Chapter 10: Forging Chains
Noon, The Dungeon, The Kingdom of the Southern Isles
The dungeon, like many prisons, was gloomy, and screams of a tortured man can be heard nearby. A cloaked man walked down the halls of the row for those convicted of treachery. As he approached a certain cell door, he removed his hood and identified himself to the man behind bars.
"Master Hans, I've received a letter from Arendelle."
"Ah, they appealed for a death sentence." Hans thought the letter was a bad omen.
"No, sir. It's from a man who calls himself Riese."
"Hmm...I see."
"In exchange for being the overlord of Arendelle, he will assist you in taking your father's throne."
"Tell him I will accept the offer." Hans, once having a sane mind, now acted irrationally. But for once, at least, it helped him.
Noon, The American Consulate-General, Embassy Row, Arendelle
"Sir, the Queen's vessels have intercepted a ferry from the Southern Isles with suspicious looking passengers. One of them got away. Our frigates, the USS Macedonian and Pirouette are in pursuit of another vessel with our quarry. They wired the nearby USS Pittsburg to assist in the pursuit and blow their docks with Paixhans guns, sir. " A lanky-looking office-boy announced to the Consul-General, a heavy-set man in his forties, dressed in military officer's uniform.
"Goddamn Navy, I did not authorize their pursuit. We are risking a diplomatic crisis. Did the Queen know of this?" He replied with a thick Southern drawl.
"Yes, sir. In fact, she was just rescued from an ambush by a certain 'Travers'. He claims to be an American."
The man stood up from his desk. "Hmm, arrange a meeting with Her Majesty and this 'Travers'. Tell them to meet me and Mr. Crawford at the Hall of Justice this evening."
He left the desk, the boy standing agog looking at the gold-plated desk marker with the name of the man inscribed in gold letters:
COLONEL GEORGE CHARLES F. TRAVERS
Consulate-General
Afternoon, The Palace, Arendelle
Elsa's face turned red with anger, and Travers had a look of exasperation on his face. Elsa was clearly disappointed at Anna, now awaiting a good scolding.
"Anna, what have you got to say for yourself?"
"I just wanted to find out where Kristoff and Travers were doing..."Anna quietly muttered.
"And what happened? At least you were very lucky that midnight."
"But-"
"No buts. You are not a child anymore. I expect you to behave as an adult woman. "
"Jeez, who died and made her boss?" Dane intoned.
Elsa then left for her quarters to let of steam, er, snow.