The Ranger and the Thief (Book two of The Ranger and the Thief series)

Chapter Thirteen

The lessons for that day were finished, so Willy made his way back to the eating house, where his Grandmam gave him a warm welcome. She allowed him to help around the kitchen for a little bit before she mentioned MJ. Something clicked inside Willy and he kissed her on her cheek goodbye and ran straight to his parents house. He ran through the door and smiled as MJ stood, wearing his ranger garb with his cowl up. He slowly lowered it and he smiled at his little brother.

"I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me." He teased. He didn't have time to see Willy's reaction, because Willy attacked him with a bear hug.

"I've missed you so much." Willy said quietly, and MJ bit his lip. He had never expected to hear those words come from Willy.

"Same here." MJ said. Willy let go and smiled.

"So? What's it like being a full fledged ranger?" Willy asked.

"Scary." He said. Willy smiled again.

"Well I'd better get going. I want to see Bente before I have to return to my camp." He said. MJ opened his mouth to say something, but then decided otherwise and shut it again.

"Okay. I'll are you around." MJ mumbled. Willy waved goodbye and dashed out the door.

***

Preston was only seventeen, and didn't want to get married, but when he saw the beautiful Skandian girl his father had chosen for him, his heart melted and he knew then that she was perfect. She was very pretty, though Preston could tell she wasn't to fond of him. The girls aunt insisted that he stayed with them, so he was currently sitting across the table with a cup of coffee in his hands, staring at the beautiful Bente in front of him. She simply glared and stared into the fire. The silence was an awkward one, and Preston was about to speak when a sudden knock interrupted his thoughts. Bente stood and pulled the door open, revealing a Skandian boy that didn't look like the other boys. His one had darker hair and was thinner then most, though he didn't lack muscle. The look on Bentes face showed Preston that she and the new boy had history.

"Willy!" She hugged him tightly and he smiled.

"How are you?" He asked her. she shrugged.

"I am alright. How is Brotherband training?" She asked.

"It's difficult. Keeps me on my toes, but it'll all pay off in the end, I hope."He said. Willy had yet to take notice of Preston, But he stood and Willy rose an eyebrow at the young Earls heir.

"Hello. I'm Willy." Willy said holding out his hand.

"Preston." Preston said in return. Willy nodded his greetings.

"Um...Preston, Willy is my boyfriend." Bente said, clutching onto Willy's arm. Preston felt sudden jealousy rise in his chest and he forced himself to keep control.

"Oh? Is that so?" He asked. Willy nodded.

"We've been seeing each other for about a year." He said. Preston cursed himself in his head, knowing it would be hard to compete with the Skandian boy. He knew he had to break down his defense.

"Then I'm sorry to say that Bente is my betroth." Preston said slyly, watching as Willy's eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and hatred towards Preston.

"What?" He managed to ask. Bente bit her lip and stared at the floorboards.

"Preston, I must speak to Willy in private." She said glaring at the young Earl. He nodded once and left the house swiftly.

Willy glared at Bente once Preston had shut the door.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, rather harshly.

"I only just found out myself." She retorted. He refused to back down though.

"You've known long enough to have contacted me." He snapped. She refused to meet his eyes, that were blazing with anger. He felt betrayed.

"Willy, I'm sorry. You must understand that I have no choice in the matter?" She said quietly, her voice showing her vulnerability. He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever."He said, "I feel betrayed, Bente. I thought things between us would end differently." And with that being said, he left her with an aching heart and tears streaming down her cheeks.

***

Willy poked a stick at the fire and watched as the flames sparked around it, causing the wood to make a popping sound. The boys chatted amoungest themselves, excited for the next day, when Hal would take the small crew out to sea for their first test in a ship. Willy refused to take part of the conversation, and he hhad been staring into the fire for most of the night. He glanced up when he heard movement to his right, as Quint took a seat on the log next to him and stared at him, as if waiting an answer.

"I heard about Bente." He said. Willy glared at him and threw the stick into the fire, watching as the flames took a hold of the wood.

"Well, what's done is done. There is nothing that can change Bente's aunts mind." He said bluntly. Quint rolled his eyes.

"She wasn't meant to be." He said. Willy bit his lip and glanced at the bigger boy.

"She felt like it." He said quietly. Quint shook his head.

"A lot of the time, the first one is not always the one." He said. Willy nodded slightly at his logic.

"Very wise." He commented. Quint smiled smugly.

"I know." He said folding his arms and leaning back. Willy sat up straighter.

"Quint?" Quint sat up and gestured for his Skirl to continue. "Would you...Would you like to be my first mate?" Quint's smug look turned into a goofy grin as he nodded and smiled.

"Of coarse." All the boys stood as Hal and Sigurd suddenly came walking towards their camp.

"Get to sleep boys, the first sea test is tomorrow. We're changing things up this year and your instructor, Hal, will explain it all tomorrow morning. Wake up bright and early." Sigurd said. the boys all nodded and Boyd put out the fire and they all climbed into their bed rolls in their makeshift shelter. Willy let out a deep sigh as he settled into his bed roll. Quint's words did help him with the troubling feeling Bente had left in his chest. He slowly nodded off to sleep before to long.