"Are you okay Cye?" Zelda asked as she walked down the steps that lead to her throne.
"Yes, I… Just miss my family."
"Thats understandable," Teran began. "You have never left young Kallium and your wife for so long."
"No, I haven't its a dull ache. I am sure when I return home I will feel better."
"About that Cye, Link found your father, he was in the castle's gardens." Zelda said with a kind smile.
"Father does like to walk." Cye said quietly as he remembered the last 'pleasure' walk he had taken.
"Cye." Teran addressed.
"Yes Teran?"
"Don't blame yourself."
"I wasn't."
"Cye Xuin! I could see it on your face, your eyes glossed over, your mouth twitched. You cannot hide these things from me Old Friend."
"I apologise. I… Do not like the thought of Desri being out there, deluded and hunted by his own."
"There is nothing more that you could have or can do right now Cye, you sought help from my Kingdom and you will receive it." Zelda said levelly.

"Thank you Queen Zelda." Cye and Teran said in unison with a very practiced and well oiled bow.

"No need for titles amongst friends Cy." Zelda said. "Same for you Teran Guardian of Cuix."

Teran laughed at his title and nodded his approval, they stood in silence for a short time before the clang or armoured feet rang through the empty hall that was the Throne room.

"King Jine approaches." Teran said before dropping to one knee before the doorway. Cye bowed his head and held his hands behind his back in respectful gesture to his Father.

Zelda, unsure of what they expected sat upon her throne, the golden crown of Hyrule upon her golden locks.

The large doors opened noisily before two fully armoured Hylian guards entered then the anticipated visitor; King Jine Sericius of Cuix entered in gold and sliver sheikah armor.

"Your highness." Teran greeted before dipping his head.

"Father." Cye said hopeful.

"At ease boys." Jine said with a broad smile, all Cye could think was how in just a few moments he would have wiped his fathers smile away and may never see it again. He thought he would see the pride in his Fathers eyes slip away and never return.

Cye gulped as two Sheikah Cuix guards entered just after his Father's order.

"Daer, Suil." Cye greeted.

"Prince Cye!" The two Cuix Guards bowed to their Prince.

"Rise Guardians of Cuix."

Zelda floated from the Throne and to just behind the Prince and his Guard. "King Jine." She greeted with a low bow."Queen Zelda of Hyrule." Jine greeted before he and his party bowed. Jine straightened and fixed his armor into its proper state.

"Father, I must speak with you." Cye said with his head hanging in self-blame."Go ahead my son, we are with friends here." Jine said carefully hiding his shock and curiosity at seeing his third son in Hyrule.
"Privately please." Cye added flatly.

Zelda nodded to her Guards to leave as Teran whispered in Suil's ear to leave quietly and wait outside. Suil stiffened then nodded his head toward the large and heavy doors.

Only Teran, Cye, Zelda and King Jine remained after a minute as the door shut Cye swallowed the lump within his throat and stood up straight to talk to his Father; Man to Man.

"What is it Son?" Jine asked as he removed his most desired possession, his crown from atop of his head to scratch the mass of pale yellowish grey hair that sat under it.
"It is Desri Father."
"What about him? Regale me in tales of yours and your brothers adventures my son."
"Father; I did not travel here to tell of adventure or battle. Desri..."
"Cye you have my attention what is it?"
"Desri betrayed us." Cye began "he was... Plotting to kill you and most likely everyone else."
"Cye, this is not funny. How could you joke about Des-"
"Father," Cye said with his eyes just about suppressing the tears within them. "I am not joking with you. I am deadly serious."
"Oh… My poor boy." Jine said as he forgot his noble blood and openly hugged his son as just his Father and not the King. "Cye, we must go back to Cuix."
"I know. I, needed your advice. Syen wished for us to split up so one could follow Desri and the other could stay and protect the others but… I told him that Desri would be long gone and to stay to protect our family and people."
"You my son," Jine said as he broke the embrace. "Did the right thing. You have shown yourself to be capable of wisdom on many occasions but this," Jine straightened as did his son. "This shows you to understand the responsibilities of being a Prince and future King."
"Thank you Father."

