AN: here's chapter ten. Sorry for the long wait. I just got back from vacation and work has been hectic. But here it is! This is a two parter. This is just part one. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 10

"Mommy!" Esther Treaty called from her room, "Daniel won't leave me alone!" Daniel and Esther were told to play together so Alyss could get some work done.

Will was due to be home any minute. Alyss was also pregnant with their third child. She wasn't due for a few months yet.

"Esther, you and Daniel need to get along. Mommy is busy." Alyss called back. Esther was only 6 and Daniel was 13 but Daniel liked to hang out with his sister.

"I just want to play with her. She seemed bored." Daniel objected.

"I wasn't bored. I was reading!" Esther said slamming her room door. Alyss pinched the bridge of her nose, suddenly having a headache.

"Daniel, come here." Alyss said. Daniel came over curiously. "If Esther doesn't want you in her room, then don't go in her room." Alyss said.

"But I-" Daniel started to say, but a look from his mother stopped him.

"If she says to leave her alone, you leave her alone. I will tell the same thing to her the next time she bugs you." Alyss said, "now, go practise your shooting or you can wait until your father gets home."

Daniel sat down at the kitchen table and just stared at the wall. He was so bored. He sat there brooding until a hand clamped on his shoulder. He learned from his dad to not react.

"Good job. You only flinched." Will said from behind Daniel.

"Dad!" Daniel exclaimed. He shot up from his chair and gave his father a hug. Esther came barreling out of her room and attacked Will's legs. Alyss came out last and waited until the kids were done. Will hugged Alyss and kissed her deeply. He absently rubbed her swelling belly.

"I brought home a friend." Will said and stepped to the side. The person who came in next was Gilan, Will's friend from the Ranger Corps.

"Uncle Gilan!" Esther cried and Gilan lifted her up.

"Good to see you all!" Gilan exclaimed. Daniel beamed at the sight of his uncle.

"What brings you here Gilan?" Alyss said giving Gilan a quick hug after he put down Esther. Esther and Daniel loved it when Gilan came over because he always brought stories of the adventures of Rangers that their father wouldn't tell them.

"Will and I are assigned on a mission." Gilan said. Will nodded.

"What are you going to do? Where are you going? Can I come?" Daniel asked. He always did this when Will went on a mission.

"We are supposed to stop a group of bandits. It's in Caraway Fief. You'll have to ask your father." Gilan explained. Will sighed and thought, 'if he comes he could get hurt, yet he needs the experience. He's old enough.'

"Alright. You can come this time Daniel. It shouldn't get too dangerous." Will said, "but I want you to stay close, and you have to do as we say if it gets dangerous.! Will warned. Daniel nodded and started getting some of his things together.

"How long will you be gone?" Alyss asked as she gave Esther something to do.

"A few days at most." Will said. He got his bow, arrows, and cloak. When Daniel was ready they set out on their horses. Daniel, as usual, pestered the two men with questions.

"What's it like saving people? Do you get rewards? Will I ever be a hero like you dad?" Daniel asked rapidly. Will sighed as he waited until Daniel stopped so he could answer.

"Saving people feels good. You always feel like you accomplished something. We are sometimes offered rewards but usually don't take them." Will hesitated before responding to the last question, "I didn't become a 'hero' out of nowhere. I had to work hard. And even then I didn't feel heroic. Most of it was just luck." Will explained to his 13 year old son. Daniel had run out of questions and just babbled on about other things while Will and Gilan listened.

'How that boy can keep talking is beyond me.' Gilan said at a loss for other words.

AN: there it is. Chapter 11 should be up soon. Please review. It keeps me going. :)