"Princess Avery," he began his conversation then paused, the princess tilted her head a little to the side and arched a brow at him. He cleared his throat and continued.

"One of our soldiers saw a bright blue light, it seemed off, so I had my second-in-command and four other soldiers check it out, while the others continued searching elsewhere. They were to light a flare if it was the hybrid. I saw it and we rushed here as soon as we can, only to find them like this."

"Hmm! Sending a five man team, that was low Lieutenant. I mean all through your search, did you have any other promising lead like this one?" She asked in a subtle voice and began to pace slowly.

"No Princess."

"Then you get one, a very promising one at that and you decided to send a five man team. Splendid, just simply terrific."

"I am sorry Princess."

"Sorry is not good enough Lieutenant. Do you know they could have all died? Their lives are all in your hands, you are responsible for all of them Lieutenant Flynn!' Her voiced raised higher as she reminded him of his duty.

"Yes Princess."

"Then tell me why – why you made such a foolish life-risking decision!?" She said out loud, anger being evident in her voice.

He quickly stepped forward as he knelt on one knee and bowed his head before her. "Forgive me Princess."

"This is not the answer I am looking for Lieutenant Flynn."

His second-in-command moved a few steps forward and knelt on one knee as well. "Your highness, forgive me but Lieutenant Flynn only acted that way because he was restricted based on order," he explained to her.

"What's your name?" She was some feet away from them, her back facing the Lieutenant, she turned, her gaze now fixated on the second in command.

"Callum, Your highness."

"What do you mean by restricted?"

"His highness, Prince Blade, forbade us from venturing Eastward. He informed us he had searched the area before, and that he would search it again. Also, that the hybrid may be leaving the forest instead of venturing further inside it."

Her eyes shone with delight at the mention of her brother's name, but her face didn't show any emotion.

"That explains that, brother works alone. Alright, rise then" she commanded them as she walked away. They obeyed her and rose to their feet. "So... " she walked towards where the four soldiers were siting on the ground.

"Your highness" they bowed their heads, some tried to get up but groaned in pain. She scoffed, "Relax, even I know you all are injured."

"Thank you, your Highness," they chorused.

"So, you mean to tell me that just one hybrid, did all of this?!," she said pointing at them and her gaze trailed off from the injured soldiers to the Lieutenants.

"No Princess" Callum replied her. "She was accompanied by another."

"Okay, so two people bested you then! This is news, I'm sure father would be thrilled to hear this."

All of them stiffened at the mention of her father, King Regin.

"You look unscathed, why didn't you pursue after them?"

"I fought a different enemy and it prevented me from following."

"But you said she had one companion, was it he that restricted your pursuit?"

"Unfortunately no Princess. The hybrid made an earthen man and made him move with her magic, he was my attacker, while the others faced off her companion and the White Tiger-Phoenix beast."

Princess Avery and Lieutenant Flynn both turned their heads, staring at him with their eyes wide open. "You mean to say... She, a hybrid, tamed a mystical beast!!"

"Yes, it was protecting her and her companion. That's how he got a burnt on his arm" Lieutenant Callum said pointing at the said soldier.

"Very interesting. Was this companion a human?"

"No, we couldn't see his face clearly but he was skilled and it may sound weird but he might be an Elf."

"What! Are you sure of what you are saying Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir, he dropped this before they left" he went further away from them and picked up a bow, it was patched up. He handed it to the Princess and backed away.

"He took one of ours and they left. It was after they had flown off that she released her magic on the earthen man and he crumbled into that," he said, pointing to the clogs of earth piled on top of each other, close by.

She inspected it for a while, "Elven wood huh! Thank you Lieutenant Callum, Lieutenant Flynn."

They bowed their heads at the same time and awaited her orders. "Hmm!" She said thoughtfully. "I wonder where brother was at that point in time. Or did he leave the east to search elsewhere and they arrived later? Or did father summon him? No one knows what he is thinking or doing" she thought.

"Your highness?" Lieutenant Flynn called out, breaking her from her reverie.

"Huh?" Her eyes shot open, then relaxed. "Search the area, the cave, around and report to me quickly."

"Yes Princess" they said in unison and half of the troops broke off, searching around.

"Lieutenant" she called.

"Princess!"

"Have your second-in-command take charge here. The first time you sent five, now we will take fifty" she dropped the bow from her hands, while her eyes inspected her gloved hands.

"Your highness?!"

"The Chase begins."