Zelda shuffled on her feet, she felt their pain but could not understand it as she had never endured it. She hoped Link would arrive soon but knew he was most likely with his Goron brothers or checking in on the Kokiri.
"King Jine, you were my Father's closest friend and aide. I offer Hyrule's help for you as you once offer Cuix's for me." Zelda stayed noble but the friendship and care in her eyes told it all. She wanted to help. She was not just doing her duty. She was aiding her friend.

"Thank you Queen Zelda but you have no debt to me or my people, it was the right thing to do for all involved. And as we do not need to use titles around friends, you do not need to use mine."
"Of course but if that is to be so, I must ask you to drop my title too. I have always preferred just Zelda."
"Of course Zelda."

Cye composed himself as Teran exited rather abruptly. He wished to thank Link for his help and to ask the Hero for one last favor; to come to Cuix.

"Where is your Guardian going Cye?" Jine asked confused.
"I think… He may be going to find Link, Teran did say something about asking Link to accompany us as we waited for you."
"Of course." Jine pause. "My son, I do not wish to cause you any further hurt but when we return home I must ask for a full account of everything you know."
"I understand Father, I will be sure to do just that."
"Your Mother…" Jine turned away and cleared his throat before turning back to face Cye. "Will be distraught. Do not take it as anything against you my son, no matter what she may say."
"I understand Father, may I return home to my wife and child before we begin?"
"You need not ask. We all know that you cannot stand to miss any part of their lives even a day pains you."
"Thank you Father."

"Tighten your formation!" Syen shouted at his Guard.
"Yes Prince Syen."
Syen inspected his Guard in their Sheikah-Cuix armor of amethyst and silver. He nodded his approval and sheathed his sword after a long morning of swordplay. He looked through the line of men carefully then he turned upon his heel and stood in front of his second most trusted advisor and friend.
"Zarn, where is Ari?" Syen asked worried.
"He did not report for his watch yesterday Prince. His wife told me when I went to enquire as to why that Ari had came down with a sickness and could not perform his duties."
"Ari almost never gets ill."
"Everyone becomes ill at some point, Sir."
"What did Ari say when you saw him?"
"I did not see him Sir. His wife wished him to rest and so made his apologies for him."
"Zarn, take two of the guard and check on my old friend Ari please."
"Of course Sir, but why?"
"Because something does not seem right."
"Ay. Okay Sir, I will be back before the afternoon drills you have ordered."
"Very good." Syen said before he took Zarn to the side just out of earshot. "Make sure he is okay for me Za? I have a very bad and brooding feeling about this."
"I will Sir."
"Make sure you see him personally if possible."
"Of course."

Syen nodded Zarn and company to leave then turned to the remaining seven men.
"Right, the rest of you, my trusted and loyal Guard I have a task for, I ask that you go to reinforce the entry and exit checkpoints that I have set up with the permission of Queen Maria." Syen said politely before he gave a warm smile.

"Prince Syen!"
"Yes Valan?"
"I have word from Prince Cye, your Brother in Hyrule, he has found King Jine and will be returning shortly."
"Please relay this to Queen Maria."
"Of course Sir."
"Valan?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Desri will return?"
"Yes Sir, I do."
"Very well. Thank you. Will I see you later when I address my Guard?"
"No sir, I am to be on checkpoint duty."
"Ah of course."
"Sir?"
"Yes Valan?"
"Do you think Desri will be executed for treason?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes."
"No."

Valan's large red eyes grew wider than Syen thought possible and as the Prince beckoned for the Guard to walk with him, Valan cleared his throat and went back to his usual professional smile. Syen appreciated the gentle hum that Valan soon took up but felt as if more explaination was needed to be completely honest.

"I believe, that Desri has become deluded. He usually would never attack myself, Prince Kiato or Prince Cye. Yet that day he injured Cye. Cye called it superficial yet it did not seem like a surface wound. I think that Desri has become lost and my Father is too loving of him to execute him."
"Forgive my boldness but if say I committed treason I would surely be executed, I understand that I am no Prince but surely there should not be two sets of rules."
"I agree with you."

