Jellicle's Creed
Frozen Memories
Seqeunce 9
Memory 5: Crystalise part 2
19 February 2052
Marketplace Assassin Den
Arendelle
Just before dinner
"There is no Chaos, there is Harmony"
- The Jedi Code
This was truly going to be a long night, Snowfeather knew it clearly as she already had a blinding headache. Her son, Mark, along with both of her daughters stood waiting for her next set of mission contracts. Snowfeather simply sat at her desk, her elbows upon it, head in her hands, Mark could see clearly then the white bengal markings his mother possessed. It was clear by the pained sounding growls and grunts from Snowfeather that there was indeed a problem.
Finally after about a moment or so Snowfeather spoke. "Elsa has been missing" Ok that wasnt good. "For the last three days, the Elsiar Brothel has been keeping careful watch on things, secret meetings, the Queen apparently had a twin there in the case she'd be needed. We werent told this until just before I called for you three"
Serena spoke first. "What do you want us to do Mother ?" Of the two girls, both of them looked alarmingly like Elsa aside from haircolor. Snowfeather had to think carefully as Serena spoke the question.
Snowfeather finally looked up from massaging her forehead to try and kill the migraine she had. Looking first to Serena, then to Serenity, the latter of which still had scars on her face that were quickly healing thanks to the healing spells. She took a deep breath. her mind made up. "Serena, I want you to dye your hair platnium white, with your hair dyed you look identical to Elsa, lately her hair hasnt been braided, you seem her size, if not the Assassin Seamstress can make you a set of Elsas royal gown" Serena nodded, thankful for no ice gown.
Snowfeather turned to Mark and Serenity, her second daughter and adopted son looked at her expectantly. "The two of you will meet up with a contact in a city called Gilja, its a 14 hour drive, none of us have been there so a transportation array wont work. Our contact there has reported extreme CIA activity and belives Elsa is there. I trust her word and that of... an old friend." She said. Serenity nodded, "By time of your arrival your burn scars will be healed. Like Mark mentinioed, the more stronger districts are more ready for the liberation strikes. Some of them their soldiers are... hyped up; this will get you two out of Arendelle and lure the templars into a false sense of security, with you two leaving, their top targets I might add. they will think they can have some peace, In the mean time I will take care of liberation of the next two districts. Serena, get to the castle. Mark, Serenity, your ship leaves in ten minutes, be on it"
Serenity nodded again, "Yes Momma" She said, almost dejectedly before her mother smiled
"Take Slicer with you, with it you can scout ahead and get around any CIA traps or find out if Elsa is really there before going in" Snowfeather said as an afterthought, it made Serenity smile and all but happly say yes to the mission. Finally she could use Slicer on a mission again! When they turned to leave Snowfeather spoke up "Try and keep the place standing, the less people know about our attack the better."
Arendelle
Talz District
Brothel
At that same moment
Tiri paced in the courtyard, this was crazy, sure she looked and sounded like Elsa, but for Elsa to be missing so long. This was driving her crazy, possibly too crazy. She paced in the private courtyard, thankfully she didnt have to act as Elsa for another day now, three days was enough, the Assassin's had it covered now, so she was all set, but she saw that some of the girls were worried about something. "Its about Elsa missing, isnt it ?" She asked
She couldnt have been more wrong. But before Tiri or trhe girls could speak, their attention was taken by the arrival of a woman, clearly a woman by look of how the person carried herself, her long black hair framed a masked face with a wide cloth hat covering her head to shield from the sunlight. The woman did not look familar to Tiri. Dressed in various shades of green and silver.
The woman moved with a purpose, eyes an pale green hue darted first to the girls, then to Tiri, Then from the women to the door itself, this was where the letter sent her, this was where her boss was. Heading for the steps, the strange woman lightly stepped up the four steps without so much as a crunch of hardpacked snow underfoot and stepped to the door and entering the Brothel. Well this was interesting. Both Tiri and Marion watched the woman disappear inside the building, the door closing without a sound.
Tiri jerked a thumb in the direction the woman went "Who was that ?" to that end none of the girls had an answer. Unseen by anyone a ghostly form standing atop a nearby building smirked and disappeared. A new guest had joined the party
The unknown woman gave a somewhat dirty look from her amber eyes towards the woman at the entry desk, only to get pointed towards the stairs and told, last door at the end fo the hall. The woman in green simply nodded her thanks and stepped up the stairs. the design of the womans dress alone spelled oriental or even otherworldly, or otherwise. But the truth was, the woman was in fact native to that area. Easily stalking down the hall to the last door she entered it and looked around the room
"I was not expecting you until after what is to come, during the clean up in fact" Light said from the third floor observatory room that looked out upon the kingdom of Arendelle, it reminded her the most of her own crystal Court
"Conditions arose, I had to do something, there was no means to get information to here as all Assassin links in Southern Isiles is cut or washed away" The unknown woman said, her face behind a silk mask, her lumicent green eyes stared out at the world. The jade green clothing the woman wore was edged and enlaid with silver designs. Only Light knew who this woman was, and how important she was in the coming weeks.
Light never looked towards the woman, crossing her arms she spoke simply "Conditions ?"
