A/N: OLAF! It's me, IFYOUCOULDFLY! So I think I'll just go ahead and do the disclaimer right now. Horace: Right, what do I do? Me: Read off the sheet of paper I gave you… Horace: Alrigh' the'…I dfont ofweofih oewfiweoafoihde isfhsoifuhde. Me: Umm…Horace, I can't understand you with food in your mouth… Horace: Forseigh Me: UGH! JUST SAY IT! SAY THAT JOHN FLANAGAN OWNS RANGER'S APPRENTICE! Horace: Sheef…iefhe iwefhwi jdfhasd ajskh! Me: WHATEVER! So anyways guys, thanks for all the support you've given me! You guys are amazing! Horace: *gulp Yeah, amazing! Me: Oh, shut up, Horace!

-CHAPTER SIX-

*Brutus's P.O.V.*

"Come on, Will, why don't you tell me?" Vasanistis cooed, as if talking to a baby. Brutus watched in wonder. Never before had any subject of his hypnotism put up so much resistance. It had been nearly ten minutes, and the young Ranger still wore an expression of confliction. The burly man could tell that on the inside, whatever part of him was still conscious was desperately trying to stay strong.

"Will, I know you're a good boy. Just answer the question. When is King Duncan vulnerable?" Vasanistis continued. Will bit his lip and, for good measure, Vasanistis added, "Will, I am your master. You don't want to disappoint your master, do you?" This seemed to reach him.

"No, my Lord." Will mumbled, then continued in a stronger tone. "When King Duncan is holding a trial, he becomes somewhat…oblivious to his surroundings. There's a ledge a few meters away, where an assassin could have a clear range. I keep telling that to Ha-"

Will stopped mid-sentence, and Brutus immediately recognized what was happening. "He's wakening, my Lord." He said quickly, pulling a dart from his pocket. He fired at the Ranger, then allowed the guards to drag his body away.

Something was bothering Brutus. For a moment, he looked at his master and felt…hatred. Quickly, however, he shrugged the feeling off. "I'm letting that Ranger get to me," he thought, shaking his head. "You're forgetting your duties, Brutus!" He proceeded to refill his case of darts. Still, even as he was about to slip into a dream, he couldn't help thinking for a second that what he was doing might be…wrong.

*Horace's P.O.V.*

They had been traveling for days, and Horace was getting restless, as was Gilan. Halt was just getting queasy.

"So where are we going again?" He asked to no one in particular, and Halt sighed. "Like I've said a million times, we're heading to Toscano." Gilan, who was twiddling his thumbs in the corner of their cramped cabin, glanced up. "Where the heck is that?" Halt sighed again, this time more annoyed, and replied: "As I said another million times, it's south of Gallica. I'm going to go insane in this god-forsaken cabin. And if you ask me, there's something really fishy about this boat."

Horace snorted, and Halt turned to glare at him. "What?" he barked impatiently. "Well," the knight said, "You said that this boat was fishy, and we're in…a…boat…" he trailed of, seeing the withering look on the old Ranger's face. "Just saying…" he mumbled.

Just then, a whinny pierced the air. Each of the three companions shot up like a rocket. "TUG!" They shouted in unison, running up the steps to the top deck where their horses were stabled. (Yes. They have stables. Don't question it.)

The sight upstairs was a peculiar one. The "skipper" was desperately trying to protect a man as Tug desperately tried to kill him. The man, though they knew nothing of it, was the messenger.

"Tug!" Halt shouted, rushing to calm the pony. Tug, realizing the three had the situation under control, settled down.

"I think you'd better explain." Horace said bitterly, glaring at the messenger, who glared back. "EXPLAIN? Your damn horse tried to kill me! Why don't YOU explain?!" he screamed hysterically. "Because-" Gilan cut in angrily. "Tug doesn't just do that. He needs a reason, and I expect that whatever it was, it had to do with Will." "I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS CAPTURE!" He screamed, then quickly shut his mouth, realizing his mistake.

Halt rolled his eyes. "Well, that was easy. So go ahead. Give us answers. And I can tell if you're lying." The messenger shuddered, knowing it was useless to protest. "Fine. I helped in the capture of your friend. We're headed to the castle where he's being held right now." Halt glared. "And? Who's taken him? They're expecting us, I suppose. But wh-" he stopped, seeing the man wouldn't be talking. He nearly throttled the man, had Horace not stopped him.

"It doesn't matter, Halt." He said. "I think we're about to find out." Halt followed the young man's pointed finger to a shape in the distance: an island, with a pointed shape on top, obviously a castle of some sort. Will was so close now. They just hoped he was okay.

*Brutus's P.O.V.*

"Yes, my Lord?" The practically breathless servant gasped. He had come as soon as he heard there was an urgent need for him. He glanced around, feeling somewhat awkward. Brutus had never been in his master's personal quarters before.

"Brutus, prepare for visitors." Vasanistis muttered quietly, not taking his eyes away from massive window on the opposite side of the room. For a moment, Brutus hesitated. "My Lord? Does-does this mean-"

"Yes!" Vasanistis cried gleefully. In his eye was a glint of excitement the burly servant had never seen before. "My perfect plan is falling into place!" He shouted, practically squealing with joy.

Brutus took off at a run down the humungous marble staircase, shouting orders as he went. "Lord Vasanistis requires all men prepared! Crossbowmen in their places! Prepare for a resistance!" He cried. In their state of hypnotism, this was a day the castle's residents had been waiting for. The barracks, kitchens, and jails buzzed with excitement.

In his cell, Will hear Gerald and Finley whispering, a tone of angst in their voice. He knew something was happening, something big, but he wasn't sure what.

A/N: The finale creeps closer! Again, thanks for the AMAZING amount of support you guys have given me, it makes this even more fun for me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE writing this series, and I hope you LOVE LOVE LOVE reading it ;)!-FLY