"Best not to dwell on it, it wouldn't help us with the pressing issues. Maybe after this threat has been crushed, we can think about that, but for now, we must focus on destroying this group... before they destroy us.", Frollo said.
Tremaine nodded, "Couldn't agree more, Frollo. I will increase the dark spells to defend my castle thoroughly while I send out a few mercenaries as spies on my behalf. I do not know how long this group will rest, but the sooner I send out the spies, the better chances I have in finding out their weak spots, and perhaps I can destroy a few of them before they have the gumption to kill me off and such, you know, to give them grief.".
"Be careful... if they should fail, then they might quickly turn their attention to you, Tremaine.", Frollo warned. He was right in his warning; should the mercenaries fail and cause the Talons to know that Tremaine and by extension, him, they might be willing to quickly silence her once and for all in their efforts to end the war in victory for the meddlesome side of good.
Tremaine solemnly spoke, "I do understand, Frollo. I must take my leave, if there's not anything else you want to say?".
"For now.", Frollo said as he sighed. "I must quickly refocus my efforts in terms of protecting my position; for all we know that group might be considering me next as well."
Tremaine nodded, "That certainly makes sense, but you are far more secluded in place than I am. Your base is literally in the mountains, somewhat inland from Enchanted Lake, between Congo and Narnia, with the river bordering the mountains in two, plus, spring is incoming. The mountain pass and trails will be treacherous with the warmth of spring bringing mudslides, avalanches and such.".
Frollo chuckled, "That is certainly true. All the same, I will see to redouble the defenses here.", anxious as he knows that his secret ally will be looking to ask his shadow minions to patrol the mountains at night.
Tremaine, not noticing the anxiety, smiled coolly, "I wish you good tidings, then.", and Frollo smiled wryly, "I wish you good tidings as well.", and then the magical communication ended, with Tremaine's body mirror now blank, and Frollo's fireplace back to normal.
"Enjoy it while you can, Frollo... Once Mickey, those insufferable fools that ally with him and all others that resist me are taken care of... I'll be coming for you next.", Tremaine gave a sinister chuckle as she stroked Lucifer once more.
Lucifer mewed with a chuckling purr, and within the hour, Tremaine went to update her defenses while calling for her top best mercenaries to act as her spies, and to her word, she finally felt the shield on Cruella's castle fall at last just before she went to put her grandchildren to bed.
Since then, almost two weeks has passed, and like Haku said, John Silver is finally able to get back to full strength and was fitted with a new cyborg arm with Jason's help of his magic ring. Most of the team still calls him Silver while Emma calls him John, and he doesn't mind that at all.
"Still surprised how quick he was able to heal.", Logan admitted as he looked over to see Emma and John a bit further away from the group; the two of them obviously wanted more time just with each other whenever the group was having a chance for some down time.
Haku chuckled as he ate his breakfast, "There's a bit of magic inside him, thanks to the prior healing for his eye and leg 7 years ago, and King Mickey, along with Rapunzel was the healers, due to Jim and Silver's stories relatively. Admittedly, it was on and off for him back then, even with the healing magic. He must have gotten used to being healed occasionally to update the cyborg parts, hence why the cyborg arm isn't bothersome to him much.".
Jason piped up, "Don't forget that Jim or anyone else never had seen an IV bag or a blood infusion, or even a stretcher bed on wheels. The only thing normal was the stitches.".
"Either way, he's lucky to still be alive.", Logan sighed. "Really thought he was a goner there for sure.".
"I agree, I didn't think I was going to be able to really help him.", Haku admitted. "I just did what I could, and he was able to pull through.".
Zuri grinned, "And good thing you did, Haku. Now, look at them. I would swear that they are the prime lovebirds of the team, next to you and Jasmine as the best-looking couple, Logan, and of course, Pippa and Adam as the cutest couple.".
Logan chuckled as he glanced off to the side, to see Jasmine laughing at something that High Princess Giselle spoke while Pippa and Adam are reading a book together to the toddler wolf-shapeshifter pups of Rita.
"Couldn't agree more, brother.", Jason playfully jousted with delight at Logan's side, "You got to admit that you and Jasmine are the best-looking couple of the team.".
Logan raised an eyebrow, "Perhaps you're right. Don't worry, little brother, you'll have your chance to find love sooner or later, along with Haku and Zuri here.".
"Maybe. Personally, I think I might be better off waiting until all the fighting is done, you know?", Jason said. "True. It's a bit rough to be in love while fighting... especially when the one you love is fighting next to you.", Logan reminded.
Zuri shrugged, "That might be true in some situations, but face it, you and all of us have trained Jasmine, and now she's involved in the war as part of the team, along with Silver as an experienced swordsman and sailor, and of course, Adam is great for bashing heads and covert operations with his magic mirror. And you heard them; this war has been happening even before we came on the scene.".
