Well, I got a new job! I finally finished my diploma (after acquiring a useless university degree :P) and am now employed full time, with only weekends and the odd holiday off. I still plan on continuing my writing, for all those who may be concerned I'd leave my stories unfinished. It will consequently be slow-going, but I'll write and draw when I can. Please don't give up on me just yet!
I know I haven't been able to answer reviews lately (within the past year...), but know that I've read them all and I appreciate them so much. So thank you all for your continued support!
Anyways, on to the chapter, and I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 10:
It nagged at him. Persistently, irascibly, and moderately discomfitingly.
The thing was, ever since Legault had mentioned it, Link couldn't help thinking about it. And at the most impromptu of moments. Nearly every little thing reminded him of her and whenever he thought of her, his mind dwelled inevitably to the thought of marriage.
Her, him… married together…
Perhaps…
It had been days now. Link had always thought of himself as a deep thinker, considering most of his time in his youth had been spent alone in the pasture, watching the goats in silence. There hadn't been much else to do other than think about the intricacies of the world and wishing he knew more about philosophy in order to add to his rather simple analyses. But the considerable amount of time he spent obsessing over this single subject was beginning to be more than a little ridiculous.
He knew Zelda didn't necessarily have to marry at all. There was always some second cousin three times removed or whatever, with a vial's worth of Harkinian blood in them that could potentially inherit. It's not as if Zelda's ancestors were only endowed with one child each. She had relations, no matter how distant they were, as the Crevans so audibly reminded everyone. Yet there was still a high chance that she'd want to marry someday, or perhaps that she'd feel obligated to. There was definitely no shortage of suitors. Every male at court seemed there only to flirt with her.
Something odd roiled in his stomach at the notion.
Seriously, did every noble-born bachelor in Hyrule live at the castle now?
He'd begun actively scoping out the men she interacted with during court. Studying their features, their dispositions, honing in on every miniscule idiosyncrasy that leaked through their political masks. Oddly enough, many were akin to Legault and didn't wear masks at all. Their expressions were open, and often times very pleasant. An ambiance of those born and bred in wealth with little worry in their lives other than scrambling to predict next week's fashion trend.
Through his observations Link concluded that he'd make a terrible matchmaker. Other than a man who seemed to flaunt a god complex, and another few who downright peeved him, Link had no idea what to think of any of her suitors. They all seemed decent, but none of them really stood out to him as remarkable. Of course, Zelda, as an extraordinary woman, could only be with someone who was nearly equally as extraordinary as her. Nearly, in the greatest sense of the word, since none could ever remotely come close to matching her singular brilliance.
His self-delegated task was tricky however, because he had the added difficulty of differentiating between actual suitors and non-suitors. To his dismay, he learned that many married men, and bachelors old enough to be grandfathers, flirted with her too. Part of the 'game' that everyone seemed to revel in. Entirely platonic, and totally nonsensical.
Legault was correct in that aspect. He didn't play the game like all the others did.
Speaking of the devil, Legault and his cadre had just entered the presence chamber.
Irritably, he found it impossible to stay mad at Legault for any lengthy period, and he had reconciled with him the very next day after their talk at Telma's. All Legault had to do was sweep in out of nowhere, throw an arm over Link's shoulders, and begin raving about how Richard had beat him by only a smidgeon of an inch at a horse race. He had an unbearably passionate attitude that could uplift anyone's mood.
Their eyes connected. Legault drew a mischievous grin, giving a small gesture as an invite for Link to join them.
Link held his gaze a moment more then looked away in dismissal. He'd visit with him later. For now he was invested in observing everyone from his slightly elevated station next to the throne.
As he so often did, Link also took the time to observe Zelda. He hadn't spoken to her much since that day on the bridge. The young queen had once again immersed herself in meetings and work. Although he'd caught a glimpse of her that morning, and to put it lightly, she'd looked terrible. Skin sallow, cheeks a bit sunken, and her lips dry and chalky. Whatever makeup or glamour she wore now, it did an excellent job of hiding all that. If it weren't for her uncharacteristic absentmindedness and far off gaze, he wouldn't have been able to tell that anything was wrong with her.
Of course, the courtiers noticed the change in her behavior, but had the decency to keep silent about it. A few older nobles carried on conversations with her as if she was listening attentively, and took no offense to her lack of response. It wasn't a secret how close Desra was to Zelda. Her disappearance was affecting her hard, and everyone knew it and empathized with her.
