Chapter 16: A Stroke of Luck

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"A hundred times you've asked me this, but my answer is still the same. I know nothing of my nephew's whereabouts. You say he forsook his duty. I find that hard to believe. Wherever he is, I wish him the best of luck."
- Lord Varra of Blackhall

Castle Arendelle - The Dungeons - Present Day

"The prisoners are held here, m'lord," explained the guard with the musky breath. "Prince Hans and those two scruffy-looking ones have been quiet all day, but the wine merchant can't seem to shut up."

"Noted with thanks."

"I'll leave you to it then."

Arthur acknowledged the gaoler with a faint smile, and waited for the jangling of his keys to disappear around the corner before shifting his attention to the imprisoned. Arendelle's dungeons were built belowground, but whoever drew its plans years ago had been merciful enough to give each chamber a sliver of a barred window for those inside to look out into the streets. But not enough for even a child to fit his hand through. Not nearly enough for a man to escape, he considered.

He lifted his head and shouted. "Prince Hans!"

The response was not one that he wanted. A silky voice hissed to him. "Psst! You're not one of the guards, are you?"

He turned to his right, where Vidunther the Wine Merchant was clinging onto the bars desperately. "No," Arthur replied curtly. "I'm the man you poisoned."

"Ah," the prisoner said with disappointment, hope dissolving from his eyes. He dropped his arms and fell back into the darkness.

Seeing that the Prince was silent, Arthur peered into the cell on his left. Hans sat inside, his legs splayed loosely out on the grubby floor. The Southern Islander looked up and squinted at the Sentinel's face, and grinned as he recognized him. "Hello."

"Do you know who I am?"

His smile grew wider. "I have a few wild guesses."

Arthur squatted down to the Prince's level. "Then you know that I am a very powerful man."

"You couldn't stop those two back there."

"I can't do everything myself."

"Agreed. One man can only do so much." Hans waggled his eyebrows. "So what are you down here for? Arendellian royalty not good enough for you?"

For a man held in a dungeon, this Prince's resolve was stronger than he expected. It will break soon, thought Arthur. "I can set you free."

"Oh!" exclaimed Hans, feigning surprise. "How gallant! Though, unfortunately, I don't think you can without those keys."

"Not now. In a few weeks' time I'll let you go to back to the Southern Islands. Ifyou comply."

"Interesting." Hans rested his chin on his hands. "Tell me more."

"I know you want your crown."

The Prince straightened immediately, the sloppy grin falling from his face. "Maybe I do," he said, his voice lowering to a dangerous volume.

Now he had the man listening. Arthur stared right into his eyes. "I know you're an Inquisitor. Your whole damned family is. But you've only been one because you're the last in line. And it's not as though King Nikolai is childless. You're trying to claw your way up, but things haven't been working out, have they?"

Hans remained quiet.

"The odds are stacking up against you," continued Arthur. "You don't have a chance, and you never will. Unless you help me win this war. Then I'll give you your throne. And the rest of your brothers will either swear allegiance to you or be locked in Valhalla when it's all said and done."

It was a long stretch, he knew. And there was nothing but silence for a heartbeat. For a brief moment, Arthur was sure that the Prince would decline, but eventually Hans leaned back and nodded. "What do you want me to do?"

"I need eyes and ears in the Southern Island court. Your King brother's forces have been growing strength, and when the pieces start to move, I want to know where they will be. The more I know of your nation's armies, the faster you will win your throne."

"And why would my brothers let me return to court when I go back to Jur Rasaa?"

"I know you were framed," said Arthur bluntly. "Vindish Mercenaries do not leak information of their contract. Though what you were doing here remains a mystery to me. You politicians make me sick."

"I'm just a man trying to stop things from going out of control."

"That makes two of us."

Prince Hans shrugged. "If I was framed, then you know that I have enemies in court."

"Those enemies won't matter if you have the King's favor."

"If I had the King's favor, why would I need to you?"

"Because you won't be the King," Arthur replied stoutly.

"Fair enough," surrendered Hans. "What will I tell Nikolai?"

