Frozen Memories - 1-8 Bridge

by Xeir Zith

Hidden Past - Back Cover. Hidden Past remake! This is entirely overhauled with missing dialog added to inital scenes with expansions and spelling fixes to the original writing from Hidden Past. In Bridge we see exactly what happens between Frozen Memories and War of the North - Frozen Memories. Xeir dreams and Elsa lives in a simulated city. Light works, Jarius writes Xeir sleeps

2. Elsa Eight Days: 2nd Day

Frozen Memories – 1.8 Bridge

Hidden Past – Back Cover

The room was oddly strile. Devoid of even dust upon the floor or the walls showing any signs of age of any form. A large carefully crafted carved from glass computer screen sat upon a rather plain desk. At which a being sat. This was DiT, this was her laboratory of a sort. The cloaked stranger stood nearby. Clearly uninterested in the technology the masked woman was using

"It seems even your devices cannot be kept from them" Said the hooded stranger.

"So it appears" Replied DiT. "No matter, as soon as He repairs all their memories and allows them to wake up. Then we can be rid of this issue" DiT replied calmly

"So how can we wake them up ?" Asked the stranger as he crossed his arms over his broad chest, clearly agitated over something concerning the four that slept in the other room

"Let me worry about waking them up. patching up the security holes is your job now. You go back in there and ensure that they cannot get anymore of their fellows in, and eliminate those others not named by Dracos initial four" DiT replied

"And those that are already in ?" The hooded stranger asked calmly as he lowered his arms.

"Kethend and Draco were part of their memories and are also affected by them. The more shadowlings they bring in, the more security issues we will have and the reconstruction will fail completely. I need not to worry about them. Your job now is preventing more of Dracos shadowlings from entering the simulated town. Should you find any more than the desired four, destroy them by any means that you see fit." DiT said to the cloaked stranger. The stranger simply nodded and opened a portal, disappearing into it without a word.

Elsa – Eight Days

The Second Day

14 June 1969

Aboard the Houdini

Dawn

Daylight broke through the cracks in the ceiling; footsteps of men scurring over the vessel to repair damaged hull boards and beamways. Each man had two tasks, his own and the fellow directly to his left. in the case of the lost of the fellow on his left, he could cover both his own tasks, and the tasks of the lost fellow. Every morning found the crew busy on the ship, some of them counting coin they'd plundered, others storing weapons they'd stolen, and othes recording damage to the ship or loss of crew, of which only damage to the ship and some very precious cargo stolen. Taryl was, like every morning aboar his vessel, pacing in his cabin behind the helm. With him were his quartermaster, Mosar, and his first mate, Taztan.

Taryl paced in his cabin, "We have what we went for, was there any damage to the ship ? There was cannon fire if you recall" He spoke to Mosar first concerning the cargo, their... guests... two children. One of them magically gifted. Why did Kethend and the man with her want them ? He was told only to capture them and deliver them to her somewhere. But where he was to take the children, he had not yet been informed.

"The damage is being patched up as best we can as we speak, sir. Our ... Cargo, is unharmed, though one of them, the one with magic, is terribly seasick." said Masor, looking around the ship and frowning. "I'm afraid we won't have enough materials to fully repair the ship, sir. At least, not fast enough before the storm starts up again." He said, looking up at the black clouds above them, a few drops sprinkling here and there. "I'd suggest we get to a port as soon as we can." He leaned forward a little. "And to tell you the truth, I'm tired of cleaning all the puke that the girl manages to throw out of her stomach. I dunno how she does it; she hasn't eaten in what seems like at least a day, and is still puking." he sighed. "And don't get me started on the smell, sir." he said, waving his hand in front of his face to emphasize his point.

For a long moment Taryl said nothing as the rain started falling. A few seconds passed as the rain started pounding from the sky. Lightning cracked across the morning clouds crazily. Taryl nodded then "Alright. We will make for Scala ad Caelum. Its the nearest port to this location. Have the men get into regal gear and clothing before we dock. We do not want to give away the fact we are bandits." To be rather honest he'd much rather go to Southeri or Swedaliaro ports, but those were a good five days away, and Scala ad Caelum was less than a day from their location

Thunder suddenly roared over head as the rain started to intensify. "Your call, sir." Masor said, a small smirk on his face.

He snickered; "Give her a drought of ironstomach, the girl will have to earn her sealegs soon!" Then he started laughing at the mention of the smell of the vomit all over the floor in the brig "Its a brig Mosar, its supposed to stink!" He was then shouting to be heard over the sudden rainstorm. "Get the cargo some food and water, and ensure the blonde drinks the drought, here" He went to a nearby chest and removed the mentioned potion. "Split it between both girls, and ensure they drink all of it. and until I call for you two, Dismissed." He handed Mosar the strange white vial.

Taztan stood by the door and held it open for his fellow Shadowling. Once outside in the rain he spoke, "That went well" He too was amazed at how much the blond girl could throw up, barely eaten a thing at that. even on calm waters, upchucking like mad.

Masor saluted Taryl and sighed, taking the vial and heading down to the brig. "Good god, she's still going?" He groaned as he walked past the cell where girls were held. "Get someone to clean it up! It's eating the finish off of the deck." He ordered as he went to prepare the food and drinks for the girls in the cell. He grumbled himself as he mixed the draught into the water he was going to give the girls.

With a grunt he picked up the tray and opened the cell door, kneeling beside the girls and placing the tray on the table. "Eat up, young ones, and be sure to drink the water; it'll help settle your stomach." He said to Xeir, lightly patting her back with a wink to Taztan. "You too, little lady, the seas are gonna get rough." He said to Diamond, standing and closing the cell door behind him as he steped out of the cell.

At the mention of the rough seas the blonde looked rather ill and thankfully didn't throw up at that exact moment. Instead, the thought of the water settling her stomach she pretty much drank down the sickly sweet tankard of the water mixed with something. Maybe medicine ? She didn't care, it helped almost instantly as the ship lurched rather suddenly and Diamond had to drink quickly to avoid spilling any of her own tankard of the sickly sweet liquid.

Neither girl asked anyone why they were even on the ship, in a brig, they only had each other. They were both freaked out, and Xeir was dangerously seasick. Possibly too seasick. Thankfully at that point Diamond was used to the smell. And, to a point, she was used to seeing her sister throwing up so much, but as the two men left them, Diamond snatched up some meat, which looked freshly cooked, and some bread before Xeir could drench the tray with her stomachs contents again like the last time.

Wait, last time ? It didn't matter, Diamond just knew ot grab some food and leave the rest for her sister. Most of it got eaten, but not a lot.

Once out of earshot of the two girls Taztan nearly broke down in laughter. He knew of the drought and had put it there at Kethends instruction. Now they knew where they headed. The potion worked instantly, settling Xeirs stomach, and in a way, preventing her from making further messes in the brig; "Alright, that's that, they didn't even remember a thing! No questions asked either!" Taztan was pretty much giddy with how well this was going. He could only wonder how things were back on the Silversparrow.

The ship lurched again, this time hard to port, and had Taztan not set a foot on the cannonade the cannon in question would have rolled free. "Ok lets see here" He pulled a small folder from his waistband and opened it, it was their instructions from Kethend and Draco. "According to this we need to set fire to the rear most part of the ship, and then destroy the rudder once the ship docks." He didn't have to speak further of how to light the ship on fire as a lightning strike nailed the captains cabin perfectly dead on. "Well..." Taztan said as he got his hearing back "That's that. What's next ?"

Masor laughed as the ship lurched and the lightning struck the captains cabin. "What's next? Well, we gotta wait to get docked first! Then we blow the rudder." he laughed again, getting to work cleaning up what little puke is left on the floor from Elsa's last upchuck. "Go and place the TNT, and as soon as we dock, light it." he told Taztan, finishing cleaning it.

