Ranger's Apprentice, Book 9: Halt's Peril by Flanagan John

Author:Flanagan, John [Flanagan, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2010-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

28

HORACE WATCHED AS WILL PREPARED FOR THE JOURNEY TO Macindaw. He stripped the three horses of all extraneous weight, dumping camping gear, provision packs and saddlebags in a neat pile by the campfire.

Abelard and Tug carried spare arrow cases for Halt and Will, and he left these behind. Chances were he wouldn’t need to fight and the two dozen arrows in his quiver would be enough in case he ran into unexpected trouble. Kicker was usually loaded with Horace’s shield and the heavy mail coat, helmet and chain-mail hood that he wore when going into battle. These he left behind as well. The horses were left relatively unburdened, with just their saddles and bridles.

He’d be riding Tug for the first leg of the trip, so he loosened the girths on Abelard’s and Kicker’s saddles. They might as well be as comfortable as possible, he thought. Abelard nickered gratitude. Kicker, as was the custom with his breed, accepted the gesture stolidly.

He selected a small rucksack from his kit, emptied out the spare clothes it contained and crammed it with basic traveling rations: a loaf of flat bread, along with dried fruit and several strips of smoked beef. The last-mentioned was hard to chew, but he knew from past experience that it had the nourishment he’d need to restore his strength. Plus it allowed him to eat in the saddle without the need for a stop.

“I’ll take all three of our canteens,” he said to Horace as he was cramming the rations into the rucksack. “You’ve got the pond close by and I don’t want to have to search for water while I’m traveling.” Satisfied that he had enough food, he tied the small sack to Tug’s saddlebow, where he could reach it easily as he rode.

Horace nodded agreement and collected the three canteens. He shook them experimentally.

“They could all use some topping up,” he said. “And you may as well start out with fresh water.” After a few hours, as they both knew only too well, the water would take on the leathery taste of the canteens.

Will smiled his gratitude. “ Thanks,” he said. “I’ll have a bite to eat while you’re doing it. Might as well set off with a good meal under my belt.”

Once Will had finished eating and making the last of his preparations, he ran through a mental checklist and nodded to himself. He had everything he needed. The horses were fed and watered and ready to travel. What little equipment he was taking was securely fastened to their saddles.

Horace returned with the three canteens. He fastened one each to Kicker’s and Abelard’s saddles, tying them down securely with restraining thongs so they wouldn’t bounce and jolt with the horses’ movement. As he turned away from Abelard, the third canteen knocked against the stirrup iron with a hollow sound.

Will frowned, puzzled. “ That sounds empty.”

Horace smiled and walked to the campfire.

“It is at the moment. The other two are for the horses. This one is for you.”

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