Verse 4:

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN’T FIND THEM?!” Luka shouted, slamming her hands on the gilded desk.

The messenger quaked in his boots. She might have been the most beautiful empress, but she was also the one with the worst temper. “T-T-They escaped i-in a p-p-p-p-port, milady. R-R-Rumors s-say th-that they – they found passage aboard a pirate vessel, milady.”

“What. Pirate. Vessel.” She shot daggers into the poor messenger’s heart via her death glare.

“S-Some say th-the... gulp... Flame of Rebellion, milady.”

Momentarily, Luka’s anger left her. “Flame of Rebellion? Isn’t that the Flame Witch’s ship?” The messenger nodded. Luka closed her eyes to think of a plan. It took a few nerve-wracking minutes, but eventually she came to a conclusion. “Call off the search party for the blonde boy and his companions, but keep the bounty. If I know Dia like I think I know her, she will be dropping off their heads at my feet soon enough.”