Author's Notes~

I'm back~! I do apologize for this unusually long wait for a chapter. How out of character for me! I've been gone for a whole month and came back with a load of other things I had to get done. ^^' It took me a while to write this chapter because of it, and it still came out shorter than I wanted! Gah! I had this whole other scene I was going to add on at the end, but I decided to cut it out and place it in the next chapter. I figured it'd be structured better that way.

Anyway, I finally am able to do review replies! :D

nightange1 :: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! And I'm thrilled to meet another person who shares my views. ;D Well, hopefully the short stories will at least be fun, right~? ;)

Raider1472 :: Gah! Those spelling errors! D: No fear, I've checked over this draft and I'm sure I've conquired those darn errors and typos this time! I hope... :P

xbadmsod :: You'll have to see this chapter. ;D

Couldn'tThinkOfaName :: First off, don't worry, it takes me a long time to think of names too. 0_o Thanks so much for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying the whump. ;D There's more to come. This chapter doesn't contain a lot of it unfortunately, but it'll quickly return, no fear. ;)

bladewielder05 :: I enjoy your enthusiasm! :) You know, it took me a looooooong moment to realize what you were talking about. 'Eh? Fine Halt? Whaaa~?' But then I was all~ "Oh~! LIGHTBULB~!" xD I should go back and fix all my awful typos...But I never get around (er...gain the non-laziness) to re-load those chapters. But for the sake of my readers...I really should. xD

Lovemusic2 :: Sorry that I took a long time to update with that crazy cliffhanger! D: If I give you virtual cookies, will you forgive me? :)

King's Princess :: Whoo~! In characterness~! SCORE THERE~! That makes me happy to hear! I'm glad I was able to help with your long car ride! (I've been there...I feel for you~!) I'm sorry this one chapter took so long. :( I wish I could have updated earlier.

Wow~! Chapter Seven had so many reviews~!

Well, enough of my talk, here's Chapter Eight!

Dance of the Crimson Knives

Chapter Eight

Ashes streak the darkening sky as they rose from the flickering flares of the pyre, taking the shapes of dreary clouds drifting across the sky. Despite the fairy-tail sunset setting, the atmosphere was otherwise in gloom. Burning on the stack of neatly arranged logs of wood was the body of Crowley. The bloody form from the woods of Coledale was clean and gracefully laid out in a respectful manner appropriate for an honored head of the Ranger Corps.

Two days have passed since Will and Selethen returned to Castle Araluen with wounded Halt and Crowley. Not once had Crowley woken from his unconscious state and the next day was pronounced dead by the palace doctors. It was sudden and unexpected, particularly on Will's part. Crowley had gone from strictly giving out orders and taking charge of the situation and now he simply never woke from an abrupt sleep.

For years Crowley has been the head and leader of the Ranger Corps, and now he's been brought down for good by an ambush of Arridi warriors. Halt had said not a word since Crowley was deemed dead and gone, hiding under the cowl of his cloak, but the light of the embers gave way of the stained chin.

It was the longest night Will felt he ever endured. He rested his back against the brick walls of Castle Araluen as night moved along at an ease pace, seemingly motionless as the fire sent Crowley up into the heavens in ashes.

Watching from the window above was Alyss, sitting her own silent vigil. She hardly knew Crowley and felt it improper to intrude down below with the others who knew him better. Horace hardly even showed himself since Will's return and he too was absent from the pyre scene.

While Will had been away, Evanlyn had come around to the great relief of, not only Horace and King Duncan, but of course the rest of Castle Araluen. The knight eagerly attended to her every need and want. Although it's been decided that Evanlyn would make a full recovery, Horace refused to do anything otherwise until she was completely recovered.


"Evanlyn!" Horace's excited bellow could be heard down the hall where Alyss walked. The tall Courier blinked widely in surprise and bolted down the hallway towards Evanlyn's room. The first thing she saw as she poked her head into the Crown Princess's room is Horace barely retaining himself from nearly squeezing the awaken Evanlyn to death.

The knight had wiped his wet eyes and smiled broadly at his wife. Evanlyn, still a bit frazzled, blinked in confusion at Horace's reaction. "H-Horace...?" she winced as she moved, her hand immediately covering her shoulder.

Horace's eyes widened and he gently held her too him. "Careful!" he scolded lightly. "You're still recovering!" he said, gently rubbing her good arm with evident concern clouding his eyes once again.

