Halt has sworn that he will rescue Will, but is forced to stay by the Ranger Commandant Crowley. He is so desperate to leave that he publicly insults the King who reluctantly banishes him for one year. Because Halt is banished, he is no longer a Ranger, and he sets off for Skandia. First, he travels through Gallica where he meets Horace, who is also determind to find Will. Horace joins him, travels as a freelance knight, defeats many other inadequate freelance knights, and wins horses and armor. Horace's reputation grows and he is captured by the horrible Lord Deparnieux of Castle Montsombre who desires to fight him. Halt, as a result, kills the warlord with a single, well-aimed arrow allowing Horace and him to get on a ship to Skandia.
Meanwhile, Erak believes that Will and Evanlyn (Princess Cassandra) would be treated better than the average slave, and while this is true for Cassandra, it is not the case for Will. Will is forced to be a yard slave and is assigned the worst work, such as jamming a paddle into a frozen well to keep the ice thawed. This is back-breaking, torturous, and freezing work and he suffers terribly. Later on, a so-called "friend" gives him a dangerous drug called warmweed, which has a blissful warming, soothing effect. It also makes the addict blank and lifeless, unable to think, talk, or remember, and always craving for another dose of the drug. After taking it, Will quickly becomes addicted. Erak one day sees this and helps Will and Evanlyn escape to a deserted hunting house with some provisions and a small bundle of warmweed to relieve Will of his addiction, ultimately succeeding.
No comments:
Post a Comment