The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. Any and all OCs and original locations belong to me unless specifically stated to belong to someone else.
The Voice
Chapter 62 - Search and Destroy
Sidon frowned as he leaned over the small table on which the map was laid out, staring at the location marked with a cross. Around him, some of the higher-ranking officers of the combined army were murmuring amongst themselves, all reacting to the news in various ways. Some with shock, others with anger, and a few with the aimless, helpless silence of those unused to such happenings.
Sidon was with the second group. The fires of rage were being stoked in the pit of his stomach, and his inner river was powerless to stop them, evaporating from the sheer heat.
"All of them?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the war room, cutting the other conversations short as everyone's attentions were drawn to him and the Zora who had delivered the report.
Bazz nodded, unaffected by the weight of the gazes upon him.
"All of them, my prince," he confirmed. "They were attacked during the night; save for a few, they were all still in their bedrolls with no signs of struggle. Their throats had been cut in their sleep."
"The guards?" the prince asked.
"Taken by surprise," Bazz replied. "Only a few had the time to draw their weapons. Otherwise there were no signs of struggle. Their wounds suggested high precision and skill."
"The Yiga, then," one of the Hylian officers said, grimacing. His name was Mero or Malo...or something like that. Sidon found their names a little difficult to remember sometimes. "Bokoblins don't usually go for the stealthy approach, nor the lizalfos."
"Magic-wielders like wizzrobes would have left the entire forest burned down, or iced-over," another (Manard, possibly?) added. "Must have been the blood-eyes."
One of the Sheikah present cleared her throat pointedly, which had Possibly-Manard ducking his head.
"My apologies," he mumbled under his breath.
"I agree," the Sheikah said after staring at the man for a few seconds longer than necessary. "This seems to be the work of the traitors. Night-time attacks are their—our—specialty. Take out the men on watch, then quietly eliminate the rest in their sleep. Simple and effective, if you know what you are doing."
"The work of cowards," the Mero-Malo said, glaring at her. "Those with honour at least give their opponents a chance to fight back."
As much as Sidon wanted to voice his agreement with the man, he also knew that when it came to fighting Ganon and its lackeys, concepts like chivalry and honour mattered little. What good would observing those codes do when your enemy didn't understand them? And if it did understand them, it certainly did not care to follow them.
He was about to say as much when the Sheikah gave the Hylian a pitying look and said, "Ganon will not. It would gladly slit all of our throats in the night if it could. Luckily, it would seem the Yiga's numbers have been cut down drastically, if Pikango's reports are accurate."
"Hard to say whether it's infighting or something else," the older Sheikah in question said, his arms crossed as he stared hard at the map. "Either way, I and some of our scouts have found several Yiga squads out in the wild; all dead."
There were no Sheikah in the camp that had been mercilessly slaughtered in the night—only Hylians. Inexperienced farmers and fishermen who'd only recently learned to hold their swords and spears correctly. Sidon wasn't sure if Pikango was relieved by that fact or angered because the Sheikah might not have been as easily ambushed or could have roused the camp's defences before it was too late. His eyes met Sidon's, and a silent understanding that passed between them.
Master Teba's reveal of the monster following Link and Sheik had been deemed a top-level secret, known only to those who knew the targets closely. That was limited to Sidon, Paya, Pikango, Bazz, King Dorephan, and a select few Sheikah scouts whose sole tasks was to find traces of the monster's passing.
The fact that this creature apparently wore Sheik's face was known only to Sidon, Paya, and Bazz, on account of them being there when Teba arrived.
"Whatever causes them to shrink in numbers, I consider a blessing!" a Goron soldier said (shouted, really, on account of what the Gorons considered normal speaking voices due to living on a bloody volcano).
"The scouts were unable to identify their exact numbers," Bazz continued, having dutifully ignored his clear desire to give everyone talking a smack over the head for getting side-tracked. "They estimate at least half a dozen, most likely more. The Yiga are skilled at obscuring their tracks, hiding their true numbers."
