Chapter 5

~ The Bjorgmans ~

Weselton. At long last.

Kristoff noticed the smell first. Fish, spices, wood and sweat. Not altogether unpleasant, because it spoke of hardworking people, and he respected that.

"Everything looks to be in order." The harbourmaster returned them their travel documents. "Well met indeed, Mr. and Mrs. Bjorgman!"

"Well met," Kristoff said. The use of his surname was a nice touch, courtesy of Elsa. Inconspicuous enough not to draw attention, but the association with his title meant they could squeeze out favours if needed.

The chubby man spread his arms wide. "I bid you welcome to the fair kingdom of Weselton–!" He couldn't look any prouder if it was his own wedding.

And the harbour was indeed impressive. Thrice as large as Arendelle's, and ten times busier; trade was the lifeblood of this port kingdom (as Kai mentioned once). Ships dotted the sea, from tiny dinghies to factory-size barques. Flags danced proudly in the wind, many Kristoff recognized, far more he did not. Dockworkers scurried like ants while their handlers yelled gruff orders. Past factories and warehouses were rows of tightly-clumped houses which could've passed for Arendelle's. Though these ones had far more colourful walls and chimneys that shot to the sky, as if fighting for attention. And further beyond were mountains all around.

"Oh, this place is sooo lovely!" Anna chirped in a falsely-high tone. "Tell me, sir. Do you know anyone who practices magic here?"

The harbourmaster stopped short and gave her a strange look.

"Or, maybe you've heard stories of someone who has amazing powers, like say, creating fire or lightning, or even conjuring a summer?"

The reply was an awkward silence. Kristoff cleared his throat. "Don't mind my wife. She's very fascinated with… tales of the occult." Subtle, Anna. Real subtle.

The harbourmaster dropped a tactful nod. "Well! Can't say I've a taste for this sorta stuff m'self. But you might find some fortune-tellers, or hear stories from our taverns eh? And! I dare say we have some of da finest inns and establishments for a young couple like you two." As he prattled on about nearby attractions and shopping districts, Kristoff returned non-committal grunts from time to time.

The clanging of bells caught their attention, and they spun to see the Eternity sailing off.

"So, Arendelle still doesn't wanna trade wit' us?" the harbourmaster said, frowning.

"The ship's just dropping us off, that's all," Anna said.

"We aren't Arendelle folks. It was a holiday stop," Kristoff added.

"Don't mind if I speak frankly then. Ever since that witch-queen took the crown, that place's been nothing but trouble!"

Wait, what?

Anna stamped on the planks. "YOU DO NOT INS–!" Kristoff clamped a hand over her mouth.

"What's that?" the harbourmaster said.

"My wife meant to say that Queen Elsa is no witch. We spent a week there, and Her Majesty has shown herself to be a kind and gracious ruler." Work with me, man. Play along... play along...

"Is she now!" The fatty's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Did'cha know that she froze everything in her own kingdom three moons back, fancy that! God's favour be on our Duke, for he lived. Instead of saying sorry, the accursed witch then betrayed our treaty! She cut all trade wit' nary a warning, and now two of my cousins be jobless!"

Anna wrenched Kristoff's arm off. "Your people started it first! You tried to murder my– the queen!"

"Good riddance that if we succeeded! Being a witch is bad enough. We certainly don't need one sitting on a throne!"

Before Anna could charge at the pig, Kristoff flung his arms around her. He had no intention of getting arrested within ten minutes of stepping into Weselton. The harbourmaster let out a huff and stomped off, muttering more curses.

Kristoff dragged Anna away. First objective: calm his fiancée down. Second objective: find an inn.

"–AND STAY OUT!" The door slammed behind them.

Kristoff whipped around, his muscle taut. Drunken fools were too prone to violence.

Anna waved a fist at the tavern. "It's not nice to throw people out! You're lucky I'm not the princess, or I–I– Argghhhhh!" A pebble with the misfortune of being next to her was sent flying across the sky.

Kristoff heaved a sigh of relief when no one came rushing out to retaliate. Taverns, stalls, inns. They were all the same; smiling faces turning dark with anger at the mere mention of 'magic'. If he hadn't shouted Anna down when she tried to pry information from the first inn, chances were, they'd still be without a place to sleep.

