“It formed into small drops on his weather beaten features, drops that rolled down his cheeks. Strangely, some of them tasted like salt.”

“Svengal lay groaning on the turf. His thighs were sheer agony. His buttocks ached. His calf muscles were on fire. Now, afterhe had tumbled off the small pony he was riding and thudded heavily to the turf on the point of his shoulder, the shoulder would hurt too. He concentrated on trying to find one part of his body that wasn't a giant source of pain and failed miserably. He opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the face of the elderly pony that he had been riding peered down at him.Now what made you do a strange thing like that? The creature seemed to be asking.”

“You will be getting a haircut, won't you?"Halt ran his hand through his hair. It was getting a little long, he thought.I'll give it a trim," he said, his hand dropping unconciously to the hilt of his saxe knife. This time, Pauline did look up.You'll get a haircut," she said. Her gaze was steady and unwavering.I'll get a haircut," he agreed meekly.”

“I said, names aren't important," he repeated. There was a silence between them for some seconds, then the Ranger said: "Do you know what is important?"Will shook his head."Supper is important!”

“Is that all?” he blurted out.Crowley and Halt exchanged slightly puzzled glances. Then Crowley pursed his lips thoughtfully.“Um…it seems to be…Listed your trainging, mentioned a few achievements, made sure you know which end of an arrow is the sharp part…decided your new name…I think that’s…” Then it seemed that understanding dawned on him and his eyes opened wide.“Of course! You have to have you Silver…whatsis, don ‘t you?” He took hold of the chain that held his own Silver Oakleaf around his throat and shook it lightly. It was a badge of a Graduate Ranger. Then he began to search through his pockets, frowning.“Had it here! Had it here! Where the devil is it…wait. I heard something fall on the boards as I came in! Must have dropped it. Just check outside the front door, will you, Will?”Too stunned to talk, Will rose and went to the door. As he set his hand on the latch, he looked back at the two Rangers, still seated at the table. Crowley made a small shooing motion with the back of his hand, urging him to go outside. Will was still looking back at them when he opened the door and stepped through on the verandah.“Congratulations!”The massive cry went up from at least forty throats. He swung around in shock to find all his friends gathered in the clearing outside around the table laid for a feast, their faces beaming with smiles. Baron Arald, Sir Rodney, Lady Pauline and Master Chubb were all there. So were Jenny and George, his former wardmates. There were a dozen others in the Ranger uniform – men he had met worked with over the past five years. And wonder of wonders, there were Erak and Svengal , bellowing his name and waving their huge axes overhead in his praise. Close by them stood Horace and Gilan, both brandishing their swords overhead as well. It looked like a dangerous section of the crowd to be in, Will thought.After the first concerted shout, people began cheering and calling his name, laughing and waving to him.Halt and Crowley joined him on the verandah. The Commandant was doubled over with laughter.“Oh, if you could have seen yourself!” he wheezed. “Your face! Your face! It was priceless! ‘Is that all?’” He mimicked Will’s plaintive tones and doubled over again.Will tuned to Halt accusingly. His teacher grinned at him.“Your face was a study,” he said.“Do you so that to all apprentices?” Will asked.Halt nodded vigorously. “Every one. Stops them getting a swelled head at the last minute. You have to swear never to let an apprentice in on the secret.”

“You're dropping the bow hand as you release," he called, although Halt certainly wasn't.His mentor looked around, saw him, and replied pithily, "I believe your grandmother needs lessons in sucking eggs.”

“Gilan hesitated. "I wouldn't advise anyone to face a battleax with just two knives," he said carefully.So what should I do?" Will joined in. Gilan glared from one boy to the other. He had the feeling he was being set up.Shoot him," he said shortly. Will shook his head, grinning.Can't," he said. "My bowstring's broken."Then run and hide," said Gilan, between gritted teeth.But there's a cliff," Horace pointed out. "A sheer drop behind him and an angry axman coming at him."What do I do?" prompted Will.Gilan took a deep breath and lookd them both in the eye, one after the other.Jump off the cliff. It'll be less messy that way.”