Authors' Note: Yeah we know and we are so sorry for taking so long. I (Marie) had a bunch of mid terms and projects I had to do so there wasn't time for me to type. Sorry that the last chapter was so boring too, it was kind of cruel of us to leave you with just that to live with. But worry not, here is the next chapter and we hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions feel free to ask in a review or PM and we will do our best to make it clear to you. Also if you have ideas because we do run out of ideas sometimes and the chapter won't be up until we have a long enough chapter. Tell us what you think... review please!

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Chapter 6

Anything To Keep My Secrets

"And what would you know about them?" A young man's voice answered and a smiling face appeared from under his wide cowl. He had a rather harmless face framed with brown hair, but I could see the dangerous Ranger concealed in his brown eyes. I could see that just from his unwavering eyes and the assurance behind his eyes that this was a full Ranger.

"Probably everything that there is to know." I said with an overly excited voice, god did I sound annoying. "I've watched ever since the first night." I figured the ditsier I sounded, the less likely they would wonder why on earth this girl was talking to a bunch of Rangers. I thought I sounded like a typical air head and I even flicked my hair over my shoulder as I leaned on the back of my chair. I move my chair, so I was basically sitting at their table. I made sure not to fully turn my chair around because then I would have officially joined there table and as a lady I would need permission to do that first. I was wary of their long bows leaning against the table, less then seconds away if they needed them. I wish I had my weapons at the moment, talking to them would be so much easier if I could just say that I was a Ranger too. But I didn't know how much they would believe my story if I did otherwise. For now I would just have to stick to the plan.

"When did it first start?" said a gruff voice from underneath the ranger cloak. I could tell that he was much older than the young man I was sitting next to, maybe this was the ranger and the other was his apprentice. I looked at the younger Ranger because he would be the person a lady like me would be trying to impress to answer the question.

"About a month ago, I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard this loud noise coming from outside and when I check there was this sorcerer conjuring things from the fire as demons danced around him. Then there was this huge flash and he was gone." I pretended not to notice the exchange made between the two Rangers. In their silent conversation I knew they had come to two conclusions, either I was just trying to pull their leg with this tall tale or that I actually telling them what I had seen. Knowing that a lady, well the one I was trying to pull off, like me would be trying to flirt with potential suitors and wouldn't impress them by telling a lie. All they needed was the information so they could go and see for themselves if this town is suffering from the bad case of the dragon and sorcerer duo. And I was going to give them everything they needed.

"Is that when you saw the dragon?" The young Ranger asked with a kind smile. A method I had used in the past to sway someone into telling or doing something for me. My character would be all too willing to speak with this young handsome man with a charming smile.

"Oh no, the dragon appeared at least two fortnights after the sorcerer."

"Are you sure it was a dragon?" The grim voice from under the cloak asked. Now I was really curious to what this Ranger looked like. I could tell that he wanted me just to get to the point so he wouldn't have to deal with someone like me. But he wouldn't get any info if he tried to force it out of me. For now he was going to have to let the younger Ranger charm it out of me.

"What else can breathe fire, fly through the air and can defeat five knights all at once?" I finally smiled at the cowled Ranger like I knew everything. Of course I turned back to the young Ranger, and smiled sweetly at him adding the extra touch and twirled a strand of hair with my fingers. "They only come out at night; nobody knows where they go during the day."

"Really? Where do they go? How can a huge dragon just disappear without anyone noticing it?" It wasn't hard to miss the sharp gab the hidden Ranger gave with his elbow, but I tried to take no notice of it. At least now I know that curiosity is a common trait in Rangers, I just know that Becks gets really annoyed with me because of it.

"My guess is that it goes and feeds. Some of the farmers' animals have even gone missing. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if people started disappearing." The young Ranger and the hooded figure exchanged a glance. The young face didn't show any sign of distress, but I could see into his eyes. They held alarm and dread, a look that the other Ranger definitely would be hiding under his cloak. That was strange; I didn't think it would've caused that sort of reaction from them. But a reaction like this will definitely get them to investigate and take it as a serious threat.

