A/N: Back again... I realized I have not updated this in forever! Sorry! I added a little bit of action in this chapter, so, hopefully you will enjoy this chapter!

*Three Days Later*

(Halt)

"No! Let him go!" Will screamed at the people pinning my arms behind my back. The other Rangers glared at the enemies and I could see in their eyes that they were debating on what to do. Will, however, decided for them; he lunged at the nearest guard, but was unsuccessful, because the other guards blocked his way. I desperately tried to think of a way to get free, but I knew if I did that, I would only end up dead and even, possibly, kill my friends in the process.

The leader laughed again, "We told you before we were going to kill every single one of you until we get the information from you. However, I believe it's time to give you all a little bit of information." He held a long knife to my neck, but I did not flinch. Instead, I stood there patiently, waiting for what was going to come. "Bring her over here."

I was confused, her? Do they have Pauline or Alyss, even? Who are talking about? Three men brought a girl, probably at least fifteen, next to me. She had tears in her eyes, but she never let them spill. She scanned the room and set her eyes on Will. A knowing glance passed between them and I wondered what was silently being said.

"I'm going to have this girl stay in here, she'll fill you in on everything that's going on. In the meantime," The leader dug the blade into my neck a little farther, "If anyone tries to escape, you will die after watching innocent people die." He released me, but I took my time to join the others. When I turned around to face the coldhearted people, they let the girl go and she stumbled forward and was at a risk of falling; however, Will caught her and she buried her face into his shirt. They finally left and I glanced at Will. He looked up at me and I could see the terror fading from his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

Will sighed then pulled away from the girl, "Melody, I know you're scared right now, but we need you to tell us what happened to you. Okay?"

She nodded, "After you were captured, these people sent the king a letter stating they had you and if he didn't give them the kingdom, they were going to kill you all... Everything was tense after that, then they raided the town and took many children hostage."

"How many?" I questioned.

She looked up at me, "Forty-eight."

"Okay, we need to come up with a plan. Listen Melody, no matter what happens, don't give up. There has to be a way out of here and we will find it, just give us some time." Will stated.

Melody looked unconfident, "Time is what we don't have, Will." She motioned toward the guards outside and I knew she still had more information, but couldn't give it while there were guards present. I nodded at her, telling her I understood what she was saying.

"What about my son?" Will asked. He knew it was too risky to give away any names.

She looked up at him, "He was fine the last time I saw him."

Will nodded, "He's not the type to sit around when something's happening, though. What's he planning, Melody?"

She sighed, "He didn't tell me anything... I don't know what he's planning. They held me in a cell by myself for three days, so I have no idea how the others are."

Footsteps could be heard down the corridor and silence filled the room. A few guards came in and grabbed Will. The leader smiled at us, "Look who we have here." He stepped aside. Melody had tears forming in her eyes. "Here's the deal, kid." The leader said, talking to the hostage. "Choice one: kill the Ranger in front of you. Choice two: attack Redmont Fief and kill as many people as you can. Choice three: die where you stand."

I was frozen, none of us could do anything in this situation.

There was nothing but silence. The leader nodded at the guards and one of them dislocated the boy's shoulder. A brief cry of pain was the only thing that broke the silence. Then, the boy spoke, "I'd rather go with choice three."

The leader laughed, "What if I said it was not an option?"

"Then I'd say go to hell." The boy spat. "I'm not becoming a monster like you."

The leader laughed again, "How about this. Choice Three, you come to our side. I like your spirit, kid and you obviously have talent if you managed to stay hidden for a day and a half. So, I have given you another option, what's it going to be?"

The boy, Derrick, gave no answer. When he didn't, the guards holding Will held a knife against his throat. "You have thirty seconds or he dies." The leader said. Every few seconds, the knife would dig deeper against Will's skin, blood eventually streaming. Derrick began to struggle, but the guards beat him until he was lying on the ground. "Ten seconds." The leader stated. A few seconds later, "Five... four... three... two... o-"

"Choice Three." Derrick stated. The knife stopped and was dropped away from Will's throat.

"So, you're going to betray your kingdom for one person?" The leader asked. "Fine with me."

Derrick looked at him, "You didn't say that!"

"It was better left unsaid. Now, guards ta-" The leader was cut off when a fist connected with his jaw. Derrick attempted to hit him again, but the guards grabbed him. "That was uncalled for." The man said as he wiped blood from his nose. "Take him and get as much information about Redmont Fief as you can."

The guards nodded and dragged Derrick away. Will was put back in the room, but not without a fight. It seemed to take a few seconds to realize his son was going to be tortured. Even outnumbered, I had never seen him fight like he did. The bond between a father and son was unbreakable. Will sat down and put his head in his hands in misery. The other Rangers rested a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer a sense of comfort. I sat down next to him, "He'll be okay, Will. He's stronger than you think."

"Halt, my son is about to be tortured for information he probably does not have... How am I supposed to think? Am I supposed to believe he's not going to get hurt or go through a near death experiance, possibly? How can I not worry?" Will asked.

I didn't really know what to say, "Will... I didn't say not to worry, I only said he would be okay. It's natural for you to worry, but that's not going to help right now. We have to focus on finding a way out of here alive with the other hostages. I promise, we will find Derrick, but it's going to take time and planning. Will, he's your son, I know, but look at how many situations you have went through and came out alive. And they do say 'like father, like son'. Derrick has enough potential to be just like you. He will survive this, you have to believe that."

Will nodded his head, "But still... the thought at him being tortured... It should be me there, not him. He's too young."

"He is the same age as you were when you killed the Kalkara. He'll be fine." I replied.

"But, even when this is all over, people will see him as a traitor. He'll be known as a traitor just because he wanted to protect everyone!" Will yelled in anger.

I sighed, "I'm sure King Duncan would understand his decision, Will. Right now, we have to-" I was cut off by a loud scream in the distance.

Will's head shot up and his face turned pale, "That's Derrick, I know it is..."

The girl, Melody, was crying, but was still trying to be strong. Another scream could be heard, and we could only wonder what was happening to the boy. Every Ranger there felt like their own child was being tortured, which made them speed up on their planning, but I figured, by the time we got out, it would be too late.

(Derrick)

A lot of people, especially knights and Rangers, have a high pain tolerance. Luckily, I was one of those people. However, this torture could break even the strongest man. First, they asked me questions in a language I didn't even know or understand. When I couldn't answer a question, they would cut me with saxe knives or shoot me in the arms with arrows, both a common Ranger's weapons. This lasted for hours, finally, they began to talk in my language. "The Ranger's have abandoned you. Araluen has abandoned you. Your life, family, friends, their all gone. You killed them, kid. You killed them. You came to us seeking revenge on your homeland. You're our assassain now-"

"Go to hell. You know as well as I do none of that happened. What are you trying to do?" I whispered, half conscious of what I was saying.

"You're going to obey our rules, regulations, and orders now." The man said as he grabbed a vial of dark liquid from a table.

I glared at the stuff, "What are you-"

The man grabbed the saxe knife and sliced my chest open. I couldn't talk anymore, the pain was too much. A dark veil draped over my mind, the last thing I heard was, "Welcome to life as an assassain. Your mission is to kill everyone at Redmont Fief. Do you accept?"

I didn't remember my answer; the darkness began to overwhelm my senses. I could still see, but my mind was no longer my own. Before I lost my mind completely, my last thought was what do I do now?