72 Quotes & Sayings By John Flanagan

But what if I make a mistake?' Will asked. Gilan threw back his head and laughed. 'A mistake? One mistake? You should be so lucky. You'll make dozens! I made four or five on my first day alone! Of course you'll make mistakes. Just don't make any of them twice. If you do mess things up, don't try to hide it. Don't try to rationalize it. Recognize it and admit it and learn from it. We never stop learning, none of us. John Flanagan

Halt regarded him. He loved Horace like a younger brother. Even like a second son, after Will. He admired his skill with a sword and his courage in battle. But sometimes, just sometimes, he felt an overwhelming desire to ram the young warrior's head against a convenient tree." You have no sense of drama or symbolism, do you?" he asked." Huh?" replied Horace, not quite understanding. Halt looked around for a convenient tree. Luckily for Horace, there were none in sight. . John Flanagan

A hundred people is rather a large handful for the four of us to take on, " Malcolm pointed out. "Do you have any ideas about how we're going to handle that task?"" Simple, " Halt told him. "We'll surround them. John Flanagan

Isn't that someone we know?" asked Horace. He pointed to where a cloaked figure sat by the side of the road a few hundred meters away, arms wrapped around his knees. Close by him, a small shaggy horse cropped the grass growing at the edge of the drainage ditch that ran beside the road." So it is, " Halt replied. "And he seems to have brought Will with him. John Flanagan

Would you have done that in his place? Would you have left him and gone on?"" Of course I would! " Halt replied immediately. But something in his voice rang false and Horse looked at him, raising one eyebrow. He'd waited a long time for an opportunity to use that expression of disbelief on Halt.After a pause, the Ranger's anger subsided." All right. Perhaps I wouldn't, " he admitted. Then he glared at Horace. "And stop raising that eyebrow on me. You can't even do it properly. Your other eyebrow moves with it! . John Flanagan

Maybe we should have gone with him, " he said, a few minutes after his friend was lost to sight." Three of us would make four times the noise he will, " Halt said. Horace frowned, not quite understanding the equation. "Wouldn't three of us make three times the noise?" Halt shook his head. "Will and Tug will make hardly any noise. Neither will Abelard and I. But as for you and that moving earthquake you call a horse.." He gestured at Kicker and left the rest unsaid. John Flanagan

Gundar seemed to come to a decision. "Well, as my old mam used to say, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's probably a duck." "Very wise, " Halt said. "And what exactly do your mother's words of wisdom have to do with this situation?" Gundar shrugged. "It looks like a channel. It's the right place for a channel. If I were digging one, this is where I'd dig a channel. So. ." "So it's probably the channel?" Selethen said. Gundar grinned at him. "Either that or it's a duck. . John Flanagan

The tavern keeper, a wiry man with a sharp-nosed face, round, prominent ears and a receding hairline that combined to give him a rodentlike look, glanced at him, absentmindedly wiping a tankard with a grubby cloth. Will raised an eyebrow as he looked at it. He'd be willing to bet the cloth was transferring more dirt to the tankard then it was removing. "Drink?" the tavern keeper asked. He set the tankard down on the bar, as if in preparation for filling it with whatever the stranger might order. "Not out of that, " Will said evenly, jerking a thumb at the tankard. Ratface shrugged, shoved it aside and produced another from a rack above the bar. "Suit yourself. Ale or ouisgeah?" Ousigeah, Will knew, was the strong malt spirit they distilled and drank in Hibernia. In a tavern like this, it might be more suitable for stripping runt than drinking. "I'd like coffee, " he said, noticing the battered pot by the fire at one end of the bar. "I've got ale or ouisgeah. Take your pick." Ratface was becoming more peremptory. Will gestured toward the coffeepot. The tavern keeper shook his head. "None made, " he said. "I'm not making a new pot just for you." "But he's drinking coffee, " Will said, nodding to one side. Inevitably the tavern keeper glanced that way, to see who he was talking about. The moment his eyes left Will, an iron grip seized the front of his shirt collar, twisting it into a knot that choked him and at the same time dragged him forward, off balance, over the bar, . The stranger's eyes were suddenly very close. He no longer looked boyish. The eyes were dark brown, almost black in this dim light, and the tavern keeper read danger there. A lot of danger. He heard a soft whisper of steel, and glancing down past the fist that held him so tightly, he glimpsed the heavy, gleaming blade of the saxe knife as the stranger laid it on the bar between them. He looked around for possible help. But there was nobody else at the bar, and none of the customers at the tables had noticed what was going on. "Aach..mach co'hee, " he choked. The tension on his collar eased and the stranger said softly, "What was that?" "I'll..make..coffee, " he repeated, gasping for breath. The stranger smiled. It was a pleasant smile, but the tavern keep noticed that it never reached those dark eyes. "That's wonderful. I'll wait here. John Flanagan