"Why don't you just see it for yourself? The sorcerer usually appears every few nights so I would guess he might show up tonight." I told them airily knowing all too well that he was going to show up tonight and that he was going to bring his dragon.

"Really?" The young man asked with light interest and with a twinkling smile I nodded. He did a pretty good job of pretending that he wasn't going to do anything but watch tonight, but knowing how they were trained to think they were going to find out everything they could for themselves even if they had to get in range of the dragon's fire.

"Yes, just look to the cliffs and there will be no way you can miss it." I so want to leave, but I would have to wait until they dismissed me because leaving a handsome man's attention would be out of character for this ditsy airhead. I had given them everything they needed, and for them that would be enough otherwise they would start to look suspicious by asking too many questions. I continued to smile at the younger Ranger, fluttering my eyelashes at him as if I was expecting him to walk me home or something. I just somehow knew how to make this feel uncomfortable, and feeling uncomfortable was something Rangers didn't like. I saw him itching to move to get out from me constant gaze.

"I think it's time we went and asked the inn keeper for a room before he closes for the night." The other Ranger stated, finally giving up on being nice and social. The younger man looked eager to leave and I caught the brief relieved roll of his eyes he gave to the other Ranger. I kept the forced smile on my cheeks as the two men stood up from their chairs and pulled their bows back over their shoulders.

"Thanks." The younger Ranger said to me with a quick smile before following the other Ranger to the counter. I dropped the smile, but had no time to massage my cheeks. Without making a sound I crossed the back of the room and snuck into the kitchen. I snuck the back way out of the inn, I would only have a few moments to get out of view because I had no idea if the Rangers were in fact were going to stay at the inn. I hiked up my skirt and jumped from shadow to shadow as I ran to the forest. I slowed to a walk when I reached the trees, knowing I could conceal myself easier within the trees. Celeg met me at front when I arrived home. I patted him on the nose whispering to him "Now or never boy." And he shook his mane understanding what I meant. I stripped out my dress and began my transformation. I bound my chest and laced the padded corset over top, sticking the knives inside their secret compartments. I pulled on my leggings and then my boots where I placed a dozen arrows in each covering them with fur so they had no resemblance to their original form. Over my shirt I placed the plain grey robe Mrs. Padavick made me and clasped my clue cloak over top. My unstrung bows slipped easily into the makeshift staff. Lastly, I wrapped my face in multiple linens so that only my grey eyes would be seen from under, so that I was now completely unrecognisable. I was ready to face a couple of Rangers.

They still were in the exact same spot I had seen, well felt is more like it, last. I just knew that they were close enough to assess everything in precise detail, not to mention there were two sets of eyes instead of one so they would be twice as accurate. I had to move around more than I anticipated; trying to make sure I was seen as the sorcerer and only the sorcerer. Much harder to fool two Rangers, then the one I was expecting. This time I had discretely placed my small piles of exploding rock on the ground so I would have an excuse to bend down. One of the Rangers, it was impossible to differentiate between the two figures hiding in the underbrush, had moved and I felt him quickly scurry up a tree. He would be able to see better that way. Before I threw the handfuls I looked at each Ranger, they wouldn't be able to see the smile under my dark mask but they would be able to see the mischievous glint in my eye. They would try to convince themselves that it was just a coincidence that I looked in their direction, but later when they discuss they might start to believe that I am actually a real sorcerer that needs to be stopped. The crushed powder from both of my hands exploded into a column of sparks leaving, nothing but the scattered embers to light up the next part of my show.

