Ranger's Apprentice: The Enchanted World

Chapter 3: A New Adventure Begins

Disclaimer: I can rule the world, but Ranger's Apprentice still wouldn't be mine.

Halt was a man who never hesitated. He would always get things done quickly, never wasting time over something as trivial as fear. Yet now, standing in front of the heavy doors that would lead to Baron Arald's office, he did.

Was this the right thing to do? He kept asking himself. It has been many years since he had doubted himself, but he knew that in a situation like this, he couldn't afford to make on wrong move or it was game over.

He took a deep breath and calmed his uncharacteristically jittery nerves. There was a small chance that he was just overreacting, but he didn't want to simply let the matter go with just an assumption. He had to figure out what was going on.

The heavy doors opened.

The room was dark, but Halt could still see the baron, who was sleeping with his head against his desk in a most a undignified position.

He sighed and nudged the baron.

"Sir." He hissed. "Get up already. You're drooling on your desk."

No response.

"Sir. Wake up." He repeated in a louder voice. The Baron still didn't give any sign of movement.

With a heavy sigh, Halt whispered into Baron Arald's ears, "Sir, guess what? The local wizard has just invented potion that might be able help you with your weight!"

Immediately, the Baron's head shot up looking from left to right frantically.

"What? Really? How? Where? Are you serious?" The man asked in a sleepy voice.

"No." Halt said flatly, dashing away all of Arald's hopes. "I just said that to get you to wake up."

"That's a horrible way to go about it." The Baron said grumpily. He then saw the serious expression on Halt's face. "Is there something you need to speak to me about?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." Halt said. "Are you aware of the King's presence here?"

~~~

Will woke up to find himself in the middle of the forest, the Ranger a few meters away, packing up his things as if preparing for a long trip. He frowned.

"What... Why... How did I get here?" He asked confusedly. The Ranger looked at him for a brief moment before returning to packing.

"I have decided how I'm going to deal with you." Halt said monotonously, his eyes gleaming in the shadows of the deep forest. Will stood up cautiously.

"And what do you mean by that?" He asked tentatively.

"It means," Halt said, unsheathing his knife, "That I am going to..." He walked towards the boy, who was slowly backing away. The knife was shining in the half light of the forest ominously.

Just as Halt was about to strike him down, a dull thunk sounded as the tree he was leaning against was struck by the knife. "I am going to take you along with me on my next mission."

Will slid to the ground, wiping away his sweat. What cruel people these Rangers were.

"Wait what!?" He exclaimed as Halt's words sank in. "Why in the name of Araluen would I help you with one of your missions? For all I know, you're planning on attack the Criminals' Corps!"

"Because if you don't do as I say, you will never see the sun again." Halt threatened ominously. Will gulped.

"What is this mission?" He asked. "Why do I have to come?"

"Classified."

"Why do I have to come with you on a mission I can't even know about?" Will said angrily.

Instead of answering, Halt tossed his bag he had bought with him and a bow and arrow.

"Huh?"

"I assume you have a horse nearby." Halt said shortly.

Will nodded. "I have a ride, but I don't think it qualifies as a horse..."

"Go get it and we'll be on our way." Will nodded again and started to walk away. "Oh, by the way," Halt said, stopping him in his foot steps. "Don't even try to escape. A local sorcerer has given me this little voodoo doll and I'm not afraid to use it on you." Will cursed under his breath.

So much for escape. He thought wistfully.

~~~

Will soon returned with a shaggy gray... bird?

"This here is Big Gray. He's the standard ride for anybody in the Criminal Corps." Will explained, patting the giant eagle. The eagle tried to bite his hand off in response to the contact. Halt raised an eyebrow.

"It seems very fond of you." He stated with no trace of humor as the eagle continued to try to bite the young intelligence.

"Oh, shut up." Will grumbled.

After fifteen long minutes, Will managed to get on to Big Gray and they set off, chasing the sun as it entered the afternoon.

What is this old man up to now? Will wondered, looking at the man suspiciously. Unknown to him, an unseen follower was wondering the exact same thing as he watched them in the shadows of the sun.

A/N: A rather short chapter, but I wanted to get on with the story! Don't worry, the action is not too far ahead now... until then, happy Thanksgiving! And vote and comment! Please...?

~Tigerwriter