Inspiration: Espionage, "Intrigue is the best part of any novel..." my sister Taz, lol.

Shout Out: TazzyJelly_chu, my wonderful sister who has the heart of a lamb, but the tenacity of a lioness. She is truly one of the greatest people I know.

Special Shout Out: This chapter is dedicated to OdnetninAdlez. He's leaving the archive and I'm going to miss him terribly. I just want to say thank you, and you are always going to be an inspiration to me.

Author's Note: I have a specific reason why Vincent's POV is third person omniscient now, but will change to first person omniscient later. I know some of you are probably wondering why I decided to do him specifically that way. Don't worry, you'll find out later, thanks. I'm so sorry this took so long StarkGirl, thank you for reading!~ZR~.

I know this chapter is super short, I'm super sorry lol.

Reedited 2/22/2014

Chapter 21

Meanwhile Somewhere in The Crypts of Hyrule: Vincent's POV

Walking through the dank catacombs to the door where he was scheduled to meet with the two men he was directed to report to, Vincent took a minor pause to make sure he wasn't followed. It was almost impossible to find the passageway in which he traveled, but a man could never be too sure, especially with such unexpected guests showing up in Hyrule. Vincent smiled to himself when he thought about that.

The dragon king and dragon prince both here at the same time, he thought incredulously, the Protector and master Ventus will be ecstatic when they hear about this. Plus, I can tell them how I made good on my promise, and the distraction is going according to plan.

When Vincent was sure the narrow crevice he walked down was clear, he turned and knocked on the mildew embossed door three times. There was a brief pause on the other side, then a subtle knock back, afterwards the cruddy cubbyhole slot eventually opened.

Finally, a subtle voice uttered: "Protectors of the sword and mirror are..." he trailed in a faint whisper.

Vincent got a little closer to the small aperture. "...what we purport them to be," he finished.

After the utterance, the small slot closed and Vincent took a step back. It was several minutes before the door itself opened. That was standard procedure to maintain the utmost secrecy. The brotherhood was never quick to allow anyone in. Vincent knew that was evident both metaphorically and physically. A few moments later, the advisor heard a voice call him inside.

"Come in," the man said.

It was the Protector.

When Vincent heard his utterance, he paused for a moment. He needed to make sure that he didn't appear distracted in any way. If either one of them thought he was hiding something, he knew the repercussions would be severe, possibly an expulsion... and there was only one way out of the brotherhood. Also, Vincent remembered his last conference. Both men were not pleased with his recent foul ups. If the advisor messed up again, he knew there would be a punishment vested with his actions.

I cannot appear distracted, he thought, they need to know that I'm still a trust worthy apprentice.

Vincent took in a deep breath, and finally followed the command and came inside. He closed the door behind him and made sure to lock it. This was an important meeting, and what was spoken in this conference, was going to stay in this conference. Nothing was going to get leaked. Nothing could afford to get leaked. Vincent was so enthused with what he had to say, he even felt a swell of optimism.

They should be extremely impressed with what I have to report, he thought with a bit of confidence, this could change the fortunes for me personally if I play this right. I just have to remember my objective.

"Good morning good masters," Vincent said with a bow.

When he stood he was expecting a greeting back, however he was in for no such pleasantries.

"Save the frivolities my good man and get to the point," the Protector replied, "why did you request this impromptu meeting?"

Vincent raised his brows slightly and cleared his throat.

Right to the chase I see, he thought, well, I can understand that. Time is something that neither one of them can simply afford to waste.

"I wanted to inform you that everything is going according to plan," Vincent said, "the hero fell for my trap hook line and sinker."

There was a brief pause between the three men after he said this. Vincent wasn't surprised, he was half expecting this. He was aware their faith in him was waning, and he only had himself to blame for that.

They probably weren't expecting a reply from me so soon, he thought.

"A trap?" the Protector repeated.

Vincent nodded.

"Yes my lord," he replied, "a trap."

There was another brief silence between the three men.

"Is that so?" Ventus replied finally.

The advisor nodded again.

"Yes," he said.

They really didn't expect such a fast turn around, he thought, this is marvelous.

Ventus grunted thoughtfully. "Hmph, and what is this trap you speak of?" he inquired.

Vincent felt another small surge of confidence from Ventus's words.

