A/N: My first ever RA fanfiction, so I hope it goes well. Tell me if it doesn't make sense or if I'm writing OOC or anything. On with the fic!
.:':. .:':. .:':.
Just over twenty years have passed since Halt was successfully healed by Malcolm, and both Halt and Will arrived safely back at Redmont. They went about their usual Ranger duties, Halt still stubbornly working through the years despite his age, and Araluen slowly settled into an age of peace. There was still the ever-present threat of the Scotti, who were still sore over their loss at Macindaw all those years ago, but even they were keying down on their attacks, and have been fairly quiet for the past few years.
Araluen is extending its contacts, sending missionaries to distant countries to help negotiate treaties and establish friendships. Sonderland is one of the many countries to be joined in treaty with Araluen; an envoy of highly ranked lords and ladies set out to Sonderland, escorted by the Ranger Will Treaty, who had played a major role in treaties with many another countries. The treaty was accepted readily - as an ally of Araluen, the neighbouring Skandians were far less likely to raid their coastal villages. On their return through Sonderland, they stopped at many of the major fiefdoms, and stayed the night and feasted with the lords and ladies of the castle. Will, not being one for such formalities, requested that he make his own way back, noting that the envoy already knew the pattern in which they were going in order for them to return to Araluen.
And, deep in the wintry Sonderland woods, is where our story begins...