"Why did you leave, Cyrus?" Ruto asked as she, Cyrus, and Salin walked down a tapestry lined hall. These fabric images depicted in vibrant and resplendent colors many lairds and other heros of the Gleight Clan facing vile monsters of all kinds, and even other lairds. Because Cyrus and his wife had been separated for some time, Laird Bruga dismissed his son to show his beloved around their keep and their city. Salin had opted to come "to keep an eye on them."

"Pardon?" the lairds-heir asked when his attention wandered.

"You wounded me deeply when you left, dearest. The fact that you kept the Zora's Sapphire as a token of your devotion softened the blow a little, but you still left without explaining yourself," Ruto repeated and elaborated, looking up at Cyrus.

"I'm still not quite sure myself, Ruto," the highlander confessed with a heavy sigh. "I think it may have been that while I was ruling as a prince over your people, I was constantly reminded that I also had a responsibility to rule over my clan, and I had turned my back on them. It made me feel… guilty."

"Did you feel the same way when you left Zora's Domain?" Ruto replied, though not unkindly.

Cyrus paused a moment before he answered. "Not nearly as much, to tell the truth." Ruto nodded soberly. She understood why he felt the way he did, but it was still something she did not like to hear.

"I just didn't feel as… welcome among your people. What zora would want a barbarian Trilby Highlander to rule over them? The most painful part of leaving the zoras was leaving you, lass."

"Lass?!" Ruto repeated, bewildered. Cyrus had never called her this before.

"Sorry m'dear, I've picked up some of the language of the land since I've come back," he said in apology.

"You've only been here a few days," Salin mumbled as he examined another tapestry as if he were uninterested in the prince and princess. The hero on this one was dressed in green and had blond hair; he looked a lot like the hero of legend. Other than that any resemblance to the hero, who Salin presumed this tapestry to depict, ended. That and the fact he appeared to be fighting a goron bare knuckled, since the hero never fought gorons.

"We assumed that you just felt caged by the throne and your responsibilities and wanted to get out," he added in a more audible voice. "That's why we checked the mercenary camp and Castle Town first."

"You took Ruto to the mercenary camp?" Cyrus demanded, looking sternly at the zoran guard. "You should be glad I wasn't there, if anyone laid a hand on her anywhere…"

"I didn't let her come in!" Salin shouted testily over Cyrus vow. Then he chortled slightly. "But I had to tie her a tree to make sure she didn't!" The highlander's expression softened, and then cracked a small grin. "I guess you'd have to, if she had her mind set on it."

Ruto looked indignantly at the two men. "Yes, and I was found by that Tsobar fellow while I was there. He was gentlemanly enough, but when we met with him again…" she said. Soon she had related the whole of the events between their leaving the mercenary camp and then Castle Town. Cyrus was especially amazed at how they had escaped the mercenary blockade in Hyrule's capital.

"That was quite a feat," he commented. "Especially before the townsfolk came to your aid."

Their conversation was interrupted when Cyrus had indicated the zoras' quarters, each right next to the other. "I'll be sure that they get tubs in here for you. It may not exactly be what you're both used to…" he said as he pulled the door open by an iron ring. It groaned loudly in protest as he pulled.

"You need to oil that," Salin pointed out critically, pushing and pulling on it to repeat the sound.

"Actually, it's supposed to be that way," the highlander explained, walking into the room. "The hinges on chamber doors in highland castles are built slightly too small so they will squeak when opened. It's a security measure so that no assassin can get in undetected. You'll also notice that your 'windows' are too narrow for anyone to slip through."

Salin nodded in approval. "I think I could appreciate that."

"That reminds me: your father said that these were dark times in the highlands. What's going on? Are the clans at war?" Ruto asked, looking around her room. Rather than the coral and beautifully carved stonework she was used to, her chambers exhibited sturdy, although not necessarily attractive stone bricks. The bed was made of logs with soft furs for blankets and mattress. The furniture was made in the highlander style, with various fierce animals with mouths open in snarls on the corners. The rug on the floor was also made of fur. Overall, the princess thought it would look more beautiful to someone that preferred the rugged design over the delicate craftsmanship she was used to. That or the highlanders preferred comfort of body and not so much comfort for their eyes.

"Och, the clans are always at war. That's nothing new. There's something else afoot…" the lairds-heir dismissed then trailed off.

