A/N: I thought this was my best chapter so far. Be sure to let me know what you think.
"Hmmm, I have no idea what any of this could possibly mean." Zelda replied to Argoth, who was pacing around. Once again the Nerevarine had snuck into her private quarters. Fortunately, she was discussing business with Link and was not in…a delicate situation.
"One of the Ancient Gerudo seers wrote this. I can tell by its content that it was meant to be some sort of prophecy."
"And you believe it to be a prophecy?" Link asked skeptically. "The account must be at least a thousand years old!"
"Eleven years ago I wouldn't have believed it at all. But after my whole ordeal in Vvardenfell with the once-ludicrous Nerevarine Prophecies I discount nothing anymore." Argoth spoke as he was, a man of experience. "Besides Princess, aren't you quite the prophetess yourself?"
Zelda smiled. "Yes. But there's always two important things to consider when it comes to trying to decipher claimed future events. The first: know thyself. The second: all things in appropriate measure. For instance, if Link and I had really taken the time to examine ourselves all those years ago, we would have known that we were just little kids and could not comprehend the consequences of trying to control the Sacred Realm. Therefore we could have taken the appropriate measure: do not dare try to obtain the Triforce, because of the danger of Ganondorf manipulating us for his benefit. The events that I foresaw were mainly a result of our own actions and not Ganondorf's."
"So wise at such a young age princess. I've met people hundreds of years older than you and yet they don't possess a third of the wisdom that you have!" Argoth grinned. "Then let's examine further shall we? Rule the first: know thyself. Princess, I believe this message pertains to you."
"Me?"
"Yes. I'll admit I don't know a damn thing about most of this message's meaning. But the 'war on this land' part is pretty clear. It means Hyrule. That means your realm. And now comes the big point: it's mere speculation at this point, but I believe this 'prince of war' may mean Emperor Pelagius."
Zelda and Link both gasped.
"Why do you think that?" Link asked. The Hero of Time could not help but feel a little overwhelmed by the vast knowledge and deep minds that Zelda and Argoth possessed.
"Well, let's take a closer look. He's the one who's been threatening war. In fact it's basically been his sole policy since he took the throne. The fact that he has brought up such an antiquated treaty is very suspicious. Why is the emperor so intent on wedding you, Princess? There are plenty of other fair maidens inside the empire for him to marry and produce a legitimate heir. Your legal argument is the absolute correct one, as you are Hyrule's reigning sovereign, your marriage to him will absorb Hyrule into the Empire. He's willing to throw away centuries of legal precedent on a whim? No, I think he has an ulterior motive. Even Azura said that this may be the case."
"Azura?!" Link and Zelda both asked.
"Yes, we speak with one another from time to time. I last talked with her the day I left for Hyrule. She has her own suspicions about the emperor. She told me she feels that he has a mysterious energy about him. Look Princess, it may be nothing, in fact, there's a very good chance it could be nothing, but it's still worth looking into. You know yourself; you know the situation you're in. Now consider the appropriate measures.
"And just what do you have planned, Nerevarine?" Zelda asked, getting over her shock of knowing this man routinely spoke to an immortal goddess.
"That I go to Gerudo valley and inquire to them about this document. Perhaps I can get an audience with their seer. Don't worry; I won't mention you at all. I'll keep this all off the record."
"Argoth, the Gerudo have abandoned the worship of Azura, in whose employ I'm sure this was written. They now center on the sole male that is born to them each century and the Golden Goddesses."
"Yes, but I'm sure there must be a seer and historian who can decipher this. I admit; I'd also like to meet a few of them. They seem to be a fascinating people." He grinned.
"Argoth…the Gerudo do not take kindly to men. I was only allowed free passage through their fortress and lands because I managed to impress them with my fighting or as they called it 'thieving' skills. If they see you, a male, in their camp they will throw you in jail."
The Nerevarine laughed loudly. "I know someone like that from back home. There's this old, yet powerful hag named Dratha. She is a master in my House. She disdains men. She's even banned men from living in her city. I am the only male that has ever earned her respect, and this was no easy task. I think I'm well-prepared for a situation like that."
"Seems like we have something in common." Link was laughing. "Women get so damned crazy sometimes, you know?"
"Sometimes? Try nearly all of the time!" Argoth immediately responded.
"Ah-hem." Zelda cleared her throat. Link and Argoth both froze up and turned to face the not-amused princess.
"Anyway, all that's needed is the ok from you, Princess." He managed to stammer out.
