The remaining leg of the long journey from Misthaven and the Caribbean Isles after saving those lands from the Evil Queen Regina, they now had to save Queen Elsa's homeland far up north, almost at the poles. The weather took a turn for the worse. Anthony could feel the change in his magical blood, coming from the Land of Oz as it's King, he could sense things such as nature and darkness. The air was heavy to him, heavy with regret, sorrow and fear. Fog rolled in but it was not any ordinary fog. It was a thick black mist could that had the low altitude of just a few hundred meters, and made the surrounding now blackened lands beneath colder and more brittle. As the mighty and majestic Foresaken approached the Winter Harbor that led straight to the docks at the foot of the Reigning Monarch's castle, Anthony changed his attire as temperatures were now in the low 20's. He now wore a sapphire blue cloak with big sterling silver buttons on the cuffs of the sleeves, dark brown leather boots, dark breeches with a plethora of pockets to contain his magical items, and a regal cut silver tunic under the cloak that shimmered like chainmail. On his head he wore the emerald crown from Oz, as he was still King and felt his enemies should be aware with whom they're dealing. He also hoped it would make Queen Elsa easier to relate, royal to royal. On his left hand he wore a large gold ring on his middle finger that was the shape of a skull, and granted him the ability to cast a new very powerful spell, but one he hadn't tried yet. Thomas changed his attire now as well. He wore a long thick dark red wool merchant captain's overcoat with big gold leaf buttons, a ruffled linen shirt and a strapping leather vest. He wore fairly high boots to trudge through expected levels of snow, and black and silver lined gloves on his hands. Around his narrow waist and over his broad shoulders were holsters, pouches and sheaths for his flintlock pistols, smoke and cherry bombs, and swords respectively. Atop his blonde head he wore a striking dark black velvet tricorner hat with big white feathers and a touch of gold on the front. There was no question, one was a powerful, regal wizard, and the other an equally powerful pirate captain and lord.
With the Forsaken moored safely at the quay, Sir Lenard escorted Captain McNally and Anthony into the city. Around them townsfolk went about their daily business, not paying any mind to the new arrivals. Foreigners came and went daily from Arendelle, and these two were no different in the eyes of the locals. Thomas and Tony both examined their surroundings as they walked. Tony noticed a child gleefully playing a game of fetch with a furry, black dog, while Thomas eyed an inn with a tankard on its outdoor sign. The city appeared clean and properly maintained. A welcome change compared to the rickety shacks and sandy streets of the tropics. The Royal Castle loomed directly ahead of the three men. The fortress itself was situated on an island joined to the mainland by a pair of bridges. The southern bridge served as a causeway, while the eastern bridge was actually an extension of the harbor's sea wall. A stout perimeter wall surrounded the central keep, with seven towers built into it. Banners displaying the Royal badge - a golden crocus - hung from the wall's south side, flanking the main gate, which was wide open.
The trio entered the castle's main courtyard, finding it crowded with nobles and commoners alike. All were seeking an audience with Queen Elsa. Many had sighted the archdemon flying off to the north. No doubt most of today's visitors had problems relating to the kingdom's war against the darkspawn.
Sir Lenard approached the castle's main entrance. The young guardsman at the door recognized him right away.
"Greetings, Sir Lenard," said the guard. "How were your travels?" The Guard swiftly glanced at Wizard Anthony, and then at Captain McNally. They both gave an unhindered glance back at the guard to show who held the real power.
"Well enough, Daniel," Lenard replied. "Now open that door up. My companions and I are to answer a summons with the Queen."
"Her Majesty is not yet holding court."
Lenard leaned closer threateningly. "This is a military matter, boy. Let us through or face a court-marshal," Lenard said.
"Did you not hear him right? The Queen has asked to see us. Are you truly going to disobey her?" Anthony tried to raise a hand and conjure a convincing fireball, but Captain McNally stopped his friend with his own hand, shaking his head. "No," he whispered.
Daniel relented. "Very well, make it quick," he said as he opened the door. Anthony snapped his fingers which slightly echoed, and the guard fell to the stone floor asleep like a baby, and snoring like a grandfather.
"Tony, did you really need to do that?" asked the pirate.
"You can't tell me he wasn't annoying!" The two friends laughed, and walked into the castle.
Thomas, Lenard, and Tony found themselves in the castle's entrance hall. A butler dressed in a fine red suit greeted them. Lenard informed the butler of their business with the Queen. The butler instructed them to wait, disappeared up a staircase, then returned a short time later.
"Her Majesty will accept you in her study," said the butler. "This way, please."
The butler led them to a rather small but decorated room in the castle's east wing. A fireplace, two bookcases, a desk, and three plush chairs occupied the space. Standing by the fireplace, facing the doorway, was Elsa, Queen of Arendelle. Her signature blue dress flowed elegantly around her petite body, while her blonde hair hung loose down past her shoulders. She had let her trademark braid go, and now let her beautiful pale blonde hair fall to her biceps still wavy from the length of time she kept the braids. Snowflakes glistened in her hair like stars, and her frosty gown sparkled in the room like a great blue diamond. She turned to face the two men as they entered the room, her gentle blue eyes first meeting Tony's, then Thomas'. Both the captain and the wizard offered slight bows, which Elsa graciously returned.
