Chapter 25
Cyle studied the young man seated before him, watched as he lounged in the chair, his thin, muscular frame straining against his tunic. The man's face and eyes were hard, as if someone had beaten the kindness out of them. He had a sly expression, and his eyes darted, taking in all his surroundings while he seemingly plotted and planned. Redstar Murden was a far cry from the last representative the Morolak Kingdoms had sent.
"Please accept our condolences," Cyle said, shifting in his seat. "For the loss of the Duke and Duchess."
"Yes, yes," said Redstar, his tone dismissive. "We all mourn the tragic death of Skulljack and Toriya." There was no hint of sincerity in his voice. "Poor old Duchess and Duke. Oh, please," he sneered. "Just get on with it."
Cyle was confused at the man's sarcasm, but let it pass, putting it down to youthful folly. He licked his lips. "It pleases me, though, to see that the Morolak Kingdom is still eager for a union with Hyrule." The King shook his head, as if not believing his good fortune. "The benefits from a treaty between our two nations will be immense." He sat back, breathing deeply and theatrically as though he were preparing to embark on a momentous speech. "We are both wealthy peoples. But just imagine how much more we could be with a shared trade route. Poverty would be eradicated. Every man and woman would have enough to satisfy not only their own needs." He shook his head vigorously. Cyle was used to giving spiels like this. It was natural to him now, and filled him with a sweet taste of satisfaction. "No, no…they would have enough for the children, their children's children and generations after that. Just imagine." Cyle clenched his fist for emphasis, then relaxed, waiting for the other to speak.
Redstar eyed him carefully, as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. He was playing with a small stone, letting it spin and stop, spin and stop, spin and stop. Cyle found the action irritating. How could this man possibly be bored?
Finally, the Morolak sat up with a deep sigh. After a pause, he broke into a throaty chuckle.
Cyle twitched, feeling more annoyed.
"Benefits?" Redstar said with a whimsical voice. "Benefits, you say? What can we possibly benefit from a country that has been thoroughly whipped in war? Like a tamed and leashed Wolfo, you were brought to heel. And this despite having the weight of all the other countries of the world behind it."
The King grimaced. He still remembered having to face all the angry statesmen sent by his allies. They had demanded to know what had become of the troops they had sent, and why the war had turned out so badly. Cyle had had to be most apologetic and ingratiating, even letting himself appear cowed in front of that foppish Calatian, Boka, which had irked the King immensely. He could still hear the fool's nasal, condescending tone echo around his head.
"A minor setback, I assure you," Cyle said in a placating voice. "Hyrule still has much to offer."
Redstar snorted.
The King's mind raced, wondering what else he could use as a bargaining tool.
The young Morolak licked his lips letting his eyes flicker left to right. He leaned closer, letting his voice drop. "I know you killed them."
Cyle frowned. "What? Who?"
The Morolak tsk-ed in exasperation. "The Duke and Duchess! I know you had them killed."
Cyle stiffened, not liking where the conversation was going. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Shush, shush, shush," Redstar said, waving the denial away. "Skulljack was a fat oaf and Toriya a shrew. I had no love for them."
The King waited. He had not expected this.
"Listen," the young man whispered. "I can get you this treaty. But you have to do me a favour."
Cyle pursed his lips. The man was ambitious. Natural, given his age. "Name it."
"I want the whole of the Morolak Kingdom. The King and Queen – I want them out. And I want to be in charge." He paused, giving Cyle a moment to reflect. "In return you'll get our armies. Since that's what you're so obviously wanting."
His head starting to pound, Cyle frowned. He could do without getting involved in another's country's internal politics. And he most certainly did not want to waste time leading an insurrection. Still. He'd waited this long for his victory. Another diversion was nothing to him. He sighed inwardly.
"Done." The word was uttered with a dry mouth, as anxiety fluttered in his gut.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Redstar said, his mouth spreading in a humourless smile.
"Who else knows?" Cyle asked carefully.
"Knows?"
"About the Duke and Duchess."
Redstar looked up as he pondered. "Just me I suppose. We did receive some sort of scroll via messenger bird. But I don't know what was in it."
Cyle froze. "Scroll? From who?"
The Morolak shrugged. "Like I said, I wasn't told. They got the message and then sent me here. All I know was that Skulljack and Toriya did not make it on their return trip and the King and Queen wanted me to find out what the terms of your treaty were."
The King's head spun. "I must know what was in that scroll."
"Calm yourself," the young man replied, his tone free from concern. "If it disturbs you so much, I'll find out for you. It can't have been too important or else I would have been informed."
