Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression before, but this story is not one-shot, it will have several chapters, and possibly a sequel. (My definition of several: anywhere from 5 to 920958408350375938573975938457934579347592793483487249815273539457932759327598327.)

Chapter 3: Surprise Visitors

Foldar cursed. 'Help me out of this, Slagor!!'

'In time, Foldar, have patience. After I do, we're going back to Castle Araluen. There's someone I want to visit. He could help us get to Will and Halt.'

'Fine, whatever, just get me out!!' Slagor did nothing. Foldar growled and lashed out at him. The Skandian jumped back surprisingly nimbly, then slashed the net with his saxe knife, freeing his companion, who was by now slightly pissed.

'Get on that damned horse and let's go.' Foldar muttered.

--

George looked up from his pile of papers. 'Wha...?' He was cut off by a large, smelly hand that suddenly clapped itself over his mouth. A thin man dressed all in black walked into the room, staring around rather haughtily. He then turned to George, and bowed mockingly.

'My humble greetings.' the man said in a voice that was anything but humble. 'My name is Foldar.' Foldar's tone changed into a harsh squawk. 'Kill him, Slagor, and we'll let Mr. I'm-So-Much-Better-Than-You-Because-I'm-a-Ranger-with-a-Silly-Necklace-Shaped-like-a-Leaf and his big bumbling warrior friend know.'

'Are you sure that's there isn't a better way?' Slagor asked.

'Wait! Don't kill him. Let's take him with us.'

--

'Horace!' Will called.

'Will!' Horace ran to greet his friend.

'George has been captured! Slagor's son, Slagor II and Foldar took him!'

'We have to get him! Back, I mean.'

'Yes, I got that much. I'll go and tell Halt.'

'I'll come, just in case.'

'In case of what?'

'You never know.'

--

'So, you two are going off to rescue George? Is that so?' Halt raised an eyebrow.

'Uh, yes, that's right.' Horace said quickly.

'Well, Slagor II is keen to get back to Skandia, and he's taking Foldar and George with him. They'll be sailing soon, mounting raids on the coast of Gallica and Teutland as they pass. Foldar used to have an acquaintance there.'

'Used to?' Will asked, his curiousity bubbling.

'Yes. Horace, I think you know him.'

'Me? Know Foldar's friend? Not likely.' Horace protested.

'His name was Deparnieux. Ring a bell?' Halt continued.

'Oh, right.'

'And Foldar and Slagor II aren't the only enemies you'll have to watch out for.'

'No?' Will felt his determination melting away.

'No. Deparnieux had a little girl. She'll be around seventeen now.'

'What?! Deparnieux? Daughter? No. No. That doesn't work.' Horace burst out laughing at the idea. He laughed so hard that Tug and Abelard stared at him in surprise.

'Horace, be serious for a minute or so, then you can choke all you want. Her name is Casca'de, and she's been asking around recently. Asking about 'the Oakleaf Chevalier and his cloaked companion' a lot. I think she wants to avenge her father.'

'No, I'm here for a tea party.' A girl's voice, low and mockingly sarcastic, came from the trees. A slim girl wearing a grey dress edged with black lace stepped out. 'I have something to settle with you, Ranger Halt.'

Will was impressed by her knowledge, as well as somewhat disturbed by the fact that she knew Halt's name. Her features were Gallican, but she spoke fluent Araluan without a trace of an accent.

'Are you Casca'de? Horace asked bluntly.

'Very clever, aren't you, Horace?' she spat his name with contempt. 'Of course I am.' She stepped forward, and the two Rangers and Horace realised that she had her hand resting on the hilt of a dagger. She unsheathed the dagger, revealing a simple, sharp blade made out of obsidian. Will glanced at Halt, who had not moved. Surely he realised what she wanted. Was he just going to let her kill him? As he pondered, he saw Alyss enter the cabin almost silently, and drive her dagger into Casca'de's unprotected back. The dark haired girl stumbled.

'This isn't the end, and just remember this, as long as I continue to exist, there will be a shadow upon your world.' Her words sent a shiver of fear through both Will and Horace, who shuddered as the girl staggered into the forest.

Things were quiet, then Horace started to walk into the forest where Casca'de had disappeared.

'No, Horace. Don't go after her. Chances are that she'll find you, and you and Will need to find George.'

'Aren't you coming with us?'

'No. I have other things to do, all of which will help you find Slagor II and Foldar.'

'Thanks, Halt. Goodbye.' Will said.

'Yes, bye!' Horace added.

'Farewell, Will, Horace. Good luck.' Then Horace and Will left.

--

A while later, Horace was pondering Casca'de's words, and the girl herself. He wondered if she would die. He doubted it. Then his mind wandered to contemplate her appearance. She was quite pretty, he thought, with smooth, rich black hair and sharp, slightly intimidating features. It was such a shame she was evil. But still, Horace admired her tracking skills and courage.

'Find George.' he muttered suddenly, to keep himself on track. He cursed Slagor II and Foldar to the most painful corner of whatever hell they believed in, and set of with renewed determination.