Before I start, a huge thank you to Booklover13, la generala, Guntou, Quinkilo1055, and SuperGoatGirl for your reviews and feedback. Reviews make me a very happy author! I'm so happy that people are liking my work, anyway, I'll stop gushing now and let you all get back to the story. En Avant...

Chapter Nine

"Show me again the note."

Rauru held his hand forward imperatively. Impa scowled but obeyed. Rauru read it aloud for the third time that morning.

"I fear very much that I am being pursued. I believe that Zelda has been taken to the castle to face that monster Ganondorf, and though I have employed somebody to recover her, I cannot help but think I have been double-crossed. If you do not see me again, know that my fate has caught up with me – I leave Hyrule in your capable hands. If King Aganhim fails in his quest to defeat King Ganondorf, Judge Impa shall take control of the Northern territories - she will have dominion from Death Mountain Peak to the bridge of Kakariko. Judge Rauru shall control the West of the Great field, from the Gerudo Gorge to the Lon Lon plains. Judge Kru shall hold the Southern Fortress, encompassing Lake Hylia and the Kokiri Forest. The central territory and the northern fortress must be given to my granddaughter. If she does not return, you must split that land between you. I pray for the goddesses to bless you profusely, my friends.

Farewell,

Daphnes De Hyrule III"

"And this arrived on the same night that thief was due?" Asked Rauru, for the third time.

For the third time Impa nodded.

"But the thief did not come. The one calling himself 'Limp', was it?"

"No, was it not "Lunker?" Interrupted Kru.

"His name is-I mean was-Link." Snapped Impa.

"Oh yes of course, Link. I wonder why he did not come?" Rauru sighed for the twentieth time that morning and again said, "It's such a pity."

Kru nodded dolefully and added his mite to the tale saying, "I knew it was a mistake…"

"And now we have this message from poor Daphnes," Continued Rauru, "What are we to do?" He looked pointedly in Impa's direction but she refrained from commenting. She crossed her arms over her chest, made a 'humph' noise and glared out of the window.

"Poor little Zelda." Said Kru, filling in for his companion. "To be captured by that monster…"

"Terrible. Poor Daphnes must be overwrought." Said Rauru. Whilst he could never be accused of revelling in another's misfortune, it was certainly clear he enjoyed gossiping about it. And he enjoyed moaning about the unreliability of thieves.

Impa would normally add at this point in the conversation that all men were monsters and were all completely undependable but she was unusually silent. She had been for most of the journey – a circumstance that worried Rauru more than he would admit. She was clearly sulking about something, but as neither he nor Kru had offended her (as far as they knew anyway) there was no reason for her hostility.

She had been the only one awake on the evening in question, and the landlord, Kafei, had delivered the note to her. Their mercenary had not shown up, according to Impa and it seemed likely that Daphnes had met an untimely end. That had been five days ago. Unfortunately neither the landlord nor landlady could be questioned either, for Anju had gone into labour a couple of hours after the note had been delivered. The inn had been placed in the care of Anju's grandmother – an incredibly old, frail little lady with a predilection for telling incredibly long, sleep inducing tales. She did not know anything about anything that didn't interest her, called everybody – male or female – Tortus and complained about the food.

The only story Rauru had managed to remain awake for was one about her latest great grandchild – a tiny little redhead girl, who was to be named Amber.

'Really', thought Rauru with yet another sigh, 'Out of all the nights he had to have a little evening doze, it would have been that one!' Impa was not forthcoming about her activities that night. She did not see fit to explain to the senior judge what exactly had happened. Nor did she want to reveal that she had, in fact, met and employed the thief without so much as a nod in Rauru's direction.

She was not afraid of what he would say to her, or the unpleasant repercussions that could occur from her impudence, rather, she didn't want it pointing out that she had behaved rather rashly. She had sent Link off to the castle pretty much immediately after meeting with him. That had been five days ago, she had given him money to loan a horse from the nearby ranch, and a carrier cucco to send her word when he had accomplished her mission. Even the most slovenly of idiots could have done that in three days. Her first impression of Link had not been one of an incompetent fool. She had seen behind those guileless blue eyes, there was a strong vein of determination and a slight recklessness. No, he would not dally about accomplishing a mission.

So that could only mean one of two things – either he had failed or he had absconded. The latter of these two options seemed the most plausible. To confess this to Daphnes would be to confess she had been wrong. Which, to Impa, was inexcusable. And of course, it would give that idiot Kru something else to taunt her over.

Impa did not think for a moment that Link might actually have been sidetracked.

"…I mean, we should consult Aganhim – he might be able to help…"

Kru's voice invaded her wandering thoughts with alarming clarity, and reluctantly, Impa was dragged back to the present. She gave her companion a withering glare. Which he ignored.

"Aganhim is no better than Ganondorf." She snapped.

"He is."

"He is not…" Impa caught Rauru's eye at this moment and her mouth snapped shut. She remembered being reprimanded not a few days ago about being childish. She gulped and continued in what she hoped was a reasoning tone, "You must remember Kru, that until recently Aganhim was not recognised as even belonging to the royal family…"

"Yes, but you were the one who accepted his credentials." Retorted Kru, understandably irritated by her patronising tone.

