The New Rangers

Chapter Fifteen

Halt stood on the wall walk staring silently over Araluen. They brought back the information about Morgan and his army to Cassandra. All that was left for them now was to wait for his arrival.

"Are you all right?"

He didn't move, simply remained facing forward, eyes fixed outward, though he did answer Will's question. "Ask me that after Morgan's arrival."

Will fixed his gaze in the same direction as Halt's and they stood in quiet contemplation for several moments before Will let his curiosity get the best of him. It was a habit he could never seem to break. "You don't believe we can defeat him?"

"It's not a matter of can or can't, Will. I believe it's more of a matter of whether or not we have the will to do so."

Will's brows scrunched in confusion. "I don't think I understand."

Halt turned to him at last. "Morgarath was defeated and returned again in an attempt to beat us down. Before his return he was nothing but a legend, a name used to frighten children into behaving and when he returned he gave no quarter. He was vicious and cruel. If word spreads that he has a son, a son now marching on Castle Araluen, it may cause a great deal of panic and fear."

Will stared down at his boots. "You think fear of Morgarath's legend will be what defeats us?"

Halt inclined his head. "I think it's definitely a possibility."

Will lifted his eyes to look at Halt when he spoke. "We need to figure out a way to defeat him before panic spreads. A way to show the people of Araluen that he isn't to be feared."

"Well, as soon as we can figure that out then we'll do perfectly fine."

Will sighed heavily. Yes, figure out how to defeat fear engendered by thoughts of a legend, a memory. Not easy to do. Even for the mighty Ranger Corps.

***

Deva darted through the corridor as the warning bell tolled through what had been the quiet of night. It seems Morgan had finally arrived, she could think of no other reason for the bell to be rung. It wasn't long before the others joined her as she darted through the hallways. They dashed to the wall walk where they would be able to see Morgan's progress toward the castle.

When they arrived, they took up spots around Halt and Will as the army amassed outside the castle walls. A figure nudged his horse forward, when he came closer they picked out the fact it was Morgan. He looked up at the castle wall.

"I want the man and the Rangers that are responsible for my father's death, send them out and I will leave the rest of you in peace."

Deva sucked in a breath and turned to look at her father. "Dad, you know you can't give him what he wants!"

He shushed her. "We're not going to give into his demands."

"No, we aren't. It would make little difference if we did. We can't trust that he'd abide by his word. That would be foolish," Halt responded.

"You have an hour to comply with my demands," Morgan yelled before he turned and went back to join his men.

"Smart man, he stayed well out of arrow range," Holly muttered.

Cassandra appeared beside Halt, dressed plainly in a pair of trousers and tunic. She blended easily with the men around her so as to remain inconspicuous up on the wall. Bright silk dresses would make her easy to pick out and make her a target if Morgan had any archers in his mix of men.

"What do you suggest?" she asked Halt.

Halt gave a small shake of his head. "I'm not at all certain we can avoid any sort of confrontation with the man. He won't simply leave if we refuse his demands. He wants his vengeance and he isn't going to be satisfied until he receives it."