The unknown woman withdrew from her sleeve a silver stone and a hologram projected from it, it showed two people, a older woman, and a frail child. "They arrived two weeks ago by ship. My job was to ensure their transport to the palace from the docks under cover of night. The Prince gave orders for it so I had to do it. Though I hated doing it to them both. I fear for the child, if only I had one of Grandfathers Healing Stones..."
"The healing stones will be of little use here, the level of frailty of the child proves something stronger than a healing stone will be needed" Light broke in thoughtfully; whatever she was thinking the unknown woman had no answer for.
"And what can provide such power to heal one so frail ?" Came the question
Light smiled, looking over her shoulder to the woman. "Well, aside from me, there is one thing: The Shroud." she said. "That thing can heal and cure just about any ailment, even the rarest forms of Cancer given time." Light wasn't wasting time with this, the faster the child was in tip-top shape the better, and the faster she could fulfil her birthright.
"Find it, save the child."
Lady's eyes went wide, She recalled legends about the Shroud. "Find it ? Is it in Arendelle ?" If the shroud was indeed in Arendelle that gave her a starting point, but she didnt have a lot of time based on the child's condition by that point, two weeks by ship to and from the Southern Isles' capital of Southton. The crystal disappeared up her sleeve as she crossed her arms in thought
There had to be a place she could begin looking without arousing suspicion off the bat. But where ? She then remembered briefly a secret way into the palace. "I'll start in the Palace, as a girl the guards there took a liking to my ... me... and some friends I guess they were" She briefly saw a boy and girl with her and the guards at the barracks just inside the Castle Courtyard seemingly ages before. "If those guards are still there they can be of help. Maybe." She sighed, then looked to Light "Is there anything else I should be aware of in my time away ?" Aside from the Brothel being opened and the Assassin's having more of a stronger presence in the kingdom...
Light paused for a moment. "Try to avoid people who seem familiar. At least, for now. I'll explain later. Your mission is to get the shroud." she said sternly, perhaps the most stern she'd been in a while - but this point was important, and must be followed. "Many of the Palace guards have been replaced with Assassins, they will notice anything out of the ordinary, so do your best to not be seen. If you do, use your training and your...assets, to get you out of trouble."
Light's tone was serious, but she couldn't help but crack a smirk at the innuendo. It seemed that even the mighty All-Mother wasn't above them, and she even enjoyed them. She quickly became serious again and nodded. "Now go...with the condition that child is, I doubt she'll have longer than a month to live."
Lady nodded, , Light was unnaturally stern but she didnt questuion the All-Mothers motives, Lady knew far better than to do so. She too smuirked at the mention of getting the job done no matter what and not to get seen by anyone. Most Tigris could get around literally unntoiced like a certain pair of twins
Lady smirked, close to laughing. Light Trained her in the arts of pure stealth, nothing could find her execept Lady Kanwar or Light herself, though sometimes Asaca stumbled on her when faking being a white tiger rug. Mere thought of using her assets to get out of trouble... seducing men... she hadnt done that in a long time. Not since Galen simply fell for her whe she first laid her eyes on him. Lady nodded again, bowing her head and saluting in the standard salute she took her leave. Passing someone who felt... cold in the hallway
Arendelle Castle
Moments Later
"I fuckin' hate guard duty man." said one guard, standing in the courtyard leading into the palace, doing his job, albeit reluctantly. He looked to his fellow guard on the other side of the door, and leaned towards him. "Y'know where I'd rather be?"
There was an uneasy silence before the other guard sighed. "Where?"
"The Brothel. Helluva lot warmer in there, plus, there's some girls with massive-" it was at this opportunity that Lady darted into view before moving out of view, her already...less-than-classy outfit hugging her form with the wind resistance and dampness from the falling snow.
Again silence for a good moment. "On second thought, if I get to see that one more time today, fuck the Brothel. I'll be good for the fuckin' week."
"Not sure you can fuck the whole Brothel, and I'm not sure the Queen or the Mistress of the place would let you deface an innocent building. Why don't you try one of the girls instead?"
"Good idea... I'll uh...make sure to take my time next break I get."
"I think I'll join you."
"Nah man, get your own girl."
"You know what I meant."
"Well I'm not for fuckin sale either!"
"Gah! Fuck it, I'm going home after our shift."
"After our what?"
"Our shift, why what'd you think I said?"
"Our shit."
"I'm going to stab you."
That was all Lady heard as she easily snuck into the Palace, All the guards she hoped to recognise never spotted her as she ducked into the first room she could, the main study of a sort, where Elsa did all her dealings. She heard voices in the hall and smirked, time to use that training. Quickly shifting form she laid spread eagle on the floor, mouth open, her eyes watching the two guards, two compeltely different guards she had never seen before wander in checking the room. They never gave the 'white tiger rug' on the floor a second look as they checked the room before leaving.
Soon as the door closed and she heard the lock latch down, Lady closed her mouth and stood up before shifting to her human form she went to the desk, Elsa's desk, everything was neat and tidy, she went over it with a careful eye, her hand went briefly towards the drawers and she felt the hints of cold. Snaking out a claw she spiked it against the the sheer cold of the desk wood, breaking the seal and going through, carefully to not disturb anything more than the seal, to find any note of the Shroud. Finding nothing she gently reset the desk, using her magic she reset even the ice seal Elsa left on it
Nothing in the study. Lady moved to the door and listened, she heard voices, three male, two female.
