Author's Note: I back! I won't keep you too long and I'm not sure if people even read this. But this story is finally starting to get to where I want it. I so want to tell you about what I'm excited for but I have to tell it in order for it to work. But we will get there. I will give you a hint and say that this is the chapter for your hearts to take a break. Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own RA

Chapter 24

Pushed Farther

My tone was bright and almost chipper, which completely contrasted the men who froze mid step. Out of the corner of my eye I notice the cautiously slow turn that Maverick made when I said the name Becks out loud. There was a hint of fear in his dark eyes on his emotionless face. I would have to tread carefully to get what I wanted now. This man took away my grandfather once and I wasn't about to let that happen again. The man in the middle turned around. My heart nearly pushed me to jump at the man and embrace him in a tight hug. It was Becks! He blink for a second as if he didn't believe that it was me calling out to him. I didn't even want to count the months that we had been apart but it was evident on his face. In the time that we were away he had changed into an old man. There were deeper lines in his face and his skin was thinner. The hardship he went through was evident as he looked battered and under fed. A lump formed in my throat as I push down the tears that threaten to rise. I couldn't afford to break my cover. Not now.

I took a step forward towards the group and Becks acting as if I wasn't sure if it was in fact 'Mr. Beckett.' I was taught to call him politely when I knew we were in a dangerous situation or in front of strangers that might be a threat. That way we would never be used as each other's weakness. They finally unfroze. Now they looked at each other trying to figure out what to do. Their silent conversation through glances showed off their heightened concern.

"Miss Silas," Becks said slowly as if using his voice for the first time in a while. I was good to hear him say my name again. " Isn't this a surprise. This is the last place I thought I would be seeing you." Those words made each of the four men glance at Maverick who was now standing very close behind me. They was a sudden movement of Mavericks chin and they got the message. Without trying to make me notice one stood behind Becks. I could tell they were quickly untying the ropes that bound his wrists.

"I didn't expect you to be one to run off and join a performing troupe." I said lightly trying not to make it look like I noticed what they were actually doing. The one with the light brown sideburns and permanent scowl quickly hid the rope behind his back. Becks took the opportunity to massage his wrists. For a moment I saw him freeze. I had seen this before. My memory of him being taken away was once again fresh in my mind. Maverick was using his power on him. It was a warning. If he did anything Becks wouldn't not have much time left. By Becks composure I could tell he was used to this and that he had experienced this several times before. He got the message.

"I needed a change of scenery." He said with a sarcastic smile. "Needed a bit of an adventure like I did back in the old days."

"That would mean you have more stories to tell. I used to love listening to your and my father's adventures." I inserted our cover to make it easier for him. While speaking I played with the chain hanging on my neck. The necklace held my bronze oak leaf. Something I wanted to show him so badly. He knew what it was even if the pendant was tucked inside my clothes. I watched his eyes sparkle as they lifted to meet mine. In his weakened state it was easier to see the glimpse of emotion he rarely showed. I could tell he was having as hard of a time I was keeping it together. "If you're not busy would you care to share some over breakfast tomorrow?" I offered. We both needed to compose ourselves. Hidden messages in our conversation tomorrow will need time to be prepared carefully.

"Anything for you my dear." Becks said sweetly, trying to put a light smile on his face. I had seen the glance he gave Maverick. Maverick would be the one to lose if he did anything against this and Becks knew just how to gain some leverage.

"Then I will meet you in the mess tent tomorrow morning." Confirming happily I clasped my hands behind my back walking with a new bounce. Seeing Becks cleared my head. His disappearance was the reason I started this. Saving the kingdom is now my job as a Ranger. I can't afford anymore confusions distracting me from my task.

Maverick and the Genovesan escorted me back a a new tent. Looking inside, it wasn't as lavish as Mavericks war tent but I didn't need even need most of the items they placed in it. Maverick gave an out of character excuse that he had to attend something and left. To my luck the man in purple didn't go with him. I was stuck with a babysitter. He remained on the outside of the tent as a guard as I toured my new living arrangements. By the stance of the shadow outlined on my tent, he wasn't going anywhere soon either. I always found it surprising what they had on hand that they could use to furnish my room. I hated to think that someone was force to go into town to find a wardrobe.

