Next Chapter. Sorry that it was so long in coming. I don't seem to have a good head for inventing stories.
In this chapter is a reference to Hogarth Fief. This, if you remember, was the fief of Crowley when Halt met him in 'The Hibernian'. It is an actual fief even though it is only referred to once. I didn't want to make one up so I had to research what fiefs were in Araluen. If I ever get any facts wrong, please let me know and I will fix them.
All rights go to John Flanagan, one of the most awesome writers ever.

Chapter 3:

Halt and Will arrived at castle Redmont. They walked into the banquet hall and were greeted by Baron Arald and Lady Pauline.

"Come and sit down boys," said Arald. "There is lots to eat. Master Chubb and Jenny have been very busy and made lots of delicious food."

"Good," exclaimed Will, "My stomach could not possibly be emptier!"

Halt raised one eyebrow. "Well then," he said dryly, "We had best get some food before you fade away to a shadow through lack of food."

Will just grinned. They made their way over to a table and sat down. At that table were seated Alyss, George, and Sir Rodney. Lady Pauline and Baron Arald came and sat down also.

"So," said Alyss, "You do know that you will have to give a full account of your adventures while we eat. "

"We know," said Halt. "But Will can do most of the telling, that is, if he can bear to give his attention to anything other than his food."

"I can tell the story," said Will, "But first, someone must get Jenny, if she can be spared. She will want to hear the story too."

Jenny was found and she came and sat down. Will started his story. It took the better part of two hours to tell the full story. As he finished telling it, a speculative silence hung over the table. Finally Arald broke the silence.

"What a story," he said with no lack of amazement. "I feel quite sorry to tell you the important news that I had now."

"What important news, Arald?" asked Halt.

"Oh, it doesn't matter now. It can wait."

"Arald," said Halt slowly and deliberately. "When you start saying things like that, you have to finish them. After our experiences on this adventure we have just had, I am sure we can handle anything."

"OK," sighed Arald, "I still feel guilty though. This news may mean more work for you and Will. Come up to my office and we can have a chat and some coffee. Lady Pauline and Alyss, you had better come too as this will concern you."

Arald, Rodney, Halt, Will, Lady Pauline and Alyss left the banquet hall. Jenny excused herself and went back to the kitchens to help Master Chubb. So did George. "I feel the need of much more in the way of delectable sustenance," he said and went off.

"By that, I think he meant he is still hungry," said Alyss with a smile.

"He certainly has a very good vocabulary," agreed Will.

The all filed into the baron's office and sat down. "Now," said Arald, "about this important news. We seem to have a problem in Hogarth Fief."

"Hogarth fief," interjected Halt, "isn't that the fief that Crowley had before he and I reformed the Corps?"

"Yes Halt. That is right," confirmed the baron.

"What sort of a problem do they have?" asked Will. "Are we going there?"

Halt sighed, "Do you always have to ask two questions at once?"

"Never mind all that," Arald said quickly, before the situation could get out of hand. "The problem they have, Will, is one of treachery."

Everyone in the room gave a surprised exclamation at this. In varying degrees of enthusiasm of course. Will having the most surprised reaction with Halt's being merely a raise of the eyebrows.

"Treachery," Mused Halt when the room had quieted down somewhat. "It has been a long time since there has been treachery in Araluen. The last case was the whole debacle with Morgath."

Will shuddered at this name. He was infinitely glad that Morgath was dead. "What does that have to do with us, Baron Arald?"

"I was wondering a similar thing," said Halt. "Why can't the ranger of Hogarth fix this?"

Before any one could say anything else, Lady Pauline interjected. "Arald, why don't you go back to the start and explain this properly. If nobody interrupts..." here a look was directed and Will and Halt, "we might be able to make some sense of this problem."

"Good idea, Pauline," said Arald. He marshalled his thoughts for a minute. "OK. This is the situation as far as we know it. "

I am sorry that this is a cliff hanger but I had to do it for two reasons. Firstly, if I kept going, the next suitable spot would be too far away and this chapter would be too long. Secondly, I need a bit more planning time. I only just came up with this treachery plot last night! I am still trying to iron out the details! I hope this story will have enough action and suspense for all you action lovers. I am not the best story writer but I do try. J