Not just yet Akerskm...not just yet
If you're a newer reader then I'd suggest disregarding this Author's note but if you are one of my older
readers who has been waiting on me for over a year now I just want to say this.
I don't really have any excuse for my lengthy absence; It's been a hell of a year for everybody and a lot has
transpired not just in my life but everyone's lives and I can only hope that all of you have been hanging in
there like I have. I lost my drive to write for a long time but I haven't given up-I can't, not when I'm so close
to the end. I am sorry but now I'm back and I give you the first of the last three chapters, please enjoy.
Chapter 52: Stronger Than a Hundred Men
The scent in the air was no longer freshly fallen snow or brimming pine trees...but of smoke and metal. The conflict before the walls of Arendelle no longer held any form or strategy, the two armies tore at each other in a formless, senseless battle. The neat ranks of soldiers from either side were now mixed together in a violent kaleidoscope of blade and maul. Bright red streaks of tyranite erupted from the rear of the naga army, rifles and cannons gunning down any alliance soldier that drew close enough. Larger bolts tore through the sky and impacted the wall, pieces of the ice breaking away-upsetting Anna and her archer's task.
Towering above most else on the battlefield were the naga's armored war trolls swinging their bladed gauntlets amidst the fighting with reckless abandon. The reach of their massive arms seldom discriminated between naga or human but most accomplished their primary goal; destroying the alliance siege engines. The number of fiery missiles streaking towards the naga horde had decreased because of this, putting the defending army at a great disadvantage.
One of these belligerent beasts waved it's arms back and forth, striking the ground with thunderous force while spears and arrows bounced harmlessly off it's armor. Scores of alliance men thrown aside with every motion, some grabbed and tossed away before it roared fiercely and raised both fists to crush others. As the beast advanced to begin another swing an angled pillar of ice erupted before it-colliding into it's chest, forcing it to stumble back.
Elsa ran past the soldiers-sliding even faster up the pillar once her feet met the ice. The stunned beast regained it's balance as she reached the top and with a shout she hurled Dragon's Flight forward into it's chest. The ice imbued elven steel easily pierced through the metal and flesh. The troll screeched in pain and Elsa finished with a bolt of ice from her hands, knocking it backward. As the giant hit the ground she lept from the pillar to the middle of it's chest, grasping her spear and ripping it out of her foe. With another wrathful shout she raised the weapon above her head with both hands and buried it even deeper with the second strike, earning a final raspy cry before the troll was silent.
She dislodged her spear and turned her attention to the naga that followed in the war troll's wake. First deflecting a few tyranite bolts before raising her hand so lines of jagged ice rippled out from around the troll's carcass, dispatching several more of her enemies. Her own soldiers moved past her to finish off any remaining naga and fill the gap made by the troll. Elsa breathed heavily, from her elevated position atop the dead troll she could see more of the battle around her...it wasn't going well.
The war trolls caused chaos across the field and that chaos benefited the naga advance. She alone had manged to kill three but their were still more than she could contend with in good time. Her enemies own artillery continued to bombard the wall, every blast making the ice tremble and shake, threatening to bring it down. Her fear growing not only for her sister but all the soldiers with her and the thousands of people that would be left exposed should the wall fall.
Despite this the soldiers of every nation following her fought with everything they had, but now Elsa was starting to doubt that it would be enough. She looked across the carnage to her nemesis, who still stood unmoved atop his vantage point-indifferent to the violence and death of all those below him. Her anger grew again, the way he simply watched her and the slaughter as if he were above it all.
She narrowed her eyes, "Why don't you come down and fight you coward?!" she hissed under her breath as she gripped her spear tight.
His soulless gaze finally broke away from her and turned towards the south, she followed his gaze- at first seeing nothing. Then in the distance...she saw them; another army approaching, not naga but humans of several different factions. She did not recognize the standards they flew, but she knew well enough that whoever they were they were not on her side. Her expression dropped as a horrific realization set in...Amicus had once again entrapped her; the second army that now arrived to the battle would destroy whatever chance the alliance had of victory here today. Everything they had fought for would be lost. Her grip on Dragon's Flight loosened so much that it nearly fell from her hand, they were completely outnumbered now...they had lost.
OoO
The witch king looked from the second army that held position to the south back to the snow queen, seeing the hopelessness in her eyes.
"That's right banrigh, now you understand...it is over." he looked to general Tarn, "Signal the Baron, it is time to put an end to-"
A subtle rumbling interrupted the Witch King's order. It came from the approaching army...No...maybe it came from behind them? The men stopped and most stepped out from their place near the trees to get a better view of whatever was making the unexpected noise.
OoO
Elsa heard the sound too, it was enough to bring her out of despair as she turned her attention to it. From Amicus' reaction she could tell it was not anything within the second army that made the sound. The rumbling grew louder, sending waves through the ground that made the earth beneath them all tremble. The sound was almost like...an avalanche.
OoO
The soldiers of this second army turned their attention to the source of the growing rumble, they were no longer preparing for attack...now they prepared to defend themselves from a charge. The active feeling of confidence in their guaranteed victory over their enemies was now replaced with a cold chill of fear at the sight of what they were about to face. Barreling at them full speed was a storm of ice and snow, but this storm had arms, legs...teeth and claws. The frost giants of the north mountain were descending on them and there was nowhere to run.
Their fear was solidified by a deafening roar that erupted from the sky, Trolgon's winged frame dove out from the clouds and glided above the army of giants. His fearsome call was joined by the giant's own war cries as their claws came forth for battle. Atop the dragon's back Aldren and his companions looked beyond their present quarry to the battle at the wall. They knew that to join their allies and turn the tide they would have to go through the hostile human army to do so. He commanded Trolgon and the dragon banked to the north to line up square with the enemy, they would weaken them from the front as the ice giants attacked from the back.
Trolgon snarled and his body began to glow a soft orange beneath the surface of his icy hide. As they drew upon the second army Trolgon's mouth opened and, instead of ice, he let loose a violent pillar of flame that tore down the middle of their ranks. The force of the flames exploded the ground on impact and left a gaping hole in their forces.
As they flew over the destruction they all looked to Aldren who merely smiled, looked back and shrugged. "Guess he has a little more of me in him than we knew." he said patting the dragon's hide.
A moment after this a wave of giants hit the enemy's shaken defensive lines with weight and force greater than any cavalry charge. Frozen fists, claws and fangs threw the second army asunder within moments; with fire blocking their escape on one side they did not last long against the tide of crushing ice and snow.
Those that tried to fight were either smashed or thrown aside by these beings many times their size, the smart ones fled-no longer compelled to fight for the Witch King's cause. The giants passed through what was left of the faltering legions to join the primary battle, the Witch King's second army had been defeated.
OoO
The cacophony of emotions that passed through Elsa's heart in the last few moments had left her stunned. Anger to paralyzing fear, then despair to confusion...and now hope. She knew not where so many of these giants had come from. But they fought against her enemies-that much was clear. While the sight of them crashing through Amicus' second army and into the fray of battle was more than a welcome one, she looked to the sky. Trolgon strafed back and forth over the battlefield, fire and ice alternating out from his open maw upon the naga army.
