Authors Notes: I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Please be sure to leave a comment, those of you that haven't yet, it really helps me out! And I would love you forever! Lastly, if you haven't already, give a listen to the audio version of this story. It is fully voiced cast! youtube- Zelda Botw Sequel(fanmade) audiobook part 1. Episode two of that will be released soon.

Chapter 16

A line in the sand

Back at the heart of camp, things were still in an uproar. The imminent danger of the fires may have been averted, but things were hardly peaceful. An accounting of the damage was already underway. Strategic posts of guard sentries were also being set up around the entire perimeter to prevent any such a surprise attack from ever happening again. A hubris and careless mistake that they would all live to regret.

During this time, the princess, along with the help of Sidon, was organizing men, trying to get the camp back under control. She took it upon herself during this time to set up a makeshift area for the wounded as they quickly overfilled the infirmary, delegating smaller tasks simultaneously to those around her. And just as the situation became calmer and order was re-established to her satisfaction, she was free to meet with her head of the command, Lord Simon, his war cabinet, and the representative of House Tarble, Taleran.

"Okay, nurse, you think you will be able to handle the rest of the situation here?" Zelda asked, setting down a crate of supplies near some medical cots.

"Yes, princess. Thank you. We will get these men taken care of, I promise!" The field nurse replied with a warm nod.

Lord Sylmoor was also there accompanying her. "Perhaps, we should meet back with my brother at the command tent. It appears the situation here at hand is well off enough. You've done all you could here, princess. Well done too if I might add," he said.

"Not until I see Link! Just a little longer." She said. But just as she did, she saw from out the corner of her eye, a Starsguard Elite come around the edge of the camp and marched right up to where she stood. He was constable and held a high rank among the army.

"Your majesty, my lord of Illiastar, request your presence in his quarters. As well do the other lords."

"Not until I find out if Link that has made it back and is alright!" Zelda abruptly turned and spoke, still tending to matters at hand.

The constable blinked. "Link, who?"

"Sir-Link, my knight! That's who," she said back sternly.

The esteemed solder then leaned back, hand firmly on his sheathed sword. He then titled his head and replied. "Ah, yes, we will keep an eye out for him. I promise you, my Princess. But, you should leave at once your highness, my lord beseeches thee."

Sylmoor poked his head into their conversation. "It will be alright, princess. That lad Link is as tough as they come. For the time being, you should go see what all the fuss is with my brother. I'm sure he wants to go over what exactly has happened here tonight."

"Indeed. What has happened here tonight?" Zelda asked aloud rhetorically, still bewildered at what has taken place.

"I have no idea, but I think we all will soon find out your grace…But, if I may, we should be off. These sorts of matters can't wait too long, princess. You are the princess, after all," Sylmoor reiterated.

Admitting the fact that as the princess, she did have a duty to her kingdom and to all those who came on along on this campaign, she nodded back to them both. "I am the princess...and well, if you all insist, I go, then I will go. But, please do tell Link where I am as soon as he arrives back from the fires. Tell him that his princess is waiting for him and that it is the utmost urgency that I see him. Will you tell him for me, captain?"

The constable reassured her with a tit of the head and a hand across his pristine breastplate. "I will your grace, don't you worry. We will handle it from here. You have my word."

"Okay, then. Shall we go see what our Lord Simon is up to?" Zelda said, glancing over to Sylmoor and Sidon.

The younger lord coughed into his fist. "Certainly, princess, but I must confess, I'll have to follow up after you shortly, please tell my brother. Not that anyone should have cared to have noticed, but I have yet to dress appropriately for such a meeting," Sylmoor said with an embarrassed look, motioning a glance down to what he was wearing. It was his night clothes.

Zelda giggled at the sight of how silly he must have looked while helping her all-night parading around camp. She was so preoccupied with all the dangerous excitement during that last hour that she hardly noticed he looked that way until he mentioned it.

She laughed. "Certainly, we wouldn't want to give your brother a fright for a second time tonight, would we?"

"Or a heart attack! Could you imagine the look on his face if I were to interrupt his noble meeting dressed as such? He would keel over!" Sylmoor joked with her.

"I know! And then where will be, without our great military mastermind?" She paused again for a hearty chuckle. "Okay then, my Lord Sylmoor, we will see you again when you are ready. I'll let him know you were delayed momentarily," she smiled.

Sylmoor beamed back. "Also, don't you worry; with that being said, I will bring your knight to you myself. That is if he happens to come along while I'm getting prepared."

"Thanks, Sylmoor! And please do! I must know if he is alright," she said, waving goodbye to him as she and Sidon both walked away.

With that, the princess left the care of those around back to the head nurse and the captain of the Starsguard. She also left them with a set of instructions for her knight.

