Ranger's Apprentice: The Rangers' Test

Chapter 20

The preparation for battle was intense. Halt couldn't help but wonder if it was all in vain. After all, Selwyn would have learned, by now, that his two prisoners had escaped alive. He would be smart enough to figure out that Halt and Gilan would have warned the castle about his plans.

And as clever as Selwyn was, Halt had no doubt that he had something else in mind. Some sort of scheme; a way to catch Caraway's guards by surprise. Either that, or the man would simply disappear again, before he risked getting caught.

That last thought had been troubling Halt since they'd left. After all, they had been searching for Selwyn for months. And now that they'd finally found him, Halt had let him go. Not just that, but he'd ran from the man. Duncan's angry face continued to swim in and out of Halt's mind. He'd been so angry with Crowley the last time they'd all met. Halt didn't want to think about what the king would do when he found out Halt had wasted their only chance at finally capturing one of Morgarath's best lieutenants.

"Copper coin for your thoughts."

Halt turned slowly to see David standing beside him. It was unlike Halt to miss when someone approached. His senses were usually so tuned. But with so much on his mind, he must have let his guard drop. Mentally, he made note not to let it happen again.

"Not sure they're worth dirt, much less a copper," Halt responded dully. Still, David didn't move. After a moment of hesitation, Halt sighed. "I have to go back," he said plainly.

David didn't react, and Halt couldn't decide if he was surprised or not by his friend's seeming acceptance. There was a reason Halt hadn't told anyone of his plan, especially his young apprentice. Gilan would only try to talk Halt out of it and, when he couldn't, beg to come along.

But David, though he may not have had the training of a Ranger, understood Halt's insistence. He nodded slowly, staring out in the same distance that Halt was staring at.

"That's incredibly dangerous," the battlemaster pointed out, though his voice lacked accusation. "Especially without Abelard, or any form of backup."

Halt hesitated. He had to admit, missing Abelard had given him reason for pause. Without his Ranger's horse, familiar and trained, he was hesitant to run off on a mission. But still, the guilt of letting the second most wanted man in the kingdom go loomed too heavy on Halt's chest. He shrugged.

"Every part of my job is dangerous," he replied shortly. "A missing horse is no excuse to neglect my duties."

The words hurt to say. 

Finally, David turned to look at Halt. After a moment, Halt turned as well. The two men faced each other, trying to find the words to say. David obliged first, holding out a hand to his Ranger friend.

"Then I wish you the best," he said. Halt took his hand firmly. "You can have your pick of the horses in the stables."

Halt nodded his thanks. "I owe you," he said. David only shrugged.

"Are you going to tell him?"

Halt hesitated again. He didn't need to ask to know that David was referring to young, impulsive, loyal Gilan. After a moment of consideration, Halt shook his head.

"He'll only ask to tag along. And I can't have him putting himself back in danger. Better if he finds out on his own, when I'm too far gone for him to follow."

David nodded his agreement, and Halt felt a small pressure release in him. If Gilan's father thought Halt was making the right decision for the boy's good, then Halt was content to believe David's instinct.