Will staggered a bit as he slowly backed away from the soldiers. His ear was bleeding now, a thin stream of blood trickling down his neck and into his collar. He could hear out of it still, but only faintly, as if half his head was submerged underwater.

Athol, or Cuinn, whoever he was, was frowning deeply with his eyes locked on Will. Turning to one of the soldiers, he hissed, "How did he get here? I thought he was at the camp? And does he know anything about this?" The soldier could only shrug, and they both broke out in a furious, fast, whispered conversation, much too fast and quiet for Will's muddled head to follow.

"You, move over there." A soldier gestured with his sword towards the wall on the far side of the room. In Will's daze, he squinted as he recognized two figures seated against the wall, with a few soldiers standing nearby guarding them. As Will's eyes finally focused, he sucked in a breath as he met Alyss's worried eyes. He glanced down beside her, and hid his surprise as he recognized the prone figure of Halt, lying completely still, his eyes shut. His head was cradled in Alyss's lap, her hands covered in his blood.

"Drop your weapons here. The bow and the knives. Then wait here until Councilmember Athol is ready for you." The soldiers watched warily as Will stripped off his weapons, leaving them in a heap next to Halt's against the wall near the door. Then they pushed and shoved him diagonally across the room, past the blurry figures of the King and the four other council members sitting in their chairs, all watched carefully by more guards, until he had reached the far wall.

At the guard's word, he slumped down against the wall, a few feet away from Alyss. "Stay here, and don't think about trying anything. Or we'll hurt her and your friend." The soldiers turned away, standing in a semi-circle around them a few feet away. Close enough to prevent them from leaving, but not close enough for them to hear anything they said.

As soon as the guard's back turned, he felt Alyss reach out across the gap between them and seize his hand in her own. "Will, Athol lied. He's going to try to--"

"Kill the King, I know," Will interrupted her. They both whispered as quietly as they could, and Will quickly closed the gap between them, sliding over until he could press his left leg against her right. She gently reached up and rested her hand on his cheek, her eyes watering in the light from the window panes and torches along the wall. "I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too." He leaned into her hand, and then her touch was gone.

"So you figured it out?" she breathed, her tears gone. The fear still shone in her eyes, but it was expertly masked.

He nodded. "Mostly. One of the druids at the camp gave away a little too much. How'd you find out?"

"They moved the meeting up, and Athol lied. I only found out ten minutes ago when they knocked out Halt." She stroked the grizzled Ranger's forehead where the rock had cut him. "They dropped a rock down on him, he had no warning."

"That's why you knew to warn me." He gave her a small grateful smile. "Thanks for that, by the way. I really appreciate not being clobbered by stones at seven in the morning."

"You're quite welcome. Halt wasn't so lucky, and he hasn't moved since. I'm a bit worried."

Will gently felt around the cut on his forehead. No broken bones, and the swelling wasn't too bad. "It's not too bad, he should wake up within an hour."

Alyss's fingers brushed some of the blood of his neck, tracing it up to his ear. "What's this?"

Will winced in both pain and frustration as he realized he was still hearing everything like he was submerged in the castle moat. "That rock blew out my eardrum, I can barely hear anything on that side. But at least I'm not unconscious."

"How'd the druid tribe go? Where's Horace?"

"He's--" Will was about to answer, but his whisper faded as Athol came sauntering over.

"Get up," a soldier muttered, prodding Will in the shoulder with the tip of his spear. As he slowly got to his feet, he pressed one of his strikers into Alyss's hand. He felt her grab it tightly, pulling it away and tucking it under her skirt. Her fingers brushed against his palm as he finally was forced to let go. He didn't look down, or look back, as he followed the soldier to meet Athol where he stood.

He was angry. That was not good for Will, considering he was trapped in a relatively sound-proof room with fifteen armed guards and druids ready to kill him. No one could hear them, and no one would help them. It was a ridiculous hour of the morning to be threatened with death, he thought humourlessly. Horace would have to drag his warriors out of their beds, He may not be fast enough to be able to help if anything went wrong.

Will's thoughts were interrupted by Athol's angry questions. "How did you get here? How did you know about this meeting? Tell me everything." His deep glower, hiding a hint of panic that flashed in his eyes, didn't scare Will one bit.

"I ran away from your tribe, Cuinn. Or should I say Athol? Which one's your real name?"

He shook his head, dismissing Will's jibe in frustration. "My druid name is Cuinn, the one I used for many years before I pretended to give it up when I joined this council."

