...and another regular-size chapter...
Raider: Part of your answer will have to be in an PM for spoilers' sake, but I'll answer some here. I try to make my stories realistic. If you look at what all the characters do for a living, it's unrealistic that at least one of them wouldn't come out with SOMETHING happening to them. For this story, that's Lina.
AER: You must resist the urge to spoil!
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
The next morning, the men gathered around Crowley to receive last-minute assignments before they went on with their tedious, somewhat lonely lives. Halt sighed as he waited for Crowley to announce the news Halt had kept hidden from the younger men he almost considered his sons. Well…Gilan and Liam were more like nephews. Will he treasured but…somehow Kane had a special place in Halt's heart that couldn't be matched.
"Before we get to reassignments, I've got a few announcements to make," Crowley announced loudly. "First off, I'd like to welcome Christopher Builder to the Ranger Corps."
There were a few cheers mainly from Christopher's master, Jack. Halt saw Gilan's lips turn into a smile. Jack, Gilan's first and only apprentice to date, had turned out better than anticipated. His current assignment was Thorn Tree…not the most important but certainly the most dangerous. Thorn Tree's dense forest was too perfect for petty thieves to lurk and thrive. It took someone with a lot of energy and a lot of attention to detail to watch over it, and Jack had all the right qualities. Gilan had once chastised him for being an insomniac night owl. At Thorn Tree, sleeping by day and working by night worked well for the Ranger.
"Now," Crowley went on, "I have a retirement to announce. All of you know Halt O'Carrick, who has faithfully served in Redmont fief and gone on diplomatic missions across our borders several times. Halt has decided to officially retire from our Corps. He'll be moving to Castle Araluen with his family to join our retired Rangers in the archives serving as an advisor to the Special Task Force."
There was a small murmur. Halt felt Will and Liam's sideways glances of confusion on him but the men said nothing. Halt knew they wouldn't. Crowley went over to him and presented the gold oak leaf that marked him a retired Ranger. Halt removed his silver one and, with sadness, exchanged it for the gold. He couldn't help thinking of Scout as he tucked the leaf into his shirt. That particular child adored Ranger leaves for some reason.
"On that note, Liam Leaf will now act as the official second Ranger to Redmont fief." Several sighs of displeasure echoed. Halt knew there would be some resentment towards Liam. After all, he'd never formally held a fief since becoming a Ranger. Still nobody could deny that the placement made sense. Liam had stepped in more than once for Halt and Will and the people of Redmont knew him. Some even came to believe the three resident Rangers all had authority over the fief.
"Now," Crowley continued, "Clarke, you are to take over Norgate fief for Gilan. Christopher, you are to take over Seacliff." There were a few more murmurs. Clarke had been at Seacliff ever since Will left and it was time he be promoted. And Seacliff was used to having Rangers rotate through. Its sleepy shores were the perfect starter-fief. "Finally, I'm sure you are all wondered about Gilan's placement. Well, Gilan's new assignment is Araluen fief."
The murmurs turned into a small roar. Crowley took off his own silver leaf and set it next to Halt's on a table. He pulled a second golden leaf from his pocket and put it around his neck. "It's been a good run," he told the crowd once they quieted down. "But I'm getting too old to manage you ruffians. You've worn me to my last nerve and I'm sick of you…all of you. I'm retiring. It's Gilan's turn."
There were several moments of dead silence that erupted to cheers so loud the horses started. Halt let one of his rare smiles slip out as he watched his first apprentice step to the center. Gilan was a good choice. The best choice, actually. He was an excellent Ranger and had the management skills to take Crowley's place. His charisma would take him far at Castle Araluen. Kane looked up to Gilan and would enjoy harassing him once they all moved in. Gilan would also be closer to Jenny. Will and Liam shouted congratulations at the top of their lungs but were lost in the sea of cheers.
"Crowley's going to act as the source of fear for all apprentices from here on out," Gilan yelled once he could be somewhat heard. "He's making their tests from now on. See you all next year!"
"So that's what you two have been meeting about so often the past couple of years," Will said as they packed up their things.
Gilan nodded. "I hated keeping it from all of you but everything had to be approved. A few wanted the post to go to a more senior Ranger."
Will and Liam broke away from the others, riding home as though they were on some great mission. They left Halt to talk to Gilan alone long ago in eager anticipation of seeing their families. They both went to Will's cabin. Sure enough, Lina and Scout were there. Will burst in first.
"Where's Alyss?" he demanded. Lina nodded to the bedroom door.