"I studied them carefully."

"You did not consult me – they might have been fraudulent." Said Kru, in a saintly manner. "Even you cannot deny my skill, my dear Impa, in ousting impostors…"

"Yes I can." She shot back. "Your skill in ousting impostors almost led to us proclaiming that insane cartographer as rightful heir to the Lordship of Kokiri Forest… what was his name again, Rauru?"

Rauru looked like he would rather not take part in this conversation but given that his two companions were eyeballing him he answered with a slight grimace, "Tingle."

"That's it – Tingle." Triumphed Impa. She almost grinned at her companion. "What did you say about him? Oh yes, 'He looks the part'"

"He did look the part and he was very convincing." Muttered Kru.

Impa snorted at this, "Just because he was a little stunted and was the only Kokiri-look-alike that had managed to grow a beard you were convinced? Or was it is 'Magic Words (don't steal them) that persuaded you, Kru? Lord of the Kokiri indeed! More like Lord of the Fairy-brains."

"The Kokiri liked him."

"They did not. They actually held a protest against your decision and begged not to have him inflicted on him – unlike you, I do not have a short term memory problem - I remember clearly what happened."

"Funny that you can't remember what happened five days ago then." Interrupted Rauru.

Impa had to admit; he did have a valid point. She retreated to her contemplation of the beautiful outside world, seething quietly.

They were on their way to Impa's home village of Kakariko. It was relatively quiet and safe there, and although Ganondorf had taken over the main castle of Hyrule, which was situated only a few miles away, Ganondorf showed little interest in such an insignificant village. The village was home to the remainder of the Sheikah tribe, of which Impa was a member. The Sheikah were known for their stealthy ways and imaginative battle skills, and whilst one or two of them were a little on the traitorous side, they could mainly be trusted to have Hyrule's best interests at heart.

They hoped that they could induce one of their members to go to the castle and check on Zelda, if she was there.


The distinct lack of pomp and ceremony that greeted their arrival at her home village did nothing to improve Impa's already… sour… mood. In fact, a disturbing lack of people seemed to be out and about, ready to witness the glorious judges returning home. Gazing out of the window, Impa couldn't help but wonder why.

Even the cucco lady and her escapology-wise feathered friends were nowhere to be seen. Normally the birds roamed wherever they liked in the town, for their owner was allergic to picking them up, and she had yet to master the art of building a secure coop. The very fact that there wasn't that familiar, slightly irritating, clucking anywhere to be heard, and no telltale white feathers were lurking about worried Impa more than she would admit. Her peaceful little hometown seemed to be desolated. The only telltale sign of life was the glimmer of candlelight in the windows and the occasional twitching of a curtain.

It was rather odd.

The carriage stopped right in the centre of the town and as the judges descended, in their usual elegant manner, they noticed the absolute silence in the town. Kru was the one to state the obvious and ask Impa if she knew what was happening.

"Of course not, you numbskull." She retorted her flagging spirits instantly revived by a moment of self-indulgent Kru-bashing. "However, I intend to find out." She eyed the houses in her typical stony silence and fixed her attention the front door of the mayor's home. Kru wondered if she expected the power of her glare to force the mayor out.

However, it was not by the strength of her glower that Impa intended on encouraging the mayor out from his stronghold, she chose a more direct method (after all, he wouldn't benefit from the power of her icy glare from behind a wooden door). "Mutoh – get your sorry hide out here. Right now." She bellowed.

Since Kru and Rauru both stood to attention instinctively at the sound, it was unsurprising that a moment later, the wooden door of the humble stone building incurring Impa's wrath opened at notch.

"I shall not give you the indulgence of another warning, Mutoh." Snapped Impa as she saw a pair of eyes staring at her from the shadows of the door.

"M-my lady, I h-had no Idea you were here." Came a snivelling voice.

"Well you know now." Impa folded her arms and gave the eyes a very quelling look. "Why are you all indoors instead of affording my fellows and I the welcome that is due?"

"Um… it's just that…" The mayor's voice was trembling, Rauru and Kru exchanged glances. Mutoh had their sympathies - Impa could be nerve-wracking at times.

"What?"

"W-w-wolf…" Came the reply.

"Oh, so it's not your glare that's terrified him." Murmured Rauru in Impa's ear, she smiled slightly at this but continued watching the doorway and replied. "A wolf in Kakariko? I find that ridiculous."

"But-but it's here." Stammered Mutoh.

"Here. Why have we not seen it then?"

"It… it might…"

"The wolf might what?" Impa's eyes narrowed so thinly that they almost were closed. There was an audible gulp from the direction of the house.

"The wolf... Might accidentally have g-gotten into your h-house…"

"WHAT?"


Sorry it's a little short, but I have big plans for Chapter Ten... so I hope you'll all keep reading. Oh, and I hope you like the OOT and MM cameo's. There will be more.