"Port sighted!" the man on the crow's nest shouted. "Get us docked and put out that fire!" another man called out as the fire at the back of the ship blazed violently, the wood crackling and smouldering as smoke rose from the ship as the sea seemed to try its best to either tip the ship over or push it towards the port before them faster. Masor grabbed a rope to keep the mast strong, and the ship moving as slowly they pulled into the docks, and as they grew closer to the pier Masor pulled hard on the rope to close the mast and allow no more wind to push the ship aground. Once this was done, he ran below deck.

"Aye chief" Taztan said when Mosar gave the order to set the bombs to blow; this was all going to plan. Once the setup was finished he foiund himself swearing at the fire and using shadows to keep the TNT dry and away from the fire above it before it was time to blow it. Literally so. Not only were they going to blow the rudder, but they were also going to blow the cover of the Bandit King himself.

"We're docked, blow it!" he called to Taztan.

"Right! Fire in the hole!" Snapping a lit rag at the edge of the TNT powder trail Taztan booked it for safety. Knowing the girls would be fine when the sucker blew sky high.

Which it did, as the ship docked. the rear of it exploded in a massive fireball.

That explosion caused all hell to break loose.

-8-8-8-

The sounds of a computer hard at work were heard. "Is it really that hard to make a ship sim ?" Asked the hooded stranger as he juggled in one hand, a bag of coins stolen off the girl, Elsa when they had managed to get their credits off the Sessions to get off Scala ad Caleum on a ship they could charter

"We would only be giving the enemy another entry point" DiT replied simply from where she sat and typed at the machine calmly

"And this ?" The hooded man asked, holding out the credit bag he had stolen from Elsa

"We can always buy some white-ice snacks" Then DiT laughed. Turning back to the screens DiT spoke again. "Objects from that world must not enter the real world, you can delete that." The hooded stranger went back to juggling the bag of money without another word, seemingly ignoring DiT's words.

Scala ad Caelum

Earlier that Morning

Wolfe Compound

Brilliant cyan eyes stared at the dark clouds far above. Rain was once more on the horizon. And Marcus could tell it was going to be heavy. Bashain's second, Nazur, had informed him of the comibng rainfall, and advised to protect all the smithies and forges carefully; Nazur was a good man, thin and slender, yet strong and skilled with a spear. There was a reason Bashain had chosen Nazur as his Second. When the rain started to fall, the storm found Marcus at the Wolfe Family Forge, the massive compound was on three levels, the main house at the top of a small hill, thickly walled, and the second level consisting mostly of the forge and weapon training grounds for the family of four, plus their many friends that were consatantly over. the yard was, in a word huge.

The bottom most teir was the main shop at the entry to the compound; This was where all the selling and buying was done. But at this moment, the shop was closed, and with it, the compound was still open for the time being allowing the children of that island of Scala ad Caelum to continue their training. Bashain had seen to it with Marcus and Wainright, that the Wolfe compound, had the largest field space for training their soldiers with every weapon forged to make sure the weapons were properly crafted.

That left Charity, Marcs' dear beloved dark haired, silver eyed angel of a wife, overseeing the children as they fought in their mock battles on the large open grass each island of Sucala ad Caelum had as the rain started falling, the kids were out, day or night, rain or shine, playing in this mock fights, each one honing skills they'd need later in life. But even as she watched her children, her first born, Mark, organising the other kids, some even older than himself by at least a few years, into ordered ranks with all sorts of weapons, she could not help but worry of any of the children getting harmed.

She had voiced her worry once to her son, to take it easy, and to be careful. She remebmered that conversation dearly, as they had the night before before bed.

"Mark, Sweetie, do you have a moment ?" She had asked him catching him just as he entered his bedroom doorway. the massive house was two floors with the main living area open to the floor above

Mark turned and looked up to his mother. "Yea, mom. What is it?" He asked, a smudge of dirt on his face from his mock battle ealier in the day against his cousin Samuel, who had longer reach than mark did as he was taller.

Charity couldn't help but smile, her son, only nine years of age, and yet he was strong as a muledeer, if not stronger! Reaching a hand to his face she cleaned it of the dirt. "I am worried for you Mark, and your sister Marion, todays training only made me worry all the more for you two when you took that hit from Bashains boy, I was afraid Samuel might do the same when he got you with the dirt clod." She said softly, there was a strong hint of worry in her voice.

Mark fidgeted slightly as his mother cleaned off his face, but didn't try and stop her. "Mom, stop worrying! I'm gonna get Malik back tomorrow for sure!" he said, "and Samuel too for not helping me!" he laughed, throwing some playful punches that were quite strong for how young he was; enough to cause some pain, though he stopped before hitting his mother; he'd never do that to her, or his father would kill him.

Charity smiled and hugged her son closely before pulling away "Dont worry of Malik, right now I want you to worry of two things." She said, holding up her hand, two fingers, slender though strong, before him. Like they always had. The first was simple, be mindful of every thing around him, people, items, buildings, everything. The second was always protect his sister, he hoped he'd remember it as they had gone over it countless times.

Mark sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Fiiinnnnee" he groaned. "But I'm still gonna get Malik back!" he giggled again, the determination in his brown eyes as strong as an Iron Wood Fire. "But...I gotta sharpen my sword again...I had trouble cutting through the bamboo the other day.." he sighed, slumping again.

It was the mention of having to sharpen his sword that made her frown for the first time that day; her frowning was never a good thing; she sighed, "Its best then for you to get some sleep, I'll sharpen your sword, but, tomorrow, you must include Marion in the session; she complained of being left out today" It was a rule, not just in their family but in the massive island as a whole, everyone included in the training sessions, children and adults alike.

Mark blinked a few times, looking up to remember the days events. "She wasn't left out...she was kinda left behind; didn't get her boots on in time and I took off without her." he giggled, scratching the back of his head. "But... alright, I'll wait for her tomorrow morning then." He agreed softly, yawning. All those Sessions that he did every day sure were tiring for the young boy; tiring for every child in the island, actually. So much so that after about 9:00 at night one would never see a child out of bed unless they were an unlucky child whose parents were strict and made them sleep outside if they lost their Session. Mark was lucky to have such lenient parents, though he didn't know it. Though...lenient was bad term to describe it, as they were very strict about etiquette and whatnot.

Chariy smiled, "even so, Mark, I want you to include her in tomorrows Session; if she is not included, you work the forge over dinner tomorrow night with your uncle Wainright, are we clear ?" To say Charity was strict was an understatment, She kept a clean house, she was lenient enough that here children never had to sleep outside, Well, once, just to see what it felt like. But since then they never had to worry of it. at least for as long as Charity could remember. Charity made sure everyone in her family worked and got along with each other. But what she never expected was how her children, her firstborn son, Mark, and her daughter, Marion, got along so well, she could not have asked for anyone better! But she honestly wanted two girls, maybe even another son, closer to Marks age to train with. "Now, get yourself to bed, tomorrow will be a trying day hearing how the thunder roils above us."

Mark nodded. "Yes, mama." he sighed, hugging her softly. Mark may not have had a brother to train with, but he had his cousin Samuel, and plenty of other boys and girls to train with, like his Sister Marion, who was faster than he could ever hope to be to make up for her short reach for being quite small. As his mother told him to get to bed, he nodded again. "Okay, mama...see you later" he yawned, kissing his mother's cheek good night before turning and heading into his room, climbing into his bed and getting cozy under his blankets and quickly falling into a very deep sleep.

Charity smiled and for a moment she had stood at her sons door, watching him sleep before closing it and going downstairs, the hammering of the forge was strong, but the roiling thunder above made the house shake every few moments, She found herself thankful that her children slept like rocks.

