Chapter 1

Marian stood in the line with her year-mates, waiting. They stood in the middle of a large stone room, facing the Baron of Redmont fief. He was a larger man with greying hair, but a legend among the people of Araluen. One large window took up most of the eastern wall and the heavy wooden shutters used to keep out the elements were open to let in the afternoon air. Marian was one of four wards of Castle Redmont who were turning fifteen that year, which meant they would be moving on from the castle into training for various professions. Today was the Choosing, the day that would determine who she was and what she did for the rest of her life. Marian's hands were sweaty but she kept them clasped tight behind her back, trying to look as calm and collected as possible. Every Craftsmaster who had an opening for an apprentice was going to be here. Marian lifted her chin, determined to prove to them that she was unafraid, that she was worthy of being an apprentice.

Marian looked to her right and her friend Carey winked at her. They were the only two girls in the group turning fifteen and had been fast friends since they were young, allies against the three boys. Marian tried to smile back, but it was weak and she knew it. She didn't want to think about whether or not she was going to be accepted as an apprentice. She wasn't particularly cut out for any of the schools. Sure, some aspects of each one had interested her throughout the years growing up but none of them really stood out.

Okay, she admitted to herself, that's not true. When she was little she used to talk about being a Ranger. She would sneak into the library and read everything she possibly could about them. But it wasn't long before she stopped talking about it, though she never quite gave up learning about them. First of all, it was weird for a common girl like her to be so interested in the mysterious group of Rangers when most people were afraid of them. Second, she was a girl, as everyone kept telling her. Like I hadn't already figured that out.

Marian frowned, her normally sky-blue eyes changing to the color of stormy ocean waters as she thought about her ten-year old grievance. Who had ever decreed girls couldn't be Rangers? That particular rule had never been specified, she had checked. And yet, it was a given that she couldn't be a Ranger because she was a girl.

Many people had told her that she should go into the Diplomatic Service, like Alyss Mainwaring one of the famous wards of Redmont Fief. But she never had much diplomatic tact, Carey could definitely attest to that. What she wanted was to be out in the field learning how to shoot, how to move unseen, to be a Ranger, but that wasn't going to happen. So as the years went by she become quieter about her true dreams and left everyone else to speculate. At this point it didn't really matter where she was placed. So why am I still so nervous?

The door behind them opened and she couldn't help but turn to watch as representatives from every school with an opening filed in. She watched as Carey followed Master Chubb's, one of the most famous cooks, every move. Her dream since she was eight had been to apprentice with him. Silently Marian crossed her fingers to give Carey some luck.

"They all look so serious," the boy to her left muttered in her ear. Marian tried to keep a smile from her face.

"They have to, James. It's in the job description," she whispered back.

"Still, don't they realize we're nervous enough already?"

Marian was saved from having to reply as Martin, Baron Arald's secretary, cleared his throat. "Good morning boys and girls," he started out, his loud voice making Marian jump a little. "Today is the first day of the rest of your life…."

She meant to pay attention, she really did. But Martin's voice started to fade away as her gaze found two hooded and cloaked figures standing in the shadows behind Baron Arald, who was sitting at his desk. One was shorter and if she squinted she could just make out the hint of a grey and grizzled beard. The other was slightly taller, though not by much and seemed to be staring at her. As the two of them unfolded themselves from the wall she heard a slight murmur flow through her fellow wards. Martin stopped and frowned, seeming a little perturbed at the interruption of his inspiring speech.

Rangers. The mottled cloaks were enough to tell anyone from Araluen and most other countries that these men were Rangers. Marian felt sure that one of them was Halt, one of the Rangers stationed here at Redmont. And if one was Halt she would bet the other one was Will Treaty.

"Naithan Hawke," Arald spoke up, startling Marian out of her reverie and drawing her attention back to the occasion. "Shall we start with you? Which school would you like to enter?"

Naithan squared his shoulders. "Battleschool mi'lord," he said. No surprise there, Marian thought wryly. Everyone knew Naithan was destined for battleschool, he had the build for it. He was nice enough but mostly she and Naithan avoided each other.

Naithan was accepted quickly, like she knew he would be, and the Baron moved down the line. "James Carroway?"

James cleared his throat, suddenly tongue tied now that his moment had come. Marian nudged him forward with her elbow. "H-horseschool, please. My lord."

The Baron raised his eyebrows and Marian smiled a bit at his surprise. Not many people pegged James as a horse person, but he had told both her and Carey he was going to apply. It didn't surprise Marian at all, he fit in well with horses. He was gangly, but swift and graceful when he wasn't thinking about it. He needed people around and was friendly, but had a fierce bite when provoked.