"L-Likely a s-strike team," Paya said, from her place next to Sidon. "Th-Their tactics have n-not deviated m-much since th-the schism. Th-The team w-will likely b-be eight or n-nine in total."
"How many strike teams would they deploy for sabotage operations, Mistress Paya?" Sidon asked.
"D-Depends on th-their numbers, Your H-Highness," the Sheikah replied, her cheeks colouring only a little now as she spoke to him.
She still had trouble meeting his gaze occasionally, but she was making remarkable progress. Military life seemed to agree with her, if her increasing boldness during exercises and meetings were any indication.
Her stutter remained, but she didn't seem nearly as bothered by it as before. That alone made Sidon cheer for her inwardly. She reminded him so much of Link and his struggles.
His stomach roiled, and he fought down the urge to ask if any of their scouts had any reports from the desert. Teba must have reached them by now, he figured, and he could only hope it was in time. News from that region travelled slowly though, on account of the barricade that had been erected by the Yiga.
No, he thought. I have my own duties to attend to, and they theirs. I must remain focused, to prove their trust in me was not in vain.
"Let us assume they are at full strength," Pikango said, whipping out one of his paintbrushes (which was, inexplicably, already wet with black paint) and beginning to mark the map. "That would mean a strike group has been deployed, which consists of three separate teams that work in tandem to cause mayhem behind enemy lines." He drew three circles around the cross marking the camp site. "Two teams harass enemy troops, while the third lies in wait as backup."
"One team could have accomplished last night's attack on their own," Mero-Malo, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "So, what was the other team doing?"
"There were no other attacks reported last night," Bazz said. "And all the other camps have reported in. No signs of enemy activity anywhere."
"Th-The teams d-don't necessarily operate in th-the same area," Paya said, borrowing Pikango's brush to make seemingly random dots of black throughout the Domain. "And m-might not even h-have the same t-targets."
"Especially not if the enemy territory is considerable in size," the Sheikah woman whose name kept slipping Sidon's mind added. "There is also the issue of wrong timing, or a mistake in communication between the teams. For all we know, the other team might strike one of our camps some other night. Tonight, even."
"I took the liberty of ordering all surrounding camps to triple their guard shifts for the time being," Bazz said, not regretful at all for technically going beyond his authority. "I thought it best, just in case."
"Good thinking, captain," Sidon said pointedly. He really ought to have Bazz promoted one of these days. Today, even. The older Zora clearly had what it took for higher command. "So, potentially we have three teams of Yiga operating behind our lines. That's twenty-seven operatives, if they are at full strength."
"C-Correct," Paya said as Sidon gave her a questioning glance. "Th-That is h-how we operate."
"Or used to, at any rate," Pikango added. "Don't really have the numbers for large scale operations anymore. Suppose we could assemble two or three strike groups in total, but that would put most of our young in the line of fire, and Impa has forbidden that."
"We appreciate any help we can get, Mistress Paya, Master Pikango," Sidon said. "Your intelligence gathering is more valuable than we could dream of."
"Yeah, we'll handle the fighting side of things," Mero-Malo said. "Leave the heavy lifting to us."
It came off as a little snide, but none of the Sheikah rose to the bait. Sidon was impressed at the amount of restraint they all showed, especially since most of the Hylians didn't seem to possess any when it came to offering them insult.
Honestly, if they weren't reliant on the Hylians for numbers, Sidon might be tempted to ask them to leave if they did not stop denigrating the Sheikah at any given opportunity. That, or let Sheik have his way with them. Lock them all in the throne room and just have the boy in the slate shout at them until promised to never as much as look at the Sheikah in a skewed way again.
It'd be funny too, as a bonus.
"We will assume there are three teams," he announced, giving the gathered officers a serious look. "And we will go to work immediately. I want squads assembled right away for search-and-destroy missions. Deploy them in the areas around the camps and have them search for tracks or signs of enemy presence, no matter how small. Track them down and eliminate them."
"I will send runners with the order immediately, my prince," Bazz said, bowing and turning away, but Sidon's voice halted him.