I knew I was given this freedom to unpack and organize my belongings. In other words they expected me to be here for a while. Hanging my clothes away gave me time to think. I had come this far but what next. I get to see Becks tomorrow but what do I say. I can't just straight up ask him for help. He's expecting me to be here with Rangers and a plan and everything under control. With Maverick listening to every word it will be impossible to get the full message across. Ugh! Finished I tugged on the roots of my hair as I plopped onto the bed. Where's Gilan when I need him? Why hasn't he even shown up and told me that's he's okay. He disappeared out of my range so I couldn't even rely on my magic to find him.

Sighing I shook my head clear. Doubting would only distract me from reacting properly. If it is just me, then I will be the one who has to come up with the plan. Think Silas. I started at the beginning. Maverick is collecting magic using Luther to lure them. After they are far from home and were set on staying they were probably sent them here to test their abilities. Once out of Luther's influence then he would most likely force their powers to see what they could give him. Based on what Becks looks like, he isn't the most forgiving to disappointment. Everyone with potential must be here somewhere since I didn't see Maverick training anyone else. But then he found me. Nothing he tried in the beginning worked so he constantly tried new tactics. But now that I'm out of Luther's sight he can try pushing the power out of me physically. What I needed to worry about was how far he was willing to go and how I could stop it.

I woke up the next morning. As usual it was a little before the sun. Years of waking up can't change this habit. Plus the earlier I rose the more time I would get with Becks. I would have Maverick's croons eyeing the entire conversation so we both needed to watch our words. I needed to find out how many people there are and if they had abilities that Maverick planned on using. Becks will be waiting for a plan. One that still doesn't exist. Yet.

I changed quickly. Becks was always an early riser. Being raised by him resulted in the same habit. I opened my tent to the horizoning sunlight. Of course I greeted my watch with a polite smile. It was a different Genovesan than the one that had previously accompanied me. I wonder how much Maverick is paying them just to keep an eye on me. Another question is where he is getting his money from? The amount the performers picked up was just enough to feed the growing group. It was nowhere near enough to employ an army. The more answers I pieced together the more questions that seemed to pop into my head.

I skipped the remaining distance to the mess tent. The food tent was filled with several gruff men huddled in pairs or in threes whispering in hushed tones. Most of them were still not used to having a woman present at their camp and stared rudely. Getting used to these stares I ignored them. There was only one person I was excited to see. Becks was already seated down at a table. As soon as I waved happily at him the man gripping the back of his neck roughly let go. I pretended not to notice this or the white pressure marks from his finger that took a couple of seconds to disappear.

Becks rose tiredly to his feet looking like he aged another year overnight. He had probably been warned of the consequences if he let slip something he wasn't supposed to. As I looked around again I noticed the gruff early risers didn't look like they wanted to be here and they were place within either hearing distance or close enough to attack if the occasion arrives. I smiled back at Becks as I sat down across from him.

"I will grab you some food Miss." the man who had held Becks in a vice grip offered. Taken a little by surprise I almost forgot to thank him.

"Miss Silas, you shouldn't be smiling like that for an old man like me." Becks hoarse voice cracked a bit as he spoke. It was always hard to read my grandfather but this time is was written clearly in his eyes. They seemed to say 'I've missed you' and hidden a little deeper I could also see 'what took you so long?'

"It's my smile so I will decide who I share it with. You should be lucky sir that I have chosen to share it with you." I huffed but couldn't hold my face from turning back into a smiley glow. Becks chuckled.

"Still the same as ever I see." Becks eye twinkled as it normally did when he was teasing.

"If I was still the same then I wouldn't have left home for an adventure now would I?" I countered.

"My mistake Miss Silas, then may I ask why you left home in the first place?" Becks folded his hands under his chin. Now how can I give out some information without the thugs in the background tattling on me for being suspicious.

"Well, it started with my mother." I began.

