Authors Note: I am sorry for the long delay in updates, things have been pretty hectic for me with school and getting a new job and a few personal issues, but here you go my loyal readers.


The sun rose steady into the sky, painting it a soft blue and chasing away the stars.

From the inside of a sleeping roll, a messy head of red hair emerged, followed by the sleepy face of Anna. She scowled at the sun, as if taking a personal insult to its light before she sat up. Her back and shoulders popped pleasantly as she stretched and began the near impossible task of taming her mane of wild hair, brushing it out with her fingers and containing it within two braids, running her fingers along the streak of white.

To her left, Prince made an impatient sound, causing the assassin to chuckle as she got to her feet. "Alright, Bud, let's get you some water." She gathered up her cloth wrap before leading the thirsty horse down to the rivers. As he drank his fill, Anna filled the water skins she had managed to get from the cabin before settling herself on the bank.

Anna checked over her shoulder, making sure that the queen had not yet awoken, before pulling her shirt over her head. She held the long strip of cloth in her hands, examining it for tears before she began the carful process of binding her chest.

Her ears perked at the sound of movement behind her, and she hastily pulled her shirt on before hopping to her feet and spinning around. The queen had emerged from beneath the tarp and was currently fussing over her dress. Anna snorted a laugh before leading the horse back to the wagon. "I'll purchase some new clothing for you once we reach Paris, your majesty."

Elsa looked up at her, a faint smile on her face. "That would be most appreciated."

As Elsa made herself more presentable, Anna hitched Prince back to the wagon and tucked away the tarp. They were back on the road within the hour.

They road well into the night, stopping only so that Anna could take a quick nap before hurrying on their way.

As they road along, the road began its steady transition from dirt to cobbles as it widened out, merging with other roads.

More wagons and carriages began to crowd the road.

In the distance small buildings could be seen, marking out the first town they had seen since leaving Arendale.

The town was in the midst of its morning hustle and bustle as people cried out from shop fronts, trying to get people to by their wares.

The heavenly smell of fresh bread and slow roasted meats mixed in with the noise was enough to rouse Elsa from her sleep. Her head poked up over the edge of the wagon, her hair hidden beneath the Sparrowhawk's heavy cloak. "Where are we, Sparrow?"

"Not sure," Anna's voice was strained and tired, "but we are in France."

"How can you be so—"

"Bonjour Madames!" a portly man called from the streets.

Elsa nodded slowly, "I see."

The town was soon behind them and the road opened up, branching off into side roads and footpaths.

"We should reach the Paris outskirts by dusk," Anna informed the queen, "and I will need you to join me on the bench when we enter the city."

The Queen sat up at this, clearly displeased with this idea, "Why is that?"

Anna shrugged, "Unless you want the city guards poking around, thinking I'm trying to sneak people in, then I would suggest you sit next to me." She looked over her shoulder and added, "Don't worry, it won't be for long."

As the day wore on, the forests and fields became sparse, replaced by small farms and villages and looming up before them was the city wall of Paris. Seeing them, Elsa didn't think twice about climbing up to the bench, if only to get a better view to marvel at their construction.

They were stopped at the portcullis by two guards in sparse plate armour. Each wore a deep blue tunic beneath the breast plate and held a pike and a tight two-handed grip. "Halt! What business do you have in Paris?" The smaller of the two asked in French.

Elsa cleared her throat and made to answer but was cut off by Anna.

"Milady and I are here on vacation. We travelled down from Amiens to glory upon the architecture." The Sparrowhawk's French was perfect, even down to the accent, causing the Queens jaw to drop slightly in shock. Anna grinned and leaned closer to the guards, "and between the two of us, we have heard that the men of gorgeous. Perhaps we'll leave with husbands." She laughed and the guard joined in before he and his fellow stepped aside.

"Enjoy your time in our fair city, and happy hunting," he chuckled as the wagon rolled by.

It was only when they were turning down a side street that Elsa recovered from her shock, "you speak French?"

Anna nodded "of course I speak French. When I was young I was briefly apprenticed to our cook, Remi. He couldn't speak a lick of Norse so it was a sink or swim situation. After that, the Grandmaster made sure I could speak it fluently, along with a few others, just enough to get by."

"A few others?" Elsa raised a brow.

"Yeah, you know, the basics to get by. English, French, German, Arabic and Russian but my Russian is a little rusty." Sparrow listed them off on her fingers as they pulled up to an inn. She hopped down, offering a hand to Elsa which she reluctantly took before taking there packs from the wagon and handing Prince over to the Stable hand.

Anna looked the boy up and down, "do you scurry with rats, boy?"

The boy blinked in confusion before narrowing his eyes with a nod.

"Good," she handed him a few coins, "when she are finished here, scurry back to the plague with a message for the king," she leaned over and spoke softly into his ear, "the Hawk flies over the walls. Do you understand? Good, now on with your work." She handed Elsa her pack before adjusting the cloak and pulling the hood further down. "Stay hidden."

"What was that just now, Sparrow?"

"Just informing the locals, now did you hear me?"

"Yes, stay hidden."

Anna nodded, "good, now let's get you a room."

The ground floor of a three story in was a dingy looking tavern. Though it was dimly lit, Elsa could still make out the gruff faces of the patron leering at her and she instinctively moved closer to the Sparrowhawk who shot glares at anyone who dared look to long.

The inn keeper was no better. He was a fat balding man with a black oily mustache. "What get a get you?" his voice was like rocks being smashed together and breath wheezed as he spoke.

"Room on the top floor," Anna replied as she tossed a few coins onto the counter.

He grunted "Room on the top floor is four times these measly coins," he placed his meaty hands on the counter to push himself up, "and if you have a problem with—"

A loud thunk rang out as the Sparrowhawk slammed a dagger down between his fingers causing the man to yelp with fright as a shadow fell over her face. "Room on the top floor, for these measly coins, both of the keys and explicit institutions the my lady change here is not to be disturbed, by anyone," she leaned across the counter, twisting the dagger slowly and making sure he noticed the branding of her hand as she removed the dagger, "or next time I will not miss."

The man practically threw the keys onto the counter in fright Which Anna then passed to Elsa before the two women made their way up the stairs.

The room was spacious enough with a hearth and a small table and bed. "There's only one bed," Elsa noted with distaste.

"I won't be staying here with you. The room is yours, I'll be across the hall if you need anything." Anna made to leave.

"Wait," Elsa called, "Was all of that… was it really necessary?"

"Of course it was, to keep you safe your majesty. If I have learned one thing, it is to make the unknown fear you, and you will have no need to fear it. That man sure as Hel fears me now, so he won't bother us none, same goes for the men in the tavern. Word will spread and we'll be safe. And besides, this room is not worth what he was asking, he was trying to rip us off."

"Well you almost removed his finger."

Anna shrugged, "I'm sure at some point he did something to deserve it."

Elsa gaped, "You are just,"

"Just what?"

"Barbaric!" The blonde snapped before slamming the door.

"Two weeks," Anna yelled though the heavy wood, "we have enough coin for two week so I suggest you start writing to your allies in this gods be damned country!" with that she was gone leaving Elsa alone in this strange new place.

She felt fear pick and twinge at her but she did her best to push it away as she lit a few candles and began to write out her coded correspondence.