She made an impatient sound at the back of her throat, and shook her head. "You cannot tell me not to worry about Luke, Guy. By your recount it seems as though he was taken away by accident, which in some cases makes it more dangerous than if he were abducted." She paused. "If the latter had happened, then at least she would have been after something, and would keep Luke alive until after she's gotten it. Now, though, she would have no cause or reason at all to keep him... well."

To her surprise, it seemed that she was still able to stand properly. No bucking knees, no urge to cry... not yet, anyway. But worry felt like a painful knot in her stomach, and her nails were digging half-moons in her palms. This woman couldn't kill Luke. She just.... couldn't. Not if Natalia had any say in it.

It was this resolve that made her square her shoulders. "But yes, you're right. We'll do everything we can to bring poor Luke back with us safe and sound. I'll tell Father to gather our best soldiers, and I'll take the lead. Guy, will you come with me?"