"What is it?" both zoras pressed. Cyrus looked away, then breathed a shaky sigh. "Beings of darkness have taken Old Hyrule. Their influence is spreading rapidly. We've been trying to unite the clans against them. It's a desperate ploy, but it's our only chance of success. If they would we could stop this tide before it spreads into New Hyrule, but the clans are so hung up on their petty squabbles that some even gone so far as to join the very forces that would destroy them!" the highlander explained, his voice and anger rising as he went on. His temper smoothed when Ruto placed one of her webbed hands on his shoulder.

"A grave matter indeed, my love," she admitted, not knowing what else she could say to help her husband feel better.

Salin appeared to be deep in thought. "Milord, if I may," he began to get Cyrus's attention.

"You know I don't like to be called that," the highlander said.

"Yes, I do," the zora dismissed absently. "Hyrule is in an era of peace. Our armies in Zora's Domain are not needed there right now. As head of the zoran army I would offer our assistance. This could be the chance to prove my… er… the Zora Crown's new training."

"That's really something you should speak to the king about," Ruto said.

Cyrus nodded in affirmation. "She's right, Salin. Besides, if the clans should fail to hold the rising darkness we would need you back in Hyrule to help there."

Salin looked very seriously into his friend's eyes, as if to bring his soul out. "Shahoye, you always were a great fighter, I know none who can handle a blade as well as you can. Neither have I known anyone that could actually fight with a shield, but you never were a very good tactician," he replied, opening with a Zoran term pertaining to a friend that one had great and deep respect for. "It's better to stop an army in its beginning before they're invigorated by a victory. Even if they haven't been weakened by other battles."

Cyrus shook his head. "I'd rather not talk about this right now. It's nearly all that my father and I have been discussing since I came back. Even as important as it is I've wanted something to take my mind off of it," he said, casting a quick glance at Ruto.

"You have a big party tomorrow for that," Salin responded to bring attention back to the previous subject. He moved in front of Cyrus. "Growing darkness is not something that deserves to be buried for a while just because you want to. I would expect you of all people to know that, Laird of Work-Before-Pleasure."

The highlander took a deep breath to curb the rising frustration. "Yes, Salin. I do know that. But we haven't been doing anything about it. All that's been done right now is placating one clan after another to keep them talking long enough to even concern themselves with what's been happening here. It's the politics that I want a break from," he explained. "I can't put up with that headache. I was never meant to be a ruler," the lairds-heir added quietly.

"Isn't Bruga handling most of the politics right now anyway?" Salin asked.

"Yes, he is. Unfortunately for me, he says I need to 'catch up' on however many years of court experience that I've missed, so I've been to every meeting, met with every dignitary, kissed every…" the highlander stopped himself.

Ruto's own court experience had taught her just how gruelling such meetings could be. "I understand how difficult it is to endure such things, dearest," she said in a soothing voice, not meaning to sound condescending. She knew that condescension greatly annoyed her husband, but she didn't know how else to lead his thoughts away from what troubled him. "It's a wonder you even had the time or energy to hire mercenaries to bring me here…"
"What mercenaries?" Cyrus asked sharply as he froze.

"Shailon and a few other rupee grubbers," Salin grunted.

"I didn't hire any mercenaries!" the highlander growled.

Somehow, the princess was relieved by this assertion. Most likely because of their dishonorable conduct in trying to use her for what they called a "ransom ratchet." Which conduct she informed Cyrus of.

"Just another problem to the stack," the lairds-heir murmured. "You've had two mercenary companies after you in the last week alone, what's more, led by men I've never trusted. You were right indeed to assume that Tsobar wouldn't bring you to Zora's Domain and it's very fortunate you found out Shailon before he could carry out his plan. Even if he could go through with the ratchet, I still don't think you would have ended up here. Someone really wants your scales, bonnie."

Ruto began to see just how grave of circumstances she was in. "Two mercenary companies… Excessive force…" the princess murmured absently, her gills fluttering nervously.

"Not to worry, milady," Salin announced briskly with great confidence, causing the princess to start. "I've kept you safe all the rest of this journey and I won't let any ill befall you now!"

"Nor I, lass. I'd give my own life for you," Cyrus added. Ruto smiled at both men. Cyrus drew his sword and clanked the flat against Salin's polearm once on each side then sheathed the weapon. "Steel oath," the highlander said to answer the princess's confused look.

