Chapter 36

A hush fell over the crowd and I could tell the Coronation was starting. Everyone stood and I hurried to follow them and turned to see Evanlyn.

Only I didn't know if I could think of her as that anymore.

A petite figure stood between the pews. She may have been small in stature but a sort of aura emanated around her. You could sense that she was no ordinary woman but a leader and a world changer. Her gown screamed expense, the type that revealed privilege and status. It was a deep red and so dark that it bordered on maroon. Her dress was embroidered with different emblems of the monarchy in gold stitching and from her shoulders hung a cape that trailed three metres behind her. Lining everything was pure white fur. Her hair was swept up with gold combs and for once my fingers didn't start moving at the immense jewellery – which was a good thing because if I stole any of those there was no doubt I would be hanged.

She walked down the aisle and the whole scene reminded me of a wedding – only this time Princess Cassandra was marrying Araluen and all the responsibility that came with it.

When she stopped at the front, Sir David spoke. "Araluen is a proud nation. United over 150 years ago by a King who saw the potential of all its people dispensing of their factionalism. Divided we once were but now we stand together against any threat and also come together for our shared triumphs." My mind wondered as Sir David recited the entire history of Araluen from the rule of King Herbert. Edmund looked entranced beside me while along the pew Maddie was squirming and being chastised by Horace.

"…and today marks a momentous occasion in our nation's history. The farewell of an old monarch and the ushering in of a queen. The first queen to rule Araluen."

A golden sceptre and an orb were brought out on a satin cushion. There was a collective gasp from the audience. Each were covered in rubies, diamonds, opal, sapphires and pearls.

"Milady, is your majesty willing to take the oath?" Sir David asked.

"I am willing," Cassandra answered with a nod of her head. Her voice was shaky at first, but the nod of her head confident with the knowledge of the great responsibility about to be bestowed upon her.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People's of Araluen and its other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise to do so."

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?"

"All this I promise to do."

The Ranger Commandant then stepped forward with a crown that I had seen worn by King Duncan in tapestries. Crowley placed it on top of Cassandra's head, standing a step above her on the dais. Then Cassandra stood and approached a podium on which lay a bejewelled sword.

She lay her right hand upon it as she made her oath. "The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God." She then kissed the sword and stepped forward, taking the sceptre in her right hand and the orb in her left.

A rapturous applause arose as Cassandra stared determinedly into the crowd and the trumpet players lining the room began their fanfare.

"I present Her Royal Highness, Cassandra Queen of the Kingdom of Araluen and all its territories."

† † †

An hour later, the serious and solemn Coronation had morphed in a raucous and loud gathering due to the introduction of one simple variable – alcohol and lots of it.

"Everyone is so drunk," I stated and Edmund grinned. He gestured to the long line of people waiting to meet the Queen.

"At least we have something to entertain us while we wait for that to be over," he replied taking a bottle of wine from a waiter and popping the cork. My eyes widened. Was he seriously suggesting that I have a drink after all my bad experiences? I didn't want to fall into the same void that my parents had. I knew it was a dark and lonely place and Edmund should have known too.

"You want me to drink?" I asked, incredulous.

"Oh gods no!" Edmund said, running his hand through his hair nervously. "I would never suggest something like that unless you wanted to. I don't drink wine or ale or anything. I made a deal with my uncle and I'm not about to break it and I would never ask you to." He looked so anxious at the prospect of upsetting me that I felt an upsurge of affection for my prince. Did I just call him 'my prince'? Gorlog's beard I was in trouble. I stood on my tiptoes though and kissed his cheek.

"That's mean a lot," I said simply and Edmund smiled. His gaze darted away and I followed it. Halt was looking at us and the bottle of wine with a deeply furrowed brow.

"He thinks we're going to drink," Edmund commented and then a cheeky grin lit up his face.

"What?"

Edmund groaned. "If only today wasn't so important. We could pretend to get drunk and annoy Halt so much but lets leave that for another day."

"If everyone would proceed to the ballroom now," Sir David announced, "The royal family will follow and then we shall present the new Queen." Everyone exited as I waiting along with Edmund as we had to enter second last. I glanced at Cassandra who was practically glowing as she sat on her throne.

