Inspirations: Sword fencing, absence of blade guard stance, Balestra lunge attack, au Fer parry to the Balestra.
Original Shout Outs: Anon/Aily, IllEatThat, Pitsi, thanks for reading.
New Shout Out: BluBlaze Dragon thanks for reading new reader.
Author's Note: Reedited 3/27/2013- My inspiration should tell you where this chapter is going to go lol, enjoy the read. ~ZR~
ADDENDUM 3/28/2013- At the suggestion of the reader Katia2030 I reedited the last little portion to include some lucid dialogue from the princess lol. Thank you for the suggestion Katia2030 and I hope the reedit meets your approval. ~ZR~
Chapter 21
I woke up before dawn. I was staying with Saria and the doctor at the lab, so I made sure to be quiet. I cleaned myself, changed into an extra tunic Saria mended for me, and readied to head for Castle Town. Before I left, I made sure to check on Saria and the old man. They were both sound asleep. Saria made a minute decision last night to stay in the old man's room to look after him. She was sleeping in a chair. I grinned at the sight of her, but I felt my grin slowly fade while staring at her. Seeing her made me realize the seriousness of the situation all over again.
I have to remember these two when I talk to the king, I thought, needing to keep myself in check. I have to remember these two, and understand the resolve.
I took in a deep breath before closing the door and leaving the house. I hurried in my stride as I rode Epona, and arrived at Castle Town right before the sun rose above the mountains in the distance. I had an agenda that day: I needed to inform Daphnes of the impending attack, discuss the crystal implications, formulate a plan in saving the citizens, and ask for another pardon on Saria's behalf.
Daphnes, you have no choice but to be honest with me today, I thought definitively I know everything, and I'm going to make you come clean.
When the time for the king to receive audiences became nigh, I went to the castle. I wasn't going to wait to have an audience with the king, I was going to be the first person he saw, whether he wanted to see me or not.
The time for games is over, I thought, the whole kingdom is in danger.
I waited outside the counsel room and paced down the hall. A meeting with Daphnes was always unpredictable. I never knew what the outcome would be.
I went to jail one time, I thought, shaking my head, the last time we spoke, I ended up with a sore jaw.
I continued to pace, and tried to organize the thoughts in my head.
Zelda no doubt told her father about our conversation yesterday, I thought, however, there's no way I can allow that to dominate the discussion. The previous recent events were too serious, and too precarious to cast to the wayside.
I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes.
This is important, I thought, trying to calm my heart, it's all about how you conduct yourself Link.
I noticed some of the guards eyeing me with open suspicion when they saw I was just wandering around the hall.
Don't worry, I thought, you'll all be in the know soon enough.
When I heard the gong for processions to take place, I immediately headed for the door. I noticed a merchant walking down the hall in the opposite direction looking at me confused. Soon, his confusion turned to contempt when he saw me enter the throne room before him.
"Hey!" he called out to me.
I didn't turn to acknowledge him, and as soon as I was inside I locked the door.
There would be no interruptions.
Not this time, I thought.
I turned to see shocked and confused looks on both Zelda and Daphnes' faces.
"What is the meaning of this?" the king demanded in immediacy.
Zelda only looked at me and narrowed her eyes. I bowed, trying to release some of the tension by negating it with a sign of respect.
"I have some urgent news your majesty," I answered.
Daphnes looked at me angrily.
"Whatever it is, it can wait," he stated.
I looked at him in defiance.
"No sire," I said, not losing my respectful tone, "it can't."
Zelda's eyes widened at the boldness of my rhetoric.
"Father," she started, still keeping her eyes on me, "I think we need to hear him out."
I glanced over at her, but didn't look at her for too long. I knew there was still unresolved tension between us.
I wouldn't be surprised if she hated me a little now, I thought, but tried not to lose focus.
Daphnes looked over at his daughter briefly, then decided to yield to her reasoning.
"Very well," he said with a troubled sigh.
Zelda turned her attention back to me.
"You have the floor, Sir Link," she said to me.
I ignored the inflection in her voice and bowed my head slightly.