"Something that some mercenaries do. 'As binding as blood without the mess,' they would say," the zoran guard added.

A deep cough rumbled down the hall, turning the attention of all three to Bruga who stood at the other end. "Do you zoras find the quarters to your liking?" he asked in his husky voice as he strode down the hall.

"Yes, laird. They're very…" Ruto replied, the last word catching on her tongue.

The laird shifted his weight. "Probably not what you're used to. I understand. Is there anything else you need?"

"A zora needs to swim once in a while," Salin said quietly.

Bruga looked to him. "You need to?" he asked.

"Look at us, laird. The fish in us needs to be kept alive, too," the guard explained, met with a disapproving look from Ruto for his gruffness.

"You could try the bath houses until we can get tubs in your rooms," the laird suggested. "It might not be a 'swim,' but it will keep you wet. How often do you need them?"

Salin rubbed his skin, and when no film lifted with his hand he answered, "Not for a while yet, but thank you."

Bruga nodded and then turned to Ruto and offered his arm. "I will show you the rest of our home for the next while. Cyrus has other duties to attend to."

The lairds-heir fiddled with the Zora's Sapphire before asking, "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to arrange an embassy to the Lodhai clan. They are swaying in the favor of the Galhedda clan. I want you to make sure it stays that way. You always were better with a pen than I was."

"Yes, father," the lairds-heir answered with a level tone to disguise his true feelings, a trick he had learned from Ruto. Once Bruga had his back turned Cyrus dragged a hand across his face.

"You highlanders are much more diplomatic than I ever would have thought. I always assumed you were a bloodlusty pack of berserkers," Salin commented.

Cyrus turned and began to walk toward the stairs that would lead to his private chambers. "Yes, it is very unusual for the clans to engage in diplomacy with each other. We usually just fight our problems out, but we want as many able bodied men to fight the rising darkness. We can't destroy our fighting force trying to get a larger one," he explained as he began to climb the stairs. "Coming?" he asked Salin.

"Sorry, but I need to attend to the princess and let you get to your work," the zora answered with a grin, following the laird and the princess.

"She'll be fine with him! My fa is perfectly capable of…" Cyrus trailed, knowing that Salin wasn't going to come back. SIghing in frustration he took a heavy seat at his desk and unrolled a sheet of parchment and began to write.

"Impressive," Ruto commented, looking out from one of the higher towers of the keep over the thriving city of Gleight. The buildings below were not organized in any particular fashion, as far as she could tell, and the overall appearance was rather drab, but what the princess found impressive was how well defended the city was. From the tower she could see that the walls were thick and strong. Patrols were vigilant upon the walls and inside the city, carefully watching for a surprise attack in the hills beyond or for thefts inside respectively.

Bruga looked out as well, seeing things slightly differently than the princess. He saw various points of strategic advantage within the city. He saw every flaw in the defences and how they could be corrected or compensated for, and even in a few cases turned to an advantage. He saw a relatively contented populace that was set at unease because of what lurked in the walls of Old Castle Town. The wedding of his son tomorrow, he hoped, would be enough to raise their spirits.

"This is where my husband grew up," Ruto added deeply, as if imagining just what sort of life he lived here.

"Not for much more than half of his years," Bruga added wistfully. "I always hoped that he would succeed me in the lairdship one day. When he ran away, it was devastating for all of us."

"I can imagine. Losing a family member is never an easy thing to deal with," Ruto sympathized, remembering how she felt when her mother had died.

"Not just for his family, but his people. Lairds of the Gleight clan have always made it a point to make sure the citizenry knows just who rules them. People are more willing to fight alongside a friend. When he left, it was like a member of the family left not only us, but them as well," the laird explained with some bitterness in his voice.

"So your people must have been as overjoyed as you were when my d- Cyrus came back," Ruto said, still looking over the city.

"Overjoyed, but untrusting," Bruga replied, tugging on his beard. "When you haven't seen someone for however many years they're not always the same person that left. Especially if they had been a mercenary in that time. When Cyrus came back, I wondered if he was still my son."

"Was he?" the princess asked, now turning to face the laird.

"The overall whole was, I suppose," Bruga answered with a sigh. "He was still the honorable and responsible man that I raised him to be."

Salin, who had posted himself near the stairs scratched his chin. He certainly is much softer and more open than I would have expected a highland laird to be, he thought. But then again, that may be because he tries to make it a point to be on a personal level with his subjects.

