Chapter 14:
Impaz stared them all down. Link had never seen the woman look so stern. A commander in the midst of cowing her reckless soldiers.
"What have you done? What creature have you awakened?"
Link was hard pressed not to draw back in an incriminating flinch. Not even his warrior fortitude was able to stand against an angry elder. Wait. Awakened? There were things that could be awakened?!
Sharp nails screeched against the barrier Impaz had drawn, accompanied by mournful moans. Impaz cast one disgusted glance at the creatures before waving her hand and shuttering the windows, barring off the undead pressing their rotting faces to the glass.
"Poor things," she muttered sadly then her face turned severe. "They should know better than to hound at a Sheikah's home."
Zelda, no longer huddling in the middle of the floor, abruptly stood up and eyes shimmering with determination, bowed at the waist, a sign of deep respect, especially coming from royalty.
Her voice rose above the din coming from outside and wavered only slightly as she spoke. "Lady Impaz, I have come to beg your assistance."
Impaz reaction was a mix of caution and flattery. Concern won over as she took in the act of deference.
"Assistance? You mean for this mess?"
Zelda, still immersed in her bow, nodded. "Yes."
Impaz waddled up to her and peered closely. "You're the queen, are you not? My eyes are aging, but they do not deceive me. Tell me, how long has this been going on. I've never seen the undead so unruly and intent on one person before." She closed her eyes, brow wrinkling with concentration. "I can feel their ire. Their unrest. So many souls."
Zelda hitched her shoulders, stiffly straightening up from her bow. She was unreadable in that moment. But Link had learned that the more emotionless she portrayed herself, the more suffering she was hiding.
"How long?"
Zelda took a wavering breath. "A little over a year."
"A year, hmm." Impaz eyes squinted as she stared at the covered window, humming thoughtfully to herself.
"Please, my lady," spoke Shad, who had not fully recovered from his attack but was keen as always to offer input. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he sat up on the cot. "Her majesty is being haunted by the ghosts of those dead from the invasion. Is there anything you can do about it? You are a Sheikah, after all…?" He added the last bit hesitantly, as if suddenly unsure of the validity of her racial status.
Impaz turned to him and murmured something unintelligibly. She waddled up to the window, hopped on a stool, and cracked open one of the shutters.
Everyone tensed as Impaz stared out at the ghosts. After a while of increased trepidation, she pulled back and closed the shutter, the wrinkles on her forehead further pronounced as she made her assessment.
"Were there many child fatalities from the invasion?"
Zelda pressed her eyes closed in obvious anguish. The resultant silence of the rest of the group was amble response.
"There were fatalities all round," Hadrian answered, his voice lowered and somber. "Many children were stolen from their families, and a good number of them are as of yet unaccounted for."
Impaz nodded, eyes full of sadness. "In time I will be able to identify them and perhaps learn their stories. It might bring some peace to their families."
Link hadn't known what exactly was down that well when he'd tossed in the barrel of explosive powder and tinder. He had heard Shad's terrified cry and Ashei's screech of panic and come running without thinking.
He had to truly think objectively to ignore those childlike sobs though when he'd sent in the second barrel.
"I can feel others too. Soldiers and citizens of varying ages, genders, races."
"Will you be able to help them?" pleaded Zelda.
Link was astounded at his queen's constant selflessness. Their purpose had been to seek out Impaz to rid Zelda of the hauntings, yet she begged for the relief of their souls first and foremost. Yes if they were cleansed it meant she'd finally be free of torment too, but she didn't ask on behalf of herself. She asked on behalf of her people, despite their cadaverous circumstances.
"Depends," responded Impaz, after a tense minute of contemplation.
"Depends? Depends on what, yeah?" snapped Ashei, dry eyed and much calmer than before when the threat of death by paranormal occurrence had been a very real probability. The whole thing had put her in a foul mood, although given the events she was controlling herself quite admirably.
It had completely shocked Link. He knew Ashei as impartial, a rational thinker who put emotions aside in the face of necessity. But she had panicked and cried when she saw Shad down that well, assaulted by things she couldn't fight. She hadn't known what to do, and that sort of helplessness terrified her.
Honestly, he'd been relying on their abilities as hunters and knights too much that he hadn't considered magic. Their sorceress had been Zelda, yet now even she was powerless, a minor fact she'd neglected to inform them of, it seems. He'd have to speak to her about disclosing imperative information later. Didn't she realize how much danger she was in? What danger she'd placed them all in by keeping it to herself? He would have enlisted another mage to come as well had he'd known.
