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

24. Kiyori - Tears of Nothing: Chapter Four

Frozen Memories 1.8 Bridge

Hidden Past – Back Cover

Kiyori – Tears of Nothing

Chapter 4: Two Hours Deep

7 November 2057

Arendelle West fjord

9 PM

Mark stood at the edge of the ship. They had been at it almost an hour. The water was alarmingly warm, it was not as cold as it was feared to have been, or so they were told. Irie and Mark were taking turns going to finding shipwrecks, and then diving into them to seek out the medicines, drugs, and then the lumber supplies if there were any.

Mark of course was confused by the mission, and yet Irie seemed overjoyed, able to swim for once. Sure it was not the Nile, but it might as well be and it would do fine according to her. Of course Irie had other reasons for going on the mission. Aside from being assigned the mission from Blackmane. Irie had been planning on taking a swim in the Pond District that night after dinner anyhow.

But Blackmane had other ideas about when that swim could take place. And by having the two run the salvage operation and personally see to it about the recovering of the medicines the Templars had hoarded in sealed containers on the sunken vessels only made things better.

Mark of course thought it was stupid, him in just a pair of swim trunks. The water was bound to be freezing. But Irie said their armor could help negate that as long as they only had the heat setting active the cold water would not have any effect. Moving from one ship to the next, Blackmane had already gone ahead and marked each ship already, they saw her magic mark floating on the water surface.

By the time they had reached the fifth boat it was already an hour since they had started. And that allowed Mark some time to think as Irie swam through the wreck below the waves. "You really want her dont you ?" Mark asked to the thin air

"Oh you bet your balls I do boy." Came the reply. "If not now, when ? When will you let me get what she wants to give ?" The astral form of the horny Mongolian like Snow Leopard formed from a plexus of light and reality. "After all, she is not your flesh and blood, so why should it be a bother ?"

"I was married" Mark started to reply, but the Snow Leopard raised a massive hand.

"There is your reason, you were married" He said. "But you are not married any more, I do not see a ring upon your finger of either hand." The cat went and sat on the rail, his feet unseen and yet Mark saw part of the man cats legs. Mark did not reply to the words the Snow Leopard said. Because Mark knew the horny chief was infact correct. He was married, the keyword of course, was the word; Was. And Mark knew it.

So Mark tried to change the subject. In this case there was something he needed to know. "What is your name ? You are a part of me, but you were never known to me until Kalda was taken out by the High Priests foul magic."

"Well, that is because we never met, Kalda always had more prominence in your life then either me or the featherhead ever had. So with him out of the fight trying to put his life back to gether, its a mess. You're short on abilities and power." The Snow Leopard mancat replied

"You are close to taking over, Kalda could only borrow my voice and occasionally my body entirely. But you, I do not think you can do the same, infact I think you might be able to go a step further." Mark said, he gave the man cat a careful glance.

"Because in terms of raw strength, Kalda is weaker then I, and also weaker then the Featherbrain." As if by magic a data slate formed. Showing a mystical diagram of Marks body. "You see, there's four sides to you. Well, four because you appear human, then you got me, Kalda, and the Featherhead"

"You said there are four sides to me, but only named three" Mark said with a pointed look. The man cat smirked.

"I pointed out all four, you appear human, because you were born of a human and Eagle parent, and yet you are Kalda reborn. Your father has Eagle ancestory, whereas your mother has Tigris ancestory. Thus me and the featherbrtain have stronger power then Kalda, even though Kalda is your soul, and your body, your human side, is his vessel our vessel" The Tigris replied

"For one so horny, you are rather... eloquent when it comes to explaining things" Mark said, more a sign of respect at the explanation the Tigris side of him had given. "But this is my body, and nothing you do will change that."

"We will see about that soon enough boy, your cousin is down there a long time, sometimes I wonder how long a Tigris can remain underwater, even with your new armor" The Tigris said, Mark pursed his lips in thought. Irie had been down under the waves for a while indeed. Irie of course had designed the armor with swimming in mind. Which meant that there might be issues later down the road with how long one could remain safely underwater.

Mark did not have to worry long as the water started bubbling as a crate was hauled up. "Irie ?" Mark called.

"Mark! A crate of drugs for aunt Blackmane, I checked the lumber, but in this light I cant tell if its rotted or not. I'm gonna go back under and get the crates of medicine!" Irie called to him, using as she did a bit of magic to throw the crate to her cousin.

Hearing her voice made Mark sigh in relief as the Tigris form of Mark faded away. Mark was going to have to figure out a few things. The horny chief was making him nervous. He was not blind to the fact that Irie wanted him, he was faking it for the most part. He pitied her in truth.

Mark had been married, he had slaved to make those rings for the two of them, him and Elsa. And yet, Elsa was gone, he felt it in his heart, and try as he might he was unable to find his own ring. But he said nothing to his aunts. He merely pitied Irie. But he had no idea she wanted him and him alone so much.

Irie had a plan, and Mark was the key to that plan, and Mark was entirely oblivious to that. All the advances, all the outfits, the way Irie acted around him. It only went to show that Irie wanted to be a mom, to his kittens.

Under the waves, Irie swam back to the wreck, sent up the crates of medicines to her cousin, and then once more checked on the lumber. Swimming closer to the lumber stores, most ships had stores of lumber and other reinforcements in the case of internal issues. But like she had told her cousin she was not able to fully tell in the shadowy light of that time of night if the wood was rotted or not.

But Blackmanes words rang true, had any ship landed where they sank in the current, the wood would be rotted due to the current, but the medicines and other drugs would be still safely sealed.. and there was no current to be had where Irie and Mark currently were.

Irie smiled, marking the wood before swimming to the surface. Breaking the surface of the water with a sudden splash and gasp of air as she had shut off her armor on her way up. The heat dispensed from the watch at her wrist kept her warm, but she was soaking wet. "That's all of it" She called as she treaded water before swimming for the ship that Mark stood at the railing of. "The Lumber is marked and ready for pickup. Lets get to that next boat." She said, she reached the boat and started climbing up. Mark offered a hand and helped her aboard.

The mark as she spoke, Mark watched the colors change from white to green, the lumber was clean and ready to pick up. They'd have to weather dry it though for sure considering where things were with it at that point. "Next wreck is mine to search then ?" Mark asked

Irie nodded. "Mhm, remember, drugs, medicines, and then the lumber is last. Most of these ships had their main hulls ripped apart or the decks sheared away when we sank them last year. Finding the stuff outside the ship was far easier for me then looking inside, though the lumber was kept sealed in the inner hold near the bottom of the ship itself." Irie said, the first two ships they had recovered the medicines and drugs from did not carry any lumber, they were far too small for that.

But these last two vessels. "How big would you say these last two were ?" Mark asked

"About half the size of the Whitesparrow, so, frigate or maybe even a Uboat ?" Irie replied as she sat against the rail on the deck. She was breathing hard, it was not that Mark was so close, it was more like she was an idiot to turn off her shield and had to get to the surface fast as she could. Her leg muscles burned

"Something happen ?" Mark asked her seeing the state she was in.

Irie shook her head. "No, I turned my shield off when I was coming up, I guess I didnt time it right, I had to really kick to get to the surface." Irie said, the way she had explained it was that the shield could easily filter the air from the water, and also keep the air fresh, so the air breathed out didnt kill the guy over time. It was always fresh clean air.

