Chapter Nine: Ormek's Betrayal
The sun was high in the noon sky when Shriek arrived at Admiral Shrion's base on Kantash Island. His wings were greatly fatigued, as was Shriek. He had been flying as fast as he was able for more than a week. His flight over the water had proved to be an especially tiring ordeal. Had it not been for the Solino Islands scattered through out Karab Sea, Shriek would have never been able to make the journey form the tip of the Zora Peninsula in southwest Cyntir all the way to the Kantash Island.
Shriek's ability to fly that long of a distance even with the Solino Islands on which to rest was another thing that made him a remarkable creature in addition to his odd defense mechanism. Few other fairies in the world could have accomplished such a task, but Shriek had been delivering messages for Ormek for fourteen years and had become accustom to the cross-country flights.
Amazingly, the Cyntirians had never discovered the location of the Tyfirian naval base, even though it was quite large, mainly because the Cyntirians did not know to look for it so far south. Kantash was only fifty miles away from the northern Nicrosian shore, but no where near a Nicrosian port, so very few ships ever passed by.
The Tyfirian navy was one of the nation's greatest accomplishments, especially considering Tyfiria was a landlocked country. An exceedingly great effort was needed to get a ship in the ocean. Originally the Tyfirians would cut across the northeast corner of Cyntir, carrying with them all the supplies and tools needed to build and launch a ship. This method was quite effective at first, but the Cyntirian government soon found out about what their slaves had been doing and put an end to it, so they were forced to form a rougher less efficient way of doing things. They had to travel through the desolate northern mountains to the freezing ocean. The passage through the mountains was not an easy trip, in some cases it took months to get a single ship afloat. After the vessel was in the water, it still had to sail all the way around the Bylarian continent before it could be of any use to Tyfiria in the war against Cyntir.
This method was only used for a few years. After the base on Kantash Island was established, the construction of the ships was done using resources of the Solino Islands. Eventually, after years of building, the Tyfirians succeeded in creating a larger navy than that of the Cyntirians, but the Tyfirians kept this a secret and regarded the navy as their trump card. Because the Cyntirians did not know of the massive Tyfirian fleet they felt no need to build up their own. It was one of the reasons that General Ormek felt that victory was near and it was Shriek's job to notify Admiral Shrion, the head of the Tyfirian navy, that it was time to mobilize every ship in the fleet.
Shriek felt greatly relived when he arrived at the naval base. Compared to the military bases of the Tyfirians, the naval base was a paradise. Instead of living in mobile tents like the army used, naval personnel slept in furnished cabins on Kantash when they were not on their ships. They also had beds to sleep in, where as in the army, men slept on the hard ground.
Shriek would have loved to bask in the warm tropical sun, but he had duties. Instead he headed directly to the Shrion's headquarters. Admiral Shrion was a strange one to serve in the Tyfirian navy for more than reason. First of all, he was not a Hylian, but a Zora. Even more bizarre, was the fact that Shrion was not a Tyfirian by birth, but a Cyntirian from the Zora Peninsula. Still, he was odd for a Zora. While most Zoras did not wear much, if any clothing, Shrion dressed in the standard blue and grey Tyfirian garb. He also wore bronze ornamental shoulder plating to indicate his rank.
"Ah, if it isn't our beloved general's messenger," Shrion said as he saw Shriek swiftly flying towards him. "Tell me Shriek, what orders does Ormek have for me today?"
"The orders you have been waiting for ever since you were sent out here," Shriek answered.
"I am to set up the blockade then?" Shrion asked. Shriek simply let out a high pitched squeal. "So I take it Ormek found what he was looking for?"
"That's right," Shriek said, "and he'll be ready to start his assault soon."
"It better be soon," Shrion said, "our blockade will block the strait of Cyntir. By obstructing the strait we may anger the Nicrosians, the last thing we need is to have them get involved.
"True, but we'll be ready if they do," Shriek grumbled.
"Tell Ormek the blockade has been set up," Shrion said, "I'll give the order immediately to begin its formation. You may go." Although Shriek had been dismissed he did not fly off. "Is there something else you need to tell me?" Shrion inquired.
"Yes sir," Shriek replied, "Ormek has some additional orders for you."
"What orders might those be?" Shrion asked.
"Ormek wants you to take five ships and your best men to the Frozen Fortress. Be on the look out for any trespassers. If you find any, don't ask any questions just destroy them.
"What? Why?" Shrion hollered, "There is nothing out by the Frozen Fortress save a few ice monsters. What possible use could Ormek have for me there?"
"This is a mission of great importance Shrion," Shriek said, "Unless you want Ormek's wrath directed towards you, I suggest you follow his orders."
"I will do as the general commands," Shrion said as he calmed down.
"Good, I will let Ormek know all is in order," Shriek replied, "I shall leave soon, but first I shall take leave from my duties. My journey has been a tiring one."
