The Jellicle's Creed

IV

Frozen Memories

Sequence 2

Memory 4: Infiltrating Weselton

12 July 2050

Arendelle

Roughwater District

Dusk

It was not long after dinner at the Castle when they formally met up with each other and for the most part got to know one another. Albiet enough insofar as to get names down on a first name basis. Mark however insisted that when in public unless otherwise told, he'd refer to the royalty as your highness or my queen, either one. Elsa agreed to not pressure the man. After all each had their own habits.

Kristoff went off on his own after dinner, saying he needed to think on something carefully, Mark went with him however at Annas insistence to at least observe and make sure he'd be OK, with the templars around Mark did not blame Anna for her worry. And he promised the Princess in private that 'd keep out of sight and make sure that Kristoff never came to harm.

It was easier said than done. As he moved through the various crowds within Arendell's Arko district he saw clearly the many Templar groups patrolling constantly. He knew that taking Arko would be a pain in the butt, but it was on his agenda. But when he'd strike he did not yet know. Mark made a mental note to speak with Matthew on when to strike at the Arko District to retake it

Mark followed Kristoff into the Roughwater District, as they crossed into the district the rain began to fall, first a light sprinkle, but he felt in his bones the coming of rain, and the lack of birds. He saw the Templars everywhere as Kristoff headed into a Inn, the Roughwater Inn, aptly named, Mark mused.

He ducked into the inn a few seconds after Kristoff did, and he was glad he had done so. Kristoff went to a table and sat down, he was trying to figure out what to get his future wife for their engagement. Kristoff was seated at table, alone, his back to a roaring fireplace. Even if the heat of summer the inns had fires going at all times. In this case however, one of them seemed a bit well off. Mark stood in the shadows, hood drawn, watching everything.

He was glad he did, Kristoff ordered an ale and some bread, Mark noticed he poked at the bread but drank like a fish, he held his liquer well however. Mark saw two other men, surmising them both to be Templars, he watched as one of them stood, then saw the other across the way stand and start towards Kristoff. Mark smirked, it was time to make himself known to Kristoff. And hope that Kristoff knew how to fistfight when drunk.

Moving forwards as Kristoff noticed out of the corner of his eye the two men coming for him from opposing directions. He set his drink down, he had no weapons on him save for a few carrots in his pocket. Things were not looking good, Kristoff was thinking of making a break for it when Mark sat across from him, as a inn girl went by Mark said "I'll have the same please." He said to the girl. Who nodded and left to get the required order.

Mark turned to Kristoff, "I am glad I found you here, Something was on your mind all during dinner. And trust me I can read faces and expressions like a book, what's bugging you. Come on, you can talk to me." Mark told Kristoff.

For a long moment Kristoff said nothing before saying, finally, "I'm engaged to a verey lovely woman. The love of my life. You met her at dinner. But I find myself at a empasse. I do not know what to get her for a engagement gift." Krsitoff was indeed lost on what to get. What did Anna like ? Well, from what Mark heard told; Anna was something akin to a spry fighter; mostly.

So a new sword was out of the question. So Mark said "What do you think Anna would like best from you ?"

"I've practically given her everything, however, there are some things I need to figure out. What she likes, over what she wants." Kristoff said, he took a sip of his ale as the inn girl brought Marks drink and bread out. Soon as the waitperson left Kristoff went on. "It was during dinner when I really got thinking about it, I might ask Pabbie though, see what he thinks." That got Marks attention, who was Pabbie, sounded like some elder wise beyond years. Kristoff continued "Anna rescued her sister seven years ago. I nearly lost her myself. But it was that act of true love, the love between sisters that they share. That was what thawed her frozen heart"

Mark was thoughtful for but a moment, finally he said "What of Assassin gear ? Surely you have blacksmiths in the kingdom ?" At Kristoffs nod, Mark smiled "Then it is settled, make her something. Make something that you pour your blood sweat and tears into the craftsmanship of the item you make. That way when you present the item to Anna, she'll know the hard work and love that went into it." What stunned Mark was that he never did such a thing himself, but he'd heard the advice from another man when in training, a young fellow looking to impress a girl, and he'd asked a friend, at the same time Mark stood nearby, what to do. Of course Mark at the time was still an Assassin in training. Still merely a Recruit at the time.