Whoever said that the nobility were all conniving ladder-climbing prats was obviously lying. The majority it seemed were the good sort.
It was times like these where he wished for Midna. She always had something elevating to say, something snarky or brash that would instantly lift one's spirits. It seemed the sort of thing Zelda needed most right now.
Why couldn't he channel Midna? Sometimes he hated the fact that he was so shy.
The nobleman currently speaking to Zelda sighed and left with the excuse of going to fetch some refreshments. No one else came up to take his place.
Link thought about saying something to Zelda, something undoubtedly lacking wit and class, to tear her out of this stupor, then thought again and remained silent.
Zelda drummed a finger on her armrest, her shoulders slouching a fraction. She wasn't even pretending to pay attention to the people around her. Lost in her own thoughts. Perhaps waiting anxiously for the day to end.
Link had just resolved to propose she take a recess when he spotted Hadrian trying to catch his attention from across the room.
A swift saccade to the left showed that Ashei had noticed too and was nodding for him to go.
With a deep bow to the queen – only then did she briefly wake from her musing and shoot him a surprised look – he excused himself and descended from the podium.
Swiftly weaving through the throng of nobles and dignitaries, Link reached the other knight.
"Sir Link, I had to tell you-"
"One second, Hadrian," Link interrupted.
He didn't look around for who may be watching –that sort of action always attracted suspicions – as he unhurriedly ushered Hadrian out of the presence chamber.
If Hadrian had felt the need to seek him out in a crowded setting it had to be for reasons in regard to his task, and Link was not inclined to discuss anything in the presence of potential eavesdroppers.
He didn't have them go far. He wanted to stay close in case he was needed, so they occupied a small space in the corridor outside, near a gaping window. A few servants and nobles passed, but the corridor was so massive it could fit three full grown dragons walking side by side. Link wasn't concerned that they'd be overheard, but he kept alert regardless.
"What is it?" said Link, his ears perked, discretely watching each person that walked by. "Did you find a suspect?"
Hadrian looked around nervously. "No, it regards Lady Desra. Or, I believe it does."
Hadrian shifted as Link's cobalt orbs narrowed in confusion. He was generally a light-footed man, but Link noticed that when nervous, his feet would clumsily scuff against the floor.
Hadrian held up his hands. "Look, I don't know if there's any correlation, but I thought I should tell you in case it's important. Lady Desra is not the first person to go missing from the castle. There was a maid, Marta, who disappeared as well a few months ago. Her body was found by a travelling merchant, hidden in some brambles in the eastern field."
Link said nothing for a while. After a moment of staring out the window, arms crossed behind his back, he asked, "why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
Faltering slightly, Hadrian replied, "I'd only just learned of it. That's why I came to tell you straight away. I can only assume the lack of fuss was because of her lower class. Some of the guards in the barracks were talking about it. I questioned them further, but I'll need a higher authority's signature in order to look over the file."
"Consider it done." Link faced him, a strange lack of expression on his face. "I want this investigated right away. I want to know how she was taken, how she was killed, and I want the area she was found in searched."
It couldn't be a coincidence, could it? These disappearances, Zelda's behavior. Were they dealing with a serial killer and Zelda knew it? It still didn't explain why she didn't bring it to the attention of Captain Martin, or himself for that matter.
"Another thing, sir," Hadrian inserted, only slightly hesitant this time. "It's why I said there might be a correlation. Marta was one of the queen's personal maids."
And that made Link freeze.
His mind scattered as thoughts raced through his head, all drawing to one conclusion.
"Ashei-"
"I heard everything, yeah," Ashei hissed through the gossip stone earrings, and Link had the inkling that if she hadn't been guarding the queen at the moment she'd be cursing up a storm. "Blackmail it is then. I suppose we'll all be going to Telma's tonight?"
"Tell the others. And increase security around the castle."
"Securities already maxed. We can't make all the guards take double shifts and expect them to remain vigilant, yeah."
"Fine then. I want someone who at least has some magic training on every patrol," said Link, abnormally calm. He raised his eyes to the taller man. "Hadrian, Thibault knows armament magic, right?"
"Er…yes, he does."
"And the others?"