Cyle drummed his fingers on the wooden table, frowning. Who would possibly send a message to Morolak? Surely Skulljack and Toriya would not have had enough time once his attack had begun. Zelda, then? Either option did not bode well for him, but like Redstar said, if it had been important then he would have been told. Still. He did not like mysteries.
"You do that, my friend." The King said, his voice quiet and thoughtful. Instinctively, his hand went to his scar. "And then we can discuss plans on how I get a new army and how you get a Kingdom."
*
Chizan waved his sword in front of the two tied-up captives.
"I would never have believed that two of my own people – my people – would be involved in something as dishonourable as thievery," he spat.
Fran was standing beside him, the expression on his face unreadable. Zayna was pacing behind the two prisoners, occasionally throwing a glance towards the forest, waiting for an appearance from either the Queen or the Hero. The farmgirl sat on a boulder to one side, watching wide-eyed as she stroked the head of the Imp. Tyron stood beside her.
One of the captives glowered up at him. "With all due respect, Your Highness," the man said, his tone far from respectful. "You do not know how badly the war has affected us."
Chizan frowned, sensing deception. "Explain."
The duo glanced at each other and, when the quieter one nodded, the other spoke, "We are from a village a few leagues north of here." He cocked his head in the direction. "The influx of refugees from the south has hit our economy hard. We do not have enough bread to feed all these new mouths." He looked at the Prince with a mixture of pride and desperation. "Our children are starving. Our village is in ruins. We had no choice but to find something to trade. Find anything that would earn us another crust of bread so that we would not have to spend another night listening to the cries of our sons and daughters. We saw the Hylians, we figured we had a right to take from them after all that they've taken from us."
The Prince swallowed, feeling stung. He was at a loss for words and he had to lower his gaze as felt the heat of the two men's eyes upon him. He'd never been in a war, never known of its consequences. He had thought the blessing at Narik's Rock had been enough, that everything would now go back to normal. Bitterly, he realised just how wrong he was.
"Let's go visit this village." The voice was not his.
Chizan's hand tightened on his hilt. Zayna spun, raising her sword. Fran's bow was instantly in his hands.
The Prince looked up, seeing Zelda emerge from the trees. Relief flooded through him and he could not stop himself from smiling. The others relaxed, lowering their weapons. His eyes fell on her face and his heart chilled.
"My Queen?" he asked, frowning. He ran towards her, the prisoners forgotten. "What is the matter?"
She stepped away quickly. "Nothing," she said, but he could not help feeling concerned at the hollowness of her voice. "I just tripped. That's all."
He could tell she was hiding something, and by the looks of anxiety on his companions' faces, he knew they realised it too. Selfishly, he wondered if she was just worried about her Hero. He felt the pit of despair open in his heart once more. She would never be his. So long as she had the Hero of Time.
"Where is Link?" he asked. She flinched as the name reached her ears. Before she could answer, the Hero appeared, a satisfied expression glossing his face. The Queen stepped away again, positioning herself beside the hunter. Interesting.
"What happened to the other one?" Chizan asked.
"He was armed," the Hero answered. His voice was distracted as his eyes searched for Zelda. When she did not give him a response – either with her expression or her words - he looked puzzled. "I had to slay him. There was no other option."
He heard his fellow Freelanders hiss, but they offered no words. The Prince looked at the Queen, but she was gazing off into the distance, a blank look on her features.
"Zelda..?" Chizan asked.
Her head snapped towards him. "What?"
Chizan shrugged. "You have anything to add?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Link flinch. Had he not known that she had followed him?
Zelda threw a quick glance at the Hero, before returning her gaze to Chizan. "I have nothing to say."
Link moved towards her, but she shifted again, this time planting herself behind the Prince so that he was between her and the Hero. Link frowned, his steps slowing. Chizan was startled to feel the Queen's hand gripping his arm, tight with tension. Curiosity teased him, though he could not resist feeling the quiet tingle of hope.
She stepped out to face the two captives. "How long will it take to reach your village?" Her voice was soft again.
"Three days, maybe two if we push it," one of them answered.
"Good," she said, her gaze taking in her companions. "Get ready. We leave tonight."
Fran looked startled. "But, Your Highness…" he protested. "We need rest this night. And it will be difficult to travel in the dark."
She walked over to her horse, her back straight, and untied it from a nearby tree. "I will not sleep this night," she said, her voice cold. "And if you can hunt in the dark then you can lead us without light too."
"As you wish, Your Highness," the hunter replied softly, a defeated look etched on his face.
