Over the next few weeks Delanie and Will grew closer. Will could trust her with money and she would be allowed to keep the extras after running errands that Will was usually too busy to run. She would save up and buy clothes for herself and over the time gained a small hoarding of sundresses and sandals. Will didn't mind the way she spent the money or how much of it was spent, because she could use some new clothes as a treat every once and a while. As the dead of winter approached, the snow started falling and the wood was for the fire and stove was moved inside.

Late one day, they thought, because the snow blocked the sun and sky, they were eating an early dinner. Delanie decided she would turn in early, and went through the door into the bedroom, at the same time there was a knock on the door from the outside. Who could be out in the storm at this time, Will thought. He walked to the door and opened in slightly. He then opened it all the way. There was no one standing there. The snow had stopped and there was no wind. He took a step out from the doorway onto the porch and looked into the snow. Nothing. Nothing he could see.

Will took a few more steps, remaining cautious of his surroundings, into the snow. He was looking at the barren trees and snow covered rocks, thinking it was some hooligan making fun with a ranger, when he tripped over a branch. He stood up, brushing the snow off his cloak and turned back to the door when he was tackled face down into the snow.

"What would you say if I told you I was going to kill you?" asked a voice. Will smiled.

"I'd call you a liar," he retorted. The attacker stood up smiling.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from my former apprentice," said Halt. He stood up holding a hand out for Will. Will took it and stood up, brushing the snow off his cloak.

"Should have expected it to be you," said Will. "Welcome to my humble clearing. What's the occasion that you'd grace me with your presence? A new mission? Halt brought forth a scroll from his sleeve and presented it to Will. Will opened it and read the contents. Ranger Will, it started, you have shown your Ranger's abilities to be exceeding in all the necessary regions and have been designated a fief. In the duration of 3 months, you shall be sent to Seacliff to become the Ranger there. Will looked at his master.

"Congratulations, Will," said Halt. "How about we go into your cottage and celebrate over some hot coffee." Halt led the way into the cottage and put some beans in the steampot and put it over the fire. Will sat down at the table and stared at the surface. Halt watched him brood. "You know Will, you'll never get Alyss if you act like that whenever you get big news." Halt smiled and Will looked up.

"It's just so unexpected, I mean I didn't know when this would come, I just thought it would be later." Will had a million questions going through his head. What would it be like? Will it be a lot different? What do I bring? Can I say goodbye to my friends? Would Delanie end up on the street again?

Halt could see his perplexity. He just couldn't fathom the reasons that he could be going through so many questions. He had taken it calmly and had marked the day he had been to leave to his memory. "Will, what's wrong?" Halt asked. Will looked up at him and decided that Halt was his greatest ally and was like a father, and that he could tell him anything and everything.

"There is someone, Halt." Will stood straight, staring at the floor.

Halt waved it. "So you finally figured it out. Did you go for Alyss? Or Evanlyn?

Now Will looked up bewildered. "What are you talking about, Halt?"

Halt raised his eyebrows in surprise, then lowered them. "Nevermind, so who is this person you were talking about?"

Will turned away. "Nobody, nothing." He turned back to Halt. I'll go to this new fief. How long did you say I had again?"

"Seacliff." Halt said.