Perfect, he thought.

"The hero is currently engaged in some activities that will sully his relationship with the queen if she ever finds out," he explained. "Given the nature of their relationship, that could be detrimental to the influence he has over her."

There was another brief pause. He was sure they weren't expecting that either.

They're almost speechless, the advisor thought.

The Protector raised a brow under his mask. "Influence?" he repeated.

Vincent grinned, thinking he had a perfect segue. "It is no secret that the queen relies heavily on the counsel of this young man," he said. "There are even rumors that she may be in love with him."

The two masters didn't seem interested in that.

"Who the queen fancies for her bed is her own affair," Ventus stated, "what I want to know is, what activity is so detrimental that it would cause a rift between the hero and her majesty? She trusts him a great deal, it would have to be something profound."

Vincent took a step forward, but he was forewarned in doing so.

"That is far enough," the Protected said, "you will be told when you can come closer."

Vincent didn't let it show, but he felt a subtle pang of resentment when the Protector spoke to him in such a fashion. Of the two men, Vincent disliked the Protector the most. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about him he simply did not trust. He almost seemed... peasant-like... beneath him as it were, placating an inferior vulgar kind of intelligence, but in an effective manner. If there was one thing Vincent couldn't stand, it was when a peasant forgot their place. He was a man of nobility. The blood of several hundred generations of nobles coursed through his veins. Their was no way he was going to have an insignificant ingrate tell him what to do... at least, not in the long run.

If all goes as planned, I won't have to listen to you at all soon, he thought of his superior, I'm just biding my time, and biting my tongue.

"As you wish my lord," the advisor replied anyway. "Getting back to what I was initially saying, the hero is now in the confines of the Red Lantern District."

Expecting some form of adulation, Vincent paused himself to see their response.

He got none.

This was a little surprising to him.

They're not even somewhat shocked? he thought.

"Did you... hear what I said good masters?" he inquired.

Ventus took in a deep impatient sigh. "We heard you good sir," he said, "now tell us what he did that will affect his relationship with her majesty? Did he kill a statesman? Did he poison all the women there? What did he do?"

Vincent looked into the dark room stunned.

"I thought it would be pleasing to let you know that since he traveled to such a horrid place, he will never been seen as altruistic," he replied. "That detail of his life is important to her majesty."

The Protector tapped his finger on the table in front of him in minor disbelief. "Are you serious?" he demanded. "Do you honestly think the queen is that much of a weak fool? Do you think that she would be that upset that a man like the hero had had propositions from other women? Are you an imbecile? That's to be expected from a man with his status!"

Vincent balled his fists slightly at his tone.

I'm aware of that, the viper thought, trying to keep his temper in check.

Vincent's eyes widened a little. "That is true," he said, "but given the nature of their relationship, it could cause a rift which could trickle down to other things."

The Protector shook his head, not giving the plan much merit. "I thought you were more clever than this," he said, "you were asked to stop the hero, and this is all you came up with? Sex with a woman in a known district that pleases men? You're pathetic."

Vincent narrowed his eyes slightly at hearing that.

No, we'll see who's pathetic, he thought, you think you hold all the cards don't you Protector? Well, you're wrong, I still have a joker up my sleeve.

"Excuse me my lord," Vincent started, "but that isn't all I came up with. There's a reason for things being the way they are. If you would allow me to explain."

The Protector was growing more impatient. "Which are?"

Vincent paused for a moment and looked between the two masked men.

I have to give them some information to stay within their good graces, he thought, when the time comes for me to make my move I will do so. Neither one of them will see it coming, but as it stands now I need their cooperation.

"I've found out some interesting news regarding the hero's plight," he divulged. "It seems he's been keeping secret a medical condition known as twilight sickness. This condition purges radioactive forms of twilight from his body. However, the interesting thing is they are reactive to certain kinds of otherworldly plasma."

There was another brief pause between the three men.

Ventus looked at the advisor intrigued. "Go on," he pressed.

Vincent glanced over at the Protector who was listening silently, he didn't say anything. The viper smirked to himself.

That shut you up, didn't it? he thought.

"Since it pleases you my lord, I will continue," he said to Ventus. "The reaction creates a synergistic effect that causes celestial disturbances," he explained, "disturbances that stay heavenward for some odd reason. The rotations seem to be forming-'

"-a map," the Protector interrupted, "I already know, I've seen it."