"Right, dont turn the shield off until surface is broken, got it" Mark said. He felt a shiver in his body as he watched his cousin regain her breath where she sat against the rail. She was pretty he'd give her that. But he was married. Or rather had been married, he did not feel he should go into another relationship so soon.

Mark turned to the helmsman. "Take us to the next mark!" he called to the man.

"Aye sir!" came the reply, the ship quickly got underway. By the look of things, five ships down. Irie had insisted on inspecting the first. Out of a possible twenty. They had a long ways to go. Maybe other divers could help them out ?

8 November

Arendelle Fjord

5 am

The sun rose clear across the fjords, slowly warming the icy waters Breakfast was soon to be had, and Mark knew that if they ate anythihng it would delay them an hour. So on a whim he said instead at the unasked question when he heard Iries stomach grumbled "Just a drink. A coffee might do me good" Irie smirked.

"Helm, take us to shore" Mark was dripping wet in the predawn light and it made Irie watch him carefully. But she held herself back, she did not want to spook him. Not yet. It was not yet time!

There was a new coffee place on the docks, Bean Me Up. A new place, more then likely a chain place from Equator City. But neither Mark nor Irie seemed to care. It was the perfect pickmeup that they both needed, and it would not cut into their work time either.

Of course there was the work they were putting towards the others on the ship. Storing the medicines, storing the drugs, and then also a second ship to recover the lumber. There was one last ship left to search for the three items they were to recover. And Irie was going to take it, but Mark of course was going to try to be the gentleman and dive over before Irie could.

But that was when Irie said they could do it together, it would make the search faster, and communication between the two could work with a headset and the shields active. Basically like radios. It could work easily.

Coffees bought, the two went back to the ship. As Irie boarded, Mark was briefly taken by th sight of two others, a man and woman, dressed in Mongolian gear. They were looking at him, watching him. "Can I help you ?" Mark asked them upon sight of the two.

"You are the one called Mark Wolfe, adopted of the Elisar Clan of Egypt ?" Asked the man. His name was Taichar.

"I could be, but I'm a bit busy. If you can make it quick I think I got a minute" Mark said and then took a sip of his coffee.

"We were sent to find the one who currently weilds the Gauntlet of Second Wolfe, the Great Mothers recommended you" Said the woman, her name was Altun. That made Mark briefly spit his breakfast out. "Is something wrong ?"

"The two of you were sent to find me ?" Mark asked while pointing at them, they nodded. "Were you told of why you were to find me ?"

"Our boss, Sharka the Unkillable, insisted." Replied Taichar.. He pointed at himself. "I am Taichar, this is my wife, Altun. Sharka wants to speak to you. The Great Mothers said you carry and wear the Gauntlet of Second Wolfe. Is that true ?"

"Who are your Great Mothers ?" Mark asked, "And how did they know I wore it ?"

"The Great Mothers are the daughters of the Root of the Kopekh of Mongolia." Replied Altun. Mark looked at her. She held out a crystal, a painting of a sort formed, it showed both Yin and her twin sister Yang. Mark raised an eyebrow, he thought he had seen the last of the three Mongolian members of his extended family when they returned to Mongolia and he to Arendelle.

"I see, well, they're right. Up until recently though. I did indeed wear the Gauntlet. But, now. Not anymore, at least until things change in the kingdom" Mark said as he climbed the gangplank onto the ship, he turned back to the two from the rail. "Tell you what, tell... Sharka was it ?" At Taichars nod Mark continued. "Tell Sharka I want to meet him, he can pick the district or tavern. He is welcome to bring as many men as he wants, or he can come alone, its all up to him. Until then, I got work to do."

Mark turned to leave the two on the dock as he was about to leave the rail as Altun spoke up. "You mean to recover lumber from the bottom of the fjoird, no need, the last ships those marks bear have none. You're wasting your time doing so, get the lumber from the ships you marked as ready. And then when you have docked, come and meet us in the Taelieon District, we may be able to help each other." With that Mark watched them both leave the dock and disappear into the kingdom.

"Well that was unexpected" Mark sipped his coffee, the helmsman was right there. Seeing him, Mark said "What ?"

"Where shall we head to sir ?" The helmsman asked, Mark saw the man had a offical question of where to go next, Mark relaxed and briefly apologised for his harsh tone.

"Take us to the nearest green lumber ready to pick up mark. If those two are right, we will only be wasting time searching the last four ships in the current for anything." Mark told him after a brief moment of thought.

"By your command" The helmsman said. A moment later and they were underway. This was going to take a bit to get used to. Mark thought. The way the ship and its crew now replied to orders given was nothing like Mark was used to.

Watching the ship on the docks where the docks met the city proper, Altun turned to her husband. "Do you think he will come ?"

"If he does not" Taichar replied. "You might have to seduce him, and if you have to do that, I wont blame you, its all part of the job." He said to her giving her a gentle kiss

Altun smirked and returned the kiss, "If he is indeed Wolfe, seduction will not be needed. The Great Mothers both praised his skills, but by look of him ourselves, he does not do their praise justice." She said to him

"Give him time, dearheart. Sharka will want to hear this news. And we must prepare for guests." Taichar said, he patted his wife on the shoulder. The two turned and headed into the kingdom.

Arendelle

Galasia District

10 AM

Breakfast was over. And that told Diamnond something was up as Sapphire stepped into view. Setting her mug of coffee on the table, Diamond said "Looking for someone ?" A news paper and stack of posters on the table.

"Yeah" Sapphire replied with a nod. "You" Sapphire took a seat at the table.

"Me ?" Diamond asked her as she speared a piece of bacon with her fingernail of a claw. "Whatever for ?" Diamond ate the bacon as Sapphire sat at the table.

"Do you know why I am one of the three chosen Heirs ?" Sapphire asked, she had never met Xercine, so why pick her ? Sure she was a member if not the second captain of the Honor Guard until Kiyori showed up in the picture.

"Nope. If I did, I'd tell you, but I am as clueless as you. Not even Naratas can figure it out." That and Nara was more busy with his siblings showing up in town recently, which left Diamond wondering where he was. "Have you seen him ? He promised to be here for Breakfast"

"And I keep my promises dear, dont finish!" Came Naras voice from the kitchen, the Force Dragon all but fell out of the kitchen with freshly cooked eggs and some more bacon. "Good morning Sapphire!" Nara said to her from his position on the floor. The eggs never spilled "Listen just between us, something big is going down in the castle district while you were in jail. My guess is those soldiers that were sent to the jail werent going to be your escort to the castle, but your firing squad." Nara said

"Now how do you know that ?" It was, word for word, what Kiyomori had said to her about the whole thing, those soldiers werent there to escort her safely to the castle, but to ensure she was killed.

"Kiyomori told me" Came the reply. He sat down next to his wife. "Now, a few fellows are going to show up soon, they know you, and they will identify themselves as Drexel and Taxi. Why Taxi is her name none of us could figure out, it just works. They're twins. Zrexel might be with them, or coming later, or might be here already. Either way, if you can get into contact with any of them. They can help keep you safe."

"Great, more people to work with. Not that it is a bad thing, I am just confused as to why I am one of the three. I never heard of this... Waterlight before, and Anna looks too much like Princess Anna herself then anything" Sapphire said, she looked to Nara and Diamond as Nara started in on his eggs.

