Ranger's Apprentice - Race For Halt

Ch. 2

Will knocked on the door of Gilan's office.
"Just one minute!" Gilan called from inside.
So naturally, Will walked inside.
"We need to talk. Now." Something in his voice must have been stronger than usual, because Gilan didn't even speak about Will's interruption. He dropped everything and sat on his desk.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Halt is-" Will choked.
He couldn't do it. He'd ridden all the way from Redmont to Araluen with only one mindset. Hurry.
Now that he was here, what was he going to do? He couldn't make himself say the words. And he didn't feel like fighting with Gilan if he didn't let Will leave for a few weeks.
"Will, what's wrong with Halt!" Gilan was standing now, shaking Will's shoulder. Will had spaced out, and hadn't heard Gilan's questions. He also hadn't noticed his own tears shining in his eyes.
"Will! Will Treaty!" Gilan screamed.
Will snapped back.
"I...I'm sorry," He said.
"What happened to Halt?" Gilan said for the fifth time.
"He's..." Will couldn't bring himself to say dying. "He's sick."
"Sick?" Gilan pressed.
"Yes, it's a rare sickness and they can't find a cure." Will managed.
Gilan slipped back down on the desk, eyes wide with shock. He ran a finger through his hair.
Silence filled the room for several seconds.
Then the tears came. Gilan tried to fight them, but he couldn't, and Will didn't blame him.
"Well," Gilan said, so quiet it was almost a whisper. "Maybe it's his time."
Will stood so abruptly his chair fell back with a loud band.
"What!" He boomed in rage. Gilan flinched in shock.
"Will, you and I both know Halt is-" Gilan couldn't even finish.
"Let me tell you what I know Halt is. I know that Halt is my mentor. I know he is stronger than an army of 100 men. I know he's wise. I know he's capable of persevering through anything. And I know he can make it through this, with a little help!" Will finished with a loud sigh. "Which is why I'm here."
Gilan pushed any anger or shock of Will's outburst back. Now, curiosity sprang.
"What?" He asked.
"I need you to give me a leave statement for a few weeks." Will said. "I know someone who can save Halt. In Macindaw."
Will had came with the expectation that Gilan would share his own concern for Halt, and therefore let Will go without question. After all, Gilan had to see the importance of this situation, as Halt's first apprentice. He wasn't expecting what happened next.
"I can't do that," Gilan sounded genuinely heartbroken. Will didn't care.
"Excuse me" Will said in a dangerously low voice.
"Will, if Halt is-" Gilan choked on the words. "Sick...he won't be able to look after Redmont in your absence. And I can't afford to send another Ranger in your place. You have to stay here, it's where you're needed."
"And leave Halt to die?" Will burst back. "I don't think so, Gilan! Maybe you just don't care for him as much as I do, but I have to do this! After all he's done for me, I can't let him die over some lousy disease!"
Gilan's face became contorted with anger.
"You think," his voice trembled in rage, "that I don't care for Halt? You dare suggest I took that news easy! Will, of all people, you should know better! This is no easier for me than it is you! But I can't afford to send you off. Now, I've said it before, but this time you'd better listen to me, and listen good. As your superior as Ranger Commandant, I forbid you to leave your post at Redmont!"
Both men stood, shaking with outrage. When Will finally replued, his voice was no louder than a whisper.
"Then I guess you leave me no choice." The Ranger reached into his shirt and pulled out a shining silver medal.
"Will," Gilan pled. But the Ranger had already laid the oakleaf in the Commandant's palm.
"Don't do this," Gilan said. But Will shook his head sadly.
"I have to," He replied. "When I was in Skandia, Halt risked his Ranger title to save me. Now, it's my turn." With that, he turned to leave.
"Will," Gilan called. The ex-Ranger turned around. "Good luck."
Will nodded and left, feeling more empty then he ever had before.

This book is starting off so depressing, but I promise it won't be this way forever!