Chapter Nine
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In the dim light of a full moon, Grand Princess Rapunzel sparkled with her recently braided golden blond hair decorated and ordained with the flowers of the Southern Isles. It rested over her shoulder and she stepped onto the balcony of the Royal chambers of King Garrin. The broken and weathered King stood over looking his island nation. Giving a small bow Rapunzel knew that the King was aware of her presence and needed not to speak.
"I am sure you have many question, young flower," the king whispered.
Nodding her head, Rapunzel was intimidated by the king, not by his strength, or power, but from what many do not see as power. Rapunzel, however knew was the greatest of his power, was his wisdom. "You knew of what the fey call me, the Nova Rampion, how?"
After a long pause of deep thought, Garrin looked up to the stars. "I was young and foolish, and hopelessly in love." Rapunzel came to the king side with a warm smile to encourage him to continue his tale. He placed his hand over Rapunzel's, that rested on the balcony's stone railing. "I am sorry for all the things she did to you." Rapunzel looked slightly confused, and this had Garrin clarify. "When I was about your age, I fell in love with a mysterious visitor to our kingdom, and her name was Gothel. Her love though was not for my heart but for my power.
For forty years she would come and go from my life, and I was so captivated by her eternal youth, I swore I would betray my wife, children, my kingdom to her, for the secret of her ageless life. It wasn't until your father took the suntear flower and used it to save Queen Arianna did offer me such a chance. The power of the golden flower if I would bring my nation to war with Corona.
It was on a night much like this one, I was convinced that the next morning I would declare war on an innocent kingdom. Yet I never did, for that night I was transported from this realm to another." Closing his eyes, his memory of that magical place was vivid and fresh. "A beautiful fairy came to me. She showed me the future…" His hand's shaking, the King gave a small sigh. "It was what would come my Kingdom if I invaded, Corona. The Southern Isles would go where even dreams fear to tread." Looking down to his kingdom, like it was his own child, the king struggled with guilt and pain. "She said you were the future. You are… The future." Rapunzel placed her hand on the king's back, to help ease the pain he was in. He smiled at the gesture, and looked into her brilliant green eyes. "That upon your birth would rise the Nova Rampion, a heart forged of light. That you are the flame of light that will ignite the good of the world, and save it from a ever darkness. As long as I would never interfere in the affairs of Corona I would live to see that day.
Bowing his head, Garrin couldn't look into the Princess's eyes without showing his shame. "When you were kidnapped, I knew who, and why, and said nothing to your parents. I allowed them to suffer, and you to writhe as a prisoner of that witch for eighteen years. Yet I kept my word, in hopes I would see you rise and face the darkness."
The comment had Rapunzel give out a soft, "Aww."
With a painful sigh, Garrin looked into Rapunzel's beautiful green eyes. Seeing the weakening of the King, Rapunzel stepped forward, and let him lean on her shoulder. She slowly walked him back to his bed, and he gently laid down. Rapunzel looked up to see all thirteen of the Kings sons standing around the other side of the bed in silence, also in the room stood her father King Frederic, along with Kristoff.
Taking her golden braids, she placed them in the King's hand, and said. "I will make sure you will see it your Majesty."
"No, my beautiful princess." The king pushed the magical hair from his hands. "I have lived a long and filling life. I have thirteen…" Garrin stared at Hans with disappointment," I have, twelve good and wonderful sons. I have loved, and lost, and have forgotten more than I can remember. Your gift isn't meant for those who have lived, it is for those who still need to live."
Taking hold of the King's hand, Rapunzel knelt beside him and did her best to fight off tears. "Please, the world still needs good kings such as you. You still need to see the fall of the darkness."
Smiling, Garrin placed his frail hand on her cheek. "I watched you sail into certain death to defend my kingdom. I don't need to see you defeat the darkness. The fact that the Nova Rampion has returned means I already know the darkness has lost." With a warm tender smile, Garrin looked into Rapunzel's eyes. "Life isn't something you can simply be given. It is earned, through hard work, passion, kindness, and dreams.
Closing her eyes, Rapunzel rested her head upon the King's hand she held as she cried. "You want me to sit here with the power to save you, and let you die?"
"No Princess. I want you to say goodbye."
Stepping forward, the eldest princes said. "But my King"
Smiling, Garrin looked to his son. "You are King now, Henrik."