He shook his head. He didn't know. He couldn't tell when he had woken fully. He walked to the horses. They definitely seemed alarmed. But then, they would. After all, he had just leapt to his feet unexpectedly, waving his saxe knife around like a lunatic. John Flanagan

Looks like he's lost a guinea and found a farthing, " Horace said, then added, unnecessarily, "Will, I mean." Halt turned in his saddle to regard the younger man and raised an eyebrow." I may be almost senile in your eyes, Horace, but there's no need to explain the blindly obvious to me. I'd hardly have thought you were referring to Tug. John Flanagan

There's a tavern by the docks. He's there most evenings."" Then I'll talk to him tonight, " Halt said." You can try. But he's a hard case, Halt. I'm not sure you'll get anything out of him. He's not interested in money. I tried that."" Well, perhaps he'll do it out of the goodness of his heart. I'm sure he'll open up to me, " Halt said easily. But Horace noticed a gleam in his eye. He was right: the prospect of having something to do had reawakened Halt's spirits. He had a score to settle, and Horace found himself thinking that it didn't bode well for this Black O'Malley character. Will eyes Halt doubtfully, however. "You think so." Halt smiled at him. "People love talking to me, " he said. "I'm an excellent conversationalist and I have a sparkling personality. Ask Horace. I've been bending his ear all the way from Dun Kilty, haven't I?"Horace nodded confirmation. "Talking nonstop all the way, he's been, " he said. "Be glad to see him turn all that chatter onto someone else. John Flanagan

You're dropping the bow hand as you release, " he called, although Halt certainly wasn't. His mentor looked around, saw him, and replied pithily, "I believe your grandmother needs lessons in sucking eggs. John Flanagan

Butterfly?" Will said. "Why Butterfly?" "I believe it's a term of great respect, " Selethen said gravely. He was very obviously not laughing. Too obviously, Will thought. "It's all right for you, " he said. "They called you 'Hawk.' Hawk is an excellent name. It's warlike and noble. But..Butterfly? Selethen nodded. "I agree that Hawk is an entirely suitable name. I assume it had to do with my courage and nobility of heart. Halt coughed and the Arridi lord looked at him, eyebrows raised. "I think it referred less to your heart and more to another part of your body, " Halt said mildly. He tapped his finger meaningfully along the side of his nose. It was a gesture he'd always wanted an opportunity to use, and this one was to good to miss. Selethen sniffed and turned away, affecting not to notice. John Flanagan

Horace, who had been trying to find out the meaning of Kurokuma for some time now, was pleased to hear the translation. "Black bear, " he repeated. "It's undoubtedly because I'm so terrible in battle." "I'd guess so, " Will put in. "I've seen you in battle and you're definitely terrible. John Flanagan

Uphill? There's nothing up the hill, " Colly said, trying desperately to work out where this conversation was going." As a matter of fact, there is. There's a bluff about twelve meters high, with a river running below it. The water's deep, so it'll be quite safe for you to jump." In his brief glimpse of the river, Halt had noticed that the fast-flowing water cut under the bluff in a sharp curve. That should mean that the bottom had been scoured out over the years. A thought struck him. "You can swim, I assume?"" Yes. I can swim, " Colly said. "But I'm going jumping off some bluff just because you say to! "" No, no. Of course not. That'd be asking far too much of you. You'll jump off because if you don't, I'll shoot you. It'll be the same effect, really. If I have to shoot you, you'll fall off. But I thought I'd give you a chance to survive." Halt paused, then added, "Oh, and if you decide to run downhill, I'll also shoot you with an arrow. Uphill and off is really your only chance of survival."" You can't be serious! " Colly said. "Do you really-" But he got no further. Halt leaned forward, putting a hand up to stop the outburst." Colly, take a good, long look into my eyes and tell me if you see anything, anything at all, that says I'm not deadly serious." His eyes were deep brown, almost black. They were steady and unwavering and there was no sign of anything there but utter determination. Colly looked at them and after a few second, his eyes dropped away. halt nodded as the other man's gaze slid away from his." Good. Now we've got that settled, you should try to get some sleep. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. . John Flanagan

