Thank you to the people who reviewed the first chapter. It's because of you guys that I will work hard to write this story well. And so sorry this took so long publish. I had actually written the whole chapter before, but when I was editing it I realized how much it sucked...so I started over. I also decided to make the chapter shorter, so the next chapter will hopefully be out fairly soon. Sorry again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Will Treaty the Dark Sexy Angel, nor do I own Alyss the Ethereal Godess...or any Rangers Apprentice stuff.

Chapter 1

Night had fallen as Will trudged through the rows of tents and fireplaces, heading for his own. With the approaching darkness came a biting chill that could no longer be fought back by the sunlight. He shivered and brought his cloak tighter around him, quickening his pace. As he was passing a circle of soldiers huddling around a flickering fire, one of the them waved to him.

"Sir!" The man called out, his face splitting in a wide, toothy grin. James was his name, Will remembered. "Come join us! Warm yerself with some whiskey." He raised a leather flask to him. The other men around the fire voiced loud agreement, beckoning for him to join them.

"Not tonight, men." Will said, trying to sound regretful. But it was what he said every time someone invited him to drink. He was never someone who indulged in alcohol or spirits of any kind. Especially not now.

"Aww come on, m'lord. Just one drink." Another man called out, his voice slurred. Will's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think so." Then he spoke sternly. "And I highly suggest you all put your flasks down for the night. We will be leaving camp tomorrow, and I need all of you men packed and ready to go."

The men's smiles faded. Although Will was probably younger than most of them, he was their high officer and they had no choice but to obey.

"Yes sir." One of the men said reluctantly. The other men mumbled along with him. Will sighed and shook his head. He didn't have time this.

"Save the drink for when we win." He said in a gentler tone. Some of the men noticed and smiled back at him.

"Thank you, sire!" They called out behind him as he walked on.

For months, Halt and Alyss and him, along with two of Redmont's best BattleMasters, had traveled to all the neighboring fiefs, villages and settlements around Redmont Castle, collecting strong and willing men to fight for their country against the growing threat of their powerful and mysterious enemy. It had been easy convincing people to join them, for the country was in turmoil, and anyone was blind not to see it.

In just two months, three of the fiefs in the North of Araluen had been attacked, defeated, and dismantled. The Barons had disappeared - either killed or captured, no one knew - and all other had fled. The villages around them were burned to the ground, and the people who didn't escape, were slaughtered mercilessly. Every man, woman, and child. The Rangers and local authorities were overwhelmed by the sheer number and chaos of it all. But by that time, King Duncan was already mantling his army. It was war.

So of course, when Will came to the civilians of Wensely and Dreyden village, telling the civilians the devastating stories of the North and appealing to them to fight, the men followed him without hesitation, making sure to leave some behind to defend their families against any of the common ambushes their enemy launched.

Several weeks earlier, Halt had left for Whitby - where the main army was stationed- to be King Duncan's head tactician, as his Majesty requested, leaving Will in charge of the men. He had become the prominent leader of close to five hundred men. And they knew five hundred of those men were untrained and unfit for battle. So for the past nine weeks, Will and the Battlemasters spent long days training and conditioning them into straight-backed soldiers.

It was the end of one of those hard days. Usually the heaviness of his heart would be lifted when he went to back to his tent, for always waiting for him was the warm comfort of his wife's arms. In her presence, and the growing baby's, he would have a brief moment of tranquility. A pause from the constant anxiety of impending danger that loomed over him and his men.

Coming out of the rows of pitched tents, Will headed for the tiny cabin that stood a few feet away. It was where Alyss and himself had spent their nights those past weeks. The other officers had agreed that since Alyss was expecting, she should get the most comfortable living situations, away from the stink and potential sickness outside.

Will opened the door and stepped inside. The fire was burning steadily in the fireplace, keeping the whole cabin warm. It was less of a cabin and more of a shack; it was very small. It was just a room, with the fireplace in the corner, a chair beside it, a bed across from it that fit him and his wife, and a wooden barrel they used as a side table. He looked to the bed, and he saw Alyss's sleeping form under the blankets. Her body lifted up and down slightly from deep breathing, and Will felt a comfort from it.

At least she is alive and okay. He thought grimly.

He slipped off his cloak and went to hang it on a chair beside him, but it slipped from his fingers and fell on the ground. Sighing, he reached down to pick it up, then stopped. It was the first time he noticed that his hands were shaking. All the grief that he experienced throughout day, hit him all at once in that moment. It was undeniably worst day of his life. There was nothing else to say about it.

