Ranger's Apprentice belongs to John Flanagan.

Chapter 1 – Spring

Will loved the arrival of spring. The days got longer, the flowers sprang up from the ground, leaves grew back on the trees, and most importantly of all, the weather became warmer. For Will, this meant no more sleeping on frozen or muddy ground, huddled underneath his cloak, battling the cold air whilst on missions.

However, Will was unable to enjoy this particular spring day too much as Halt had decided that today was the day they would do some much needed repairs about the cabin. Halt had been putting off these repairs due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, there was Morgarath's impending and unsuccessful invasion he and Will had to prepare for over a year ago. Then, Will had been taken to Skandia, and Halt had been expelled from the corps and banished from Araluen for a year. Since they had returned back to the cabin, Halt had been focused upon Will, making sure he was back in peak physical condition, as well as making up lost time for his training. Not only that, Crowley had sent the pair on a plethora of missions all over Araluen, obviously ecstatic about regaining two of his best rangers – but Crowley would never explicitly say this to either Halt or Will.

So now that the weather had gotten better, as well as Crowley relaxing on giving them missions, Halt had decided to make a start on these repairs.

Will drained the last of his coffee from his mug and looked expectantly across the table at Halt who was consulting a list in front of him. Halt, feeling Will's gaze upon him, raised an eyebrow.

"Well, get on with it. I know you're dying to bomb-bard me with a load of questions," Halt said without looking up.

Will took in a deep breath. "What's the plan for today? Tracking? Unseen movement? Map work? What are you reading? Is it another mission from Crowley? Didn't he say he was going to start giving them to other rangers? What is it time? Bandits? Do you want me to get our stuff ready?"

Halt rolled his eyes from the sheer volume of questions coming from his apprentice.

"It's not another mission, thank goodness. It's a list."

"A list?"

Halt let out an irritated sigh, looking towards the heavens. "If I wash your ears out, you might stop repeating every darn thing I say! Now listen very carefully Will, I don't want you repeating this. I have made a list of what jobs need doing."

"Ok, I'm with you so far."

Halt shot Will a glare. "I am considering what ones are the most important so we can do them first. Have you got that?"

"Sure," said Will. "Can I have a look at the list?"

Without a word, Halt passed the paper over to Will who quickly scanned the items that were listed. One job in particular jumped out at Will, partially because it involved climbing.

"I'll repair the roof for you, Halt. I say that's the most important thing – we don't want that falling on our heads. Although, there are some holes in the stable where rats have chewed through the boards; I suppose that should be our priority and –"

"You know what," interrupted Halt, "I think that you can repair the roof, and I'll repair the stable. Besides, I'm getting too old to be climbing up there," gesturing above their heads.

"You're not too old, Halt," said Will with a sympathetic smile. "In a couple of years maybe, but not right now."

Halt looked at Will with a glare that clearly said that Will would find himself with an arrow in his leg if he didn't leave immediately.

"I'll make a start on that roof," said Will quickly, before darting out of the cabin.

On the bright side, thought Will, at least I'll get to spend the day in the sun.