The cries of victory were euphoric in Link's ears even though he didn't have the strength to join in. He had his hands on his knees taking deep breaths in an effort to appease his burning chest and aching muscles.
We did it, he thought. We won!
Just as the triumphant cheers began to die down the Elites appeared over the distant hill. The leader of the Elites blew his horn and more cheers filled the air.
Milo, Link thought looking around at the nearest soldiers, I've got to find Milo.
Despite his concern for his friend it took Link another two minutes of being hunched over and recollecting himself before he could begin making his way through the ambling soldiers. When he did start moving his body screamed defiantly, eliciting a determined grunt and a graceless hobble from the boy.
Instead of limping through the Hyrulian Army, Link should have been assembling his squad like all of the other Sergeants were doing. It was a Sergeant's job to muster their squad and report the number of missing, dead, and injured to the Platoon Lieutenant, who in turn reported the numbers from the squads up to the company's Captain. The report would continue to grow until it was finally presented to the Division General. The entire report relied on the diligence and accuracy of the Squad Sergeant, but Link suspected his squad, what was left of them, were in a shape similar to his. They would have to drag themselves to a muster point anyway.
"Milo," Link called hoarsely through his scratched throat. "Milo."
He wasn't the only one calling a brother's name. While soldiers moved into formation others weaved around them scanning faces, calling out, and anxiously peering at the faces of the deceased. When a fallen brother was recognized the ensuing moans were palpable. Link didn't even bother glancing at the dead. Not to be discourteous to his fallen comrades, but to show the Goddesses the faith he'd put in them that he and his brother would walk away from this battle alive.
"Milo," he called again.
"Sergeant Link!"
Link's reaction was automatic. His back straightened, his hands balled into fists at his side and his heels snapped together.
"Sir." Link couldn't tell where the voice had come from so he froze facing the same direction he was traveling.
"Link, you son of a bitch, you turn around this instant!"
In as crisp a movement as his abused body would allow Link pivoted 180 degrees. He flinched when he found Baron Theodorou's massive calloused hands reaching for his face. Those hands grabbed Link's head and shook him gently.
"I knew I chose right!" the Baron cheered. "I knew you'd do it!" His words came out as hoarse as Link's but his excitement and energy were ten times that of the boy. So much so that Link wondered if he was congratulating Link for surviving the suicide mission or congratulating himself for promoting Link to Sergeant.
"Thank you, Sir," Link said when the shaking stopped. "I'm happy I could help."
Beside the Baron stood two officers, armor far too clean to have participated in any actual combat. They remained stoic behind the Baron but their eyes measured Link too derisory for the noble's attention or his casual embrace.
The Baron's armor boasted of fresh Philian blood. The sweat dried to his long dark hair and beard confessed how he sprinted up and down the line of heavy infantry, giving orders and even plugging holes with his longsword.
Baron Theodorou put his right hand on Link's shoulder and stroked his own beard with his left hand.
"You did far more than help, lad. The Princess's entire strategy relied on you and your bastards and you came through," Theodorou said.
He pulled Link in closer and leaned forward.
"That was the kind of move that makes a soldier's entire career. You've got big things ahead of you."
Well outside his comfort zone Link stuttered out an appreciative acknowledgment.
"Ah," the Baron said loudly, cutting Link off. "But now it is not quite time to revel in our victory. After we've honored our fallen brothers and pissed on our fallen foes we'll toast your first successful mission!"
Aware that he was being dismissed, Link snapped his heels together and rendered a salute.
"Yes sir!"
The Baron slapped Link on the shoulder and then turned without returning the boy's salute. Link held his honors and continued to stare straight ahead until the two officers turned their noses up and walked past the boy in pursuit of the Baron. As soon as they escaped his peripherals Link took off in the other direction to resume his search for Milo.
Milo stood about 5'8", slightly shorter than the Hyrulian soldiers, making him hard to spot at a distance. He had black curly hair, cut in a military fashion, and dark brown eyes that moved lazily yet somehow observed everything. The feature Link was looking for though was Milo's broad shoulders, much broader than Link's own. Of the two boys from Ordon Village, Milo was a perfect recruit for the heavy infantry. A year younger than Link yet his legs were like tree trunks, arms like the strong oak branches, and his chest as wide and round as a barrel. Even among the strapping soldiers of the Hyrulian Army, Milo looked powerful.
