Chapter 2

The Devil's Deal

Try as she might, Elsa could not find concentration. Even as her hands danced across the ivory keys of the piano in a bid to correctly recite Beethoven's Fifth, Merida's face kept appearing before her mind's eye. A finger slipped, and Syrisa shook her head.

"Again." She ordered, but upon seeing her student's hesitation and aggravated look, grasped the young royal's chin and turned her face toward her. "What is the matter?"

"Forgive me, ma'am, I am finding it difficult to concentrate today."

"That is unlike you."

It was true. Syrisa had been a tutor/governess for nearly twenty-five years. Those years had been devoted to a range of children from wealthy, privileged backgrounds. They were as varied a bouquet of pupils as the grand gardens of the palace. Some were spoiled brats who sought to satisfy their own desires and interests rather than try and better themselves in any way. In her younger years, one brazen lad of seventeen had even tried to seduce her. She resigned from that position in haste. Others simply endured their time with her in the interest of keeping their parents pleased. Still, there had been a few that had truly taken to their education with gusto, either out of a genuine love of learning, or because they found inspiration in their own admiration of Syrisa. In the case of Elsa, she suspected it to be a mixture of both.

The young princess had a sharp mind, and a keenness to learn that delighted the elderly governess. She did not just absorb the lessons, but truly took them to heart. Sometimes they would be in the midst of learning about a monarch past, and Syrisa would delight in listening to Elsa speak with such clear insight of the mistakes these monarchs had made, and how she herself would have done this or that differently. It was not just her desire to see her student succeed that brought her much joy to see these flashes of wisdom and intelligence within her charge, however. She could see the potential greatness in her. Arendelle would find a new golden age if this young maiden truly grew into the monarch she desired to be.

As the years had gone by, Elsa had come to love Syrisa like a second mother. They shared a love of knowledge, and a respect for the importance of grace, self-discipline, and honesty. Perhaps most precious of all to Elsa was a less obvious common thread between them. One sewn within their very souls. It was the reason why Syrisa, in all her years, had never taken a husband, or even a suitor, and it was why Elsa had come to confide one of her deepest secrets in her.

"It is the Dunbroch girl, yes?" The governess knew the answer even before she asked.

Elsa nodded. "I am excited to see her again, but…"

Syrisa gave a soft sigh and moved Elsa over so that she could sit beside her on the piano's space deprived seat.

"My father has once again raised the subject of marriage, and I fear his patience is wearing thin. What if he should do something drastic?" the princess's anxiety was plain as she explained the confrontation at breakfast.

"Such as?"

"Force me to marry a man of his choosing."

"He promised your mother you would be free to choose, did he not?"

"He did, but I fear he grows tired of waiting."

Syrisa took a moment to choose her next words carefully.

"Well, my lady, you must have known that your choice could only be differed for so long."

"I have made my choice." Elsa stated bluntly.

"A choice that neither your father, nor the kingdom could ever accept."

"I do not care what…"

"Elsa! You are far brighter than that." Syrisa rebuked her gently. "You are the future queen of Arendelle. That title carries a duty that you cannot ignore forever."

"Strange, I did not realize that someone had placed a phonograph of my father behind you." Elsa deadpanned.

"Truth is truth, no matter from whose lips it flows."

"So, I am to resign myself to a loveless marriage then?"

"You would not be first."

At this, Elsa stood and began to pace in frustration. "Must everyone be so intent on destroying my happiness, even you?" She barked.

"A good monarch is willing to listen to the advice of other, even if it is not what they wish to hear."

Elsa's shoulders slumped a little in defeat as she returned to the seat. "As you have said many times before."

"And, as I said before, truth is truth…"

"What am I to do?" There was a fresh despondency in Elsa's voice as she turned to Syrisa with the beginnings of tears in her eyes.

The governess reached up and gently wiped away the offending lacrimation.

"Elsa, listen to me. I wish to tell you something I have never told anyone." She said, causing her student's eyebrows to furrow with curiosity.