"I think I will do that" Kristoff said, he noticed the two men joined by more. "Though before I do I have just one question."

"Yeah ? Speak it." Mark replied.

"Did you notice that pretty much everyone is staring at us right now." Kristoff said. Mark smiled, since he had his back to everyone else in the inn as he faced Kristoff

"I figured as much, how many you count ?" Mark asked.

"Six, maybe more outside." Kristoff said, "is there a bounty on your head ?"

"Not that I recall, though I do recall kicking some Templar ass back in Alexandria to the south." Mark replied, "They might be still sore about that." And they were as one man reached down and hauled Mark to his feet.

"Look here boys! A lost bird! A lost bird that never learned to fly!" The templar snarled in Marks face.

Mark waved a hand "Jaysus harveyo shamban!" Mark grumbled, waving away the stink of the mans breath "You ever try fresh mint toothpaste over rotting guts ?" Kristoff siezed his chance and struck fast at the Templar closest to him. Sending the man sprawling just a bit too close to the fireplace before holding up his ale to Mark in a toast as Mark held up his "Cheers!" Both men promtply downed their ales and slammed the mugs on their would be agressors, sending the two men to the floor in heaps.

"Lets party!" Mark shouted out as two Templars jumped for him, he easily side stepped and threw one dead into the wall with a crash. Mark started whistling a merry tune as Kristoff ducked for cover as another Templar went sailing over him; He found another man, an older fellow, by name of Jenkins, cheering on the younger men as they fought. Kristoff thought the elder man off his rocker, but he recognised the man as a former Ice Harvester.

It was six against one as Mark siezed up the fight within the Roughwater Inn. With two down already, the last six charged at him, first one, then another, with his distracted, or so the Templars thought, a strike landed solid, sending Mark sialing into another Templars arms, the two traded blows before Mark ducked at the very last second allowing the templar to slug his own fellow dead in the face at the same time Mark tripped him up.

Putting a finger to his lips he blew a shrill sounding whistle, Within seconds the fluttering of birds was heard as screams outside were loud and clear as someone else joined the party outside.

Outside the Roughwater Inn three women stood watching and waiting, Snowfeather had a fan in her hands to sheild from the rainfall. Whereas Anna had an Assassin cloak on to cover herself from the rainfall, and also Elsa, dressed normal for that time of day, was once again barefoot. Her sword of ice in one hand. Ready for use. Elsa did not care of the rain as by time it reached her it turned to snowflakes or shards of harmless ice.

"Are you sure you are going to need that ?" Snowfeather said softly as the three moved quickly towards the inn, taking side streets and paths between houses and shops longsince closed up and moved out.

"Matthew said I am to start learning to use it, I did not make this just for beauty; but for practial use." Of course it had no sheath, the sword she made was designed for one thing and one thing only, dealing out ice cold death. "Sure I killed Illitan with it, but that so far, was the only person I slew with this blade, if I am to be an Assassin and the Queen, then I have to use my sword."

"Fine, but we'll wait until we're needed, Anna... Anna!" Snowfeather turned to speak to Anna, who had snuck off to get a better look. There were six dozen men outside the Inn, all of them had markings of the enemy on them all somewhere. Snowfeather and Elsa scampered up in the rain and managed to get under a tarp of sorts and overheard the conversation.

"From the sounds of things it seems our party started, should we go in and end it before the Guard get here ?" Said one of the many gathered in front of the inn.

"Nah, let them fight it out, and when they're done inside and come out, then we'll take thm on, by that time they'll be tired, and easy marks." Said another

"That is what you said the first time, and look what happened to Marcus! Its bad enough Grand Master Duke said to do this job. We failed the last two, this is the next step." Said another

"Shut it all of you. We're to take the two inside alive, not dead. What got into your minds that we wanted them dead ? We want them alive for questioning, then we kill them!" Said a fourth. Apparenty in charge of things. None of them were aware of what was coming their way as a shrill whistle was heard followed by the flapping of many wings. Within minutes what had been men ready to take on Mark as he exited the Inn, was a frantic frenzy of brightly colored birds swarming the two dozen men outside the Inn waiting to ambush Mark

Snowfeather smiled, "Allow me" She said as a man stumbled out of the group to their hiding place, Reaching out quickly she grabbed the man by the collar and hauled him into their hiding place, a hand on the mans mouth. "scream and the Queen will slit your throat. Now, tell us exactly the plan. Now" The man did so. Snowfeather then turned to Elsa, "Well, What now ?" was written all over her face. Elsa reached out her hand and shot the man with ice. That was that. The man dropped like a rock on the ground, frozen solid. Another Templar log cut down. So to speak.

