Chapter 10
It was an overcast day in Weselton. It looked like rain, and for some unknown reason there was this feeling of dread gripping the land.
At about mid-morning, the Harbor Master noted five large ships approaching. They were the biggest merchant vessels he had ever seen, but he did not see any cannon. As the five ships neared the small natural cove harbor, two ships broke away and started to lead the remaining three into the cove. The remaining three remained right at the cove mouth. Then suddenly, the two lead ships dropped their disguise and opened cannon ports, blasting the defense towers in the harbor, rendering Weselton's own cannon useless. The remaining three ships turned broadside to the harbor and unleashed their cannon as well on the unsuspecting port, and city.
King Gabriel, hearing the cannon shots, immediately dispatched 75 Imperial Guards to the port and deployed the remaining guards to the castle entrance, for defense. At that instant, the rear castle wall was breached, and Freya's troops streamed into the castle! Totally caught off guard, the Weselton Imperial Guards were overwhelmed at the castle, and within half an hour, Freya controlled the castle, capturing King Gabriel and his entire court. The Guards sent to the port were caught right in the middle, and seeing that their king was now a prisoner, surrendered.
Freya, with King Gabriel forced to be next to her, addressed the people from the foremost tower of the castle.
"People of Weselton! In my magnanimity and beneficence, I have decided to annex your country to my Empire! Tomorrow, there will be a Coronation ceremony to crown your new king and ruler, Ludwig!" Freya gestured toward Ludwig, as he stepped forward and nodded. "I expect all citizens to be at the Coronation! Those not there will feel my wrath!" And Freya sent a fireball from her wand at a large oak tree, reducing it to smoldering ashes in a minute.
"Your current ruler, and his court, plus his guards will be held in the dungeon, until I decide what to do with them!"
The people, especially King Gabriel, were dumbstruck. They recognized Ludwig as the Regent of Arendelle prior to the crowning of Elsa as Queen. They also knew Arendelle was extremely upset with them, for the Duke and his henchmen and their attempt to kill the new Queen.
They were aware of Ludwig's treachery, as he tried to usurp the throne from Elsa, but they never thought Ludwig would then usurp THEIR throne! They understood that Arendelle had nothing to do with this takeover, but were still angry that a former Arendelle royal was being installed as king!
Every citizen was at Ludwig's coronation the next day. But Ludwig wasn't staying long. He appointed the Major of the occupying army as his representative, so he could accompany Freya to his second conquest – The Southern Isles.
/
The blockade of Weselton was perfectly effective. Know one knew of the take over of the country, nor of the plans to take over the Southern Isles.
With the information provided by Hans, Freya landed troops at a point where they could follow the main water supply of Lukens Island right into the center of town. She then directed her remaining two ships (the other three maintained the blockade of Weselton) to hug the coast and enter the harbor quickly.
They did and used the same tactic as with Weselton. These two ships blasted the harbor defenses and while the castle guard went to the port to defend, Freya led the ground troops from the middle of town right into the castle. She set fire to any guards who got in the way.
Soon she was standing in the Council Chamber, where the 12 brothers were assembled.
"I am Freya!" she announced," And you are all my prisoners!"
Thor and Amund grabbed nearby weapons; Thor a mace and Amund a longsword, but Freya melted then in their hands.
"Fighting me is useless! I could destroy all of you right now with but a wave of my wand. But I'll consult with the new king as to your fate!" Freya motioned toward Ludwig, but the brothers saw Hans smiling wickedly in the background.
"So! Your black heart is now set against your own kin, eh, Hans?" shouted Leif.
"You are a traitor to this country, your family, and your lineage! Arendelle SHOULD have executed you!" cried Berg.
Lukens shook with rage, "Should I survive this, I will hunt you down to whatever vermin hole you crawl into and repay you for this, Hans! I swear it on my oath as King!"
Hans just continued to smile, as his brothers were put into the dungeon.
Again, Ludwig was crowned king the next day by Freya, and she left an occupying force there to help him. Freya instructed Hans to get on board ship. She had some final instruction for King Ludwig.
"Ludwig, I have granted your request to be king of both the Southern Isles and Weselton. To help you retain control of both, I have put a Pit of Fire in the center of each country's dungeon. Should anyone oppose you, throw them into the Pit; they will trouble you no longer."
Ludwig smiled wickedly. He now had the means to force obedience to him. Either that or the Pit. He LOVED it!
"Of course, I expect something for my generosity," said Freya.
"Whatever you want!" Ludwig stated. He soon would rue that statement.
"Good! You are to provide me with 90% of all the gold in the treasury, and of all wealth to be collected in the future! On my return, I will collect my wages."
Ludwig was dumbfounded, and sputtered, "90%? What am I supposed to use to run the kingdom?"
"A resourceful king can think of ways to do it," replied Freya. "Of course, we COULD hold a session by the Pit of Fire, should you decide to back away from your agreement!"
Ludwig realized he was had. He'd be king, but a very poor one, as all the wealth would go to Freya. But the alternative was instant death in the Pit. Ludwig reluctantly agreed. Freya smiled and went to the waiting ships. It was time to pluck the plum, Arendelle!