Chapter Fifty-Two

"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"

…

"Damn it Elsa for wearing heels you sure can run as if the very devil himself is after you," Silvanna mutters to herself as she eyes the tracks on the ground. It is too dainty for any wandering soldier or patrol, making it very obvious that it belongs to the high heels of her quarry. She looks at it as it leads to the forest path heading to the mountains.

Silvanna mentally winced despite her worry. Suffice it to say that Elsa's survival skills lead much to be desired due to her upbringing in the palace. Sure the canon in the movie tells that Elsa would be able to reach the highest mountain in Arendelle no biggie where she would build her ice palace of isolation. Unfortunately this is the real world and not a Disney special. She had experienced here enough to know that Murphy's Law is fully in effect here. Anything that could go wrong, will go wrong. Like just what happened.

Silvanna mentally kicks herself for that. Instead of running after Elsa after her breakdown, she had instead opted to stay in contemplation on that inner room. She cannot blame herself on the other hand for that. What Elsa did was idiotic, and frankly something that was never meant to be a surprise. Her brain had been trying and faiing to process that at that time. If she however did ran after Elsa, she would have been able to stop her from falling apart and accidentally revealing her powers.

"No, now is not the time for that," she shakes her head off to get rid of the thoughts. What's done is done and Elsa's power is already public knowledge. There would be no point in beating herself up. What she can do now is damage control.

Unfortunately it is easier said than done. In the movie, the cold and snow was simply implied. They failed unfortunately to mention the gusts of icy wind and unfavorable weather conditions. Ten minutes out here in the open cold and Silvanna is literally freezing her ass.

"Just a little more boy," she pats Lancelot's neck. The war horse is bred for this weather and seems to be faring better than her fortunately. The last thing she needs is her mount dying on her.

Silvanna had unfortunately taken the alternate route across the Bay of Arendelle at the shoreline instead of going through it. Crossing frozen seawater is just a sure way of asking fate to take a swing at you in the worst way possible. Unlike Elsa, her magic does not cover freezing water after all. Now here she is reaching the main road leading to the highest mountain at Arendelle. She smiles though as she recognizes the road she is in despite the harsh weather bearing down everywhere. It seems that Fate has finally decided to give her a little help.

This road after all passes by Lord Viktor's estate.

Last she remembers in the coronation, there is no sign of the Death Dealers or Amelia herself. The young woman had been rather scarce in attendance ever since the end of the Tourney. Apparently news of her squiring to the famous Knightess of Arendelle had catapulted her position. Now females who are unhappy with the status quo of the male dominated country or with a penchant for survival join the Death Dealers in droves. Rumor has it that Amelia has been given the honor of whipping them up to shape by Viktor after smoothing out the radicals in his ranks.

"Come on boy, we're going to see Amelia for supplies before we try to find Elsa," Silvanna whispers to her horse before urging the stallion once more towards the blizzard.

…..

While the Knightess of Arendelle is fighting through the Blizzard, the castle she left behind on the other hand can be likened to a beehive. Everyone is shouting and more than one irritated noble is raising their voice, demanding to be heard among the ruckus. Powerful gust of winds blow through outside sending most of the guests scurrying like ants trying to find cover. The rest of the common folk that attended the ceremony had already left for their homes to find shelter leaving the rest of the upper class citizens to jam on the castle proper milling about unhappily as the servants try to light the candles and fireplaces to provide some warmth to the castle halls and corridors.

All of course are not happy with the current setup. The newly anointed queen of Arendelle had rushed off to find the previous supposed-to-be-queen who caused this tragedy. Most of them were grumbling about the coming of the unexpected winter in the middle of summer though; and for good reason. The season of harvest will be coming soon and many are hoping feverishly that the bad weather does not damage their crops on their estates that much.

Normally silent chaos such as this should have been addressed by the monarch already or the pseudo monarch. The only reason that it is not is because said acting monarch is currently engaged in a heated debate.

"We must find the witch, kill her and purge this castle, no this country of her taint for any sign of witchcraft made by the devil!"

