Lysandra
Queen Lysandra briskly made her way down the hall to once again visit the watchmen upon the top of the Castle walls. If Zelda had returned, they'd be the first to know. Her visits had first become habit and then routine, for the Queen knew her daughter was alone and frightened, her daughter knew that she couldn't return and was likely hiding somewhere unbefitting a Princess. Lysandra could only hope that Sir Link or the recently escaped Impa could find her, though Impa wouldn't be quick to return either.
"My Queen!" a voice rang out.
Lysandra stopped, turning to see a Castle Guard standing behind her, the man quickly taking a knee as her gaze settled upon him. "If the news you bring does not concern my daughter, I care not to hear it."
"My Queen, the King summons you." the Guard replied.
"I care even less to hear what he has to say." the Queen growled.
"Please, your grace, the King was very insistent." the guard responded.
Lysandra stood in silence for a moment, pondering what punishment Gustaf had threatened him with should he return without her. "Fine." the queen said, casting one last glance down the corridor. "Let's see what he wants."
"This way, my Queen." the guard said, gesturing down the hall.
"I know the way." Lysandra said in a low tone.
Gustaf
King Gustaf sat in his study, his hands shaking slightly as he clasped them together. He tried not to remember that day at Lord Halland's tourney at his home of Icehold, he had held the tourney to celebrate his marriage to Sara Talon but disaster struck when Morrick Dastin used the tourney as an opportunity to take the crown for himself. Lord Morrick failed, of course, but with him went not only his house but Gustaf's innocence, that day, his father forced him to push aside any kind-heartedness he may have had and do what he said was necessary for the safety of the realm. No more, though, no more will he be the man his father forced him to be, no longer would he fear the man, he'd find his younger self and invite him back to stay. His father had controlled him, even in death, but would do so no longer.
A rapping at the door roused Gustaf from his thoughts, the man unclasping his hands, the King finally realizing how tense his grip had been after seeing the white marks left behind.
"Come in." Gustaf called.
The Queen quietly entered the room, shutting the door softly behind her. "Say what you have to say." she said as she set herself down opposite her husband.
"I..." Gustaf began, hesitating for a moment before meeting his wife's gaze. "This last year has been trying for both of us I realize this as well as I realize the fact that I have behaved...in an unforgivable manner."
The Queen's expression gave her away as rage took hold. "You attacked our daughter!" she shouted, her voice being so loud the guards outside and down the hallway could have heard her.
"I did and I-"Gustaf began.
"You what? Want to apologize? Make this right?" Lysandra snapped, her brow furrowed and eyes twitching. "How do you plan to do this? Travel back in time, perhaps? Prevent yourself from trying to harm Zelda? Our daughter, the Crown Princess of Hyrule is...the Godesses know where, probably cold, alone and scared but too frightened of her own father to return home!"
"Lyasandra, please, I brought you here to-" Gustaf replied.
"You brought me here to placate me with some half-hearted apology!" the Queen spat.
"My regret about this situation is anything but half-hearted!" Gustaf yelled as he got to his feet.
Lysanda took a step back, a smirk working it's way onto her face before she broke out laughing.
"What...what are you doing?" Gustaf asked, his features contorting into a look of confusion.
"This...I'm laughing at this." the Queen responded. "You standing up, raising your voice and clenching your fists...what are you going to do, Gustaf? Call upon your magic and hurl a bolt of lightning at me?"
"I would never..." Gustaf breathed.
"Spare me! Lysandra retorted. "You did it to your own daughter...what's to stop you from doing so to your wife?"
Gustaf remained silent for moment, his eyes fixed on his Queen, his breathing uneasy "I will find Zelda, I will bring her home."
"It's too little, too late." Lysandra replied. "You attacked our daughter and you may have killed her if she hadn't overpowered you."
"If she hadn't what?" Gustaf asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I managed to piece together a full account after questioning all the guards present that night, I know what happened." Lysandra responded.
"I was not overpowered, I never meant to hurt Zelda in the first place! Gustaf argued.
"And now you're not even trying to apologize for what you've done." Lysandra said, giving her husband a cold stare. "I've nothing more to say to you...I cannot and should not find it in myself to forgive you, I've decided to seek an annulment."
"An annulment?" Gustaf breathed, feeling as if the floor had fallen out from beneath him. Such a thing was unthinkable, there had never been a marriage annulment before in the history of House Hyrule, even his father, as cruel a man that he could be, had never been threatened with such a thing. "You cannot do this."
"This isn't your decision, I can't stand your presence or the sight of you any longer." The Queen replied.
"I implore you to rid yourself of such notions, our union has bonded our houses and served as a symbol to our people, the things people would think and say when word of this got out..." Gustaf responded.
"Are you so self-obsessed that people's opinions of us is all you can think of?!" Lysandra yelled. "I'm leaving now, I'm going to speak to my brother and by this time tomorrow I'll be on my way back to Sternhall...when it comes to the annulment, as the Head of House Stern, you'll be dealing with Halston from here onwards."
King Gustaf stared at his wife as she turned and started towards the door, but it wasn't her that he was focused on, he once again felt his father's gaze upon him, watching expectantly, his disappointment and rage at the ready like a nocked arrow. He heard his father's voice.
"It's time I make a man out of you."
"I suggest you do what I say."
"Get on with it, Gustaf!"
The King clenched his fists and steeled himself before he spoke. "Fine then, I'll go along with this...I tried to make peace but it's clear that's not going to work. You've always been a very determined woman, Lysandra...so you will get what you want."
"What is this? Some kind of jape?" The Queen asked as she remained with her back to the King.
"No, of course not...our marriage...it was always a political one by nature and I, well, I shall have another and a new heir to the Hyrulean throne will be born, so I see it fit to preemptively disinherit Zelda, she can take the name Stern for a l care." Gustaf said.
Lysandra spun around, her mouth hanging agape as she struggled for words. "Zelda is your firstborn."
"True, but now that the both of you have disrespected and gone against me, I feel that she is no longer the right choice as my successor." Gustaf replied.
The Queen was scarcely able to quell her rage as she looked upon the man she had once cared for, man she tried to redeem in the eyes of her daughter, the man who never deserved to be treated so kindly. "So, was the apology sincere at any point or was it just a ploy to get me back on your side? It matters not, I assure that when the time comes and she is of age...our daughter will have the throne." the Queen said, feeling Gustaf's gaze on her as she pushed her way through the doors and continued down the hall, the sound of the guards closing the doors echoing down the corridor.