"One of your brothers tried to assassinate Queen Elsa, and tried to blame you. You were the perfect scapegoat, after what happened four months ago."

"Your summary of my plight is marvelous," grumbled Hans. "But I can hardly see how it helps me."

"What happened today will. No doubt if King Nikolai was informed which brother attempted the deed, they would fall out of his favor. Tell the court that you stole aboard the assassin ship to spy on the Queen during all the commotion, because you expected the attack to fail. You would be seen as a genius in front of your brother."

"But what information would interest him?"

"You saw the Sentinel of Earth, and you saw me. Here. With your own eyes. And you found us in our element, so to speak. That would be sure to bring you a seat higher up. Though we'll be long gone before you reach Jur Rasaa. But we've already been seen by hundreds of citizens here. Word will reach your King's ears to confirm your claims."

Prince Hans seemed impressed. "You've thought this through."

"But first, I have a few matters to take care of. When I return, I will expect you to be ready for your task," declared Arthur. He stood and made to leave.

"You ask me to play a dangerous game," Hans said.

Arthur paused mid-step. "You can choose to play your part in it. Or you can rot in this cell until your death, as Hans the Unworthy."

He walked on, as behind him, Hans scrabbled to his feet, his face beet-red with fury. "How do you know that title?" the Prince demanded.

"There's not a soul in the world who doesn't," Arthur replied coolly. "Have a good day, Your Highness."

\\

Castle Arendelle - The Guest Room - Present Day

It was far past dusk by the time Arthur finally sat down, dressed in fresh clothes and bathed from head to toe. The night was chilly, and so someone had kindled the fireplace in his room while he was cleaning himself - a sympathetic gesture perhaps, but it gave him no comfort. He eased himself into the lonely chair by the burning hearth, and bent forward, resting his elbows on his knee as he tried to clear his mind. The curtains were heavy and closed, but even so he could hear the faint patter of raindrops outside.

It did not matter to him - no storm would keep him from his journey North. Nothing could be more important than this.

To his back, the lock on the door clicked, and the oak swung inwards as Grand Chief Pabbie padded his way inside. Arthur glanced to see who had entered,

"It's raining," he said by way of greeting.

"To the dismay of every man and woman in the palace." Pabbie made his way towards the fire to warm his hands. "There were supposed to be fireworks tonight. A hundred and seventy-seven, said Kristoff." A flash of light pounced upon the curtains, and soon after a crackle boomed through the night sky, but neither Sentinel made so much as a twitch in response. Pabbie looked at the window and rubbed his palms together. "The rain will not delay our departure, I should think?"

"It won't."

Arthur leaned and pressed his shoulders onto the backrest, cradling his forehead with outstretched fingers.

"I spoke to the others," mentioned Pabbie, returning his attention to warming himself.

"When will they be ready to leave?"

"When the feast is finished. The Queen is making arrangements with her steward, Kristoff is readying his sled, and Princess Anna is attending to the guests."

The Sentinel of Fire frowned and shifted again in his chair. "Why do we need the Princess? She would be safer here."

"We'll need her once we cross the bay."

"That's only for the shortest amount of time."

"She insisted upon coming with us all the way, and I was not one to refuse."

Surprised, Arthur straightened himself and stared at Pabbie. "Unusually unwise of you."

"She can't be anywhere safer than with the three of us," Pabbie reasoned with a cock of his head. "Besides, the only difference it will make is less room aboard the sled for me." He paused. "But I wonder if the Queen knows."

"I would think so," replied Arthur.

"We'd better check."

The young man murmured something in agreement, slouching back into his chair. They let the fire simmer more, waiting in silence as bouts of lightning continued to crash outside the palace. In time, Arthur began to blink groggily, trying to stay awake, but in the end he gave way to the heaviness in his eyelids. And despite what had transpired that day, he managed one, small sigh of enjoyment. Perhaps this will be a dreamless sleep, he thought with a smidgen of hope. Perhaps this night, of one in a thousand, there would be nothing but deep slumber. Perhaps, his mind whispered softly, as it faded slowly into para-

"Arthur!"