The memory faded as she watched the children, Mark was organising them into ranks, his sister she saw by his side mimicking his movements, but far quicker, Marion was small, but she made up for it in sheer speed, very quick on her feet she was only four, but she used two short swords her father made for her using a design Marion had thought up. Charity smiled seeing how her children worked as a team defending each other when and where needed, She thought carefully on how to explain Bashain's son getting that bloody nose though. Marion was indeed quick on her feet, and an even quicker thinker! When Malik made to grab her, Marion reacted, flicking her left sword around and whacking the older boy with its pommel, who was twice her age, dead in the nose.

Mark took the opportunity of Malik's nose being broken by Marion to trip him and point the tip of his sword to his neck, proclaiming his victory over the older boy with a laugh before he and Marion took off towards the other group of kids, all of them in a big battle of swords and daggers. Mark wore a leather gauntlet on his left arm, and used that as a sort of shield while he fought, deflecting strikes from other kids and using his sword to strike at them while they're distracted. With this method he "vanquished" many foes before the only three left standing were himself, Marion, and their cousin Samuel. They all charged eachother at the same time, and, miraculously, all "killed" eachother at the same time, their blades slicing the leather armor around their bellies to simulate a kill shot, so they all fell.

Before the parents who watched was now a dusty field of kids all laying down, pretending that they were dead or dying. After a few minutes though, one of them would laugh, and then they'd all get back up, form their respective teams, and charge at eachother again and again until called home by their parents. Malik of course left early due to his broken nose, but Mark didn't care anymore! He was having too much fun with this "game" as they all thought it was.

On the other side of town, the older kids, ranging from 13 to 19, all trained in similar battles with newer weapons such as shields, spears, polearms, pikes, tridents, nets, etc. They were all allowed to choose their preferred weapons and fighting styles at 13, and were encouraged to learn all they could about any weapon they wanted so they'd be perfect warriors when it came to fighting.

When the children were not fighting eachother in these well designed wars, they were in the forges, learning how to craft the finest blades from the most stubborn of metals, and decorative blades out of cheap but pretty metals to sell for a quick profit. But, of course, the pride of Scala ad Caelum was the weapons, armor, and soldiers that it sold to whomever needed them without any questions asked; that was how their economy worked, and it worked wonders.

Over the years of the endless islands's existence it had been invaded numerous times by all sorts of conquerors who desired the skill of the people of Scala ad Caelum for their armies, but the citizens of the city, men, women, and children alike all fought off the invaders with superior weapons, knowledge, and skills without too much of a problem. The island that Charity lived on with the kids Mark and Marion, and her husband Marcus was so safe that there was practically no crime rate. The only real crime they had was maybe the occasional vandalizing of someon's forge because one family was rivals with another; but everyone usually got along pretty well despite their rivalries; which usually were settled by the children in their mock battles and wars.

As Charity watched the children as the rain began anew for the third time that day, a voice spoke up next to her. "My boy tells me your daughter managed to break his nose. He seemed quite upset, Lady Wolfe" it was Bashain

Charity smiled "It is to be expected, Elder; I feel sorry for Mark as it was not him for payback of yesterday. Has Malik seen the Village Healer ?" Marion had indeed left a good mark on Malik

"I just came from there. I want to congratulate you. It is not the strike that made my son upset, but who gave it, a girl no less. He fears it is below him to strike a girl, even in a Session battle they go through daily; I am greratly amused by his respect for Mark and Marion, your children I see, will be great soldiers, and even better smiths!" Bashain said thoughtfully "Yet I wonder; our scouts reported seeing a burning ship headed to port during the storm. Dismiss the children, I fear trouble coming. Have the children readied in the case of battle to come. I want your son and mine to oversee the ships arrival and docking. I will speak to the elder students to aid them, the ship is a half day away." With that Bashain left Charity in thought.

A ship was coming, and it was on fire. Lately, that was a ruse from some groups. She nodded, clapping her hands twice she called out "Barn! Hold kniver ! {Children, hold your blades!}" She said, her voice carrying over the torrents of rain. She stepped from under the protective cover of the Wolfe Forge onto the training ground where the children were. Mark was a strong boy, capable and even sneaky she could tell that right off. Malik was being seen to by the Healer; and once done there, the two were to take a group of older teens to oversee the docking of a damaged ship.

She stepped up to the many children, there were dozens, and they were all soaking wet, and in some cases quite muddy; and they were all barefoot. Execept Marion, she was the only one out of all the children that even had boots on, muchless socks! When all the children looked to her as she approached she said calmly, "Session dismissed. We are to have a ship docking soon. I should like for everyone here to be safely with their parents and ready in the case of trouble to arise. the ship that is coming is damaged and on fire." The kids hopefully knew exactly that lure

It had been used once before, decades ago, when Charity had first met Marcus; The Bandit King, Tasrell, had tried to raid Warforge, and had used a burning ship as a lure and bait for a powerful trap; but it failed, and that was how Bashain had become the Elder. for almost thirty years Bashain had been 'defacto' mayor

Charity looked between the kids and saw her own there among the group. She listed off six of the dozens of children, those six were in dire need of the healer to visit. Of those six, was her son Mark. She waved him closer and dropped to one knee as he neared. "I have a important task for you son. You and Marion did wonderfully today. But that must wait as I need you do to something or me, for the village. Are you up for it ?"

The children all stopped as they were told to, and all looked to Charity as they slowly relaxed and stood straight, looking at her from the rain. As she listed off some children, they all stepped froward, including Mark. Mark went over to her, wiping some mud off of his shirt with a sigh as his mother kneeled down to talk to him. He listened to her words carefully and nodded.

"Yes, mom. I up for it. What is it?" he asks, putting his sword into its sheath at his hip.

She looked to the other six children, "See to the Healer, Mark will join you shortly" At their nod she turned back to him, "You remember that mock ship boarding your father and I organised with you and the others last week ? Sneak aboard without getting seen by those aboard, find the most valued item and get off with it without getting noticed ?" She took a deep breath and continued. "Bashain spoke to me a moment ago, he wants you and Malik to lead a group of teens to oversee our surprise visitor. The last time a burning vessel docked here there was bloodshed on both sides. Bashain wants to avoid that. When that vessel docks, I want you to sneak aboard, with Malik, as you both scored highest, and find the most valued item on there, and get off without being seen, I will inform your father of what is coming to ready the adults. Once you have your target in hand, come straight back to the forge, both you and Malik, understand ?"

Mark's eyes filled with surprise. "Y-yes, I remember." he said softly, remembering the mock boarding perfectly. He listened to his mother's words and nodded. "As you wish, Mother. Board the ship, take the most valuable thing there, get off." he repeated, nodding. With a smile he hugged his mother. "thanks for this opportunity, mom~" He kissed her cheek before heading out to find Malik and some able-bodied teens to join him on his little mission. Soon he had a couple of shield users with him, and two archers, and they waited for the ship to dock.

Sixteten hours later

Scala ad Caelum

Dusk

As the ship docked, someone screamed. "Blow it, now!", and with that the entire back end of the ship exploded. Mark used this as the opening he needed, and lead his team onto the ship silently, breaking into the cargo hold and searching; all they found was gunpouder, grain, and rum. They continued to search, and eventually found the brig, where two young girls lay on a bed in a cell left completely unsuperivsed.

Mark approached the cell and used his sword to force open the lock. "Come with me! I'll get you out of here!" he said, reaching out his hand while crewmembers of the Houdini rushed around above and below them on the decks trying to put out the fires.

"Can't go back that way!" Malik said coming around the corner as more gunpower exploded

"Why not ?" Mark asked; that was their only way out!

Malik was about to answer but Xeir cut him off. "Lets go that way" She pointed towards the now gaping hole in the hull leading towards the dock "Its quicker!"