"I am not sure of how muich help I can be, your best bet is to wait for either Drexel or Taxi, or finding Xercine yourself." Nara said around a mouthful of egg

"What about Anna ?" Sapphire asked, she looked at the poster with Annas smiling mug on it.

"Last we could find was that she was in the Taelieon District, but there isnt an Assassin Den there." Diamond replied, it felt weird being near that district, "I was planning to go check on it this afternoon, or after breakfast if Nara hadnt kept his promise, but since Nara kept his promise we are going to search the Taelieon District," Diamond gave Nara pointed look, the silver haired Force Dragon smiled while drinking his coffee. "After lunch." Of course it was the implication of how they were going to have lunch that made Nara smile even more.

"I take it you two are busy. Fine with me." Sapphire said "I'll find my sister, then go looking for this... what was it, Drexel ?"

"Drexel and Taxi, yes, also Zrexel" Nara said as he set his glass down and speared some eggs and bacon with a fork. "Good luck" He gave her a toast with his bacon as she left the dining room. As soon as Sapphire was gone, Nara turned to Diamond, "Whats this about visiting the Taelieon District ? Its one of the Mongolian type districts. The High Priests men dont go near it, and the Assassins never set up a den there either"

"Yes, but someone did set up something there, Anna was seen going there yesterday afternoon and she has never been seen coming out of it. I fear the worst but I want to be sure that she is alright, if she found what she is searching for there, then all the more the better." Diamond explained.

"That makes snese. Though dear, I feel like we can trust whoever is residing in the Taelieon District, whoever it is is strong enough, and smart enough to keep the High Priests goons away and somehow keep some sembilence of order within the district." Nara said he poured another cup or two of coffee as Diamond had some more eggs. "are friends of mine. I do however wonder why Waterlight was chosen for a possible Heir, I mean, sure shes beatiful, not not as beautiful as you. Please dont hit your husband so soon after breakfast, he wont be ready for lunch." Nara said, Diamond pouted in a funny manner and it made Nara smile.

"The fact is, someone lives in the Taelieon District, its time we find out who, and where they came from, and if they are friendly. Something tells me that they are friendly." Diamond said, "But I cant help but want to be sure."

"I understand that dear, I really do. Come on, dont let your bacon get cold" Nara said, Diamond smiled, they were going to have fun later, and Nara was looking forwards to it.

Arendelle

Marketplace Den

At that same moment

The view screen showed the ships deck, but Mark and Irie were oblivious to the camera crystal the crewman used to keep an eye on the two. "You think it was wise, sending them both on such a task all night, and all day ?" Vaeyuko asked over a cup of incredibly strong egyptian coffee.

"Very much so, this is also more of a test for Mark, if Irie is indeed this into him, and him alone, then we need to see how Mark will react to it, and how he can tempt her. According to the informer I have with them, it seems to be working, but Irie is able to focus on her work. Mark was seen conversing with himself again but I told the informer to pay it no heed as he did that even during his training sessions" Blackmane replied, so far the test was working.

If one wanted to call it a test. "We get the lumber, we get the drugs, we get the medicines. We will have the supplies needed to ensure we can help those injured in the fights that occur, if any fights occur." Shadowmane said from where she lounged on the sofa nearby

"I heard you grilled Mark infront of Kiyomori concerning Irie yesterday when you guys rescued Sapphire from jail before her own execution" Blackmane said. She was curious to her sisters plan

"I wanted to see his reaction. How he can deal under pressure like this. We both know, all three of us know, that Irie is into him, but does he ? He acted as if I were talking nonsense" Shadowmane said as she guzzled from a nearby coffee pot

"To Mark it might have been. For all we know he knows and is aware of it, but somehow manages to block it out of his mind while focused on a task." Vaeyuko said. Her nephew was a true puzzle and she wanted to decode him

"Right now that does not matter, what does matter is what we're going to do with this information. Irie and Mark have found all the lumber they can mark as not rotted, and also all the medicial supplies and Templar Drugs that were in the fjord as a whole." Shadowmane replied, she smirked, "Looks like your mole also found some new folk in town too"

"What do you mean ?" Blackmane asked her.

"Take a look there, on the docks, who is Mark talking with ?" Shadowmane said, a brief motion was made and the replay showed two people, a man and woman of Mongolian decent, talking to Mark, who held a coffee. Mark of course looked stone shocked when something the woman said to him as he was on ther ship made him stop at the rail and look back. "Who are they ?"

"Egyptian ?" Vaeyuko asked upon seeing the man and woman her nephew was talking with

"No, this style outfit is not remotely like Egyptian in nature whatsoever." Blackmane said in reply

"Jordanian maybe, or even possibly Mongolian" Shadowmane said in thought

"Looks more Mongolian then Jordanian. Look at the beadwork in the hair and clothing" Blackmane finally said after examining the clothing style of the two, Shadowmane saw it, as did Vaeyuko. It made sense for the most part.

"Why are there Mongolians here ? Did they forget that they tried once to conquor the west and failed ?" Vaeyuko asked. Confusion clear on her face and in her tone.

"No, these might be related to Mark somehow. When he and Irie get back, we can grill them about it then. But for now, I want to finish breakfast and try to get in touch with Snowfeather." Blackmane said, her two older sisters nodded, that was a good plan.

A moment of quiet was had then at breakfast. Then. "Has that woman come back ?" Vaeyuko asked to Blackmane

"Who ?" Blackmane asked in reply

"The woman you spoke with yesterday sis, dont deny it. You can keep secrets from all of us, and have our own secrets exposed to you without us knowing, but we all know that you snuck off to speak with someone in another district, the same woman who showed up yesterday wanting to talk to you" Vaeyuko pointed out

"I cannot keep secrets from you can I ?" Blackmane asked, her sisters smiled and shook their heads. "No, she hasnt come back, I am thinking of going to try and find her again. But I am not sure if I should" Blackmane said

"It is possible she might come to you." Shadowmane mused aloud. "I would wait one more day before going to look for her"

"Possible, but unlikely, she seemed worried the High Priests men would corner her again, and most of the new soldiers are ready it seems even to face my own wrath." Blackmane said with a annoyed growl, "I had to sneak out of here using light magic just to sneak past, making myself invisible is one thing, but I dont like doing it for long periods. From here to the Yaeko District is half the kingdom away!" Blackmane said. Blackmane mostly went as a Panther, that kept the guards away

"So you did go see her yesterday, and she has not gotten back into contact with you since ?" Vaeyuko kept her mouth shut as Shadowmane and Blackmane traded barbs. There was other puzzles to attend to.

"You werent there" Blackmane said. She had a point, Shadowmane was either on a table asleep or something else. With shadow magic is was a given.

"Whats that got to do with it ?" Shadowmane asked, more confused over anything.

"You either use the shadows so you can sleep on the table outside, or you were grilling Mark about his love life, which was it ?" Blackmane had a smirk on her face, her tone was one more of mirth then anything.

Shadowmane smirked. "You have a point" She said in conceding to her sister. "You're right, I was asleep when the woman showed up initally. Something felt really odd, almost as if she was family somehow." She looked to Blackmane. "Who was she ?"

"You remember the woman who contracted Snowfeather and I before I had Kade ?" Blackmane said, meaning her oldest son Kaedalzhon, a name that was made mostly when Blackmane was wretching so it earned him the nickname Kade or Kaed, either one worked.

