Halt and Daniel had been home for a day after coming back from Young Bob's before Gilan and Maddie. Halt was inside cooking dinner while Daniel was taking care of Rain in the small lean-to next to the cabin.

His hands were sore after polishing all of her tack and brushing her coat until it shined. Standing up he moved to the little box that contained all the brushes and tools for their horses and took out a curry comb to get the knots out of her mane and tail. Just as he finished tugging and trying to be gentle with the knots in her tail, he started on her mane.

Pulling on a rather difficult knot he accidentally tugged to hard and was rewarded with a glare from his horse. That hurt! He smiled apologetically, "Sorry Rain, I didn't mean to." Rain shook her mane violently, Sure you didn't. Before he could reply Abelard, who had been asleep in his stall, poked his head out and whinnied. Rain pricked her ears and looked toward the path that led from the cabin to the main road. Setting down the comb Daniel walked out of Rains stall to see Gilan and Maddie emerging from the trees.

Walking over to them as Halt walked briskly out the cabin , exchanged a few words with Gilan before heading back inside. Daniel went to Maddie as she dismounted Bumper. "What a waist of time, I don't see the point in it," she grumbled. Daniel frowned at his friend, "What d'you mean Maddie?" She gave him a pained look, "I mean that every time we try and track them down they eventually just seem to vanish into thin air! No tracks, no trace, not even a sent for the dogs to pick up."

"Better get used to it, we're doing it again next week, only this time around all of Redmont," Gilan told them as he lead Blaze to the lean-to. "Next week? What's happening next week?" Daniel questioned as he followed the two Rangers. "You'll find out once we get inside," Gilan told them as he started to un-tack Blaze.

Maddie being eager to know what Gilan was talking about, put Bumper in his stall faster than she normally would, groomed, fed and all. Then again Daniel was helping her the entire time. "Who's this?" she asked him as Rain butted her shoulder, seeking attention. "Maddie, meet Rain. Rain, Maddie," he introduced in a joking manor. Rain tossed her head and gave Daniel this look which he already named the "Did you really just do that?" look. "She's nice, not better than Bumper though," Maddie teased. Daniel raised an eyebrow, "Your right, but at least she's smarter." Maddie opened her mouth with a ready retort but was cut off by Gilan, "If you two are done now can we please go inside where it's warm?"

Both apprentices sulkily followed Gilan into the cabin but instantly perked up as Halt started to pass around bowls of soup and cups of coffee. After a moment of silence filled with the occasional scrape of a spoon or sip of coffee, Halt finally leaned back in his chair, pushing his now empty bowl away. "Should I explain or just leave them to find out?" he asked Gilan. The younger Ranger shrugged, hiding a smile as both Daniel and Maddie looked up sharply, ready to protest. "You have to tell us!" Maddie cried out while Daniel went along the lines of, "Oh common Halt, Please?" Halt raised an eyebrow while looking at them with a sceptical gaze.

"First of all I don't have to tell either of you anything, and second of all we were going to tell you anyway, unless of course you don't want-" "No!" They both cried in unison, then remained silent when both Halt and Gilan gave them a sceptical look. Satisfied that they were done with interrupting him, Halt cleared his throat and made a show of getting ready to tell them. Apprentices. Their all the same.

"As you know, Crowley has been sending constant reports and letters and orders having to do with the Mysterious group who call themselves 'The Corps of the Shadows'. They are more Commonly known as 'Nightriders', a name given by the village people when the attacks first started happening," Halt told him.

"What you don't know however, is that for the past 5 years the rulers of all the countries and the leaders of their domains would meet at one location for a month to try and discuss, and solve mind you, the problem of these Nightriders. This year is the first year that such a meeting is happening here in Araluen. As an effect, Crowley has sent a letter stating that each Ranger is to do a sweep of his fief before going to Castle Araluen in an attempt to gather any information on the Nightriders. Any found information is to be presented in front of the gathered leaders."

"So in, hmm say, about a week, we will start this thrilling journey around Redmont before heading off to the capitol," Gilan put in. Maddie was the first to speak, "What's the point? Their to good, no one had been able to pick up a trace left behind them, ever, why try and waist our efforts?" Gilan opened his mouth to answer but Daniel spoke first. "Because we don't know all the facts. We don't know anything about them and for all we know we could be getting this all wrong. By going out in search of clues, we can try and piece the truth together. Right Halt?" He asked the last part looking at the grizzled Ranger. Halt nodded, "Exactly why. But until then we do nothing but watch and wait. Speaking of which, I'v been watching the fading light outside and it's time for us to go Daniel."

Nodding, Daniel stood up and nodded a good night to both Maddie and Gilan as he followed Halt out to the lean-to were their horses were waiting for them. As they were riding back to Castle Redmont, they were completely oblivious to the fact that a Nightrider had just crossed into the Redmont fief and was riding hard in the castles direction.

•OMG it's an update! Don't die of shock, I'm shocked to! I'v just been really busy lately so idk when I'm going to update next but I can promise you all one thing for sure. I'v got plans for this story.

And naturally your all going to hate me for them ^^•

~SO