"Thank you," I replied, then turned back to Daphnes. "Sire, there are some alarming events taking place as we speak going on across Hyrule."
Daphnes leaned forward on his throne, showing I had his full attention.
"Alarming events?" he inquired with a quizzical brow. "What events?"
I took in a deep breath.
"The villain known as Zant is preparing to strike Hyrule," I divulged, not wasting any time.
Daphnes and Zelda's eyes grew wide in surprise.
"How do you know of this?" Daphnes asked me in an almost inaudible tone.
I looked straight in the king's eyes.
"He told me," I replied.
Daphnes sat back in his seat.
"Great Hylia," he whispered to himself.
I took a step forward.
"He's creating portals with some crystalline Twili sorcery," I went on, "he created one over Lake Hylia yesterday."
Zelda's eyebrow rose when she heard me say that.
"You... were staying at Lake Hylia?" she inquired.
I looked over at her briefly.
"Yes," I replied as flat as possible.
I didn't want the conversation seguing to something as silly as that.
This is far too important, I thought.
"Where did you find out this information about the crystals?" Daphnes asked me, detracting the subject.
I looked at Daphnes, not sure I wanted to give up my source, but realized people's lives were in danger, and such insignificance had to go by the wayside for the moment.
"The ophthalmologist at Lake Hylia was an assistant to the former royal alchemist Dr. Dirac," I explained. "He did an analysis of the crystals, and stated it had twilight energy properties. Not only that, but he stated the energy is creating a rift between our world and the twilight one. If something is not done to stop it, the whole land will be covered and overtaken."
Daphnes' eyes widened when he heard me say that.
"He told you these things?" the king inquired of me.
I looked at him with slight auspiciousness.
Don't divert Link, I told myself.
"Yes," I replied.
Daphnes took in an unsettled breath and sat back in his throne.
"This is grave indeed," he murmured to himself.
Yes, Daphnes, I thought, it is.
There was a brief tense silence.
"Where did those crystals come from sire?" I asked, changing the subject.
I needed answers now.
Daphnes looked at me surprised.
"Do you dare to question me?" he asked me.
Don't do this, I thought, now is not the time for this.
"I'm afraid I must ask sire," I said, trying to stay respectful, "I need a counterattack to stop Zant's advance. I need to know where you got the crystals."
Zelda glanced from me to her father and remained silent. Daphnes took in a deep breath before he answered.
"The crystals were an offering of peace and goodwill to my grandfather from the king of the Twili," he divulged.
The same king your grandfather had killed, I thought in slight disgust.
"What happened to the relations between the two kings sire?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
I wanted to see if he was going to be honest with me.
Will he answer? I wondered.
Daphnes looked at me surprised.
"Why do you... ask such a question?" he demanded of me.
I held in a scoff.
Really sire? I wondered in disbelief.
"I need to know why a one time ally is now a potential conqueror," I said in a rather blunt fashion.
Daphnes narrowed his eyes at me. Zelda looked at me knowingly, already keen on where I was about to take this conversation.
"Link-" she tried circumvent.
Oh no you don't, I thought, that isn't flying with me today.
"With all due respect your highness, I need to hear this from his majesty," I interrupted.
Zelda looked at me dumbfounded for a moment.
Daphnes was stunned as well.
"How dare you speak to a princess of Hyrule in such a fashion?" he said to me angrily. "What makes you think you have the right to speak in such a manner?"
I raised a brow and narrowed my eyes slightly.
"My right as regent of Hyrule sire," I replied boldly. "The princess told me herself that my rank is only second to you."
Zelda looked at me minor disbelief, but gave me a subtle look of admiration.
"Bravo master Link, you certainly are clever," she said with a slight smirk, then added in a whisper, "I didn't think you would ever use it against me."
Daphnes pursed his lips together in anger. He saw nothing admirable in what I just did.
"Now, see here sir knight-" Daphnes started.
No, I thought, this conversation is not going to end on stupid informal semantics. You have have to take control of the floor, I told myself.
"I know Zant is your uncle your majesty," I interrupted.
Daphnes' eyes widened in surprise, and honestly for a moment, with a little bit of fear.
I knew that would shut you up, I thought.
