"We're siding with the southern isles," He said. And I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. I was aware of the possibility but…..

"We're to take Arendelle down from the inside and weaken it for attack." He said, the sound bouncing around in the space of the room. Just words. Words that had the power to destroy a nation, to destroy a queen.

"…..Have you already made all the arrangements?" I asked, steeling my voice from any emotion least the crippling sharpness of feeling tear through.

"I've responded to Prince Hans's letter, giving him the affirmation of our support and informing him of our plans." He said formally, as if reading off that very letter. As if this entire ordeal was just a matter of business. Just another day in the works.

"And what exactly is our course of action from here, now that we're no longer just making observations?"

Ren glared, a question he'd already answered.

"We move forward with the plan to cripple them with the life debts of our many losses." He explained.

I ground my teeth and flexed my clenched fists. Frustrated.

"Just how many are we planning on sacrificing?" I asked sharply.

Ren grinned, "As many as possible."

"We brought a ship full of fifty men. Arendelle numbers somewhere in the two hundred rage. And that's just the queen's guard in the immediate vicinity of the castle. If we get rid of all fifty of our boys then we take away one forth of their numbers," he reasoned. "And as soon as the queen hands us our new fraction of her men we'll ship them off, telling her we need them at home to quell some quarrel and ship us back a real Captain."

"Yes but fifty men won't matter once we go in full siege, the people will rally behind the queen. Their numbers will triple and out match any forces we have remaining," I countered.

Ren's grin spread to a full out sadistic smile.

"They can't rally behind their queen if they don't have one."

My stomach dropped and my eyes widened with shock.

"No….." I whispered, my voice cracking at the realization.

"Arendelle's only real defense is Elsa. Her power could rival any soldier's, she could level an entire army. Once she's disposed of…the rest will be easy." He said, pleased with his idea of such destruction.

My whole body went on lock down. Fighting the urge to scream out injustice and destroy the monster that sought to destroy a country. But I didn't. And I wouldn't. I sat. Still. Stayed. Just like the good dog I was.

"If Elsa's that powerful then disposing of her won't be so easy." I said, my voice, completely devoid of any feeling, any inkling of emotion.

"Well what better to melt ice with than fire? I'm sure you'll make quick work of her sister. I have much faith in you," he assured.

"…"

"Will you do this sister? Will you help me spread the Kharnian name through new borders?" He asked.

I nodded solemnly.

"But what exactly do we get out of this? Why aid the Southern Isles in destroying an ally?" I questioned quietly.

"An old ally," He said, snarling out the correction.

"Prince Hans is a gracious man. He seeks only revenge for his mistreatment. Once we overtake the castle he will send reinforcements to deal with any remaining conflict. Once all is settled he'll take his retribution…..I believe it is princess Anna he desires? Her and a large supply of resources will go back with the prince. Leaving Kharn with a new territory." Ren said, obviously pleased with the idea.

"And just how will we support this new territory? Kharn is an ocean away, you cannot rule from there." I growled.

"No….I can't rule from there. But you can rule from here. Congrats sister..…looks like you will be queen after all."