Authors' Notes: Sorry that this chapter took a while to be posted. If I could I would write nonstop but sadly I have school and another story that people would kill me if I don't update but it will continue I can promise you that. We won't keep you any longer so here it is the next chapter that you all have patiently been waiting for. Review please it does make the chapters come faster.

Disclaimer: We don't own RA

Chapter 7

Name and Faces

"What kind of game are you playing?" The older Ranger said dangerously as he grabbed my collar and lifted me to his face.

"I would never play this game unless someone's life was at stake." I said calmly. The shadowed face under the hood was hard and calculating, features showing the years he has spent as a Ranger as well as his grizzled greying beard. The older Ranger shoved me back to my knees and I winced at the shot of pain from my injured leg flare up. At least he was content with my answer or else he wouldn't have let me go.

"If you were so keen on getting a Ranger's attention, why go to all this trouble?" Will asked and the other Ranger nodded.

"Because I was told to get the Rangers' help."

"Who told you that?"

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"You're really good at twisting the words in our mouths but we still want to know why you need a Ranger?" the older Ranger asked, the sly wolf inside him showing through.

"It's for the same reason that you will have to bring me with you." I smiled knowing that it was the one phrase that I needed them to hear.

After what seemed like hours of them whispering, they led me to their already set up camp and tied me to a tree. I was in for an uncomfortable night, but I had endured worse. Well, I have endured sleeping sitting against a tree with my hands tied behind my back because of Becks. All I had to worry about was my hands falling asleep, until morning that is. One of the cloaked figures by the fire stood up, looked my way and walked a few paces away to take watch. At least I won't be woken in a few hours to switch watches. I rolled up the best I could, being tied up made it a little harder. Also I couldn't cover up completely in my cloak because my fate was being decided and disappearing within it won't help my case. As I said, this was going to be a long, uncomfortable night.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and leapt to my feet. Well I would've if a Ranger wasn't retraining me. He undid the thumb cuffs and let me sit up. I massaged my hands and shook them trying to get the feeling and blood back into my fingers. Will's young face didn't have the same smile that he had when I was the girl in the bar. He waited a few minutes and then redid my bounds, this time in front. He also tossed me a ripped piece of Ranger bread and a cup of water. "Thank you." I said still in my attempted male voice to Will, but he said nothing and simply tied the rope attached to the thumb cuffs around the tree once more.

The older Ranger eyed me suspiciously as he stared at me from the other side of camp. Worse was the sweet aroma of the coffee they were drinking as they decided my fate. I sipped my water again, but it did nothing but make my stomach growl. Once I revealed myself as a Ranger the first thing I was going to do is ask them for some much deserved coffee, they did, after all, shoot me in the leg with an arrow. Well more like grazed me, but it still hurts a bit. I poured the rest of my water on the scabbing wound just to make sure to wash away any potential infection.

"Can you walk?" I looked up and both Rangers were standing above me.

"I'll live." I replied; he wouldn't have given me any other choice.

"Good, on your feet then. We're leaving." The old Ranger said gruffly and turned back to finish packing his horse. A smile crept on my face because I knew what that meant; they were taking me with them. Will untied the rope from the tree, as I stiffly rose to my feet. I shook out my legs trying to get some feeling back into them.

My rope lead that led me by the thumbs was attached to the older Ranger's horse. Will held my staff well out of reach, but I was just glad that he didn't snap it in two because remaking a bow is a lengthy process. They pulled me for what seemed like miles, the cut in my leg throbbing, but I ignored it. The older Ranger, who looked back every so often, grunted that I wasn't complaining or slowing them down too much, and then turned back to the scenery ahead of him. I couldn't ask them where they were going because I knew that they would never tell a prisoner their grand scheme until the very last second. I have never been there before myself, but based on the maps I memorized, we were heading in the direction of the Gathering clearing. They probably were going to head there to check in after stopping by my village. There was nothing to do but hope that that is where they are taking me to, the Annual Ranger gathering.

"What are you smiling about?" The grim Ranger asked. I didn't even realise that they had come to a stop. I looked up at the shadowed-bearded face that was now right beside me.

"Lovely day for a stroll wouldn't you say?" I said pleasantly. He didn't like my answer because he pulled on my lead rope and I fell forwards, catching myself with my tied hands.

