NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice!

This happens shortly after Halt's Peril. That's why it's called Book 9.5! Includes Will, Evanlyn, Halt, Horace, Gilan, Crowley, and Duncan from the books. From my characters: Flare, Disk, and some who shall remain unnamed at this moment (anyone who read Raven's Story should know the others).

The first chapter of Secrets, Lies, and Blood. Time for everything to come to a head. This is my last fanfiction along this path.

Review and Enjoy!

Secrets, Lies, and Blood Chapter 1

It was late. The moon had already begun its slow descent. A small, gray, shaggy horse perked up his head. His ears swiveled. His breath could be seen as he snorted. Something was not right. He could sense it but where was the threat. A light was still on in the small cabin. His master was up, finishing up some paperwork. Inside, the horse knew, was a young black and white border shepherd. She would alert their master if he missed anything. At least, that's what the horse hoped.

A figure darted into hiding several meters away from the small lean-to. Two more came closer. They had to be cautious. If they alerted the horse or the dog then their plan would fail. Reaching the road, the group paused. Then, one by one, they darted across the path and over the fence. In all, there was about fifteen of them. There were more but the master had to be protected. The leader stopped in the grass, refusing to move until a cloud covered the moon. Then he signaled left and right. The men and women behind him split up. With two others, the leader headed for the lean-to. They had to stop any warning.

The horse was already on guard. The moment the men appeared he balked and reared. His loud whinny split the air. None of the men made a sound as they grabbed his halter and shoved his mouth into a small sack. Quickly they tied it shut. The animal would be able to breathe but it could not make a sound. One man stayed behind with the animal, keeping a firm grip on him. The others charged the cabin. Seeing their leader, the others did the same. Three raced around back, heading to block any exits that way.

The cabin door shattered under the force of the leader's charge. With a snarl, the black and white dog lunged at him. He sidestepped out of the way. The dog sailed past, right into the waiting hands of those behind the leader. Yelping in shock, the dog was brought down and quickly tied up. Meanwhile, the others were entering the cabin. So far everything was going according to plan. So far they had everything under control. Yet now they faced the toughest challenge:

Grabbing the Ranger.

Wrapped in his mottled green and gray cloak, the Ranger faced them head on. A powerful, thick longbow rested calmly in his left hand. A razor sharp saxe glinted in the firelight. For days he had known this group was stalking him. For days he had been preparing for their attack. He knew they would target him the moment he was weak. Now, after finishing a long journey for his king, he had returned exhausted. This was the moment to strike. However, even exhausted, he still had the skill to fight them.

The group spread out, slowly approaching, slowly cornering him. Those lively brown eyes followed them. He knew they would make the first move. Until then, he had to stand his ground. Darker brown flashed through his eyes. He was ready. The leader took a step forward and pulled aside his black cloak. There, standing out brightly, was a blood red sash. A snarl curled on the Ranger's face. Now he knew for certain who they were. Now he understood why they were here. Now he knew how hard a fight this was going to be.

The leader lunged forward. Two others also moved. Instead of leaping at any of them, the Ranger jumped backwards. All three slid to a halt, managing to stop themselves in time. The Ranger had no chance to take advantage of them as two more attacked him. That powerful longbow blocked a cut, his saxe batting aside a thrust. Then he spun on his feet, throwing his cloak wide. That saxe flickered out like a snake's tongue. Both men had pulled away and were out of reach. Another person, this one a woman, leaped on top of the Ranger's shoulders. With a menacing hiss, the Ranger dropped and rolled. Though small and thin, the Ranger managed to put all his weight into her. Gasping for breath, the woman released him. But now they all were there.

His bow pulled away, the Ranger pulled out his throwing knife. With ease and precision, he attacked his attackers with ferocity and anger. They were a threat to more than just him. He did not know how many were after him. Some could very well be after his friend, the one he had fought so hard to protect. One of his attackers avoided his blades but could not avoid his incoming elbow. The man was hurled backwards into a small bookcase. With a mighty crash, the bookshelf buried the man beneath it and the books. Another two were pushed into the table. One barely managed to stop himself from rolling into the fireplace. The others received countless cuts and bruises. When the knives were taken away, the Ranger used his pots and pans as weapons. Then he had his fists.

There was just too many.

With a grunt of pain, the Ranger hit the floorboards. His hands were tied securely behind his back. His ankles were also tied. Then the leader placed a sweet smelling rag against his nose. The Ranger twisted away, kicking one of his captors into a chair, shattering it. Then more men held him down. Unable to escape the cloth, Ranger had no choice but to breathe in the concoction. Soon his mind began to go fuzzy. He had lost. He had failed to fight off these men.

He had failed to outrun his past.

As the men dragged the Ranger's limp body out of the cabin, they failed to see the piece of paper shoved between two floorboards. No matter what, the Ranger would not be taken easily. He knew that there were others who would chase them down. However, only one would be able to track to them. Only one knew where these men were taking the Ranger. Above all, the Ranger needed her to show the way.

It was time for the past to be revealed. It was time for their friends and family to learn the truth. The journey was going to be long. The trials would be real. If these men had come all the way to capture him then the Ranger knew that the past could no longer be hidden. He and his friend had kept so many people in the dark. Now that the darkness had to be removed. They would not like what they found. That the Ranger would be certain of. However, it was the only way to help the Ranger. That's why the letter had been left. It was time…

For secrets to be revealed,

Lies to be found out,

And blood to be spilled.

If not, then everything he was would be lost. If not, then he would never see home again. If not, then Shadow would conquer Will.

Short and sweet! Next chapter is from his friend's point of view.