A/N: Keep the epic reviews coming. I'm ahead in writing and they make me want to update even faster :)

TheRanger'sDaughter: Noah was at lessons, so they just went and got him from school. Neil was out finding Alicia a new job. Talia and Gabe turned back early, but the others aren't far behind them. Are you talking about the characters' nerves or readers'?

Aubrey: I read the name 'Elizabet' in a book once and love it. It sounds like your family just likes teasing you. Reese can relate :)

AER: I wasn't sure what you were talking about so I just said, "Uh...". Yeah, Kane and Gabby are still a power couple but now they aren't immune to getting hurt. Kane fell off a horse which ended his career, but luckily Gabby didn't become the do nothing her mother thought she would and is able to support their family...and Kane is man enough to see value in assisting her in her career rather than pouting and doing some desk job he hates within the Royal Scout offices. They are really good together.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Reese had to run to keep up with the Rangers and Alyss as they carried Maggie towards the medical wing.

"Get Gabby," Liam ordered the closest medical staff member, a young physician's assistant. The girl opened her mouth, as though to give some excuse as to why she couldn't do that. "Now."

The girl shrugged and nodded. "Right away," she assured him. Will carried his granddaughter to the first empty bed he saw and lay her down on it. Maggie had spent most of the past three days sleeping as he raced her back to Roscrea. Tug hadn't been run so hard in a long time. Will let stable boys tend him, a chore he usually preferred to do himself except for when his children were young and he wanted to teach them work ethic…or when Alyss chided him into letting a young stable boy have the honor. This was too important though. Maggie, though she slept a great deal, never stopped trembling. Sometimes the shakes were violent while most of the time it as just a twitch in her hands or shoulders. When she was awake she cried and asked for her parents. She didn't seem to grasp she was in her grandpa's arms.

"Maggie?" Alyss whispered as she leaned over the bed upon catching up to them. Liam motioned for Reese and Russ to leave with him, letting the Treaty family have some space.

"Mummy," Maggie whined. Reese shook his head. He couldn't believe someone so evil would put a child in this state. The physician's assistant returned with Gabby's hand on her arm.

"Gabby," Liam said quickly. He took her hand away from the girl's arm and studied her sling. "What happened?"

"Mum?" Russ demanded, going to Gabby's side as well.

"The castle went under attack," Gabby answered. "Liam?"

"Yes."

"And Russ?"

"Yes," Russ answered.

"Is anyone else with you?"

"Reese is here. Are you able to take a patient?"

Gabby nodded. "If someone helps me out, yes."

"It's Maggie," Liam said, guiding Gabby towards the door.

"Maggie?" Gabby repeated, her blank eyes widening. "You found her?"

"Stumbled across her, yes. We haven't gotten the story out of her yet."

"If I knew that I would have brought Carissa with me…have you told Sean and Kineta yet? They need to put out the word Mara's been found."

"Reese and I will get right on that," he assured her, leading her inside.

"Gabby," Alyss greeted her frantically. "Please, you have to help Maggie."

"What's the injury?"

"It's not really an injury," Will sighed. "She's having withdrawals."

"Withdrawals? From what?"

"We found her near an opium farm where some bastard tells the children they're sick and the only cure is his poppy candy."

Gabby reached with her good hand for the bed. Will guided her by the wrist to Maggie's cheek. Gabby leaned over the bed, checking her temperature and other vitals. "There's not a lot I can do in terms of treatment for this," she whispered. "How long has she been without?"

Will squeezed his eyes shut. Reese and Russ leaned in the doorway, watching Gabby work. Blind and one handed she was still one of the best healers there.

"When I had this problem I had to be weaned off it. Maggie hasn't had a dose in at least three days, likely longer considering we found her shaking."

Reese stared at Ranger Will. He'd had an addiction problem? That wasn't something that had ever come up before.