Anna resists the urge to punch the Inquisitor from the Holy Roman Church. In her expert opinion, the man looked like a crazed bulldog almost frothing at the mouth as he loudly makes his objections known. Judging from the frowns of Lord Viktor, Jonathan Johnson and Horst, the three of them have the same opinion of the man as she does. She'll be damned before she surrenders her older sister to this fanatic.

"As I said before Inquisitor, you are nothing here than an observer and a witness from the Church to the crowning of Arendelle's new monarch. You do not exactly have the authority to demand the crown or the royal family of anything,"

"I have the only right. Isn't the monarch of Arendelle sworn in the name of the church also?"

"Yes," Anna grits her teeth as she can feel her patience thinning. "But the true responsibility of the monarch of Arendelle lies on the care of its people, not the demands of its religion,"

"That is blasphemy! How dare you put your peasants above the demands that god and his church requires," the man looks ready to explode with how red he is.

Anna only scowls at him. If not for the fact that spearing the man with her rapier would cause a diplomatic shit storm, she would have done it already. Not to mention that it would give Silvanna a bad start on her reign once she comes back with Elsa in tow.

"Be it as it may Inquisitor. As regent of Arendelle my decision remains firm and the same. If I might remind you also that you are a guest here today at this coronation and thus are not entitled to anything but what guest rights demand,"

Anna expected the man to start exploding even more in anger. What she doesn't expect is the eerie calm that adorn his visage as he glares hatefully at her through his tricorne hat.

"So that is the decision of Arendelle then? Supporting witches and going against the will of the church it has sworn allegiance to?" he asks still in that calm demeanor sending shivers on Anna's gut. For some reason trepidation fills her that she can't explain. She knows her duty though and she would not flee from it.

"Yes, as a citizen of Arendelle and former Crown Princess, Elsa Arendelle is covered by the country's laws and its protection. Until decided to be guilty by the current monarch she remains protected by our laws as would be any other citizen,"

"Unless the queen is biased of course when it comes to her?" the two arguing stops as they stare in surprise at the King of the Southern Isles, Aelfred approaching them with his velvet dark violet robes. His son Hans is striding confidently beside him. With all the commotion going on, Anna has almost forgotten that the monarch of Arendelle's southern neighbor had personally attended the ceremony.

He looks kingly as she appraised him. Long robes, rings, and his hair let down to his shoulders. Even his goatee is exotic with it neatly trimmed to a T down below. If not for the fact that his eyes are eerie black as it stares down at them all with arrogance, she would have labeled him a wise ruler if only in appearance.

"Are you saying that our queen is unfair when it comes to judging her people?" even Anna is surprised at the venom emanating from her voice. Who knew that she's so protective of the Knightess anyway?

The King of the Southern Isles only strokes his goatee with his fingers. "By god no; I'm sure that lady Silvanna-,"

"Queen Silvanna!" corrects Anna heatedly.

A sly smirk only appears on his lips at that. "My deepest apologies…..Queen Silvanna is fair to her subjects. We all know of course the tales about the Knightess of Arendelle. Word of her prowess and beauty after all even reaches us down south,"

"Get to what you are pointing at," the Inquisitor hisses impatiently.

"Apologies Inquisitor, what I'm saying is. Regent Anna is right. Silvanna is fair to all Arendellians. However she might be biased when it comes to the previous Crown Princess due to their relationship,"

Judging from the silence of the room, nearly every soul is listening now to the king. Anna of course can literally hear alarm bells going on her brain. Whatever the king is about to say is something private between her sister and the new queen and he would divulge it out. Anna opens her mouth to protest silence but King Aelfred however beat her to speaking out.

"They're fucking one another Inquisitor. They're lovers, both of them. That is why our queen would be biased when it comes to the witch,"

The quiet that follows can be compared to one akin to a funeral as everyone either gasps or seems stunned at the sudden revelation. Anna herself reels from the news. She of course can more than testify to the closeness that Silvanna and Elsa share. She's actually envious a little about it sometimes. Anna however does not expect that tidbit of news. Though it would not be a long shot of course; Elsa adores Silvanna and the Knightess fully reciprocates the gesture. Now that she's thinking about it, it's not exactly that far off for them to fall into the lover's category. She's just surprised that Elsa likes the fairer gender. Anna has always expected her sister to fall in love with a prince. Of course she has no worries whatsoever in Elsa's choice into giving her heart. Silvanna is literally the wet dream of every unmarried guy at Arendelle and an inspiration to many. In her opinion, her sister can choose no better. Unfortunately the rest of the world would not see it that way.

