The New Rangers

Chapter Four

Halt waited until they were gathered in front of the cabin before he spoke. "We're going on a little trip today," he announced.

"A trip? Where?" Holly asked before a sleepy eyed Deva could finish a yawn and ask first.

"The two of you are progressing nicely with your training. It's been a good number of weeks and we think you're ready for your horses."

"Seriously?" Deva now seemed to be wide awake.

Will chuckled. "Yes, seriously. Now, get your things together. We'll leave as soon as you're ready."

Holly grinned at her father. "Well that explains things. I thought you were going to force us on another hike."

Halt winked. "Sneaky, aren't I?"

She didn't bother with a reply. He already knew the answer. Her father could lie straight-face, looking you in the eye as he did it. He could lie to anyone. Well, everyone except his wife. Lady Pauline was the only one he couldn't seem to lie to. She read him like a book, knew every tell he had and called him on them. Holly smirked and rocked back on her heels.

"What are you grinning at?" Halt asked.

She erased the grin from her face and looked at her dad with as much innocence as she could muster. "Nothing. Just happy about getting my horse."

He narrowed his eyes on her as if trying to sniff out a lie. She held his gaze. He should know better than to try and suss out a lie, she learned to lie from the best. Him. After a moment, he frowned and turned away.

Deva came striding out of the cabin. "How are we getting to our horses?"

"We will get there after a nice brisk walk!" Will said with a grin as he came around from the back of the cabin. "Well, you'll be walking. Halt and I will be riding."

"That's not exactly fair, is it?" Holly grumbled.

"It wouldn't be fair if we had to walk on the way back while the two of you ride," Halt told her.

"No, I suppose not," she replied. It explained why her father had brought Abelard with him when they'd left the castle. She thought maybe he was bringing him for a visit with Tug. The two Ranger horses seemed to be rather good friends.

The two elder Rangers swung up into their saddles and nudged their horses into a walk, heading away from the cabin.

"How long is it going to take us to get to our horses?" Deva asked.

"However long it takes," Halt replied.

Deva scowled. "What kind of answer is that?"

"One that answered your question. Now, let's try and be quiet, shall we?"

Will chuckled quietly. Halt didn't suffer questions with good humor. He glanced back to where his daughter and Holly followed behind them. Their heads were close together and they were whispering. He shook his head with a grin. They wouldn't be asking any questions again anytime soon.

Both girls whined about the walking, but shut up after a glare from Halt. An hour or so passed and the girls remained mostly quiet with only minimal complaining.

They finally stopped before an odd little tumbledown collection of buildings. Halt led the way over to the little hut and stopped, signaling for everyone to stop.

"Hullo, Bob!" he called.

Sounds of movement issued from the little hut before the door opened and a bent, wrinkled figure emerged. The man was grinning from ear to ear behind a matted and dirty white beard. His head was completely bald.