There was a brief silence that hushed throughout the room.
"You... know?" the king uttered finally.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off him.
"I know," I repeated.
Daphnes' throat tightened.
"How-how do you know?" he stammered.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"He told me in combat," I replied.
Zelda didn't look at all surprised, seeing that she revealed Zant's lineage to me herself yesterday. Daphnes swallowed hard and looked away from me.
"What else did he tell you?" he asked.
I looked to the ground, then back to the king in a moment of introspection.
"He told me about his mother, and the love affair she had with your grandfather," I went on, "I know they were both forced into the Twilight Realm due to what the impact of what his birth might mean to the throne of Hyrule."
Daphnes listened with apparent anxiety. He didn't know how to reply.
"The Twili queen was a beautiful woman," the king divulged all of a sudden, "my grandfather simply got caught up in the whiles of her seductive nature."
I nearly let out another scoff.
That's just like you to blame it all on someone else, I thought, save it, I already know how this family operates.
"Of course, sire," was all I replied.
The king shifted nervously on his throne, then turned his gaze back to me.
"Do you know the manner of the king of the Twilis death?" he asked me.
I raised a brow slightly surprised.
Oh, do you want to come clean? I thought, still remembering the barbaric nature of his beheading.
"Yes," I said, "he was beheaded and his blood was poured onto the Mirror of Twilight like a ritual sacrifice."
Zelda narrowed her eyes at me when she heard me say that.
"Ritual sacrifice?" she repeated.
I ignored her.
You know exactly what I mean, I thought.
Daphnes groaned at the undercurrent of contempt in my voice. I knew it would set him off, but there was no way I could hide it. What was done to the Twili king was reprehensible.
"Yes, he was beheaded," he reiterated, "but his parting words revealed he was not as virtuous as you might believe him to be, sir knight."
I shook my head and looked away from him for a moment.
Just like a madman to justify madness, I thought in disgust.
"And what would those words be sire?" I asked, wanting him to get to the point.
Daphnes stared into my eyes disquietedly.
"The Twili king said 'usque illud non esset mortuus,'" he mocked quietly, "meaning 'his death would not be the end of it all.'"
I looked from Daphnes to Zelda in open contempt, only to see her look away.
Even she sees the shame in what the royal family did to him, I thought.
"At first, I thought he was talking about Zant," Daphnes continued, "but then I realized he was talking about something else."
I looked at him confused.
Something else? I wondered.
"Sire?" I pressed, wanting him to continue.
Daphnes shifted uncomfortably again. Zelda was looking at her father discontented as well, as if she didn't know what he was about to reveal.
"The Twili king's death... activated a dormant energy inside the crystals," he divulged finally.
Zelda's mouth dropped.
"What?" she whispered.
I glanced over at her.
Looks like I wasn't the only one left in the dark, I thought.
Daphnes nodded.
"The Twili king's body dissipated soon after his beheading," the king revealed. "At first, we thought the Twili came and took his body, but there was an actual eye witness to the event, the executioner."
I stayed quiet while he continued.
"When I encountered Zant years ago, after he reestablished a connection to Hyrule, he revealed his father's parting words to me," Daphnes said with a far away look. "He also told me the Twili king knew he was going to be betrayed, and further explained the fallen king told him he would 'help' him exact his revenge."
I looked at Daphnes confused again when he said this.
"Help him?" I said to him for clarification.
Daphnes took in a deep frustrated breath.
"Zant was speaking of his father's activation of the Twili crystals," he divulged gruffly. "I tried to stop the interdict by enlisting the help of Dr. Dirac to study the essence of the gems. He found the energy could be contained by the combined power of the Triforce."
The same crystals you had implanted into Saria, I thought upset, but didn't say anything.
I shook my head, still not understanding why one crystal was hiding in my room underneath the floor.
"Sire, I found one of those crystals in my house," I divulged, changing the subject. "Why was it put there?"
Daphnes now looked at me puzzled.
"What?" he asked me. "There was crystal in your residence?"
Zelda quickly segued into the conversation.