"BLASPHEMY! HERESY! ABOMINATION! IN THE NAME OF THE CHURCH AND MY POSITION AS AN INQUISITOR! ANYONE AFFILIATED WITH US I ORDER TO HUNT DOWN THIS WITCH AND THIS HERETIC!"

Anna can't help the thunderous scowl that appears on her face at that. Before she can let the Inquisitor know her displeasure though, Jonathan Johnson however beats her to it.

"Inquisitor, surely you can't just declare a witch hunt in a sovereign state with your basis as nothing more than word of mouth from a well-known rival of Arendelle. Especially since the ones you are aiming for as target is no other than the very monarch of the country you are currently standing on," the Prime Minister says, his grey eyes glinting in suppressed anger at the Inquisitor and at the King of the Southern Isles.

"Oh but it is not a word of mouth or rumor simply dear Prime Minister," Alfred replies taking off a piece of paper. "I've got written consent here from no less than twenty witnesses in your own country who have confessed to the illicit relationship between your former Crown Princess and your queen. Of course according to the law of the Holy Church, what we need are only five. Twenty of course is more than enough,"

"That is preposterous! How dare you-,"

"ENOUGH!" the Inquisitor shouts cutting off the splutter of disbelief from Jonathan Johnson. "We have evidence, we have proof. Does the nation of Arendelle acquiesces to the demands of the Church to subject the heretic and the witch to us and aid us in any way?"

This time Anna can't help the growl that leaves her lips as she glares at the pompous self-important bastard. "You must be mad if you think that Arendelle will bow to your demands. We are a sovereign nation and state who owes everything to our queen. We will not bow to foreign demands who is not there in our time of need,"

"So, is that a no?" it surprises Anna how calm the Inquisitor is compared to his previous attitude.

"Damn right it is a no!"

"Very well, then by the power vested in me as an Inquisitor of the Holy Church and declare this land to be involved in heresy and subject to destruction and defamation of the subjects and nations of the Church under heaven. Anyone of you who stands with us and aid us in the purge of this place of any heretic will be pardoned and not subject of the inquisition's wrath,"

This time Anna can't help the laugh leaving her lips as she glares hatefully now at the man. "Arendelle owes its proper and prosperity to Silvanna Highwind. She saved this nation more times that one could count. From a small barely noticed kingdom Arendelle has risen to a world superpower by her efforts and connections. You will find that no one here would be willing to go against her. Not from us who have everything thanks to her,"

The two stands there glaring at one another for a full minute or so. Just when Anna is ready however to throw another tirade at the man, someone speaks out…..from behind.

"Well, not exactly," and before Anna can react she feels something hard and cold pressed at her side followed by a blazing agony causing shock to run through her entire frame.

Anna has only a second to register the fact that she has been shot point blank at her hip before the shout of "TRAITOR!" from Horst is heard. There is another sound of gunshot this time from the side and the aged general falls down dead with a smoking hole at his forehead at her front.

"Anna!" the frustrated voice of Alucard is heard and Anna can feel herself being hauled behind the familiar strong arms of her mentor and best friend as she stares still in disbelief at the form of Minister Blackwall recovering on the floor where Alucard kicked him, the gun that shot her still at his hand.

"Put some pressure on that wound!" Anna can feel hands pressing her now bloody side but all she can do is stare in confusion as a line of Arendelle Guardsmen appeared out of nowhere in front of them forming a line despite the now screams of the guests which seem muted to her.

"Traitors! Traitors all of you!" the angry voice of Captain Rex of the Royal Guard can be heard as his men and him alongside gather into the hall through the small passageways. Anna can see that they are outnumbered and outgunned though. The Arendelle Guardsmen are obviously armed to the teeth while the Royal Guards not anticipating the ambush are using ceremonial weapons and armor plus whatever that they can get their hands on.

"Get her out of here!" the shout of Rex can barely be heard as Anna can feel herself drifting unto unconsciousness.