"You mean she was that woman ? She looks so much younger." Shadowmane said

"Xeir always was a childlike woman to begin with" Blackmane replied as the sounds of Vaeyuko chugging her fifth espresso of the morning were heard between the two in their sudden silence..

"And so you went to see her yesterday" Shadowmane said in thought

"I did, she was having issues." Blackmane replied, "It was why she came to me, she wanted my help."

"Issues ?" Came the question, but not from Shadowmane, it was from Vaeyuko. "Xeir Zith is alone in the kingdom still ?"

"She has others with her, some servants and our mutual friendly Icewraith to keep her company. But the issues she is having concerns visions, memories." Blackmane explained

"So she came to you yesterday morning in the hope she could have a design to those visions, some sort of plot to them ?" Vaeyuko said, "A most intriguing puzzle"

"Indeed, a puzzle worth thinking on, as time allows it. If you've nothing better to do. Shadow, Vae, if either of you want to help Xeir in anything. Do not let Mark know." Blackmane said to her two older sistersd, both women looked at her confused.

"What ?" Shadow asked "Why not ?"

"Not tell Mark about a possible ally ?" Vaeyuko asked. "Is there a reason to hide such knowledge from our nephew ?"

"Xeir herself insisted that Elsa is dead, never exsisted, never should have exsisted. And yet now, Xeir is back, Elsa is gone. Mark will only make things worse for Xeir then better. For now, do not tell him she is back. Not yet." Blackmane said "Xeir will show herself to Mark on her own time."

"When you put it that way, it makes sense. Were we to tell him now, he'd be so focused on having Elsa back he'd mistake Xeir for Elsa." Vaeyuko said as Blackmane nodded.

"Elsa was never supposed to exist ?" Shadow asked, again Blackmane nodded. "And this woman you could feel some sense of Elsa from her ?"

"When I brought up Elsa, Xeir insisted that Elsa was nothing. Was a Nothing to begin with, never meant to exist and somehow exsisted just fine. Even got named and loved as a queen." Blackmane said. "But now, Elsa rejoined with Xeir, and she said it was complicated and insisted that Elsa was dead and gone, never meant t oexsist in the first place." Blackmane sighed.

"Makes sense. Elsa was Xeirs soul, Tiri was her body." Shadowmane said

"So the sense you got that Elsa was near, also meant the person known as Xeir Zith was near, the true person Elsa was meant to be." Vaeyuko said.

Blackmane nodded. "Exactly, so for now, Mark is not to know where Xeir is. However, you two can know." Blackmane set two pieces of paper onto the table. "These numbers will lead to where she is located, she will be expecting you. She'll most likely have small missions or errands to run and will need help with them."

Arendelle

Taelieon District

1 PM

"Tell me again why we're going to the warehouse district of the kingdom instead of back to Mom and Aunt Blackmane ?" Irie said, they had finished gathering what they could from the sunken ships. She and Mark, still in their swimsuits, were headed into the Taelieon District.

"There's a few supplies here to be had. And also some friends to be had as well. It seems that my family, the Wolfe family, still has many branches." Mark said as he and Irie walked along, fast and light on their feet as they moved throug the throng in the streets.

"I get the supplies sure, but the medicines and drugs we were able to recover fine, but the lumber, Aunt Blackie said that the mills could offset what we were unable to recover." Irie said

"We wont need to go to the mills. Not if those are what I think they are" Mark said nodding towards what smelled like fresh cut and fresh miled lumber. "If I am right, this lumber was liberated from a Templar ship, look at the stamp" Mark said

"That's right" Came a voice, the voice of a experienced person. "You know your Ariun sümiin belgedel quite well. We raided three ships when we were traveling here, this wood and those pallets of medicines were onboard the centeral ship. The third and first ship were carrying food and textiles. Those have been taken to market or kept for later."

Mark and Irie turned towards the owner of the voice. A tall bearded man with long tightly braided hair stood before them. "Do I know you ?" Mark asked

Sharka looked hurt at Marks question. "Oh I would hope so. If you are anything like what I was told to expect you must be Mark Wolfe, and Irie Elisar if I am correct." Sharka said. Irie was as beautiful as Taichar and Altun had informed. Mark as bulky as ever.

"You are" Irie replied, she eyed the Kopekh leader carefully. "You know us, but who are you ?" Irie said to him.

"I am Sharka, the leader of this district for the most part but more the leader of my men, the Kopekh." Sharka said in introduction of himself. He raised his arms as he spoke, as if indicating around them. "Welcome to the Taelieon District." The three then started walking further into the district. "As much as it pains me to ask this, is it true that you are the leader of the Wolfe Clan ?" Sharka asked to Mark.

"Should I wear a name tag saying I am ?" Mark asked him, really should he do so ?

"No, Forgive my doubts, but I trust your word on the matter as well as the word of the Great Mothers and the root from which they sprung. But a man can only trust in faith for so long." Sharka said, Mark had heard just as true words elsewhere. "So forgive me for doubting your word, but I will take it at face value until proven otherwise or until proven true."

"What was your plan with the lumber ?" Mark asked, as far as he was concerned he was the Wolfe Clan leader. Even without the gauntlet on his arm.

Sharka smirked. "That all depends, we were planning on using it to construct a better structure or for us here in the Taelion District for my men to reside with their families. Why, do you have better use for the lumber we liberated and brought with us ?" Sharka said to Mark it was a biting question but it was also a question worded in such a manner it made sense.

"That depends entirely on your reaction" Mark replied as Irie rolled her eyes. As Sharka smirked at Mark.

Irie spoke up before Mark said anything further. "We were sent to scavange the sunken ships in the harbor and Fjord to get medicines, drugs and lumber, but the last five ships the lumber was rotted, we were told the mills would offset the unsalvageable lumber." She said

"And so you're hoping this lumber which we liberated from three Ariun sümiin ships. Like I mentioned two of those ships only had food and textiles which we either have in the warehouses around us or sold to the market vendors." Sharka said as the three walked deeper into the district. "Can be of use for what you want it for."

"Why help us ?" Mark asked then after a moment of quiet as the three walked.

"Why help anyone, as long as there is coin in it." Sharka said. He of course said nothing of Anna present in the district, but Mark had all the information he needed.

"Princess Anna of Arendelle hired you and your crew to protect her did she not ?" Mark asked the loaded question. Sharka smiled.

"You dont miss a trick, you cut right to the point" Sharka looked at Irie, "How do you put up with this guy ?" Sharka said before nodding to Mark "Thats right, Princess Anna came to the Kopekh in the hope of hiring us as her bodyguards after a guy kept her as safe as he could before he went off on his own. We did not accept payment, but she is quite safe I can assure you of that." Sharka told Mark. Who looked at him confused. "Princess Anna offered to pay us our weight in gold from the Castle Treasury itself, but the Kopekh do not take payment to protect the Royal Family of Arendelle."

"You're doing the Wolfe Clan's job, but not taking the pay. Why ?" Mark asked, didnt mercs work for gold ?

"Because its the job of the Kopekh, even in Mongolia we watched over the core family of Ulanbataar each new generation we guarded them safely and also worked in their army. And now we return to our ancient tree" Sharka said.