"Link."
Link whipped his head around when he heard the familiar voice.
"Milo!" Link reached out and grabbed his brother's forearm, pulling him into an embrace. "I knew you'd make it!"
Milo pulled away after patting his friend on the back. His plate mail armor scraped against Link's exposed chainmail as they disconnected. His eyes slowly rolled down Link's torso and legs then back to Link's face.
"How are you feeling?" he asked Link in a somber voice.
Link looked his friend up and down before answering. It would be just like Milo to be suffering from some grievous wound but not say anything if Link even winced at his own scratch.
Immediately Link could tell that Milo had gorged himself on combat while the two had been separated. Deep dents and gashes replaced every formally smooth part of the boy's plate mail. The hinges that connected the shoulders were broken on one side and completely missing on the other. Dried blood caked the entire right half of Milo's torso and both of his legs. His curly hair was matted to his head and he looked like his face was bruising under the left eye. But thankfully, as Link finished his inspection, Milo looked uninjured. His poster was normal and none of the blood looked like it was his own. No doubt he was exhausted, but so was everyone in the field.
"I'm fine," Link answered. He rubbed his left shoulder. "A couple bumps and bruises but nothing worse than stiff muscles and exhausted limbs."
Milo nodded. "I'm glad to hear." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "Sergeant is mustering my squad. I'll come find you while we march back to Victoria."
Link grabbed Milo's forearm again. "With the Goddesses," he said with a smile.
"With the Goddesses." Just like Link, Milo's smile was one of relief.
Content knowing that his brother was safe, Link pushed himself into a jog as he returned to muster his own squad. By the time he made it to the far side of the Hyrulian Army, his squad had managed to rally in a half-circle. Link winced when he saw how few of them remained.
The runners made up an entire company, about 250 light infantries. Link's squad was the vanguard of that group, the 25 soldiers who would initiate the charge and break the enemy's line first. Of Link's original 25, only 9 awaited him. The relief he'd felt upon seeing Milo was sucked from his chest.
Link slowed to a walk as he entered the middle of the half-circle.
"Is this everyone?" he asked quieter than he'd meant to.
Nobody answered immediately. Their eyes were glued to the stained grass beneath their feet.
"Milton made it to the healers," one of the older boys finally said. "Besides him . . . yea, this is everyone." He looked up from the grass at Link. Grief, regret, exhaustion and relief all battled for a spot in the boy's gaze.
Link tightened his jaw and nodded his head. He had no idea which of his men were Milton, and no idea what the soldier who'd just spoken to him was called. He'd just led fourteen boys to their death and couldn't recall a single one of their names.
"We'll pray Milton has a speedy recovery, and we'll honor our fallen brothers tonight," Link said. The older boy nodded, along with some of the others but Link noticed several soldiers were frowning at the ground.
"For now," Link continued with a glance at the frowning boys. "Fall into ranks. We'll muster for the Lieutenant then prepare to march when the command is given. If you want to stay back with the Crows, you may."
At a snail's pace the remaining nine soldiers in Link's squad formed three rows of three. Their posture was pitiful and their faces even more so but Link didn't press the issue. He stood in front of his men and waited for the Lieutenant.
A spry, young lieutenant, uniform neatly pressed with no creases from where his armor would have been strapped on, walked briskly up to Link with a parchment and a writing board tucked tightly under his arm.
Link snapped his heels together and rendered a salute. The officer returned the salute with precise, sharp movements.
"Sir," Link said. "Sergeant Link reporting for Light Infantry Squad One. Ten present, one accounted for, and fourteen killed in action, sir."
The Lieutenant nodded and wrote the figures down on his board. "Carry on, Sergeant. Your squad will join the main force in the march to Victoria. Once there you will muster with Lieutenant Hall and merge what is left of your squad with Staff Sergeant Graffet." Without looking at Link or his men the Lieutenant began stepping off towards the next assembled squad.
