The next morning Natesse woke to the surprising smell of coffee. She stretched and yawned before rising and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She looked over to see Kae still in bed. She rose and stumbled to her wardrobe, dressing in a pair of brown leggings and a green jerkin stopping at her waist. Natesse no longer needed to hide her clothes; now that her mom knew everything, her hunting clothes could stay in her wardrobe and be washed with the other laundry. She then pulled on grey, woolen socks and her staple hunting boots, choosing to fold her grey cloak over her arm before wandering out of her room and into the kitchen.

She squinted into the bright light filtering in through the windows and groggily wondered what time it was before finally noticing the person in her kitchen.

"Blake?" She said surprised, freezing momentarily. The Ranger sat at her kitchen table, hands wrapped greedily around a mug he mother was filling with steaming coffee.

"Hey Natesse," he said cheerfully, drinking deeply from the cup. He frowned slightly. "Lady Faron, could I bother you for some honey?" Kiera smiled sweetly.

"Of course!" she retreated to the corner of the kitchen and searched the cabinet for the honey jar.

"So... What're you doing here?" Natesse said uncertainly after a brief silence. She finally wrenched her feet from their spot and headed to the counter where she found her mother had made breakfast. Natesse scooped some of the bacon and eggs onto a plate before sitting down next to Blake, who accepted a spoonful of honey.

"As I suspected I received a pigeon this morning from Aldrich," he said, skipping the idle talk. Kiera sat down next to Natesse, leaving an empty spot next to Blake. "He woke up early to write me; unlike those of us who choose to sleep in," he paused and looked at Natesse meaningfully. Natesse eyed the sunlight streaming in her kitchen windows, studiously ignoring Blake's eyes; she knew it was way too bright for before six hours. It's not like it was her fault - she couldn't make herself wake whilst sleeping, and clearly her mother didn't wake her because Blake told her not to.

"He has given word to Cassandra about the matter and, unsurprisingly, she has agreed to make public my having an apprenticeship." Natesse listened intently now, not concentrating on her food as she ate.

"We're not going to have a ceremony or announcement or anything like that; we never do so why now. But, you can start wearing your cloak and your weapons and traveling with me without a second look. They won't know your identity; unless they've actually met you, but that's not weird - that's how it always is. Which brings me to my main point. Pack your things, you're moving in!" Blake smiled hugely and Natesse immediately reciprocated. She couldn't wait to finally be a true Ranger's Apprentice; the clothes, the weapons, the lodging. Everything.

"Of course I've already discussed this with Lady Faron-"

"Please, call me Kiera," she interrupted, that same sweet smile on her face. Natesse rolled her eyes, smirking at her oblivious mother. She's already fallen for his charm.

"Of course Kiera," Blake responded smiling back. "Kiera has so graciously accepted that this is part of the training, and she fully supports you. From here on, you'll see your mother and sister occasionally, but there will be extended periods of time when you will not." Natesse's eyes widened; she hadn't thought of that.

It had been her, Kiera, and Kae for five years now; they were tight knit. Whenever Kae had trouble in school, Natesse always helped with her work. Whenever Kae had questions about boys, Natesse was always there to listen and share what Nash had told her. Whenever Kiera was tight on money, Natesse slipped some into her funds - Kiera always assumed it was just tips. Natesse was their rock; the one they always counted on. Brave and fearless. But Natesse needed them, too. They made her laugh and cry and accepted her sarcastic, witty comments. They kept her on her toes; she never knew what they'd be up to. They kept her life interesting. And now, Natesse would be leaving them? She had no idea how she'd manage without them. But you'll have Blake. Of course, the Ranger would protect her, but that's not what she worried about. Who'll take care of them?

"Don't worry, Natess. We can handle ourselves," Kiera whispered, reading Natesse's scrunched up face like a well known folk tale. "We'll be fine. It's not like you'll never see us agin." Natesse nodded before picking up her empty plate and fork and placing them in the washbin.

"What do I need?" She said much more calmly, turned confidently to face Blake. He nodded his head as if impressed. In fact, he was impressed by how she managed to pull herself together. He predicted then that she'd be a great student in the art of deception.

"Any clothes like those you have on. Personal affects of course. Your bow, knife, and other hunting stuff... Hmmm... Might as well take a nice dress or two as well. They could be costumes, apparel for any nice events, who knows?" Natesse nodded before disappearing into her room.