Valan gasped. "You do?"
"Yes. If a man betrays his King, the man should be executed regardless of status."
"Desri is your brother."
"Yes Valan he is but I would rather he be executed than he be set free and allowed to kill. So far no man has died from Desri's actions but I fear if he is left to his delusion he may do just that."
"How does a loyal man fall so far?"
"I do not have the answer for that."

"Link!" Teran shouted as he moved forward from the bridge.
"Teran of Cuix?"
"Yes, I apologise for ambushing you."
"It's not a problem, what is it?"
"I have a favor to ask you."
"Ask away."
"Will you come with us, back to Cuix I mean."

Link closed the final gap and looked at Teran shocked. Link stowed his bow on his back and then gestured forward. "Shall we?"
"Of course."
"Forgive my confusion and bluntness but why do you need me?"
"You are a Hero even in a land as far as Cuix. I believe you can make a difference, of course you do not have to come but I personally would appreciate it."
"Is Zelda going?"
"I believe so."
"Then of course I am coming."
"Thank you. And thank you for finding King Jine."
"It is no trouble to me."

Teran exhaled and removed the front of his armor.
"I can't tell you how uncomfortable this armor is when I do not need it."
"I can guess, looks like it weighs a ton."
"Looks like it does."

"Wait for me here. My brother will not take kindly if I enter with an armed guard." Desri commanded.
"Of course Prince." Cah agreed immediately before he stood beside the entrance. The few other followers followed Cah's example.
"I will be back shortly."
"Aye."

Desri entered the building and saw Kiato's pale orange hair swaying as Kiato rocked his daughter to sleep.
"She is most beautiful Brother." Desri commented drawing his sword.

Around dusk, they met in the castle courtyard Cye stood beside his well-rested horse as Zelda mounted Epona the horse she was to share with Link she sat behind him as he took the reins in hand. King Jine sat upon his horse, his Golden armor dazzling in the sunset. Teran mounted his horse wearing his deep blue undershirt leaving his armor neglected in his pack. The men's sword's were sheathed and set on their hips as they rode forward through the gates and past the Guards, over the drawbridge and onto the vast space of Hyrule Field.

"Your Father approaches from the North." Valan informed Syen.
"Quickly, assemble a guard of to see them in, a formal welcome home may ease them."
"The Queen of Hyrule, Zelda is with him."
"Is Cye there?"
"Yes, I made sure he was there before I came back."
Syen nodded his thanks and stood relieved and more at ease than before.
"Valan?"
"Yes Sire?"
"Would you arrange somewhere for Zelda to sleep, preferably on the Royal Corridor?"
"Of course Prince."
"And could yo-"
"I have it covered Prince." Valan said with a low bow.
"I do not know what I would do without your aid."
"It is my pleasure to serve."

Syen nodded and looked back over the balcony down on Cuix, he smiled as the Soldiers and Guards announced Jine's imminent arrival and how the people looked as if they were already celebrating just from the news. Syen knew his father was loved by his people but it never ceased to surprise him.

"Valan!" Syen said running down the staircase to catch his friend.
"Yes?"
"I forgot something," Syen announced before catching his breath. "They will be tired and hung-"
"With respect sir I am way ahead of you, I was going to detour to the kitchens and ask for a moderate feast to be prepared sharply."
"Thank you." Syen nodded again and walked back and further up to the Throne room to inform his Mother.

"Mother." Syen said softly as his footsteps and voice echoed through the large room.
"Syen!" Queen Maria greeted as she seemed to glide down to him.
"Father, has returned!"
"Wonderful! We must ask the kitchen staf-"
"I have already made all arrangements Mother."
"Ah, you are such a thoughtful boy." Maria said her palm gliding over her son's cheek.
"Actually, my aide, Valan is arranging it."

