Chapter 31: A Wounded Champion
As soon as Storm pulled up beside the stable, Zelda yelled at the stablemaster for bandages and a messenger to report Yiga sighting in Shadow Pass to the guards at Akkala Citadel. And for the Citadel to have a healer at the ready.
A pained expression crossed Link's features as Zelda wrapped a strip of linen around his waist. When she tightened the bandage, a little gasp escaped him.
"There," she attempted to say steadily, hating the shaking of her hands which gave her away. "That should help until we get to Akkala Citadel."
Link let his head drop back against the headboard of the inn's bed, eyes clenched closed. Goddess, he was so pale.
Swallowing hard, Zelda rose, almost bumping into the stablemaster who was looking on wide-eyed behind her shoulder, enough linen strips in his basket to wrap a horse with.
"Are the horses ready?" She asked brusquely.
The stablemaster nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. And packs filled with extra supplies you may need. Is there any–?"
"No. We will be on our way. Help me get him on a horse."
At this, Link opened his eyes halfway, lugging his head away from the headboard. He grimaced, a pant coming out as he tried to push himself to his own feet.
"Link. Stop." Zelda put one hand firmly on his shoulder. "You'll aggravate the wound. Stablemaster."
Together, Zelda and the stablemaster made it to Storm and Link's horse who were waiting quite nervously, hooves stomping the ground as if sensing the taut atmosphere. Lifting Link onto Storm until he was upright in the saddle, the stablemaster waited until Zelda pulled herself behind Link, ignoring the way Link fumbled with the reins to say he was fine on his own. Quickly, the stablemaster tied Link's horse's reins onto a strap on Storm's saddle, nodding at Zelda.
Zelda whipped the reins down, kicking Storm to spur him on. They were moving.
It was awkward, the way she was positioned. But there was hardly any room in the saddle, so Zelda was riding bareback, arms under Link's to grip the reins for directing and doing her best not to be thrown off.
They passed a squad of guards who appeared to be hurrying toward Shadow Pass. Good. But Zelda doubted the Yiga would have stuck around for the fallout. The bodies though. There would be plenty of bodies for evidence of the Yiga's crimes.
The Akkala Citadel soon towered into view, the beaten grass path exchanging for stone as Zelda tugged the horses towards the bridge spanning the gully to the Akkala's front doors.
The next several minutes were a blur.
Guards rushed out to meet them, grabbing at the horses to take them, others reaching up to help Zelda down before pulling Link off the horse, throwing his arms around their shoulders as they hurried him inside.
The guards remaining with Zelda ushered her in quickly, weapons at the ready, heads turning this way and that as if the Yiga had followed them here. As soon as Zelda and the guards passed through the entryway, the iron grid gate clanged behind them, doors swinging closed.
The knights stayed protectively around Zelda, attempting to herd her up some stairs. She stalled on the steps, looking around wildly for that familiar honey-blond ponytail. "Where is the Hylian Champion?"
"He has been taken to the healer wing, Your Highness. The medics are standing by waiting for him as you requested. They are our best–,"
"Where are you taking me?"
The knight grunted at her clipped tone. "To the captain in the receiving room, Your Highness. He needs to be given the full–,"
"Take me to the healer wing." Zelda completely stopped on the stairs, the other guards doing their best to avoid touching her.
The knight's mouth changed into an 'O' of surprise. "But we are to–,"
"You are to obey the orders of the royal family above all else." Zelda's tone hardened. "Take me to the healer wing. The captain will just have to see me there."
The knight's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Of course, Your Highness."
As the head knight continued up the stairs to relay the message to his captain, the other guards led her silently through the high-ceilinged passageways of the citadel, their footsteps the only sound other than the thudding of the blood in Zelda's ears.
She hated using her position like that. But by the Goddess, she was going to make sure Link was okay before going anywhere without him. It didn't matter that they were in the citadel. The feeling of the Yiga's eyes all around her hadn't faded since they'd left the forest, leaving her jumpy and uneasy, as if they could suddenly appear and finish what they started.
