Halt and Will had been tracking this group of Pict warriors ever since they had crossed the border into Araluen. This had been one of the many groups acting as scouting parties into the Kingdom. Will and himself had been sent North by Crowley, and ordered to discourage any further parties. However after two hours of traveling into Norgate both parties stumbled across a very strange man. He was alone, and walked westward through the woods. His uniform baffled Halt, mainly because it was so similar to his own cloak. It was green and brown coloration, but was much like normal clothing. He knew no other Ranger's were this far North. The Fiefs Ranger, Meralon, was dealing with Bandit problems further South. Crowley also would have told Halt if he was testing a new type of cloak for the Rangers, this was not a fellow Ranger. He wore a strange helmet of the same pattern on his head, but it didn't cover much of head. The helmet covered half of forehead, top of the head, and the back of the head. The Soldier also had some form of body armor. However once again it was the same forest pattern, with some sort of plate inside. The vest protected his chest, back, and groin. Everything about his equipment was puzzling, and made no sense to the seasoned Ranger.

"Halt, who is this man?" Will whispered as he came closer to his old mentor. Normally Will would be smart enough to not talk while so close to the enemy, however the mission was taking an unexpected turn. It was not clear if this man was a civilian, for he seemed to wearing a uniform and wearing armor. It was clear that the Picts had no idea who this man was, for they were trying to get closer and take a look for themselves.

Halt shook his head still staring at this man, desperately trying to put a label on the stranger. "I haven't the faintest idea." He muttered softly. Just then the Picts stood up and shouted at the man. Halt was curious to see how the man reacted to the sudden appearance of the painted warriors. The Soldier turned around, seeing the screaming Picts instantly. Not even a moment passed before he took off running for the North West. He was at least smart enough to see he was not favored to win a fight. Naturally the Picts took off in hot pursuit after the man, determined to find out who he was. If that meant killing him that is what it took. "That is no Ranger." Halt told Will as the pair watched the scene unfold. While now that was obvious, it was something that needed to be said out loud. "But we need to help him, come I know how we can cut them off." Halt told Will before they both took off into the woods.

They both moved through the forest like wraiths, both having years of experience at their craft. The entire time they heard the crashing and noise of the chase going on, using the noise to best judge where they could cut off the strange man. "First priority is the Picts, then we deal with the man." Halt called over to Will, knowing that no one from the chase will be able to hear them over their own noise. They soon arrived ahead of both the stranger and Picts, waiting behind two larger trees until they all drew closer. Performing an ambush was second nature to both Rangers, and judging when to spring their trap came easily. They listened to the footsteps, hearing the strange soldier draw closer. He easily broke through branches and anything else he stepped on underfoot. He must be wearing very heavy boots, if not armored greaves underneath his camouflage. Halt nodded to Will when the man was about 20 meters away, moving to spring their trap.

In one fluid and practiced motion they both stepped out from behind the trees and drew their long bows back, their fingers touching their cheeks as they took aim behind the man. "Stop! King's Rangers!" Halt shouted at the man, who quickly halted at the sight of the two men. Halt hoped that he would be too surprised to take any hostile action before the pair would be ready.

"On your knees!" Will added as the pair let loose their first arrows. Their shots streaked through the air and slammed into the two lead Pict men, sending their bodies crashing to the forest ground. Their comrades took a moment before they realized what was happening. One man was screaming on the ground with a black arrow in his side, the other silent due to the grey arrow that found his throat. They slowed, trying to find where the two archers might be. However in the few seconds that had passed the twang of bow strings being released filled the air again. The arrows whistled softly before slammed into two more bodies. Both shouted as they stumbled to the ground, again one being grey and the other black. It was obvious the Picts no longer wanted to be in this kill zone, but were not moving quick enough for the Rangers liking. Like well oiled machines another arrow came out of their quivers and was sent towards the Picts within a matter of seconds. With half of their party wounded or dying in a matter of moments the Picts were no longer lazily gather their comrades. The group moved as quick as they could while dragging or carrying their men with them, leaving the Rangers with the man in question.

The strange man had kneeled in front of them, his hands still in the air. Which was nice to see he had the common sense to not run away. Halt slung the bow over his shoulder and approached the man with his Saxe knife drawn. Will followed him, longbow still out and ready for use. "Now you need to explain who you are, and why the Picts are chasing you." Halt said to him, without any tone of argument in his voice. Halt needed to treat this man like a Pict, although it seemed highly unlikely that he would be one.

