Chapter Twenty Seven

Captured

VALLOKEN

Val didn't know how much time had passed or how much he'd missed since he spent most of his time in the back of the military convoy with a sack over his head and his wrists cuffed in front of him. Every once a while, he heard the Southern Isles soldiers laughing and joking amongst themselves. He feared for Peggy's safety, as he hadn't heard her voice since the ambush in the forest. The one thing that stuck with him was anger and guilt.

Anger that the captain had killed the chieftain's grandson without mercy, and guilt that he'd been indirectly responsible. Val tried to force down his emotions to think clearly. Okay let's go over the plans again, he willed himself to focus. He had to find a way out of this that didn't involve Talya having to surrender herself to Bjorn.

He still had the knuckle dusters in his pants pocket. Apparently the Southern Isles soldiers were either too arrogant or complacent, for they hadn't checked his person for weapons. They had disarmed Peggy though, since it was obvious she was the combatant between the two of them. Val however, had been sorely underestimated. He just needed an opportunity to present itself.

Finally, the bag was ripped off his head and he had to blink to adjust his vision. Things came back into focus, and he saw that he was once again in the city, sitting in the back of the convoy accompanied by the Southern Isles soldiers. Surveying his occupied home, Val felt indignation rise up in him. The sidewalks were being patrolled by Southern Isles squads, and jeeps rolled through the streets, guns pointed at civilians as they passed by. Up high, there were makeshift watchtowers as well, with huge floodlights sweeping the entire kingdom. And overhead, Southern Isles jets dominated the airspace. Parts of the kingdom was still on fire, and this was evident by the clouds of smoke that rose from various parts of the town.

"Welcome back to Arendelle, Your Highness." The captain from earlier said shortly, as though he had no time or patience for gloating or sneering.

Val glanced around to find Peggy. She was in a separate convoy, being forced to disembark with her hands similarly cuffed, numerous rifles with attached laser-sight trained on her. The sack had been removed from her head too, and she looked dishevelled, blonde hair clumped together and stuck to her face smeared with dirt and grime. The fire and rebellion in her eyes hadn't died though, so perhaps that was a good sign, if nothing else.

"We don't have all day, my friend." The captain pulled him to his feet. "Disembark."

With hands still cuffed, he half-climbed, and was half dragged to ground level. Tumbling but still held up by soldiers, Val found his footing and shrugged off the support.

"The general is expecting you." Another officer, this time with the eagles of a colonel on his shoulder, received him with a curt nod, eyeing Peggy. "And your friend too, of course."

"Leave her out of this. Bjorn has no quarrel with her." Val growled.

"General Bjorn." The colonel corrected him. "Besides, it is not my place to decide. My orders are to personally escort both of you to him for questioning."

Val gritted his teeth as Peggy and himself were escorted by a fresh section of soldiers, all with their fingers hovering over the triggers of their rifles. They were escorted via military jeep back to the palace, but along the way, Val got a good glimpse at the state of the kingdom. It was in total disarray. The Arendellians in the streets were being treated like slaves, abused and fearful of their occupiers. Bjorn had tightened his grip on the kingdom, it seemed, making sure that no one stood a chance of escape.

The duo were taken into the palace by the colonel and his men. As Val walked through his home, his mind catalogued various possible routes of escape. There were very few, seeing as how Bjorn had this entire place guarded very tightly. But nonetheless, Val spotted one or two openings that he could possibly exploit. He could only hope that Peggy was going through the same thought processes that he was.

Val and Peggy were taken to the council chambers, where General Bjorn was waiting alone in the room. His arms were folded as he gazed out of the large panelled windows at the town square that lay beyond the long bridge.

"Sir," the colonel saluted. "The prisoners have arrived."

"Excellent." Bjorn said with his back still facing them. "You may take your men and leave, colonel."

"As you command, Sir." The colonel gestured to his soldiers, who all turned smartly and marched away, leaving only Val and Peggy in the council chambers alone with Bjorn.

Val figured that the colonel would have only been comfortable leaving them alone with Bjorn if he already knew that the general was more than capable of handling two prisoners. Or maybe the knowledge that the king's brother was a Blood Mage was widespread among the Southern Isles natives.

Bjorn finally turned away from the window, arms still folded. He was still dressed in the white and gold uniform that looked as immaculate and freshly pressed as ever.

"Welcome back to Arendelle, Your Highness. As I mentioned before, I am duly impressed." Bjorn said in a business-like tone. "Your stealth and resourcefulness is commendable, but it has been a futile exercise." He turned his gaze to Peggy. "And who's this lovely young lady?"

"No one of consequence." Val said, doing his best to keep his features neutral.

"I don't think you believe that." Bjorn shook his head. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have so agreeably surrendered, would you? Yes, I've read the reports."

"So this is the terrifying General Bjorn you told us about." Peggy said to Val, ignoring the general completely. She looked at the Blood Mage nonchalantly, making an effort to dramatically size him up. "He doesn't seem so tough to me."

"A word of advice, my dear, never underestimate your enemy." Bjorn regarded her coolly. "Take you for example. I heard that it was the queen and yourself who tore through my assassins without much difficulty. You have proven yourself an adversary worthy of my time. So I'll ask again. Who are you?"

"What do you want, Bjorn?" Val interrupted him. "You wanted my surrender, and you have it. There's no further need for bloodshed."

"You seem to have forgotten the terms of the deal." Bjorn finally let his arms fall to his sides. "I wanted both you and your sister. But unfortunately, only you are here."

"It will have to do."