"I want you to assemble a team here as well, captain," the prince said. "A mixed force—Zora, Hylian, Sheikah, Goron. We will do a systematic search around the mountain. There are countless places for them to hide up there, and if sabotage is their goal, well..."
"The w-water supply," Paya said, eyes widening a little. "Of c-course."
"Indeed," Sidon said with a nod. "We cannot allow anything to compromise the Domain's water, or this army—and with it, the world—is doomed."
"I will do so, my prince," Bazz said, hesitating. "However...you said we...?"
"Of course," Sidon said brightly. "I will be joining you!"
Having known Bazz since childhood, Sidon could tell the captain wanted to curse him out, as he had so often done over the years whenever Sidon took unnecessary risks or did something exceptionally or suicidally stupid (sometimes both at the same time!), but the present company prevented him from doing so. Instead, he nodded stiffly, and said:
"Very well, my prince. It will be an honour."
"Thank you, captain!" Sidon said, offering Bazz a dazzling grin. "It will be good to get out in the field!"
"Of course, my prince," Bazz said, still stiff as a board, and left, clutching his spear tightly.
"Now," Sidon said, "unless there are any other disasters to be reported, I highly suggest we get back to work. We all have tasks to accomplish."
There was an agreeing murmur, and a mix of sloppy and sharp salutes were thrown his way as everyone began filing out the war room. Paya and Pikango seemed to hang back a little, and Sidon remained where he stood. Only when the room was empty save for them did he speak again.
"Was there something you wished to speak about?" he asked, giving the pair of Sheikah a kind smile. "I can give Major Mero-Malo a stern talking-to, if you'd like."
Paya blinked. "M-Mero-Malo?" she asked.
Sidon stared down at her. "The rude Hylian?" he said. "The one who said to leave the heavy lifting to them?"
Pikango chuckled. "I believe your highness meant Captain Maero," he said.
Sidon nodded. "Yes! That's his name!" Realising he was making a fool of himself, he cleared his throat, looking at the floor. "I mean, yes, him. My apologies, I still have a difficult time remembering certain names."
"I have no intention of taking offence on his behalf," Pikango said, nodding to Paya. "You?"
"N-No," Paya replied, smiling.
"And there is no need for a stern talking-to," the older Sheikah continued, adjusting his hair-tie a little. Sidon certainly understood why Sheik compared him to a pineapple, with that hairstyle. "The nice captain will realise why it's best to remain on the Sheikah's good side sooner or later."
"Still," Sidon said, crossing his arms and frowning. "We're all reliant on each other in this fight. If we do not trust our own allies, how can we possibly hope to succeed?"
"It'll work out in the end, I'm sure," Pikango said, looking decidedly relaxed despite the tension. "Now, I'm sure Paya here was about to ask you for something, your highness."
"Um, y-yes," Paya said, her cheeks definitely reddening this time. "I w-would like to b-be part of th-the search t-team, your h-highness."
"Oh," Sidon said, smiling. "Well, that is certainly—"
"A problem," Pikango said, cutting him off. A criminal offence, really. Muzu would be screeching his head off about it already if he weren't busy attending to the king, negotiating between the officers and diplomatic envoys that flooded the Domain every day. Sidon didn't care, but he did feel a little bad for the way Paya's face flushed completely as she glared at her elder.
"Wh-What—?" she began, but Pikango cut her off as well.
"You're Impa's official representative here, Paya," he said, not unkindly but still quite firmly. "You can't go running off across some mountain, looking for Yiga troops that might not be there. You're needed here, to coordinate our forces...and, to be honest, prevent some of our younger operatives from engaging in slap fights with the Hylians when words between them go a little too far. They won't listen to the likes of me, but they certainly obey you."
"Th-That's such b-bullshit!" Paya exclaimed, realising only too late that she was openly cursing in front of the Zora prince, her eyes growing about three times in size as she clapped her hand in front of her mouth. "I m-mean...I-I..."
Sidon couldn't help but laugh at her stricken look. It was too adorable, just like Link's when he said something he instantly regretted.
"Oh, I don't mind a little cursing now and then, Mistress Paya, have at it," he said between chuckles.