"She was always trouble that one." Becks teased again.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, continue."

"You know that since my father died she has always done her best to provide for us." Becks nodded as if it wasn't time hearing this. "But one day she went and accepted a marriage proposal for me." Our food had just arrived and had Becks been drinking his coffee at that moment he most likely would've choked or sprayed it all over. His eyes grew with alarm at this news so I continued so his heart would start beating again. "I told her that she couldn't force me to marry some rusty old knight so I ran away. Luckily the circus had just finished performing in Forest Land and so I asked Luther if I could go with him." Becks didn't look too happy with me mentioning his name. It would probably be best not to mention anything more about Luther.

"Is that it? I feel like there is more that you aren't telling me." Becks prompted me for more information.

"I always hated when you do that. It's like you can read my mind." I pretended to be ruffled by his comment. "I had started to like the circus life and even made a couple friends but then one night Gilan showed up to bring me back." Becks blinked at the name. It was as if he knew he had heard that name before.

"Gilan?" Becks' mind was still processing. You can do it Becks.

"You've met him before. We grew up together. I think the first time you met him was when you came back from training with my father. If I recall he was about to rip Gilan's head off for dancing with me then you paid for his meal as an apology." Becks eyes grew wide. He knew exactly which Gilan I was talking about. If only it happened sooner I wouldn't have to rekindle that memory.

"Yes, that boy." Becks didn't look like he was pretending as he said that.

"It turns out he had just returned home from finishing becoming a knight and was the one who ask my mother for my hand." Becks understood my cover story now. He also knew that I had the Rangers backing me up.

"Where is Gilan now?" That's the question I was dreading to answer.

"I don't know." I told him truthfully. Becks knew there was something wrong with the plan now. I could feel my eyes giving it away as they began to mist. I coughed to clear the tightness in my throat. "But enough about me. I thought we were getting together to talk about your adventures."

It was almost humours how everyone in the room stiffened. The men watching Becks either leaned in or shuffled a bit closer.

"Well there isn't much of an adventure here to be told. I'm too old for too much excitement after all. I received an invitation from this group as they had heard about my hunting and tracking skills so I decided to accept." Becks wouldn't be in earshot of any important information so there wouldn't be much he could tell. "I thought about leaving a while back but I since made a few friends that made it more comfortable to stay." I saw the brief flash of one and four with his fingers. Fourteen other prisoners. Fourteen that had been taken from their homes and threatened to stay or risk exposure of their potential magical skills. Maverick would be the only one who knows that information and how he will use it. But because of his reaction when he met me they must be nowhere near powerful enough to do any potential damage. But that was something else I was going to have to be mindful of.

We finished our breakfast in small fake conversation. Letting eavesdroppers hear about my cover story and Becks' adventures that I had grew up with.

"Will you take a walk with me?" I rushed to the other side of the table when I saw his guards cinching forwards to take him back. My brain was working quickly coming up with a plan.

"I'm not sure…" Becks pretended to be polite but I cut him off.

"Oh come on, I'm sure they can spare you for a day." I said exaggerating my eye roll and grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out of his seat.

We squinted against the bright sun that had already risen quite high. Becks escorted me with my hand on his bent arm. I guided us through the camp knowing exactly how I was going to get more than this one chance to have my grandfather. I would need his skill to put a stop to this somehow and it would be easier if I didn't have to break him out first. I walked us passed the archery range. Just the place I needed to be. I stopped him and we watched as a couple men were taking some practice shots.

"Mr. Beckett?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you could teach me have to shoot?"

"I thought you already knew how."

"My father did teach me. But you were the one who taught him."

"I remember him being a pain." Becks teased and I nudged him with my hip playfully.

"Can you give me a few pointers at least?" I batted my eyelashes making Becks roll his eyes.

"I guess I can look to see if I'm busy…"

"Great! We can start tomorrow!" I butted in not letting anyone of our entourage object to it.

