An Unstable Relationship

Chapter Five

The girl and her horse rode softly back to the rangers, only exchanging a few sparse comments. They turned into the lane of Bob's property and were met with the wide grins presented by the boys.

"Do you like her?" Bob asked slowly.

"Mmmhmm." Alyss hummed happily.

"I'll take that as a yes." The trainer remarked just as happily. "If you choose her, though, there are a few more things that you will need to learn."

The mounted girl turned her head to him curiously, a question forming in her eyes. Will and Bob nodded together, and took it upon themselves to teach her everything there was to know about the special ranger horses.

Over the course of the afternoon, Alyss learned every unique ability and trait that the little ponies had to offer. She absorbed lesson about the commands 'stay,' 'come,' and 'still,' and was further educated with pass phrases. Her eager mind took it in easily and the girl enjoyed spending the hours testing her brain and memory. Finally, Bob deemed Alyss ready to go and, once again, "the smartest young one ever to come through his system."

Will uttered a fond goodbye to his old friend as he and Alyss left the trainer and his horses behind. The girl watched as Bob's house disappeared into the shrubs.

"So, do you like her?" Will asked casually, though Alyss could pick out the excitement in his voice.

"I really do," she confessed honestly. "This horse understands me. I'm happy to see what I'll be able to do to help on this mission with her."

Will inclined his head toward her in agreement.

"This venture ate up more time than I though it would." He stated, pursing his lips. "I had hoped that we might be able to head out tonight. But, I think we may need to wait until tomorrow to start on our way to Trellth."

"I think that would be best." Alyss told him. "We will be able to cover more distance if we travel in the daylight, and if there are any signs of the rogue ranger on the roads, then we'll be able to spot them more easily." She pointed out.

Will, of course, automatically agreed with her. He knew by now that she was almost always right and he also knew not to question her on that. That piece of knowledge had come to him after he had bitterly lost a debate to the seemingly placid courier. Never argue with a diplomat, he told himself regretfully.

Alyss smiled over at the man she loved. She could see the process of thought spread across his face. She knew that he would not contradict her, no matter how much he wanted to leave tonight. But, she honestly did feel it best to wait it out one more night, they would not want to be overly hasty in their quest against Jacob. That said, the girl also knew that it was in their best interest to get to Trelleth in a timely manner as well.

Alyss shook her head, she had no idea what they were to do with this assignment.

"Will, how do you expect to deal with this...this problem?" She asked him.

Will swung his head to glance at her, she could see his face was etched with lines of worry.

"I've been trying to avoid that question myself." He said solemnly. "This has never before happened, and I'm loathing the concept of fighting another ranger; especially one as young as Jacob."

The man sighed and faced the road in front of them once more. Alyss could tell that this would be as much as she could get out of him on the subject. She drew in a deep breath as he had done and patted Fox on the neck, not sure if she was trying to calm herself or the horse.

The couple rode into their home just as the dim light of dusk was falling. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in shadowed patches. Will dismounted and Alyss followed suit, the pair leading the horses to their stable.

"Welcome home, Fox Sparrow." The tall girl whispered to her mare. All she got was a breathy nicker in return.

They let the horses alone in the barn, and went to the cabin to settle down for the night. The two each excited and dreading the day ahead.

Alyss made her way to her room in the little house, slid out of her clothes, and donned a thin gown. She brushed out her hair and looked at herself in the fragment of mirror that she kept in her quarters. How her face had changed into a deep expression of worry, she realized. The idea of upcoming battle and danger had taken more of a toll on her than she must have thought. Alyss touched her face gently a last time and left the mirror on her dresser.

She moved toward her bed, exhausted but not willing to admit it. The girl dropped into it, closing her eyes as soon as her head came to a rest. She was swept into sleep tiredly, almost unaware of her surroundings, and slept soundly for hours.

Sometime, late in the night, Alyss felt Will slide into the bed beside her, putting an arm across her protectively. She leaned back into him, curving her body into his, and the girl felt safe. They fell asleep together, comfortable knowing that they were with one another, blissfully ignoring the day to come.

~♢~

A/N

Uuuuuugggggggghhhhhhhhh! I am so sorry to all of you readers for a crappy chapter, I really am. This chapter is really just more of a filler, and it's not written very well. I feel like my writing style fluctuates all over the place in this one. That said, if you stuck with me through that, you're amazing!
Special shout out to SilverMidnightWolf for the wonderful comments, and to Maxtheamazingdog for being so thoughtful as to add this to their reading list.
That's all for now, remember to comment, vote, and follow!

See ya

- Minx