v.

Tug snorted for the hundredth time that morning. Along with Halt and Abelard, Will sighed and rolled his eyes tired of the talking that went on behind them. Although life as a Ranger—especially one close to Halt—was a quiet one, Gilan became a parrot when he felt comfortable around someone. In most of the trips he didn't often found answer from Will and much less Halt; but Maiah was a different matter. Halt had already prepared himself for the two chatterboxes that would be riding with him back to Redmont but even all that psychological work seemed little compared to what he was facing. It wouldn't be hard for any bandit or farmer to hear them coming with that much talking and the thought made his senses become even sharper. He heard the natural noises of the forest but otherwise it was peaceful. Until he gave another start at the bark of laughter his first apprentice gave followed by Maiah's feminine variation.

"Would you two stop it?" He turned angrily to glare at the two riders. "I'm sure you just announced Redmont we were two days' ride from arriving."

"I'm sorry, Halt, you're right." Maiah said with a straight face but Halt had a feeling she was pulling his leg. "We are rather noisy and I promise to keep it down."

"No, don't 'keep it down', shut it."

"Fine."

He turned when he was sure they would keep quiet. It was just a matter of minutes before a snort came from Will as he tried holding the laugh that had bubbled up his throat. Halt gave him a hard look but before he could say anything Maiah was ready with a reply.

"Shut it, Will." She said curtly, her attempts to hide a smile obvious even in her voice.

Halt humphed in response but didn't say a word. Meanwhile, the three youths made everything they could from cracking up. But there were no further disruptions for the next kilometer. Eventually, the oldest Ranger heard the all too familiar intake of breath that would be followed by a question. With a roll of his eyes he told himself it was his fault for being so drawn to young people. All the same, he marveled at the inability of the newest member to hold her tongue for more than an hour.

"Halt, can I ask you two questions?"

"You already did." He replied automatically.

"That was only one. That's why I asked for two." She answered and this time he was sure she was teasing him. And by their stifled chuckles he knew Will and Gilan had opted to be on her side. After all he had done for the two of them this was how they paid him and for a second wondered if Horace would have been on his side. Most probably not. "But I'll take your answer as a yes and continue with the second one. Have you ever thought that your life is just so quiet and solitary even when people keep it down you think it's a lot of noise? I'm not trying to change your way of living, just, you know, pointing it out for consideration."

"Then have you thought that you are just so talkative everyone else seems quiet beside you?"

"Er…yeah, they've said that before." She replied her cheeks suddenly turning a deep pink that contrasted perfectly with her blond hair.

Once again, her sweet smile softened Halt's reply. "You should listen then instead of criticizing others."

"Yeah, I'll keep my lips shut from now on." She said looking down at her mount and indeed, she didn't utter a word for the rest of the ride until they stopped to set camp. Halt was impressed by her discipline and wondered if perhaps he had been too harsh; after all, he eventually started missing her talking from time to time. However, he still wished the other two would learn from her the discipline that kept her quiet. Later in the trip Will and Gilan began just another of their teasing games trying, in vain, to encourage Maiah to speak.

At the camp Will cooked one of his delicious rabbit stews and the four travelers settled around the fire to eat peacefully after the camp had been set.

"For how long have you been a Seer, Maiah?" Halt finally asked knowing the girl had been silent long enough. In fact, it had started to worry him.

"Almost four years." she answered her face immediately lighting up. Will had noticed when she wasn't talking her face became grim and serious, almost as intimidating as a Rangers though her youthfulness kept her from looking too threatening. He wondered if that was how others saw him.

"Like a full-fledged, um, Seer?" He said not sure how they considered their members.

"Well…I guess you could call it that." She said with a smile. "There are six years of apprenticeship and then you become a Seer. As an apprentice you are just called Pinner by the people…and monkey by your mentor." She added the last almost in a whisper to herself but the keen ears heard it nonetheless.

"But that means you start your apprenticeship when you are ten!" Gilan said, understandingly ignoring her statement.

"If you start any later, half of what makes a good Seer will be impossible to achieve." She answered taking a huge bite to have an excuse to leave questions unanswered. Unfortunately, they simply waited until she was done.

"A small child can't certainly use a bow adequately." Halt put in.