Shrion nodded and sped off to begin the formation of the blockade.
Shriek rested on Kantash for a few days before he returned to Tyfiria Castle. He took his time on his trip back. With the urgency of his mission gone, there was no need for Shriek to return with haste. He took twice as long getting back to Tyfiria as he took to get to Kantash. As soon as Shriek arrived at the castle he flew directly to Ormek's laboratory.
Ever since Ormek had obtained the Triforce of Knowledge he had been spending all his time in his lab, developing new weapons and battle strategies. Once he created prototypes of weapons he would send them to various blacksmiths to begin the mass production of his creations.
Ever since Ormek returned to the castle, Syrus noticed drastic changes taking place in the general. Ormek no longer confided in him. He also ignored King Talrid when he summoned him. He acted as if though he was above the king. Ormek was also shirking his duties as the commander-in-chief of Tyfiria. He had not given any orders to his troops since the formation of the blockade; all Ormek did was make sure his men did not attack Cyntir.
These changes all worried Syrus, but none troubled him more than the feeling of evil he got occasionally when he was around Ormek. Syrus had never before doubted that Ormek had been seeking Tyfiria's best interests, until he stole the Triforce of Knowledge. Now Syrus was uncertain of what was really driving him. Was it a love for his country and a desire to help his people, or did he have his own secret agenda, using his new power to fulfill his own destructive ambitions?
"You are late returning," Ormek said as soon as he was aware that Shriek was present. "You should have been back a week ago. Tell me, my ever-loyal minion, what is it that kept you?"
"I was tired from the journey," Shriek answered, "It's a long way from here to Kantash, so I decided to relax there for a little while."
"Nonetheless, you were to return as soon as your message was delivered. I did not give you leave of your duties." Ormek said angrily.
"I apologize," Shriek said, "but I did not see any reason why I should return haste."
"That is why I give the orders," Ormek said approaching the black fairy, cornering him against the wall, "I posses the foresight that you so dearly lack." At this point Ormek was ready to knock the fairy out of the air, but Syrus walked in first.
"General," Syrus said, "I have the report on the current status of our troops. Would you like to see it sir?" Ormek held out his hand and took the report from Syrus. He quickly flipped through it and shook his head as he read.
"These numbers are unacceptable," Ormek said, "We still do not have enough men for the invasion. We will have to implement a conscription of civilians if we are to have any hope of defeating our enemies."
"But do you think Talrid will allow that?" Syrus asked, "He already thinks we're using too many of our resources as it is."
"Whether he decides to support it or no, it will be done," Ormek said, once again demonstrating that he believed he was all-powerful. At that very moment a member of Talrid's royal guard stormed into the room.
"General, the king demands your presence," the guard said in a stern voice.
"Tell him I am far to busy at the moment," Ormek said in a half-joking manner, "I will seek him in out in my own due time."
"Did you not hear me the first time?" the guard said, growing more impatient, "The king demands your presence. He will not allow you to ignore another of his summons." After the guard had finished speaking three more guards entered the room with their swords drawn. Ormek simply laughed at this. He knew he could easily defeat the guards, but he decided no to.
He turned to Syrus and said, "Maybe there is a better way to increase our numbers." Ormek then turned to the guards and told the captain to lead on. The guards sheathed their weapons and led Ormek to Talrid's audience chamber. Though neither Syrus nor Shriek had been summoned, both followed closely behind Ormek. Once they had come to their destination Ormek walked up to the King's throne and knelt on one knee and bowed his head. Ormek kept his stance while Talrid looked upon him with out saying a word. After more than a solid minute of this uncertain quiet, Ormek finally lifted up his head and spoke.
"Did you want to speak with me sire, or did you just forget what I looked like?" he asked sarcastically.
"I have nearly forgotten," said Talrid. "You have not come before in quite some time, not even when I called for you. Why have you ignored me?"
"I have been preparing plans to take the strait of Cyntir," Ormek answered, "but you were already aware of that. You have not called me here find out what I have been doing. You merely wish to inform me that my allotted time of one month to make considerable advances towards capturing the strait is over. So, why do we not skip the small talk and get down to business."
"Very well," replied the king. "Due to your failure to report to me before the end of the month, I take it that you have not been able to move the work along. Therefore I have decided to pull our troops out of Cyntir, accept the offer of the Zora Peninsula, and put an end to this pointless skirmish between Tyfiria and Cyntir."
"I will not allow you to remove my troops from their posts," Ormek said, "For you are incorrect in assuming I have made no progress. In fact, I have something to show you that may change your whole outlook on this war." Ormek clenched his fist and suddenly the symbol of the Triforce appeared on the back of his right hand.
"You have obtained a piece of the legendary Triforce of Hyrule!" the king said in astonishment.
