A/N: 3rd chapter in a row I've had to replace as a correction. I'm done with updates until the meds are done. This is actually 2 chapters combined because medicated me skipped one. Thanks to Raider for pointing it out.

Raider: Haha...yep that is not a new threat. It was in the old one. Hope you had a virus-free 4th :) Obviously I didn't.

Gold: Love the mass reviews I'm getting from you :) Hope you're caught up soon! Cliff hangers area always so much more fun when the readers are caught up :) I've got the oneshots of Elizabet lined up for when she becomes the focus of the story. Those tend to amp up the adoption them.

Saberin: Hehe...oh how I'm eager for the day I can just sit and write out oneshots...

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

Sean jogged at a distance until Scout stopped. He caught up with her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Running won't solve your problems," he said.

"My mother's a lie. I thought a she was a good person who defended Araluen but…but…"

"Listen to me, Scout. Your mother is good person. A lot of innocent people are alive because of her and she doesn't get the thanks most heroes do."

"Did you even hear what she did?"

"She already told you about that, remember? This is just the first time you saw it firsthand." Sean dropped his hands to her elbows. She'd begun shaking. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her. "Your mother went through a lot she couldn't control. Do you see now why people talk about her but never of what she's done in detail?"

Scout began crying. She wasn't sure why but she did.

"If she hadn't intervened, if you hadn't intervened, both Araluen and Hibernia would have surely lost their crown heirs along with Ace, Kane, and Daniel. She saved all of you just then by keeping those men talking. She did that on purpose, Scout. There's a reason people say she's the best. She's really good at what she was trained to do."

"I told her I hated her," Scout whispered.

"You didn't mean it and you'll have the chance to explain that." Sean wiped away her tears with his thumps. "Scout, your mother used to think she wouldn't live to be the age Kane is. Most people who had her position didn't. She used to accept that she'd never be married or have children. She believed it as firmly as you believe you'll have those things one day. It was as though it were a fact about her life. When she married your father she was so happy…they both were. I couldn't believe anyone could be that happy. At first they were still semi-dwelling on the belief they wouldn't ever have children. Then they started trying and failed for a long time. When you came…I wasn't there when she was with you. I didn't even see you until much later but her first mission after you were born took her to Hibernia.

"Leaving you broke her heart, Scout, but she did it to protect you. That's the mission that twisted her foot, you know. When we unburied her and saw her foot we thought she'd die from loss of blood. Even the field healer couldn't do anything but drug her to sleep and send her to Dun Kilty for treatment. Her will to live is what kept her going, Scout, and if it weren't for you and your father she wouldn't have had that will. You kept her alive."

Scout trembled again. "I want to see Mama."

Sean nodded. "Alright."

They turned but were met with two sharp swords. Sean tightened his grip on Scout. "Hello, Your Grace," a sadistic female voice teased. More, both men and women, appeared. They wore black uniforms with no markings. They hauled Kineta, Elizabet, and, surprisingly, Talia out. All three were bound and gagged. "Remind me to thank Iberion and that silly band of ruffians they hired. We've been trying to catch all of you without entourages for weeks now."

Sean glared but it did him no good. Soon he, his family, and Talia were being taken at a quick pace in the opposite direction of Castle Araluen. He looked to Scout. Panic poured from her wide eyes. This was probably the first time she'd been in such a position before. He looked to Elizabet. His tiny daughter trembled. She closed her eyes tight as though that'd make it go away. He could almost see her months of therapy unraveling. He could probably start talking and keep her from being taken. He could deny Elizabet had anything to do with them and that they were about to kidnap a simple servant's child or an orphan. He couldn't bring himself to form the words though. With a glance at Kineta he realized she'd already thought of that tactic. Obviously she hadn't been able to say it either.

They rode and kept riding. Sean desperately hoped others were following silently through the trees. Enough Rangers had been present just a few moments ago. Perhaps one of them was on the trail. He wondered how the black-clad people got to his family in a castle crawling with guards and why they took Talia too. He knew his wife had offered to take her back to Hibernia so that she could try and make a life for herself and her child. They'd probably been sitting up together or something along those lines when they were taken. From what little he knew about Talia he wouldn't put it past her to lie and claim relation. If Kineta claimed Elizabet as their daughter then it'd be easy to believe. Their daughter and Talia shared a similar shade of blond hair.

Will stayed in his hiding place wrapped up in his cloak. Daniel was fine. He wasn't happy that it was personal friends and 'family' members targeted but he came to terms quickly. When he saw Sean run after Scout, however, some gut feeling had made his legs follow.

Will ran to the castle. Horace, Cassandra, William, Anamaria, Ace, Liam, Lina, Alyss, Daniel, Carissa, Halt, Pauline, Kane, and even Gabby had gathered in a common room to drink coffee (and tea) and take the edge of all that had happened. Quinlan and Caitlyn sat side-by-side with tea in a corner, both still wearing their sleep clothes.