Back at the command tent, the lord of Illiastar was fuming. He leaned upon his wargaming table, fist buried deep into its hardwood counter as he listened to an accounting of the damage from his top advisor, biting his tongue all the while. The frightened advisor was nervously reading from a scroll he had. He stood at attention, hands shaking as he read out the list of all the losses, stuttering each line item, one by one.

At that same time, the princess had finally made her way just outside the tent, approaching the entrance. There she was faced with a pair of sentries who guarded the entryway.

One guard stepped toward her. "Right this way, your highness, the meeting is already underway. I am sure they will get you all caught up to what has been happening," he said, about to usher her inside.

"It doesn't sound like much of a meeting. It sounds like a war!" she sarcastically said back to him, leaning toward the raised voices coming from behind the drapes of the tent.

"Things here all night have been…tense my liege," the guard replied with a bow of the head.

"I can tell." She shook her head with a giggle, hand covering her mouth.

"Is there anything your highness may require from out here while she joins them?"

"No, thank you, my good sir," she beamed at the man. "You watch your post well. I think we'll manage. Ready Sidon?" she asked, turning to her tall guardian.

Sidon grinned. "Right behind you, Princess."

Link trudged into camp with what was left of his band of survivors, morale beaten. Quickly dismounting from his horse, he wasted no time making his way to a soiled, large wash bucket. It was one the men had been using all night to wash their bloodied and war-ravaged hands. It hung upon the entrance to the infirmary quarter.

Tearing him from his sour mood came a sweet smile of a nurse near who offered him up a clean towel to dry off. Walking throughout the camp, he looked around for any sign of his princess. He then saw the Starsguard constable coordinating with those around, and thus he made his way over to him. Surely he would be able to help me, the knight thought to himself.

Link called out to noble guardsmen, signaling him out from the busy crowd of men, medics, and field nurses. "Honorable constable of the Starsguard, by any chance, have you seen the princess this night, her majesty Zelda? And do you know where I might find her?"

Reluctantly the man turned to face the lowly knight. "Why no, I have not seen her. I'm afraid. But if I do, I will be sure to let her know that the knight with no banners is gallivanting throughout the camp looking for her," he replied apprehensively, looking up and down Link in a haughty evaluation.

Sensing his fellow soldier's disdain for him, Link thought best not to quarrel and move away from him. He would be able to find her on his own, he thought. And besides, he was already mad enough at his defeat that anything could set him off. This poor chap didn't stand a chance, and he didn't want to do something he might have later regretted. So, Link took his leave, but just as he did, he felt a hand grip his shoulder.

Link spun around to the sensation. It was Sylmoor.

"Why Link! There you are! We have, I mean- The princess has been looking all over for you. Nice of you to decide to finally make it back! Better late than never, I suppose. Come, let us be off. She will be delighted that you have made it back in one piece." Sylmoor chuckled, proud to be back in his fancy clothes.

"Wait, she was here looking for me?" Link questioned, slowly turning to face the lech of a soldier who bald face lied to him seconds earlier, offering him a cold hard stare in return.

"Why, yes? She was…is something the matter?" Sylmoor asked, confused by Link's demeanor toward the guardsman.

Link just continued to lock eyes on the brute, who threw a face of disgust right back at him. Apparently, someone for some reason did not want him to accompany the princess that evening.

The constable jerked away and replied calmly. "Sorry, must have slipped my mind."

Sylmoor stood bewildered at their awkward exchange.

Link, eyes still locked on him spoke. "It must have…No…it's fine, my lord. Everything is fine. Let us be off." Link assured, turning back. His face quickly faded back into a soft expression. He then walked away with Sylmoor, who was dressed back into his ceremonial clothes. He even was wearing the sparing sword Link gave to him earlier that day when they were out and about practicing on the bluff. They were off to regroup with the others.

Back in the main tent where the Hylian leaders were, Simon was about to scold one of his advisors when Zelda marched in.

Angry, the platinum-blonde haired Lord squeezed a fist in the air at his subordinate. "You mean to tell me we have still yet to account for all the losses! What is it that we know so far? Can anyone give me a straight answer! This is an outrage! How could have this have happened to my camp? Any—" The lord was interrupted by her waltz into the illustrious war room. His fist loosened. Her presence caused a hush to befall all those present. She had such a majestic way about her that could quiet any room.

The princess glanced around as she made her way in, catching eyes with everyone. She saw that it was the lord of Illiastar, Simon, his marshals, army counters, the representative from house Tarble, Taleran, and several guard sentries who were present.

