Hello everyone! I'll not bore you with excuses as to why this chapter is late, I'll just thank my reveiwers (Roxy and 'Classified') and leave you to read my next chapter!

Chapter 20 – Fugitive of Snowpeak

Ashei was in our quarters polishing her saber when I came in and grabbed all my gear. She looked at me expectantly and I replied to Ashei's unspoken question. "We need to leave. Now."

Ashei didn't seem surprised with this new development and merely stated, "Traveling at night in the Snowpeak is asking for a slow death. It would be better if we waited until morning."

"We don't have that option. Avidus won't let us leave unless we leave now."

"Why? What happened?"

"Something happened to Duke Avidus. I had to threaten the guard, but I managed to get us permission to leave. We have to go before he wakes up-"

"Wakes up? Diane, what's going on? You're not telling me everything."

I stopped, pondering how I should answer her. "How much do you really know about me Ashei?"

"I know that you're a Sheikah and that you probably didn't come all this way just to collect the yearly tribute. Nevertheless, I have learned it is wise not to pry into Sheikah business"

She knows more than I thought!

"I see," I replied calmly. "I apologize for not being able to share the whole truth with you, but I need you to trust me, please?"

Ashei sighed. "All right, I will have my things together in a moment."

She gave me a curious look before turning to gather her things. I felt as if I was lying to Ashei, who'd been brutally honest with me from the start. Another part of me believed that by not telling her everything I was protecting her and the Sheikah from unnecessary trouble. Both sides were equally valid, but which one was right?

Was this yet another side to being a 'Seeker of Truth' as Jara had told me? To know which decision was right choice to make?

I shoved that thought into the back of my memory for a time when I could actually ponder over its meaning. After I had made sure all of my weaponry and other miscellaneous gear were secure and returned to their proper place on me, I told Ashei to head down to the stables without me before I made my way down to the scriptorium.

Scholars, by their nature, are generally an organized group. While their quarters are not always the most orderly, the books and parchments they study are always handled with meticulous care. As such, there are procedures that most scholars take when asked to make a copy of a particular parchment. Since the copying would take the better part of a day, the scholars would make sure that if they could not finish the copy in one day, they would leave the parchment out so the reproduction could begin afresh on the morning of the day after.

Knowing this, it came as no surprised to find the document bearing the Icebolt spell on one of the desks, placed alongside a blank piece of parchment where its copy would have been created. I smiled. It was nice to know all my observations of Zehra and Vizen had been useful into making the scholars leave the document out from its shelf, in a place where I could easily find it.

Having learned my lesson with Avidus, I checked the surroundings for magic using both my Sheikah eyes and my senses. Upon finding that there was only the spell on the Icebolt scroll, I strode forward and took the scroll off of the desk. If I had had the time, I would have read and practice the Icebolt spell, but I needed to leave before Avidus woke up.

After rolling up the scroll and placing it in my side pouch, I made my way out of the castle and towards the stables. Thankfully, most of the guards were heading back towards the keep, but there was still a sizable amount left on the walls and in the courtyard. I did my best to seem inconspicuous as I joined my companions in the stables, though I felt as if my nervous shaking could be seen from the battlements.

Midnight snorted as I approached, annoyed at being woken from his nap. "I know, I know. I don't like leaving during the night either but we don't have any other choice."

I don't know why I expected some sort of response from Midnight, perhaps my encounter with Icefang led me to believe animals could speak telepathically, but Midnight only snorted once again. Sighing, I set about saddling Midnight while listening for any sign of deception from the guards.

I was nearly done saddling Midnight when I heard Ashei come up and ask me, "Well, I hope you're ready for a cold ride. The only places to stay, outside the town, are caves and most of them are filled with monsters."

"Honestly, I'd rather deal with monsters than nobility," I muttered as I tightened the final strap.