"So you've been leading the Esus tribe in secret for years? Sneaking away from the castle to go burn down buildings and cut off innocent people's hands?"

Athol only smiled. "I see you've witnessed some of our ceremonies. Incredible, aren't they?"

"Murderous and insane is more like it."

A soldier raised his spear, and Will couldn't defend himself as the shaft slammed across his shoulder blades, forcing him painfully onto his knees. In his daze of pain, he heard Athol snap to the guards nearby to get the other councilmen out of there. In a flash, they other four men at the table, all of them relatively soft and quite old, were hauled out of the room, the door shutting quietly behind them. He doesn't want the councilmen to hear his lies, so he can keep controlling them. And he doesn't want them to see him get rid of me and the King.

Athol was rambling angrily as soon as they were gone. "I'm sure you've realized the fact that I've lied to everyone in this room for over ten years. I told my father--" he thrust his finger in the King's direction, who sat slumped in his seat, his wrinkled face pale and short, scared breaths puffing in and out of his chest still swathed in his ridiculous blue robes, "that I would give up my station as a member of the tribe of Esus. But instead, I lied again and told my tribe I was leaving the palace and was ready to accept my role as their leader! I took my seat of power in the council and the druids at the same time. My father believed I had become a council member and separated from my tribe as the law dictates, while my tribe believed I had left my father's side to become their spiritual guide!"

He's the King's son? Before Will could even react, a sad keening sound echoed from the King's seat. His scraggly, high pitched squeak was full of pain and betrayal. "Athol, how could you do this?"

He sneered at his father, a hateful look in his eyes. "For the first few years it was just an experiment, a test to see if I could keep my role as a druid and still be a trusted member of the council. After it obviously worked, I kept up my lies because it had become my way of life, I didn't want to ruin what I had worked so hard to build. But soon I realized that what I was doing shouldn't be illegal. I should be allowed to be a druid and my father's advisor. But you said no."

He stalked over to the King's seat, and Will's throat tightened as he pulled a short dagger from a sheath at his waist. He traced its razor-sharp tip along the hem of the King's robes, from his throat down to his heaving chest. "The longer I watched you, the more I realized how terrible of a King you were. You don't balance the druids with the ordinary citizens! You keep us secret, you don't support us, you pretend we aren't there! I'm tired of following the decrees of a King who doesn't care about his people. For the crimes you've committed against the druids, I condemn you to death, by the order of Esus."

The King's face was bloodless, he looked like he was about to faint. "But, Athol, you cannot do this! If you're truly a druid, like you say you are, you have sworn an oath not to intentionally harm others! If you kill me, you'll be banished, or worse, executed!"

Athol only smiled, a reaction that curled Will's toes in fear. He turned to a soldier nearby. "Is it ready yet?"

The man nodded, and jogged quickly to a far corner of the room, swathed in shadow where Will couldn't see him anymore. Only the flickering of a small covered fire lit the area and no one could see what he was doing.

"Father, I'm surprised you underestimate me. I've lived so much of my life in lies, and reveled in breaking and manipulating the laws you decree, that you should realize I delight in finding loopholes. And trust me, I've found the perfect one to solve this little problem." He turned back to Will, who was still kneeling on the floor, his kneecaps screaming in pain.

"My father is right, I am sworn to not inflict harm upon another human being... except when it is desired and commanded by Esus. Then it becomes a sacrifice and not a murder. And since I interpret the commands of Esus for my tribe, how will they know what is real and what isn't?"

Will smothered a gasp. He hasn't just been lying about his position to his father and his tribe, he's been lying to his tribe about what Esus says! "You've been lying to your own people to manipulate them into doing what you want? You've forced them to follow you on your campaign to assassinate your own father by pretending your god is orchestrating it? You should be banished for that, that can't be legal for any leader, much less a spiritual one," Will called across the room.

Athol turned to him menacingly, but Will stood his ground. "I do what I must in order to right the wrongs my father has committed. He must be removed, and the only way to do that is to kill him. It is for the good of the druids, and surely Esus will understand even if he hasn't directly commanded it."

"Please, Athol, I'm sorry," the King squeaked, pitiful tears running down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry about everything, I didn't understand how much it was hurting you."

He held a hand out in silence, his face gaunt and dismissive. "I know you're just trying to save your own skin, Father. But you know I don't believe you. After a century of mistakes, one apology will not solve anything. Your reign ends today."