It was how Sharka spoke his reply that it started to click into Marks mind. "You're Wolfe Clan." Mark stated simply

"Now you're getting it, Anna took a bit to come around. My wife is with her now" Sharka said with a pointed finger and smile.

"I take it you want to move into the Wolfe Manor ?" Mark asked him, already slightly on edge at the man, Sharkas antics. Clearly uncouth and brash, like a Mongolian Mark felt he knew, so the question was another loaded one.

"That we do." Mark was about to protest the othught as Sharka raised a hand "But we wont do so unless you give us the permission to do so. However. You look like you cannot show off the Gauntlet, so my men will have to follow my example and take your words at face value, if you can back up your words with your actions and prove to us you're the leader of the Wolf Clan here in Arendelle. We will remain here in the Taelieon District un til you say otherwise." Sharka said simply.

Mark smirked, "Its complicated, let me just put it this way. Once the fucker in the castle is killed, the High Priest I mean, only then can I get the gauntlet back." Mark said.

"You will need men for that fight, and for that my men can help you in that venture." Sharka said, his face appeared solomn in how he spoke. Then he brightened up. "You must be wanting to see the princess ?"

"Actually we-" Mark started to say as if meaning to say they were really just there for the lumber and that was it. Only to get entirely cut off by Sharkas antics

"Great, right this way, Altan is with her last I knew, either that or her sister Altun is with her. Wait no she is with her husband watching for the High Priests goons on the south east gate." Sharka said, cutting off Mark as he did so.

Mark and Irie traded looks. "I guess we see the Princess ?" Irie said, the eyepatch wearing woman said. Sharka seemed to not care the woman wore the thing.

"I guess so" Mark replied as Sharka lead them into the main 'house' like structure in the near center that formed a courtyard of the massive warehouse that formed the Taelieon district of Arendelle. The courtyard had no open space in it, it was as if the Taelieon District was built in a mountain, and thus was a giant warehouse for the duration of the district entirely.

Upon entering the structure, Sharka called out "Altan, I'm home, we've got guests!" A moment and Mark had settled his eyes on the low light, incense was burning everywhere, clearly very Mongolian in design this place.

A woman appearted, her long black hair a mix of black and white patterns like a tabby cat, it was braided similar to her husbands soon stepped into view as Mark looked around. "Ah, Sharka welcome home. I see you brought the one the Princess speaks so highly of. Is this Mark Wolfe ? Princess Annas brother in law ?"

"Brother in law ?" Sharka laughed at the question but he asked it in repeat to Mark while laughing.

"Its a long story, but at one point Elsa, Anna's older sister, was my wife." Mark replied truthfully

"Ahhh yes, the old Queen of Arendelle. Terrible shame. Must be tough." Altan said in reply, her tone had a sense of consoling to the sadness. "Please, make yourselves to home. I will get something to drink" Anna was nowhere to be seen.

Sharka went to the table and sat down. "Please forgive my poor manners, we dont often get guests outside of people we call family or those we work to protect as best we can." Sharka said to Mark as he offered him and Irie a place to sit at the table.

"Its alright, we're all family it seems" Irie said as she and Mark took a seat on the bench oppisite Sharka as Altan ensured the food was hot and fresh.

"The house is more an old warehouse, we converted it for our needs, so far it works" Sharka said. "There's some issues we're having in three other districts, Mongolian in nature sure. I told the Princess About them yesterday when she took us on for the job."

"Anna took you on as her protectors. But you're not from Arendlele" Mark said, he ignored the wine but grabbed up a slice of ham as Irie tried to keep her eye off Mark but it wasnt easy. He swallowed some ham after chewing. "Why come back here ?"

"Most of the Kopekh asked the same thing, but we all felt in our hearts this is where we should be." Altan said, "Our roots started here, the Greatmothers sprang from the roots that were from here."

"You keep mentioning the Great Mothers, who exactly where they ?" Irie asked

Altan was about to reply but Mark spoke up. "Sharka, I heard last night some of your men speaking, talking about a princeling welp, who did they mean ?"

Sharka smiled. "A guy named Prince Franz of the Southern Isles kingdom's core city, Southton. He contacted me and offered to pay gold or jewels, we took it of course, but their plan was to ensure that Anna was captured and kept safe. But my plan changed once I spoke with Anna and she told me of who she really was. Tradition of course countered what the Southern Isles wanted us to do. So now we work for Anna, and Anna alone." Sharka said with a firm nod.

Mark smiled, "Alright, if this Prince Franz contacted you, who was with him, or was he alone ?" Mark was already wondering just how many were left of Has family.

"A guy was with him, bright orange hair too. Sharp sideburns as well." Sharka recalled, his wife, Altan nodded in agreement, "Altan was with me when Prince Franz and his welp of a brother spoke with us on the terms of the contract. We took it of course, but now we're trying to figure out how to return the money or if we should just buy beer with it ?"

That made Irie laugh. "I'd buy beer with it, from what I was told, the Southern Isles are just a bunch of assholes with their heads so far up their asses. You're safe using their money to fund a bar or six dozen" She said

That alone made Sharka bark out in laughter. "Irie my girl, I like you!" That earned him a whack on the shoulder. "As a close family member. Though I do wonder ,what are you two ? Siblings doesnt seem right, and I doubt married is a possiblity, so I am going to put it down as, oh maybe extended family ? As my best guess" Sharka said to them.

Mark looked at Irie, who just smiled. "Cousins" He said, turning back to Sharka, "Just cousins." He could feel Iries eye drilling into him, if looks could kill he'd have a hole in his head right then.

But Sharka could sense something between them as could his wife Altan. "khairt ta yuu gej bodoj baina ? {What do you think dear ?}" he asked to Altan

Altan looked between the two and smirked, speaking to her husbgand she said "Bi tedend itgedeg, gekhdee ter okhin üyerkhdeg. ene talaar tüüntei yariltsakh bolov uu ? {I trust them, but the girl is in love. perhaps talk to him about it ?}" It was a good idea.

Sharka nodded, and in English, -or was it norse, somehow everyone was speaking english in Arendelle- he asked to Mark. "You're sure about that, jaalkhüü ? {Kiddo}" he asked him.

Mark smirked. "I'm sure" he replied calmly. Much to Iries soft huff. He pretended to not notice it, within his minds eye his Snow Leopard Tigris side facepawed himself for Mark to be so bluntly stupid or at least so blatently blind to the fact that even a normal human Mongolian man and his Tigris of a wife could see clearly that Irie was in love with her own cousin.

Sharka smiled, trading a look with Altan. He said "Franz gave us the gold to protect Anna, to keep her in a secure location so his brother could talk to her, or kill her. Instead, we found Anna with a beautiful winged woman in a nearby Tavern and told her about the deal. Anna offered to pay us for the job of protecting her somewhere else and not letting Prince Franz or his brother Prince Hans, near her. Sharka took the job. Because it was tradtional to do so." He said

"You did the right thing" Mark said, he finished his ham and speared a cube of cheese. "But now I have a question; other then repairing the structures in this district, what are the other districts you are having issues in ? Maybe I can be of help in liberating them" Mark offered. Mark said nothing of Sharka referring to himself in the third person as mentally unstable.