I heard Ashei laugh softly before laying a hand on my shoulder. "Same here, Diane. Yeah, being a noble is an important position but some people just get plain stuck up. I don't envy my father's position as a lord under Duke Avidus. That's why I visit Castle Town and the rest of Hyrule so often. That and my father needs the cooperation of the Zora to take materials down to either the Gorons or Castle Town. I just make sure the dealings go smoothly and that our orders make it to their destination on time."

That explains why she's in Castle Town so often, I thought. And it gives her a means to report to the Resistance.

"Interesting. Is everything ready to go, Ashei? I didn't get a chance to check if the total amount for the tribute was in the carts Avidus gave us."

"Yeah, everything is there. The Gorons and the two bodyguards are ready to leave as soon as you are."

"Excellent. Let's get out of here then."

Never had I been happier to leave someplace, than when our group left Avidus' castle. No guards challenged us, having heeded my warning, and we made good time travelling across the valley under the light of a full moon. Near the entrance to the valley, Ashei led us off the trail and into a sizable cave, big enough to fit the two carts full of Snowpeak's tribute, the horses, and still leaving a comfortable amount of room for our company to place our bedrolls around a small fire.

I volunteered for the watch just before dawn, and settled back to sleep. My mind drifted over many subjects that night, but the most prominent among them was one question. Did I want to become Impa?

I remembered bits and pieces of tales involving my mother when she was Impa. If I took the position, not only would I be responsible for the protection of the Princess but I would also have to lead my fellow brothers and sisters of the Sheikah. Everyone thought I had the skills necessary to lead, but I was still plagued with self-doubt.

Was I ready and willing to lead an entire race of people?

A memory I had witnessed before in a dream appeared unbidden in my mind. That fateful night when my mother had named me her successor.

"Why me? Jara is better and wiser than I am when it comes to Sheikah policy and missions. I barely have any skill and most of that comes from this!" I turned towards my mother, showing her the seal placed upon my hand bearing the Eye of Destruction.

"Anyway, there's no way you could fall in battle. You're stronger than any other Sheikah, Mother. I only wish I could be half as strong as you."

My mother's gaze softened and she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Shea, in time you will come to understand why I chose you to take my place when I am gone. But for now, know that you are just as strong, if not stronger than I, in here..."

She touched my forehead.

"…And in here," she whispered as she placed a hand on my chest.

My mother believed that I was ready to lead the Sheikah, even when I was only twelve years old. Jara had stood against the council declaring that I should take the role as Impa even when they insisted she take the role. Even the Princess of Hyrule trusted me to take up the mantle of Impa and protect both her and Hyrule.

So why was I so certain that some key part was missing? That a vital piece of me was still clouded in doubt which made me unprepared to become Impa?

Before I knew it, it was my turn to take watch. I stoked the embers of the fire and settled back to watch the cave entrance, my bow strung and lying next to my left hand as I sat on a cold boulder. The steady dripping of a melting icicle marked the passing of time as I waited and watched in utter silence. Once I was sure everyone was sound asleep, I took out the Icebolt scroll and placed my bow on my lap.

I briefly felt strange, willingly reading and practicing a magical spell, but it oddly felt comfortable at the same time. While practicing there was no room for stray thoughts otherwise the task would not be done accurately.

I practiced the Icebolt spell, sending it outside as to not wake my companions, until I could cast it as quickly as all the other spells in my arsenal. Because I hadn't wanted to waste any arrows during my practice, I used the Icebolt spell without attaching it to an arrow. While not traditional, the Icebolt and Pyro spell could be used without the need of attaching it to an object, though the range is restricted.

I picked up my bow and traced its form as I looked it over. As Jara had promised, there were four runes on the bow, near the grip. Two I had already charged with both the 'Pyro' and 'Flame Spout' spells up to my magical limit for each – 10 Pyro spells, 5 Flame Spouts, and one charge of Din's Fire. Now, I placed my hand over a fourth and final rune and focused on the Icebolt spell.

Magical power travelled up from my magical core, through my arm, and into the rune until it started to glow a crystal blue like ice. I now had ten Icebolts stored in my rune.