The citadel was cold much like Hyrule castle and just as welcoming. Very few pictures of artwork adorned the walls and furniture was sparse in the rooms they did pass. This was purely a military stronghold, and it showed in the simple decor.
However, as they took a turn around a corner, a greater light than the sconces on the wall appeared in shadow flickering on the stone. A warmth emanated from the room ahead and Zelda hurried forward, entering the healer wing.
A roaring fire snapped in a giant fireplace situated in the middle of the room. There were beds, plenty of them, but only three were occupied. One knight with a hand bandaged, another with a cast on his foot, and lastly a bed that had a curtain drawn around it, but peeping out from the edge of the curtain was a familiar boot.
Jolting forward, Zelda reached Link's bed just as a female Hylian scurried from around the curtain, almost bumping into Zelda in her haste. The look on her face…
Zelda was about to yank the curtain aside when stern, brown male eyes met hers. "Your Highness. I would advise you to wait over there." The tall, slim Hylian motioned back to the wall she had entered where her guard entourage waited. Zelda's eyes caught on the healer's hands. Red. With blood.
She swallowed hard. "Please. Just tell me. Will he be alright?"
There was the tiniest softening of the healer's eyes. "We are doing our best, rest assured, Your Highness."
Her heart skipped a beat. "That isn't an answer."
The healer suddenly looked tired. "I'm afraid I cannot give you an answer right now, Your Highness. Please, let us do our work."
The female healer returned with more gauze, some thread, and needles. Zelda stepped out of her way, watching the curtain close woodenly.
There wasn't a single thought that she could catch in her swimming mind. Only the rough fabric could her focus latch onto, the thickness of the threads, how white, white the curtain was and how red, red the doctor's hands had been.
Zelda could hear the snip of scissors, the tearing of cloth, the short exhale of a labored breath. Low, hurried murmuring that was indistinguishable but the tone conveyed perfectly the meaning of their words. Bad. It was bad.
Zelda took a shaky breath in, forcing it back out. She would not pass out. She would not cry, She would not scream in frustration.
Needing something to do other than stand here, the temptation to draw the curtain back growing stronger and stronger, Zelda turned on her heel, returning to her entourage, which suddenly parted with a new figure appearing. By the quick incline of heads, she was coming face-to-face with the captain of the guard, who appeared less than pleased to have been ordered by a 16-year-old girl to meet her where she wanted, regardless of that girl being the Princess of Hyrule.
Broad and thick with a mustache to rival any blacksmith's, the captain screwed his features into bare politeness, giving a miniscule bow.
"Your Highness. Captain Shellock Moor at your service." He rose into his full height, his knight armor reflecting the giant fire in the fireplace behind Zelda. "I understand you didn't wish to discuss these matters more privately."
Zelda hated the chiding tone. It grated on her and only with the simplest civility did she respond, "I had more important matters to attend to. My personal knight, the Hylian Champion," she stressed, "has been seriously injured, and I had to see how his progress was coming along."
Captain Moor's eyes traveled slowly to Link's bed behind them before focusing back on Zelda with a cursory nod. "That is understandable. However, there is nothing more you can do for him. The healers do their best work alone and are more than capable of attending to him. Yet," the Captain stressed, mimicking Zelda's enunciation. "We could use your assistance, Your Highness with the full report of your activities. Only then can we have the hope of understanding what has transpired and bring the criminals to justice." He raised a superior eyebrow. "Do you understand the gravity, Your Highness?"
Zelda scowled, forgetting that she had a duty to appear royal in times like these and glared at the Captain. "And do you understand that if the Hylian Champion dies, Calamity Ganon will tear apart this citadel within minutes?"
At this, the Captain said nothing, his brows furrowing.
"That is why we are meeting here." Because this is an emergency. Not a trivial annoyance," Zelda continued steely. "More than just a knight's life is at stake…I will tell you everything, however, I do not think the criminals will be caught."
The Captain listened stonily as Zelda briefed the events of the night, keeping the unimportant parts, like her almost getting killed, to herself but leaving in how deadly the intent was of the Yiga clan and how they had barely escaped, leaving behind a number of bodies.
