Chapter Twenty Two

Retreat

ANNA

"Again?" Anna balked. To be honest, she knew she shouldn't be surprised. The Imperial Horde had been nipping at their heels for days, relentless even in the harsh blizzards that plagued the plains of Luftzeit day and night.

"Again." Field Marshal Frederick confirmed, riding his mount alongside the column. Somehow, he still maintained his stolidity and unflappable nature as always, even though the exhaustion was evident on his features. There were bags under his eyes and his shoulders were uncharacteristically sagging - a rare occurrence for the ever disciplined officer.

"Same drill as always, then?" Kristoff asked. Anna's husband looked similarly drained, and Anna could see the exasperated twitch of his face as Field Marshal Frederick brought his report.

"I've already deployed the Xerflorian cavalry and the Danish skirmishers. As before, the sorcerers offered their help again." Frederick said. "My sincere apologies, but for obvious reasons I couldn't wait for your approval."

"Yes, yes, we know." Anna sighed. It'd been a week since she'd declared the end of the campaign and the Coalition had turned to retreat. The state that the Coalition was in, they wouldn't last in a pitched battle against the Imperial Horde that outnumbered them by at least twice their number.

The Coalition was running low on food, having already cut down to quarter rations. Supplies were also being used up at an alarming rate, and many men were down with illness thanks to the cold. Others had deserted. More still lay on the snowy plains of Luftzeit, having perished in a battle of attrition with Kane's fresh divisions. There was no way the Coalition could have beaten the Imperial Horde, even with the aid of the League of Sorcerers.

If it weren't for the League, the Coalition would have fallen days ago. Only the combined sorcery of the League was enough to screen the Coalition's retreat and stave off the relentless attacks at their rear.

Anna shook her head and glanced towards the rear of the column. From the safety of the centre of the column where she and Kristoff rode, she couldn't see the Imperial Horde attacking, but she could hear the distant crack of musketry. But no doubt Kane and his field army were trying to close in on the Coalition and destroy them before they could escape.

The tables have turned, Anna mused uneasily to herself. From chasing Hydrech and his routed forces to being chased by the full might of the Imperial Horde. Kane had really suckered them into a trap, and it was now up to Anna to pull them out of the Empire's territory alive.

Kristoff squeezed her hand. "Our rear guard will hold them off. The enemy will have to give up again and return to their main column, but we have to keep moving."

Something erupted far behind them, rocking the entire landscape for a good few moments. Everyone in the column either pitched forward or jumped slightly when the explosion occurred. Soon after, the soldiers began murmuring among themselves even as they continued moving forward. It felt as though the pace had quickened all of a sudden, with a little more urgency in each man and horse's step.

Anna strained to hear anything else above the din of the column. Anything that would give an indication as to which side won the daily exchange of fire. There was none, and that could only mean one outcome. She heaved a sigh of relief, not for the first time today.

"It's over." Frederick finally confirmed. Evidently he'd been waiting for some indication as well, but only confirmed it when a scout had ridden up to their position to make his report. "The Imperial Horde has been repelled again."

"What's Kane doing?" Kristoff said in annoyance. "He has the Blitzguard at his disposal. Why is he throwing the regular troops at us when he could finish us off at one go?"

"Attrition is in the enemy Field Marshal's nature," Frederick responded. "He wants to make us suffer, knowing that he has the power to crush us at any moment."

"And when he's done toying with us?" Anna asked and then instantly regretted it. She didn't want to hear it for herself, even though she knew what the answer was.

Frederick seemed to know what she was thinking, and neglected to reply. Instead, his lips formed into a hard line, his face solemn. "Please excuse me. I should conduct an inspection to find out how many we've lost this time."

"You do that." Kristoff agreed, nodding in gratitude to the veteran commander.

Frederick saluted Kristoff and Anna before wheeling his mount about to check on the rear guard.

The din of the soldiers around them had begun to die down, each man lapsing back into an uncomfortable silence as they endured the bitter cold, painstakingly marching forward one step at a time through the calf-deep snow.

"We survived this time." Kristoff said in a low voice when the Field Marshal was gone. "Let's just be grateful for one more day."

Anna nodded. "I know. But I can't help thinking. How many more times before they succeed? What happens when they break through our rear guard?" Her eyes met his.

Her husband met her gaze, his eyes tired but resolute. "Then we will fight the bastards to our last breath."

###

Night was no more pleasant. There was always that lingering feeling that the Blitzguard would attack at night the way they had before the Coalition had met Kane's field army on the plains of Luftzeit. The enemy had been on the offensive since the Coalition had first set foot deep into Empire territory. And that kept everyone on their toes. The soldiers slept in their uniforms, rifles and packs by their sides should the trumpet be blared. Many of them slept close to one another to preserve body heat, doing their best to keep a fire beside them throughout the nights.