"I can explain that," she said, then directed her attention to me. "I knew how the crystals reacted to the Triforce of Wisdom," she said, "I had to know how the crystals reacted to the Triforce of Courage… so I had one placed there."
Just as I suspected, I thought.
Daphnes looked at Zelda surprised.
"My dear," the king said cautiously to his daughter, "it's not safe to trifle with contraptions that we don't know that well."
I tried not to let it show, but I narrowed my eyes in disbelief, and this time the scoff escaped.
You're worried about that now? I thought.
Zelda shook her head in disagreement to her father's words.
"We had to take the chance father," she replied, "I needed that stored energy."
I looked at her perplexed.
"Needed what stored energy?" I inquired of her.
Zelda took in a deep breath.
"I secretly had a weapon made with the stored energy of the crystal," she confessed.
I looked at her surprised, but my surprise again turned to confusion.
"But the crystal is still in my possession," I replied, "how are you able to store its energy?"
They don't need to know it's no longer in my home, I thought.
Zelda raised her eyebrows.
"It doesn't matter," she replied, "that particular crystal has an inputted gradient that directs the energy here to the castle. I had it set up that way to store your energy and my energy into a crystalline sword. That sword can be used to defeat Zant, but unfortunately it will not hold him for longer than a year." She looked away just then. "That's... that's why..." she trailed, unable to finish.
That's why you need me to marry you, I finished in my head. I didn't verbalize my thoughts because that year of time gave me a glimmer of hope. Maybe another way can be found to fuse the seal, I thought, maybe Saria and I can still have a future together.
With the thought in mind, I decided to bring up the seamstress's situation. I knew if Saria were standing there right now, she would have scolded me and insisted I let the matter go, but I couldn't. I loved her and I wanted her to be free.
You deserve your freedom Saria, I thought.
"Your majesty," I began with a deep breath, "how can... these crystals effect a person they were implanted into."
Daphnes raised his eyebrows, while Zelda narrowed her eyes at me. She knew exactly where I was going with this.
I don't care if this is something you want to avoid, I thought, I'm not letting this go.
I waited for the king's reply.
"I..." he trailed cautiously, "I wouldn't know."
I then looked over at Zelda.
"Your highness?" I asked her.
Zelda just stared back, and was quiet for a moment.
"I have no idea either... master Link," she said simply.
I stared deeply into her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath.
Has it really come to this between us Zelda? I thought. Do you really have that much contempt for me, that you have so little regard for Saria?
"I've heard it could possibly cause an implosion," I divulged, "I was told it could possibly kill the person it's implanted in."
Both Daphnes and Zelda were silent.
"Who... told you this?" Daphnes asked, detracting the subject.
I looked at him and didn't flinch.
Who told me this? I thought. That's all this bastard has to say to me?
I was starting to get annoyed.
"The same assistant who told me about the crystals the first time!" I snapped, losing my patience. "Is it true?"
Daphnes looked at me with a muddled indifference, and for some odd reason grinned.
"Anything is possible, I suppose," he replied in cold contempt, "maybe it is true, I really don't know."
I had to catch myself, because my temper was getting the better of me.
I'm sick of this, I thought. I'm sick of the lies. I'm sick of the deceit. I'm sick of the being in the dark. I'm sick of their utter contempt for Saria's life.
"She's nothing but a piece of trash to you, isn't she?" I demanded all of sudden.
Daphnes raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly who I was talking about, but pretended ignorance.
"Who's 'she'?" he asked.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You know who 'she' is!" I replied, losing my composure. "Her name is Saria! She used to be the Forest Sage, but now she's a Hylian. You kept her from me all these years doing your dirty work as a spy on Zant! That's who!"
Daphnes looked at me angrily just then.
"You better-" he started.
I had had enough.
"I better what?" I interrupted angrily. "I better shut up? Huh? Watch my tone? Show respect for your goddess forsaken throne? To hell with you! And to hell with all your formalities! You owe me an explanation Daphnes! I want a reprieve for Saria! And I want it now!"
That was the end of the formalities.
Daphnes immediately jumped from his throne, but Zelda held her hand up to stop him. It was the first time I had ever seen Daphnes put himself in check at the bidding of his daughter. She stared at me with icy blue eyes. This wasn't the princess talking. This was the Sage of Time about to address me. The look of authority on her face couldn't be denied.