As the king closed his eyes, Rapunzel gave him a small kiss on his hand and stepped away from him. Stepping towards her in anger, Hans shouted, "Who cares what he says, you can't let him die!"
"Hans." Henrik snarled as he knelt next to his father. "Our father has made his wishes clear."
Unwilling to watch his father die, Hans stormed out of the room. Rapunzel overcome with emotion, ran into her father's arms and she held her tightly as she cried. He walked her out of the chamber. Kristoff followed behind them, wanting to give the family time to mourn in peace.
Kristoff, broke off from the father and daughter, in silence allowing them to be alone as well. Rapunzel allowed her father to escort her to her guest room. Inside, he sat her in a chair, and with a simple glance to Cassandra who stood along the wall in the room, and she bowed. Going to the fire place, Cassandra prepared a pot of tea.
Sitting in front of Rapunzel holding her hands tightly with his, Frederic couldn't help but stare at her blond hair. "You did what you could. King Garrin's death is not your fault."
Shaking her head, Rapunzel replied, "No, it was my choice."
The words were truth, and there was nothing Frederic could say to deny it. "I can't put into words on how proud I am of you this day. You faced your enemy with bravery, strength, and cunning. You made a sacrifice for this entire world, to return magic to you. Than when victory was obtained you sought out your enemy with arms of kindness and healing."
Clearing her eyes, Rapunzel stared down at her hair. "I refuse to see the world in darkness. Even now, I look to the world with all the delight and wonder I did when I saw the lanterns rise from the palace for the very first time."
After being handed a cup of tea, Frederic sipped on it and found that Cassandra was still the best at making the perfect cup. After Rapunzel took hers, Frederic waited until Cassandra stepped away from them. "I fear for what lies ahead Rapunzel, you have given so much in the name of the light. What more will be demanded of you?"
Rapunzel felt the same, eighteen years of her life, and nearly dying multiple times since, she wished she could give an honest answer. After a long sip from her tea, Rapunzel placed it on the small table next to her, then she picked up the book written by the woman she hated the most. Opening it, she looked to Gothel's handwriting in it brought mixed emotions.
"It is time Gothel finally did something for me."
Entering his own room. Kristoff looked to see Olaf was standing on the balcony overlooking the island kingdom. After a heavy, sigh, Kristoff walked out and leaned on the balcony as a soft and low horn could be heard coming from the castle walls. It was to announce to the people of the Southern Isles that their King has died.
"Raps couldn't help the King," Olaf asked?
Looking out to the harbor, Kristoff couldn't shake the fear he felt during the Battle of Hundervan Bay. He nearly died almost a dozen times and with each he wished he wouldn't. Yet he just watched a man, offered not just life, but restored youth and turn it down. When Rapunzel healed his wounds he felt like he gained five years back of his life, and he knew he probably couldn't show the grace and nobility that King Garrin showed.
"He lived his life." Kristoff spoke in a thoughtful voice. "He did not want Raps to use her power to extend it. Raps, was pretty broken up about it. Then again she wasn't too happy restoring her powers to begin with." Turning to look at Olaf, Kristoff stumbled back in astonishment and shock at the sight of an eagle-owl made of snow and ice standing on the far ledge drinking from a cup.
"Oh," Olaf giggled slightly as he looked to the bird. "He said his name is Snowflake." He then held a letter up to Kristoff. "I don't know if it's important, but Elsa sent us a letter."
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Anna slowly walked with her crossbow at the ready, since the calamity of Slavahelm, she had perfected the art of combat, tracking, and stealth. She glided her feet around branches an over twigs to avoid making noise. In front of her was Airi, who held her two long knives at the ready, behind her was Flynn who was a master at his craft as he walked with great care keeping his eyes on the party's rear. Leading the group was the Arendelle Scout Karina. She had the third crossbow and when she reached the edge of a tree line, she held up her hand.
Slowly all three came to her side, and couched. They looked out that the vast field and rolling hills before them. "This is it."
Pulling out his spyglass, Flynn looked out to the field as saw dozens of small patrols. He then peered further to the distant tree line on the top of a hill. "Welcome to the front lines everyone."
Being handed the spyglass by Flynn, Karina looked to the large amount of patrols. "Queen Elsa must have been sending in skirmishers and raiders all week to force Glowerhaven to guard its occupied territories this much."
"Can we go around," Anna question?
Shaking her head, Karina looked to the sheer cliffs to the west. "The closest pass to the other side of the North Mountains is two days back the way we came, and once there it's another six days until we could ever reach the trail that reaches us back to the other side."
