Marix’s cape flowed behind him as he marched to the military camp with his full armor on. His heart was pounding loudly in his ears and painfully in his chest.

Was it desperation? Excitement? Fear? Or possibly a mixture of the three.

Throughout his life, he’d never felt anything like this before. Not only was his urge to protect Eilownia stronger than ever, but he felt a burning in his veins for his unborn child. The only thing on his mind now was to bring them both home safely.

Now nothing could stop him from retrieving her. Not only did he have as much power as he possibly could being the General, but no law or army could stop him from pursuing her.

He burst through the doors of the war room to find Briggs sitting going over some documents.

"Briggs! Gather the men immediately! Have them armor up and prepare for possible battle. We are going to retrieve Eilownia!"

Briggs stared at him and sat unmoving.

"Well? What are you waiting for. Chop! Chop!" Marix clapped his hands, "Get to it!"

Briggs still remained in his seat, his eyes darting around as he thought of how to respond.

"Gather the men! NOW! That is an order!" Marix’s tone was growing harsher as he stared at Briggs as though his pupils could shoot lasers.

"I.....refuse. I don’t think that’s wise. I’m sorry, General. I cannot follow orders that you are using for your own selfish reasons! The Solan army is preparing an attack!"

Marix raised his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes at him.

Briggs continued, "You’re a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. There is no one who can lead an army better than you when it comes to actual combat and strategizing, but outside of that?"

Marix scoffed as Briggs shook his head, "I’ve lost all respect for you as my General. You only think about yourself and not all of the men underneath you! Nor do you think of the people of this kingdom!"

Marix grabbed him by the collar and yanked him towards him. Fury was now coursing through his veins, overriding all of his other emotions.

"It is my command. You WILL carry it out because now a royal heir is involved."

Briggs’ eyes widened, "I-I’m sorry?"

Marix dropped him to his feet and stared down at him, "That’s right. You heard correctly. Eilownia is pregnant with my child, the royal heir of Viraaz, and as it stands, the next in line for the throne after Arlon."

"I-I didn’t realize." Briggs apologized quietly as he stumbled back, bracing himself against the large wooden table behind him.

"Remember, Lieutenant General Briggs. You are not the General for a reason."

He grabbed onto Briggs’ collar again and helped him steady himself, his fingers clutching onto the fabric tight, his threat just barely there.

"You are too righteous. A General makes hard decisions and doesn’t just go for the obvious path," He cocked his head to the side as he let him go, "You almost committed treason just now."

Briggs bowed his head, "My apologies, General. You are right. It was wrong of me. I am under you, therefore it is my job to carry out your orders."

Marix nodded firmly with his head held high as Briggs rushed out.

As Briggs approached the grounds, his eyesight was getting hazy.

’Since when were Marix and I at such odds? We’ve always made such a great team. The cracks forming are undeniable. Ever since he met that spy.’

He didn’t realize how much they had drifted apart since this began.

’I’d protect Tara with my life, but she is my wife. This Eilownia Evans is just a shed girl he met and slept with on a whim.’

His legs swayed as they carried him, but before he realized it, he had reached his destination.

"ATTENTION! THE GENERAL IS CALLING FOR EVERYONE TO GEAR UP FOR A MISSION! PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE BATTLE!"

Without hesitation, they all scattered, heading to their stations and to put on their armor.

Meanwhile, Marix marched to the gate of the military camp and waited for everyone to appear while thinking of a plan.

Brothels were more common in Elaide than residentials. How would he ever find her? It would be like finding a needle in a haystack, but hell, he’d search straw by straw if he had to until she was found.

As he was formulating his plan, the stable hand brought him his horse, fully tacked up and ready to go.

The leather of the saddle creaked underneath him as he mounted.

’We’ll just have to put out a warrant and search brothel by brothel until we find her."

Now that they were getting closer to departing, he could feel a pit forming in his stomach.

What if they didn’t find her? What if it was too late? What if she’d lost the baby? What if she’d been....no. He couldn’t think about that.

