Rangers Apprentice: The Hidden Ranger

Chapter Two

Will Treaty looked over the report in his hand one more time before setting it down and going to his bedroom.

Ebony, who had been sleeping by his bed looked up with her head tilted as he walked in and started to pack his things.

"Tomorrow we head out for the Gathering, but you will be staying here with Alyss while I'm gone." He said as he packed an extra cloak.

Once all the packing was done, he went out to the stable behind the cabin and started to check over the tack.

When he was satisfied with it, Will began to groom Tug and unknot his mane and tail.

Tug snorted and pawed the ground with one foreleg, I haven't had my apple today. "You can have one later." Will replied. You said that this morning his horse looked at Will with a skeptical eye.

"Yes, and I'm saying it now."

You forgot didn't you?

"I didn't forget, I just had better things to do."

You forgot.

Will put the brush down and sighed. Walking over to the bin with apples in it, he picked one up and gave it to Tug.

"Happy now?"

Yes.

Shaking his head Will saddled and bridled Tug then mounted him.

Pushing Tug into a trot, Will guided him to the path that lead to castle Redmont. Ebony was keeping pace with them, stopping now and them to sniff at a new scent, or snap her jaws at a flying bug.

The sun was setting by the time they reached the castle. Tug's hoof beats echoing on the cobble stone yard.

Dismounting before Tug was at a full stop, Will walked over to the central tower door that led up to the Barons office.

As Will got closer to the office he began to catch the faint sound of lowered voices. Slowing his pace and stepping quietly, Will glided up the few remaining steps and was surprised to see that the Barons door was slightly ajar.

"...was supposed to arrive a couple of days ago. Rumor has it that it was raided by a group of bandits."

Crowley? What was he doing here? Edging closer Will could see Halt sitting in one of the chairs while the Baron was behind his desk and Crowley standing by the window. None of them were facing the door so Will took his chance and eased it open to slip in, quickly stepping to the dark corner behind the chair Halt was sitting in.

"So what do you want us to do?" Halt asked. "I was hoping either you or Will could go track them down and recover the stolen tax money." Crowley said with a shrug. "Any other questions?"

"Just one." said Will as he stepped away from the shadows. "Why wasn't I invited to this meeting?"