Sharka traded a look with his wife, "Erkhem khündet ta yuu gej bodoj baina? Bid tüünii sanalyg avakh yostoi yuu ? {What do you think dear ? Should we take his offer ?}"

Altan simply nodded "Bid khiikh yostoi. Minii khelsenchlen bi tedend itgedeg {We should. Like I said. I trust them}" She said, placing a reassuring hand on her husbands shoulder.

Sharka nodded to his wife, a smile on his face. "Za khairt mini, kherev ta tedend itgej baigaa bol bi bas itgekh bolno {Alright dearheart, if you trust them, so will I}" He said, he turned to Mark. "Its agreed, we will welcome your help."

Mark nodded in agreement. "Then our business is settled, may we take the lumber ?"

"That is where things get tricky dear boy. Tell you what Sharka will do. We'll use the lumber, and whatever stores we have left, will be sent to wherever you need it first on a priority basis. Agreed ?" Sharka said, once again referring of himself in the third person. But Sharka was a Mongolian and Mark still thought him a weirdo.

Mark thought a moment, then he nodded. "Sounds like a fairer deal to me, I hope Aunt Blackmane wont toss her shit when we tell her the news" Mark said

"She wont, she might beat you to shit, but she wont toss her shit. She's too reserved for that. Too controlled" Irie replied, for the most part that was true. But also for the most part it was false. Blackmane had moodswings just like anyone else.

About twenty minutes later and Mark and Irie were allowed to take their leave of Sharka and his wife, and the rest of the Kopekh. They felt the Kopekh's eyes on them as far as the border between the Taelieon and the Galasia Districts. But once in the Tael District there was no sign of the feeling of being watched.

Execept for a single pair of eyes that belonged to a pair of wings.

Arendelle

Roughwater District

6 PM

The room was large enough for Spike to sleep without worry of breaking anything, and even more comfy then she had initally feared, sleeping on a bed frame with nothing but grainy straw and furs was bad enough in the hologame she loved playing. But an actual bed in a tavern called Roughwater only made things more fun as it gave the sense of being on a cruise liner.

But Spike was not complaining as a woman entered, Jek had a silvery white head of long hair, her swords upon her belt she spotted her older sister at a table. Joining her the two women conversed. "Anna is safe with the Kopekh. Emile was smart to try and find you." Jek said

"Yes, Emile was also known as the Professor mind you." Spike mused. It made Jek snicker. Emile was one of the smarter men in the family, handling all the issues when it came to finances, logicists, and knowledge.

"Do you think Mark got your message ?" Jek asked her as she nursed a beer

"I hope so" Spike replied, "Otherwise I'd go looking for him. Getting info to Xeir is one thing, but with Mark in the kingdom too, we need to talk him and I" Not only did Spike still have a bone to pick with Mark over killing her like he had. But she also had to pick a bone with him concerning a proper house to move into, and why shit was so weird in Arendelle to begin with.

Spike had never been to Arendelle before, and the kingdom was unlike anything she was used to, bright clear sunny days. Occasional rain, whereas Sacremento lately was nothing but rain daily. Hurricanes were fun it seemed. But thanks to Equator City, the Hurricanes only got bigger every year.

"Whats the plan sis ? Do we want word sent to the others to start heading up here or do we wait ?" Jek asked. Spikes wings flexed idly. The black feathers had red accents, which made Spikes wings even prettier when Spike was in flight.

"Not just yet, once we get a house then we send word home to Xim and the others, maybe have Mom sent here to help out too." Spike mused as she idly drank the beer given to her. "What I wouldnt give for some hot sauce" She grumbled. Jek smiled and stood up.

"Gimmie a second, I think I see some." She said, Jek soon slipped away as Spike briefly wondered where her sister had gone off to. She had no idea that Jek planned to get some hot sauce for Spike to drink.

It was just after six PM when Mark entered the tavern and spotted her. A half smile on the mans face. Lowering his hood, Mark stepped over to the table. "This seat taken ?" He asked to Spike

"Nope, have a seat. I hope you are thirsty." Spike said in reply.

"When Sharka mentioned a beautiful woman in lavender and seafoam green with wings, whom he called an Angel from Heaven but someone not to mess with. I honestly thought and briefly prayed that he was joking. But I am glad he was telling the truth. I could use your help." Mark replied as he ordered a beer.

"Really, that would make you the second person to take me on for a job or two, but I expect to be paid for this one." Spike said to him as she sat up in her chair, setting her elbows on the table. "The question is, Mark Wolfe, do you have the money ?"

"That all depends entirely on how much you seek to get paid." Mark replied just as calmly staring straight back at Spike dead on.

Spike laughed and relaxed in her chair. "You're a smart one, I see now why Vitas went for you when she was younger"

"You are going to bring that up ?" Mark asked her giving her a dirty look. It was clear he did not want the past brought to light. "Infact can you tell me something, Spike, how are you still alive ?"

"You can thank Vitas for that" Spike smiled, "You see, after I died and you took down Vitas in battle in her palace, when you left, she didnt stay dead. Her body repaired itself thanks to her magic. She is who she always is. But she thanks you directly for showing her the error of her ways" Spike explained

"How so, last I knew she was a Templar who lead Sacremento, you were her right hand." Mark said

"After you killed her, it showed Vitas that Templars and Assassin's are alike, some like her sought a world of peace, others unlike her wanted a world they controlled, you came into the picture and assumed she was of the latter, she never was." Spike told him

"That was my mistake. Vitas was the path home, her death allowed me to reconcile myself so I could return home, here, to Arendelle" Mark admitted

"And what good was it ?" Spike asked him, giving him a hard look. "Looking at you now, your home, this city. You seem to be like one without a home. Or you had one and now someone else is sleeping in your bed, eating in your kitchen and you're pissed off about it." Spike said, Mark looked at her, how she knew all that he never knew.

"How did you know that ?" He asked her.

"I have my ways" Spike replied, while not wanting to be smug about it, she came off as somewhat smug.

Mark gave her a dirty look. Then he smiled. "Alright, keep your secrets." He said, he sat back in his chair, relaxed. "Now, aside from what I am told as you looking into the local real estate trends, whats your plan ? Dont tell me Vitas misses me still ?"

"She does" Spike replied, "And no, we're looking for a place to rent, not buy. Sacremento is home. Its where Mother is, where my brothers and sisters are too. Why would I want to move from it ?" She looked at him confused, his words did not make much sense to her

"You never did talk about your family" Mark said simply.

"You never asked" Spike replied, she took a sip of her beer as Jek returned with the hot sauce. "Ah thanks, sis." Mark raised an eyebrow at that mention, he could not see the resemblence between them at all.

He pointed between Jek and Spike, asking simply "Sisters ?" He asked Spike smirked

"Is that so hard to accept ?" Spike asked him, "My brother, Emile took Anna to the Taelieon District, a guy named Sharka has her in his care, so what are you worried about Master Wolfe ? Want to kill me again now that Vitas isnt nearby ?" Spike gave him a hard look.

Mark was tempted to take her up on that offer. The mere idea of going toe to toe with Spike, no holds barred. Just whale on each other. "I will admit, it is tempting, very tempting. But something tells me that with your wings and lighting, you'd have the advantage" Mark told her, he smirked. "Besides, I'm not here to fight."

"A fight might still happen" Jek said, she was keeping an eye on things.

"Do tell" Mark said never turning to her, where Spike sat, her back to a corner, she saw some men getting rowdy nearby

"It appears a bar brawl is brewing" Jek mused, Spike smirked as Mark snickered. "What is so funny ?"