The blizzards didn't seem to be dying down. Before, the snow would last perhaps half a day, or slightly more. But these days there seemed to be no end to the storm. This was the eighth day since the blizzards had begun.

Swathed in her winter coat and thick furs that greatly impeded her movement, Anna scowled up at the night sky as snow continued to fall on her head. This can't be natural. And there's only one person I know capable of producing such a feat. Which can only mean…

No. Anna's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to dispel the thought from her mind. But it was too late. The thought had taken root like a poison, spreading fast through her and infecting every ounce of hope left within her.

"Still no sign of Elsa or any of the others." Kristoff reported, coming up behind her.

Anna rounded on her husband. "Yes, I can see that." She snapped. Immediately, her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes met his, but she found no reproach there, only sympathy. Her heart melted and her eyes watered. "I'm sorry." she whispered.

"It's alright. Come here." He enveloped her in a tight hug. "It's alright."

She rested her head on his broad chest, closing her eyes. "No, it's not alright. It's been more than a week since they vanished. Something's gone wrong, I know it."

"I…" Kristoff stuttered, but failed to come up with a comforting response.

"This storm. It has to be Elsa." Hot tears pressed her eyes and she choked. "Hans must have captured her and the others. Or worse-"

"You can't think like that." Kristoff's voice was kind but firm. "They might have made it. They might still be on their way back to us right now."

"It's been more than a week. We have to start facing facts." Anna wiped her eyes. "All this time I've been denying it. But I think…they've lost. The only question is where are they now?"

Kristoff paused, at a loss for words.

Anna let out a shuddering sigh. She knew she had to face reality. Hans very likely had Elsa in his clutches now, and the rest of the Warriors who had gone to free her and Tracy must have fallen in battle. But were they still alive or had they already been executed? What had happened to Jade? To Tracy? And most importantly, to her sister?

But there was no time for Anna to worry. She couldn't allow herself to fall apart now, not when the Coalition needed her to lead them away from the Imperial Horde which was less than a day's march behind them. If she crumbled, everyone else would fall too. She couldn't afford to face her fears now.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled away from Kristoff and rubbed her eyes. "I can't think about this right now. I have other things to take care of."

"Right," Kristoff dragged out the word, looking rather uncertain. "Are you very sure you have to do this?"

At that moment, the infamous Witch Hunters arrived outside the tent. Hansel and Gretel stopped before the couple, both in their trademark long grey coats and hats, long rifles in hand and loose bandoliers strapped across their chests. The two soldiers of fortune had really proven themselves to be valuable allies thus far, though Anna was acutely aware that their services came at a steep price.

"I'm sure." Anna said. She glanced at the Witch Hunters. "I really don't think I'll be in any danger."

Hansel shrugged. "Not our call. Your husband hired us to provide you some extra security. Besides, who am I to turn down some extra cash?"

Gretel dug her elbow sharply into her brother's ribs, silencing him almost immediately. She cleared her throat.

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

Anna mustered up a small smile as she shook her head. She'd gotten used to the Witch Hunters' dynamics over the past week or so. "It's fine. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten the tab."

"It's not that, it's…" Gretel trailed off.

"What is it?" Anna asked, exchanging a glance with Kristoff. He still had that disapproving look on his face, his arms folded.

"It's not really my place to say."

"Speak your mind." Anna insisted.

Gretel swallowed. "Is it really necessary to visit the Duke? After he staged a coup and very nearly succeeded in…assassinating you?"

"Exactly what I told her." Kristoff remarked dryly.

Anna set her jaw. "Yes. It is." She offered no further explanation as she turned to leave the safety of their side of the camp in search of where the Xerflorians were detaining Duke Helmsley. Pausing, she cast a glance over her shoulder. "Though no one's stopping you from following me. If you must."

Kristoff gave a sigh and signalled to the Witch Hunters. The four of them left the relative safety of the Arendellian tents and set off towards the Xerflorians' side of the camp, incessantly pelted by the falling snow which seemed to have gotten stronger. Very soon hail would be raining from the damn sky.

The four of them found the Xerflorians' tents in the heart of the camp. The soldiers in yellow and black were quieter these days, having grown more subdued. Perhaps it was because of the dire straits the entire Coalition was in now. Whatever it was, they offered up either stiff or sloppy salutes to Anna and Kristoff as they walked through the rows of tents, flanked by the Witch Hunters siblings.

Arriving at the makeshift detention barracks which became mobile every day, Anna stopped to draw in a deep breath, Truth be told, she wasn't looking forward to confronting the old duke again. Never in her life would she have expected that the rigid, law abiding Duke Helmsley would commit treason by attempting to have her and Frederick assassinated.