"Aldren..." she breathed out with a wide smile, he was alive.
Without hesitation she rejoined the battle, the line being pushed further up as the naga were thrown off balance by the loss of their reinforcements and the arrival of the giants. All the while she trailed the path of destruction left by Trolgon from afar, her focus was still to win the battle but she could not deny that she was desperate to see her love's face in person.
OoO
Amicus was still, seemingly frozen except for his cape that billowed lightly in the wind. He didn't speak, nor move, one wouldn't be able to tell if he was even breathing...if indeed he needed to breathe.
"My lord, our secondary force has been routed!" Tarn exclaimed. When no reply came the general stepped closer to his master, "My lord?"
Shaken from his trance at last the Witch King spoke quietly, "I had not thought it possible for the humans to surprise me..." he seemed to say more to himself. "The plan must accelerate, our victory is no longer assured." he turned to Tarn, "Ready your forces to attack the gate, destroy anything that stands in the way-let nothing hinder your advance!"
Tarn nodded, hefting his mace up and leaving his master's side, Amicus then gave his command to the artillery, "Target the center structure of the queen's wall! Bring it down!"
While the cannons altered their position Tarn brushed past prince Hans, "Come with me." he commanded. Too afraid to argue the islander followed the naga general down the hill, gathering a force of elite naga soldiers and Hans' own men.
As the rest of his plan fell into place the Witch King turned his gaze skyward to the broiling storm above the the battlefield. He slowly raised his hand towards the sky and the clouds began to boom more violently as lightning gathered and danced erratically amid the foaming dark...
OoO
Atop Trolgon's back Aldren and his friends could see the battle was beginning to turn in their favor with the arrival of the frost giants. But now it was time to get Rapunzel and Olaf out of harms way and for Aldren to join the field.
"I need you to fly low," he turned to Cassandra, "I want you to get Rapunzel and Olaf back to the palace, then I want you and Trolgon back out here."
"I got them."
"What are you gonna do?" Rapunzel asked.
"What I'm meant to do; I'll find Elsa and help her put an end to this evil...once and for all."
They all smiled, Rapunzel's a little less certain, "Good luck."
As Trolgon neared the ground Aldren chose his landing place; a naga war troll that had remained oblivious to the threat in the sky. The dragon angled his flight, his right wing tilting towards the ground, when the time was right the Embercrow slid down the wing and jumped from the end with weapon drawn. As the troll raised it's arms to crush alliance soldiers, Black Autumn's blade pierced through the back of it's ugly skull and the beast fell forward. It's hulking frame crashed to the ground. with Aldren laying flat against it's body and his hands around the grip of his sword.
"Ow..." He raised his head with a small groan and saw several soldiers looking up at him awestruck, wasting no time he dislodged his weapon from the troll and rose to his feet, "There's still a war going on."
Without further question they charged past his position and rejoined the battle, from his vantage Aldren scanned the field frantically for any sign of his queen. He found it; an explosion of deadly sharp ice near the front line to the west. Without hesitation he dropped down from the dead troll and sprinted toward her, nothing stood in his way and if it was an enemy, it died. Further and further out he ran into the battle, until he was forced to stop, in his frenzy and worry he didn't realize how close to the enemy he was now. He found himself surrounded by more foes than he could contend with in his current state. He was in trouble...
Dispatching the first few with blasts of fire and the rest with his sword he stood to face the next wave. With one hand aflame he bravely held his sword out at the rest, his shoulder began to ache again and a slight wobble could be seen in his warrior stance. Before either party could make another move ice exploded out from all around Aldren and in response he ducked down, shielding his eyes while the naga soldiers were all sent flying away. Cautiously he rose back to his feet, seeing only an icy haze that blanketed the shattered ice and fallen foes.
Then he saw a figure making its way through the fog and he held his sword up with both hands briefly in defense...and then he nearly dropped it as everything around went mute. Standing now only a few feet from him was Elsa...his Elsa, a small nearly disbelieving smile on her face. His eyes were just as uncertain as her's, both afraid the other wasn't real. They closed the distance quickly, their free hands reaching to the others face.
Her smile grew a little wider when she saw how dirty and unkempt he looked...just like the day they'd first met. "You look like Hel..." she spoke quietly.
He leaned into the cool touch of her hand, smiling back, "And you're beautiful."
She chuckled lightly before she saw his injuries, looking to each of them before her eyes met his again, "Are you alright?"
He nodded, tracing his thumb against her cheek, "I am now."
They both moved into a kiss but stopped at the sound of the enemies charging them through the fading mist. In response they both extended a hand in either direction, letting loose fire and ice and doing away with the brief threat. Looking around to see the battle still raging Elsa turned back and grasped his hand, "Later." she whispered.
He looked down to their hands and then back to her, hesitating in his reply, "Later..."
Their hands parted as they saw that the naga artillery had begun targeting the wall, battering the ice above the gate. Aldren looked around and spotted Marshmallow wrestling with one of the war trolls before drawing back with his icy fist and punching it to the ground.
"Marshmallow!" The giant turned to face him and Aldren pointed toward the origin of the bristling red projectiles, "We need your help to take out those cannons!"
With a commanding roar the giant, along with several others, broke from the battle to attack the enemy artillery.
Elsa smiled, "You've been busy."
He shrugged, "I had some help here and there."
"The others?", she asked.
"Cassandra is getting Rapunzel and Olaf to safety then she and Trolgon will return to the fight."
"Good, we may just have a chance now."
"You doubted?" he asked with a grin.
She grinned back, "Never."
And with that they both ran forward to lead the charge.
OoO
Having moved forward to target the wall the naga cannons had been left exposed to the attack from the frost giants and many had already fallen to them. But as his master had said before ' sacrifices were part of war' and this was all but distraction and bait for the final trap to be sprung. Tarn and Hans' forces had begun a march down the hill from their defensive position and as they neared the edge of the battle Tarn held up a closed fist for them to hold.
One of the frost giants had noticed them at the edge of the battlefield and roared fiercely as it charged their position. While Hans nervously reached for his sword and backed up, Tarn simply strode forward to meet the creature as it neared. As one of it's icy fists came down to smash him, the general swung forward with his mace, the tyranite spike met the ice and a violent explosion of energy obliterated the giant's arm. As it reared back in pain Tarn drew his great sword from his back and slashed at the giant's leg making it fall forward.
As it tried to raise itself with it's remaining arm the general simply crushed it's head underneath the weight of his foot. With a glass like crunch the giant was gone, it's body crumbling into a pile of soft powder, a strange blue glow rose from the remains into the sky towards the mountain. For while their spirits could never be destroyed, away from the power of the mountain the giant's form's were not invincible.
