AN: Thanks to TheRanger'sDaughter, Platyperson, and Guest for reviewing and remember we don't own anything.
Chapter Two: The Gathering Guards
Gilan gave Will a big bear hug as Halt walked out of the bushes on the other side of the trail. "Awww, you got me!" Gilan said. "I would walk you back to the camp, but I have to keep guard."
"That's fine, Gilan," Halt said. "Just don't let anyone else trick you like that."
"Will do." Will and Halt turned to leave, but whirled around when Gilan called them back. "Someone's coming. Conceal yourselves!"
The two Rangers and the apprentice shrouded themselves in their cloaks and faded into the underbrush, as they had practiced for years.
Crowley and Cropper trotted forward, slowing to a walk. Cropper lowered his ears and snorted.
"Cropper, where?" Crowley asked. Cropper recognized his master's command and nickered softly. He turned his head to the right, under the maple.
Crowley kept his eyes in a constant sweep, not only looking at the place Cropper had indicated but all around. It took a moment, but eventually he saw the gray-green woolen corner of a ranger cloak.
"Come out, I can see you." Crowley dismounted, patting Cropper, and walked stealthily to the place he had discerned the cloak. As he walked closer he could see three human-shaped lumps under the cloaks. Pushing an overhanging branch out of the way, Crowley crouched down, cracking his back terribly. He groaned and tried to stretch it out. He reached his hand out to the nearest cloak and lifted it up.
"Aaargh!" He yelled. It was full of rocks! He checked the other two to the same result, then looked up. Halt, Will, and Gilan sat perched in the maple tree, casually leaning against its large branches. Crowley grinned, even though he was disappointed with his gullibility. He passed up the cloaks then climbed up himself.
Shaking hands with everyone, he said, "how are ye faring?"
There was a chorus of responses. "And you," Will asked.
"Pauline's making me retire." At the mention of her name, Halt raised his eyebrow. Fortunately, he had already fastened his cloak and lowered the cowl so no one saw his move.
Halt thumped Crowley on the back, happy his friend had finally stepped down. He knew how much stress had been placed on his shoulders by being Commandant and was glad he could finally relax. Crowley's worried voice brought him out of his disguised half-slumber.
"I have some bad news. Leander has stopped reporting, he usually sends a letter once a week. So have Samdash, Egon, and Merron. They are all consecutive feifs… something is afoot."
AN: Thanks for reading and remember to review.