By the time she was finished, a messenger appeared at the Captain's side, which he turned his focus completely to, his eyes reading over the letter quickly. When he looked back at Zelda, his face was hard.
"The soldiers scouted the whole area, but have found no trace of the Yiga clan. Or any of their dead bodies."
Zelda wasn't surprised. The Yiga were as swift and silent as they came and left just so. They would have taken their fallen comrades for both sentimentality reasons and erasing of evidence. Still, to appear as if nothing had happened, all that brutality…
"However," the Captain cleared his throat, Zelda's attention snapping out of her head. "They did find a dead traveler and a single knife sticking out of the ground near his body." The Captain shook his head. "Not much leads to go on."
The image of the knife sticking out of the ground, made Zelda feel like it was sticking into her with how uncomfortable the depiction made her feel. She knew instinctively it was the knife of the same Zaarol that had cornered and nearly killed her. The knife in the same place where his life had ended. "They aren't careless. These are ex-Sheikah members who have been trained in the art of assassination. If they want to be found, they will be. If they don't…" she let her voice trail off.
Captain Moor placed a hand on the hilt of the sword by his side. "I have yet to allow criminals to escape justice. We will find them." He looked impatient to go, the challenge Zelda posing seeming to insert some life into his stony exterior. "If you'll excuse me, Princess."
No sooner had the Captain departed with the rest of the guards, than the brown-eyed healer appeared at Zelda's side.
"A word, Your Highness?"
Zelda spun on her heel, eyes flitting to Link's closed bedside curtain and the weary-looking eyes of the healer. It had felt like hours she had been standing talking to the Captain, but must have been only twenty minutes or so. "How is he?"
The healer sighed. Zelda's nails dug into her palm. Not good news. The healer had time to wash his hands though. Maybe not so bad news then.
"He is stabilized for now. We slowed the bleeding to the stab wound, which didn't help when he continued to run around. It accelerated the flow, making it more difficult to slow later. It was a miracle he didn't pass out from all the blood loss."
Stab wound? Zelda's thoughts snagged on those two words. When did he…?
Her eyes widened. Oh no.
"The way the knife entered his body, it cut quite deep, and I believe it nicked his left lung, causing the collapse of his lung."
Suddenly air wasn't coming in fast enough. The broken knee-capped Yiga member. When he had leaped at Zelda, Link had stepped in front of her. Disabling the member, but taking the hit. Why the Yiga member had been left alive. Why Link had just kept them running, not stopping to fight.
He knew he didn't have long before he would be useless to Zelda. His heavy breathing, his desperate movements.
Tears suddenly welled up in Zelda's eyes. Link.
"...was only one problem. The internal bleeding hasn't stopped and the collapsed lung needs to be treated right away, but we don't have the means to perform the surgery here."
Surgery?
Zelda brushed past the doctor, reaching the curtain in mili-seconds. She yanked the curtain back, staring at Link's prone form.
Four pillows had been stacked under his head, giving him extra support to breathe as easily as possible. Which said breathing was still too uneven for anything close to calming the worry spiking through Zelda. A compress had been laid on his forehead, the saffrina scent obvious. Bandages had been placed over every open cut, but the one she focused on was hidden under a bunch of wrappings around his bare midriff. They had stripped Link's Hylian tunic from him, leaving him in his trousers and boots. There was no blood showing through like before, but the worst injuries were those unseen. It wasn't like his lung could be seen from the outside, deflated and desperately trying to fill up again or the blood seeping into his abdominal cavity.
Surgery. Don't have the means to perform it here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Not here.
Somewhere else.
A shot of energy jolted through Zelda.
Zora's Domain.
Mipha.
Link would be healed instantly.
Zelda whirled on the surprised doctor who had followed her. "How long can he last traveling?"
The doctor's eyes widened, broken words sputtering out. "Wha-but-I-your high-cannot–"
Zelda leveled the doctor a firm look. "I have a healer who can make all of his injuries disappear within minutes. I need to know how long he can last until I can get him to her."
After an achingly long silence, the doctor cleared his throat. "How far are you planning to travel?"
"Zora's Domain."
