*Disclaimer: *SOB* I wish I did own RA!!!

YAY!!!! a new chapter! FINALLY; I know, it's been forever 0.o First, I had writers block pretty much all of last week, then my fingers couldn't type fast enough to get everything written down!

Btw, I couldn't remember what Delia's mom's name is (only name that came to mind was Martha, and I don't think that's it...) so yeah; if you know the name, let me know (:

Chapter 9

"Is Leon back yet?" Will queried, shaking the rain droplets off of his cloak. It would pick this day to rain. Now I'll have to postpone our trip... This was one of his rare off days; still grumbling, he moved out of the walkway and sat down at the table. Noting Will's mood, Alyss brought the coffee pot over to the table. Muttering his thanks, Will poured himself a cup and tasted it; a little hot, but he took several swallows anyway, the burn of it warmed him as it went down. Mood somewhat improved, he leaned back with a sigh; Leon had been his apprentice about a week now, and he had planned on taking Leon Old Bob's today. Alyss had stayed home today instead of going to the castle; all she had to do currently was look through letters and documents, and she could do them just as well at home. As a plus, she wouldn't have to go through the driving rain to reach the castle.

"What time were they coming?" Will asked; just as she opened her mouth to answer, the door opened with a slam, bringing wind and rain into the snug cabin, as well as Leon. Shutting the door, he paused to lean against it for a moment; drenched to the skin and looking quite wind tossed, he was quite a sight.

"Have a nice run?" Alyss queried; Leon had insisted on sticking to his training schedule despite the weather, and had left his cloak near the stove so that it could dry out while he went on his run.

"Exhilarating!" He said, breathless, flashing a grin that lit up his whole face. I do believe that this is the first time I've seen him so... excited; joyful even. Alyss thought, surprised at his cheery mood. Laughing, he shook his head, sending rain water throughout the room;

"Hey!" Will exclaimed; shielding her face, Alyss laughed at Leon's gaiety, and daring. By now, Will was laughing too, his gloomy mood forgotten. Eyes alight, Leon lifted a hand in a small wave as he headed for his room.

"So, what are we going to do for the rest of the day?" Leon asked, now dressed in warm, dry clothes and currently lounging in a low-backed chair; Will's favorite, to be exact.

"Well, I was planning on taking you to meet someone, but with the rain-"

"A little rain never hurt anybody." Leon cut in,

"Do you really want to walk all day in this?" Will shot back; "It may not bother you, but as damp as it is, there's no way I'd be able to light a fire." Leon grinned, knowing how much his mentor loves his coffee.

"Leon, why don't you bring your wet clothes out here where they'll dry faster." Alyss suggested from her 'work-at-home' corner. Nodding in agreement, he soon had them spread out on the backs of several chairs near the stove.

"By the way, Delia says she's bringing vegetables and dessert, and that they'll be over when Seth finishes shoeing the knights' horses." Leon mentioned.

"Either of you boys have any ideas as to what we should make?" Alyss queried, "I haven't been able to decide."

"Stew is always good on a cold wet, day." Will put in, but Leon was already shaking his head;

"We have that all the time! You and your stew are as inseparable as you and your coffee!" He snorted, "Having common things to eat when you have friends over is like saying that they're common." Turning to Alyss, he continued; "Have you ever made chicken with fennel?"

"No, I'm afraid not; I don't usually cook much, Edwina took care of the meals until you came along."

"Ah yes; chores, that's all apprentices are good for." He sighed; sarcastic as usual, and as usual, it took Alyss a few moments to realize he was joking. I don't think I've ever met anyone more sarcastic; and he uses it so casually that, for a moment, he sounds like he's serious. She laughed softly to herself; He'll drive Halt up the wall!

"Do you know how to make this 'chicken with fennel' stuff?" Will asked,

"Yeah, pretty much; it was the best liked main dish that was served at the inn."

"Why don't you give it a shot then."

"Oh, but I'm supposed to be reclusive; if people hear that I make the finest fennel chicken in Araluen, no one will ever treat me like a real Ranger. Next thing you know, they'll start striking up conversations with Rangers whenever they get the chance, and your reputation will be ruined."

"We'll keep it a secret, don't worry." Will laughed, "But seriously, give it a try."

"That smells delicious; what is it?" Delia asked as soon as she stepped through the door.

"Chicken with fennel." Leon answered shortly as he carried the dish to the table.

"It looks like it smells." Seth added, grinning; he was a big man, his broad shoulders rippling with muscle developed from long hours of shaping metal and shoeing big warhorses, his big hands were well calloused and he moved easily despite his large frame. Dark hazel eyes laughed through strands of wet, sandy hair in a well tanned face.

Leon studied them briefly as he finished setting the table, and decided that he liked Seth, but wasn't sure about Delia yet; Women are always harder to judge... Men are less complex; generally speaking, that is.

"What did you bring for dessert?" Alyss asked, curious. Delia just grinned;

"It's a surprise." She said slyly, setting down a crock of sweet corn and mashed potatoes.

"This tastes great Alyss."

"Actually, Leon made it." Alyss replied,

"Really? I didn't know you could cook." Leon grimaced;

"That's just it; I can't."

