This is set in the book Erak's Ransom. Tacked on to the end of chapter 48. To give you a little recap, Will just saved Halt by shooting the executioner from the top of the tower. Mayhem follows and there is a battle ect. Will climbs down the tower to find the dying Arridi solider, Aloom who helped him sneak into the town. Will sends the merchant to get a healer who comes but there is nothing that can be done for the dying man. Will asks the healer to stay with the dead man until he returns.

Then there is the battle between Erak and Toshak, the Skandian who betrayed him. This is a missing scene from the end of that chapter. It begins where that fight ends...

Due to the intensity of the battle between the the two huge Skandians, no one saw Will as he silently approached the group. All eyes were riveted on the Oberjarl and the traitor as the short battle came to an abrupt end.

Many in the group started and turned to look at the unexpected voice when he spoke.

"Well done Erak." Will said, his voice unusually serious.

"Will!" Evanlyn and Horace both started towards him, relieved at his safe return and the subsequent rescue of their party.

Will's eyes swept over the group quickly, lingering on the rough blood soaked bandage around Horace's shoulder. He was immensely relieved to see them all mostly well and alive. But he had something that needed to be taken care of first. He held up a hand to forestall them and the reunion that would follow, turning to the Wakir.

"Selethen," he began in a low serious voice, "your lieutenant, Aloom..." He paused, not sure how to say what needed to be said. "We owe much of today's success to him but he..." His voice trailed off, struggling to find the words he wanted. After a short pause he started again. "I only knew him for three days but he was brave and determined and very loyal to you." Quickly he gave an account of the Lieutenant's actions, the fight that ultimately led to his death, the healer's efforts and the dying man's final words. "He just wanted to know that you were safe," Will said with obvious sadness in his voice. "I do not know the customs of your people but I asked the healer to stay with him and watch over him until I returned," he finished.

Selethen laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. Young he may be, the Wakir mused, but a child he is not. "Thank you," he said in a gentle voice "Aloom was a good man and a good friend to me. I appreciate all you did for him. His sacrifice will be honored. If you will wait while I get some of my men you can take us to him."

Will nodded and Selethan turned to summon the help he would require. As he did so he caught Halt's eye and gave a small nod. Halt knew he was impressed by the young man who against all odds had saved them all.

Will's eyes turned automatically to his mentor. Taking in the bruised and swollen features, he was struck with a new sadness for what his friend had endured at the hands of his captors. Will had never seen his teacher lose at anything, had never seen him on the receiving end of injury. To Will, he was infallible, untouchable and always came out on top. The gruff face he knew so well, bruised and battered, was an unnerving sight and one he did not want to ever see again.

The older ranger studied the face of his apprentice. He saw a mixture of emotions in the troubled young face. Halt knew all too well that the death of a comrade was a common byproduct of such a campaign and how hard it was to loose allies in battle like that. Looking at his apprentice he saw the hurt, the sadness and the fear but he also the satisfaction and relief that it was over. Silently he the pulled the young man into a tight embrace. "Well done," he said simply, but quietly, so only Will could hear.

The young man looked at his mentor, relief the strongest emotion on his face now and a small half smile graced his lips. He nodded once, pleased as he always was when he felt Halt's approval. "I came back Halt, just like I promised," he said.

"You did," his mentor agreed, "and I have never been so happy to see you as I was today."

Will tried to smile but the situation was too real for him. He was well aware of how close he had come to losing his teacher and friend.

Selethen returned with two of his men and Will turned, waving to the others. "I'll be right back" he said and quickly led the Wakir out of the town square and back toward the crumbling tower.

Gilan walked over to where Halt stood, a small smile on his face. No words were necessary as they watched the young man and the others disappear up the small cobblestone road. They were both immensely proud of Will.