The other knight shifted uncomfortably, finding Link's impassive tone rather uncanny.
"Well, all of them can at least summon a sword. But all of her majesty's guards are educated in some sort of higher magic or the other."
He already knew this, but having it reconfirmed was reassuring. Unless they were a mage, or were more or less immune to most magic as he was, they'd have difficulty putting up a fight against this foe. Speaking of her majesty's guards, he'd forgotten he'd given one of his earrings to Justin. It might be time to include him in their meetings.
Link tapped a rhythm on his remaining earring, thus opening the link to Justin.
"Justin, are you free tonight?"
"What the-! Holy! Shit damn it!" This was followed by a loud clanking noise that shrilled in his ear. "Argh, it took forever to buff that chest plate… Sir Link is that you?"
Link reluctantly uncovered his ear. "Yes. I'm speaking to you through the earring. Are you free tonight or do you have a shift?"
"Tonight? I am guarding her majesty, as I always do."
"Get Kenner or someone else to cover it."
"Stop laughing Wilkins! No, I'm not talking to myself, I'm talking to Link. This is important!"
Link's eyes brightened. "Wilkins is there? Oh good, get him to cover you. I need you to meet at Telma's bar at twenty-two hundred hours."
"Did he say bar? With pretty barmaids?" another voice came through.
"Wilkins!"
"Both of you, settle down." Link held out his hands in a calming gesture, despite them not being able to see it. Hadrian's ears twitched as he heard snatches of conversation, but mostly he tried to follow along based on Link's side of the discussion.
He stood at ease, waiting patiently for Link to finish. Link had to admire his forbearance. Usually when people saw him seemingly talking to himself they tended to regard him queerly.
"Tell Wilkins he shouldn't be eavesdropping and that he has an extra shift tonight."
"And that he should stop chasing skirts so often," muttered Hadrian, but Link swore that had definitely been a cough.
He'd like to continue thinking his knights were virtuous and not easily susceptible to a pretty face, thank you very much.
"I told Telma to hire more attractive young men, yeah," Ashei interjected, rather disgruntled.
Link pretended not to have heard that either.
"Sir Link, my duty as one of the Queen's Sword… I can't simply abandon my post. Since achieving my position I have never once gone a day without guarding her majesty."
Huh. He'd have to write him up for a promotion. Such commitment should be rewarded.
"I'll make it an order if it makes you feel better. Besides, we're not going there for the drinks or…or women."
Ashei sniggered on her end.
Link frowned and hoped she felt his glare through the connection. "We're holding a meeting there, regarding her majesty's safety. So technically, you'll still be on duty."
"That sounds a bit shady. A secret meeting at a seedy pub late into the evening? A meeting that concern's her majesty but can't be held here at the castle and include the rest of her guard?"
"It's not a seedy pub! It's a highly respectable establishment!" Why did everyone always assume that? "Anyways," Link hissed in a vastly lower tone, "Ashei and I have been investigating things a bit deeper…"
He let that settle over the knight, knowing that it would ignite his curiosity. Justin was the one who had noticed Zelda leaving in the night to the tower. He also noticed her behaviour and the mysterious occurrences that had been happening recently. Link allowed just enough vagueness to disconcert him.
A pause of silence.
Justin finally sighed. "Very well. At twenty-two hundred hours."
"Be there," Link asserted, before tapping him off.
First Zelda's maid, now her closest childhood friend. These attacks were getting more and more personal. And then Zelda herself had been assaulted. But how much longer before something even worse happened? How long until Zelda was taken?
Link drew a hand through his hair, musing his already unkempt locks.
He turned to Hadrian, wanting to ask his opinion on something, but was met with his furrowed gaze.
Link blinked and cocked his head in a very curious dog-like manner. "What?"
Hadrian shifted. "It's just that… I've seen you on the parade ground during drills and you've never been as… emphatic, as you were just now."
Link had the distinct and uncomfortable feeling of being judged. He hunched his shoulders slightly, hands plunging in his pockets. "Yes, because being put on the spot before thousands of soldiers is the same as giving orders to a select few."
Hadrian shrugged. "More snarky too."
"Careful, or I'll have you reported for insubordination."
Hadrian gave a muffled sort of snort behind him as they headed back to the presence chamber.
Link mentally braced himself, preparing to re-enter the rollicking swarm of music and voices and smothering perfumes.