"And that's why we don't get to use weapons until the last half of our training. You more than anyone should know being a Seer or Ranger is not just knowing how to use a bow."

"You mean for three years you just learn tracking and concealed movement?" Will asked and Halt gave him a look when his tone suggested that was awful. "I mean, it's useful and all but…"

"There are other things as well." She said closing the topic. For a second she drifted away from the camp as she remembered those first years of hell she had gone through; especially the first two. Then she shook her head to clear it away and set again a smile and started a conversation on a livelier subject.

"I'm sure it is peaceful enough here," Halt said after finishing his second cup of coffee. The campers stretched their cramped muscles and stood up to turn in for the night. "But just to make sure we'll keep a relaxed watch. Besides, we have to start being careful now with all those revolts."

In truth, Halt was more relaxed knowing this far in land there would be no threat from Maiah's news and he doubted they could arrive so soon to Araluen if, like Maiah had said, it was a trip of almost six months. Still, his experience told him to keep the guard up, but it would do no good for the young ones traveling with him to worry their brains out.

"Will, you'll be first, then Maiah, Gilan, and I'll do the last one closest to dawn."

They agreed and the three without current duty wrapped themselves in their cloaks and blankets and settled down to sleep. The nights were starting to get chilly but winter and snow were still a couple of months away. The blankets and wool cloaks were enough to keep them warm.

The next morning they rose early to continue on their trip after a good breakfast and some coffee. This time, however, the ride wasn't filled with Maiah's chatter, though she did speak from time to time mostly about some tree or bird she found on the way. Halt didn't acknowledge any of her remarks but was nonetheless amazed at the little details she was able to call out about the shape of a leaf or the variation of pigmentation from one tree to another or the different uses a species of bird gave a specific shape of feather. But what impressed him most of all about this foreign girl was that she kept riding in the back even when Gilan moved up front to do some scouting in the road ahead. When he rejoined he stayed for some time walking abreast with Will and Halt until the road narrowed again. All the while, Maiah kept behind, still making observations of nature but without riding at the front. Halt doubted it was some kind of trick to lead them into a trap but rather, the way she had been brought up. He didn't know anything about society in Mazoniria, but he suspected by the way she had expressed herself about apprentices they didn't have as much movement in the pyramid as people did in Araluen and especially the young held a lower position than that of their mentors—way lower.

"Maiah, I think the road is wide enough over here for us to ride in one row." He said trying his hypothesis. "You and Gilan can come up here."

Gilan immediately rode on beside him but Maiah hesitated. "I'm fine back here. You know, watching no one follows us."

"And that's why you're facing forward." He said sarcastically. "I would feel better if I can see your face when you make your witty remarks."

"Yes, Maiah, why don't you come along? It is a little awkward having to talk to you when you ride behind us." Will said as they opened a space for her. Reluctantly, she approached to ride next to Halt.

"I had never ridden at the front of a party." She said after some minutes of riding with her head lowered. "And I shouldn't be doing it until I have at least six years of being a Seer."

"We can always make an exception." Gilan said. Maiah started seeing Rangers weren't too fond of following rules.

"You can only say that when you actually follow the rules." She said relaxing a little. "I think that is when you make an exception, don't you?"

Halt raised an eyebrow at his apprentice who simply grinned broadly. "You have to do what you have to do."

"But why can't you ride before you complete six years?" Will asked, curious as always to learn more about this strange culture.

"You can't really expect a beginner to…" Her voice trailed off and the smile disappeared. Halt could tell she became alert and slowly fell back to her place pulling the cowl of her cloak lower around her head to hide the wisps of blond hair that escaped. And the horses seemed to feel it as well giving a warning to their riders—except for Honey—as they continued with more care. To close the party, Gilan slowed until she was level with Maiah right behind Abelard.

"Watch out!"

Halt and Will turned back to see Gilan hitting the ground with Blaze pacing nervously as the arrow swooshed a few inches above the empty saddle. Even before the arrow touched the ground they heard the all too familiar releasing of arrows from Maiah just a heartbeat apart from the other. After the fourth one had been sent they heard the thunk as each one hit the trees around the bend of the road. They had been sent slightly farther along the line of trees as if chasing the attacker as he fled. The three Rangers watched the foreigner curse under her breath as she put back the arrow in her quiver and lowered her bow. With as much agility, she dismounted and rushed to Gilan's side.