It did little to alleviate Paya's mortification, however, and she threw a helpless look to Pikango, who luckily took pity on her.
"Oh, wipe that look off your face, Paya, it was funny," he said, grinning. "And as for the search team, perhaps I can take your place? I'll report directly to you when we return, of course."
Resorting to hiding her face from Pikango and the prince behind her hands, she could only nod quietly. "Y-Yes, p-please," she mumbled.
"Well, it's settled, then," Pikango said, clapping once. The sound reverberated around the war room. "When are we heading out, your highness?"
"As soon as Bazz has assembled the team," Sidon replied. "I suspect it will take a little while, though, since I appear to have upset Bazz with my order."
"He didn't look happy, no," Pikango agreed. "Well, I shall go prepare myself for a few days of living rough. Come along, Paya." He hooked his arm around Paya and more or less dragged her out of the war room. "Wave goodbye to the nice prince," he added.
Sidon tried not to laugh at the meek wave Paya gave him, but he couldn't stop it from bubbling up in his chest. The girl was fierce, he knew. He'd seen that for himself during sparring, where she'd laid waste to just about any opponent thrown in her path, but social situations seemed to affect her in the same way they did Link, especially when conversations didn't turn out the way she'd imagined they would. He felt a little bad for laughing at her and vowed to apologise to her later.
He looked at the map, glaring at the cross that marked the destroyed camp. Not again. It would not happen again—he wouldn't let it.
He left the war room and strode across the plaza, heading for the royal apartments so he could get ready for the mission. He paused at Mipha's statue, smiling up at her stone face.
"I'll be heading out for a while, making myself useful," he told her. "Keep watch over Link and Sheik for me, will you? I love you, sister."
Turning to leave, he noticed the doors to the palace were open, meaning his father was not currently occupied by a council session. It was probably in Sidon's best interest to actually inform his father of his departure before the fact this time.
As he climbed the stairs, he met Bazz heading down. The captain gave him a look. "I told him," he said quietly, so the people around them couldn't hear.
"Of course you did," Sidon said drily. "How'd he react?"
"Worried, of course," Bazz said. "He wants to speak with you. Sent me to fetch you, actually."
"You're a traitor," Sidon said, glaring at his oldest friend. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"Volunteering for an unnecessarily dangerous mission during wartime?" Bazz suggested. "You haven't really considered what'll happen if we lose you, have you?"
"Such little faith in me, I'm hurt," Sidon said, clutching his chest. "Who was it that defeated the Octorok, again? Oh, that's right, it was me."
"By purposefully getting yourself eaten," Bazz reminded him.
"It worked, didn't it?" Sidon sniffed. "My point being, if I can handle that, I can handle a few Yiga."
"Assuming their numbers are indeed few and not lots," the captain said, shaking his head. The silver plates protecting his head fin clinked against each other. "I really wish you'd leave this to me, my prince."
"And what would I do if you were to get hurt while I sat pretty here like some useless figurehead?" Sidon countered. "Hasn't it occurred to you that I might be going with you to make sure you don't do something stupid?"
Bazz stared at him for a long moment, searching Sidon's face. "You're actually worried," he said, blinking. "Though...not about me, I think."
"Of course I'm worried about you," Sidon said, glaring at him. "But...yes, I worry for others as well."
"Like a certain Hylian?" Bazz asked. "He'll be fine, my prince. I don't choose my brigade members lightly. Never have."
"I know he'll be fine," Sidon said. "They both will be. I still can't help but worry, however, and if I don't find something to do outside the city to take my mind off them, I'll...I'll start swimming in the fountain!"
Bazz snorted. "Anything but that," he said.
"Imagine the damage to morale, when the soldiers see their supposed leader babbling madly and doing tricks in the waterways!"
Bazz held up his hands. "All right, all right, in the interest of the army's morale, I'll...accept the honour of having the crown prince accompany us on the search mission. You'll still have to convince your father, though. I'll get to work on assembling the team in the meantime."
"That's all I wanted, captain," Sidon said, clapping Bazz's shoulder. "Actually, how about major?" he asked.