A voice next to his ear jolted him back into reality. Arthur rubbed his face and scowled. "What is it?"

He found Pabbie gazing straight into his eyes, a stony hand resting on his arm. "It's time."

"Already?" sulked the roused Sentinel. He inspected the great longcase clock that stood guard along the wall. "How long was I asleep?"

"Two hours, maybe more," Pabbie replied, letting go of Arthur and heading for the door. "Get up, the children should be on their way to the postern soon."

"They're not children to me." But the wise Sentinel was already outside. Arthur rose from his sleeping spot and moved to his bed, where a bundle of clothing lay wrapped around a steel-forged sword, taken from the armory. It was all he needed for the road ahead. On a normal day he would not have traveled with a blade, but without his powers... He chose not to dwell on the subject any longer than he had to. His possessions nestled under his arm and his father's dragon tucked inside his shirt, Arthur headed out the door.

The hallways were all empty as he hurried through them, as were the stairwells - eerily so. Not even a guard was in sight at the postern. The Sentinel cast a glance to either side, but there was no one to be seen. Strange, he mused. But perhaps somewhat fortunate. The fewer that knew of their journey, the better. He pushed through the door, unfurling a cloak from his bundle and walking out into the rain.

He swirled the coat over his shoulders and pulled the hood over his head, descending the lantern-lit steps. He reached the bottom to see three figures standing on the edge overlooking the bay, their own cloaks draped around them. They turned as they heard him approach, and he raised a hand to greet Pabbie, Elsa, and Anna.

"Is everyone ready?" he called quietly.

"We're all here," Pabbie answered, his voice muffled by the rainfall.

"This is so awesome!" the Princess said, shaking her arms in excitement. "It's like we're on an adventure!" She blinked up at the falling droplets. "Although I wish I'd brought an umbrella. This coat isn't keeping me too dry."

Elsa ignored her sister, addressing Arthur instead. "Kai knows about our plans, and I told him to gather all the staff in the courtyard for an announcement. Did anyone see you?"

She left her palace unguarded? Arthur thought in wonder. But he had to admit, it was a clever move. "I don't think anybody did. Good work."

"Kristoff left a while ago," Pabbie interrupted. "He should already be where we agreed to meet." He peered up at the skies. "And the storm has lessened. A good omen for our travels."

Arthur nodded gladly, hefting his things to shield them better from the rain. "Then let's get going."

He looked pointedly at Elsa, and she nodded as well. Their plan was simple - she would craft a bridge of ice for them to cross the bay unseen, and Kristoff would meet them where the hillroads began on the other side. They watched as Elsa placed a foot onto the water, solidifying it instantly. And with a gentle whoosh, the Snow Queen's magic rippled across from the edge, streaking down to the other end. The bridge glimmered magnificently, a mixture of sapphire and silver warped together, growing slick and shiny in the drizzle.

"Wow," said Anna, gaping at the Queen's handiwork.

"Impressive," Arthur complimented.

"Well, it's not the first time I've done this," Elsa said dismissively. Before anyone else could move, she tread forward confidently, as the first to try her new creation. The surface seemed sturdy enough. "Come on," she beckoned to them. "It's fine."

Fine for her, perhaps. The rest did not find it so easy. As Arthur gave the bridge a turn his boot nearly slipped on the wet ice, but he adjusted his momentum and caught himself before he could topple off the side.

"I think perhaps we should have made a bridge of earth instead," he suggested to Pabbie, who got onto the ice easily enough.

"It's much too late for that at this time of night, my child."

They helped Princess Anna onto the ice, and like Arthur she almost skidded into the water. A quick hand from Elsa stayed her from plunging down. The younger royal huffed in embarrassment, or maybe relief, as she steadied herself. "Yeah, I'd probably have gone with the earth thing too."

Staying close together, the four of them traversed the icy pathway, careful not to misstep and lose their footing. Once they were across, Elsa waved her hands, melting the ice back into the bay. It all sank without a sound, and when she was finished they regrouped under the cover of a lonesome tree.

"Well done everybody," Pabbie praised his three companions. "I doubt anyone saw us leave."

