This was such a satisfying chapter on so many fronts. First off, the Gilan & David scenes - there were so many of them! *happy sigh* I loved David's perspective on Gilan's defensiveness. He feels slighted by the fact that Gilan changed his name and doesn't really trust him, but he doesn't really get *why* Gilan acts that way - or he didn't, until Gilan made that comparison about Tennyson. He still has some realizations ahead of him, of course, but hey, baby steps. And when they're able to set aside their differences, they're a great time. I really liked the scene in which they talked strategy.

Aww, Horace got to impress the knights with his mercenary ways. Good for him!

Halt and Crowley teaming up is just instant serotonin. I loved Halt's short version of events, and Crowley's "do I even want to know" amusement. Now why *would* Halt take to being a ranger so quickly... Dundundundun.

Yay, the gang is starting to catch on to Baron Douglas's fishiness. I love that Jenny was the one to pick up on his mysterious behaviour. And the castle gossip was a nice touch. So many people to keep track of!

This is great writing and probably the best fan fiction I have read

WOW
I love this story SO SO SO much!
It's AMAZING!
Please please please keep writing this. I'm totally gonna sit here and watch the clock until the next chapter comes out!

Also... I love the minor cliffie at the end of this chapter. I can't help but wonder what the Baron is doing with that message... is it about how he thinks Gilan might sabotage their plan for revenge... or maybe he's warning Morgarath that his attack has been uncovered... or possibly something more sinister ... O-o
Sorry if these far fetched thoughts are majorly off, but the way you developed Baron Douglass' character made me think how fitting it would be if this 'alternate reality' (if you would think of it like that) followed the original plot and Douglass was secretly working with Foldar (or Morgarath in this case) like in The Inkwell and The Dagger from the Lost Stories.

One more thing... I think it would add a really nice twist - or even drama if you will, if Will and Horace all got their memories back one way or another. It would add a nice touch of Halt and Will father/son relationship in there too (which I love). And if that doesn't happen, please please please have some sort of epic showdown between Halt and Morgarath. I've always wanted a fanfiction where Halt and Morgarath have a fight and Halt wins in the end... or maybe he doesn't. :)

You don't have to write these ideas into the story. I was just throwing a few ideas out there. XD

Either way, I can't wait to see what happens next, and I just wanted to tell you how well you write. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were John Flanagan himself! Wait... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... are you sure you're not a John Flanagan from an alternate reality?
XD

KEEP CALM AND TRUST THE CLOAK!
- potato out

What a solid chapter! The David and Gilan dialogue was excellent. David is trying hard to reconnect with his kid, but he's forgotten exactly how to be a dad - especially with his own kid being so free spirited and living such different ideals than David. Gilan's defensive walls certainly aren't making it easy. He's so uncomfortable around David and the mistrust is certainly understandable, but nonetheless heartbreaking. That being said, I'm a sucker for angst, so keep it coming. XD
I'm glad that our favorite dream team is reunited, and that the kids are keeping busy. I enjoyed their little adventures. Baron Douglass is up to no good... Gilan better watch his back. Poor boy can't catch a break!
Thanks for the lovely update!

Fantastic chapter! (yet again:)
I hope that Gilan and David will soon be able to sit and talk about what happened properly:(
I love Halt and Crowleys interaction... You got them exactly right;)
I can't wait for the next chapter!

Amazing chapter! I love the tension and interactions between Gilan and David—you've written that really well! I also really like the way the two servant women talk—not having everyone speak with perfect grammar makes the story even better!
The only grammar problem I noticed was the word 'moth' in the second paragraph. I think its meant to say 'month'.
Thank you so much for writing and have a wonderful day!

I love it! Amazing chapter as always! ️
It's so sad that the relationship between GilanDavid is still so bad, but I'm happy that they can still work together very well!
And yeey! CrowleyHalt are back together! I can't wait to read what they'll do next! And whether Crowley will remember who Halt really is to him or not! (Since Gilan did remember! :D)
And I love it how all the youngsters are doing their part, and are really getting somewhere! . I'm really curious now about what Baron Douglas is up to!
Stay savehealthy! And I'll look forward to the next chapter

Another amazing chapter! I love how you make the descriptions on dialogues, it sends you right into the scene even if it's a simple chat.
I'll be waiting for the next chapter, good luck!

First of all, I just want to say I am legally (and emotionally) obligated to drop everything and read this whenever I see it update. It's really beautiful and every chapter just gets me more invested (if possible). All the character interactions are so great!

