The king was standing in his study, furious.

"She....escaped?" The vizier nodded, looking nervous. "She escaped past the guards at around midnight, and smuggled herself on an air ship out of the Capitol. The location is still unknown, your majesty, but we'll find her."

The king swore loudly, pushing the papers off his desk. He screamed, "She will regret the day she was born when I find her! As punishment, she will be tortured, but not killed." The king sucked in a frustrated breath. "I've seen what she can do. I need her for my army."

As he began to calm down, the scared vizier began to explain the missing items, and possible locations Lyra could've gone.

The king stopped him, holding up a hand. "Does she know anyone personally in the Palace?" The vizier shrugged. "Only a War Player by the name of Victor. He's rather experienced in the art of drum, and he can-" The king held up a hand. "Send for him."

He turned toward his desk. "And all of the guards at the gates: execute them all and replace them immediately. Understand?" The vizier quickly nodded, running out of the room, and writing on his scroll.

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The king looked at Victor calmly, who was sitting in the corner of the room in a salute.

"Victor, is that the name? I see you're a dedicated soldier. Tell me: what do you think of the girl called Lyra Grey?"

Victor stiffened, still in salute. "She is a lying traitor, that should come back to his majesty immediately." Victor's voice was bitter, but he seemed unsure in his tone at the same time. The king smirked.

"And you serve your king without any waver in loyalty?" Victor hesitated.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Good. I want you to search and track down Lyra. Bring her back to me, alive, and I will see you have a long and fulfilled life full of riches. And you will also have the satisfaction of bringing your once 'friend', to justice. Now can you say no to that?" The king's eyes flashed.

Victor looked looked to the left. "Of course not, your grace."

The king nodded. "I will give you the required supplies you need to find her, and I will insure you will have enough."

The king stood tall, and his voice grew dark. "Do not fail me, young Victor. Or I will be sure you regret it. Am I clear?"

Victor shifted his feet. He wasn't sure of the king's motives by hiring him, or why he, not so much a tracker, should find Lyra. Then again, the king wasn't all that stable. Yet, he still answered:

"Crystal."

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Ooh, Victor used Lyra's line yo! Plait twist! Victor is pretty fun to write :)

-Clo