"What do you mean someone entered the Castle without permission ? How could anyone get past the guards on duty ?" It was Anna, she was confused. Apparently someone had spotted Lady, and not just the two men looking for a date keeping watch on the front door
"Well, there was that man who attempted to kill Sir Kristoff here" the guard replied
"True" Came Anna's reply. Anna turned to Diana, who had apparently been assigned by Mark to keep watch in the Castle when he couldnt be there because she could get to places he couldnt as Kristoff crossed his arms over his broad chest. There ewas a hint of worry in his eyes
"This is why my... Mentor replaced many guards with Assassins, especially ones within the Palace itself. A breach of security while he is away is unacceptable. Find this intruder before they hurt anyone or steal anything important or it won't be just me you'll answer to, it'll be Master Wolfe." God that felt weird saying. She almost slipped up and called Mark her brother again, but Marion was careful, and kept up the guise of Diana well.
The guards nodded and spread out to search the palace for any signs of the intruder.
"Referring them to Mark? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?" Kristoff asked, tilting his head to the side a bit.
"He'd do the same in my position, only he'd likely refer them to one of his mentors. Either Blackmane or Snowfeather." Diana answered.
"Now that would be harsh."
"Indeed, but needed; Your safety is his world it seems..." Diana said, her voice trailing off.
Anna nodded "You're right, Andre, if the intruder is found, bringthem to us, we'll be in the dining room" Anna said to the guard who nodded a ways down the hall. She turned to Kristoff and Diana,. "Shall we eat ?" Was on her mind but she asked instead "Did you fgind anything of my sister ?" Running the country with a lookalike was one thing, but being with Tiri made Anna nervous as hell as they moved towards the dining room
Elsa had been missing now for three days, and Anna was nervous, where was her sister, had any news of where she last was been found or heard ? "Any news on Master Wolfe ?" If there was news on Mark, then there was news on Elsa... somewhere. Lady heard the footsteps receed down the hall before qujietly opening the door, using a claw she was able to see back down the hall like a mirror before silently following the threesome of Diana, Anna and Kristoff, only this time Lady took to the rafters above quiet as... a cat actually
Diana shook her head when it came to news on Elsa, but did have news on Mark. "Master Wolfe has left Arendelle with his sister to go and find Elsa, apparently her location is known, but they refused to tell me anything further than he is leaving, and has chosen me as your personal guard in his absence." She explained.
"But anyway, let's eat. I've had nothing since breakfast, and that was at four in the morning." she said with a smile.
"You sure wake up early child" Lady mused softly from above, she felt the pull of a Piece somewhere nearby, she was right, the Castle had the Shroud somewhere inside it, the fabeled, legendary Shroud of Eden was near her hiding place in the rafters. She went stiff as a board as a pair of guards walked under her directly. She blinked as her vision shifted slightly catching another pair of guards in the next hallway. Then she loked up at the floor above, it was empty.
Empty save for one lone guard by a locked door, to which she knew he had the key to said door. Creeping through a air vent in the castle Lady slid into the hall around the corner from where the guard stood at attention, bored stiff. She used a claw to see around the corner, one guard, and she focused her Sight on him, and he had the only key to that room. She smirked and slid her claws away before peeking carefully around the corner when he looked away.
Time to put her body to use! She whistled and faked a giggle, she heard the man look her way, doubtless trhe idea of a Brothel girl to see him when on duty...
"Holy hell...must be an early birthday present from the boys...thank you God!" he thought as he caught sight of the beautiful woman in a skimpy outfit, practically showing off everything that wasn't considered to be public indecency. He began to move, pausing only for a second as he considered staying at his post to guard the door, but the temptation of a mediocer night becoming one for the old journal entry later was too much to resist. He moved, slowing down as to playfully flirt with the woman behind the corner, who for all he knew was stripping down to nothing as he moved.
He rounded the corner, "Hello beau-" WHAM! His head met the wall hard, and he crumped to the ground without another word.
Lady smirked, that was stupidly easy. Easily pocketing the key she patted the poor guard on the face, but as he bearly looked her way and saw her eyes, he had to wonder before blackness took him as he passed out from the pain, where had he seen eyes that shade of green before ?
Lady went right to the locked door and opened it, passing inside she locked the door behind her. Tigris were naturals when it came to sneaking around unseen, and she wasnt expecting on showing a bit more than a little leg, She didnt care. Though she knew she had a few minutes. She grabbed a nearby curtain off its rod, the pale valvet frabric was perfect for her need. She looked around, the Shroud had to be close,
Aha!
Lady smirked upon seeing it, feeling the power of the legendary device before her even though the plain white oak box it was kept in. Lifted it into the courtain she wrapped it a few times then spun it onto her back before tying off the curtain, like a makeshift backpack onto her body, She listened at the door carefully before stepping into the hallway, sadly the guard she had just knocked out was just coming to when she locked the door and ran smack into him, her knee colliding with his face with a CRACK knocking him clean out again as she hissed at the contact. She slid the key back around his neck as if she never took it. With some parting words softly "I dont envy you the headache you will have when you wake, in the meanwhile, rest easy, and dream of pretty women" Lady then took off to the vent and hid in the rafters again, she had to get out of the castle, without getting noticed... of course the knocked out guard might get noticed in,,,,
Three... Two... One...
