Ranger's Apprentice - Race For Halt

Ch. 5

Will snapped his fingers in front of Maddie. She jumped up.
"Good," Will said. "You ready?"
Maddie took several seconds to rub the sleep out of her eyes.
"Yes," she replied finally.
The two of them packed their bedrolls and other supplies. Will took a few seconds to cover their firepit in dirt. Then, they were on the road again.
"So who exactly is this Malcolm character?" Maddie asked as they rode through the meadow.
"He's a healer," Will explained. "But he's better than any other healer in Araluen. Probably, the world. Malcolm knows more about illnesses and their cures than anybody. He saved Lord Orman in my first year out of apprenticeship."
"When you saved Macindaw from Picta invaders." Maddie added, recalling Horace's story.
"Right. Then again, several years later, Halt was hit by Genovesan poison. Luckily, it was in the general area of Macindaw, and I was able to retrieve Malcolm just in time to save Halt." Will said, frowning at the memory. History seemed to enjoy repeating itself
The road on for several minutes until another thought struck Maddie.
"How old is he?" She asked casually, trying to contain her fear.
Will thought for a second. The healer had been old, even the first time Will met him. There was no way of telling Malcolm's age now, years later. If he hasn't already died. Will thought dreadfully.
"Old," He said, settling the matter.
Again, they were quiet for several minutes.
"Will?" Maddie asked shyly. Hee voice stopped Will's thoughts altogether. He turned in his saddle to look at her suddenly scared and worried face.
"What is it?" He asked.
"What if...we can't find Malcolm?" She asked. "What if we fail?"
Will didn't answer, and suddenly Maddie broke. She stopped Bumper in his tracks and began to shake as tears fell.
"What if we're too late?" She whispered.
Will's heart flipped in his chest. He hadn't considered the amount of pressure he had put on his goddaughter by asking for her help. If they were too late, Maddie would always blame herself, finding things to pin against her conscious. Just like Will had done with Alyss.
"Maddie," Will said, stopping Tug as well. He spoke gently, reaching out to touch her arm in comfort. "We won't be."
"But what if we are, Will?" She cried. "I can't even imagine Halt not being around...he's...well, he's Halt!"
Will chuckled in spite of the situation.
"You're right," He said. "And if there's one thing that everyone can agree on about him, it's that the man is as stubborn as a mule. So he can hold on until we get back."
Maddie took a deep breath.
"You right," she said. "As usual."
Hours passed. Will made small talk with Maddie, about her life and about Horace and Cassandra.
"Not much has changed," she summed up. Will studied her closely. She was purposefully avoiding his gaze, patting Bumper's neck, and her cheeks were a slightly roseier red than normal.
"Maddie?" He asked. She looked up at him, playing innocence.
"What?" She replied.
Will raised one eyebrow, staring into Maddie's eyes. They stayed that way for several seconds before Maddie dropped her gaze.
"It doesn't seem like as big of a deal anymore," she said quietly. "Especially after what you've been through this past week."
Will continued to watcher her. After a few more seconds, she continued.
"I have to make a huge decision," she said. "I'm the Crown Princess, destined to become Queen one day. But, I'm also a Ranger. Every part of the Corps makes me happy." Her voice trailed off, and Will finished for her.
"You have to chose one or the other; Queen or Ranger." He said.
Maddie shrugged. "It isn't much of a choice, is it? I can't exactly not become Queen." She said.
Will didn't answer. She was right. Being Queen wasn't something you could just turn down.
Suddenly, Tug reared back, throwing Will from the saddle. He landed on his bottom with a thud.
"Woah!" Maddie exclaimed, grabbing Tug's reins. "You okay Will?"
"Yeah," He grumbled, standing up and brushing the dirt away. "What on earth has gotten into you, Tug?"
At that moment, Maddie gasped.
"Look!" She cried, pointing to the ground directly in front of the horses.
Will peered into the grass. He could dimly see a black dot.
"What in Gorlog's name..." He wondered aloud.
Maddie dismounted and walked over to the dot.
"Oh, Will!" She cried again, bending down to pick something up. When she straightened, Will nearly burst out laughing.
"A cat?" He sniggered.
"Oh, little kitty!" Maddie soothed, rubbing the baby cat's stomach.
"Meeew!" It cried.
Will looked at Tug and swore the horse was looking back.
Shadow, Will remembered the time he'd saved his first dog in nearly the same manor as Maddie was saving this kitten.
"Alright," Will sighed, mounting Tug once again. "Put the darn thing in your saddlebag. Let's get going."
Maddie practically bounced back to Bumper. As she passed, her horse stuck his nuzzle to the little animal.
"Rrow!" The kitten replied. Bumper jumped back and snorted.
Will chuckled as Tug let loose a rumble in his chest.
He'll get used to it.
"Who knows," Will mumbled back. "He might even grow fond of it, like someone else I know."
Tug nickered.
Doubtful.
Will huffed a laugh and sent Tug back down the path, Maddie following close behind.