"For once I agree with the girl even if it is a girl we don't even know!" Malik said with a nod, Mark figured 'why not' and they took off; but there was a bunch of crewmen in their path

Marcus looked at the ship and grit his teeth in a look of disdain. "That's the Houdini! Board that ship and destroy it!"

"No!" Charity shouted as she neared her husband. Marcus turned to his wife as she spoke. "Our son along with 7 other boys are on there still, let them fight their way out before you send the squad to destroy it!" she said to him, Marcus nodded, recalling the ship boarding Session the week before and called off the attack for now.

Mark, along with the boys he was with, easilly fought off the still startled crewmembers of the Houdini and hopped off the ship carrying the two girls. As he saw his son, and seven others escorting what had to be two small girls off the vessel Marcus nodded. "Move in, take any and all crewmen you can as prisoners!" He called to the boarding squads. The dozen men and women stormed aboard the burning ship, taking many prisioner, including the Captain; Taryl.

Mark laughed as he ran deeper into the island city with the girls and other kids behind him; he'd done it! He led the party and they'd succeeded! He lead them straight to his mother, and reported that they had the "usual pirate stuff" so he took the girls with him instead.

As the battle began Taztan wove his way drunkenly through the mob, when he got close enough to Masor he called out "Time to go ?"

"I agree!" Masor called out, quickly opening a shadow they dove off the ship as Taztan tossed a lit match into the gunpowderhold and blew a kiss at the swearing a sailor white Taryl who witnessed them leaving. Masor and Taztan then disappeared into the shadows once their jobs were complete; they awaited new orders from their Master.

Usual pirate stuff my ass! Charity thought seeing the two girls with her son, the seven kids worked as a team so well they protected the two carefully, only one of the boys was nursing a deep cut on his arm wher he'd stopped a bandits sword from striking down Diamond from behind; Charity stared seeing the girls. A bright smile forming on her face as her husband oversaw the attack and suddenly beating a hasty retreat as the hold went up in flames.

Chairty stepped towards her son and his team through the insane mob all around her as they neared the Wolfe Forge as planned. Calling out quickly for the Healer to see to Zirdian's arm she called out to Mark "You did as expected;" she said, looking to the two girls, who were clearly freaked out and hugging each other, she turned to her son, and also motioned to Zirdian, "You got on board as planned, and yet; something went wrong ?" She hoped that these two girls, who were dressd in finery of some form, were the most vauled aboard that vessel

"What happend ?" Charity asked, she dropped down to a knee to be level with her son and the two girls he had rescued with the other teens and Malik, who was once more nurseing a bleeding nose as one of the bandits had managed to whack him solid with a peice of broken wood

Mark counted on his hands as he detailed the mission to his mother, the other kids nodding to confirm his story or speaking up to clear up a point "Well, it was going smoothly, and then our way out exploded, so we had to improvise..." Mark said, looking around to the boys as they all dispersed with the healer. "The girls were the most valuable thing they had on the ship; nothing is more valuable than a child's life, right?" He asked, repeating the lesson his mother had taught him when he was still learning to hold his sword.

"But...now what?" He asked, confused as he once again sheathed his sword and looked at the girls as they hugged eachother still. "What are we gonna do, mom?" he asked again.

Chairty smiled, and patted her son on his left shoulder. looking to the two girls thoughtfully she said, "What are your names, dears ?"

Xeir spoke up, "I'm Xeir, this is my sister, Diamond, where are we ? Who are you ?" It was clear she was scared, and they were both lost.

Charity smiled brightly then "Well, Xeir, Diamond, I am Charity, this is my son, Mark, Mark, take them inside, get them some dry clothing, you know where to look; the rest of you may return to your families and let them know how well you performed the Boarding. I'd personally give you all high marks for it. Have your parents see me in the morning for the scores. In the meantime, run along" Charity said dismissing the rest of the team Mark had chosen to raid the ship with. Charity then turned slightly towards her son. "I'm going to speak to your father about something rather important, I wont be long. Ensure the others stay inside and try not to wake up your sister," His cousin Sam's older sister, a half year older and adopted, wore dresses most of the time, sometimes trousers. And they all shared the same house, but Milia was rarely seen outside the compound, almost constantly with her own mother Dauriko. And Marion had passed out after the session started when she got into her room.

Mark nodded and reached his hand towards Xeir. "Come on! let's go get you something dry to wear!" he said, smiling softly. Once Xeir's hand was in his, he lead her to Milia's massive bedroom, opening her dresser and pulling out a few dresses and laying them on the bed. "You can choose what you want...I'll find you some towels, I guess..." he said, leaving and coming back after a minute with a few towels in his hands so the girls could better dry themselves off. With a knock on the door, he spoke up again "Can I come in? I've got some towels for you two!" he said.

Once inside the huge house, and lead to a spacious bedroom, Diamond climbed onto the bed as Xeir took in the furnishings, everything was made of wood so delicately carved and painted. It was, in a word, gorgeous. Everything from the dresser handles to the bedposts to the doorframe was handcarved so delicatly someone must have worked hard on such a task.

All sorts of dresses were laid onto the bed, one or two perfect sized for Xeir, but almost all of them too large for Diamond, at least until she found one she liked, When Mark left to go get the towels Xeir picked up a silvery white dress edged in dark silver. She liked the feel of it; it felt rough. She set a piece of orante cloth onto the bedstand; she had no idea where it came from; but it oddly helped her sleep on the ship until that big explosion.

She was about to get undressed when the knock came at the door, She was unaware that the door was even closed to begin with! And yet, the door was shut, and Mark was apparently outside it waiting if they were dressed, hence his question. Glancing to Diamond, who was mostly dressed at the time, Xeir smiled and turned to the door, "You may come in, just, dont stare please." Xeir had undid her hair, which she had for a time kept in a braided bun, but she had undone the bun and the braid, and her hair, just off her shoulders, was quite messy; "Did you bring a hairbrush ?" However rang out from Xeir as the doornob turned

Mark opened the door and glanced at the girls, handing them each a towel. "A hairbrush? N-no...but, I think there is one in here..." he said, hopping up on the bed to see on top of the dresser, grabbing a hair brush that Milia's mother used to brush her hair. "But, you can use my cousin's too, I suppose," he said, hopping off of the bed and handing the brush to Xeir. "Or, do you want to at least dry yourself before you brush your hair? 'cause..you're like, soaked right now." he said nodding to the the puddles on the ground benath both Xeir and Diamond. Then again, he was one to talk, wasn't he?

"Look whose talking!" Diamond piped up, not only were the two of them soaking wet, but Mark was too! "Did you go swimming or something ?"

"Diamond!" Xeir said sternly, at least, as sternly as a seven year old could sound, "He saved us remember ? You could at least say thank you!"

Diamond pouted cutely but nodded at her sisters words "What she said" she said pointing to Xeir, who rolled her eyes and smiled, trying not to giggle but failing seeing a smile appearing on Marks face

Xeir greatfully took the hairbrush, with a smile she said softly, "thank you" Wet hair might be a problem for some, but for her, it worked out best to brush her hair, Or did it ? She couldnt remember; all she could remember was her and Diamond, on a ship, and her magic keeping them occupied. It was the thoughts of her powerful magic that made itself known by her bare feet as she had lost her shoes on the Silversparrow unknowingly so. Ice spiked like little slivers in the water pooling at her feet; she started brushung her hair, not noticing the ice at her feet eating up the water dripping off her small frame

Mark noticed the ice at Xeir's feet, and blinked, ignoring Diamonds comment about his being soaked at the moment. "Whoa, that's cool!" he said, nudging the ice with his foot gently. "How did that happen? It's always hot in here 'cause of the forge!" he said, looking to Xeir, then Diamond, then back to Xeir and then to the ice again.