"What do you mean? This is great!" Seth contradicted.

"It's far too dry and slightly burnt." Leon mumbled,

"You should have seen his first attempt; you couldn't even tell what it was." Will commented, grinning;

"That" Alyss scolded, "is because you suggested cooking the chicken on a spit, instead of broiling it like you're supposed to." Will looked sheepish;

"How was I supposed to know that the fire would get hot enough to burn it; I usually cook over an open fire-"

"And you didn't think about the fact that a fireplace is made to produce more heat than a mere campfire, did you?" Alyss cut in again

"I suggested stew for dinner-" Will began; he didn't have a chance to finish,

"You were the one that told me to make the blasted chicken!" Leon exclaimed defensively at the same time Delia groaned; "You and your stew!" There was silence for a moment, then everyone started laughing.

"That's exactly what Leon said earlier! 'You and your stew are as inseparable as you and your coffee'!" Alyss said between laughs

"Hey! It's good stew!" Will objected; it seemed like everyone was abusing his stew.

"Yeah, but you make it all the time!" Leon, Alyss and Delia shot back in unison; Seth just laughed all the louder.

Once everyone got laughed out, Delia pulled out a covered dish and set it on the table;

"Who's up for dessert?" Without waiting for an answer, she pulled off the lid. Alyss gasped softly; an exquisitely well made sugar-spun castle topped what looked like a cake covered with vanilla frosting. Leon drew in a breath in surprise, and was shocked when the scent reached his nostrils.

"Where did you get chocolate?" He exclaimed softly. Delia looked at him in surprise;

"How did you know?"

"I'd recognize the smell anywhere." He said offhandedly, "But I didn't think Araluen had heard of it yet; where did you get it?"

"A small foreign trading vessel stopped here a few weeks ago to take on more rations and fresh water; they'd been blown off course by a big storm and had no idea where they were. A good bit of water had gotten into the cargo hold, so they were selling the worst of it cheap. I asked if any of it was salvageable, and one of them pointed out a small barrel and mentioned that some of it might be ruined, but the stuff on the inside would probably be dry. I spent a few days experimenting with it before I got the ratio right."

"Chocolate isn't cheap; only the upper class can afford it." Leon was studying her closely, as if he were trying to figure something out.

"You seem to know a lot about it." Will commented, curious;

"Yeah, it was what my father preferred." He grinned slightly, "And it's much better than coffee."

"Then how come it's not well known here?" Will was a little incredulous;

"I believed I mentioned that it was expensive, but it is also hard to harvest and process."

"Anyway, let's quit talking and try this chocolate for ourselves." Alyss said. As Delia started cutting up the 'cake', it was apparent that it wasn't; a cake, that is. Rich, moist brownie was topped with fresh strawberries and the whole thing was covered with vanilla pudding. Casually leaning back in his chair, Leon watched as she dished out the pieces.

"I agree with you; it is better than coffee." Alyss commented, grinning at Will's expression of mock hurt.

"Alyss, how could you?" He gasped, feigning shock.

"Cut it out; sarcasm so does not suit you." Leon said, rolling his eyes as he elbowed Will.

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit; some say it isn't wit at all." Delia put in;

"If it were really 'wit', then what would be the point?" Leon queried, cocking his head sideways. "That's why it's so funny; I only use it for my own amusement anyway."

"Really?"

"Yeah; some people have the funniest expressions. And the people don't react at all, like it's soooo boring; they're the best ones."

"Why?"

"Because their expressions are the best! Little do they know that no reaction at all is what I'm going for." He grinned; "It tells you a lot about their character, too."

"You're a very interesting person Leon." Delia laughed;

"Really?" Then he sighed, "I can't believe I'm already such a failure at being a Ranger." Unlike Will, sarcasm fitted Leon quite well; there were quite a few laughs.

"No, really; you are." Leon shrugged;

"Lots of people would disagree."

"That's their problem." Delia paused for a moment; "How come you seem to know so much about people and things?"

"I watch, and I listen; I've also traveled a lot, and I find people interesting. To watch, to listen to, to analyze..." He shrugged "There's a lot of things that you can learn just by doing those few things; but most people don't realize that."

It's a rare thing to find a person that knows the value of careful observation that's not a Ranger. Will wondered all the more about Leon's past; Where did he learn everything he knows? By whom was he taught?

"Where all have you been?" Alyss coaxed,

"Gallica, Celtica, Skandia, Hibernia." He reeled off, "I've been to the Eastern Steppes, to numerous small islands across the ocean, traversed the arid plains and deserts of Arrida; I've seen sights that few others have, been places few people even dream of." There was a moment of silence before he continued; "If you want me to tell you more about my past, ask, not play games with me. Those who play games with me usually lose." He folded his arms across his chest, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Alright then; tell us."

TA-DA!!!!

Okay, I know that chocolate is kinda an anachronism, but if they have coffee, they can have chocolate too!!! I'm not so sure how well the whole 'foreign ship' thingy works, but I just came up with it on the spot, and couldn't think of anything better; besides, I found a way to tie it into the story.... anywayz; in all reality, chocolate is hard to process, especially by hand; which, of course, makes it pretty pricey :P

now: REVIEW and tell me what thou thinkest q: