When Quirin stops answering his letters, Hector heads to Old Corona to check on him. He finds his brother either dead or as good as, and his nephew imprisoned.
This story contains examples of:
- Adaptational Villainy: King Frederic goes from slightly overprotective of his family in canon, to torturing a fourteen-year-old who hasn't even had a trial.
- Exact Words: How Hector gets in to see Varian. When asked, Hector simply tells the guards that Varian killed his brother. This is true as far as Hector knows at this point, but he fails to mention that his brother was Varian's father and he's here to get answers and rescue his nephew at the same time.
- Eye Scream: Varian's description of King Frederic have him blinded with his own alchemical supplies.
- Internal Reveal: Apparently Varian being at the Great Tree isn't proof enough that he and Hector know each other for Rapunzels's group, as they react with shock when Hector shows up to rescue Varian from them.
- Papa Wolf: Hector, much to his own surprise.
- Promoted to Parent: Hector has to step up and take care of Varian.
- Scars Are Forever: Varian's left eye is discolored as a result of his torture. He also has numerous scars that don't seem to be fading.
- Taken for Granite: Quirin, like in canon. Varian and Hector believe he's dead.