Simon spoke again, turning his chin respectfully toward her grace. "We would be honored if you would join us, your majesty. I didn't think you would make it here so soon. Just a few more unpleasantries I have to go over with this lot, and then I can be right with you."

Zelda blinked at his notion that she could possibly be just another item on his appointment list. However, she decided not to challenge him on the matter. More important things were happening. "Whatever they may be, I would like to hear them as well. I am the princess, after all. So, please do continue," she said, cracking a phony cheer of a smile back at him.

"Certainly, your grace. Carry on Master of records." He said, returning to his sour mood yet again, flapping his cape in a tantrum as he turned around to listen for the accounting continue.

"S-sir, we regret to inform you that the destruction here is steeper than we had previously thought. Hundreds of thousands of rupees worth of damages. At the latest reports, we have lost most of our siege weapons, catapults, and munitions. As well as our stockpiles of arrows. Also, the food wagons hosting the entirety of the army's rations have been lost in the fires too. And—"

The flustered lord cut him off in a rage, swinging his arm outwards, spilling all the placeholders across the war plan table he leaned against. "There's more!? As if that is not enough!? Where were the sentries guarding the supply line? Why wasn't the alarm sounded and the banners called!? I want those responsible for neglecting their post found! Now!"

"S-sir, I think they are dead…they didn't make it."

"I don't care! Bring their corpses to me if you must! I want them found and brought here. So, I can kill them again myself and make them answer for their ineptitude!"

Zelda frowned in annoyance at her Lord's reaction to his subjects. She didn't like his behavior nor his tone and how it was escalating into a fever pitch. But, she decided just to bear it a little longer and listen to the back and forth continue. The tall Sidon also noticed her face change and made a slight hand wave to only where she would see, calming her down from interrupting. A silent urge to her that they should listen just a little more.

The advisor continued. "C-certainly, my lord!" The man coughed, eye gesturing a few of the guards to leave and track down the men in camp responsible for protecting the army's supplies. "And my lord, it gets worse…We've just found out that most of our heads of cattle have been run off by the enemy and stolen."

"What do you mean most!? What kind of answer is most? How many!?"

The man froze in fright.

"Speak! Specifics man! How many!?"

"Sixty-two my lord," the man said, face soaked in fear. Sweat poured down his forehead.

"And...out of how many!?"

The man swallowed, and hesitantly replied, closing both his eyes slowly. "Out of sixty-three…my lord."

"Goddesses damn it if you mean all, just say all of them! Sixty-two indeed! I should have you thrown from the gates of the crystal palace for your word games!" Simon paused a moment only long enough to huff and stamp around the tent in a rage. "So, you mean to tell me, not only did they singlehandedly cripple our ability to wage war, but they made off with our main food supply!"

"Y-yes…I'm afraid so, my lord."

"Get out of my sight…before I make you disappear for good!" Simon shouted. The man held his head low and skulked away in defeat, hiding behind the throng of other leaders present.

Back outside, Link had approached alongside Sylmoor, the command tent. Rushing past the sentries first, Sylmoor easily was granted access, but as soon as Link made his way following closely behind, the two sentries blocked his entry. Both crisscrossed their spears barring the way in for him.

Hearing the slam of their lances together behind him, Sylmoor spun back around before he opened the flap to the tent to enter. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Sorry, My lord, orders from your brother. This commoner soldier is not to accompany the meeting tonight," The head sentry spoke.

Link stood in front, puzzled as to why he has been shunned. He had a few guesses as to why but couldn't be sure.

Sylmoor spoke, voice raised. "Well, I say, let him pass. I am your lord as well, or don't you recall the sacred crest across my chest!?"

The two sentries looked at each other, but neither relented. "I'm sorry, my lord, we would, but your brother insisted you might say that, and he said we are not to break his command. Until he says otherwise, we will keep our orders. I'm sorry."

"The man is two minutes older than me."

"Yes, but he is still lord and heir to bountiful. I'm sorry, my lord."

"Very well then…Don't worry, Link, wait here. I'll come back for you. But first, I have some choice words to say to my brother. For this…this miscarriage of justice."

The knight decided to stand patiently, guarded away by the two sentries as Sylmoor entered the tent.

Sylmoor entered the tent quietly as his brother pontificated his grievances aloud.

Sylmoor, dissatisfied with Link's treatment, spoke sternly. "What is the meaning of this!?"

Simon jerked, not liking to be interrupted, shushed him down. "Whatever it is, Brother, it will have to wait!"

"No, I will not—" Sylmoor was cut off. At that same moment, a Starsguard soldier dramatically barged in from the flap of the tent, turning all the heads in the room. Caught up by the scene, Sylmoor quieted.