"She's tired."
"Papa!"
Liam picked up Scout as she ran into his arms. Daniel and Carissa scrambled towards the bedroom Will went into. Liam carried Scout to Lina's side and kissed his wife.
"How was it?" Lina asked.
"I've been assigned to Redmont fief."
Lina raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Halt and Crowley both retired. Gilan's the new commandant."
Lina smiled. She moved close enough to him to lay her head on his chest. Knowing exactly what she wanted, Liam set their daughter down and wrapped his arms around her.
"How are you getting around?" Liam whispered in her ear.
"I'm learning."
Liam held her tightly. There was a soft knock on the door.
"I open!" Scout declared as she ran towards the door. Liam stared at Lina just a few more moments before releasing her and going to meet the guest. Halt opened the door himself just in time to lift a squealing Scout. "G'andpa, I been good fo' Mama!"
Halt kissed the girl's cheek. "I'll bet you have, little one. How are you, Lina?"
"Liam just told me you retired. When were you planning on telling us?" Lina asked directly as she stood with her crutches and went for the coffee pot.
"Now, I guess. We'll will stay here another week but then we'll be moving to Castle Araluen."
"You leavin', G'andpa?" Scout asked. She stuck out her lip.
"We'll both pass through often," Halt promised her. He looked back to Liam and Lina. "Kane wishes to stay here a little longer. Pauline and I agree he's old enough for decisions like that. It'll be easier for us to set up the new apartment without him underfoot anyway. Would you mind looking after him?"
"Of course not," Liam answered. "I'm sure we could find some chores to keep him busy."
"Good. He should be by sometime today to ask you himself."
Halt watched Lina carefully as she made coffee. She was adapting well. But then, that was what advanced scouts were best at; adapting. Scout took Halt's new golden oak leaf and played with it. "New colo'" she noticed.
"Yes it's a new color," Halt told her. Scout smiled widely. She threw her tiny arms around Halt's neck and kissed his cheek.
"I love you, G'andpa."
Halt couldn't stop the smile that came. The coffee pot sputtered and Lina took it off the fire. She poured two cups. Only Liam and Halt would drink it. Halt always thought it a pity Lina didn't like coffee. She made a great cup.
Lina gave Scout a cup of milk. She herself drank nothing. The visit was brief. Halt wanted to be gone by the time Kane arrived.
The Leafs returned home. Liam insisted Lina rest while he prepped dinner. They left their front door open to keep an eye on Scout playing on the porch steps outside.
Sure enough, Kane came in just after they ate. Liam and Lina gave him their word he could stay with them throughout the winter so long as he earned his keep. Kane gladly scurried off back towards Redmont Castle. Liam finished cleaning up the kitchen while Lina put Scout to bed. Once he finished he went to his bedroom and changed clothes. Lina came in several minutes later.
"What story did you tell her?" Liam asked.
"The Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom," she answered as she changed into a nightgown.
Liam nodded. "That's the one with the dog?"
"Yes…Shiro."
"Hm…Shiro was good to the people who were good to him."
"That's right."
Liam put his saxe knife where it would be within easy reach as they slept and mended a small tear in his cloak. Lina lay down on the bed and rubbed her lame foot. Curious, Liam put his cloak aside and joined his wife. He took her foot and gently outlined the unnatural twist it made.
"Does it hurt?" he asked gently.
Lina nodded. "It's a dull pain that never really goes away. I've almost gotten used to it."
Liam experimented. He applied the slightest amount of pressure. She tensed but didn't snap back or cry in pain.
"Did that hurt?" he asked.
"Just a little…it felt good once the pain passed."
"Tell me if I hurt you."
"I will."
Lina lay back onto her pillow while Liam massaged her foot. He was gentle. Careful, even. He rubbed it firmly but each time his fingers found a part that didn't feel quite right he moved away. Lina felt only small twinges of pain. The comfort that came from the eased tightness were worth the pressure.
Without warning, Lina involuntarily jerked back her leg. Pain shot up her ankle all the way to her knee. Liam dropped his hands and seemed genuinely angry with himself. "Sorry," he whispered.
"No," Lina said quickly. She pushed herself up and scooted next to him. She put her arms around his shoulders and snuggled into his shoulder. "It felt great until the end. We should try again later."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You didn't hurt me."
He sighed and pulled her back onto the bed with him. She pushed her body as close to his as possible. He stared at her face. "Lina, you're beautiful."
"I'm very glad you still think so."
