The Ranger's Apprentice - A New Story ON HOLD

Chapter 11-One Sentence Can Change a Life

Winter had come quickly around Araulen. The air and water grew cold, and in about a month from the harvest, the first snow of the season arrived, freezing the land. Although the snow had melted quickly after that, there always seemed to be a layer of frost on the ground, and the breath of people visible. The ocean spray created icicles draping down rocks on the cliff. Yet despite the chilling weather, Anna trained harder than ever in SeaCliff. 

After the harvest, Anna demanded that Will train her harder. Anna refused to be beat by those bullies again. Will agreed, understanding Anna's feelings, having had them himself. But as the cold came suddenly, it became difficult to work as long, but Anna was still determined.

Anna threw knives at a target, her muscles clenching from the cold, making it difficult to aim. Each time she hit the tree, leaves fell to the ground, and there was a ring of leaves around the base of the target. She had been out since morning, and with the sun hidden behind the clouds, it was hard to tell how long it had been.The cold was really starting to affect her, causing her to lack in her training.

Beginning to shiver, Anna threw her last knife at the target, missing the bulls eye by quite a bit. She sighed in frustration, moving her stiff and pained fingers around. Will looked over Anna's training and shook his head.

"All right. It is no use to keep training in this state. It will just be worse in the long run. Go inside, get something to eat and warm up. We will continue once you are warm," Will said, obvious disappointment in his voice. Anna nodded in silence, and hurried into the cabin. She closed the door of the cabin behind her, forgetting about Will, and took off her winter cloak. Upset at Will's disappointment, Anna did not eat anything, and instead turned to her room. She flopped on the bed, and stared at the ceiling. The pain in her fingers began to ebb away, and she mulled over what Will was expecting from her. The upset feeling Anna had quickly turned to anger and frustration. 

What does he want from me? Anna thought in exasperation. I tried my hardest! What more could I do! It was cold! Anna couldn't think of what to do, as her mind was focused on her anger.

"Anna? I told you to eat something." Will called. Anna sat up, her hunger coming back to her. Still frustrated though, Anna started a pot of stew, and stared at the steam coming up.

 When the stew finished, Anna's anger had mostly subsided. She sat down at the table, and ate. Will was sitting at the table, reading a note and marking the map next to him. Anna looked on inquisitly, trying to sneak a look at the paper. Will snapped the paper down quickly and looked at Anna, and she sat frozen where she was.

"You know, you could have just asked what was on the paper," Will said. Anna sat in a regular position, and she felt ridiculous. Will watched her, obviously waiting for her to ask the question.

"What was on the paper?" asked Anna meekly, and she felt increasingly silly. Will smirked, and he slid the paper to the middle of the table. Anna tilted her head, for the paper was upside down to her.

"Wargal sightings," Will stated to clear up the words that Anna was trying to decipher upside down. Anna sat back down.

"Wargals? Aren't they the creatures Morgorath had as an army?" Anna questioned, trying to prove her knowledge. Will rose an eyebrow questioningly. Anna shrugged. Will nodded to answer her question.

"Now usually Wargals stay in the mountains, unless controlled by someone. There are claims of Wargal sightings around the kingdom, and all of the Rangers have been made aware of this. They have not attacked anyone, yet, which leads us to believe that the person controlling them are going for subtlety in a way, while causing fear throughout the kingdom..." Anna listened intently, as Will continued to ramble on, thinking about her parents.