They never came any closer. I had expected this, but there were so many times were I thought they were going to sneak up and grab me from the back, and at the same time pointing out that my dragon was nothing more than Celeg dressed up in some ridiculous costume. Celeg would've never forgiven me if two Rangers had spotted him. I wasn't going to bring him next time, they would automatically know that it was a Ranger's horse and I might be executed for stealing a king's Ranger's horse. I didn't really know the punishment because it has never been done before, but I do know how fond Rangers are of their horses, so I would rather not find out what the punishment is. I'm not sure if they bought my dragon, but I did feel the one in the tree duck as the shadow flew over his head. I wriggled free from the blankets that had trapped me inside their thick warm cocoon. I couldn't stay at the house any longer, because that's where the Rangers would be going for information sometime today. I wasn't one hundred percent sure if they knew Becks lived near this town but I was trained always to expect even the impossible. That way nothing would come up as a surprise. It was a cloudy day grey day as if the sun had forgotten to wake up this morning and slept in like I did. Of course the sun didn't have the excuse of staying up half the night. I set up camp on the far side of the forest in an enclosure that would take hours of hacking an ax just to get through, maybe not hours but enough time for me to hear and slip away before they even got close. I checked my surrounds before I exited my tent, but the cost was clear. The nearest thing was a squirrel quivering in a branch, quickly darting across my crisscross branches. I stepped out and stretched my well rested muscles, breathing in the damp morning air. It's a good thing that a grumpy old man had taught me a long while ago to always be prepared. I think I might even make myself some coffee.

I checked myself into the inn, that way I would have an excuse for always being in the tavern. Also it would minimize the chances of them stumbling across me as I sleep. Rangers would know how to quietly cut through the tangle of branches that I had moved with the last of my strength last night. "Could I ask you a favor?" I asked Mrs. Padavick over tea. I thought that I would be able to twist her into what I needed if I offered tea, and I even dressed in one of the frilly dresses that she had gave me to help me even further.

"Of course Silas." She grinned widely as she sipped her tea daintily. I sat up a bit straighter making sure my shoulders were pulled back and my laced gloved hands were folded neatly on the table.

"Because Beckett isn't here," I started sadly to persuade her with sympathy if everything else didn't work. "If people ask, well not people from the town, if travelers ask could you say that I'm your daughter." It was a taboo for a young lady to be living on her own, and if she was beautiful there could a great chance for false impressions.

"I would love to have you a pseudo-daughter." She reached over and squeezed my hands. "You can always come to me Silas. You are so much like your grandfather; it's not a weakness to ask for some help sometimes." I gave her a half smile and squeezed her hands back.

From my window, I saw blurred figures on their horses ride back to the cliff face. They rode at noon, when everyone was sitting down to have their midday meal. Anyone who did see them sloughed them off knowing that they would find nothing anyways. I just hope they find nothing that I have left or tried to cover up, because it is easy fooling the townspeople or a few soldiers, but I didn't know how well my skills were compared against two Rangers. They were too camouflaged to see what they were doing but I knew they would be taking measures to capture me so I could only imagine what traps they would set up to catch a sorcerer. Based on the information I gave them, they will be going after the sorcerer before the dragon appears because if they catch the sorcerer, they also catch the dragon. Well that's what I would do if I was in their shoes. I tapped my fingernails on the window sill nervously. This was worse than Becks leaving for the gathering every year. At least Mrs. Padavick had every inch on my day planned out. Here I was going to have to wait until tomorrow, until the sorcerer was going to appear again. Wait a second, I'm the sorcerer and can come out whenever I feel like it. Not to mention it might surprise those Rangers and make them not completely ready. They'll still catch me but they'll have to improvise and that was something that will make it more realistic for my part.

I couldn't exactly follow them close enough to hear what they were saying, but I was able to guess what they were thinking. They had examined the houses that had been burnt by the dragon and I knew that they figured out that either the dragon had randomly chosen those houses or it had specifically burnt the wealthiest houses and hit the spots that would cause the least amount of damage. This case just became that more interesting for them to try and figure out.

I packed Celeg with everything I needed, that is if this actually worked. I couldn't have him with me, but letting him go would be the hardest thing to do. It was like I was losing the last thing I had of Becks and a tear rolled down my cheek because of it. "You know what to do right?" I stroked Celeg's nose and he leaned into my hand. "We'll meet again I promise. The Gathering clearing right?" he neighed and pointed in the direction he usually rode off with Becks this time of the year. That was my final destination if everything went as planned tonight.

I bound my face in black material, wrapping it around my head so everything including my hair is covered. My unusual light grey eyes were the only feature visible under the black shroud and sparkled mischievously under the cowl of my cloak. But no one will be able to see them tonight, not even those Rangers. They were hunting a sorcerer so I was going to give them one.