S'mimasen, " Alyss said repeatedly as they brushed against passerby. "What does that mean?" Will asked as they reached a stretch of street bare of any other pedestrians. He was impressed by Alyss's grasp of the local language. "It means 'pardon me, '" Alyss replied, but then a shadow of doubt crossed her face. "At least, I hope it does. Maybe I'm saying 'you have the manners of a fat, rancid sow. John Flanagan

Halt, " said Horace, "I've been thinking.." Halt and Will exchanged an amused glance. "Always a dangerous pastime, " they chorused. For many years, it had been Halt's unfailing response when Will had made the same statement. Horace waited patiently while they had their moment of fun, then continued." Yes, yes. I know. But seriously, as we said last night, Macindaw isn't so far away from here.."" And?" Halt asked, seeing how Horace had left the statement hanging." Well, there's a garrison there and it might not be a b ad idea for one of to go fetch some reinforcements. It wouldn't hurt to have a dozen knights and men-at-arms to back us up when we run into Tennyson."But Halt was already shaking his head." Two problems, Horace. It'd take too long for one of us to get there, explain it all and mobilize a force. And even if we could do it quickly, I don't think we'd want a bunch of knights blundering around the countryside, crashing through the bracken, making noise and getting noticed." He realized that statement had been a little tactless. "No offense, Horace. Present company excepted, of course. John Flanagan

Halt glared at his friend as the whistling continued.' I had hoped that your new sense of responsibly would put an end to that painful shrieking noise you make between your lips' he said. Crowley smiled. It was a beautiful day and he was feeling at peace with the world. And that meant he was more than ready to tease Halt 'It's a jaunty song'' What's jaunty about it?' Halt asked, grim faced. Crowley made an uncertain gesture as he sought for an answer to that question.' I suppose it's the subject matter' he said eventually. 'It's a very cheerful song. Would you like me to sing it for you?'' N-' Halt began but he was too late, as Crowley began to sing. He had a pleasant tenor voice, in fact, and his rendering of the song was quite good. But to Halt it was as attractive as a rusty barn door squeaking.' A blacksmith from Palladio, he met a lovely lady-o'' Whoa! Whoa! ' Halt said 'He met a lovely lady-o?' Halt repeated sarcastically 'What in the name of all that's holy is a lady-o?'' It's a lady' Crowley told him patiently.' Then why not sing 'he met a lovely lady'?' Halt wanted to know. Crowley frowned as if the answer was blatantly obvious." Because he's from Palladio, as the song says. It's a city on the continent, in the southern part of Toscana.''And people there have lady-o's, instead of ladies?' Asked Halt'No. They have ladies, like everyone else. But 'lady' doesn't rhyme with Palladio, does it? I could hardly sing, 'A blacksmith from Palladio, he met his lovely lady', could I?''It would make more sense if you did' Halt insisted 'But it wouldn't rhyme' Crowley told him.' Would that be so bad?'' Yes! A song has to rhyme or it isn't a proper song. It has to be lady-o. It's called poetic license.'' It's poetic license to make up a word that doesn't exist and which, by the way, sound extremely silly?' Halt asked. Crowley shook his head 'No. It's poetic license to make sure that the two lines rhyme with each other' Halt thought for a few seconds, his eyes knitted close together. Then inspiration struck him.' Well then couldn't you sing 'A blacksmith from Palladio, he met a lovely lady, so..'?'' So what?' Crowley challenged Halt made and uncertain gesture with his hands as he sought more inspiration. Then he replied. 'He met a lovely lady, so..he asked her for her hand and gave her a leg of lamb.'' A leg of lamb? Why would she want a leg of lamb?' Crowley demanded Halt shrugged 'Maybe she was hungry . John Flanagan

George! ' [Horace] said, the relief evident in his voice. 'Are you all right?'' No! I am not! ' George replied with considerable spirit. 'I have a whacking great arrow stuck through my arm and it hurts like the very dickens! How could anybody be all right in those circumstances?'..' You saved my life, George, ' Horace said gently.. George grimaced. 'Well, if I'd known it was going to hurt like this, I wouldn't have! I would have just let them shoot you! Why do you live this way?' he demanded in a high-pitched voice. 'How can you bear it? This sort of thing is very, very painful. I always suspected that warriors are crazy. Now I know. John Flanagan