"You'll make an amazing queen," I said, attempting a little curtsey. I almost tripped on my long skirts and quickly tried to fix my mistake. I could see Edmund laughing under his breath and shot him a murderous glare which shut him up.

"Don't curtsey me Mon," Cassandra laughed. "If I see someone else curtsey I think I'm going to go mad and leave the country. And you're like family so no need to bow and scrape."

I smiled. "Good. I'm horrible at all this anyway."

"She's a fantastic dancer though," Edmund put in.

"Liar."

"Why would I lie about something like that?" Edmund asked, trying to look innocent.

"To stop me ditching you at the last minute."

"It's not that bad."

Cassandra groaned and rubbed her head. I immediately stepped forward, scanning the room for any sign of danger.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, just a headache," Cassandra said as Horace practically ran to her side.

"It doesn't look like a headache," I said. My mind began to run through a million scenarios. Could someone had poisoned her drink? Or her food? Maybe it had happened days ago and the effects were only being revealed now. The death of a newly crowned queen would send a clear message of hostility but also a weak leadership that couldn't stop it's own from being killed.

"Have you drank anything weird lately?" I asked.

Horace laughed lightly. "No need to get so worried. Cassie's fine."

"She doesn't look fine," I insisted, looking at Edmund for support. He was busying himself picking at the thread on his cloak and pretending not to listen. Was I missing something.

"Shall we go to the ballroom now?" Edmund asked. I sighed. I wasn't getting answers out of these people who insisted on denying everything. I made a mental note to keep my eyes and ears opened.

"Ready?" Edmund asked, taking my elbow in his as a doorman waited to open the doors.

"Always," I answered even though I was thinking the complete opposite.

When we entered the ballroom the first thing I did was whisper under my breath to Edmund. "Liar."

It was even worse than I had envisioned. The ballroom was beautiful with hundreds of candles lighting up the room, hanging from chandeliers and candelabras. Gold and silver flashed everywhere and there were a million things to take in. However, it seemed that everyone in the room had decided that there was something more important than the grandeur to take up their attention. Me.

Gorlog's beard! My immediate reaction was to reach for my dress. I must have ripped it and now I was standing in nothing but my undergarments. I was in the middle of planning how I was going to move to Arridi and hide out for the rest of my life when Edmund's breath tickled my ear.

"They're staring at you because you look absolutely breathtaking, Mon," he said. "The women are insanely jealous of your dress and the men are probably jealous of me. Actually I might have to run some of them through with my sword…"

An uncharacteristic giggle bubbled out of my mouth and Edmund grinned back. I blame it on nerves or perhaps getting a whiff of wine but from that moment I played Edmund's perfect date. I was under strict instructions from Alyss, Evanlyn and Pauline that I basically had to dance every single dance. At the same time I had to be on the look out for assassins or anyone with ulterior motives. I just felt sorry for my brain, which not only had to remember the steps but process hundreds of faces and be ready to fight at a seconds notice.

"Just enjoy it," Edmund said spinning us around the room with ease.

"I'm on an important mission to see if there's anyone here that wants to kill you," I answered.

"Well that's easily answered," Edmund said. "If you look right behind my shoulder when we turn you can see Riley and he wants to kill me for having the most beautiful girlfriend." When we turned I did indeed see those intense blue eyes on us.

"And on our right stands Emily, who looks as if she wants to murder you at the moment." Sure enough she was staring daggers at me. Edmund dipped me and I kissed his cheek just to show the both of them that it would not be happening.

"It's hilarious when you get jealous," Edmund laughed.

"You too," I replied just as the dance ended.

"I have to go dance with someone else," Edmund said letting go of my hand reluctantly. I narrowed my eyes and Edmund smiled.

"Don't worry. Its just Evanlyn." I gave an audible sigh of relief as Edmund walked to the Queen who had entered the ballroom earlier to a massive applause. I was starting to get bored when Will approached me for a dance and then Gilan and Horace. Edmund was caught up dancing with their wives and I was getting used to being handed from man to man that I somehow managed to find myself in Riley's arms.

"Hallo Mon," he said with a wide grin. "You look fancy."

