"Aiden and Nolan?" Jason asked. "Why them first? Shouldn't we be going for one of his more trusted advisors?" Will nodded in understanding.
"I can see why you would think that, Jason, but one of his more trusted advisors would be more heavily guarded. Another reason is that... well, Aiden and Nolan have Gilan. And right now, we need all the help we can get." Jason's eyes widened.
"They have Gilan? The Gilan?" Will smiled.
"Yes, the Gilan. The one who trained with Halt before me." Jason shook his head in amazement.
"I never realized they were keeping him so close... and they aren't keeping him heavily guarded?" He still couldn't understand. Gilan, an amazing ranger, being kept right under their noses. And not heavily guarded? Why? Could it be a trap to lure his dad in, the last ranger? They couldn't be that smart. Then again, they got Halt by doing that, the best ranger that ever lived. But his father would never do anything so reckless, not even for someone so close to him. What was he planning?
"They wouldn't think anyone would be stupid enough to go after him. Not after 15 years. Not after Halt..." Will swallowed and clenched his teeth. Then he coughed. "Ok, we're going to wait for some friends, then we're going to head out. We need to meet them at Caraway Fief. We'll leave tomorrow." Will exclaimed.
"Why Caraway?" Jason asked uncertainly. Will chuckled.
"Always asking questions..."
"Just like you." Alyss put in, smiling warmly at her two boys. Jason was the spitting image of Will when he himself was 15. She glided over and kissed them both on the cheek. "Get some rest you two, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Especially you," She added to Jason. "You've been out all day already, you deserve some much needed sleep." Jason yawned in answer.
"Yes Ma'am." He said jokingly, knowing how much his mother hated being called Ma'am. He slunk away into his bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. Alyss sat across from Will at the table.
"Alyss, do you really think he'll meet us there? Do you even think he'll get the letter? We haven't used birds for sending letters in a long time..." Alyss laughed.
"Quit worrying, Will! If Halt is still, well, Halt, He'll be there." She got up and walked into their bedroom. Then she stopped and turned around in the doorway. "He's always there for you, Will. What would make this time any different?" Then she shut the door behind her, leaving Will to his thoughts.