If you're a ghost, " he said, "we mean you no disrespect. And if you're not a ghost, tell me who you are-or you soon will be one John Flanagan

Will raised both eyebrows. 'Well, you learn a new thing everyday, ' he said reflectively.' In your case, that's no exaggeration, ' Halt said, completely straight-faced. John Flanagan

If everything is done for me... how will I ever learn? John Flanagan

Displeased is too mild a word, Pauline. I would rather use the word "vexed". I would be most discomforted to know that you were "vexed" my lord, Halt said, with just the slightest trace of mockery in his tone. The Baron turned a piercing glare on him, don't take this too far, it warned him. Then we shall make it "extremely vexed", lady Pauline, he said meaningfully. I leave it to you to put it in the right form. He looked from her to Halt. You will receive the official notification of my displeasure tomorrow, Halt. I tremble in anticipation my lord, said Halt. John Flanagan

Come closer, Kurokuma. It's quite safe.' Horace shuffled closer to the edge...' Quite safe, my foot, ' he muttered to himself. 'And what's this Kurokuma you keep calling me?'' It's a term of great respect, ' Shigeru told him.' Great respect, ' Shukin echoed. John Flanagan

What was that, Kurokuma?' asked one of the escorts riding near him. The others chuckled at the name.' Nothing important, ' Horace said. Then he looked at them suspiciously. 'What's this Kurokuma business?' The Senshi looked at him with a completely staight face.' It's a term of great respect, ' he said. Several others within earshot nodded confirmation. They too managed to remain straight-faced. It was a skill the Nihon-Jan had perfected.' Great respect, ' one of them echoed. . John Flanagan

Many rulers would have spent the morning complaining loudly about the cold and the discomfort, as if their complaints would actually serve to alleviate the situation and as if their attendants should be able to do something about it. Not the emperor. He accepted the situation knowing that he could do nothing to change the weather. Best to endure it without making life more difficult for those around him. . John Flanagan

Keep practicing, " he told her." Until I get it right?" she said. But he corrected her." No. Until you don't get it wrong. John Flanagan

As the old Ranger adage went "If a person doesn't expect to see someone, odds are he won't. John Flanagan

Anyone can make a mistake.... It's how they learn from it and recover from it that shows their true worth. John Flanagan

Sometimes, life threw up problems that even the wisest, most trusted mentor couldn't solve for you. It was part of the pain of growing up. And having to stand by and watch was part of being a mentor. John Flanagan

You know, Gilan, sarcasm isn't the lowest form of wit. It's not even wit at all. John Flanagan

The sarcastic little know-it-all needs help, does he? John Flanagan

There are always risks in battle. It's a dangerous business. The trick is to take the right ones.' [said Halt].'How do you know which are the right ones?' Shigeru asked. Halt glanced at his two younger companions. They grinned and answered in chorus, 'You wait and see if you win. John Flanagan

Now for God's sake, will you two start behaving like a princess and a Courier?" Halt told them. "If you don't, I'll have to think about sending Will home.'' Me?' Will said, his voice breaking into a high-pitched squeak of indignation. 'What's it got to do with me?'' It's all your fault! ' Halt shouted irrationally. John Flanagan

What is this Chocho business?' Will muttered to himself. But his friends overheard the comment.' It's a term of great respect, ' they chorused, and he glared at them.' Oh, shut up, ' he said. John Flanagan

What the devil is Chocho?' Will whispered. Horace's grin broadened. 'You are. It's what the men call you, ' he said. Then he added, 'It's a term of great respect.' Behind them, Halt nodded confirmation. 'Great respect, ' he agreed. John Flanagan

How do we get there? How did you get here, by the way?' [Will asked]. He heard Halt's deep sigh and knew he'd done it again.' Do you ever, ' the older Ranger said with great deliberation, 'manage to ask just one question at a time? Or does it always have to be multiple choice with you?' Will looked at him in surprise. 'Do I do that?' he asked. 'Are you sure?' Halt said nothing. He raised his hands in a 'See what I mean?' gesture..' Halt, ' [Selethen said], 'I could be wrong, but I think you were just guilty of the same fault. I'm sure I heard you ask two questions just then.'' Thank you for pointing that out, Lord Selethen, ' Halt said with icy formality. John Flanagan

‎Halt looked up at the trees above him." Why does this boy ask so many questions?" he asked the trees. Naturally, they didn't answer. John Flanagan