Once there, she grabbed a large draw string bag and opened it as wide as it would go. Then she went to her wardrobe and took out two more pairs of leggings, one brown and one grey, one black tunic, and one dark green tunic. She grabbed one nice dress Kiera kept for her and one plain one; the blue one was in her wardrobe, rehung neatly, but she wanted a change of pace. With that in mind, she selected a plain, dull red dress. The bodice of the dress had cream lace strung up from the waist, ending in a bow beneath the low scoop neckline. The neckline itself was a couple of centimeters of cream fabric poking out at the top from beneath the red. The other dress she chose was a shimmery dark purple, accented with gold colored thread and embroidery. The dress had been very expensive; it was a birthday gift for Natesse's fourteenth birthday from her mother. Of course, Natesse didn't care for dressing up, so this was the first time she'd actually taken it out of the wardrobe. However, Kiera seemed really excited about the dress, so Natesse tried her best to accept the gift with the appropriate enthusiasm.

With her clothing and undergarments packed neatly in the bottom of the bag, Natesse carefully took the nails out of her sketch of her and Nash, leaving a small hole in each corner. She folded the art carefully before placing it in inside the cover of one of her books. Then she dumped the single book into the bag, deciding to leave the rest of the books. Time to make my own stories. She looked around the pitifully sparse space that had been her home for fifteen years. There was really nothing left to take. A hair brush. Then she remembered.

Natesse pried up her mattress with one hand to remove the drawing she had kept there; it was a picture of her father made a few weeks before his death. Tears sprung unwelcomely to her eyes, and she wiped them away before they could spill over and stain her cheeks. She placed the drawing inside of the book cover as well before taking deep breaths and pinching her palms to calm herself.

"What are you doing?" Kae mumbled suddenly, lifting her head to squint at Natesse.

"Packing. I'm moving into the cabin today." Natesse walked to her sister's bed and sat down. "I won't see you guys often, but I'll always be there if you need me."

"Take care," Kae said, hugging her sister tightly. "And don't worry about us. Don't let thoughts about us change any decision you make. We want this for you; you've earned it. I love you." Natesse laughed.

"When did you become wise? Thank you. I love you too." Natesse pulled out of the hug, leaving Kae to fall back into her pillows happily. The goodbye was bittersweet; but she was adamant that she'd see them plenty.

Now she was done. She drew the strings on the bag taught and left the room with a sense of finality.

Back in the kitchen, Natesse noticed Blake and Kiera having an animate conversation about Kiera's clients.

"You must hear so much gossip," Blake said implicitly.

"You wouldn't believe it. They think that pins in my mouth means I have yarn in my ears; they don't think twice about me!"

"I could really use you as a source of information. You could be a real asset to your Fief." Kiera smiled bashfully and laughed, secretly pleased.

"Of course. I hear anything outlandish and I'll send word to Natesse right away."

"Done already?" Blake called to Natesse whom he had detected as soon as her feet padded quietly out of her room.

"Yes."

"Where's your bow?"

"Somewhere else."

"Where?"

"You'll see; I'm ready to leave." Blake accepted her answer with a somewhat annoyed frown before offering his hand to Kiera and kissing it delicately.

"It was a pleasure, Kiera. Don't worry, I'll take good care of your daughter." Kiera seemed reassured. They both stood; Blake headed for the stairs and down them, Kiera walked towards her daughter.

"Natesse," she said, searching her eldest daughter's eyes with a proud smile on her face, "I've always been so proud of you. You got good grades, you were a great friend to Nash, you proved your innocence... And then to learn the Corps wants you as a Ranger's Apprentice?" Her eyes welled up.

"Oh, mom," Natesse mumbled bashfully, stepping forward and holding her in a tight embrace.

"I already know you're incredible. Go show the rest of the world." Natesse laughed at that before giving her mom a kiss on the cheek, turning her back, and walking towards the stairwell.

"Oh by the way, I brought you some chocolate. It's just there," Natesse said, facing her mother once more. She grinned at the gape on her mother's face and pointed to the covered plate on the corner counter. Then she left. Natesse wasn't one for goodbyes; she thought they set a bad precedent.

Natesse and Blake strolled through the long grass outside of the Fief quietly, enjoying the sun's warmth and the faint, salty breeze. When Natesse had shown Blake Old Acklard Manor, he had seemed pretty distracted. Natesse pretended she didn't notice his preoccupation with the house; she was always impatient, and wanted to know the cause of his interest, but she knew he'd tell her when he was ready. Natesse had retrieved her bow and braided back her hair. She told Blake that she didn't actually like wearing it in the braid, she just didn't feel like explaining to any passersby why she was wearing boys' clothes yet. So, for the time being, she had still left the Castle as a young man. Blake got the usual interested looks, and a few were cast at his companion, but not nearly as much as there would've been if people knew Blake had a new apprentice. Natesse was confident the news would circulate within the first few hours of someone finding out, but so far only the Baron and those he had told knew.

