The New Apprentice

Chapter Eleven: Change of Plans

Riding the rest of the way with the addition of Gilan, I keep quiet, thinking about the near future as my three companions share stories. I decide to take this time and make a plan- by Gorlog's horn, I need one.

So what does Halt know? He knows I keep a bloody dagger underneath my bed, my family was killed, my history is very fishy, and that I have lots of training, assassin style. Forgetting the details in between, there's two possible endings: I get arrested or I don't.

The only way to avoid getting arrested is if I leave...

I scowl. I'm absolutely sick of running from my past. I'm going to tell Halt. If I'm hanged for it, so be it. It's what I deserve.

Tonight, I think. After dinner.

Eventually, we reach the large clearing annually used for the Ranger gathering. About twenty Rangers have already arrived and are setting up tents. In the middle of the area is one significantly larger tent, where Halt tells us only the Senior Rangers are allowed.

Our mentor leads Will, Gilan, and me to the edge of the clearing before dismounting Abelard and motioning for us to do the same. Will and I hop down, but Gilan trots off to set up his own tent.

Will and I sit on a log as Halt looks through our sacks for the food we packed. As he hands us our share of bread and dried meat, Gilan comes to join us, his own food in hand. I start a little fire for coffee.

"Halt, Gilan," I ask, "do either of you know when assessing begins?"

Confused, Will speaks up, "Why wouldn't it start tomorrow?"

"Assessing isn't the primary reason for the Gathering. We'll probably spend the first few days sharing information," the bearded Ranger replies.

"Like what?" Will inquires.

"The status of old criminals to any new ones that have sprung up over the year. Anything else that concerns us, really."

I nod as Will looks thoughtfully down to the ground.

It makes sense. Will and I are the only apprentices here, so it's unlikely that Rangers have traveled from so far just to assess two apprentices. It only takes a few Senior Rangers, right?

Still, I don't ask for clarification. Knowing too much can give you false expectations. Then, when you see the real thing, even something small that's different from how you imagined it can put you off guard or make you nervous.

"I can't answer your question, Arin. We haven't discussed the exact time yet, but it will be at the end, after all the news has been shared and new missions have been assigned."

As the day drags on, I find myself with a dry mouth and the sick feeling in my stomach I know all too well. Nauseousness. I'm suddenly aware of a presence next to me. Looking up, I see Gilan.

"Hello," I say, making myself smile.

"The same to you," he replies, a smile on his own face. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head and reinforce an only-slightly-troubled expression, "Nothing, nothing at all. Why do you ask?"

"Well," he starts, "I've just met you, so perhaps I haven't the right to say 'you were acting strange,' but..." his smile widens, "you were acting strange. Are you always so quiet?" He claps a hand on my back.

I laugh and reply, "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm very nervous for testing."

"Ah, don't be," he assures me. "There's no way you'll fail with Halt as your mentor. And anyways, he wouldn't have taken you into training at all if you weren't fit for it."