A voice was droning on, reverberating through the jewel and coral inlaid hall that was the throne room of Zora's Domain. Cyrus, the highlander prince turned mercenary turned zora prince paid no attention to it. The young native of the Gleight Clan of the Trilby Highlands sat in his newly erected throne; it was inlaid with as much gold, coral, starfish, and other finery as King Ralis's beside him, and his wife's-Princess Ruto's-to the other side. His was different however, in that the throne sported various highlander designs and symbols, including the crest of Clan Gleight painted red protectively encircling a carving of the Zora's Sapphire, three crescents back to back with discs in between each crescent. These symbols were carved upon Cyrus's throne to represent the union of his highland clan and the piscine folk that he now was prince over. Such union, Cyrus thought sourly to himself, my clan has no knowledge of.
Cyrus still had great love for his clan, but since he had run away when he was around sixteen years old he felt as if he had severed his connection to the highlands. That is, until recently. Being in a position of royalty now tore him inwardly because of the irresponsibility of his part to flee his old home and similar responsibility there. Now, he mused to himself over the petitions of the zora people to their king whom he was seated beside, for four months I've been a zora. I was born a hylian, I have the ears, the fair skin, and the build but now I have been adopted into a zoran family by marriage.
The prince looked to his left at his wife of four months, Ruto. She sat with her legs crossed, her fins draped over the sides of her throne. Like most zoras, she had a fishtail like extension hanging from the back of her head. Her skin was pale white like most of her kind, but rather than having turquoise toned skin near her forearms, calves, and her head's fishtail she bore a soft magenta color. In addition to these features, zoras have fins that hang from just above their forearms, as well as the sides and backs of their waists and still another pair of fins that hang from the crown of their heads to that fall beside their faces down to about their pectoral area. The fins from the head a zora usually pierced and hung jewelry on and Ruto was no exception.
For several seconds the highlander stared at his wife, drinking in her beauty. Knowing her devotion to him had always brought peace to his heart. Her many jewels glittered in the sunlight shining through a skylight above the throne room. Eventually, Ruto returned his gaze, her midnight black eyes full of affection. She smiled lovingly at Cyrus and he felt his heart warm. She had been the only thing that made life as a hylian-highlander prince of the zoras bearable in recent months. As brief as their courtship was they both were deeply committed to one another. The princess had helped Cyrus learn or relearn the life of a noble: the regular schedule, meeting with various dignitaries, the stiff etiquette, the clothes, in general behaving like a prince rather than what he heard a retainer once call "a roving barbarian." Cyrus had greatly enjoyed his past mercenary career, especially because of the freedom it afforded him and, coming from highlander stock, he gained a strange pleasure from the combat.
The highlander shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The scarlet red royal robes he was wearing kept getting caught under certain parts of his body that made it pull down on one shoulder or another. He felt cold wearing the silk shirt and trousers, especially here in Zora's Domain where the omnipresent flowing water gave a crispness and chill to the air. He often wondered how the zoras could tolerate it when they wore nothing but jewelry in most cases. Feeling a twinge of pain where his coral circlet snagged a hair he exhaled irritably and compulsively reached up to adjust it.
Just now as the last petitioner left the court, Cyrus sighed deeply with a combination of exasperation and relief as he dragged his hands down his face. "Cyrus, what do you suggest?" King Ralis asked, causing the highlander to start. "What was that, milord?" he replied hurriedly. The title still came slowly to him because when he was a mercenary he rarely used it for even the highest officials. Furthermore, he felt uncomfortable referring to his own father-in-law as such.
"Cyrus. My son," the king began soberly, yet with a fatherly love, despite only being his father in law for a few short months. "You must take a greater interest in these people. You may be a hylian and not a zora, but the burden of ruling the zora tribe will fall to you and Ruto someday and you cannot have her bear that burden alone. You need to spend time in court learning how to serve these people," he reprimanded. "A king or queen should not rule alone," he added quietly with sadness. His own wife had died some years earlier. "Apologies, my king." Cyrus answered politely. "You know well that this is not a life I'm accustomed to. Sitting on a throne all day…" he was cut off by a tap from Ruto. She directed both the men back to the question at hand. "Dearest, my father asked you what your opinion was on the fishing rights near the lower Zora's River? Two parcels of the river overlap with each other."
"Right," Cyrus acknowledged. "Which claim was staked first?"
"The upstream claim," Ruto answered tersely.
"And how was the claim marked?" Cyrus asked. Due to the education he had received when he became a prince, Cyrus was becoming a decent mediator.
"By posts with a rope drawn across," the King replied. "As is common in our domain."
"Then how could they be overlapping?" the highlander replied, puzzled. "Unless one moved his posts beyond his neighbor's."
"The man holding the downstream parcel claims that the original posts were moved." Ruto explained.
