A/N: Has everyone gone on holiday?

Saberin: Glad you like Kane and Gabby because this chapter's for them :)

Aubrey: :/

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.

Kane felt a heavy hand slap his shoulder as he repaired his knives. "Kane," William said merrily, "You forgot didn't you?"

"Forgot what?" Kane asked.

"You were going to have lunch with Anamaria and me."

Kane shrugged. "Sorry, I guess I got busy."

"The lunch is in fifteen minutes so you've still got time."

Kane mentally cursed. He'd been trying to dodge the lunch all day. How William found him tucked away in an alcove outside the castle he'd never know. "Why do you insist I get to know Anamaria so well? I'm not the one marrying her."

"Yes but you are my best friend. Come on, Kane. Please? We can go get Gabby."

"Finally you have a good idea."

It didn't take long to retrieve Kane's girlfriend. She'd decided to officially begin training as a midwife and, while she had much to learn, her new mistress was easy-going. Abigail, who tended Talia, was all too happy for the younger men to show up asking for her new apprentice.

"Go Gabby," she insisted, "You never have any fun. You're always working."

"You'll get to meet Anamaria," Kane teased her. Gabby frowned.

"Why would I want to meet a princess?"

"Because I'm marrying her," William answered. "Please, Gabby? Kane will only go willingly if you do and I think officially ordering him would sour the mood."

Gabby wasn't close to the entire royal family but her relationship with William was an extension of her relationship with Kane. She also knew Ace fairly well since that particular prince trained under Master Jonathan but the only time she met William without Kane was when he was injured.

"Who is it you're escorting in the wedding again?" Gabby asked as she slid her hand around Kane's arm.

"Princesa Andria, Anamaria's older sister."

"Princesa Andria…and why am I supposed to support that?"

"He's doing it for me Gab," William answered. "You've nothing to worry over. Andria's a cow with no personality."

"Sure she is."

"No, really. I didn't think it was fair to pair the man with a blind girlfriend to anyone remotely interesting so he gets Andria. She's lazy and likes to eat."

"Thanks," Kane said with mock regret.

Gabby moved her hand up Kane's back to his shoulder. "You're sure?"

"Positive," William confirmed. Kane groaned at the honesty in his friend's voice.

"Alright I'll go, but one of you is buying."

"All on me," William promised. "Kane doesn't want to go as much as you."

They went to a private dining room in the castle. A table set for four already had goblets of raspberry wine and water waiting. The three took their places. Kane held Gabby's hand under the table. He could tell she felt nervous. Titles didn't really affect her. In the medical wing nobles and high ranks came and went just as often as the servants. Once they wore patients' gowns there really wasn't any difference. However, a meal with a foreign princess was enough to set anyone on edge.

"You two want to sit closer?" William asked as he watched. "Go for it. It'll give me a reason to sit closer to Anamaria."

Kane moved so that, no matter what, their arms would always brush. "Thanks William," Gabby said.

"No problem."

The door opened again. William and Kane rose to their feet immediately. It took Gabby a few seconds to follow. Kane had seen Anamaria a handful of times in the past. She kept her dark hair restrained by simple ribbon and, though she didn't powder up her face the way Rosalina did, she went through rituals to cleanse her face each night. Unlike her family, some of whom Kane had taken care of during his mission to Iberion, she didn't dwell on the fact that she was a princess. In fact, if it weren't for the entourage that waited outside nobody would know she was noble. She wore a simple white dress embroidered with blue thread around the neckline and cap sleeves. She wore a lion pendant William had given her around her neck, laced with a ribbon matching the one in her hair.

"Hello," she said with her thick accent as the doors closed. "I am sorry for being late."

"It's alright," William assured her as he moved forward. He kissed her cheek and took her hand. "You remember Kane, and that's Gabby."

"Good to meet you," Anamaria said with a sweet smile.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Highness," Gabby replied. Anamaria glanced from William to Kane when Gabby didn't nod back. It wasn't terribly important but lack of acknowledgement was still considered rude.

"Gabby's blind," William explained bluntly. "I'm sure you two will get along great."

"Oh," Anamaria said with a blush. "I sorry I do not realize."

"It's alright," Gabby assured her. "And don't worry you'll get used to it soon enough."

"You are healer?" Anamaria asked as she eyed Gabby's apron.

Gabby shook her head. "No. I'm just a physician's assistant, studying to be a midwife."

"That is…"

Everyone's head jerked to the doors. Metal clanged loudly outside and there were shouts. "Anamaria take Gabby and stand on that far wall," William ordered. He and Kane yanked at the tablecloth so that the table was clear in seconds and shoved every piece of heavy furniture they could find to the door. They went back to the girls.

"What is happening?" Anamaria demanded.

"There's an attack," William answered.

"Kane?" Gabby whispered. He found her hand and kissed it. William drew his sword and Kane pulled back his bow. Kane felt Gabby's fingers brush his arm before both hands pressed against his back. He focused on the door.

"Gabby can you hear them?" William asked.

"A little," she whispered.

"Know who they are?"

Gabby paused for several moments. "They want you and Anamaria….they know you're in here…they're getting something to bust in. Kane?"