Jakob
"Tell the King...or side with Halston, these are my options." Jakob thought, drumming his fingers on his desk. So far nothing had worked out for him, Zelda had fled, leaving him behind and Sir Link had survived his assassins and now, now he was caught up in someone else's soon-to-be rebellion. The young Knight found himself wanting to flee back to his home on Snowpeak but knew he had to stay.
Three loud thuds sounded from his door, giving Jakob a start, the knight looking at the door with aggravation before calling out. "What is it?!"
"An orange phoenix." a voice replied.
Jakob groaned and massaged the bridge of his nose for a moment before responding. "Come in." he called begrudgingly.
The door was thrust open, Halston Stern strolling in with the confident stride he was known for. "Mind if I have some?" the Lord said as he began pouring himself some wine.
"I was saving that." Jakob growled.
"For who?" Lord Stern asked with a smirk.
"Anyone but you." Jakob replied.
"Pfft. Venomous as ever, I see." Halston said.
"Just tell me what you want." Jakob answered.
"Well, now that you have pledged your House to our cause and I, for one, am glad to have you." Toron began.
"I don't suppose that's all you have to say." Jakob stated.
"Oh no, of course not." Halston laughed. "I don't know if you've heard but the King has made the call, our armies are marching north to Termina come morning light...so our plans are off for now."
"Good, starting a civil war while an enemy army is already planning an attack was...ill conceived at best." Jakob replied.
"True, we get this enemy out of the way, then we enact the plan." Lord Stern responded. "But this is not all I've come to say. My son was...cleaning up a plague outbreak in Faron Province and visited a temple only to find Zelda staying there."
Jakob felt his heartbeat pick up speed as the thought of seeing Zelda again could soon be a reality, he could finally apologize to her, finally make things right. "Can I see her?" Jakob asked.
"You assume he was able to bring her back?" Halston asked. "I'm afraid it didn't work out that way, some pale man and a gerudo sorceress spirited her away before he could get to her is what he tells me. It sounds strange, I know."
"You're telling me she's been abducted." Jakob said, an urgent tone to his voice.
"Something like that, I suppose...the priestess Toron captured may be able to tell you more." Halston said with a grin.
"Is she here?" Jakob asked.
"Toron has taken her to Sternhall." Halston replied. "She's not too talkative though, seeing your sisters and a whole room of plague-carriers being slaughtered didn't sit too well with her."
"I'll speak to her..and then I'm going to find Zelda, by the time the sun rises, I will have returned with her at my side." Jakon proclaimed.
"Excellent plan!" Lord Stern said. "Oh, and before you go...now that we have more time to plan, I want to see you pulling more weight as you are part of this now. I've already spoken to Lord Ashcroft and have agreed to marry Toron to his daughter, Sienna, in order bring him in...maybe it's time you do something of the like."
Jakob furrowed his brow as he looked back at the Lord. "I've given you my armies and those of my bannermen...that should be enough." he answered as he left his chambers.
Link
Link made his way through the courtyard, every now and then taking the chance to survey his surroundings and make sure he hadn't been noticed. He breathed a heavy sigh as he continued on, silently lamenting the fact that he had few friends within the Castle, Lady Lywater and Osfala were there but there wasn't much they could do if the more powerful members of the court turned against him. Complicating matters was the ire and resentment that Jakob held for him, Link had never imagined he'd send assassins, though, the Hero hated to think what Jakob had in store for him next, a High Lord was not a good enemy to have. Link stuck to the walkways around the castle, staying in the shadows of the overhangs and trying to go unnoticed, the few soldiers that spotted him not paying much mind to his presence, at least they didn't know who he was.
"You there." someone said, a firm and authoritative, yet youthful tone to their voice.
Link grit his teeth, internally bemoaning how his luck had run out so swiftly. "I'm just on my way to my regiment." he replied.
"We both know that's not true." the man answered as he stepped into the walkway with Link.
The Hero turned and looked upon the newcomer, judging by his looks and the way he spoke, he was most definitely highborn, his armor indicating that he was a Knight, and wealthy one at that, yet Link didn't know him.
"Pardon me, sir, but I really must be on my-" Link began.
"The famous Sir Link the Unnamed, it truly is a pleasure." the Knight said in a derisive tone. "You sure seem as if you're in a hurry to get away from the castle."
"I carry a decree from the Queen herself temporarily releasing me from service in order to search for her daughter. Link explained.
The Knight's stern facial expression finally broke as Link withdrew the document from his pack. "L-let me see that." the Knight said.
"As you wish." Link replied, handing the scroll to the other Knight. Link watched as he read it over twice before studying the Queen's seal for a moment before hesitantly handing it back.
"This...appears to be real." the Knight said.
"That's...because it is." Link answered as he narrowed his eyes at the man who stood across from him. "May I ask who you are?"
"Sir Aleksandr of House Dearing." the Knight answered. "I've been looking for you."
Dearing, Link remembered that name. "What business have you with me, Sir Dearing?"
"Lord Dearing." the Knight corrected him. "I've come to ask about your...affiliation with the Princess."
"I've been sent to find her by the Queen, it's really quite simple." Link answered.
"Spare me!" Aleksandr shot, a few of the soldiers nearby taking notice, causing the young Lord to lower his voice. "The Dearings have always been friends to House Lirien, since before Hyrule was established, even. Jakob spends much time worrying over the interest you and Zelda have taken in each other, but his vision is clouded by his feelings for her. I have no such feelings, instead, I have a...curiosity."
"A curiosity? About what?" Link asked. He could feel himself tensing even before he knew of the young Lord's connection to Jakob, and now that he was aware of it, it did nothing to help matters.
"About you and the Princess." Aleksandr answered. "I've asked around, collected quite a few firsthand accounts of your time at the Castle. You intruded upon the Spring Ball, which means you knew exactly where to enter as well as you would have to have had familiarized yourself with the guard rotations. You were prepared to enter the Castle, you disregarded all the potential consequences and ended up conveniently being there to save the Princess' life.
"That's not how it-" Link began, Dearing cutting him off.