"Sorry about that." She said offering a hand to help him up, her concern all too evident in her voice. But the tall Ranger was too shaken to get to his feet. He sat there in the road breathing deeply to calm down his nerves. None of the horses or the other two animals had warned about the attacker being so close.

"Who...what..." Will couldn't seem to voice the infinite number of questions that popped into his mind right then. Halt wasn't much better though kept his mouth shut knowing Maiah would eventually explain. For now he watched from his saddle as she knelt beside Gilan and tentatively touched his hand. He would have rushed to help his friend up but seeing Maiah already there he knew it wouldn't help much especially since he stopped paying attention in case the shooter decided to come back.

"They are here." She said looking up at Halt. "I'm not sure how many but the person who just attacked us was a Seer."

"This far in land?" Gilan asked getting back on his feet with the girl's help. "I thought they would keep to the ports."

"The main force maybe," She answered heading to where the arrow had stabbed the ground. "But these are scouts. Not exactly sure why they sent them but I would say it's to get an idea of the terrain they are facing."

"So they plan on fighting away from the ports." Will said though left his statement open for an answer from Maiah.

"They would make you think they'll be near their ships but with what just happened I think they'll try to lead you into a trap and come from behind."

"So our men will be between their forces and the sea." Gilan put in grasping the idea.

"I would think so." She answered curtly, her mind already racing away as she studied the arrow still embedded on the dirt. She didn't touch it but instead paced around it looking at the angle, the force, the shaft and finally the bright red feathers. She had tried to convince herself it was one of the three Seers she had trained with; the red feathers destroyed any hope of that. In that instant she knew Prowessa was in the forest.

"We can't let her wander around." she said voicing her thoughts without intending to. "She's just too dangerous to be allowed to stay in the forests."

"Then the three of you go ahead and warn Redmont." Halt said. "Ask Arald to send patrols into the forest to watch out in three days. That should be enough time for me to find her."

When he looked at Maiah he found himself facing her raised eyebrow and crossed arms. Up until then, few people—even Rangers who were so fond of the expression—had been able to match Halt's unspoken words into it. Now, he found he had met his match in the fair foreign girl.

"Let me repeat what you just said and add sense to it." she said. Above her head, Gilan and Will shared a quick smile at seeing Halt struggling to make sense of her. "So the three of us ride on to Redmont—nothing wrong with that. Arald, who I suppose to be the Baron, will send patrols—surely men with little experience in stealth missions like this one, and who will surely be killed by her arrows without them seeing her. And finally you will go and find her. Track her down, I guess? You will go track down someone you have never seen and don't know how she looks at all. You know she can shoot, but you don't know what else she can do and with how much skill. Don't you think perhaps I should be the one to track her?"

She added the last as an afterthought looking at Halt straight in the eye. The Ranger could see she had a point—many points, in fact—but still was reluctant to let her go just like that. After all, she could be planning to meet with this person to plan some scheme or give an update on what she had done. He doubted that was the case judging by her sincere eyes and body language; but he never knew when that could change.

"You could tell me about her skill." Halt said knowing already that wouldn't be enough.

"I'll tell you she shoots as good as a Ranger." she said giving Will a significant look. "But her camouflage skills aren't as good as any of you three. Perhaps around the level of some apprentice. And since she knows this but also knows the regular person won't see her anyways, she does little about concealing and instead has her bow ready."

"What if you chose to get to close quarters?" Will said inviting Maiah to get back in the saddle. She gave a nod and went to Honey after retrieving the red feathered arrow.

"I had actually thought about that since you could surely get close enough to tap her shoulder. She's overconfident. Way too much. But unless you can fight against a Swordmaster I really doubt you have a chance.—" Halt and Will quickly turned to look at Gilan understanding crossing through the three pairs of eyes. "—Your best choice is spot her before she sees you and shoot her before she shoots you. Not that hard."

"What if we want her alive?" Halt asked his mind already working on something.

"It might be useful." she said thinking about it herself. "But that just makes it all the more difficult. And I'm not sure she'll tell you much about anything; not that is impossible if you know what to do—and I don't if that's what you were going to ask."