"What ?" Xeir was suddenly confused at Marks actions, Sure they were kids; but still how he reacted to her ice at her feet. She followed his gaze down to her feet and then giggled, "Oh that. I uh... I can make ice or snow, and many other kinds of things... I think ?" She said, somewhat shyly as she held out her left hand, snowflakes danced off her palm, "It comes natural to me, it... kept us busy on the ship" She said She saw his gaze then looking towards Diamond, suddenly worried she asked "What's going to happen to us ?" They had nowhere to go. She had no parents as far as she could tell, just herself and Diamond.

Meanwhile; in the village of Warforge, everyone was working together to see to any wounded there were, and also any prisoners from the now completely destroyed vessel. Taryl was dragged ashore by Marcus, who was soon swiftly joined by his wife, Charity, Seeing the Bandit King in all his glory in the pouring rain as his vessel broke apart from exploding gunpowder Charity hauled back and slugged the Bandit King dead in the face as hard as she could. "Imprison children why dont you! Have you sunk so low ?!" To say Charity was unahppy was an understatement, Charity was, at that moment, quite livid.

"That's enough, Charity." Marcus said, keeping Taryl on his feet as blood exploded from his nose from the shot Charity took at his face.

"Charity ? Is that this heavy hitters name ?" Damn, if Taryl thought the ladies he'd kidnapped for fun nights were hard hitters they were nothing compared to this babe that just broke his nose all over his face

Charity growled something under her breath and pointed at the former Bandit King while speaking to her husband, "Our son rescued two children, both of them young girls, from his ship just before its stern blew up! And you tell me that's enough ?!" Charity was livid

"Ey now! I got them girls fair an shquare!" Taryl yelled, spitting up blood but shutting up when Charity made to slug him again.

"Fair and square, you scum?" It was Marcus's turn to slug Taryl square in the face. The mans head jerked back, held stiff by two strong men in the center of the courtyard blood poured from his nose and mouth "Who the fuck kidnaps innocent girls 'fair and square'?" He asked. "And without any of their memories?" How did he know this? Simple: They weren't crying for their parents; as if they forgot they had them.

Taryl looked at Marcus confused. "Da fuck are ya talking about man ?" Taryl screeched all but choking on his own teeth as he was slugged once again. "I got good money riding on this deal! I didn't even wanna come here, but my ship needed repairs; and now I need a new ship ya bloody moron!" At that Charity cracked him hard once again in the nose, again his head jerked back, whatever was let of his nose was long gone "Goddamnit woman!" Now his nose was all over his face

"On the contrary" Broke in a voice that was calmer than most would think as Bashain stepped into view "You have nothing more than a funeral riding on this... deal." Apparently Bashain had given permission then for something. And Taryl blanched at what he heard. Oh no, no no no no... drats. He'd been set up, he turned towards Charity as Bashain handed her something

His eyes went wide. Was that a hidden blade ?

Charity took the ancient weapon and put it on her wrist, turning to Taryl she snarled out "Start talking, and I will make this as painless as possible." Her son was right, human lives were indeed the most valued thing in the world, and in Warforge, they were prized above even their weapons they made. Taryl started babbling madly, mostly incoherent swearing as Charity knew how to be mean, it had been nearly thirty years since such a scene had occurred at Warforge.

She didn't even look down as she made a fast sweep with the Blade. Taryl screamed as his manhood fell away She remained calm, some of the men had weak stomachs and threw up; She held the now bloodied blade to Taryls neck "Last chance... Bandit King..." She said staring him dead in the eyes

Taryl mustered up all of his curage and anger at losing his manhood and spat at her feet, "Go to hell..." He hissed

"Gladly, I'll escort you there!" She slid the blade cleanly into his neck with a wet SHLICK and she had learned nothing from him as he fell dead. As he laid on the ground Charity spoke three words softly "Rest in pieces"

She motioned to some of the more stronger stomached men to burn the body, Bashain ordered the stones the blood of Taryl fell upon dug up and taken to the dock edge to be dumped into the sea and new stones to be put in the stained ones original places, Charity turned away, her hands reaching then for her husband, tears now streaming from her eyes.

Marcus merely stared into the distance as Charity punished Taryl, and as the bandit king lay dead, and Charity broke down into tears, he snapped out of it and hugged his wife tightly, a hand on the back of her head to profide comfort. "Sshhh..." He said, guiding her slowly towards their home. "What has you worked up, my love?" He asked. "He was punished for his deeds, you saw to that. What upsets the love of my life?" He asked again.

Through her tears she spoke softly "I sent Mark aboard the vessel, Just as we taught him, He found the two of them, he brought them to me as we had trained for him to do, at our Forge; If what he said was true, and I learned nothing from him even in his last seconds. Mark knew, he knows, the value of life. Just like we taught him, He... he saved two girls, sisters, from him." She said while crying into her husbands shoulder, "I had him take them to Milias room for some dry clothing. I..." How could she say it ? She couldn't just up and say she wanted to adopt the two girls could she ? Milia was a half year older than Samuel, and was constantly with her mother on contracts outside Warforge in a place called Jerusalem to the far south. And Milia was adopted!

Charity took a deep breath and pulled from her husband, "I want to adopt them, I want to give them a home!"

Marcus smiled. She wasn't upset; she was proud. Overwhelmingly proud of their son. "You're the one who taught him that, love." He said, wiping the tears from her face gently as they entered the home, heading into their bedroom. He smiled and closed the door behind them. At the sudden declaration of wanting to adopt the girls, Marcus took a step back from his wife in surprise, raising his eyesbrows for a second before pacing and smiling softly. "My love, after what I just witnessed you do to the so called Bandit King, you can have damn near anything you want within reason." He said. "And if you want those girls...you can have them-no-... we can have them." He said, smiling and offering her a huge hug.

Charity practially shrieked with joy and hugged Marcus tightly, smoothering him in kisses. "OK, in that way of things I want to things, you, and the girls, but, you first!" Since they were in their room it was clear they were perfectly alone as Marcus had carried her, mostly, back home. He was right, She had taught Mark that life was the most valued item one could ever find. And he found not one, but two lives aboard that vessel and saved them both. "Our family is going to grow, by two!" She was indeed happy

Then she remembered something as she was getting into bed, "Oh I nearly forgot, Mora!" The servant arrived, well more like a live in aid really, the ladies lady in a manner of speaking. "Inform Mark, and our... young guests with him, that they may find any bed suitable to sleep in, we'll see them in the morning bright and early, oh, and make sure the girls get proper food, fox meat, maybe horse or wolf if we have it, any kind of meat they prefer, make sure we can get it for them"

"Yes madam, Sir, do sleep well" Mora said with a bow, closing the door as she left quietly as to noty disturb the sleeping form of Marion in the nearby bedroom.

At Milia's bedroom door Mora knocked twice before entering, "Young Master" She said to Mark, with a brief bow of her head in greeting, "Your mother wishes to inform you that you three may pick any bed tonight to sleep in, she will see you in the morning bright and early as it is most important"

When Mora knocked Xeir was in the midst of showing Mark what she could do, none of the three knew of Taryls gristly fate at the hands of their mother; nor would they ever find out either. Xeir however nearly freaked out when Mark spotted the scrap of cloth on the bedstand, almost tackling him to keep him from touching it, "Please, dont touch that!" Even though she didn't know where it came from, it oddly helped her sleep at night the last two days of off and on sleeping.

Since they were still kids, Mark had helped, at least for the moment, with the dresses, at least the tying the long ribbons around their waists and across their backs; but when he made for the scrap of cloth, Xeir practically dove for it and him. She looked quite beautiful, for a seven year old girl, in a pretty light blue and silver dress, edged in dark silver, it was rougher than she was used to, but she could get used to it.