"When I was a young woman, I had only been a governess for a few years, but I had already gained a reputation for my efficiency and reliability. On the merits of my new repute, I was summoned to the house of Lord Cruxhaven, the Duke of the northern holds at the time. The lord offered me not only room and board within his home, but a substantial salary to tutor his young son. It was the most prestigious household that had ever offered me employment, so I accepted it without hesitation."

As she spoke, Syrisa stood and wandered over to one of the windows of the music room that looked out over the weathered roof of the adjoining wing.

"That first night that I came, I was invited to dine with the master and mistress of the house. I confess that I felt underdressed for the occasion, and I had little else to wear that could pass as formal beyond my governess's gown. Nonetheless, I agreed to attend. That was the first time I ever met her…"

"Who?"

"The master's wife, the Lady Cruxhaven. She was a most beautiful woman. A head of hair as black as the raven's feathers, and a pair of eyes that were so stunningly green, they would have made the most opulent emeralds blush." A small smile danced across Syrisa's lips as she spoke, "I can still remember her smile. I had never seen a more warm and vibrant face. Everything about her seemed perfect, as though she had been sculpted by one of the great masters of the Great Revival. Beyond her features, though, there was a warmth to her that one could find in few others either. When I was first introduced to her, I was so nervous, but she was welcoming and kind. I spent most of that evening speaking with her, and she never tired of our conversation. When dinner ended and I returned to my room, I could not stop thinking about her. She was…was…"

"Perfect." Elsa finished the thought for her as Syrisa drifted away for a moment.

"No one is perfect, but she came the closest in my humble opinion." Syrisa agreed.

"So, what became of her?"

"As the months passed, I performed my duties to the utmost of my ability. Their young so was a relatively easy charge as far as eight-year-old boys can be. I saw little of the lord, but the Lady Cruxhaven would sometimes sit in on our lessons. When they were finished, the young lord would head off to play and the lady and I would sit and talk about his progress. Often we would drift onto other subjects and spend hours in conversation."

"What other subjects?"

At this, the tutor gave a small chuckle.

"Many things…. life, love, the joys of motherhood, the latest fashions, although she mostly informed me on such subjects as that. One day, I am not quite sure when, she asked if I might accompany her on an outing. I agreed, and we went to small café for tea before spending the rest of the day at the park in Lightbourn. It was one of the best days I have ever had the pleasure of living. She really was a most fun loving and amusing person. I do not think anyone has ever made me smile more."

"So, did you two…?"

Syrisa knew where the question was going and nodded.

"The more time we spent together, the bolder her questions became concerning my own love life. She noticed that I never seemed to have any suitors calling, nor did I seem interested in one. I remember, one day during one of our excursions, we were sitting at a small table outside of our favorite café when a new waitress came to take our order. The Lady Cuxhaven asked me what I thought of her. I did not know what to think of the question at the time and I think I made some mention about her being a fine-looking girl. The lady said that she agreed but claimed that she felt my own beauty far surpassed the young waitress's. I was not used to receiving such compliments from women and was rather stunned at first. She then asked if I thought she was beautiful. Of course, I told her that God had never deigned to put so beautiful a creature upon this Earth as her. She smiled and thanked me for my kind words but said nothing more. I feared that perhaps I had embarrassed her, or even offended her in some way, because on return to the house she said little more to me beyond wishing me a pleasant afternoon. It was still on my mind that night as I laid down to sleep, but it never found me. She came to my room in the witching hour, and we shared our first kiss."

"Kiss!? But was she not married?" Elsa exclaimed.

"She was indeed, and a part of me knew that we were committing a grievous sin. I could not resist her though. As the days came and went, we continued to have our weekly outing, and one night a week she would come to my room. We grew more and more bold each night, and became familiar with one another in ways that, if her husband had ever learned of we would both have faced imprisonment at best."

Elsa found herself taken aback a bit when Syrisa turned from the window with tears in her own eyes.

