Alright, I may have made some mistakes. When I first released this chapter, that's when all the mistakes happened! Yay! They're all fixed now, at least they should be, but I accidentally released a version that had several typos and even a couple author notes. Whoops. Sorry to the first couple people who read this because it takes half an hour to update a chapter to it's newest version :(((


"Treason?! So close to Castle Araluen itself? Why?! Who is part of it?! What do they even want?" Will immediately assaulted Talion with a barrage of questions. Alyss glared at him as he couldn't restrain himself and his thirst for knowledge. However, the Battlemaster knew these questions would come and was perfectly capable of answering them.

Talion thought for a moment while straightening the surcoat that hung atop his chainmail.

"Uh, yes. Yes. Because of Queen Cassandra. Vallan and his men. A new ruler." Talion smiled to himself, knowing he'd answered Will's simple questions that only brought upon a thousand more. Before he could open the floodgates upon the poor Battlemaster, Alyss chose to ask a more immediate question.

"I assume it's you who burnt the report then."

"Yes, my lady. I'm the only one around here that wanted to. I'm lucky no one found out." Talion dipped his head and gave a slight bow to Alyss that made his sore back crack in at least two different places. He stood up straight with a sigh of discomfort and saw the not-so-gentle urgency in his two visitors eyes that commanded him to speak. He'd been living in hell for two weeks yet these two couldn't wait a couple minutes. He simply rolled his shoulders and cleared his throat before continuing. "Again, I'm terribly sorry about your entrance, but Vallan has practically turned my men against me."

This caught Will and Alyss's attention. Talion noticed this and continued as he made sure they were paying heed to his words. Before he continued, something caught his eye and he looked down at Alyss's leg brace. He frowned and looked up her questioningly. She waved to stave off the unspoken question saying, "It was an accident with a horse. Go on."

Talion scratched his neck and toyed with the edge of his mustache. "That could be a problem. You see, Vallan speaks folly of the crown. He's even ventured to joke of treason against the queen. It's completely plausible that he may even be planning an attempt to usurp Queen Cassandra." Will and Alyss looked at each other now, this was a serious accusation. They focused now on the Battlemaster even more than before.

"Many of the men around here share his thoughts on it. 'coincidentally,'" Talion stressed the word, "they just happen to be on the gate and ramparts at all times. Many of the men who oppose his stance find themselves out of a job. There's a rumour that if anyone disagrees with him, he'll send hired killers to make sure they never disagree again."

Will frowned as he went over the details in his mind. He rolled them over and studied them thoroughly as he tactician mind analyzed their situation. He found a loophole and asked, "if that's the case, then why are you still here? Why not come to Redmont and report yourself?"

The Battlemaster shook his head hurriedly, "I can't. If I leave this castle will fall apart under his rule. He's convinced that I'm on his side. I think he suspects me of plotting against him, but he wouldn't dare say it to my face. Instead, he stays up in his tower all day." Talion turned to Alyss urgently, "my lady, you shouldn't be here with only a Ranger as backup." Will crossed his arms and glared at the man but he looked at Alyss and knew that Talion was right. If the Baron even joked about the queen yet alone joke about treason, he would have no problem killing a diplomat. Especially if said diplomat is injured. If she was caught alone, he'd be powerless to help her.

Alyss stayed silent as Talion continued as he felt guilty via association, "you see, he looks upon women with contempt. He strongly believes only a man should sit upon the throne. He's... even said a few words about you, my lady." Alyss sighed and put a hand on his shoulder saying, "a lot of people talk behind my back. That's why I make sure he's-" Alyss flicked her head to Will, "-always behind them."

Talion nodded and smiled gratefully saying, "then you'll arrest him? He can't get away with this."

"And he won't." Will spoke after staying silent so long, "Thank you for alerting us, Alyss will go with you to have a talk with him since all we need is evidence against him."

Alyss flicked her head over at him confused, "are you not?!" Talion looked at the oddly-excited Ranger equally confused. Will grinned and donned his cloak as he said, "No. I'm gonna break into a Baron's office while you greet him. He wouldn't let me in either way."


It was a windless night—thank god for Will. He had left the keep as Alyss and Talion made their way up the stairs. The stars his away behind clouds as Will walked around the tower looking up. He darted a glance at the sparse guards around the ramparts. They hadn't noticed him and had no reason to look inward to the castle. Will grinned as he looked back up. He saw a small gap in the wall and a flickering light inside of it; that must be the Baron's window. Every office had a glass-paned window that could be opened up instead of iron bars. Luckily it was able to be opened from the outside as no one was able to get outside of the window. Anyone except a Ranger that is.