But now with the lack of magic, Zelda was truly defenseless. They'd have to find out why her magic wasn't working, and try to fix it as soon as possible.
"Depends on what you tell me," said Impaz, facing them again. "I feel their souls. I feel their anger and grief."
Zelda shrank further, eyes downcast. Impaz noticed and smiled kindly at her. She went over and pat her hand.
"It's alright, dearie," she said, wizened voice reassuring. "We'll fix this mess. Now tell me what I need to know, and let's see what these spirits want?"
"You might as well listen too, Hadrian," said Link, as the man regarded him with cool wariness. "Again, I'm sorry about dragging you into this."
Hadrian gave a small huff. "Nonsense, I agreed to assist from the very beginning. My life is devoted to the service of the crown."
If Ashei weren't currently his second in command, Link would have seriously considered offering that position to Hadrian. Maybe he'd request the knight take over teaching the potentials, he'd be an excellent role model. But then again that seemed more like a punishment.
Zelda divulged all that had happened to Impaz, repeating the same story Link and the others had heard from Lord Raleigh. When she mentioned her attempt to enforce her wards and her resultant failure to do so and thus realization that she could no longer focus her powers, she hesitated and glanced nervously at Link as if she could feel the annoyed exasperation coming off of him. It would have been useful to know beforehand, especially if it had been going on for a while.
But Link showed no outward reaction. Deducing that Zelda was under enough stress and she didn't need his disapproval adding to it. He'd have to tell her off gently in order not to upset her too greatly.
After she'd finished, Impaz, who was sitting lotus position on the floor, crossed her arms and looked up at the rafters.
She appeared to find something conclusive, for as she looked back at Zelda, her eyes were set. "Are you certain that that is what it is? A haunting?"
The others looked dubiously at her.
"What else could it be," said Shad. "You saw those things…"
The poor man looked like he wanted nothing more than to curl up at Ashei's side and hide his face in her bosom.
"Ghosts and spirits they are, but something else maligned is attached to them," replied Impaz, cryptically. "I can exorcise these phantoms, but more will follow. No, of this, I need to research deeper."
"Something else more maligned?" said Hadrian, holding himself together formidably after being informed of everything. Perhaps it hadn't set in yet what was happening. "What else could there be?"
Impaz steepled her hands and considered them. "Of the undead currently beyond this door, are ghosts and redeads. Most are those who've perished during Zant's thankfully short reign, but some are only recently deceased, and others have been dead for decades."
Zelda's eyes widened and her breathing hitched sharply. "But that would mean…"
The old Sheikah offered her a gentle understanding smile. "They're not haunting you because of the invasion."
The relief was overwhelming and proved too much for her. Link and Hadrian were just in time to catch Zelda as she buckled at the knees. They lowered her gently the rest of the way to the floor. She found Link's arm and latched onto it. He could feel her trembling through her unrelenting grip on his bicep.
"I can't believe… I had never considered…"
Link looped his free arm around her back and squeezed her shoulders.
Hadrian stepped away retreating back to his corner of the room, offering the two of them space in what appeared to be an intimate moment. Of course Link didn't consider the intimacy of the action. He was simply there to provide his friend much needed comfort. He didn't as much as blush when she rested her head against him in obvious exhaustion. The day had been mentally straining.
"But then why are they here?" asked Shad, mind whirring as he considered the new information. "What do they want?"
"Besides the death of the queen and everyone in close association to her?" interjected Impaz. "No idea. Don't worry, they'll be gone temporarily by sunrise, when the cats come back."
Ashei cocked her head, puzzled. "Cats?"
"What cats?" said Shad, glancing around.
Zelda raised her head, suddenly attentive.
"Where are the cats?" Link asked. He'd been worried and a tad unsettled at the lack of them in the Hidden Village.
Impaz waved him off. "Do I look like a vet? I sent them to Renado's for their biannual checkup. A few of the kittens had to be dewormed as well so it's taking a few days longer than usual. Renado assured me they'd be returned by morning. He's bringing them by in a caravan."
"And what are cats good for in regards to the dead?" asked Hadrian. He had never been an animal lover. Other than his horse, he could barely stand the four-legged breeds. Link suspected allergies.
"Cats are valued as guardians of the afterlife," Zelda answered. "That's why they're so abound in cities and villages. They chase away unfriendly souls and assist those benign to find their way."
"Yes indeed," Impaz supplied. "The cats will chase away most of the souls here."
"Most of them?" Shad gulped.
"Some are too powerful and won't be scared off so easily. Like this 'creature' you speak of. A young boy child, hmmm? And he seems to be the most present of the dead you've encountered? I should like to see him for myself."