"Come on" Elsa said, by then the birds had distracted as much as needed, coausing the men to flee the area because of the birds. The three women darted from their hiding place up the steps to the Inn entry. Uupon entering they found Kristoff and Mark cleaning up a fallen table, setting chairs upright as well. As she stepped into the common area of the Inn as Frela and a few Guards showed up, Elsa asked. "What happened in here ?"

"Be happy my Ladies, that I follow orders, not exactly to the letter, but I follow orders." At Elsas confused look Mark explained "Anna told me to follow Krsitoff to make sure he'd be safe." Anna confirmed that she explained to the others where Mark had gone, Snowfeather nodded.

Taking a brief look around, Snowfeather asked simply "Tell me something here. Are you done remodeling ?" she asked to Mark, who nodded, "Good, we take our leave then, Its been a rough morning and day for all of us I am sure, and we could all use a good nights rest." With that Snowfeather turned to Elsa, with a slight bow she said "Elsa, if you not mind it any I'd like to sleep in the watchtower room of the castle gates, just to make sure no unwanted guests show up." Elsa agreed and gave over a ice made key to get into the castle gardgate room.

Mark turned to the sisters, with a curt bow he aid simply "I do as told do I not ?" Kristoff was thankfully unharmed. Seeing her betrothed safe Anna nodded and gave a quick peck on Marks cheek before thanking him and helping Kristoff return to his place at the castle. That left Mark and Elsa. And Mark just felt his world drop away as he turned to the Queen. What to say, what to do to not look a fool Mark thought.

Thankfully Elsa saved him from looking like a fool or even sounding like one when she asked him "you mind walking me home ?" She had dismissed her sword outside. Feeling it not needed while in the Inn for that time. "It is not far, or are you worried of something ?"

Mark smiled, giving his arm to the Queen he said simply "It would be an honor, my Queen, to escort you home in safety." With that he opened the door for them to exit the Inn while speaking to the keeper "Sorry about the mess." He tossed over a coin or six of platinum. It was enough to outright rebuild the Inn. Mark then escorted Elsa back to the Castle. He asked her only one question, where the library was located. Elsa said she'd guide him there since he was a gentleman. He accepted that.

When elsa left him in the library of the Castle to go to sleep, Mark remained at a desk long into the night, reading up about trolls and magic, and feeling his heart hammer loudly at the mere thought of touching the queen.

13 July 2050

Arendelle Assassin Headquarters

dawn

Snowfeather stood in the doorframe of her twins room. "You are sure you want to do this ?" She asked Blackmane in Siamese, their native langauge. "The duke is not expecting you, but me. You know this. I was his prisoner in the past." It had been a crazy night, Arko Distrct was set to be librated that evening, hopefully the plan Mark came up with would work.

"But you wont be again, remember, it is Elsa he is really after, I do not trust his motives. Nor do I trust Prince Hans either." Blackmane said, she was using spells and elemental codecs to change clothing to match her twin sister, Finally getting the desired items she needed she turned to Snowfeather, "How do I look ?"

"Like I'm staring at a slightly shorter version of myself aside from the voice you're a dead match." Snowfeather replied, it spooked her sometimes when they did it, but it worked better than most times that they had to do it.

Blackmane smirked ."That's a given, now, you know what to do when I get on the ship ?" Blackmane had on Snowfeathers normal black robes and brilliant white hair. Though not exactly built like her twin, Blackmane looked the part perfectly. Just a mite heavier

Snowfeather sighed and snapped a clawed finger, within a heartbeat Snowfeather and Blackmane had changed into each other. There was no differences between them, hair color, eye color, everything was a perfect match up! Even Elsa herself wouldn't know the difference. That was true in the fact that the plan was for Blackmane to go as Snowfeather to the Duke of Weselton as a prisoner. The Duke would be none the wiser.

Snowfeather, as Blackmane, asked... herself, "You are still sure you want to do this ?" Snowfeather herself was not so sure, and yet she wanted to be sure before sending her sister out on a wild goose chase.