Maverick wasn't please when he found out about my plans. He couldn't say anything to my face of course which was what I was counting on. He wouldn't risk losing what progress he had made. He had no choice since his powers don't work on me. He made sure to keep close guards at times. A routine developed. Wake up, eat with Becks, then practice archery. Maverick was personally present to make sure Becks' hands stayed behind his back. Becks wasn't allowed to do anything but instruct for the short time I was allow to practice a day. The time Maverick seemed to shorten everyday.

The rest of the day belong to Maverick. I didn't get a choice in this. The reason Maverick put up with all my actions was because he had one goal in mind and I was going to be shaped into the tool he needed. The only thing I could do was attempt to control the power he craved. Hiding it was becoming both more difficult and easier as he pushed me countless times during a day. The weaker I became made it easier for Maverick to get what he wants but it also made it easier to feel the power that had since been a mystery. He was very thorough trying to map out the potential of my earthquake. He would measure how far and wide it could expand. Then he would test the effect on people and on horses on various speeds. He also tried different methods of forcing me to the ground to see which would be the most potent.

I let out a soft whimper this time. I tried not letting him know I was in pain. That seemed to make it more powerful. I was bruised in multiple places and my hands were bleeding from the rugged terrain. There was only so much I could take. Lately he had been experimenting longer than before. There was an urgency in his eyes meaning that everything he had planned was coming soon. Everything would have to be perfect. But he had yet to perfect his key. I laid on this ground and I didn't have any intentions of returning to my feet. Exhaustion had set in over an hour ago.

"That was barely felt sir." I heard a man report to Maverick as they always did. Of course it was less, all my energy is being used to keep me awake and to repress the pain.

"Miss Silas, I need you to cooperate. Do you have any idea how important this is?" Maverick had a forced smile on his face I could hear it in his voice. His patience must be running thin because he did just let something slip.

"I can't do this anymore." I whined from my position still on the hard cold ground. I painfully rolled up to a seated position. "And may I ask what is so important that I am being beaten and pushed to the ground for?" I threw him a side glance up at him, testing him. I could see his brain clueing in that he had slipped a moment ago.

"That'll be all for today Miss Silas. We will try again tomorrow." With that Maverick left. As per usual it was a a man in a purple cloak who offered me a hand to rise. I groaned as I put my feet under me. I sighed when I felt the soreness settle into my joints. Waking up tomorrow was not going to be fun.

The Assassin in the purple cloak always paced my stride as we walked back. This silent habit had strangely become comforting. It meant I was done for the day. Rest to help recover my strength was close. I stumbled as my legs felt weak. A trained reflexes arm grabbed my elbow. It patiently brought me to my feet. It didn't even let go as I suddenly felt lightheaded and my world spinning. Maverick was pushing me too hard again. He might not get much more out of me if he keeps it up like he has been.

"You have to focus on something else." A low voice said. It was velvet and lured me back to the real world. Did my silent companion finally speak? Taken aback I couldn't respond to ask him what he meant. I didn't need to as he continued. "It's a method used when being tortured." He guided me forward by the elbow. His voice continued to melt into the darkness of the night. "Concentrate on something else to keep your mind off what is being done to you and it will be easier to bear." I only realized we reached my tent once I stood at the entrance of my tent. "You are a strong fighter Miss Silas, I'd hate to see you broken." With that he left. I caught a wolffish glint in his eye as the moon. It was almost a smile. It wasn't friendly, but it was as close to a human emotion he was allowing to show through. I wasn't sure if it was a good sign that a heartless assassin was worrying about me.

The look Becks had on his face when I met him in the morning for breakfast meant I looked horrible. It was only for a second but having my whole life used to his specifically few facial expressions, they were easy to pick up on. In my case it wasn't good news. It meant I was running low on energy and not even food and one night of rest was enough to regenerate. I had reached this point once before and the result didn't end too well. This time I don't have Gilan or Luther to catch me if I collapse. I will treading on a very thin rope, and if I am not careful it will break.

