Princess Zelda's study, one hour earlier
Upon walking into the Princess's study behind Impa, Dark first noticed the lady herself talking in hushed tones with Link.
She stopped midsentence and glanced at them with a gracious, princessy smile already in place. Dark hesitated a few steps short of the desk. It had been a few years, and his relationship with Zelda was tenuous at best; forged out of necessity during the fight against Ganondorf.
Dark winced. And then he'd left without a word, leaving Link to handle the final battle alone. He met her eyes cautiously. Perhaps she hated him.
"Dark." Zelda's practiced smile broadened into a more genuine one and she stepped forward to clasp his arm in the usual greeting. "It's been too long."
Assured by the warmer-than-expected welcome, Dark joked, "It has. You look quite a bit different than the last time I saw you."
The corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyes narrowed. Her grip on his arm tightened slightly before she let go. "I'm happy to see you made it home safely. Especially considering—" she glanced over her shoulder at Link. "—After everything that happened on the journey."
"Luckily your groom-to-be had me there to save him," Dark replied, shooting a grin at Link, who responded with an eyeroll.
Impa appeared at his elbow with a tray of refreshments, placing them on a low table near the window. The four of them sat down, with Zelda asking after Silas's health and Dark happy to report that he was recovering from the stalfos poison.
Impa cleared her throat quietly, reaching to serve the tea she'd brought. Taking the nudge, Zelda turned to the other two.
"Some of this you know, so I'll keep to the point. My father and I were attacked on our return from Zora's Domain…"
She outlined the attack in a calm, straightforward way, detailing their attackers and the king's injury. There was a tremor in her fingers when she described how her magic had burst from her body, killing her would-be kidnapper.
She's never killed anyone before, Dark realized. Even during her years in hiding as Sheik, she didn't need to use magic to defend herself because she'd been posing as Ganondorf's spy.
Next to him, Link nearly vibrated with the urge to touch her, to comfort her, but he kept still and let her finish her story.
When she fell silent, Impa interjected smoothly. "His Masjety is recovering, although his wounds were quite serious and are suffering infection. For the time being, the princess will be handling all affairs, including the search for the would-be assassins."
"Did you get a good look at them?" Dark wondered.
Zelda frowned. "They were masked. But I could provide some details."
"Good." He nodded. "It's been a while, but when I lived in Castle Town I was around all sorts of criminal types. I might know someone who knows something."
"Is that a good idea?" Link asked. "You skulking around the back alleys, looking for information?"
Dark shrugged. "It looks better if I skulk around than the future king. Besides, I know these people; they may be more inclined to trust me."
"I'll make certain you have whatever you need," Zelda said. "In the meantime," she added, slanting a meaningful look at Link. "Impa and I will ensure that a close guard is placed on myself and my father."
Impa leveled a crimson stare at the brothers over the rim of her teacup. "Tell me about the stalfos attack."
Once Link and Dark had given her the rundown of the brief altercation, the Sheikah woman sat back, tapping her fingers on her knee.
"It's uncommon," she finally said. "But not unheard of. I would go there myself to investigate, but I don't want to leave the princess alone now."
"She'll have me with her always," Link offered. "For a Sheikah, it's not far; how long will it take you to investigate?"
Link and Impa started discussing details of Zelda's guard, so Dark helped himself to another cup of tea.
Leaning forward in her seat, Zelda said in a half-whisper, "Link tells me you're escorting Lady Elena to the solstice ball."
Judging by the teasing grin she wore, she approved. He bit back a groan.
"Don't be in a rush to send me into the bonds of matrimony just yet."
Her face sobered somewhat. "I think it's good for you," she told him. "And for Elena, but for you to be here…you have no idea how much it means to Link."
Dark paused with the cup halfway to his lips. "It means something to me, too," he murmured.
Impa stood, leaning down to touch Zelda's shoulder. "I need to make some arrangements. We'll talk later."
Following her example, Dark rose and said his farewells. Link trailed him to the door, letting him know he and Silas would have the house to themselves for a day or two while Link was on Zelda's personal guard at the castle. At the study door, he grabbed Link by the shoulder and lowered his voice.
"Lock the door behind me," Dark said.
Link's surprise was almost funny. "What?"
"Lock the door. Don't let anyone disturb you for a minute and just be together. Talk to her. She needs it."
Link turned to look over his shoulder. "Any advice?"
Advice? Dark didn't have any advice. There were memories. Nightmares. No advice. No words of wisdom.
"Just give her whatever she asks for," he settled on, clapping his brother on the shoulder before stepping out into the hall.
Seeing it empty of anyone, he experienced a strange disappointment. When he identified the source—the absence of the enigmatic Labrynnan ambassador—Dark went right, towards the infirmary.
The entire walk there, he replayed the look of surprise on her face, the little smile curving her lips when she walked away. There'd been a moment of awareness between them, undeniably. Dark pinched the bridge of his nose and put a stop to any further thoughts. His ill-timed attraction to the woman was complicated at best and potentially disastrous at worst. He needed to cut it short.
Walking into the infirmary, Dark escaped his wandering mind and slammed straight into another complication.
Silas sat on the edge of his bed, yanking his shirt over his head. Catching sight of Dark, he waved, standing up so he could roll the shirt down an impressively muscular chest and abdomen. The brief motion of his arm stretched the fabric taut over one bicep.