The sentry spoke cold. "My lord, I bring you the three men responsible. They are all who's left that have survived," the man spoke, waving his hands outward for two more elites like him to thrust down the three frightened regulars before the line of nobility.

Zelda quietly gasped to herself at how fierce they were behaving, unsure if she should speak up.

But the high-strung lord beat her to it, wasting no time interrogating the shaken men. "So, what do you have to say for yourself…speak! How can you explain away this…this…catastrophe!"

One of the frightened soldiers, one who was in charge of guarding the entrance to the woodland earlier that night, responded back, voice trembling. "Forgive us, m'lord…we don't know how it happened. We were all just sitting around our fire when the last thing we remember was that a man came to us. In the middle of the night, he did, looked just like a common old man…Or was he young? We didn't think much of it. He was friendly, having a bit of a laugh with us, and so we offered him our fire for warmth. It was a cold night that it was, even some drink too."

The man said to all those gathered but shot a confused look to his fellow soldier who was also being interrogated.

The other man chimed. "But, It was very dark. He could have been a young man now that you say it."

Simon rolled his eyes. "So, was he old, or was he young!? Speak, man, or you never will again!"

The round-bellied leader coughed as he spoke up for his frighten comrades. "Well, it was really dark…Forgive us, m'lord."

Simon slammed his fist again at the head of the table. "You mean to say, not a one of you can tell me what he looked like, even though you sat, drank, and had merry conversations with this infiltrator for the better half of an evening!?" Simon swung his cape again, voice raising. "How is it that you are alive and are here to speak to me tonight, whereas three of your comrades lie dead at your post?

"You are either are in on the attack and have been bought. In which case makes you a traitor, or you are completely incompetent in your duties! In either case, you shall be punished!" He turned with a fiery judgment in his eyes toward the elite Starsguard who stood at attention. "Guard, take these men and flog them in the middle of camp, ten lashes each! Let this serve as a reminder to all those who disobey their orders or abandon their post!"

Zelda had heard enough, her patience exhausted toward her lord, so she rose and spoke up on behalf of the terrified men. "Hold on just a minute, my lord, aren't you being a little hasty? Shouldn't we listen more to their story? I'm sure these good soldiers have a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why they left their post."

Simon countered. "Here's your perfect explanation, princess. They are either traitors, liars, or cowards. Three good reasons to be whipped. I say they are lucky to keep their heads as far as I am concerned."

"Well, I say, we should listen to more of their story," she said with a huff, hand at her waist.

"As you wish, princess…alright, you heard her majesty, go on, tell us. How did this man get the better of you!? Speak quickly, and you better start making sense."

"Well, it's as I said m'lord, a man came to us in the night. He was unarmed and seemed harmless, even tired from the road. He was Hylian, so we didn't want to turn him away."

"That's right. He even listened to us sing songs and heard our jokes," said another guard who concurred.

The leader of the group continued, still on his knees, hands forward in a begging fashion. "We swear m'lord. We had nothing to do with this. Last, I remember is that he gave me a drink …what did he call it? Hard to remember, my head is still aching from when we awoke." The man scratched his head.

"Well, you better remember fast, or your head isn't the only thing that is going to be aching if you don't hurry up and spill it!"

"It was uh…uh, Widows Wine! Yes! That is what he called it. I'm sure of it, m'lord."

"Widows Wine, hmm? Have any of you heard of such a drink? Anyone?" Simon faced all the others present. Nobody among them nodded ever hearing such a drink before. Sylmoor, who fancied drinks, cuffed his chin and closed an eye in recollection, diving deep into his no doubt blur of a drunken memory. But, he too fell short of remembering such a hearty beverage.

Simon leaned. "How do I know you all weren't just drunk and made up this whole fairy tale yourselves?"

"We promise. I can't explain m'lord, but his face would seem old, then look young and then old again. Come to think of it, I can't even remember his face. I don't understand how he did it. At the time, I saw him face to face just as we are now. I could count you the hairs on his head. But, now, since I awoke, everything is so clouded."

"So, what happened next?"

"That's it, m'lord, that is all we remember. The next thing that I remember was that I was waking up from a loud noise, an explosion as I lied face first in the mud. Please, m'lord, it is the truth! I swear it."

"What a fantastic lie of a story you conjured up to get yourself out of this! One thing is to lie to me, but to lie to the princess is another thing entirely! So, you mean to tell me that it wasn't bokoblin raiders to the south that caused this nightmare to take place? And now that you tell me that all this, all that has happened was the handiwork of some decrepit old man! Hell, you're not even sure what you saw! How can I believe your story at all?! How can anyone?! Lies! And the punishment for lies is—"

"It's true!" Link said boldly, barging into the tent. All eyes suddenly turned to his voice coming from the flapped entrance. "All of it. I've seen the man myself."