"We'll stop here for a small break." He said to his fellow Ranger. "I want to catch up for lost time before night fall." He said hard-heartedly to me.

If it wasn't for Becks drilling me constantly for years, I wouldn't have the endurance to carry me through that night or the next day. They made me jog for hours with only small walking breaks to make up lost time. The older Ranger didn't like how I didn't complain about how fast we were going or that I might have become tired. Watching him squirm was definitely more fun. No Ranger has ever had another Ranger as a prisoner before, well not that I know of. It bothered him because he didn't have as much authority or superiority over me than he would normally had and he was just trying to figure out a way to gain it back.

My foot found a gopher hole in the ground and I fell flat on my face. They only stopped once the rope I was connected to started dragging me along the tall grass covered ground. I groaned and heaved myself back onto my feet, dusting the dirt off of my clothes. It a good thing I made sure that this sorcerer robe Mrs. Padavick made me was shorter than a regular dress or else the grim Ranger would've had a lot of fun mocking me because of how many times I would've tripped on it.

"Good we were about to stop anyways." This time it was Will who said it. He road towards me and smoothly dismounted. "It'll be slow going but this is necessary." He said as he wrapped a blindfold across my eyes. The light wasn't completely cut out but my vision was reduced to a tiny sliver that gave me a small glimpse of the ground. I didn't know if he did it on purpose but it wasn't enough to know exactly where we are going. But at least I wouldn't be tripping the whole way.

"Why all the secrecy?" I asked to where I sensed the Rangers sitting on their horses.

"You have your secrets, we have ours. A price for coming with us you could say." By the sound of the older Ranger's voice I could picture a sly smile forming on his face. All I had was a rope to guide me, a tiny slit to look for my footing and knowledge that there was only one place they wouldn't want me to find again. They were taking me to the gathering clearing.

I couldn't tell how long I had been walking, but I knew it was a long time based on how many bruises that had formed on my knees and now I could no longer see because the sun had sunk behind the horizon. I carefully placed each foot making sure that I didn't trip again because that would waste even more of their time. Patience in a Ranger isn't infinite, and this slow going must be getting them ready just to drag me by the thumbs behind them. I concentrated hard seeing if I could sense the ground through my shoes, but I needed direct contact with the earth for me to walk faster blind like this. Maybe if I wasn't wearing these thick fur boots that hid my arrows and made my feet sweat I would at least to sense where the holes in the ground are. What the point of having magic if you don't have the ability that you really need?

Maybe I should've considered my fashion choice before putting it all together. I was boiling on the inside, either from the heat of the night or from walking all day. Worst of all was the corset. I couldn't breathe fully so this physical exercise was difficult. At least it made me look as if I wasn't trained to this level of fitness. I closed my eyes and walked for a while with them shut to rest up a bit, I wasn't using them any ways. They wouldn't make me walk too far with this blindfold on, so we should be getting close, well at least I hope so. My knees would protest tomorrow, but I gave up trying to be cautious, I was going to fall anyways sothere is no reason I should slow us down any further.

"Do you think he's going to try again this year?" Will asked. My sense of hearing had heightened since my vision was cut, so I could listen to their quiet conversations without straining too hard.

"Because we had to lug this thing around, I bet he already gave up." the other Ranger responded. I was the reason they were late but who were they talking about? And what was this person going to try again? "Here's good." the quiet steps of the horses stopped and I felt my lead rope go slack. A Ranger, I couldn't tell which one, grabbed my arm and steered me. His strong arm made sure that I didn't fall even though my feet caught on some roots several times. My hands were given a minute of freedom from the thumb cuffs to let the blood return to normal, then they were bound behind my back. He pushed me, so I was against a tree and finished off with tying me to it.

"If you want your request to come with us to be heard, then wait patiently until we get back." Will said and I could hear the underlying threat in his pleasant voice. Then I listened as they rode further into the wood. I sat down on the ground, moved the layer of my clothes out of the way and touched the ground with my fingers. A few hundred meters into the woods there was a clearing, a blazing bonfire in the middle of it with small tents set up around camp. Most of the Rangers sat by the fire as they relaxed with their coffees in hand. I could already imagine the aroma.