"Oh? Maybe I'm just one of those crazy women who wants to see the two of you get killed Argoth?"
"Princess look-
"Enough." She smiled. "You two should go. I might as well pursue every option available to me right now. But the two of you should leave town in the dead of night. I can't afford to have Gracian or any other Imperial eyes knowing that the Emperor's emissary isn't where he's supposed to be. I'm not holding court tomorrow, so everything may indeed work out."
"You beat me to it, Princess." Argoth agreed. "I'll go back to my room and get ready."
"I'm going too. I'll see you later, Zel."
Zelda nodded with soft eyes and watched him go. Well, this was certainly a change, but what did it all mean? She was willing to find out. Finally, though it was a small circumstance, Zelda felt like she was being an active part of this whole saga rather than having something forced onto her.
Link changed out of his formal tunic and quickly got into his old green tunic he wore on his quests. He gathered all of his equipment together, quite a timely task, and put the Master Sword in its sheath on his back, strapping the Mirror Shield behind it. He was ready. Link left his chambers and went toward Argoth's only to find the Dunmer standing outside waiting for him.
"Nice shield." He motioned with his head, referring to the polished shield behind the Hero of Time's back.
"This is the Mirror Shield. I found it in the Spirit Temple. It reflects energy attacks back at the attacker."
"Sounds useful. I have a spell and a few artifacts to a similar effect myself."
"That's all you brought?" He motioned, referring to Argoth's sword and dagger, his pack of potions, and the clothes on his back.
"Suddenly, I'm wishing I brought some armor. But, I didn't expect a situation like this to happen."
"I don't like armor, I like to fight light."
"You call all that gear light?" Argoth replied sarcastically.
Link stammered before Argoth spoke again.
"Don't worry, I do the same thing."
Link nodded with a smile. "You sure you'll be ok?"
"Kid, I've fought and killed the biggest bitch to ever walk Nirn, a disgruntled former goddess by the name of Almalexia. I can handle a few desert thieves. In fact, I say that's a big step down."
Link smirked. "C'mon, we need to get moving." Link motioned with his head for the Nerevarine to follow him, which he did.
The two walked through the hallways, avoiding unwanted eyes until they came to a secluded portion of the hallway that overlooked the front of the castle. Link opened a window and brought out his Longshot. He pressed the button at the base and shot out the chained-hook. It grabbed a tree and brought Link down a full three stories to the ground. The Nerevarine found himself laughing. This kid sure did have an array of useful items. Argoth would get down to the ground his way, however. He cast his levitation spell and simply walked down. Link continued to run across the open field surrounding the castle, with Argoth behind him. They jumped down the small cliff and landed on the path leading into the town. They ran into Hyrule Castle Town, fortunately it was such an ungodly hour out that most of the lights indoors were turned off, making the streets dark and easy to sneak through.
"Don't they close the gate at night?" Argoth whispered.
"Yes…hold on I have an idea. Argoth, cast your invisibility spell."
"Damn…I didn't want to expend the Magicka, especially if there's a fight coming, it costs a lot."
"Well it's either that or we don't get out."
Argoth grunted and cast the spell, vanishing right before Link's eyes. Link walked up to the guard at the gate.
"Link! What are you doing out at this hour?" The guard asked.
"Actually, I have to go to Lon Lon Ranch and get some milk for delivery. Apparently, Princess Zelda is having a craving some Lon Lon Milk." Link said rather fast, knowing Argoth's invisibility spell would not last for long.
"I know. How great is Lon Lon Milk?" The guard laughed. "All right. Open the gate!" He ordered as he clanked his spear on the ground.
As soon as the gate hit the ground, Argoth sprinted out and around a corner. His invisibility spell wore off a second later. He saw Link come out and waited for the gate to rise again.
"Lon Lon Milk?"
"It was the first thing I thought of." Link scratched the back of his head with a nervous smile. He then brought out the Ocarina of Time. Argoth's red eyes widened. "You took that?"
"Of course. Zelda doesn't mind if I use it for my own purposes." He then brought the Ocarina to his lips and played a short tune with high notes.
Argoth's was taken aback when an animal called a horse appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The usefulness of these animals was just now beginning be realized in Morrowind, as some House Hlaalu members were beginning to import them from Cyrodiil, particularly the Dren Family, but they were still a far cry from being established there. Link got on the animal.
"Get up here, sit behind me."
Red eyes widened. "What?! I wouldn't be caught dead riding behind you!"
"You can't walk! It'll take three times longer to get there!" Link said, bewildered.
