Sofia the First: Father

Chapter 14: The Hunt Begins

After around 15 minutes of flying sky high, they finally arrived back at the castle "Here we are" Ethan Said as he landed "Are you ready?". "This isn't going to work" Sofia Frowned "Finding you is dad's number one priority, if he finds out i helped you escape... i'll be in big trouble", "That's why you NEVER tell him that" Ethan sternly Replied "I'm relying on you, Sofia". "I just hope you'll make it back quickly" Sofia Frowned "I won't be able to distract him for long", "Please Sofia..." Ethan softly pleaded "You have to trust me". Sofia Sighed loudly "Ok" She Said putting on a brave smile "I'll do my best", "Good girl" Ethan Smiled proudly. "Now, i must go" He added "I promise i'll be back shortly" he then kneeled down and kissed her on the cheek, he then stood back up, turned around and began walking away "Ethan?" Said Sofia, Ethan turned back around "Be careful" She added, Ethan simply gave her a wink and continued walking untill he left the courtyard. Sofia then entered the castle just in time to see her family, many palace staff, and Cedric walking towards her "Sofia!" Miranda Smiled rushing over to her daughter "Where have you been all evening?", "I... had a Protector mission to complete" Sofia Smiled sheepishly. "We were worried sick!" the King Frowned "In fact, we still are! We still haven't found or heard from your brother!", "You haven't!?" Sofia Frowned pretending to sound upset, "I'm afraid not" King Roland Frowned "But don't worry, we WILL keep searching, he can't have gone far". "Hopefully when the Captain thaws out completely, he could assist in the hunt" Bailywick suggested, everyone except Sofia, Miranda, James and Amber agreed, "Oh yes, that reminds me" the King Decleared turning to Cedric"How is Valthor doing?", "Well..." Cedric nervously Replied, his eyes darted towards Sofia to which she stared back at him with big sad eyes "He's not quite warm yet, Your Majesty" He Replied, "Well, i hope he unfreezes soon" the King Decleared "He IS the Captain of the Royal Guard, he's tracked down countless lost people throughout his career, he'll find Ethan in no time", Miranda strait up glared him in the eyes "He's not laying a hand on our son!" She Snarled. Everyone was shocked by her sudden outburst, "Miranda..." the King Gasped "Miranda, i-", "No, you listen to me!" Miranda angrily continued "I've had it up to HERE with you siding with that... monster! Either you fire him the moment he defrosts, or we're done", everyone gasped with horror "Miranda..." the King Gasped "You couldn't possibly mean-", "Yes, i do" Miranda Said folding her arms "I don't know what got into you OR Ethan, but the kids and i simply can't stand the pair of you falling out all the time. YES he attacked you, but for goodness sake, he's your son! No King just locks his son up over being punched in the face! if something like this happens between a father and his son, they sit down and talk through it in a fully 'Mature' manner", everyone was surprized with what the Queen had just said,  but some of them knew deep down that she was right "Miranda..." Roland Gasped for a third time "I-I... i'm so sorry!" he then stared of into space. After a few short seconds he spoke once more "Did i... really do that?", "You did, dad" Sofia Frowned sadly, "Well... i can't seem to remember doing it, that's the only problem". The entire royal family was puzzled "You... you don't remember?" Sofia curiously Asked, "I'm afraid i don't, Sofia" Roland sadly Replied rubbing his head. Then Sofia realized what was wrong, the freezing spell must have effected her father's brain, that explained why he didn't remember punnishing Ethan. "Maybe the same thing might happen when the Captain thaws out" Sofia suggested, "That could be true" Roland Replied "But anyway, as of now we should all relax, he couldn't have gone far. Besides, i've got guards patrolling both Dunwiddie and Summerset". Sofia Gasped in fright, Ethan could be caught and locked up again, "No!" She Gasped hugging her father, Roland was suprized "Sofia! what's wrong?" He Gasped, "Please don't lock my brother away again! he doesn't deserve it!" Sofia Cried, "Oh no, sweetie, don't worry" Her father gave her a positive and reasuring smile "Of course i'm not locking him away, i just want to apologise to him personaly",  "Really?" Sofia Asked softly, "Of course" Her father assured her.

Meanwhile

Ethan slowly crept his way through Dunwiddie village, all the while avoiding any nearby patrolling guards, "If it were midnight, this would be a hell of a lot easier" He Thought to himself.

20 Minutes Later

Ethan made it to Summerset Village and was suprized to see that it was far more crowded than Dunwiddie, all royal guards in the area marched together in pairs of two or more. As he rounded a bend he saw a pair of guards looking in his direction, he quickly hid out of sight, held onto the Ruby Chain and whispered in a perfectly clear voice "Invisibility" and just like that, he became invisible to the naked eye. As he peaked out of hiding, he checked on the guards and noticed something "Those are the two guards that take orders from the Captain!" He Thought "What the fuck are they doing here!?" He quietly sneaked around the chatting guards, but suddenly he tripped and fell "What was that!?" Exclaimed Gerald, "What was what!?" Asked Jerry, somehow he hadn't heard, then he groaned in annoyance "Let me guess, the wind again? that's the third time, you idiot!", "That was definitely something!" Gerald Replied reaching over to where Ethan was kneeling. His hand then made contact with Ethan's head "Something's there!" Gerald Growled going in for a swing with his sword.

Ethan caught Gerald's wrist without effort as he charged his right gaunlet. He then punched the elite guard in the stomach and a red shockwave emited from his gaunlet as Gerald went flying back, "For Enchancia!" Jerry Shouted, he took out his sword and charged in the Ethan's direction only for Ethan to do the unthinkable. He spun around to face the charging soldier, and, without thinking, kicked him 'below the belt'. Jerry almost immidietely collapsed to the ground and gasped for air, all the while groaning loudly in pure agony "My... brothers... come to my aid!" He Cried for help, Gerlad managed to recover and charged in Ethan's direction. Ethan responded by swinging his new blade to the right, his sword sliced clean through the other elite guard's hip causing a gush a blood to ooze out at a rapid pace, Gerald let out a deafening blood-curdling scream and fell to the ground. The two members of the Royal Army continued screaming in pain as the invisable Prince stared at them without a single care in the world.

Just then he heard what sounded like a marching stampede getting louder and louder, "SHIT!" He Thought and he began running for cover. Soon, mass groups of guards came rushing onto the scene "What's the situation!?" one guard Asked Jerry as he helped him to his feet, "Something... was invisable!" Jerry Groaned "Now it's gone. What ever it was, it most certainly human!". "Get searching!" another guard ordered as 3 other guards went to Gerald's aid, "You know..." a third guard Said "That could have been Prince Ethan! almost everyone in the whole of Enchancia saw what he's capable of!", some guards agreed, but others declined. Ethan still invisable, was standing under a large oak tree, watching the whole situation go down "They deserved it, AND much more" He Growled to himself, he then walked off to continue the search for the dark forest, ready to capture the unknown being and restore his relationship with King Roland once and for all.