The Horse Master eyed him up and down for a few moments and Marian's stomach clenched in sympathetic nervousness. "He might do," the man said. "I'll see you at the stables tomorrow at dawn."

James nodded, unable to keep the grin from spreading across his freckled face. Marian smiled at him, glad he got the school he wanted. But she went cold the minute she heard her name called.

"Marian Harwood?" The Baron looked at her expectantly as she stepped forward from the line. There was an almost imperceptible movement from him, as he leaned forward to hear her. "What school would you like to join?"

Marian looked at the line of waiting Masters and she opened her mouth to answer, deciding to go with whatever came out of her mouth. But then, of their own accord, her eyes wandered to the two cloaked men hovering in the background. "I want to be a Ranger."

She clapped her mouth shut. She had said that? After all these years of keeping quiet her mouth betrayed her at this one moment. She heard snickers and her cheeks started to burn. She wished her hair were down so she could hide a little behind her mass of brown curls. But today they were tied sedately back in a long braid down her back, leaving her exposed.

But it was true. No matter how many times people had told her it was impossible over the years she still wanted to be a Ranger. Marian raised her chin and looked steadily, not at the Baron, but at the Rangers behind him.

The Baron's eyes flickered over to the Rangers and then back to Marian. "Are you sure child, there is no other school you wish to apply for? No girl has ever been admitted to the Ranger Corps."

Don't you think I know that? She snapped in her head. But it wouldn't do to offend one of the most powerful men in the country so she only shook her head. "I'm sure my lord."

The Baron sighed. "Marian, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to stay after so we can talk."

Marian frowned and stepped back in line. What was going on? It wasn't an outright refusal, but definitely not an acceptance either. She looked down at the floor ignoring the drone of voices and the looks James and Carey were giving her out of the corners of their eyes. She didn't want their sympathy, not now.

The only time she looked up was when Carey was accepted as Master Chubb's apprentice and Marian gave her best friend an encouraging smile. But soon enough the Masters filed out of the room, the new apprentices following.

"We'll wait for you, after," James whispered as he left. Marian stayed rooted to the floorboards until she got the courage to look up at the Baron.

"Relax, child," he said. "Halt, Will take off those hoods. There's no need and you're probably intimidating her."

"I'm not intimidated," she said and promptly shut her mouth, mortified. What was wrong with her today that she kept blurting things out?

The Baron looked at her and smiled. "No, you're probably right. Though you're one of the first people not initiated into the inner sanctum that would not be so."

"I told you," Will said as he lowered his hood, brown eyes twinkling out of a friendly face. Marian found it hard not to stare at one of the most famous Rangers in history. "She's been reading up on us. Information tends to disillusion people, don't you think Marian?"

The three men looked at her, waiting for her to speak. "Well," she started out. "You guys are key to running the country. Even though your methods are secret and abilities a little uncanny, it's not magic. You help people."

"Unfortunately, that little tidbit often doesn't help our case," Halt muttered in a growling voice.

Marian didn't say anything, not sure if she should answer the other most famous Ranger in the country. Luckily, she didn't have to because Baron Arald started to talk.

"Marian, I asked you to stay because I want to see if you really want to be a Ranger," he said. "With no other females in the Corps you would feel left out in many respects. And not everyone is keen on the idea of there being a girl Ranger in the first place."

Here it was, the gentle letdown. "I understand sir," she said. "But you asked me what I wanted and this is it. If I can't be Ranger I honestly don't know what else I would do."

The three men looked at each other. Halt scowling and Will with his eyebrows raised. Arald shook his head, "Of anyone it was bound to be you Will," he muttered.

Marian looked between the three men, not sure what to say. "The thing is, Marian," Arald continued. "Will here as asked to take you as his apprentice."

Marian froze, sure she had been hearing things. No way, she thought. He's not serious?

"But it's going to be tough," Will said to her, stepping forward a bit. "The training is brutal. There will be days when your whole body hurts, when all you want to do is sleep and yet you have to track for half of the morning in mud and rain. And the Baron is right, many people won't be happy that you will be my apprentice."

He is serious! She thought, elation fizzing through her chest. She was so happy she was afraid this moment would shatter if she didn't do everything just right. "I'm not afraid of work, sir," she said breathlessly. "I'll do it, I'll do anything you need me to if I get this chance. Please, I won't let you down."

Halt huffed, but didn't say anything. Will smiled. "Well then, first thing's first. If you're going to be my apprentice the first thing you need to do is start calling me Will."

Marian couldn't believe it. She had gone in today with a heavy and grey outlook on the next few years of her life. But now, everything seemed possible. "Yes, s—" Will raised his eyebrows and she smiled. "Yes, Will."