Before the man spoke Halt had already been sizing him up, something all Rangers did. He was tall, easily taller than 6 foot. While neither of the Rangers were tall men, it was taller than many knights. His build was athletic, even after that chase he wasn't struggling for breath. Halt noticed that the man did not cower before them, showing the sign he was a veteran warrior. While he only had a knife visible, he was no doubt a dangerous man. Neither of the Rangers were going to take chances with him.

"My name is Sergeant James Weber of the United States Army." The man spoke clearly, slowly, and without fear. It was obvious that he was very easily keeping his composure during the whole ordeal.

Halt didn't answer him at first, trying to process the sentence just uttered by the man. United States? Halt had the foggiest idea of where that might be located. But he damned sure it wasn't on his Island. He understood Sergeant, a lower ranking leader amongst the conscript armies of his Kingdom. However before Halt could respond the man spoke up again. "Now I have no clue who these 'Picts' are or were. I must be lost, am I still in Afghanistan?" He asked the same tones in his voice.

Halt grew a little annoyed that the man wouldn't stop talking, mainly because he was only confusing Halt more. He couldn't see Will's face, but he figured the young's man eyes were shining with intelligence as he also tried to make sense of these words. Afghanistan was another place he didn't know, sounded like it would be far to East, but Halt never heard of it. He began to feel the man was speaking gibberish, to just have the Rangers let him go. However Halt had no intention of that, he wanted to get to the bottom of who this man was and why he was here. "I do not know of any United States, or Afghanistan. You are in the Kingdom of Araluen, tell us why you are in these woods." Halt said to the man, with more of his cool anger than he meant. But he didn't care right now, whatever got answers would be fine by him.

It was now obvious that the man was equally confused with Halts words, all three were just a group of confused men in the forest. The puzzled look on Sergeant James's face was genuine, Halt could easily see that. However that didn't answer anyone's question. If there was a Sergeant here than there would be more soldiers around, and a strange Army in the north was not something Halt needed right now.

The man looked back up at Halt, his expression softening. "Sir, I beg you." He started, obviously wanting to draw this stalemate to a close. "I am Sergeant James Weber of the United States Army." James told the two again as he pointed to a strip of cloth on his vest that stated that, as well as his surname. Which very much confused Halt, he had never seen something like that. It would take time and money to produce something like that, something that no Sergeant should have. He then very bravely tossed his knife onto the grass at Halt's feet. "I have no idea where I am, and I was ambushed by those men." James was obviously out of cards at this point, and knew he had no other options. Halt studied the man for a few more moments before nodding.

"Alright on your feet, you have some explaining to do." He told James and sheathing the knife to pull out a length of leather. Something he was going to use to bind the man's hands together. He of course had the finger cuffs, but he didn't believe this man had deserved them just yet. "Hands out front." Halt instructed him. James took a moment but crossed his wrists and offered them to the shorter man. Halt quickly bound them together tightly and quickly searched him. After finding nothing else that could serve as a weapon he nodded slightly. "Alright, let's go." Halt muttered as the three started for Castle Macindaw, where the two Rangers horses were located. Much to their annoyance they left them at the Castle due to the thick woodlands and marsh ground of the North, both feeling very alone without their faithful steeds.

The travel back was much slower than either Ranger had liked, the entire time the Sergeant walked in front of them. He moved quick due to his larger stride, and was surprisingly capable at keeping his own footsteps muffled. Although to trained ears he was deafeningly loud. After 2 hours of foot travel they arrived on the road that led to the Castle, which is where they would further question the man. However both Rangers had a feeling they would have to take the man to Crowley and the King, to decide what to exactly do with him. It was turbulent time in the world, with many Kingdoms turning their backs on Araluen. Halt had the idea in the back of his mind, to see what the soldier knew, and to see what might offer his Kingdom.

Castle Macindaw slowly came into view as the trio walked down the road, one that Will knew all too well from his time in the Fief. Soon enough the Castle came into full view, James let out a low whistle as he took in the sight. "Damn, that's a real castle." He said with some disbelief in his voice. "Like a real working maintained Castle." He added as both Rangers exchanged looks behind his back. They had drawn back their hoods now, and the Sergeant had caught glimpses of their faces.

Will couldn't help his curiosity at this point, he was obviously dying to know why this man was so surprised at the Castle. Which was very modest compared to Redmont and Araluen. "There aren't castles where you are from?" He asked which earned him a glare from Halt.

James glanced back at the younger man, who seemed the same age if not younger than himself. "Not where I'm from." James told them with a chuckle. "Across the ocean in England and Germany, but most have fallen into disrepair." The man added with a hint of sadness in his voice. Obvious that he was upset never to have seen a working one before now.