"We've already had this discussion Link," she said with an eerie calmness. "The king doesn't have the power to reprieve a former sage. Only the Sage of Time has that power. As it stands, I will not change my mind about Saria's circumstances. The stakes regarding Hyrule are too great. I'm sorry."
I narrowed my eyes at her in contempt.
"Then, I won't marry you," I muttered angrily.
Zelda looked at me heated.
"Think about Hyrule Link!" she snapped, losing her serenity for a moment. "Your love for Saria is incredibly selfish when you consider what we're up against!"
I shook my head and prepared to throw her words back at her.
"Then the blood of Hyrule will be on your hands," I replied, "not mine, your highness."
Zelda looked at me in disbelief, and sat back.
"There is no other way Link!" she said to me with a hint of desperation in her voice.
I looked at her in defiance.
"You better find one," I warned.
It was then Daphnes took a step down from his throne.
"You insolent bastard!" he growled at me. "You pick an insignificant whore over my daughter?"
It took everything in me not to go over to the king and slam my fist into his jaw.
Check yourself Link, I thought.
"That whore, as you so disgustingly refer to her as, is my best friend!" I stated. "She's been the only thing that's kept me sane throughout the years of having to deal with you. You better be glad I'm a better class of man Daphnes, because if I weren't, your teeth would be down your goddamn throat!"
Daphnes went down several more steps and scoffed, it was then I noticed his hand on his sword.
Oh damn, I thought, averting my eyes back to his face, it's about to get ugly.
"A better class of man?" he mocked. "You're a sniveling little forest tramp, who defines the divine comedy! The goddesses bestowed you with the Triforce of Courage as a joke to the royal family! Your heritage only puts you in line for the praises of vagrants and deviants! You should be groveling with adulation that you were even considered for the regency!"
I was so sick of the king's boasting and his apparent disgust for my heritage. I was sick of everything.
"You can take the regency and shove it up your ass sire!" I said to Daphnes defiantly. "Along with my sword!"
That did it, Daphnes drew his Estramacon and commenced the absence of blade stance.
"Your sword huh?" Daphnes replied, coming down the steps until he was at ground level. "It's about time I taught you a lesson in etiquette... boy."
I swallowed hard, not wanting to draw my blade against the king.
This is not how this is supposed to go, I thought.
"I don't want to fight you, your majesty," I said.
Daphnes narrowed his eyes at me and kept his stance.
"I know you don't," he replied, "there are few that do."
It seemed he was leaving me no choice. I commenced my battle stance, and studied his posture for a moment.
Daphnes, and all members of the royal family learn the art of fencing, I thought.
"You come in here," he started, "with your apparent disrespect and disregard for these halls, and yet expect me to listen to you. Well, you're wrong boy."
Daphnes began circling me, trying to size up my battle stance for a weak spot.
He's going to concentrate on my right side, I thought, he knows my best side is my left side since I'm left handed.
"I only wanted some answers sire," I said, trying to diffuse the situation with words.
Daphnes narrowed his eyes at me.
"When I'm done with you, you'll be begging me for mercy," he said, ignoring what I had to say.
I narrowed my eyes at him slightly.
Don't flatter yourself Daphnes, I thought, you don't scare me.
I glanced over at Zelda, who was remaining quiet. I had a feeling she wasn't going to say anything to intervene.
I guess she feels this time I have it coming, I thought.
Daphnes readied his blade, then came at me with his Balestra attack. He hopped forward in a lunge and tried to strike. I parried quickly with the attack au Fer and moved out of his strike zone.
That's easy and predictable, I thought, it almost seems beneath him.
Daphnes raised an eyebrow when he saw I wasn't going to be some quick kill.
"You really are good," he muttered to himself, hating to admit it.
That's why I'm first knight, I thought.
"I've had a little bit of experience," I replied with open sarcasm.
He commenced the attack stance of change of engagement, but then shifted into a guard stance. Daphnes raised his blade and extended his arm. With the way he was standing, I knew he was going to try to advance me with a passing step strike and try to injure my dominant shoulder.