"Not exactly," Ormek said as he smiled. "But with this ancient relic at our disposal, we will be unstoppable. Give me another month and I will not only win the strait, but the whole of Cyntir."
"No," Talrid said, "We shall not continue this conquest, besides I made a promise to the Cyntirian people that I would not let the campaign go further than the strait."
"It was a promise far more gracious than those barbarians deserved!" Ormek said sternly. He then turned from the face of Talrid and began to look into the eyes of each the royal guards, but he still continued to speak to his king. "By the sweat and toil of our people was Cyntir transformed from a worthless farming nation into what it is today. Why then should those slothful Cyntirians enjoy the fruits of out labor? I tell you, it is a great injustice. And even though we are now free, we are exiled to the barren mountain lands of the north while our former captors hold lands full of rich fertile soil and dozens of prosperous seaports. It is only right that we should have what our fathers and we ourselves so dearly paid for. It is time for us to become the masters of this continent and it is time for the Cyntirians to know what it is like to be a slave.
"You are mad!" Talrid cried, seeing for the first time what Ormek's plans truly were. Syrus was also shocked by what the general said.
"Don't you see Ormek? If we were to bring the realm of Cyntir under our rule we would become what we hated most when we were slaves."
"Are we not justified?" Ormek asked with a soothing voice and turned back towards Talrid. "Our people were slaves for dozens of generations. Why should we know the horrors of being slaves while those southern beasts sit on their golden thrones and enjoy the works of others?
"Besides, the Cyntirians remain a constant threat to us. Though they attempt to hide it from their allies, the Cyntirians still hate us. To them we are a symbol of their failure that must be destroyed. They are biding their time, Talrid. They are waiting for their chance to destroy us. Currently they do not posses the strength to conquer us, but that will not last forever. With our barren land and lack of resources our society will soon crumble, while theirs continues to prosper. Our country will fall apart and when that happens, the Cyntirians will strike and enslave us again."
To Talrid's own surprise, he found the words of Ormek to be reasonable and for brief moment he considered going along with the plan, but in the end he listened to his best judgment and stuck by his original position on the matter.
"No," he said, "nothing you say could justify enslaving an entire nation. I have long suspected the Cyntirians would eventually come after us, but your plan is simply not acceptable. I will not allow you to pursue your foolish ambitions."
Ormek shook his head with a sigh and said, "I feared you would not listen to reason, but I also expected it." Ormek drew one of his swords and pointed it towards the king. "You will help me one way or another."
"Guards, subdue the general!" Talrid cried out, and though there were a dozen guards in the room none moved save three of them, but those that did move all rushed at Ormek with long spears. Ormek chopped off the tip of the first spear with his sword, he then quickly sidestepped narrowly dodging the second spear. He then grabbed a hold of the shaft of the second spear with his left hand, and with his sword still in his right, he smacked the guard in the head with his clenched fist, knocking him out cold. Ormek then threw the spear across the room to Syrus, who could not believe that Ormek was actually threatening the king. Ormek then kicked the first guard firmly in his abdomen. The guard dropped to the ground and was unable to get up. The third guard never had a chance to attack Ormek, for Shriek had taken him down with a concentrated sonic blast.
Talrid called for the guards to attack again, but few stirred, and those that did move were torn between attacking, staying put, or running from the room all together. For there had not been one man in that chamber, who heard Ormek speak, that was not shaken by his words. Most of the men agreed with Ormek and wanted to help him. Only the three who tried to attack Ormek had not forgotten their loyalty to the king.
Ormek turned to the guards and looked into the eyes of every one of them, as if he were looking into their very souls he said, "I take it then that you wish to aid me? Then prove it, by taking the king and his three loyal companions to the dungeons." The king's own guards swiftly surrounded him and bound his hands with ropes and began to take him and his three loyalists from the room, but Ormek stopped them before they left.
"Do not worry," said Ormek sheathing his sword, "I have no desire of taking your place as king. You shall be restored to your proper place once the war is over and you begin to see things my way." It was at this moment that Talrid realized that though he held the title of king, Ormek had long been the true ruler of the country.
"What have you done, you lunatic?" Syrus cried when all of the guards had left except one. "Do you actually think you can get away with imprisoning the king? The people will notice sooner or later that he's gone missing!"
"This is working out even better than I had hoped," Ormek said paying no heed to the ranting of Syrus. "Instead of imposing a draft we can stir the hearts of the people to war. They will aid the effort willingly." Ormek then walked to Talrid's throne and picked up a grey robe that the King had lost in the struggle with the guards as well as his crown.
"And how do you plan to do that?" asked Syrus.
"Niromin," Ormek called to the last remaining guard. Not all of the king's guards had switched allegiances during Ormek's speech. For some all ready were working for Ormek secretly by keeping an eye on the king for him and Niromin was one of those guards. "Go to my personal armory," Ormek said, "find a bow and a Cyntirian arrow." Ormek then handed him the cloak, "Then take this robe and place it on a cow that is fit to eat. Kill the cow using the arrow, but make sure it penetrates the robe in the area that would be placed over the heart. Take the cow to the butcher, but bring the robe and the arrow back to me."