Looking to the east, Flynn began to smirk. "Queen Elsa forced them into a bottle neck. With the Kvina River to the east, Glowerhaven has zero room to maneuver, clever, clever woman."
"That doesn't help us," Airi stated.
Looking to see the sun was about to crest over the North Mountains, Anna frowned as she brushed the twin braid off her shoulder, not wanting to be reminded of the magic the was still festering within her heart. "The sun will set soon. We have no choice; we make a run for it."
Flynn glanced over to Karina, and she peered back both knowing what the other was thinking. The only one who needed to cross was Princess Anna, and both were willing to sacrifice themselves to that end. Patting Anna on the shoulder, Flynn smiled. "Last one to the other side buys dinner."
Sitting back against a tree, Flynn rested his crossbow on his lap and prepared for the final moments of this grand adventure. Everyone was eerily quiet, and Anna who sat next to Airi stared at the mysterious Flynn rider. "Why does everyone think you are dead?"
Karina smirked at the statement, Flynn peered to the Princess and smiled. "Because Flynn Rider died eight years ago."
"Who killed him?"
Anna's question had Flynn give an honest and frank reply. "My wife."
Smiling, Airi played with the edge of her long knife. "So who is the woman who slayed the notorious ladies' man, and thief, Flynn Rider?"
"That is a very, very, long story," Flynn stated as he plucked at his crossbow string. "She is beautiful beyond words. The way she looks at the world, I am breathless with how beautiful she is when she's discovering something or the first time. My heart hurts every moment I am away from her. She is twice the person I am, and I know for a fact she is probably leading an army to Arendelle to come not just find me, but to stop the spread of darkness."
Blushing, Anna couldn't help but be reminded of her love for Kristoff. "She sounds like a beautiful person. I can't wait to meet her someday."
"When she shows up with that army, you can," Flynn said with a grin. "I am sure you might have to save me from her. I kind of snuck out of the preverbal house to come and rescues Airi."
Anna, and Karina both gave out a very low whistle. Karina pointed to Flynn. "Dead man walking."
Frowning, Flynn countered, "I left a note, and I've been sending her letters up until the invasion."
"Nice knowing you Flynn." Anna said, as she reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder. "This is the story of Flynn Rider, and when his wife killed him for a second time."
There was a moment Flynn didn't react as he daydreamed of holding Rapunzel in his arms once more. "I love her. She could kill me a hundred times over, and I would gladly let her. I miss her breath on my neck when I hold her in my arms, the smile on her face when we wake up in the morning. She is my life, and the reason why the light will forever shine brightly in me."
Looking out to the field, Anna whispered, "Tell her that when you see her again, and she will forgive you. I know I would."
As a cool breeze picked up all returned to silence and watched as the sun crested over the mountain top and darkness descended upon the land. With a long breath, Flynn stood and watched as Karina, Anna, and Airi did as well. Looking to the ladies he held out his hand and said, "Whatever happens, it has been an honor to have you all at my side."
Placing her hand on top of Flynn, Anna smiled and looked up to him. "You have saved me a thousand times over. I am forever in your debt."
"Thank you Flynn." Airi whispered as she placed her hand onto Anna's. "Thank you for keeping the promise you made to my brother."
Last to place her hand onto the others, Karina smiled and looked to Flynn. "You are a hero to the people of Arendelle, and to me. Also, if your wife decides to kick you out, I am single."
Leaving all of their supplies but weapons behind, the four lined up at the forests edge. Flynn shouldered his crossbow and gave one final glance to Karina, who stood on the other end, and both once more confirmed, just by their gazes, that Anna was the only one who needed to cross this field alive.
Without a word, all four stepped out into the field together. They increased their pace to a light jog, as they kept their bodies low and moved across the snow covered field as stealthy as they could. For the first three hundred yards, all they could here was the snow crunching at their feet, and the sounds of their breaths. The silence ended with the barking and howling of dogs.
Flynn and Karina slowed just enough so they could be behind Anna to protect her from attack. When shouts of soldiers could be heard, all four instinctively picked up their pace. Karina was first to see the sprinting figure of a dog charging towards them and fired her crossbow. The bolt struck the dog, and it rolled end over end crippled from the hit.