She saw the light click on in the doctor's head. "The Zora Princess." Mipha was well-known for her incredible healing abilities ever since they had been discovered when she was a child and frequently thereafter called upon to heal the majority of severe wounds of the injured whether they be Zora or not. By the look on the doctor's face, he had yet to see Mipha in action, but knew the stories were true. A concentration overtook the healer as he raised a hand to his glasses, studying Link. Zelda glanced at Link's closed eyes. They must have drugged him.
Or he was just exhausted. Exhaustion was pulling at her limbs as well, every foot of every mile Zelda had traveled today felt within this present moment like accumulated snow. Her body begged for rest. Even the small cuts Zelda had received and the aching bruise on her cheekbone moaned for reprieve.
But there would be no reprieve until she made sure Link would live.
Finally, the doctor looked at Zelda. "He will make it to Zora's Domain. But hurry."
Zelda had never gone faster in her life.
After a short argument with Captain Moor about their departure, him insisting this was a foolhardy decision and Zelda using her authority to overrule him, the Captain begrudgingly sent a squad of six knights to escort her and Link to Zora's Domain. One of the knights, the head guard besides the Captain, was carrying Link on his steed, making sure not to jostle him too much per the healer's orders. Link was still unconscious, tied to the head guard to keep Link upright.
He was to let Zelda know immediately if he felt Link stop breathing or any other alarming signs, but so far, their quick pace hadn't slowed, Zelda leading the way with Storm.
Thunder rumbled overhead, a light rain starting as they passed through the Eldin region on the other side of the cliffs to Zora's Domain. It was well past midnight heading into the early hours before sunrise arrived and the darkness and the rain made it difficult to see the path, but two guards on horses beside Zelda lit the way with lanterns.
Almost there, Zelda thought, clenching the reins of Storm, urging him down and around the end of the trail where it split to go to Zora's Domain or towards the castle.
The citadel healer had sent a messenger to the Zora's ahead of Zelda and the guards, alerting them to the situation. She hoped they would be waiting. Zelda had no idea how they were going to get Link up to Zora's Domain.
And waiting they were. As soon as the boulder wall came into sight, the glowing towers of Inogo Bridge shining in the night, Zoras appeared at the top of the rocks, climbing down upon spotting Zelda and the knights.
Horses whinnied at abrupt stops, hooves splashing in puddles among the soft grass. Beside the trail, the Zora river rushed quickly by, filling up higher along the bank with the rainfall.
One Zora guard she recognized as Lakely, one of the ones who always stood guard to Zora's Domain, rushed towards her. "Princess Zelda! We have received your message. We stand by to assist you in any way."
"Retrieve the Hylian Champion and help me get him over these rocks. Please be careful with him." Zelda dismounted her own horse, touching her nose to Storm's nose. "Thank you," she whispered. Storm snuffled at her hand, and Zelda rubbed his nose. "Now, be good for these knights here. I shall see you soon."
The Hylian knights passed Link to the Zoras who quickly disappeared over the boulder wall with him. Zelda turned to the head knight who jerked his head after the Zoras. "Go, Your Highness. We will stay and watch the horses. Send word if you would like us to take your steeds anywhere else." He bowed. "We are yours to command."
A swelling of gratitude filled Zelda as she said tightly, "Thank you." Turning quickly, she climbed up and over the boulders, passing onto Inogo Bridge where the Zoras were laying Link down on a makeshift stretcher.
"You're planning on carrying him up to Zora's Domain on the trails?" Zelda asked Lakely who was directing four other Zora's to lift the stretcher.
Lakely turned to her, raising his voice to be heard over the wind picking up. It's the only way, Your Highness." He motioned to the turbulent water running beneath the bridge. "Usually, we would swim since it is faster, but with the heavy rainfall, it has made traveling the waters too dangerous."
But carrying Link up the incline sounded like a bad idea as well. "Where is Princess Mipha?"