"Thank you," I replied. "You too." The light of a thousand candles reflected off his shiny armour creating a sort of glow of light around him as his dark blonde curls tumbled over his forehead.

"You are quite the dancer," Riley said, making conversation as he twirled me around. So was he, apparently.

"Where did you learn to dance?"

"I've always wanted to dance," Riley deadpanned. "It is quite a manly pastime." Why did men insist on that? I really didn't understand. It was probably more to convince themselves of their own masculinity.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow.

He laughed. "No actually my little sister forced me to learn so that I could dance with her."

"She sounds adorable."

"She is," Riley said, his eyes lighting up for a second and then clouding over. I wondered what was making him upset but decided not to ask.

"How is the ranger training coming?"

"Hopefully good," I replied. "I'll find out tomorrow if I make the cut."

"They'd be crazy not to accept you." He smiled at me and I really wanted to make an escape. This was getting weird.

My salvation came in the form of a three foot tall bundle of cuteness.

"Mon!" Daniel pleaded pulling on my skirt. "Dance with me pweese!" I ruffled his brown curls and grinned.

"Sorry Riley but this handsome young knight has asked for a dance," I said, extracting myself from his arms.

Riley did a funny little bow and I laughed. "It was a pleasure."

I held Danny's arms and moved them a little, having no idea how to dance with someone so short.

"How are we gonna dance?" I asked him.

"I don't noe," Danny answered and pointed across the room to a grinning Edmund. "Eddie told me to come."

"He told you to dance with me?" Danny nodded his head so hard I thought it might fall off.

"That sneaky prince," I laughed. Everything became quite clear.

Sometime later he found me again and I slapped his arm.

"You purposely sent Danny to dance with me because of Riley," I accused pointing my finger to the middle of his chest.

Edmund smirked. "And if I did?" My smiled was answer enough. Edmund stared at me for a while, a furrow appearing between his brows as if he was thinking deeply.

"I want to show something," Edmund said suddenly.

"What?"

"Just come with me," Edmund said leading me through the crowd and out of the ballroom. We approached a door in a secluded hallway. He took a key out of his pocket and jiggled it around in the lock before ushering me inside.

I gasped. It was beautiful.

We stood on a balcony overlooking the castle gardens but it was like no balcony I had ever seen. Beneath us was black marble and columns surrounded the circular sized space. Creeping up the columns were vines on which grew small white blossoms that emitted a heavenly scent. The light of dusk bathed the balcony in a soft light that allowed us to see but still kept an aura of mystery.

"What is this place?" I whispered openly in awe.

"It was my mother's," Edmund explained. "She used to love to dance and sing and my grandfather loved to spoil her. He commissioned this balcony to be made with only the finest materials so that she would have her own private ballroom, overlooking the gardens she loved so much."

"And now it's yours?"

Edmund nodded. "I have the key that opens it. My uncle kept it safe for me until I was old enough. It was where my parents fell in love. They met at a ball in the castle and my mother brought my father here. It's where he asked her to marry him." Edmund began walking around, touching the marble as if it could speak to him and tell him the stories of the past.

"It's magnificent," I said. "And you can still hear the music from the ball."

Edmund smiled and took my hand, pulling me to him. "You know you're the only person I've ever brought here, Mon. Maddie has begged me a thousand times but I told her I would only ever bring one very special person here."

"What very special person?" I asked trying to remember to breathe as those green eyes absorbed me.

"The woman I love," Edmund answered, gazing at me with such warmth that I melted in his arms – literally.

"I love you Mon," he repeated. "I love how you're real and not some fake. I love how you make me want to be a better person. But most of all I love you. The girl who has stolen my heart."

I swear I had just died and gone to heaven.

I beamed back at him but felt my tongue stick to the back of my throat – refusing to say anything in return. I knew how I felt about him. I knew I loved him but some part of me didn't want to admit it. Something didn't want to throw away my last shield against hurt and pain.

I fought against that feeling. Here was a man who loved me for who I was, knowing my failures and a Prince no less. I wasn't going to give up my happiness because I was afraid. I forced myself to have courage. To make myself vulnerable but at the same time accept something that overcame everything – love. If Wolf had heard me right now he would laugh at the cheesiness of my thoughts.