"Let me do the talking," he said. When Anna glared, he quickly added, "Spy mission, remember? Gotta be careful, and gather information in secret."

Anna took several deep breaths and hopped in spot. "Okay, spy mission. Secret, careful, got it! You know what you're doing, right?"

Kristoff returned a reassuring grin, which said nothing for the turmoil in his head. He came expecting false trails or phonies out to scam their money, but there was nothing; no stories of anyone with magic or hints of any place to look for. No one wanted to be associated with this supernatural force, as if doing so was tantamount to trouble. The few curs who tried to impress Anna simply pointed them towards 'Arendelle and its witch-queen'.

"It's weird, isn't it? Everyone's just so angry. You don't think it's–" Anna's voice trailed off.

Elsa? No, not really. This, Kristoff sensed, was resentment too deep-seated to be born in three months. These people knew something; Grandpa did have a good reason not to want Anna to come.

"Maybe there really isn't any magic here."

"You don't believe that, do you?" Anna arched her eyebrows. "Or maybe he or she's locked up somewhere so secretive, most people wouldn't even know!"

Forget locking up, Kristoff doubted that Weselton would suffer anyone born with magic to live. He didn't say that aloud.

"Oooh what are we gonna do? We know absolutely nothing!" Anna cupped her cheeks.

"Hey..." He pulled her chin up. "You need to rest. Let's grab a bite first, we can continue later."

"But we're running out of time! Captain Lars said he'd be returning in four days."

"That still leaves us with three. We will find something. For now, just forget about that person and focus on food. It's our first time overseas, remember? What's the point of coming all this way and not trying something new?"

Right on cue, Anna's stomach growled. Head slumped in defeat, she allowed him to lead her away.

"Maybe we can even do a little shopping," Kristoff said.

Anna's shriek sent heads twisting their direction. She clutched her face, such terror there that his heart skipped a beat. "What?! Anna, what is it?"

"Omigosh! Omigosh–omigosh–omigosh! I forgot to ask Elsa if she needed me to get her anything!"

They found a bazaar, or rather, stumbled into one.

Located between rows of buildings was a street that snaked on for miles, so packed that Anna wondered if half the town was here. Merchants were positioned on both sides, shouting and waving their wares in the air. There was an astonishing variety; clothing, weapons, silk, art pieces, and even exotic pets. The smell of roast meat tickled their nose, while Yindu stilt-walkers loomed past them, blowing kisses. Vendors pushed carts through the crowd, reaching out to pull people in, while children ran freely through the gaps between haggling adults.

"Do you think they sell carrots here?" Kristoff said, his eyes lighting up.

Anna slapped her head. Of course he had to have his carrots even when they were over a hundred miles from home. She feigned shock. "Christopher Bjorgman! Surely you can think of some other food! It's our first time overseas, remember?"

Instead of getting annoyed as she'd hoped, he instead smirked. "Precisely, Emma Bjorgman! I bet Weselton carrots taste different from Arendelle ones! Can't wait to buy some for Sven. Look! There's a vegetable stand here, and there's a shop over there that sells ice axes!"

She rolled her eyes and waved him off. He ran with the energy of a boy bound for a candy shop.

Not that Anna could blame him, really. This was their first time in a market that wasn't Arendelle's. With that thought, she shoved her hunger aside. If Kristoff was getting carrots for Sven, then she needed to buy something for Elsa as well.

Darting from store to store, Anna ogled at calligraphy, gasped at clay sculptures of naked people, scrunched her nose at oriental spices, held cute little potted plants, and ran her fingers over wood carvings. In her entire life, she'd never seen so many different things to shop. When I get back, we're definitely gonna expand our market.

A wagon caught her eye. Filling every inch of wood was a dazzling selection of beads, gems and trinkets. Even the old lady vendor wore so much jewellery that she was hunched over by the weight of it all.

A ring? Anna held it up. The amethyst looked good, but giving her sister a ring would be– She blushed. Well, people would probably talk.

A bracelet? Safe and pretty, but she honestly couldn't see Elsa wearing it.