"He's not out there?" asked Zelda, slightly stunned.
Impaz shook her head. "No. I saw no such creature tonight. I'm sure he'll turn up soon enough."
"Too soon, if you ask me," Shad said over his whimper.
"You are injured." Impaz gestured to Shad's legs were his leggings had been shredded and dark bruises spotted his calves. Shad looked down surprised, as if he hadn't been aware beforehand of the injuries. Ashei appeared startled as well, and perhaps a bit ashamed for not having noticed sooner. The entire time they'd been perched close together, holding hands while Ashei glared at the door hand twitching for her sword, too embroiled in her agitation to see anything beyond her need to defend.
Impaz rose from the floor. "Allow me to tend to you."
She pulled out a box full of medical equipment and started cutting at Shad's leggings. The scholar winced when she dabbed a herbal lotion on his cuts and bruises before handing him a red potion.
"Never take red potion alone if your skin's been pierced. The red potion can heal, but it cannot kill off infections."
Link looked distinctly away, listening to the outside groaning and wailing of who knew how many ghosts.
"It seems I can correctly assume that the disappearances and subsequent deaths may not have solely been caused by the victims being driven to madness. These things are devious. They are able to touch and harm. They can outright kill and they've hidden that fact."
Hadrian shuddered and Shad audibly gulped. Link frowned in consternation. So they had been playing with them all along? He should have guessed. After one had shoved Zelda off the wall, they should have known that they were more dangerous than they seemed. Disgusting creatures. They'd have to be more careful than ever now.
"The dead naturally culminate around the old Kakariko. This town is connected intimately with death. You are lucky I was not away long. Your normal swords and devices can't combat them well."
"What can?" said Link. He'd take anything he could get at this point.
Impaz raised a white eyebrow. "Fire has an effect on them, as you've seen, as well as certain enchanted objects and weapons. Light magic may ward them off or seal them, but only shadow magic or tools made from shadow magic can completely get rid of them."
Hadrian sighed. "And you're the only one who is capable of using shadow magic?"
"It's not a power solely delegated to the Sheikah." Impaz finished pouring another layer of lotion on Shad's legs, earning another hiss from him, then allowed them to air dry. "Other tribes have been gifted as well. And few Hylian children are born with the power, but these are outliers, a rarity and uninheritable."
"I know of no one who is capable of using shadow magic," said Hadrian contemplatively. "Such a person would have instantly been eligible to attend the academy, full scholarship."
"Luckily for us, we already have our shadow mage, yeah," said Ashei.
Impaz gave a pleasant smile. "Indeed. Now that I have a good idea of what's going on, there are a few tests that I will have to do." She grunted as she struggled to her feet. Hadrian hurried to assist her. Impaz beamed at him. "Thank you, young man."
"And the Master Sword?" Zelda asked, and Link shot his attention over to her. "The Blade of Evil's Bane? Can it defeat these things?"
Impaz gave her a long stare. "Most certainly. No matter their origin, the ghosts are still beings of this world, and a sword forged by the Goddesses themselves is capable of defeating anything."
Of course! Why hadn't he thought of it before, it was so obvious now. He did have a way to fight them.
"Don't feel too cocky, Link," sniped Impaz. "I can see the smile on your face. It all depends on if you're still worthy of wielding the blade."
"Of course," he responded, lips still quirking upward. He had no doubt that the blade would respond to him still. When he'd first pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal it had responded to him in a way that was uncannily affectionate and caressing. He didn't think such a connection would have dissipated over the last few years, and secretly he'd been yearning to hold the blade again.
"Then you can retrieve it at your earliest convenience," said Impaz, staring at Link sternly. "Now we shall eat, go to bed, and ignore our noisy neighbors. Come morning you shall take me back to the castle. If Renado permits it, I will ride in his caravan. I'm too old to walk the whole way." She turned to Zelda. "Where might I find an apothecary? One that carries unusual items?"
"I will grant you full use of the castle labs," Zelda responded. "And I'm sure doctor Borville will be willing to supply any ingredients we might be missing."
"Thank you, your majesty." Impaz bowed her head.
Zelda's eyes softened. "I should be the one thanking you. I haven't had any hope for a very long time."
Link felt the guilt weigh down on him. If he'd been at the castle more over the last year he'd had noticed sooner and been able to impart Impaz' existence before now. What had he been doing hunting criminals for so long? Had it really been to carry out Hyrule's justice, or had he been craving the rush of battle and overcoming trials that he longed to replicate through his hunts? Or had he simply been avoiding other people and reminiscing on all things that reminded him of Midna?
