"Something smells nice for once." Halt and Will step into the cabin. "I think he's finally learned how to cook properly." Errol steps out of the kitchen, holding a platter. On the platter were several slices of golden bread. And they're no ordinary slices of bread. Will glances at him. "Errol, what's this?" Errol settles the platter on the table and introduces the dinner. "This is called French Toast. It's one thing I know how to make without ruining it." Halt sniffs it. "Hmmm. It smells quite nice. What is it made out of?" "Eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. And of course, bread." "Quaint." For once, Will and Halt enjoy Errol's cooking.
Soon after, Errol is sent to bed, but he can't sleep. Giving up, he slips out of his room and grabs some bread. He hasn't seen Sectar in a while.
On the way to Sectar, all of his senses suddenly go on alert. Errol freezes, thankful that he thought to bring his cloak and weapons. Blending in with the background, he waits. Three shadows pass in front of him. Bandits. He thinks. Carefully, he readies his bow and plucks an arrow from his quiver. "Stop right there. Hands up." He says. The men spin around to find themselves face to face with a ranger and quickly raise their hands. He is just an apprentice, but they don't know that. "Who are you and why are you out here in the middle of the night, following me?" "Look, s-sir. We couldn't sleep and went for a midnight stroll." Errols eyebrow raises. "Near the rangers cabin, right behind me?" No answer. Errol kicks at one of them, sending him sprawling on the ground. "Get out of here. I don't feel like dealing with you tonight. Don't come back or I will make sure you regret it." Panicked, the bandits bolt. Nodding at that, Errol goes on his way.
Two o'clock in the morning, he realizes that the bandits are back. Only this time, with friends.
Ten men surround Errol and pull out knives. "Just come with us quietly and no one gets hurt." A big bald guy, apparently the leader, says. Not giving up so easy, Errol pulls out his sword and saxe knife. The range is too close for the bow. I can't get them if they all come at me. All well, at least I can die trying. "Ged'im! And remember, we need him alive!" Baldy shouts. They all charge at Errol. He puts down two with the flat of the blade, but gets hit with the butt of a knife from behind. He hits the ground, and quickly sweeps his body around, tripping anyone near him. Half the bandits go down. All those men start screaming and swearing for revenge. Immediately, one kicks Errol in the ribs. A loud crack sounds, then another man kicks him in the stomach. The men continue to beat him, until an arrow pierces the air and a man bites the dust. More follow and they try to escape. Some managed, most didn't. Halt and Will step out of the shadows, arrows on string. Halt checks the men, while Will rushes to Errol and kneels down. "What happened? Why were you out here? What were you thinking? Can you hear me?" Errol winces as he sits up. "Calm down, Will. I'm fine. I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk. Those men tried to capture me." "Why?" "I don't know. Ask them." He motions to the bandits. Halt has tied the living ones' up and is prodding them along. They go home.
"I'm going to question them." Halt says. He goes outside to where the bandits are tied up. Errol starts to follow him, but Will holds him back. "What? I want to know why they attacked me." Will holds up two fingers. "Two reasons. First, you're injured. I think one of your ribs is broken. You need to see a doctor. Second, you're in big trouble. You are not allowed to leave the house without me knowing. Even then, you will have someone with you at all times." Errol's shoulders slump. "Awww. Ok. I don't need to see a doctor, though. I'll be fine." Wills eyebrow raises (something he learned from Halt). "Really? I'm getting the doctor. Stay put, unless you want to be put under lock and key." Errol sighs and does as he is told.
Halt walks up to a bandit and stoops to his level. "What is your name?" The man remains silent. Halt tries again. "Look, I need answers and you'd better give them if you want to keep your nose." "My nose?" "Yes. If you don't answer me, I'll cut it off. It did just stick itself in someone's space." The man pales considerably. "Shem." "Huh?" The man clears his throat. "Shem. That's my name." Halt smiles grimly. "Now that we know that you talk, let's get down to business. Why did you attack my friend?" "Those men made me. I'm just a farmer. They attacked him for money." Halt draws his saxe knife and rests the tip on Shem's nose. "I know when somebody is lying to me." Shem starts sweating as he tries to keep an eye on the knife. "Ok! Ok! I'll tell you." The knife draws back. He sighs in relief. "Some guy hired us to find this boy and bring him back, dead or alive. Preferably alive." Halts eyebrows scrunch together. "What guy?" "I don't know. He was a tall, handsome bloke, with brown hair and blue eyes. He didn't tell us his name. He just paid us half the reward and sent us on our way." Halt stands up. "Thank you, Shem. Now I need to take you to the castle dungeon." All the men start begging and pleading not to be put in prison. Will comes over with Tug. "Hey, Halt. I'm just going to get a doctor for Errol." Halt nods then pauses. "Ok. By the way, will you drop this luggage of at the castle on your way, please." "Will do." Will heads off with half a dozen injured men trailing behind him. Halt heads into the cabin and examines Errol. "You've got some nasty bruises there." Errol shrugs and immediately regrets it. They lift his shirt a bit to show a large purple-black bruise at the lower part of his ribcage. Both Halt and Errol cringe at it. "Yep. I definitely think you've got a broken rib. No activities for you for a while." Errols head whips up. "But, Halt! I need all the practice I can get." "You're already as good as me and Will in everything but cooking. You'll be fine." Abelard whinnies a welcome as they hear hoofbeats outside. Halt opens the door as Will reaches for the handle. Not expecting that, Will reaches all the way through and falls on the floor. "Halt! Don't do that!" Halt smirks at Will. "I was opening the door for you. You should thank me." "I'm touched." Will says icily. "Here's the doctor. His name is Dr. Fleaf." An old man with thick glasses walks in. "Heh? Where's the patient?" He walks up to Halt. "Ahh. I see why he needs me. Need some medicine for arthritis, does he?" Halt steps away. "Will! This isn't the doctor!" "The doctor is away, so I had to get his father to help me." Will gently takes Dr. Fleafs arm and leads him to Errol. "No, doctor. That's Halt. This is your patient. He has a broken rib." Dr. Fleaf probes the sore. "Hmm. I'll get it patched up quickly enough. But are you sure that old fellow doesn't need medicine?" Halt nods. "Yes! I am sure I do not need medicine! Now continue!" Grumbling, the doctor does as he's told. While he does that, Halt pulls Will to the side. "Next time, either wait for the real doctor, or do it yourself!" He hisses.
Was that enough action? If I write things, it has to be packed with danger. I hope you like it. :D
YOU ARE READING
The Life of a Ranger, Ranger's Apprentice Fanfiction
FanfictionThis young kid appears out of no where, but tells them nothing of his past. With mystery in his eyes, Errol turns out to be more important than ever. But who is he?
