, then smiled, her eyes full of joyous surprise.

"Will! Hello! I have not seen you in a while! Where have you been?" she asked excitedly.

"I have been in SeaCliff training my new apprentice, Anna," Will said. Anna eyes open with surprise, as she had not really been listening to the conversation.

"Nice to meet you Anna. I am Jenny, a friend of Will. He has told me quite a bit about you," Jenny smiled in greeting, and Anna smiled back, while taking a quick glance of questioning to Will. They talked a little bit more, but Jenny was suddenly overwhelmed with customers, and quickly retreated to the kitchen. Will bid farewell and left the restaurant. Anna silently followed. Will grabbed Tug, and jumped on. Anna looked in confusion, as it looked as if Will was getting ready to leave, after they had just gotten here. Anna was about to do the same with Ping when Will turned and faced Anna.

"I am going to speak with Halt for a bit, and if I am correct, you would not want to come," Will spoke knowingly. Anna nodded her head in reply.

"That is what I thought. It will probably be a while, but you can stay here and enjoy yourself a bit. We are returning to SeaCliff tomorrow. 

"But, Will-" 

"You'll be fine. Go wander around a bit, have fun, make a couple friends, or what not. I will meet you back here when the sky begins to turn orange," Will rushed. Anna said no more, but was upset, for it felt as if Will was trying to get rid of her. Will turned and left for the main gate, and Anna glanced up at the sky. According to the sun it was early afternoon, maybe an hour or two after midday. She sighed and made her way to the one place she knew, pushing her way through the crowd of people.

Anna stared up at the tree in which she spent so much of her time at Redmont in. Of course she could not go in it, as not only would she be in trouble, but because all of the leaves had fallen, it would provide no concealment from the crowds. She sat down at the base of the tree and silently observed her surroundings.

As people passed her, most recognized the ranger cloak and gave her a nod of respect, or gave her a quick glance and strode off. She just sat there though, thinking that if the people who acknowledged her knew who she was, those nods of respect would turn into mockery and disgust.