"So we take a lift from the ambassadors. When they stop at the Islands he leave and take the local routes to move between the isles." Kristoff explained.
Dastan couldn't see anything wrong with it. "Who's coming?"
"We both and a few more man. I was thinking a total of six."
"It's reasonable. Have you selected any yet?"
"Only you. But I've asked the Captain of the Watch to gather a small force. Anna is inspecting them. Come and tell me what you think." Dastan followed Kristoff to the Courtyard. On it were six men lined before the princess. Dastan recognized one has the young man who had come to speak to him after the ball. He had been wearing an uniformed and they talked about the palace interiors. Afraid to be recognized Dastan stopped and whispered to Kristoff. "Kristoff do you want me to go with you?"
"Off course. You know we do."
"Then dismiss the two boys that are there. This can be a journey without return."
"Dastan everyone there is an adult to eyes of the law. And all of them have volunteered."
"I've seen enough kids dying before me. If you want me to go, there cannot be no boys, only men."
Kristoff looked to him and said "I comprehend. What age should I set as minimum?"
"What's yours?"
"Twenty-one."
"Set it so. You better tell princess Anna."
Kristoff when next to Anna. He was about to say something but no sound came out of his mouth. Dastan saw that it was hard for him to speak in front of that small crowd.
Anna Went to him and he spoke to her ear. She then told the man there were a minimum age restriction. Two guards grumbled but left the line. One of them was the one who could recognize Dastan.
Destiny wasn't without it's irony, Dastan thought. He had been given one of the new palace uniforms. One item he once stole was know his to use. He had just given Markus his Gold and was headed to the center of the town to acquire some new weapons the princess ordered.
There were festivities on the streets when Dastan had last wandered through Arendell in uniform. Now there weren't any. A discontent populace cursed the Southern Islands and it's leaders.
The new blacksmith had a range of swords displayed in his shop. When Dastan commented, the blacksmith told "Dark times approaching. Everyone knows the Southern kingdom always wanted a piece of Arendelle." He pointed to a table with swords and daggers on top. "Those are for you to take to the princess. Six swords, daggers and respective scabbards. The finest there are. Tell our princess that I couldn't make the armours she required. I don't have the experience and there was not enough time anyway."
"I'll make all at my reach to return Queen Elsa to her throne. You have my word."
"You sound like my master."
"The previous blacksmith you were his apprentice, right?"
"Yes. He was murdered the day Elsa was kidnapped. Guards have already come asking if he was involved." The man looked down "I told them he would die before he betrayed the Queen. That's probably what happened."
Dastan felt sorry for the man. It was indeed what had happened.
Dastan returned to the palace admiring one of the swords. A finely sharpened blade of superior quality.
"A man might get nervous when a guard approaches with his weapon drawn."
Dastan recognized Fitz voice and turned to a couple walking arm in arm.
Fitz had shaved and was elegantly dressed in a vest. Dastan recognized the princess Fitz had danced with at the ball. A young brunette wearing a pink dress with a bodice. Both had rings.
Dastan wasn't counting on finding Fitz after he'd revealed his plans to leave as soon possible. It looked like he decided to stay. The woman by his arm ought to be his wife, he realized.
Sheathing the sword, Dastan apologized "Pardon me, my lady, gentleman."
"Oh, we're so sorry for your Queen!" the lady said heartfeltly.
"Fear not, madam." Approaching and speaking quietly so that the three of them would hear, Dastan revealed "We're organizing a secret rescue mission. Brave man are gathering in the palace to bring our Queen back. No royalty of Arendelle shall ever be forgotten by it's people."
The young woman was visibly moved.
Fitz asked "How can one man join such a noble cause?"
"Princess Anna is overseeing the preparations. I have to move on. Arendelle will have it's Queen back soon. Rest assure."
Dastan walked away and into the castle. Fitz hadn't called him by name, so he was discret to. He managed to tell him the new mission he had and tell him where to join. He was curious as to see if Fitz would appear at the palace asking to join in the adventure.
Adventure had called Fitz once again. He wanted to go. He wanted to trample the risks again.
Those reasons drove him to meet the princess. Kristoff was with her and recognized him as the traveller who had accompanied Dastan.
He found Dastan on the castle library absorbed in a book.
Fitz went to his side and asked "Why save the only person who could recognize you?"