[Will]'d barely been asleep a few minutes when Halt's voice woke him.' Will? Are you asleep?'...' I was, ' he said, a little indignantly. 'I'm not now.'' Good, ' Halt replied, a trifle smugly. 'Serves you right. John Flanagan

Without thinking, [Will] spoke.' Halt? Are you awake?'' No.' The ill humor in the one-word reply was unmistakable.' Oh. Sorry.''Shut up.' He pondered whether to apologize again and decided this would go against the instruction to shut up, so remained silent. John Flanagan

Gundar, seeing Halt upright for the first time in two days, stumped up the deck to join them.' Back on your feet then?' he boomed cheerfully, with typical Skandian tact. 'By Gorlag's toenails, with all the heaving abd puking you've been doing, I thought you'd turn yourself inside out and puke yourself over the rail! '..' You do paint a pretty picture, Gundar, ' Will said..' Thank you for your concern, ' Halt said icily..' So, did you find Albert?' Gundar went on, unabashed. Even Halt was puzzled by this sudden apparent change of subject.' Albert?' he asked. Too late, he saw Gundar's grin widening and knew he'd stepped into a trap.' You seemed to be looking for him. You'd lean over the rail and call, 'Al-b-e-e-e-e-e-r-t! ' I thought he might be some Araluen sea god.'' No, I didn't find him. Maybe I could look for him in your helmet.' He reached out a hand. But Gundar had heard what happened when Skandians lent their helmets to the grim-faced Ranger while onboard ship..' No, I'm pretty sure he's not there, ' he said hurriedly. . John Flanagan

Easy climb, Kurokuma. You do it easily.'' Not on your life, ' Horace said.. 'That's what we have Rangers for. They climb up sheer rock walls and crawl along narrow, slippery ledges. I'm a trained warrior, and I'm far to valuable to risk such shenanigans.'' We're not valuable?' Will said, feigning insult. Horace looked at him. 'We've got two of you. We can always afford to lose one, ' he said firmly. John Flanagan

Will saw the first Senshi officer release and instantly knew where the arrow was aimed. 'They've spotted Shigeru! ' He was about to turn and shove Shigeru to the ground, but as he did so, his eye caught a flicker of movement and he spun back. When asked later about what he did next, he could never explain how he managed it. Nor could he ever repeat the feat. He acted totally from instinct, an unbelievable piece of coordination between hand and eye. The Senshi arrow flashed downward, heading directly for Shigeru. Will flicked his bow at it, caught it and deflected it from its course. The arrowhead screeched on the hard, rocky ground and the arrow skittered away. Even Halt took a second to be impressed.' My god! ' he said. 'How did you do that?. John Flanagan

Will had been taken aback in his confrontation with Arisaka to discover that his name- Chocho- meant "Butterfly".. He was puzzled to know why they had selected it. His friends, of course, delighted in helping him guess the reason.' I assume it's because you're such a snazzy dresser, ' Evanlyn said. 'You Rangers are a riot of color, after all.'..' I think it might be more to do with the way he raced around the training ground, darting here and there to correct the way a man might be holding his shield, then dashing off to show someone how to put their body weight into their javelin cast, ' said Horace, a little more sympathetically. Then he ruined the effect by adding thoughtlessly, 'I must say, your cloak did flutter around like a butterfly's wings. John Flanagan

Who are you, gaijin? What do you know about honor?'' I'm called Chocho, ' Will said...' Chocho?' Arisaka shouted, goaded beyond control. 'Butterfly? Then die, Butterfly! John Flanagan

Halt eyed them balefully. They were all being so obvious about not mentioning his sudden reappearance that it was even worse than if they had commented on it..' Oh, go on! ' he said. 'Somebody say something! I know what you're thinking! '' It's good to see you up and about, Halt, ' Selethen said gravely.. Halt glared at the others and they quickly chorused their pleasure at seeing him back to his normal self. But he could see the grins they didn't quite manage to hide. He fixed a glare on Alyss.'I'm surprised at you Alyss, ' he said. 'I expected no better of Will and Evanlyn, of course. Heartless beasts, the pair of them. But you! I thought you had been better trained! '..' Halt, I'm sorry! It's not funny, you're right.. Shut up, Will.' This last was directed at Will as he tried, unsuccessfully, to smother a snigger. . John Flanagan