The Queen looked back at the two Freelanders. "We will see what the situation is at their village. We will see what we can do to help." She fixed Link with a stare. Chizan noticed something burning in her eyes. He looked to the Key, who only responded with a slight shrug, confusion creasing her own features. "And Link will find the family of the Freelander he just … killed. Then, apologise to them."
Link recoiled as if he had taken an arrow to the gut. "What? Why?"
She ignored him, keeping her gaze on the prisoners. "Will they demand blood money?"
One of them shrugged. "Maybe."
Zelda patted one of her saddlebags, making it jingle. "Then I will pay it."
Chizan had no idea what was going on, but he sensed that the Queen was in pain. He may have lost her to the Hero, but he was not going to stand by and let her suffer. He strode towards her, hoping that she would let him ride beside her so that he would have a chance to talk.
There was a movement from the corner of his eye, and he skidded to a halt as Link blocked his path. The Prince tensed. He hoped, he prayed that the cause of Zelda's discomfort was the Hero of Time himself. Finally, he would be able to rid himself of his rival. He sighed, trying to battle the unheroic thoughts pounding in his head, but he could not help it. He loved the Queen and he was certain that only he could make her happy. If Link had hurt her, then no number of Heroic Deeds was going to stop Chizan from making the Hero suffer.
They glared at one another in silence, as the others watched carefully. The Prince clenched and unclenched his fists, letting out the tension. He could see the lines on Link's face tighten as they dared him to take another step.
"Oh, stop it, both of you." Zelda was glaring at them with such ferocity that the Prince had to drop his eyes, feeling like a scolded child. He saw the stricken and confused look on Link's features and felt a sickening sense of satisfaction. Selfish and unheroic, a voice within him taunted.
"I am the Queen of Hyrule," she continued. "And I do not need either of you."
They both relaxed, letting out deep breaths. Yet, they still watched each other with wary eyes.
Zelda looked towards the other two women. "Zayna, Tessa," she called. "Ride with me. Leave the little children to play their games."
*
"Link!"
The Hero stirred, moaning. Surely, it could not be morning already? They had finally taken a rest the night after capturing the Freelanders. He'd spent the entire day trying to find a moment to speak to Zelda, but she had made excuses or had avoided him point blank, preferring to spend her time with Tessa or Zayna. The looks the Queen gave him both puzzled and frightened him. They were daggers in his heart and the fact that she was so cold was just the twist of the hilt. What had he said to anger her so? He tried to think back, recalling their last conversation. Was it because she thought he no longer trusted her?
"Link, wake up!"
The voice was whispering. It was light and feminine too. Had Zelda decided to wake him for a late night heart to heart? Hope swirled within him.
"How can our fate depend on so lazy a person?"
Link awoke, chuckling. He blinked, gazing up to see Tessa's eyes looking down at him. He tried to keep the disappointment from his face.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Nothing, nothing," he said, sitting up. "It's just that an old friend once said something similar."
She frowned.
"A long time ago," he added hastily.
Her face melted in relief as he stretched and yawned. The air smelt burnt as the charred remains of their cook-fire lay coldly at the centre of their camp. Chewed bones lay atop dead wood, the last vestiges of the meal that Fran had caught for them. They were sleeping around the fire, their soft snores carrying in the mild wind. He saw their two captives laying near Chizan, their bounds removed at Zelda's request. The Queen herself had positioned herself at the furthest side of the camp – leaving a wide space between her and Link. He felt slighted by this, but wasn't sure why. He looked towards her longingly, but her face was covered by a woollen blanket. She was not at peace though, her body jerking this way and that. He wondered if she was really awake.
"Tessa," he whispered, turning his attention back to the farmgirl. What had possessed her to awaken him? "What's the matter? Did you hear something?"
She sat back with a smile, hugging her legs. "Oh, nothing's the matter, Link," she said, her usual supply of cheerfulness not yet exhausted. "It's just that we never get the chance to talk, you and I. And I thought it would be nice." She paused as if confused. "You know. If we talked."
"Now?" he said, blinking the gummy feeling out of his eyes. He glanced at his bedroll wistfully, feeling the heat depart from it as the breeze took hold.
"Yes, now," she replied, throwing a quick look over at the Queen. "This is the only time you're free."
Their voices were hushed and sharp. They sounded like they were planning something secret. Link sighed, only wanting to discuss one thing. "Have you talked to Zelda? She seems upset about something."
"Oh," Tessa answered, disappointed that the subject had changed so abruptly. "Well, we've talked, but not about what's on her mind. She just asked about life in Lon Lon or asked Zayna about her childhood in the castle." She paused, frowning. "There is something troubling her, but I get the impression she doesn't want to discuss it." Another pause as she thought back. "I asked Zayna."