He really couldn't tell.
"Don't be daft. The Sheikah are born to serve the rulers of Hyrule."
"Haven't been around to do much serving, have you, yeah," said Ashei, snidely.
"Ashei!" Shad hissed.
Impaz tutted. "I had previously been under royal order not to leave this village until a certain someone dropped by. And after that, well, it's not easy travelling when your bones are weary. And the fuss and commotion in the big city is too much for me nowadays. Consider me retired, but willing to help where I can. And as a retiree, I need much more sleep than I once did. I know it's cramped, but find a spot where you can. And you, scoot. Your injuries should be healed by now. Her majesty gets the bed."
"Please, I can't remove you from your own bed," Zelda insisted, sitting on the floor. "I'll sleep here with the others."
"You're a very kind queen," Impaz said with little objection. She clambered on the bed with Hadrian's assistance and settled in to sleep. "Remember, the undead can't reach us here, so you should all get a good sleep. No need to put up a watch."
As soon as her head hit the pillow the old woman was snoozing away, breathing loudly under the covers.
They fell into silence, amidst a chorus of horrific moaning. They all jolted as one when a shrill shriek stabbed through their ears. The barrier sparked as yet another redead learned it couldn't claw its way through.
At the very least they were untouchable for now.
"Has anything like this happened before?" whispered Shad, leaning against Ashei's shoulder on the floor. They all made sure not to have any direct contact with the walls. Fortunately there were many boxes and barrels for them to lean on. It also meant it was all extremely condensed and every inch of floor space was occupied. Link could sleep sitting up, but he was not so sure about the others.
"Your majesty?" the Shad prompted. Now that they were in a controlled environment he appeared much less haggard and more composed, putting his naturally analytical mind at work, despite his hollow gaze and red-rimmed eyes.
"No, not like this," Zelda replied. "Other than the little boy none have ever been corporeal. They've never outright attacked like this."
Shad dabbed his forehead with a kerchief and nodded. "It appears we've really hit the mark then. They must really not like the Sheikah. I hope Lady Impaz can get rid of them soon."
They ate their dinner with meager appetites. Link tasted nothing as he mechanically chewed on strips of dry meat.
Less than thirty minutes later they all settled in for the night, studiously ignoring all aberrant noises.
Link sat next to Zelda, keeping her between him and the bed, away from any of the walls. He wanted to say something uplifting to her. They'd found Impaz, it wasn't long before the souls of the dead would be put to rest. This awful ordeal was almost over with.
He turned to her, observing the warm features of her face and paused. Something about her had changed and for a while he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. That was when he realized it was her eyes. They were alight. Burning with less solemnity and more of the calm certainty of the princess he had first met in the tower, downtrodden and flogged, but never defeated.
He took her in fully, really looking at her, and couldn't help but admire what he saw.
"You look good in breeches."
In a flicker his perception vanished, and once more Zelda was the demure lackluster woman from the past few weeks.
Zelda jolted and snapped her gaze toward him, stunned. Link looked back, equally stunned.
"Pardon?"
"Er…" Dammit dammit dammit! "It's good they can't reach us. You can get some proper rest for once."
Zelda's face warmed and she hugged her knees. "I suppose I could, if I suddenly became deaf and blind. Those are the souls of my people out there. Those were children in that well. Innocent children. How can I rest easy while their souls seek justice?"
Well evidently never, since it appeared to be her they wanted to seek justice from.
"Well," said Link, grasping her hands and untwining them from around her legs. He helped her lie down, kicking Hadrian's feet out of the way, and tossed a blanket from his pack over her. "You close your eyes and give them justice in the morning."
"But they're in pain," she pressed. Link knew it was entirely inappropriate given the topic, but her argument was lost to him in light of her bundled up form peeking adorably over the hem of the blanket. He was struck. "Those children were crying."
"Fine, what should we do then?" he acquiesced.
Zelda opened her mouth but no sound was forthcoming. In the end she huffed in frustration, stifling a yawn.
Point made.
"There's nothing we can do. Not right this moment," he said. "Now sleep, Zelda. Or at least try to."
Across from them Shad had passed out on Ashei's shoulder from exhaustion and shock, while Ashei sat upright against a wooden box, alert and watchful. Hadrian too could not sleep, and Link had a feeling that if he weren't on the brink of collapse neither would he. Their warrior's blood demanding action to a nearby threat.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. He'd be useless to them if he was dead on his feet. Ashei had more stamina, she could deal with the first watch. As if any of them would overlook putting up a watch, despite what Impaz said about them being completely safe. That was the sort of lax thinking that could get a man's throat slit and bleeding out before he could wake up.