"Does this change things?" asked Hadrian, quietly before they fully entered. "Regarding the investigation?"
Link paused then glanced over his shoulder. "It does. It means we now know the stakes. We know why Zelda hasn't been talking."
Link felt infinitely more relieved now that they had Sir Justin on their side.
The evening before had been spent in deep discussion, lasting well into the night. Telma had closed the tavern portion of her place early and shrugged down the curtain, sanctioning their section of the room off so they'd be guaranteed their privacy in case any of the current residents were prone to nightly wanderings. The thick alpaca curtains had been weaved with magic, and resultantly were enforced with wards and spells that captured sounds so as to make eavesdropping nigh impossible.
Link had been pleased to find everyone there on time, barring Rusl, who had left for Ordon to care for Uli and his young daughter, and had promptly imparted what he had learned and the conclusions he had drawn. This had ignited much discussion, and by the end nothing clear had been decided. No direct action could be taken, Zelda still had to be watched, and they were back to square one.
The initial fire that had blazed at the discovery had been abruptly stifled. And once again he was thoroughly dissatisfied with the results. He'd thought for sure they'd be onto something. That a course would be illuminated, that all this stagnation could finally cease, and that something could be done. Link could only belay his impulse to act for so long.
The only profitable outcome had been Justin's allegiance and oath to do whatever he could to assist.
Link had spent plenty of time with Justin in the past, with all of Zelda's personal guards. The invasion had wiped out her fiercest knights and most of her troops. It had taken painstaking efforts to build that all up again, to achieve the standard of military that was expected from a powerhouse. Men and women had been prompted to enlist. Most of those who came had previously been squires on the brink of knighthood, spared from slaughter simply because they had only been squires and not worth a moment of Zant's time. Others had been the scions of nobles, wanting to gain favor in court or flushed out with shame for having been helpless while Hyrule had been overrun. They had already been armed with previous combat experience and had attended the most prestigious academies, which almost guaranteed that those with the proclivity to learn magic had been trained in that aspect as well. Commanders and knights from their ally, Hytopia, like Captain Martin, had been sent to join their military and assist in teaching them proper martial arts and the core aspects of running an army. Link also had partook in those courses, eager to learn so he'd be well equipped to support Zelda in the future.
From these lessons he'd met many formidable men and women, both in physical determination and in morality. Zelda, who by that point valued Link's aptitude for assessment, had granted him the liberty of choosing her personal guards. And from among the impressive stock of dedication and power, he'd chosen three Hytopians and three Hyruleans.
He'd personally assessed them, their loyalty, their sincerity, and of course their liableness when it came to actually being able to perform under duress. Back then Link hadn't known as much about the individual magic abilities people possessed, and it had been Zelda who had to test them in that regard. He'd learned throughout the years, by observation and reading and knowing one's enemy and all that because Ashei had forced the knowledge down his throat so he'd be prepared for whatever they met on their hunts, that magic, like any academic subject, consisted of a variety of different fields. Armament magic, he'd learned, was an advanced category that enabled an individual to manifest weapons and armor at will. Link never had to fear any of her majesty's men being disarmed, never had to worry about them being caught vulnerable - not that they'd ever allow themselves to become so fundamentally unprepared. They were the perfect knights. A wall of adamant that stood between Zelda and any foe that wished to harm her.
That still didn't stop what happened on the parapets…
Link suppressed that niggling voice in his head. Nothing short of hovering in Zelda's personal space could have prevented that. And he didn't think Zelda would have been able to put up with being stifled like that. She was forever and always an independent woman. It sort of added to her appeal, actually.
Link mentally veered away from the direction that was going.
That day had been a warning. A sadistic prank to show that no manner of protection, of surveillance would stop them. There had been too many people around, too many helping hands, for it to have been truly deadly. If Zelda's assailants had wanted to kill her, they'd have done a far more effective, permanent, job of it.
Zelda's assailants were steadily hitting closer to home. They had to do something before someone else was taken. Before they finally took Zelda.
His blood had boiled that night as he'd laid in bed, trying to come up with something that would work. They were all but grasping straws at this point. Half informed and guessing. They needed Zelda's complete cooperation and they couldn't have it because she feared too much that someone else would be taken.