"Zelda left the castle at night to see you, she broke off her betrothal to Jakob because of his animosity towards you and then there was that display in the throne room in which you claimed to be the Chosen Champion of the Goddesses...and after this I paid a visit to the uncovered Royal Library of old, and saw a portrait of a King and Queen that greatly resemble the Princess...and yourself."
"What's your point? Do you doubt me...or do you acknowledge the truth?" Link asked.
"I just wanted to see you and speak to you. I wanted to judge for myself...and let you know something." Aleksandr responded.
"What might that be?" Link asked.
"If you are who you say you are, then it should occur to you that you may be a relic from a bygone era, a holdover from times long past. You may have been placed here for a purpose, but you should know when to get out of the way." Dearing said.
Link felt the urge to grab hold of his sword and challenge the man to duel right then and there, but thought better of it, managing to calm himself before replying. "Before you continue, I'd caution you against speaking of something you completely fail to understand, there are greater forces at work all around us, and you, like many others, are oblivious to them all. Good day to you, Lord Dearing." Link said as he turned and began to walk away.
"I understand more than you know." Dearing called after him. "Remember what I've said."
"I remember one thing." Link said, coming to halt and turning to face Aleksandr. "Jakob and I had nearly reached an understanding at one point, the condition, which I refused, was that I would stay away from Zelda and in return he'd remove me from my post on the front lines and assign me something less dangerous...he suggested putting you on the front lines instead."
Aleksandr felt his heart drop, his fists clenching as he looked upon the boy in front of him. "Lies."
"Ask him." Link proposed. "Your name was the first and only one to come out of his mouth when he suggested who would fill my position."
"You and I, we are not done." Dearing said, quickly turning and heading away from Link.
Link watched him for a moment before departing, this time crossing the courtyard. He hadn't wanted to say that to Dearing, but it seemed to be the only way to get rid of him. "Now Jakob's going to have another reason to despise me." Link muttered to himself. As he made his way to the stables, careful to avoid House Lywater's banners, his eye caught something, something that made him stop in his tracks. "Dahlian?" he thought. Dahlian had been his best friend for as long as he could remember, that friendship only coming to an end when Ganondorf abducted he, Viktor and Zinnia in order to lure him in...and now Dahlian was there. It made sense, Dahlian's father was exceedingly wealthy and it would seem he'd finally earned a place among Hyrule's elite due to this. The Hero considered approaching him, trying to apologize for what happened, try to explain...but then the doubt crept in. "Maybe it's better this way." Link thought as he turned and continued on his way.
The Assassins
Zelda held her knees to her chest whilst she warmed herself near the fire. The Princess hadn't said much since fleeing the temple, still trying to process what she had witnessed. She was startled as the flames suddenly surged, the fire growing more intense.
"Hope you don't mind, looked like it was dying!" Zara called, she and Levesque standing near the tree line.
"No, of course not...thank you." Zelda said, giving the two a half-hearted smile before turning her gaze back to the flames.
"So you believe her." Levesque said.
"She certainly looks like a Hyrule." Zara replied.
"Well, if it is the princess, I would expect her parents would be quite grateful if we returned her." Levesque suggested.
"Or they would take our heads off...we are wanted for murder, don't you remember?" Zara responded.
"I visited Fernridge a month ago, not a single guard in that village recognized me." Levesque said. "I'm telling you, we can bring her to the King and Queen, get rewarded and settle down in Gamelon or Holodrum, far from Hyrule and Termina."
"Have you forgotten already?" Zara growled. "We have unfinished business, Hauer is dead at the hands of that young knight and I don't believe for a moment that Lirien and Thalmont didn't know what they were sending us into."
Levesque turned away, placing his hand on the tree before him. "I haven't forgotten about Hauer, the Knight or those two cads, but we're drawing far too much attention to ourselves. The boy Knight escaped, someone undoubtedly knows of what's happened by now and Jakob Lirien, the second most powerful man in Hyrule knows we failed...you and I have abilities that afford us advantages but there are some things we just can't fight."
"He was just a boy, Levesque." Zara reminded her partner. "I don't care if Jakob, Thalmont or the damned King of Hyrule send all of their men, I'm going to find out how a mere boy killed Hauer and defeated the both of us."
"His ability is anything but natural, I'll give you that." Levesque acquiesced. "But he is just that, a boy, he has many years ahead of him...we have time."
"You know I'm not the patient type." Zara said. "Hauer is dead and I know killing that boy knight won't bring him back, but it will avenge him."
"Well, for now we have someone who is quite possibly the next ruler of Hyrule in our care, so we have to make a decision, take her back, leave her here or take her with us." Levesque said.
Zara turned and looked at the girl, she was so small and fragile looking, it was hard to believe that Hyrule would one day bow to her. "I have an idea...let's ask her."
Zelda
The Princess attempted to listen in on the conversation between the two, although she already knew what they were discussing. She had admitted her true identity before the both of them and she knew it would raise questions. Zelda glanced to towards them, quickly averting her gaze when they turned their attention to her, the Gerudo woman saying something and her Hylian companion seeming to agree before both made their way back to the fire.
"My apologies, we just had some...private matters to discuss." Levesque said before taking a seat on the opposite side of the fire, Zara placing herself between the two.
"You must know we have some things we'd like to ask you." Zara added.
"I know...you're wondering if I truly am who I claimed to be." Zelda answered.
Levesque and Zara exchanged glances before returning their respective gazes to the Princess.
"You've guessed it." Levesque said. "We aren't saying we do not, believe you...but-"
"It's somewhat hard to believe." Zara interjected.
"I have no proof to offer you aside from this." Zelda said, sliding her hand out of her sleeve and displaying it to them, the symbol of the Triforce emblazoned on it, the Princess closing her eyes and focusing, the mark beginning to pulse lightly.
"That is...interesting." Levesque said quietly.
"You're too innocent." Zara interjected, folding her arms over her chest, Levesque nodding in agreement.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked as she shot to her feet.
"What I mean is; you are very important person." Zara began. "The most important, there is, in Hyrule at least and that's not something you should give away so quickly to people you've only just met."
"But...you saved me." Zelda countered.
"We could've done so to further our own ends, not to say that's what we're going to do." Levesque explained. "Also, that knight seemed like such a cad, how I would've loved to stick him with one of my needles."