She still couldn't fathom for the life of her why he would go against everything he believed in. It'd cost him his reputation, respect and trust from his men. That was why he was being held by the Xerflorians instead of the Einsfeltai. Anna and Horatio had both agreed that it would be in their best interests to keep Helmsley away from his own soldiers.

The Xerflorian marquess stepped out of the tent Helmsley was being held in, a sour look on his unshaved face. The week old stubble that grew above his lip and on his chin gave him a new air of maturity that hadn't been there in times past. He adjusted his flamboyant fur coat as he came out to receive the four of them.

"Majesty," He said plainly without any of the reverence that was supposed to go with the greeting. He turned to Kristoff. "Prince."

Kristoff returned him a stiff nod as he and the Witch Hunters took a step back to give Anna and Horatio some privacy, the bounty hunters alert and on standby.

The tension in the atmosphere was palpable but Anna did her best to grant the marquess a smile. "Horatio."

"I must admit I was surprised to hear that you wanted to see him." Horatio spat in the snow. "I still think we should just have him turned loose to the wolves. Or better yet, the Imperial scum. Spare us the hassle of dragging a damn traitor with us."

"No. No one deserves that. Not even him." Anna felt hollow inside all of a sudden. She tried to shake the feeling and met the marquess' eyes. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For keeping an eye on him." Anna said awkwardly. She still felt horrible for having so publicly blamed Horatio for the coup. Everyone had seen her accuse the marquess of treason, and she hadn't worked up the courage to properly apologise till now. The two of them hadn't spoken since the incident a week back, instead opting to send messengers to each other to discuss their next steps.

"And I'm uh…I'm sorry." Anna finally blurted out after a rather prolonged silence.

Surprisingly, Horatio didn't turn up his nose at her or offer up mocking words in response. The Horatio she knew would have jumped at the chance to strut and gloat at her embarrassment. Instead, he averted his eyes. "Don't."

"No, I…should have come to apologise a lot sooner." She continued, shifting uncomfortably in the snow. "I was so sure that you were the one who…orchestrated things."

He didn't respond, apart from scowling into the horizon.

"I was wrong about you. I judged you, and I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do to make things right-"

"No," Horatio shook his head, his voice low. His eyes finally met hers. "You don't have to do any of that."

"So…can we put this behind us?" Anna ventured cautiously.

"Let's just say I think it'll be a pain in the ass if we had to keep sending messengers to each other."

Anna smiled. "Thank you."

Horatio gave her a short but sincere nod, averting his eyes again. He made a noise that sounded halfway between a spit and a growl. "The bastards are relentless. At the rate they're killing my cavalry, there'll be nothing left by the time we reach Korynes."

"We'll get there soon." Anna promised him. "Till then, we just have to hold on."

The plan was for the Coalition to get back to Korynes, where Prince August and his Vjorman division had established new supply lines. Once they got there and rendezvoused with their allies, they could hold down the fort against the Imperial Horde and repel them. Even Kane wouldn't be so ambitious as to lay siege to a fortified city in the heart of winter, much less in an unforgiving blizzard. If the Coalition could get to Korynes before the Imperial Horde destroyed them, they would have a chance. They could quarter there over the winter and plan for what came next after the winter.

"If we can get there."

"We will." Anna gave him a reassuring smile. "You know, this makes things a whole lot easier."

"What are you talking about?"

"Being on the same page. I'm glad you agreed to the retreat. Things would've been a whole lot messier if you didn't."

"Let's not make a habit of that, shall we?" Horatio gave another loud snort and smoothed back his long blonde hair. "Helmsley's inside."

"Thank you." With that, she moved past the marquess.

Horatio called out. "Oh, and Anna?"

She stopped in her tracks and turned.

"You might want to be careful. Don't uh…get too close."

Giving a nod of acknowledgement, she continued on towards the large tent where Duke Helmsley was being detained. Behind her, Kristoff and the Witch Hunters followed. Two pairs of Xerflorian sentries stood guard outside the duke's tent. They saluted as the small entourage approached, and stepped aside to let them enter.

"Stay here." Anna told Kristoff and the Witch Hunters. "Give me a couple of minutes."

Kristoff looked like he wanted to argue but Anna didn't give him the chance. "I won't get too close." She said firmly. "And if it makes you feel any better." She patted the sheathed sword that rested on her hip.

"Sometimes I wonder why I even bother." Kristoff grumbled and turned to the Witch Hunters. "We'll wait out here."

The two bounty hunters nodded and took up positions nearby. Kristoff turned back to Anna.

"Is this really necessary?"

"I have to do this." She insisted.

He sighed, relenting. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"I'll see you out here in a few minutes." With that, she pushed past the flaps of the tent and entered the dimly lit tent.