"I am" It felt weird, Snowfeather felt strange acting like her sister, and her sister likewise acted the same way. But they had done it many times in the past, and they therefore treated it in that manner. One of their old tricks put to the test again. Thank goodness the people of Arendelle only one or two were Jellicles, and as far as Snowfeather could see, one was possibly a Pharo breed Pollicle. But it could have been a poster.

Arendelle Castle

Midmorning

Breakfast was served promptly at nine am each morning within the castle and Marketplace district. That was where the twins found Anna as they made their way through the marketplace, they had sent word the night before to the duke by pigeon and were awaiting return notice at the time. Snowfeather, acting as Blackmane, saw Anna as the Princess exited the castle Ice Rink gates and headed into the marketplace district. Nudging her sister, who was packing up as Snowfeather, she pointed out Anna and the interestingly thoughtful, almost lost look upon the Princess' face. "Let us see what happened." 'Blackmane' said, 'Snowfeather' agreed.

As Anna neared them 'Snowfeather' called out to her. "Anna, what is wrong ? You look distressed about something, or lost in thought, either one."

Looking to the two Anna took in who spoke first, turning to Blackmane, who in fact was really Snowfeather, she explained. "I had a weird dream last night, I was trying to figure it out, Elsa wasn't any help at all since she's still asleep. Do you guys have anything written down concerning a ball, about so big" Anna made motions with her hands, holding them apart to show the size of something round. "It had glowy lines on it, made a weird humming noise of some form."

The twins traded looks, "I know of it. Come with me." 'Blackmane' said, 'Snowfeather' smiled at her sister, with a nod 'Blackmane' reached a hand up

"It is alright," said Blackmane in the guise of her sister, "I have to go anyway to finish packing and be ready to get on ship out. Good luck to you Princess. It was an honor to see you this morning" With that Blackmane, as Snowfeather, turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowds.

The real Snowfeather lead Anna back to the Assassin headquarters and helped the Princess to the rooftop hatch before letting down a ladder for the princess to climb down. "What you spoke about at the marketplace I'm familiar with only so much. I think our library has information on it." With that, Snowfeather moved to some bookshelves. Finding what she sought she held it up. "Ancient Items File." She said.

She moved to the desk and opened the book atop it, letting Anna shift through the various hand drawn images until coming to what she sought. "There, that isn't I'd know it anywhere if I saw it in person. That's what I saw in my dream." The Piece of Eden, as Snowfeather knew them as, was no larger than a regulation softball. Maybe denser. It did not matter.

Taking a closer look at it Snowfeather nodded, "I have seen one like this before, my lover carries one on him at all times. It has... interesting powers." Snowfeather said, her lover, the man in question she meant was actually Mentor Grayhame. The Assassin Brotherhood Mentor, based in London, to the south, a good week away in fact.

"Powers ? Like what ?" Anna asked.

"For one thing it can control others minds, the person that holds the device has control over others. Or can convince others he or she is not there. Other times it gives glances of the future, past, maybe even deeper if one looked into it too much. But only certain people can handle the device. Its powerful and many have tried to use them, only to die or be... simply forgotten. Or driven mad." Snowfeather explained.

"Though" She snickered then "one of the more fun things one can do with the device is make more of themselves to distract others around them, and in a manner, even the fight they find themselves in." Snowfeather turned from the book towards the desk. "But I wonder, why are you wondering of this device ?"

"I dreamed about it" Anna said in reply "About two months ago a man broke into the castle and tried to attack us, he threatened Kristoff, and even somehow evaded our archers bolts before Elsa spiked him in the lungs against the dining room wall." Anna then explained the items the man wore, pointing out the cross on the gold ring that Blackmane had identified easily.

"That explains much, but now how the crossbowmen where unable to make their mark." Snowfeather said as Anna once more leafed through the pages of the book and stopped at something that looked like a ring

Tapping the image Anna said "This, Elsa picked this item up off the floor shortly after the body was cleared from the dining room. She had the guys clothing and gear kept though. I do not know what she did with this thing. Its small, looks like a ring, but. I do not know of what good it would be for one to try to use. He had it on a chain. Not on his fingers or anything, the guy was young looking too, but also experienced as he was never seen by anyone until he tried to threaten us."