"But we could try." Will said excitedly. "She might just tell us where we should wait for the attack."

"That's what I was thinking." Halt said and looked at the four young people around him. Will had a bright smile on his face and Maiah was shrugging, accepting his idea. Gilan, on the other hand, was frowning as he thought farther than the immediate plan.

"What is it?" Halt asked his old apprentice.

"Just...let's say you and I go after her and she escapes. She will probably go back to whoever is organizing all this and tell him about the Rangers. That means in later scouting they will be aware of us and won't be as confident. We'd lose our advantage of surprise."

"Well, we're not going to let her get away." Will said not as cheerful.

"But there's always the chance there's someone else with her and we don't know it." Halt said thinking again. "That's actually a good point. But we have to risk it. If they see Maiah they'll know she's helping us."

"Don't worry about me." she said. "They already know that."

"Can I trust you?" Halt asked rising an eyebrow to reclaim his expression.

"I give you my word." she said holding up her hand palm out. Gilan couldn't help smiling at her childish reply. Yet, he knew it was true, and that the other two Rangers agreed with him.

"Then you and Gilan will track her down. Try getting her alive but don't risk it." Halt said and got a nod from both as they understood their task. "Will and I will head back to Redmont to report and check on Whitby as well so you don't have to worry about that. We'll meet back at Redmont when we get it done."

"Sounds good to me." Gilan replied cheerfully. From where he stood mounting Blaze he saw his friends ride away to the castle. Once they were out of sight he turned to Maiah with a smile and added, "I'm trusting you know how to track her?"

"Prowessa was never a careful traveler." she said with a sigh and headed to the trees where her arrows were still embedded. Closely behind her, Gilan followed slowly putting on a straight face.

After she had retrieved her arrows she remained watching the trees that loomed above her. Gilan knew perfectly well she was assessing the situation just as he was doing. The few broken twigs where someone had climbed the tree, the splintered branch where they had stood, and the unmistakable cleared patch just below where the attacker had landed after jumping off the tree. The gust of wind that the person's cloak and body created had sent the dry leaves and needles flying clear of its way. As Maiah had said, Prowessa wasn't as careful as she should be with someone tracking her.

Gilan was amazed to find the young person next to him seemed to think in the same track he did. It was almost incredible when they had dismounted at the same time without having to utter a word to the other. Likewise, they led the mares into the cover of the trees and Maiah tethered Honey to a nearby log giving her enough rope to graze though without getting too far. Blaze didn't need to be tied but Gilan gave her the command to stay where she was at attention. Satisfied the horses would be out of sight at least from the road, the pair went back to the trees where their attacker had first stood. Prowessa's tracks couldn't be followed just by any inexperienced soldier, she wasn't that careless; but for those with at least half Ranger skill it was evident enough and for the young pair it presented no challenge. They still went slow, however, knowing Prowessa would be expecting to be followed, aware she could be hiding behind any tree or shrub. They had Nox a little ahead and to the side walking with as much stealth as them—or more since her weight was less on the forest floor—and she would warn them if there was someone; but they couldn't leave all their trust on Nox regardless of how keen her senses were. Besides, Prowessa could just remain in the shadows without any of them noticing and come down before they could alert the others. But if that had been the case her trail would have eventually shown it to them.

It was close to dusk when Maiah touched Gilan's shoulder lightly with the tips of her fingers. Both stopped though the Ranger wasn't completely sure why. The track didn't show any signs of coming to an end and in his close search around them he had seen nothing. Still he followed slowly as Maiah signaled him to follow behind a large fallen tree. It took ten agonizing minutes to move the little distance between them and the trunk but it was part of both of their training.

"She's up ahead." she whispered so low he could barely hear even when her lips brushed his ear.

"Sure?" he kept sentences short to avoid being overheard.

"Yes." she didn't give further explanation knowing that would just aware their pray and take time. Instead, she gave out her plan as briefly as she could without leaving place for doubt. "Cover my back but don't let her see you. If she thinks it's only me..."