The two companions reached the cabin just at midday.

"Let's get you settled." Blake pushed open the noisy door and headed to the second bedroom, opening the door and ushering Natesse in before following her.

"Vanity here, mirror right above it. Bed there. You can hang stuff on these hooks or put stuff in the vanity, whatever you want. And... Ah... Oh, yes! Your cloak," he announced, pulling open the vanity's top drawer to take the mottled creation out. Natesse pulled off her grey cloak urgently and threw it on the bed, along with her bag, before wrapping her self in her new one, fastening it around her. She stroked the billowing fabric, her face lighting up like a small child's with a brand new toy. Blake looked amused, but surprisingly didn't make a sarcastic comment.

"So.. I guess you can just get settled and then meet me out here when you're ready." Natesse nodded and Blake left the room.

Natesse drew her bag open and took out her book. She flipped open the cover and removed her two drawings, unfolding them both and flattening the creases. Then she set her book on her bedside table and her brush on the vanity. She set the portrait of her father in her top dresser drawer. Then she lay the drawing of her and Nash on her dresser. It donned on her that she never said good bye to Nash - she'd have to talk to Blake about that.

For the mean time, she started to unload her clothes. She placed her undergarments in the top drawer, hiding her father's portrait beneath the soft, protective fabrics. Along with her typical undergarments she had brought one corset on the occasion that she'd need to wear her dresses. In the second drawer she placed her leggings and tunics. In the bottom drawer she put her dresses. She pushed the drawers shut and studied herself in the mirror; her eyes were bright blue pools, her skin was tanned, and her hair was escaping its braid in random tendrils. Her mottled hood was pushed back, so she reached around and undid her braid, finger combing her tangled hair so it hung more freely. She turned back to her new bed; it was already turned down with a tan sheet and a comfortable looking, thick, grey blanket. She realized she had nothing left to do here. There was nothing left to unpack - the product of a nonexistent social life.

Blake was reading a scroll in one of his chairs by the fire when Natesse left her new bedroom. He set the scroll down with a frown on his face, lacking his usual humor.

"I'm done."

"I see... Well, it's midday. Do you want to eat or train-"

"Train," Natesse said firmly. "I slept late, and I just ate. I can skip a midday meal." Blake nodded, expecting her answer. He knew she was an eager student, and he was glad to see that she wouldn't be one to opt for he easy way.

"Well, I'm thinking today we'd do some workouts and some map making." Natesse waited awhile before speaking - she expected more.

"Wait, that's all?"

"Well, yes. Not everyday as a Ranger is going to be chasing brigands or leading wars or saving a kidnapped citizen. Most of it is being patient and waiting - striking before you are struck. Besides, mapmaking is a valuable skill you need to develop."

Natesse saw the wisdom in his words, but that didn't mean she liked it.

"Fine," she relented with a slump of her shoulders. Blake rose from his chair and grabbed his massive longbow, nodded towards Natesse to grab her father's recurve.

"Don't worry," he said consolingly as they exited the quaint cabin, "tomorrow will be full of action."

Natesse crumpled up her fifth attempt at a map angrily. She had just had Blake look it over and point out several mistakes, meaning she'd have to start over. She started on the curvy line of the stream once more as she glanced up to see Blake studying that same scroll again. She looked back down distractedly, and realized her line barely resembled the stream she was walked a few hours prior. Before that, the two of them had gone on a several mile run through the woods. Natesse was exhausted at the pace Blake kept, but once they got back they went into more exercises. Natesse had to lift heavy things as part of strength training, do sets of push ups and pull ups, and even go through grueling minutes of sit ups. The bright side was that Blake did everything with her - he explained that it could only help him improve and dying because he couldn't run for long enough of lift enough weight sounded pretty pitiful. Once their workout was over and they had both bathed in the icy stream - at different times of course - Blake had explained the basics of mapmaking and set her to attempting to make one of the cabin's surroundings.

Now she scrunched up her face and balled up the parchment again, considering tearing it apart and stomping on the pieces. Instead, she let out an audible huff of exasperation.

"Having trouble are we?" Natesse looked up to retort angrily but was surprised to see Blake's face etched with worry rather than humor at her frustration.

"What's wrong?" she asked, momentarily forgetting her exercise and ignoring his question. He seemed to debate how he'd answer her question when he finally reached a decision. Blake sighed.

"There are signs of raids down south. Just across the border into Scultier Fief."

"Skandian?"

