Fireflight

Chapter Eighteen

"This is worse than I'd hoped." Prince Stolas sighed, shaking his head woefully. 

A heavy silence blanketed the room and the mood was dark. The cheer of a mission well done and information gathered had given way to stress and fear. 

"Those commandoes were only one tiny part," one of the royal family's advisors muttered. "Now we know they've slipped an entire division through our lines!" 

"I don't see why we can't just take them out?" Blitzo asked. 

"The problem is that we don't know their exact location. The last thing we need is an attack from behind or a stealth invasion into our land." the prince explained. "We are only thirty miles or so from the front lines." 

"I bet they'll try to siege the palace and capture you and your wife." Moxxie theorized, slamming a fist into his hand. 

"You could be right. We are the leaders of the opposition of course." Stolas agreed nodding. Turning to the captain of the guards he said, "I want double guards posted and security tightened up. No one enters or leaves without my knowing and consent." 

The captain nodded. "Yes milord. Should I go at once?" 

Stolas nodded and waved him out. "Yes, the sooner the better." 

The captain clanked out of the room, his armor rattling as he quickly ran to alert his men. Prince Stolas sat down and ran a hand through his head feathers. 

"Stella's going to hate this." he groaned. 

Blitzo looked up at his lover and put a hand over his. "Hey, don't worry." he said reassuringly. "We're here for you." 

The owl prince looked up and smiled down at his close friend. "Thank you Blitzo. That means a lot to me." 

The tender moment was abruptly ended with an urgent knock at the door. All eyes turned that and Stolas called the newcomer in. It was pushed open by a messenger dressed in a Silver Legion uniform. Behind her the captain of the guard spoke to the prince. 

"Milord, this messenger came just as I was giving your orders. She claims to have an important message for you." 

"Let her in." Stolas answered. 

The messenger stepped forwards, her leather boots clicking loudly on the fine wooden floor. She saluted before pulling a letter from a satchel worn at her hip. "Milord, I have a message sent by the Chancellor himself. He request that you read it at once." 

"Let us see this letter then." the prince said extending a hand. 

The messenger placed the letter onto his open hand and took a step back. The prince waved those around him back so that he could read the letter in private first. After thoroughly checking it, he set it down on the table and looked directly at the four members of I.M.P before him. Blitzo felt a cold panic run down his spine at the look of horror on his eyes. 

"Octavia's been captured by the enemy." he said shakily. 

Silence blanketed the room for several moments before everyone began speaking at once. 

"Then we must get her back!" Stolas's general demanded. 

"Prince Henri has gone too far this time!" His foreign diplomat seethed. 

"Let me and my crew go and rescue her!" Blitzo suggested. 

"Oh crumbs!" Moxxie whimpered. 

"Shut up!" Prince Stolas yelled, letting a burst of power emanate from him. It send the papers on the table flying and blew out the windows of the room. "We must remain calm in this time of crisis!" he said, barely keeping himself together. 

"We have to go get her!" Blitzo said. 

"I know!" the prince snapped with enough force to make the imp cringe back. "I know." he said again quieter. 

"They'll use her as a bargaining chip." Moxxie spoke up. 

"Yes, they will." Stolas agreed. 

Another knock at the door signaled another arrival. Stolas sighed wearily and called them in. "Enter." 

The door opened and the captain of the guard stepped in. "Milord, Princess Stella is gone." 

"What the devil?" Stolas asked, his anger rising once more. "Why?" 

"She told one of the servants she was going to see family." the guard explained. 

"Hells fire! At this time?" the prince demanded. 

"Yes sir." 

Stolas reached for the end of the table and hurled it over onto its side, sending everyone scattering. "Captain?" he asked viscously. 

"Yes sir?" 

"Find my wife and bring her back here!" the captain nodded and ran from the room. Stolas turned his attention on the four imps huddled by the door. "Blitzo! I want you and your crew out there on a rescue mission. I want my daughter back, and I want her back now!" 

"I've got you covered." the imp said determinedly.