A solution came readily to the hylian's mind. "Send someone to examine if there are post holes further up or down stream. Depending on which side of the current markers the holes are on, we'll know if they were moved and by who,." he answered, rising from his throne and stretching.
"Permission to be dismissed?" Cyrus asked. He began walking away toward the stairs that led to his and Ruto's quarters without waiting for acknowledgment from the king. "Granted," came the reply with a small degree of irritation in the king's voice.
Ruto looked to her father, who nodded to give her leave. She trotted up beside Cyrus and wrapped an arm around his side as they walked away together. The hylian returned the gesture and leaned his head upon his beloved's. Cyrus was taller than most men, and Ruto was only a few inches shorter than him, coming to about the same height as the average hylain male. Upon reaching their quarters, the highlander immediately removed his circlet and set it on the dresser before moving to the balcony overlooking Zora's Domain and leaning on its short wall. The pale orange of the setting sun could be seen between the canyon walls that surrounded the zoran city, making the canals a blazing orange. The warm tones of the sun also brought out the pinks of the coral that were smattered about the buildings below, enhancing their beauty.
"What's wrong, dearest?" Ruto asked with concern. When they married she knew that Cyrus was not used to this lifestyle. She had hoped that he would grow more accustomed to it, only to find the opposite happening. It pained her greatly to see her husband so downcast. The highlander sighed deeply. "Somedays, it feels like everything is wrong, bonnie," he replied, using the highlander word for beauty to refer to his wife. "I can't live like this. Even if it is in my blood. I can't sit on a chair all day and listen to people complain. It feels the same every day, almost like I'm a prisoner here," he said, irritation rising in his voice. "Arise, devotions, breakfast, business, court, more business, luncheon, public appearances, more court, dinner, and yet even more court and business." Cyrus's voice was almost a shout by now. "That kind of work kills me. By the time it's over I'm too exhausted to do anything else! I haven't even had had the energy to practice my swordsmanship or help Salin reform our military, which is the only governmental thing I've really wanted to do since my rise to the throne," he said this last phrase with some derision. His frustrations were showing themselves much more in his voice now. "I haven't even had time for…" he was cut off when he made eye contact with Ruto.
The princess was full of life, energetic, and a good fighter, all qualities Cyrus found attractive, yet she was prim and proper enough to fit her station. Ruto was well suited to be a ruler over her people, Cyrus thought. She was just, true, and deeply considered the feelings of others before making decisions regarding her people.
"For me?" Ruto asked with a touch of sweetened pain to her voice as she pecked her husband on the cheek, bringing his wandering thoughts back to the present. The highlander sighed wistfully once again. "I'm privileged to have a woman by my side that would make all this worth it," he said mostly to himself to remind himself why he ruled. The princess beamed.
As the highlander paced away he said, "Ruto, you once told me before that previous to our marriage King Ralis didn't often make you sit at court. Why do you think he changed his tune when we married?"
The beautiful princess watched Cyrus as he moved away. "I suppose that now his only posterity is married he feels greater urgency to make sure that she is fit to rule when he meets his end." she replied.
"Blast him for being so responsible," Cyrus answered jokingly, yet with some bitterness. Ruto considered that bitterness. "Dearest, lately you seem to be much more... uncomfortable with the prospect of ruling the zoras than you ever have before. There must be something more that's troubling you."
"By Nayru, there is," the highlander replied irritably. "But it's something that I need to reconcile with myself," he eventually said in answer. Whenever Ruto attempted to address what was causing her husband such irritation he always dismissed the subject and further inquiry was always met with silence. Both of their thoughts were interrupted by a bellowing shout heard across the courtyard from the direction of the barracks. It was very loud, even with the distance involved.
"MOVE IT, YOU GREENGILLS! KEEP YOUR ENDS UP! HOW CAN YOU EVER CALL YOURSELF A ZORA WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN…!"
"Sounds like Salin. I should be down there with him," Cyrus groaned.
"You don't think he's being too harsh?" Ruto asked with concern, squinting in the direction of the barracks to see just what was going on.
"Iron is made strong from trauma," Cyrus quoted. It was an old adage often said to new mercenaries when they were finding training too difficult. Hearing the training across the courtyard made him wonder about something.
Hanging on the wall was Cyrus's sword within its scabbard. Still unchanged from his mercenary days, his crest, a downward facing sword within a red rupee was still on the sheath. He drew forth the blade with a slow ring. Though he hadn't so much as touched it for over a month, the weight of his sword still felt familiar, if not comfortable to him. He felt complete with his blade in his hand. After giving it a few swings, he looked at the sword. He saw something that struck every fiber of his being and made his stomach heave, his blood boil, and his mind fume. Rust had cankered several spots on his sword. The prince's face now shone a look of revulsion, horror, and fury that took Ruto by surprise. She knew that Cyrus's sword was one his most prized possessions, but she didn't know just how hard he would take having a few spots of rust on his weapon.