Sylmoor and Sidon in unison smiled at his cool entrance.

Simon huffed. "How did you!? The guards!?"

"Don't worry...your lapdogs are alright," the cool knight said. Seeing Link again, Zelda felt her cheeks glow warmly at the sight of him. She couldn't help but smile as she saw him take control of the room with his presence.

Simon gasped.

"But it is true…These men and their story. I saw the cloaked man they saw." Link insisted.

Simon rolled his eyes. "Of course. Of course, you did. I wouldn't have expected anything less from the great 'Link' himself. Why is it that every time I turn around, and something happens, it's you!?"

Link leaned his head back, annoyed by the lord's insinuations. He already has had enough for one night and was about to snap back but thought better of it since his princess was present. So, he silently stood there and bit his tongue.

Simon continued. "So Sir-Link, what did you see? What can you add to their fantastic tale?"

"I couldn't get a great look at him, but he is indeed the one behind all of this. The attack on the south end was coincidental. It could have been coordinated, but it can't be certain. He got away. I tried to stop him, but he…was just…so fast," the knight replied, getting carried off in thought at his defeat earlier.

"Ha, so even you, our great champion, couldn't stop this old man. We are doomed for sure." Simon chuckled. His retinue of 'yes men' around also laughed in lockstep with his own.

Link interrupted their laughs. "That's not it. I'm not even sure if he was even an old man, I couldn't see his face. But it isn't entirely these men's fault."

"I agree, let them go," Zelda said boldly, giving a warm smile to her knight, well pleased on his safe return.

Simon shrugged. "As you wish. Her majesty spares you. Now go!" he yelled to the three men as they scurried out from the meeting.

Zelda was walking over closer to Link, opposite of the others in the rounded tent. She saw that the fight had taken its toll on him. He was a mess from what she could tell. His clothes were ragged, covered in dirt, soot, and even blood-stained. "You're hurt!?" Her eyes widened.

"I'm fine. I just fell. Others weren't as lucky, though. It was a trap." Link replied. Everyone else in the room was still watching their exchange.

"A trap!? "

"Yes, the whole thing."

"And what do you mean, you're fine!? Look at your arm! It's bleeding!" She replied. The crude field dressing he made had been soaked with his blood. She knew that he must have been sliced deep. "Don't you just leave like that again. You're not the only soldier here, and you don't have to run off on your own all the time. You're not invincible, you know. Think first before you react Link," She said, just as she was about to lean in for a hug from him when Simon chimed in. She pulled back before she could.

"Yes, Sir-Link, we are all pleased to see you safely returned to us. We also want to thank you for your…bravery in rushing off to help the others. It really is most admirable," he said to link, a sarcastic puffed-up tone in his voice.

"I'm just doing my duty, my lord."

"Indeed."

Zelda turned over to face her knight."Do you think that this villain could be the one behind all the disasters that have been happening? The attack on the divine beast and the destruction of the Rutala dam?" she asked.

"I don't know...I have no idea who he is," Link answered back.

"Hmmm," Zelda said as she leaned back, cuffing her pretty chin with a hand at her waist.

"Wait, what is this you are talking about? What do you mean behind these attacks? There have been more?" Simon questioned them both.

"Yes, I'm sorry, my lord. I haven't mentioned them to you as of yet."

"And you thought not until now was it wise to keep these events from me? I have a war to plan, and you didn't think it smart to let me know what you know?"

"No, it wasn't like that! We honestly had no idea what to tell you, my lord. We had no leads on the attacker until now. And besides, I wasn't sure just yet if it should have been revealed yet. The timing wasn't right...until now."

"Well, I guess there is no use debating the matter further. But, please, next time, if there is a mysterious enemy afoot wreaking havoc in the shadows, do tell me about it."

"We didn't know who or what was behind the attacks," Link defended her.

"I"m speaking to the princess, not you-"

The adviser interrupted them both with a loud cough. "There is also…something else…My lord, may I continue?"

Simon turned to his master of records. "I thought I told you to get out of my sight? But, if you insist, I'd rather hear it all now. But first, answer me this, how long does the army have a steady supply of food, and will more arrive with the wagon train that is expected to come in five days? And what of Draene?"

"I'm afraid not my lord, the food provisions were the first wave of wagons that have been following the army at its front this entire time. It will be many days until Draene would arrive and that's if they are even coming at all. We still have heard no word from them. The Starlight dispatch riders you sent will be back tomorrow, but only with that miracle worker you have called for. And lastly, the only supplies we can expect to arrive will be more siege towers and catapults. And they aren't edible."

"I know that you imbecile!"

