The High and Mighty

4. Firebird and the Ice Princess

"Thank you for getting everyone together Kiku," Arthur gave a small nod to the Japanese man. Kiku gave a bow in return before standing beside Alfred. All the pirate captains and their right hand man as well as Laila and Alice were called into the room. Alfred unrolled a few scrolls onto the table as Leon took out some more from his bag. 

"A few new problems came up but if what I know is true then we can counter them," Arthur explained looking around to everyone. "To begin with, you are the notorious 'Ice Princess' of Scandinavia. Am I correct?" He pointed to Laila. The small maid flinched slightly and looked down at the floor as she gripping her dress tightly. 

"You said you didn't know my brother..." She mumbled. The small girl shook slightly where she stood.

"Well after the dragon appeared and you questioned my knowledge I only assumed another magic user was around. Suddenly the name came back to me. You were part of a crew of Scandinavian pirates. I recall three siblings of that crew being magic users. Then I found this," Arthur tossed a scroll at her. She fumbled to catch it until it fell to the floor, unrolling itself. Laila knelt down and read what was written. 

"'The day came when the Ice Princess separated from her loyal knights and fell into the endless sea. The Princess was never seen again. Some would say she sleeps at the bottom of the ocean or captured in a far away land waiting for her loyal knights.' That's what it says..." Leon said. "The date it was written should match up around the time you disappeared."

The maid nodded as she began to cry. Alice looked down at her sadly, petting the girls head gently. "That was a little mean, non? You shouldn't say aloud others problems," the French woman spoke up.

"Laila you know magic? That's so cool, can you teach me some? Please?" Alfred asked excitedly before Mathew smacked him in the back of the head. 

"This is not the time for that Al..." Mathew glared at him slightly before sighing. 

"OW! That hurt Matt..!" Alfred pouted at his brother.

"As for you!" Arthur angrily stomped over and shoved a few of the pirates out of the way. He soon stood in front of Alice and grabbed the collar of her outfit pulling her roughly. "Where is that bloody witch? I know you're another copy. Who can forget your appearance and those flames." The Brit glared at her.

"Calm down Arthur. You shouldn't be so rough with women," Francis slowly made his way over.

"Shut it frog!" Arthur yelled.

"Was it that obvious?" Alice let out a small chuckle. "No, I do not know where Emma is but I can call her for you. Also a copy? That's a little offending just because they are an actual Phoenix does not make them an original!" She growled the last part before punching his stomach. Arthur let go and hunched over, letting out a few coughs.

"You wench!" Arthur coughed. Alice smiled cheerfully before hopping onto the table. 

"You must learn to be nicer Mr. Kirkland or else Emma will decide not to help you. She'll sit and watch like she always does...~" Alice skipped around, kicking a few of the scrolls off the table.

"Alice-san! Get down! What are you doing?" Kiku asked in bewilderment as he tried to get her down. Antonio and Tim tried to help him get her down but she kept swatting there hands away, muttering in French as she did so. Heracles handed Laila a cat to hold as she continued to cry. 

"Whose this Emma?" Ludwig asked.

"Did you say she was a witch?" Gilbert asked in confusion.

"It seems the killer may be the owner of a few magical creatures. Now that I revealed the identity of these two, we can use this to our advantage..." Arthur stood up after recovering from the punch. "Alfred can you please order your idiotic servant to call Emma?" He looked at Alfred before glancing at Alice.

"I don't know know who that is but alright! Alice! Please call who ever Emma is!" Alfred said excitedly, he was finding out new things about his servants and wanted to know more about the dragon that appeared before in the gardens.

"Yes sir!" Alice stomped on Antonio's face before kicking him away. Tim knelt beside his fallen captain raising his fingers in front of the Spaniard to check if he was okay. Alice stood straight up and clasped her hands together as though she was going to pray. Soon a golden seal appeared on the back of her right hand and began to glow. Everyone began to back away not wanting to be hit by anything unexpected. Alice closed her eyes and began to chant quietly. As she did so, a gold magic circle appeared on the table and glowed brightly. Luckily everyone looked away when the light was brightest.

"Do you have a wish?" A voice asked.