Fireflight

Chapter Five

Prince Stolas sat at his table, a well made breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast placed before him by the chefs. His daughter Octavia sat to his left at the head of the table and his wife Stella sat quietly across from him, staring down at her food. 

"I just wanted to let the two of you know that we'll have some visitors coming sometime today. Blitzo and his employees." The prince announced. 

"You mean that weird red dick head?" Octavia asked, looking up. 

"Yes Octavia dear, that one." Her father nodded. 

"Remind me why again?" A steely voice cut across their conversation. 

Stolas looked over to his wife. "Just as a precaution." He said placatingly. "They're very good at their jobs, I wouldn't have it any other way." 

"I thought we had discussed this!" Stella hissed. "This problem of ours should be able to be resolved diplomatically, not with a band of peasant mercenaries!" 

"Again, it's just as a precaution." her husband said again. "We could use the extra protection." 

"This is just some excuse for you to sleep with that rat again!" Stella growled spearing an egg with her fork. 

"Not at all, Stella. I promise this is strictly professional." Stolas assured her. 

"We'll see about that. And if I find you in bed with that slutty imp you'll have some serious shit to deal with!" Stella warned him. 

"You have no need to worry." Stolas said raising a hand in oath. 

"You really think they'll be good for the job, dad?" Octavia asked. 

"Of course, they're the best of the best you know." Stolas was about to stuff a piece of toast into his mouth when he remembered something. "Oh, and I almost forgot. They brought Loona with them, I guess she's finally convinced Blitzy to let her out of the office." 

"Really?" Octavia said excitedly. 

"Indeed." her father nodded. 

"Cool." she said with a small smile. 

                                                                                                         []

The I.M.P van rolled up to the ornate gates of the As-Goetia estate and Blitzo rolled down his window to speak into the gate's speaker. 

"It's Blitzo from I.M.P. We're expected." 

After half a minute or so the gates swung open to let them through. They parked their van in the roundabout driveway in front of the walkway to the palace's main doors and began collecting their things. 

"So how long will we be staying here?" Loona asked her dad. 

"Not sure, that's why I told you to pack so much." he answered her as he stepped out of the van and stretched. 

Upon grabbing their things, the band of mercenaries stepped up the grand gateway to the Goetia palace. Blitzo pounded a fist on the door and stepped back. Just a moment later the door was opened by the family's head butler who greeted them warmly with a bow, waving them inside. 

"Unfortunately the masters are eating lunch right now." Archie explained. "Otherwise I'm sure they would have met you here in the great hall. 

"Can we go see them?" Loona asked. 

Archie nodded and smiled. "Of course, let me take you to the dining room." 

The little imp led them through the stunning great hall and into a smaller, but spacey, ornate dining room. With a little cough he addressed his masters. 

"Your Majesties, the mercenaries." he announced with a wave of his arm. 

"Ah, Blitzo! It's so good to see you again!" Stolas said pushing his chair back and going to greet the imp in a tight bear hug. 

"Ahem," Stella coughed. "I believe you said your interactions would only be professional?" she asked coldly. 

"Oh! Yes!" Stolas remembered. "I'm sorry my dear." 

Stella's eyes slid down to meet Blitzo's and the two of them glared at each other menacingly before looking elsewhere. Nearby Octavia and Loona hugged in greeting. 

"Hey dad, do you mind if Loona and I take off?" the owl princess asked. 

Stolas nodded. "Of course my little owlet. Have fun." 

Octavia cringed a little at the sound of her pet name and blushed slightly. The two of them left for her room to go hang out away from the group of adults and spend some time together. 

"So what's the deal here?" Blitzo asked. 

"I'll explain it to you after dinner tonight if that's fine with you?" Stolas answered. 

"Fine with me, I just want to get settled in." the imp nodded. Then remembered he turned and waved Brenden forwards. "This is our new employee, Brenden. Best shot I've ever seen. He's got hands light greased lightening!" 

"Oh my!" Stolas said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you Brenden." 

The little imp was momentarily taken aback when the prince extended his hand. After a pause he gently reached out to take it before giving him a firm handshake. "It's a pleasure your majesty." He said flicking his eyes up must momentarily to meet the taller nobleman's. 

"Don't worry about the formalities please." Stolas waved a hand. "Any friend of Blitzy is a friend of mine." 

Brenden nodded and smiled. Perhaps this Prince Stolas was at the very least a decent man. Then looking around at the beautiful room and the faces of his newly found friends and co-workers, he felt extremely lucky to have stepped out on a limb to take this job.