The King was crying openly now. Sobs wracked his body. "Then please, if you're going to kill me, then just do it. Let Ranger Will and the others go, they haven't done anything to deserve death."

Athol shook his head, as if he somehow regretted the fact that Will hadn't done anything to deserve being killed. "They know everything, I can't let them go and tell anyone else what I've done. They must die, too." He looked over at Alyss and Halt, still slumped against the wall in the shadows. "I don't enjoy killing, and I wish I didn't have to do it to you. But you got yourself involved, you learned things you weren't supposed to. There's nothing else I can do, no other options. I'm truly sorry," he added, sounding almost remorseful.

But Alyss spat at him, her eyes full of anger. "You're a murderer and a liar, and that's all you'll ever be. Can you live with that?"

He turned away from her wordlessly, but Will could tell her words had a sobering effect on him.

"It's true, I can only kill someone else directly if they are also a druid, and a member of my tribe, as a sacrifice to Esus. But remember the loopholes I mentioned?"

The soldier who had disappeared into the corner reappeared. He strolled into the light, a long slim metal rod brandished before him, his hands wrapped in thick, heat-protective gloves. The end of the rod was glowing red hot, a familiar design worked into the metal.

Will knew exactly what it was, and felt his stomach heave.

A branding stick. The same thing farmers used to brand cows in their herd. Except now, it was a druid brand.

They're going to burn the tattoo onto me to induct me into the tribe.

"I can't kill Ranger Will, or Lady Alyss, without them being druids. So I intend to solve that problem by inducting them into my tribe, right here, right now. All you need is our mark, and the King's blessing as a witness. Once you've been inducted, I'll kill King Carr, since we won't need him anymore, and then you right after. This whole mess will be cleaned up, ending my father's reign and removing the only people in the world who know my secrets." Athol turned to Will with a victorious smile, and the soldier holding the hot metal rod came closer.

Will swallowed his terror, letting anger spur him on. He couldn't give up now when there was still hope to save Alyss. If Horace was ever going to arrive at an opportune time, it would be NOW. "So you've been lying to your tribe, and your father, for ten years? You pretended to be a faithful son, and a faithful leader, while keeping everyone in your life in the dark?"

Athol's face was dark. "Exactly. And with you out of the way, it'll stay that way. I'll control the druids and the throne of Celtica. And I'll take back our country to be what is rightfully ours, a place where we can live without hiding."

Will tried his best not to focus on the hot metal, steaming in the cool air. "What about Lewellyn, does she know?"

"All the more reason to get rid of you. She's known for years, she helps me keep it a secret from the tribe by covering for me when I'm gone." His voice, surprisingly, had softened at the mention of her. He turned away, his fists tightening at his sides. "Did she tell you? Is that how you knew to come here, when you should have been trapped at the camp?"

Will nodded. "She hinted at it, and I put the pieces together."

Athol paled in anger, his voice broken and slightly sad. "Even she betrayed me."

Will could see the raw anger and bitterness in his eyes, and it was then that he knew.

"You love her, don't you?"

Athol whirled around, his hands slamming down onto Will's chest, grasping his neck and squeezing tightly. Will couldn't stop him as the soldiers standing behind him held his arms, twisting them tightly behind his back so he couldn't move. Athol's grip was tight on his windpipe, blocking most of his air. Will could only wheeze as he leaned down right into his face, forcing him to meet his eyes. His vision was already blurry and tinged with red.

"Druid's can't love one another, we swear an oath of celibacy and loneliness when we join a tribe, in deference to our god." Will could swear a tear leaked out of the corner of Athol's twisted angry face. Just as Will's vision started to go black, Athol ripped his arms away from him, leaving him to choke and gasp in the grip of the soldiers. "Yet another reason why my father's laws, and the laws of the druids for the last century, need to be changed. I will not be forced to reject the woman I love, not anymore."

"Killing him--it isn't the answer," Will rasped as he gasped for breath. His knees were aching from being pressed onto the stone floor for so long, his arms were going numb from the guards hold, and his shoulders ached from being hit with the spear.

"I've tried to negotiate, he won't listen. This is the only answer." He snapped at another guard, and he stepped forward, a bowl of some thick inky black substance in his hands. The guard still holding the hot rod maneuvered the end with the druid design into the ink, coating it, making the ink hiss and spit as it boiled on contact.