Now you're just laughing at me, he accused himself.
Silas turned back to the bed, packing the rest of his things. "They're letting me leave," he told Dark. "So I'm in your hands now."
Dark's teeth raked painfully over his tongue. "What?"
Silas faced him. "Do you have any more meetings to get to today?"
Dark gave his head a firm shake. "No. Everything's been taken care of. We'll head to Kakariko so we can unpack. And eat. You must be starving."
Silas laughed and patted his firm belly. "A bit. They serve you nothing but soup here. Delicious soup, but still…"
His mouth tipped in a smile. "There's plenty of food at Link's house. After that I'll show you around."
Silas threw the strap of his rucksack over his shoulder. "Sounds fun." He glanced around. "Now, how do we get out of this place?"
Dark chuckled. "Follow me."
~oOo~
Castle Town, Upper Quarter
From his vantage point at the study window, the beautiful gardens of Hyrule Castle were just visible. His family had paid a ludicrous amount of rupees for such a view, one that was unspoiled by the common, crowded streets of Castle Town and the riff raff that inhabited them.
He observed a handful of gardeners, meticulously maintaining the flower beds, fruit trees and shrubs, ensuring they were flawless to all who looked upon them. He admired that dedication to perfection. The result was well worth it. The work was tedious, but that's what servants were for.
His momentary peace was ruined when one of his servants scurried in, announcing the arrival of an unexpected and unwelcome guest.
With a sigh, he moved away from the window, prepared to throw the man right back outside. As he passed his desk, he halted in alarm—a man in a black cloak sat in his chair, utterly still and silent.
"My dear Magnus," the man drawled, steepling his fingers, putting his bony elbows on the desk.
He clenched his teeth. "Alatar," he sniffed. "To what do I owe this unwelcome disturbance?"
Instead of answering, the sorcerer inclined his head towards the door, where a servant was being shoved aside by his guest.
"Out of my way!" the man growled. He stormed into the room, soiling the carpets with the mud from his boots.
Magnus scowled. The man looked dreadful. His clothes were covered in filth and mud and other things. His murderous expression assured Magnus that the mission had not gone well.
"Problem Mr. Lewyn?" Alatar drawled, frustratingly unconcerned.
Lewyn's jaw clenched with anger. His cold, hazel eyes flashed with repressed violence. "You've failed to live up to your promises, sorcerer," he accused. "I in no way expected a seamless mission—but you gave your word that the Sheikah woman would not be there!"
His tone had started as a growl and grown into a roar. Unfazed, Alatar rose from the chair and began pacing between Magnus and Lewyn, uncaring of how his strides spread the drying mud all over the floor.
Magnus spoke up, seeing Alatar offered no comment. "You failed in your mission," he hissed. "You failed to kill him and you failed to kidnap a woman. I find myself doubting the tales of your skills, Mr. Lewyn."
Lewyn glared at him. "If it weren't for your fat pockets, sir, I'd slit your throat where you stand."
"Gentlemen," Alatar scolded them like arguing children. "It is true the mission was a failure—and we didn't need your report to tell us that, Mr. Lewyn. His Majesty and Her Highness both returned, after all."
"The king is badly injured," Magnus pointed out.
"And he will be even more heavily guarded," Alatar countered. "We missed our opportunity."
"Then we proceed with the capture of the princess," Magnus suggested.
"That bitch killed one of my men!" Lewyn cut in. "I'll hand you her head on a platter."
Alatar's eyes narrowed. Magnus took a slight step back.
Either unaware or uncaring of the danger, Lewyn didn't move for his sword when Alatar flicked his fingers, a casual gesture that carried far more power than it seemed. Drawn by invisible strings, Lewyn was yanked off his feet and pinned to the wall like a helpless insect.
"What the hell!? Put me down or I'll—"
With another finger flick, Alatar forced a magical gag on Lewyn, whose eyes bulged in shock and outrage.
"There will be no killing the princess," the sorcerer said calmly. "I need her alive. Is there a reason the Sheikah woman was able to intervene?"
Knowing the question was for him, Magnus cleared his throat. "She was well occupied with our meeting, as I promised. But suddenly she stood up, gave her excuses and rudely left! I'm not sure how, but she must have known the princess was in danger."
"Hm. Interesting," he mused to himself. "Is there anything else we need to know about your failed mission, Mr. Lewyn?"
Stony-faced, Lewyn attempted a muffled snarl.
"Then it appears I have no further use for you."
The dark magic user barely had to move; a twitch of the fingers was enough. Lewyn's neck snapped with an audible crack. The body dropped to the floor, and Alatar stepped past it towards the door. Magnus wrinkled his nose and glared at the sorcerer's back.
"Magnus, find me another mercenary. We may need such skills again soon."
"You just killed the best one in Hyrule!"
Alatar sneered back at him. "Then find me the next best."
Magnus cursed under his breath.
"And Magnus?"
"What is it now?"
"Consider mending those broken fences we spoke of. They might be useful to us."
The sorcerer vanished in a cloud of acrid, black smoke. Grimacing in distaste at his ruined study, Magnus nonetheless crossed to his desk and sat down. In one of the drawers he found the items he needed.
This was a task not best left to the servants; it was too crucial. He had a letter to compose.