A/N: Old Readers: As you reread this and you notice parts you weren't so fond of last round are coming up, do you start skipping chapters until the part is passed?
Aubrey: They're working on that. Promise.
TheRanger'sDaughter: Sometimes I read your reviews and they kind of match where I am currently in the story, but are obviously off on some key detail, and I think, "Huh? Did I really miss my mark that badly?"...and then I check the chapter for the review and remember, "Oh. Right. Chapter 10. That one." Your predictions are fun to read. I mean, everyone's predictions are fun to read, but I love how you point out specifics that either match what happens in the future or are so far removed it's almost like an inside joke...only you haven't read this before and the joke is on me.
RedRebel: I believe when I first wrote these someone said something about there not being enough drama...so I cranked it up and here it is.
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
Caitlyn laced up her boots and quietly fastened her cloak over her shoulders. She took a deep breath as she eyed the door Janelle had disappeared through over an hour ago. She hadn't been listening closely enough to know if her companion had gone to bed or not but she was sure Janelle was no longer paying attention to her. She picked up her pack and made sure all its fastenings were closed. She'd never really ever been taught how to slip out of a room quietly, though she'd watched Scout do it enough times on those middle-of-the-night hunting trips. The goal was to move quietly first and then quickly once clear of hearing range. She'd copied the tactics on occasion sneaking out to go hunting with Mason. He'd given her pointers from time to time, but never sat down and taught her.
Caitlyn walked as though she had nothing to hide towards the stables. Surely young girls walking with quick steps at late hours was typical. It surely was at both Castle Araluen and Redmont Castle. The people in Blarney didn't seem to take much notice of her. She darted off to the stables and found her horse sleeping in a stall on the far right. She retrieved her saddle and threw it up earning her an annoyed look from the horse.
"Sorry," she apologized, "But we have to get back to Roscrea."
Caitlyn took the reins of her horse and led him from the stable to the street. She stayed on foot until she reached the gate. The gatekeeper eyed her warily. Caitlyn gulped. She hadn't considered the gate being closed.
"Who goes there?" he demanded in a raspy voice.
"Katy Whitley, sir," she answered.
"What are you doing trying to leave the city, girl?"
Caitlyn's mind raced, but sadly not fast enough. The man marched his way up to her and grabbed her hair in his fist.
"Serving girl trying to run? You should have more sense than to use a public gate, you wench. Who do you work for?"
"I…"
"Answer me!"
"I…"
A new voice came from behind Caitlyn. It sounded strangely familiar though she couldn't place it right away. "She's with me. Release her or I'll scream."
Scout kept her lips tightly pursed together as she rode between Daniel and Warden. Daniel seemed to enjoy the tension while Warden squirmed in it. She hated the silence but didn't want to talk either. Scout hated Kineta. She must have done this on purpose.
They came to an outskirts city and slowed. It was here Kineta and Talia advised they collect information. It was a Ranger's job, but Warden was a local and Scout wasn't about to leave the two alone together. Daniel, however, gave her no choice.
"You should stay with the horses, Cassie."
Cassie: the false name that had been bestowed upon her before leaving Roscrea. It was homage to Queen Cassandra of Araluen, but still Scout felt uneasy with it. Her true name was both too uncommon and could be easily mistaken as a title, which would prompt a slew of undesirable attention. Cassie drew less attention and never felt like a good fit.
Scout scowled, though knew she had no choice but to listen to him. Daniel was older and far more experienced with this sort of thing. Scout knew she couldn't keep relying on the fact she was a Ranger's daughter to lead in this type of situation. After all, Daniel was both a Ranger and a Ranger's son.
"Fine," she muttered even though Daniel and Warden were already disappearing into a tavern. Scout patted Swift's nose. "I bet I've traveled more than him, even if he is a Ranger."
Swift just tossed her head and nuzzled Scout's shoulder. Scout retrieved three apples from her saddlebags and let each of the horses have a treat. It seemed like hours before the men came back, though the sun told her it'd barely been just one. "None of them were helpful," Warden scowled. "Waste of time and gold."
"I'm sure the royal purse can afford it," Daniel shrugged. "We'll just try again somewhere else."
Four more unsuccessful trips to another tavern and three inns later, Scout put her foot down. "You two should just separate and go to different places. Look, I'll watch the horses. You two split up and meet back here for dinner. This is ridiculous."
Of course, once the two elites were working alone trying to outdo the other, progress was made. Scout wanted to believe they'd simply both lucked out but the nagging feeling that at all the other places there had been a rivalry hindering performance.
"So, we know a uniformed Araluen Royal Scout and a blonde girl were taken west," Scout repeated after listening to each of them. "Sounds like Kane and Gabby, but what about Caitlyn?"
"Maybe they know," Daniel replied as he took a drink from his canteen. "Either way, we have a lead to them and none to Kate. We've got to take what we can get. Kane can help us once we find him anyway."
"More Araluens interfering with Hibernian business," Warden muttered.
"Warden," Scout gently scolded when Daniel's eyes flashed with frustration. He fastened the topper back onto his canteen.
"Let's head west."
"They said that they were taken to an old castle west of Roscrea," Warden repeated. "You know what that is?"
Daniel and Scout stared at him. Warden just shook his head.
"The Academy of Roscrea. It's that place that used to house Her Grace Kineta, Lady Lina, Ranger Liam, Lady Talia, and all of them. It's where Warriors were trained."