As she reloaded, Flynn took aim at the second dog and fired taking it to the ground. The chase was on and seconds began to feel like minutes, Anna's lungs began to burn but that only pushed her to go faster. When she lost Airi out of the corner of her eyes she turned back to see a dog had taken her down by her leg, and was now mounting on top of her. Her only defense was her raised arms to prevent the dog from biting her neck. Turning quickly Anna fired her crossbow striking the dog in its neck. She let the crossbow hang off her shoulder as she ran to Airi. Drawing her sword, she swung as a dog came leaping through the air at her.
Anna pulled Airi to her feet and saw that her left arm was mangled and bloodied from bite marks. Before she could say a thing, Flynn was at her side pulling on her shoulder forcing both to run. Once more Anna, with Airi at her side, reached a full sprint. Airi couldn't even feel her arm as she focused on finally reaching safety.
Karina gave a light call to Flynn as she opened fire on a man on horseback coming up to their side. Flynn looked to the other side, and fired upon a second rider. A thumping sound could be heard around the four, and in the dark it was hard to tell what it was until an arrow nearly struck Flynn in the head landing in the snow close by. When he heard, Karina cry out in pain, he saw that her arm was just struck with and arrow. Yet, the scout didn't even lose her stride as she yanked the arrow out of her arm.
More dogs could be heard as well as men on horseback. Reloading his crossbow, they began going up the first hill. Just as they reached the top, Flynn turned and fired a bolt striking a dog that was seconds from biting him. Karina killed another dog, as Flynn was reloading. Just as he got his crossbow ready to fire, he was struck in the thigh by an arrow. Pulling out the arrow he fired upon the bowman on horseback striking him in the chest. He turned and began to run down the hill with Karina at his side, catching up to Airi and Anna.
As they were once more running up a second hill, they had to maneuver around boulders and snow drifts. As they reached the top of the second hill, Airi pushed Anna to the side to avoid her getting hit with an arrow. It however struck Airi in the upper right part of her back. Helping Airi once more to her feet, Anna snapped off the arrow shaft and the two shared a glance of fear. When they went to see where the others were, Flynn charged right at them, knocking them down the other side of the hill.
After firing a bolt, Flynn was forced to use the stock of his crossbow as a weapon striking it across a charging soldiers head. He cursed when the weapon broke upon impact. He used its mangled form to entangle a sword swing from a second soldier giving him time to draw his own and strike down the enemy. He looked to see Karina was fighting off a dog and he ran to her side kicking the dog off her. Wrapping her in his arms, he jumped down the side of the hill and the two began to slide to the bottom.
As they came to their feet, they had no time to look back as they raced to catch up with Airi and Anna. Seeing two riders on horseback approach them with swords at the ready, Karina fired her crossbow striking one rider. With no way to take down the second Flynn calls out. "Anna!"
Turning, Anna drew her sword out just in time to parry the sword swing, but she was struck by the charging horse throwing her to the ground. Coming to her feet, Anna raised her sword, but began to tremble realizing she was to scared of killing the man. Just as he came charging at her again he was struck by a bolt in the neck from Karina.
Thankful she didn't have to kill again, Anna turned and began to run to the tree line that was closing with every step. Airi turned back to see where Anna was, and was struck once more with an arrow to the back of her calf. Running to her side, Anna had no choice but to pull the entire arrow out. Back on her feet, Airi body was screaming at her to stop but she could not.
When an arrow struck Flynn in the back of the should, he fell to the ground. With Karina's help, he stood back to his feet. Looking to see Anna, and Airi were nearly to the tree line, he looked to Karina and smiled. "Maybe today is a good day to die."
"For Princess Anna," Karina replied as they drew out their swords.
As the soldiers came charging towards them, they unleashed a furry of skilled attacks, killing four before they even knew what happened. More soldiers came, but Karina and Flynn stood back to back, taking them all on without fear.
Reaching the tree line, Airi fell to the ground she was out of breath, and loosing blood. Coming to her side, Anna got her back on her feet, but before she began to run again she looked back to see Karina and Flynn were not coming. They were surrounded and about to be overwhelmed. She knew what she wanted to do, but she also knew what she had to do.
Pulling off her engagement ring, Anna placed it in Airi's palm and closed her fingers around it. "Take this to my sister!"
Shaking her head, Airi barely able to calm her breathing replied, "They are doing this for you! I will go! You are the only one who is important!"
Shaking her head, Anna pulled Airi into a hug. "Everyone is important, Airi." Stepping back, Anna gave one final smile. "Tell Elsa that I love her, and to be careful when we see each other again."