Mark looked to Mora as she entered, and smiled. "Okay, thanks, Mora-Oof!" he hit the ground as Xeir unexpectadly tackled him to the ground. "Ooww you tackle harder than my sister!" he complained, getting back up. "and alright fine, I won't touch your cloth-thing." He then yawned and looked at Xeir and Diamond. "If you want, you can sleep with me; my bed's really big!" he said, smiling, heading towards his room after quickly drying himself off with a towel.

It sounded good to Xeir, as she picked up the cloth, it had a golden embroidery of a Crocus flower, the national flower of Arendelle; but thanks to loosing her memory, she had no idea what kind of flower it was, the background was a deep purple, like a royal purple. Diamond perked up at the mention of a sister "You got a sister ?" She almost fell off the bed but thankfully landed on her feet next to Xeir; either way it sounded best to them both. so they followed him to his room, waiting briefly outside his door while he changed clothing, and then climbed into bed with him, he was right, the bed was big enough, if not bigger, to hold them in it comfortably

As Xeir laid on the strange bed, she held the cloth close to her heart and drifted into a fitful sleep; unsure of what the future held for her and her sister. But thankful for one thing, They had made a wonderful friend; with that thought lingering in her mind, she slept like a rock

-8-8-8-

Dawn broke bright and clear as always, and it found Marion staring out her window at the predawn light that steadily got brighter with every passing moment. "Another dream about them, and it was like Elsa said, we were on a ship... And her name was Xeir ?" It dident make a lot of sense to the young woman, but at that moment she wasnt in any plans to make a scene concerning it.

Her main confusion however was the screaming the night before in the street outside her window. Thankfully that days Session wasnt until just after one in the afternoon. Marion then rolled out of bed and got dressed. Her combat harness went snugly over her left shoulder and tucked under her oppisite arm and belted at the waist nice and snug. Slipping on the dark red and black hooded cloak over her black bodice and briefly stretching her legs before heading to breakfast. Snagging up a pair of swords on her way out of her bedroom. A flick of the wrist and the blades nested where they blonged upon her back in an X form

Breakfast was a simple affair. Up at sunrise was her mother and brother. Marion was normally up before her sisters or her father. Fox meat, deer meat, horse meat. Marion didnt know how they got it, they just had it. And therefore it made sense to eat it. She never questioned it. But as she ate breakfast she was clearly distracted as her mother observed her.

"Marion, are you alright ?" Charity asked her. Marion normally was focused on breakfast and planning for the days Session, but this morning was different, she was more focused on the fact that something was wrong that morning. And it concerned the night before. And nothing to do with the fact that Elsa lost their credits the day before.

"Hmm ? Oh, I am just trying to figure out something is all" Marion said, it was true. She was trying to figure out just who the man in the black coat was the night before, and why nobody else heard or saw anything whe nthe guard did his patrol on the street. So she asked her mother. "Did you hear anything strange last night ?"

"Not that I can remember, why ? Did something happen ?" Charity replied

Marion nodded, "I heard screaming and fighting, when I looked out my window I saw a fight happening in the street below, I was going to wait until sunrise to look around and see if anything was left. Maybe even find the guard on patrol and see if he saw anything too" Marion had a plan for that morning it seemed.

Her mother thought a moment or so in quiet then nodded. "Alright, but be ready for todays Session, everyone has been planning it and they dont want to start late like yesterday." She said, Marion could tell her mother didnt buy the story of hearing screaming and seeing a fight the night before, otherwise the whole street would have been awake to begin with! Marion however said nothing but nodded in thanks and finished her breakfast without much worry of anything else at that moment.

An hour later and Marion was searching the street below her window carefully for signs of the fight. Finding nothing aside from the gravel side paths and borders of the streey she looked into the gardens along the street below her window and found some broken glass there, picking it up she remmerbered the fight the night below. Hexagonal patterned glass had formed a barrier around the fighters hadnt it ? So if busted glass was in the flower beds, that meant the fight had happened right ? "Now hwere is the guard who was on patrol ?" Marion wondered

Standing from the garden she saw rthe man, "Speak of the devil and he arrives" Marion mumbled, calling to the man she said "Guard, come here a moment." The man saw her and nodded, ambling over to her he greeted her and she asked him. "Did you see anything transpire upon this street last night after sunset ?"

"Unfortunately I had begun my patrol at the time last night" The guard said to her. He shook his head. "I heard screaming, as if a fight was happening. But when I arrived here, I saw simply a personal within a hooded cloak, he said he did not hear anything, simply out for a stroll amid the fresh air. I havent seen him since" Marion nodded

"I see," She said, she pointed at her bedroom window, then closed. "That is my bedroom window, It looks down on this road entirely. I saw everything. There was a big fight, and I found this" She held the broken piece of glass, and what looked like slightly darker glass to the man, it had a angle point to it, like a hexagonal design. "I am unable to find anything else. It felt so... familiar to me how the fight occurred."

The guard took the broken piece of glass and examined it carefully. He saw a dark blue hue to the glass as well as the other edges being a much lighter hue. "It appears the glass is of two different colors" he said showing Marion where the coloration changes occurred. "It is quite possible a fight happened here, but we'd be hard pressed to find witnesses outside of yourself. Have you spoken to anyone else before me ?"

"Just my mother, my brother and sisters" Marion replied. "Why ?" she was confused why the guard mentioned that.

"How did they react to the question. What did you ask exactly for that matter ?" The guard asked He was a man named Lazul, though most called him Laz

"Well Mom noticed I was distracted and asked me why at breakfast, so I asked her if she heard anything weird the night before when I heard the screaming and saw the fighting. She said she hadnt heard anything but didnt stop me from trying to find out more" Marion explained. "And none of my siblings heard anything, I doubt anything short of a gravity blast would wake up my brother as it is"

"Well, based on what you told me, what you saw, and paired with the cloaked man I spoke with last night who told me he saw and heard nothing, we may be on the right track. Tell you what, I need to report into my commander, you come with me as part of my patrol and we'll file it under odd happenings and I'll speak to my commander to have you instated as part of my patrol route so you can look deeper into this" Lazul said, the guard was clearly wanting to know what happened on his patrol and being kept in the dark wasnt something he liked to have happen. Marion nodded in agreement and went with him to the guard post.

-8-8-8-

He stepped into the computer room. DiT wasnt there, so he went looking, and found her on the overhead balcony looking out into the ancient mansions backyard. An overgrown with weeds trees and dirt pool with cracked cement. The outskirts of Arendelle were perfect for this task"We have a problem." DiT said

"More Shadows ?" He asked as he stood behind DiT who stood at the edge of the broken railing.

"Worse" DiT said calmly as she held a computer screen in hand, the holographic glass glittered with information as she typed on the glasslike surface.

"What could be worse than a shadow horde ?" He asked confused as he observed the screen, information was briefly seen of a space on the street.

"You were seen, and not by a local within that town, but by Marion, Diamonds other. Which now means she will begin looking into things, you were seen, by one who sleeps at this moment!" DiT said as she turned to him and lowered her arm, the screen faded.

He did not reply. DiT turned to him. "You let yourself be seen by her didnt you ?" Again no reply, Dit pursed her lips slightly, then sighed, "No matter, there are more shadowlings within the town, I want you to go and clear them out. Do it, and aim to not be seen by anyone, and this new issue will be averted."

"They scream when they die" He replied simply. "The sounds of death will draw unwanted innocents" He had a point

DiT thought a moment then nodded. "Fine, do what you must and work to never get seen by anyone, be they guards, locals or them directly. Marion is now looking into finding out what happened below her window within that town, and she is not far enough into her trail of clues to finding out the truth" DiT said. She pointed at iHim/i. "Go in there again, destroy all the shadows you find, not of the named four, and do it covertly and unseen. Understood ?"