She counted off before she heard voices and running feet to her right through the wall as she hid perfectly in the rafters... above the dining room directly unseen by the three eating at the table below.
Oh dear
Please dont look up Lady mentally prayed to Light when she spotted not one, but six Assassins in the room scattered keeping watch, one eating with the Princess and the large fellow, Lady didnt kniow it then but Krisotff, thanks to being raised with the Rock Trolls, was actually hella strong
As Marion ate, and talked with Anna and Kristoff, she couldn't get the nagging feeling that something was off. She hid it well and continued as if nothing were wrong at all. Until, that is, until Diamond decided otherwise.
"Psst. Hey. You, me, whatever we are at this moment...y'know what you haven't done in a while?" Diamond's playful voice rang out in Marion's mind. "You havn't stretched your neck in a while, right? Why don't you go ahead? It's getting stuffy in here, stretching airs it out. Also, be sure to look straight up. I think there's something up there."
Marion gave a smile and then yawned, stretching out her whole slender body while rolling her head and lthen looking up to complte the stretch, staring right at Lady, but seeing nothing. Her Silver Ringed eyes locked with those of Lady, but still Marion saw nothing. "Coulda swore something was up there..." Diamond's voice faded out, cueing Marion to return to the conversation of how Kristoff made the engagement ring by himself, with help and guidance of Mark.
When Marion looked up, Lady's heart hammered in her throat as their eyes locked, she could feel, see clearly, the woman looking dead at her, but then the woman down below looked back to the Princess and Kristoff as if nothing was amiss. Oh man, that was too close. She had to get out of there. Without a sound Lady darted rafter to rafter, easily passing through the rafters to an overhead balcony and sneaking into a hallway, of course hearing everything in the dining room at the time
Anna was showing off the engagement ring, how Mark had helped Kristoff make the things was one thing, but the fact that Kristoff did all the work with Mark directing him how to do it only made it so much better. It also made, Anna could see, Diana seem almost wistful about something, or someone. When Marion yawned and strentched Anna gave her a confused look "Sleepy ?" They'd just started eating, and what wonderful food they had, if Diana had been up since 4 am, then she had to eat something to keep going didnt she ?
A servant entered, "Ladies, Sir Ice Master, the guards reported one of their members asleep, knocked out, the healer is tending to him, his jaw was fractured, The assailant has not been found. He stood guard outside your sisters private study"
Anna raised an eyebrow. Casting a look towards Diana and to Kristoff, "Go on"
"The only thing the guard remembers is seeing pale green eyes. Cannot recall anything further, what is more, the study is unmolested and we cannot see anything amiss or missing. What shall we do ?"
Anna looked to Diana, what to do ?
Diana nodded at the mention of her being tired, but smiled to lull away the worry, however as the servant entered to deliver his news on the knocked out guard, Diana placed a hand on her chin in thought, before looking to the Assassin's in the room. "Post more guards at every important area, perform a full sweep of the Palace, but do so quietly, word musn't get out that anything went wrong, or Mar-Master Wolfe will have my head." she said, almost stumbling on Mark's Name and Title.
The assassins present nodded at the orders, "Yes ma'am" one of them said, all but two of them left the dining room as Anna sat back in her chair. "Elsa is missing for three days now, and today, tonight... someone breaks into her study using the only key by knocking out the only guard on duty." Anna was so lost in her musings she never saw Diana glance back up at the empty rafters. This was confusing to say in the least. The servant shortly returned however and with him was... well it wasnt Elsa, she wasnt THAT well muscled, but toherwise Elsa was there.
"Elsa ?" It was Serena, Marks elder sister and Serenity's older twin
Diana shot to her feet and stood, eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Serena as Elsa. She'd seen the face enough to know it wasn't Elsa, but then smiled. She'd play along. "Your Majesty, I ...we thought you were gone?" She questioned, her surprise real enough to fool everyone in the room. "How...was it you who snuck in earlier?"
"Relax" 'Elsa' said, Serena looked almost exactly like Elsa, at least with her hair loose, though Diana and Anna both could tell that the young woman was not happy to dye her hair pretty much bone white. "It is only for tonight, Mark and Serenity are going to get... well me, they were sent by Mother" meaning Snowfeather. "Mother wouldnt tell me anything other then to dye my hair and come here. I hope I wont have to act too regal or anything" It was clear Serena wasnt used to being in command of anything more than a Assassin squad
Anna smiled, "I did too, Darrin you may leave" The servant nodded, he knew the reason for a double, most Royals had more than one, in this case, Elsa had three or so, Tiri, Serena, Serenity and if she wanted to, Snowfeather. Anna nodded then "From far away you look like Elsa well enough, but peiople will look close at you to try and determine the differences if they're able"
"Either way it is only for tonight, any longer and I'll freak out" Serena thankfully knew where the spare bedroom was thoughshe asked "I saw twice as many Assassin's on duty, whats the deal ?"
"Someone broke in, if it wasn't you, then it was someone else...we haven't found them yet." Diana answered, sighing. "That's all we know. Well, they snuck in, got no clue where they are. Come, eat, the more you act like Elsa the better." She nodded, nodding to Elsa's chair.