"Sir, yes sir," Link said holding his salute.
One of the men behind Link snorted and muttered under his breath.
The Lieutenant came to a halt.
"Say again, soldier," he said scowling at the group behind Link.
Link had no idea who had spoken.
"My man was clearing his throat," Link offered.
The Lieutenant ignored Link and walked past him until he was standing directly in front of the first row.
"Is that right?" he asked Link's men. Even though he was thin, thinner even than Link, he stood half a foot taller than any of Link's men.
"No, sir!" a soldier called from the back row.
Link grimaced then turned around to see which of his men were disgruntled enough to behave so stupidly. It was one of the soldiers he'd seen frowning when he spoke earlier. A light-haired lad probably just shy of twenty. The boy was still frowning, but this time his eyes were locked onto the Lieutenant's.
"Oh?" the Lieutenant asked, ire growing in his voice. "Speak up then Private. What were your words?"
"He didn't—" Link tried to save his subordinate but the Lieutenant cut him off with an upraised hand.
"I said, 'fucking pathetic'," the soldier spat. "You call yourself a soldier yet you didn't even bring armor."
While his writing board fell to the ground the Lieutenant drew his sword and thrust it forward between the ranks until it was pointed at the loudmouthed Private.
"No, but I brought a sword you little wretch."
The other soldiers broke formation and stepped away from the drawn blade. The light-haired Private however, stayed where he was. He narrowed his eyes at the Officer, long since over his fear of death.
"Mine will be the only blood you spill on this field, probably in your entire career."
Not waiting to see what the enraged Lieutenant would do, Link stepped between the spotless longsword and the Private.
"Forgive the Private, Sir," Link said quickly. "He suffered a blow to the head when we broke the Philian ranks. I was going to send him to the healers as soon as we finished mustering."
The Lieutenant looked the Private over dubiously without lowering his sword.
"I see no such wound," he growled.
Link turned to face his soldier and sure enough, the boy was covered in wounds everywhere from his neck down, but not a single scratch on his face or head.
Forgive me, Link said in his head, then cocked his arm back and punched the boy as hard as he could right between his eyes.
The soldier, caught unawares, was knocked flat onto his back, blood already gushing from his broken nose.
"You," Link said pointing at the oldest soldier. "Make sure this one gets his head looked at by the healers. And see if they can't do something about that cough."
Link could see the boy grinding his teeth angrily.
"Yes, Sergeant," he answered through clenched teeth.
Link turned back to the Lieutenant. The officer let out a 'humph' but sheathed his sword. Carefully he picked up his writing board and charcoal pen then walked off without looking back at Link's squad.
After a sigh of relief Link turned back to the soldier he'd downed. The boy was wiping blood from his broken nose and clambering to his feet.
"You idiot," Link scolded. "We're going home as heroes. Don't put yourself in shackles over some officer."
"Eric isn't going home!" the soldier spat, blood flinging forward with his words. "Eric was out there catching Philian javelins while that coward was sitting comfortably far away from the violence."
"Eric died a hero." Link countered. "Don't sully his sacrifice with your petty insubordination."
The Private lunged at Link but two of the other soldiers grabbed him and held him back.
"Eric died with a spear in his chest and curses on his lips!" he cried. His eyes bulged with rage and his blood ran down past his lips to his chin. "If my brother were gifted a second life he'd throw it away just to spit in that one's eye."
A lump caught in Link's throat. He couldn't remember which one was Eric. Was Eric that soldier right behind me who was hit by the javelin just before we met the Philian ranks? he wondered.
"Take him to the healers," Link commanded the two who held the Private back.
The Private shrugged the two holding him off and took a step back. He glared at Link even while he walked towards the healers.
"I'm sorry you lost your brother," Link offered.
The soldier held his glare for another second then turned away. Link sighed and turned back to his men. There was no missing the newborn hate in their eyes as they looked at their young leader.
"You're all dismissed. March on to Victoria or stay behind with the Crows. Your choice."