"This is not just called the Roughwater Tavern for no reason." Mark said, he turned and viewed the group of rowdy people behind him. He took a sip of his beer. This was going to be fun.

"So we thought" Spike said simply, Mark merely half smiled. Two of the roughhousers collided with their table. Mark picked one of them up and all but booted them away as jek did the same to the other. Grabbing the man by the arm, turning him about, then kicking him in the ass to send him tumbling into his fellow. "Drunks are so cute" Spike chuckled

"They are about to get cuter, sis" Jek said

"How do I look ?" Spike asked, giving her sister a sidelong glance

"Pretty as ever, sis." Jek replied

"Do you mind I feel like we're being looked at for the next punching bag how to use demonstration" Mark said giving a sour look to Spike and her sister Jek, both women smirked.

"You might want to sit this one out." Spike said to Jek.

"What ? And let you have all the fun ?" Jek smirked in reply with a smug grin on her face.

"If Mother heard that I let you get into a bar brawl, she would never let me hear the end of it." Spike told her.

"You're right, I will sit this one out" Jek, dutifully sitting her butt down in a nearby chair to watch the rukus unfold.

Spike stood up and moved to stand next to Mark, leaning on the table as she did so. Her wings flexing as she moved. The drunks saw them watching and one spoke up "Lookee here boys, a lost bird! A lost bird who never learned to fly!" He said. It made Spike smile all the more.

"Easy boys, you lost one fight already, dont make the same mistake again" John cautioned the drunks, her laughed at him. "Dont say I didnt warn you" Mark said.

"Oh good fuck, dont you even bathe ?" Spike asked briefly waving away the stink from the men.

The drunks laughed. "Get them!" One of them jumped at Mark who was still seated, only to get easily ducked out of reach and quickly had his feet kicked out from under him the drunk went down but Mark knew he'd be back up. Easily flicking a foot he caught his chair on his foot and stood up, flicking the chair to act as a possible barrier.

"I said take it easy and nobody listens" Mark grumbled.

"Have fun" Jek said from where she sat. Mark did not know wether to glare or just nod. Spike however smirked

"Oh I plan to" She said, she was not planning to kill however, just play really. Within a minute the bar went from realative calm to full on mad house as the band struck up a merry combat tune that Mark found enjoyable as he swiftly beat down a drunk and Spike all but danced upon a table. Within minutes it was over. The drunks thrown out or knocked out. Finally with the drunks taken care of, Spike spoke up "This feels familiar in some way" She said looking at Mark.

"Really ?" Mark asked her "How so exactly ?"

"I am not sure, it just feels like we have done this before. And by which I mean working together to stave off drunks in a bar fight" Spike replied, she couldnt explain it, but it felt so strangely familiar, was she dreaming, or having deja vu ? It didnt matter.

"You're here to help in Arendelle right ?" Mark asked her as they sat back at their table

"To a point, it all depends on what you need really" Spike said, she was really working to help Xeir by flying overwatch to scan the kingdom for possible threats and weaknesses in the High Priests seemingly solid system. So far it was pretty good. So far. Spike was still working on hyer proper landings though, but Xeir and ther Sparrows with her werent complaning. Xeir even offered to help Spike learn how to land properly. But Spike respectfully declined the offer. It did not feel right to request something in return for helping out.

Of course that was before Spike found out that Xeir wanted to retake the kingdom from the guy in the castle. Spike and Xeir never met Xercine before, but Spikes eyes were instead on the real power behind the throne. Kiyori. Kiyori was the High Priest of Arendelle, a former very down t oEarth and very faithful Bishop as well, only to have something go wrong and things just went goofy from there over the past year.

But Spike had a pressing concern on her mind. "Mark, we havent seen you in two years, and all of a suddenly a month ago, everyone you had a beef with or had met in Sacremento and Crecent City, suddenly remembered you, even I did, Vitas too. Out of the complete blue she said to me that she wondered how you were doing. Of course I had to ask her who she meant, and she said and I quote 'the guy I had imprisoned with Miao, I wonder how he is doing' Of course I had to ask her again and she said 'the guy whose feathered girlfriend stabbed you in the neck' and then I remebmered who she meant"

Mark started snickering "What ?" Spike asked.

"She wasnt my girlfriend." Mark replied to her with a bark of laughter.

"Well, she sure acted like it. Fought pretty well too." Spike rubbed her neck where Sazhori had stabbed her. "Thankfully the therapy sessions helped, occasionally I still get a stiff neck, but it goes away after a few minutes"

"That's good to hear, Spike, but for now, why are you in Arendelle ?" Mark asked her as the three picked up their things, Spike left a tip on the table, and then the three headed outside. "I mean, did Vitas send you, or was it something else ?"

"Vitas actually said she wanted to set up an alliance, solid and true, between Arendelle and Sacremento. Ever since you killed her in Sacremento, you opened her eyes to seeing things in a different light." Spike told him

"How so ?" Mark asked her, "You said that before, but how have I opened her eyes ?" it was a loaded question. But also Mark was confused, why couldnt Vitas stay dead ?

"That is the hard part right there" Spike said pointing at him. "One moment, Vitas was intent on finding you, wanting to torture you, play with you, that kind of thing. The next moment she wanted to just watch and observe. She never let me actively go after you"

"But you went after my son" Mark said

"I did, and I freely admit it was a stupid move. I was beaten for it. But overall, things worked out for the better" Spike said. "Vitas learned her lesson."

"And what lesson was that ?" Mark asked her

"The whole reason for the terminology that your Creed uses. 'nothing is true, everything is permitted' is not a writ of permission, far from it. I0ts a warning. If nothing is true, then that means that mankind can easily be led astray, and if everything is permitted. We need to learn to live with the results of our actions, wether glorius or tragic. We have to live with them." Spike said, she knew the very core of the Creed Mark followed

"I almost married her" Mark said, freely admitting that very same fact.

"So she says as well. Had she and you been married, her magic would have arrived regardles,s and she could have had a proper teacher. But then I would have never met her" Spike said

"What will you do now that you're here ? I could use your help." It made a bit of sense to Mark in the long run. Not in the short run, but it made sense.

"That all depends on what you need me to do, I am already flying overwatch every morning as the sun comes up to not be seen by those in the castle." Spike said

"Can you carry anyone with you on your next flight up there ?" Mark asked her

"No, not much more then my own weight truth be told, it is too much strain even to carry a child with me." Spike said

"I see" Mark said, so much for that plan.

"Why ? What are you thinking ?" By that point the three were in the Market District. Mark stopped in front of the street that lead to the Marketplace Den.

"I was thinknig of finding a way inside, for a housecat sized panther or snow leopard cub. But I am not sure if she is afraid of heights or not." Mark said, meaning either Blackmane or himself. He wanted to get inside the palace again.

"Maybe, if your supplies you'd need were taken there first, then yeah, I could carry a cat or smaller without too much trouble." Spike said as she crossed her arms, her hand tapping on her chin. It was a strong possiblity for sure. "Why ?"

"I want to try and get into the castle. Or at least get someone I can trust into the castle to get some information, then portal back here." Mark said, he hadnt been into each room, of the castle, just most of them. Everything but the female servants section actually not that he thought about it. Which meant Blackmane might have to go, or even Vaeyuko.