"Its possible that his device on the chain helped with that." Snowfeather pointed out some notes, written over in both Siamese and Norse with translations. "Apparently the finger device as it was noted as can grant invisiblity, known as a cloak, or extra armor, thus making it inpossible to harm the man by fired items, in this case a crossbow bolt or two. Maybe even a musket ball. It also might be what triggered your dream."

Snowfeather then saw something on the desk, her pack, she still had yet to unpack! Why was it glowing ? Snowfeather went over to the pack and opened it, "Munku you sly devil." She said softly reaching into the pack she removed a Piece of Eden, but not the one that Anna had dreamed about. Anna raised an eyebrow as Snowfeather seemed to go over the surface of the bronze item. The markings were similary glowy like the one she had dreamed about. But actually seeing it in person.

"Alright" Snowfeather said after a long moment, A map sprang out of the device, showing the world. "Let us find out just why you dreamed that dream." She found Arendelle "Here is us. Marked with a star, this designates a point of origin. In this case, Arendelle is marked with a star. Where we start from." She shifted the map briefly, zooming in on the area. "There is two more, one of them in the castle." There was a complete layout of the Kingdom and main city itself where fifty eight districts were located. A dot blinked in the castle area.

"There" Anna pointed at another blinking dot. Snowfeather moved the map to recofus on the area. Both of them recognised it. "Isn't that..." Anna started to ask before Snowfeather spoke up.

"Blackrock Haven" Snowfeather hissed softly. She had been there twice, the Wolf Queen had nearly overran the place the second time, and the first time the Templars had tried to take the area as a base. Since the Wolf Queen was destroyed within the temple itself. That made a bit more sense to use it as a hunting camp. The ice harvestors knew of it and had camped there before.

"Something wrong ?" Anna asked.

"I should have known," Snowfeather grumbled, turning to Anna she asked "How old are you ?" After seven years Elsa was twenty eight, with Anna three years younger at twenty five.

"uh... twenty five, why ?" Anna replied.

"Great, now its active. I cannot leave the city due to the rebuilding I am to oversee." Snowfeather, in her guise as Blackmane replied, "Blackrock Haven is a half day away by ship, two days by land. I cannot leave the city; and I've no recruits to send to recover the device."

"I could go, just give me the info of what to look for and need before going and I'll let Elsa know about it before hand. I'll even take Kristoff with me. We'll be back before dinnerr tomorrow if we leave at midafternoon and search upon arrival." Anna said, her mind made up, she wanted to see this through.

Snowfeater smiled softly, "I highly doubt that your sister will let you even leave." She said.

"So ? I wont tell her I'm leaving. I can at least tell her I dreamed about it and spoke with you to help me figure it out. I wont even mention I left. Well, I might mention it to Matthew, he'll have to cover for us and Sven, Mostly because we don't want Olaf to come along. But seperating him and Sven might not be a good idea. Unless we do it with good reason." Anna said, already the gears of planning were turning in her head.

Finally after a long moment Snowfeather, as her sister Blackmane, nodded, "Very well, I'll give you the contract, but do not say I did not warn you, take some weapona along and charter a ship. Do it in secret. Mention my name and you should be well on your way before Elsa figures out your deception."

"I hate having to lie to my sister, but its for the best, better we get this thing instead of those dorks that wanted to harm my feiance." Anna said, she gave 'Blackmane' a hug, "Thanks I knew I could trust you!" She then took off out of the headquarters. Snowfeather was thankful that the Princess did not ask about the hidden blades on the counter top.

Arendelle Castle

Elsa's bedroom

Noon

"No. Whatever you are about to ask before I am even awake enough to think, I'm just going to say no" Elsa said as she all but fell out of bed. The day and night before had taken a toll on her. She was safe, she knew, the night before when Mark, the new guy in town with Snowfeather, had escorted her back to the Castle. The night was a total rush, and Elsa barely got any sleep at all, her mind was on that weird fight an what the Templar told her and Snowfeather, she was unhappy that Anna was there though. But it was not helped, as Anna was more helpful by sending Mark after Kristoff.

Anna faked a pout before saying. "I was not going to ask if you wanted to build a snowman, but I wanted to tell you something important." There was an impish look to her eyes as she spoke.