"Why me…" Argoth grumbled as he struggled to get atop the horse and behind the Hero of Time. He got noticeably nervous as Link got the horse to trot.
Link was chuckling to himself. The mighty Nerevarine was nervous about a horse.
"Relax, Epona won't hurt you." He said as he spurred his horse to a full gallop. The sun was rising now, and it shined right on the duo's faces. Argoth was always awed by the colors of the rising and setting suns. His black hair glowed as it flailed with the wind.
"It's kind of fun." Argoth admitted.
Link smiled as Epona continued to carry the two through the lush green expanses of Hyrule Field. The sky turned to a full-blown blue as they rode past Lon Lon Ranch. After another expanse of grass, they came upon a brown dirt trail. Link spurred Epona through the trail, over a board, and then over a wooden bridge.
"Their fortress is right ahead." Link declared as he slowed Epona down to a trot.
Finally, they reached a path that Argoth could see led to a gate of some kind. They must be on the fortress' grounds. He still had his reputation to consider, and so dismounted Epona and walked up a small flight of stairs, eager to see what waited for him.
Link sighed at the Nerevarine's impetuousness, he'd soon see what waited for him, though he knew that Argoth would probably be more amused than afraid.
"Hey you! Stop there!"
Argoth smirked as a swarm of red-headed bronze-skinned guards carrying naginatas rushed toward him. So, they were quite the feisty bunch.
"I didn't come here to fight you." Argoth's face suddenly turned serious.
"Well you came to the wrong place!" One of the guards declared.
Argoth drew the Sword of Roses. The Ebony blade's elegant sound as it left its sheath signaled that the journey here might be for naught. Red eyes carefully surveyed the guards and environment around him.
"Wait!" Link shouted as he and Epona rounded a hill and rode up to the crowd. "He's with me." He said as he dismounted.
"Link, we told you that you're ok, but you shouldn't bring guests around here." One of the guards told him.
"That's not just any guest, and we're here on a very important manner. That 'guest' is Argoth of Morrowind!" He shouted, trying to avoid any violence. He knew that if an altercation started Argoth would flat out kill a few of these guards at the least, and Link did not want any of that.
"Argoth of Morrowind?" One asked in disbelief as she looked at the Dunmer's serious face, several strands of long black hair blowing in front of it.
"I told you, I didn't come here to fight." He said, sheathing his sword as a symbol of his sincerity.
The guards slowly raised their naginatas. "How do we know you are him?" One asked suspiciously.
Argoth slowly raised his right hand to show the Moon-and-Star ring. That silenced any objections.
"We need to see Aveil." Link declared. "It's important."
"She's in the usual place. You may enter the fortress."
Link nodded in thanks and entered while Argoth merely proceeded behind him.
"They're like you described." Argoth chuckled. "I like e'm."
"Just keep cool." Link said as the two continued to walk inside the fortress, past guards with naginatas as well as a few who carried double scimitars. Eventually, they reached a sort of command room at the top of the fortress.
"Link." Aveil said in surprise. "I just heard you arrived, and your friend there got into a little altercation." She chuckled. "Argoth of Morrowind, I would never expect someone like you be around these parts. I am Aveil, and I am the leader of our Sisters." She had become the leader after Ganondorf had been trapped in the Evil Realm and Nabooru had awakened as the Sage of Spirit. "Good to see you again, Link. You don't come around much anymore."
"Sorry, Aviel. I'm rather busy nowadays."
"I can imagine." She nodded. "And it looks like you brought an international celebrity here. What's going on?"
"Actually, we came to ask you about something." Link declared.
"What?"
"Miss Aviel, is it?" Argoth asked, trying to be polite. When she nodded, he continued. "I come from an association in Morrowind that values the knowledge of lore and magic. I was doing some research in the library of Princess Zelda when I came across this." He carefully took out the ancient scribble of paper. "I wanted to see your seer and find out what this means."
"Let me see." Aveil took the paper. "We don't disturb our Oracle for trivial reasons. Not even for someone as important as you, outlander."
Argoth chuckled. He had not been called 'outlander' in quite a while. "I do not believe these reasons to be trivial, miss." He remained polite.
"Certainly this is of Gerudo origin…" Aveil said as she began to read the text. "I'll admit though, that I've never even heard of this."
"I can't blame you." Argoth said. "The damn thing was so obscure that I'm starting to wonder how I found it."
"This is so strange. You sure it's not the writings of some girl that had too much wine?"
Argoth laughed. "It doesn't seem that way to me. I'm hoping to see your Oracle in the hopes of deciphering this."