"Mmm not bad." Anna pressed a string of pearls against her neck. The iridescent colours were a good match for Elsa's ice dress, adding to her sister's elegance.

The old lady smiled a toothless smile. "Looks stunning on you, lass!"

"It does look good." Kristoff came up from behind, holding a sack of probably-carrots.

"But do you think Elsa would like it? I mean, it'd be bad if I went home empty-handed. But wouldn't this remind her of, you know, when the Duke tried to kill her?"

"It's gonna be fine," Kristoff said. "Doesn't matter where it comes from. Elsa would like anything you buy for her."

Fair enough. As Anna paid, she offhandedly asked, "Hello, nice vendor, could you tell us something?"

"Of course!" the old lady said as she counted the money.

"Have you heard of anyone with magic here?"

Coins cascaded on the table.

Okay, she definitely knows something.

"No, never! I can't imagine what'd make you ask such a question!"

"I was just curious, that's all."

"That's not a good thing to be curious about."

"Why not?"

The jewellery-seller shifted in place, averting her gaze. "Magic brings nothing but pain and sorrow. No good comes of it. God's grace, but a young lady like you shouldn't dwell on this."

"The way you speak, it's almost like you've seen it before," Anna said.

"Nonsense!"

"C'mon! What's this deep dark secret that Weselton is hiding?"

"Lass, this must be your first time here. Weseltoners do not like enjoy talking about things like this. It's getting late, I have to pack soon. Have a good evening!"

Anna had come too far to back off. "Please, we've been asking the whole day but no one knows anything. Queen Elsa of Arendelle can't be the only–"

Her hand slapped on the table making Anna jump. The old lady glanced down, as if startled at her own outburst. Kristoff's arm came around Anna to steer her away.

"The demon."

Anna dug her heel down. "What?"

"Its name is all I know. I'm only saying this because you've good taste in jewellery. But please, you must leave."

"I– thank you! Sorry to bother you. We're going now. Sorry!"

Her wrinkled hand shot out to catch Anna's with surprising strength. "Be careful." She let go.

Anna nodded and sped off with Kristoff. As soon as they turned the corner, she clutched him. "Did you hear that? She gave a name!"

"The demon."

"Yes, you know what this means? It's the same person– the one whom Grandpabbie spoke of. I knew he or she was here!"

Kristoff's mouth hung open. No jump of joy. No smile of relief. Was he even interested in this quest?

Sensing her thoughts, he shrugged. "Just surprised, that's all. At least we know grandpa remembered the right place."

"It's a start! Let's ask around later," Anna said. "Now, let's eat!"

They strolled around for another ten minutes, then an aroma ensnared them to a stall by the side of the street. Any doubts about it faded when Kristoff saw the words 'Borsch Soup' painted in bright red. Ah yes, his third greatest weakness, right behind carrots and her.

Stool and table granted much-needed reprieve to their legs as they ordered potatoes, berries, herrings, and of course, a tantalizing bowl of soup. While they filled their bellies, Anna glowered at the sight of children chasing each other in games of tag.

A little girl dashed past and tripped, crashing to the cobblestone. She took one look at her bloodied knee and burst into tears.

Anna leapt to her feet but a boy reached first. The girl glanced up and opened her arms. Her brother, Anna guessed, judging by their shared freckles. He swept her up like she didn't weight a thing. Cooing, he kissed her knee. That not only stopped the wailing, but even pulled out a brave smile. With his sister cradled in his skinny arms, he headed off to rejoin the other children.

The corner of Anna's lips jumped. Was that what it was like? That one time when Elsa comforted her after she fell and scrapped her knees?

"This place is beautiful." She sat back down. "I mean, I hated Weselton for trying to kill Elsa. But now..."

"But now?" With the entire bowl covering his face, Kristoff's words came out muffled.

"Now I know. These people can actually be nice. Not everyone's like the Duke."

The children played and laughed as if they haven't a care for the world and its troubles. It didn't matter whether they were from Arendelle or Weselton; children were innocent. She would not let her perception of a kingdom be tainted by the acts of a single man.

Kristoff lowered the bowl and patches of red trickled to his chin. "The Duke can't be that bad, can he?"

Anna slammed her fork down.

"You have no idea."

A/N: Reviews make me happy.