He was no closer to finding a solution when morning came and instead was overly tired and still as vexed as ever. He considered it fortunate that his mornings were filled with a means to work off his frustrations in the best way he knew.
The sun had not fully formed in the sky when Link strode out onto the training yard, a roll stuffed in his mouth while he simultaneously straightened the front of his jerkin. His foul mood provided him no room to be surprised at the unfamiliar faces that greeted him.
Instead of the regular knight potentials he'd been training over the past few weeks, a new batch had taken their place. It took him only a second to remember that every other month they switched shifts and these were the advanced recruits that had been from the morning shift.
Link stood to the side, out of the way and unassuming, feeling very acrimonious. He lounged against the parapet as he finished off his roll and observed them with frosty eyes. Not a single one of them were dallying, all immersed in their warm ups and routines. Had they not been, he would have dismissed them at once with a reprimand.
Wet stone and crisp spring drifted on the breeze. The rain from the night before had yet to be exposed to the sun and fully dry, and so the flagstones were left slick and slippery. The recruits countered this by donning gritted boots.
Across the yard Link saw through one of the arches, Arwin and a few of the other rookies waving at him. He tipped his head in acknowledgement then wiped the last few crumbs off his front.
Staunchly, he shoved off the wall and approached his new batch of plebeians.
The potentials had obviously been anticipating him, having been informed by their peers. Wordlessly they stopped what they were doing and lined up in front of him, poised at attention, wafting eager anticipation.
Link almost felt bad for them.
He gazed callously raked down the line. These were the ones who were being considered for knighthood. Hundreds of Zelda's finest knights had died before her throne. Hundreds more had been slaughtered throughout the rest of Hyrule. Her greatest protectors had failed her in her direst need. How could he be so sure that these potentials won't someday fail her too?
A whole army hadn't been enough to take down the usurper, yet one man had done so. A single man with – not to unnecessarily boast, this was all completely factual – a broader arsenal of tactics, who did things in an unconventional but effectively clever way, who easily spotted weaknesses and adapted to exploit them. Perhaps the monotony of standard training methods were not so advantageous.
Brows pressed in a frown, Link angled his chin up. "You all know who I am?"
Not a sound escaped from the recruits, but Link could see the glimmer of confirmation.
"Introduce yourselves."
They started from the left end onward, each pronouncing their name and rank. Link's eyes flashed when he came to Ryan, the one who Arwin had claimed Ashei favoured.
Once he'd heard all their names and promptly forgot more than half of them, Link swept away and took a seat on one of the benches, crossing his legs.
"Go and don your armor. I'll be waiting right here."
A few confused glances were exchanged before all the knight potentials left for the barracks. Link needn't insinuate what dallying would cost them.
They didn't possess any fancy armor like the knights. Those were too costly for their paychecks. Instead they bore the required chainmail tunic, helmets, and shoulder, elbow, and knee guards. Even without the full regalia it was a considerable amount of added weight.
When they'd all finally regathered in the yard, Link stood and motioned for them to follow. He led them toward a section of her majesty's public gardens and to the lone pond in the middle. None of the nobility were up and about at this hour, and from the greying overcast, it wasn't likely that they'd emerge anytime soon.
Link edged close to the bank of the pond, watching as the recruits approached with increasing trepidation.
He shifted his sights over them, finally targeting a single potential, a woman with skin and hair as dark as night, idling in a standoffish manner at the border of the group.
"You. What did you say your name was?" Link demanded.
The girl pursed her lips for being put on the spot, but answered curtly. "Mertia, sir."
"Do you know any magic?" Link asked, his brows raised.
Mertia shrugged her shoulders. "Enough to give me good credentials."
"Can you levitate objects?"
She looked to her cohorts sharing in their perplexity. "Er – I suppose so. I mean, I can… Sir." She quickly tacked on the honorific at the end.
Nodding, Link motioned her to stand beside him. Then he motioned another recruit to come up.
"Excellent. Then I expect you'll know what to do," said Link, cocking his head and addressing the male he'd bid forward. "What was your name again?"
The young man stood stiffly at attention. "The name's Tristan."
"Tristan, hmm? Can you swim?"
Tristan's eyes had only a second to widen in realization before he was unceremoniously shoved into the pond, armor and all.
The others started in shock, quickly clustering around the pond and peering in. Beside him, Mertia jolted, her shoulders hitched to her ears.