All that meant little to Tarn. What mattered was that his enemy was slain, like all that would stand before him today. Sheathing his sword he returned to stand before his force where they would wait at the edge of the battle in defensive formation. Resting his hands on the pommel of his mace he looked to the broiling sky that grew increasingly chaotic, "The moment draws near..."
OoO
The two elementals neared the edge of the fighting where they spotted Tarn and Hans holding with a large force at their backs. They stopped briefly, both of them unsure what the naga general was waiting for. Nodding to one another they moved to make themselves known but before they were in view Tarn raised his mace and stamped it against the ground. The row of shields behind him parted and hundreds of tatzelwurms poured out onto the battle field. Tarn rose his arms and egged the hungry mass of black scales on as they raced forward, "Air adhart! Leig leis na fearann sin ruith le fuil! (Forward! Let these lands run with blood!)"
Elsa and Aldren watched in disgust as the ravenous horde of fangs and claws collided with the main battle, crashing into friend and foe alike with single minded savagery. Several attacked them and with their powers combined it was a swift victory but then they began to see the real target for this mutated swarm. Like a river flowing around a rocks the wurms simply bypassed most on the field, instead they were charging straight for the wall, straight for the city-straight for- "Anna!"
Before they could reassess their plan another problem presented itself when a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the battlefield, sending alliance and naga soldiers flying. It was followed by several others that struck simultaneously at random points all across the field, chaos and disorder began to take hold.
Another rumble drew their attention back to the sky, in anticipation Elsa extended her hand skyward- creating a barrier of ice above her and Aldren. The bolt connected with the ice hard but the barrier held, it continued to strike and rip at their shelter in a continuous stream as if it was deliberately targeting her. Elsa's teeth gritted as she quickly sheathed Dragon's Flight and brought her other hand up to reinforce the ice.
Aldren watched helpless as his queen defended them from the bolt, he knew who was casting it but he dared not leave her side while she was vulnerable like this. Some Naga soldiers were evading the lightning and already pressing their advantage on them but any that wanted to get to her would have to go through him...and none would get past.
OoO
Anna and Barec along with several other archers reeled back nearly falling to the floor as another tyranite bolt struck one of the ballista's near their position, obliterating it. The princess shook herself and ran back to lean over the banister, she breathed heavily with fear and anxiety; from here she had a perfect view of the mayhem the battle now resembled. It was hard to make sense of anything in either army's movements since lightning started bombarding the field. But Aldren had taught her well to be sharp eyed and vigilant, among the chaos she spotted the hundreds of tatzelwurms weaving their way through as Marshmallow's giant's took care of the enemy rifle lines.
The black eyed creatures bypassed most in their way, seemingly driven by an unseen hand towards their one and only target. As the beasts neared the wall they leaped forward, claws sinking into the ice as they began to scale the wall with surprising and terrifying speed. Her eyes widened at the sight, nevertheless she knocked an arrow and began firing down at them, "Kill them before they reach the top!"
Several of her archers drew their attention away from the main battle to join her in shooting down the wurms. While most arrows hit their mark the creatures were many and even those that were hit continued their climb unless the blow was fatal. The fact was that their arrows did little to slow the advancing monsters.
Anna's eyes caught yet another problem heading their way. In the sky she saw at least twenty orbs of black smoke streaking towards them and as they passed overhead bolts of dark magic fired down rapidly into their ranks. They continued to fly back and forth overhead randomly and harassed the archers, too quick to reliably shoot down.
Even as she thought she might have a bead on one the archer next to her was tackled to the ground as a wurm had made it over the wall. Before she could turn her weapon to help another lunged for her, her back hit the ground, her bow knocked from her hand and she was only just able to get her forearm between the ravenous teeth and her throat. Before the beasts weight could bare down anymore she scrambled for her dagger and with struggling screams she plunged it into the creatures neck several times but it was only when Barec ran the creature through that it died and they were able to roll it off of her. Barec turned back to slash another across the face before it could hoist itself over the wall. Quickly pushing herself up to her feet she drew her blade, "Swords! Swords!" she commanded before too many of the wurms made it over.
No more arrows were loosed from her ranks as they were forced into close quarters with the wurms as well as some of the witch knights that descended to fight alongside their diseased hounds. Even in the heat of the fight she knew well enough to know that their was purpose to this carnage, they were distracting them from something...but what?
OoO
Tears had begun to leak from Elsa's eyes as she struggled to continue holding back the lighting that threatened to annihilate her and Aldren. She was helpless to aid her love as he defended from any attackers that pressed their position. As she scanned the chaos around her she saw something worse still than her own predicament; marching across the field was a substantial force of naga and traitor islander's. Somehow the path they took remained completely untouched by the unnatural storm, and as they were invulnerable to the lighting that bogged down the rest of the allied force there was nothing to impeded their advance.
Her attention was drawn away to the sky when she heard a hopeful sound. Trolgon's cry carried through the noise as he and Cassandra soared down from the clouds towards the approaching enemy, a fiery glow glowing in his chest. With his help enough time might be bought to stop Tarn from attacking the city-
A bolt from the sky struck the dragon's side, forcing a pained cry as he struggled to continue flying, for Elsa it was like watching her child being attacked. A horrified gasp came from her as he continued to cry and crashed down, out of sight with Cassandra hanging from the saddle the whole way.
This storm was Amicus' doing! Amicus had killed her child...a sudden searing rage erupted from within her! Her hands shot upwards as she screamed the loudest she ever had in her life. The barrier she created met the lighting with greater power and fury than it possessed...pushing it back into the sky before shattering into a trillion glimmering particles. In what seemed like no time at all her magic reached the clouds and spread through them in a chain-reaction that ended with sound like glass shattering. The lighting ceased and now what was less like snow and more like microscopic shards of ice glided down from above.
Elsa collapsed to her hands and knees, breathing heavily in sadness and rage. When she felt someone touch her she jerked her head towards them-almost hissing until she saw who it was. Aldren looked down at her in empathy, kneeling beside her he leaned his head against hers, "I'm sorry..."
Her eyes wrenched shut as she uttered a quiet gasp, stuffing down a sob. She refused to wallow in it, pulling away she looked back to see that Tarn's force had nearly made it to the wall, "We have to stop him, he can't reach the palace!"
"Then let's stop him."
She took up her spear as he helped her from the ground and they both ran to try and intercept the naga general.
OoO
Baldrek gasped, his eyes opening to the roiling sky above, his ears painfully aware to the droning ring. A harsh cough escaped as he snapped forward to situp, scanning quickly in either direction before groaning and placing a hand to his aching head. He shakily stood to his feet, the sounds of resumed battle filled his ears as the memory of how he ended up on the ground returned. A pillar of lightning had struck the earth near him and sent him flying along with several of his kinsmen and naga as well, he knew he was lucky to even be alive.
He stepped forward but stopped when he felt something beneath his foot, covered in snow and dirt laid Traitor's Bane. Slowly he lifted it from the ground and looked on it with sad eyes, although the crow's bill spike remained intact, the black steel of the hammer face had been almost completely shattered. It had likely taken the brunt of the lightning strike that would have killed him otherwise.