A slight dizziness passed through my body but soon left. Apparently that training with Zehra paid off… Though I swear she was trying to kill me instead of teaching me.

I leaned back, relaxing as my body returned to its normal state of equilibrium. The slightly cool air of the cave felt a bit uncomfortable against my hot skin, which brought my drifting eyes snapping open. I was feeling a cool breeze.

It wasn't the temperature that concerned me, only Snowpeak would have cold winds that would actually make me feel slightly uncomfortable, though they wouldn't affect my body. No, it was the fact that the wind had started blowing into the cave that concerned me. Throughout the night, the wind had been travelling perpendicular to the mouth of our cave, now it was travelling through it.

The wind had shifted. And on that wind was the faint presence of magic.

I slipped on the shawl Ashei gave me and quickly buckled my quiver of arrows over it. Once it was firmly in place, I checked my bow and moved towards the horses. Midnight and the other horses stirred from their deep sleep, no doubt uncomfortable with the newly shifted winds, but did not wake. After checking to see none of my human or Goron companions had wakened, I activated my Sheikah eyes and proceeded towards the cave entrance.

A gentle snowfall had picked up over the night. Snowflakes as small as the tip of a quill danced about on the wind as they slowly descended to the icy ground. Out in the midst of these miniscule dancers, were what appeared to be walking icicles, slowly sliding their 'legs' through the crusty snow as they approached the cave.

I slipped an arrow from my quiver and placed it on my bowstring. These magical machinations would not come any closer to my sleeping companions. My fire spells would devastate them if they indeed had intentions to do battle, providing their numbers were reasonable.

As they drew closer, I could make out the ice in a slender humanoid form, with horns atop it's stick-like head, and carrying long spears made of ice.

Chillfos.

They were the frozen fiends that were said to be guardians of Snowpeak, returning to protect their home from invaders. According to legend, only someone whose family had lived in Snowpeak for at least a generation and containing a fair amount of magic power could have summoned them.

It had to be Avidus. If he was awake, he would put all his power into making sure I didn't return to Castle Town alive. If he was desperate enough to summon Chillfos, then I had few and risky options to choose between.

I could attack the Chillfos now and hope they didn't have the numbers to overwhelm me. The other options would be to wait out the Chillfos (a highly unlikely plan) or separate from my companions and draw the Chillfos away from them so they could leave Snowpeak safely.

"What should I do?" Was all I could think of as I watched the Chillfos draw slowly yet steadily closer.

A howl broke through my single question and set my mind on a sole plan. Grabbing a green potion bottle from my side pouch, I drank a few sips and waited as magic came back to its full strength. Once, I was satisfied with the amount of magic, I planted three Fire Spouts intermittently in the path of the approaching Chillfos, using an arrow to place them since they were out of my normal casting range. If a Chillfos walked over it, the spell would activate, sending out an explosion of magical fire.

My spells set, I ran back into the cave, making sure to deactivate my Sheikah eyes before I started to wake up everyone. Ashei was the most vocal about her displeasure.

"Will you deny me sleep now, Diane? You're regretting coming out to the cold, yeah?"

Phwoop.

Great, there goes one Fire Spout. At the speed they're traveling, I have about four minutes to get out of here before they reach the only opening.

Turning to Ashei, I forced myself to reign in my rising temper and calmly stated. "Ashei, we're close to being attacked by something akin to a Snowpeak legend. Now, I need you and the others to leave while I set up traps to slow them down.

I could see Ashei's noble pride rear its head as she narrowed her eyes at me. "You're telling a Knight of Snowpeak to abandon a comrade to fight alone? Even if Her Highness trusted in your abilities enough to let you venture out alone, without an escort from the Castle Guard, it would be cowardly to leave you without a guide, at the very least."

"I remember the way back, Ashei, and your duty is to return this tribute to Castle Town. I only came along for formality's sake. Now go before none of us can leave this land alive."