Dastan rose his head, smiled and said "Circumstances have changed. You couldn't resist helping?"
"I'm bringing my own downfall, aren't I?"
"Think of it as your chance for redemption."
Fitz went and seated on a chair close to Dastan who asked "The woman you married. She's a princess. I was told so at the ball."
Fitz didn't answer. Dastan wondered what his silence meant. "You're a prince." Without knowing if he'd get an answer he asked "Why have you taken your ring of your finger?"
Fitz finally looked back to him. "So that no one steals it. I have it on a string around the neck" He said, showing and hidden it again. Then asked "What has changed so that you're doing rescue mission?"
Dastan said "I did. I haven't found a tutor yet, but I'm a step closer to become one myself. I was taken to a magic expert of sorts. He removed a some kind of block I had, since then I've gain the ability to perceive what I'm doing. I can now know what my magic will affect."
"Can you do things you couldn't before?"
"Not really. But I can try new things now. Learn new ones."
"So instead of searching for a magic tutor you're looking for what now?"
"A chance to use magic. And to right some wrongs."
"You're doing this for the Queen."
"For all the people of Arendelle."
"Not excluding the Queen."
Someone could be heard coming to the library. It revealed to be the princess. She entered and explained "Gentleman, I offer you a stay at the castle⦠for tonight. Since you're leaving before sunrise."
"You're most kind, your highness." Dastan answered.
Princess Anna had risen her hand but lowered it next. "I'll see you at dinner."
Fitz spoke "Dinner and a room at the castle."
Dastan said "I can live like this."
Dastan and Fitz had just set the sails. They ship begun moving.
This ship belonged to two ambassadors of a tanned, darker skin tone. A tone of sunnier countries. A tone very much like Dastan's.
The ambassadors' ship was a vessel for deep waters and long voyages. It was a large vessel with dozens of sailor. Among all the sailors there were seven temporary ones, who would be leaving at the Southern Islands. They shouldn't make themselves notice, or they absence could be felt. And so Dastan watched men of a land close to his own, without being able to talk to them.
Fitz advise Dastan that they should avoid the upper deck, and so they did.
The stop at the Southern Islands had been a brief one. Ropes were yet being tired, man were already moving barrels and chests from the ship to port. The two marked chests they had smuggled aboard were taken out and left on the pier. The men hid and watched the ship departing. They were on the Islands, now.
Leading the pack was a man named Anthony. He was blonde and wore a moustache. Dutiful and confrontational. Dastan had no trouble following his commands but thought the man shouldn't do no talking in a negotiation.
He had divided the pack in three small groups: himself and two more inexperienced guys, Dastan and Fitz and other two who knew each other. It was a sound idea that had proven useful onboard the ship.
Dastan and Fitz loaded the chests on a carriage. They would take it to a town on the other side of that island where they would take a boat to the main Island.
Dastan and Fitz were seated on top of the carriage, with Fitz handling the reins. Behind, with the back turned to them was Anthony and his group, they called the 'Vanguard'. Fitz group was named the 'wing' and the remaining group was called 'Calvary' and was inside the carriage.
On the way, someone of the 'Vanguard' shouted "We're being followed by one man on horse."
Dastan faced back and suggest, I could prepare an ambush. I'd meet with you further up the road."
Anthony faced him and said "Do it. Take him with you." he said pointing to Fitz. He went to the front and took the reins "I'll be waiting past that curve."
Dastan jumped of and Fitz followed. They hid on trees on either side of the road. The man was riding slowly trying not to be seen. At this speed the rider could easily go around them if they jumped of the trees so, Fitz left his tree and walked towards the stranger with his waterskin on hand as if asking for water.
The rider tried to avoid Fitz passing near the place Dastan was. Dastan took the chance and rush to the horse, pulled the rider's foot from the stirrup and brought the rider down to the ground.
The rider managed to get on his knees but not before had a hand on his hood. Confident Dastan felt his powers delve into the man's brain and slowed it's activity. The man fell down again, this time, he fell sleeping.
Fitz took hold of the horse, saying "He was indeed following us. Do you recognize him?"
Dastan looked to him and turned the man's face to Fitz side and pulled the cover of the man's face.
Fitz saw that it was no man. Before him laid the red-headed princess of Arendelle.