"Did anyone bring a lamp?" asked Anna, shivering in her coat. "It's awful dark."

"Here." The Grand Chief lifted his stubby arm to reveal a lantern, unlit. "But we cannot risk using it now within sight of the palace."

Arthur glanced up through the fine rain sprinkling down on them. The moon was out, but the clouds obscured much of it from sight, though that would not present a problem if everything went according to plan. "Her Majesty told us that you know these parts well," he said to Anna.

"Well, my mother used to let me play around here, whenever my father wasn't home. I guess the gardens got kind of boring sometimes," she reflected.

Arthur pulled his hood down further to ward the rain off his face. "Can you get us to the hillroads?"

"I've never been here late at night," Anna shrugged in thought. "But it should be pretty easy. It's just grass and slopes."

"You've got it," Elsa smiled.

"Lead on, Your Highness," Pabbie agreed readily.

"Well then, come on!" Without hesitation, Anna headed off in one direction, and the others followed before they could lose sight of her in the dim moonlight. They moved in single file, scaling slope after slope in the soggy grass, their boots squelching beneath them. "The trick is to find the rocks," she explained in the darkness. "There should be one right... here." Her heel gave a loud crack as it struck something solid, which Arthur could only guess was one of her rocks. She turned there, and led them downhill now, but further to the right.

The constant splatter of the drizzle began to grow louder as they started to move uphill again."The rain seems to be growing heavier," Arthur noticed, holding out a hand to gauge his observation.

"Oh, that's the waterfall," answered Anna. "It's on the way."

"We won't be going under it, I hope."

In front of him, Elsa gave a short laugh. "We're already soaked."

"I don't want to be any wetter than I have to."

"We'll go around it," Anna assured him as they drudged on.

The journey was shorter than Arthur had expected, but by the time the sled came into view, the inside of his cloak was already turning damp. As they had planned, the Ice Deliverer had hooked a glowing lantern onto his sled. He waved to them as they clambered up the hillock. "Boy, am I glad to see you guys," he breathed in relief. "It's been miserable out here." Anna scampered up to him and embraced him tightly.

"Did you bring everything?" she looked up and asked.

"I think so," he replied, casting an eye over his shoulder at the sled. "We've got clothes and food, and Sir Arthur's horse. I've made some adjustments, so there's room in the back for all of you."

"Good work, Kristoff," said Pabbie, adjusting his hood backwards so he could see their faces better.

Arthur's face changed into a tired smile as Mara clopped out from behind the sled, making a beeline for him. He reached out a hand and let her soft nose nuzzle his palm. "Sorry about the rain," he murmured to her. She snorted happily and stamped a hoof with cheer. It's good to be out and about again. Arthur let out a contented sigh and rubbed her mane. His mare had always possessed an air of confidence about her, something that never failed to keep his spirits high. "Apologies," he said to Kristoff. "We had to ensure that we left undetected."

The Northman raised an eyebrow, though Arthur was not sure whether in annoyance or amusement. "Why the secrecy?"

"Pabbie and I were supposed to be sailing Southbound before nightfall," explained Arthur. "But because of this... complication, we must stay in the North, and the only way back out is through Arendellian waters. We are, essentially, trapped here until I can recover my powers, and after what happened today, we cannot trust just anybody with that knowledge."

"There was a ship that left harbor for Baron's Watch, right as tonight's party concluded," Pabbie expounded further. "We had it announced that we were aboard."

"And that Anna and I were there too," said Elsa.

Arthur nodded in accord. "One of our enemies knew that the Sentinels were in Arendelle, but now they'll think that we've gone elsewhere. The kingdom should be safe while we are gone."

He could see that it would take some time for Kristoff to understand all that he had been told. The Ice-Deliverer wiped off the dampness from his nose. "Well, I had no idea it was that complicated," he sniffed, jerking his head towards the sled. "We probably should start off now, if things are so urgent."

The Sentinel of Fire smiled. "I'm glad you understand." He shook off a puddle of water that Mara's saddle had collected, and hoisted himself to sit neatly on top, ready to leave. But the others had run into one small problem.