Sol! The lady of house Starlon had been beside him when the lightning struck, where was she? He began to frantically search his surroundings, peering through the haze of snow and dust, "Lady Starlon!...Sol!"
He wheeled around at the sound of shifting metal. At his feet the armored body of naga soldier began to stir. He raised his weapon to finish them off, only stopping at the sound of a familiar voice coming from somewhere below. Quickly he grabbed the shoulder of the enemy corpse and tossed it aside, revealing Sol having been trapped underneath. He held his hand out and she rubbed her eyes free of dust before smiling and reaching back.
Now both on their feet Baldrek was able to observe the battlefield. Fighting had resumed from both sides despite the devastation. "What was that?" he asked.
Sol was silent as she too took in the reality of what happened, looking behind her she saw a hill that would give them a better vantage point. As they made it to the top the situation became clear to them, Sol's eyes narrowed, "It was a diversion."
Naga and Islander troops were nearly upon the center of the wall which was already beginning to crumble from the repeated cannon fire. The soldiers that defended the inner city would be no match for the force that would be upon them, she had to do something. Quickly she spotted an ambling horse without a rider and bolted for it, Baldrek called after her but his voice fell on deaf ears as she rode head-long toward danger. He knew he wouldn't catch up to her on foot so he tried searching for another stray steed but came up short.
A loud bang preceded a tyranite bolt streaking through the haze that struck the back of Baldrek's shoulder, shattering against his armor. Flinching back slightly from the force of the shot he quickly raised his free arm to protect his face from any following shots. None came but still he peered cautiously over the top of his arm. Looking down the hill he spotted Beak Splitter lodged in the ground nearby, descending quickly he snatched it from the ground in his other hand.
Rearmed with both weapons raised he slowly turned in a full circle and searched for the unseen attacker. A click, he raised his axe, the shard broke against the blade. Lowering the weapon he at last saw the shooter and his face formed an angry grimace.
Sorvec let the rifle hang from one hand before tossing it at Baldrek's face who batted it away without taking his eyes off the commander for one second. The naga smirked, slowly drawing his duel swords as the two opponents began to circle one another.
"Ready to join the old crow?" he asked mockingly. Baldrek said nothing.
"Not much of a talker are you-"
Baldrek's only response was cry of rage as he charged Sorvec, swinging with both weapons. The assassin dodged the strike with ease and every other wild strike that followed. The captain struck down hard with his hammer, but his weapon met only dirt as his opponent side stepped the strike. As he swung upward his weapon was stopped by one of Sorvec's blades while the other struck the side of Baldrek's helm.
The northman stumble back, disorientated momentarily he only just managed to bring his weapons up to defend Sorvec's returned flurry of attacks. The assassin's strikes were so quick it was impossible for him to truly anticipate them but none had struck flesh, he was being toyed with. The thought only made Baldrek angrier as he jabbed forward with his hammer. With a smile Sorvec redirected the attack with one blade while slashing at Baldrek's knuckles with the other. Against the commander's expectations the Arendellian kept hold of his weapon, despite the pain Baldrek managed to catch Sorvec off guard by swinging hard with his axe and knocking his enemy's sword from his right hand.
Sorvec was barely out of range of the captain's second strike, a hammer aimed at his chin. More confident now Baldrek made to finish the naga when, without warning, Sorvec hurled a small object from his belt at his face. It impacted, exploding into white dust that blinded Baldrek making him scream from sudden sharp pain that stung his eyes. Sorvec rushed forward striking down at the shaft of Beak splitter and elbowing the captain in the face making him lose hold of the axe. The naga duelist followed with a high kick across Baldrek's face that sent him staggering backward and fear now mixed into Baldrek's breathing.
Wiping his eyes his vision cleared enough to see Sorvec spin his blade with a satisfied grin. "Slow and thickheaded." With a sadistic laugh he held his remaining blade behind his back and beckoned with his other hand.
Huffing angrily Baldrek yelled and charged Sorvec with what remained of Traitor's Bane and the naga easily avoided the sloppy, desperate strikes that came. Eventually Sorvec raised his blade to block a downward strike. Baldrek growled, baring down hard with both hands, slowly pushing his foe to one knee. Despite this Sorvec continued to grin, "So you're the best the queen's army has to offer?"
Suddenly Baldrek felt a sharp pain in his side that stole his breath. Sorvec's smile grew as the northman slowly looked down in horror; his own ice axe had pierced through his armor into his flesh, blood beginning to ebb out from the gash in the steel. With Baldrek no longer bearing down the assassin released the ice axe, leaving it in his side before kicking Baldrek to the ground. A pained scream was all the wounded man could manage as he hit the hard ground. He sat up as best he could reaching for Traitor's Bane with pained breaths but his weapon was kicked away before he could reach it.
He looked up at Sorvec who only continued to sigh in satisfaction as he craned his neck from side to side, "I'm not impressed. I thought you were a formidable warrior, yet here you are dying alone and afraid like any other man."
Baldrek was afraid...but he refused to let this snake have the satisfaction of seeing it. With a strained grunt he moved to rest on one knee, holding his side with one hand and met his foe with a defiant grimace.
Sorvec sneered at him at first but then continued smiling as he grasped the horn of Baldrek's helm with his free hand, forcing his head further up, "Hmm...you're tough, I will give you that..." He raised his sword's tip dangerously close to his victim's face, "So this may take a while."
He drew the blade back but before he could thrust something hit Sorvec's side hard- throwing him several feet away from Baldrek. When the naga stood to retaliate he was poked in the shoulder by the end of a orange glowing blade. The assassin stumbled back, gripping his wounded shoulder while being held at a distance by the end of the searing sword. Baldrek drew his attention from the naga to his savior and blinked in disbelief, wondering if he himself had died.
"You won't touch him again." Aldren's searing eyes glowed as he lowered Black Autumn into both hands.
Sorvec rolled his shoulder, his momentary shock fading, "So not even Tarn managed to finish you off...fine." Sorvec raised his blade, "I don't mind gutting a bird with clipped wings."
Before a fight could even begin a spear impaled itself in the ground between them and Sorvec's expression changed from surprise to fear as he recognized it. This was the weapon that had taken his eye... He looked past Aldren to see the queen of Arendelle on the rise above them, her eyes narrowing as she raised her glowing hand, ready to strike.
The naga looked down to see the spear's ends glow the same, "Shit."
Jagged ice began to erupt from around the spear towards Sorvec, he only just managed to stay ahead of icy death as he turned and ran. As Elsa's power closed in for the kill the assassin turned to her with a hateful frown and threw down another object in front of him that emitted a bright flash making them shield their eyes. When they turned back only a veil of smoke remained and Elsa quickly waved her hand to clear the smoke. Furiously she searched the area for any sign but found none.
Exhaling with an angry growl she turned her attention below to her injured captain who Aldren already knelt beside, making her way down to them.