I still practiced with my bow. I wasn't going to cut Becks freedom. He needed it and so did I. It was the best place to number and categorize all the capable fighting men. We could also see the types of weapons the men favoured. Only a handful had bows but favoured the crossbow, spears were common. Those who had swords didn't have expert training, but had large heavy shields and had started experimenting using them as human battering rams. They started using battle formations but nothing as sophisticated as what the knights of Araluen have been conditioned to perfect.

My arms started to shake as I pulled on the bow. It was only my fourth attempted but my accuracy had already shifted off. Something that a Ranger should not be doing after years of practice. Becks placed a hand on my shoulder. I relaxed my pull on the bow as I saw his expression. He was telling me to stop. Something that I have never had him say before. As I looked around there was a reason for it. Maverick, who usual keep a close eye, radiated dangerous impatience. With that look we both knew that my training was now over. I shared a glace with Becks before putting my bow away.

Silently, I feel into step behind Maverick. Others who weren't trained would've failed to notice that Maverick always puts himself the same distance ahead to assert his authority. With enough exposure people would gradually fall into their proper place. By observing I could discern more habits about him and his character. All but one. His weakness. Everything he did was purposely planned out and conditioned until it was exactly how he wanted. My plan to stop him factored in messing with his perfectly thought out plan but knowing him, he would have alternate preparationsjust in case.

"I don't see why you practice everyday with that bow." Maverick threw over his shoulder as we kicked our way through the dusty well travelled ground. He wasn't expecting an answer. "You have the power over wood and earthly elements and yet you chose to not use them." Translation, I was wasting my talents. But that had never occurred to me before. I laughed in my head as I thought that Maverick was actually useful to me for the first time. I can control the movement of roots, branches and trees. It may require a bit more concentration but an arrow and a bow are both made out of those elements. That could give me an advantage in mastering the long bow. Based on Maverick's urgency I doubt he would give me the allowance to practice again. He didn't even give me enough time to prepare for his torture for the day.

My heavy eyes struggled to open. Once they did, they protested the motion because of the light that was visible through the material of the tan tent. I gave up trying to move or sit up as all my muscles protested and felt stiff as a corpse. My body was covered in a thin layer of sticky sweat. Overall, it was the best way to feel waking up. And it just got worse the more conscious I became. The dull pound in my head started creeping it way forwards so I could almost hear it in my ears and threatened to drown out the normal outdoor noises. My gaze took in the high mountain of blankets someone must've place on top of me while I slept. Now that I think about it, I don't remember how I got back. I must've passed out and had someone carry me back. Another question would be how long have I been laying down? My head fell to the side. There was a head of black hair rested on folded arms sleeping on the side of my bed. His head was shifted to avoid the bright light from the sun. There were a few twigs in his hair as if he had fought some trees to get here. I pulled a shaky arm out of the tangle of blankets and carefully tried to brush at least one of them out. Apparently I wasn't careful enough because the moment cause the man to stir awake. He rose his head off his arms and blearily stretched back up to his seated position. It didn't take any longer for Luther's eyes to lock onto mine.

"Silas." His voice was hoarse. His hand went to gentle brush the hair out of my face. The heat started to rise to my cheeks. Must be the blankets. I lifted my head and shoulders off my bed but luckily Luther saw the difficulty and snaked an arm under me and helped me rise to a seated position. He didn't hesitate to wrap his other arm around me and pull me into a hug. I groaned as my body still was sore. "You don't have any idea how worried I was."

I dropped my eyes out of habit. It seemed to happen every time he said something like that and my chest felt a little harder to breath in. As the several blankets had fell off my shoulders, I noticed one that had a very familiar irregular pattern on it. It was my Ranger cloak. Someone who knew where I hid it in my bag had deliberately taken it out and placed it under two other blankets. Just hidden well enough that only a trained eye would notice it was something out of the ordinary. There was only one person who did things this way and knew where my cloak is. Gilan. And he was here and he is alive.

Author's note: and cliffhanger…. you know I had to. I got the rest of the story planned out so it will come out. Reviews would be nice, I would love to hear what you think.

Love, Marie

Catherine- I know what you mean about bias wreckers. I tried to give your poor heart a break this time. Thanks for the review

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