"Um, Elsa?" called Anna as she uncovered the sled's backseats. "Is he supposed to be in here?"

When Arthur saw the snowman inside, he rolled his eyes. A poke from Elsa woke the napping Olaf, who leapt straight to his ball-shaped feet. "Oh hey guys!" he cried once he saw them. "Whoa you guys are dressed really differently."

"Olaf, what are you doing in here?" Elsa asked crossly.

"Catching up on some sleep," the snowman grinned innocently, until a raindrop fell on his eyes. He blinked in confusion. "What's with all the falling water from the sky?"

"It's rain," said Anna, leaning over to brush his face clean with her sleeve.

"I never knew water could fall just like snow!" he said gleefully, closing his eyes and letting the rain pepper him.

"That's because they're the same thing," Anna explained. "Snow's just frozen rain."

"You're kidding me!"

Kristoff glanced up at Arthur. "You'd expect this from a snowman who thought summer was good for him." The young Sentinel said nothing atop his mount. As long as this one doesn't slow us down, he thought silently.

Olaf swiveled his odd torso back and forth. "Where are we?"

"On the hillroads," Elsa sighed and folded her arms. "Olaf, how did you get here?"

He twiddled his stick-fingers. "Well, it was right about dinnertime and I was with Sven and Mara. I guess I must have just fallen asleep in the sled. And now I'm out here with you guys!" The open smile on his white cheeks told them that there was nothing else he could want more. "Where are you guys going?" The royal sisters looked to Arthur for their answer.

"Further North," he told the snowman simply.

"Cool. So when do we leave?"

It was then that Arthur experienced a rare moment of gratitude for the loss of his powers; at this rate he would have fried the walking snowball. He supposed there was hardly a way he could refuse Olaf now.

"We leave now," he replied, and urged Mara forward.

Olaf clapped his twigs together. "Oh boy!"

And just like that, the sixth member of their party had joined their quest.

\\

Castle Arendelle - The Dungeons - The Night After

After three and twenty years, the gods had seen fit to bestow upon Hans his first stroke of luck. He had been born into this world eighteen years too late, and eleven brothers too far to inherit anything other than a royal name. When he was a boy his eldest brothers had been kind to him, but they were not the ones he was raised with. Aron hated him because of the scar - an accident Hans had made with a fish hook, Franz had been jealous of Mother's love, fat Theo always stole his food, Bjorn had thought him a wet blanket, and Lorenz, sent off to a holy institution, had never been there.

Though Otto had been the worst of them. In his days as a child Hans never lived a day without a cruel word whispered into his ear by Otto, or some devilish prank turned loose upon him. The only refuge he ever found was in his mother - the infallible power that saved him time and time again. But not this time. His Queen Mother was lying sick abed, dying slowly like his father had. And Otto would be much too clever to let him receive any help from Nikolaus. How many steps was Otto ahead of him? Ten? A hundred? A thousand?

Damn you Otto, he seethed in his cell. These bars would not hold him for long, but it did not matter. What mattered to him was his name. He had been made a scapegoat by his own volition; a lamb that wandered into its own slaughter. Once news of his capture reached Jur Rasaa, the throne would be impossible for Hans to reach. He would have been blamed for the assassination of an innocent Queen, had the Sentinel not been there.

This Valhallan had changed everything. Who would have thought that the Sentinel of Fire would be in Arendelle, after the entire world had laid its eyes upon this kingdom? If he wanted to hide he should have sailed East, where even Valhalla could not find him. But Hans was glad that the man had decided so poorly. Now things could start afresh. A new beginning. He had options.

He put a hand under his head and pondered. He had been given a proposition, but Hans already knew he could not take it. There was a time when nothing could defeat the Sentinels. But... Times have changed. Hans gripped the message in his other palm, a small scrap of paper slipped through the window by a scruffy young boy just before midday. He had given them his reply. Now he waited for their response.