Elsa was barely awake as it was as she stumbled over to a wardrobe desk and looked in the mirror, oy she was a mess. She hadn't even bothered to change the night before and just zonked out in bed in her normal clothing. "OK, spill it then." Elsa said as she grabbed a hairbrush and ran it through her hair a few times before giving up and letting the ice have its way for once.

Anna walked around her sisters bedroom, "I had a weird dream last night. I spoke with Blackmane about it" she explained. "Remember that dork that tried to kill Kristoff ?" at her sisters nod, Anna continued "Well, that thing he had on a chain. Blackmane had abook of hand drawn images made ages ago, maybe back when she was first here all those years ago when Great grandma Marissa was Queen ? Anyway. The item was in there. It might be what triggered my dream" Anna then detailed her dream for her sister and finding of the image of the device in the same book.

"Ok ? So ?" Elsa said as she stepped behind the dressing screen. Her voice heard as she was behind the thing. Slipping out of her nightgown and into her battledress was easy. And quietly done. "What about this device ? Why did you dream about it ?"

"I don't know, it had glowy lines on it and Blackmane said she'd seen one before, her lover carries one on him, it gives the guy holding or using it unique... abilites I should call them I guess." Anna said, she detailed exactly as Snowfeather, in the guise of Blackmane, had told her of what the device could do. And that the nearest possible location of one such device was at Blackrock Haven. A halfday boatride from Arendelle. Pretty much around the Point to the southwest!

"No" Elsa said, stepping out from behind the dressing screen. "I am not going to let you go off on something because you saw it in a ream." Elsa said, she was moving her sleeves into proper angles as one of them was twisted around her arm and elbow. Once it was lose enough she shot it through with some ice to make it lighter. Then it felt right.

Anna smiled seeing her sister using her ice to make clothing. "I can never get over how you make your clothing so beautiful just by using ice. Might be why that new guy was staring. I am pretty sure he was focused on you. Or at least, a part of you." Anna said.

Elsa raised an eyebrow and glared at her sister "You mean Mark ? He's a gentleman. He escorted me home last night, you saw how he acted." She said, coming to the defense of a man she had just barely met the day before who had also escorted her back home to the castle without worry, was rather interesting to say in the least. "He even kept his hands to himself."

"Yeah, with you on one of those arms I'm actually kind of surprised he did not try anything stupid." Anna said, Elsa conjured up a snowball and chucked the powdery thing at her sister. "Hey!" Anna replied ducking out of the way of another one "Don't shoot! We're on the same side!" She said in a joking tone. She'd gotten her sister focused off of her and Kristoff going off to Blackrock, perfect!

Elsa laughed "Is that all you wanted to tell me ? You had a weird dream, spoke with Blackmane, and now she's off going to find what you dreamed about ?" Elsa had it mostly right, well, almost none of it actually. As Anna did speak with Blackmane, though in this case, Snowfeather, but neither of them knew that Snowfeather remained and Blackmane had just left for Weselton.

"Mhm, well, mostly, I forgot to mention that Snowfeather left for Weasltown. She said something of an old date she had to finish with the Duke. Also don't worry, its not like I'm going to go myself. Even if I was, its only a half day away. I could be back before dinnerr. Or maybe you could" Anna replied.

"No, I can't leave, I'm the queen, remember ?" Elsa said, "I can't just up and go, if I even try Prince Hans or the Duke might try something. Well, unless Snowfeather proves to be distracting enough." Elsa then fell into thoughts, perhaps she should go and find that thing her sister dreamed about ?

Anna pointed to the door then. "Can I go now ?" Anna had plans, as did Elsa. Elsa just waved her sister off. She needed to find Matthew.

Anna darted out of her sisters room and went in search of Matthew, finding the man at the Castle Ice Rink Courtyard on his own with one of the most beautiful swords Anna had ever seen.

When Matthew saw her he slowly ended his dance that Anna observed, so fluid were his movements. It was like a dance of the most beautiful deadly things that Anna had ever seen. Matthew even caused it to snow around him, but his movements with his sword kept the area within the reach of his sword free of any snowfall on the ground.

Finally the very deadly, yet elegant and beautiful dance came to an end, Matthew turned and bowed to Anna, "Afternoon Princess, Is there something troubling you ?" He asked her

Anna shook her head and explained to him what she plained, "Can you cover for Kristoff and I to Elsa ? Its important I find this thing." she detailed where she had Blackmane had found another Piece.

