章 282: Assessing the Competition.

Hal saw no reason to refuse her help since she was being helpful and so far the male apprentices seemed to be trying their absolute best to ignore him.

"This way" she said and made to leave when one of those same young men cut in and stood between him and her, 

"What's your rank?" He asked.

Hal narrowed his eyes and smiled lightly, 

"I don't think that's really any of your business" he said and made to walk around the young man but another blocked his path.

"He asked you a question" said the other one.

Hal shrugged, 

"I heard him. I just don't want to answer." Once again he made to walk past the two but could not help but pause when another spoke up, 

"Well, we want you to answer" he said and there was a charisma about him that made Hal consider that he might actually be the leader of this renegade gang of theirs.

The one with charisma drew himself to full height,