And About Time Too...
The day of Will's wedding had arrived. Will was dressed in the ceremonial Ranger's outfit, created some years back for Halt and Lady Pauline's wedding. He wished he had a mirror to confirm that he looked exemplary, but his pay did not extend to cover such luxuries. Will then checked himself one last time, and left to the ceremony on his horse, Tug, with his dog, Ebony, following behind. After arriving in the clearing, Will flocked to his friends that arrived for his wedding. Halt, Lady Pauline, Gilian, Jenny, Malcolm and Trobar were among them. Horace was his best man, and Evanlyn was Alyss's matron of honor. Evanlyn, or more correctly, Cassandra, was expecting a child, but there was no sign of the pregnancy yet. Baron Arald, the celebrant, motioned for things to begin, and right at that moment Alyss emerged from the woods. After the vows were completed, and the kiss "sealed the deal," Halt spoke, "And about time too!" Halt turned away in a coughing fit, but really, he wanted to conceal the tears that were rushing down his face.
The Fragment
Hal, a Skandian, was controlling his home-made ship, the Heron, on the seas surrounding Hallasholm. Stig, his first-mate, asked, "How does she handle?" Hal replied, "Like a bird."
Afterword
MacFarlane gently placed the fragment on the surface of his desk. The other nine stories found in the concealed trunk had been carefully assembled, copied, and preserved. He had left this fragment till last because it was incomplete, barely one hundred words, and because it was something different. There was a legend of a young boy, half Araluen and half Skandian, who revolutionized the design of the Skandians' wolfships. There was a brief mention of him in the chronicle of Will's journey to Nihon-Ja. This fragment has revealed a further clue to his story. If one page exists, then there must be a complete story. MacFarlane plans to try to unravel this mystery and discover the entire story about Hal and his Heron.
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