For a long a moment Matthew said nothing, finally he nodded "Yes, I will inform Elsa that you went back to Roughwater Inn to help with the cleanup there. don't worry its taken care of. Mark was able to pay for any damages made to the innkeeper last night. If it were not for you, Kristoff would have been captured and you going after him alone."

"But you'll also have to inform Olaf that we had to take Sven with us. We need his help too. But Olaf can't come because of his connection to Elsa and I, he'd stand out like an albino and a clan meet." she said.

Matthew nodded "Get going then Princess, you haven't much time considering the ice is getting cleaner, I suggest the Docks and not the Port to make your... getaway. Good luck, return in one piece or your sister will have my neck." Anna smiled and took off. With a brief stop at the Castle Armory she darted out of sight before Elsa made it to Matthew.

By the time Matthew had delayed Elsa long enough, Anna and Kristoff along with Sven were well on their way as the ship pulled out.

At Matthews insistence, mostly because Elsa also carried her mothers journal, he spoke of the device as Anna mentioned it to him, he wondered why she dreamed about it, and why he never knew of such a device when he was there teaching Elsa before the ill fated trip. Elsa then opened the journal and started reading aloud to Matthew of what her mother had written about the device and where she had hid one of the two that they possessed. "I hid the device at Christophe's insisting. I chose a good location, it actives only to his or my touch, or to the touch of our children. I had always hoped to find the reason behind Elsa's gifts through use of the device, and yet none were forthcoming. Everything I tried to search for came up blank. Perhaps she would have better luck. Never the less I hid the device. Only our children will find it. I hid it in..." "Blackrock Haven" Elsa breathed aloud, looking to Matthew, Anna had mentioned finding the device was located at Blackrock.

"That is funny" Matthew said to Elsa, who looked at him confused, "Anna said something about Kristoff going to Blackrock Haven to harvest ice on the north shore."

"What ?!" Anna had lied ? Why ? Elsa stared at Matthew "Where did she go ? When did she go ?" She asked. Rather than let Matthew reply Elsa thrust her mothers journal into his arms and took off for the docks. Skating on the ice she created to get to the docks quicker. Leaving a briefly startled Matthew in her wake. Well, he mused, he had delayed her long enough to let Anna and Kristoff get to Blackrock. By now their ship had left

Arendelle Docks

Main Peir

A few minutes later

Elsa all but ran to the end of the peir. The ship was just leaving the harbor as she halted at the edge of the dock. "Elsa, wait!" Matthew called after her as she came to a stop, he ran up beside her. "Its too late."

"I have to go after them." Elsa said, her mind already made up. She'd find a ship, and a crew for it, and go after her sister. Whatever Anna was planning was crazy.

"No" Matthew replied sternly. Putting a fast end to his students trail of thought.

"You are really saying say 'no' to your queen ?" Elsa gave Matthew a death glare that could rot out swiss cheese.

"I am saying no to my student." Matthew replied Elsa just rolled her eyes and watched as the ship soon faded from sight. "For good reason, we both love Anna, and we both trust her, Besides, she's with Kristoff and Sven, she'll be safe. I trust them. You should to."

"Why didn't you go with them ?" Elsa asked, glancing towards Matthew.

"They didn't want me to." Matthew replied, looking at her. Elsa had turned her gaze back to the rapidly disappearing ship. "Anna said I'd be more useful here."

"For what ?" Elsa asked softly.

"Anna and Kristoff didn't want you to be alone. they'll be back soon." Elsa looked to Matthew, a sad look in her eyes.

"They did not have to do this." Elsa said to him. Her fists clinched at her sides, ice forming on them.

"Of course they didn't. But you told Anna, and you're right, you're the Queen and you can't leave, at least, not yet anyway. But you're also my student as well, you've yet to master your powers and from what I have seen, you've yet to show any progress of what I've once taught you. If you go after them, Prince Hans or even the Duke will try to nail you down or take you out, you heard what Brun said of what his brother found out."

Elsa could only nod at the memory, Brun and Tuni, Hans elder brothers and the only two of the 13 brothers who prefered the Assassins over the Templars had risked their lives to inform and warn her of their brothers plans and also of the impending visit from the CIA

"But Snowfeather went to Weasltown, she'd distract the Duke long enough for me to go, catch up with Anna and come back." Elsa pointed out what Anna had told an hour or so before.