Zelda took on an uncomfortable expression, glancing away while Zara and Levesque looked at each other quizzically.
"What's wrong?" Zara asked, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
"It's nothing, really." Zelda replied.
"It can't be 'nothing', if it were, you wouldn't look the way you do. No offense, Princess, but you wear your emotions on your sleeve, so to speak." Levesque said.
Zelda took a breath before setting her eyes upon Levesque. "Those needles, do they come from...within you?"
Levesque's eyes widened slightly as Zara chuckled behind him.
"I had the same question." Zara said.
"My needles are produced inside of me." Levesque said, closing his eyes and giving a small smile. "It's a trait of my kind."
"You're not Hylian?" Zelda asked.
"Partially, I have Hylian blood in my veins but it's mixed with that of another race, another race that could expel needles out of nearly anywhere on their bodies, I inherited the pale skin, thin frame and black eyes, but I can only project needles from my wrist."
"Your people, what happened to them?" Zelda asked.
"Getting awfully friendly, aren't we?" Zara grumbled.
"Trust is important, Zara." Levesque said with a smirk before turning his attention back to Zelda. "My people were wiped out almost entirely by House Desemir centuries ago, they live on in the blood of people like myself."
"House Desemir...I've heard of them." Zelda remarked.
"Well, they did rule half the damn continent in ancient times." Zara responded
"Impa used to tell me stories about them..." Zelda's thoughts immediately went to Impa, the goddesses know what could have happened to her after she fled. "Maybe...maybe she escaped." Zelda thought.
"Impa?" Zara asked.
"She was my bodyguard...I must go to Kakariko." Zelda announced.
"Kakariko? Why would you want to go there?" Levesque asked.
Zelda stood, looking around rapidly as Levesque and Zara stared at her in confusion. "Which way is it?"
"There's nothing in Kakariko." Zara said. It was true, Kakariko, once the second largest settlement next to Castle Town itself, had fallen on hard times as other towns that were closer to Castle Town were afforded more resources and grew more quickly.
"The Sheikah are there." Zelda answered.
"Shiekah?" Zara asked. "I wasn't aware there were that many left."
"There are quite a few and most reside in Kakariko." Zelda said. "I don't mean to impose, but would the two of you be kind enough to escort me?"
Zara and Levesque exchanged hesitant glances, their eyes communicating what their mouths could not.
"If it's payment you worried about, I will be Queen one day." Zelda said.
"Do you know who we are...aside from what we've told you?" Levesque asked.
"What do you mean?" the Princess asked.
"You've probably gathered we're not circus performers." Zara responded.
Zelda's face took on a more serious expression as her gaze panned from Zara to Levesque, their expressions having changed as well. "You're assassins, aren't you?"
"How'd you figure that out?" Zara asked.
"The ease with which you killed those men...the way you act so casually afterwards, like you've done it many times." Zelda explained.
"How astute." Levesque answered. "The payment you've promised is enticing, but we want more."
"We can't show our faces in most larger towns and have to stick to the shadows in the smaller ones, almost every guard in the kingdom knows our faces." Zara replied, before glancing at Levesque. "Except for this in Fernridge, apparently."
"What would you have of me?" Zelda said, her concern growing.
"A royal pardon, so that we may freely live our lives once more." Levesque responded.
"And if I don't agree to this?" Zelda asked, beginning to call forth her magic, the energy tingling in her palms.
"We go our separate ways, contracts await and we must make a living." Levesque replied.
Zelda calmed slightly but kept her wits about her. "How many lives have you taken?"
"It's best not to ask." Zara replied.
"This is our offer, take it or leave it." Levesque said.
Zelda cast her eyes down, she hadn't the faintest idea of how to get to Kakariko and she knew that many dangers could lie between her and the village and she had to admit, having two assassins at her service was preferable to being captured and becoming her father's or someone else's prisoner or being eaten by a beast of some sort...she wasn't sure which possibility she liked the least. "It's a deal then." the Princess said.
"Fantastic, shall we be going then?" Levesque said.
"Kakariko's this way." Zara said, gesturing to her left. "It will be about half a day's time before we set foot near the village so we best start now."
"Agreed." Levesque said with a nod before turning to Zelda. "Come along now and try not to fall behind."
Zelda nodded in agreement as she followed Levesque into the forest, Zara trailing behind her. The Princess thought about her situation, traveling through Hyrule with only two assassins for company and she was bringing them Kakariko. "Forgive me, Impa." she thought.
Impa
Eldrin tapped his fingers on the table, looking around nervously. He had been left alone in the room while Impa had gone off with Therian. "What could they be talking about?" he quietly mused to himself, watching as the villagers went about their business outside, the town's windmill spinning in the distance. If Yotin hadn't freed them, he'd probably be without a head by now and he hated to think of what divine punishment the goddesses may dole out for such a failure.
Eldrin began to drum his fingers on the table again when the door opened, Impa finally emerging, Therian at her side.
"My father says it's okay for you to enter the temple." the young Sheikah man said.
"It took that long to discuss it?" Eldrin asked.
Therian eyed him with irritation before turning around and exiting the room.
"Mind your tongue, he isn't fond of Hylians." Impa said.
"Really? I didn't get impression at all." Eldrin answered sarcastically. "So what did you talk about?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Impa said as she and Eldrin silently followed Therian down a long and winding corridor, eventually emerging into a large room, a tall man with tan skin and white hair standing at an altar, his back to them. Silks hung upon the walls depicting scenes from the past, the Demon King, the Hero, the Princess, Sheikah warriors, and beasts etched upon them, each and every one marked at the top with the Triforce.
"I've come to a conclusion." the man called as he turned to face the trio.
"My father has made a decision." Therian said.
"We kind of...got that from what he just said." Eldrin replied, before Impa jabbed him with an elbow.
"Show some respect." the Sheikah woman said as she bowed to the man, Eldrin looking from her, to the man before him and back to her before taking a hasty bow himself.
"You needn't bow to me." the man said.
"You honor us." Impa said as she and Eldrin stood back up.
"My father was speaking to Impa only." Therian said, glaring at Eldrin.
"I was speaking to the both of them, Therian." the older man said as he turned to face all three, his crimson eyes going back and forth between Eldrin and Impa. "Two ancient spirits, returned to our world to prepare us for what's to come...that is who stands before you, my son."
