AN: I should say that Charlie is 6 and he is going to be a healer, not a fighter when he gets older.
The next day Will decided to take Charlie out to try and teach him self defence just in case. "Guy stuff" Will told Alyss.
"Well don't be all day." Alyss said sweetly. The two Treaty men left right after breakfast.
Charlie was so excited, a whole day just with his dad, doing "guy stuff". They stopped sat a clearing and Will started teaching Charlie the fundamentals of junior self-defence. Charlie picked it up quickly and was soon blocking and freeing himself from Will's attacks.
"Let's take a break. There's a stream nearby. We'll go for a swim." Will suggested.
"okay daddy. Can I run ahead?" Charlie asked.
"Alright, but not too far ahead."
"okay."
Charlie bounded ahead like a gazelle. He soon disappeared in the thick underbrush of the forest. Suddenly there was an earsplitting screech from where Charlie had disappeared. Will bounded forward but found no trace of his son.
"Charlie?! Son! Answer me!" Will called "Charlie!" Will searched around desperately, finally finding his son's little cloak non the ground with signs of it being ripped from his shoulders. Will clutched it and kept searching for footprints. He found a set and followed them to a scuffle of horse tracks. These led to a stream where the horse was tethered. Signs of a hasty departure were evident. Will searched the horse and found a scrap of paper. It said,
If you want your boy back, you will have to ply my little game. I will give you clues to his whereabouts. No help, no Horace, no Halt, or he dies now. You may tell Alyss. Here is your first clue, Come and find the next clue in a fief apart from the rest (literally) it is in. The main part of town where sheep may safely graze. North-west corner. Have fun ranger!
Will read and reread the paper. No help. An evasive clue. How will he do this. 'one step at a time' Will said to himself. He decide to tell Alyss then figure out the clue. 'She will skin me alive.'