Fighting positions, please, ladies..'' That's debatable, ' Halt said in an undertone to Will as they stood watching..' The 'fighting' part or the 'ladies' part?' Will replied with a grin. Halt looked at him and shook his head. 'Definitely the 'ladies, '' he said. 'There's no debate about the 'fighting.''Will shrugged. He knew there was an edginess to the girls' relationship and that it had something to do with him. Why that should be so was beyond him. John Flanagan

The two girls disappeared into the stern cabin once more. Will watched them go, then asked Halt, 'Anything you'd like me to do? Grow a beard? Learn to walk like a rooster?'' If you could stop asking facetious questions, that'd be a start, ' Halt told him. 'But it's probably a little late in life for you to do that. John Flanagan

You're right, Halt, ' she said, and he nodded acklowledgement of her backing down.' Nice to hear someone else saying that for a change, ' Will said cheerfully. 'Seems like I've said those words an awful lot in my time.' Halt turned a bleak gaze on him. 'And you've always been right. John Flanagan

All we could get out of them was that they were taking us to 'Kurokuma'. We didn't know if that was a place or a person. What does it mean, by the way?'' I'm told it's a term of great respect, ' Horace said, unwilling to admit that he didn't know. John Flanagan

Shokaku is a crane of some kind.'' For lifting things?' Will asked.' For flying. A crane is a large bird, ' she corrected him...' Seems like a logical thing for a crane to do, ' Halt mused. 'I suppose you wouldn't expect it to mean 'a hiking crane' or 'a waddling crane. John Flanagan

What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make it any less terrifying or blood-chilling when the words were said." We're going after the Kalkara. John Flanagan

But..' Horace looked from one familiar face to another. 'How did you come to.?' Before he could finish the question, Will interupted, thinking to clarify matters but only making them more puzzling..' We were all in Toscana for the treaty signing, ' he began, then corrected himself. 'Well, Evanlyn wasn't. She came later. But, when she did, she told us you were missing, so we all boarded Gundar's ship-you should see it. It's a new design that can sail into the wind. But anyway, that's not important. And just before we left, Selethen decided to join us-what with you being an old comrade in arms and all-and..' He got no further. Halt, seeing the confusion growing on Horace's face, held up a hand to stop his babbling former apprentice.. Will stopped, a little embarrassed as he realized that he had been running off at the mouth. . John Flanagan

Right! Let's get on with it! All right.. you.. Will.. have trained as apprentice to Ranger Halt of Redmont Fief these last five twelvemonths and blah blah blah and so on and so on. You've shown the necessary level of proficiency in the use of the weapons a Ranger uses- the longbow, the saxe knife, the throwing knife." He paused and glanced up Halt. "He has shown the proficiency, hasn't he? Of course he has, " he went on, before Halt could answer. "Furthermore, you are a trusted officer in the service of the King and so on and so on and hi diddle diddle dee dee.." He glanced up again. "These forms really do carry on a bit, don't they? But I have to make a pretense of reading them. And so forth and so on and such like." He paused, nodded several times, then continued." So basically.." He flicked a few more pages, found the one he was after and then continued, "You are in all ways ready to assume the position and authority of a fully operational Ranger in the Kingdom of Araluen. Correct?"He glanced up again, his eyebrows raised. Will realized he was waiting for an answer." Correct, " he said hastily, then in case that wasn't enough, he added, "Yes. I mean.. I do.. I am. Yes.""Well, good for you. John Flanagan

The Rangers were founded over one hundred and fifty years ago, in King Herbert's reign. Do you know anything about him?" Halt looked sideways at the boy sitting beside him, tossing the question out quickly to see his response. Will hesitated. He vaugely remembered the name from history lessons in the Ward, but he couldn't remember any details. Still, he decided he'd try to bluff his way through it.." Oh .. yes, " he said, "King Herbert. We learned about him."" Really?" said the Ranger expansively. "Perhaps you could tell me a little about him?" He leaned back and crossed his legs, getting himself comfortable.." He was .." he hesitated, pretending to gather his thoughts. "The king." That much he was sure of. Halt merely smiled and made a rolling gesture with his hand that meant go on. "He was the king .. a hundred and fifty years ago, " Will said, trying to sound certain of his facts. The Ranger smiled at him, gesturing for him to continue yet again. "Ummm .. well, I seem to recall that he was the one who founded the Ranger Corps, " he said hopefully, and Halt raised his eyebrows in mock surprise." Really? You recall that, do you? . John Flanagan