"I...I apologize, father." Therian said, hastily taking a knee to his father.
"Please excuse my son." the man said as he approached Impa and Eldrin. "He takes his duty to protect our village very seriously."
"Sorry to interrupt, but I still don't know your name." Eldrin responded.
"Oh, how thoughtless of me." the man laughed. "I am Rheon, the Grand Elder of the Sheikah."
"Rheon has agreed to help us." Impa said.
"I have to thank you, we're wanted by the crown and Ganondorf so I realize it's not a small ask." Eldrin replied.
"It's the least I can do for the true ruler of the Sheikah." Rheon said, nodding his head towards Impa.
"You needn't pass your title to me." Impa responded.
"I don't see it as 'passing my title', it's more like...ceding control, you've lived many lives and had experiences the other Sheikah and I could only dream of...you were the first ruler of our people and you will lead us back to glory."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Impa said.
"Our people have returned to the shadows from whence we came, gone are the days when we were considered the greatest of Hyrule's warriors, but now, with the Demon King having risen again, we will meet him in battle and the Hylians will give us the respect we are due."
"No." Impa growled, Eldrin, Therian and Rheon looking at her with varying degrees of shock. "I will not have this." she continued.
"What do you mean you 'will not have this'?" Rheon asked, a tone of irritation in his voice.
"War...it's not the path I want our people to take." Impa responded.
"Impa, they've been kind enough to shelter us here, in their home. Perhaps this is a conversation best saved for a different time." Eldrin suggested.
"This doesn't concern you, Hylian." Therian spat.
Eldrin grit his teeth and turned towards the young Sheikah man, readying a reply when Impa cut in.
"And I care not for what you have to say, any of you." Impa said, casting a glare over the three of them. "Two hundred years ago, it was I who had our people excused from guarding the royal family. There are so few of us and by taking the path of peace, we have been allowed to decide our own future and the Sheikah may flourish in Hyrule once again."
Rheon narrowed his eyes, his fists clenching as he met impa's gaze. "We are no longer recognized as the legendary warriors we once were, we must rectify this, or history will repeat itself and the Hylians may declare war on us like they did in the first age."
"That's ancient history, the Hylians are friends to us now, the royal family would never let anything like that befall us!" Impa argued.
"And yet here you are, hiding from the King." Rheon said.
Impa sighed as she closed her eyes and lightly pinched the bridge of her nose. "I thank you for your hospitality, maybe my friend is right, this is a discussion for another time."
Rheon cast his gaze to his son for a moment before returning it to Impa. "Very well, because of who you are, I will relent. Tomorrow, I will send scouts out into the surrounding forest to search for you lost Princess...but we will discuss this matter further before you leave."
"...So be it." Impa replied.
"Therian, show them to their accommodations." Rheon said, nodding towards his son.
"This way." Therian said.
Impa and Eldrin followed him silently as he opened a door into a hallway that led downward, the two cautiously following him into the torch-lit space. They went further down until the ground flattened, the passage terminating in a small room containing three doors. "You two will have the chamber on the right."
"Thank you." Impa said with a nod.
"Sleep well." Therian replied, returning the nod before departing.
Impa pushed the door open, waiting for Eldrin to enter before closing it quickly. The room contained two cots, a desk and candles placed throughout.
"It's...nice." Eldrin stated as he surveyed his surroundings.
"This is not the homecoming I was expecting." Impa admitted.
"I've been wondering, how did Rheon know who you...who we truly are?" Eldrin asked.
"It's part of a plan I put in place during one of my previous incarnations, the Elder asks me a series of questions about past events, questions only the Elder himself is allowed to know...and when I answer all of them correctly, that's proof enough for my people." Impa explained.
"How'd you prove I am who I say I am?" Eldrin said.
"Rheon took my word for it...it honestly didn't seem to matter much to him." Impa answered.
"Excellent." Eldrin said as he threw himself down onto the nearest cot. "Do you trust them?"
"When you say 'them', you're referring to Rheon and Therian, aren't you?" Impa responded.
"Who else?" Eldrin replied.
Impa set herself down on the other cot, reclining back and gazing up at the ceiling, the candles casting a dim, orange glow upon it. "I did, once." she said, pausing as she closed her eyes. "But now, now that they know who I am...I'm not sure."
"Well, it appears we're in the same boat." Eldrin said.
"In the end, Rheon says he'll listen to me, but his mind is made up...leaders like him doomed my people to begin with and now it's happening again." Impa responded.
"Why don't you reveal yourself to the rest of your people? Challenge him for leadership?" Eldrin asked.
"Because that's not my role in this life. We're here to guide Link and Zelda...no matter the cost." Impa explained.
"Losing your people is a steep price to pay." Eldrin said.
"It wouldn't be the first time." Impa replied.
Ganondorf
Ganondorf's breathing was shallow as he attempted to relax, his muscles sore and his joints aching, the Demon King silently lamenting his inability to fix such a thing, even with all the power that resided within him. This was the last place he expected to find himself that day, reclining in a luxurious porcelain bathtab, it's edges lined with gold, yet it was not water the tub was filled with, but a semi-viscous blue liquid, a soft glow emanating from it, a potion made to regenerate ones health and magical reserves.
"How are you feeling, my King?" Koume said as she approached the tub.
Ganondorf didn't answer.
"Look at him...he appears older than us, now." Kotake commented.
Ganondorf raised his head, his silver hair falling over his face, his expression hardening as he glared at the witches. "I am awake, I can hear you." he growled. "I neglected to respond to you, Koume, because your question had an obvious answer that did not deserve the dignity of a response."
"We apologize, our King!" the witches called out in unison, falling to their knees and pressing their noses to the floor.
Ganon rolled his eyes before laying his head back again, they did this entirely too often. "I only appear this way because the two of you failed the resurrection ritual and left me vulnerable to...mortality."
Koume and Kotake looked at each other, not sure what to say when a loud pounding came at the door, startling both of them.
"It's Captain Ginthorne, I'm expecting him." Ganon growled.
"Oh...of course." Koume said, quickly making her way across the room while quietly.
"Lord Ganondorf sent for me." the Captain said as he strode into the room and past Koume before coming to a abrupt halt. "Have I come at a bad time?" he asked, an uncomfortable tone to his voice as he took in the scene before him.