Now looking intently with a scrutinizing eye at his blade, Cyrus skulked over once again to the balcony and seated himself on the ground, sword laid beside him. He remained in this position for the rest of the evening. Ruto eventually gave up trying to speak with him. Her attempts to comfort the tormented man didn't seem to elicit any success. Soon enough she was forced to give up and retired to bed on her own, sleep coming slowly because of worry.
Late into the night, a deafening thunderclap awoke the zora princess from her already fitful rest. I hope Cyrus at least moved out of the rain, she thought to herself in the haze of the mind that accompanies a sharp awakening. Though dark, Ruto could tell that Cyrus had indeed left the balcony. As her senses returned, she noticed he had also departed from the bedroom entirely. She called out to him, but no answer came. Her searching became frantic as she looked from room to room in their suite and found no trace of the highlander. When she noted that his sword and traveling cloak were gone she rushed outside into the palace and to the courtyard. Cyrus taking these things could only mean one thing: he was departing Zora's Domain.
Cyrus and Ruto had agreed at their marriage that the highlander could leave Zora's Domain on occasion should time permit to go adventuring, and this is what Ruto presumed he had done. But how could he be so thoughtless as to leave in the middle of the night without telling her?
To move faster, she leapt into the canal that flowed through the heart of the city. A zora could swim faster than they could ever run. Once she was about to leave the city, she was hailed by a guard. His voice carried well, even over the sound of pouring rain upon the water. She paid no attention to his calls, but forged onward. Before she could pass his position, however, she crashed into the guard who had jumped into the river to head her off.
"Where are you going princess?" the night guard demanded. "You hadn't tried to sneak out since…" Ruto cut him off. With a sharp wave. "I'm looking for Cyrus! He left and didn't say anything to me, I want to know what's going on," she hastily explained, about to torpedo past the guard but he seized her arm before she could move. "Cyrus didn't pass by this way. Are you sure he's leaving?" the guard asked, now with concern rising in his voice.
"Of course!" she replied impatiently, jerking her arm free. "He took his sword and his travelling clothes! What else could it mean?!"
"Calm down princess," the guard assured. "He couldn't have gone far in this downpour, since he can't go under the water to avoid it."
Ruto clapped herself on the head. "How could I be so daft! He wouldn't leave by the river! Not only can he not swim down there, the trail is impassable in this slog! He's gone through the blind gate!" she exclaimed and arced to swim the opposite direction. Within short minutes the princess was now at the blind gate, the southern passage into Zora's Domain. This exit was so named because it was an entry into the kingdom that few knew about, yet it was not in the least bit concealed. It simply lay in a part of Hyrule that was rarely travelled.
Darting out of the river and over the path that led to the blind gate with a speed that she had never mustered before, Ruto caught a glimpse of a retreating figure in the light of another lightning strike. How did he get a horse out here? she silently questioned, beating for the gate. Cyrus was afraid of riding, or so the princess thought, but there he was, riding a horse as if he was completely unafraid.
Panting, Ruto screamed out to Cyrus. The highlander peered out beneath the hood of his travelling cloak at the woman he loved so much. She rushed forward to him, but stopped when Cyrus lifted out of his shirt the Zora's Sapphire. Ruto could easily recognize the faint blue glow of the ancient talisman. The Zora's Sapphire was a traditional token of marital engagement given by Zoran princesses, and so it was the case with Ruto. When he showed the amulet to his wife, Cyrus had sent a very clear message to Ruto: he still loved her and still honored their commitment. Before the princess could compose herself again enough to speak, Cyrus spurred his horse on and rode into the plains, leaving Ruto behind, too stunned to shout to him again, weep, or even move from her spot. She simply stared out into the rain in disbelief.
After Cyrus had left, Ruto did not get any further sleep that night, but she still attempted to prepare for her duties of the day. The rain had slowed to a faint drizzle, not enough to be too bothersome, but still enough to encourage feelings of melancholy. The princess began to put on her many jewels and ornaments, but she felt hollow inside. Why had Cyrus left without a word, his only farewell brandishing the Zora's Sapphire?
She stared into the mirror for a few moments. Dark circles had gathered under her eyes. The princess hung her head with a sigh. If she didn't find out why Cyrus had done what he did, she would be losing sleep for many nights hence. So why don't I find out where he went? she thought to herself. He could not have gotten very far... Ordinarily she did not venture on her own beyond Lake Hylia, but she did gain some pleasure on taking the journey that she had accompanied Cyrus and his friend Murad, the cowardly descendant of the hero of time. Of course, it had been some time since she had slipped away from Zora's Domain unnoticed, though it would be a little easier now that her father become accustomed to her showing up at court every day. Ruto smiled at her reflection impishly. Just to stay in practice, she thought.