He closed his eyes, and willed his hands -in vain-to relax. He felt a wave of panic bubbling up inside him, and it took all of him to keep it restrained. He opened his eyes and straightened up, leaving the cloak where it was. He crossed the space quickly and sat himself down gently beside Alyss. He needed to be next to her.

Alyss had been a vital part of the expedition, sending reports to the King of their progress, and appealing to any Lord that was less cooperative in handing over men for their war. She had an uncanny way of convincing people to do her bidding. But after the second month of hard travel and work, Alyss' health and energy dwindle. And in the past days she spent more time in bed than with Will and the rest of the commanding officers.

Will gazed at her for a long time, studying her peaceful face. Her long lashes, her soft lips, her silky hair. The sharp lines of her jaw and cheekbones had softened from pregnancy, and he reached out to stroke her cheek gently.

When he touched her his shaking stopped. He reached underneath the sheets that covered her, and placed his hand on her swollen abdomen. Just a few days ago, she had grabbed his hand and brought it to that exact spot, gasping that she felt the baby kick. And after a moment of guided pressing and rubbing, he had gasped because he felt it too.

Will gently moving his hand in a soothing back and forth motion. He silently willed for her to wake up and talk to him. And as if she could read his thoughts, a few moments she did. Her body stretched out, and she scrunched her nose as she always did when she was waking up. Will watched quietly, keeping his hand on her gently as she blinked her eyes open. She looked around, briefly confused from sleep, then finally locked eyes with his. She smiled up at him softly, and for the briefest of moments, he forgot all about the world around them. He was lost in her beauty and the warmth of her love, and in that moment it felt like everything might to be alright.

But the moment was gone in an instant. For her smile had turned into a frown.

"What's wrong, Will?" Her voice was soft and slightly raspy from sleep, but full of concern.

Will was taken aback by how easily she was aware of his troubled heart. Am I really that transparent?

"Has there been another attack?" She asked, sitting up straighter and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The expression on his face told her there was something really wrong. His eyes read sadness and fear, but he said nothing.

"What the hell happened, Will?" His silence scared her. After months of trail and struggle, he had kept them both sane with his stolidness. And it seemed like all of that was breaking down. "Talk to me darling."

Finally he spoke, when he could trust himself to open his mouth without choking or sobbing.

"Halt came back today, and brought some information with him." His voice was attempting to be conversational, and for a moment she thought maybe nothing terrible had actually happened. "King Duncan doesn't have a choice anymore. He can't wait. He needs us to join with the rest of the troops in Whitby. He wants us to advance towards the enemy."

Alyss's jaw tightened.

"My men aren't ready." He said grimly, shaking his head. "And neither is the rest of this bloody army. If we fight now we will die."

The invaders were not just vicious murders who killed mindlessly. They were a massive, disciplined army. They had taken over the fallen fiefs, and gained full control. They not only outnumbered the Araluens, but they had far more advanced and dangerous weaponry. Large and powerful; they were instruments that had never been seen before. This was a war they could not win.

Alyss felt her heart sink. She had always known, just like everyone, that the war was a lost cause. How could they win a war against an enemy that would stop at nothing to conquer?

"So what do we do, Will?" She asked. She wrapped her arms around her middle; hugging her unborn baby. What did this been for it? How could she keep it safe?

Will thought of how ironic it was that Alyss has so much faith in him to make things right that he almost let out a bitter smile. How disappointed she will be.

"Halt also brought this." He said, pulling out a folded paper from a pocket inside his shirt. He handed it to her. "It's for you. He has a way to help."

She took it from him, looking at him curiously. His eyes were cast down and his hand was rubbing the back of his neck, his face impassive. She ripped the paper open and read:

Uncle,

I have received word of the terrible situation in Araluen, and you have my aid. I have dispatched 700 of my men from Clonmel to stand by King Duncan's side for your fight against the Invaders. I've sent a separate letter to the King directly regarding the details to those matters.

In regards to the other issue, I am more than happy to take Lady Mainwaring into my care. I can't imagine how difficult it must be, bearing a child while being in constant fear of being killed at any moment. I will do everything I can, uncle, to make sure the Lady is brought safely. I have already ordered for ships to be sent out to the shores of Araluen, to take any refugees seeking safety from the invaders. I suggest she boards one of those vessels. From there, I will handle any obstacle that might come her way. -

There was more written but Alyss stopped reading and looked up, horrified.

"What the hell is this?" Her voice had rose to a pitch. She threw the letter down, as if it was covered with disease. "You're sending me away? To Hibernia?"

Yes I know, you're probably thinking "Wtf Will?" Or if you're smart, "Wtf Halt?" Saaame though...I guess you'll have to wait until the next chapter.

Please tell me what you think!