Rangers Apprentice Book 12-Downfall of legends

Chapter 13

*A few minutes earlier*

Halt set down the hit list. He had been re-reading it over and over again. Everyone all together on this list is worth over one hundred thousand royals. Will alone was worth 40,000. Gilan and Halt's name were now also specified on it.

"Im running out of patience with you fools, finish the jobs soon or I'll hire a different group. And don't forget to put word out the prices have been raised, significantly.

Oberjarl Erak- 15,000 Royals.

Baron Arald- 10,000 Royals

King Duncan- 15000 Royals.

Horace Altman, The Oakleaf warrior- 25,000 Royale

Will Treaty- 40,000 Royals.

Princess Cassandra- 15,000 Royals

The Kings Ranger, Halt O'Carrick - 30,000 Royals.

The Kings Ranger, Gilan (Last name, unknown)- 25,000 Royals."

When the courier brought the hit list from Castle Araluen, the only people who didn't seem worried were Halt and Gilan.

"Im more expensive than you." Said Halt to Gilan, with a smirk.

"Ha. So funny." Replied Gilan with the flattest expression possible. A moment of silence passes and Halts tone get more serious.

"These prices are getting serious Gilan. Eventually people who are desperate for money, like the poor, homeless, sick, and anyone in bad debt, are going to attack us recklessly."

"Im well aware of it Halt, I've been keeping my eye on the staff and anyone entering the castle."

"So have I Gilan, that's why...." Halt paused, "Someone's coming." Almost immediately, the great halls main door burst open. A large man in full plate armor stood in the doorway.

"Rangers! Quick, the guard on the west wall of the courtyard need your help! A group of men scaled the wall and killed 3 of the guard! The men are trapped in the guardsmen quarters on the west wall, driven back by more guardsmen."

"What were they wearing?" asked Halt.

"They're wearing a purple and black outfit and something weird on their face." Panted the guard. Halt and Gilan exchanged glances and nodded once.

"We'll handle it, make sure they don't leave that shack. Tell your men to keep their eyes open for more assasins, this may just be a diversion." Halt told the guard. Suddenly, Evanlyns door opened and she stepped out, yawning. She seen everyone and stopped yawning in mid yawn.

"Whats going on?" She asked.

"Genovesans are here, we have the situation somewhat under control." Gilan explained, "What are you doing?"

"I was uh... gonna go to the kitchen for a midnight snack." She.answered. Halt pointed at a guard.

"Escort her. There may be more Genovesans. Gilan, we'll head to the wall." Halt turned and started walking to the door leading to the courtyard, Gilan right behind him.

The courtyard was fairly empty besides the group of archers aiming at the small shack on the wall, and the guardsmen waiting by the door. Halt and Gilan went up the stairs and started approaching the shack. A guard walked up to them.

"They've barricaded themselves inside and we cant bust down the door." He explained, "But there is some loose bricks we are trying to break through by the door." Halt followed the guard over to the building. Gilan stopped and looked down the courtyard wall, looking for where the men came from.

Halt walked up to the bricks by the door and shoved his saxe knife into the crevices, loosening the bricks. After a couple minutes he stepped back.

"Kick it in."

A guard stepped forward and kicked the brick. It pushed out of the wall and landed inside the building. Green mist started leaking out from under the door and through the hole. Halt felt his knees start giving in.

"Poison! GET AWAY!" He yelled before falling in a heap. The guards started backing away, but 3 fell before they got safely away. The door opened and the Genovesans stepped out. All of them ran for the wall. Gilan pulled out his bow and nocked and arrow. The Genovesans jumped off the wall and before the last one could jump, Gilan shot an arrow through his chest, leaving him dead on the wall.

One of the guards was dragging an guard away from the mist. He put his fingers on his neck.

"There's still a pulse! They're just unconscious!" He exclaimed. Somewhere in the courtyard below someone yelled.

"There's someone climbing into that window!" Gilan looked up the sides of the castle and seen the blur of someone moving. Someone climbed into Evanlyns bedroom. Gilan swore and started climbing. Her room was about 30 feet away from where he was, and he would get there quicker if he climbed. inch by inch he stuck his hands and feet into every hand hold he could find. Someone screamed and there was a loud bang.

"Don't be dead please." Gilan whispered to himself as he climbed closer to the window. There was another bang. Gilan was only a few feet away from the window. He pulled himself up and grabbed the window sill. He could hear more explosive thumps inside, he timed it and stuck his palm through the window simultaneously as the bangs. He unlatched it and crawled inside.

Evanlyns room was empty and Alyss's door was kicked down. He entered the room quietly and seen a dark figure kicking the door to the hall. Gilan crept forward and grabbed the figure by his wrist. With his free hand he grabbed his throat and swept his legs, making the assassin fall. Gilan held his throat until he stopped struggling.

Gilan stood up, cracking his knuckles. He walked up to the door and in a calm voice said,

"You can open the door now."

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HII. Im know im a few days late on updating, and I sorry ;-; I've just been dealing with a bunch of crap in my personal life and I haven't really had time. I've been working on bits and pieces every day, trying to finish for you guys (: I'll try to have the next part up by Friday if I can. Vote and/or comment if you enjoyed. Stay awesome (: