It had been a couple of days. Halt, Bloise, and Genevieve had left Castle Araluen and was now approaching Sea Cliff. Halt sighed as the ferry reached the little island.

Tipping the captain, he led the way through the village. He decided against going to visit Bartell as last time was a diaster, and they had limited time.

"So, Gallica," Genevieve started, trying to make conversation. "Have you guys been there?"

"Nope," Bloise simply answered, looking around. After a moment, he spoke up. "Who are we looking for, Halt?"

"Well," Halt thought for a moment. "His name is Ivan. According to Crowley, he's reliable to negotiate with."

"What does he look like?" Genevieve asked.

Halt shrugged. "Crowley said nothing about that."

As the three, approach the docks, Halt noticed two men standing in front of a ship. Their arms were flying around all over the place as if they were negotiating.

"Come on! Ivan, please. I have to get across."

The three companions exchanged glances. "That was easy," Bloise muttered, dismounting Riko. Genevieve followed his lead, and Halt looked at the other man.

He had spiked black hair, and was clothed in colors of grays and browns. Halt tilted his head. It would be trouble if the young man was trying to get Ivan to take him somewhere.

He turned to Ivan, who had sandy hair, the same color as Crowley's. He had green eyes that were lit with concentration. Halt dismounted. "Come on," he looked at Bloise and Genevieve.

The two men turned to face the three as they approached. "Who are you?" the black-haired man asked.

"I'm Genevieve," Genevieve spoke, Halt closing his mouth. "This is Bloise and Halt." She turned to the sandy-haired man. "You are Ivan, am I right? We wish to hire your services." 

"But I was here first!" the other man complained.

"What is your name?" Bloise asked, looking at the man.

"Aldren." The man responded, crossing his arms before turning back to Ivan, not letting Bloise speak. "You don't understand! I have to get a ride to Gallica. It's important!"

"Gallica?" Genevieve echoed, her lips breaking into a beautiful smile. "What a coincidence! That's where we want to go too."

Halt inwardly relaxed, knowing now that they didn't have to wait for Ivan to come back from taking Aldren to some other place. He nodded approvingly at Genevieve. She was a courier and was bound to be a much better speaker than him.

Aldren seemed to also relax. He sighed. "Please Ivan," he begged, clasping his hands together. "All four of us would like to go."

Ivan crossed his arms. "My crew and I ain't going out of the harbor with those 'Kandians around."

"Skandians?" Halt echoed. "Where?"

Ivan pointed over to a different ship. "'Ey're over there," he muttered. "And 'ey stop any ship passin."

Halt glanced over at the ship, his heart beating faster and faster. He recognized the ship. He clenched his fists.

"Halt?" Genevieve called out, hesitantly placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Halt brushed her hand off. Abelard and Blaze nervously neighed. It was the same ship that took him to Hibernia.

"What is it?" Bloise asked, walking to stand next to Halt.

"The wolfship," Halt muttered, gritting his teeth. "It's the same ship with the crew that betrayed me. They're apart of the cult."

Bloise eyes lightened after a moment of thinking. He grinned. "If we take them out and leave a few alive as prisoners, couldn't we just sail undercover?"

Halt looked at Bloise. "That idea isn't half bad."

Aldren looked at the three companions, now ignoring Ivan. "You track a cult," he murmured, a sliver of hope evident in his voice.

"What of it?" Halt asked, turning to face Aldren.

"I track the same."

Halt raised an eyebrow.

"You see," he muttered, explaining, "my sister Alyssa was taken."

Halt nodded. "Understandable."

Genevieve stood to the side, uncomfortable with the whole fighting idea. "How do you plan on fighting them?" she asked.

Halt blinked. "That hasn't been decided yet." He looked up at the setting sun. "Let's just get to the inn."

Genevieve sighed, but nodded in agreement. Even if she didn't want a fight, she was impatient for some action in her life.

Aldren led the way over to The Dancing Dolphin, whistling for his stallion Courage, leaving Ivan to stare at the four in confusion. He had been accepted into their group with no words of approval being said by Halt.

After eating dinner, the four packed into the only room vacant. It was a small room with one bed and one sofa, both worn down. There was also a small round table at the center of the room, two chairs with it.

"Nice room," Halt muttered, dropping his stuff by the door.

Aldren dusted off the table before plopping down on the chair. "We'll be needing a plan now," he impatiently said, leaning back.

Halt shut the door as Bloise took a seat in the other chair. "We have a plan," he muttered. "We don't know how to carry it out."

Genevieve sat on the bed, thinking. "They're bound to get of their ship at one point for food. Perhaps we can encounter them when they do."

"That should work," Halt approvingly nodded.

Aldren nodded. "I'd bet they'll come out in the morning."

"Agreed." Bloise nodded. "Now, I don't know about you people, but I'm exhausted, and we need to sort out our sleeping accommodations."

After a bit of debating, Genevieve got the bed, Aldren had the sofa, and the two were rangers were left with the chairs. None of the four slept well that night.

>>>------------->

Early in the morning, the four companions quickly polished up the plan and were all ready.

Aldren stood outside of the inn, leaning on a pole. The hood of his cloak was above his head, and his eyes darted around looking for the Skandians. His actions would've made one think that he was a ranger, despite his clothes.

Suddenly, his eyes caught an unusual figure. She stood out from the morning crowd as she was clothed in all black.

He frowned, his interest level rising. She didn't look like she was with the Skandians, but she looked like trouble. Aldren looked around, weighing his choices to abandon the plan or stay true to it.

Being Aldren, he tried to stay put for a couple of minutes, but soon gave in and followed the woman.

It was easy to follow her with her all black scheme, but Aldren eventually lost her in the crowd. He frowned as he came to a stop next to a dark alley. He looked around, and his eyes lingered at the darkness of the alleyway.

Suddenly a knife appeared under his chin. Aldren stiffened. The woman was in front of him, her dark hair covering one of her eyes. In one hand, was the knife under his chin, and in the other was another knife ready to strike.

Aldren stared at the woman before suddenly unsheathing his sword, moving it under the woman's chin. "Who are you?" Aldren asked, holding his weapon beside her throat with a weapon beside his.

The woman snarled. "You may call me Kyli," she answered, moving her free knife to move the sword away. "And you?" she asked, jumping back, removing the knife under Aldren's chin.

"Aldren," he simply answered, moving his sword into a defensive position.

"Well Aldren," Kyli murmured. "You have just met your death."

Kyli leapt forward, her knives deadly. Aldren spun to the side, and the two broke out into a fight.

>>>------------->

Genevieve looked out of the door of the inn, growing impatient. She fiddled around with her hands as she looked across the streets. She frowned as Aldren was no where in sight.

She looked behind her at Halt and Bloise, who were gathered over some parchment on a table before stepping out into the breezy day. "Al?" she called out. "Aldren? Where are you?"

With no answer, Genevieve strolled around. She abruptly stopped when her eyes caught sight of the Skandian ship. The crew was about to get off!

She gasped as she ran back to the inn. "They're coming!" she exclaimed, sliding over to the rangers. "And Aldren's gone!"

"Gone?" the two rangers echoed, standing up. Halt stuffed the parchment in his pocket.

Genevieve vigorously nodded. "Gone!"
Bloise looked at Halt. "You stay with Gene," he said. "I'll find Al."

Halt nodded, and Bloise took off. He sighed as he sat back down. "This is a diaster," he murmured as Genevieve sat next to him.

And then, the door slammed open. The Skandians were here.

A/N:

:) Minor cliffhanger...

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