"And?"
"She said that if Zelda wants to tell us, she will." Her eyes dropped as she recalled the conversation. "And that there's no point in us forcing her."
"I see," Link said, sighing again.
As if sensing his gloom, she smiled and opened her hand. "Link, look."
He peered down and felt a twinge as he saw the jewel that he originally intended to give to Zelda staring back at him.
"I showed it to Papa," she said with a giggle.
"What did he say?" he answered, grinning. Her laugh and demeanour were infectious.
"He said," she paused to clear her throat, then continued in a gruff imitation of Fran's voice. " 'That's very nice, dear, but don't you get any funny ideas just because he gave you a shiny rock'."
Link laughed and Tessa giggled. They threw surreptitious glances at the others, scared that they might have been too loud. Fran stirred a little and they froze. After a moment of tense silence they relaxed, letting out held breaths, the coast clear.
The Hero looked up at her. She was still smiling and the amused glitter in her eyes was inviting. For one heartbreaking moment she reminded him of Malon.
Go for it, Hero boy.
Link almost jumped. He hadn't heard the voice since the night he had…fought…the Freelander thief. He felt a cold sweat erupt on his forehead. He had hoped that it had left him, that it had been satiated by what had happened.
Looks like Zelda's gone cold on you. Women, that's the way they are. But there are always others. Like this one.
He had to keep himself from hissing in disgust.
Tessa frowned, concern spoiling her pretty features. "Link, what's the matter?"
"Ah, nothing," he said, straining to let the words free. "I think it may have been something I ate."
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Look at that. Ready and willing. You'd be a fool to refuse.
Grief engulfed him. The voice was getting worse. At the beginning it was nothing more than playful suggestions, as they both hatched the plan to deceive Cyle and Chalance Vance. Link had played along, feeling in complete control, knowing that at the end of the day he alone would bring the King down at Narik's Rock. The voice had done nothing more than be an encouragement, wiping away his doubts as he had executed his scheme. Sometimes he had let the voice have control, so that they could show the King and His Advisor a façade of malevolence that Link knew he could not manage on his own. But now the voice was mutating, becoming more independent, becoming less and less like him.
Or are you becoming more and more like me?
"Link?" she reached forward, wanting to stoke his head.
He pulled away, the pain in his heart overwhelming. "No, it's nothing. Thank you for asking."
She chewed on her lower lip. "Should I get Papa?"
"No, no!" he said. "I think I just need some sleep."
"You look feverish," she said, looking towards her father longingly.
Let's see how long you can last, Hero boy. How long can you fight me for? At the end of the day, there will only be one of us left in this body.
Link sank into his bedroll, the world whirling around him. "It's nothing. Just need to sleep. I'm sorry. We'll talk another time."
She flashed him another optimistic smile. "S'okay," she said as she stood to leave. "I'm sure we'll have another chance."
The Hero of Time let himself be drowned by sleep as he heard the voice's chilling laugh follow him down.
*
"Master." The voice was emotionless, empty. "We have found it."
Chalance Vance was trembling, tears almost in his eyes as he took the gift from the Guard's hands. He looked up at the entranced Hylian. There was no expression on the man's face. He was one of many that the sorcerer had bewitched, sending them out all over the known world to find his treasure. They had travelled far and had butchered many, so much so, that Vance had had to wipe the memories of the dead from their living relatives. And now, after many months and fruitless quests, they had found it.
He had known beforehand, of course, from the mental link he shared with his servants. And yet the sight of it now melted him, made his knees quiver like some pathetic maiden in the presence of a dashing and gallant knight.
"You have done well," the Advisor said, his voice hushed with awe. He knew the words were meaningless to this man, but the joy that had sprung in his soul had melted all misgivings. "You may go."
Chalance Vance slowly closed the door to his chambers and sat in a soft, luxuriously crafted chair. There were no torches here, the only illumination the fire of the hearth. He glanced up at its sputtering flames, letting the heat drench his face with sweat. He looked down at the gnarled, wooden stick that he cradled lovingly in his hands.
The Staff of Insight.
Malicious glee bubbled within him and he started giggling like a child. When they had sent him to Hyrule, they had told him that the Staff had been destroyed, but he had known it to be a lie. The Staff could never be destroyed. He knew that they could not let it stay with them where he could link with it. So, they must have let it fall into the hands of one of the denizens of this world. He did not care who or how, all that mattered was that he had it in his possession once more. With it, his power was increased a hundredfold. And, of course, it had another function as well.
