The Lost and the Hounds (Book Three of the Ranger and The Thief series)

Chapter Eleven

   Willy had fallen asleep with his hand clutching tightly onto Emmy's. He woke as the door suddenly burst open to reveal Quint, who's face was red with anger, and his mother, glaring angerly at Quint.

"Quint! He needs his sleep!" She yelled at him. Quint ignored her and advanced towards his skirl. Willy dropped Emmy's hand and slowly sat up.

"This is all your fault!" He said coldly. Willy felt himself blush as he nodded.

"I know." Willy said.

"No you don't! Emmy wouldn't have been put into danger if it wasn't for you! You never think of others, it's always about you." Quint was on the verge of yelling. Willy glared at him.

"I know it was my fault, Quint! I never wanted to put anyone in danger! I went to go find my mother. I didn't ask for her to follow me, but she did. I shouldn't have let her go, I should have sent her back. I should have kept her in my sight, but you know what Quint? Life is full of should haves, and we need to move on, because what's done is done. If you think I'm not torn up about Emmy, then you're wrong. I'm not leaving her side until she wakes up, and not even after she wakes up either." Willy said forcefully. Quint stared at him for a moment before let out a deep sigh and storming out, pushing past Abby and slamming the door shut. Abby looked at Willy with a sad look in her eyes.

"Don't give up hope, Willy. She'll come around." she said. She then left. Outside the old hunting cabin, Evangline ran up to Abby.

"My daddy is back, aunt Abby." Abby bit her lip and took the childs hand as she led her down the mountain, back towards their destroyed home.

***

The smoke was heavy in the air as the Heron glided into the harbour.

"What in Gorlogs nose hairs happened?" Stig asked. He stood next to Hal as Hallasholm came into view. The fires were still kindling and the who village was blackened with char. They docked and all hurried off the ship, only to be met by Hal's daughter and sister.

"What happened?Where's Lydia?" Hal asked in a panick.

"Arridans soilders is what happened. Lydia is fine. But Willy and Emmy are in bad shape." She said. Jesper rose an eyebrow.

"What happened to Willy?" he asked with slight panick in his voice.

"He saved me from the fire. Him and Emmy. Emmy was still in the fire, so he went back for her. The heat and smoke wasn't good for them. Willy woke yesterday, and Emmy has yet to wake." Abby responded with saddness in her voice.

"Where are they?" Stig asked.

"At the old hunting cabin." Evangline piped. She took her fathers hand and led him and the crew back up the mountain.

***

 "Bente?" MJ asked confused as he opened the door to reveal the Skandian girl. She gave him a small smile.

"The baron said I could find you here. I need you to take me back to Hallasholm, MJ." She said. He rose an eyebrow.

"What about Preston?" He asked. she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I kind of ran away, on my wedding day." She said biting her lip. MJ smiled a bit.

"That is something you would do." He said pulling her into an embrace. There was footsteps behind him, and Will approached him, looking quite pale as he read a letter.

"MJ, You might want to read this." He passed the letter off to his grandson. MJ read the letter in silence before dropping down into an armchair and staring at the letter.