Metal Birds

Chapter 20: Declarations of War

Paris, France, September 1939

The phone rang emptily that evening. It was accompanied by the chiming of a clock somewhere down the hall.

Arthur was in the foyer, watching the life wondering by so far below. He didn't hear it at first. He was preoccupied by the old man trying to make his way down the street, and the silent battle of each step as he leaned halfheartedly against his cane. As the phone rang again, pleading for attention, he turned his gaze away.

The phone was up the stairs on the third floor landing, and it appeared that Francis wouldn't be answering it. He sighed to himself, turning to make his way to the stairs as quickly as he could. The phone would only ring for so long, after all. He hopped up the stairs, before reaching forward to pluck up the phone and answer it as Francis had told him.

He knew his French wasn't the best, but it would suffice if someone was looking for Francis.

"Eh... bonjour, Famille Bonnefoy."

There was a long pause, before the person on the other end of the line spoke.

"They're coming."

He could feel his stomach drop as Felicyta's terror filled voice echoed through the receiver of the phone.

"Felicyta-"

"Please. God, please, come quickly. Or send help, or something."

Arthur quickly turned, shouting into the depths of the house. "Francis!?"

The man poked his head out the doorway downstairs, brow furrowed in concern at Arthur's tone. Arthur could feel his feathers beginning to puff up with worry.

"It's Felicyta. It's not good."

The silence that fell between them seemed to last for ages, and Francis quickly moved up the stairs, his wings moving so quickly that his feet barely touched the carpet.

"I-I thought he was alright with the non-aggression pact... Ludwig's on his way."

"He's not there yet?" Francis quickly pulled the phone away, leaving Arthur to run his hands through his hair in the stress.

"No..." She murmured. "But he's coming. There's an advance in the northwest, and they're gaining ground, fast. My military... my military..." She faltered. "My horses are being trampled by his machines." She was breathing quickly.

Francis cast him a worried look, motioning for him to take charge, speaking quickly.

"Alright... take a few breaths Felycita. You need to prepare yourself, alright? Arthur is going to speak with you. I'm leaving right now to tell my leaders to start mobilizing."

"Thank you..."

Arthur quickly took the phone as Francis pushed passed him, and he ran a hand through his hair again.

"Look, you can't let him get to you, alright? Do you have anywhere to go?"

"No... no, Toris told me it's not safe in Lithuania right now. And I'm sure that if Ludwig's moving this quickly then he's bound to be heading for Warsaw."

The starkness in the statement made him pause.

"Then come this way, alright? You need to start coming west."

"No, I can't leave them here..." She mumbled, her voice shaky. "If there's going to be any chance at making it through this, then I need to be at the front."