Matthew nodded in agreement, "True, Snowfeather did have a date with the duke last I heard it did not go over so well and she had to leave rather quickly."

"Besides" Matthew continued "Mark is still here, he's doing contracts for Blackmane, he said something of wanting to ask you about something in private, but never said what was on his mind when I asked him if something troubled him. Oh, and your sword training starts... tonight. Meet me at the ice rink when you're ready." With that Matthew turned on his heel and left Elsa at the end of the peir.

Elsa remained at the peir as the ship sailed away, disappearing into the horizon within moments. Moments longer she remained at the peir before turning and going, slowly, back towards the castle. Lost in thoughts, and memories, and fears.

Blackrock Haven

Dusk

"Wait for us here, we should be back before full dark, if we're lucky, we'll be halfway back to Arendelle by dawn, and back in time for dinner" Kristoff said to the helmsman of the ship they had chartered, Blackrock Haven was an ancient temple and burial ground of some form.

Using a torch that Kristoff lit, Anna lead the way to a construct within the ruins, they saw therecently made fires of hunters that pass through every spring, so the place had been in use before as a campsite. Moving through the area they found several black pillars of strange black rock they had never seen before. Smooth to the touch yet somewhat magical as they walked past.

Anna traced a hand along the surface of one of the black pillars, as she did so glowy lines of pale gold shimmered into view. This was most interesting. Strange lines, similar to the device Blackmane used at the headquarters earlier that day. "Krsitoff look!" Anna said excitedly as they found a door frame. The door was wide open.

"Well, looks like we found what we came for, Here, hold this I'll light another." Kirstoff handed off his torch to Anna and lit a second one, the two then ducked into the door of the strange temple. Ancient in construction Blackrock Temple was renamed Blackrock Haven after a fight there had librated Arendelle generations ago. Blackrock was the site of many deaths. And it was told at times that the dead still walked the ancient temple grounds. But Anna and Kristoff never saw anything undead... yet.

Stepping into the temple was another story as the two went past all sorts of designs on the walls. Pillars stood at even spaces. And a long bridge of sorts went in one direction. Which was their goal in a manner of speaking. Anna peeked over the edge to the waters below. Far below. Kristoff kicked a rock into the darkness below them, it was a good ten or so seconds before they heard the rock hit the water. "long way down." Kristoff said.

"I agree. Come on, look, that pedistal, that might be it." Anna hadn't exactly dreamed of finding the device on a pedistal, but seeing it in the temple, no dead men around. It glowed faintly. Anna handed her torch to Kristoff and withdrew a leather bag. Reaching up to the device time froze around them as the device activated. Golden lines speared from it all around the place. Caging them in. Brief visions of the future sprang out of the device until Anna touched it, it recognised the touch, Queen Idun had placed it there. And either Anna or Elsa could handle it.

The device deactivated upon Anna's touch, but a voice rang out. "Welcome back your Highness, I have waited for you as instructed. Please, instruct me of your needs." Apparently the otherworldly voice was heard only by Anna at that instant.

A few seconds later and Anna was able to come out of the trance, then she and Kristoff hopped onto Svens back as the deer took off qucikly. Anna sensed danger to come. It was time to return home. She wanted Elsa to see what she had found, and what it meant for Arendelle, and why her mother hid the thing there in the first place.

Anna had informed Matthew they'd be home in time for dinner the next day, and Matthew in turn informed Elsa that night not to worry for her sister, they'd be back in time for dinner the next day. Elsa hoped he was right.

And he was, just before the dinner bell rang across the kingdom, Anna and Kristoff stepped into the ice rink courtyard. Anna carried a brown leather bag, inside it was the device she had dreamed about. Of course Anna had to explain exactly why she had lied to her sister, but then when she explained the strange voice, it confused Elsa. Elsa had shown the journal entry to her sister.

Thankful that her sister was once more safe and back home, Elsa went to sleep. The next few weeks she knew, were going to be intense, if that evenings sword training was as intense as it was to be, then Elsa knew in her heart, the next few weeks to a month were to be hell for sure.

With that thought, Elsa stared at the ice on her ceiling before finally falling into a deep sleep.

MEMORY SYNC COMPLETE; SEQEUNCE 2 COMPLETED