A/N: Stuck in a line for 3 hours? Always carry ear buds. You can plug them into your smartphone and catch up on your favorite daily vloggers. This is also useful for ignoring your annoying travel buddy.
Raider: Nursing school friends are the worst, purely because if you aren't careful about steering the conversation they will start talking about what they learned about at school, and...well, there's a reason some of us didn't go into nursing.
Aubrey: Some questions answered, some poured gasoline on...I watched the new Goosebumps movie recently and was a little put back how much I related to R.L. Stine. I don't think I'm mad to the level he is, but...still. There's always room to grow.
Disclaimer: Not John Flanagan.
Scout glared and rolled out of the pin. "Daniel!" she shouted.
"Nice to see you again too, Scout."
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same."
"This is Hibernia. I'm the crown princess, in case you forgot."
"And I am the Ranger Liaison to Hibernia, in case you weren't notified."
Scout got to her feet and began dusting off the grass and dirt that had gotten on her clothes when Daniel pinned her. "I wasn't."
"That's right. You weren't, because when I arrived you weren't in Roscrea. No, I was pointed to this special little Academy Hibernia has become famous for. I get there and learn that you recently left on some unauthorized mission. I track you on that unauthorized mission, and find you on full defense riding back towards Roscrea. Now it is your turn, Scout. What's going on?"
"Why do we have a Ranger Liaison?" Scout shook her head. That didn't matter. Daniel was a trained and experienced Ranger. He could help. "Daniel, you've got to go to Roscrea and tell my cousins that Talia and I have the man who killed my mother. He's dangerous."
A new wave of concern washed over Daniel. He grabbed Scout's arms and began checking over her for injuries. "Where is he? Did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine, but he hurt a friend of mine. Talia's with him alone. I'll loop back and help her, but you've got to tell my cousins to send someone to meet us. We'll be taking the main road between Roscrea and Claymound."
"Scout, if there's somebody dangerous back there I'm going. You have just two years' worth of formal training and Talia always gets into trouble with bad guys. I'll go find them and you take the message to your cousins."
Scout mounted Swift again. Daniel whistled and his Ranger horse came trotting from a hidden place among the trees. She paused for a moment to watch him climb onto his horse. "Just follow the road you found me on. She's coming from a town called Claymound."
Daniel nodded. "Be careful, Scout."
"You too, Daniel."
Scout rode again towards Roscrea, where she was sure both help and a lecture waited her.
Kane woke a little earlier than usual the next morning. He rubbed his eyes and, as awareness set in, flinched. Gabby was still in bed. She was never still in bed on a work day. She was always up at least an hour before him to prepare breakfast and play with Russ. He felt her cheek. "Gabby wake up," he said softly. She stirred after a few moments
"What is it?" she asked.
"You've got a fever. Are you feeling alright?"
Gabby felt her own cheek. "I treated a few apprentices with some kind of illness a few days ago. I must have caught it."
Kane kissed her and put his hands around hers. "I'll get Russ up. You should sleep in."
"It's just a fever, Kane. I'm fine."
Kane narrowed his eyes. He got out of bed and put on his shirt slowly. He watched Gabby as she stretched for a few moments before getting out herself. She swayed when she stood. Kane crossed the room and gently forced her back in bed.
"I'll get Russ ready and take him to Mother, and then I'll come back and check on you, alright?"
Gabby obediently lie back down. "I should have covered my feet when I got up with Russ last night. The floor was cold."
Kane kissed her again. "I'll see you in a little while, Gab."
The men took Caitlyn's gag off. She coughed and tried to get moisture back in her mouth. One brought a cup of water to her and held it to her lips. Caitlyn felt belittled by the gesture, but was thirsty and downed several gulps.
"What do you want with me?" Caitlyn asked once the water was taken away.
The only answer offered was a hard slap to the cheek. "Speak when spoken to, Miss."
"Don't rough her up too much. She's got both the Rangers and those special ladies backing her."
Caitlyn looked out the only window of the captive place. The sun was starting to rise now. Streams of pink and orange spilled into what was obviously an isolated place. There were no signs of Messer or Ethan. Caitlyn's heart sped up again and panic came back into play.
Kane dressed Russ and gave him an apple as breakfast. While Russ played with his carved horses, Kane returned to his bedroom to change into his uniform. Gabby, almost to his surprise, was still lying in bed.
"You're not going to fight me on taking the day off?" he asked with mild shock as he pulled out a fresh tunic.
"If something's wrong with me then I have to go in to get medicine anyway."
"Or you're just due for some rest."
Gabby sat up and got out of bed again. "I'll be fine."
Kane knew he didn't have what it took to talk Gabby out of going to work. Only Master Jonathan could convince her she was wrong about her health. Gabby's boss would know immediately if she needed the day off and have an apprentice follow her home if that's what it took.
"Alright," he gave in as he pulled his quiver over his head so the strap would lie across his chest. He picked up his bow and strung it. "Russ and I are out. Take care of yourself, Gab."
"Be safe today, Kane."
He kissed her one last time before going back for Russ. "Come on, little man. We're going to Daideo and Grandmother's."
Just minutes later, Kane let himself into his parents' apartment. He set Russ on his feet and the child ran off to play with the toys that never left his grandparents' home. Pauline smiled and stood as they came in.
"Where's Gabby?" she asked. Usually when Kane brought their son over in the mornings it was because Gabby was unable.
"She's sick," he told her. "She's going to try to go to work, but would you mind checking to see if she comes home or not in a couple of hours? If she doesn't get better Master Jonathan will send her away."
"I will," Pauline promised.
"Thanks."