"What the bloody-"
"Are you mad?! He can't swim with that weight on him!"
"Should someone go in and help him?"
Their voices became a drone in the background as Link watched the waters beneath the surface. After a minute had passed he signalled to Mertia, who stiffened but then outstretched her hand before her.
Tristan came gasping and gagging to the surface, heaving in great gulps of air, overcoming whatever panic that had set in as he'd went under.
Mertia dropped in on the turf and he scraped and tore at the green clutches of grass, drenched and shivering in the wake of an adrenaline surge. He looked up warily as Link boots came into view, leading up to an imposing figure and aloof visage.
"That," Link started, tone dripping with disappointment, "should never happen." They wore their armor when on shift. If Tristan had gone into the moat after Zelda he would have drowned and failed to save her. That to him was unacceptable. He lifted his head to meet a multitude of circumspective gazes. "Can anyone tell me what he did wrong?"
There was a heavy lull, entrenched with mutinous glares.
A single voice pierced the harsh quiet.
"He flailed. Tristan let his panic get the better of him and as a result became utterly useless."
Link's cobalt orbs flared. This man's was one name he didn't have to have repeated to him.
"Correct, Ryan. Why don't you come and join me and Mertia and evaluate the rest of your cohorts."
Striding easily to the front of the mass, Ryan flanked Link's left along the bank. His shoulder's tensed as if anticipating a sort of trickery. Link could very well shove him in next. Surprisingly, Link simply turned to the rest of the class, disregarding his presence for now.
"Unless you truly are a marvel, it is impossible to swim while bearing heavy armor. First you must relieve yourself of any added weight and anything else that might restrict you. Then swim the hell upwards before your lungs combust."
"Excuse me, sir Link," called one of the male recruits in a drawling unimpressed voice. "But I don't see how this is at all useful. I can't see any of us taking a dip in the future while fully outfitted in our armor."
Link arched an unimpressed eyebrow at him. "Your queen very nearly died falling into the moat. Would you have been anything but useless to her if you were the only one around? If you wish to stick to your comfort zone and continue practicing your little routines then you have no place in this army. In true battle one must expect the unexpected. Haul your arse over here, you're going next."
He didn't bother asking for the youth's name as he at once gave him a sharp push into the pond.
This time he waited an extra half minute before giving Mertia the signal, and the youth was hoisted from the water like a piscine harvest.
Link was gratified to see that both his shoulder guards were gone and his chain mail had been pulled up over his head, dangling from his arms.
Mertia was instructed to retrieve the divested armour and the next recruit was called forth. None of them made it to the surface on the first round, nor the second round. On the third a few had managed to reach the air without assistance, although still wearing some of their armor. Link was fine with that, as long as they made it out.
The hour was up and Mertia and Ryan had yet to participate. The rest of the potentials were shivering, sopping wet and sending vehement stares of disdain. The grass had long become muddied and squelched loudly with every movement they made. Too bad Link wasn't of a mind to care.
When Link did allow Ryan and Mertia to take their turn, the former made it out on his first try, void of most of his armor – Link was a little impressed by this – while the latter had to resort to levitating herself out for both attempts.
The session ended with everyone trudging back to the barracks to sort out their wardrobe and dry their armor before they rusted.
Watching them undergo such unpleasantness was satisfying, but hadn't fully helped him vent his frustrations.
Eagerly he went to seek out Ashei for a spar.
Zelda shut the mahogany double doors and pressed her back to them, blowing out a soft sigh. Her eyes drifted shut as she rubbed her temples where a migraine was quickly blooming.
Raleigh said that keeping hydrated and eating enough nutrients would help. But it was difficult when one suffered from a lack of appetite. Even so, Zelda forced herself to move to the basin in the corner of the room, next to which was a decanter that was magicked to keep the water within fresh.
She poured herself a glass and sipped at it as she wandered about the room, checking and double-checking the wards on the doors and windows. She'd have to reinforce some once she'd rested, although lately she'd found it more trying to do so. Many of her stronger spells completely exhausted her, whilst the easier ones made her dizzy, the result of her malnourished state.
It was frustrating, but what else could she do. She didn't dare bring another sorcerer in to tamper with her wards. Not when they'd discover the full nature them. Even with the promise of discretion, questions would be raised and someone else might try to take it upon themselves to interfere.