This was going to take some getting used to for sure but since it was for one night. 'Elsa' nodded, Serena took Elsas normal place at the table, it was rather comfy sure, but still she wasnt used to being royalty,. sure she had to do it, once in Egypt, fake being a Princess there when she was younger, but this was now, that was then. "No one different has been seen or heard in the castle ? What about outside ?"
"Havent checked yet, besides its a blizzard on, if anyone is out there they'd be cold stiff trying to sneak in here" Anna said, Kristoff nodded
"Speaking of which I need to check on Sven, last I knew Olaf was off chasing that weird thing again and Sven was chasing it too," He meant Slicer, which was with Mark and Serenity on their mission at that moment.
"I dont think that will be a problem" Serena mused
Anna was about to ask what she meant when a loud voice piped up right next to Diana pretty much screaming in her face "Hi I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" Then he recognised her "Oh! Hi Diana!" he hugged Marion, Diamond giggled in her mind though but Olaf felt something off about the young woman as his massive head was hugging directly against the diamond scale hidden by Marion's scarf "Ooooo all warm and tinglely, I like it, nice warm hug!"
Diana blinked as the snowman enveloped her in a hug, but played along as Diamond laughed in her head, hugging the enchanted snowman until he let go. "Olaf, have you seen Sven? If so, where is he? Kristoff is worried 'bout him." she asked with a smile.
It was a good minute before Olaf finally let Diana breathe and ask her question, "uh... Sven and I were chasing that little white thing with black feet when it got away and we couldnt find it so we chased butterflies and then he tried to eat my nose again and then he..." LICK "HEY GIMMIE BACK MY NOSE!" Sven snickered as Kristoff breathed a sigh of relief. OK, so, they knew now it wasnt either Olaf, or Sven that snuck inside, the fact that Sven was allowed into the castle in the first place...
"OK, so, if it wasnt any of us, or the Assassins, who would profit the most of what is in here ?" Serena, aacting as Elsa asked, smiling slightly when Olaf cutely ran after Sven before smacking into a chair and falling to pieces, then putting himself together wrongly and getting half way to the door before saying something of being out of shape before properly arranging his body and darting off, which sadly had his butt going for the window and the rest of him stuck on the chair
"Who indeed...?" Diana mused.
Lady peeked into he hall, seeing no guards whatsoever she darted for the stairs, keeping to the rafters she made it quickly to where she needed to be then snuck out through the guards barrack door and hid in a thick bush unseen as a pair of guards passed her hiding spot never looking her way. She could feel the power of the piece on her back. She had to get out of Arendelle with it, she had to save the child. But it was two weeks by ship to the Southern Isles. She spotted the gate, dead ahead. She could run pretty fast so... and with the snowfall she wasnt really see able unless in direct light, and it was dark
Lady waited a full minute, she heard the castle door creak open, but saw no new guards exit, It was her chance! Looking carefully both ways in the snowfall she darted from the bush she hid in and angled right for the gate. Dead between the two guards still arguing over defacing a innocent building. Then again the Brothel wasnt exactly an innocent location...
"I'm telling you man, I don't want to fuck the building, just the girls inside!"
"Don't we all though?"
"Well, Bryan's gay, so does he count?"
"Do they cater to gay people?
"That's a good question."
It was the same two guards from before.
"You want to call and ask if they can hire some males for our gay comrades?"
"Do you?"
"You know I hate talking on the phone."
"So you want to go together and ask?"
"Wouldn't that be gay?"
"Isn't that homophobic?"
"What the fuck are you two on about?" Said another guard as he and another came up to replace those two for their shifts.
"Philosophical shit, you wouldn't understand."
"You're right. We're here to relieve you of duty for the ni-" and out goes Lady, with the head wind she was running into, and the looseness of the back end of her outfit, the men saw more than they bargained for. "ght...you guy's are going to the brothel, right?"
"Hell yea."
"Ask 'em to reserve her for me will ya?"
"Do they do that?"
"Let's go find out."
"Good idea."
"But let's get out of uniform first."
"Better idea. I'll meet you by the fountain outside the brothel."
And so the two bantering Guards moved on to the barracks to change into their civilian clothes, and headed over to the brothel to enjoy themselves.
The two that remained however, sighed. "You think those two are gay?"
"I think they don't know they are."
"Agreed." The rest of the nigth went on without a hitch.
A captain stepped into view with a squad about four minites later. "You two" he pointed out the first two in the squad, "and you two, guard this gate, anyone leaves or enters, detain them for questioning, Princess Anna's orders, anyone you find is brought in alive and unharmed" the four nodded and stood guard. Not knowing the whole reason for the doubling of the guard had just ran past them pretty much showing off her sheer muscled butt at them as she ran by
The Captain looked between the two guards, then saw shift change notices "Where are those sex brained idiots that were here just a minute ago ?" Little did anyone know that Lady was well on her way to a ship in the harbor, with her, the Shroud of Eden
"Off to the Brothel Sir. We relieved them from their shifts for the night." Came the reply.
"If you hurry, Sir, they're likely going to leave the barracks now in their civvies, or be by the fountain outside the brothel." said the other.