"I love you too, Prince," I admitted finally and when the words left my mouth I felt warmth fill my soul. I wondered if I would regret those words one day but the joy right now made them worth it.

Edmund's face erupted into the biggest smile I had ever seen as it seemed a weight lifted off his shoulders. His hand reached up to cup my cheek, his thumb stroking my jaw as if he was memorising my face.

"I love you beautiful," Edmund murmured before capturing my lips with his.

† † †

I walked along the country path, wiping away tears and my nose on the back of my sleeve. Soon it became so filthy that I had to switch to the other sleeve. I trudged along, my stomach growling. It was a bottomless pit that refused to be satisfied with the little bits of food I found on my journey. I didn't know where I was going except far away from where I had been. Maybe by putting physical distance between me and the place of my pain it would hurt less.

I knew what love was. I had experienced it before. My Grandmamma had loved me and so had my parents. But that had been a long time ago. Love had led to happiness. It was a simple formula. Yet at the same time when loved ones were lost or if they betrayed you the pain was unprecedented. It was like a plague that slowly ate away at your soul. It hurt like hell and left you scarred.

The memories of the bad far outweighed the good.

Eventually the tears began to dry up and my heart became a desert with no rain. It was cracked and scarred but at least the pain was gone. It was as if the plague had been cured over time. Well not cured, but suppressed.

I couldn't bear to feel like that again. People were flawed by nature. They would eventually betray your trust or hurt you beyond repair. It was and inevitable and inescapable truth.

So as a thirteen year old, trekking across the Araluen countryside I made myself and the world a promise.

I would never love again. Or so my thirteen year old self thought.

† † †

I was having the most delightful dream. It was set in the future and involved me waking up to Edmund's voice – last night had really turned me loony.

"I'm tired. Go away Prince," I muttered sleepily, knowing that even if dream Edmund woke me up, I would still be sleeping in reality.

"Wake up Mon," he replied, shaking me gently. I groaned out a complaint before turning over in the luxurious sheets. The Coronation Ball had continued long into the night and I had only fell asleep the next morning, excited at the prospect of sleeping till the afternoon since the entire castle would be in its own slumber.

"I have to show you something," dream Edmund tried to tempt me. Why was he always showing me things?

"I'm sleeping," I said although the sound was muffled by my pillow. That seemed to shut dream Edmund up and I sighed in content. Then I began to feel something hot right beneath my ear and realised it was a kiss. I sighed again. This dream was just getting better. Waking up to a kiss? I was officially in heaven and definitely not going to wake up any time soon.

Suddenly I heard a loud noise that sounded like someone running across my room and then a furious bark. Someone yelped as there was a loud crash beside my bed.

"Bloody hell! Get off me Wolf!" Edmund yelled as I sat up in my bed with a start. On the floor beside my bed were Edmund and Wolf engaging in some sort of fight. Wolf was attempting to bite Edmund's pants while the prince was desperately trying to fend off the massive dog. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.

Apparently I hadn't been dreaming.

"What in Gorlog's name is going on?" I asked. Wolf and Edmund looked at me for a second before continuing their tussle. I realised that I was dressed in only a silk nightgown and hurriedly tried to pull the covers over me. I could imagine the horrified look on Alyss' face at this lack of decorum.

"He's biting me!" Edmund complained, attempting to get his hands around Wolf's muzzle.

"And he is invading your sleeping quarters! I am trying to protect you," Wolf insisted as he shook his head wildly.

"Both of you, stop!" I yelled. Man and beast immediately stilled and I took a second to admire my own authority.

"So Wolf is here only because he thinks you, Edmund, are invading my privacy," I said. "Then why are you here Edmund?"

Edmund grinned that wicked smile. "Because I wanted to wake you up with true love's kiss."

"I am exhausted!" I threw my hands in the air in exasperation. "I can't deal with this now."

"You seemed content," Edmund pointed out and I blushed. I turned my gaze to Wolf and could see a dangerous glint in his eyes. He was preparing to attack and as much as I annoyed at Edmund for waking me up I couldn't have the Prince of Araluen being bitten by a wild dog.