Ashei stared at me, silently questioning me with her eyes before she smiled knowingly. She ordered the others to pack up before she came up and whispered in my ear. "Be careful. You may be one of the Sheikah and a member of the Rebellion, but you're still flesh and blood like the rest of us. Don't do anything foolish."

She knew I was a Sheikah all along? Well, it seems Auru or Shad must have let her in on the Sheikah's existence.

"I don't plan on dying soon, but I'll do my best not to tempt fate."

Ashei patted my shoulder then began to pack. I gathered my things as well and saddled Midnight, while the two bodyguards rushed towards the entrance. As I did so, I heard another Fire Spout erupt into life. Two minutes.

After making sure Midnight's saddle was secure, I replaced my arrow on the bowstring and ran towards the cave entrance. The two Hylian bodyguards were already there but I shove my way past their stunned forms. Twenty yards away were at least thirty Chillfos.

Avidus, that magic-wielding fool! Didn't he know that you could not curst well control these things even if they weren't sentient? Summoning magic was and is one of the most sporadic magical spells a person can attempt! To summon thirty Chillfos was a clear message that Avidus was desperate to stop us. With a treason charge looming over his head, who could blame Avidus for getting scared?

I glared at the two dumbstruck bodyguards then hit them over the head. "Done gawking like country bumpkins? Stop staring and move! Mount up and be ready to clear a path for the carts to get through."

The bodyguards must have been soldiers before they went to freelance work, for they went immediately to attention and ran off quickly into the cave to retrieve their mounts. Moments later they trotted out, their swords out of their scabbards, and took positions to guard the cave's entrance.

Keeping an eye on the enemy, I approached the two bodyguards again. "Do either of you two have bombs? If so, I'll need them."

One man nodded and unfastened a small bag from his belt before handing it to me. "Ain't much but it should keep those ice devils at bay for a while."

I checked the contents, finding 5 normal bombs and one little Bombling. I grinned. A spider-like bomb, this little wind-up explosive would travel forward until the thread stopped turning before it ignited. It was the perfect tool when being pursued.

"You have my thanks. Safe journey, and may your blades stay sharp and quick."

"May your arrows fly swift and true, 'Dead-Eye Diane'."

Ashei came out with the Gorons pulling the carts and was about to stop and stare at the Chillfos when my final Fire Spout exploded, startling the horses. Ashei's mount was made of sterner stuff but Ashei gave me a salute before kicking her warhorse into a trot. Once they were out of sight, I faced the enemy.

There were twenty-five Chillfos now. I took out one the five bombs, lit it with a Pyro spell, and threw it at the Chillfos. It bounced off the head of the closest Chillfos and exploded in midair, destroying two Chillfos' 'heads'.

I took a few steps to my right, away from the cave entrance and the Chillfos. I took stock of my tools. I had nine Pyro shots, two Flame Spouts, ten Icebolts, and one charge of Din's Fire. Yes, I had charged one rune with the Goddess' magic spell of Din's Fire. Thankfully, the rune had held but I could only hold one spell.

Could I risk using all of my magic in destroying the Chillfos? Or should I hold some in reserve in case something else happened to attack me? I decided on the later, and threw out my last two Flame Spouts as I ran back into the cave, whistling for Midnight.

My stallion trotted towards me and I leapt onto his back. I made it out of the cave and headed away from the Chillfos, following a different path from Ashei and the tribute. Grabbing all of the bombs, I lit five fuses and wound the Bombling, before tossing them behind Midnight, hoping they would slow down the Chillfos. That's when the first ice spear whistled through the air and landed point first near Midnight's front hooves.

Midnight reared and I struggled to control him. More icy missiles zinged through the gradually increasing snowfall. One of the spears skittered off of my armguard and scratched my left cheek but the others flew wide and only served to make Midnight even more agitated. More Chillfos came in range and I made a snap decision. "Nayru's Love!"