"Anna no!"
The pleads from Airi would not sway Anna's conviction. If she didn't do this, surely the darkness that has cursed her would consume her whole. Drawing her sword, Anna charged forward. As she reached her dear friends, she cut down one of their attackers and then a second.
When a man on horseback tried to spear her, she parried it, and grappled the spear and threw the rider off of his horse. Getting the attention of the now two dozen solders Anna removed her hood to her cloak and shouted, "I am Princess Anna of Arendelle, and I demand to parley!"
All of the soldiers looked about unsure of what to do. Flynn, who was bleeding from a gash on his arm looked to Anna in disbelief. "Oh, Come on Princess! What is wrong with you? You were supposed to go to your sister!"
Coming to Anna on horseback, a man held out a torch to get a better look at the girl's face. The wide blue eyes, and ginger hair pulled into twin braids, there was no mistaking who stood before them. Dismounting from his horse, the man sheaved his sword and gave a small bow. "I am Captain Oskar Gustervan, Tenth Regiment, First Army of the Kingdom of Glowerhaven."
Pointing to Karina, and Flynn, with her sword, Anna declared, "No harm will come to me or my friends. You will treat their wounds and show them the same respect as you would me."
One of the soldiers came up to the Captain and whispered, "Sir, one of them is escaping into the woods."
With her sword now pointed directly at the Captain, Anna glared at him. "She is of no concern to you. You will let her go."
The determination and strength in Anna's eyes had the Captain raise his hand up. "Do as the Princess says. Recover all the wounded and dead, and have all our troops to return to their positions." Stepping forward the Captain held out his hand. "Princess Anna, please surrender your weapons."
Anna dropped her sword and allowed another soldier to remove her crossbow. She along with Flynn and Karina begin to be escorted back from the direction they came.
Every time Anna glanced back to Flynn he scowled at her in disappointment and anger. Karina just looked annoyed at her. "I am sorry guys, but I couldn't let you die."
Flynn looked away, and Karina groaned at the comment. "I am a servant of Queen Elsa, and swore on my life that I would bring you back to her. All you had to do was continue to run and my mission would have been complete."
"Come on guys." Anna tried to smile to cheer up her friends. "I could never abandon my friends. You would have done the same for me."
"We, aren't the Princess of Arendelle!" Flynn was searing with anger and frustration. "That's it, I am really considering un-friending you right now."
Giggling, Anna took a long and calming breath. "Come on Flynn. Ever since I have been cursed by dark magic, this was the first thing I've done I knew in my heart was right."
Rubbing her temples, Karina body was in too much pain from her injuries to deal with the Princess. "Nope, I am not going to tell her Flynn; you're going to have to do it."
With a heavy sigh, Flynn said, "Fine. Where do you think they are going to take us?"
"I know this one," Karina said with sarcasm.
After pondering on the question, Anna gulped at the realization. "Oh… To the Raven's Eye." Looking forward, Anna began to question if rescuing her friends was a true act of good or was it the curse placed upon her. Shaking her head, she simply wouldn't believe that saving Flynn and Karina wasn't a good thing. She knew it was a true act of selflessness and kindness she prided herself on.
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Stumbling into a tree, Airi gripped it with her one remaining good arm and tried to catch her breath. She doesn't remember how long it has been since she abandoned her friends, or when she stopped running but it felt like an eternity. She was having trouble focusing her vision, as she looked about the woods. Pushing off the tree, Airi pushed forward, she simply focused on putting one foot in front of the other, even if her one injured leg was being dragged across the snow.
She was able to walk another fifty yards before she stopped. She finally looked up and watched as a dozen men and woman dressed in the grayish blue cloaks of the Arendelle Scouts rose from their concealment around her with bows and arrows knocked and pointed at her. When she first opened her mouth to speak nothing came out, after a second-long breath she found her voice. "I need to see Queen Elsa. I… I have news of her sister."
Stripped of her weapons and her hands bound, Airi was treated with extreme caution for she wore the clock of the Raven's Eye, and all were aware of the evil of these soulless figures. She was escorted into the town of Torhild. All the citizens and soldiers in the town stared with hate in disgust at the sight of her cloak.
Entering the town hall, they took her into the main hall. There she stood with swords still being pointed at her. Some of the scouts stoked the fires, as one left the room. Upon his return he brought the leader of the Scouts, Master Dragna. He stared at the bloody and battered Airi than looked to her men.
