Homesick
It was late night of the twenty first. In Gallica, Halt and Will lay in the open air. There was no rain and their bed rolls kept them warm, so the rangers had decided to not bother pitching their tents.
Will was breathing deeply, his eyes tightly shut. To an observer, he was fast asleep. But in fact, his mind was wide awake.
What terrible timing for a mission! All that excitement, all the preperations, all the anticipation and they weren't even going to be home for Christmas. The worst part was, last year they hadn't been home either.
"Halt?" he murmured. To his surprise, Halt did not snap at him.
"What is it?" he asked. Clearly, the older ranger had not been sleeping either.
"I miss Alyss," Will said glumly. "Do you think she'll forgive us for leaving again?"
"She won't lie it," Halt admitted. "But she loves you so she'll be happy again when you come home safe."
"I just wish the mission didn't have to happen now," Will said. "It won't take too long to complete, though." he added hopefully.
"We have to allow extra time to sail home," Halt told him. "Now sleep."
Will fell silent. Somewhere in the darkness, an owl hooted.
"Halt?" he asked again.
"Mmmm?"
"Do you think we'll get back in time?"
Halt rolled over. In the night, his eyes looked even darker than usual.
"I'll shoot anyone who trys to stop us."