Will stepped forward and got two handholds. He looked up and tensed his muscles. The stones were rough and unweathered and would make an easy journey for an experienced climber. Will surged up the first few meters in mere seconds. The dry rocks gave him easy hand and footholds. In less than twenty seconds he was halfway up the keep tower. He chose now to look back and down. Vertigo hit him for a second but he was used to it and immediately ignored at as he risked a look at the guards. They hadn't noticed a thing and continued along with their usual routes. No alarms were blaring as Will felt a minute amount wind lapping at his earlobes. Will grinned as he looked back up at the tower as he rested on the wall like an arachnid in waiting. It wasn't even five minutes until he was resting just below the window to the Baron's office.

The candlelight flickered above him as he heard shuffling papers inside. The Baron must be doing paperwork. Will could hear the thick breathing of the man and shook his head at the laziness. He hadn't even come down to greet him nor Alyss. Luckily for Will, Vallan had no idea he was even at the castle. The guards all showed contempt towards leadership—which includes Vallan.

Will stayed motionless beneath the window. He knew that any slight movement might alert the Baron to his position. After only a few minutes his tensed muscles began to cramp. They screamed at him to readjust his grip and relieve the pressure even if it was only momentary. Will resisted the urge and sat still for another minute. The Baron continued to breathe through his nostrils while looking at menial papers that he would never get around to signing. That's when the sound of knocking at the Baron's door appeared and he let out a sigh of relief. The Baron groaned as he leaned forward and got out of his chair. He stepped away and opened the door. He spoke something that Will couldn't make out and the door closed behind him. Will sighed and crawled up into the window. His head poked over to make sure that the Baron had left the room. He stood still for a moment, scanning the shadows underneath the doorway. Nothing was close and Will knew the coast was clear. He seethed over the ledge like a black mass and stood up in the room. It had flat walls with many paintings strewn about. The art was almost all portraits of various famous historical figures whose eyes all seemed directed towards his small pine desk. Their eyes seemed to follow Will as he stepped deeper into the rectangular room. There was a large rug placed in the centre of the room and the red flower designs didn't match any of the other decors. Two large mirrors stood in opposite corners and many wardrobes sat around the room. He had a large desk by the window with a candle on it—a multitude of papers was strewn across the desk. Will's gaze searched the room until he saw what he wanted. He stepped towards the far corner of the room, it was the furthest away from the door and desk—completely enshrouded in darkness by a large dresser. It was in the shadow because of the candle on Vallan's desk and Will's muffled footsteps quieted as he entered hiding. He pulled his cowl tighter around his face and held his bow at the ready but hidden by his side. He wanted to be ready to act if anything went wrong, but not give away his position. Will didn't bother drawing an arrow in premeditation in case any light reflected off the broadhead; Will was able to draw and fire within a heartbeat and already having the arrow inbetwixt his fingers wouldn't give any advantage—only another liability.

Will relaxed all his muscles as he leaned further into the darkness. He kept his breathing even as he heard voices from outside the door growing to a crescendo.

The door flung open at the protest of its hinges as the Baron strolled through confidently. He was a very plump man, one that obviously indulged in what his servants didn't have. He had a constant smile on his face and a thin beard that showed Will where his jaw and chin should be along with where they weren't. Will didn't think he had much to fear of this man in a physical standard, no wonder he wouldn't argue with Talion—the man was all bark and no bite. Vallan wouldn't have the influence to incite rebellion. But if he doesn't have the strength to start a revolution, who was be working with?

Will was surprised when two of the Baron's guards walked in with Alyss and Talion. There weren't supposed to be any guards in here, especially when there was a meeting with a diplomat. Will frown deepened when he saw the two men eyeing Alyss with a sly grin. Only Talion had the look of a guard, a blank and un-invasive stare that never connected to anyone's eyes—except to that of an aggressor.

Alyss kept an authoritative pose but Will was sure she knew the guards were staring at her. She always seemed to have a pair of eyes in the back of her head—often catching Will trying to indulge his eyes. The Barron let the door creak closed behind them and waddled to his desk. He sidestepped into the hardwood chair and slumped roughly into it, leaned back with a sigh. The two guards stayed near the back of the room just behind Alyss; they were closest to Will as he kept his eyes riveted on the situation in front of him.

Talion stood beside Alyss. Will thought he looked rather intimidating—vastly different from how they'd first met. No wonder the Baron trusted him, he was a good actor. Will saw now that Talion carried his sword on his belt. Will grinned knowing that he'd taken it off purposefully earlier so that Will and Alyss knew he was friendly.