Both Daniel and Scout raised their eyebrows. "Hm," Daniel said after a while. "Well I guess things just got a little more interesting."
Kane tried not to make it too obvious how much he enjoyed having Gabby's arms around his waist as they rode with Jeddrick towards Roscrea. Now, in the light without anyone pursuing them, the ride was actually enjoyable. Thick green moss covered almost everything and the trees grew up so tall he could barely see the sky between them. Wildlife flustered around the trail and the birds sang above their heads.
What little distrust he still had for Jeddrick vanished as they came upon the clearing of trees to reveal the castle of Roscrea nestled at the bank of a huge lake. Kane had to admit, it was truly a breathtaking structure, built in line with the cliffs and rocks rather than on top of them. It must have taken several lifetimes to create such a place.
They rode through the open main gate. Guards seemed to recognize Jeddrick, or at least his uniform, and let him pass without question. Jeddrick led them all the way to the upper court, where an impressive system of runners had already alerted Sean to important visitors. Kane made it his personal mission to figure out exactly how Roscrea's system of informants went. They were much more efficient than Araluen's.
"Where's Caitlyn?" Sean demanded as the three dismounted.
"We got separated," Kane answered honestly. "But this man…"
"She's in Blarney," Jeddrick cut him off. "I've got people after her. She'll be back in no time, Your Grace."
Sean shook his head. "How did she end up in Blarney?" He ran his fingers through his hair as his eyes bore into Kane. "You understand her parents won't like this, right?"
"We were being pursued and about to be caught," Kane explained. "Better they just get Gabby and me than all of us."
"So you let a fourteen year old girl go running around unfamiliar land alone? Really?"
"I wouldn't call the child incapable, Your Grace," Jeddrick said with a short shake of his head. "She evaded my people with as much natural talent as her father."
"I thought Lina was the evader."
"Lina always got caught. Liam had to rescue her."
"She got caught when she was with that Academy because she was told to do her job or die trying."
Kane cleared his throat. "When can we go look for Caitlyn?"
"We've already sent off Scout, Warden, and Ranger Daniel to find them."
"Daniel's here?" Kane couldn't help feeling mildly surprised but Sean just nodded.
"Shortly after you all boarded a ship to come here Araluen decided to offer the services of a Ranger to a few of its allied countries. The Ranger would act as on-hand intelligence and Araluen's eyes. Ranger Daniel Treaty came to us and we accepted his service."
Kane raised an eyebrow. "So…Scout, Warden, and Daniel are traveling together? Alone?"
"I didn't think it a good idea either but I trust my wife's decision." Sean nodded towards Gabby though he looked at Kane. "Always trust her. That's my marriage advice to you. Even if she's wrong, you'd best pretend she's right."
"I should join them," Kane said after a few moments. "Is there someone who can point me in the direction they went?"
Sean pointed down towards the beach where Kane could just make out a smaller market village in the distance. "They went to collect information from taverns that direction. Where they go from there is anyone's guess."
Kane nodded. He kissed Gabby's cheek and looked back to Sean. "Is there someone to make sure she's taken care of until I get back?"
Sean nodded. "My wife and I thought this may come up. We'd like to offer Gabby Scout's room and staff until she returns. Anything you need, just ask them."
"What?" Gabby exclaimed. "No. I can't…"
"When Scout's not here they all attend her lady-in-waiting who acts as a double if people need to believe Scout's actually here in Roscrea. There's no such need at the moment and the girl is off visiting her family anyway. Scout's personal maid, Kelly, has been making sure Scout's quarters are kept up but aside from that all she does is act as a guide for castle visitors who don't know their way around. She's eager to have someone to serve again. I believe she's a friend of sorts to Scout, and you'd be doing both of them a favor to let her serve you."
Gabby just shook her head. "I don't need servants."
"Gab," Kane said gently. "If Scout were here you know you'd be staying with her in the room anyway. Just do it."
"I can stay in the quarters of your medical wing staff," Gabby insisted.
Sean sighed. "I hate to use this against you, but Gabby you have no idea where the medical wing is. You're sort of stuck wherever you're led."
Kane smiled and nodded with approval. The king seemed relieved that Kane didn't jump to defend Gabby from the low strike. Sean gestured to a friendly looking young girl wearing a plain green dress and white apron. She stepped forward with a smile on her face and full attention on Gabby.
"Hello, miss. I'm Kelly. We've met before briefly."
"Kelly will show you to the room," Sean said as Kane guided Gabby's hand to Kelly's arm. Kelly gave them a short curtsy and chatted to Gabby politely as she led her away. "As for you, Kane, I sent for new provisions to replace your depleted ones. They should be here any moment, as well as a fresh horse."
"I'll keep the one I've got," Kane insisted quickly. The only friend Kane spent more time with than Gabby was his horse. Royal Scouts didn't typically have special relationships with their horses. That was more of a Ranger thing, but…well, Kane had been raised by a Ranger.
"As you wish. Jeddrick, I believe Kineta would like to see you before you disappear again."
Jeddrick nodded. "Just point me towards her."
Sean nodded to Kane one last time. "Good luck."
Kane, after collecting the new packs and letting his horse take a long drink from a nearby trough, mounted up and rode off towards the village Sean had pointed out.