There were footsteps in the corridor, and a quiet tinkling. Finally. Hans sat up, licking his lips. He had eaten nothing since noon, and it was already deep into the night. A good meal was no doubt waiting for him, once this was done with. A face appeared at the door of his cell, and Hans stood as he recognized him. "Hello Mors."

The husky sailor peered inside. "He's in here."

"Then open the damned door, will you?"

It rattled for a few seconds, and the hinges squeaked. Captain Jakob entered with a naked sword in his hand, with blood dripping from the blade.

"It appears that my cabin boy found the right prince after all," said the willowy mercenary.

"You have my deepest thanks," Hans told him. "You won't regret this, I give you my word."

"Double the Shipper's contract, Your Highness."

"Yes, yes," the Prince agreed quickly. He did not want to tarry any longer, not with a Sentinel somewhere in the Queen's halls. "We should discuss this further when we are aboard the Shadowcat. There are people in this palace that I would not like to rouse."

"Of course." Jakob stepped aside and allowed Hans to exit first. There were three more sailors outside, seamen with names that Hans had never bothered to learn, all armed and watchful. Their weapons were slathered with blood as well, fresh and warm by the look of it.

"I see you've been busy with those," Hans observed, looking meaningfully at their swords.

"We had to get the dungeon keys, Your Highness."

"Wait! Take me as well!"

They turned to the adjacent cell, where Vidunther pressed his face against the bars pleadingly. "I've got wine, drink, RUM! It can all be yours if you let me go!"

The Captain looked to Hans for direction. "Who is this man?"

Hans shrugged. "A wine merchant. He's no concern of mine."

Jakob patted his chin in calculative thought. He nodded to Mors. "Make sure he doesn't squeal." The First Mate understood.

He inserted the keys into Vidunther's cell door, and the wine merchant sighed in relief. "Thank you, kind sirs." He made to step out, but Mors barred his way and pushed him inside, a dagger in his hand. Before Vidunther could make a sound, his throat was slit, and he crumpled backwards onto the cold floor, his neck spouting.

The burly seaman wiped his cheeks with a sleeve, and turned around. "Any of the others?"

A good question. Hans moved to the first cell and looked in. The assassin inside stared back, stoic and motionless. The Vindish do not talk. They would do nothing when in service, other than what their contract required. Nothing else. There was no danger of them alerting the watch, and time was a-wasting. The other man was too injured to speak, having taken a beating from that devilish horse the day before. He slept peacefully, though that did not make him any better to look at, with the countless bruises on his face. The Prince shook his head. "Leave them be."

"Was there any more business you seek to attend here?" asked Captain Jakob. "We would be more than happy to escort you."

"There was, but not anymore," replied Hans. "My priority now is to return to Jur Rasaa with all speed."

"Speed is what the Shadowcat was built for, Your Highness. Come."

With one of the men leading the front, and Mors keeping watch over the rear, they exited the dungeon cells and ascended the winding stairwell to the main hall. There were bodies on the floor when they reached the top, covered in blood and with lifeless eyes opened wide in shock.

Hans slowed to observe them. "How many did you kill?"

"A few."

The Captain left it at that. Their way out was across the grounds, through the yard, and then through halls that seemed familiar and others that did not. And all the way they darted through the palace unnoticed and undiscovered. Things were quiet, though Hans was not sure if it was because the Queen's men were sleeping or dead. There was a postern facing the Northwest, no doubt how Jakob had led his men inside. Queen Elsa had fled this way on that fateful night, and now Hans would as well. Another slain guard welcomed them there, though this one was pinned to the wall with a ripe arrow in his chest.

"Mors, have this man taken down and thrown into the bay," Captain Jakob ordered. The escort stopped and two of the sailors sheathed their sabers to pluck the Arendellian off the stone. They hefted him between themselves, and Jakob was satisfied. "The Shadowcat is just shy of a half-mile from here, but she is ready to sail. We will have to take the rowboats," he explained.

Hans was curious. He had never known captains to leave their vessels readily, and take their First Mates with them at that. Who was in command of the Shadowcat? Now is not the time for this, he reminded himself. He resisted the urge to ask, and kept silent, as they ran in single file down the last remaining steps and into the darkness.