"Link…"
Link sighed and cracked his eyes open at his worrywart of a queen.
"You're not sleeping," he stated simply, brain sluggish and on the verge of drifting off. He'd barely slept a wink for two nights in a row, and very little before that. He could keep going for a week if he forced himself, but it taxed his body to the extreme. He felt infinitely more secure about everybody's wellbeing now that a Sheikah was in their midst and with Ashei looking after them, and was intent on taking full advantage. Not even the bloody moaning and groaning – sounded like a bad lay if you asked him – was liable to keep him up. Now if he could only convince his brooding sovereign.
Zelda sighed, snuggling further into the blanket. "I just thought… What if the invasion is only one of the reasons I'm being haunted. What if they blame me for other faults?"
Goddesses, she was just championing for pessimists all over.
Would it be unethical to shove a sleeping potion down her throat? Did he even have those on hand? Mental note: must acquire sedatives to avert queen's self-induced depression.
"Decades, Zelda. The range of death spans decades. Now unless you've completely deceived the masses and are really much older than twenty some odd years, I don't find it feasible for ghosts to be holding a grudge because you pilfered a few scones from the kitchens as a child."
"Caramel tarts, actually."
Link gave her an acerbic look and Zelda sighed.
"Very well. I see your point." Moodily she pulled the blanket higher and squirmed closer to Link, making room for Shad who had become restless and made to lie down.
Satisfied Link once more shut his eyes, vowing in the morning to teach her the valuable and unnatural concept of optimism.
"Wasn't good drinking water anyways," muttered Impaz, scanning the remnants of the ancient and battered well that had been blown to smithereens the previous night, the earth around it turned up and scattered.
Giving it one last long stare, she turned and waddled away.
Zelda trailed right after her, completely fascinated by the woman. A Sheikah! A real live Sheikah! She had long admired the race of protectors and had been envious of her ancestors for having the loyalties of such a strong people. What a political advantage they were. How might history have played out had they continued to thrive to this day? And yet what sad existences they must have led. Born to serve, fated to never deviate from their path. Had it all been consensual, or had they been glorified slaves? There had been a time when the Sheikah had been split into two factions, one side that supported the royal family and the deviants who had rejected their fate and ended up opposing all they had been brought up to uphold. The deviants had always been portrayed in contempt. A matter of deep shame. Was the reason why the rebelled to defy their predetermined fates?
It didn't sit well with her. She would not have wanted forced loyalty either way. What good was one's fealty if it was not by choice?
"Have you been eating well, your majesty?"
Zelda was confused by the random question, but deciphered it as the Sheikah – Impaz – making small talk. "Not very well, I'm afraid."
Impaz nodded and Zelda had to help her step over a broken beam. They entered through the dilapidated house and stepped out on the single street.
"Do you spend time with people a lot? I know the past king secluded himself often in his study and rarely demeaned himself by associating with his rabble of nobles," Impaz scoffed, unimpressed.
Zelda recalled only too well. Her grandfather had treated anyone who was not part of the council or in a vital political position with disdain, whether they were peasant or noble. He despised holding court and wasting time with aristocrats intent on nothing but frolicking their life away with splendour and parties.
He never truly understood the intricacies of court life, the forming and breaking of allegiances and consolidation. But Raleigh had understood, and had made it his priority to fill in those substantial gaps of her education. If it weren't for him she might have ended up just as secluded and remorseless as the previous king.
"I spend my time with hundreds of people a day," Zelda replied, wondering at the purpose of the questioning.
"Any close friends, or acquaintances?"
"Many," she said simply, and left it at that. She did not go on to say that lately she had removed herself more and more from those friends. Other than Sybil and Anne, she kept away from most anyone else during her free time. After Desra's disappearance she was contemplating distancing herself from social interactions entirely.
"Hmm." Impaz toddled on, approaching the far end of the village where she deviated and turned right, strolling past her home.
Zelda looked around as they approached the outer wall encircling the small village. Impaz paused right at the limestone and murmured a chant.
She stepped forward and fazed through the wall, just like the illusionary barrier at the village entrance.
"I would advise against you following me in here. It is not a place meant for Hylians."
Before Zelda could argue, Impaz quickly whirled and leveled a sharp gaze at the queen that had her taking a step back.
"Don't let yourself be alone," intoned Impaz, severely. "Suffering in silence increases one's burdens, and heightens ones fear. And fear is controlling. It leads to cowardice, which in turn leads to weakness. Did the great Hylia not have an army to back her in the war against Demise? Was Castle Town designed by a single architect? Even the heroes of old required help on their journeys and had companions for support, whether it be in battle or emotional. Lord Raleigh was wrong to tell you to keep it to yourself, no matter how noble both your intentions were."
