"Why are there Celtic soldiers on the ramparts?"

Horace, his hand raised to block out the beams of the early morning sun, was squinting tiredly up at the battlements of Castle Redmont. They had ridden through the night as fast as they could, and arrived a few hours after dawn the following morning. Neither of them had slept or eaten in hours, and the sight of the green uniforms instead of the usual red from the Redmont garrison had unsettled them even further. Will, who had been seconds away from suggesting they stop and eat, immediately forgot his hunger as fear knotted up his insides.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," he muttered.

Horace glanced sidelong at him worriedly. "Do you think we're too late?"

Will only shook his head with frustration. "Too late, maybe, but for what? I know this Cuinn figure has to be here, and he has to have something to do with the King, but we need more information before we can figure out what exactly is supposed to happen. And there's not enough time for that."

Horace sighed, puffing out his cheeks, and then nudged Kicker's sides. "Well, like I always say, you Rangers are sneaky and great with planning. But right now, we don't have time to be sneaky or make a plan. So I say, we just go and see what happened for ourselves?" He gestured to the Celtic soldiers on the walls above them. "If these guards tell us anything, it's that something has to have happened. Something important enough involving their King that they've been asked to stand watch in a foreign country."

Will and Tug followed close behind as they began a swift trot to the drawbridge. "I suppose, for once, I'll agree that we don't have time for an elaborate plan or lots of head-scratching," and he paused as Horace's shoulders straightened triumphantly, "but thankfully, plans don't have to be long or complicated. And I've already got one."

Horace turned in his saddle, peering back at Will with one eyebrow raised. "How do you have a plan when we don't know what's going on?"

Will shrugged. "I never said it was a very detailed one."

Horace rolled his eyes. "Alright, let's hear it. It has to be better than just barging in there and yelling for someone to tell us what's happening. That was my plan."

Will gazed at him solemnly. "It's definitely better than that."

"Well, of course it is. So what is it? We haven't got all morning!"

"I was thinking we should split up. We can't do this alone, just the pair of us, and we need someone to get help. But we also need someone to go and start figuring out what's happened. So I was going to slip inside and find the King, while you gather the Royal Guard, or whatever group of soldiers you can find that can overpower the Celts. Depending on what we discover, we may end up needing a lot of help."

Horace nodded in agreement. "Definitely better than bursting in and yelling. What do you want me to do when I've got the men together? How will I find you?"

Will flashed a smile. "I'm planning on making a bit of a ruckus once I find the King, so it shouldn't be too hard once the ball starts rolling."

Horace grinned back. "Is this going to be a violent, loud ruckus?"

"Hopefully. It'll deter any other Celts from trying to be sneaky if every servant and noble in the castle has their eye on them. And it should hopefully prevent them from trying to kill me."

Horace's eyes gleamed. "Oh, I'd love to see them try. And if you do end up needing any help, I'll come as soon as I can. I'll head straight for the ruckus, sword ready."

"Perfect."

He and Will shared a mischievous smile.

"Just like old times?" Horace asked, hoisting his shield in front of him.

Will winked. "Just like old times."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will crept across the soft grass along the outside of the castle wall. He was leading Tug, and Horace was a few steps behind with Kicker at the rear. They had ridden across the draw bridge and then ducked out of sight, flattening themselves and the horses against the wall before the Celtic guards could get a good look at them. Better to avoid them in case they might be recognized. Will wanted to make sure no one would be expecting them, especially Cuinn.

As they walked, Will pressed on a few different stones at eye level with the pads of his fingers. After a few more feet, they had reached the far western side of the castle, and on the other side of the wall should have been the garden. Will pressed against every stone he could find for the next ten feet, hoping that no one had repaired the wall. Sure enough, he found a loose stone and wiggled it out of the wall. He leaned in, squinting through the small hole, looking for anyone that might see them enter. After seeing no one, he and Horace together removed more and more stones until there was a sizable opening, enough for both of them to step through comfortably.

After a few minutes of urging to get Kicker to step through the hole, they both stood on the edge of the garden, the stone wall taken apart behind them, and no one around. Kicker and Tug both stood awkwardly among the flowers and bushes, and Kicker's back leg was in the pond.