"Tell me a little bit about yourself, lassie. Just who is the young lady that my Cyrus has married?" the laird asked.

Ruto was taken a little off-guard by the question. "I... well…"

"You certainly are a pretty one. How did he meet up with you?"

The princess blushed slightly. When memories of how childish she had acted when she met Cyrus even though she was a full-grown and by all other accounts mature woman surfaced they made her stomach churn in revulsion. Bruga noticed the princess's demeanor. "If it's a painful tale, that's a bad sign," the laird pointed out, his already stern face growing more serious.

"Parts of that story are painful, but not in the way you may think," Ruto answered so quietly it was almost in a whisper. Her eyes returned to the steel blue ones of the laird. "It was painful because I acted like a lovesick little child when we met. There was no proper courtship, we hadn't even spent a whole twenty four hours in each other's presence… lursross, we hadn't even spent a whole twenty four minutes in each other's presence when I proposed to him, and he didn't even know that I did."

Salin was stunned at the princess's use of strong language.

"This sounds like it may be an interesting tale," Bruga rumbled, folding his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"That may be the best word I can think of for it," Ruto admitted. Soon, under the imposing presence of Laird Bruga she found herself relating the tale of how she and Cyrus had come to marry each other.

"Often I would sneak away from Zora's Domain, my home city. I suppose I felt as constricted by the lifestyle of royalty as Cyrus did; that and I felt trapped all the time because I wasn't usually allowed to leave Zora's Domain unless on business for 'safety reasons,' as my father often said. One day while I was out on my own a pack of lizalfos spotted me. I could easily take down a few of them myself, but there were over a dozen of them. I ran as fast as I could to escape. I almost made it to the river where I could easily outpace them and get away when I tripped over a rock," she began. She saw Bruga look quickly at her feet and his expression change almost imperceptibly.

Ignoring his glance, the princess continued her narrative. "There were only two of them by then, but I was still as good as defenseless while laying on the ground. To my relief, I saw a red-haired mercenary-your son-charge the two lizalfos and dispatch them without much trouble. I can't tell you how grateful I was to your son for his rescue. I'm sure you know that some strange connection often forms between rescued and rescuer, and as such I felt an attraction to Cyrus.

"Something in my mind connected as well. Something from an awful romance-help book that I had read that said that if you find yourself attracted to a man let him know that you desire marriage, even if neither you nor he have plans for it at that time," she laughed in both mirth and self-derision that she had ever followed such advice. Salin laughed as well, thoroughly enjoying how ludicrous his princess had been. Bruga, on the other hand, twisted his face in disgust.

"As such," the princess continued, "I gave him the token of a zora prince or princess to the one they would marry. The very medallion that your son wears now. Before Cyrus could even properly respond to this, I had dove into the river and swam away. I had realized just how foolish I was, but something possessed me to continue to act the way I did. Almost a week later I found Cyrus camped at Lake Hylia. I had prepared breakfast for him and made other preparations for the next part of his journey. I would have stayed with him, though this did not happen because a guard found me and brought me back to Zora's Domain so I couldn't remain by my dearest-er-Cyrus's side.

"Days later, I met Cyrus and a friend of his upon his next arrival to Lake Hylia. They were planning on venturing to the Lakebed Temple, a sacred place to my people that lies at the bottom of the lake, as the name suggests. I was never more than a few feet away from Cyrus nearly the whole time, holding his hand or clinging to him. He certainly didn't appreciate my direct manner and he let me know. As foolish as I felt, I kept acting the same way. With my help, all three of us made it inside the Lakebed Temple. It was only because I could be of assistance that Cyrus didn't drive me off immediately. I'm glad he didn't," she quickly added when Bruga's expression hardened.

"In the course of our exploration of the temple we bedded down for the night. I was so cold there that I had joined Cyrus in his bedroll. I can tell you that he was absolutely livid to have a woman in the same roll as he was that he was not married to. This time he didn't hold back and he told me in no unclear and very harsh terms that he didn't share my apparent feelings for him. This wounded me deeply, and so I left him and took the medallion from him.

"How embarrassed I was to find that I went through the wrong door. Instead of going toward the exit of the temple, I went deeper into it. Feeling it would be too awkward to go back past Cyrus and his friend, I stayed where I was and thought about how I had acted. I came to realize following that advice in the romance help book was a mistake. I decided then and there to discard entirely any of its advice. When I had finally resolved to go back to Cyrus and ask his forgiveness, I was captured by River Zoras."