This only added more fire to Will's curiosity. Halt knew the questions that were just waiting to burst forward out of his brain. Why are they not used? What is England? What is Germany? Do your Castles look like this? Halt imagined Will asking all of these, more likely like one giant sentence. Will did that as an apprentice, much to Halt's amusement he never seemed to have lost the trait. "I see." Was all the young Ranger said, it was obvious he had much more to say.

The two men-at-arms guarding the gate came to attention as they realized who was approaching. They were of course performing their duties, but one had been sitting white the other leaned against the wall. "Good morning Master Ranger." One said addressing Halt as he fixed his helm. "I need to see your oak leafs, with all the Picts around you must understand." He added hoping he wouldn't piss off the two men. Rangers scared most men, considering how they could appear out of nowhere. Adding the fact that they can kill men from hundreds of meters away in the span of a heartbeat. Both Rangers exposed their silver oak leaves, which James inspected for the time they were out. The Soldier nodded to the men. "Thank you very much Master Ranger, sorry for the hold up." He said before moving aside so both men could enter the castle courtyard.

The courtyard was of course busy, it being a little past noon by now. Men, women, and children of all ages moved about at different speeds. Some having tasks or places to be while others were just milling about enjoying the summer weather. The trio walked for the main building, cutting a path directly across the courtyard. It didn't take long for all eyes to be on them, specifically James. He glanced to each side taking in the people that were watching him. Most conversations fell away and were replaced by soft whispers. It would be the talk of the next few days, everyone trying to figure out who this strange man was, and why the Rangers would have him. The Rangers were used to these stares, and really didn't notice them like James did. They were the strange men in green cloaks, the ones you didn't bother. The Rangers led James into the main hall of the castle, where the servants were cleaning up from lunch still. Only a handful of people remained, luckily none being the Lord of the Castle.

While Halt and Will both liked Lord Orman, he would rightfully wish to know who this man was and why he was in his castle. The Rangers wished to know the full story before they had to brief any Nobles about it, although it was only a matter of time before rumors reached him. Which is why Halt hurried their pace up to the room Orman had so graciously given them. Any servants they encountered on the way up quickly moved aside, it wasn't long before the trio was behind closed doors. Halt usually liked to be better prepared for interrogations like this, but this would have to do for now. It also didn't seem like James was an enemy, but he still wasn't sure what the strange Soldier was. The fire in the small apartment was still going to keep the room warm. Halt pointed to a chair in the sitting area around the fire. "Sit." He instructed as he sat across from the man.

James eyes fell on the Ranger as he took his seat, sitting up straight against the back of the chair. He studied Halt, taking in all he could from his stoic, borderline grim expression. He stayed silent, knowing that an interrogation was about to come. He wasn't sure if these men would resort to barbaric forms of torture. There was a fire with a metal poker in the stand next to him, the classic tool of torture in movies.

"Well it is obvious that you are not from Araluen." The older man started, looking James in the eyes as he spoke. It was obvious that Halt was wary of the man, but did not fear him. "So explain you who are, and what you were doing last. Before walking in my forest like a lost dog." Halt told the man, wanting to hear his story.

James thought for a moment, glancing down to gather his thoughts. From what he saw these people were still in the middle ages of Europe, which means that everything James knew would be utterly foreign to them. So that would be he had to lie, or at least tell some kind of lie. "As I told you I was in the Kingdom of Afghanistan, where my people are at war. I was struck in the back by someone during fighting and feel to the ground, when I picked my head up I was in a field." He told them, knowing how hard it was to believe. "I am no Pict, I didn't know who they were until today." He added trying to convince them of his story.

Halt shared a quick glance with Will, but the glance was an exchange of opinion between the pair. They both wanted to believe the man, but nothing made sense about the situation. Halt knew he had to consult Crowley about this, simply because the man could be a valuable asset to the Kingdom. Dark times were on the horizon, and Halt could see them coming. Araluen needed skilled men and women if it were to survive the coming storm. "Your story doesn't make sense, but we have no better idea as to who you might be or from where." Halt started, looking at James the entire time he spoke. "We are going to take you to our commander, a man by the name of Crowley. We will discuss what we will do with you once we arrive there." Halt told the man standing up. Both Rangers gathered what little they had in the room to prepare for the road.

James figured that he would be brought before a superior at some point. He was more glad that they hadn't cut his throat and left him to die in some gutter. They viewed him as being valuable enough to keep alive, for now.

I thank you so very much for reading this second chapter! There is of course more to come soon!