Haku nodded, "And of course, there's Jim and Eilonwy, they're in love as well. Jim's experienced in archery and swordsmanship, thanks to Silver and Jason training him, and Eilonwy is experienced in having skills with magic, sensing dark magic, boosting light magic, and even learning some tricks, thanks to being the ward-daughter of King Arthur back in Fantasia.".
Jason smiled, "Indeed. And we have allies in high places in case we need an army once again. Prince Charles, Princess Cinderella, King Arthur, Queen Kida and King Milo, King Frederic and Queen Ariana, Queen Elsa, and now the royal family here.".
"Yeah, but you know how the bad guys can get when things start looking bad for them, they get desperate and I fear what they have in mind.", Logan added. "I know I'm being pessimistic at the moment; just, it's something we should at least keep in mind.".
"True.", Haku nodded. "It would be foolish for us to let our guard down.", he said with a grim look. The doors to the large dining room opened, revealing King Edward and High Prince Robert, and as they sat down, the others laid eyes on King Edward.
"I have received news by messenger bird. The last of the freed prisoners are back home safely, and the wild animals in part are now back into the forests up north. We will keep the domesticated animals here until their owners claim them or we help them find a new home. Are you taking Rajah along, Princess Jasmine?".
Jasmine smiled bitterly, "No need to call me Princess anymore. I'm just Jasmine, King Edward, and yes, I am taking Rajah along. I ain't leaving him out of my sight.", petting Rajah who has been resting near her seat, giving out a rumbling purr, finally back to full health, thanks to hunting with his friends in the nearby forest and cliffs.
King Edward nodded, "Very well. Your friends Chip and Dale are doing well, United Talons. Turns out the elves of the lost Mushroomton are calling the other elves to rebuild Auglire Castle in honor of Snow White, and your seven dwarf friends are coming along in a week there to help out.".
"That's good to hear; I feel we might actually be reaching a turning point these last few weeks. Medusa and Cruella, we're certainly must be hurting Tremaine.", Jasmine said.
"But that also means we're more than likely really pissed her off. She's going to be much harder to defeat.", Logan explained. "You think that because she might be getting desperate?", Edward theorized.
"Not might, I know it. Our victories have been quick and divisive; not something that was the norm for this war before; long sieges, bloody clashes on open fields. It's warfare we're more familiar with, but you and her and others, not so much.", Emma responded.
All eyes turn to Emma upon hearing that, and Emma chuckled softly, "Have you heard about a creature called a hydra, King Edward?".
King Edward nodded, "Yes, we know of it as Hercules, the God of Heroes has fought one before he ascended up to Mount Olympus with his wife, Megara.".
Emma nodded, "As you know, the heads multiple when cut off, but if we hit them at the heart or organs, the heads will be gone within time. That's why we went for the goblins, Gaston, Hans, Medusa, and recently, Cruella.".
"I see... weaken the support that Tramaine and others would have; cutting them off from one another mostly.", Edward stroked his chin.
"Exactly.", Haku gave a small smirk. "And we still keep a fairly good advantage over them as we're still fairly unknown to them.".
"Honestly surprised we've gone this long without them really knowing who we are and where we've came from.", Jason shook his head.
Silver spoke, "Perhaps that's our high advantage. Through the towns and all, you have never explained much about where you're from. Sure, rumors of your descriptions and names would be known, but not fairly known of your skills with warfare and of course, your dragon forms' abilities and such.", with a wry grin.
High Prince Robert replied, "Don't forget that a small team is favorably invisible than an entire army.", with a nod, knowing that an army is easily seen for miles from a town or kingdom.
"And less of a burden for supplies. Probably another advantage as we don't have much in terms of supply trains that can be interdicted.", Emma said.
"Isn't that the truth?", Edward sighed. "Quite a few of our defeats in this war were thanks to our supplies being hampered or destroyed. Perhaps we ourselves wouldn't have fallen at first if those defeats had been victories.".
Rita the wolf shapeshifter then replied, "I would never thank you enough for rescuing us from Cruella's rule.", being the only one of the freed prisoners to stay in the castle, for the sake of her pups. Her mate, Dodger is soon on the way here to reunite with her and their children, such to her joy.
Princess Morgan replied, "Yeah, it feels like a dream, you know? But I know it ain't a dream. I'm so happy to be a princess again, and together again with Daddy and Mom.", smiling at her parents, High Prince Robert and High Princess Giselle. True, she misses her friends in the kids of the freed prisoners, especially Jack-Jack the griffin shapeshifter, but she knows they wanted so much to be back with their families.
Emma chuckled, "You're very much welcome, young one.", and Prince Robert spoke, "So, you're still aiming for the town of Willow's End to gather more information, then?".
Emma nodded, "Willow's End is said to be three days' horseback ride away to Stronghold Cadiz. If we find information about Tremaine in town, it's better than nothing.".