"Both of you out," I ordered with a yawn. "I want to sleep. And Wolf don't even think about biting him. All the extra food you've had this past month at the castle have been because of Edmund."

"Just a nip?" Wolf asked. "He's an untrustworthy member of the male species. Who knows what his intentions could have been." I smiled at Wolf. His loyalty was endearing.

I gestured for Wolf to come closer so that I could whisper in his furry ear without Edmund hearing. "How 'bout this. If Edmund ever hurts me than you have permission to nip him all you want – just don't kill him – or just chase him around the castle."

"He better not," Wolf warned but accepted my words. He began to pad out of the room but not before growling at Edmund who scowled back.

"Edmund," I reminded the cheeky Prince. "You have to go to."

"But you didn't even hear why I came," he protested. "And as important as true love's kiss is I think you might want to hear this."

"Will it take long?" I asked.

"I'll have to tell you a secret and then you'll probably want to wake up and go see the secret," Edmund said. The bed was calling to me but was getting drowned out by the curious part of my brain.

"You won't be able to sleep now that you know something's up," Edmund teased.

"Damn it," I swore. He was right.

"I hate you."

Edmund grinned. "Get dressed and I'll meet you in the sitting room."

As soon as he left, I threw off my night gown and pulled on some leggings and a tan tunic. I put on my soft boots and cloak before strapping on my sabre and saxe. I messed up my hair to its original glory and grinned. My mother who had hijacked my mirror last night had been banished far away and the nameless wanderer was back.

"Okay I'm here," I declared, flopping down on a settee. "What's so important?"

I half expected Edmund to keep stalling but his face turned serious as he got right to it.

"As we speak the Rangers are having a meeting," he said.

"A meeting?" I asked wondering how Edmund knew about this and why it would of importance to me.

"To discuss ranger stuff with Evanlyn being the new queen," Edmund continued. "And to discuss who they would accept as apprentices."

It took me a second to grasp what he was saying but when I finally understood I started to feel sick in the stomach.

"They're talking about whether I can be a Ranger or not?" I asked and Edmund nodded in confirmation.

"I wish you hadn't told me," I said. "Now I won't be able to think about anything else. I feel sick." A snake was coiling itself up in my gut and unsettling everything in there. I looked around for a bowl or a vase if the need arose. I could almost taste the bile. I had been waiting for this moment for weeks and now that it had finally come I almost couldn't believe it. All I knew is that I had to be a ranger because if not I would be so lost.

"Don't be nervous," Edmund said, putting his hand on my shoulder encouragingly. "You're basically guaranteed an apprenticeship."

"Because of my amazing archery skills?" I said sarcastically. I should have practised more. I should have practised till my fingers bled.

"You're quite good, you know. I don't know why you always degrade yourself and with your saxe you're bloody amazing," Edmund said. I tried to smile but it probably looked more like a grimace.

"I never thought I'd say this but I agree with pretty boy," Wolf said with a bark.

"See, even Wolf agrees with me," Edmund said ruffling Wolf's fur. Surprisingly Wolf didn't bite him back and wagged his tail instead.

"And if all that fails you have friends in high places," Edmund added with a wink.

His encouragement wasn't really working. I sat forward and put my head in my hands, willing myself to think about something else.

"Why did you tell me? Now I'm going to have to wait nervously!"

"Who said anything about waiting?" Edmund said, sitting on the coffee table across from me and holding my hands in his. A wicked grin lit up his face and I couldn't help but smile back.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well the rangers are meeting in their private library. I've never been inside exactly but it's this large room where all the secret Ranger texts are kept," Edmund explained. "The thing is even Evanlyn…"

"Isn't allowed inside," I finished.

"Rangers are notoriously secretive," Edmund said.

"So how does this help us?" I asked.

"Well one of my ancestors realised how secretive rangers are and decided to do something about it. King Harold had the library built for the rangers but at the same time build a secret passage so that the meetings could be observed by anyone who possessed a key. I think Evanlyn has forgotten about it so we are probably the only two people who know about its existence," Edmund explained as my eyes widened in wonder. I hated people who idly gossiped but I would be lying if I said such a secret did not fill me with glee.