The man gulped. "Even…" the adviser paused, cleared his throat, and glanced over to the younger lord Sylmoor, who was listening intently. "Even the entire shipment, carrying the barrels of ale, have been lost. Not a drop left. I'm afraid."

Sylmoor gasp. "What! What do you mean? What of the mess tent? Don't they have any left stocked?"

"Well, I suppose whatever we have left in camp, maybe one or two barrels at most, is what we are left with. I'm afraid. So sorry, my lord."

"That…That's no fair way to fight a war! How could they!?" Sylmoor clenched both his fist in sadness at the revelation, almost to tears.

The elder brother couldn't stomach the look of it and interrupted Sylmoor's bellyaching. "So, you're telling me we have no rations for my army. That we are all going to starve!? How long do we have?"

The adviser read from the scroll in his hand, did a quick calculation in his head, and replied. "I'd say at best…with the latest count that we have left from the mess tent, two days, maybe three at the most. And, that is if we half ration everyone here on out."

"What a total and complete nightmare. The enemy is forcing my hand. With a blow such as this, we will have to retreat. I can't risk open war without proper supplies, and we don't have enough food rations to wait for our siege weapons to arrive. We would be starved by then. We must fallback to Bountiful. There we can re-supply and continue the campaign in a couple months when we can re-mobilize the army and mount a proper offensive."

"No, my lord, I will not abandon the castle nor my people here in the lower territories. The fires of the enemy will spread like malice if unchallenged. I will not retreat. Not now! If we can't wait for food provisions to arrive, then we will just take back what was stolen from us. We'll just have to mount an attack early and take the castle now."

"My princess, what you ask is suicide! You don't know what you're saying. We can't mount an offensive like that. Please let me do what is best for my army and the kingdom. If I wanted opinions on how to run my army, I would ask my generals; if I wanted advice on the intricacies of knitting dresses and drinking Zora tea, I would ask thee."

Zelda had enough at his puffed-up tone and lack of humility and snapped back relentlessly. It was just as the Lord was pacing around in the tent, giving his belittling speech to her at the opposite end of the meeting, among his throng of subordinates. She spoke fiercely. "Kneel…"

Her words cut cleanly through everyone's thoughts that were present. Some were even unsure of what she said, heads turning to face each other in bewilderment, looking to the man next to them to see if they heard the same thing they did.

She spoke again, just as fierce. "I said…kneel."

There was no mistake now in her command. So, everyone present began to fall to one knee when she interrupted them all.

"Not everyone…just…him. Kneel, my lord," she said stern, eyes locked on him like a target. Her royal decree echoed throughout the entire pin-drop quieted room. The others stood back up on their feet.

Simon immediately felt like a rock in a hard place. He never throughout his entire life has he ever had to obey someone else other than his father. His knees have grown so fond of standing they forgot how to bend. Quickly, he gazed around the room to those watching the spectacle taking place.

He realized he hadn't a choice and so he relinquished to her demands and fell to his knees in reverence to her, head bowed. The room fell to a hush.

Zelda spoke as he waited there in silence. "Now, tell me…Lord Simon, where do your loyalties lie? For last, I checked. It was house Hyrule that reigns over these lands and all the dominions therein. Or am I mistaken, my lord?"

"No, you are not mistaken, my princess."

"And what is the crest that I bare? Which house is that? Enlighten me."

"It is…" He gulped, humiliated at the show she was putting on. "It is the golden wings of the loft eagle, of the royal house of Hyrule," he said quietly, face inward toward his cloak.

"And which house does house Illiastar serve and has sworn eternal fealty to?"

"Yours…"

"That is correct, and don't you forget it again…I will not be silenced like a mere common maiden, nor will I be told what to do with my army or kingdom. Henceforth, you, my lord, will be stripped of your commanding title and ranks here among the army. You will, of course, remain as lord of Illiastar and still be the heir to Bountiful. But as far as this campaign is concerned, you shall be relieved of your high command here."

The room gasped at her decree.

She continued. " Lord Sylmoor!" she called, turning to face him. Her beautiful golden hair whipped as she made her decree. Standing tall with royal authority, her sweet voice reverberated powerfully throughout the room.

"My Lord, I grant you fully all the rights and claims to this army in your brother's stead. Perhaps you can lead where he has misjudged."

Sylmoor gulped in fright. Slowly he stepped a few paces closer to her and his brother, who was still bowed.

"My princess, this is too high of an honor. I beseech thee to reconsider"

"So, you don't seek to please your princess's wishes?"