Alyss spoke suddenly and her words cut through Will's thoughts like an executioner's axe, "are the guards really worth necessary?" The Baron's smile dropped as he leaned forward and intertwined his fingers in front of him. His elbows rested on the light wood desk as his smile dropped.

The man spoke in a surprisingly higher pitch than usual, "they're here to make sure you don't try anything."

Alyss' eyes spoke nothing but she knew what was coming. This man obviously didn't know the hierarchy regarding their ranks or just didn't care.

He gestured to Talion saying, "give him your dagger. Slowly." The Baron added the last word as an afterthought.

Alyss stood firm, "I have a right to bear arms."

The Baron shook his head, "not anymore you don't. Now give him your weapon." Alyss said nothing as she unclipped the dagger's holster and gave it to Talion. He clipped it to his own belt, on the side away from Alyss. The Baron looked her up and down saying, "now, Alyss, why hav-"

"It's Lady Alyss."

"Woman!" The Baron's lip curled as he spat the word at her. Alyss stood her ground unmoving as he did so. This kind of insult was unforgivable to a diplomat—yet alone the head diplomat. The Baron was obviously overconfident in his ability to keep things under wraps. Little did he know there was a Ranger standing in the room looking directly at him. Will was amazed at how Alyss kept up her blank professional façade. If he were in her position he would have demanded at least a shred of respect or just stare grimly at him—demanding it without a word. Yet here Alyss was, calming breathing with her hands folded one over the other in front of her body as she kept her chin held high. Any feeling of pain she felt in her leg vanished the second she couldn't afford to show weakness.

The Baron stayed behind his desk as he stared at Alyss. He spoke again from before Alyss had cut him off, "you come here alone... injured? What a foolish mistake. I know that messengers often go without guards to move faster. I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Alyss let out a smile, one that never reached her eyes, as she bit her inner lip at the insult of being referred to as a messenger. Wills fury as grew at this treatment of his wife.

Alyss stated whilst ignoring the rude comments, "Here are my credentials," she tossed a scroll onto the Baron's desk, "your report never made it to Redmont." The Baron's eyes lit up in anger as he looked to Talion. He met his stare as the Battlemaster asked, "do you know who it was?" Will held his breath as Talion asked his lie, attempting to redirect the blame temporarily. Will let it out ever so silently as it was pulled like cloth over Vallan's eyes.

"No idea," Vallan rubbed his eyebrows frustratedly, "No matter. We'll have them all questioned." Will grinned at the fact that Vallan trusted Talion to the point he never even accused him. Will was glad to have another friend in the room with Alyss, even if he had to play the part of the enemy for now. Alyss cleared her throat to regain Vallan's attention. He waved her away saying, "yes, yes, I know your credentials."

The plump figure picked up the scroll on his desk. Without opening or reading it, he promptly held it above the candle on his desk. The flame licked hungrily at the paper and after a few seconds, it lit aflame and he turned to the window. He tossed it away and it began to float down towards the flagstones below as it began to burn more fiercely—condemned to ash before it hit the ground. Alyss's cheeks flushed red with anger as he did so.

Vallan looked back at her with contempt. He leaned forward and said, "you have no power over any of us. Don't even try anything because either way, you'll be dead before sunrise. We're going to have a nice, long chat. Then afterwards, I'll throw you into the barracks and let the men have at you. I hear many of them are untouched by a woman and want to change that." The two guards at the back of the room grinned and shot a glance at each other. They looked back at Alyss and their eyes drifted downwards.

Talion let out a strained, painful smile, yet he didn't look at Alyss. The Baron didn't mention it as he stared at her himself. Will's heart pumped so loud he was surprised that no one else could hear it. He wanted to put an arrow in all the men in the room excluding Talion. No one should ever be spoken to like that. The fact that Vallan would say it to a diplomat means that he would certainly go through it; although Will was more angered by the fact he'd said that to his wife. Alyss's face flashed with fear as she looked around. She didn't see Will but she recomposed herself, knowing he was in the room, and her fury seethed through. She flicked her hair behind her head and said, "that would be a capital crime and you'd be hung or exiled. Lay your hands on me and you'll be executed."

"That's only if I'm caught."

He strode to the window and took a deep breath as he stared out at the dark forest. Little did he know that the King and Queen were just a kilometre away. He turned back to Alyss and said, "as if you'd be able to fight back without a dagger and a braced leg. How do you think we should send a message of your disappearance to that damned Ranger Will? An obituary maybe?"

Alyss took a step forward in anger but Talion stepped beside her and looked straight into her eyes. She stopped and looked at the Baron.