Vincent raised a brow.

What? the advisor thought, not expecting to hear that. Oh really...

It was subtle, but Ventus looked over at the Protector after hearing that. It was evident to Vincent then that the Protector didn't inform Ventus of that detail until just now.

So, the advisor thought, catching the subtlty, he didn't tell him... that's not going to pan out too well between the two of them.

"Yes," Vincent went on anyway, "there's no way to know that for a certainty, all we can do is wait and see what's to become of the next purge."

Ventus turned his attention back to Vincent. "The next one?" he inquired.

Vincent smirked.

That's just what I wanted you to say, he thought slyly.

"Which brings me back to my original plan with the hero," he stated, "it wasn't simply to sully his reputation with the queen and the people. I also maneuvered a cleverly devised trap to initiate another purge."

There was another silence between the three men. This one was long and thoughtful. Vincent was pleased with this, because he knew he had presented them with unexpected information.

This is why you never try leash a wild animal, he thought in reference to himself, it always finds a way out.

"How?" Ventus asked finally.

Vincent grinned again.

"I'm glad you asked that," he said, "I sent another assassin to the district as a decoy. He won't kill the hero, he will only get him to give chase to him, and once he has him back on Hyrule Field, the next purge should take place."

After he was done explaining, there was another silence between the three of them. Vincent took it as a good sign.

It can't be helped, he thought, I've just made fools of the both of them, and when this is over, I will be the one giving the orders. They have no idea what's coming. No idea whatsoever.

"Very well," Ventus said finally, breaking the monotony, "we will wait and see."

The Protector said nothing at all.

Vincent found that amusing.

Whoever this man really is, he is as stubborn as a mule, he thought.

"Expect a disturbance in the heavens when the manifestation is done," Vincent went on, "that will be the evidence that the plan worked."

The Protector tapped his fingers on the table agin, and Vincent knew it was because he was annoyed.

You better learn a better way to show your restraint, Vincent thought amused, you're giving yourself away.

"I see," the Protector said finally.

Vincent grinned.

You see indeed, he thought.

Ventus was more subdued, and that told the viper that he was possibly in better standings with him than the Protector.

"If all goes as you say," Ventus started, "you have done well."

Vincent bowed when he said that.

Perfect, he thought.

"Thank you my lords," he said, "that means a great deal. I live to see the brotherhood thrive."

There was another brief pause.

"I'm sure you do," the Protector replied.

Vincent kept the grin off his face.

Uh oh, he thought sarcastically, someone isn't happy, and he'll be floored when he finds out what I'm about to reveal next.

"It pleases me that we're all on the same page," he said with a hint of mordance, "however, I do have some more news for you my lords. News that might be surprising even for you."

The men across the table didn't flinch.

"I'm sure there's nothing you know that we already don't know my good man," Ventus stated with an air of cynicism. "Don't fool yourself into thinking that we aren't a well informed network."

Vincent knew he hit a chord when he said.

Perhaps my cocky disposition isn't sitting well with both of them, he thought sardonically, wanting to chuckle but kept it in.

"What is this other news you speak of?" the Protector asked retracting the subject.

Vincent cleared his throat.

"There were two unexpected guests who made their way into Hyrule yesterday afternoon," he started. "I had the privilege of speaking to both men myself."

There was silence when the advisor paused.

"Go on," Ventus pressed.

Let's see how they react to this, he thought.

"King Xavier and Prince Elbourne are both in Hyrule," he divulged, "I actually spoke about what master Link was intending to do with his proposal to the Roostians. No one had any idea they were coming, not even her majesty."

There was another pause after he uttered that, and this time Vincent couldn't read the men as clearly as thought he was going to be able to. There was too much ambiguity with their body language.

"We were both aware of the royals' presence... Vincent," Ventus said finally, "was there anything else?"

Vincent looked between both men, not sure of what to make of what was revealed.

I better cut this short, he thought suddenly, for some reason, something doesn't feel... in its proper place.

"No," the advisor replied after a few moments.

"Good," the Protector replied, "keep a low profile and try to stay in her majesty's good graces, we need you there."

Vincent found that interesting that the Protector said it that way, and he didn't trust that at all. He even sensed the slight urgency of them wanting to get rid of him.