Slightly upset at the admission, Zelda became a picture of impassiveness. "I have to disagree with you. You may think it's stubborn, I'm sure everyone else thinks the same, but you don't know what it was like every day listening to them. Trying so many times to be rid of them only to be met with consistent failure. I am but one life. Is it worth saving one life at the cost of many?"
Impaz leveled her with a disapproving glare. "You really are raised by your grandfather. More benevolent, definitely. But both of you so set on taking care of everything yourselves."
"You wouldn't understand," Zelda said turning away, nose upturned. She didn't need to be patronized, or judged for that matter. The others in the group were already unimpressed with her, she could tell.
It had been foolish of her and Raleigh to bring them in that night, right after that dreadful ordeal. It had shaken them, they had revealed more emotion than they should have. They had seen a vulnerable side to her that she had so far kept locked up and hidden from everybody. Link had been the only one to see it other than Raleigh. She trusted him more than anyone else. He had saved her kingdom, proved his loyalty in ways that exceeded expectations, and furthermore he was no noble. A modest village boy, a goat wrangler who had by fortune been born with the qualities required of the fateful hero. She had trusted his opinion of her to always remain the same no matter what facet of her he saw, although that might no longer hold after last night's revelation about her magic.
The old Sheikah sighed. "Maybe not. I can only imagine what being a monarch is like. But you are no god, Zelda. You are a mortal Hylian. And no matter who you are, a Hylian needs their friends to get by, and what is friendship without trust? What is a queen without her people to support her?"
If Impaz was trying to convince her to acknowledge that she'd been in the wrong, she would be severely disappointed. Zelda did not regret keeping it all a secret. What she did regret was how they found how. How powerless she'd been before them, weakened by the taunts and the screaming. She was like a stone withering away as the ocean waves battered it, paying an awful toll for something she couldn't avoid.
"Hmph, well, I suppose you have them now," said Impaz, still standing halfway through the wall as if partially melded to it. It formed a very bizarre sight. "You're a very wise woman, Zelda, but it seems to me that you let your fear cloud your judgment, which in itself is unwise. Remember, fear controls."
And with that Impaz disappeared through the veil. When Zelda tried to follow her she was met with firm hard resistance. The stone had sealed itself once more. Zelda breathed shallowly and ran a hand through her tangled tresses. The heat had done nothing to keep her hair sleek and proper. She hadn't thought to bring a brush and had failed in her attempts to comb it that morning with her fingers.
She muttered angrily when her fingers tugged at a knot and spent a good moment fixing it before deflating against the limestone wall.
Impaz was right about that. She was letting her fear run her life. But how could she fight it when the voices spoke to her relentlessly. She felt like she was being persecuted, a dog tied and beaten with no hopes of escape and doomed to accept its fate.
She wished desperately for her magic. With it she felt at least some measure of security. She was empty with its absence. Her veins ran cold and coils wouldn't charge. It was a foreign, unnatural feeling full of wrongness and she hated it.
She glanced over at Sir Hadrian, who had been shadowing her since this morning then down to her hands. She shut her eyes and focussed. She felt a small speck of the power within her, the magic swirling inside, and she reached to grasp it. It whisked through her fingers and abruptly fluttered out. Zelda had the desolate feeling of being raw and empty.
Zelda gasped as a sharp sting erupted down her hands, and clutched them to her. Her magical circuits were protesting more adamantly now. Refusing her. She wanted to shout in frustration.
"Your majesty?"
"I'm fine, Sir Hadrian." She really wasn't. She hadn't been fine for a while now. She lifted her head and curled her shaking hands into fist at her side. "Let's get back to the others."
They found the rest of their troop at the entrance of the village, gathered around a rustic caravan that had just arrived. An explosion of cats darted out of the back where the tarp had been moved aside and fastened. They chased and frolicked around each other, swiping their paws in the air and pouncing at seemingly nothing.
Link turned around and his arms were full of the beasties, a gleeful grin engulfing his face.
His grin was contagious and Zelda found herself mirroring it – albeit on a smaller scale - as she drew closer. He looked radiant, his handsome features made more boyish by his excitement. He held a cat out to her like he was presenting his first born child.
"Would you like to hold her?"
Zelda tentatively took the mewling creature and it immediately curled up in her arms, liberally vibrating with purrs. "It's a girl?"
"She is," he responded, delightedly. "She's very affectionate. You could hold her for hours if you want."
