Chapter 3: Seeking Out A Sprite
The sun was shing bright and warm in the kingdom of the Southern Isles and Hans was presently sweating in it while cleaning out the stables for the hundredth time since he was first placed under arrest. He wasn't even allowed any breaks and spent nearly all day doing whatever hard chores and tasks his brothers could think of. It was a little past noon when Bertram went over to Hans with a glass of lemonade for him. "Here you go, sir. You look like you need something cool to drink. Especially in this heat.", Bertram said as he handed Hans the glass. Hans nearly drank the whole thing down in one big gulp. "That really hit the spot. Thanks, Bert.", Hans said. "I figured now would be a good time for you to sneak out and find that sprite we talked about. All 12 of your brothers are away on business, so now would be the best time.", Bertram said. "I'll do just that. You're sure no one will see me leave?", Hans asked. "I'm almost certain of it, sir.", Bertram said. Hans set down his shovel, but then paused to look around as if he was expecting something to happen. "What is it?", Bertram asked once he noticed Hans looking around. "I was just making sure no giant snowballs are coming at me like what happened last month.", Hans said as he was referring to when Elsa had her massive cold and sneezed into a big horn that made a massive snowball fly all the way over here that pushed him into a pile of shit. Hans then left the area in pursuit of this mysterious creature. If memory serves, he knew that the house he was supposed to go to wasn't too far away from the castle. He trekked deep into the woods while following the path that paved into the ground. He knew he would eventually come upon the old house he was searching for if he just stayed along the path. He walked for about 15 minutes along the path before he came upon the old stone house that the thing was supposed to live in. He stepped in front of the door and knocked a couple times, but there was no answer. He turned the knob and saw that the whole place was completely vacant. However, he noticed that there wasn't too much dust or cobwebs as there probably should be and he could see that some of the kitchen equipment had recently been used along with a candle that burned out not too long ago. All this pointed to someone or something being in here recently. "Hello. Is anyone here?", Hans called seeing if someone would answer. "Who's asking?", a small impish voice asked. Out from the old shelf in the corner came out a small goblin with yellowish skin, long-pointed ears and a long-pointed nose. He wore brown ragged clothes and a small cap on his head. "Prince Hans. You're the goblin I was told that lived here?", Hans said. "Actually, not a goblin. I'm a hobgoblin.", the little creature said. "Well, what the hell's the difference.", Hans asked. "Goblins are uglier and more evil. Hobgoblins like me are more peaceful, but we still like to play mischief on others.", the creature answered. "Whatever. I was told you play around with magic that can be used for things such as mischief.", Hans asked. "Maybe I do. What's it to you?", it asked. "Because I was hoping maybe you could help me get back at my brothers back at the castle.", Hans said. "Oh, yes. I heard about you. The youngest of 13 brothers of the late king and queen. God rest their souls. I heard you were still being locked in a dungeon for some mischief of your own you got yourself into.", it said. "And that's why I want to get back at them. My bastard brother, the current king, just extended my sentence. And my servant told me you could make whip up some kind of magic thing that can help me get back at them. Would you will be willing to help me, Mr...?", Hans trailed off. "My name is Pariah, and why should I help you, Mr. Convict?", Pariah asked sounding skeptical. "Because you said you love causing mischief. And this can be a good way of making it.", Hans said. "Maybe so. But I've never had any desire to mess with the royal family of the isles.", Pariah. "Please. I'll pay you whatever you want.", Hans begged. "I don't need to be paid. Alright, I'll help you. I'm assuming you want something to make it so they're not punishing you anymore?", the hobgoblin asked. "That would be great. What did you have in mind?", Hans asked. Pariah grabbed a small bag behind the shelf he was living in and gave it to the prince. "Inside this bag is magic dust. It has the power to make whoever inhales it obey your every command.", Pariah explained. "You mean like mind control?", Hans asked. "Something like that, yeah. I figured a spoiled prince like you would enjoy something like that.", Pariah said. "Damn right I would. This'll show those bastards who they were messing with. Thanks a lot, little man.", Hans said as he was about to leave. "Just don't get carried away. I may like to play pranks and tricks like this, but don't take it too far.", Pariah warned him before he went out the door. "I promise I won't take it too far.", Hans told the hobgoblin. Unbeknownst to the sprite, Hans had his fingers crossed behind his back when he made that promise. "Thanks again.", Hans said as he left the old house and made his way back to the kingdom with high hopes he'll get his revenge on his brothers.