When Will and Ellya finally reached the little trail that led to the Gathering, Ellya was at a loss. The trees were too close together for her to ride Dust through the forrest, and she would be laughably noticeable if she took the path. She couldn't leave Dust unattended, he could get stolen or injured. She thought it over and realized he wouldn't get stolen way out in the wilderness and that he would just sleep the whole time, making it very unlikely that he would injure himself. She knew she was making lame accuses, but what choice did she have? She tided up Dust in a clearing by a stream and plenty of fresh grass before sliding from tree to tree. She moved more silently and carefully than ever before. She felt like by moving so slowly she would surely be seen, but she knew that logic said the opposite was true. Besides, Rangers expected the other Rangers to sneak up on them from the ground, not in the air. She felt as though a week had passed when she finally saw the campground, and for a fraction of a second panicked because she thought all the tiny figures of the Rangers were packing up not setting up, but then logic kicked in again and her tensed body relaxed. She grinned ear to ear as she climbed down the tree, shimming down when there were no more foot holds, continuing to grin somewhat insanely as she slinked toward the tents, skulking in the shadows. She was lucky, because the one place Rangers let their guards down was at the Gathering, feeling safe since only Rangers and ex-Rangers knew where it was. A bonus to her plan being that now that she knew where the campground was, if they didn't make her a Ranger they would have to find a new spot to meet each year. She froze as voices drifted nearer to her.
"I have a matter I would like to discuss with all the senior Rangers tomorrow. It's not too important but truly baffling. Could me meet tomorrow morning in the Command tent?" asked Will, and Ellya couldn't believe her luck. She would know exactly when the meeting would be! She hoped she hadn't used all her luck on this trip, though it certainly seemed like she would if she continued at this rate.
"Hm, how's eight time-wise?" Crowley asked. "Crowley!" she thought, awed at being so close to the leader of the Ranger Corp."Perfect," Will replied, and he and Crowley parted ways. Ellya snuck back to the trees to wait till nightfall.
When the sun had set and the air cooled, Ellya skulked through the camp, slipping noiselessly into the Command tent. She stood for a minute, judged which area would be the most shaded around eight, then curled up in that spot. She felt jittery and excited. "I'll never get to sleep!" she thought in dismay with a hint of excitement. Despite her beliefs, she was deep asleep in half an hour, till she was awoken by the smell of coffee and the sound of people waking. She stood up, realized from the light and shadows it was almost eight, and got in a position she knew was comfortable now but would immediately become torturous as soon as anyone walked in and she couldn't move anymore. Sure enough, she felt an intense need to shift when Gilan, Halt, Crowley, Will, and a few other Rangers she didn't recognize walked into the tent and took their places.
"What's this about Will?" asked Gilan. Will looked a little unsure how to start.
"Um, I met a... person who wants to become a Ranger. Good shot, great unseen mover, apparently good with knives."
"Why are you telling us this? If you want an apprentice, you just come up to me and tell me you are going to get one," said Crowley. The others nodded in assent. Will looked distinctly uncomfortable, to Ellya's malicious delight.
"Well, because she's a girl." Silence filled the room. Will pressed on slightly desperate, slightly embarrassed. "She said she invented a bow that will allow her to shot as far as any man and she is the best untrained unseen mover I have ever seen." One of the Rangers Ellya didn't recognize spoke up.
"I don't know, could a woman handle the responsibilities?" Halt spoke up, a little angrily because this whole conversation reminded him a little of his wife, and he hated nothing more than people insulting his wife.
"I think a women could. Women can also go undercover easier that a man could." Ellya didn't risk smiling, but she felt a glow of happiness and satisfaction at his words as she thought "Exactly!"
"How good is she exactly?" asked Crowley. Ellya thought "It's my time now!"
"Why don't I show you?" she said as she stood up gracefully, throwing back her cloak to revel herself, savoring the shock on their faces.