The tent was rather spartan. Apart from a bedroll and a trunk of belongings, there wasn't much else. A lantern stood on a foldable writing desk and behind it sat Duke Helmsley in traditional Einsfeltai garb with floral patterns, his normally immaculate hair uncombed and his facial hair overgrown. He appeared to be in the middle of writing letters, and looked up when Anna strode into the tent.

"Ah. Your Majesty." Helmsley neglected to stand, continuing to write his letters. "You must excuse me, the cold hasn't been kind to my legs."

"Your Grace." Anna tried to maintain the stolidity in her voice. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"I'd like to think so. Frankly speaking, I was a little surprised when that young fool Horatio told me you were coming." Helmsley finally put down his feather tipped quill. "You want to know why I did it, don't you?"

"Yes." Anna folded her arms across her chest. "Why, Helmsley? I thought you would be the last person to attempt something as dumb as staging a coup. And in the middle of enemy territory no less."

"I did what I had to." Helmsley's moustache twitched. "What the young marquess lacked the courage to do."

"You were always the one who did things by the book, refusing decisions and tactics that weren't sanctioned by our laws. So why go against everything you stand for? Why betray everything you believed in?"

"The campaign was at stake. You and that fool Frederick were about to jeopardise everything we fought for by retreating from the enemy." Helmsley leaned forward, anger in his wrinkle-lined eyes. "The real question is, how could I not?"

Anna watched as Helmsley slowly got to his feet and paced away from the desk. "No one else was willing to do it, so I had to, as much as it pained me. It was the only way to secure victory."

"You're delusional." Anna stared at him. "We were going to lose if we didn't retreat."

Helmsley rounded on her, his teeth bared. "We came this close to victory. We were on the verge of ending the war. But you," he pointed a bony finger at her. "You ruined everything. Now look at us. Running like dogs from the Exonians. You're leading us to our demise."

She shook her head. Deep down, instead of being angry at the man who plotted her assassination, she just pitied the duke. "In truth, I came here today wanting to extend an olive branch. A second chance to do what's right."

"And what's that?"

"To stand with us again. We're supposed to be a Coalition. A unity of kingdoms fighting for the same cause." She said. "But look at us now. We're divided. We're weaker. I was going to let myself overlook whatever you tried to do. Offer you a chance to redeem yourself. But standing here and listening to you ramble…" she shook her head again. "I think we're way past that point."

"You stupid little girl." Helmsley growled. " Don't you dare stand there and judge me. You of all people would know that in war, things change. People change."

Anna cocked an eyebrow. "And why would I of all people know that?"

"I'm not the only one who's changed, have I?" He drawled acidly. "You stand there all high and mighty, chastising me for having changed. You'e a hypocrite."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Yes, I've changed. I've abandoned my principles in hopes of winning the war and finally bringing peace to our continent. But so have you." It was his turn to scoff and shake his head, turning away. "You've changed too."

"How?"

"Still too arrogant and self righteous to see it." He clicked his tongue. "You say you believe in the Confederation. You say you believe in equal say. And yet you've seized control of the Coalition for yourself, commandeering the armies of the Confederate kingdoms like a dictator." He looked at Anna with disdainful eyes. "No better than the Empress herself."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Anna could feel anger brimming within her. "You're wrong."

"Am I?" Helmsley returned to his desk with a calm expression written across his features. "I made my decisions in clear conscience. I know what I let myself become. But you, you've changed without even knowing it, or maybe you're just lying to yourself. And that, is far worse. Let that be food for thought as you lead us all to our inevitable doom."

He returned to his writing, ignoring Anna as though she wasn't there.

Anna stared at him, trying to find the words to argue. But she found none. Muddled, confused and angry, she turned and stalked out of the tent and into the cold winter night. Outside, Kristoff and the Witch Hunters met her.

"That was way more than just a few minutes." Kristoff remarked, getting to his feet. He must have noticed something was plaguing her, for his expression changed to one of worry. "What's wrong?"

"It-it was nothing." Anna brushed away his concern, trying to appear calm.

"What happened? Did he try something?" Kristoff's tone immediately grew indignant. "What did he do?"

"Nothing!" She insisted in a voice louder than she'd intended, drawing the attention of the nearby Xerflorian soldiers. Embarrassed, she averted her eyes and dropped her voice. "I'm fine. Can we just go?"

"Anna," Kristoff's eyes were filled with concern. "Something's happened, I can tell."

"Can we just go?" She said more fiercely, feeling a little nauseous and tired all of a sudden. "Please?"

"Okay. We'll head back." Kristoff relented, signalling with one hand to the Witch Hunters as he draped the other arm around Anna.

Internally, she heaved a sigh of relief and attempted to fight down the discomfort that threatened to overwhelm her. Duke Helmsley's sneering drawl swirled about in her mind, his words lingering and echoing like a bell even as they walked back the way they came.

You've changed without even knowing it. And that, is far worse.