"Very well, we'll leave them be for now I'll deal with them later" Of course he meant getting his own girl, he had no wife after all. he turned to the squad "The rest of you follow me, we got a patrol to do in the Market District, You four stay here and watch the gate. Any one in or out, detain for questioning, preferably indoors." The squad headed off with the captain on their patrol.
Arendelle Port District
A moment or so later
Aboard the Silversparrow
Lady slipped into her stateroom without getting noticed exdecept by the captain of the vessel, the man nodded to her but they werent about to cast off, not yet. In her stateroom, Lady activated the crystal, connecting her directly to Light "I have it" She angeld the crystal for Light to see the oblong box on her back. "I can feel its power through the white oak box it is within. I am aboard the Silversparrow now. When I get to Southern Isles, do I use this on the child right away, or find the first chance to do so unseen by others ?"
The ship swiftly ghot underway as orders were given, more or less advice on how to use the Shroud and when, weithin minutes the Silversparrow was leaving the harbor and more than a few dozen meters from the dock before heading out of the harbor for the Southern Isles, Lady Hawkthorne's latest mission was just getting underway
Arendelle
Unknown District
At that same moment
The Shadowling arrived in the hallway. Taztan had orders and he was following them to the letter, He was to spy on the one known as Chalice Elisar until something happened, well, something did happen, a woman arrived, a woman dressed unlike any he had ever seen before.
The other side of the door that Taztan stopped in front of was eerily quiet, even for Draco. The Dragon was sitting in his chair, faciing the window looking out over the landscape of his Kingdom. Once more he was admiring the way the sunset looked over the land; one of the few pleasures he found worth experiencing any more.
"Enter." His voice commanded to the Shadowling outside his door.
Taztan did as instructed, without a word he opened the door and stepped into the study, he stood before the desk after closing the door behind him, he knew the rules, his mission was simple. And it was time to tell it. When Draco requested the info of course. Taztan wasnt stupid, far from it. So he stood before the desk, quiet, calm, regal like a military commander would be waiting for his commander to ask him to say what was on his mind
"Speak." came the order after another long minute of silence. "What have you to share, Taztan? Good news I hope." It wasn't a question, but not a statement either. It was something akin to a demand or a plea, somewhere in the middle. Sickening cracks came from Draco's neck as he tilted his head to either side, not turning to face the Shadowling just yet.
"Hopefully Sir. This will brighten your evening. Shortly before Nymeth relieved me of duty a visitor arrived at the Elisar Brothel across the kingdom. I didnt dare go in or follow, but it made the Mistress there confused" Taztan then described what Lady was wearing, "Jade green clothing, rather revealing for a wintery location such as Arendelle in the middle of Feburary to be sure. long brownhair, strange hat. Walked with a purpose."
Of course it wasnt exactly good news until he then said "And our agents in the castle repoorted a breach, one of the guards were knocked out on the royals private floor. Never saw who did it, but he did see pale green eyes" That meant only one person. "Nothing is found to be amiss or missing as yet, but the castle is on high alert"
A hand came up to silence Taztan as he finished speaking, Draco was apparently done listening. Finally turning towards his Shadowling, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as his glowing crimson eyes stared at the Shadowling. "Lady Hawkthorne has survived." he summerized, his eyes looking down in thought for a moment. "Masor has failed his mission from all those years ago... send him to the pits until I have use for him again." Draco said.
A smile cracked his lips back a little as he looked to Taztan. "You are to be congratulated for this news. You recieve exemption from the pits for your next failure, should you do so, and a promotion. Add another Star to your Collar." Draco then turned back around. "Now leave. I need to think."
Taztan went quiet as Draco raised a hand, dutifully standing still before the desk looking directly forwards. As much as the Shadowling wanted to smile at the mere thought of Masor landing in the Pits until Draco needed him he knew better than that. At Dracos words however of reward for the mission, a promotion, plus exemption should he fail the next mission made him slightly nervous but he quickly quelled it. He bowed tio Draco when he was allowed to leave, or rather ordered to take his leave, Saying only. "As you command, Master."
Taztan turned to leave as two sharp knocks came at the door, he stared at it, had Masor alreadyl earned his fate ? But no, at Dracos word, the wayward son came in, Taztan kept his place and turned to look back to his Master and Creator. almost confused, something told him to remain. Jr went to one knee before his fathers desk. "Father, A ship has left harbor, it carries a woman with pale eyes... it is headed for the Southern isles, it will be there in a week" Jr said simply. Almost forgetting protocol at least he went to one knee before the desk
A low, calculating growl rumbled from Draco's throat idly at this news, gentle and non-threatening. "Taztan. Follow that ship; your next mission is to observe that woman and everything she does for the next two weeks, both on the ship and off of it. I want to know everything. If you fail, you lose your new rank. Go forth."
He turned once more, looking to his son. "Very good, my Deserve a Personal Guard for that. After dinner I will take you to go find and corrupt your very own Kobold Guard." he said calmly. He then waved his hand, back of which was upwards. "Now shoo, your father needs to think. Lock the door on your way out."
Taztan nodded, less than a day to get aboard the vessel before it cleared the Harbor Gate. He boiwed again "As you command" He turned swiftly and quickly left the study, gently closing the door behind him, he had a new mission. He planned not to fail it either.