He nodded knowing where she was heading. Again, he was surprised how alike they thought. He had been about to suggest something of the sort, though without setting her as the main force. Without need to be told he knew she would approach at close quarters to try and take her alive. With that in mind, he understood when she set down her unstrung bow and quiver somewhat under the trunk to keep them safe and hidden.

With a nod she crawled out, belly to the ground and keeping her head low; it wasn't long before he lost her from sight among the shadows and bushes. Ready but relaxed, Gilan set to try to find where Prowessa was hidden. Finally, at the north quadrant, up in a low tree branch, he made out a blurry figure. If it hadn't been for the flaming red hair that escaped from the cowl he wouldn't have known a person waited there; unaware of the girl below who advanced on her.

Maiah stayed stock still when she felt the figure on the tree stir just an inch. She evened out her breathing knowing that no matter how hard her heart seemed to be beating her old mentor wouldn't hear it. But what she wasn't afraid wasn't being heard; it was what she knew came ahead. Slowly she rose to a crouch from where she could throw one of the knives at her belt. She fingered the three smooth hilts finding comfort in their handiness as she watched Prowessa's next move. And she knew it was time.

While the older Seer stirred once more to find a more comfortable position, a soft thunk hit the branch she was perched on making it vibrate just enough to throw her off balance. Drowsy from sleep and with the tree no longer under her, Prowessa hit the ground, rolling to cushion the fall. Before Maiah could do more than unsheathe her second knife Prowessa was wide awake and on her feet immediately seeing the figure that had just broken into her dozing.

"But if it's our little retarded monkey." Prowessa sneered already making her move forward thrust into Maiah. The younger Seer deflected it with the weapon in her hand but it was a knife against something just a little shorter than a sword and Maiah had little chance of holding for too long. Gilan, aware of the fact, watched from the tree his arrow already aimed at the taller figure that had fallen from the tree.

Prowessa smiled to herself when she saw her little monkey facing her with fire in her green eyes. She had taught her everything she knew and it was impossible for the girl to win this thing; especially when they were this close and without that bow she hated so much. Prowessa had one herself, but the thought of her own apprentice bettering her at shooting just angered her close to madness.

In a blink, the older woman sent a wave of attacks with her longer blade forcing Maiah into retreat as she struggled to keep away from the blade. Gilan was impressed at the agility and skill of both mentor and pupil as he watched with pursed lips knowing a slight mistake from Maiah's part would mean she was done. But until then, he knew his intervention wouldn't help their purpose and instead got ready for the right time. Which was just around the corner.

Suddenly, to everyone's amazement, Prowessa's blade flew out of her hands. Maiah tried to remain focused but it became hard when she knew she was the first person to ever do that to her mentor. That second was all the redheaded woman needed to score a kick on the girl's side, feeling the crack of bones up her leg with satisfaction. Her apprentice and Prowessa's blade fell to the ground at the same time.

Maiah, winded, rolled out of reach before getting back on her feet. Her knives were some meters away and she had no time to retrieve them. Breathing hurt her cracked ribs but her face showed no sign of pain when she skillfully parried Prowessa's neck kick before sending a blow with the side of her hand to the woman's cheekbone followed by a high double kick before Prowessa could do anything else.

Gilan watched anxiously from the tree as the two foreigners fought weaponless. But when he saw Prowessa's attack had more force behind them because of her higher stature and more worked muscles he realized no matter how fast Maiah was moving once she tired she would be in the enemy's hands. However, as long as the two were fighting so close to each other and moving as much, he couldn't risk an attack from a distance afraid they would turn in the last second and he would hurt Maiah. Still, he was fast on his feet when Prowessa swept her off her feet and send the younger woman crashing against a tree. Both were breathing hard and soaked in sweat but Gilan knew Maiah was more tired and wouldn't stand up. With Prowessa shielding the blond girl from view Gilan quickly threw his strikers hitting the redhead right behind the ear. Her eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the ground with a low moan.

As soon as she was out Gilan hurried to where Maiah sat trying to catch her breath. She offered him a weak smile holding down the wince that came with breathing. Gilan looked at her trying to find any large wounds but aside from a bruise starting to form on her cheekbone there was no sign of broken bones. Not that he could tell.

"You better tie her up before she wakes up." She said nodding to the crumpled body in front of them.