Just as Link was doing now.
She'd tried to keep him away. To distance herself from him, but he was persistent. He'd integrated himself as one of her personal guards. He and Ashei often added themselves to her normal escort, keeping track of her during meetings, attending court with her – she knew both would rather trudge through a mosquito infested swamp – and patrolling the halls beyond her chambers at night. Granted, they weren't a constant presence, they had other things they seemed to do at odd times.
It was flattering… a little… the lengths Link would go for her. And despite his recalcitrant behaviour, his presence was reassuring. She didn't want him to leave.
And therein lay her dilemma.
Somewhat reinvigorated after drinking her water, Zelda flexed a hand, sparks fizzing under the skin of her fingertips. She'd take care of the more important wards now. She could do the rest tomorrow.
She had only returned to her rooms to retrieve an important document she'd left on her bureau, but there was still a bit of time before she had to leave for her next meeting.
She started with the balcony doors at the end of her bedchamber.
She remembered breezy summer days sitting on the divan outside on the balcony, reading a novel or dozing. So high up, she could see the lay of Castle Town all the way to the outer walls, and watch her people down in the fountain square.
She'd used to sleep out there sometimes, when the stars shown bright and her gazing at them had her so relaxed she couldn't be bothered to move.
Now, she didn't dare step a foot past that threshold. The divan had been brought inside mid-autumn and she hadn't had it put back.
Zelda finished augmenting the ward. Persparation gathered at her neck and forehead. She flexed her fingers, feeling them embedded with warmth and a foreign numb feeling. She hovered a hand over the glass and was satisfied to feel the ebb and flow of magic at work.
You can't keep us at bay forever…
Zelda rubbed her arms, then drew the curtains over the doors and hastened to the next ward.
Drawing a line with her finger on the sill of the window revealed an array of glowing glyphs. Zelda poured her power into them, struggling a bit more than her last attempt. All at once her concentration faltered, the output of magic ceasing. Pressing her lips together, she furrowed her brow and tried again. A small seep of magic flowed through before it once again wavered and sputtered out.
"Of all things," she grumbled, whipping her glove off in irritation to be rid of all barriers.
She felt her magic coils object, shuddering and resisting her increasingly forceful shoves. Each breath became heavy and unfulfilling, her hand quivered from the lack of power being projected through it. She finally stopped when black spots dotted her vision at the peripherals, just in time for her knees to buckle as she collapsed, gasping.
Tremors ran through her, her magical circuits protesting their abuse. Only now that her body cried out did she realize how depleted she was. How? How was it possible that she'd used so much mana already? She doubted she'd be able to conjure even a small wisp of flame.
Tired… She was just tired.
And malnourished.
Magic, like the body and mind, required a healthy supply of energy to function. Once she'd taken care of herself it would replenish. She just had to make sure she ate more than a measly few bites for dinner.
As if sensing her failure – attracted to it - dark tendrils rose up and began prodding at the window on the other side of the glass. The shadows lengthened as they poked and scraped, withdrawing whenever they were zapped, but quick to return and test new areas.
Zelda kept her sharp eyes trained on the shadows, steady and firm while the rest of her trembled.
Utilizing a side table for leverage, Zelda force her breathing to even out and heaved herself up. Her knees wobbled but she managed to remain upright.
Her room was her only sanctuary from them. The shadows abstained from overly tormenting her when she was out among other people, but if it were to somehow penetrate her private chambers, she didn't want to think of what would happen.
Zelda snapped her head up when she caught the sound of a door opening.
She stared out the window, only barely tilting her head as two maids tapped at the entrance.
"Your majesty? Lord Raleigh sent us up with some tea. He said you might be needing it."
She turned back to the window, watching from her periphery as the shadowy tendrils finally gave up and retreated. They'd be back soon though. They never truly left her.
"Tell him I appreciate it." Her stomach may not settle for any proper sustenance, but it could never be opposed to tea.
The maid nodded, ushering the other girl away from the bedroom door. Zelda listened as they set things up in the antechamber and picked up on their hushed conversation.
"Her majesty looks so tired."
"Poor Queen Zelda. Health's taking a downward turn methinks. It's all the people staying here. You never know what illnesses they bring and expose us to. I wish they'd all clear out so her majesty could have some peace."
"You shouldn't say things like that."
