The Hero of Frost (Jelsa/Mulan merge)

Chapter 6

Elsa's POV

When I woke up again, I was feeling much better. The healer told me that my body temperature was back up to normal and that I didn't have to amputate any body parts. Thank goodness for that. Unfortunately, when I asked how long I had been unconscious, the healer told me that I had slept a day and a night. It was the day that the invading army had been sighted a few miles away. I quickly gathered my stuff and prepared to leave the healer's tent.

"I hope you haven't been sent home," a voice said. I turned to see who had spoken. It was Commander Frost.

"No, Commander Frost," I replied. "I'm just preparing to move into position with the rest of the army."

"Good. I was coming to check up on you. I can't have one of my best archers missing on the day of the battle," Commander Frost told me.

"About that," I began, remembering what I had overheard and realizing that we were alone, "there's something I-"

"You'll be fine," Commander Frost said, cutting across me. "It's only the pre-battle jitters. Happens to everyone."

"That's not what I-"

"I need to go, but I expect you to report to Spire's peak within the hour," He said. Spire was one of the two Dragon Hills, the other being Crag. From the top of Spire I would easily be able to plug the enemy full of arrows.

"I don't trust Hans!" I finally burst out as Commander Frost was about to leave the tent. He hardly glanced back.

"I trust Hans with my life," he told me. "You have nothing to fear from him."

Then he was gone.

I shouldered my bow and quiver, determination filling my heart. If Commander Frost wouldn't believe me, I would just have to take matters into my own hands.

---

I glanced around. From the top of the hill I commanded a great view if the entire invading army, along with out own small force. Things weren't looking good.

I could see Commander Frost down below, surrounded by the other officers and elite warriors. From where the archers were positioned it would be an easy shot to kill him.

I glanced to my left. Hans, Thorn, Sanho, and Dimiscus were positioned in a line, checking gear and stringing bows. I didn't want to shoot Hans yet. I needed to wait until they were distracted. If I shot Thorn first, Hans would shoot me. If I shot Hans first, Thorn would cut me to ribbons.

A horn blew in the distance and the invading army began advancing. One of the officers beside Commander Frost raised a colored flag on a pole. It was yellow.

"That's our signal," Dimiscus said from beside me. I nodded. Yellow meant that the army was to hold its position. When the invaders were close enough, us archers were supposed to start turning them into pincushions.

"Almost . . . almost . . ." Hans said. I raised my bow, sighting the approaching warriors.

"Fire!" Hans commanded. I released my arrow and heard the others around me do the same. The invaders stumbled to a half as several of their number fell to the ground.

"Fire!" Hans repeated. I fired a second time. More invaders fell, but not enough. Below I could see the spearmen preparing for battle.

"Fire at will!" Hans told us. I got off two more shots before I heard a cry of pain. I spun around, arrow drawn. Thorn was standing over Sanho's unmoving body, a bloody knife in his hand. Dimiscus had just fallen to the ground, an arrow in his chest. Hans had an arrow drawn and pointed at me.

It had started.

He fired and I dodged to the side, firing my own arrow blindly before abandoning my bow and launching myself down the hill towards Commander Frost. I had to reach him. I had to warn him.

"Alex! Come back!" Hans called behind me. I didn't stop. I stumbled when I was within shouting distance of Commander Frost. I quickly scrambled to my feet.

"Commander Frost!" I shouted. "Look out! He's a traitor!"

Commander Frost turned in confusion, his eyes meeting mine. That was the same moment I felt an arrow sink into my leg. I fell to the ground, curled up in a dazed heap. I could faintly hear Commander Frost shouting in the distance. Moments later someone was supporting me by my shoulders.

"You saved my life, Alexander," Commander Frost said. "Thank you. Everything is going to be ok. You're going to be fine."

I felt a burning fire in my leg and then everything faded into blissful darkness.