More training, questions, and a royal visit.

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}about 6 months later{
There was no part of Joseph that didn't hurt. Halt had insisted on putting him through and intense training program, and it had definitely left Joseph using muscles he never knew existed. And all of them were hurting. Since the incident with the farmer, Halt now used Joseph's name, instead of simply calling him 'boy'. Joseph was pleased by this.

Every morning, he woke with the sun, drank coffee, and ate his bacon and eggs. Then he went outside for his 4hr endurance course. After he completed that, he would do the less physical side, map reading, planning, and all that stuff. That would take him to one o'clock. Then there was lunch, usually a hot stew. A quick ride, where Halt would test him on any track they came across, and then it was around three. The chores had to be done, if he had time, he would have and hour hunting, and then he was on the target range with bow and knives. At the end of each day he collapsed into bed, confident in the knowledge that it would all begin again tomorrow...

Joseph groaned. He had just slipped into a mud pit. He hoped it was mud anyway. It smelt worse.
"Start again."
"Halt, why am I doing this?"
"Because in about one month, you will receive your bronze oak leaf at the ranger's gathering. You are tested at the gathering, to see who is the best apprentice. I want you to be the best."
Joseph remained silent as he clambered out of the pit. Was that some kind of affection? From Halt? Joseph had never seen the grim man smile, much less show any kind of affection.
"Halt?"
"Mmhmm?"
"I was thinking..."
Four voices coursed
"You're an apprentice, you're not ready to think!"
Then Gillian, Horace, and Baron Arald fell about laughing. Yes Horace. The King of Araluen. Joseph stared, wide-eyed.
"What, in the name of Gorlogs shaggy toenails and armpit hair are you doing here?"
Halt was angry. Very angry. Joseph backed up against a tree.
"Joseph, don't you have some map reading to do?" Gillian asked gently. Joseph didn't wait to be asked twice. He fled.

"So now," Halt hissed, "you get the King to gang up on me?"
"Halt, look,"
"I DON'T WANT TO! WAS IT YOUR WIFE THAT DIED? NO. YOUR CHILD THAT YOU HAD TO ABANDON? NO. AND YET YOU, ALL OF YOU, HAVE THE NERVE TO TRY AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO AND WHEN TO DO IT! I. HAVE. HAD. ENOUGH! I AGREED TO TELL HIM ONCE HE GOT HIS OAKLEAF. NOT BEFORE. I WILL TELL HIM THEN. NOT BEFORE. NOW WILL YOU ALL STOP GANGING UP ON ME BEFORE I QUIT!"
They stood in shocked silence. Gillian attempted to speak.
"Halt, come on, you wouldn't give up on the Rangers like this..."
"Why not?" Halt snarled. "I could go back to Hiberna, take the boy, introduce him to his family. What do I care? There is nothing left here. Nothing." He stormed off round the back. They heard Abelard thundering off.
"He- he didn't mean it... he was just upset. He knows we're here for him, he loves the Corps still. Doesn't he?"

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