Will went into the cabin, tired from the last days on the road. He had been dealing with robbers, brigands and general highwaymen over the last few weeks, as well as strange rumours that hinted at something bigger being amiss. And as the Ranger of the fief it was his job to find out what and who.

But for now he was just happy to be home and to make it better Alyss was here as well. He smiled as he saw her, sitting in a chair in front of the fire reading.

She looked up and returned the smile. "You're home," she said softly.

He walked over and kissed her. "Mm. So are you." He gently caressed her face.

Alyss' face split into a wider smile. "Great. Then I don't have to go to the castle or village for a proper meal tonight."

Will laughed. No matter how tired he might be, he would never be too tired to cook for his wife. "I'll get dinner started once I have freshed up a bit," he said, blinking at her.

Alyss settled back in her chair with a warm smile and Will went to their bedroom for a change of clothing and a quick wash.

§

"This smell lovely, Will," Alyss complimented him. She had loved Will's cooking since before they were married and would frequently tell him so. When they were both at home Will always cooked since he was a much better cook than Alyss, and when Will was out and Alyss wasn't, she usually went to the castle or Jenny's restaurant instead. Cooking had never been Alyss' strong point.

"So, tell me; how was your trip?"

Will finished chewed and swallowing his food before answering. "Tiring, mostly. There seem to be more brigands running around lately than usual and it takes time dealing with all of them."

Alyss smiled softly at him. "But you do succeed in doing so." Will could hear her pride in him in those words.

He smiled back. "Yes. Mostly I leave them with the local minor lords or village headmen to keep and punish. Luckily it's a rare thing that I have to drag them back to Redmont for more serious charges."

Alyss laughed a little. "Oh, Will. With you around Redmont is quite safe. There's nothing that gets past you," she said blinking to him. Once Will would have blushed at such a reaction; now he merely smiled in gratitude before he turned more serious again.

"There were some strange things though," he said thoughtfully.

"What kind of strange things?" Alyss asked, the mirth gone.

"Just rumours, but they just seemed... off somehow." Will shook his head. "I can't really put my finger on what is off, but I know that something isn't as it should be." He frowned. "I don't suppose you've heard any strange rumours lately?"

Alyss shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Will."

Will shrugged. "Oh, well. I was hoping to compare notes with you, but at any rate I think I need to investigate this further. I have a feeling the sudden increase in other troublemakers might be related to this. I'll see what Halt thinks tomorrow."

"Going to compare notes with him?" Alyss asked with a slight smile.

"Of course," Will replied with the same smile. "He's still an active duty Ranger, and knowing Halt he'll stay that for a long time to come."

"Probably," Alyss agreed.

They were silent for a moment while they finished eating, each thinking about the conversation. Then Will stretched and shook his head again.

"Anyway, I won't get any further on these rumours tonight, but I think I'll start a rapport on them before bedtime; that will give me a chance to examine them further and see if I have missed something before I discuss it with Halt." He smiled at Alyss and stood to clear the table. Alyss stood up as well and moved over to Will, lifting one hand to gently touch his face.

"You're a good Ranger, Will. The best probably. I don't think anyone but you would have even noticed all of this." She caressed his face and Will was just about to reply, when a searing pain blossomed from his stomach and his reply instead turned into a gasp.

Will looked down and was shocked to find Alyss' dagger buried in his flesh. He looked back up at her unable to comprehend her action.

"Why?" was all he could think of to ask.

There was another flash of pain as Alyss pulled the dagger out again. "I'm sorry, Will, but I can't tell you that. After all, you might still find some way to leave a message for Halt and the others, and I just can't have that happen."

Will pressed his hand against the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood. He tried to take a step towards Alyss, but instead he stumbled and fell down on his knees.

"Alyss... please... tell me... why?"

Alyss went to the kitchenette, cleaning away her own plate and cutlery, making it seem as if Will was eating alone. She looked at him, almost in pity, then shook her head and continued with what she was doing. Will knew he should probably send one of his own knives into her, but the thought of killing Alyss, his wife, without even knowing why she had done this to him... it was too much, too reminiscent of what happened in Norgate all those years ago.