Then the sound of laughter came from Evanlyn, though weak it was. This stopped Horace in puzzlement. "You're...laughing?"

Evanlyn covered covered her mouth as she giggled. "I-I'm sorry!" she removed her hand to reveal a small, genuine smile. "It's just..." she gave another short laugh. "You never change!"

"I..." Horace blinked several times. "Well, I...what...?"

"You always worry." Evanlyn smiled yet again and, in turn, Horace did the same as he leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his wife's lips.

Alyss smiled softly as she watched the scene, deciding it wasn't her place to join in, and quietly stepped away from the ajar door and moved quietly back down the darkening hall.


The Courier attempted to smile again at the memory, bit it was swept away as soon as it appeared so long as she stared down at the pyre. She turned away and plopped softly down on her bed, but no matter where she decided to sit the flames still reached her line of sight.

Even as night set in and the skies became dark, the billowing smoke could still be outlined, the fire still going strong. Alyss looked down once more at Halt, Will, and King Duncan before finally retiring for the night to her quarters.

By morning the fire had died down and only ashes remained of the pyre. Alyss caught only a glance from her window as she dressed herself before heading down to the dining hall for breakfast. It wasn't very busy in the dining hall and Alyss caught no sight of Will or Halt, but she did see King Duncan sitting down with what appeared to be a few of his advisers, discussing something over breakfast.

Without a doubt something to do with Faustus...and what to do now that Crowley's gone. Alyss thought grimly, turning to leave them to their discussion. Just as she began to head out, she nearly ran into Will who was entering.

"Oh!" Alyss backed up slightly. "Will, good morning. I-" she paused when she saw the sinking bags under Will's eyes. "Did you sleep at all last night?" she questioned, folding her arms and looking down on him.

The young Ranger simply shrugged her comment off and looked past her into the hall. "I'm accustomed to lack of sleep," he answered, not saying anything else as he moved pass Alyss and into the hall.

"Will...?" Alyss watched him head on in with a frown, biting her lower lip hard and clutching the sleeves of her simple white gown.

"He's been like that most of the night," Halt said, coming up from behind Alyss. His cowl still covered his head, although the light of the dining hall lit up more of his face. "Come to think of it, he hasn't been himself for a while, at least not when he found myself and Crowley."

"Not since the wedding..." Alyss recalled. "He doesn't even look me in the eye anymore." The whole ordeal with Faustus had Will worked up to the point where Alyss could feel him fading more and more. With Crowley now dead because of it all, it would only have a worse affect on Will. "I just hope he doesn't become rash."

Halt looked towards Will. "In the end, I doubt he'll let his anger get the best of him." He had faith in his apprentice, though Halt had to admit to himself that Will could become carried away, especially in such situations.

The meeting between King Duncan and his advisers must have come to an end, for now the king beckoned for Halt to come over. The Ranger stole one last glance at Alyss before moving over to speak with King Duncan. The Courier noticed that Will was also among them. She waited by patiently as King Duncan spoke only to the two Rangers.

"We haven't heard anything from the North," King Duncan was saying to Will and Halt. "At least, nothing of use to help finding Faustus. None of my advisers or messengers have heard anything."

Will threw back his cowl and stared up at King Duncan. "Nothing?" he repeated. "But surely Gilan would have found something. He was heading up towards Norgate after the wedding." Even if Gilan couldn't find much, he still would have reported back to them.

King Duncan shook his head. "They didn't say anything of Gilan, I don't think they've heard anything of him themselves. At least, not Castle Norgate."

"What of Macindaw?" Will demanded. "Did you hear anything of Macindaw?"

Again the king shook his head. "Nothing of Macindaw, only Castle Norgate."

Something wasn't right. Will knew something wasn't right. He spun around towards Halt. "We have to start heading towards the Norgate fief!" he looked back at King Duncan. "There's a reason Gilan didn't get back to us, and I know something is going on at Macindaw."

"But the Arridi warriors were found near Coledale," King Duncan contradicted. "Wouldn't Faustus wanted to be near his comrades?"

"Not if he wanted to cover more ground," Alyss spoke up, stepping in on the conversation and looking about at the others. "I'm sorry for butting in," she said. "But I know Rangers well enough to know that they can and will defy normal tactics."

Halt turned his attention to Alyss, shifting his gaze from her, to Will, and finally the Araluen king. "We'll head to Macindaw," he finally decided. "Sitting here in this castle has done us no good so far."