Lakely waved the Zoras holding the stretcher onward, the Zora's setting a brisk pace. The rain was drenching Link who surprisingly was still out cold and Zelda wished there was a blanket or something to cover him with. He had been outfitted in a long-sleeved tunic made of the warmest fabric the Citadel healers could offer, but the tunic was soaking up the precipitation. "Princess Mipha is attending to Lizalfos sightings in Ulria Grotto. She is just now probably receiving the message you sent. The fastest way to meet her would be to head to Zora's Domain. Unless you want to wait?" He looked at Zelda, totally accepting anything she would command.
Zelda stared at the glowing lamps marking the trail ahead. Ulria Grotto was on the other side of Ploymus Mountain, opposite the side containing Zora's Domain. If they waited here in the cold and rain, Link's condition would only worsen, and it would take Mipha longer to reach them. Hurry, the healer had said.
"Very well. We will meet her in Zora's Domain."
Lakely nodded, motioning Zelda ahead of him as he took up the rear.
Even though the rain made everything slick, Zelda was the only one who slid and nearly tripped on the wet grass and rocks. The Zora were not only sure-footed, familiar with this trail intimately, but the weather and the burden of carrying Link were not to detain them in any way. In fact, Zelda and Lakely, who had assigned himself to stay by her side, fell behind more than once while he waited for Zelda to catch her breath before sprinting to catch back up with the guards and Link. Even with their easy, friendly disposition, the Zoras trained their soldiers just as hard as any other soldiers, something Zelda forgot in this peaceful, calming region.
They finally reached the downward slope leading to the main bridge of Zora's Domain, getting through the switchbacks easily and as the descent leveled out, through the rain, Zelda made out a small, pink figure hurrying towards them, two guards following her.
"Princess!" Mipha called breathlessly, sliding to a halt near the stretcher. Mipha immediately sought Link, a hand going over her mouth as the other reached out to lay on the Hylian Champion's chest. "Link," she said anxiously. Mipha glanced once at Zelda before looking back at Link. "How is he?"
Zelda shivered from the cold. "He needs your assistance, Mipha." She hugged her chest conserving warmth as she took in Link's closed eyes, his pale face, the raindrops spilling over his skin. He looked dead already. Zelda's voice quavered. "Link won't make it otherwise."
Mipha clenched Link's still hand, nodding once. Her demeanor changed from worrying friend to Princess of Zora's Domain. "Take him to the inn quickly to get him out of the rain. Clear the room when you get there and make sure a bed is ready." Mipha turned to Lakely standing behind Zelda. "Stand guard over the Princess and get her a change of clothes and something to eat." Her eyes suddenly softened as they landed on Zelda, the worry for Link still apparent in them. "He will be alright. I will make sure of it, Princess."
For once, Mipha's soft voice didn't seem naive and unsure. Zelda gave a small nod. "Thank you, Mipha," she whispered.
And with that, Link, the guards carrying him and Mipha, hustled away down the bridge, soon fading out of sight.
Zelda stared at their retreating forms, the tiredness catching up with her. She swayed as she took a step forward, all the worry and tension and adrenaline finally becoming too much.
"Your Highness?" A smooth hand cupped Zelda's shoulder, righting her. Lakely looked down at her worriedly. "Are you injured as well?"
Zelda laughed a small laugh, a laugh that came when one was beyond tired and the situation wasn't funny at all. "It's been a long day. I think I need to sit down."
Lakely nodded. "Of course." He kept one arm around Zelda, a comfort that Zelda appreciated as it gave her motivation to keep moving forward even though her whole body wanted to drop right there on the ground.
"Thank you for your help, Lakely."
Lakely smiled down at Zelda. "You are most welcome, Your Highness."
He led her to the cooking fire closest to the inn, ordering the chef to serve whatever they had on hand. Fish, of course. And Fleet-Lotus seeds.
Zelda changed out of her wet clothes and into dry ones the innkeeper provided, which were spare traveling clothes for visitors who got too wet on the travel up to the Domain.
As she sat by the fire, eating more out of necessity than want, Zelda's eyes kept returning to the one bed in the inn that had a curtain around it, wondering how Mipha was coming along with Link.
The wondering got to the point where Zelda gave up on eating, walked over to the bed assigned to her and promised to just lay down for a moment while she waited for news.
Then she knew no more.