"I came to love her, Elsa. With a deep passion that I thought only existed in those terrible romance novels they sold at the bookshop we would sometimes visit. I came to cherish our weekly trips over everything. When I was not with her my mind could focus upon nothing else. Every night that I was given the great privilege of touching her, we found new ways to worship each other." By now Syrisa's eyes were glazed over as she lost herself in the memories of those many sweet, sweaty nights they spent entangled in one another. She did not realize that she had stopped speaking until Elsa did.

"What happened to her?"

"About a year and a half into my employment, the Lord Cruxhaven was ordered to take over the governorship of the Isle of Mannerim. I was told that my services would no longer be required, as their new position included a tutor that was to be paid for by the crown." As she spoke, Syrisa returned to the piano.

"I was horrified. Though obviously I had come to care for the boy immensely, the thought of leaving the first woman I had every truly loved forced me to endure more pain than I ever thought possible. But this too is another truth of the world: love is pain just as much as pleasure."

"So, you two were forced to part."

"We were, but not before I begged her to leave her husband and come away with me; abandon her family and everything she knew so that we might stay together."

"Oh…"

At this the elderly governess gave a short, sharp laugh. "When I had gained a bit more age and wisdom, I understood how absolutely ludicrous my request must have seemed. How could one expect a mother to just desert her child? Of course, she rejected my proposal, and I was left on the corner of their street with only my suitcase holding my paltry belongings and the shattered pieces of my heart."

With her story concluded, Syrisa sat back down next to Elsa and a heavy silence filled the air.

"Life taught me a hard lesson that day, Elsa." She said quietly at last, "That duty shall always conquer love."

"Duty?"

"She had a duty to her child, as any mother does. Your kingdom is filled with children, and you have a duty to each and every one of them as their queen."

Elsa was finally beginning to understand.

"So, I should be resigned to my fate then. That is your lesson? To sacrifice my happiness to the greater good."

Syrisa stood with a shake of her head. "Perhaps one day you shall understand what the word 'sacrifice' means."

"I do not believe for a moment that it means I must forego any chance at happiness. I am going to be queen. What good is a title if I cannot exercise its powers for my benefit."

"How many monarchs told themselves the same before leading their domains and subjects into poverty and misery?"

"I am not…."

The argument was escalating but was quickly diffused when the door to the music room flung open and in sauntered a young woman with fiery red hair about Elsa's age.

"Merida!" Elsa called upon meeting her eyes.

Merida grinned and gave a rather exaggerated bow. "Greetings and salutations, your majesty."

She had barely enough time to straighten up before Elsa had wrapped her arms about her in a tight embrace that Merida quickly reciprocated. Seeing her student distracted so, and realizing that their conversation was now over, Syrisa walked past them toward the open door.

"I shall see the tuner about that piano then." She muttered, shutting the door behind her.

No sooner had the door clicked closed then Merida's lips were upon Elsa's. The heated kiss lasted a good minute before they parted in need of breath.

"God, I missed ya." Merida muttered, causing Elsa to smile as they pressed their foreheads together.

"And I have missed you. How was Agrabah?"

"Quite a fascinatin' place. You won't believe halfa what I seen." Merida replied as a naughty smirk stretched across her face, "I brought you back a present."

"A present?" Elsa's own smile matched her lovers. "What present?"

"I'll show you tonight." Merida whispered, but her face fell when she saw an anxious look cross Elsa's. "What's the matter?"

"I…" Elsa seemed to be debating if she should say what was bothering her or not. At last, she shook her head.

"Let us speak on that later." She gave Merida another kiss. "For now, let us enjoy one another."

Merida smiled and they headed out of the music room. As the departed, however, Elsa gave the piano one last glance. She had not forgotten Syrisa's words.

Anna and the Darling boys made their way down Slag Street toward the old coal processing sector. Once a booming pit of industry, the area had gone to pot after the nearby mines had run out of coal, and work dried up. Now, one of the old, abandoned warehouses served a far different purpose. As the approached, they were greeted by two large, imposing boys perhaps a bit older than Anna herself.

"What you want then?" The bigger of the two demanded gruffly.

"We are here to see Pan." John said with (what he hoped) was confidence.