"I apologize for my appearance." Ganondorf said. "I must bathe in the elixir at least once a day to keep my strength."
"Does anyone else know?" the Captain asked, eyeing the witches. "Besides them?"
"Bastion and Veran, but not Blackmoore...and most definitely not the new court jester sorcerer who has welcomed himself to my company." Ganon replied.
"You don't trust him?" the Captain asked.
"He's supplied such useful information." Kotake added.
"And that's all he's done." Ganon said as he sat up. "He openly admitted that he only found me because he was trying to take Demise's power, my power for himself."
"Well, now that he knows it is you who holds this power, would he not give you his loyalty?" Koume asked.
"Sounds like he wants it for himself." Captain Ginthorne answered. "I'm a pirate, I meet men that have something to hide every day and I can tell you right now he's holding something back...he's not even subtle about it."
"The hubris." Ganon snarled.
"Did you call me here to do away with him?" the Captain asked, an interested expression adorning his face.
"Unfortunately no, I may still have use for him, yet." Ganon explained.
"Then may I ask why you want?" Captain Ginthorne asked.
"Is your fleet in position?" Ganondorf asked.
"Captain Saahirah and I have cleared all but a small amount of ships out of the Great bay and moved the majority to Pinnacle rock where they'll be hidden by the mists. She also has placed an ambush force in the cove near her fortress, the Hylians won't be expecting it." Captain Ginthorne explained.
"Excellent." Ganon responded. "And what about Blackmoore and Bastion? How are they organizing the ground forces?"
"To be honest, I've been too busy with my own forces to keep track of that." Ginthorne replied.
"It matters not, I'll be leading the attack." Ganondorf said.
"Are you sure about this, my King?" Koume asked, a sincere concern in her voice.
"I mustn't let our forces see me waver." Ganondorf said. "This is the one chance we have to weaken Hyrule past the point of no return, and I will see it through."
"If I may, I have a request." Captain Ginthorne said.
"What would you have of me?" Ganondorf asked.
"I don't want the beasts on my ships." the Captain answered. "They're too disobedient, they can't follow orders and they look at my men like cuts of meat."
"I trust that you'll find a way to navigate the challenges you face with them...the arrangement is only temporary, anyhow." Ganondorf said.
The Captain wanted to argue, but knew better, even though he was old and frail, he had seen firsthand what Ganondorf was capable of. "Very well." he acquiesced. "I'll tell my men to ready the trebuchets, nothing like a flaming ball of pitch to make your enemies want to turn tail and run."
"Go, I'll be along shortly, give the other commanders my regards." Ganondorf said.
"I'll do so." the Captain said, but as he turned to leave he noticed something, on the wall of the washroom was a mirror, but it was like none he'd ever laid eyes on before. It was massive and had strange patterns etched onto it's surface...he swore they moved. Daemus wanted to ask about it, but he decided against it as Ganondorf was already in a temperamental state as it were.
Bastion
Bastion let out a deep breath as he set himself down upon his bed, well, it wasn't his bed, it had been the bed of one of Clock Town's council members, but he took ownership of it after the Termina fell to them. The people of Termina were strange, they were taller, more broadly built than Hylians and had rounded ears instead of pointed ones, but they lacked magic, the last of the land's magic being said to have died when the Empire of Ikana fell. He glanced down at the table next to his bed, a small glass of red potion set upon it. The young warrior grimaced as he picked it up, the taste and the texture were vile, but the healing properties it had were undeniable.
Bastion stood up and crossed the room, looking into the mirror that stretched from floor to ceiling, his upper body was covered in fresh cuts and bruises with a bite mark on his shoulder was slowly becoming necrotic. "Damn, the Hero, damn the Princess...I'll send them both to hell myself" he breathed.
The most recent task Ganondorf had set him upon wasn't clearing out the last pockets of resistance in Termina or trying to recruit the local beast tribes, he had Daemus Ginthorne and the Blin Emperor for that, his job was to acquire the last shard of the Mirror of Twilight, which Link and Zelda had hidden in the underground chamber of an ancient palace that was guarded by the undead. Bastion had managed to fight his way through the reanimated corpses and in the final chamber, find the mirror shard and yet...when he brought it Ganondorf, he seemed only mildly pleased and commended him on a job well done before retiring to his chambers.
The moment the red potion hit his tongue, he gagged, doing so once more as it flowed down his throat, yet the instant relief of his pain and the swift healing of his injuries, the necrotic bite included, made the short ordeal worth it.
Two fast knocks came out the door, Bastion letting loose and irritated sigh before making his way over to the door, pulling it open to find Veran waiting for him.
"Is this a bad time?" the Sorceress asked.
"No, going to the valley of the damned was a bad time." Bastion answered. "But I wouldn't call anything that we've done recently a good time, either."
"Did you think this would be easy? Taking Hyrule? Killing the Hero and the Princess?" Veran said.
"No, I just didn't think we'd hiring mercenaries and taking an entirely different country before we even started." Bastion replied.
"Ganondorf might not be patient with other people, but he's patient when it comes to meeting his own ends." Veran began. "Speaking of ends, you haven't forgotten our plan, have you?"
"Push Ganondorf back into his prison, kill the witches, let Blackmoore have Hyrule, help Yuga go home and you and I get to live our lives...after killing the Hero, the Princess and the Sages." Bastion laughed.
"What's so funny?" Veran asked, a slight smile curling her lips.
"It's just seems so ridiculous, the plan is so easily said, but we could very well end up dying while trying to accomplish it." Bastion explained.
"I've been planning this for a very long time...but for now, we have have a new task." Veran informed him.
"What do you mean 'a new task'?" Bastion retorted. "I've just returned from another, quite taxing venture that I wasn't even rewarded for."
"You mean finding the last shard of the Mirror of Twilight?" Veran asked. "Ganondorf was very grateful, he may not have had the vigor to express his enthusiasm, but he does have a reward."
"What might that be?" Bastion questioned.
"Ganondorf has had a vision, he knows where Zelda is, and she's all ours."
Ceres
She had spent her days in a fog, drifting listlessly around the room the Stern's had 'given' her. They acted as if it were and act of charity, providing such luxurious chambers to her, a prisoner, but she was just that, a prisoner. It had been days since she had seen her temple burn to the ground, her sisters and all those she had spent months caring for burning with it, but it still felt like she was there, watching it all unfold. She found that she no longer wanted to live.