King Edward sighed, "I have to warn you. The town has changed lots for the past two years since Medusa, Cruella, and Tremaine took over the kingdoms. While serving Cruella, I have heard word of that Lord Mortimer is under lock and key in threat of killing his people by Tremaine's mercenaries, and that to survive, the town serves the mercenaries by food, shelter, information, and...", glancing at Morgan and the pups, carefully speaking, "the use of their bodies.", with a grimace, referring to that the townspeople's virgin women and men has become prostitutes by either greed or force.
"One of the many casualties of war; not simply death but the rapid change of livelihoods, desperate to survive during rough occupation.", Haku growled as he took one more bite of his breakfast.
"I certainly hope that things will change soon; Willow's End is close enough for us to perhaps soon protect and restore it to its former sense in a way soon. But as long as Tremaine is in power; it'll never truly be safe.", Edward said.
Emma nodded, "Which is why we're leaving after breakfast. We thank you for your hospitality, hosting us and giving us time to rest, heal, and plan, Your Majesty.".
A moment later, Jim and Eilonwy came in, having already finished breakfast several minutes earlier, and was getting the horses ready, and Jim smiled, "The horses are all watered and fed, and all saddled up, Emma.".
"Good boy.", Emma chuckled as Jim blushed a bit. "Come on, Emma, don't tease the boy.", John said as he grunted while getting up.
"You sure you'll be alright to move, Silver?", Eilonwy asked. "Even with magic and all, it still would be a good idea to keep things a bit easy at the moment.".
John looked at Eilonwy, "Lass, I have more than enough strength to go on, and besides, I'm more alive than ever. I may be half cyborg now, but my heart is beating strong as ever.".
Emma chuckled softly, "And besides, Willow's End is only a day of horseback ride. With good time, we could be there by night. John can manage it. After all, he's a stubborn scoundrel.", with a teasing smirk at John.
"First of all, didn't you say it was three days only five minutes ago?", John teased right back. "And secondly, you better believe I'm stubborn... of course, you give me more of a reason to be that way.".
Emma sighed, "First of all, this castle is Malaga Castle. From Malaga Castle to Willow's End, it's one day of horseback. From Willow's End to Stronghold Cadiz which is Tremaine's reclaimed kingdom, it's three days of horseback. Secondly, I know you are stubborn, doesn't mean that I can't be stubborn too.", with a raised eyebrow.
Jason whistled, "Oooh, burn!", with the rest of the team smirking and grinning, amazed to see Emma's stubborn, teasing, and funny side coming out more, thanks to Silver.
"You realize how lame you sound?", Logan snickered as Jason threw a punch and dead armed him. "Ow...", Logan muttered as he rubbed his arm.
"You deserved it.", Jason smirked as the others snickered upon Logan's slight glare at Jason.
Emma rolled her eyes with a warm smile, "Give your goodbyes, team, and we'll head off.", after drinking up the last of her milk, and got up, smiling to the royal family with a brief bow before joining up with John to head out of the main floor to the stables.
It wasn't long to part ways for the group, time was truly of the essence since it would be better to reach Willow's End by nightfall. Being out in the wilderness during night would be a bad idea, especially if Tremaine's forces were shadowing them. She had to be; it was the only real decision she could do to counter the Talons at the moment.
With a final wave sendoff from the royal family and Rita, the team set out from the gates, glad that King Edward gave them a map of Andalasia since the old maps got destroyed in the river back at the border between Arendelle and Andalasia.
"These are much better maps than the ones we had before.", Zuri said as the group rode their horses. "Certainly, much better detail.".
"Any sort of shortcuts or secret paths we maybe could take advantage?", Jasmine asked as she was close to her, their horses walking side by side.
Zuri hummed, "Not much in shortcuts or secret paths. Willow's End is literally smack in the middle of the forest; I can see 6 paths spreading out through Willow's End. Our path is the right, top one, and we follow it down.".
Jasmine nodded, "Which means those 6 paths are the 6 directions: North, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast, and Southwest. Now I understand what Father was saying about trade and politics. He said if there were less paths, there would be less opportunities to trade, have relationships in politics and such, and of course, my least favorite part back then was the betrothal agreements...My mother was from Stronghold Cadiz...She wasn't a royal, but rather a noble.".
Logan placed a hand on her shoulder as he tried to comfort her there. Meanwhile, Jason was leaning over to look at the map, "Bit concerned if an attack comes to the town. One or two paths in would be easier to defend; but 5 at least if this road isn't used is much more difficult to hold."
"You think Tremaine would be planning to attack us at Willow's End already?", Silver asked. "It would make good sense; especially since we're close to her base of power here; what better way to delay or even better, crush us here?", Jason pointed out.
Emma spoke, "You give good points, Jason. Adam, can you ask your magic mirror to see if there's anything off about Willow's End?", looking at Adam on his horse, next to Pippa on her horse.