Kane put away his bow and wrapped his arms around her. "It's alright, William and I've gotten out of worse before."

"Is everyone good for some climbing?" William asked as he opened the window. "It's clear this way. We can go up and find a place to hide from there. It's a long stretch. I'll go first and help lift you girls."

William scrambled up as though he'd climbed this wall a dozen times before…which he probably had. Kane watched his friend closely to see where the handholds and footholds were. William hoisted himself up to the balcony above.

"Alright, Anamaria you're going first," Kane instructed.

He knelt down and laced his fingers for the Iberion princess. She stepped into his grip and he lifted her as high as he could. William grabbed her hands and pulled her up the rest of the way. Kane turned to Gabby and kissed her cheek. "You ready?"

"I can't do this," she said.

He squeezed her hand. Honestly, he didn't know how she'd do it either. She'd left her cane at the medical wing and there was a large gap between his reach and William's. Gabby had no way of knowing where William was, let alone handholds. He didn't feel comfortable putting her at such a risk anyway. He leaned out and looked up towards William and Anamaria. "You two go on. We'll find another way."

"Forget it. We're not leaving you two."

"You're the ones in trouble."

"You two are guilty by association. Figure out how to get up here."

Kane turned to Gabby. If she couldn't climb alone, there was just one other option. "You think you can hold onto me?"

"What?" Gabby asked.

"You hold onto me and I'll climb up."

"No, you'll be off balance."

"Come on Gab. Trust me. This is what I do."

Gabby swallowed hard. Kane turned around and wrapped her arms around his shoulders Gabby squeezed tightly. "You won't let us fall?"

"Never," Kane promised. "When we start wrap your legs around me."

"He not to climb with her on his back is he?" Anamaria whispered to William from above.

"Gorlog's beard, he is," William muttered. "Be careful!" he shouted. Kane swung out and gripped the stone. Gabby buried her face in the back of his neck. Climbing proved more difficult than he'd imagined. Luckily, Halt had made him practice scaling walls from a young age. Once they were close William grabbed Gabby's shoulders and hoisted her the rest of the way. With Gabby up, Kane was able to finish his climb easily and swung himself over the balcony railing. He took a deep breath once his feet were back on solid flooring. Gabby clung tightly to William trembling violently.

"You alright?" Kane asked Anamaria. She nodded. He turned to William and Gabby. William held her shoulders tightly.

"Kane's up," he assured her.

"You two are never going to make me do that again," she said shortly as she shook.

"Time to start running," Kane said as he took her hand and laced it through his arm. "Come on."

They took the stairs up two more flights and circled back to another staircase. They ran down towards the Rangers' wing heading straight for Gilan's office. "Good I was just about to go looking for you. Kane, get William and Anamaria to the safe house. Gabby, you're coming with me."

"To where?" Kane demanded.

"She'll be fine," Gilan promised as he took Gabby's hand from Kane's arm to rest it on his own. "I'm taking her to Jenny's restaurant. It'll be easy for us to get through but you need to get the royal couple to the safe house. I'll meet you there."

Officially, Kane knew nothing about the safe house. Unofficially, he was the son of the most successful Ranger in all of Araluen and the best friend of Prince William. He and William each took one of Anamaria's arms and led her away while Gilan hurried with Gabby in the other direction. The safe house was a baker's shop in the main part of the city. Jenny ordered pastries from the owner on occasion and their business relationship became more upon learning the man was a retired member of the Royal Guard. The three sat together for several hours before Gilan came in with Gabby. Kane grinned when he saw his girlfriend. Her grip on Gilan was so tight the Ranger Commandant likely had no feeling in his arm.

"I believe I've got something that belongs to you," Gilan said to Kane.

"You alright, Gab?" Kane asked.

"Kane!" she exclaimed. She left Gilan and walked with her arms stretched out in his direction. Kane winked towards William and slowly moved his friend in front of him.

"I'm right here Gabby," he said over William's shoulder. The prince smiled and nodded that he'd play along. He took Gabby's hands. Gabby closed the gap with just a few quick steps and searched the body in front of her. She frowned and slapped his chest.

"William? I'll hurt you!"

"Threatening your future king?" William laughed.

"This isn't funny. Where's Kane?"

Kane realized his girlfriend was truly becoming upset so he stepped forward and kissed her cheek. "I'm right here," he assured her.

"Don't ever do that to me again!"

"I'm sorry."

"No you aren't!"

Kane hugged her tightly. William moved to his fiancée and embraced her as well. Gilan stepped between the couples so Kane and Gabby could have some privacy. In light of the boys' joke Gabby had truly been through an ordeal. They'd been attacked on their way to the restaurant and for almost a half hour Gilan fought while Gabby stood terrified in a corner completely helpless. Jenny had given her some food but it didn't take away her worry. She'd been a wreck since the conflict. She'd managed to pull herself together for David and Dalby, Gilan's young sons, but now she needed reassurance. She'd be a good Royal Scout's wife whenever she and Kane finally took that step.

"Are you alright, Princess Anamaria?" Gilan asked. She nodded.

"At home we have to hide many times. Though scaling the balcony, that was a new one for me."

Gilan laughed and nodded to William. "I like her."

"Good because I like her too," William chuckled.