Eeeeek! I can't wait to write this chapter! I almost want to skip this note, but I won't! So, as we all know, Gilan is back in Redmont to discuss the issue with the Skandians (I'm getting the beginning idea of a sequel here!). Jenny is attempting to hide the fact that Steven is an abusive ass, pardon my french. I really don't like him. Gilan is still in love with Jenny, but trying to move on. He's also a little hurt that she has another boyfriend. So, we have an emotional Gilan in the same vicinity as an abused Jenny who won't admit the fact and ask for help. Oh yeah, we also have a defensive and worried Will to factor in. What will ensue? We shall find out.

"So, is everybody here? Good, let's begin." Crowley said crisply. The meeting was held in a conference room. Present were King Duncan, Baron Arald, Halt, Will, Gilan, and of course, Crowley himself. "Here's the present situation. The last quarterly report from Skandia never arrived, so we assumed it was intercepted somehow. We sent a small party of ten men through the White Pass," he said, pointing on the map, "but never heard back from them. So, we tried a larger force of thirty men using Shallom Pass." He indicated on the map where it was. "One man returned in critical condition. He reported that the entire squad was wiped out by Skandians." he sighed. "My lord, it appears that we are no longer on friendly terms with Skandia."

King Duncan frowned, taking in this information. "Is it possible that there is a rebel group holding the passes? One separate from Oberjarl Erak?"

Halt shook his head, saying "I don't think so. The distance between the two passes seems too great for it to be one rebel group. It would have to be relatively large. And if it were one rebel group, I believe Erak would have dealt with them already."

The king nodded. After a minute, he asked, "So, what do you believe is happening?"

"We don't have enough information to make any reliable predictions," Halt began. There was a slight hesitation in his voice, and the king gestured for Halt to voice his opinion. Halt took in a deep breath. "My lord, I believe there is something big happening in Skandia. We know that, as of five months ago, relationships with Skandia were stable and doing well. The Skandians aren't one for sneaking and lying. They would have made it clear if they had any ill feeling towards the kingdom. If it were only one pass being held, it might be a separate rebel group. But even then, I don't think they would be tolerated for very long. We all know how well they take rebellions." Halt added in grim humor.

"You think they may be at war with each other?" Will asked. He was starting to see what Halt was thinking about.

"I'm saying it's a possibility." Halt replied.

"So, what is it to us?" Baron Arald said. Everyone's gaze swept over to him. Realizing what he said was misinterpreted, he added, "I mean, how does this affect us? I know you're friends," he said, looking at Will, "but I don't see how a civil war in Skandia affects us."

"For one, there is the force of archers stationed there." Duncan said. "For another, if Erak is- dethroned- it could mean war between us. If the throne is occupied by someone other than Erak, chances are it will be with someone who isn't so fond of us."

Baron Arald nodded. Then Halt was speaking again. "That is the reason why we need more information. My lord, I propose we send a party to Hallasholm to see just what's going on."

The king smiled slightly. "And I suspect you will be part of this group?"

This time, Crowley nodded. "I was wanting to send him, Will, and Horace, along with a small party of armed men."

The king nodded. "Then Gilan can assume Ranger duties here until you return."

"Exactly." Crowley said, satisfied.

The king thought for a moment, then came to a decision. "Alright. You have my permission. When will you leave?"

Halt replied, "In four days. The weather is supposed to get rather nasty for the next few days. And any weather here is more than likely to be five times as worse in the passes."

Will and Gilan strolled about the town. They had four days to prepare for the journey, so they took the afternoon off.

It was just after sunset when they were walking down the main street. Seeing a young couple all twitterpated, Will nodded in their direction, saying, "Young love." He grinned.

Gilan raised an eyebrow at him. "As if you and Alyss aren't like that."

Will grinned. "Of course not. A lady and a ranger? We're much more dignified."

"Oh, really?" Gilan said. "And I suppose falling off your horse at the sight of her counts as dignified."

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Will said, a little too straight-faced. After a few seconds, he started laughing. Gilan was referring to a time earlier on in his relationship with Alyss. He had been riding in to see her, and saw her in a somewhat revealing dress. He was so struck by her that all he could do was stare. He had been going at a fairly fast pace on Tug, and failed to see a turn on the path ahead, and as a result, fell off Tug.

"How are you two?" Gilan asked once he stopped laughing so hard.

"Good." Will replied. His voice was casual, but he was grinning like an idiot.

Gilan gave him a look.

Will blushed slightly. "Shut up."

Gilan threw his hands in the air, saying with a grin, "I haven't said a thing." He looked over at Will, and noticed he wasn't smiling anymore. Instead, he was looking intently at something in the distance. "What?" Gilan asked.

Will pointed up at a window. "Look up there." Gilan looked to where Will was pointing.

The first thing Gilan noticed was that it was the inn Jenny worked at. The second was that the window he was pointing at was the one to Jenny's room. Gilan was about to say something when he saw a flicker of movement in the window. It was a man, he realized. He couldn't recognize him, but he recognized the body language. It was angry.

"I think it might be more than an argument." Will said softly.

"Why do you say that?" Gilan asked.

Still watching the window, Will said, "About two weeks after Jenny started seeing this Steven guy, she stopped visiting me. When I would come to see her, she'd often have bruises, and if I asked about them or Steven, she would get all defensive and snappy."

"You think he's hitting her?" Gilan asked. His voice had a hard edge to it.

"I'm almost sure of it."

Gilan was about to respond when he saw a rather violent movement come from the window. It looked like the man had suddenly lunged forward. Without a word, Gilan took off running to the Inn, with Will only a second behind him.