Don't say anything on it, he told himself, just get out of here.

Vincent bowed just then.

"As you say my lord," he replied, "thank you for your time."

There was no reply from either the Protector or Ventus. Not wanting to test either man any further, Vincent took that as a sign to depart, however before he opened the door he was prompted by Ventus.

"Remember this brotherhood's goal Vincent," he said out of nowhere, "there are no ill intentions fostered here."

Vincent turned back around, but hid his surprise.

Was that a warning? he wondered.

"I'm aware of that my lord," he said.

Ventus didn't reply, but the Protector did.

"Be sure you always keep that in mind," he said.

Vincent looked between the two men again.

That was a warning, he confirmed with sudden caution, I need to expedite my plans.

"Yes, my lord," the advisor said once more, careful to keep his tone respectful.

With that, Vincent opened the door and left, he didn't wait to be stopped again. When the door was shut the Protector looked over at his comrade. Neither man said anything for a few minutes.

"Interesting news, was it not?" the Protector asked.

Ventus nodded slowly. "Yes..." he trailed, "it was. So interesting, I think a reconditioning is in order, don't you?"

The Protector grinned underneath his mask. "I was hoping you would say that," he said, "you don't trust him?"

Ventus grunted. "I don't trust anybody my friend," he said, only half joking, "in this case Vincent can be potentially dangerous to our overall goals."

The Protector only pretended to gloss over his comrade's last remark. "I see," he said, "don't worry then, I'll take care of it, I have just the man to do it."

The headmaster then unlocked the drawer underneath the desk and pulled out a scroll of rolled up parchments. He dropped them on the table and looked over at his long time companion.

Ventus merely nodded, waiting for his friend to explain what he was considering. "What's this?" he asked.

The Protector picked up the scrolls and held them securely in his grip. "This is a bit of information that can be very dangerous to a certain statesman if it got into the wrong hands," he explained.

Ventus grunted thoughtfully after hearing that. "Hmph, and whose hands are those?" he asked.

The Protector tapped his fingers on the table again. "His other protege in the same tier," he said.

Ventus nodded slowly when he divulged that. "Do you think that's a good idea?" he asked. "Won't his contemporary be compromised?"

The Protector shook his head. "He's already been compromised," he revealed. "Right now, we need his prowess."

Ventus took in a deep thoughtful breath. "I see," he said, "well it's been decided. However, tell the young master to wait for the right opportunity. We don't want to negate Vincent yet. We need to know what his intentions are first."

The Protector nodded in agreement. "Of course, never let you right hand know what your left hand is doing," he uttered the old saying with a subtle grin. "He has this coming if he tries to betray us," he continued, "there's only so much of his underhandedness I can take."

Ventus grinned underneath his mask and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You really don't like him do you?" he inquired. "I remember when I first made the suggestion for him to join, you were very hesitant."

Hesitant was an understatement for the Protector.

"I think that's putting it lightly my good man," he said. "It's no secret that I don't trust him do to his family's past treachery, and I've never seen an apprentice accelerate through the ranks the way he has. However, it seems as though we've okay'd it at every junction."

Ventus was quiet for a moment after hearing that. "He is cunning," he said finally, "but he is necessary."

The Protector wasn't so sure about that. "We'll see how necessary in the next few months."

Ventus was quiet at that. "I believe you're letting your emotions get the better of you a little bit," he said all of a sudden, "it's best to leave emotion out of it."

The Protector didn't see it that way at all, and with the way Ventus was coming to Vincent's defense, he was a little on guard.

"I wasn't aware that I was," he replied, "but if you see that, then I'll work on it."

Ventus was quiet for a moment.

"Be sure to my friend," he said, "you wouldn't want to compromise yourself."

The Protector hid his surprise.

Why is he saying this to me? he wondered out of nowhere. Something isn't right.

"I never do," the Protector said, "thanks for the concern."

With that, Ventus dropped the subject. "Anyway, it might be awhile before we can meet again," he said, "please keep me informed on everything."

The Protector nodded. "I will," he said.

Afterwards, the two men parted ways, but the Protector was feeling very uneasy with what had just taken place.

I need to try and nip this in the bud quickly, he thought, but the unease never went away, even still, something isn't right about all this, something isn't right at all.

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