At the tip of the staff, enclosed in the grip of a thrice-taloned golden claw was a shimmering blue orb. He stroked it now, tears flowing freely.
It was time.
He stood, his body trembling, swallowing to keep his mouth from drying. He looked around his chambers as if expecting some sort of momentous sign to occur to mark the occasion.
Words he had not uttered in many summers flowed from his lips, tasting like honey, as sweet as cold water is to a parched man.
The orb crackled, sparks of blue energy humming around it. His vision blurred, but he kept his eyes on the glowing globe.
"Staff of Insight," he whispered. "Show me what is to come. Show me the fate of those that would seek to disrupt my plans."
A whirlpool of blue light erupted from the orb. Time and space contracted, everything spun, moved forwards, moved backwards. Chalance Vance felt old, felt young, felt like he was a thick, viscous liquid being squeezed through a tiny gap, he felt he was floating, like his entire being had expanded. Reality was stripped from his vision, like decoration paper being torn from a wall.
A face appeared. A man, old and squat. He had an evil twinkle in his eye.
"Who are you?" Vance asked.
"I am Agahnim and I have failed." The voice echoed around him and through him, reverberating in his bones. "The Hero has broken me. Link has defeated me. My master will…"
Vance's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible! This is the future! He cannot have lived that long!"
The face melted and split. Another replaced it, in a different time and place. A woman, with long brown hair.
"I am Marin. I found him washed up on the coast. That's how I met Link..."
The sorcerer shook his head, disbelieving his eyes and ears. Something must have gone wrong. It couldn't be like this. The Staff had never failed him before.
Time shifted. The face was gone, replaced with another female, her hair and eyes fiery. Vance grit his teeth, dreading the words that would come.
"I am Din, the Dancer. I feel alive only when I dance with my friends. But, look! I see him approaching. It is Link, he seeks the Oracle of Seasons…"
Time stretched and sped by him. He felt his body elongate.
Another face. A little girl, dirt spoiling her blonde hair, an expression of misery etched on her face.
"I am Arill." Her voice was tiny, loaded with pain. "I know not why they have taken me. But I know my brother will find me. Link will rescue me..."
Vance hissed as the final face floated into view. It was so familiar, but it was also different. Softer in some places, harsher in others.
"I am Zelda Harkinian. My destiny has been placed before me thanks only to the Wind Waker himself. Yet, before this, I was nothing more than…"
Chalance Vance let the Staff clatter to the ground as he sank into his chair, head in his hands. He was shaking again, but no longer from excitement. How was this possible? Were Link and Zelda meant to live forever? Did this mean that they and not him would become Joined and they would alter reality to become immortal?
His head swam and he felt nauseous. He knew that the Staff only told him what it chose to tell him. He knew he could not manipulate it to tell him exactly how those events he had seen would come to pass. But he also knew that the Staff was more than a window into Time, it was a window into other places.
Vance snatched the Staff up and gazed into the orb. He composed himself, driving the visions into the bottom of his soul.
"Sacred Realm," he growled.
A mist swallowed the orb and Vance tensed waiting for the encounter. He had prepared himself for this moment for many, many summers. The mist parted and a hideous face appeared, its greying skin cracked and withered, its green eyes nothing more than lazy slits.
The face looked up, startled. "You!"
"Yes, me," Vance answered.
"This cannot be! We banished you. Hundreds of sorcerers died unleashing the energy required to tear you from the Sacred Realm."
"I have returned." The words were said simply and calmly. Vance wanted to savour this moment, taste the heady smugness he felt. The look of shock on his nemesis' face was enough to warm his icy heart. "And I have recovered my staff as well, no matter how hard you tried to hide it."
"What do you want?"
"I am here to give you a warning. I am coming. You can prepare all you like but it will do you little good. I was the true ruler of the Sacred Realm. Only I managed to unite it and give it strength until we were on the cusp of breaking free and taking this pathetic terrestrial plane for ourselves." He paused, letting the words sink in as the creature eyed him carefully. "What once was mine will be mine again. I am returning to take my rightful place as the rightful sovereign of the Sacred Realm." His next words were nothing more than slow, harsh, bitter whispers. "And this time, I will be Joined!"
He broke the link before the creature could respond and sat back down, feeling a modicum of satisfaction.
Cyle would not be the one who would partake in the Joining, oh no. It would be Chalance Vance; it was his birthright, his destiny. And once he had the power to alter reality, he would cast his gaze through Time itself and hunt down all of Link and Zelda's manifestations.
And then he would eliminate them one by one.