Will glanced around hurriedly. "We don't have time to put the wall back together. This part of the castle isn't frequented by many people at this time of day, so we'll just have to hope no one notices for a little while."

"What about the horses? We can't put them in the stable, right?" Horace asked, trying to coax Kicker into taking his hoof out of the pond. The horse, traumatized after having to climb through such a small hole in the wall, refused to move.

"No, it would raise the alarm too fast." Will shrugged. "If we're taking a chance with the wall, we'll take it with the horses too."

Horace led Kicker across the garden, stomping on plenty of delicate flowers, and tied his bridle to the bench. Will let Tug's hang free, and gave him a pat on the neck, murmuring, "Stay here, and don't eat too many of these flowers. Alyss loves them, you know."

I'd be worried about that great brute of a battle horse eating the entire garden before you get back. I'll just have a few clovers as snacks and call it a day.

"A few clovers? How about one, or none?"

Tug rolled his eyes. Fine, I won't, but I'm not warning Kicker about the thorns on those roses. I'll let him figure them out for himself.

Will sighed. "Just don't let him eat everything. And stay quiet. Hopefully we'll have this sorted out soon and I'll come back to get you."

Take your time, this is a great place to be abandoned. But once the flowers run out, I'll come check on you. Even if I have to gallop down hallways to do it.

"You won't have to... I hope." Will gave him one last pat, and then met Horace at the entrance.

"You sure you don't want to stick together?" Horace asked him one last time. His eyes were wary, Will knew he didn't want to leave him behind.

And to be honest, Will would have preferred to stay with Horace as well. He was a capable warrior, a great commander, and above all, one of his best friends. And in such an uncertain situation, it would be much simpler to just stay together and test the waters in a pair while covering each other's backs. But they needed to do two things at the same time, and splitting up was the only way.

But even Will wasn't above wanting the comfort of Horace's presence. And as battle-hardened as Horace was, he was having an equally difficult time leaving his friend. Will always had a plan, and Will could drop anyone within 200 meters before they could try anything. That kind of skill and protection was something Horace valued deeply, as he had before on so many missions. Losing that, and Will's comforting presence, was daunting.

But they didn't have time to think about it anymore. They had wasted ten minutes just trying to get inside the castle, and time was running out.

Will shook his head hurriedly. "I'm checking the Courier's offices for Alyss, Pauline, or Halt first, they're most likely to know what's happening if I can find them. After that, I'll go to wherever the King is. Find me there as soon as you can."

Horace reached out and grasped his arm. "I'll be there."

Will nodded once. "I'll be waiting."

Then Horace turned without looking back, jogged down the hall, ducked through another doorway, and was gone.

Will gave Tug and Kicker one last glance, and then started up the stairs.

Turning down the hallway with Alyss and Pauline's offices, he leaned into every doorway. A few of the offices were occupied with other Couriers, who he greeted politely. Others were empty and uninteresting.

Alyss's office was still shut tight, locked and dark from when she had closed it the previous night. Will pressed his nose against the small window at eye level, squinting into the darkness.

But no one was there.

"So if she isn't there, then where is she?" he said softly to himself. He knew she didn't like staying the castle alone, so she definitely wouldn't be in her chambers next to Halt and Pauline's. And they were all relatively early risers, so they shouldn't be asleep now.

If she's not in her office, and not in her room, then where?

"You're back! So soon, did something go wrong? Are you and Horace alright?"

Will turned only to be enveloped by a warm hug from Lady Pauline. He pulled away quickly giving her own a token wane smile. "Nothing is wrong... yet. We're fine, but we've got some news that's worrying. Have you seen Alyss this morning?"

Pauline, sensing his anxiety, put a hand on his shoulder and answered quickly. "No, I heard her get up early and Halt joined her a moment later. But that's all I know. I only just got to my office."

Will bit his lip, shaking his head. "At least she's with Halt. Where's the King? I need to find him immediately."

"Is the worrying news something to do with King Carr?"

Will nodded. "I need to find him as soon as possible. I think he's in danger, although I can't be sure."