While Maiah disarmed her—Gilan was surprised to find the woman carried weapons in the strangest places—he tied her hands with as much force as he could as well as her ankles, leaving a bit of rope between the cuffs so she could walk along but without posing a threat and unable to run. For now, while she was unconscious Maiah carried her like a sack on her horse checking every few minutes that she hadn't woken up. They rode in silence for the rest of the way the only sound the hooves of the horses on dirt.

Prowessa didn't awake until the sun was down and they were setting up camp. She had been tied by the waist to a nearby tree well in sight of the camp. Gilan watched her closely as he lit the fire to make some coffee and stew. Prowessa was confused at the ropes around her. She could have sworn she had won over her little monkey and yet here she was without a single weapon being watched by a young man she didn't even know. She tried looking around but the bad headache quickly took over her so that she couldn't help moaning as she laid back her head against the trunk.

"I see you're awake." he called making her look up and immediately regretting it. She closed her eyes for a second until she was sure she had control.

"So are you and it's not impressive." she answered, a thick accent in her words making it barely understandable. Her mass of red hair was like a halo around her head and her tan skin showed the years of hard life. Judging by it, Gilan calculated she would be in her early fifties.

They continued glaring at each other and just as Prowessa thought about making some escape plan Maiah appeared from the trees to the south. The two looked at each other straight in the eye showing no sign of pity or concern for the other. Gilan marveled how the two could have spent years of training together and still see the other as an enemy. He just couldn't understand how could someone loath their teacher; Halt was one of his best friends.

"Still need to keep your guard up." Prowessa sneered with a superior tone. It wasn't the advice a mentor would give but rather the arrogant claim that the apprentice was a fail.

"Still need to cover your tracks." Maiah answered coldly wishing she didn't have to keep her alive. All the same, she reminded herself to wish for guts to kill in cold blood. Guts like her teacher's.

"And where are you taking me, exactly?" even when she was a prisoner, Gilan noted, the authority and arrogance Prowessa put into her words showed she thought herself almost a goddess.

"Somewhere you'll finally learn some manners." Maiah responded without a hint of respect. She sat down trying, as hard as she could, to not wince when her ribs screamed in pain. Her face remained a mask of disgust toward her teacher.

"How are those broken ribs doing?" Prowessa asked after a long silence. Her mocking smile showed she didn't care in the least.

Maiah ignored her as she continued eating the stew Gilan had cooked with the hare she had hunted. She was aware of the Ranger's questioning look but when she continued looking down at her plate he went back to his own business. It was strange to have her mentor tied to a tree and the whole situation made her shy around the Ranger. Although she enjoyed the fact that Prowessa could do nothing to her no matter what she did, she still felt the need for approval all students want from their mentors whether or not they have a good relationship. And that meant she couldn't let her tongue run loose like she usually did once she opened her mouth.

Gilan was bewildered at the girl's sudden quietness but soon reasoned it had something to do with having her mentor as a prisoner. He quietly finished his meal and as if in a quiet understanding, wrapped himself in his cloak to turn in for the night leaving Maiah to do the first watch. He hadn't pitched his tent knowing it would only be a nuisance with the constant watch changes that occurred throughout the night. But no matter how many hours passed, their prisoner stayed wide awake with the arrogant smirk always on her face, dark eyes cold as ice. And their unblinking stare just made him think of a sleepless snake weighting her chances for escape.

The next morning they had toast and coffee for breakfast—the latter only for the Ranger—and tried giving some water to the woman that watched them venomously but she spat the drink out and kicked the dirt around her angrily. To mute the stream of curses and yelling that came from her mouth, Gilan finally decided to gag her at least decreasing the noise. Tying her rope to Blaze's saddle, they were soon on the road less than a day's ride away from Castle Redmont. Gilan couldn't wait to get the woman into prison and set Halt to teach her a few lessons to lower her ego. Besides, once they knew the plans for the attack they would stop their blind hunt in the western ports.

