Ranger's Apprentice 3 & 4 Bindup by John Flanagan Page B

Evanlyn would be nervous once she was in the open. She would want to reach the ships quickly.
    And speed meant noise and a greater chance of being heard or seen. He put his mouth very close to her ear and spoke in the lightest of whispers.
    â€˜Take it easy. The benches first. Then the rocks. Then the ships. Wait for me there.’
    She nodded. He could see her swallowing nervously and he sensed that her breathing was speeding up. He squeezed her shoulder gently.
    â€˜Calm down. And remember, if anyone does come out, freeze. Wherever you are.’
    That was the key to it all in uncertain light like this. A watcher might miss seeing a person standing perfectly still. But the slightest movement would draw the eye instantly.
    Again, she nodded. He patted her shoulder gently.
    â€˜Off you go,’ he said. She took another deep breath, then stepped out into the open.
    She felt horribly exposed as she moved towards the shelter of the benches and the table, ten metres away from the huts. The dim starlight now seemed as bright as day and she forced herself to move slowly, placing her feet deliberately, fighting the temptation to rush for cover.
    The cloth padding on her feet did a good job muffling the sound of her footsteps. But even so, the crunching of the shingle seemed deafening to her. Four more paces … three … two … one.
    Heart pounding, pulse racing, she sank gratefully into the shadow of the rough table and benches. There was a small cluster of rocks halfway down the beach. That was her next goal. She hesitated, wanting to stay in the comforting shadow provided by the table. But she knew if she didn’t go soon, she might never have the courage to move. She stepped out resolutely, one foot after the other, wincing at the muted scrunching of the stones underfoot. This part of the journey took her directly in front of the door to the dormitory. If any of the Skandians came out, she must be seen.
    She reached the shelter of the rocks and felt the welcome protection of the shadows wrap around her once again. The hardest part of the trip was over now. She tooka few seconds to let her pulse settle, then moved off towards the ships. Now that she was nearly there, she wanted desperately to run. But she fought the temptation and moved slowly and smoothly into the darkness beside Wolf Fang.
    Utterly exhausted, she sank to the damp stones, leaning against the ship’s planking. Now she watched as Will followed in her footsteps.
    There were scattered clouds scudding across the sky, sending a series of darker shadows rippling over the beach. Will matched his movement to the rhythm of the wind and clouds and moved, sure-footed, along the track Evanlyn had just followed. She caught her breath in surprise as he seemed to disappear after the first few metres, melding into the pattern of moving light and shade and becoming part of the overall picture. She saw him again, briefly, at the benches and then at the rocks. Then he seemed to rise out of the ground a few metres from her. She shook her head in amazement. No wonder people thought Rangers were magicians, she reflected. Unaware of her reaction, Will grinned quickly at her and moved close so they could talk.
    â€˜All right?’ he asked in a lowered tone and, when she nodded, ‘Are you sure you want to go through with this?’
    This time, there was no hesitation. ‘I’m sure,’ she said firmly. He gripped her shoulder again in a gesture of encouragement.
    â€˜Good for you.’ Will glanced around. They were far enough from the huts now that there was little chance of their voices being overheard and the wind, although not as boisterous as it had been, provided plenty of cover as well.He felt Evanlyn could use some encouragement so he pointed to the skiff.
    â€˜Remember, this thing is small. It’s not like the wolfships. It’ll ride over the big waves, not crash through them. So we’re safe as houses.’
    He