An Unstable Relationship

Chapter One

All characters belong to John Flanagan. They are in no way, shape, or form my own. Enjoy!
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Alyss sighed, harboring another glance at Will and Tug, who were, it seemed, cuddling each other. She heard whispers coming from one of them, she thought it was Will, but she wasn't sure. Then, her husband broke into a hearty laugh, as if he were amused at something the horse had said. Tug looked extremely pleased with himself.

Alright, this was getting out of hand, Alyss thought. She frowned, maybe she ought to step in, that is, before Will decided to dump her and marry his horse.

The tall girl cleared her throat daintily. Will glanced up to see her leaning against the door frame on the cabin's porch. A wide grin spread across his face.

"Oh, hello Alyss! I didn't even see you there, I was so busy talking to Tug."

"I noticed." Alyss remarked wryly. "You do know that he can't talk back, right?" She watched, half filled with fascination, half with amusement, as Will's face grew red. He's blushing, she thought initially. She was wrong.

Will looked affronted.

"Of course he can talk back!" He said, even more blood rushing to his face. "Do you think that I've just been talking to myself this whole time?"

Alyss resisted the urge to tell him that, yes, that was the gist of what she thought. Instead, she just shrugged indifferently. This movement proved to be the wrong sort of response.

"You do, don't you? You think that all of us rangers are crazy, don't you."

Alyss watched him with interest and mild concern. She was not used to seeing Will this worked up, he usually had a calmer demeanor even than her. Alyss decided that her best course of action was to try and console him.

"No no no," she told him. "It's just..." Alyss let her voice trail off, uncertain of how to proceed.

"I see." Will huffed. He strode into the cabin, leaving Alyss wondering what had gotten into him.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Will was not able to stay inside the little cottage alone for long. A few minutes after he had gone, Alyss heard hoof beats. She was still standing on the porch where he had left her, when Gilan rode up.

Alyss swung around to greet him.

"Morning Gilan." She called to the ranger.

"Good morning, Alyss." He returned cheerfully. "Or do I call you Mrs. Treaty? Is that even what Will's new surname is, or do we just call him that? Nevermind, I believe I'm just going to stick with Alyss."

Alyss laughed good-naturedly at him.
"Whatever you like, Gilan."

"Anyway," Gilan continued. "Where is the infamous Will Treaty on this fine day?"

Alyss sighed. "Will is inside. I wouldn't go in if I were you, though. He's in a foul mood."

"Why might that be?" Gilan asked curiously. Alyss was reluctant to tell him.

"Well," she said, drawing out the word. "We got into a little argument. All I had said was that I didn't think that Tug could actually speak, and then Will blew up."

"Hmm." Gilan replied.

"I really don't see the problem." Alyss added. "I think that he's overreacting."

Gilan hummed again. He smiled politely, though Alyss sensed that he was not fully agreeing with her. She remembered that he, as well, was a ranger.

"Oh well." Alyss said, ever the diplomat. "Since we're on this topic, how is Blaze?"

Gilan brightened considerably.
"Quite well, though she has been working hard as of late."

The girl nodded sympathetically, "do you want to take her to our stable with Tug? Once she is settled, you can come join us in the cabin."

Gilan looked thoughtful.
"I can start making a pot of coffee." Alyss smiled knowingly.

"Well, that settles it then!" Said Gilan, as he led his mare away.

Alyss tentatively opened the little house's wooden door. She slid inside quietly. Puttering around the cozy kitchen, she got out their mugs and a pot. Will must have heard her moving, for he poked his head into the room.

"Will," Alyss addressed him. "Gilan is here, he's putting Blaze in one of the stalls."

Will nodded and walked over to her. "I've got this." He told her, taking over the cups and pot.

With the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the cabin, Gilan swept into their company.

"Now, that does smell wonderful." He declared. Will smiled toward him, and pulled out a chair for his senior ranger.

"Yes, it does. Now, sit and tell us; what brings you to our little cabin?" He asked.

Alyss strolled to sit at the table beside the two men. Gilan stretched out in his seat. Lithe and agile, not to mention his remarkable ability to move without being seen, the young ranger reminded Alyss of a cat. He let open his mouth in a wide yawn, then began.

"Alright, I'm here to give you an order. Well, it's just an assignment, but the Baron was calling it an order, and you know his flair for dramatics. Either way, you've got a call."

Will leaned on the table, brushing his fingers over his chin.
"What's the job?" He asked directly. His eyes alight with excitement and worry at the same time.

"It's in Trelleth Fief." Gilan divulged.
Alyss cut in.
"Trelleth is a coastal fief, am I correct? Under the rule of the Baron Scully? I've had dealings with him."

She said. Gilan and Will both gave her warm expressions, seemingly pleased with her knowledge.

"You are very much correct, Alyss." Gilan continued. "But, we have a bit of a serious upset in Trelleth."

Will drummed his fingers impatiently.
"Don't waste words, Commandant." He snapped. "What is the problem?"

Gilan's normally handsome, cheerful face took on a melancholy look.

"Oh, but you will not be eager to hear this, dear Will. A ranger has gone rogue."

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Thanks for reading, the more views and comments I get, the faster the chapters will come out. So, please, tell others about this too. I don't plan to make this story super long, but I have a fairly nice plot plan for it, so yeah...comment and vote, I love to hear your feedback.

See ya
-theMinxgirl