Pauline smiled softly. "We were busy while you were gone. Athol, the man who attacked you in the courtyard during the King's arrival? He approached us and asked us for help. He claims there's a rebel in the King's entourage, more specifically, in his council, and wanted us to help him stop them."

Will's mouth gaped. "A council member? Where's Athol now?"

She only shook her head. "He's supposed to be at the meeting at eleven, with the King and the other members of the council. Athol was worried that the traitor, whoever he is, will try to kill the King."

I had only been guessing before what Lewellyn might have meant when she warned me that the King wasn't as good as he appeared to be. She must be involved in this assassination plot, and Cuinn is going to try to murder him!

His mind whirling, Will stumbled over his words as he asked, "Are any of the council members named Cuinn, by any chance?"

Pauline shook her head again. "Not that I know of. Athol suspected Tristin, and he might be using a fake name. It's hard to know for sure."

Will rubbed the back of his hand over his eyes, the weight of his exhaustion settling in. "All the more reason to find the King before anyone tries anything."

Pauline gave him a gentle push down the hall. "Go towards His Majesty's guest chambers. If his guards are gone, then he's not there. After that, you know who to ask."

Will gave her a grateful, tired smile. "I'll be back soon, hopefully with the King fully intact." He hesitated, pausing midstride down the hall. "If you see Halt, could you tell--"

"Yes, of course I will, same goes for if I see Alyss. And Horace."

"He's gathering the Royal Guard just in case the garrison attacks."

Pauline blinked once, caught by surprise, and then narrowed her eyes. "Why would the garrison attack?"

Running down the hall already, Will called back, "They're Celts, they might be part of the resistance!"

"There are Celts on the walls, not Redmont soldiers? Then how did you sneak in?" she called back in disbelief.

But Will was already gone.

A few moments later, he turned away from the hallway that lead to King Carr's chambers with mounting frustration. His guards were gone, meaning he wasn't there.

He had wasted fifteen minutes now. He hoped to god his paranoia would turn out to be unfounded.

But then there was the possibility that the King was already dead and he had failed, all because he had wasted fifteen minutes.

Will resisted the urge to slam his fist into the stone wall. No time to grovel.

Time to follow Pauline's advice: find a servant.

They went everywhere, heard everything, and knew every ounce of court gossip. In this case, it was going to serve Will very well.

He only had to walk a few feet past the door to the courtyard when a pair of serving girls came bustling by with stacks of linens piled high on their arms. "Excuse, me, ladies, but could I ask you a question?"

They both whipped their heads around, and seeing him for the first time, shrieked and dropped their stacks. To them, Will had appeared magically out of the shadows, like a ghost, and he scared them out of their wits.

The girl closest to him recovered quickly, stooping on her knees to pick up the sheets. "Ranger Will, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you until just now. What can I do for you?" She was still a bit shaky, but the other girl hadn't even gotten up off the floor yet. She just stared up at him with wide eyes.

He shifted uncomfortably. "It's alright, it happens a lot, it's my fault. Do you know where the King of Celtica is? It's urgent that I find him immediately."

The standing girl nodded. "Betty was just down delivering drinks to the throne room. Apparently they're having a meeting in there." She laughed to herself. "A royal awake at seven in the morning? I can scarcely believe it, but she saw it with her own eyes."

The other girl on the floor finally snapped out of her stupor and stood hurriedly, clutching at the first girl's arm for support. Her voice had a Hibernian twang that momentarily startled Will. "I-I'm Betty, I saw it all meself. His Majesty an' his council all meetin' in there. They only went in ten minutes ago, you can still catch 'em before they start if you go right quick."

Will nodded his thanks, already turning on his heel. "Thank you!"

He heard Betty call out, "Did we just help you on a mission, Ranger Will? Did we help you save th' King?"

"Shhh, Betty, you can't say that to a Ranger! He's trying to be sneaky!"

He held back a smile, and called back. "Hopefully!" and then left them far behind as he ran in a full out sprint for the throne room.

Come to think of it, he should probably have checked there first. Where else would a King be?