Bruga's eyes widened at the mention of old enemies. "You have them where you're from as well, do you?" he asked.

Ruto nodded once. "They are in fact, an offshoot of my people. Hard to believe considering how different we are, is it not? One people is beautiful and amiable, while the other is hideous and violent. If I may continue my narrative, Laird Bruga?"

"Please," the laird conceded. The hardness of his expression was now softening as the princess went on and he learned more details of his son's relationship.

"The River Zoras confiscated all my jewelry, as well as threatened many grievous things against me. Those threats the River Zoras made to me were horrible beyond reasoning, so I will not discuss them. Some time later, I was dragged into the main audience hall where I found that Cyrus and his friend had been captured as well. Cyrus tried to apologize for his harsh manners earlier, and I would have liked nothing more than to have accepted his apologies for I knew we were both in the wrong but I knew it was better to keep my mouth shut.

"The River Zora king came and examined all three of us, reaching Cyrus last. The vile king insulted your city, and this combined with the threats he made against the other two of his traveling companions exceeded his patience and he challenged the River Zora king to a ritual duel." Again, Bruga reacted to what he had heard, appearing proud of his son but also surprised with how seriously he had responded to the River Zora's threats.

"I helped your son put on his dueling paint before the fight began, at which time I took an opportunity to discuss with Cyrus how I had acted. Both of us apologized to each other profusely.

"Your son fought valiantly against the River Zora King, and for the sake of retrieving an artifact known as the Water Medallion which had to be taken by one of a certain bloodline, he had his friend strike the killing blow. If I may digress for a moment, my good sir, have there been any River Zora raids within the last four months?" she asked.

Bruga paused for a moment as realization crept into his mind over what Cyrus had done. "No, lass," he replied.

The princess smiled. "It was because of the terms my Cyrus had set for that duel, that the River Zoras cease their attacks on Hyrule, on Gleight, on anyone. After retrieving our things we left the Lakebed Temple and rested ourselves for a while. After which, Cyrus's friend out of nowhere said that Cyrus had feelings for me as well. As evidence he said that it was because he had been so vehement against my own advances, much like how a child in primary school goes out of his way to cause grief to the girl he likes. I could see Cyrus reconciling this within himself, and he came to admit that he was attracted to me.

"Now we both knew that we had feelings for each other, but we did not know if it was true love or childish infatuation. Was I blinded by the fact that I now owed your son my life twice over and my virtue as well?" she asked, more to herself than Bruga. "I suggested that we try our hardest to imagine being separated from each other, and how we would feel after that. As my mother told me, infatuation dissipates over time, but love endures. This certainly was not the best way to determine if you truly love someone, to be sure, but at the time we felt it good enough and I returned the Zora's Sapphire to him. We were married later that week, and the four months following have been some of the happiest in my life. As strange as all of these circumstances were to converge upon one another as they did and that Cyrus and I happen love each other so much I have come to feel that the gods must have had a hand in placing us together," she concluded. Bruga and Salin both stood silent for a moment.

"I agree with you concerning the gods, princess," the laird eventually admitted. "Especially considering your lack of courtship and the success of your relationship nonetheless. Often we think of such a thing only happening in a children's story, but lo. I maintain my blessing to you two to be married after the ways of highlanders. You two truly will be husband and wife after tomorrow," he conceded.

For a moment, the laird stared out over his city before speaking again. "I would love to spend some time to get to know my daughter in law better, but considering the preparations that will need to be overseen, I will leave you for the rest of the day. Until tomorrow, lass, laddie," he said in farewell to the two zoras. He sounded proud of the union that was soon to take place, but at the same time, somewhat suspicious as to whether this decision was the best.

"If you or Cyrus had told me that when you first were hitched I would never have thought your marriage to last longer than a few weeks," the guard bluntly stated.

The princess slowly blinked her eyes. "I think I may have as well if I were in your scales. But here I am, devastated that Cyrus left me, so much so that I endured a number of horrors in a few short days just to be with him again," she continued.

"Here you are, indeed, milady. Victim of the cliche 'love at first sight,'" the guard agreed.

The princess smiled. "I would hardly call myself a 'victim.'"

"Your love for him put you through all this didn't it?" he asked with a grin.