Ceres barely reacted as the she heard the lock on the outside of her door click, the door slowly opening to reveal the face of someone she had never seen before, she was used to the servants that attended to her and this man was definitely not one of them.
"Um...hello." he said as he strode into the room, a servant shutting the door behind him.
"What do you want?" Ceres mumbled as she lay on the bed. From his appearance alone, Ceres could tell he was a noble and a higher one at that, but she still failed to recognize him, even though the golden eagle emblazoned on the chest section of his tunic seemed familiar to her.
"My name is Jakob, of House Lirien, you are Ceres, correct?" Jakob asked.
"House Lirien." she thought, recalling that they were the liege lords of the land in which her village was located. She remembered being a little girl and seeing green banners with a golden eagle upon them flapping in the wind as she accompanied her mother to the market. "What would you have of me, my Lord?"
Jakob only stared, a feeling of discomfort filling him. "Believe it or not, I'm here to help you."
"Can you bring my sisters back from the dead? Can you go back in time and stop Toron Stern from burning down my temple?" Ceres asked, not a single hint of emotion in her voice.
Jakob grit his teeth, the girls words cutting into his chest like a dagger of ice. This only cemented his decision, these were not the people he wanted to ally with. "No...no, I'm afraid not."
"Then why are you here?" Ceres asked, a tinge of aggravation to her tone.
"I can get you out of here, return to you your freedom." Jakob offered. "The Sterns are...acquaintances of mine and they agreed to this."
Ceres tightened her grip on her bedding, eyeing the noblemen warily. "And what do want from me in return?"
"I was told you had recently seen Princess Zelda...if you tell me where you believe her to be, you will have my help." Jakob said.
"What's the point?" Ceres asked. "Everything has been taken from me. I may as well die in here."
"Don't say that." Jakob replied. "There's always something to live for I could...I could find you a position at the Great Temple of Hylia itself, in Castle Town."
"I only want to go back to how my life was before all of this, if you cannot give me that then you have nothing for me." Ceres answered.
Jakob set himself down in a chair opposite the bed, his gaze meeting hers for a moment. Her eyes were cold and lifeless, they looked almost glazed over and the girl did little more than open them halfway. "Toron or...any of the other men here, have they..?" he began.
Ceres understood his meaning, this time pushing herself up off the bed into a sitting position opposite the young Lord. "No, they say that to defile a woman of the faith is to dishonor the Goddesses themselves." she began. "Yet Toron Stern could not find fault in forcibly entering my temple, murdering my sisters and burning the sick and dying we cared for. After my parents died, I was taken in by the faith, raised by them...all I ever wanted was to be Priestess but...all I...all I got was to watch everyone I cared for die and my temple burn." she said as tears came to her eyes. "There is something I want now...and the Goddesses have no part of it." Ceres hissed.
Jakob looked on, his eyes wide as he leaned in. "What is it?"
"Revenge." Ceres answered.
"If that's what you want, you'll have my help." Jakon replied.
"You lie." Ceres said.
"The Sterns have forced me into an alliance with them to topple the King." Jakob said in a hushed tone. "They get everything from it and I get nothing...if you want to see House Stern fall, then you can stand by my side as we make it happen. I just need the one thing I asked of you."
"I last saw the Princess in the North Faron Woods...I don't know where she's gone since." Ceres replied.
"Thank you, I will return, you have my word." Jakob said
"I'll be waiting." Ceres replied.
Jakob
"Get what you want?" Toron asked quietly as Jakob closed the door behind him.
"I got what I needed, now I'll be on my way." Jakob said as the two began down the corridor towards the common area.
"Are you sure you can't stay any longer? All the company I have now that my father's in the capital are the servants and lowborns aren't much for conversation." Toron laughed. "Rumor has it my aunt may be coming to stay, so at least there's that."
"What? The Queen? Why?" Jakob asked.
"In the letter my father sent, she's apparently requested an annulment of her marriage to the King and she may be coming home permanently." Toron explained.
"An annulment?" Jakob asked incredulously. "Are you sure of this?"
"Don't look so stunned, it's not as if we're planning to overthrow the King because he's just too pleasant of a person." Toron responded.
Jakob looked around quickly before setting his gaze back on Toron. "Would you keep your voice down? You never know who's listening!"
"Calm yourself, Lirien, I've sent all the servants away and the only other person in Sternhall at the moment is locked in a room down the hallway from us."
Jakob gave an irritated sigh. "I'm allowing myself top become distracted, I must be going."
"Do you even know where it is you're going?" Toron asked.
"There's only one road in the Faron Province." Jakob said as he made his way to the doors and thrust them open, the cool evening breeze greeting him as he did so.
"Well, best of luck, Jakob and remember...we're not done here yet."
Jakob looked back at Toron for a moment, choosing only to nod in response as he departed.
The young Lord headed towards the stables, noting that the horses seemed uneasy. This wasn't new to him however, even though spring had come the days had continued to get shorter, it was as if the sun itself was having the life sucked out of it. Jakob saddled his horse, silently mapping the route the Faron woods in his head, the sooner he could get there, the better.
As he started on the road, Jakob felt a pang of guilt as Sternhall shrank into the distance behind him, even though he had just met her, Ceres had left an impression on him and he found himself enduring a measure of guilt for leaving her behind, especially in the condition she was in.
"A priestess of the Goddesses turning to revenge, what she must have been through." he thought as he rode on. Jakob placed a hand on the hilt of his blade, getting ready to draw it only for the blue flames it generated, he and his steed would soon be needing the light. Jakob's thoughts began to drift back to the pact he had made with House Stern and the regret he felt about agreeing to it...he never wanted it but he felt he had to.
An orange glow illuminated the entire area, Jakob's horse rearing up nearly throwing him off as the flames spread in a ring around them.
"Easy! Easy!" Jakob shouted.
His horse seemed to pick up on the distress in his voice, though, it seemed to panic more only to suddenly stop, standing still, unnaturally so. Jakob carefully dismounted, staring out at the darkness beyond the light of the flames before turning to his horse, noticing it's pupils glowed purple as it stood, motionless.
"Magic." Jakob breathed whilst he drew his sword, the sigils along it's blade glowing before it was cast alight in blue fire.