Bazz's face did something very complicated, and very unpleasant at the sound of that. "Don't you dare promote me, my prince. I will make you regret it."
Sidon blinked in confusion, slowly nodding. "Duly...noted?"
"Thank you, my prince. Until later." He saluted and walked off, flagging down several Hylian officers as he went.
That was...weird, in Sidon's opinion. However, if Bazz didn't want to ascend the ranks then that was...completely impossible to understand, but certainly his choice. Shrugging, he entered the throne room and found it completely empty save for his father and Muzu, who was reciting the minutes of the last meeting to the king.
"...which concludes the summary," Muzu finished, rolling up the scroll and carefully placing it on a tray with several others. "Frankly, My King, they ask too much. The Hylians have always been greedy, but this is truly outrageous!"
"These are only preliminary talks, Muzu," Dorephan said, spotting Sidon and waving his son over with a big smile on his face. "I am certain I can talk down their demands once the battle is over. After all, until Ganon is defeated, this is all speculation anyway."
"That is true, your grace," Muzu said, nodding. "I still find their manners brutish and their diplomatic language lacking. They were bad enough before the Calamity, and the years in exile have only made them worse."
"I find them refreshing," Sidon said, standing beside Muzu, who bowed. "Straightforward, for the most part. I do wish they would stop openly insulting the Sheikah, however."
Muzu frowned. "My prince, that is as likely to happen as a Goron sprouting gills and going for a swim. The Hylians have never been fond of the Sheikah, and I don't see that changing anytime soon."
"One can only hope this struggle against a common enemy will make them see reason," Dorephan said, looking down at Sidon with a beaming smile. "Perhaps that is your hope with this search mission, my son?"
"W-Well," Sidon said, realising his father had concocted a perfectly good reason for Sidon to go for him. "Of course," he said brightly, pumping his fist triumphantly. "Once the Hylians realise they can trust and fight alongside the Sheikah, relations between them will only improve."
"Yes, an admirable goal," Muzu said, his tone suggesting he saw right through Sidon's lie. "Though not the only one, I believe."
"Indeed," Dorephan said. "Are you feeling restless, Sidon? I am certain there are several tasks in the Domain worthy of your attention that don't involve putting yourself in danger."
"I am certain there are, Father, but I need a change of scenery, just for a few days. I...worry." He had always had trouble lying to his father, finding it difficult to muster even the will to do so, and Dorephan had always seen through the ones he'd offered. There was no point starting now, either. "About Link and Sheik. I cannot take my mind off them."
Dorephan looked at Sidon with a thoughtful expression. "You are not the only who worries about them, son," he said.
"I know, Father."
Father and son stared at each other. Sidon saw the worry Dorephan spoke of in his eyes, but it was also directed at him. Some internal battle was being waged in the king's mind, and Sidon could only hope it ended in his favour.
"It will boost morale, seeing the Zora prince getting his hands dirty alongside the rank and file," Dorephan said after a while. "I approve of your mission, Sidon, on the condition that you are very careful, stay close to Bazz at all times, and that you retreat back to the Domain should the odds turn against you."
Sidon smiled, reaching up to touch the back of his father's huge hand. "Thank you, Father. I will do as you ask."
"Then go and...what was it Bazz said, Muzu? Make yourself useful," Dorephan said, smiling. "Show the Yiga what it means to anger the alliance."
"They will regret ever allying with Ganon, of that I can assure you," Sidon promised, grinning broadly. "Now, I must go pack." He bowed. "Father, Muzu."
He practically sprinted out of the throne room, leaving Dorephan and Muzu to stare after him.
"He will be fine, my king," Muzu said, noting the king's expression turning into a worried one. "We must have faith in his abilities."
"I do have faith in him, Muzu," Dorephan said, his lips turning downwards. "Sidon is strong. Much stronger than I could ever have dreamed. Certainly stronger than I." The king sighed. "But so was Mipha, and I still lost her." He squeezed his eyes shut. "I miss her so much."
Muzu gazed sadly up at the king. "As do I, my king. As do I."