Jr simply blinked, What ? Was written all over his face, but he nodded then at his fathers words. It made sense, He saulted his father, "Yes Father, thank you." He said, he nodded then and stood as his father bid him to take his leave. moving to the door he made sure it was locked behind him. It made sense, Taris learned to make her own Shadowlings, they were weaker than his own magic, but they were strong too. So it made sense for him to get the Kobolds first. Jr smled and headed down the hall. Dinner was served in a few moments so he was hungry. But he was nervous too. To go with Papa on a kobold recruitment walk... that was a scary thought.
Arendelle
Daodojo District
At that same moment
A pair of quiet feet alighted on the ground with a dull soft thump. A black haired woman with olive branches tangled in it dusted off her hands and walked into the house. "Well, that's that. Wish you told me you sent two of them to liberate the place. The cat refused to attack me for some reason but the mixbreed cornered me" Wezaki said
Kanwar smirked "I told the Tigris first, then the Boy. He did not want me in their library, leaving the journal there he would never find it"
Wezaki nodded, her hands behind her back she stepped to where Kanwar stood overlooking the district as renovations had cleared the neghboring broken apart homes away. "He suspected me to be sent by you. Though he spoke briefly in Hebrew then switched to a unknown dialect I could not understand. The cat spoke to him in the same dialect"
"He is learning, adapting. He has his journal now. That is what counts. Now, you have another mission Healer..." Kanwar said simply
Arendelle
Marketplace District
Assassin Den Garage
A few moments later
As the two siblings of Mark and Serenity went through what they had to use to get to their destination they came to a fast halt in the garage when they went for the bikes and transports, seeing a robed stranger. the man before them had his back to them both and the hood of his ice stained cloak was up and covering his head. "I had a feeling they'd try to interfere again. Regardless of my work to keep them at bay." He said simply.
As the two stepped closer to the man Serenity's hand went for one fo her swords, only to retract from the sheer cold of the hilt, what the hell ? "You have kept her safe have you not ? Only now to leave and go after her with others stole her away ?" He said simply
Serenity hissed something, her hand cold she balled her fist and growled at the cloaked stranger "Who are you ? How did you get in here ?" The man didnt reply, instead he turned towards them, his hands, old yet still strong went to his hood and slowly removed it, long silver hair framed an angular face. Serenity had no clue who the man was. But Mark, she could sense, had either stopped dead in his tracks or stopped breathing completely.
Serenity growled again, she knew about Matthew from her mothers stories, her mother even said he was dead and long gone, Matthew smiled, "I see the kitten has grown up..." He said
Serenity was upon Matthew in a heartbeat, claws slid from her wrists, long and bloody; at his throat. "Never... call me... a kitten... Got it ? Dead One ?"
Two birds sat on a fence not far away, one of them a brilliant white Dove, the other a truly massive Eagle of silver. "Whoa; never expected a Tigris to have so much... spirit" said the Dove
"That is the Tigris for you, especially the daughters of Snowfeather. I remember when Blackmane and Snowfeather were born of their mother" Fang mused, the silver Eagle watched through the snowfall through the window at Serenity's movements.
"Snowfeather and Blackmane as kittens were a sight to see truth be told. Shame their mother died in their birth" Wezaki said. "It was said that Snowmane was beautiful to behold and that her husband Lune couldnt bear to be without her. So he personally raised his daughters to adulthood, found them a home and profession here in the Mortal World" Wezaki had heard stories of Snowfeather and Blackmanes birth. "And now Snowfeather continues the family tree, twin daughters... who look similar to the Queen here"
"It is s not what they are arguing about ?"
"It isnt ?"
"No,... this is something more personal. Look at his face... look close"
"His eyes... he is focused on a job at hand"
"Protecting the queen is his mission, he told me so himself when we went to Father's vault under the Dojos"
"He has his journal, Kanwar had me give it to him after those two liberated that district"
"What happened to her face ?" Fang then asked out of the blue, to which Wezaki couldnt answer, she too had seen the mess of scars upon Serenity's fair face. Blackfire it was called that burned it so badly.
"If you don't calm down, he will be dead, and we'll have lost an ally..." Mark growled, surprisingly hostile to his sister, clawed gauntlet tightly gripping her shoulder as his eyes glowed. His face was stern, sterner than perhaps she'd ever seen him before. His eyes turned to Matthew.
"I've done as directed, but you of all people should know that there is no way for me to protect her at iall/i times." Mark said to him, the sterness in his voice growing. "Why have you returned, Matthew?"
"Because the last ship to arrive here, took something with it from America." Matthew said as Serenity lowered her claws from his neck. She wasnt happy at being called a kitten, he knew that, her brother rarely called her that unless they were joking around anyway. "I was tasked to follow it here. And I meet you. You had help. And still do. Even though Elsa did not want the Brothel reopened, we did so. And that has not helped ?" Mattherw had no idea that Tiri Elisar, aka Chalice Elisar, was infact Elsas twin basically at the time
"You know this guy ?" Serenity asked her brother, clearly confused, she didnt like the look of Matthew, he looked liek a traveler, a theif of a sort, always on the move by the way he was dressed, a wanderer. And yet her brother knew him ? That did not make sense
Mark nodded to Serenity, and reached up to lower his own hood so Matthew could get a better look at his face, perhaps remember more clearly who he was. "The Brothel has helped immensely with gathering information for our cause, the couches are quite comfortable I'm told." he said. He cleared his throat. "What were you following on that ship? What was on it?" he asked.