At this the big galoot exchanged a grin with his opposite. "Ooooh, they're here to see Paaaaan. You here that Nibs? This lot's here to see Pan."

They both laughed at that, causing the heat to rise in Anna's face a bit.

"And just what would Pan want with small scabbers like you?" The one called Nibs demanded.

"We have business with him." This time Anna answered, stepping up ahead of the Darling Brothers so that she was almost face to face with Nibs.

"Well, well, well, what have we here? This one's a treat, ain't she Cubs?" Nibs reached out to stroke a lock of her hair.

In an instant, she slammed a fist into his stomach, causing him to stumble back with a grunt.

"Oi!" Cubs shouted, advancing on her.

"What is going here?" A third voice caused the dimwit to stop in his tracks.

A skinny boy with a freckled face and blonde hair appeared from the doorway.

"These ones say they're here to see Pan, an' this one hit Nibs." Cubs explained, gesturing toward Anna.

"He was disrespectful." Anna retorted.

"Piss off, scabber, or I'll show you some disrespect that will have you off your feet for the next fortnight." Cubs started advancing again, but the new arrival stepped between them.

"Enough!" He commanded.

"But Slightly…"

"I said, enough, Cubs."

Shoulders slumped in defeat, Cubs saw to Nibs while Anna, Michael, and John followed Slightly inside and through a series of dirty, cobwebbed hallways.

"You'll be wise to avoid picking fights with our boys if you plan on doing business in the future." Slightly noted as they went.

"Your compatriots instigated the exchange." John pointed out.

"Nonetheless, you can expect consequences."

"What kind of consequences?" Anna asked.

"That will be for Pan to decide."

At last, they reached a large room that had likely been one of the storage areas. It was mostly empty now, save for one corner which housed a round card table at which several boys were seated. On the far side of the table was a raised platform built from discarded wooden crates, atop of which sat a large, highbacked, wooden, dinning chair that looked like it had come from a wealthy man's home. Seated upon this throne of sorts was a skinny teenaged boy, with hair so fiery red that it put Anna's own to shame. His small, beady brown eyes followed the group as they approached. Slightly climbed up the boxes and whispered into his leader's ear. Pan gave a slight nod and shooed Slightly away. He took his time sizing them up; his eyes taking in every detail. Anna could see his mind at work. analyzing every angle and possible way they could be used. Some people were born to scam, cheat, and lie. Pan was one such person.

"Well, if it isn't the Darlings" He spoke at last in a tone overflowing with a confidence and imperiousness that someone with twelve city blocks under his thumb must have, "You appear to be one Darling short."

Michael gave an uncomfortable squirm under Pan's intense stare, causing his brother to pull him a bit closer to his side.

"Wendy was pinched." He said, dragging forth a soft whimper from Michael.

"I'm aware. My deepest sympathies. I was always quite fond of her." As he spoke his eyes shifted back to Anna. "And who this one?"

"Anna." She introduced herself rather curtly.

Surprisingly, her moderately disrespectful tone earned an amused grin from him.

He turned to Slightly. "This is the one who hit Nibs?" The blonde-haired boy nodded.

"You must be a new arrival then." Pan concluded.

"What leads you to that conclusion?"

"Anyone who has been in Freehearth for any decent amount of time knowns to pay their respects. Not only do I not recall ever seeing you pay tribute, but you also choose to disrespect my men and me on your first visit."

"Respect must be shown to be received."

"A childish ideal. Respect is given to those who instill it in others through fear or favor."

"Wise words coming from an elf." Anna quipped, noting Pan's rather pointed ears.

"SILENCE GIRL!" Slightly barked as his eyes blazed to life with fury.

Pan, however, merely held up a hand to silence him. "A sharp tongue on this one." He noted.

John quickly moved so that he was between Pan and Anna.

"You must forgive her, sir." He quickly interjected, "She is not one for tact, even under the best of circumstances."

Pan's eyes darted from John to Anna and then back to John. "She would have done well to learn from your sister, John. Wendy always paid respect."

