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It was a few minutes after midnight when the boy made his move.
Halt had honestly expected him to do something earlier, sometime before then, as he expected the boy to be less experienced. But it seems as though he underestimated him.
Will passed the distance between his hiding tree and the courtyard, matching the movement of grass and other greenery along his way, mimicking their shadows. While it wasn't perfect, it was still far better than any normal human could ever achieve.
Halt had been watching the kid for a while now ever since he noticed him that day in the kitchens. The boy had great potential to become a ranger even if he never got any sort of training so far. Of course, today's test could very well stop that from ever happening, but he had the hunch it wouldn't.
The ranger continued observing from around the corner of the window as Will reached the wall and began to climb. That didn't suprise him. It was the logical option. He couldn't get through the door, that was guarded and as far as he could tell, the kid didn't know of any secret passages here. So, he climbed.
And was he good at it. Sure, Halt couldn't help but worry very slightly about the possibility of him falling, but he put trust in all the times he saw him up all those trees.
As the boy reached the top, the older man walked toward one of the darkened corners by the window. The shadow there was darker, as a nearby shelf shielded it slightly from the moonlit window.
A small figure jumped inside from there, walking a few steps forward before turning around, checking his surroundings. But of course, he didn't look twice. That was one thing he would have to learn.
The ranger crept out of hid hiding spot, creeping toward the ward, who swiftly stepped up to the desk, hand reaching for the paper.
The second it touched the corner, Halt's hand shot out and seized it by the wrist.
Will let out a startled shriek, snapping his gaze onto the man in an instant, fear evident in the way his eyes widened. Halt supposed he felt a little bad for scaring the kid into outright terror for his future, but it only served him right for sneaking into the baron's office (he chose to ignore the fact he technically did the same).
"Thought you might try something like this," he said instead of all that, playing the role he set out to have. The boy didn't respond, instead he hung his head low, as if ashamed of being caught.
Halt wondered if prodding would get some words out of him: "Do you have anything to say?" But still, the only response he got was a shake of a head, the ward still refusing to look at him. It seemed as though he was deep in thought, not really able to bring himself to respond vocally.
So, Halt gave up on that attempt and continued with the plan: "Well, let's see what the baron thinks about this."
That sentence seemed to have alerted the boy, the terror of Arald finding out making him flinch and finally bring his gaze up to the ranger: "Please, Halt! Not-" until it was suddenly cut off. With what looked like acceptance, the boy closed his mouth shut and stopped speaking. He had this sparkle of determination in his eyes, despite being full of fear. Almost like the eyes of...him.
No, now wasn't the time to think about that.
The ranger quickly masking his expression behind the gruff teacher persona he could always count on, hoping the kid didn't catch anything. But he wouldn't lie to himself, there was only a small chance he didn't notice with the way he was staring at him.
"What?" he asked instead, the same apathy filling his voice.
Another shake of a head was all he got in return, along with a tiny: "Nothing..."
He decided to not waste any more time down here and roughly tugged at the boys arm, beggining to lead him upstairs to Arald's apartment. He wanted to get this over with soon so that he could get some sleep before having to accept the kid tomorrow.
After getting past the sentries, he pushed open the door, finding the baron sitting at his desk, just like they had said he would. Said man looked up, sending Halt a very subtle smile before turning serious once more.
"So, you were right."
Halt nodded, satisfied his prediction had been truthful: "Just as I said, my lord. Came across the castle yard like a shadow, dodged the sentry as if he wasn't there and came up the tower wall like a spider."
The baron actually looked surprised at this information, like it was hard to believe that the boy coul do that: "He climbed the tower you say?"
"No rope, no ladder, my lord. Climbed it as easily as you get on your horse in the morning," He then smirked at him, something hidden from the future apprentice by his position slightly behind him, "easier in fact."
Arald pouted, though the ranger knew there were no real negative emotions behind it. It was mostly an old jab between friends.
The baron let out a small sigh, before focusing his attention back to Will: "Well now, this is a serious matter." The teen stayed silent, an almost imperceptible tremble taking over his palms. But of course Halt noticed. Maybe he shouldn't have 'antqgonized' Arald in front of the boy? Who was he kidding, the kid could handle a bit of a scare. He'd be fine.
"So," Arald got up from his chair and began to pace behind the desk, "what shall we do with you, young Will?"
Halt had to give it to him, he was playing his role perfectly. Will obviously couldn't tell anything from his demeanor and that was what they needed for the test to work.
Arald stopped and scratched his beard in 'thought': "Tell me, young Will," he turned around, facing the back of his wall, "what would you do in my place? What would you do with a boy who broke into your office in the middle of the night and stole an important document?"
Will's expression filled with fire for a few seconds: "I wasn't stealing, my lord!" He seemed to have surprised even himself, but he continued when the baron raised his eyebrow at him, this time weaker, "I just wanted to see it, that's all..."
"Perhaps so," Arald wondered in fake thought, "but you haven't answered my question: what would you do in my place?"
Well, this was it. Depending on what Will would say, he would either walk out of this room with a mentor or a ride to the fields.
Halt watched as an inner turmoil writhed within the ward, seemingly very conflicted on what to do. Will he lie? Will he accept the consequences of his actions?
Then he straightened up, and even if he looked a but unsure, there was a glint of something in his eyes.
"My lord," he started, voice quivering slightly.
After not continuing, the baron decided to nudge him a little bit: "Yes?"
Will took short breath before speaking once more, this time more sure than before: "My lord, I don't know what I'd do in your place. I do know there is no excuse for my actions and I will accept whatever punishment you decide."
Arald glanced at Halt, a look of aproval being shared between them.
The ranger could only agree. It seemed to scare Will to say that aloud, but he accepted it all nonetheless, showing great bravery and honesty. Something like this could ruin his life, yet he chose to stand in front of it face on and didn't falter.
"Any suggestions, Halt?" the baron asked, hididng behind his act once more.
On the inside, the soon-to-be mentor smiled: "Perhaps we should show him the paper he was so keen on seeing."