My cloak kept me well hidden as I sat unmoving on the ground. Not even a Ranger would be able to tell that I was here but I did want to make sure I showed up before they did even if I have to wait for the sun to set. I touched my fingers to the ground to see if I could determine what traps they were going to use but these Rangers are good. Even with my magic ability to see the world and sense the branches and every leaf blown in the wind, nothing stood out like a trap. Well maybe they thought it would be smart to let the best take care of a dragon and a sorcerer. What bothered me was the younger Ranger's reaction to when I said 'I wouldn't be surprised if people started disappearing' about the dragon. In that case they weren't here to deal with just a dragon; people must have been disappearing like Becks and not just this town. If people were disappearing then I might have some knowledge those Rangers don't. This also means that they will be hunting me for a totally different reason.

The sky gradually turned black, the stars veiled by the heavy dark clouds. The only light was the silver lining the moon casted on the clouds and the spark from my flint and steel as I started the fire. I waited until the flames had licked the pyramid of logs before backing off and grabbing my staff. In the shadows I flipped the rim of my hood inside out so that I would be visible but able to vanish it needed in an instant. I began my ritual that I have done countless times before, but my audience tonight will be a little more interactive than others. I hated being blind for this. The only time I could touch the ground would be as I touch the ground to grab my handfuls of 'magic powder'. I had to act natural as if I didn't expect anyone to capture a sorcerer, not to mention a sorcerer with a dragon at his disposal. I wouldn't even know if they were watching but I knew they were watching and waiting for the right moment. My dancing shadows leaped against the rocks and boulders in their creepy dance. I bent down and took two handfuls of my exploding rocks, but I let my fingers trail on the ground for a moment longer. My heart beat loudly and more rapidly as I felt two ominous shapes crouching in the shadows to my right. In one of my quickened heart beats I felt one Ranger stand and I saw a fraction of a second later and arrow whizzed and thudded between my hands. I froze, knowing exactly the deadly accuracy Rangers long bow.

"Don't move if you wish to live." A commanding voice came from the shadows. I obeyed his wishes but turned my head and looked directly at them.

"And who would be foolish enough to attempt to kill my dragon." I asked sadistically at them in the deepest voice I could muster.

"We're not here for the dragon, we're here for you." The other Ranger said. They both sounded similar while threatening so it was kind of hard to tell which one is the older and which one is the younger one. Not that it really mattered at this moment.

"You control the dragon, so if you move again there will be no one to control it making our job much harder."

"Maybe you're not as foolish as I thought." I said in my deep voice as if and I did mean it. The soldiers came only with their swords and never even took notice of the sorcerer once the dragon was in view. Slowly, I relaxed my fingers and let the powder fall to the ground. I would only have a second to pull this off so, I just hope they were smart enough to save their arrows. I could feel them moving closer both with their bows at half draw. "But still..." As quickly as possible I raised my hand and flicked my hood down so that I vanished from their sight. I also rolled to the side just to avoid any arrow that would've shot at the place I was just. I backed up slowly so they couldn't hear my footsteps then I did the very thing that has been trained out of me since I was fifteen. I felt a twig under my foot, the one I had strategically place a few hours earlier. Both Rangers were smart enough to stay away from the glow of the fire. My heart stopped when I put my full weight and a loud crack filled the night. Both bows immediately turned towards the direction the sound came from and were pulled to full draw for a second before they relaxed seeing nothing. But they knew for sure that I was still here just looking for them to move on so I could come out of hiding. I flicked my cloak opened for a second so they would know for sure that I hadn't just disappeared, but vanished again and ran to another spot so I wouldn't be hit by their whizzing arrows. I cracked another twig under my foot as I gradually moved closer to my staff. I needed to get for the last part of my plan, but it was also going to be the most dangerous part. I reached my staff and took a deep breath before picking it up and revealing myself. As a powerful sorcerer the source of my magic would make me invincible, well that's what I hoped they figured out. It all happened in a matter of seconds. I made a tree branch move and knocked one off his feet, throwing off his aim. An arrow shot and knocked the staff out of my hand. The other just grazed my leg and I felt the sharp sting of pain. They were shooting to injure so it could've been a lot worse. I let out a cry of pain as if the arrow had made it into the fleshy part of my leg. I flicked my hood back on a pretended to limp away. My over exaggerated limp caused more noise on the ground. The Rangers knew I was injured and powerless. They also knew exactly where I was. The Ranger that had hit the staff out of my hands stepped in front of me with his arrow pointed straight at my heart even though he couldn't see me.