Maria nodded and continued forward. "I will watch as your Father rides into town."
"I will accompany you if you wish?"
"No need my son, I know you have a appointment with your guard on the fields."
"Of course."

Cye entered the Castle with the others in tow, yet sent Teran to see his own Family. After taking Link and Zelda to Syen on the fields Teran proceeded to return to his wife and children. Cye returned to his home within the Castle where his son and Wife resided.

He opened the wooden door with the polished golden handle and was jumped upon by a small Child.
"Kal!" Cye exclaimed as a grin unraveled upon his face.
"Daday!"

Cye hugged his son and hoisted the two-year-old boy onto his shoulders.
"Now, where is your Mummy?"
"Kitch!"
"Let's go then kiddo."

Cye crossed from the porch and then into the living room and into another hall.
"Where have you been Daday?" Kallium asked in a childish voice.
"Daddy had to go to Hyrule son, I'm sorry I missed bedtime and story-time."
"Mummy missed you too."

Cye's grinned lessened a little.

"I know Mummy did. Daddy missed you and Mummy too."Cye told Kallium before he muttered "More than you could understand."

Cye entered the Kitchen where his Wife Cali sat to the table drinking a blue liquid as she read a newspaper titled 'Cuix Today'

"My love." Cye greeted before putting his son down on the finely polished and carved table.
"Cye!" Cali said before she jumped into his arms.
They hugged tight as Kallium protested with "Yuk and ewie's". They kissed and soon broke apart before Cye affectionately pecked her cheek and then placed a kiss on Kallium's forehead

"Where have you been?" Cali asked almost tearful at the sight of her Husband after three days apart.
"Not now m'love." Cye said nodding to Kallium.
"You're going again aren't you?"
"I have to but not for a few days" Cye explained with remorse.

Cye truly and deeply loved his family with all of his heart and regretted having to go once again and leaving in the first place.

"Kallium how about we take you to Uncle Syen's?" Cye asked with a wink to his Wife.
"But I want to stay here with you Daday." Kallium said before he crossed his arms and stuck his tongue out.
"You will see me all day tomorrow Kiddo, Daddy is going to be with you all day, not just twice the whole day, I promise."
"Rweally?"
"Really and truly."

Cali picked Kallium up and held him on her hip.

"Ready to go?" Cali asked as Cye wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her into a kiss with their son in the middle.
"Now I am yes." Cye said with loving eyes.

They took Kallium to Cye's Brothers quarters, not far from their own and knocked the door, it was just three minutes or four minutes from their own.

"One sec!" A woman shouted as Cye leaned against the outer frame of the door.
"No problem Leah." Cali shouted back.
"You pair and the shouting." Cye said in a laugh.
"Hey it's not like Leah can get to the door baby."
"True Cali."

The door opened to reveal Leah to be of average height and heavily pregnant with long but light brunette hair and red eyes and at her side was a young boy; Kayl. Syen's only son.
"KayKay!" Kallium exclaimed before trying to wriggle free of his Mothers grasp. Cali shook her head with a light laugh and put him down.
"Hey Leah," Cye said as he came from his leaning post.
"You're back?" Leah asked slightly shocked.
"Yeah, would you send Syen over when you can Lea?"
"Uh, sure but he is on the fields, he isn't due back until dusk."

Cye sighed and blinked as he rubbed his forehead.
"Will he ever learn?"
"Probably not." Leah said with a smile.

Cali and Cye entered the one-floor apartment and went through into the light lilac and cream decorated living room with cream sofa's placed in a tasteful arrangement around the room, they took the one closest to the door as Kallium and Kayl ran off and into Kayl's room.
"Be careful you two!" Cye called after them.

Leah walked slowly due to her advanced pregnancy and began to ease herself down into an armchair just before Cye got up and helped her down.

"Thank you, Cye."
"It is no trouble, I've missed home so much for just three days away."
"Cuix has that affect," Cali began. "I could never return to Hyrule, my heart has grown too fond of Cuix to leave."
"Cuix is a beauty on its own, my Mother always told me that when I was young." Cye agreed taking his beloved's hand.

