Deva and Holly waited nervously in the corridor outside Commandant Crowley's office while their fathers spoke with him about their desire to become Rangers.

Holly nudged Deva with an elbow. "Why did they leave us out here?"

"As if I know? I'm as much in the dark as you are."

"It isn't exactly fair, is it? I mean we're the ones who want to become Rangers, we shouldn't be left out of the conversation." Holly folded her arms over her chest.

Deva snorted. "You know why. They're in there trying to convince Crowley to reject our request."

Holly echoed her snort. "You're probably right." She sat back, propping her shoulders against the wall, frowning at the Commandant's office door.

Deva sat beside her on the floor and they both proceeded to glare at the door as if it would somehow force the men inside to call them into the room and include them in the conversation. They both wished they knew what was being discussed.

***

"Come now, Halt, you know that isn't at all true," Crowley insisted.

Halt pressed his lips together tightly, staring across the room at his old friend. "You know it is."

He was attempting to persuade Crowley to agree with his argument that Holly simply wouldn't make a decent Ranger. She didn't have the discipline and she tended to ignore authority. Breaking rules was one of her specialties. He chose to ignore the fact that Crowley had pointed out these were qualities he tended to exhibit on many occasions.

Crowley sat back, shaking his head. "If Holly wants to be a Ranger then I don't see a problem with it." He turned his gaze to Will. "Similarly, I feel the same about Deva."

The two men shared a look.

Will shifted in his seat before clearing his throat. "It's just ... well ... we're talking about our children." He paused, looking at Crowley, who simply stared at him steadily. "We just ... you know, don't want to see them put themselves into situations that would ..." He waved his hands around in front of him when he couldn't seem to complete the statement.

Crowley lifted his brows. "Put them in danger?"

Halt thrust a finger at him. "Exactly!"

"Why? Because they're female or because they are your daughters?" Crowley asked with a chuckle.

"Both," they replied in unison.

Crowley shook his head. "The two of you have been in more danger than any two people have the right to. You add in Horace and I think the lot of you have exceeded the allotment of luck allowed any normal human beings. Now, given that, I think we shall be allowed to push that envelope a bit further and allow the girls to be Rangers. Don't you?"

Halt sat back, folding his arms over his chest, staring silently at Crowley for a moment. "You're going to allow them in, aren't you, without even considering what we've said?"

Crowley's smile was bright and his eyes twinkled merrily. "I would consider your words if they held any weight, but at the moment all I hear is words lighter than dust motes. Fetch the girls."

Halt flicked a gaze at Will.

"Why do I have to get them?"

"Because you're the apprentice," Halt answered.

"I haven't been your apprentice in a very long while," Will retorted.

"One of you get them or I'll toss the both of you out a window," Crowley told them cheerfully, his eyes on Halt. Halt had a history of tossing people out windows into moats.

With a small grumble, Will stood and went to get the girls from the hallway. They entered the room slowly, shuffling in behind Will.

"Sit down, girls." Crowley indicated two chairs set off to the side of the room and both girls took seats. "I've taken everything into consideration and I'm going to allow the two of you to become apprentices."

Before their excitement could overflow into squeals of delight, he raised a hand to calm their enthusiasm. "Hold on a second, we have a small issue with mentors. At the moment the only senior Rangers without apprentices are sitting in this room." He dipped his head in Will and Halt's direction.

The girls looked from their fathers to Crowley.

Holly jumped to her feet. "That's not fair! You said we could be Rangers and now you're changing your mind simply because the only mentors available are them?" she stabbed a finger at their fathers.

Deva sat back in her chair with a grumble. "That is so not fair."

"I never said you can't be apprenticed, I was simply pointing out who was available. In my opinion, I think the situation can only be fairly accomplished if Halt were assigned as Deva's mentor and Will as Holly's mentor."

Holly dropped back into her chair, staring at Crowley. "Wait, does that mean I have to move to Will's cabin and Deva must move into the castle?"

Crowley shrugged. "I see no reason for it, after all you've spent your entire lives living with Rangers, moving would serve little purpose."

Halt scowled. "It would serve plenty of purpose. It would put them with their mentor."

"I believe you are located close enough to one another to accomplish training without too much difficulty. If you'd like, you can train together. Come now, Halt, even you can spare some time from your outrageously busy schedule to train your apprentice."

Halt continued to scowl. Mostly because Crowley knew he was planning on retiring, this was going to delay his plans. Yet, if he passed the opportunity, Deva would be left without a mentor, while Will trained Holly. It wouldn't be fair of him to do such a thing to Deva. He finally acquiesced with a quick nod.

"It's settled then." Crowley rubbed his hands together with a grin. "All right, off with you."

The girls thanked Crowley and their fathers ushered them from the room. The two were talking excitedly about their training.

Will shot Halt a look and his former mentor shook his head. "I suggest we ignore those comments."

"Hard to," Will muttered.

Holly turned, walking backward down the hall. "Come on, you both have to admit it isn't exactly the best arrangement. I'm sure you'd prefer if we had different mentors, just as we do. But if we want to be Rangers then this is our only choice. We don't want to wait."

"Fine. Let's head home." Halt turned and headed in the direction of the stables.

"Aww, come on, Dad, can't we stay for a little bit?" Holly whined.

He turned and leveled a look on her. "We've already been here overly long as it is. Do you expect Gilan to watch over Redmont forever?"

She hung her head. "No, of course not."

They had arrived two days ago, but their meeting with Crowley had been delayed. First Horace wished to catch up. Then Cassandra monopolized their time. Lastly, Crowley had bent their ears for a long while. It was one eternal conversation after another.

"Go fetch your horses and let's get moving." He watched the girls disappear into the stables.

Will sent Halt a thoughtful look. "We haven't told them about Mitchell."

"They'll find out soon enough," Halt answered with a shrug as the subject of their conversation strode out of the castle.

Mitchell stopped when he neared them. "Good morning, Uncle Halt, Uncle Will."

"You can dispense with the uncles. Once we're at Redmont you'll be a Battleschool student and you'll be reduced to referring to us as Rangers."

"Of course, sorry."

It was in Halt's mind to tell Mitchell he was funning with him, but decided to let it go. "No need to apologize. Just try and remember it. Calling us uncle will definitely draw attention."

Before Halt could add anything further, Mitchell placed a hand on his arm. "Halt, sir ... could the both of you do me a favor once we reach Redmont?"

"Yes. What is it?" Halt asked.

"I've entered the school under an assumed name. I don't wish for anyone to know who I am. I want to get through school on my own merits. I don't want any special treatment. I'm enrolled as Mitchell Alt. Only my parents and Sir Rodney know."

Will blinked at him. His father was one of the most famous knights in Araluen. Who wouldn't want everyone to know that? Of course, being the son of the most famous knight in the kingdom could be a burden. People would expect much from him based simply on his father's accomplishments. It would be impossible for him to get through school on his own merits or to make friends.

Will placed a hand on Mitchell's shoulder. "Your secret is safe with us."

"Eww, why is he here?"

Will shot his daughter a quelling look. "Mitchell will be attending the Battleschool at Redmont. He'll be accompanying us back."

She didn't answer, but it was obvious to Will she wasn't happy about the arrangement. He shook his head and went to fetch Tug from the stable. It had been glaringly obvious from the moment of their arrival that the girls and Mitchell held little liking for one another.

He and Halt wondered at the animosity between the three, after all, their parents were good friends. They all got on well. Shouldn't their children do the same?