Quotes by John Flanagan

What about you three, where are you going?Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didnt make it any less terrifying or blood-chilling when the words were said.Were going after the Kalkara.

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 wasnt. She came later. But, when she did, she told us you were missing, so we all boarded Gundars ship-you should see it. Its a new design that can sail into the wind. But anyway, thats 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 Horaces 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.

Right! Lets 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. Youve 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, hasnt 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, dont 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 wasnt enough, he added, Yes. I mean... I do... I am. Yes.Well, good for you.

The Rangers were founded over one hundred and fifty years ago, in King Herberts 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 couldnt remember any details. Still, he decided hed 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?

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.

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.

Youve always said I should have an inquiring mind, she said. I have. But not an interrupting one.

Ill 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 shed 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.

I circled the site before I came in. If theres anyone within five kilometers, Ill 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 hed be back in here by now. Halt cleared his throat loudly. Oh, you saw him, did you? he said. I imagine hell be overjoyed to hear that. Secretly, he was pleased with his former pupil. In spite of his curiosity and obvious excitement, he hadnt 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 didnt notice the momentary change of mood. He was loosening Tugsaddle girth. As he spoke, his voice was muffled against the horsess flank. hes becoming too much a creature of habit, he said. hes used that hide for the last three Gatherings. Its 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 years 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 Crowleys hide. The concealed post was the Ranger Commandants 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 Wills approach. All the same, perhaps hes getting a bit long in the tooth to be skulking around hiding in the bushes, dont you think? he said cheerfully. Halt considered the question for a moment.Long in the tooth? Well, thats one opinion. Mind you, his silent movement skills are still as good as ever, he said meaningfully. The grin on Wills face slowly faded. He resisted the temptation to look over his shoulder. Hes standing behind me, isnt he? he asked Halt. THe older Ranger nodded. Hes standing behind me, isnt 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 didnt have to answer. Oh, good grief no, came a familiar voice from behind him. hes so old and decrepit these days hes as deaf as a post. Wills shoulders sagged and he turned to see the sandy-haired Commandant standing a few meters away. The younger mans eyes dropped. Hullo, Crowley, he said, then mumbled, Ahhh...Im sorry about that. Crowley glared at teh young Ranger for a few more seconds, then he couldnt help teh grin breaking out on his face. No harm done, he said, adding with a small note of triumph, Its 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.

Halt! How are you? What have you been doing? Wheres Abelard? Hows Crowley? Whats this all about? Im 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.

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 students 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 Wills 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 hadnt proven himself to be worthy. Despite himself, he felt a surge of pride.

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 lords 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 jongleurs 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 Araluens greatest heroes!

No matter how thoroughly you plan, no matter how much you think you know, youve never thought of everything.

Youve known him how long? Malcolm asked. Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubbs kitchen to steal some pies. So, what did you have to say to Will when you caught him stealing these pies? Oh, I didnt 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, dont you? Are you acusing me of trying to steal those pies?!?! No, of course not. I just thought id 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? Ive spent to much time around you, I suppose. And Halt had to admit that was probably true.

Id say, the Ranger answered after a few seconds deliberation, that hell 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.Im guessing, Halt told him.

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, wasnt there? And youre quite fond of pies, arent 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 Halts stiff-shouldered form relaxed a little.I just thought Id give you the opportunity to confess, Horace added.

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 warriors head against a convenient tree.

Youll like it less when you hear what theyve been building. Its 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 theyre going to put on a play.Or an execution, Horace said.