"We know where you are, and if you don't wish this arrow in your chest I would suggest showing yourself." The other Ranger appeared at his side, his arrow pointed at me as well.

"Even if you could run, you wouldn't be getting very far since you're cornered." The other one said. Of course I realised I'm cornered, how else do you think you were able to catch me this quickly? I pushed back my hood so that I was visible to the two men with their arrows pointing straight at me.

"Get the staff, Will." The older one said in his softer voice. Will nodded and went over to my staff where is left it. I took a step as towards it my then stopped remembering that there are two Rangers and I was told not to move. I just hope that he wouldn't snap it over his knee, now that I think of it I really shouldn't have put both of my bows in there. At least I kept Becks' bow with Celeg. "Put your hands on your head." I slowly put my hands on my head, one of my hands stained with blood from where I pressed on the cut on my leg. The Ranger walked swiftly up to me not lowering the arrow until he was behind me. He took my hands and individually placed them in the leather thumb cuffs. "Try any more of that black art and that will be the last thing you ever do." The gruff voice threatened in my ear and then he shoved me forwards. His push caused me to stumble over the rocks on the ground so I crumpled to the ground.

They pulled me up into a kneeling position and removed my cloak to search for weapons. Thanks to Mrs. Padavick they found none. They both stood in front of me but being their prisoner I forced myself not to look up because I wasn't sure if they would remember the unique grey colour of my eyes and just unmask me as the girl in the tavern who gave them their information. I felt a pair of hands at the nape of my neck and I knew what he was doing. "Please don't uncover my shame." I pleaded to him trying my best to sound manly. The hands stopped for a second but it was long enough for me to give them a plausible excuse. "You can't expect to play with fire without getting burned."

"Here's the deal then, cooperate and we will respect your wish." The younger Ranger, Will, said pleasantly with a dangerous tone behind it. I nodded understandingly.

"Where's the dragon?" The gruff Ranger asked. And I snorted quietly. A Saxe knife appeared under my chin making me look up.

"There isn't one." I answered bemused. The knife pressed a little harder against my throat, silently telling me that I had seconds to have a better explanation. "There never was a dragon; it was all just an illusion. Very convincing shadow puppets if you must know." I laughed to myself, almost slipping into my normal voice. "Ask anyone if they actually saw the dragon and not just the shadow or the fire being blown at them."

"Were your magic tricks just an illusion as well?" Will asked.

"Magicians never reveal all of their secrets." I replied coyly. I could tell that they were frustrated with my answers. But I knew that they were sceptical about whether or not I actually had magic.

"Then what was the purpose for all of this then. If you wanted an attention I would suggest a paying audience and not the simple townsfolk of this town."

"How else was I supposed to get a Ranger's attention?" I smiled at them but all they would be able to see would be the mischievous twinkle in my eyes.

Authors' Note: She got caught by the rangers! What will happen next? Any guesses? Well that's all you'll be able to do until we post the next chapter. When will Gilan come back into the story, what is happening to Becks... now that we mention it what would you guys say to a Beckett point of view... maybe not for a full chapter but just enough for us to see what he's going through. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW... please it can help us put up the next chapter. Until next chapter,

Love, C & M

Dash99- Thanks for the review but sorry it isn't Gilan and Halt.

Savannah Silverstone- Thanks for the review, sorry it took so long for us to update.

Firefly- Well we know one Ranger is Will. Thanks so much for the review

Hannah- There will be Gilan eventually so don't worry just depends on how much I type before I get to the part where they meet again, that will determine is he will make an appearance next chapter or the one after that. Jenny will be mentioned but you'll see how it fits in.

Angel14108- Thanks so much for your review.

Adrianna- I know it was boring but I had to put it in, better now than later. Thanks so much for the review ;)