Alright, I think I've waited long enough. I know that I won't be able to get out of these thumb cuffs without breaking or dislocating my thumbs but if I could somehow cut the leather straps that held them together I should be free. The older Ranger won't like it and will probably make me make a new set, but it was worth it. I tried to get one of my knives out, but Mrs. Padavick did too well of a job because there was no way I could get them out through the fabric and pulling them out from the top with my hands like this was impossible. Wait! I came to a squat and fumbled through the layers of my robe and cloak eventually finding my fur boots. Working painstakingly slow I unwound the leather strap that held them up and unfolded the fur at the top to reveal the feathered ends of my arrows sticking up. These had to be the worst part of my disguise. I had twelve on each foot but I had to make sure they didn't impede my knees from bending or from stabbing into my ankles when I walked. Carefully I pulled out one arrow, making sure that I didn't move the others or the fabric that protected the tips from digging into my flesh. I stood up slowly, so and I pulled it out the rest of the way. Victory is close.

I fumbled with the arrow as I sat back down on the ground, eventually finding the razor sharp steel tip. I concentrated as I pressed my fingers to the earth once more so I could clearly picture the thumb cuffs in my head and see where I should start cutting. But I wasn't alone. A few meters off I felt a presence, I focus and I found a Ranger sitting patiently in the trees watching me like a statue. My guess is that he is an apprentice told to watch me and make sure I don't escape, all while practicing unseen movement. This might impede my plans.

"Obviously they didn't tell you exactly who you were guarding." I said in my masculine voice. I looked in their direction and he made the mistake of moving. I figured talking to him would make it easier for him to miss the fact I was trying to cut through my bounds. "Don't worry; there isn't anything you could've done to prevent me from finding out where you're hidden." I really hate this man voice. I felt one of the ties loosen as the small blade sliced through it, just one more and my hands would be free. The trick was going against my training and moving around like I had nothing to worry, like trying to get into a comfortable position breathing loudly, all while trying not to make the Ranger notice my hands working furiously behind me. "Personally I would've chosen the bush a few meters to your right for better coverage, because you'd be able to see me through the branches instead of peering around your tree." This time he remained still because that's what his training taught him but he now knew that I wasn't just bluffing of knowing where he was. In retrospect, I probably was lowering his confidence in unseen movement but then again he had never been asked to watch a sorcerer before. The last leather strap one the thumb cuffs snapped and my hands were free. "But like I said before they didn't tell you who you were keeping an eye on." I said right before pulling my hood over my face and disappearing completely.

I put my arrow back in its hiding place and laced up my boot. The Ranger that was sent to watch me came out of his compromised hiding spot and came to check, but he found the spot to be empty. I remained completely still inside my cloak, and just to the side because this Ranger would make the next part of my plan that much better. He did his best to track my steps, but I left none for him to find, even if there was any more light to see any. The young Ranger raced back through the woods and I followed him, keeping back just in case my foot stepped on a branch or anything.

This Ranger was pretty good and was trained well because I lost him way before we even were close to the clearing. Luckily, I had my own way of finding it and only checked once to make sure that I was heading in the right direction. I made a wide arch around the camp, looking for the best entrance. No one could see me, but it was still one Ranger, well not quite a Ranger, versus the entire Ranger Corps so I didn't want to take any chances. It was hard to eavesdrop on Rangers because they all liked to speak in hushed tones, but my Ranger senses told me that there was a change in the atmosphere and it could only mean one thing. They had found out that I, well the sorcerer, had escaped. I made sure not to go anywhere near the horses, because they alone could smell where I would be and not to mention if Celeg was among them would be happy to see me. The only sound that I could hear was the strumming of some kind of instrument, but it wasn't the center of attention and now I could see why. I hid just inside the inner layer of trees so I could hear and see everything. It broke my heart to see all the men sitting there in their green and grey cloaks, their faces weathered from a few winters. But they all reminded me of Becks, and how he wasn't here. It could've been the two of us sitting in there this year, but now I would've passed even the slightest chance of going up just to have him back.

"I knew he wasn't to be trusted!" I had heard that voice before, and it was relatively louder than the other voices. Apparently my escape had just reached the older Ranger's ears. This could get interesting, especially of what I was going to do next. I would just have to wait for the most opportune time.

"Who knows where he could be now?" One said as they all leaned into the conversation happening near the bonfire.

"Why would you even consider bringing him? Now he's a threat to all of us!"

"What I don't get is why he would risk his life to get help then just throw away our trust like that." It was Will this time, I was sure of it.