A blue shield appeared around me and Midnight, shattering the next wave of ice spears. I looked backwards to check how much damage the exploding bombs had done then paled as I glanced forward. Ten Chillfos clawed their way out from the snow and proceeded to block the path we charged down. Nayru's Love siphoned off all the magical energy I had in my stores of power. If I wanted to use magic, I would have to unleash one of my 'pre-charged' spells.

A howl pierced the sky and I felt a familiar presence growl in my mind. "Unleash your wrath, Shea! Drown your enemy in flame!"

Icefang. He was close by.

I reined in Midnight, and strung another arrow onto my bow. Calling on the stored magic in the fiery red rune on my bow, I shot the arrow, unleashing Din's Fire on the ten Chillfos blocking the path. White pelted Wolfos sprang from their hiding places and charged at the Chillfos pursuing me, dodging the spears as fluidly as if it was part of a prearranged dance.

The one odd colored Wolfos, Icefang, his dark gray fur easily identifying him, sprang from his own hiding place and stared at me with his gold eyes. "This way, Shadowed One! While my pack keeps them busy!"

Right.

I nudged Midnight into following Icefang, though my bellicose stallion wanted to stop and trample any remnants of the Chillfos I'd melted with Din's Fire. Apparently the icy magical 'golems' had scared Midnight so much that my prideful stallion was out to prove he was not frightened at all of them. I rolled my eyes at this.

Boys… Whether it was a horse, human, Hylian, or even a Sheikah, most of the male gender always wanted to prove that nothing scared them. Pointless bravado that would only get them killed or in serious trouble later on. Even when they had reached their adulthood, 'men' still acted like 'boys', only with higher and higher stakes.

Thoughts like that brought my mind wandering to the 'childish' Ko. He could only have been around 17, 2 years younger than me, but still insisted on the playful, childish act even though he was an adult in Sheikah society. Though, I had to admit he was rather cute when he was playful…

I shook the thoughts away. I couldn't get distracted from my mission or I would lose sight of Icefang. Finally, Icefang turned into one of the many caves in the mountains. There was only enough clearance on the entrance for Midnight to make it in without me on his back but once inside, I nearly collapsed on the ground from exhaustion.

My magical power was near empty and the adrenaline from the fight was the only reason I hadn't collapsed before then. Nayru's Love was a useful spell to have, but it drained too much energy, too quickly. Perhaps another spell would have been more prudent, but there had been no time to hesitate during the battle.

Icefang emerged from the darkness of the seemingly endless tunnel, having gone deeper in to scout and retrieve something which was currently gripped in his mouth. He sat down around five feet away from me and Midnight, and placed his prize on the icy ground in front of me. I gave him a questioning look.

"Take it, Shea, descendant of Elda. This was once your mother's."

I slowly picked up the object. It was wrapped in what proved to be half of a scarf, secured by thin twine. After finally unwrapping it, I stared at the heirloom in my hands. It was a carved bone dagger, the sharp blade a bit longer than my wrist, etched with magical runes I could only begin to decipher. The hilt was big enough for my hand, though the leather binding was undoubtedly cracked from the long years in a cold cave.

Icefang let me thoroughly examine the dagger before he spoke solemnly. "Just as your mother and I did so long ago, I now ask you the same question I posed to her, after she saved me from a knight's lance. Will you accept me, Icefang of the Blood Snow Pack, as your shadow? Your 'partner', as the Sheikah call us?"

I looked at Icefang in wonder. He wanted to partner with me? Why? Why do you want me to accept you as my… shadow?

"Because, Shea, we both have a powerful enemy that must be destroyed, in order to protect our homes."

My mind drifted back to the Princess. She was counting on me to help the Hero and protect Hyrule. I would need allies outside the Sheikah and the Rebellion to help me in the coming battles. So what is the dagger for?

"It is to summon me to your side when you are in need of my help. No matter where I am, if you send your magic into that dagger, I will appear. To complete our union between Shadowed One and Shadow, you must activate the dagger with even the barest amount of your magic."