The Ranger kept his gaze on the king, as if silently seeking his approval. King Duncan nodded. "You might as well. Keep in touch, I'll be making preparations here in case anything comes up. When will you be leaving, Halt?"

"Before dawn tomorrow," Halt decided. "I want a whole day's trip and it'll take a whole day's rest to do so. We've spent too many days and nights in discomfort."

Will was quick to object. "We can't wait until tomorrow! That's pushing whatever is happening at Macindaw! We're Rangers, we don't need a day's rest!"

"No," Halt agreed, his eyes now on Alyss. "But Couriers aren't as accustomed, and besides, I need the day to plan ahead."

Will now was looking at Alyss, eyes wide. "You're coming?"

Alyss was surprised herself, but smiled at Will. "Like I said, I've proven I can take care of myself, and I may have to take care of you." She then turned and exited the dining hall. Will allowed the slightest of smiles to appear on his face.


The journey to Macindaw was long and tedious for Will. He was clutching tightly onto Tug's reins the entire ride, his thoughts lingering on pointedly on Faustus. Selethen had remained behind to aid King Duncan and help with Evanlyn's recovery, which meant that after endless convincing, Horace had accompanied them on Kicker.

There was little rest or breaks during the long ride, and not once did Will pay heed to his aches that resulted from it. He wanted to get to Castle Macindaw as quickly as he can. A journey that would normally have taken several days was accomplished in a shorter amount of time. Will wasn't the only one anxious to get to Castle Macindaw, he was simply the only one to express it.

To the surprise of everyone, they had a smooth trip. Will had braced himself for confrontations with Arridi warriors and possibly Faustus himself. None, however, came. At this point, Will could only guess what that meant.

Now Will could see ahead where the sun peeked behind the silhouette of Castle Macindaw in the distance, standing out against the white snow that surrounded the castle. There were several guards on patrol along the castle wall, stopping when the four riders approached.

Halt was in the lead, bringing Abelard to a halt before the drawbridge to the grounded guard. "King's Rangers, Courier, and Knight," he said, nodding towards the rest of the small party. "We're here on urgent business. We need to see Lord Orman."

The guard seemed almost hesitant, looking once up at his companions on the wall before giving a curt nod to the group. "Very well," he said, gesturing for them to continue.

Halt didn't return the nod, he rode past the guard with Will, Alyss, and Horace close behind and into the quiet castle courtyard. It was empty save a few guards who stood stiff and almost uncomfortably. Halt slowed Abelard down, leading the rest slowly through the courtyard and up to the main doors to the palace.

The doors opened and a single guard came out. "Lord Orman is unable to see you at the moment," he said quietly. "Please, do come in. Will you be staying long? We'll prepare comfortable quarters for you. We'll tend to your horses."

The four dismounted, although Will was reluctant to hand Tug so easily over to one of the guards, but he decided not to let his paranoid state get the best of him.

"This way," the guard said, leading them inside where from there a servant took over, leading them to a wing of the castle. It felt dreary...almost dark. It sent and uncomfortable tingle down Will's spine. It was as if a wave of depression had fallen over Castle Macindaw and Will didn't like it one bit.

Horace leaned forward and murmured into Will's ear. "Doesn't this seem awfully fishy to you?"

"It's strange," Will murmured back in agreement. "But we should follow Halt's lead, he's set on seeing this through and finding out what's going on."

Speaking of his mentor, Will glanced towards the older Ranger, but could not distinct the expression on his face because, as most Rangers do, Halt hid himself under the shadow of his cowl. Will was just going to have to trust Halt as he always did.

"Here," the servant said as she opened one of the doors to reveal a spacious apartment. "Is where I think you'll be comfortable until Lord Orman can see you."

Halt nodded to the servant in thanks and was the first one into the apartment, his eyes scanning his surroundings. After declining that they needed anything more from her, the servant closed the door and left the four in peace.

"So now we wait?" Horace questioned, plopping himself down on one of the chairs.

"It's all we can do for now," Alyss said, remaining standing and lightly hugging her arms. "At least, until we can speak with Lord Orman."

Will was completely silent, not taking part in any of the conversation. Instead, his eyes were trained on his mentor who looked out the glass window out onto the grounds below. Everyone was zoned in on him as he said, "Lord Orman will not be speaking with us. This castle has been seized."

Author's Notes~

Castle Macindaw just won't get a break in fanfiction either, will it? xD Anyway, I hope you readers are still with me! :D