"No, it's not that my liege. It's he is really the only one capable of this noble task. I beg of you. I'm no warrior. I drink and sing songs. That is what I do. My brother is the one you want. Sure, he can be hard at times. Hell, most of the time. But I promise you, he is the best war tactician and general this age has ever seen. And that is the truth."

Zelda turned to face the corner of the room and pondered alone for a brief moment as the room waited for her to come to a decision. She looked up and down as she searched her thoughts and feelings. It felt like an eternity to all those present, but in reality, it was just seconds gone by.

She slowly spun and spoke. "As you wish my lord, your brother shall be forgiven for his trespass against the crown of Hyrule. Not for his sake, but for yours. Arise, Lord Simon, reclaim your rightful position here as my commanding general of the army. But, lest you forget who I am again, I may not be so forgiving next time."

Zelda, deep down, finally felt she had finally become one step closer to becoming a true leader, but even as she spoke those harsh words, she doubted them. She knew she really didn't have the stomach to be so strict with her judgments, but she thought if she could just pretend to be more dominant, perhaps that would be enough to quell any dissenting opinions of those around her. She hoped.

Simon arose back up from his bent knees. "Forgive me, your grace. I only wish to serve you. And I was doing what I thought could be our only option for victory. That is what you want, right? Victory?"

"Of course, it is, but we can't abandon the people, not now. There has to be another way."

Taleran, the thin and walnut colored-haired man representing the lady of Tarble, spoke up. "Well, does anyone have any ideas to propose? The only way I see it is a full-frontal assault. But, the Lord of Illiastar is right, wouldn't that be reckless now without our ability wage such an attack? Now that we have been severely handicapped?"

"It certainly would be foolish. We hardly have any siege weapons. Not to mention, your archers will need arrows. The master of counters said all our stockpiles of arrows have been destroyed in tonight's fires. We can't even barrage the enemy fortress. We literally we are at their mercy and their advantage." Simon declared.

"Yes, we were counting on those supplies. The only arrows we have are what we have among us in our quivers. Hardly enough to wage open war. I must agree with him, your grace. I know it displeases you to hear this but perhaps—"

Suddenly a mild but strong voice interrupted them. "Perhaps, there is another way, a way to get inside the castle. A way to give us back the advantage? What then?"

It was Link who spoke.

"Well, do you know such a way?" Taleran questioned the young knight.

"If I may?"

"Of course, please by all means. Let us hear your plan."

Link cautiously walked forward to address the room. He wasn't to keen when it came to public speeches, so he swallowed his nervousness and waved a single hand outward before he spoke. " What if someone were to enter behind the castle walls during the night, while the enemy was least expecting it and then open the main gates from within. In that case, the army wouldn't have to besiege the walls. They could just march on in, giving us back the advantage."

"And how do you propose anyone getting in there to accomplish such an impossible task? You wouldn't be able to get within five leagues of the city walls before being struck down by the enemy," Simon countered, his voice rising yet again.

"Leave that to me, my lord."

"Leave that to you? You want the entire army to base a strategy of an entire attack on the whims of a single knight? Come now."

"I think we should listen to what this young lad has to say, my lord." Taleran interrupted.

"As you wish," Simon spoke, turning the other way, one eye open and a single ear flicking toward Link, listening to his remarks carefully.

"Carry on, Sir-Link," Taleran insisted.

"Look, I have braved the castle before. Granted, it wasn't nearly as guarded as it is now, but there is a secret entrance. Not many know about it. And I think I know a way to slip past the enemy un-noticed. Just give me five good men, and we can have those bridges and gates down for you, I promise you."

"A secret passage, you say? Surprise attack? I like it. How do you plan on slipping by the enemy?" Taleran leaned closer to him.

Zelda also smiled as Link spoke. Curious as to see what he was planning.

"Well, I know it may sound crazy to believe, and you are going to think I have gone mad myself. But, I have come into possession of some rare oddities...masks."

"Mask!?" Simon rolled his eyes. "And how are masks going to get us to surprise attack the enemy?"

"These aren't normal masks. No, my lord. These masks come from a man I have met on my travels. A mysterious wanderer. I, too, scoffed at his claims when I first heard his stories, but these masks have come very handily for a lone soldier like myself. These masks have the power to hide one's true look to the enemy."

"Are you certain about this Link? I mean, I believe you, of course, but you have to admit this all sounds sort of silly," Zelda chimed.

"I swear it." Link argued.

"Well then, I for one believe you," The princess beamed at him.

Some in the room were cupping their chins, questioning his proposition. Others nodded in approval. A few even voiced their opinions in murmuring whispers amongst themselves.

Until a loud voice spoke. "I believe you too," said Taleran, wiggling his mustache as he smiled.

"As do I friend, I'll even go with you and see this quest through," said the tall red prince with a wink.