He said it as if he couldn't imagine anyone not wanting to tote around the fluffy darling for hours on end.
She conceded, it was going to be very hard to put her down. "She's a beautiful lady."
Link's responsive grin was enough to compete with the sun. Zelda was somewhat awestruck. He really didn't realize how handsome he was. No wonder the women at court were tripping over their own feet clambering after him. They weren't as subtle as they thought, although he seemed ignorant of the fuss, so maybe there was some clout to their methods after all. He was certainly the hottest topic in the Chamber of Roses.
"Your majesty, I hope you have been well," said Renado, striking a bow whilst smiling kindly.
"And you," said Zelda with a nod, preoccupied with stroking the cat's fur.
Renado beamed. "Better than ever. Kakariko is thriving more than I could have imagined. It really is spectacular."
She nodded politely. It was all the same chatter each time she met him at village head meetings. It made her happy, knowing that her people were doing so well. Could a man like this ever be driven to haunt her? She imagined she'd have to commit a profound act of evil in order to incur his wrath. Maybe Link was onto something insisting she wouldn't be persecuted for her numerous accounts of pastry thefts.
"And where is the Lady Impaz?" Renado asked, looking around. "I was given the impression that she'd be here to meet me. She wanted to greet all the cats herself."
"I believe she went to retrieve something, she didn't exactly say," Zelda replied. A batch of the most adorably squashed-faced kittens were now clawing at her legs and trying to climb up them. She hoped they didn't do too much damage to her clothes.
"We were actually wondering if you could give us a lift," said Link, tugging an errant cat away from his ear where it had been batting it. "We left our horses across the bridge, and Impaz can't walk the whole way. Would you mind taking us back to Kakariko with you?"
"It would be a delight. Auru is actually there waiting for you. I had offered him to come here with me, but he declined. He's been doing research at the lab with Barnes. I'm not sure what they're concocting but it sounds destructive. He might be there to fix that bomb launching weapon of his. 'Portable cannon', I think he calls it."
"Portable cannon?" Zelda was intrigued. Long ago Auru had been one of her many tutors, explaining to her the history of Hyrule and the unbiased version of her lineage. He didn't seem the type to go off bombing things, but it had been years since he'd served at the castle and between holding court and ruling her country their conversations at tea time hadn't yet extended to explosive weaponry.
Link seemed to know more about this than she did and went to explain it. "At the final battle when I reached the castle, he and the others blasted several lizalfos that got in my way," he said with vitriol. "I would have wasted precious seconds if it were not for him."
Seconds needed to save her. She remembered every detail of that conclusive battle. It repulsed her how her body was used in such a way. He had tried not to hurt her but she had prayed for him to use any means just to end it. Sometimes she could still feel the vile sensation of Ganondorf's darkness overtaking her. His anger and hatred had battered her, forcing her into subjugation. Zelda would undergo a thousand deaths to prevent that blood chilling experience from happening again.
It didn't escape her notice how Link seemed to focus more on his annoyance at being impeded than actual praise for the destructive object in question.
"Ah, Renado, good to see you're doing fine as always." Impaz was ambling down the road, a large bundle of wrapped cloth in hand, obscuring her vision.
Hadrian at once rushed to help, ever the well-bred gentleman.
"Such a kind, boy," she murmured, happily relieving herself of her load as Hadrian took the lot.
"Lady Impaz," Renado greeted, once again bowing. "It's good to see you're still alive and kicking."
"Don't push it, I've got a good fifty years left. With any luck, I might outlive you."
"Goddesses help us all," Renado chuckled good-naturedly.
"What's in the blankets?" asked Shad, leaning forward inquisitively.
Impaz pat a few of the cats that came up to her, winding against her legs and mewling. "Lovely dears. You all look much healthier now. There's a good darling." She hoisted a persistent kitten into her arms. "Something for you. But we'll save that until we get to Kakariko. Now Renado, did you bring the plush cushions?"
"I always have them ready in the cart."
"Good good." Impaz shuffled up to the back of the wagon, placing the kitten down. "Now if one of you young strong men can help lift me up it would be much appreciated."
Hadrian again was there to assist. Ashei scoffed and muttered to herself before dragging Shad with her in the wagon.
Zelda looked on quizzically. Were they all riding in the back then? It looked cramped and uncomfortable, and had the smell of being slightly damp inside. Maybe she should have put some effort into bringing along a carriage.
"Zelda?"
Link had moved closer to her. Somehow he'd momentarily escaped from the hoard of little beasties and was offering his hand to her.
