Heins

Why did it have to come to this? His employer would not be happy about this turn of events. Anna was not supposed to show up, Karl was supposed to accompany him, this all should have gone differently. Karl. I hope she killed you. The small man had been his keeper since his employer had first contacted him, posing as a servant so as not to draw suspicion. In reality, Karl owned Heins. As much as Heins hated Karl, he loved his brother more. Enough to betray the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Elsa… I'm so sorry. You know I have no choice, right? You understand… they have my family, Elsa. I can't… I can't let Hans die. I know what he did to you, but… I can't let him die.

Heins was making his way down the rocky path leading to the waters edge a mile from the castle grounds, Elsa still over his shoulder. Ahead of him, he saw a man dressed all in black waiting to receive them. A boat floated in the river nearby. "That the queen?" Heins recognized his voice. It was Gunnar, his employer's right hand man. He was a large, threatening man with a penchant for torture. He was missing his right ear and had a scar from his chin to his left temple. Heins never asked how he got those, he had heard anyone who asked very quickly found himself with the same injuries.

"Yes, it is, but…" Heins trailed off as he steeled himself. "Karl is not coming, he's either dead or captured. But I promise you, this-" WHAM! He reeled as the man's fist caught him in the jaw, sending Elsa flying from his shoulder and himself scrambling back.

"Elsa!", he cried. "Why did you do that! If you've made me hurt her…" The threat trailed off into nothingness as he realized how empty it would be. The man seemed to realize, and he started laughing.

"What happens to that bitch is no concern of mine. But take heart- the master has much worse in mind than a couple of bruises. We're going to have lots of fun together. Now, you will tell me exactly why you abandoned Karl against your orders? This does not bode well for your dear brother, I'm afraid."

"Princess Anna showed up and attacked Karl, then-" He was interrupted by a deep laughter. "What exactly is so funny?"

"You expect me to believe that this bitch's sister defeated Karl?" He broke off and continued his laughter. Furious at Gunnars dismissal of the royal hosts who had been so open and forgiving to him regardless of his brother's actions, Heins rounded on Gunnar.

"If you ever speak that way about the queen or her sister again, I will kill you. Do we understand each other?" Gunnar paused. Quick as lightning, he drew his sword from his waist and slashed Heins across his left shoulder, then his right. As Heins recoiled and groped at the damage, Gunnar advanced.

"Those were just warnings, Prince Heins. The next time you speak to me in that manner, I'll have your tongue. Do we understand each other?"

The cuts were painful, but fortunately shallow. Heins drew himself up, and said with the remnants of his dignity and pride, "Yes."

"Good. Now. How exactly did that bitch princess manage to kill or capture Karl? And why do you not know his fate?"

"Princess Anna is competent with a blade-"

"Karl was an artist with a blade. This still doesn't explain what happened." Heins glared at Gunnar.

"If you'd let me finish, I'd tell you. Her husband is dangerous. He's the one that wiped out your team a month ago. If Karl had killed Anna, her husband's rage would carry him straight to your master. Nothing could stop him if Anna was killed until he had his revenge. My guess is, Karl fought with Anna until he showed up and put a stop to the fight. As to why I don't know whether Karl is alive- he ordered me to take the Queen and go once the Princess showed up."

"... I still find it hard to believe anyone took Karl alive, but if Anna's husband was there, your story is just plausible enough for me not to kill you. Pick up the queen. If Karl is not coming, we must leave at once." Heins bent down and gingerly picked up the queen, electing to carry her in his arms now. She was mostly undamaged from the fall, but there was a shallow but jagged cut on her cheek where she had struck the ground. I am so sorry, Elsa… please forgive me.