"Where's Scout?" Lina demanded the moment he came in.

"There was a third group," he said in a low voice. "They just took Sean, Kineta, Elizabet, Scout, and Talia."

"Elizabet?" Gabby repeated softly.

"Yes," Will confirmed. Concern filled the room. Liam and Lina shared a glance before turning towards Pauline. The retired Courier just nodded.

"Caitlyn's safe here," she promised without having to be asked.

"I'm going," Kane volunteered. Gabby squeezed his arm.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"I'm going," Daniel added. Alyss stared at him with wide eyes but Will nodded with approval before she could say anything.

"Me too," William spoke up.

"This is all my fault," Anamaria told them with tears threatening to spill out. "My family…"

"You're welcome to stay here until William returns to marry you," Cassandra assured her.

"I'll go tell Gilan you and Will are both away," Halt said to Liam. "And I'll volunteer to watch over Redmont until you return."

In no time the group was on horseback flying through the trees. Will, Liam, Lina, Kane, William, and Daniel raced forward with urgency. Will led them to where he'd last seen the black clad kidnappers and in no time Kane and Lina, by far the best trackers in the well trained group, were in the lead with their horses at a canter. They rode all night but so did the kidnappers. The six broke into dead runs as they saw the Hibernian royal family and Talia being forced onto a ship already in the process of sailing away.

Scout looked over her shoulder as the ship rocked beneath her feet. For just a moment she saw her father and uncle standing up in their saddles and her 'cousins' reining in their horses, but most of all she saw her mother looking right at her. Panic and worry flooded Lina's face and Scout couldn't help grinning for the smallest moment. There was hope.

A barred trapdoor was thrust open. A steep ladder led to the tiny holding space. Kineta was tossed down first. Elizabet and Scout followed and then they pushed Sean in. The woman holding the door hesitated when Talia stepped willingly onto the first step but a man behind her shoved so she fell the rest of the way. Scout's heart raced but Sean was fast. He caught Talia before she hit the ground and held onto her firmly until she found her feet. The family looked up just in time for the door to be slammed shut. Scout shuttered as the door bolted shut.

"What are we going to do?" Scout whispered. Kineta, who had gotten Elizabet onto her hip, rubbed her shoulders.

"Don't worry, Scout, Talia and I've gotten out of worse before."

"Your father used to be the best search-and-rescue agent in the business too," Talia told her. "We just have to sit tight."

"But first things first," Sean said with authority. "Elizabet, are you injured?"

Elizabet stared at him for several minutes before shaking her head vigorously. Kineta rubbed her daughter's arm. "It's alright. We'll be fine," she promised.

"Talia?" Sean asked. Talia wrapped her arms around her middle.

"I think we're both good. Thanks for breaking my fall, by the way."

Sean nodded. He turned to Scout. "You?"

"I'm alright," she answered.

Jerky rocking told them they were heading for open sea. Realizing they weren't going anywhere for a while they sat down leaning against the walls. "You scared Elizabet?" Talia asked. Elizabet stared at her with wide fearful eyes.

"Talia's alright," Kineta assured her. "You don't have to be afraid of her. I went to school with her when I was little."

Scout shook her head. Kineta hid the true nature of the Academy just like her own mother had. Suddenly Scout saw the importance of it. A little girl, especially one like Elizabet, didn't deserve to know about that kind of evil. "Why don't you try and sleep, Elizabet?" Sean offered. "It's likely to be a long trip."

Elizabet curled up with Kineta and closed her eyes. Scout looked away. The scene made her miss her mother too much. She instead turned her attention to the trapdoor above them. It was still morning so the sun beat down and made the small space stuffy. She looked back to her family. Sean and Kineta were both staring at sleeping Elizabet with concern. She could almost see Talia's mind race. It was like her mother's did when she was trying to solve a complex problem.

Lina sat with one knee drawn up to her chin on a large crate. It'd taken a day and a half to find a Skandian wolfship to pursue the one that took her cousins, friend, and daughter. She'd never felt so helpless. Thanks to Daniel's impressive skill they knew where the ship was heading. It was for slave trading. Lina doubted they were going to pawn off the Hibernian royal family as slaves but still she worried.

She glanced over as Kane walked over and climbed onto the crate next to her. She'd been like something between a second mother and young aunt to him his entire life. Halt and Pauline were great parents but the fact was they were old while Lina was young. Sometimes it was easier for him to turn to her or Liam. Either way, the two shared a special bond.

"You look like Father does when he can't figure something out," Kane said after several moments. "Worried about Scout?"

"Well she is my daughter," Lina answered. She dropped her leg and leaned back. "I'm worried about all of them."

"Because of Hibernia?"