She silently berated herself. She shouldn't be so stingy. Just because she was used to being better accommodated didn't mean she should turn her nose up at Renado's kind offer.
Taking his hand, she allowed herself to be hoisted in the wagon. There were no benches inside, only bundles of folded blankets lined along the edges. Everything was saturated in cat hair.
Link hopped in after her and began unfastening the tarp. It seemed that Hadrian was to ride in the front with Renado.
Zelda found a space for herself and settled in. She couldn't wait to retrieve their horses.
"Sir Hadrian, grab that cat over there. The silver spotted one, yes that's it! Careful, or he'll nip you."
Appearing a bit ruffled, Hadrian brought the cat over to Impaz, glad when she took it from his arms.
The cat yowled in discontent and hissed when Impaz hand descended on it, stroking its fur.
"Of all the cats I've raised, this little spitfire is the most attuned with malevolent spirits. I think you should keep him with you. He won't be able to do much against the stronger ghosts, but at least he can chase away the lesser ones."
The cat hissed at Zelda, flashing twin rows on pointy white teeth, recently cleaned and whitened from his health checkup.
Against her better judgment, she opened her arms for the creature, flinching a fraction when sharp nails dug through her light coat and pricked her arms.
"His name's Catawampus."
"Cata-wah?" Link fumbled over the word.
"Catawampus." Impa nodded her head decidedly. "I've been naming all the newborn cats here for decades. Once you get through the commonest names there's only so many other options."
"Last year all the new kittens were named after gourmet meals," input Renado from the front. Hadrian leapt up beside him and with a snort the draft horse started moving with only the slightest tug at the reigns from Renado. "I stopped her before she could get to the desserts."
"Except for Treacle de Puddington. I managed to name her before Renado put his overly large nose in things."
Zelda smiled in amusement as she languidly pet Catawampus, who tensed uncomfortably in her lap. He hissed and arched his back when Link reached over to pet him. Link withdrew his hand, looking deeply offended and proceeded to sulk. Really, he should have been christened Persnickety.
The cart wobbled as they trundled on. Darkness enfolded them for a short time as they passed through the tunnel and emerged on the other side. Fascinating how all one had to do to find the Hidden Village was turn off the road, granted they knew where to look. Initially she had presumed it to be immersed deep within a forest, or past the mountain range, somewhere far and secluded. Although as the original Kakariko Village, she supposed it wouldn't have made sense to be so far out of the way. It was where the Sheikah were born and raised. It was only practical to build it close to Castle Town.
A pleasant ambience fell about them. Impaz chatted amiably with Sir Hadrian through the flap at the front, while Shad and Ashei spoke loudly to each other. It sounded like she was planning a whole regime of training for the poor scholar. Shad became increasingly paler as she went on.
The voices were surprisingly silent. Nothing more than an indistinct murmur. Zelda attributed this to the presence of Impaz. The Sheikah obviously had a formidable effect on them, last night had been a clear indication of that. The ghosts had been adamant against them being there, as if they knew what the city was and knew what the Sheikah could do to them.
Thunder rumbled above and soon the tapping of raindrops could be heard on the wagon covering. Zelda hadn't realized it had been hot enough to warrant a thunderstorm. She hoped their horses would be alright and had found shelter. She didn't like the thought of them out there on their own.
The wagon thunked suddenly and Zelda peeked out the flap to see that they had made it to Eldin Bridge.
She stole a glance at the others but they didn't appear to notice or mind. On her lap, Catawampus zipped his head around madly following each patter of sound.
Zelda eased up when the rumble of the wagon was muffled by thick tufts of grass. They were across and no worse for wear.
Almost as soon as Zelda let the tension leave her shoulders, the wagon jerked to a stop. The draft horse had reared and backed up. Renado was calling out commands to it, choking the reigns and trying to keep hold. Hadrian grabbed for them to assist.
"I don't know what's wrong with him. He's never reacted like this before."
Zelda felt chills scurry down her spine. An awful feeling settled in her stomach. Catawampus had ceased all activity altogether.
From beside her, Link moved to a crouch, hand on the hilt of his sword, eyes hard as stone.
"Something's wrong."
That's when a yell sounded above the rain and thunder. A hollow strident call that drained the blood from Zelda's face.
It was war cry.
Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and concrit! It's awesome to know that I have a few things going for this story, lol ^^
This was a shorter chapter than usual, but hey, they're all pretty long anyways. Here we saw a bit more of Zelda's struggles and personal thoughts, and yes she is basically running on fear right now. Remember, character development is crucial to this story. Not only does Link go through drastic personality changes, but so does Zelda.
Thanks for reading! And I hope you enjoyed!