Aldren laid his sword down and looked to the axe lodged in the captain's side who chuckled while biting pack pain, "G-Guess I'll be trading places with you now my lord..."
Baldrek cried out painfully as Aldren pulled the axe from his side without warning and applied pressure to the wound with his other hand, "Not just yet captain, lesser men have survived worse."
Still reeling from the pain the captain turned to see Elsa now at his other side, "Your grace, I'm sorry-"
She placed a hand on his shoulder, "Don't speak, let Aldren work."
Aldren grasped Black Autumn in his free hand, the blade beginning to glow with heat, "This will hurt." he warned.
Baldrek swallowed meanwhile Elsa tore a piece of cloth from her armor's skirting, rolling it into a tight cord she put in the captain's jaws, "Bite down."
Doing as she asked, he braced. Elsa held him steady while Aldren held one of Baldrek's hands tightly and placed the face of the burning blade against the wound. The captain's eyes squeezed shut as he growled in pain over the sound of searing flesh, seconds later Aldren removed the weapon and sighed, "Can you stand?"
Baldrek spit out the cloth and nodded as they helped him to his feet, "Where is lady Sol?" Elsa asked.
He pointed towards the wall, where Tarn's forces were marching. Aldren shook his head, "She stands no chance."
Suddenly both elementals winced in pain, placing a hand against their temples. They looked to each other...and the voice that spoke to them, "You have failed! Soon the castle will be mine and with it the key to our great purpose...then comes the end of your world!"
The voice vanished as quickly as it had arrived, Elsa's face became grim and fearful, "There are still people at the palace, Kristoff, Olaf, Mane and the weapon...he's going to unleash it on us!"
"It isn't a weapon Elsa...it's a doorway. We can't let Tarn reach it."
Elsa turned to Baldrek, "On the horse captain."
"What horse-" he was startled when a steed of ice was waiting behind him, but he complied and quickly mounted the horse as Elsa spoke again, "Find Karl, tell him what's happening, tell him we must hold their army here. Aldren and I are going to stop Tarn from breaching the palace. Now go!"
He nodded and rode hard and fast to find the prince. Elsa then did the same for her and Aldren, mounting up and riding to try and intercept Sol before she crossed paths with Tarn.
OoO
Sol's eyes narrowed against the wind as she bayed her horse to go as fast as it could, all the while she kept her eye on the approaching naga force and the center of the wall which was continuously being bombarded by the naga artillery.
As she drew closer her attention was drawn to a horrific sound, like a glacier breaking apart just before an avalanche. The sound rumbled as the center of the wall began to give way. Despite this she only rode harder for the portcullis. She was nearly upon it now; chunks of ice small and large fell around her, many too close for comfort. She could see the entrance had been destroyed but there was an opening, just big enough, but it would close soon.
Darkness enveloped her briefly before her horse leaped through the gap back into the light-tripping on a large block of ice just as it's hooves met the ground. The beast fell forward with a panicked scream that threw Sol forward off the saddle. She fell hard on her shield arm against the ground. Quickly sitting up her face twisted with pain as she yelled and grasped her wounded arm. She didn't allow herself to linger as she stood with haste, looking first to the pile of broken ice that now blocked the tunnel. Through the wall she could see upward where the center of the structure had collapsed internally leaving a large gaping wound through the top. It sounded as though the artillery had ceased fire and the destruction had settled for now, she contemplated checking on those that had been-
A sudden explosion threw aside the ice that blocked the tunnel and she raised her shield out of instinct before looking to see a menacing figure walk through the haze. Tarn shoved aside a piece of large debris as he continued forward and a short distance behind him Hans and a column of naga soldiers followed. Fear and anger gripped her in equal measure at the sight of her and her brother's captor.
She found the horse, recovered from it's fall, and quickly saddled up to ride for the palace. As a parting shot Tarn set his mace aside and grasped a chunk of the debris, hurling it after her with a growl. It impacted the ground behind her and broke apart violently, a single piece striking the back of her helm nearly making her fall. She kept riding, looking back to see the number of enemies coming through the tunnel had grown. The general roared at her "Yes! Flee!"
She grimaced and rode harder. She could only hope the princess had survived the collapse. She had to reach the castle, she had to protect Mane!
OoO
Anna ducked the sword that swung at her neck and she thrust at her opponents chest. The witch knight leaned back from her sword and fired a blast of dark magic that knocked her to the ground, causing her to slide several feet. Quickly she spun herself back to face her foe as he closed in but before either could attack again the wall began to quake beneath. The fighting stalled as both sides waited for an after-shock.
Anna screamed when she suddenly felt the ground beneath her fall away. She managed to grab hold of the inner structure to stop her fall and looked up to see she was not far from the top, she just needed to climb. She sheathed her sword and reached for a handhold to pull herself up but stopped when she saw the witch knight standing on the edge above her. He drew his hand back and began to build the dark power around it. Anna gasped fearfully, closed her eyes and braced for the hit. Then the naga fell forward and she watched him fall past her down the wall. He changed to an orb of shadow and flew up again but next an arrow flew at the orb and struck home, the knight fell fell from the sky with an arrow through his throat.
Anna looked back to the edge and called to her friend, "Barec!"
The lieutenant looked down-not having realized she was there, quickly he got down on his stomach and reached out to her, "Princess! Take my hand!"
She reached with one hand but the tips of their fingers had only touched when she felt herself lose grip and fall away from the wall with a panicked scream.
Barec's eyes went wide, "NO!"
All she could hear was the wind rushing past her as she fell further and further. Her mind scrambled for some way to save herself but what could she do-she could do nothing, she was going to die and there was no one to save-
Something hit her hard from the side and her eyes shut tight until she realized she was moving forward now and not down. Something held her and she was holding someone. She opened her eyes and looked to see Cassandra holding her across the back with one arm while her other arm gripped the saddle that was attached to-, "Trolgon! Cassandra!" she cried out, equal parts confused and happy.
Trolgon trilled happily while Cassandra smiled down at her, "Hey princess, what say I drop you off somewhere a little less perilous?"
Anna laughed happily and hugged her tighter.
OoO
Aldren and Elsa had watched the previous scene with horror and helplessness which had replaced by surprise and relief. Aldren smiled, his mouth agape, "They're Alive!"
The dragon flew down and landed near them as they dismounted and ran to meet Anna. The three met in a tight group, laughing with tears of joy and relief that they were all together again. When they separated Anna lept onto Aldren with her arms around his neck and her feet kicking off the ground, "I knew it! I knew it! I knew you were alive!" she finished with several kisses to his cheek.
"I'm alive Anna...and I'm here now." he sat her down and smiled at her one last time before moving to greet lady Cassandra who shakily dismounted.
Elsa grasped Trolgon's snout in an embrace, "Oh Trolgon." he closed his eyes and hummed happily at his mother's touch. Elsa pulled away to see where a chunk of ice was missing from his wing. Where the lighting had struck she waved a hand across his wound-healing it without a second thought. He trilled appreciatively to be free of the discomfort.