That isn't going to work Daphnes, I thought.
Daphnes stepped into a lunge and came for me again, but instead of the passing strike I was anticipating, he suddenly lowered his blade to my abdomen and tried to strike my belly. I parried his attack and side stepped out of the way, but not before he cut at the cloth of my tunic.
Touche Daphnes, I thought, not taking his skill for granted.
"Next time, I won't miss," he threatened, raising his sword again.
He's really trying to kill me, I thought, quickly recommencing my battle stance.
My whole strategy was to defend. I was not going to hurt the king of Hyrule. No matter how much of an incomprehensible ass he was.
Daphnes extended his sword again in drill formation and stepped back, focusing on my weak side, my right side. He went into a jump strike, still keeping his arm extended, and aimed for my shoulder. Again, I parried but this time I interlocked his sword into mine and broke it free from his grip. Daphnes looked at me angrily when he saw he was disarmed.
"You insolent retch!" he growled at me.
I kept my sword up in a defensive posture and went to pick up his fallen blade. I tossed him his sword and recommenced my battle stance. Daphnes looked at me surprised, but then his surprise turned to malficence. How could a forest tramp beat the king of Hyrule?
One more strike and I'm done with this nonsense, I thought, there are too many other important things to consider than an old man's inflated ego.
Daphnes recommenced his guard stance, but kept his feet slightly apart. He was going to try and disengage me the same way I just disengaged him, or so I thought.
Come on Daphnes, I thought, I'm ready when you are.
Daphnes finally struck, but then drew back forcing me out of my guard stance into one of offense.
What the-? I thought surprised.
He then parried my blade and went for my gut once more.
This bastard really is trying to kill me! I thought.
I had to quickly draw in my blade to my body and displace his attack. Afterwards I engaged his blade with mine and swirled them together in a circular motion several times, forcing Daphnes to walk backwards to maintain his center of gravity. He looked confused as to what I was doing. I was staring him straight in his eyes. He stared back with a great anger.
"You think I'm going to fall for this pious trick?" he said to me angrily.
I continued to twirl.
"Yes," I said, "because it works every time."
I continued to twirl the blade until finally I knew Daphnes was down on his guard. I did a quick motion of my sword to his left, his weak side, getting his defense down, and flung the blade from his grip. His sword slid across the marbled floors, until it clanged against the bottom step of the throne ascension. Daphnes had lost. I held my sword out at Daphnes chest as most victors did signifying my win.
"It's over sire," I said to him quietly, looking him straight in the eyes.
Daphnes stared back into mine with contempt.
"So it would seem for now, sir knight," he replied.
Zelda looked down at her father's fallen blade and finally stood up from her throne. She looked from me to her father with a blank expression.
"That's enough of this foolishness father," she said finally, "there are too many-"
Zelda was suddenly cut off by a loud cry from outside.
What in the world-? I thought cutting myself short.
I quickly sheathed my blade and hurried out the counsel room door.
"What was that?" I heard Zelda exclaim.
It can't be good, I thought, and went to look out the window.
My eyes grew wide in disbelief when I looked up at the sky.
Oh no, I thought, now there's one over Hyrule Castle.
I was talking about a portal. A platoon of guards were quickly racing down the corridor towards me.
"Sir!" the captain said saluting me. "The town's people are all in an up roar! Have you seen that-that thing in the sky?"
I nodded, and looked back out the window.
"Yes," I said, "yes, I have."
A moment later, Daphnes came out of the counsel room. Everyone in the hall, including myself, saluted him and bowed.
"What's going on out here?" he muttered, still disgruntled that he lost the fight.
There was no better way for me to explain, but just to point. And when Daphnes saw what I was pointing to his mouth nearly dropped.
"That, your majesty," I replied.
The king's eyes grew wide in disbelief.
"What is that?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
A gift from your long lost uncle, I thought with sarcasm.
I didn't say anything in front of the guards. I knew they hadn't been briefed on the situation. I decided to give them orders instead.
"Go and see if the citizens are alright," I mandated, "and then establish an ordinance that no one is to go near the area."
