Ranger's Apprentice 12: The Royal Ranger Read Online Free PDF Page B

had been some months since he had last visited the King and he was depressed to see how far Duncan had degenerated. His cheeks were hollow and waxy, his eyes overbright and feverish. And his body was gaunt, the skin seeming to hang off it. The injured leg was propped out before him, under a mound of blankets.
    They chatted about inconsequential matters for a few minutes. Halt realised that, although Duncan wasdelighted to see him – one of his oldest friends and staunchest supporters – the King was weak and tired quickly as they talked. Halt cut short his visit and made his farewells, but Duncan beckoned him closer to the bed. The King seized Halt’s wrist in a claw-like hand and leaned forward.
    ‘Halt, keep watch over Cassandra. It’s not easy for her – running the Kingdom with me laid up in bed.’
    Halt forced a laugh. ‘I will, my lord, but you’ll be up and about before too long and you can take charge again.’
    Before he had finished, Duncan was shaking his head. ‘Let’s not fool ourselves, Halt. I don’t have long. And when I’m gone, she’ll need friends.’ He paused, breathing with difficulty, his eyes closed for a few seconds. Then he opened them again. ‘Thank god for Horace. She couldn’t have chosen a better husband.’
    The old Ranger smiled fondly at the thought of the honest young knight who was so utterly devoted to the princess. ‘You couldn’t say a truer word,’ he replied. Ironic, he thought. Horace had been an orphan, born of unremarkable peasant stock. Soon he would become the most powerful and influential man in the Kingdom, sitting at Cassandra’s right hand as she ruled.
    ‘She’ll need him,’ the King said. ‘It’s not easy for a woman to rule. There’ll be those who resent her and try to test her. She’ll need all the help she can get. From Horace. From you. And from Will.’
    Halt nodded assurance at the King. ‘We’ll give it to her,’ he said. Then he couldn’t help smiling. ‘But don’t underestimate your daughter, my lord. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it.’
    A tired smile crossed Duncan’s face. ‘And from what I hear, her daughter is taking after her,’ he said. He released his grip on Halt’s wrist and, as if the effort had been too much for him, slumped back in the pillows, waving a weak hand in dismissal.
    Halt crossed quietly to the door, deep in thought. As he laid his hand on the latch, he turned back to look at the King he had served for so many years. Duncan was already asleep, his chest rising and falling fitfully under the covers.
    Sadly, Halt let himself out.
    ‘None of us are getting younger,’ he said, to no one in particular. Then he smiled. Abelard would have had a tart rejoinder to that, he thought.

IT WAS LESS than ten minutes after Halt returned to their guest rooms when Kane knocked at the door. ‘The Commandant is free now,’ he said. ‘He asks if you’ll join him in his office.’
    Halt and Pauline followed the young Ranger as he led them down several levels to the administration section of the keep tower. The higher levels were given over to accommodation and suites.
    Gilan’s office in the keep tower was light and breezy, with the shutters thrown wide open to admit the fresh air. Rangers hated to be cooped up, Pauline knew. Although sometimes their love of fresh air could be a little extreme. Fresh air was all very well. Fresh, cold air was something else. But she was aware of this trait and so she had worn a warm stole over her gown.
    Gilan greeted Halt and Pauline happily, embracing them both and accepting a kiss on the cheek from Pauline. She regarded him fondly. She couldn’t help thinking ofHalt’s two former apprentices as surrogate sons. She noted that his normally cheerful face carried a few more lines than it had when she had last seen him. The burden of responsibility, she thought.
    Unlike Halt and Will, Gilan had remained cleanshaven. It gave him a youthful look that was at odds with his