As Cassandra's feet hit the ground she stumbled forward slightly but Aldren braced her arm with his while his other hand grasped her shoulder. He shook his head with a smile, "How?"
She breathed heavily but managed a grin, "You might be tough lord Aldren...but you're not nearly as tough as me."
"No doubt." he chucked but his face dropped when he noticed the trail of blood stream from the corner of her mouth, "You're injured."
"No." she wiped it away with her thumb, "Just not used to flying yet, thank you." She separated herself from his aid and looked to Elsa, "Your majesty, what's the story down here?"
Elsa turned to them all with a hand still on Trolgon's snout, "Amicus has sent Tarn to attack the palace; whatever it is he wants in the cliffs above...we think he's going to unleash it on us."
Aldren spoke next, "Sol was seen riding after them but if she's not here then she must have made it past."
Cassandra nodded and moved, drawing her sword and dagger, "You guys stop Tarn, I'm going help my dad and keep Eugene from getting himself killed. Mind if I borrow one of your horses?"
"By all means." Elsa gestured to them.
As Cassandra mounted and rode off Anna called out to her, "Be careful!"
Aldren looked to the sisters, "We've no time to waste."
They nodded to him and prepared to mount Trolgon. The dragon lowered himself; Elsa first, then Anna with Aldren behind them. They took to the sky and flew over the wall towards the palace with as much speed as the dragon could offer.
OoO
The hooves of Sol's horse pounded against the cobblestone as she finally neared the bridge that led to the palace gates. Mane and Gillian spotted her approaching atop the gate and ordered the gate opened. Without slowing her horses stride she barreled forward for the widening gap and as she crossed into the courtyard she brought her steed to harsh stop, "Archers to the wall! Prepare for battle!"
At her command archer's rushed up to the parapets while the rest of their soldiers scrambled into place to receive their attackers. Sol dismounted her horse where she was then met by Mane and Gillian who descended from the wall while Kristoff and Rapunzel came from the palace's direction.
Kristoff approached her quickly with fear in his eyes, "Sol wheres-"
"We don't have time! We have to prepare-they're coming!"
"But Anna! was she-"
"I don't know Kristoff! I didn't see her!"
Her brother was next to speak, "Sister what-"
"Tarn and Hans are coming for the palace. I want you back inside now." When he hesitated to leave she spoke more firmly, "Now!"
Still remaining Rapunzel grasped his arm, "Mane, come on."
He exhaled shakily, "Be careful please."
She nodded, "I will brother."
Rapunzel was able to drag him with her back to the palace while the rest of them were drawn to the top of the wall. Already several tyranite shards flew past their archers who then began firing back. Sol, Kristoff and Gillian ran for the stairs leading up to the parapets. When they reached the top they saw a line of naga shields had formed at the opposing end of the bridge and enemy riflemen under that protection took shots at the palace archers. Soon after they watched as their lines parted in the center to make way for general Tarn and this monster of a naga held his mace in one hand while he dragged a damaged wagon with one hand behind him.
Sol's eyes narrowed, "Put every arrow we can in him."
Gillian and several archers took aim and began firing on the brute and as they did he brought the wagon ahead of himself, sinking his claws into the wood and holding it up as a makeshift shield. As the enemy troops filled the bridge the frequency of hostile fire increased, so much so that most on the parapets had to duck in-between shots. As Tarn neared the gate he drew the wagon back and hurled it straight at them. With wide eyes Sol tackled her friends to the ground just as it smashed into the roof above them. They all looked up to see it lodged into the roof and Sol watched as several archers that stood to take aim were struck down by enemy fire.
She pushed Kristoff and Gillian towards the stairs as they got to their feet and ushered the rest of the archers behind them, "Go! Go! Fall back below!"
As the last of her archers made it down she called for others under her command, "Brace the gate!" Several men carried two large wooden beams to the gate as quickly as possible, just as they raised them to the top something struck the gate hard from the other side. In response to this Sol dropped her spear and shield and ran to the gate along with Kristoff and several other men who pressed their bodies the doors and dug their heels into the ground to add to the effort.
Another thunderous strike shook the gate, nearly throwing them all off it. "I didn't see a battering ram!" Kristoff commented,
Sol gritted her teeth in response to another blow, "He is the battering ram!"
A crimson tyranite spike pierced through the wood in between their faces before it pulled out again and the rhythmic strikes to the gate continued. It was then she saw the wood beginning to crack and warp and with an exasperated exhale she released her weight from the wood and pulled Kristoff away from it, "We can't hold him. Fall back!"
They all returned to the wall of shield, spears and halberds that had formed in front of the palace. Sol recovered her weapons and took her place at the front of the small army while speaking to Kristoff, "Get inside."
He walked back to her side, "Not a chance."
"Kristoff don't be stupid!"
"Too late for that." he looked her dead in the eye and brought both axes from his belt into his hands. On his other side Sven pushed his way to the front and snorted, waving his antlers threateningly and stamping his hooves. Sol looked to her right to see Gillian nod to her before aiming his cross bow at the gate.
She knew there was no stopping any of them, she sighed at first but then with a small smile she called out to all the soldiers behind her, "The heavens are waiting for us brothers...But I say; we make them wait a little longer!"
They cheered in response and with a stamp of her father's weapon their spears and halberds lowered. The lady of the glister lands lowered into battle stance alongside Kristoff. All went quiet but the sound of Tarn's mace pounding against the gate, the wood breaking and bending further inward with every strike. A brief moment of silence followed as Tarn's strikes ceased...then the top of the wooden doors exploded in a shower of splintered wood as Tarn's mace flew through them straight at Sol and Kristoff.
They only just managed to dive out of the way with many behind them less fortunate. The colossal weapon impacted the center line like a boulder- throwing men aside until it came to rest near one of the fountains leading up to the palace. Kristoff groaned as he sat up and looking over he gasped when saw Sol and Gillian lying on the ground motionless. Before he could stand to check on them the gates were forced open as Tarn rammed past them with his shoulder and the roar of naga and traitor islander soldiers was heard as they poured into the courtyard past him.
Archers immediately opened fire, dropping the first wave, but many more followed soon after through the open gates. Kristoff scrambled to his feet as the crimson horde met the palace defenders in battle at last. A blade nearly came down on him but he was saved when Sven's antlers knocked the attacker aside. He was forced to respond to the next enemy himself, side stepping their sword before striking their side with one axe and the side of their helm with the other.
OoO
Sol's eyes opened and she pushed herself to her hands and knees and held a hand to her head, she looked up to see Gillian lay unmoving next to her. Her eyes widening she crawled to him and shook his shoulder, "Gillian! Gillian wake up!"
A hostile roar alerted her to an enemy from behind, snatching her spear up she drove it through their chest before they got close. Another was nearly upon her but flew backward when a bolt struck his chest. She removed her spear from the first foe and looked behind her to see the old smith had fired the shot from the ground, "It hits harder than I though it would..that's good."