"What about the men who built it?" I asked. "Surely their descendants would remember."

Edmund's eyebrows narrowed in what seemed like disappointment. "King Harold might have been smart but he was a tyrant. He had the men who knew about it killed in what was declared a building accident."

"That's horrible."

"It may be, but we can benefit from the passage."

I grinned at the prince. Whenever he told me a secret I never seemed to be disappointed.

† † †

The light of the wax candles we were holding cast eerie shadows in the already ominous passageway. My clothes were ilthy and covered with the dust that coated the walls. Edmund told me that the passage hadn't been used in at least a five years, which was when little Edmund had been hiding from a furious King Duncan. He admitted sheepishly that he had only ever gone in a few metres – too scared of the darkness. I was more worried about spiders and other nasty creatures.

"Watch out for the spider web," Edmund called from ahead of me. We were both on our hands and knees and it was amusing to see a prince get down and dirty.

"Gorlog's beard! Please tell me it's nothing poisonous," I replied sending a silent prayer up to the gods.

Edmund laughed. "Don't be a baby."

"At least I'm not scared of the dark," I retorted. He didn't reply but suddenly stopped in his tracks and signalled for me to be quiet. He blew out his candle and I followed suit.

"Only a few metres to go," Edmund whispered. I scooted over slightly and could see a metal grate out of which came some light that allowed us to see.

"It's in there," Edmund said. There was a small lever which he twisted. The grate began to open, inch by inch. Every time it moved it squeaked so loudly that it could have woken the dead. Even a ranger in full slumber would have no trouble hearing it.

Finally I began to hear murmurs, which then loudened into voices. Edmund and I peered through the rectangular hole in the wall to see the Ranger's meeting room. More than fifty men sat on wooden seats encircling the room. Crowley sat at the front of the room but other than him everyone sat as equals. There was no distinguishing the newly commissioned Ranger's from the ones who had decades of experience. Our eavesdropping began mid-conversation.

"…So with the retirement of Aaron from Trelleth fief we will replace him with Skinner," Crowley said.

"What about Caraway fief?" a ranger with a greying red beard asked. "We've all heard the news of Victor's sad passing at the hands of El jefe and it's time we stopped that business once and for all."

"Halt and the Royal Family are already looking into those events," Crowley replied. "And to the question of a replacement I think it's better to send in bigger forces then single men. El jefe seems to have many men at his disposal and sending in a single ranger would be dangerous."

Someone scoffed and all eyes turned to the offender. "Our job description involves danger. You don't need to nanny us around Crowley."

Crowley adopted a long-suffering look. I had a feeling this ranger never stopped his antagonistic attitude.

"Thank you Merlon."

"How about I take over in Caraway?" Merlon continued, standing up in his seat. "I have a lot of experience and Hograth doesn't have much to occupy me. I'm much better than Victor ever was so I doubt El jefe will be able to handle me. Victor was always a coward but you could never accuse me of backing away from a fight." Silence befell the room and even I felt shocked. I never knew Ranger Victor but his sacrifice was something to be admired, not cast down and dragged through the dirt.

"Victor was not a coward," Halt said, his tone final.

"We all know that's not true. Remember the time he couldn't handle a gang of slavers and came running back to Araluen for reinforcement?" Merlon looked around. "You remember don't you Gray? And you Reed? We had to ride all the way to Caraway to help his sorry ass." Some men mumbled a quiet agreement but most were dangerously silent at one of their own being so harshly accused.

"Oh just sit down and shut up Merlon," Crowley said, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "We're all sick of your second rate opinions. I only made you a senior ranger and sent you to Hograth so that I could stop you from visiting me every two days to complain about something or other." There was a second of silence before an old ranger, waking from his nap – no doubt a result of a long night of drinking – let out a cackling laugh followed by wheezing. It was contagious and soon the entire room had dissolved into hearty chuckles. Merlon – thoroughly humiliated – took his seat and attempted to hide himself in his cloak.

"Shall we introduce another matter," Gilan offered, standing in his seat beside Halt and addressing the gathering with ease.

"Please," Crowley said, looking relieved.