"But Captain!" the pained voice of Alucard is almost foggy.

"Go you fool! Save her! Without her Blackwall cannot Arendelle!"

"Load!"

"Sir?!"

"Fly! Fly you fool go!"

"Aim!"

Anna is almost gone as she feels herself being hauled bodily out of the Castle hall with the forms of the Winged Hussars leading the way even as more Arendelle guards tried to stop them.

"Fire!"

As the sound of bullets erupts followed with the cries of dead and dying men, Anna drifts off into darkness of oblivion.

…

"You know, you do not have to follow me all the way out here Amelia,"

"And leave Arendelle's newfound queen to wander the forests in the middle of midnight fighting enchanted snows and blizzards? I think not," Amelia replies in amusement as she rides her own horse beside Silvanna's. "Besides, I know you'll appreciate the warm body beside you once this snow gets into your bones,"

"And I suppose you're volunteering yourself?" Silvanna speaks out raising her eyebrow at her companion who smiles widely showing her white teeth.

"Well, is that an invitation your grace?"

Silvanna only rolls her eyes at her words. "Cheeky bastard,"

"Yes, but you love me nevertheless," the sister of Lord Viktor replies earning her a light punch at the shoulder from Silvanna.

Despite not saying it, Silvanna admits that she appreciates the presence of Amelia with her. Riding into the gloom in the middle of a blizzard can be rather daunting, even for her. At first of course when she arrived at the estate of Lord Viktor, her purpose was nothing more than to get coats and furs and fresh supplies that she will need to survive in the wilderness. If she recalls the original canon of Frozen right, Elsa had created her ice palace at the top of the highest mountain of Arendelle. Getting there would be quite a challenge especially with the bad weather. However surviving there is worse. In the movie, it is happily neglected the small fact that Elsa did not bring with her any sort of food when she went there in a hurry. Plus the former Crown Princess can't hunt to save her life. With what she knows of Elsa's personality, the Crown Princess would sooner saw her own arm than harm the ear of a bunny even if she's dead at her feet in hunger; thus the supplies.

It surprised her though that Amelia volunteered to go with her. Silvanna might admit that she missed hanging out with the female warrior. Amelia is no slouch after the war against Nogrod. She earned her rep well and a formidable warrior in her own right. She is someone that Silvanna trusted. Plus of course the company of her beauty is always welcome in Silvanna's eyes.

"Soooo your grace, what is your plan once we find our rather wayward princess?" asks Amelia after the drifting of silence between the two of them.

"I'm going to convince her to come back of course. Arendelle is her home despite not being its Crown Princess anymore; and do stop with this your grace thing unless we are in public," says Silvanna earning her a grin from the pale beauty before her expression turns serious again.

"Do you think it would be that simple?" Amelia blinks in question. "No offense Silvanna but if my guess is right then a lot of people won't be happy with this newfound discovery that our dear princess Elsa has,"

"I am the queen Amelia and I still have a lot of pull in this country economically and politically. They crowned me monarch and thus my word is law,"

"A lot of people won't like that," points out the former squire. "The commoners would raise a ruckus based on superstition and the nobles would obviously makes their opinions known,"

"Tell me about it," Silvanna grumbles. "I'm not exactly looking forward on getting back at the castle,"

"You know that that Inquisitor will raise hell about Elsa's magic right?" says Amelia, her grey eyes glinting. "The church will not take kindly on this,"

"They can protest and bristle all they like. I am not handing Elsa to them as some sort of sacrifice. Magic users are present everywhere. It's not as if it's the first time,"

"First time it is a royal however and that is something some people would perceive as a threat," points out Amelia.

Silvanna winces at that. Amelia is right there. It is one thing to be a commoner or a mercenary wielding magic. It is another thing if it is a royal however. People would perceive it as a higher threat especially in this kind of society they are living in.

"Plus this is probably the most powerful magic I've heard of. I've seen some of the magic users Lady Miya employs at the fleet. They have abilities, but never this widespread or powerful," says Amelia looking at the blizzard buffeting around them.

"You can't exactly blame her Amelia. She was stressed,"

Silvanna sighs at Amelia's raised eyebrow.