Glad to see him alive she helped him to his feet before they separated and joined the battle for the palace.
OoO
Tarn surveyed the fighting as he strode into the courtyard with more of his forces streaming in through the broken gate. Several of the palace defenders spotted him and moved to attack. Drawing back he struck three of them across the chest with his metal claws and sent them flying. With his fist he caved in the chest plate of another. Two more came close enough to slash at him several times with their swords- their strikes bouncing off his armor. In response he seized one by the throat in his right hand-throwing his weapon from his grasp while the other he struck down with a hard blow from his free hand that knocked him straight to the ground.
He looked back to the soldier in his grasp, lifting him off his feet and squeezing tighter around his neck. He was indifferent to the human's choking gasp and struggle...but then among all the voices in the fighting he was drawn to the sound of one he recognized. He saw the lady of the Glister lands; Sol Starlon...blood of Aldren Embercrow. Lowering his gaze he tossed the soldier in his grasp aside and walked towards her. She was lost in the fight, unaware of his approach and as he drew nearer he unsheathed his massive greatsword from his back and brought it into both hands...
OoO
Sol redirected an enemy spear towards the ground with her own before ramming her shield into the side of their helm. Next taking out the legs of another with edge of of her shield before finishing them off with her spears point.
Without warning she was shoved to the ground from behind and next she heard the sound of metal striking metal above her. She could see Tarn standing above her, lowering his sword into one hand, he had struck someone...but not her. Her head snapped the other way to see someone lying on the ground several feet away and without giving the general a second glance she sprinted over to them.
A horrified gasp shuddered out of her when she saw her brother lying on his back eyes closed. He held a shield across his chest that had bent inward from the force of Tarn's strike. Dropping her weapon and kneeling she held his body in her arms and shook him, "Mane? Mane!"
A short moment later he coughed and slowly opened his eyes, "Hey Sol..."
"Oh you fool what were you thinking?"
"Thinking you should remember to watch your back." he said with a smile.
She couldn't help but smile back briefly, "Come on we need to get you inside." she started to help him to his feet.
He cried out in pain and she returned him to the ground, "Mane? What's wrong?"
He winced and looked up at her with fear and realization in his eyes, "Sol I-...I can't feel my legs..."
Her expression dropped as she placed a hand on her brother's face and looked into his scared eyes, having no words that could soothe his terror. A cruel laugh brought their attention back to Tarn who held his sword towards Mane, "Looks like the little weakling has some spine after all...at least he used to."
Mane angrily brought his cousin's crossbow out and fired it's single shot at Tarn. When the arrow bounced harmlessly off his armor Mane's arm dropped in defeat but Sol's anger remained. Two Arendellian soldiers came to her side to defend them, "Take him inside." she ordered.
She stood and recovered her spear, placing herself between Tarn and the palace, between her brother and danger. Mane managed to call out to her, "Sol!"
She replied without looking back, "Go Mane..."
Tarn watched as they entered the palace before looking back to her, "First you. Then him."
He swung down at her with his sword and split the cobblestone beneath it when she side stepped the attack and slashed at his helmet. Swinging back at her she ducked underneath the massive blade and again thrust at his face. This time he caught the end of her spear in his free hand and with little effort snapped the spearhead off before thrusting at her midsection with it. She spun out of the way, striking his hand with the face of her shield and making him drop the small blade, then struck down on the side of his head with what remained of her spear's shaft. As the wood splintered against the metal she brought her shield forward and rammed his side with all her weight while drawing one of her swords from her back and thrusting at his gut as many times as she could.
He raised his arm against her shield's face in response, grasping the top of her shield and shoving her a short distance before drawing back and punching the shield hard. Sol flew backward, past the twin fountains in front of the palace, ending in a hard slide against the ground. She threw her head back in a pained scream, her arm throbbing in pain once again. Tarn made his way towards her, "You're even weaker than the Embercrow was."
Before he could fully close the distance he was struck across the side of his helm and the center of his chest with an axe blade. He turned to see Kristoff standing bravely to face him and as the ice harvester attempted to strike again Tarn simply kicked his leg, making him fall back on his hands and knees. The general was caught off guard when Sven rammed him head on, causing him to lose grip on his sword and sliding back a few feet. It did not take long for the general to recover, grabbing one of the reindeer's antlers in one hand and a handful of his fur with the other. Swinging him around and throwing him back the way he came, earning a pained cry from the animal as he rolled against the ground, "Pitiful."
Managing to get back to his feet Kristoff attempted another attack but this time he was seized by his throat and lifted off his feet. Trying to strike at any weak point he could on the naga's arm but falling short, he could only watch with fearful eyes as his enemy drew back with his other hand's claws aimed at the man's stomach.
A sword struck Tarn's helm again making him shout in pain, this time it hit the exposed flesh near his chin, causing him to drop Kristoff and at last drawing blood. As he caught his breath, Kristoff looked up to see Sol standing angrily with her sword and shield. The general turned to face her and Kristoff seized the opportunity, kicking the back of Tarn's knee hard- before head locking the general from behind and pulling his head back.
Sol thrusted at Tarn's throat but with a growl the naga knocked her sword away with his arm before headbutting her chest-making her stumble back. Then reaching behind he snatched the collar of Kristoff's armor and threw him over his shoulder at her. Sol managed to dodge her friend's body as he rolled into one of the wooden pillars that flanked the palace stairs. She turned back to see Tarn recover his sword furiously and move to attack again and raised her shield to defend as he brought his sword down. Her eyes went wide when Tarn's blade embedded itself in the edge of her shield, he twisted the blade and a ragged piece of steel flew away. He struck down again and tore away another, again and again he struck down on her shield-until the last one knocked her to her knees.
She looked to her arm with grief in her face, less than half of her father's shield was left. Tarn struck upward into her shield arm, her helmet falling from her head as she flew backwards and landed painfully in front of Kristoff. He sat up and crawled to her, placing a hand on her shoulder as she breathed heavily and tried to push herself up but quickly fell back down to the ground. Kristoff looked around them; they were taking losses and their enemy's number continued to grow...it would not be long now before their forces were overwhelmed.
Sol raised her wounded shield arm towards her friend and he saw real fear in her eyes for the first time. He took her hand and held it tightly, doing his best to give her a look of reassurance. They both watched Tarn slowly walking towards them. Kristoff's other hand found his axe while Sol's her sword and both held their weapons out towards him as their expressions hardened. Sven had also managed to limp his way to their side and lowered his antlers defensively.
The general touched a finger to his wound, looking on the blood before his fist closed iron tight and he began to speak, sheathing his great sword. "Your 'noble Lord Embercrow'...your cousin; he was pathetic at the end." he said, recovering his mace from next to one of the fountains as he neared them. "A groveling whelp in his final moments that begged for death!"
Kristoff himself was now seething with rage, "You're a Liar!" he hissed through clenched teeth.
He raised a finger towards them, "He was nothing! He died as nothing!"
