Ranger's Apprentice - Race For Halt

Ch. 3

Will closed the office door behind him in a whirl of emotions.
He was no longer a Ranger. The one thing that had made his life worth living, the job that saved him from a life of dull farming, was now gone.
All that Halt had worked so hard to teach him was thrown away.
Will didn't understand. He wanted to believe this was the right decision. But was it?
Nevertheless, this mission had gotten harder than expected. Now, Will couldn't use the Ranger title. He was a simple, lowlife, unemployed traveler.
So, he'd need some help.
In minutes, he was knocking on yet another door.
"Will!" A cheerful voice exclaimed once the door was opened.
"Horace, we need to discuss something." Will replied. Horace frowned and moved aside.
"Come in." He said. Will did. He looked around the living space, but nobody else was present.
"Cassandra?" Will asked.
"Arranging a meeting with a few other rulers, why?" Horace asked. Will ignored the question.
"And Madelyn?"
"In her room. What's going on, Will?"
Will set off into an explaination. He went from Halt's sickness to the turning in of his own oakleaf.
"I need help," Will finished. "I'm going to find Malcolm."
Horace ran fingers through his hair.
"Will, I want to help, but...I can't just leave. Being King has put an end to my journies. Is there...any other way I can help, besides leaving the castle?"
Will knew this would be his answer. Luckily, he wasn't here for Horace's help in the first place.
"I need Maddie." He said. "She's one of the most talented Rangers I know. Not only can I use her authority, I could use her skills."
Horace pursed his lips, but nodded.
"Keep her safe." He said. Will put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I promise. And Horace?" He added. "Don't tell her about Halt, or my leaving the Corps. Let's not worry her more than necissary. I'll tell her when it's time."
"Of course." Horace replied.
Will left the living space and made his way to Maddie's room. He knocked once before entering.
"Come in!" He heard his goddaughter call from inside. He opened the door.
"Will!" Maddie exclaimed, throwing the book she'd been reading back on the bed. She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.
Part of Will's heart lurched again, as he noticed her always, present limp and she ran. It was very faint, but there all the same.
"Hullo, Maddie." He said, wrapping his arms around her. Despite all that he'd been through in the past few days, he couldn't help but smile.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Well, Maddie..." Will said slowly. "I need your help."

And so it begins!