It didn't take long for the princess to remind herself of how to leave the palace unnoticed. First she would swing herself off the balcony railing into the waterfall. After going down the falls, she would swim low in the canals to stay unseen until she could climb out into the unlit back alleys of the workers' district. Then she would make her way around the alleys until arriving at the river gate of Zora's Domain, dive into the water and silently swim along the shadowy bottom corners out of sight and hearing of the guards and then down either of the forks of the Zora's River to Lake Hylia or Hyrule Field. She opted for the Hyrule Field exit as Cyrus was more likely to head that way. The princess repeated the plan in her mind, took a deep breath and hurled herself over the balcony railing.
Outside of the city and pinned up against the cliffside near the Zora's River fork Ruto huffed in satisfaction. She had made it out unnoticed. Right as she was about to travel down the fork that would lead to Hyrule Field, a barking call from a voice she came to be rather familiar with called out to her. "And just where do you think you're going, princess?" he demanded
Ruto winced. The voice belonged to Salin Bluescale, the captain of the guard and the same one she had heard shouting at soldiers last night. Salin used to be a mercenary like Cyrus, but had eventually come to join the zoran guard. Despite his lack of respect for authority, he quickly ascended the ranks to the position he was in now due to his skill and leadership qualities. Since his captainship he was able to make unprecedented changes to the zoran army, teaching them many tactics and discipline that he had learned in his mercenary career. Previous to this the zoran army had been a subject of ridicule, but in a few short months they may well have been the best in Hyrule.
Salin leapt into the water to get close to the princess. He was in full combat gear as he usually was, armed with his favorite weapon, a polearm not unlike a halberd, but with blades on both sides of the pole. "You'd better explain… Never mind. It doesn't matter. You shouldn't be outside of the city without guards," he reprimanded. Ruto only shook her head in disgust at how she let her guard down and was about to swim off, but Salin grabbed her. "You're not going anywhere!" Salin declared.
"Stand down!" Ruto ordered, but Salin would not obey.
"We can't afford to lose you, milady. You need to return to the safety of Zora's Domain. You can only travel when you're accompanied by your guards," the captain persisted. In answer, Ruto grabbed his wrist and flipped him over, making a large splash. She again attempted to flee, but Salin quickly recovered and grabbed her ankle. Irritation was forming on both faces now. "Fine. You want me to give an explanation?" Ruto thundered. "Cyrus left last night without saying a word and I'm going after him. Fine job your guards did of stopping him."
Bubbles flowed out the gills on Salin's trunk, something that happens to a zora when their emotions run high. Salin didn't address the accusation, but simply asked in disbelief, "He.. left?"
"Yes!" Ruto growled impatiently. "He left out the blind gate last night during the rain. On horseback." Salin scratched his chin. "The rain would've make it impossible to track him…" he said absently, then refocusing on the princess, he ordered, "I'll dispatch some men to go look for him. You should attend to your duties back at the palace."
The princess was rapidly losing what little patience she had left. "As if I didn't think of that! Finding Cyrus is my duty! It's part of our marriage vows!" she protested. Salin let out a bark of a laugh in response. "Besides," she continued, "who better to search for him than someone as concerned as I am about his welfare? I've heard what some of your soldiers call my dearest: barbarian, torch-head, bloodlusty foreigner, and a few others. If you sent the wrong soldiers out, they wouldn't even bother." Ruto was beginning to calm somewhat. "No, I should go."
Salin yawned. "You still are bound here, for safety reasons, of course." The princess's temper was rising once again. "You're as bound to Zora's Domain as I am! If my safety is so paramount, why don't you come with me?!"
Something about being told that he was bound struck Salin's nerves. As a mercenary he always felt free, but as a regular he didn't have the same liberties. Here he was being offered a chance to venture out once again, in what may be like one of the old search and rescue jobs he had embarked on, but Cyrus probably didn't need rescuing… And it would technically be permissible, since he was serving as the princess's guard while she went out.
"Let's move it, then!" Salin piped. "The prince could be halfway across Hyrule by now!" Ruto smiled the same impish grin she had earlier and followed closely behind. Which grin quickly turned down. "I… don't know where he'd even go…"
Salin was a very fast swimmer even while wearing his armor. "Easy enough, I know a few places he might go. First would probably be the mercenary camp, if he's craving adventure. If we can't find him there, we can try Castle Town. He might find some freelance work there. Maybe he'd go to Ordon to try and drag Murad around with him. I don't know why he even tries. Murad has no fighting spirit…"
The princess cleared her throat to bring back the guard's wandering attention. "After that, I don't know," he continued. "But we should try those places at least before we start losing our heads. Let me think… The mercenary camp should still be somewhere south of Castle Town…"