Anna started to move around John, likely a fresh retort on her lips, but the older Darling brother gently pushed her back with a vigorous shake of his head. At this, Pan gave a sharp laugh.

"She has quite a bit more fire in her than Wendy though, I shall give her that."

"Sir, if it would please you, we come before you on business."

This appeared to perk his interest.

"What sort of business."

"We wish to ply our trade at the Liberty Street Market. We would, of course, be willing to give you a percentage you find reasonable of our lifts."

As John spoke, a grin on the teenage kingpin's face grew wider and wider. To be frank, it was really starting to irritate Anna. She felt like some kind of animal being leered at by a bemused child at a circus.

When he had finished, Pan gave a short, sharp laugh.

"I must say, John, you surprise me. I would not have thought it possible you would have such gall."

"Gall, sir?"

"Indeed, it takes tremendous bravado to walk into my home and ask permission to 'ply your trade' in my territory after you stole from me."

This accusation induced a stunned look from John, who shared it with Anna as they both glanced at one another.

"Stole from you, sir? I…do not understand."

"Oliver pays tribute to me, John. A percentage of everything he earns goes to me. If you steal from him, you steal from me."

"What we took was fairly ours. Oliver had no claim on it." Anna's hackles were raised again, but a hard squeeze on her arm from John caused her to fall silent once more.

"I will admit, sir, that there were some…misunderstandings between Oliver and ourselves. If any offense was given to you, we render our deepest apologies."

At this, Pan grinned again. "I suggest you speak for yourself, John." His eyes focused upon Anna once more, "This one does not seem to coincide with your contrition."

"She shares my puzzlement at the situation, certainly, but if there were any insults given…"

"Let her speak for herself." Pan commanded.

Now all eyes were upon her. She too a moment to meet each set: Pan's curiosity and interest, Slightly's anger and annoyance, the amusement and antipathy of the other gorillas seated around, Michael's fear and anxiety, and, finally, John's own pleading brown eyes, begging her to show some restraint.

"Those in our world should be used to the idea of being stolen from. After all, they are comfortable with the idea of taking what they need from others. It is no more an insult than when we take our bread and butter that we need to survive from the merchant in the square. It is the business of survival, and nothing more." She said slowly.

A heavy silence hung, as if even the walls were holding their breath. At last, it was broken by a soft laughter from Pan that grew progressively louder.

"I like her." He announced between a breath. "She is far more interesting company than some."

Anna heard a small sigh of relief escape John's lips as he turned back to Pan.

"Then, with your permission, sir, we would like to…" He continued.

"No." Pan's face hardened suddenly.

"Sir?"

"You may have meant no insult to me by your actions, but I feel this only makes the transgression worse. Ignorance is a far greater sin than greed. Now I must take the time to teach you."

As Pan spoke, several of the boys seated at the table stood. Some of them pulled knives from their pockets, while others brandished clubs. The room had turned against them faster than the light glinting from the steel of the blades. In immediate response, Anna reached into the pocket of the old workman's trousers she wore and pulled out a crude shank she had made from a shard of broken glass wrapped in an old rag tied tightly to the base. She reached over and pulled Michael closer to her while brandishing her sole source of protection before them. A loud click announced the arrival of a revolver on the scene, pulled by Slightly that he now leveled right at Anna.

"Just say the word, boss." The blonde-haired thug hissed. Anna had a feeling he was yearning for an excuse.

Pan, however, produced another one of those infuriating grins of his.

"Now there is a girl with fire. She has more balls than you even, John." He observed, and Anna squirmed a bit under his gaze that had taken on a far more immoral tone. Pan reached up and pulled Slightly arm that housed the revolver back down. "I think I could use that."

"I am not looking for new company at the moment." Anna growled. She understood perfectly why Pan wanted hers.

"If you wish you and your companions no harm, I suggest you rethink that position." Pan warned with a darker growl in his voice. "And if you plan on operating within my territory, first you will pay your debt."

Anna glanced at the other boys all standing at the ready for their boss's order to spring forward like a back of hungry wolves. They were not in a position to refuse.

"What would have us do?" She inquired.