"But…why? Why are you really here, Nerevarine? What made you come all this way?"
Argoth sighed; this girl was more intuitive than he gave her credit for.
"I was assigned as an Emissary to Hyrule and Princess Zelda. I told you she allowed me to use her library. Surely, you know the situation with Pelagius V, the Emperor of Tamriel?"
"Of course."
"I believe that this 'Prince of War' may pertain to the Emperor."
Aveil's eyes widened. "Did Princess Zelda send you to find that out?"
"No." Argoth lied. "I thought it might be a possibility. Remote yes, but possible. After I fulfilled those Nerevarine Prophecies I don't leave anything out of the realm of inquiry. Link wanted to come along, so I took him."
"I see. Good thing you brought him, otherwise we'd have thrown you in jail." She smirked.
"Well, I don't think you'd have been able to keep me." Argoth closed his eyes and gave an even wider smirk.
"Maybe so. But still, you are quite the lucky one. Anyway, I will allow the two of you to inquire our Oracle about this. It has managed to pique my curiosity at the very least."
Argoth bowed his head. "Thank you."
"Our Oracle is named Sisygambis. She lives in a hut in the Haunted Wasteland, in seclusion, as all of our Oracles have done before her. This is to protect her from distractions. The Oracle only comes here on formal occasions. I will write you this pass to admit you into her hut, as it is guarded by her apprentices."
Great…the Haunted Wasteland. Link thought. How could an Oracle not be distracted by the constant sandstorms?
"Here it is." Aveil handed the pass to Link. "Now go. I am anxious to her what she has to say."
"Thanks Aveil." Link said and walked out.
Argoth nodded his head and followed the Hero of Time. They traveled to the gate, and it was opened for them.
"You better get ready." Link stated. "Keep right behind me."
"I've done quite a lot of that already." Argoth muttered as they crossed into the sand.
Not thirty seconds later, Argoth felt a blast of sand in his face. He hastily covered his eyes and felt the damn sand pour onto his lightly-clothed body. 'Sandstorm' did not quite cover this. This was more like 'Sand Apocalypse.' This made even the Ash Storms that were decreasing, yet still persisted from Red Mountain look mild.
"Just keep following me!" Link shouted, Argoth could barely hear, even though he was right behind him.
After what seemed an eternity, they finally arrived at a secluded hut. They inspected it. Just like dedicated religious folk, Argoth thought, throwing away all worldly pleasures. He didn't get it. He didn't have to do this to be close to a deity.
"Strange, there's no guards." Argoth yelled. "That Aveil lady said this place was guarded."
"Maybe they just went inside to eat something." Link responded.
"And to get out of this fucking storm." Argoth grinned.
Link knocked on the door. "Hello? Sisygambis? It's Link, with Argoth of Morrowind. We've been sent here by Aveil. Can you let us in?"
Thirty seconds passed without a response.
"Hello? Anyone in there?" Argoth shouted.
Another minute or so passed without a response.
"Sisygambis, we're coming in!" Link declared as he pushed the door open.
Argoth followed him inside and shook the sand from his hair. He should have brought a damn helm…
"Argoth!" Link called.
The Nerevarine went over to him. His eyes widened.
They found a middle-aged woman with red hair streaked with some gray dead on the floor. Argoth knelt down to examine the corpse.
"She was stabbed in the heart from behind. She didn't even see it coming." Argoth muttered. "Link, go outside and look for the guards. They might be concealed by a little sand by now."
"Why do I have to go outside?" He objected.
"Because you have a hat." Argoth replied in a serious tone while pointing to his hair.
Link rolled his eyes and went to the door. For a man, Argoth sure did pay a lot of attention to his hair… He closed the door. Argoth continued to walk around and inspect the house. It was almost eerily neat. Not a thing was left out of place. He couldn't even find any foreign footprints. His thoughts were interrupted when Link came back.
"Three guards buried under a light sheet of sand. All three had their throats slit."
"In these conditions they probably never even had a chance to defend themselves. I can't find anything in here. Not a single hair left out of place. Whoever did this is good." Argoth said the last sentence rubbing his chin.
"You think he's still around?"
"No. He's probably long gone by now. We better get back to the fortress. I'm just wondering who would want to do this…"
"C'mon." Link said as he opened the door, Argoth following him out.
When Link and Argoth were almost back to the fortress and the sandstorm let up a little, they saw an armored opponent guarding the path.
"What the hell…?" Link asked. "What is an Iron Knuckle doing out here?"