"You won't be needing that." a familiar voice sounded.
"Blackmoore!" Jakob roared. "Show yourself."
"As you wish." Braudin Blackmoore replied as he emerged from the trees, the flames parting as he passed through them.
"I don't know if it's arrogance or stupidity that has compelled you to confront me, but either way, this promises not to end well for you." Jakob growled.
"I'm not here to fight." Blackmoore responded.
"Then this will be rather one-sided." Jakob said as he raised his blade and took a step forward.
"Zelda's in danger." Blackmoore said, locking eyes with Jakob.
"What are you playing at? In danger from who? You?" Jakob asked.
"Please, listen to me." Blackmoore entreated. "It's become clear to me I won't get what I desire working with Ganondorf...I regret my actions."
"You regret your actions?!" Jakob bellowed. "You should have thought about that before betraying the royal family and harming the Princess."
"I know." Blackmoore acknowledged. "Ganondorf has sent Bastion and Veran after Zelda, I'm telling you this because I want to repent for what I've done."
"There is no penance for the likes of you." Jakob spat.
"I know." Blackmoore replied. "But...just let me do this."
"Do what?" Jakob asked.
"You'll never reach the Princess in time, but with my help, you will." Blackmoore began. "I can use a trans-location spell to send you right to her."
"Why the hell should I trust you?" Jakob hissed.
"You have no reason to." Blackmoore responded. "But believe me, the Princess is in danger...and this time I intend to do...the right thing."
Jakob gritted his teeth, taking in an anxious breath as he glanced around. "Ah, fine." he agreed. "How do we do this?"
"It's already done." Blackmoore said, the flames beginning to die, the darkness sweeping over them before the area was illuminated by a violet glow, sigils coming to life around them as a circle formed around the two. "Best of luck."
"If this is a trick, I'll find you and burn you alive." Jakob said.
"I'd expect no less." Blackmoore said as a bright flash filled the forest, Blackmoore watching as it died down, only the smoldering sigils remaining.
Link
Link saddled his horse, pulling the straps tightly as he sensed a presence near him. The Hero turned quickly, hand on his blade, finding Osfala standing behind him, clad in armor with the crest of the Sorcerer's guild on a layer of fabric that covered his mail.
"Osfala, what are you doing here?" Link asked.
"This should answer your question." the Sage said as he handed a scroll to Link,
The Hero unrolled it, finding that he too had been given an exemption. "This bears the seal of House Hyrule." Link observed.
"The Queen, as it turns out, recalled that I accompanied you that night during the ball. She decided that you may need my help." Osfala answered.
"Lord Svelheim must be happy about that." Link replied.
"He didn't have much of a reaction, honestly, he hasn't been the same since the night the Princess vanished." Osfala explained.
"Sounds like he saw something that humbled him." Link said with a smirk.
"Whatever the case may be, I am at your service." Osfala said with a grin.
"Remember when you sent us from the Castle to the lost woods?" Link asked.
"Yes, and I can do it again." Osfala said with a nod.
"I know it's a lot to ask." Link responded.
"Well." Osfala said, gesturing towards the parchment Link held. "Queen's orders."
"Are you ready then?" Link asked.
"Yes." Osfala replied, raising a hand, a golden aura engulfing his body.
Link called upon his Triforce of Courage, willing it to call out for it's sister as he joined hands with Osfala, their power joining. The two gave each other a nod before they disappeared in a flash of golden light.
Zelda
"We should arrive before morning." Levesque said as they made their way through the brush.
"So, we still have hours ahead of us then." Zara replied.
"How are you feeling, Zelda?" Levesque called back to the princess.
When no answer came, both Levesque and Zara turned back, stopping in their tracks as Zelda stood still, staring at the back of her hand.
"What's wrong?" Zara asked.
"Something's...calling out to me." Zelda answered.
Levesque felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, the wind beginning to pick up around them. "Wait, I feel it, too."
"No." Zelda responded, her voice shaking. "This is different...that's something else."
"Great, what's going on, now?" Zara growled.
The trio flinched, holding their arms up to protect themselves as a burst of green flame surged in every direction, setting the trees and underbrush alight.
"What...what the hell?" Levesque breathed as the flames cast a foreboding glow on their surroundings, revealing a small battalion of faceless soldiers before them, their skin looking like it was made of tree roots as they stood at the ready.
"Surrender the Princess, and you will be spared." Veran called out.
End of Book I
It's been a while, but I'm back, and hopefully I can update more regularly from here on out. Life hasn't been holding back as of late, so I've been writing whenever the opportunity presents itself. You probably noticed that I've made a running change, now, instead of the oOo line break, I'm designating the PoV character, hopefully that makes reading this easier.
LoruleanHeart: I though you might like Yuga's origin, he decided to shoot his shot and it didn't work out the way he hoped it would. Yuga may not have had much to do in this chapter, but his role is going to grow exponentially. If you write another Lorule story, you know I'll be there! Gustaf has yet to really come to grips with what happened to him, he tries sometimes, but it altered his personality fundamentally. Hopefully this update met your expectations! Thanks for the review!
Generala: Gustaf had his moment of clarity, but he's already committed an unforgivable act. Even as the King he has a victim complex and thinks he should be forgiven but the Queen just can't do that, she loves her daughter and wants to protect her and knows that with Gustaf, Zelda may not be safe. To be honest, I don't think you ended up screaming after Gustaf's pov section. The queen has asserted herself, but it may not work out the way she hopes. As for Toron, he's just a noble, he doesn't see the commonfolk as other people, really and is, in his eyes, doing what he can to contain the plague. Speaking of, the plague is going to be explained in the book II, there's more to it than just a sickness. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for the review!
Ultimate Blazer: Ganondorf doesn't consider other people's wants and needs, he only thinks about he wants, what he needs and how he's going to get it and everyone else is expendable. We clearly see examples of this behavior in the games, he sacrifices Zant and Ghirahim without remorse. Blackmoore and Bastion are finding this out but Veran already knew, that's why she was plotting from the outset. The Queen is definitely more emotionally intelligent than the King. You can either move past your trauma or let it define you, and Gustaf let it define him and become him. Thank you for your review!
Thank you to all of those who clicked follow and favorite on my profile and my stories! Your support is vastly appreciated!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
-Prometheus17