"They're all out there merrymaking, while her majesty is sick and forced to work."
There was a small sigh before the topic was changed.
Zelda zoned out at that point. She waited until they left then approached the small arrangement of tea and biscuits.
If her personal maids had noticed her less than normal condition then it stood to reason others had as well. She gleaned herself in one of her tall mirrors and regarded the sickly looking figure staring back. Her stomach plummeted upon realizing that her glamour had dropped. When had it faded? How had she not felt it? No wonder everyone was noticing and showing concern over her.
Anxiety heated her skin. It was too late to do anything about it now. She only hoped that her frequent bouts of illness wouldn't raise anyone's suspicions. Worst case scenario was that people would start to assume that she had inherited her father's frailness after all and what they were seeing was the steady decline of her health. It wasn't a rumour she was inclined to contend with, but if it kept their attentions away…
Hehehe
Her cup dropped and shattered on the ground, spilling hot liquid on the hem of her dress.
Instinctively, Zelda froze.
Ever so slowly, Zelda bent to pick up a serviette and began shakily dabbing at her hand where some of the tea had splashed and burned her.
Hehehe
No no no
Not again. Not this.
She pressed her eyes closed. She didn't want to see it. Those sharp beady eyes staring back at her, that vicious grin on a pasty white face.
The bureau was a mere ten feet away. She could just grab the documents and bolt to the door. She wouldn't have to deal with this. It wouldn't -
She's dead…
The voice echoed directly in her ear. Zelda gasped and staggered back. Her legs hit the settee and she collapsed on it, looking wildly about.
We killed her… For you…
Again the voice sounded in her ear and she resisted the urge to cover it. Slowly she processed what had been said.
"You can't have," she gasped. "Desra…"
Don't speak to it. Ignore it or it will only goad you.
Raleigh's advice resonated in her head, but try as she might, it was impossible to heed.
Is dead. We left her somewhere for you to find. Better find her quickly, hehe, she's lonely…
Zelda felt her stomach clench in all sorts of knots. It took all she had to withhold her tears.
"Why did you bring others into this? This was only supposed to be about me. Nobody else has anything to do with it!"
Desra's death… It was her fault. They got to Desra because of her. Why? She was innocent.
…But had they really killed her? They claimed to be enacting justice, well this wasn't justice. Desra hadn't done anything wrong.
"You're lying..." Zelda said after a moment, and whether it was in denial or from a burst of analytical confidence, she couldn't say. "You're just toying with me."
Am I?...
Zelda wiped a sweaty palm over her eyes and rose cautiously to her feet, looking around, half-scared that she'd catch sight of those unfeeling eyes.
How dare they involve someone else. How dare they!
"Enough. I am the Queen of Hyrule! I will not be tormented in my own lands, much less my castle!" she hissed.
Hehehe False bravado for a false queen. A coward queen. Why do you think we exist?
The windows rattled. Something thumped hard against the one nearest her.
Zelda whirled around, pulse racing and adrenaline spiked. She could sense its gaze burning into her, but where was it coming from? It never kept itself hidden for long, always smirking at her from the darkness, a grin of contempt and fury.
The rattling stopped and the room was rendered silent. She held her breath, waiting, her nerves fraying fast the longer she stared at the empty windows.
And then the screaming began.
Zelda recoiled, tripping over the coffee table and landing hard on the ground. She curled in on herself, gripping her head, tearing at her hair.
So many. There were so many.
Voices, crying and screaming and begging.
They rang in her ears, until all her other senses were overridden and shut down, and nothing existed but for the cacophony of countless tormented souls.
She was drowning. Darkness swamping her in terrifying shredding waves. It tore at her, whipped around her as it rose and folded, caging her in. Trapped.
All the while those wordless screams in her head never stopped. Their despair tore at her. Filling her mind until the world around her shrank and there was nothing left but the darkness and the endless voices.
The room started spinning. Zelda searched for her voice, ready to plead for it to stop, but no sound came to her.
Too much. It was all too much.
Stop! Please stop!
Why?
And then, as sudden as it began, the voices abruptly ceased.
Zelda shivered, her form crumpled on the floor, panting, throat clenching with the need to sob, the room still spinning around her. Her face was wet, her entire body a single aching throb.
She cringed as the voice slyly hissed.
Got you…
Then the windows shattered…