"A friend of mine in the central market informs me that a fresh shipment of Erd Valley cheese has arrived at 'Lichestein and Sons Fine Cheeses.' I have a source that will pay nearly twelve kronds for every wheel we can sell him."

The words 'central market' instantly caused both Anna and John to flinch. Pan continued.

"You will help us lift that cheese. Do so to my satisfaction, and the debt will be forgiven."

"And?" Anna was not about to take a half promise.

"And you will be permitted to work within my territory, provided, of course, you pay proper tribute from now on."

"And if we refuse?"

"I am owed, and my debts are never left unsatisfied." It was warning, and a threat. As if to underscore its seriousness, Slightly tightened his grip on the revolver still held at his side.

John gave her a look that spoke his own understanding of the precariousness of their situation. There really was not a choice, was there?

"Alright…" Anna said, placing the shiv back in her pocket, "We shall do as you ask."

At this, Pan's grin finally graduated to a satisfied smile. At a snap of his fingers, a small bottle was placed in his hand as Slightly holstered his pistol, and the others lowered their own implements of violence.

"Excellent! To a new partnership then." The kingpin stood and toasted them before taking a swig. "It will be a most fruitful alliance, I am sure."

The air cleared and, after discussing where and when they would meet for the heist, Anna led John and Michael back out into the humidity drenched air. They said little as they made their way down the dirty streets back toward home. Upon arriving back "home," Michael retreated to his bed and laid down without a word. Anna turned her focus to John, who stood near the end of the alley watching the traffic stroll by him without so much as acknowledging him. He was one of many of the "invisibles." The forgotten abandoned by a society that preferred to ignore his existence, lest they be reminded of their own inequity and callousness.

After waiting to see if he might say anything, or even move, Anna decided to approach. As she did, John did not turn, but indicated his awareness of her by speaking up.

"I was rather pathetic in there, was I not?"

"John…"

He shook his head and looked to his feet.

"I am sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry about."

"No, there is plenty to be sorry about. I am supposed to be the man…I…" He finally turned to face her. "My father always told me that I would be man of the house one day when he was gone. I do not imagine he thought it would be so soon."

"I doubt either of them imagined what would happen."

"No one did, did they? The bloody ship was supposed to be 'unsinkable.'"

"John, you cannot continue to blame yourself for things are beyond your control." Anna gently chastised him. "Neither your parent's death, nor what happened to Wendy."

"We are lucky to have you in our lives, Anna." John said after a minute. "I do not see how we could have continued on without you after Wendy."

"You short yourself far too much credit."

"No as much as you may think."

She embraced him after that. She did not know what else to do. They stayed like that for a moment.

"We should discuss this heist." John said at last as they parted.

"Yes." Anna agreed.

"I think…I think I should be the front man on this."

"Are you sure? I could always…."

"No, I need to do this, Anna."

"John, you have nothing to prove." Anna insisted.

"It is not about proving anything. If we lose you…" He paused for a moment. "Michael needs someone who can care for him."

"You have cared for him just fine all these years. He needs his brother, not a stranger."

"You are not stranger, Anna. You are the closest thing to a sister he has now."

Anna smiled at that. She had grown very close to the boys over the months, certainly.

"Then we need to remain a family. All of us. No one gets pinched this time. We all come home."

Perhaps feeling a bit more confident, John gave a small smile and nodded.

"Then we shall be careful this time. Everyone comes home."

They shook on it. It was the second deal they had done that day. Still, Anna felt much better about this one than she did the other.

We pay our debt to the devil, and then we will be free. She assured herself.

How wrong she was.

Hello everyone, sorry for the delay in updating. The holidays are always quite busy. I am happy to say that I have found someone willing to do a bit of editing for me, so hopefully that will help improve the quality of my writing a bit. In the meantime, I do hope you lot are enjoying things so far. I know it may be a bit slow right now, but things are going to pick up, I can promise you that. Just hang in there in the meanwhile. Leave a review if you have the time. I'd love to get feedback from my readers, good or bad. Cheers, and stay safe and healthy.