At dusk, when they got in sight of the castle, Maiah couldn't help gasping at the beauty of it. The triangular shape of it bewildered her as did the reddish color it turned; but then, all of Araluen did. She had never seen such a beautiful sight except perhaps the waterfalls back at Mazoniria but this was man made. Men had brought the materials from far off places and set rock on top of rock and mixed the mortar and welded the steel and stitched the flags. They had spent years in the project, for sure, generation taking upon generation. This held the sweat and tears and blood of thousands, if not millions, of workers; and yet, the beauty it held made it divine. It impressed her how something so graceful could at the same time be a powerful stronghold against invaders; for it would unmistakably be something hard to attack.

Gilan couldn't help feeling proud of his county when he saw Maiah rein in to have a better look at the castle. Her eyes seemed to shine in excitement and her mouth was slightly open. On the other hand, Prowessa held her air of disgust and looked down her nose at everything before her. He felt anger rising when he saw the woman approach the land he had grown up in for a good part of his life with disgust and arrogance but decided to instead watch Maiah. As soon as he focused again on the bright eyes and excited figure his anger dissipated and he even felt a smile raising the corners of his mouth.

Castle Redmont was bustling with activity as everyone started getting ready after Halt had brought the news. Currently there was no sign of the two Redmont Rangers but Gilan doubted they were chilling at the cabin or having fun.

"Gilan," Baron Arald called, dismissing some knights that were crowding around him. With Sir Rodney by his side, the Baron made his way to the newcomers. "You were back earlier than we thought."

"And I can see you got something to delay you." Rodney added nodding to Prowessa.

"Apparently it's becoming my thing to go into places with prisoners tied to my saddle." Gilan answered grinning at Maiah to show he meant no offense. "I think I should get her to a cell, if you'll excuse me."

The Baron grunted his agreement and showed with a flourish of his hand the way to the dungeons. Gilan knew perfectly well where they were but it was more a way of saying "Be my guest."

"You don't have to come with me, Maiah." he said when he saw her dismount while he untied the rope from the saddle. Usually, he would turn in the prisoners to the men-at-arms that were on duty at the time, but he wanted to make sure Prowessa got the vigilance of a dangerous criminal.

"Um..." She wasn't sure what to do when Gilan was leaving her with a complete pair of strangers and without a proper introduction to the Baron himself.

"I think Will has said enough about you, young lady." Arald intervened seeing her dilemma. He smiled at her before ranting on, "told me everything about you, that great bow of yours, your pet, your walking; it's almost as if I had known you all my life. Don't bother about doing all that protocol of introduction. We are in desperate times and there is no—"

Prowessa's loud cackle startled the people around them. Arald glared at her angrily as she said without humor, "desperate times indeed. Just wait until the rest come and you'll regret worrying about formalities."

"Keep to yourself." Arald barked back motioning for Gilan to take her away. At the same time the Baron was pulled away to other matters.

"Would you like me to see to Blaze?" Maiah asked in sight that she wouldn't be going with him. She saw the moment of hesitation in the Ranger and pursed her lips knowing she had said something she shouldn't have.

"What happened to you, monkey, suddenly falling so low you can only serve horses?" Prowessa cackled as Gilan took her away. "I knew you were never good for anything."

Gilan pulled her harder when he heard the words but they still reached Maiah. The girl didn't show any sign of pain at the words but Gilan was starting to doubt she showed anything she didn't want others to see.

"Go along, Blaze." He called to his horse and it obediently followed Maiah to the stables.

Once out of sight of the people, while she rubbed Blaze down, she felt the stinging tears in her eyes. She tried blinking them away quite unsuccessfully and concentrated on the task at hand. When she was setting the oats for the horse, after giving Honey her share, Blaze sympathetically butted her face. The girl looked up with a wet smile pressing her face against the soft muzzle as a small sob shook her shoulders. Why couldn't Prowessa be like Halt? Why did she always have to tell her what she did wrong instead of praising her? Not even during those hard years of apprenticeship had the woman shown any compassion on her student. Still, the hardest thing to accept was that Prowessa had never believed in her; and if she, her teacher, the woman who had taught her everything, thought she was a fail, what would others think about her?

"Hey, Maiah..." Gilan's voice trailed off when he entered the stables to find the girl weeping against Blaze. At his entrance she jumped back startled quickly wiping away the tears that had managed to slide down her cheeks.

"Hey, just, um, making sure she was comfortable." She managed to say quickly, suddenly finding interest in the oats that had spilled on the box tops.