Sol managed to raise herself to one knee and replied in a surprisingly calm voice, "You're an even bigger liar than you are a coward Tarn...If my cousin died, he died fighting you to the last. And yet you didn't even have the courage to bring us his head..." she finished with a small smile as she drew her other sword from her back.
The general growled lowly, bringing his weapon into both hands and tightening his grip, "Yours ...will take his place."
Just as he was nearly upon them a plume a icy wind impacted near the gate and froze every enemy soldier near it in place. They all looked to see Trolgon land in the middle of the frozen foes, knocking many of them aside as he spread his wings and roared-drawing all attention in the courtyard from friend and foe alike. But even more surprising for everyone was when the dragon turned and three riders jumped down from the saddle; princess Anna, queen Elsa and lord Aldren-all facing down Tarn from afar.
Tarn faced them, his mace hanging low in one hand and his voice quieter than it had ever been, "That's not possible..."
Elsa stepped forward, narrowing her eyes at the general and pointing her spear towards him, "Trolgon!"
Her dragon reared up and let loose a stream of cold frost. Tarn attempted to flee the attack but was carried by the sudden snowstorm straight into the side of the palace. He impacted the wall hard and with a groan fell to his knees and then down on his face. Trolgon nodded his head with a satisfied snort before he took part in the battle for the courtyard, evening the odds for the palace defenders.
Kristoff put one of Sol's arms over his shoulders and helped her walk forward as the newly arrived trio rushed them. The ice harvester handed the lady of house Starlon to Aldren so that he could embrace his wife to be. "Oh Anna!" they pulled away and he held her face in his hands, "When I saw the wall start to go down I-"
She laughed, "And you really thought something like that was gonna get me?"
He laughed and shook his head, "Not for one second." He said, pulling her in for a kiss that she happily returned before looking to Sven and petting his head as he leaned into her touch.
Sol put her arms around her cousins waist and they held each other close, she sighed, "Where the Hel have you been? You're late."
He chuckled, "I was delayed." he said. As they pulled back Aldren noticed the remains of her father's shield still attached to her arm. He placed a hand on the side of her neck, "He would have been- he is proud that you wielded it in battle." She smiled slightly and nodded, closing their eyes they leaned foreheads together.
Elsa smiled widely at her family around her, it felt like another step towards the future she had been fighting for. She was unable to enjoy it for long when a horrific sound pierced the air; a demonic shriek that preceded a ring of shadowy mist enclosing the top of their home before expanding violently-cracking every window of the palace.
Elsa frowned and inhaled deeply, "He's here."
"Amicus?" Sol asked.
"We have to stop him!" The snow queen rushed for the stairs to the palace. The others followed and Aldren, with his still wounded leg, brought up the rear. Just as Elsa threw open the doors Aldren was charged from the side and knocked several feet away by a recovered Tarn. The general then looked straight into Elsa's eyes before swinging his mace through the two wooden pillars flanking the stairs. Elsa acted quickly, using the wind to pull the rest of her family towards her at the entrance, avoiding the crushing debris. On the other side they could to see Tarn slowly making his way over to Aldren as he pushed himself up to one knee. It was then Elsa noticed that Anna was not among their number.
OoO
Anna shook her head and coughed, waving away the dust to see a large pile of debris that blocked the palace entrance. She saw Aldren pushing himself to one knee and holding his head, then to her right she saw general Tarn making his way over to her brother. Focused on Aldren the general was oblivious to her presence. Narrowing her eyes she got to her feet and used the stairs to get as high as she could before jumping onto Tarn's shoulders with her dagger drawn. With a shout she drove the blade between the plates near his neck as deep as she could, then jumped off his shoulders and rolled towards Aldren.
As she put herself between the monster and her family she heard her sister's voice, "Anna!"
Elsa Prepared to use her powers to clear the debris but Anna's voice stopped her, "No Elsa! Go, there's no time! Stop Amicus, we've got this!"
Elsa and the others hesitated at first but she heard her sister's words, with no small amount of pain in her heart she turned away and left to enter the palace-turning back only once. The others followed eventually, Sol had to pull Kristoff away.
OoO
Anna helped Aldren to his feet who searched around frantically, "Where's Elsa?"
"She went to stop Amicus."
"No. No! She needs to know!"
"Know what?"
They both turned towards Tarn as he pulled Anna's dagger from her shoulder and threw it at their feet. She snatched it from the ground and holstered it before drawing her bow, Aldren brought his own blade into both hands, "Amicus is an elemental...like me."
Anna had little time to express her shock as their shared opponent spoke harshly, "My master's power is greater than yours and the queen's combined! I may have failed to kill you properly before but a crippled bird will be all the easier to crush!"
"You should have cut my heart from my chest when you had the chance Tarn...A mistake we won't make with you!"
The naga roared and charged them with his mace raised.
OoO
Elsa ran down the corridor leading to the main hall with the others, coming upon a small contingent of soldiers guarding the throne room that bowed to her as she approached, "Go through the castle get everyone out, have them head to the upper city!"
They left to spread throughout the palace and evacuate everyone while she and the others pressed on.
"We shouldn't have left them alone with that monster!" Kristoff exclaimed.
"I trust Aldren with my life and I certainly trust him with Anna's! Do you not?" she countered, her own worry evident but controlled.
As she pushed open the doors of the throne room she was confronted by a small crowd of citizens and soldiers with Rapunzel and Freja who was tending to an unconscious Mane with Olaf, Kai and Gerda at the front. The servants bowed to her while Rapunzel and Olaf went to meet them, Kristoff did not hesitate to embrace Olaf on sight while Sol knelt beside her brother and Elsa grasped her cousin's hands, "I'm glad to see you alright cousin, and thank you for bringing him back to me."
Rapunzel smiled, "It's the least I could do Elsa."
The queen smiled back before turning to Sol and Kristoff, "I need you to help get these people out of here."
"What are you going to do?" Sol asked.
"I'll head for the secret entrance to the cliff face, with any luck I'll find Amicus there and deal with him at last."
"Then by all means..."
A sudden hiss in the air chilled them all to the bone as every door to the throne room suddenly slammed shut and every candle was blown out-leaving only the light from the windows to shine in. They watched as seven orbs of shadow descended from the ceiling onto either side of the throne, materializing into several witch knights including Venereth and Grima. Elsa pushed her way to the front of the group, putting herself between her people and the threat, her soldiers and closets friends following her lead.
A final shadowy orb landed behind the throne and a moment later a black armored hand reached out from the darkness and shoved the throne over on it's side. The Witch king walked into the light, his steps echoing in the deathly silence as he stood before them now, he held his arms out, "Deal with me."
Elsa lowered her gaze and revolved her spear in one hand while the other glowed with her magic, Amicus stepped down from the small steps with his witch knights following a short distance behind him as he spoke, "This is where your powers were first revealed to the world, where your fears and weakness were exposed for all to see." he stopped a distance away from her now, speaking harsher than before, "And it's where you're going to die..."