"A interesting idea, I already fly with the sunrise to sneak peeks into the castle and its surrounding structures. But I never set foot inside the main structure itself." Spike said.

Mark smirked. "Perfect. Keep doing that and I will make it worth your while. For now, I will try and convince my aunt to either shrink me down to a housecat or see if my cousins can get back here via portal." He meant his aunt Senishi's children, Topaz and her brother Lazul, either one of them could turn into a pearlwhite house cat or a russian blue like housecat respestively.

"Fair deal, We're staying in the Tael district at the inn there if you need us." Spike said, "If we're not there, we're in the Galasia District, or even that Taelieon District" Then Spike and her sister headed off, leaving Mark to return home on his own, he was going to have a hell of a time convincing his aunts to let him do this latest plan.

Arendelle

Marketplace District Den

10 PM

"You have got to be kidding me" Were Blackmanes first words after Mark explained his idea. With Spike, a woman who should be dead, flying him or her, or even Topaz or Lazul up there to the roof of the castle to sneak in that way. She just did not believe how her nephew was thinking.

"Would you rather go ?" Mark asked her. He was on thin ice and he knew it, but it was a good question.

Blackmane pointed at the door. "The woman is supposed to be dead, you reported it directly in your contract report from Sacremento and Madrid. How is she still alive ?" Blackmane asked him

"That you will have to ask her on your own" Mark replied, he hated having to go through this. But it made sense to him in the long run. "Fact of the matter is, she likes the idea of flying a housecat sized Panther or Snow Leopard to the roof of the castle, then fly away before anyone notices her"

"A dead woman flying me anywhere makes me worried" Blackmane said, clearly upset.

"Spike said that when Vitas, the girl I was in love with as a teenager, came back to life by way of magic. Her own spirit stayed close to her body so Vitas could really just infuse fresh new life into her." Mark said, he sighed. "I trust her. I want to try and see what Kiyori is planning, or if he's got any secrets inside the castle." Mark said

Blackmane looked at him for a long moment, finally nodding she said "Alright, fine. Who do you want to get inside first ?"

"Spike cannot carry a full grown panther, so if you plan to go into the castle to sneak around, you'll have to be housecat sized, otherwise Spike wont get off the ground, she said it was something do with the strain on her wings." Mark said.

"If I go, I go as a Panther cub, if you go, you go as a snow leopard cub, I can have the magic be on a trigger if you want." Blakmane said, but Mark shook his head "Whats wrong ?"

"That wont work. There are areas the castle I have yet to get into, we both can't go in there. Can you recall Topaz or Lazul ? Either of them can naturally shift into a housecat and sneak around." Mark asked Blackmane saw his thinking and it made sense

"That would be one hell of a powerdraw for a portal to get them here. But I might be able to if I can get a good power base to work from. Why ?" An Essence flame or six wasnt going to cut it. This would take Draconic power. "Do you have a time frame you want to work with ?"

"Spike said she is staying in the Tael District but can be found sometimes in the Galasia or Taelieon Districts." Mark said to her, "So for now I am not too worried of a time frame just yet. But if we can get Topaz or Lazul to come back here, they can get inside the castle easily with Spike flying them to an open window. Possibly even both of them can be at the castle at once."

"I see what you are saying, Nephew." Blackmane said at long last, with Topaz, Mark could have a pair of eyes able to get into the places he couldnt even as King for such a short time. Lazul likewise could go where Topaz could not. "It makes sense, to have two extra pairs of eyes where we both are unable to reach. Plus they would be easy for Spike to carry. I will see what I can do tomorrow." Blackmane said, if Xeir could help they could easily contact Topaz's unit in China at that moment if they had to. Lazul normally worked with her or contracted out.

"Alright good, I'll let Spike know we're getting in touch with our little bundles of joy as she would call them." To Spike, any house cat or even big cat was a bundle of joy. Spike loved cats.

"What ?" Blackmane asked, a blank look on her face. That was possibly the first time anyone had referred to her niece and nephew as little bundles of joy.

"Spike and her brothers oversee three cat colonies in Sacremento, most of them were stray cats simply dumped there by other people, a few of them are feral, but Spike and her brothers, they care for all three colonies" Mark explained of Spikes sheer love of cats. Most of Spikes bedroom and apartment in Vitas massive palace had paintings of cats, pictures of kittens and holovideos of kittens playing on the walls or on the tables.

"I see. Alright, tomorrow after breakfast I will see what I can do" Blackmane said, her tone oddly calm "But no promises." Little did she know that Topaz wanted to go back to Arendelle, Lazul too. Both siblings, the son and daughter of Shinishi, Blackmanes fourth older sister. and her husband Emeris. Missed Arendelle and more then likely, greatly missed Mark.

"Fair enough. I'm beat. I will see you tomorrow" Mark said, with that he went up the flight of stairs to his room and went to bed. Or at least tried to.

In her bedroom Irie was working on a few small things, watching a replay of a video of how Mark used a stick of incense, it was strange for some odd reason. Mark never used incense before, so why was he using it now ?

On the screen Mark held a stick of incense in his mouth like one would a cigarette or cigar, only it was much thinner and didnt filter into his lungs like cigar or cigarette smoke did. But it did make a much sweeter scent then anything else.

Irie watched the video for a bit longer before an idea started forming in her head, it was a long shot but she knew it would work, somehow. With that thought in mind she too went to bed. She had a lot to plan in the morning and she wanted to be well rested. At least Blackmane was happy with the lumber they got.

9 November

Arendelle

Galasia District Den

1 AM

"On guard duty again ?" Came a calm voice. That of a young man that Diamond had never met. His name was Jem. He had the look of one with ages of experience and yet also one with a lifetime learned.

"Yes, I couldnt sleep, so I decided to go on duty for the night instead" Diamond replied. Nara slept nearby, sounding like someone sawing a large log very slowly.

"Something on your mind ?" It was not that Jem was an advisor type, but Nara had his help for the most part in the district the last few months alone since Kiyori started his campaign.

Yes. Kiyori has something, I am sure of it, this star shard showed me a brief memory. A huge explosion happened, raw power was condensed, and then. Bam. Six shards of something, seen floating in space. Hiding across the world. We have two of them so far." Diamond said, showing the star shard to Jem who regarded it in thought.

"Where did you find that ?" He asked Diamond with a nod towards the pink shard

"In the Dust district" Diamond replied slipping it back between her brests where she 0had hidden it.

"So he did his job better then thought" Jem mused,. He made no mention of where Diamond put the shard

"Who ?" Diamond asked him, clearly confused

"Just an old friend, from long ago. Nobody you would know" Jem said, then he smiled, "Unless you met a man calling himself Starmaster in your travels."

"Never heard of such a person" Diamond replied, but he sounded like someone she was going to have to look into. Hopefully the Arendelle library would be open the next day, she could look into it there with ease.

"I think I can cover guard duty for you. Get some sleep" Jem said. The man looked ready to meditate, and when he was meditating during guard duty, it made the guards more at peace and ready to go with what they had to work with.

"Thank you, Jem" Diamond said simply, she stood up, giving the man a brief hug. The two smiled and Jem went to take his space to meditate while on watch as Diamond went to where Nara slept and was soon fast asleep with him., using Naras chest as a pillow and his coat as a blanket