"Don't try a thing or Talion will have you first before the barracks," Vallan spoke with a grin, "How delightful it is when the infamous Ranger isn't even here to protect his wife." Vallan scoffed at Wills rank. "He's barely even done anything, it's all exaggerated. I bet he's never even left Araluen. Either way, I'm going to tell him myself that you disappeared." The Baron smiled as he circled Alyss. "You don't deserve that rank of head diplomat. A position of power belongs to a man. Women should just be at home cooking and taking care of screaming children. That's all you're good for enough you shrew-faced strumpet."

Alyss's rage seethed over and she stepped towards Vallan. She slapped an open palmed hand across his face and he recoiled in surprise. Talion stepped forward and grabbed Alyss's arms and she initially resisted but slowly stepped back into line. She struggled for a moment with her emotions but soon brought her usual façade back to light. Will noticed that even though it looked like an effort for Talion, he always kept a very light touch on Alyss.

The Baron stumbled and caught his footing, staring at surprise at nothing while holding his face. He stared right into the shadow where Will stood unmoving. Will didn't hold his breath, knowing that eventually, he would have to let it out and then breath heavily for a couple seconds which would undoubtedly reveal his position. After what felt like an eternity to Will, Vallan turned back angrily to Alyss.

She spoke before he could, "you do not speak to a lady like that. Duncan elected that woman were better diplomats and you know it's true." Vallan stood in front of Alyss, his belly protruding much further than his nose. "And yet here you are. Oh to hell with Duncan and to hell with his daughter! She's a crooked-nose Knave and she should never have been allowed to touch the throne yet alone sit on it! If only that fake soldier of hers would use the power he has!" Alyss's eye twitched with success and she relaxed as she'd gotten what she wanted. The Baron had openly stated and insulted the queen, a diplomat and a Ranger. Threatening a Diplomat's life itself was punishable but the man had no chance of redemption anymore; Talion was right, the man could well be planning a usurpation.

Vallan's eyes bulged with fury as he glared at the grinning woman in front of him. "It's time a lesson was taught in respect." He spoke while outstretching a hand towards Alyss.

That's when Will stepped out of the shadows, his bow already drawn with an arrow nocked and aimed at the Baron. "Lay a hand on her and you'll never grab anything for the rest of your life."

He stopped in surprise and looked at the man who seemed to have walked out a wall. The colour seeped from his face as he recognized the Ranger cloak and the only person that it could be. The whites of his eyes glowed in the dark as he stared at Will. The enormity of the situation hit him like an anvil and he stepped back, bumping into his table. He stumbled back and pointed to his guards, "kill them!"

The guards at the back of the room jumped and held up their spears in sudden fear. They both believed in the fairy tales of Rangers and their dark magic and seeing Will's entrance only reinforced their fears. Alyss simply stepped closer to the centre of the room-away from the surrounding dangers-with a flick of her hair and a well-deserved smirk to Vallan. She kept an eye on him and the action from Will as she stood patiently, knowing this conflict would be over within a couple seconds. The first guard stepped towards Will with his eyes set intently on him—he was going to put down the Ranger once and for all. Will didn't even turn to him as he saw a flash of silver slide towards the man. In lightning speed, a blade sheared through the shaft of the spear, just before the pointed tip. The metal piece clanged to the floor and the guard looked dumbfounded at his nigh-useless weapon.

Talion lifted his sword and returned it to his sheath. He kept his hand on the hilt as he looked at the other guard saying, "put it away, soldier." The man stood stock still as he looked at Talion and back to Will. Talion stepped towards the man, his hand tightening around the pommel of the brass handle. "Drop it!" Talion shouted. The guard, galvanized into action, dropped the spear and held up his hands by his head. The other soldier backed up against the wall with his arms in a similar fashion.

Will focused back on Vallan as he stared in horror as his fate was sealed. He looked around at the three people now staring angrily at him. His eyes darted to the door and his feet began to move; Will, however, moved faster. He dashed his hand forward and grabbed the front of the man's shirt. Will had slung his longbow around his shoulder and slid his arrow back into his quiver as he did so.

As he grabbed Vallan's shirt, he kept his fist going and slammed it into the man's nose. He heard the crunch of cartilage as it shattered instantly. He drew his hand back and practically lifted the man off his feet, although Will wasn't sure he'd be able to lift him. Vallan yelled in surprise and didn't try to break Wills grip, instead, he tried to stem the flow of blood from his nose. Will looked at him angrily saying with a look of contempt in his eyes and his nose wrinkled in disgust.

"You." Will drilled the word into the suddenly inferior specimen in front of him.