Chapter 8
Elsa did not sleep at all that night. Since Henry looked rather threatening, she had decided to imprison him, at least until she discovers who he really was. These were strange days, indeed. A dragon, an evil prince, and now, a taciturn dark warrior. She couldn't have slept even if she had wanted to. "A war". He said that there was a "war" coming. The queen had no idea how to react to this. Was it a lie ? Was it a threat ? Was it a warning ? What kind of war could it be ? A diplomatic war ? An ideological war ? A military war ? She had no experience whatsoever with any kind of war. The simple thought of it made her shiver badly.
When the sun rose up, Zyga found Elsa sitting on her bed, lost in her thoughts. She coughed with exaggeration to get her attention. When the queen saw her, holding a pile of clean clothes in one arm, a towel and a jug of hot water in the other, she yawned.
- Already ? she said with a sleepy voice. Where did my night go ?
- This is what I would like to know, your highness, replied Zyga.
She put the clean clothes onto the bed and poured some hot water on the towel.
- So, how are your wounds going ?
Elsa frowned. Zyga seemed particularly frustrated.
- What is happening ? Are you okay ? asked the queen in a soft voice.
She put her hand on Zyga's shoulder to comfort her. She was holding the wet towel, immobile.
- I heard that a man had entered your room tonight, she finally said.
- Ho, you mean, the prisoner. Yes. I guess a soldier told you.
- How ? asked the butler, beginning to wash Elsa's face with her towel. How did he enter ? Was the door locked ? What about the windows ? I thought you were safe, here. I...
She stopped her movement. She looked grave. Elsa took the towel from her hand and smiled at her. Of course, her butler had to think that she was responsible of this intrusion, overprotective as she was.
- Everything is fine, Zyga, don't worry, said the queen. I don't know how he could enter, but nobody's at fault here. He didn't even try to attack me.
She hugged Zyga to reassure her. She was truly like family to Elsa.
The queen went to the jails of the castle when she finally got prepared. All the cells were empty, except for Henry's, of course. A soldier was watching over him quietly, and a seat had been prepared for the queen to sit on and talk to the prisoner. When she looked at him, he came closer to the grid and said :
- Love your dress.
The simplicity of that remark made Elsa crack a smile. Henry was incredibly calm, for a man who had been imprisoned with such promptness.
- Now, Henry, she said. Tell me. Where are you from ?
- Somewhere, simply replied the man. Don't know. Travel a lot.
- You said that you are a dragon hunter. Can you tell me more about this ?
- Dragon hunter, he replied, shrugging his shoulders. Hunt dragons.
The soldier behind Elsa couldn't help but let out a quick laugh. She was amused as well, but she simply smiled and said :
- You seem to have troubles speaking our language. What is your mother tongue ?
- This one, he answered, suddenly looking away. Don't like to talk.
He looked at her again.
- Don't have anyone to talk with.
He looked so mysterious. And not so frightening, after all. Elsa wanted to learn everything she could about him.
- Last night, you told me that there was a war coming, she said. What did you mean ? You also talked about Pyment, how do you know him ?
Henry remained silent for a moment. Then, he turned back and went to sit on his bed. He clasped his hands together, and a brown light suddenly appeared between his palms. Elsa and the soldier jumped on their feet.
- Sorcery ! cried the soldier, ready to strike with his spear, but Elsa stopped him.
Henry was looking sad as he was performing his magic trick. The light disappeared after ten seconds.
- Henry..., said Elsa. What kind of power do you have ? Are you born with it, or have you been cursed ?
- Cursed, replied Henry. Chasing dragons in kingdom of Eresi. Cursed by Pyment's father.
He rose the right hand, and a little shrub came out of the ground. Elsa was speechless. Her heartbeat was dangerously speeding up. So there were people like her, outside these walls... of course, she knew that she could not possibly be the only one in the entire world to have such abilities, but it was the first time she ever met one. And it was exciting.
- Powers..., said Henry, giving a sad look at his hands. Can't really control them. They do.
- What do you mean ? Who are "they" ? Pyment and his father ?
Henry looked directly at Elsa's eyes. She saw nothing but wrath in his look. He nodded silently, and the shrub vanished in a cloud of brown sparks. The soldier looked confused, but Elsa was curious. She sat back on her seat, put her elbow on its arm and lied her chin on the palm of her hand. She stared at Henry with great interest. Everything was clear, now.
- So this is why you came in my room, yesterday, she said. You hate Pyment and his father. You were glad to see him annoyed when he left Arendelle.
- Enemy of my enemy, replied Henry. Friends.
Elsa smiled. They looked at each other for a moment. Henry tried to smile, but just happened to look somewhere else instead. His scar and his dull voice made him look intimidating at first glance, but actually, he was rather touching in his manners. Elsa took a deep breath, standing up again, then said :
- Well, I think we can trust you. You seem to know the Eresi kingdom quite well, maybe you could tell me more about it ?
Henry slightly nodded, looking at the ground. Elsa made a sign to the soldier, who opened the grid, letting the dragon hunter out. The queen gave him his sword back and invited him to follow her.
They walked through the long empty halls silently. Henry wasn't making a single noise in his walk, which was surprising, considering the fact that he was holding a sword and that he was wearing military boots. He seemed to have completely mastered the art of silent walking. He was very calm in general, anyway. It made Elsa uncomfortable at the beginning, but she quickly got used to it. Henry was like a whisper : you needed to listen carefully in order not to miss it.
When Elsa arrived in the great hall of the castle, she was surprised to find Anna and Kristoff, sitting on a bench next to the greatest window of the room, exchanging a furious kiss that nearly made them struggle for air. Elsa felt embarrassed and looked at Henry to check his reaction. He wasn't even looking at them.
Kristoff slightly openend his eyes for a second, closed them again, continued his kiss for another second, and opened them again in a surprised jump when he finally realized that him and Anna were not alone anymore. The princess turned her head back and pinched her lips when she saw her sister heading toward them.
- I'm happy to see that you don't fear to come to the castle anymore, said Elsa with an amused tone.
- Ha ha, well... actually, we wanted to tell you something ! replied Anna, taking Kristoff's hand and forcing him to stand up next to her. We want to buy a boat !
- A boat ? repeated Elsa. You're planning to go on a cruise ?
- Anna keeps saying that she wants to discover the world, said Kristoff, who was looking particularly happy. So I thought this would be the best way to go on a journey around the world.
Elsa couldn't imagine them going so far and for so long. She would die with anxiety after only a week ! She was about to say what she was thinking when her gaze fell on Anna's eyes. They were literally shining with excitment.
- I think this is a... a very good idea, said Elsa with a fake smile, holding Anna's both hands into hers.
- I know, right ? cried the princess, ecstatic. We could do whatever we want, whenever we want ! We would meet strangers and make a lot of new friends ! Oooh, I can't wait to set sail...
She jumped at Kristoff's neck and started to kiss him to death. Elsa felt like a gap had suddenly opened in her heart. Why couldn't she tell her... ?
- Looks dangerous, said a dull voice behind her.
Everyone looked at Henry. Elsa had nearly forgotten about him. But he had listened to the whole conversation. Anna looked really mad at him.
- And who are you to say that ? she asked, roughly.
- Kristoff, Anna, I present you to Henry ! He is a... a traveller.
Kristoff and Henry shook their hands, but Anna just made a brief "hello" with the head.
- Need a boat to go to the kingdom of Eresi, suddenly said Henry to Elsa.
- Really ? Why, where is it ? she asked.
- In the sky, he answered.
Very cryptic indeed.