"She was very stressed. I've kind of scolded her due to her actions of making me queen. Simply to say that harsh words have been exchanged in my temper. Elsa is a gentle soul and did not take being shouted kindly,"

"So she lost control of her powers?" asks Amelia, now curious.

"Not exactly lose control. It's more like that she had bad experience with them in her childhood that made her afraid of using her abilities. Thus her rather expressive way of showing it right now,"

"So basically your plan is….go there, talk to a very emotional princess, hope she does not turn both of us into ice, convince her to turn off winter during summer and come back?"

"Basically," answers Silvanna sweatdropping at how Amelia stated it though she has to admit it is basically the gist of her plan.

"Hmm, good plan. Simple, easy to remember, I like it,"

Silvanna snorts at her words. "I seem to recally you saying the same thing to me during the War against Nogrod,"

Amelia only shrugs at that. "You are right for keeping things not complicated. More complicated plans have the tendency on not working, especially if it relies on too much variables. Plus," she smirks at Silvanna. "The Nogrodions seems not that bright anyway for the need for a complicated battle plan to devise,"

The two simply chuckle wryly at that before drifting into silence as they are immersed in memories. Not one of the soldiers of Arendelle that had participated in the War against Nogrod had forgotten after all the brutal campaign; the war, the bloodshed, the feeling of standing side by side on soldiers that you would trust your life with. For Silvanna especially it is ten times worse due to her ordeal with her "brother".

"You know, I never truly asked you how are you?" Amelia finally speaks after a modicum of silence, her grey eyes looking at the Knightess with a caring gleam.

"I get by, as best as I could when one is ruling a nation. It helps that Elsa is around. It keeps me grounded on reality and not on my duties alone," shrugs Silvanna.

"You love her don't you," it is a statement and not a question.

Silvanna only sighs running her gloved hands over her hair. "Yes, yes I do and yes, we are sleeping with one another," she adds as Amelia opens her mouth to ask another question.

"I was gonna ask how good she was in bed, not whether you're sleeping with her or not," Amelia says making Silvanna groan much to the amusement of the other woman.

"I know you Silvanna. You are never one to shy away from things that you are interested about. I still remember after all that night between me, you and Siora. Frankly I am quite surprised that you-,"

"SHUT IT!" the Knightess wails feeling blood rush to her cheeks making Amelia laugh out loud as they continued riding through the wilderness.

…..

"This is a disaster," Alucard murmurs beneath his breathe as he watches the flags of Arendelle slowly being replaced with that of the Southern Isles. New warships are slowly docking on Arendelle's docks bringing with them fresh troops inside the city.

"Things are going as bad huh?" Anthony, the chief banker and the appointed head of the Winter Bank comments as he stands beside the Winged Hussar. "Makes you wonder how in the world they acted so fast,"

Alucard merely nods his head in silent agreement. With the death of the majority of the Council including Jonathan Johnson and General Horst, the support structure of Arendelle's high command has literally been shattered. The city has literally been put into Martial Law with the support of the Guard, the soldiers from the Southern Isle and the papal regiment representatives that are slowly trickling in. As for him, his guards and Princess Anna, they have taken refuge here at the Main Headquarters of the Winter Bank. With the sudden change of power in Arendelle, the heads of Lance Trading Company owned by Silvanna, had initiated a shutdown and brought whatever employees, representatives and personal guards with them here. The Winter Bank is probably the building in Arendelle with the largest area of grounds beating even Castle Arendelle. It has its own walls, heavy defenses and a standing small army, always funded and well-armed including a plethora of mercenaries from the Bounty Hunting Guild as good faith of business. Adding to its heavily stocked with supplies, it is probably the most formidable building at Arendelle. Lending heavily after all to the countries around the world is a risky business that attracts thieves. Silvanna had literally armed to the teeth the headquarters with the best of the best working on it.

With Silvanna being declared as a heretic, this of course tends to cause the business to go up in arms against the Inquisition. Of course not only Lance Trading is against it. Nobody in Arendelle's lower class was happy about it and those that were able to arm themselves and able to get past the Winter Bank's Gates before the city was put into lockdown were called to fight.

"This removes a large chunk of the army though," Alucard thinks to himself as he watches the siege engines of the newly dubbed "Papal Army" slowly being assembled outside the walls of the fortress.