Now the chapter:
-the first half of the flashback was me yelling "I EXPECTED BETTER FROM YOU DAVID" and then he got to the "I'm proud of you" part and I was like "there's still hope for you yet sir". The foreshadowing (backshadowing?) of all the cracks in their relationship was done SO WELL
-i love how everything is subtlety connected? From Jenny at the tournament last chapter, to it being mentioned this chapter with the flashback, to taran in the tournament being the (I guess?) same Sir Taran that will heard gossiping about. That's so cool how you linked it all together!
-i started the paragraph with horace and the battle school three apprentices and immediately started internally screaming "HORACE DOESNT DESERVE THIS" but then it was ok and he made friends and everything's FINE
-i meant to comment on Sir Richard (the knight? guy from the other chapter who told on Gilan) when I first read it but I guess I'll do it now. At first I was like "I hate you only slightly less than the merchant" but now rereading it, it's actually a little more complicated. The guy was raised with violence and his best friend was killed, so while I still strongly dislike him and he should never be let anywhere near children, it adds depth to the story while definitely still making him a villain. That's cool
-(I really got carried away with that my deepest apologies)
-CROWLEY! HE'S BACK! YES!
- I knew douglass was a bad guy the moment I realized he was in this fic and NOW I AM VINDICATED. Which I was kind of hoping not to be but oh well he'll be more interesting than he was in canon right? :)
-that one moment david realized he implied to gilan's face that he not only condoned the punishment but approved it and would do it again? I audibly gasped in horror DAVID WHY
-to add on to that, I don't think that even getting the memories of the other time back would help their relationship very much (if that's even possible), since they are different people with different experiences than they are in canon. It sucks but they're all (not even just David and Gilan) going to hurt because of it and that will be interesting to see what comes out of that.

So this got long (I am so sorry for making you read an essay) but the basics of it is that I love this and I am so thankful that it exists and is still updating. (That's the basics of every comment I make on this fic lol) thank you so much and stay safe in these questionable times!

Hello!

Yes, college is good to me at least haha. Its actually very interesting because we have a full online term so everything is done virtually. Nevertheless, I find that studying online equates to not having to wake up so early just to travel to university, which is such a convenient thing to have!

Now, on to the story! *grins*

This chapter is so insightful on Gilan's relationship with his father. I'm so sad on how far down they went, especially with everything that happened (**tries desperately not to comment any spoiler facts). The chapter sort of connects everything, and I really think that the hard situations brought on by the war and the constricting rules of Battleschool all caused Gilan and David to change so much. I mean, on the original series, Gilan is very much characterized as a "free spirit" and David has far less duties and stress.

I'm so excited with what happens next! Everyone is coming together now, and I really feel how the tension is building. Hmm I'm curious to know if you will include Erak and his crew in the coming chapters, like in the attack? And will Morgarath even do something to them? (because I remember in the first RA book that Morgarath gets really angry with Erak, and the Skandians with him also left the battle). Lastly, I'm anticipating the moment that Will and the others catch onto the fact that the Baron already knows Gilan's identity and is trying to 'sabotage' the operation because they think its a trap (seriously... these people. can't they see Gilan is helping them? they're so biased).

Anyways, I have so many more questions but I'm already getting carried away with my review hahha. I'm afraid if I continue this may end up being a novel.

Once again, thank you for such a wonderful chapter!

Hugs and more hugs,
Vanya

Thank you for another great chapter! The little water fight between Gilan, Will, and Horace was my favorite part. I also love how you integrated the Outsiders-sometimes it seems like you've done more research than John Flanagan himself! ;) Exciting!

Yet another terrific chapter! Many thanks! The battle on the beach was crazy exciting! (NOOO! EVANLYN!) Great fight scene. Loved the bit with Will and the food too-really nice continuity and realism, in keeping with his troubled past. Amazing writing!

Wooo! Yet another amazing read! I LOVE the dynamic between Gilan and Crowley! Well done with the flashback and continuity! And Moondarkers too?! This is so exciting! Love your work!

Another great chapter. Love the group dynamic with Gilan, Will, and Horace. Nice putting Teezal in there too-really brings back memories to Ruins of Gorlan and also provides Morgarath with someone to talk to and intimidate (as he does best, lol). I really respect your dedication with this story. I'm a couple years late to the party but it's amazing to see how you've stayed dedicated this whole time. Be well!

Okay, this chapter was angst, angst, angst, then good uplifting fluff, then slight angst again at the end. The different emotions really keep me excited and on my toes hehe.

I finally caught up with all the chapters ever since the last time I read this. College really kept me busy, then the pandemic. I'm glad to now be updatedAnyways, I'm looking forward to the next update! And as always, I really love your storyHugs and more hugs,
Vanya