"No it will not." Bjorn's tone took a more hostile tone. "You see, I need to account for both yourself and your sister. Otherwise, the reign of King Ulrich the Seventh will never truly be secure."

"You should've thought about that before you decided to invade Arendelle." Val said through clenched teeth. "You had peace before you attacked us, and we would have gladly left it that way. This war, this conflict, it's all on you."

Disregarding Val's words, Bjorn went on. "With Queen Talya still out there, she poses a threat to our rightful possession of Arendelle."

"Rightful?" Val strained at his cuffs and only succeeded in hurting his wrists. "You dare-"

"My terms still stand." Bjorn ignored his outburst. "If Queen Talya delivers herself to me by the time my bloodlust returns, I will spare the lives of the Arendellian soldiers. As promised, I will kill my own men to satisfy the bloodlust. You have my word."

"You're sick." Peggy said dryly.

"Sadly, it seems as though your sister might not make good on her part of the arrangement." Bjorn looked into Val's eyes and Val felt his body stiffen in discomfort. "And that's why I must appeal to you to aid me."

Val stared back for as long as he could, trying to match the steely gaze of the Blood Mage.

"I need to know where Queen Talya is hiding so that we can end this quickly."

"If you think I'm going to tell you where to find my own sister," Val said after a long silence. "Then you're delusional."

Bjorn narrowed his eyes. "You won't help me?"

"No."

Another long silence punctuated the tension as Bjorn slowly paced away from where Val and Peggy stood before him. He slowly shook his head. "Then I'm afraid you've forced my hand." He said quietly.

"What?"

Before Val could get a chance to get in another word, Bjorn whirled round, hand outstretched, fingers tense. Peggy was levitated off the ground, feet kicking helplessly in the air as she struggled to break free of her restraints.

"You bastard, let her go!" Val roared, surging forward. He threw his shoulder into Bjorn's midsection, causing the Blood Mage to backpedal though he retained his balance.

With another outstretched hand from Bjorn, Val found himself levitated and tossed against the wall with enough force to knock the wind out of him. His mind swirled as he caught his breath, but he quickly turned his attention back to Peggy.

"Peggy!" He shouted. She was still struggling against Bjorn's psychokinesis, fighting hard even with both hands restrained.

Face hardened, the Blood Mage suddenly clenched his fist.

All of a sudden, Peggy choked, her face turning blue. She tried to claw at her throat, flailing madly in mid air.

"I said, let her go, god damn it!" Val shouted at Bjorn.

"Only you can decide her fate." Bjorn's voice was tight and hostile now, bordering on a snarl. "Tell me what I want to know, and I'll let her live."

"No…don't…tell." Peggy managed to rasp as her struggling got weaker.

Val could hear his own heart slamming in his chest as he considered his options within the span of a second. On one hand, he couldn't betray Talya and give up her location. On the other hand, he certainly couldn't let Peggy die. Which of the two stood a better chance of defending herself?

"Make your choice. You're running out of time."

"I'm sorry," Val glanced apologetically at Peggy, then glared at Bjorn. "If you kill her, you're never getting the location of my sister."

Bjorn's face twitched for a brief second, then he released his grip on Peggy. She fell to the ground in a heap, gasping and coughing painfully.

Val scrambled to her side, cradling the back of her head. "Peggy! Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

Peggy gave a weak nod and closed her eyes, still breathing hard and fast.

"Good call, my friend." Bjorn sounded both impressed and annoyed. "You drive a hard bargain, I can respect that. But don't be mistaken, I will not hesitate to end your friend's life in a heartbeat. I told you once, I will kill if its necessary. If I have to, torture is another option on the table. Now," he opened his palm as a warning gesture. "Honour your word."

"Even if I told you, you will never get Talya." Val growled. "She's far beyond your reach."

"Where is she?"

"She's on an island on the other side of the Dark Sea, which you'll never be able to cross. And besides, you're too late." Through the spite, Val allowed a triumphant smirk to be smeared across his face. "She's already found the Snow Queen."

"The Snow Queen." There was recognition, intrigue and a hint of fear in Bjorn's voice. "Why would your sister…" it took a moment for the realisation to set in but Val could see the look on his face change and it gave him a tiny bit of satisfaction. "…she's a sorceress?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Bjorn looked at a loss for words. "Fascinating." He finally managed.

"So relish this small victory while you can. When Talya is ready, she will return to destroy you. That I can guarantee you."

A range of emotions flickered across Bjorn's face, too quick for Val to catch. But he knew for sure that this new knowledge changed the game for the general. One thing was clear though. Bjorn evidently knew of the legend of the Snow Queen.

"Thank you." Bjorn finally said calmly, though Val thought he saw a tiny quiver at the edge of the general's lips. "You've shown me that I needn't waste my efforts any longer. It'll be so much more convenient when your sister shows up at our doorstep trying to take the fight to me."

"You're a dead man." Peggy rasped, struggling to sit up. "When Talya gets back here-"

"When she gets here, I will kill her, sorceress or not. It changes nothing. No training from the Snow Queen can rival the raw power of a Blood Mage." But the momentary hesitance in Bjorn's voice betrayed him. "And then, the Southern Isles will finally rule Arendelle as it should have generations ago."

"No, Bjorn. Your end is near." Val growled. "You'll see."

"Oh yes. We'll see." Bjorn crouched before Val who was still kneeling by Peggy's side. "But in the meantime, if you want your friend to continue breathing, I need you to send a message for me." His lips curled upward into a sinister smile. "A very important message."