Lina shook her head. "Hibernia's the reason so many of us were allowed to come on this mission. That's my family, Kane…blood family. And Talia was my roommate at the Academy growing up. She was my closest friend."

Kane nodded. "Is it bad I worry more for Scout than Talia? I mean…Talia's my birthmother."

"But you grew up knowing Scout and Talia's been in worse situations before. Don't beat yourself up over that little detail."

Kane took a deep breath. "I was planning to ask Gabby to marry me after William and Anamaria tied the knot."

Lina raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize you two were getting so serious."

"Well, I've already asked her once and she wanted to wait a little longer…she's special."

"I didn't say I don't approve. I think it's a good match."

Kane stared back out at the ocean. "How did…I mean…how did you know Liam was for you?"

Lina shook her head. "There's no easy answer to that question."

"I guess not."

Lina realized how much Kane was struggling and sat up a little straighter. "We'd spoken lightly of marriage before I left Hibernia to find your father but I never wholly considered it until he rescued Cassandra and me from the Academy's grip. To protect Cassandra and her twins I turned our captors' attention to me and was whipped daily for it. When we were freed he cared for me in a way nobody ever had before. I'd come close to dying before but that was the most prolonged bout. He never lost focus and he never gave up. I'd always pictured my husband, if I ever got lucky enough to have one, as a man who always took care of me no matter what. Even a healer would have written me off as a casualty but he never did."

Kane took her words to heart. "I'm not good enough for her."

Lina laughed. "And you never will be but she's good enough for you."

He smiled. "You think she could be happy with me, though? I mean…a Royal Scout's life isn't exactly stable."

"Why does she need that kind of stability?"

"I mean…she's blind."

Lina held up her twisted foot. "Rangers don't really need wives who can't walk."

"That's different you were married to Liam before you got that way."

"And he didn't leave me."

"He couldn't you two had Scout."

"Do you really think our children are the sole reason he didn't leave me?"

Kane sighed. "No."

"Exactly."

Kane crossed his arms. "But she wants children right away. I'll be gone a lot."

Lina couldn't stop the giggle. "If a Ranger and Battalion Lady can make it work so can a Royal Scout and healer's assistant…or midwife apprentice or whatever it is Gabby's in now."

"Scout and Caitlyn are different."

Lina shook her head and looked up at the sky. "You've come to me with this because I'm the youngest married woman you know, correct?"

"And the only one available right now while I've got the nerve to ask," Kane added. She rolled her eyes.

"Point made. Well Kane, Liam and I married the same week as Will and Alyss. Look at the age gap between Daniel and Scout. We'd been trying just as long as they had. Gabby's not going to hate you just because it takes a while to start your family. And while we're on the topic you don't need children until you're both more set in your careers. You know your salary. It provides a comfortable life for yourself and could easily filter in a wife with simple needs but can it really take both a wife and child?"

Kane shook his head. "No."

"So…"

"Thanks Lina."

She hugged him. "You're a good man. I'm sure you'll figure it all out."

He looked back to the water. "I can't help feeling like I should protect Talia and her kid. I mean…that's my little brother or sister. Big brothers protect their little siblings, right?"

"I wouldn't know, I don't have siblings," Lina replied. "But Kane…you do know you owe her nothing, right?"

He nodded. "I know."

"Then why does it feel like you think you do?"

Kane shrugged. "I don't know. I guess…my parents are great but she's my blood kin you know? Like Sean and my father are your blood kin…it's hard to explain."

"I get it."

"Really?"

"On second thought I really don't. I've always known exactly who my blood kin was."

Kane looked down at his feet. "I'd like to find my birth father. I mean…I want to know what sort of man he was."

"You know that's a dangerous path."

"It's just…what if I turn out like him? I want to know what I'm up against."

Lina turned so she could face him. "You have an amazing father, Kane. He'll always be there for you. Knowing who your birth father is can only make things complicated. I wish I'd had someone who loved me as much as Halt loves you around when I was younger. If you really want to know, fine. But do you really need to?"

"You always knew who yours was."

"And I've always wished it was someone besides him. Anyone besides him, actually."

When Scout woke it was dark. She noticed all of her cousins including Elizabet were still sound asleep. She stretched her stiff muscles as she noticed Talia was awake. "Can't sleep?" she whispered. Talia shook her head.

"You can't either it seems."

Scout shifted around hoping the change would bring the feeling back to her legs. "I'm thirsty."

Talia nodded toward Scout's belt. "Pop one of the metal disks off and put it beneath your tongue."

Scout worked at the leather until one of the decorative silver blanks came off and did as told. After just a few moments her mouth salivated so she had something to swallow. It wasn't water but it was enough to ease her thirst. She spit the blank out. "Did you learn that at the Academy?"

Talia smiled. "Technically yes but it isn't a trick taught in classes. I almost died of dehydration after one of my missions so your mother taught me how to cope."