Kane left and went to report in. To his surprise, Gilan and a handful of other people were crowded in the main office of Royal Scouts. He was even more shocked when King Horace, Queen Cassandra, and all three of their children along with Anamaria were present. The appearance of one or two members of the royal family wasn't uncommon, especially if it was Cassandra or William, but if they all came together outside a scheduled appearance or gathering it only meant something bad had happened.
"What's going on?" Kane asked once he was close enough to Ace to whisper without being heard by everyone.
"Kate's gone."
"What?" Kane demanded in a hollow voice. He'd forgotten to whisper so everyone looked up to see that he was there. Gilan cleared his throat.
"Caitlyn was sent on a mission with two Ranger apprentices, two Courier apprentices, and a Lady of the Charmed Battalion. There was a traitor to Araluen among them and she was to assist in figuring out which it was by posing as Lady Anne, a girl none in the party had met before who had become instrumental in taking down this particular black market. One of the apprentices just arrived back with the news. Caitlyn was ambushed and taken. We don't know if they have figured out her identity or if she's still posing as Lady Anne but she's gone. The other apprentice along with the Ranger of that fief are both working on tracking her."
"Tracking her?" Kane repeated as his anger built. "As in, they don't know where she is?"
Ever since Lina's death and Liam's absence Kane had felt responsible for Caitlyn. Scout was in Hibernia being a princess and Caitlyn had fallen into the care of Halt and Pauline. Kane loved his parents dearly, but Caitlyn needed someone…younger around. He and Gabby both went out of their way to include her in their lives. Kane couldn't help feeling like he should repay Lina in some way. She'd saved him when he had no one and now he wanted to save her daughter. Caitlyn was half-grown, independent, and fiercely stubborn. She didn't need much but she wasn't ready to be alone.
"Well, I think we have our first volunteer for the rescue party," Horace said with his arms crossed. "You up for it, Kane?"
Kane nodded. "Of course."
"Me too," William spoke up. Everyone turned to stare at him. William had a close relationship with Caitlyn and her family just as Kane did. However, crown princes weren't exactly the best choice for cloak-and-dagger rescue missions.
"Your Highness," a large somewhat overweight soldier who should have retired years ago spoke up. "This mission is dangerous. A full escort would ruin it. Besides, Scout Kane and a couple of Battle School apprentices can handle…"
"Apprentices?" Horace cut him off. "You think this mission will be left to one Royal Scout and a couple of apprentices?"
The soldier's face turned red. "Your Majesty," he defended himself. "This isn't a military leader or valuable asset. She's a teenage girl who got mixed up in something bigger than she could handle."
Horace opened his mouth as did every other man in the room but, as usual, Cassandra cut every single one of them off. "That girl is Princess of Hibernia Caitlyn Leaf. Her father is Ranger Liam, who betrayed his country to save ours. Her mother did the same and then some. She is a close personal friend of the royal family as well as the daughter of valuable people who both took oaths to protect Araluen. Her mother died a noble death and is remembered throughout Araluen for her bravery and sacrifice.
"Her father and his apprentice are missing in action for taking on a mission only a Ranger could handle, and even then just a select few. So let's make something very clear, Sir Gerald. Royal Scout Kane is going because Lady Lina saved his life and now he will save her daughter's and because I say so. Prince William will go because Lady Lina saved his life before he was born alongside mine and his sister's, and also because I say so. Ranger Gilan will consult the Battalion and put together whatever team they see fit to rescue Caitlyn, and I don't care how many they require because Caitlyn will likely enter the service of either Araluen or Hibernia; us or our greatest ally. She is the sister of Hibernia's future queen and, by blood, is a princess herself fourth in line to the throne of Hibernia. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the now embarrassed knight muttered.
"Good. Ranger Gilan, how many more are needed?"
Gilan was smiling. Like every member of service who wasn't a soldier, he enjoyed watching a soldier be put down. Soldiers tended to be arrogant and dim underneath their bravery and absurd chivalry. "Well, Your Majesty, we've got a saying. One problem, one Ranger. I'll send word to Will. He can meet up with William and Kane by this time tomorrow if we move fast."
"And of the Battalion?"
"Lady Laura is already on it. She will be all we need."
Cassandra nodded. "Very well. Off you all go then."
William motioned for Kane to join him with Anamaria as everyone else filed out. "I think Gabby and Russ should temporarily move in with Anamaria while we're away. They would be better guarded against attack. Gabby knows our home well and Russ will be comfortable there. If Caitlyn was targeted for some reason then there's a good chance it's a family affair between what's happened to Liam and Lina."
Happened to Liam…Kane gave pause on that. People with the higher peacekeeping and security positions, such as Rangers, were presumed dead if missing for more than eighteen months. Officially, Liam Leaf and his apprentice died of unknown causes while on duty. Nobody believed that truly but it was protocol. No other Ranger had been assigned to Redmont fief yet to help Will but retired Rangers had been rotated through and Gilan was unable to hold off much longer. He was simply obligated to fill the position. Two years was a long time for Will to carry what was usually the load of two.
Kane thought about it. Anamaria really did need to have company around the clock. She'd slipped into depression and Gabby was a naturally cheerful person. Anamaria would be tied up in official duties all day and then Gabby could be a shoulder to cry on or the pep talk she needed at night…however Russ's presence could send her into a deeper depression. Kane sighed. He never liked Gabby being home alone for extended amounts of time. Their wives being together could provide the comfort and distraction both would need. Russ would be asleep most of the night anyway.
"You don't mind, Anamaria?" Kane asked. She shook her head.
"No mind at all. It is lonely when William is away. Gabby and…Russ…they are both welcome."
Kane noticed her faltering over Russ's name. He glanced to William. His old friend and crown prince just nodded with confidence.