"She came to us like this sir."
Walking closer to the girl, he walked around her and was amazed she was even standing, with bite marks on her arm, wounds on her legs, and a broken arrow still sticking out of her back. Returning to be standing in front of her again, Dragna crossed his arms. "I was told you have news of Princess Anna?"
Looking up to Dragna, Airi held out her bound hands and opened up her closed first to show Dragna Anna's blood soaked engagement ring. Stepping back in horror, Dragna watched as the girl collapsed to the ground. "Wake the Queen immediately, and someone find a Rock Troll!"
The orders were followed, and Airi was placed on a table just as Geir arrived. Standing on a chair, Geir held his hand over the badly wounded Airi. She laid on a table unconscious, and appeared lifeless. Pacing in front of the table was Elsa who held herself for comfort and constantly peered down to the young woman desperate to speak to her. Attentively standing at the head of the table was Dragna who watched with patients as the rock troll, preformed his art.
Standing back, Geir gave a heavy sigh after spending so much focus upon the injured girl. Elsa quickly came up to the table and said, "Is she okay?"
Rubbing his hand, Geir looked up to the Queen. "I have cleared her of injection, and healed her internal injuries, but she is very weak, and still very injured."
"And her heart," Dragna asked as he looked to the prisoner with caution.
Glancing to the Scout Geir shrugged his shoulders. "No blacker than your own Master Dragna. If she was a follower of the Raven's Eye, the curse has left her body some time ago."
Lifting up the young girl's hand, Elsa found it scared, with calluses and cuts. Her feet were blistered and raw; then there were the extensive injuries from battle. "She has been through hell and back." She hated to do this to the girl but Elsa could not wait any longer. "Wake her."
Geir debated on telling the Queen no, but he knew that would only cause more trouble. Raising his hand to her head, he closed his eyes, and she slowly opened hers.
She could barely move her body, as every inch of it was in agony. She moaned as even the little light that was in the room hurt her eyes. She looked about unable to focus on anything. When someone took her hand, she whispered, "Anna?"
"She said Anna," Elsa proclaimed as she leaned over the girl.
Finally, able to see, Airi looked up to Elsa with great relief, as well as great regret. "Queen Elsa. I am Airi, friend of Anna."
Looking up to the sky in thanks for having this girl with her, Elsa smiled as her eyes began to tear. "Is Anna safe? Is she okay?"
Biting her lip, Airi was fighting off such pain it was becoming hard to focus. "We almost made it. But she turned back to save the others."
"What others?"
Closing her eyes, Airi reflected on that moment, as the moment she forsaken her friends. "Flynn and Karina." Dragna breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of his Scouts name. Airi opened her eyes once more and did her best to remember her time with the Princess. "Anna and I were rescued by Flynn at Stravhelm. We ran into Karina at Likness, and she helped us escape. Anna is… Anna is sick. She…" Airi could barely stay awake as the pain began to overpower her. "She was captured by Glowerhaven as we attempted to cross the frontline. She wanted me to tell you, when you see her, be careful. She isn't who she was the last time you saw her."
Airi went limp, and Elsa with Airi's hand in her own rose it to her lips and kissed them gently. "My sister is alive. Thank you God she is alive."
Placing his hand on Airi's shoulder, Geir felt sorry for the girl. "She needs to rest."
After running her hands through her hair, Elsa tried to calm herself from the latest news. Turning to Dragna, Elsa wanted to kiss him, but couldn't with the other people in the room. She simply gave him a playful punch in his shoulder. "Anna is alive!"
"But sick." Dragna reminded Elsa. "She might need the help of the trolls, and I didn't like that warning at the end."
Going to her maps table, Elsa stared down and studied it. "Has there been any word on the Glowerhaven navy?"
Stepping over to the table, Dragna put his hands behind her back. "When the main force left after you lifted the storm we assumed it was to pick up supplies and more troops, but they have simply vanished. There has been little to no sea traffic, and our ships have successfully taken positions to blockade Any reinforcements from entering the Kvina River."
Tapping her finger against her chin Elsa for the first time believed she would win this conflict. "They are surely running low of food. They can't wait for orders from Glowerhaven forever. We must strike." She pointed to the Osle valley. "Give word, we march for the Osle Valley come dawn."
Giving a bow, Dragna paused, he looked about and slowly reached out and gripped Elsa's hand tightly. Pulling away, he smiled. "She is alive."
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