"I'm sorry about the cold, it's just never bothered me. It is so nice to finally meet you both! I have heard all about your heroic adventures, and that's actually why I called you here to help my kingdom with your skills. You know my name, but we haven't properly met yet. My name is Elsa." Queen Elsa looked like she wanted to give the two heroes hugs, she was so warmly welcoming to them.
"The honor is mine, and my name is Anthony I am King of Oz and this man's best friend and brother," Tony bowed at the neck.
"Enchanted, my lady. My name is Thomas McNally I am Captain of the realm-jumping frigate, Forsaken," Captain McNally bowed as well.
"Anyway Gentlemen, we're fortunate to have you here," said the young queen. "As you know, Arendelle is in great peril. Darkspawn march across our land, killing everyone in their path. Our people are frightened, displaced, and uncertain. Worst of all, an archdemon leads the darkspawn horde. My kingdom has fallen victim to a Blight. But I fear there may be something worse happening to my people with the introduction of these little monsters. I fear they may be turning my good-hearted people dark, adding them to their already large numbers."
"We understand, your Majesty," Tony chimed in. "My friend and I encountered the archdemon as we made our approach to the city. It attacked our ship, then flew off without sinking us. We struck back but the beast fled the fight before the end. Curious."
"The archdemon still lives?" Elsa asked.
Tony frowned. "I'm afraid so, your Majesty." He hated being the bearer of bad news. "We scarcely even wounded it. I know a spell that can give this winged freak numerous amounts of damage but it is hard to focus it's target, and I haven't been able to try it yet because the spell takes time to cast, and the beast is a swift flier. But worry not, majesty."
"It was not for lack of effort in trying to rid this world of that beast, though," Thomas added. "Rest assured on that, your Majesty. Is there a chance we can confront the horde itself? A massive army will be tough to hide. And if we meet the darkspawn in open battle, the archdemon is sure to join them. Then we'll have a chance at bringing the beast down."
The Queen gestured towards her desk, pointing at a map resting on its polished, oaken surface. She motioned for the two men to follow, which they did, and all three then stood around the desk, studying the map. Thomas immediately began to memorize the various rivers and waterways, in case the Forsaken had a chance of navigating them. Tony made note of the mountain ranges, valleys, and passes, aware that the darkspawn army would need to navigate around or, as with the valleys, through them. The major population centers - cities, towns, and villages - were also of prime concern. It was there that the darkspawn army could inflict the most damage upon both the people, and the country's infrastructure.
"As you know, the Archdemon was last sighted here." Elsa pointed to the ocean near the capital.
"And where the Archdemon is," Tony added, "the darkspawn horde can't be far behind."
"Agreed," said Thomas. "Your Majesty, where did the blight begin?"
"On the southern coast." Elsa put a finger on the country's south shore. "From there they advanced northeast, killing everyone in their path and laying waste to the land.
"Form the South? Is it possible that Hans and his brothers have a hand in this?" asked the blue wizard.
"It's possible, but not likely. My sister and I have defeated him twice now. I think it would be embarrassing for him as a man to try to go after me and my sister again!" She laughed and so did Anthony. Thomas remained serious, not taking the matter lightly.
"There has to be someone or something that opened a door to this land for the darkspawn, though. I swear. They are only pawns, the don't really make their own decisions. There has to be some lea..." Anthony put a hand to his head and stepped backwards, his mind now racing. "I'm sorry my head... just give me a second." He asked their pardon.
"How the darkspawn came to Arendelle isn't our main priority," Thomas said. "We must deal with the horde first." The pirate captain pointed to a broad mountain pass roughly one hundred miles southwest of Arendelle's capital city. "What is the name of this pass? It appears that the darkspawn need to cross through it if they are to reach the city."
Elsa took notice. "That is Walter's Pass. It's an old thoroughfare that connects the capital with the settlements in the southwest."
"It also looks like the best place to confront the darkspawn head-on," said Tony. "If we stop them there, we can put a serious dent in their numbers. And possibly kill the Archdemon, while we're at it."
Elsa nodded approvingly. "I shall mobilize the army straight away. Tonight we march for Walter's Pass. All three of us. Now please take your leave, gentlemen. And prepare yourselves for a long journey, with a battle at the end."
Thomas and Tony both bowed respectfully and departed the chamber, leaving Queen Elsa of Arendelle alone with her thoughts.
"What was all that about? Get a headache did you? I mean sure she's beautiful, but Anthony she's just a tad out of your league, don't you think?" The two friends laughed.
"No, but seriously, Thomas. That wasn't the problem. I think I figured out how the darkspawn were able to come here in the first place. That archdemon we faced and who is leading the darkspawn horde may be no archdemon at all. I think her name is Flemeth," said the wizard.