You had to come in, didn't you? Blaze's glare seemed to say. Gilan realized, once again, the horse was smarter than most humans—even Rangers at times. Now do something; I was managing quite well, you know.

"Maiah...what Prowessa said back there..."

"That's just how she is." Maiah answered with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. For the first time, Gilan realized the green pools were filled with pain; they were the only part that showed what she was feeling and even though the smile still eased her features, they weren't even close to the beauty of those they had shared on the road. "But it's a good thing she's finally locked up."

The Ranger bit his lip uncertainly knowing she had closed the matter. Behind him, Blaze snorted and turned to face the wall. Funny how these horses always ended up taking others' side. But he realized part of him was with the bay.

"Halt and Will are coming soon, I'm sure the Baron will allow you to stay in the guest rooms and it's probably too late for me to return to my fief so I'll be staying here for the night and probably until all this gets fixed."

She followed him out and to speak with the Baron's seneschal to arrange for their stay. Their rooms were in the same hall, Gilan believed that would make her feel better and more at home, and he was right. Maiah was assured someone she knew would be sleeping just a few doors away.

By the time she arrived to her chambers a hot bath waited for her, filling the room with steam that warmed her deep inside. She got to the bathtub shrugging off her clothes and held her breath when she dipped her toe in. The hot water gave her goosebumps and shivered as she lowered herself into the tub. Her muscles contracted involuntarily as they slowly relaxed until she was slumped in the water, eyes closed, sighing. Last time she had had a hot bath had been when she was ten, before she had been apprenticed to Prowessa. Now she realized how helpful it was to ease the sore muscles after long hours of riding and walking and especially fighting. Her breathing became less painful as her rib cage relaxed and decreased the tension around her broken bones. They would eventually heal, she knew, but hoped it was a little faster than before since the Rangers were keeping a close watch on her—especially Gilan—and would be harder to hide the pain from them. Right now, however, all she cared about was the warmth that filled every centimeter of her body, and she wished it would last forever.

Eventually, though, the water became lukewarm and she had to climb out. After drying herself she put on a dark green dress one of the maids had brought for her earlier. It was a few inches long, but it neatly embraced her body and she was glad to feel the soft wool after wearing a thin cotton shirt for so long. As she combed her wet hair she heard a slight click as someone entered the anteroom to wait there. She gave a last stroke before setting the comb down quietly and then rose to tip-toe to the door as quiet as a cat. Her bare feet on the thick carpet made no sound as they were carefully placed one in front of the other, skillfully landing on the ball of the foot before setting down the whole weight. By the time she got to the door there was no sound in the room which gave no alert to whoever was outside. Maiah slowly looked through the small opening of the door into the anteroom and relaxed when she saw the green and gray cloak waiting on one of the chairs at the corner.

"Did she resist going into the cell?" She asked jumping out and smiling warmly at him.

Gilan was able to hide the surprise at seeing her appear out of thin air. He hadn't really been paying attention to his surroundings, but her silent movement was almost as good as Crowley's.

"I think she's too proud to even put up a fight when she knows she won't win." He answered, admiring the difference a shower made on a person. If she had been beautiful when she had spent days on the road, now she seemed to glow from head to toe. Snapping out of his trance, he cleared his throat and continued. "Will and Halt said they would have dinner with us. We'll meet them on the way to the village."

"That means we'll go to a crowded place." She said a little reluctant.

"Well…yes." Gilan answered, understanding her uneasiness in public places; just another similarity with Rangers, he thought. "But since we're traveling with two legends they'll probably not even notice us."

"I've heard that." She said returning the smile. She ran to get her boots and after getting her cloak and scabbard she slung the bow and quiver over her shoulder. Together, they went down to get the horses ready chattering about a hundred and one things and places.

A few kilometers away from the bridge, the pair met up with the other two Rangers who rode peacefully back to the castle to meet with their friends. Not only were they expecting Maiah and Gilan but Alyss and Lady Pauline as well. The two couriers, however, had gone ahead of the others and were probably enjoying some of Jenny's lamb by now. Still, Will had insisted on meeting with Gilan and Maiah before getting to the restaurant; he wasn't sure what it was but somehow he would much rather arrive with Maiah than leave her on her own.