Niromin saluted Ormek and eagerly hurried off to complete his task. Ormek then slowly approached the recently vacated throne and gently placed the king's silver crown on it. He then knelt on one knee and covered his heart with his right hand. "By the crown of Tyfiria I here by vow, that all of Cyntir will soon come under its rule," Ormek said softly.
"All right Ormek," Syrus said, "It's time for you to come clean. What was that talk about enslaving the Cyntirians? That wasn't the plan."
"The plans have changed," Ormek growled. "The Triforce of Knowledge has opened my eyes. I see now that if we were to merely exile the Cyntirians, they may regroup and come back with their allies. Syrus was satisfied with this answer, it seemed to be logical, but Ormek's treachery still seemed ludicrous.
"Now tell me, exactly what you are planning to do with that robe and arrow?" Syrus demanded.
"You shall see for yourself when I announce the king's forfeiture of the throne," Ormek replied. "Now, Shriek, Syrus, I want the two of you to find Talrid's heralds. Tell them to go out into the city and call the people to castle proclamation tower. I shall make my edict in one hour, be sure that as many people as possible of the surrounding populous are there." Syrus saluted Ormek and left the hall without further questioning, though secretly he wondered if some evil spirit had possessed Ormek.
An hour to the very minute that Ormek sent Syrus away, the general walked out onto the balcony of the proclamation tower. The base of the tower was surrounded by thousands of Tyfirians, all of whom had come to hear Ormek's pressing news. There was a great commotion about the people, rumors had already started on what Ormek was going to speak about, but none of them came close to the truth. Upon seeing Ormek on the balcony, the crowd suddenly fell silent.
Ormek cleared his throat and with a loud authoritative voice he cried, "People of Tyfiria, I have come before you today with the most grievous of news. Our righteous monarch, King Talrid, who led us out of the captivity of Cyntir, who established the great nation of Tyfiria, was attacked by his enemies earlier today." Upon hearing this many of the people gasped in unison and some cried out in anguish, then the multitude was enveloped in a great clamor of the people talking amongst themselves.
Ormek raised his hands above his head and the people fell silent again. "Yes it is true," Ormek said as he placed his hands on the railing around the balcony and bowed his head as though he was weeping. Ormek slowly lifted up his head after a few seconds and continued speaking. "This morning, while the king was in his throne room, his enemies some how got in and ambushed him."
Ormek then cast out the king's blood stained robe and the arrow into the crowd. The crowd gasped.
"The king is dead!" a man cried out as he fell to his knees.
An old man then picked up the arrow and garment and examined them carefully. "This arrow is of the loathsome Cyntirian craft! I'd bet my life on it!" the old man yelled.
"Oh it can't be!" wailed a woman who clung to the king's robe.
The people began to cry out again, but Ormek swiftly silenced them. "The Cyntirians will pay for the fall of our beloved king." He cried with such great emotion that even those who knew the king was not truly dead were compelled to believe that his death should be avenged.
"Long have our people been oppressed by the wicked Cyntirians," he continued, "They have enslaved us, tortured us, and slaughtered our loved ones. Even now, as we are free, we are forced to live in the most barren of lands. Now is the time to bring the Cyntirians to justice once and for all. But our armed forces are not yet strong enough to accomplish such a task. That is why I must call to all able bodied Tyfirian men to take up arms against our enemies. If any man does not have good reason to stay behind and not fight, he shall be known as a coward not fit to eat cattle droppings." The Tyfirian people cheered and applauded Ormek's comment, but one man in the midst of the crowd called out at the top of his lungs until the cheering died down.
"If Talrid is now dead, who then takes his place as king then?" the man shouted out.
Ormek took in a deep breath and said, "I shall take his place temporarily, until the war is over. As you know Talrid had no heir, therefore an elected council of common folk shall be created to name Talrid's successor. Now then my friends, I must go, for there is much I must see to before the beginning of our campaign." With that, Ormek turned and sped back towards his quarters. On his way down from the tower Ormek spotted Syrus.
"How could you lie to our people like that?" Syrus asked stunned.
"I did not lie," Ormek contested, "I never actually said the king was dead, nor did I say the Cyntirians were the king's attackers. The people arrived at those conclusions on their own." Ormek then continued on his way down from the tower, but Syrus grabbed him by the arm before he got too far.
"This isn't going to work," Syrus said sternly.
Ormek suddenly seized Syrus's hand and twisted it back, forcing the colonel to relinquish his grasp. Ormek looked coldly at his servant and said, "Mark my words, before the end of the next month, Cyntir will be utterly destroyed.