"I can't believe that I live to see the day to see the great Halt and Will Treaty get played." No way! The older Ranger is Halt! That means that I was Halt's prisoner, and that it was Halt that I was bugging about my lack of normal behavior and I fooled the best Ranger of all time!

"What now, we all go on a hunt for a sorcerer?" One said after a minute of silence. It was now or never.

Discreetly, I walked towards the group of Rangers and stood where everyone could see me. I took one last breath before saying in my own, very female voice: "I do have a name you know." Every Ranger gasped and looked in my direction. I pulled off my hood and the Rangers closest to me staggered back a step as if they had never seen anyone just appear out of nowhere. I slowly peeled back the black mask that was wound around my head. I could see that every Ranger had their hands at their hip ready to pull out their knives and throw them straight at me. Just no more sudden movements, I told myself. They were all curious to see what was truly under the multiple layers of my mask. Finally, I pulled the rest of it off and I turned towards Will and Halt with a mischievous smile. "And it's Silas Reinhart."

I raised my hands in surrender making sure that they knew I wasn't going to put up a fight. But no one came; they all stood gawking at me like they have never seen a woman before. Well technically they haven't seen one here before, but I was still waiting for someone to come and tie my hands behind my back again. Then the whispers started and they were all saying the same one word: "Reinhart." I purposely used my surname because it was the one that I shared with Becks. They looked around as if seeing if Becks was standing among them, but I was the only one who knew that he was nowhere to be found.

"Where is Beckett?" Was also echoed through the camp.

"The reason he's not here, is why I stand before you." I said above the crowd. More murmurs filled the night.

"I think you've made enough of a scene for tonight." One voice said and surprisingly everyone quieted down. "We will discuss matters more privately, Ranger Beckett's granddaughter." There was only one Ranger that could possibly know who I am, and that would be Crowley, the Corps Commandant. Everyone gawked in disbelief from Crowley to me; I rolled my eyes and followed the smiling Ranger into the large tent.

"You were a girl this whole time?" Apparently Will and Halt don't know what the word private means because they followed us into the tent. Not that I cared, because I kind of wanted to see how they would react once they knew the whole story. Halt had taken off his hood and I finally saw his face in full light. He was surprisingly shorter without his hood on, only coming up to my eyebrows. His face was chiselled with sharp angles and his dark hair and beard peppered with grey. But it was his dark unwavering eyes that showed his spirit steady and strong, ready for anything thrown at him. Well everything except a girl dressed as a sorcerer, but I would never say that aloud.

"Still am, last time I checked." I said with a smile.

"You were the girl in the tavern." It was Halt this time, who spoke but not in the threatening way he used to when he thought I was the sorcerer. This time it was soft and calculating.

"I had to make sure you were steered in the right direction." I replied coyly.

"Are you really a sorcerer? I mean can you actually do magic? How did you make the dragon?" Will fired questions rapidly, never giving me the chance to fully hear them.

"Could you chose one question please Will?" Halt sounded a little annoyed as he raised an eyebrow at the youngest male in the tent.

"I think she will be able to answer all of those questions with my next one." Crowley finally stepped in. "Where is your grandfather?" This was the question that I had been waiting over a month for someone to ask.

"He was kidnapped." I said quietly, the truth still hurting. "A group of performers came to my village and a week later they came back secretly and took him away. Then I devised the whole sorcerer and dragon bit just to get your attention because he told me to get a Ranger's help right before he was taken."

"Why would they want a retired Ranger?" Will asked seriously. His charming playful tone disappeared completely.

"They weren't." They all looked at me like I was crazy. "They were looking for magic, they were looking for me."

"Then why did they take Beckett?" Crowley asked.

"They can only sense magic around them, and I guess since appearing out from under a Ranger cloak looked kind of magical, so they thought it must be him. He also ordered me to stay away, if not they would also have me too and there would be no way that I could warn you that they plan to take over the kingdom."

"What do you mean they can sense magic?" Halt asked his brow furrowed.

"The two head guys have a little magic: one I guessed had the ability to basically persuade people into doing what he wanted, but if that didn't work, the other was able to sense that there was magic in the area and he was able to control Becks' body which is why they were able to take him away." I explained, hoping this all didn't sound too unreal.

"So you have magic, the magic they were looking for." Crowley asked and I think they might be catching on.

"Yes" I said shyly, hoping they wouldn't burn me at the stake for it. "I inherited some abilities from my mother."