Scout wiped the blank on her skirt. "Mama used to use this trick?"

Talia nodded. "You know that small Arridi coin she carries with her? This is its purpose."

Scout smiled. She rested her chin on her knees and took a deep breath. "You sure you've gotten out of worse before?" she asked.

"Oh yes…and better I'm certain your parents are coming for us. They're the best in the business."

"Can they really track a ship though?"

"They can and they will."

Scout slid the metal blank through her fingers. "I was almost sure that, aside from Elizabet, you'd be an anxious wreck here."

Talia bit her lip and rubbed her stomach. "It's a less than desirable situation but I seem to keep finding myself in those. We'll be alright."

Scout tucked her hair out of her face. "I guess."

"You've never really seen your parents at their best, have you?"

Scout hesitated a few moments before shaking her head. "Is that a bad thing?"

"It's probably better that you haven't since you're so young. They'll find us. I can promise you that."

Days turned to weeks. The sailors lowered what they needed in a bucket as though they were animals. Kineta, having the most experience with captive situations, took charge of rations. Talia was given the most and only she and Elizabet were allowed whole pieces of fruit. It took some arguing to get Talia to accept. For the first time in Scout's life she never felt fully sustained after each meal. None of them did. It grew colder as climates changed and the ship never stopped moving. Soon everyone sat huddled together beneath cloaks spread out like blankets.

"Where are they heading?" Daniel wondered aloud. The ship resupplied itself by sending men in rowboats to the far off shores of various ports they went by. The boats would return but men would ride up the coast after making purchases and return on stolen fishermen's vessels. They were moving fast. Will, Liam, and Lina studied every marker they could in hopes of finding something that would give them a clue to the ending location. Thankfully, their original wolfship docked for supplies in a Genovisan port and they switched to the Wolfwill. Svein, as a personal friend, was much more understanding of their goals and sympathetic to their inability to pay upfront. That, however, was a long time ago.

"We're closing in on Nihon-Ja," Will realized. He glanced to Lina. It seemed he'd just confirmed something in her mind.

"Why Nihon-Ja?" Kane asked.

"Nihon-Ja may not be their final destination," Will muttered.

"Well does anybody here know what goes beyond that?" William asked.

"It's not really part of Ranger training," Will admitted. "Liam?"

Liam shook his head. "I could tell you a few trade ports but that's all. Most of the people beyond Nihon-Ja are nomadic because of harsh climates."

"Slavatia," Lina said. They all turned to her. She just glanced back. "Slavatia and Czechizvich are beyond Nihon-Ja and if we sail past them we will reach a tribal land of Intuits. The farther you go the less unification and formal government. There's no way this voyage will last much longer. Nomads struggling for food don't just up and travel all the way to Araluen to collect the Hibernian royal family plus one and carry them back to their homeland."

They gave up their horses at one of the ports to a Ranger returning from a mission. He agreed to escort their companions to the new 'Old Bob'. Lina took a deep breath and gripped the ship's railing. Liam slid his arm around her. "She'll be alright," he promised. "We raised her to be tough."

Scout became accustomed to being awake with Talia in the dead of night while her cousins slept. She assumed Sean and Kineta were mentally and emotionally drained by their situation and Elizabet spent a lot of time staring up with fearful eyes. She hadn't made attempts to talk or even her basic noises since they were taken. Literally all her progress diminished. But in the middle of the night Scout found sleep hard to come by. She was hungry, dirty, and most of all bored out of her wits. Talia's condition made her highly uncomfortable. She dozed throughout the day and even some at night but actual rest was hard for her.

"You seem ill," Scout whispered long after the sun went down. Talia sighed deeply.

"Would you rub my back? It really hurts."

Sean, Kineta, and Scout's lives had come to revolve around two goals: keeping Elizabet calm and Talia comfortable. Talia asking for help of any kind was rare so they usually had to guess at what she needed. Scout scooted over and dug her fingers along Talia's lower back. "I can't believe they took you."

Talia just shrugged. "Nothing we can do about it now."

They stayed silent for a while. Then, "Once Mama caught Kane and me hunting when we were supposed to be at a language lesson. She made us wash dishes at Jenny's restaurant as punishment and Jenny was with David. Jenny seemed to get hot really fast. She started to fall once and Kane caught her."

Talia smiled. "I'm so glad the boy's turned out so well."

"Did you ever miss him after you gave him up?"

The question came before Scout could filter it. She turned bright red upon realizing what she'd done. Talia glanced back before answering. "Did anyone ever tell you exactly how he came to Halt and Pauline's care?"

With a red face Scout shook her head. "No." Obviously she'd crossed the line.

"I heard your mother told you a great deal of her old life."

"She did."

"Then I think you're mature enough to handle this one as well."