"The worst is over," Gabby assured them as she stroked Maggie's hair. "I'll get her something weak to take her edge off. She may find enough peace to talk to us but she won't remember it."

"Will it help her rest properly?" Alyss asked.

"Yes."

"Give it to her."

Gabby nodded. Liam nudged Reese and Russ and motioned for them to come along. The two followed Liam upstairs to the main courtroom. They found Sean delegating tasks. The former king nodded to them as they joined them.

"You've just missed Talia," Sean said. "She…"

"Sean, we found Maggie," Liam cut him off. Sean stared at him.

"What?"

"We found Maggie," Liam repeated. "Gabby's treating her now. This place was attacked?"

Sean stared almost a solid minute before regaining his composure. "Yes," he finally answered. "Minimal damage, thirteen rounded up for the opposition. There are just three survivors and we plan to question them come morning."

Liam nodded. "Any casualties on our side?"

Sean lowered his eyes. "Not yet, but…Neil's unaccounted for."

Liam frowned. "Any chance of his being kidnapped too?"

"We have no way of knowing. Elizabet tells us he'd been out looking for a new post for her lady-in-waiting…why he was doing that I don't know. No one can account for him, though. We just…we don't know."

"I'm sure Elizabet's a wreck," Liam sighed.

"Noah's worse. Tammy's here, though…another long story but…she needs to know Maggie's safe. We'll do a briefing in the morning. For now you all should rest. Russ, you should know both your parents were injured in the attack."

"I saw Mum," Russ said. "What happened? Where's Dad?"

"Your father is recovering in the medical wing. He put too much strain on his back defending Lorelei's room. He'll be alright, he just needs to stay in bed for a few days. Your mother got caught up with the assailants. She took a hard fall and broke her arm."

Russ balled his fists. "Anne?" he demanded.

"With Carissa and Talia," Sean assured him. "You and Reese are welcome to whatever guest quarters you find. Liam, Talia is set to spend tonight with Carissa and Warden. We're trying to keep everyone together as much as possible."

Liam nodded. He hadn't stopped studying Russ since Sean told him his parents were hurt.

"Russ?" Liam asked. Russ turned to him. "Let your parents know Talia and I will take care of Anne until they're ready."

"Thanks," Russ told him. Reese followed Russ back down to the medical wing. He was close enough to the Araluen O'Carricks he felt comfortable invading this family moment. Besides, he was concerned about Russ' parents too. They'd been his godparents. They found Kane's room just a few doors down from Maggie's and went in. Kane looked over at them as they came in. He started to lift his head, but decided it was more effort than it was worth.

"Welcome back boys," he told them once they were next to his bed. "Any luck?"

"We found her," Russ said. "Mum's checking her out now."

"So you've seen your mum then?"

Russ nodded. "Looks like you made out worse."

Kane laughed. "Seems so."

Russ swallowed hard. "Grandpa Liam and Grandma Talia are going to watch Anne for the time being."

"Good."

"Mum will want to stay in here with you."

Kane nodded. "I know. You want to help me talk her into a proper bed? She needs rest."

"No," Russ answered. "Reese and I are going to stay too. For protection."

Kane shook his head "Boys, that's not necessary."

"It is. You were attacked in this medical wing and not everyone is accounted for. Reese and I are able bodied. We can stay and help protect the patients if something happens again."

"Russ…"

"Dad, you know I respect you. But Reese and I are staying and there's not a whole lot you can do about it."

Kane sighed. "You're lucky the nurse gave me a bunch of pain medication before you came or else I'd argue until you saw things my way."

Russ just laughed. "You're the one that taught me to be stubborn, Dad."

Kane moaned. "Don't let me do that to Anne. I need at least one reasonable child." Kane looked over to Reese. "You alright, Reese?"

Reese nodded. "Is this what it's like all the time for a Ranger and Royal Scout?"

"Rangers are tougher," Russ teased some more.

"Little different than crown prince, eh?" Kane said seriously. Reese didn't respond.