Ranger's Daughter

Chapter Four

   “What’s on the agenda for today, Halt?” I say excitedly. Today is the first day of my training. I can’t imagine what we’ll do today. My thoughts leap to horses, weapons, fighting…

   “You are going to clean my cabin. That’s where you’ll be staying through the years of your training. The pots need scrubbed, we need water, the floor needs swept and mopped. Then, I’ll give you some more work,” Halt said cheerfully. I just look at him incredulously. He can’t be serious. I tell him so. “Yes, Claire, I’m serious,” he assures me. I can’t believe that I’m going to start my training with the learning the skills of a housewife. He can tell that I’m going to argue and decides to put me in my place. “You need to learn discipline and to not question authority!” he growls. “I am your master for the next 4 years. You will do as I say.”

   And so that is how I come about lugging pots to the stream and mopping the floor and later, making dinner. Halt didn’t say anything about how badly the soup was burned, but I noticed he did not eat as much as he usually does. He did not comment on how much better a cook my father was. After our meal, he tells me to get to bed. I’m stunned. Not even a lesson? No archery? Nothing?

Hmmm.

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   “So, more chores today Halt?” I ask, trying not to push my luck. There is nothing Halt hates more than a whiner.

   “No, I don’t believe so, Claire. Unless you want to? Life of a Ranger may be too difficult for a girl who loves cooking and cleaning as much as you do,” Halt says, his face deadpan.

   “ NO! Uh, I mean, no thank you. I believe I have had enough cleaning to satisfy.” Halt chuckled at my statement. He looked out to the rising sun.

   “Today we will get you your horse.”

   I can barely contain my excitement. My horse. I love horses, and Ranger horses are the best. My dad says that some of the Ranger horses are smarter than the average person. His horse, Tug, is a joy. I’ve spent all of my spare time spoiling Tug. As I’m thinking this through, Halt starts to get up.  He points to a speck on the hill, miles away.

   “That is where we’re going. It is was least a day’s travel for most of my apprentices and since you’re a…” He trailed off on ‘girl’ as he saw the look on my face. My parents tell me that I’m the only person besides Pauline who can cut Halt off mid-sentence. “Well, it might take us longer,” he finished lamely. And we packed up and left. We walked hour upon hour and talked very little. Halt had never been the talkative type and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of speaking first. But after a while, Halt spoke.

  “You know, I remember bringing your father here. He was practically skipping all the way there,” I break my silence with a giggle. It was difficult to imagine my father skipping but not as difficult as one may think. Halt gave me a sideways glance and a grin. “You laugh, but some things just get burnt into your consciousness. He wouldn’t shut up either. Not once, during the many years he was my apprentice did he go five complete minutes without interrogating me or whoever else was with him,” This was only too easy to believe. My father still never shuts up. But it’s still funny to hear Halt say it. We went on like this for the rest of the journey. Talking about my parents and Horace and Cassandra when they were kids. All their adventures made me want to start a few of my own.  By the time we ran out of stories, we were at Little Bob’s. My father got his pony from Old Bob, Little Bob’s dad.

   “Hey Bob!” I greet him. We went to school together.

   “Hi Claire! Whatcha doin’ here?”

   “We’re here to get a Ranger horse for Claire, or did you think we would travel all day to sit here and chat?” Halt says. He sure does have a way of keeping people in their places.

  “Wait jus’ a gosh darn minute. You gettin’ a Ranger hoss for a girl?! Thas’ crazy! Claire can’t be no Ranger!”

   “Oh yes I can! I can do anything any boy can do. I’m Halt’s apprentice and that’s that!” The gall of some people. Thinking I’m a failure just because I’m a girl. Hmph! Halt gives me the eye and I know I’d better shut up.

    “Well, I guessed when Halt tol’ me ‘bout the Ranger hoss he gon’ need, I got one all trained up for a boy. But he may be a lil’ bit of a handful for a gir… uh, someone like you,” Bob finished lamely. Grrr.

    “Have you met Claire? If any person can handle a wily horse,” Halt says pointedly, “its her.” Bob looks at him knowingly and snorts.

    “Yessir, I guess that’s so. I remember one time, when Timmy tried to…”

    “OKAY! Can we stop talking and do some more doing? Where’s my horse?” I say, trying to avoid yet another embarrassing story I don’t want to relive.

    “Impatient, impatient,” Halt scolds. “But yes, I do believe that we need to be getting back before dark. Alright, show her the horse so we can get on our way.”

    “Drumroll please! I bring you, Sadie!”

    Immediately, I love the mare that is to be my horse. She’s average sized and has an intelligent face. Her mane and tail are jet black and her coat is a beautiful bay. Sadie is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

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had to add the bit about the horse. if you've read the actual ranger's apprentice, the horses are *kinda* important. plus, i confess, i love horses. if you couldn't tell that by the profile picture.