Let's bargain

Cold droplets of water made pattering sounds against Frances' face, pulling her back into consciousness. As the process was continued, she began flickering her eye lashes, distorting her rest.

"Stop that!" She yelled as her eyes slowly opened. She gained consciousness slowly on struggling to open her eyes. She could still feel the remnants of stench of the chemical in her nose as she tried to rub it off.

"What did you put in my face? That was rude and crazy."

"You're welcome. It's always a pleasure rescuing you from death."

"And who might you be?" She asked John who sat across her, taking tiny sips of coffee with his legs crossed.

"I'm the one who got you out of that place, but you don't remember me?"

"Am I supposed to?"

"Do you remember when you and your sisters ravaged a small group to save the Prince? Well I'm one of the few survivors of that attack. But don't worry, I'm not holding any grudges.

"What do you want from me then?"

"To save your sister."

"My sister?"

"Adeola…isn't that her name?"

"Yes..."

"She is in the worst place for any tranitionist to be."

"I just wonder how she's being treated there... If she's even still alive or not."

"How does all this benefit you? What's in for you?"

"That's not your concern. All you need now is to get yourself concerned with how to rescue your sister from King Will."

"Is Josephine there too?"

"I don't know about her whereabouts."

"Oh…I thought I heard her voice while I was in the prison cell. I must've been hallucinating."

"Maybe, maybe not."

"I just hope she's okay."

"Yeah... We need to draw out a plan to infiltrate Jotunheim. It's not as easy as entering into Nether."

"You've been there before?"

"Yes I have. A few times. I've got an acquaintance there."

"Really?"

"If you have acquaintance, we don't have to infiltrate the Kingdom, right?"

"Exactly, and also, it's just a lot harder . We're going there as business partners. I'll try to bargain with the King."

"What's the deal you're bringing to the table?"

"You."

"I don't follow."

"I'll propose to exchange you for a bunch of weapons. Since we're an independent group, they're thoughts would be that we're in need of weapons. So they'll accept the offer with open arms. They'll take you in, and there's a high chance it'll be where Adeola is."

"Okay."

"So I'll need you to be as observant as you can. Your main goal is to find where she's kept. Don't worry, as you're being taken in, my men are already disguised in the background with their cloaks, following closely behind you. My men don't know her, so immediately you see her, just signal them that she's the one and they'll take out the guards who are with you. They won't know what hit them."

"This still sounds very dangerous. How are we supposed to escape from Jotunheim. Even if we all wear these blending cloaks, you know more than I do that they have elite fighters who don't even depend on senses to fight. What if the King sends beasts our way? How do we escape?"

"Don't panic. I have a plan of escape. It'll work, but you have to be as fast as possible. I mean, seconds. The latest you can be is one minute. If not, you'll get caught up."

"We're not as fast as you, John."

"That's not my fault. You'll have to be if you want to come out alive with your sister. Once you hear the signal, exit the building. So what's it going to be?"

"I'm in."

"That's good."

"Eat something, get ready. We're running the King's pockets."

"John…" Frances called.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"It's too early for that. Let's get her out of there first." He said.

At Jotunheim

"Commander!" A soldier saluted, "someone at our gate says he wants to bargain."

"Did he give his name?" Jade asked.

"No Sir, but he said something he was sure you would understand."

"What's that?"

"The one who gave the White Knight into your hands."

"Ohhh. Let him in. I only wonder what he wants this time."

John was alone. He was escorted by soldiers through the gates of the Kingdom and all the way to the Palace, carrying a body on his shoulder as he did.

On reaching the grand entrance of the Palace, he was met by a phalanx of soldiers that were heavily armed. They scanned him, as they circled round him, touching his body for any hidden weapons.

"Drop all your weapons before you take a step in." One growled.

"Right!" John said, gently putting down the body on his shoulders. He began disarming himself. His sword and his daggers, he laid them all on the floor.

"Can I go in now?"

They signaled at him, giving permission to enter the Palace. He picked the body up, and walked in.

"Long time no see." John jested.

"Yeah, I don't see snakes often." Jade responded as he watched John put the body down.

"That's a bit harsh, considering you were the one who walked up to me to ask for help against the White Knight."

"Sometimes, you need to put your hands in the sand to pick up your lost jewelry. What do you want?"

"I've come to bargain with the Kingdom of Jotunheim."

"What do you bring to the table?"

"I've brought a transitionist."

"Oh? And who told you Jotunheim needs transitionists. They are our enemies, why did you feel bringing one would earn you our favor?"

"I haven't come for favors. I've only come for–"

"Let me make this straight." Jade said, taking steps towards John, "We are not acquaintances. You're just as big an enemy as the transitionists. The fact that you're still alive while you stand next to me is in itself a favour. Now let me repeat myself. What made you think bringing an enemy to our camp would earn you our favor?"

"The transitionists are on the brink of extinction from the underworld. I am only certain of two that are still alive. And they are both in your custody. Not only that, but I must let you know that Nether have embarked on a new project. They are no longer as interested in bringing people from earth as they were before. They have found a way to bring back the dead to serve their Kingdom. This, as you know, is to the detriment of Jotunheim because the souls you have fought to keep away from the underworld are now coming back, but this time, more powerful."

"If all these are lies, I swear to God I will..."

"I assure you, they are true. As I speak, they are in search of Nariah's body. Once she is brought back, I can guarantee that no force in the underworld can stop the destruction of Jotunheim. It's inevitable, you all will die."