How can you sleep at a time like this?” she asked, but the only answer was a low snore. She looked at him suspiciously. In the short time she had been with him, she had never before heard him snore.“ You’re faking, ” she said.“ No. I’m really fast asleep, ” came his voice from under the cowl. John Flanagan

Anything happening, ” she whispered.“ Aside from you blundering about like a lost elephant?” he asked, in the same low tone. She nodded, accepting the rebuke. “Aside from that. John Flanagan

You've always said I should have an inquiring mind, " she said. "I have. But not an interrupting one. John Flanagan

I'll find you, Will! "Then the wind filled the big, square sail of the wolfship and she heeled away from the shore, moving faster and faster towards the northeast. For a long time after she'd dropped below the horizon, the sodden figure sat there, his horse chest-deep in the rolling waves, staring after the ship. And his lips still moved, in a silent promis only he could hear. John Flanagan

I circled the site before I came in. If there's anyone within five kilometers, I'll eat my quiver." Halt regarded him, eyebrow arched once more. "Anyone?""Anyone other than Crowley, " Will amended, making a dismissive gesture. "I saw him watching me from that hide he always uses about two kilometers out. I assumed he'd be back in here by now." Halt cleared his throat loudly. "Oh, you saw him, did you?" he said. "I imagine he'll be overjoyed to hear that." Secretly, he was pleased with his former pupil. In spite of his curiosity and obvious excitement, he hadn't forgotten to take the precautions that had been drilled into him. THat augured well for what lay ahead, Halt thought, a sudden grimness settling onto his manner. Will didn't notice the momentary change of mood. He was loosening Tugsaddle girth. As he spoke, his voice was muffled against the horses's flank. "he's becoming too much a creature of habit, " he said. "he's used that hide for the last three Gatherings. It's time he tried something new. Everyone must be onto it by now." Rangers constantly competed with each other to see before being seen and each year's Gathering was a time of heightened competition. Halt nodded thoughtfully. Crowley had constructed teh virtually invisible observation post some four years previously. Alone among the younger Rangers, Will had tumbled to it after one year. Halt had never mentioned to him that he was the only one who knew of Crowley's hide. The concealed post was the Ranger Commandant's pride and joy. "Well, perhaps not everyone, " he said. Will emerged from behind his horse, grinning at the thought of the head of the Ranger Corps thinking he had remained hidden from sight as he watched Will's approach. "All the same, perhaps he's getting a bit long in the tooth to be skulking around hiding in the bushes, don't you think?" he said cheerfully. Halt considered the question for a moment." Long in the tooth? Well, that's one opinion. Mind you, his silent movement skills are still as good as ever, " he said meaningfully. The grin on Will's face slowly faded. He resisted the temptation to look over his shoulder. "He's standing behind me, isn't he?" he asked Halt. THe older Ranger nodded. "He's standing behind me, isn't he?" Will continued and Halt nodded once more." Is he..close enough to have heard what I said?" Will finally managed to ask, fearin teh worst. This time, Halt didn't have to answer. "Oh, good grief no, " came a familiar voice from behind him. "he's so old and decrepit these days he's as deaf as a post." Will's shoulders sagged and he turned to see the sandy-haired Commandant standing a few meters away. The younger man's eyes dropped. "Hullo, Crowley, " he said, then mumbled, "Ahhh..I'm sorry about that." Crowley glared at teh young Ranger for a few more seconds, then he couldn't help teh grin breaking out on his face. "No harm done, " he said, adding with a small note of triumph, "It's not often these days I amange to get the better of one of you young ones." Secretly, he was impressed at teh news that Will had spotted his hiding place. Only the sarpest eyes could have picked it. Crowley had been in the business of seeing without being seen for thirty years or more, and despite what Will believed, he was still an absolute master of camouflage and unseen movement. John Flanagan

Halt! How are you? What have you been doing? Where's Abelard? How's Crowley? What's this all about?" "I'm glad to see you rate my horse more important than our Corps Commandant, " Halt said, one eyebrow rising in the expression that Will knew so well. Early in their relationship, he had thought it was an expression of displeasure. He had learned years ago that it was, for Halt, the equivalent of a smile. John Flanagan