All water under the bridge now, he supposed. He just had to hope he was in time.

He slid to a stop just around the corner from the double doors. He calmed his breathing, forced himself to relax, and then set off on an easy stroll around the corner with a carefree smile on his face. He was just enjoying a morning stroll after getting back from his trip. He didn't know anything about the assassination plot. He didn't have anything planned. Just a nice, casual stroll to start his morning.

Just as Pauline said, the four Celtic guardsmen standing around the door all looked straight at him as he came towards them. "How many of you green-cloaked archers are there?" one guard muttered under his breath.

Will paid him a puzzled look. "Quite a lot, I'm afraid. What can I do for you? You seem a little lost, it's seven in the morning! No need to stand guard here so many hours before the King's meeting!" He spread his arms comfortably, giving them a warm smile.

The soldier in the middle shook his head, his face dark. "We've been ordered to stand here, and we will. Now move along."

Will turned his head in mock confusion. "Who ordered you? Are they in there? I do happen to be looking for King Carr, I have some news for him."

"What kind of news? Who are you?" another solider asked.

The man in the middle stepped forward aggressively. "Which Ranger are you? Are you Gilan, or Will?"

Will had to use every ounce of his strength to not let his facade crack. So they know Halt, or at least they know where he is, so they know he can't be me. And they know Gilan and I are involved, but they can't tell us apart.

Time to play Commandant. "I'm Gilan, of course. The Ranger Commandant. Ranger Will is still gone on his trip. Now I need to see the King, right away."

The soldier looked suspicious, and Will forced his smile to stay wide and comfortable. Lying was difficult, he knew, especially when someone was studying his face for anything that might give him away.

The man finally grumbled, "I'll check." He stepped inside the door, shutting it behind him, and try as Will might, he couldn't hear any of the conversation.

After a few long minutes of awkward silence, Will heard someone running across the floor in heavy boots just on the other side of the door. They stopped to the right of the door frame, and hints of a hushed, muddled exchange were just barely audible. Will cursed silently as he realized he still couldn't hear the exact words.

They're plotting something behind the door, that's for certain. I'll be careful when I go in. Maybe they're already holding the King hostage.

"King Carr says you can go right in, Ranger Gilan."

Will gave him one last smile for good measure, and then stepped through the open door.

"Down, Will!"

Before Will had a chance to see anything, to even register who was there and what was going on, Alyss's familiar voice rang out across the room. It was loud, clear, and unmistakably tinged with fear.

Without hesitating, Will threw himself down onto the ground, and not a moment too soon. He felt, rather than saw, the rock brush past his neck with a puff of air and land with a loud crack on the stone floor beside his head. It was the size of a baseball, and plenty heavy enough to have knocked him out if Alyss hadn't warned him.

It was also heavy enough to have crushed his windpipe if it had hit his throat. He might have died.

His eyes locked on the stone rolling on the stone next to him. It had chipped the floor, and temporarily blasted out his hearing in his left ear. But what disturbed him the most was the wicker man design staring back at him.

Cuinn did this. He's here.

Will, galvanized by his discovery, sprung to his feet and turned, his saxe drawn and ready, his hearing muddled and lopsided. Ten Celtic soldiers stood around him in a semi-circle, blocking the door and his exit. Yet another soldier was climbing down off a chair with a sack of stones in his hand, brandishing another at Will's face. He must have been the one to throw the stone.

"You're back early, Ranger Will. Did Lewellyn fail to convince you to stay?"

Will turned warily, and his eyes locked on a man strolling towards him ten meters away.

"I'm sure you've heard all about me from her. My name is Cuinn, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Síocháin a bheith ar domhan," he said, giving a small bow.

Will recognized him and froze. He couldn't speak, he could barely even breathe.

"The correct response is, Agus go mbeidh an domhan ar a suaimhneas. May peace be in the world, and may the world be at peace. Lewellyn should have taught you that."

Will swallowed hard, his mouth dry. He tried to speak, but his voice was stuck. He glanced around in a panic for Alyss, but couldn't find her.

He cursed himself under his breath for not realizing it sooner.

Cuinn was Athol.