"Any word of Desri?" Leah whispered.
"None, has Syen heard anything?"
"No, all he and he Guardian's know is that Desri escaped the city by the time dawn came, is he truly a traitor?"
"Yes." Cye said suddenly tearful, Cali squeezed his hand to comfort him.
Leah gasped and covered her mouth upset by the news as was Cali.
"He was the perfect brother, yes he was distant but after the type of loss he endured none of us held it against him." Cye said as a single tear ran down his face.
"No-one could, Pau was his life." Cali said leaning on Cye's muscular shoulder her dark-brown hair falling around it. Cye wiped the tear's track away with his Gauntlet-clad hand and cleared his throat.
"Leah would you look after Kal for a while? Cali and I have things to discuss." Cye said as he moved ever so slightly and grunted from the pain in his side, Cali straightened.
"Of course, I will send him back over with my Husband."
"Yes, that would be good of you."
"Your welcome Cye, you and Cali would do the same."

Cye got up then helped Cali up although she didn't need it before stretching his arms which elicited another quiet whine in pain.
They walked back in near silence just enjoying each others presence was enough for them, knowing that they were together in that moment was enough to give Cye strength and strength was what he would surely soon need.

Cali opened the door, and stepped in removing her slippers as she did so, Cye entered and removed his jet-black boots and Gauntlets of the same black with a silver metal shape over the back of the hand, he placed them on a table beside the door and stretched as his grey-brown bottoms, relaxed free from the boots and the cuff at the bottom settled at his ankle.

Cali waited just out of the porch with a curious look spread wide upon her face. Her deep green eyes met with his mainly brown eyes and in that moment Cye felt the peace he always had at home.

"I've missed you Cye, I really have." Cali told her Husband.
"I have missed you too Cali I am truly sorry I didn't tell you personally, Des-"
"No, you don't have to torment yourself Cy, I understand."
"You need to know anyway my dearest Cali."
"Why?"
"Because I want you and Leah to take the Children to Hyrule." Cye said after he broke eye contact.
"No, our place is here… with you"
"Cali, please Cuix is no longer safe not while Desri is free." Cye countered.
"Why is Desri suddenly such a threat? Syen has been wound so tight over it all and I don't understand what he could have done that warrants him being labeled a traitor and hunted down."
"He betrayed us, he," Cye began not even bothering to repress his tears. "He has been plotting against Father, he wants the Throne so badly. He attacked me in the lower corridors after I uncovered his plans, Kiato is still in the outer settlements but he has been informed. Desri wants the crown but we have everything that we have ever wanted Cali, so how can Desri a man Father trusted be so…"
"Diabolical?"
"Yes, he has undermined everything. Where there was peace there is now chaos,if I look out of the window everything looks as it was three days ago but I know it is not so, I know everything we have built could be taken and innocent people, my people could be harmed by my Brothers madness!"

Cye went through into the living area and slumped into his arm-chair, it was grey with emerald stitching made for him on his Father's request by the finest craftsmen of Cuix. The walls were beige and the carpet a emerald green, the tables were made of pine and varnished with a dark varnish and the ceilings were all pure titanium white.

Cali joined him and sat upon the arm and stroked his hair comfortingly.

"You think to much of Desri Cye, he is just one man. Cuix is safe as long as we have men like Teran and Princes like you and Syen." Cali reasoned before kissing his cheek.
"Desri, is not just one man. He will corrupt people his Guard cannot be trusted and Father has thrown them from major tasks which may just make it all far, far worse the ones who were loyal may have their trust shaken and the Guardians who were on the brink have surely fallen off by now." Cye said, head in hands.

Cali sighed, she understood her Husband's distress but felt as though helpless to do anything for him so she tried her best to soothe and help him by letting him say his worries out-loud.