One by one, they agreed that Link had been telling the truth until second to last was Sylmoor.

He rubbed his chin and blurted the same. "Well, of course, I do too! I mean, at this point, how could I not believe you?! It's a fine plan," he said with a friendly stare, grin shining.

Until finally, there was Simon, standing stubbornly arms crossed. Not wanting to be on the outs, he relented. "Well, if its as you say, then I guess we have no other choice. So, what is your plan? Enter the castle and then lower the drawbridges and gates under disguise? It might…just work."

"It will work," Zelda bravely declared. "It has to work."

Leaning against the war table, she set up the map again, laying out the battle plans, placing the markers down. "Link and his group of renegades will sneak into the castle by the cover of night, and then they will lower their defenses. At that moment, once the deed is done, he will sound the horn of Illiastar, letting the army know to carry out their strike. With everything we've got, we will rush the castle gates and take the city."

"Bold plan. Okay then, Sir-Knight, how long do you think it will take until you can lower the gates?" Simon asked.

"I'd say an hour or so."

"You have one hour to finish the task and get out of there. Then my army will rain hell upon the enemy with what arrows and siege weapons we do have. We don't have many, so we have to make them count. Then we will rush them with the entirety of our forces."

Zelda nodded. "So, then it's settled then, we attack at dawn. Now, we should all prepare and get our rest. We have a big morning ahead of us."

With that, the meeting had adjourned, and everyone was about to slip away when Zelda caught sight of Sylmoor sliding away.

She spoke to him, stopping him mid-step. "Oh, and lord Sylmoor, everyone is going to have to fight. You heard your brother, didn't you? We are going to need everyone we can get, now that our ability to wage war has been severely diminished," she said with a smile trying to get a rise out of him.

Sylmoor choked a bit on his tongue." But, my liege, I'm no warrior."

She then glanced at the practice sword he had sheathed by his waist belt. "Well then, what is that then? That looks like a sword to me? Why have that if you don't intend to fight? Hmmm?" She playfully questioned.

"Oh, this? This is nothing. This is just something Link gave me earlier. We were just foolin' about. He was just showing me some of his moves. Over some drinks! That's all," Sylmoor confessed, grabbing the phony wooden blade hiding it behind his back in embarrassment.

"In that case, then I suggest maybe you should get some more practice in while you can, don't you think? Perhaps a drink or two might ease your fears." She smiled with a wink. "I'm sure if you ask nicely, Link will show you more of his moves."

Sylmoor gulped, face pale with the fear of the idea of having to fight.

She patted his shoulder as she left the tent following after her knight until all who were left in the war room was Sylmoor, trapped in worried thought.

Link was walking lockstep with Sidon as they were heading back to there tent.

"Thanks for keeping care of the princess Sidon, I am in your debt."

"Nonsense, my friend, I hardly did a thing. Except if you consider rearranging military supplies and moving furniture around is a great and noble task. In all honesty, I should have been there alongside you. Fighting the enemy."

"Well, don't you worry, then? You're going to have plenty of that tomorrow, I assure you," Link said with a slight chuckle.

"Aha! Indeed, and we will see who is the better warrior! I aim to slay a hundred bokoblins tomorrow! Foul beast they are!" Sidon nudged him with his giant elbow to his side as they walked.

"You're on! Whoever has the most pelts tomorrow wins!" Link countered. But as he did so, he heard rushing steps through the grass approaching him from behind. Slowly turning to face crunching footsteps, he realized it was the princess. He then nodded for Sidon to wait up for him at their tent as he was going to stand and wait for her. Sidon saluted him and disappeared ahead of them.

Catching up to her lowly Knight, Zelda reached out for him, now that they were alone walking through the camp, each heading back to their own quarters. "Leaving so soon?" she said, wrapping her arm around his. He winced a bit as she grabbed him, forgetting about his bandaged wound.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Link," she apologized, realizing she was rough in her grasp.

"It's okay. I'm alright, …honest. But, I do have to get ready to leave tonight…Zelda."

"I know it's just…I…nevermind. Go, be the hero that you are, Link. Be careful, okay! If anything goes wrong…you just get out of there, okay? Don't you dare do anything foolish!"

Link just smiled to her reassuringly as he marched away from her, back toward his tent, which was adjacent to her own. "Always."

And with that, the knight slipped away from her sight, and she returned to her own tent. The night had felt long, but the dawn would soon be upon them. The real test of courage awaited her the following morning. With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she also remembered about her friend Riju, who was in desperate need of the magical healer still, fighting just to stay alive. They had to be successful tomorrow, she pondered. Everyone was depending on them. But there would be no reprieve in the meantime. The battle had finally come.