"Hello?" the Royal Attendant calls into the darkness. She discovers a lantern on a nearby desk and uses it to illuminate the room: an office decorated with various trophies and medals. A deer's head is mounted to the wall above the desk where the Commander obviously organises his paperwork.
"Faito." she barks. "Go into the bedroom and check on Sir Victor. I'll stay here and wait for your report."
Faito obediently tiptoes towards a door at the back of the room. The door creaks open at his touch causing him to cringe. Impa explores the room, making a beeline for the desk. She wonders what kind of paperwork a Commander of the Royal Hylian Forces might be tasked with.
A hefty leather-bound book with a bookmark poking out the top dominates most of the desk. Pinned to the wall is a list of names; names of recruits. Some are crossed out' others are highlighted; but the distinction is meaningless. Then, a folder underneath catches her eye: stamped in bright red ink with the word CLASSIFIED in bold capital letters. Did Sir Victor have a secret? Impa's curiosity casts her mind back to Imogen's mantra: Everybody has a secret…
Her nerves are shot by the crescendo of cursing from the Commander's bedroom. Impa snatches the folder and tucks it under her arm as Faito emerges looking petrified.
"It would seem that the Commander is very much alive and well." he reports. "I think we ought to leave as quietly as possible."
The unlikely pair escape from the Guard House unscathed. In the cool air of the night, Faito halts by the drawbridge to catch his breath.
"Are you alright?" Impa observes him with slight concern.
"Yes, yes…" he pants. "Just a little…shaken up, that's all. What's that under your arm?"
"Nothing." she lies. "Let's get back to the Castle."
"Impa!" he warns her. "If you've stolen something from the Guard House, you could be in serious trouble! Everything in there is property of the Royal Hylian Forces!"
"As are you!" Impa sneers.
"Impa, I cannot allow you to be arrested for treason!" he exclaims. "The consequences for such crimes are dire!"
"It's just a little late-night reading." she assures him. "It shall be returned promptly."
"But should you be caught, it won't just be you who suffers the force of the law; I'll take the fall for enablement!" he pleads.
Impa examines him. He appears genuinely fearful. "Fine. We can read it together, right here. Then you can take it back inside."
"That's not what I had in mind-"
Before he can protest further, Impa slouches against the wall and opens the forbidden folder. Inside is a detailed document with two signatures on the bottom. Faito crouches beside her and they read together:
The document enclosed within this file is confidential and may only be accessed by a court of law and the subjects of its contents.
COURT ORDER NO.231:
This order hereby excuses Commander Victor of the Royal Hylian Forces from the crimes committed against the Hyrulean Act of Ethical Warfare during the Hyrulean Civil War.
This order is recognised by the Hyrulean Court of Law and the great arbiter, the reigning King of Hyrule. Both the accused and the prosecution have signed this document, vowing to never disclose the details of this court hearing, or the case as a whole, to any source of media or any persons outside of the court room.
This case is therefore closed from further investigation, and any additional disputes are hereby sanctioned according to the passing of this order.
As their eyes scan the page, their expressions alter; from curiosity to horror in the span of seconds.
"Do you realise what this means, Impa?" Faito gasps.
"Of course I flaming well know what it means!" she snaps. "It means that your Commander has committed some kind of atrocity in a previous life that he was never punished for!"
"It must have been signed by the King's father." Faito adds, prodding the document with his finger. "Look at the date."
Impa snaps the paper shut and shoves it into the folder. She stands up and strolls fiercely in the direction of the Castle.
"Where are you going?" Faito calls after her.
"To the Castle Library to do a little research." she retorts without looking back.
"Impa!" he cries desperately and hurries along the pavement to catch up; his armour clinking with every clumsy step. "You have to give that back! We'll get into so much trouble!"
The Royal Attendant ignores him as she marches up the icy slope towards the Castle drawbridge. The soldier follows her, sweating fearfully as they enter the darkened halls of the Castle.