"You won't get away with this," he said instead. "Halt and the other Rangers will stop whatever it is you are doing."

Alyss shook her head. "I don't think so. Halt has no idea about any of this and he'll be too distraught over your death to figure it out." Alyss stopped her wandering to stand over him. "I'm sorry it had to end this way, Will. You've been a good husband. Unfortunately you are a bit too smart for your own good. Halt will mourn you and I'll mourn with him and no one will be any the wiser as to what happened. It will all be a true mystery. And a nice distraction," she added thoughtfully.

Will could feel his vision fading and Alyss' voice seemed to come from far away. I still have time to flick my knife... he thought to himself, but even as he thought it he knew he couldn't make himself do it or he would have done so already.

"Goodbye, Will." Alyss looked down on his slumped form, then turned around and left the cabin.

Why? Will asked himself. It didn't make any sense. Alyss loved him as much as he loved her. Why would Alyss turn on him, on all of them, like this? If only he could somehow warn Halt and Pauline and Baron Arald. But even as he had the thought the world was slipping away from him and the cabin was going dark. He was out of time.

§

Will's heart was pounding in his chest and for a moment he stayed completely still, just listening to his surroundings and mentally checking that he didn't have any injuries. He heard the soft sound of breathing next to him and opened his eyes to see Alyss lying next to him, sleeping peacefully.

It had just been a dream, or rather a nightmare, but it had rattled him and sent his pulse rocketing. Even as he focused on slowing his heart rate back down he realised there was no way he could go straight back to sleep after that disturbing dream, so he quietly slipped out of the bed and went into the living room.

The fire had become just a few smouldering embers and the air had become chilly. Will quickly lit a candle on the table, then added a few twigs and a couple of larger pieces of wood to reignite the fire and ward off the chill. Before long there was once again a good fire going in the fireplace and with another lit candle on the table Will had enough light to work by. He put on his cloak for warmth and settled in a chair to continue work on his latest rapport to Crowley.

For a time Will worked in near silence, with just the crackle of the fire and the scratch of the pen across the paper making any noise. Then a small noise from the doorway alerted him to the presence of another person. He looked up to see Alyss standing in her nightgown in the doorway to their bedchamber. She raised an eyebrow in a silent question.

"Couldn't sleep," was all Will said. He really didn't want to tell her about that disturbing dream.

"I see," Alyss replied. "Mind if I join you? I couldn't sleep either. I guess it got too cold without you," she said with a little smile.

Will smiled back. "Be my guest. You need anything?"

Alyss shook her head. "Just your company, dear," she said as she found some of her own work and settled down across from Will.

Will's smile grew wider. This was his Alyss. She didn't need to know why, she just accepted what was and joined him until the shadows had once again left him. She always did.

Alyss finished her own set up and reached out her left hand to gently hold Will's. Will interlocked their fingers and for a moment they just looked at one another. Then they both turned their attention to their work, but neither withdrew their hand, taking comfort in the constant contact.

For a long time they just worked together in companionable silence, before Alyss raised her free hand to cover a yawn. Will looked up at her.

"You are tired," he said softly.

Alyss gave him a tired smile. "Well, it is quite early," she replied.

"Early enough to go back to sleep," Will replied just as softly. He put down his pen and, withdrawing his left hand, put the lid back on his ink. Then he stood and offered Alyss his hand again. "Come on; let's go back to bed."

Alyss smiled gratefully and put the lid back on her own ink before accepting Will's hand. She knew that whatever demons had haunted Will tonight they had now been chased away and he was ready to face the night again. And she knew that she would always be there to support him whenever the demons from his past or present reared their ugly heads. But for now she would be happy just sleeping next to Will and knowing he had worked through what had plagued him.

They crawled back into bed and Alyss settled into Will's arms, listening as Will quickly fell into a deep sleep, before she allowed sleep to overtake her, too. She would love this man until her death.