Gilan ran through the Inn, now with only a few customers left at the bar, and up the stairs. He tried to open Jenny's door, but it was locked. From inside, he could hear a raised voice. It was definitely masculine. He couldn't quite make out the words, but they were definitely angry. With Will behind him, Gilan kicked open the door and charged in. For ten full seconds, he froze, taking in the scene in front of him. Jenny was on the floor, holding one hand to her face and the other to her stomach. Her nose was bleeding and her eye was showing signs of bruising. Steven was towering over her, hand still in a fist.

Face white with anger, Gilan stood there. Jenny looked up, shocked to see Will and Gilan in the doorway. Steven looked shocked and annoyed, along with mad. Will looked murderous. They all sat there, silent. Then, with a roar of animal rage, Gilan attacked Steven. He didn't even bother to draw his knife. In seconds, he had him on the ground. Steven was strong, but so was Gilan. Rage fueled Gilan, and he showed no mercy. He pummeled Steven wherever he could. There was nothing methodical about it, just blind rage. In spite of herself, Jenny leapt on Gilan, trying to pull him off of Steven. "Stob it!" she cried. Her words were slightly obscured due to her swelling jaw. Will set a firm hand on Gilan's shoulder and pulled him back.

"Gil, calm down." Will's voice was full of fury. He to wanted to kill Steven here and now, but he just barely managed to control himself. Gilan, on the other hand, didn't.

Breathing heavily, Gilan tried to find to tell Will that he would most certainly not calm down, but he couldn't seem to find the words. Steven, seeing an opportunity, sprung up and grabbed Jenny. Producing a knife, he held it near her face, saying, "You'd better get out of here, or I'll cut her."

Gilan sprung to his feet. He got just enough control over himself to say three words. "Let. Her. Go."

Steven smiled wolfishly. "Leave and I will."

Will looked at him and said. "Let her go, now, or I will kill you."

"Why do you care? Are you screwing the little whore?" Steven said.

Before anybody could respond, Jenny croaked, "Just leave, Will. I can handle this."

"The hell you can!" Will said back.

"Listen to the bitch. Leave. This doesn't involve you."

Gilan glared at Steven. If looks could kill, Steven would have dropped dead in a second. "I disagree. You are abusing her. That's against the law. You broke the law. I enforce it."

Jenny looked up at Gilan, confused. Why the hell did he care so much? Before she could say anything, however, Steven was talking. "Bold words. For that, she'll pay." Again, he was smiling. "I don't want to ruin such a pretty face." He swiftly brought the knife down to her stomach. Gilan threw the smaller knife at him and got him in the neck, but not before Steven cut her.

Instantly, Steven released her and stumbled back. Gilan rushed forward to catch her, and slowly lowered her to the ground. Will dealt with Steven. He pulled Gilan's knife out of his neck and bound it with strips of cloth from Steven's shirt. The blade had gone in the side of his neck, just missing the major artery. It would need medical attention, but it wasn't to be fatal.

Meanwhile, Gilan was looking over Jenny. The cut to her midriff was bleeding pretty heavily. "Will, go get help." He said, his voice strained. Will nodded, finished the rough bonds holding Steven's arms together, and ran out of the room.

Jenny looked up at Gilan and started to speak. "Gilan, what-"

"Don't try to talk." Gilan said softly, cutting her off. Laying her upper body on his knees, he cut open her dress and threw a rough bandage on the cut there. The cut needed professional attention immediately, but for now, the bleeding was at least lessened.

After a minute, Will came in the door, with Rafe right behind him. Rafe recognized Gilan, and a look of hostility flashed across his face. Then he saw Jenny, and Steven tied up, and quickly rushed to Jenny's side. "How bad is it?" he asked.

"She needs a healer." Gilan said, shaking his head. "Fast."
"I already sent for one." Rafe said. Then he took in all the bruises on her face, neck, arms, and stomach. There was the yellow of old ones, and newer, more recent ones, purple and blue. "Dear lord, how did that happen?"
"Presumably, from him." Will said, pointing to Steven.

Rafe examined the man with distaste. "What're you going to do with him?" he asked.

Will stopped and considered. "What do you think, Gil?"

Gilan shook his head. "Personally, I'd like to kill him." he grimaced. "I suppose we should bring him in for trial."

Will nodded. Rafe, however, looked concerned. "What if 'e goes free? He's been sucking up to quite a few of the nobles."

"He attacked a King's Ranger and attempted to murder her. He's not going to get off the hook." Gilan he added, "Besides, I know a few people, too."

Just then, they heard a man come through the doorway. "What happened here?" Gilan recognized the deep voice. It was the healer Jim. He had taken care of Will right after the Gathering. Apparently, Jim remembered. He looked at Gilan and said, "People just can't seem to stay out of harm's way around you, can they?" He was joking, and Gilan knew it.

"He," Gilan said, nodding toward Steven, "Cut her with a knife. It's pretty deep."

Jim nodded. Already, the rough bandage Gilan had put on on it was soaked through. "She needs to get back up to the castle." He moved to pick her up, but Gilan was already lifting her.

"I'll carry her." Gilan said.

"Go ahead." Jim replied. With infinite care, Gilan carried her out to Jim's horse and handed her up to Jim.

Gilan watched them ride off to the castle's infimary. Covered in blood, he stared off into the night, longer after they were out of sight. Again, that confusing storm of emotions overwhelmed him again. Anger, fear, worry, regret, sorrow, desperation. So many emotions, all of them overwhelmingly strong. Why was love so damn complicated?

So, was it good, bad, stupid? Tell me, tell me, tell me! I decided at the last moment to spare Steven's life, for now. I want to know what you want his fate to be. Until next time! (Which will most likely be very soon!)