King's Ranger Dale Preston sighed. He'd been assigned to Seacliff Fief for a month, and still no any trouble. He had to admit to himself that it was probably the reason he had been assigned to Seacliff - he was a young Ranger, having the Silver Oakleaf for only a couple of months. He remembered the stories that have passed down in the Corps of the legendary Will Treaty fighting off the Skandians, but that was years ago.

Now, however the treaty between the two countries was stronger than ever, and Will Treaty now had more important things then Seacliff.

Dale looked over at his brown-and-grey horse, Strider, from where he was sitting on the verandah of his little cabin. It was a standard Ranger cabin, a main room with two offsetting bedrooms and a stable out back. Dale smiled to himself. Strider, in his opinion, was one of the more noble and cool-sounding names then Ranger Horses usually receive. He remembered the constant drilling of his mentor, Ranger Liam, that his horse was his first priority.

"What about me?" he had asked

Liam had grinned cheerfully. "If you're shot in the leg, your horse will still be able to get you away. Mind you, if you ever get shot in the leg, you'll probably not be able to get on your horse."

The memory of his old mentor turned his thoughts back to sad. A few months ago, Liam had been killed by a notorious criminal by the name of Jory Ruhl. His sad thoughts, however, were interrupted by a pair of heavy footsteps. Dale sat up. As the pair of footsteps rounded the bend, he could make out a Castle Servant running towards him, breathing heavily. "Excuse me, Ranger, but you're needed at the Castle."

Dale raised an eyebrow. "I'm needed at the castle?"

The servant hastily amended his words. "I apologize, Ranger Dale. The Baron requests your presence at the castle as soon as possible. It's urgent," he added.

"I can see," Dale replied, taking in the short breaths from the servant and the sweat-stained tunic. He felt a little sorry for his abrupt manner a few moments earlier. "Thank you. I'll be right on my way." He walked back inside the little cabin, and grabbed his cloak and bow. There is no hurt in being careful. Who knows? Maybe I'll get attacked by a band of brigands.

Dale strode back out, and saddled Strider. Strider turned a baleful eye towards him. No apple?

Dale rolled his eyes. "You had at least 3 yesterday since you got into the bag, which is now empty."

Strider snorted. There's literally an apple tree right next to this Cabin.

"Remember what Liam said? Not to overfeed your horse with apples."

Strider moved his shoulders in an up-and-down motion, the horse form of a shrug. Who told Liam how many apples a horse should have a day? Dale sighed exasperatedly. He'd never get the last word with his horse. You're right. Dale looked balefully at the young horse. "Let's get going."

Strider and Dale went at a steady pace, making their way towards Castle Seacliff. Unlike many, Castle Seacliff lacked soaring towers and commanded only a small garrison of men-at-arms. Castle Seacliff wasn't anything impressive. On top of that, one of the walls was just made of timber, Dale had noted to his surprise. Either way, it was the castle he was serving to, and he had to admit that Baron Ergell and Battlemaster Norris had been striving to make improvements. Secretly, Dale harboured the belief that the Seacliff Battleschool was now one of the best in the kingdom.

The Guards let Dale in. They had no reason to stop him, and Dale had started to become a familiar figure. Besides, his youthful, friendly face didn't hurt. They do it because of me, Strider said. I command great authority. Dale chose to ignore this comment as he rode into the castle, and stabled Strider next to the keep. Strider looked meaningfully at a bag of apples closeby. Dale sighed, then furtively grabbed one and gave it to Strider. With the horse munching happily, Dale walked into the keep.

As he climbed up the stairs, he wondered why he had been summoned by the Baron. As far as he had been aware, there hadn't been any serious crime in the village or else someone would have told him. He walked into the anteroom of the Baron's office and was about to walk straight in when a polite cough from the Ergell's chamberlain reminded him that it would be a bad idea to do so. He instead waited right next to the door. The Chamberlain, who went by the name of Rufus, opened the door and poked his head in. "Sir, Ranger Dale is here by your request." Dale heard the baron tell Rufus to show him in, and soon later he was standing in the interior of Baron Ergell's room.

The Baron was an old, slightly overweight man who had the air of someone who paid more attention to his kitchens, rather than his training of knights-and-men at arms. Inwardly, Dale frowned at the thought. While technically that was the Battlemaster's duty, the Baron should still oversee it.

The Baron stood up and gave a wide smile. "Greetings, Dale. So glad you could make it." Dale gave a polite smile. At least the Baron was courteous. Dale hoped they'd grow to have a good relationship, and his greeting and somewhat informal manner gave Dale's hopes a new foundation. "Have a seat, have a seat" Ergell continued, motioning towards a vacant chair in front of his office. "I'm sure you know that I had to call you on urgent notice. Technically, this Ranger business, but I thought it be best if you meet with him her."

Dale frowned. "Him? Who's him?"

His question was answered by the next visitor to Ergell's office. A rather short, powerfully built man with a mop of brown hair and matching beard walked in. Will Treaty walked over towards the Baron, and the Baron stood up, and shaked his hand warmly. "It's nice to see you again, Will." Dale leapt to his feet, and shook Will's hand next. "Ranger Dale Preston, number 43" he said, a little awkwardly. Will Treaty was a legend, both inside and outside of the Ranger Corps. He had fought off a Temujai invasion in Skandia, protecting the Queen, who was currently Crown Princess. Then he had rescued the Skandian Oberjarl, defeated a Scotti invasion, ended a religious cult, and helped defeat a coup in the eastern nation of Nihon-Ja, and not to mention, was currently training the first girl apprentice.

Will took his hand a gave a cheerful grin. "Ranger Will Treaty, number 50." They all sat down. Baron Ergell looked at Dale's confused face. "I assume you are wondering why Ranger Will is here." he said, but a raised eyebrow from both Rangers made him realise he was just stating the obvious. He continued. "I received word from the Queen that her daughter," "And my apprentice," Will interjected. Ergell nodded. "That Ranger Will's apprentice has gone missing. Gilan informed me that the Corps had decided to use you as some extra help.

Dale was surprised. He was the youngest member in the Corps, and the least experienced. Why would the Commandant want him to accompany Will? Surely there were other, more experienced members that could help Will. Coincidently, it was Will who answered his unspoken question. "Gilan thinks that you're bright mind and young influence might be of a help. He said something about throwing nobles out of castles…"

Dale overcame his surprise and simply shrugged. "Well, if the Commandant says so… but in the meanwhile, what'll happen to Seacliff?"

Ergell smiled. "There's a young ranger who'd be more than happy to fill in your position for a while," he said, referencing the young graduate who had been assigned to help the Commandant while waiting for a position to open up.

Dale slowly realised what was happening. After a month of boredom, he was being assigned a top-priority assignment with Will Treaty. Dale couldn't help but smile. "When do we leave?"

Will shrugged. "As soon as you're ready," which Dale knew from experience with Rangers, meant 'I wish it was right now, but you're obviously not prepared, so GET MOVING.'

Dale stood up and went to leave. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said, bowing to Baron Ergell, and giving a nod to Will. Technically, everyone in the Corps were equals. Will only outranked Dale by experience. Dale walked out of the castle in a hurry, excited for his new mission. As he neared the stable, he heard Strider's welcoming neigh. Mounting him, he patted the horse's back, and said, 'Looks like we have a new mission.' The horse whipped his main back and forth. About time. Dale grinned.