A short while after, his men appeared fully equipped and mounted on their horses. Two of them held the flags of Viraaz high in the air, flowing in the air with its gold, purple and green colors immediately catching one’s eye.

"Today, we ride to Elaide! Miss Eilownia Evans is carrying a royal heir and we must retrieve her safely no matter the cost!"

He had his men’s complete attention. All eyes were on him as he stood at the beginning of the group, shouting orders.

"Slay anyone who dares stand in our way! Search every brothel until she is found! Tear them apart! Leave no piece unturned! WE DO NOT RETURN WITHOUT HER!"

The men raised their swords and flag in the air as they let out a unified battle cry.

Marix raised his sword as well, "FOR VIRAAZ!"

"FOR VIRAAZ!" They repeated as they kicked their horses forward.

Their screams mixed with the galloping of hooves and the clanking of armor.

They arrived in Elaide by nightfall, which was when their brothels were the most active.

Marix shoved his way into the first brothel will a few of the men while others stood guard outside.

It was quite colorful inside and reeked of alcohol and smoke. He felt a lump in his throat at the thought of Eilownia and his future child being in a place like this.

His men searched each room, throwing open armoires and cabinets to check for her. They tore open wine cellars and threatened the guests to stay put.

The giggles and laughter of the girls and patrons shifted to terrified screams.

Every girl’s shoulder was grabbed, her face turned and inspected by the soldiers.

"EILOWNIA!!! EILOWNIA!" Marix shouted, "WHIN!" but he got no response.

"She’s not here, Sir." One of the soldiers said after a full search.

"ONTO THE NEXT!"

In the next brothel, a few men tried to stand up to the army.

"You cannot do this! There are laws involved! Viraaz won’t get away with this!"

Marix shoved past them, "OUT OF THE WAY IF YOU DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOUR LIFE!"

They tried to take on the army with their drunken heroics but were tossed aside like helpless ragdolls, passing out as soon as they hit the floor.

Twenty brothels. Twenty. They shattered glasses, broke wine bottles, threw sheets and extra blankets around as they searched cabinets, hinges on doors were barely hanging on and blood stained the walls.

Yet, there was no sign of Eilownia yet. Not even a whisper. Not even a hair.

"Sir.....I think maybe the information is incorrect...." One of the soldiers whispered as they exited the next one.

It was clear his men were beginning to get weary about the search.

"No! We don’t stop until she is found!"

He went to continue forward but was stopped by a large white and red flag held up by a small army.

It was the Elaide royal guard, what was left of them at least.

From atop a pure white horse was an old sleezy looking man with greased back gray hair. He was bony thin and stared at Marix with a look of disgust.

It was the King of Elaide, Alesius.

"General Marix. What business does Viraaz have here in Elaide to be causing such a fuss and destroying my precious properties?"

Marix sat tall on his horse, refusing to be intimidated.

"I’m here for a woman." A small smile appeared on his face as his eyebrows twitched upward for a moment.

Alesius laughed, "But of course. Everyone comes to Elaide for a woman. Were there none for your liking? Tell me what you like and I’ll have someone find you the perfect girl. There’s no need to destroy our wonderful businesses."

Marix smiled wider, "The woman I’m looking for is carrying a royal heir of Viraaz. She was sold to one of your brothels, but I don’t know which."

Alesius smirked and raised an eyebrow, "General Marix, I didn’t expect you to be a man after my own heart. So be it. Carry on and find your woman, just be less destructive about it."

He nodded to one of his guards, then cleared his throat.

"I DECREE THAT GENERAL MARIX OF VIRAAZ HAS PERMISSION TO SEARCH THE ELAIDE BROTHELS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ROYAL GUARD!"

Marix bowed his head, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Alesius waved his hand, "Search to your hearts content, but I will be billing Viraaz for compensation of damages."

Marix smiled, "But of course," he mimicked, "What’s fair is fair."