Second chapter is up hope you like it. R&R please

Gilan got back to see his stuff packed and Crowley waiting for him by the camp fire.

After the situation was explained to him he quickly set out his bed roll and slept before being woken up by Halt and a very sleepy looking Will. When Gilan had finished packing away the few things he had taken out Crowley approached.

"Good Luck on your journey and safe travels. Halt be home soon and keep an eye on Will we all know what happened the last time he was in Skandia."

"Thanks Crowley and I will" Halt replied evenly with just a hint of a smile.

The journey to Castle Araluen was fast at the Ranger's forced march pace. When they finally arrived Horace was waiting for them and he looked more than a little surprised at the time it had taken them to get there. Normally it would have taken anywhere from three to four day to get there from the gathering grounds but it only took them two days to get here. In truth Halt had been pushing them hard only resting every four hours to feed and water the horses and then look after themselves, have some cold rations and curl up into their cloaks to sleep.

"You guys look a mess" Horace said with a hint of sarcasm and relief at his friends' safety.

"Well so would you" Will replied in the same tone.

Will couldn't take it much longer and burst out laughing, Horace joined him a moment later and they both stood there just laughing their heads off. Halt and Gilan watched this exchange carefully and quietly. They both knew the value of friendship and neither of them wanted to interrupt, now Horace turned on them; "Halt, Gilan welcome" Horace greeted them warmly.

"Horace" Halt replied shaking the knights' hand.

"Horace" Gilan said doing the same as Halt.

"Come on. We'd better get you cleaned up so we can get to Skandia." Horace said smiling wide at the sight of Will, Halt and Gilan.

Cassandra was discussing some things with her ladies maids and was surprised to see Will. Halt, Gilan and Horace walking across the hall to greet her.

"You guys look a mess. What have you been doing?" she asked as she excused herself.

"That's exactly what I said but I already know the answer to the question." Horace commented.

Cassandra just raised an eyebrow, "Well that's helpful" she then turned to the Rangers and continued "So what have you been doing?"

"Oh you know just riding through the night and not sleeping so we could get here and board a ship to Skandia." Will said his voice laced with sarcasm.

Again Cassandra just raised an eyebrow.

"You know if you keep doing that you could become a very good Ranger" Gilan said with a wide smile.

"You're as bad as Will" Halt said "Yes we're going to board a ship and travel to Skandia in order to help Erak" He added the last part to Cassandra to answer her question.

"Well good luck on your journey and Will, don't get into too much trouble" Cassandra said.

"See you later Evanlyn" Will said following the others out of the hall.