"Iron Knuckle?" Argoth asked.
The conversation didn't have time to carry on as it began to walk toward the two in battle stance. Link took out his sword. After sizing the opponent up, Argoth took out his dagger, Soul Drinker, and moved in to attack with it.
"Argoth! Watch it!"
The Nerevarine just barely dodged the huge axe that slammed into the sand. He then struck it three times with the dagger, causing a purple cloud to circle around it. Link took the opportunity to jump attack with his sword.
"Nice move!" Argoth complimented as he took out the Sword of Roses and chopped the Iron Knuckle in the back with it, then came around in a fluid motion for a second chop. This changed its target from Link to Argoth. Argoth struck it again, slightly blinding it as well as setting it on ice and fire. It responded by hitting Argoth with its axe. The Nerevarine screamed as he fell back several feet.
Link jabbed at it to distract it from completely finishing Argoth off. Argoth grumbled and drank a healing potion. Suddenly he wished he brought one of his better weapons. It was rare that something could take three shots from this sword.
"Strong fucker, he is." Argoth grunted as he was still bleeding from under his mouth.
Link jumped at it again, casting off its armored plate. Sensing weakness, Argoth channeled his remaining magicka into one of his trademark moves: his vicious ice spell that he called Force Ice. The blue projectile hit the axe-bearer from hell in the back, the extended ice damage was too much for it to handle and it collapsed into flames. Azura's star hummed.
"Nice attack…you all right?" Link asked as he came over.
"Peachy. I really wish I brought armor now, and a better sword." He grunted as he stood up.
"That sword of yours did pretty good damage to it." The Hero of Time said.
Argoth chuckled. "I have better ones…" He brought out Azura's Star and smiled. "I trapped his soul in here. Wow it's a strong one!" He said excitedly.
"What are you gonna do with its soul?" Link asked skeptically.
"I'll enchant something with it, of course." Argoth put Azura's star away. "What the hell was that thing though?"
"An extremely strong entity that I came across a few times. You're lucky that attack didn't kill you."
"Helps to have some healing potions on hand."
"It certainly does. Do you think that Sisygambis and her guards were killed by that Iron Knuckle?"
"No. The wounds were from a dagger. And that thing would definitely have left some sort of mess." Argoth answered.
"Then why was it here?"
"It's your country, you tell me."
"I don't know…who would want to kill her, and how did that Iron Knuckle get here?" Link muttered as Argoth walked back toward the fortress.
"Sisygambis was murdered?!" Aveil asked in disbelief. "How could this be?!"
"We were hoping you could tell us." Argoth said. "Do you know anyone who would have had a motive to kill her and the apprentices that guarded her?"
"No…our Oracles are among the most respected members of our society. I can't think of any one of our Sisters who would even conceive of such a thing."
"The murder happened around twelve hours ago I believe." Argoth said. "The wounds were all done by the same dagger. The killer was very good indeed. He didn't leave a trace of himself behind."
"Then we'll have to be extra careful…" Aveil trailed.
"Isn't it weird how she was murdered just as we discovered this prophecy?" Link asked. "We came here to find out what it means yet she was killed?"
"But the only ones who even knew about it were me, you, Zelda, and Aveil. How could it be related to that?" Argoth asked. "By Azura this is strange…"
"Well, rest assured we'll be conducting a full investigation immediately." Aveil declared. "You two better go."
Link and Argoth bowed their heads as they left. They went on Epona, though Argoth did not get on the horse behind Link in public, and left to go back to the nighttime Hyrule Field. They approached Lon Lon Ranch.
"Why are we going here?"
"Remember that story I made up about the milk delivery?"
Argoth sighed. "And now I'm gonna have to carry milk crates…"
"That's so strange…" Zelda said back at the castle. "So strange it's scary. It seems like it's too much to be a coincidence, but who else could have possibly known about this…?"
"Nobody." Link sighed. "Zelda, you better beef up security around here. The person that killed the Oracle Sisygambis and her apprentices was a real pro."
"Now I'm really intrigued…" Zelda trailed. "Now I'm beginning to think there might be something to this prophecy."
"Well, now we've got no chance of decoding it. So much for that hypothesis…" Link sighed.
"Not quite." Argoth responded.
Link and Zelda both looked at him with wondering faces.
"I know someone who just might be able to find out what it means. She probably won't be as good as Sisygambis would have been, but I think she'll be able to help."
"Go on." Zelda goaded.
"Well, Princess, what would you say to me bringing Link on a trip to Morrowind?"