"No. They're the most logical, what with the way things have been with them lately, but these raids are unlike any Skandian raid I've ever heard of." Natesse propped her elbow on the table and leaned her cheek onto her hand, interested for new information. Blake appraised the look of intrigue in her eyes happily, though his features bore no sign of it.

Skandia had shared a long period of peace with Araluen; they enacted a treaty and had help from Araluen Rangers in a war against the Temujai army. But after two decades, once the Oberjarl Erak Starfollower had passed and Cassandra had been Queen for several years, Skandia had spun back to its old ways - worse in some ways. It was no fault of Queen Cassandra, and there were many Skandians that still held sympathies for Araluen. The new Oberjarl was ruthless and greedy; he led the Skandians back to merciless raiding. They had only recently gone back to raids on Araluen - the one that resulted in Natesse's father's death had been one of the first few - but they were once again a force to stir up fear among coastal settlements. Cassandra did everything right diplomatically to stop it, but the new Oberjarl didn't see reason. It was a shock when Orabel was raided because it was so close to Marlite castle itself. Reinforcements were on their way within minutes of news of a raid reaching the castle. The strike was a very clear message - they feared no one.

"How can you tell they aren't Skandian raids?"

"Well, for one, if they were Skandian then the Skandians would make that well known. They'd hide their wolfship near the town for a few hours until dusk - or they'd even go during the day - then run up the path swinging their battle axes and shouting a war cry. Most guards and citizens would run at that sight. The Skandians would tear through everything, steal what they wanted, cause bedlam, and then leave loudly. However, these raids are totally different.

"Whoever's doing them is sneaking in late. They hit right when the guards are three quarters through their shift-"

"So the guards are drifting because they know they're about to switch, but the actual switch won't happen for some time, giving the raiders plenty of time to raid," Natesse interrupted. Blake bobbed his head approvingly.

"Exactly. They shoot the guards down with crossbows - meaning they can take them out from distance and without offering the chance of being seen. Then they slip inside quietly. They don't hit every house either - they go for the more well off family homes and businesses with the most money or lucrative items. They kill anyone who may spot them or get in their way, then they slip out just as the new guards are finding the dead sentries. There have been reports of a ship retreating." Natesse's brow furrowed as she paid close attention.

"So, what does that mean?" Blake said suddenly. Natesse's eyebrows shot up - she wasn't expecting that.

"Well," she studied her hands as she took a moment to gather her thoughts, knowing Blake would want a well sorted answer rather than a fast one. She continued to look at her fingers as she started to speak. "For one, they're careful. Clearly they've done this many times and they're no impulsive raiders. They know the guard switch, so they must study their target for at least a day prior to hitting it." She looked up to see Blake nodding his head.

"Good. Yes, they definitely are experienced and they have to have scoped out their target for some time before they raid. What about the things they steal? They only focus on the rich houses and the successful businesses." Natesse became aware that she was being tested. She searched her mind for a logical explanation to his question, rising to his challenge eagerly.

"They have to have someone inside," she said suddenly, her mind making the connection. Blake looked pleased, so she continued. "They must run ashore somewhere near the settlement a few days prior to the raid," her mind raced into overdrive as she compiled her million thoughts. "Then they send a few people in as separate travelers to avoid suspicion. They find out which families are healthy and which businesses have the most money or the most valuable goods. Then they return to the ship one at a time. Others watch the guards for a few nights. Once they know the schedule, they strike. That way they can go straight for the best loot in the shortest window possible."

"That's what makes sense, doesn't it? So how would you solve this?"

"Well, someone had to see the boat. I mean, it's got to be banked for a few days at least. Someone had to have gone hunting or fishing or boating by. There have to be witnessed somewhere - witnesses who just don't realize they're witnesses. We just have to find them."

"That's the problem, isn't it? We have to find the witnesses." Blake sighed. "I don't really want to drag you off on some mission until you've had some training, and for now I don't have to. Ranger Pete is Scultier's Ranger, and he's working full force on it right now. But elusive raiders might be more than he can handle; he's capable and he's a Ranger so I definitely respect him, but he's not exactly the brightest." Blake sighed again. "I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on the situation. No sense worrying about it for now, I suppose. Are you done with your map?" Natesse grimaced.

"Can't I be done for tonight?"

"It is getting late." Blake checked the waterclock. "Gorlog's beard it's much later than I thought! We'd both better get to bed; tomorrow will be a busy day."

"So you keep saying," Natesse replied as she rose and stretched. Blake mirrored her actions. "Are you really not going to tell me what we're doing tomorrow?"

"Nope!" he said cheerfully. Then he went to his room without another word.