He did not reply, instead a odd portal swirled to life behind him and swallowed him up into it. DiT knew where he was headed. There were some problems and he had cuased two of them. But thankfully stopped one of another set of issues entirely. Hopefully there were no further concerns with security and system stablity.

-8-8-8-

Stepping from the guard office, Marion had her scrollwork in hand, she was offically a member of the Patrol Guard. A good group at that and thankfully it gave her an additional increase in credit gain. She still had the information swipe to do however later that day but was more focused on finding exactly what happened below her window.

With her new level of access she was given an air of respectthrough the city, execept of course by her parents, but she didnt mind that. At least at the moment. As she walked down a lane she heard shouts for items on sale, the market wasnt far away. As she crossed an alley she halted and sighed. Looking down it she spotted a cloaked stranger heading around a corner. "Hey!" Marion called out, turning and going into the alley.

The stranger never stopped, Marion ran to the corner the stranger had gone around and saw another packed with people street. The cloaked stranger nowhere to be found. "Now where did he go ?" Marion wondered, moving into the street the people cleared a trail for her to cut through with gentle nods of respect as Marion got to the other side of the street she once more saw the cloaked stranger going around another corner in the alley. Into what had to have been a structure or doorway actually

Marion darted down the street and came to a halt where she saw the stranger turn. Looking down a street she saw it empty entirely, looking however to her left she saw a door, wide open. White stone stairs lead upwards. Sighing deeply Marion drew a pistol and headed into the stairway and went up quietly. Nearing the top she heard a heavy thud as something was hit. Followed by a strange rippling warping noise. Getting to the landing she looked to the next level. Again nobody was seen. However on the ground she saw a small pile of black dust and sifted through it briefly. Nothing was there.

Stepping further up the stairway she came to the top and found herself atop a building as sghe stepped through a doorway that had been opened, She was directly below the cable car station. "Ok that isnt good" Marion said seeing the bottom of the cable car station directly above her. It was many levels of scary to be so close to the underside of a cable car. But then she saw it, the stranger, the cloaked stranger stood upon the platform not far away and just a bit above Marions current spot, apparently conversing with someone before entering the cable car.

"Hey! Stop!" Marion called out, breaking into a run she dashed forwards, only to be halted at the ticket scanner. "Wait!" Marion cried as the door slid closed without a sound

"Ticket please" The ticket scanner officer said. Marion looked at the guy, showing her scrollwork rank. The man regarded her with an air of respect. However. "I am sorry, no ticket, no entry, that includes Patrolmen. How may I aid you while here Madam ?" The ticket scanner said to her, Marion watched helplessly as the cable car started up and left the platform. "Madam ?"

Marion waited a moment watching the cable car disapepar towards another island city before regarding the ticket scanner. "Where was that cloaked fellow going ?"

"I cannot say madam, I do not have the ability to reveal such information, however hasd you a formal request by your commanding patrolman, I could divulge that information for you" The ticket scanner replied, Marion simply nodded in thanks

"Thanks anyway." She said, she turned and left the area the man simply bowed in return as she let him alone.

-8-8-8-

"You are getting reckless" DiT said as she sat at the computer

"You said to get red of the Shadowlings unnamed" He replied calmly

"And yet you lured Marion to follow you. You are lucky she did not see you kill a Shadowling and send them back in a whispwarp of smoke" DiT told him calmly as she burst a blood vessel. "You were not to lead her on, so why did you lure her into trailing you to the cable car ?"

"Because I felt like it" He replied calmly. Almost dealthy calm at that

DiT's mouth twisted into a slight grin. "Alright, keep your secrets, I know you worry about the four of them, Marion especially. But all that in time. For now we have other concerns. Have you met with Jarius ?"

He shook his head. "I have never met the man"

"Good, then when you go to visit him, give him this" DiT held out a pendant. "He will recognise it, I sent him into the town sim ahead of everyone else to get things ready, once he gets that he will have some things for you to do within the sim." He took the pendant, and without answering opened a portal into nothing and diappeared.

-8-8-8-

The portal opened into a house. A well designed and even better kept house. A single man stood at the larege windows overlooking the nearby island city. "So, I take it this visit is important for you to portal here ?" Jarius said turning to face the hooded stranger. The hooded stranger said nothing, instead He raised a hand and revealed the item DiT had given him.

Jarius sighed and took the pendant. "I am working as fast as I am able, by giving me this she is giving me free ability to speed things up. You will tell her as much ?"

The hooded stranger said one word "Yes"

"Good, then its only a matter of time before things really get underway and they wake up. But I have a question for you. Seeing that you are working with Her" Jarius said

"What is your question ?" Asked the hooded stranger

"Can you feel Diamond ?" Jarius' question hit the hoodesd stranger hard, and rather then answer the elders question, the hooded stranger opened a portal and left him without a word. As the portal faded into nothing, Jarius sighed and nodded. "He cant feel her. Just like he cannot feel Xeir, or Kalda. Or even Princess Anna. The spell will wear off soon..." Jarius got right to work as he went over to his drafting table and stood before it.

Picking up a pen he began to draw. As he drew his abilities as a satoryteller and memory keeper went into high gear and he began to piece together bits and pieces. They were to wake uip Xeir, her sister Diamond, her husband Kalda, and Princess Anna. All four of whom were asleep within a old manor in the outskirts of Arendelle. Jarius job was to reconnect the missing memories, and get Xeir to waking up.

As he worked he knew it was Marion who was the new issue, she had seen the stranger, and the memiories Diamond witnessed and made her stir was seen in how the hooded stranger fought in combat the night before within the simulated town. Maybe he should join the foursome ? After all he was living on the same island with them in the simulation, living there before they were dropped into it in fact. Jarius smiled and started drawing a new figure.

-8-8-8-

"Can I aid you in any way lass ?" Came a gruff yet gentle voice. Turning to its owner, Marion smiled seeing the old fellow, a unkept in appearnce fellow for sure yet a Tigris with a heart of gold and gentle loving hand for aiding those in need.

"Oh, hello Haversham" Marion said with a soft smile seeing the old man ambling towards her at a steady gait

"Hello Lass, I dont believe I know your name ?" The old tomcat of a Tigris had a good memory sure, but he was at a loss that moment on Marions name and why she looked so familiar. "But you know mine"

Marion smiled again saying. "I am Marion Wolfe"

Haversham nodded remembering the name, yes he remembered her, a good kid, her and her brother and sisters were good kids. Their parents higher ups in the council at the top and yet they were always making time to be with each other as much as they could. "You appear troubled, what's buggin' ya Lass ?" Haversham motioned to a table and chairs, Marion sat down as did he.

"I saw a fight last night, it woke me up from sleep." Marion began to tell her story, she detailed the battle in the street betlow her window, it felt so hauntingly familiar, she also detailed what she was trying to find in regards to the hooded stranger who did the fighting, and what the stranger was fighting to begin with.

"Fights happen, but normally not at night in the streets, normally the fights happen in the ring, or in the council sessions" Haversham replied calmly, the way he said it made Marion smile and almost breakdown laughing, Haversham had a way to keep things up and going naturally with a sense of humor and old wisdom.

"Thank you Haversham, you've been very helpful" Marion said after a minute, Haversham was right. When a fight happened it was either in the ring arena on the second level of the city island, far above and and yet still far below the cable car station. Whereas the council was higher than even the cable car station and Marion had only been there once. Haversham watched her leave. She was a good kid. A good strong hearted and good willed kid

-8-8-8-

Marion wandered a open street packed with people going about their day, lost in thought. Seeing Haversham got her brain thinking in random patterns and she found herself retracing her steps through the city to get to the cable car platform. Only to find it empty, No cable car, no ticket station attendant. The cable track was empty as Marion looked around to where the cable line went and came from.