Good thing I only had a drop of magic left. The runes on the dagger glowed once I put in my power and Icefang got up and touched the flat of the blade with his nose. There was a slight hum, before the runes' glow faded away.

"Well met, Shea. Now, rest. I shall guard you and your horse while you sleep. Then you must return to human dwelling overlooked by the mountainous human dwelling."

As my eyes started to droop, I couldn't stop myself from asking. Icefang? Would you tell me a story about one of your adventures with my mother?

"There will be plenty of time to recount tales under another moon, Shea. Now, sleep."

I slept for at least four hours and when I awoke Icefang's gold eyes welcomed me back. True to his word, he had watched over me while I slept. I ate an apple and some cheese to please my growling stomach and then set about preparing for another long ride.

"You will not need to ride your beast. A black mouth will take you to the other Shadowed Ones. I shall lead your horse to the border of Snowpeak and back into Hyrule, where you may call upon him once again."

Black mouth? I searched my mind for the meaning behind the foreign words. Finally, I understood.

The warp points. Icefang must have seen my mother use warp points to travel, the 'black mouths' being the portals themselves.

A warp point. Very convenient. Let me make sure I have everything I need.

I took a few minutes to shift through the belongings in my saddlebags, but eventually closed them. There was nothing essential in them that I would need immediately. Icefang told me to expect him in 'four moons' outside the 'mountain human den' in the green plain, which I interpreted as West Hyrule Field, outside the Castle Town gate.

Everything now settled, I warped back to the Sheikah hideout in Castle Town.

As I stepped into the small, circular chamber where the warp point to the Sheikah Hideout exited, I was met by an anxious Jara. Her outward posture suggested that she was calm, but I had been around her long enough to know when she was worried.

"Hello, Diane. Something wrong with the door? And what happened to your cheek?"

I shrugged. "I had a run in with some of Snowpeak's legendary beings. I made it out just fine, I just got scratched."

"I see… Your mission was a success?"

"Yes, I have the evidence."

She nodded, her demeanor changing back to her business persona. I walked over, pulling out the letter I stole from Avidus' study, and handed her the paper. It took her all of two minutes to read the letter and nod in approval. "This is exactly what we needed. Excellent work, Diane."

"So, what's next on the agenda?"

"For you, rest. I have to tell Zehra to inform Hanso that his mission is now approved."

I furrowed my brow, not understanding the implications behind the statement. "What's Hanso's mission?"

Jara stopped and turned to me with a solemn gaze. "Diane, not all missions the Sheikah go on are just for information gathering. Avidus is a traitor to Hyrule and, from this letter, a proven member of the enemy forces. He cannot be allowed to continue these treacherous actions. You understand what I mean, yes?"

I nodded. By bring back the information, I had essentially signed Avidus' death warrant. As the reality of that sunk in, I began to question more than ever whether or not I truly wished to become the Impa. My mind understood the logical reasons for Jara's decision, but as the emotional weight of the situation hit me, the responsibilities that came with the title of Impa suddenly seemed more daunting.

When I first considered the position of Impa, for some reason, I never thought that the Impa probably had to make life or death decisions all the time. Looking back on it, I was embarrassed at my naiveté. Ordering someone's death, or ordering someone to do something that would likely get them killed, because it was the right thing to do; these were things I wasn't sure I was ready for.

Undoubtedly noticing my troubled expression, Jara gently asked, "What's wrong, Diane?"

"How do you make decisions like that so easily, Jara?"

"I don't make them easily, Diane. No one in their right mind enjoys killing, not even Hanso, but, in cases like these, it has to be done. Sometimes we can only do what we think is best and hope it works out."

My sense of morality disturbed, I walked silently away from Jara and towards the room I had stayed in before. I had a lot to think about, but first I needed rest.

And there you have it! The Snowpeak segment of this story is done and Link is heading off to the Temple in the Sky right now.

As always, if you liked this chapter (or even what I'm doing with the story), go ahead and leave me a review! It's greatly appreciated!

Until the next update, faithful readers,

~Aurora Shadowglen~