Halt now stood and looked around at his peers. Silence filled the space as undoubtedly whenever Halt addressed them in such a manner his coming words would have a great impact.

"I think he's raising the matter of your apprenticeship," Edmund breathed.

"I thought Crowley was going to decide?" I whispered back.

"Maybe the rangers have to agree in a vote?" Edmund suggested. I felt bile inch it's way up my throat as the air was sucked out of my stomach. I felt like someone had stuffed me into a corset and was progressively tightening the lace until my ribs were smashed together.

"I have been thinking of taking a new apprentice," Halt announced.

"That's hardly a matter for this meeting," someone interrupted, earning himself a glare from Halt.

"The circumstances are different."

"I thought it would be appropriate to vote on this issue as it would mean a new precedent is set," Crowley said. "This young person who might, if we let it happen, be a Ranger one day. The first female Ranger the Corps has seen." As soon as the words left Crowley's mouth, the respectful silence of the Ranger's dissolved into thin air.

"A female?"

"Would she have the same strength and stamina?"

"Halt's lost his head!" My heart dropped. If they were all so against this idea there was no way that they would ever vote in my favour.

"Hey don't worry," Edmund whispered giving me a quick peck on the cheek. "They're just dumb men."

"Ignorant fools," I whispered back.

Edmund laughed quietly. "You'll show them when you become a ranger and prove them wrong."

"It was not a rash decision," Halt countered. "She is very skilled."

"Really? At cooking maybe but shooting…" someone laughed. I wanted to take out my saxe and imbed it into his forehead. I could have but Edmund reached over and held my hands in his, saving the man's life.

"Now that's just ignorant," Crowley interjected.

"She's good with her saxe," Will said.

"And she saved Daniel Treaty from kidnappers and has been helping Halt on his search for El jefe," Gilan put in.

"I think it might be a good idea," a fresh-faced ranger said. "She might be more agile and think in a different way to fifty men." Others nodded their heads in agreement.

"My daughter can run faster than all the boys in the area," a ginger bearded man put in.

"I could kiss him," I whispered as a spark of hope lit up. If the younger rangers could see the need for progress maybe they could convince the others.

"No you couldn't," Edmund replied. "I'd get too jealous." I punched him.

"You're getting soft Liam," an older ranger retaliated.

"He's seeing the way of the future," Will argued back.

"There is a reason we stick to tradition," the old man replied.

"Oh get off your high horse Jeremy," ginger bearded Liam replied.

"I'll have you know that I have more experience then all of you," Jeremy replied, pointing a wrinkled finger around. I wondered how he even fulfilled his duties at his age.

"And if we stuck to all your old ways the Ranger's would have dissolved years ago! If it wasn't for Halt and Crowley we would still be a bunch of useless pawns of the monarchy," a blonde haired man piped up.

"Well said Matthew," Liam said.

"Shall we vote then and move on with other matters?" Crowley suggested. "A secret ballot. A simple 'yes' or 'no'." The Ranger's each took out pieces of parchment and a quill and began scratching out their answer.

Crowley turned to a boy who was as skinny as a willow tree and had wispy almost white hair. I assumed he was an apprentice and handed him a box.

"Collect the votes will you Trent?" Trent nodded meekly and began to collect the tiny pieces of paper. With each I could feel a weight growing inside of me.

"I'm so nervous," I whispered to Edmund.

"You'll be fine," he assured me. Suddenly I had the urge to use the bathroom. I tried to forget about it and remind myself that I was just nervous. I bit my lip until I could taste the salty taste of blood. Trent walked around so agonisingly slowly. I wanted to yell at him to go faster, to end my misery.

An eternity later Crowley began to count the votes in his head. Edmund put his arms around me but I sat as stiff as a rock glued to the sandy haired leader of the rangers. It was my aim in life at the moment. The goal that kept me grounded as I worked towards it. I needed this. I needed this so bad.

"So there are ten…twenty…thirty…forty…fifty-five…sixty-seven of us in here," Crowley counted. My mouth went dry.

"And we have thirty-two votes for 'yes' and thirty-five votes for 'no'. Gentlemen, we will NOT be having our first female ranger."