The contrast in the size of her coal black eyes was very noticeable when she narrowed them. "A small price to pay," she answered tersely.

While the princess's eyes narrowed, Salin's widened quickly in realization. "Speaking of prices, you owe your heartstealer your life three times now. If he hadn't been picked to execute you, they probably would have burned your remains as this 'Lady Lorelei,' and then given your fins to whoever brought you here to wear."

"Oh, hush Salin," she answered flatly and descended the stairs, her bodyguard chuckling softly behind her as he followed.

Cyrus looked over the request for embassy he had just written to the Lodhai clan. Satisfied, he blew the ink dry and rolled it up to take to the courier. "Just another one of these in however many days," he murmured grimly. " Meanwhile whatever conjurer is in Old Castle Town is growing his power."

The highlander's thoughts were broken when he heard a loud creak come from a heavy door down the hall. He left his desk to go investigate, and found the door to Ruto's quarters were slightly ajar. "Can I come in, Ruto?" he asked through the crack left open, though no answer came. Pushing the door open, he was surprised to see that it was not Ruto in the quarters, but a cloaked figure with their hood up.

"Intruder!" Cyrus alarmed, drawing his sword and rushing toward the hood. "Hands on your head, and you can keep it," he threatened. Making no response, the hood leapt toward Cyrus and drove five fingerneedles into his right thigh faster than he could react. The small weapons caused searing pain. The highlander howled and lunged toward the assailant, who evaded with ease. "Guards!" he barked, limping through the smart in his leg. Booted footsteps rushed from either side of the corridor and eight highlander warriors barred the hood's path from either side.

Seeing itself surrounded, the hood threw down a deku nut and blinded all of those present. One of the soldiers grunted as if punched in the stomach while another howled as fingerneedles pierced the flesh in his thigh. Once their sight cleared, one guard pulled the fingerneedle that had stuck in the other guard's leg. He licked the tip and spat. "Bee venom. Whoever it was, they weren't after blood," he announced.

"Not ours at least," Cyrus replied as he winced. "Find whoever that was. Go!" he ordered, and instantly seven guards hurried away and began to thoroughly search the area. The eighth was breathing sharply through his teeth and clutching his leg. "Join the search when you can, I'm going to make sure Ruto's alright," the lairds-heir said to him, limping down the hall.

The highlander had a very difficult time with the stairs while the pain throbbed through his leg. Eventually he made it down to the main hall to ask where his father may be; he assumed he was still giving Ruto the tour. Rather than find Bruga, however, he saw a very distraught young highlander woman with tears running down her face, wearing a mixed expression of devastation and rage. Across from her stood Ruto trying to console the young woman while Salin stood to the side, appearing as if he'd rather be in a torture chamber than here.

"What's going on?" Cyrus asked with a grimace, relieved to at least see that whoever was in Ruto's quarters had not harmed her in their flight.

"What happened to you?" Ruto yelped in concern, rushing to Cyrus when she saw the blood soaking through his trousers. Salin glared at her as if she had just left him alone with a screaming infant.

"Some hood was in your quarters and they jabbed me with fingerneedles before they fled," the lairds-heir replied through bouts of pain. "I'll be fine, but what's wrong with Arah?"

"You left me for that… that… whore!" the young highlander woman wailed.

The insult was met with a rough backhand from Salin. "I'll not have you speak of the princess in that way," he warned.

"Salin, you're not helping!" Ruto said with great authority. Then turning to Cyrus she said to him quietly, "She says that she was nothing but affectionate toward you and then I swooped in and broke your romance," the princess explained.

"What man wouldn't want a woman who's naked all the time? You're just as shallow as all the other men here!" Arah sobbed bitterly. Salin wrung his polearm to suppress himself.

"Arah," the lairds-heir began, approaching the distraught highlander, dragging his leg behind as he did and wincing as he moved.

"Stay away from me!" she shrieked, pushing Cyrus away. He screamed in pain as he tried to catch himself on his injured leg. The pain caused it to buckle and he almost fell on his back before Salin caught him. "Listen to me, Arah! We were never more than friends. You knew that. We played and studied together as children…"

"You gave me a ring!" Arah cried shrilly, drawing an unadorned white gold ring from her pocket and threw it at Cyrus's feet then turned around. "We were more than friends. You said that yourself," she said icily. Ruto looked at Cyrus with shock on her face. The lairds-heir's mind raced.