The captain saluted me again, but then hesitated.
"Sir... what is it?" he asked.
A portal, I thought, a damn portal.
"We're still trying to figure that out," I replied.
I get better at lying all the time, I thought, knowing this was an ill advised time to think such a thing, maybe I will make a good king.
"Yes sir," the captain replied, then turned and marched out the door with his platoon.
Daphnes turned to look at me.
"A portal," he said lowly to himself.
I only nodded.
"Yes sire," I replied, having nothing else to say, "a portal."
Daphnes turned and headed back into the counsel room. I followed after him and closed the door. We had to come up with a solution and put our silly squabbling aside.
"Sire, there are-" I tried.
"If Zant wants to come, let him come," Daphnes interrupted me, and sat back down on his throne, "I'm tired of having to wait for this eventuality anyway. I want it to be over with."
I knew he was being irrational, but when wasn't he? I sighed and went to pick up the king's sword.
"May I approach?" I asked, trying to retain some level of respect.
Daphnes looked at me and scoffed.
"Yes," he muttered embittered.
"If that is your wish, fine," I replied to his initial comment, going up the stairs and handing the king his blade, "can I at least execute the order of evacuating the citizens?"
Daphnes looked away from me for a moment as he took his sword from my grip. I was expecting some duplicity, but should have expected what he was going to say.
"No," he replied.
I narrowed my eyes at him and looked at him angrily. I wished I could say I was shocked, but I wasn't. I remained quiet and headed back down the stairs.
"Sire," I started, knowing what I was going to say was going to be futile, "Zant said he will strike the day of the engagement party. As your closest counselor, I suggest you cancel the party and evacuate Hyrule."
Daphnes looked at me and narrowed his eyes.
"Don't make me laugh first knight," he said to me contemptibly, "I consider you neither a counselor nor a regent, but a persistent retch who has made my life as king more difficult than you can imagine."
I pursed my lips together.
Trust me, the feeling is more than mutual you petulant bastard, I thought.
"Fine," I replied, going on anyway, "what is your reply in regards to my suggestions?"
Daphnes looked at me in defiance.
"The party will go on as planned," he replied to me.
I shook my head.
"What?" I asked angrily.
"I didn't stutter," he said to me.
I swallowed hard having to check my temper.
"That is not a good idea sire," I replied. "There will be massive casualties and-"
"Then there will be casualties then!" Daphnes interrupted me in a raised voice. "I will not yield to the threats of a convoluted deviant! Zant will come and he and I will have our final say! I will put an end to this once and for all!"
I looked at Daphnes, wishing he would tarry on the side of reason, but I knew that premise was far reaching.
His family's arrogance is what got Hyrule into this mess in the first place, I thought.
"I understand your frustration sire, but having so many citizens around will only make our defenses-" I tried.
"It's the best element of surprise," Daphnes interrupted.
I took a step toward the throne.
What? I thought. How? How when Zant knows the people will be a distraction?
I got heated at that.
"Sire, this is madness!" I said upset.
Even Zelda saw the foolishness of her father's notions.
"Father," she said, "you cannot be serious. We have to evacuate the citizens. If we don't, we run the risk-"
Daphnes slammed his fist on his armrest.
"Silence!" he hushed her in warning. "You may be the sage, but don't you ever forget who is king and your father!"
Zelda looked at him astonished.
"When you edge on the side of insanity-" she tried.
"I said silence!" he yelled.
Zelda edged back in disbelief at her father's tone. It was the first time I had seen him lose his composure with his daughter.
He really has lost his mind, I thought, the princess can't even reason with him.
The king turned his attention back to me.
"You may go, sir knight!" he ordered in a loud sonorous voice. "Get out!"
I took several steps back, and stayed silent. I didn't leave.
Daphnes narrowed his eyes at me again.
"I said, you may go sir knight!" he said again, his voice had a hint of warning to it.
I took in a deep frustrated breath and bowed, I then turned and left the counsel room.
There's only one thing left for me to do, I thought, walking down the hall, prepare for battle.
Please write a review and tell me what you think. Chapter 22 is coming soon!