"What kind of abilities?" They all leaned in curiously and I now had the feeling that I was been interrogated.

"Having magic doesn't mean that I can go 'poof' I want a glass of water. I can only bend branches and manipulate shadows, stuff like that."

"So that's how you made the dragon." Will concluded and I nodded.

"Well that one I needed a little help." I smiled and laughed to myself because Celeg would never let me ride him again if I told the Rangers how I actually did it.

"You said they were trying to take over the kingdom." Halt asked. "And you presume that they are going to achieve this by persuading King Duncan to hand over his crown?"

"Back in the tavern you let slip that people had been going missing."

"I never said that!"

"You didn't have to; you guys exchanged a glance when I said 'I wouldn't be surprised if people started to go missing.' It took me a while to figure out, but then I realised that a performing group would be able to travel around with a bunch of people without raising too much suspicion. I also heard that they had others they thought might have magic that they have as prisoners. I believe they plan to collect enough power so they can overrule anyone that stands in their way."

"Thank you Silas for risking your life to send us this message."Crowley said softly. But I knew what his hidden message meant.

"You can repay me by letting me go with whomever you send." I smiled. Both Will and Halt stood up in protest.

"No way!"

"Crowley, tell her that you will not allow this!"

"But he's my grandfather! And its might fault that he was kidnapped, so I should get to go. Besides I already told you, you're going to need my help."

"Now that you're done being mysterious, can you please enlighten us to why two fully fledged Rangers will need the help of a little girl?" I understand Halt not trusting me as a sorcerer, but calling me a little girl was like calling me useless and I was anything but.

"You won't be able to get even close because the only way to defeat magic is with magic." I wasn't afraid to stand up for myself, even against a legendary figure like Halt. Crowley had to step in to stop us from going any further. We both were determined in our beliefs, and I could understand where he was coming from. He was a King's Ranger and he would leave immediately in order to stop them from doing this, but bringing me would just slow them down or that's what he was thinking.

"Crowley let me take the test." Both Will and Halt looked confused. "That way I can prove that I won't be a burden to anyone."

"This decision is even harder than the last time. I can't be sure how everyone will react. Are you even ready for it?"

"Not for the full test because there is still one thing I can't do yet."

"Will someone please explain what you guys are talking about?" Crowley and I looked at Will and Halt but ignored the question.

"I told Beckett that it would be better if you were fully trained. And since he's not here I will have to assign someone to watch over you."

"Wait," Will interjected, "are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Yes, please Will, tell the rest of us what is going on." Apparently, not having the all the information was killing him. Serves him right for calling me a little girl.

"You're a Ranger." He told me and I nodded.

"Still mostly an apprentice." I corrected him.

"Everything makes more sense now. How you knew that you would need to be taken as prisoner to come with us, and knew that we would only attack the second night so you didn't bring your dragon, and how you knew that not complaining about your wounded leg as we dragged you behind us for days would just annoy Halt further."

"I saw you squirming too Will." Halt said trying to cover up.

"So Crowley will you let me take the Ranger Apprentice test?" I asked, my entire life's hope hanging a thin thread attached to watch Crowley would say next.

"Well since you will be looking for your grandfather, I guess that it would be a good idea to be insured under the Ranger Corps." And with that I smiled a full smile knowing that even the somber Becks' heart would be leaping for joy right now.

Authors' Notes: Silas is with the Rangers! What will happen next any guesses? Well you guys will have to wait for the next chapter to find out. Gilan will be in it next chapter we promise, and then he will be in for the remainder of the story so those of you who wanted a Gilan OC story hang on for one more chapter because it will only get better. Any ideas you think might fit with this story, leave it in a review and if we use it we will dedicate the chapter to you. Review please!

Love, C & M

Guest- Make sure you leave your name next time so you know this is for you! She has to be able to mastermind a plan like that if she wants to be a Ranger and outsmart Rangers. Thanks for the review!

Dash99- Sorry it took so long to update, we'll do our best to update sooner. Thanks for the review!

Athena Silverwolf- You guessed right, but I don't think it was that hard to figure out. I might do a small Becks POV at the end of a chapter because that is a really good idea! Thanks for the review... and the idea!

Adrianna-I'm glad you liked it! Your reviews are always my favorite to read because it makes me feel like typing more! Thanks for the review!