There were no 'yes Sergeants' or 'aye ayes'. Only glares and frowns and maybe a subtle hand gesture. Link chose to ignore it and turned away. The rest of the army was getting ready to march back. Since Milo was alright, Link saw no reason to stay behind with the Crows. Collecting the dead would only weaken his stomach.
xXx
xXx
A knock at the door stirred Zelda from her slumber.
"Y-Yes?" she asked, commanding her body to wake up faster than it desired.
"It's me," the familiar voice called.
"Mm, come in then," Zelda said. She began pushing her covers away and swung her feet to the side of the bed. She was straightening her sleeping gown when the door opened.
"Forgive me, Princess, I didn't mean to wake you," Impa said. She immediately began retreating out the doorway but Zelda waved her off.
"Nonsense, Impa, I've slept plenty. The moment I heard of our victory I practically collapsed into my bed."
Impa bowed. "Your Highness forgive me but that was only four hours ago. It was foolish of me to come. This can wait a few more hours."
Zelda yawned, stretched her arms up over her head, then rose to her feet careful to tuck her toes into her warm slippers.
"Four hours is more than enough. I'm awake now, let's hear it." Dread struck at Zelda faster than she could chase off the last remnants of sleep. "Did something happen to our men?" she asked.
Impa raised a hand and shook her head. "No, Princess. Your army marches towards Victoria with triumphant cries and victorious hymns on their lips."
Zelda let out a sigh of relief and rubbed her eyes, bidding the stress and sleep to leave her orbs. When she pulled her hands away she saw smeared makeup up on her fingers.
"Has King Aguirre reached out to us yet with his terms of surrender?" Zelda asked. I must look a royal mess right now, she thought.
"No, it is likely too soon for a messenger to arrive from the Philians. It's General Ganondorf. . ."
Zelda's attention snapped to the Sheikah.
"Is he here?" she asked.
Impa shook her head. "Not yet but he's on his way. A Gerudo just arrived with a message that General Ganondorf wanted to meet with you. The messenger said Ganondorf and his entourage will arrive just before noon."
Zelda ran over to her window to find the sun. It was well past dawn. She had maybe three hours before the Gerudo would arrive.
"Shit," Zelda swore in a not-so-princess fashion. "Impa, send a servant in." She ran from the window over to her vanity. Sure enough she was a mess. Her hair was greasy and wild, her makeup was smeared, and her eyes were puffy and red.
"I'll need all the usual preparations to entertain the General's entourage as well as a bath and a meal beforehand."
Impa bowed. "Of course, Princess, I'll send for your servants immediately."
"One more thing, Impa," Zelda said spinning around. "Will you warm up with me before he arrives?"
Impa frowned. "You're going to spar with him again?"
Zelda smiled. "I'm going to beat him this time."
Impa crossed her arms over her chest but before she could voice anymore objections Zelda cut her off.
"Don't you start spewing any of that 'non-ladylike' rubbish, Miss Impa 'Hypocrticus' Malukha," Zelda said with a wag of her finger. "If you don't ever have to wear a dress then I should be allowed to practice swordplay."
"Ganondorf does not practice 'swordplay', Princess, if you give him the opportunity he will beat you to a pulp." The way Impa said his name every time, coupled with her scowl, made it obvious she thought little of the man, despite his prowess as a warrior and general.
"Exactly why he is my favorite sparring partner," Zelda said. "Not a soldier in my entire army will strike me. How am I supposed to improve when everyone pulls their punches?"
Impa tapped her foot on the floor in frustration. "He takes it too far."
Zelda sighed. "Will you help me warm up or not?"
Impa stopped tapping her foot and bobbed her head in the shallowest of bows.
"Of course, Princess. But if he so much as draws your blood I will put a bounty on his head."
Zelda ran over and kissed Impa on the cheek. Dutifully Impa remained still and accepted the gratuitous act.
"Thank you, Impa. But I worry he might enjoy fending off bounty hunters. The strangest things seem to excite him."
Impa turned to leave. "That makes two of you."
Zelda thought about that comment while the Sheikah left. She couldn't stop the grin from tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Fending off the Gerudo was certainly more exciting than planning a battle. Actually, she thought in realization, there are a lot of similarities.