"Cye, Baby I will take Kallium to Hyrule if it will ease your mind." Cali offered to give Cye something that may help.
"Cali, I would like you to and it would ease my mind if you would."
"Yes, I'm sure Mom and Dad would like to see little Kal again."
"I was actually hoping you would stay in the castle under the Hylian Queen; Zelda's protection."
"Queen Zelda has offered to protect me and Kal?"
"No, I am going to ask."
"Cye, you needn't worry."
"Cali you are my Wife, the only Wife I will ever know or have and Kallium is our first-born he is at as much risk as I am and as you are. Please." Cye begged.
"For you, I will."

Cye kissed Cali and then straightened up and pulled her into his lap before kissing her further. When they broke apart she rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his on the top of her head lightly.

"Desri, how could he of all of us… Betray Father and become such a threat?"
"He was separate Cy, he isolated himself and maybe that is what allowed this… insanity to flourish and grow strong enough for him to act."
"I always believed that he isolated himself because of the loss that he had in his heart, I don't think he ever freed himself of it or ever forgave himself for what he couldn't of helped." Cye wrapped his arms around Cali. "If I lost you I would lose my mind too."

Cali smiled at him, she knew he meant it, he had told her as often as he could and every time he saw her that he loved her and was in love with her several times yet even after years of it she still didn't tire of those three words -I love you- that held so much power.

"Pau was tragic Cye, we both know how profoundly it hurt him and what your Father had to do to keep him safe and sane, it mustn't have been pleasant to be inside his head back then."
"He must have felt so alone,"
"We visited him as often as we could but with Kallium on the way and all the preparation and our wedding before that, we couldn't have visited him more often if we tried." Cali eased Cye's conscience.
"I know but he lost his child and wife that day… No wonder he was so.."
"Lost."
"Yes, he was lost and he was so happy when the time came for him to become a Father and Pau a Mother and then after hours of waiting and pacing only to be told he had lost it all?"
"I understand you love him Cy, we all do but right now he is not the Desri we love. He is distorted and lustful and we must retrieve him and put him straight." Cali said strong and firm.
"Yes… But how?"
"Send Teran and Ari after him." Cali suggested.
"No. Teran has his own children and Ari was Desri's friend. I must be the one to bring him back. In shackles if needed." Cye sighed.
"Cy, please think of yourself before others, you are a Prince and if you go looking for Desri? He will find you!"
"Thats what we're betting on. Link of Hyrule has offered to aid me and Teran I needn't ask as he would come whether I asked or not. Queen Zelda, worries for Cuix as we did for Hyrule during those years of darkness. I believe that with Hyrule as our ally we can bring Desri back."
"But.. What if he refuses? Or kills you?" Cali said soberly.
"I will send word to Kiato ask him to take his daughter to Hyrule and meet me opposite Zora's Domain ther-"
"Cye, you're avoiding the question."
"I am not, I just… Don't know how to answer it."

Cali stood up and remembered Cyes discomfort when they were at Leah's she nodded to her Husband.
"Okay, lets let it rest for now."
"Thank you my love."
"Take your shirt off Cy."
"Hm?" Cye winked.
"No. God you princes. I want to check your wound."
"Syen the blunde-"
"When you wince it is a bit obvious, I have barely seen your brother since you left."

Cye smiled and removed the cloth that covered his throat before he pulled his shirt over his head and in the process of doing so messed up his hair. Cali laughed as her Husbands orange hair stood and stuck up at weird angles.

"Come here you daft man." Cali said. Cye moved over to her and stole a kiss before she smoothed his hair down. "Thats better."

Cali examined the wound and cringed at it. "Cye!"
"What?"
"This looks deep, why didn't you have someone see to it?"
"Syen offered… But I had to find Father so.."
"So you declined?"
"Uh… Yeah?"

Cali grunted at it and walked into the bathroom.
"Cali?"
"Stay there Cy."
"Huh?"
"I'm going to clean that gash out."
"Thats Teran's job, it can wait."
"No, Cye it can't it already looks infected!"
"Damn." Cye muttered.
"I heard that!"
"Double damn." Cye said playfully.
"You'd wash Kallium's mouth out with soap for that!"
"So?"
"Double damn standard." Cali said entering with a flirtatious wink.
"Very true, want to get me the soap?"