"A word of advice, 'princess,'" Arah sneered. "Learn what I did just now, that the laird's-heir of Gleight is nothing more than two-timing heartbreaker!"

Ruto began to recognize this girl now. She was the one that had run crying from the throne room when Bruga had announced that she and Cyrus would be married. She began to consider what her age might be. "Arah," she said softly. The highlander girl whipped around and fixed a cold stare upon the zora. "You don't look to be more than seventeen. Cyrus left Gleight when he was fifteen. That was ten years ago. You were children…"

"What does that matter?" the other woman hissed. "Besides, I thank you that you may think I look young for my age. I'm really twenty three."

The effect of the venom in Cyrus's leg was beginning to subside. "There was no romance between us, Arah," the lairds-heir blunty interrupted. This seemed to cause Arah great pain.

"The ring, Cyrus?" the other questioned emotionlessly.

"A token of affection," he admitted. "Though of friends and not of lovers. I didn't give it to you on my knee. Ruto was right, we were but children when I gave that to you…"

"You are a liar and a cad!" Arah spat, and then stormed from the keep, too angry now to cry.

"Is it true Cyrus?" Ruto asked. "Were you romantically involved with her?"

Before Cyrus could respond, Salin cut in. "This is the exactly why I don't try to hold a steady relationship, Cyrus. Ever since we knew each other you asked me why I didn't have a reason, and here it is! One just can't deal with the fact that there might be someone that you have deeper feelings for and the other one is jealous that you had your eye on someone else at one time."

"I think you may be exaggerating Ruto's reaction a little…" Cyrus risked.

"It's not that you had another woman before you had me, Cyrus, but it's that you never told me before, and that you were engaged to her and never broke it off properly before getting married to me is what bothers me," she answered in a hurt voice.

The lairds-heir could stand on his own now, although the impact points of the fingerneedles made him itch. "I may have given her a ring, but it was not an engagement ring. There were no vows…"

"Were there between us?" Ruto interrupted.

"No," Cyrus admitted, but then quickly added, "But I'm not sure anyone here understands my point. I never meant our relationship to be a romantic one. I thought she knew that, too!"

The princess folder her arms and looked down. "You don't believe me, do you?" the lairds-heir asked hesitantly.

"Cyrus…" she began with some hesitation herself. "A woman does not react as strongly as she did unless she knew for certain what you had told her. It just makes me wonder if you are going to do the same to me one day?" she asked soberly, then she placed something in his hand. "I think you'd best return this thimble to her with your apology…" she stopped when she saw the color drain from the highlander's face.

"That's not a thimble, it's a fingerneedle!" he said, testing the venom. "One of the ones I was stabbed with. How did you get it?"

Concern now was rising in the princess. "I helped her pull it off her finger when I found her here. She told me it was only a thimble. Is this how you were wounded?"

The highlander quickly explained his earlier encounter, and as if to confirm the story, one of his guards came down the stairs holding the same cloak that had been worn by the hood that struck Cyrus. "We couldn't find him, but we found this," he said.

"Where?" Salin demanded, taking the cloak and holding it up. "It is about her size," he added.

The highlander guard then replied, "We found it in the kitchens. As an added measure we searched the quarters where we found her-I suppose we've established your assailant as a woman?"

"Yes," Cyrus confirmed, clenching his fists.

"We found a note left on the dresser. It demanded that the zoras come alone and unarmed, fins tied to the north gate of the city. And we found another one, sir, in your quarters."

"And it said…?" the lairds-heir pressed.

"It was from the princess. It says that she was planning on leaving for Zora's Domain, and that she realized that your romance was bred from childish infatuation. The note also requested that you don't follow and that she would rather not see you again."

"I never wrote that!" Ruto protested vehemently.

"I don't doubt you," Cyrus said with a raised hand. "But I have a feeling Arah is doing more than just trying to drive a wedge between us, hearing what these two notes are saying. Now do you think that I'm a heartbreaker?" he asked, turning to Ruto.

"Not by what Arah said. What she's doing goes beyond the bitterness of a shattered romance that was suspended for ten years…"

"Romance, between the laird's-heir and Lady Arah? Not likely!" the highlander guard scoffed. "They were playmates, at best."

Ruto dragged her webbed hands down her face. "I'm so sorry, dearest for doubting you!" she groaned.

"No harm was done, bonnie, but you'd best keep your fins hard. Something is amiss…"