Silvanna had always maintained a strong standing army for Arendelle. Like any army however, it is made up largely of the commoners that have enlisted. With the coronation underway, the standing forces are at the barest minimum with the foreigners and the officers remaining at the barracks with the rest enjoying the day with their families. With the sudden successful coup of the Inquisition and the betrayal Lord Blackwall, the Guard and majority of the commoners are locked up at their own homes unable to muster.

"The same might be also said at headquarters," Alucard thinks to himself knowing very well that the army of Arendelle would be frozen with Headquarters either being forced to submit to the authority of the Inquisition and those officers being a nuisance to be executed.

"The only hope we might have at mustering any sort of resistance are the personal forces of the Barons, the soldiers of the Nords, the navy under Lady Miya, and hopefully the Order of the Winged Hussars," Alucard can't help but wince though. He knows of course that if it is in his place, he would not allow an Order as strong as the Winged Hussars, loyal to Silvanna stand and remain in its autonomy.

"Yes, they need to be warned, but how though?" Alucard wonders knowing very well that time is against him in this.

…..

"I had to admit Councillor, I never expected for you to turn against your current queen. Your deeds are rather known with the War against Nogrod of standing by her side," says the Inquisitor currently lounging on what is supposed to be the royal throne of Arendelle. Apparently he claimed the seat currently after labeling himself the most important person in the room.

"My loyalty belongs to the Church my lord. I am loyal to my country and my faith rather than the person sitting on its throne," says the traitor.

"Well said my friend. I acknowledge your loyalty and be assured that I would be putting a good word about you now that this country needs the right man for its seat of power,"

At the back, King Alfred can't help but mentally roll his eyes at the conversation. The Inquisitor might be powerful politically but it is obvious that he lacks wit. Alfred had done his research about the current leaders of Arendelle's sphere and he knows the reasons why things happened as they did.

Lord Blackwall is the head of Arendelle's international relationships. This makes the man one of the richest in the already rich country since his holdings are able to access international commodities compared to the rest of the barons. Add the fact that he is part of the council made him a man of great connections.

What many forget though is that Lord Blackwall is also the one funding the Arendelle Guard, the only armed section of the country that loathed the Knightess with a passion. The Guard after all never truly forgave the Knightess after their humiliation when she showed them how incompetent they are. Add the fact that the Guard is traditional and never truly agreed that Silvanna be placed in a position of power. Blackwall is unfortunately part of this traditional block. They however never truly moved with their beliefs due to the protection and wealth that Silvanna amassed throughout the years. Plus the people love her and it would be political suicide to go against her in her current state. With the backing of a powerful outside source like the Church Inquisition however, it is the perfect timing.

"As for you King Alfred," the Inquistor turns his attention to Alfred who bows at the recognition. "You have my thanks for offering your army to be the main source of the Papal army in this region. Once we have pacified the country and hunted down any witches and sorcery in this land and installing the rightful ruler, riches and glory will be yours,"

"You are too kind Inquisitor," replies the King though he mentally rolls his eyes at the man. Already his men dubbed the "Papal army" are slowly filling in the city. Come evening and he'll have majority of his invasion force that he had pre-prepared beforehand but in an albeit manner.

His original plan had been for Hans to murder the Second Princess and thus forcing the Queen Elsa to reveal her powers and cause destabilization in the kingdom. In the wake of this chaos, his forces can then be landed and take over the kingdom in its fragile state.

"I have to ask though King Alfred. How in the world did you manage to land troops in Arendelle without them even knowing?" asks the Inquisitor.

"It's pretty easy actually Inquisitor. A few weeks ago we have bombarded the island of Boaz by sending every pirate ship and scum to harass the defenders there. During the storm we have snucked in large galleons under oars to pass the defenders and headed straight North of Arendelle where we fell upon the Nords, one of the current queens strongest supporters. They didn't expect us so it is a boon for my warriors. We took their harbors as landing posts and have slowly but deliberately amassed my forces there for a surprise attack and pave the way for a larger invasion,"

"So does that mean that the Nords are-,"

"Yes," Alfred's smile is shark like. "The primitives there are massacred to the last man,"