As she stood there her phone went off. Breiefly wondering where the sound was coming from she picked it up from her belt and opened the phone with a flick of a finger. Seeing who it was she put it to her ear. "Marion" She said

"Where the hell are you, sis ?" Came the voice of her rather upset at having to wait once again brother, Mark.

"Looking into what happened outside my window last night, that's where I am" Marion replied calmly, her brother she knew was agitated so she lowered the phone and flicked her wrist, a full holo of her brother formed in front of her. "See ?"

"How did you get into the cable car station ? We couldnt get that far on the docks without the credits yesterday" Mark asked seeing where his sister was.

"My secret, for now" Marion said simply with a smug look on her face. Mark gave her a dirty look.

"Fine, keep your secrets, you're needed for the infiltration Session on E street block J3. Try and get as many credits as you can this time. We're gonna try for a cablecar this time around" Mark said with a wave of his hand, Marion had secrets, hell he had secrets he kept from their parents. So he didnt bother to pressure her to tell him hers. "Have you seen any of the others ?"

"No, nobody other then Haversham at least." Marion replied

Mark stared at her confused at mention of the old man. "When did you see him ? Nobody has seen him for years" Infact the last reported time Mark heard or even wanted to think of meeting the old tom as everyone had called him, was when he was a child and Marion still an infant. But even then nobody had seen Haversham for a decade before he was born. So if Marion just saw him ?

"Even if I told you, you wouldnt believe me. So I wont tell you." Marion replied. Mark simply nodded, and didnt press her, nor did he tell her she could keep that secret. If Marion said he wouldnt believe her if she told him, why preesure her to tell him anyhow ? Marion couldnt even explain it, one minute she was walking down the road trying to figure out something, next thing she knew, Haversham was right next to her and walking with her, and talking with her at the same time. Completely out of the blue entirely. So if she told that to Mark, he wouldnt believe her.

"You plan on telling mom and dad ?" Mark then asked as he paced a brief moment or two.

"Maybe, but I doubt they would believe me" Marion replied. Mark once again nodded in silent agreement.

Mark then sighed "Alright, Infiltration is in twenty minutes, try and get as many credits as you can." Mark said

Marion smirked and finished his trail of thought. "We're going to try for a cablecar this time, yeah, I heard you at breakfast. I'm just glad Mother and Father didnt punish Elsa for losing our credits during dinner last night" She said, Mark snickered and the holo winked out. As she put her phone away Marion sighed thoughtfully.

She had come across Haversham by complete accident, nobody had seen the old guy since ten years before Mark was born, so ten years and three years made thirteen years since he had last been seen, so that meant something was up if he chose to show up and speak to her and her alone. Marion left the carble car station and headed back the way she had first taken to get to it when she was following the stranger in the hooded coat.

As she was once again on street level she wandered towards where the infiltration was to happen, she checked her holo clock on her arm. She had eighteen minutes before Infiltration Session began so it gave her a chance to think things over before focusing entirely on the Session she was to do that day.

Marion stepped into the zone then, she had refocused her mind and thinking patterns, she was ready. She wanted to go after the infiltration in the right mind, so she went over the objectives, break in without getting noticed, sneak around without getting noticed, and then finally, get the info without getting noticed. Three objectives, none of them optional. Howewver the last objective was optional, create a diversion while unseen. Marion smiled, she could do that easily.

The place for the Infiltration Session was a popular hangout and club that had pulsing lights and pounding music. Everyone went there for a party. The typical heavy duty club scene, pulse pounding music, eardrum shattering speakers, the works. And yet Marion had to create a diversion without getting seen. Easy to do with such a packed dance floor as she went around the side of the building and saw a lone guard standing at the door.

Marion checked the timer, so far only a few of the infiltration crew they were to infilktrate were present within the club spot. Marion simply stood near the side door, the back way in, and thought on her distraction. She had seen none upon the rooftops as her path down from the cable car station had enabled her to see the rooftops for the lower levels easily. She had only seen residents either sunbathing, napping or having a small get together.

Moving without being seen Marion headed for a nearby ladder and went upwards easily. Once on the rooftop Marion looked around and opened the only way into the structure. The pounding music was fainter, but still loud enough to hide any sounds Marion made as she was suddenly inside the rooftop portion of the club. Moving along a vent and then balancing like a cat upon the top of a thin wall Marion spotted her brother neatly perched upon a pilloar crest.

"About time you got here. Elsa just phoned in, she's at the front looking for a means past the guard, Anna's already inside." Mark said. Marion smirked. "How'd your investigation go ?"

"Not as good as hoped, but good enough." Marion said, her brother looked at her, she sighed. "Do we have to go through this now ?" She turned to him, glaring daggers.

"Mom will want to know, so will Dad" Mark replied, meaning about Haversham, "Why did he speak to you ? Of all people, why you ?"

"If only I knew." Marion replied. "Whats your plan for the info ? Do we know where its at ?"

"The information is in the centeral office, top guy has it on a desk, its a white block. We get the thing without getting seen, and there's a fifty five hundred credit bonus doing it without getting seen, nor tripping any alarms" Mark said

"Whose guarding it ?" Marion asked

"One of the elders, a woman called Ingrid, I've never seen her before so I dont know what to expect." Mark replied calmly. Marion was confused, they were stealing information from an elder ? Well they were to infiltrate and get past the elders own guards right ?

The clock was ticking, Marion took a deep breath and went off, Mark going the way she had come. Moving quickly and quietly Marion came across an office, it was devoid of anyone. However there was a desk, it was empty, it looked like something an office secretary would use. Marion smirked, and soundlessly went to the next vent and looked through it carefully and quietly, seeing a woman and a man in the room speaking near a window looking out over the city island of Scala ad Caelum.

"I do not care, Haen. Your job was to keep things working the way they always have been" The woman said sternly as Marion listened into the conversation.

"When Samuel lost his credits, there was nothing left for us to do." The man, named Haen replied, "Once the session was ended, there was nothing we could do.

"The four are still at the top, Haen, it was your job to knock them off of it!" Ingrid replied turning on the man. She was about to hit him, but then she smirked "No matter, today is infiltration. From what the guards report, one of the four is distracted. But which one they do not know." Ingrid snarled then. "Find them all, before they finish the Session." Then both of the two left the room.

Without a sound Marion opened vent and reached out a hand, as if by magic, the cube on the desk floated into the air and into her hand. Her credits on the scoreboard rose by a easy ten thousand. She replaced the vent as she had withdrawn it, soundlessly. She then opened her phone and texted her brother "Diversion, now, we got the info, get us a way out" She put her phone away and silently left the inner rooftop. The pounding music blasted around her briefly, nearly throwing off her balance as she went closer to the speakers by a wall and slowly climbed down it without a sound. With prize in hand, Marion easily made it to the staging zone to complete the session.

RESTORATION AT 28%

"Jarius... hurry" DiT mumbled softly as new information scrolled across the computer screen. The progression number went up, not by a lot, but it was enough to be considered a major development in the memory recovery process opver the past year. She became aware that the door behind her had opened. Turning her chair towards it she spoke. "So you have returned"

"Is she really supposed to be in there ?" He asked, meaning Ingrid, the Wolf Queen herself.

"For the moment, we can only watch." DiT replied calmly. As much as DiT hated the Necromancer, there was no way they could keep her out. She was tied to both Diamond and Xeir's memories as it was. "If she gets out of hand, force her from the simulation." He appeared to ignore her and went back to juggling, of all things, his stolen credit purtse that he had taken off of Elsa the last time he was in there.

DiT said nothing, and turned back to the computer screen. She had work to do.