"A Piece of Eden, the DC branch of the Brotherhood got wind of another Apple leaving New York Harbor heading for Norway, I followed the ship here, but lost it in the fjords south of the kingdom. Its possible the same ship is transporting it to someone else. I figured to stop here and see how things were before going after it past Oslo." Matthew then smiled as Serenity just grunted something, he never understood her words directed to her brother.
Matthew watched as she got two Hoverbikes readied "And you two are on a contract I assume ? If I may ask, where ?" Serenity cast a dark look towards the old man, who was isupposed/i to be dead. After all, Snowfeather had seen him get shot in the face the last time he was there
Mark nodded, a piece of Eden, eh? He thought for a moment. Ulnaus could be used to find the ship again, the bird was certainly strong enough to carry Matthew on his back and fly fast enough to catch the ship. "Well, when you're done having a look around, I wish you luck in locating the ship...in fact, I will offer my Assistance." He looked up and let out an eagle's screech, dead on and perfect.
After a few seconds, Ulnaus screeched back, circling three times before landing on the building direcly behind Mark, staring down at Matthew. "Ulnaus is strong enough to carry you; he can help track the ship for you, just don't freeze his feathers." he said. Looking back to the hoverbikes, he smiled, and nodded.
"We're going to go get Elsa back. Might as well do it in style, no?" he asked.
The two birds watched through the blizzard, but it was the dove that spotted the Eagle out of nowhere "here comes a headache" Wezaki said spotting Ulnaus circling
"I think we overstayed our welcome, lets go, Kanwar's cooking" the two took off
"Elsa is not in the castle ?" Matthew asked, that was absurd, "I passed her on my way here," Surely he saw the really well dressed double, Serenity hid a smirk as she went back to the hoverbikes, activating one so she could move it to get to the other darker one with the basket directly on the front so she could take Slicer along, speaking of which the little RC car darted into the garage with a soft plonk onto the hardpacked floor at her feet.
Serenity bent down and picked up the little truck, compared to most RC trucks, she basically made the thing, and let it learn on its own, Slicer at that point didnt even have its controller anymore, it was all on command, and more. Self aware little rig, she liked it. Its front wheels wiggled as she set it in the basket and then checked over the cameras carefully
"Going to be gone long ?" Matthew asked, a smile on his face seeing Ulnaus out of nowhere. Of course when Ulnaus came in for landing two other birds flew away, one of them a massive silver eagle, the other a smaller plain white dove. The last thing Princess Fang wanted to do was get into a tussel with Ulnaus again "i'd hate to keep our feathered friend too busy to be of aid to you"
Mark shook his head. "No, the CIA took her again. They're persistant ass-hats, I'm going to fix that." he said with a calm, quiet tone, watching the other two birds fly off as Ulnaus landed. He narrowed his eyes, and made a mental note to keep an eye out for them.
At the question of how long he was to be gone, Mark thought for a few seconds before shaking his head. "Not too long. The bikes there are wicked fast; less than ten hours there, then I believe we have a van for a easy drive back. Shouldn't be gone longer than two days at the most. After that...I believe we are to be presumed dead." he shrugged, saying such things so nonchalantly. Wasn't his first mission that to some could be considered suicide, but he was prepared to give his life for Elsa if need be. but they'd have to get through his armor first.
Ulnaus landed beside Mark, chirping a few times. Mark gestured broadly and superfluously to the bird, looking at Matthew. "Your bird awaits. Good luck, old man. I hope to see you soon."
Matthew nodded, a suicide mission, the CIA were indeed insistent if not stupid. "Good luck, knowing the CIA after what Georgina and Snowfeather told us before when they destroyed the Oslo building... Could have better defenses at their new place." he was partyl right, though thanks to a certain Dragoness and her people, those defenses were... minimal if that
Serenity smirked as she swung one leg over the saddle of the hoverbike easing the thing out of the garage ahead of Mark as she waited. "Ten hours to get there, maybe less with these bikes; maybe two hours while there, find a van, basic mission. Once we get Elsa back we wont have room for the bigs, I'll have to find something big to carry them back with us when there" Thankfully she'd come up with something... maybe
Matthew held open the gate leading to the road. "Safe journey. Give them hell." He said. Serenity rolled on a coushin of hair a half meter off the ground. Hoverbikes were fast because of no ground friction. But it wasnt for the novice, too dang fast. And once on the road, the only thing they have seeable is the front headlight, and the brake lights. Hoverbikes could turn on a dime. And when packed down it was also pretty easy for them as well to carry in a cargo van of some kind
Mark nodded, and grabbed his helmet and gloves, his amor vanishing leaving him with just his thick jacket. Sliding on the helmet and then the leather gloves, he took a seat on his bike and started it up, the cushion of air forming beneath him. He leaned to each direction to get a feel for the bike first, as it'd been a while since he was on one, and then nodded, his helmets visor going opaque. He Revved the engine twice gave Matthew a quick Salute, and jammed the gas, darting off past the gate in a flash, Serenity right behind.