"We'll get this over with, and be done with you and the others, Ranger Will. Don't worry, even though this is going to hurt a lot, you won't have to live through it for long."

"What if I refuse to become a druid, then what? Will you murder me anyway? Burn me alice like you tried a week ago at Stamford Inn?" Will called out, his tone steely, hiding his horrible terror at the sight of the red hot blacked branding tool that would soon be pressed to his skin.

"Oh no, you'll accept. Because if you don't, I'll try the Lady Alyss instead. And I'm sure after watching her get burned, you'll be very compliant." Athol grabbed King Carr's arm, dragging his shaking small body along the stone floor until he was a few feet away, standing directly in front of Will. "You still remember how to induct a new druid, right, Father?"

At the words of his traitorous son, the King nodded feebly, his eyes locked on Will's. He stared, his eyes wide and glazed over, frozen with panic and utter terror.

Will tried to comfort him with his own gaze. It's going to be alright.

Where in the blithering blazes was Horace? It would be great if he could find some men and storm in here before they burn my skin off!

"Any last words to Lady Alyss, Ranger Will? I saw you two earlier. You think you have the advantage because you know who I love. Well, I know who you love, too. You'll be dead, soon, so say what you want to say." Athol sneered in Will's face, pointing at Alyss, and then stepped away with a sly expression. He's enjoying this, Will realized. He's been betrayed by Lewellyn, and now he wanted to see me lose Alyss. He wants me to feel how he feels.

And if I don't come up with a plan, or Horace doesn't come quick, that may well happen.

The King had started crying again. "Spare her, you have to spare her," he sputtered through his tears.

"Why?" Athol's voice was steely.

"You may have found a way to kill me, and the others, but nothing will ever justify you killing her."

"And why is that? What makes her so special?" He spat the last word, like an insult.

Will's eyes widened as the King murmured, "She's with child."

How does he know? Alyss wouldn't have told him...

Maybe he really can see images of the future. That's the only explanation.

"Is this true?" Athol, looking alarmed, walked over to Alyss. Will twisted around in the soldier's iron grip, his shocked gaze meeting Alyss's as she could only stare back helplessly.

"Yes," she whispered.

Athol stepped away, cursing under his breath. Will heaved a sigh of relief as he moved away from her.

"I'll figure something out. I can still make her a druid. Maybe I can pray to Esus, he can take babies away..."

Will's heart jumped to his throat at Athol's panicked rambling. His next words were ripped out of him with panic at the thought of losing their baby. "No! Let her go, she'll swear to silence. Kill me, do whatever you want to me, but leave her alone. She won't talk, not when you threaten me."

But Athol waved him away, ignoring him. He turned back to face Will again, his eyes steely, the panic gone. "I'll deal with her later, when you're already dead. Now get on with it. Last words, or you won't get any at all."

Will swallowed hard, composing himself, trying to force his hands not to shake in the soldiers' grip. He turned his head, meeting Alyss's red, wet eyes across the room. He spared a glance down at Halt, who still lay unmoving in Alyss's lap. No one can help us now, not even Halt.

He didn't trust his voice, but he had no choice. "I love you," he called softly. She nodded, and mouthed I love you too. Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she made no sound.

Brave until the end. Braver than he ever was.

Will said one last thing. "Daniel." Call him Daniel, if he's a boy. "Or Olivia." If she's a girl.

Understanding flickered in her eyes. "I will." Her voice was small, but steady.

Will wrenched his eyes away from hers, uncontrollable anger swelling up inside him at the thought of never being able to see his wife or child again. "Do it," he hissed lowly, startling Athol. "Do it, and I hope Esus burns you in hell for what you're about to do."

The soldiers pushed his cloak aside and dug their hands into the jerkin and shirt covering Will's right shoulder, ripping the cloth open so the skin on his neck and collarbone lay bare. The soldier holding the branding stick, still covered in boiling ink, lined it up a few inches away from his skin, and the ones holding his arms tightened their grip even more so he couldn't even move an inch.

Someone behind him shoved a rag into his mouth. To make sure no one can hear my screams.

Athol spat in his face. "I don't believe in hell."

And with that, the metal touched his skin. 

******************

A/N This chapter is what I like to call, a smack in the face. If you made it this far, congratulations, seriously. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I liked writing it! And don't worry, I know it's a brutal cliffhanger but I promise it's not the end. More is coming very soon! 

Favorite RA character? Mine's Alyss.