The the uncertainty was dispelled and the melancholy lifted as he saw a familiar stocky figure moving near one of the tents. "Halt! " he cried out gladly, and a slight pressure with his knees set Tug galloping through the deserted Gathering site. The dog, caught by surprise, barked once, then shot in pursuit like an arrow from a bow. The grim-faced Ranger straightened from the fire at the sound of his former student's voice. He stood, hands on hips and a frown on his face as Will and Tug careered toward him. But inside, there was a lightening of his heart that he never failed to feel when in Will's company. Not for the first time, the realization hit Halt that Will was no longer a mere boy. No one wore the Silver Oakleaf if he hadn't proven himself to be worthy. Despite himself, he felt a surge of pride. John Flanagan

Already, Cullum felt a stirring of interest. The name Horace and the mention of an oakleaf symbol struck a chord in his memory. Sir Horace, the Oakleaf Knight, was a legendary figure in Araluen, even in a place as remote as Norgate. Of course, the more remote the location, the more garbled and fantastic the legends became. As Cullum had hear tell, Sir Horace had been a youth of sixteen when he defeated the tyrant Morgarath in single combat, slicing the head off the evil lord's shoulders with one might strocke of a massive broadsword. Then, in the company of the equally legendary Ranger Halt, Sir Horace had traveled across the Stormwhite Sea to defeat the Riders from the East and rescue Princess Cassandra and her companion, the apprentice Ranger known as Will. Will! The significance of the name suddenly registered with the innkeeper. The jongleur's name was Will. Now here he was, in a cowled cloak, festooned with recurve bow and a quiver of arrows. He looked more closely and saw the hilt of a heavy saxe knife just visible at his waist. No doubt about it, Cullum thought, these cheerful young men were two of Araluen's greatest heroes! . John Flanagan

No matter how thoroughly you plan, no matter how much you think you know, you've never thought of everything. John Flanagan

You've known him how long?" Malcolm asked. "Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubb's kitchen to steal some pies." "So, what did you have to say to Will when you caught him stealing these pies? "Oh, I didn't let on I was there. We rangers can be very unobtrusive when we choose. I remained out of sight and watched him. I thought he might have potential to be a ranger." Halt said. Horace joined in "Why?" Halt answered carefully. "Because he was excellent at moving from cover to cover. Chubb entered 3 times and never noticed him. So i thought that if he could acheive that with no training, he would make a good ranger." "No" Horace spoke. "Thats not what I meant. Why were you hiding in the kitchen in the first place?" "I told you. I was watching Will to see if he had the potential to be a ranger." "Thats not what you said. You said that was the first time you noticed Will." "Does it matter?" "Not really. Were you hiding from chub yourself and Will just turned up by coincidence?" "And why would I be hiding from master Chubb in his own kitchen?" "Well, there were freshly made pies on the windowsill, and you like pies, don't you?" "Are you acusing me of trying to steal those pies?! ?! " "No, of course not. I just thought i'd give you the opportunity to confess." After a pause, Halt continued. "You know, Horace, you used to be a most agreeable young man. Whatever happened to you?" "I've spent to much time around you, I suppose." And Halt had to admit that was probably true. John Flanagan

I'd say, " the Ranger answered after a few seconds' deliberation, "that he'll be heading south now that he has the chance. Back into Araluen.""How do you know that?" Horace asked. He was always impressed at the two Rangers' ability to read a situation and come up with the correct answer to a problem. Sometimes, he thought, they almost seemed to have divine guidance." I'm guessing, " Halt told him. . John Flanagan

And why would I be hiding from Master Chubb in his own kitchen?" Halt challenged. Again, Horace shrugged innocently. "Well, there was a tray of freshly made pies airing on the windowsill, wasn't there? And you're quite fond of pies, aren't you, Halt?" Halt drew himself up very straight in the saddle. "Are you accusing me of sneaking into that kitchen to steal the pies for myself? Is that it?" His voice and body language simply reeked of injured dignity." Of course not, Halt! " Horace hurried to assure him, and Halt's stiff-shouldered form relaxed a little." I just thought I'd give you the opportunity to confess, " Horace added. . John Flanagan

Halt regarded him. He loved Horace like a younger brother. Even like a second son, after will. He admired his skill with a sword and his courage in battle. But sometimes, just sometimes, he felt an overwhelming desire to ram the young warrior's head against a convenient tree. John Flanagan

You'll like it less when you hear what they've been building. It's a big raised platform at the end of the square about two metres above the ground, with steps running up to it.'' Like a stage?' Erak suggested. 'Maybe they're going to put on a play.'' Or an execution, ' Horace said. John Flanagan