The two princesses seemed to be having a good time. Sabah looked to be a bit too big for her horse, and Seraphina seemed too small for hers, but both were doing their best to keep their balance as they directed their horses around the track.
Harun had never actually seen a horse before. In the desert, they rode camels or used seal sleds instead. Ever since the Hylians took control of the valley and the canyon, the Gerudo had had little use for horses. From what the prince knew about the animals, he could tell which ones were native to Gerudo Valley and which ones had been brought from Hyrule, as the Gerudo ones were much larger to match their larger Gerudo riders.
The prince sat with Urballa and Kobami in the stands overlooking the racetrack, much like the stands in the Coliseum back at the Arbiter's Grounds, although these benches were made of wood. Bularis was down there with the princesses, riding what was probably the largest Gerudo stallion available in order to support the weight of her bulky armor. The Gerudo-haired Hylian woman who guarded Princess Seraphina rode a small white Hyrulean horse, and she was clearly more practiced with horseback riding than Bularis and the princesses were.
After a short while, Bularis rode over to the stands and removed her helmet. "Care to join us, my queen?" she asked, looking up at them from below.
"In a moment, Commander," Urballa replied. She had been discussing something with Elder Kobami since they'd arrived.
"And you, my prince?" the commander asked Harun.
The prince straightened up. He had been sulking ever since the meeting, which had gone disastrously thanks to him, at least as far as he believed. Perhaps this would help him take his mind off of things. "Certainly, Commander." Standing up, he made his way down the ramp that led to the tracks below.
"Come this way," Bularis said, pulling the reins of her horse. It fought against her for a moment, but eventually gave up and trotted over to the stables. Inside were many more horses, some as large as Bularis's. "Try that one," she suggested, gesturing to a solid black Gerudo stallion.
Harun nodded. "I've never ridden a horse," he pointed out as he approached the animal.
"It is not much different than a camel, in truth," the commander claimed.
Harun's horse snarled as he approached it, which made him hesitate. Slowly, he crept forward, then placed his hand against the horse's dark coat. When it did not fight him, the prince put his foot in the stirrup and climbed atop it.
"That's it," Bularis encouraged. "Now, come. We mustn't leave the princess unattended."
"Yes, Commander." It took him a moment to get the horse moving, but he followed Bularis out of the stables and back out to the track.
In the distance, Princess Sabah spotted them. She was riding alongside Princess Seraphina, and she said something to her companion before riding over to them. The Hylian princess followed.
"Greetings, Harun," Sabah said warmly. "I am glad you are able to join us. I trust the negotiations went well?"
Harun grimaced. "They could have gone better," he said. "I am hopeful we can accomplish more tomorrow."
"Hi!" Princess Seraphina said, her sunny disposition immediately drawing attention to herself. "You're that Gerudo boy, right? The only one?"
Harun furrowed his brow, glancing at Sabah. The Gerudo princess was grinning, seemingly finding the Hylian princess's innocence to be endearing. "Why, yes. I am the voe," he confirmed. "My name is Harun, ward to Queen Urballa. It is an honor to meet you, Princess Zelda Seraphina." He bowed forward atop his horse, deciding it would be respectful to greet her properly since this was his first time speaking with her.
"Neat!" Seraphina said. "Wanna ride with us? It's fun!"
"I would be glad to," Harun agreed.
"Yay!" Seraphina pulled on her horse's reins to turn it around. "Try and catch me." With a light kick to her horse's side, she took off. Sabah turned to follow her as well. Harun tried to direct his horse, but it shook back against him.
"Careful, my prince," Bularis warned, catching him by the shoulder to steady him.
"Right." Harun tried again. This time, his horse listened, and he followed after the princesses. Seraphina's laughter could be heard even from a distance. Sabah, too, laughed quite a bit as they rode around the horse track. It was nice to see her so happy. The Gerudo princess was very mature for her age, and Harun so rarely got to see her acting like a child.
As he rode, Harun observed those around him. There were both Hylians and Gerudo in the stands, and many Hylian guards and stable workers could be seen coming and going. However, none of them appeared to be on edge the way everyone had been before and during the council meeting earlier.
There may be hope for our peoples yet. If only the princesses had been at the meeting…
Harun slowed his horse to a trot, allowing it to rest a while.
"Harun!" a young girl's voice called from behind him. Princess Seraphina appeared, smiling curiously. "Hey! Sabah told me you met Alkawbra."
The prince was slightly taken aback. The young princess was very forward, and did not give much warning before bringing up such a subject. "Uh. Yes, Princess," Harun confirmed. "I conferred with her at the Spirit Temple several days ago."
"Wow!" Seraphina said in amazement. "What was she like?"
Harun had flashbacks of the giant cobra encircling him and Nashorla, slowly closing in until her coils wrapped around them. "She… is not much for pleasantries," was all he said, not wishing to disturb the young girl with the details.
The Hylian princess did not seem to notice anything was amiss. "Laemora talks to me all the time," she said.
Harun furrowed his brow. "The Goddess of Light?"
"Yeah! She's a big, pretty, glowy bird." The princess giggled. "She's the youngest of her siblings. Like me!"
The prince had his doubts about a god regularly speaking to this child, but perhaps the Patrons were friendlier in Hyrule. Hearing this made him curious about something. "Does Hylia speak to you as well?" Like Nephysis, Hylia had left the mortal realm ages ago. Other than mad prophets, nobody claimed to have contact with them or the Golden Goddesses anymore.
Seraphina tilted her head, as if she had to think about it. "I think so," she said. "But not the same way. Sometimes when I pray, she gives me signs that she's listening."
"Hmm." Harun nodded, but he took that as a 'no.' Sabah and many other Gerudo said the same about Nephysis. Perhaps the old gods still influenced the world in subtle ways, but nobody ever seemed to know for sure.
While he was thinking, Princess Sabah rode up beside them. "Harun, Sera, would you like to try some archery?" she asked, gesturing to the circular targets that were set up around the horse track. "I've never tried it from atop a horse or a camel before."
"Yeah! That sounds like fun," Seraphina agreed immediately. "Do you have a bow?" she asked.
"Well, yes, but not on me," Sabah said. "We can borrow some."
"I'll go ask Jeanne." Seraphina pulled her horse's reins, directing it over to her bodyguard. Harun and Sabah followed her.
They found both Dame Jeanne and Commander Bularis on foot, standing outside the stables. However, their horses were both nearby, and they were still keeping a watch on the young princesses, ready to intervene if need be.
"Jeanne!" Seraphina called to the red-haired knight, trotting her horse over to her.
"Would you like to get down, Princess?" Dame Jeanne asked.
"Here, allow me." Bularis grabbed the Hylian princess by the waist and effortlessly lifted her, placing her down on the ground.
"Wow!" Seraphina's eyes sparkled. "You're so tall!"
The smallest hint of a smirk cracked on the commander's face. "Or perhaps you are all simply short."
"Commander Bularis," Princess Sabah said, climbing down from her horse on her own. "We would like to practice some archery. May we borrow some bows?" she asked politely.
"Of course, Princess," Bularis agreed.
"I'll have someone fetch them right away," Dame Jeanne said. She took a few steps into the stable and flagged down a passing stable boy. "Go to the armory and have them bring a selection of bows and arrows, if you please," she commanded.
"Yes, Dame."
"You have our thanks, Dame Jeanne," Harun said in gratitude, now on foot and leading his horse to stand with the others while they waited.
"Think nothing of it."
"Dame, I am curious," Sabah began. "How is it that your hair is red when you are not a Gerudo?"
The knight shrugged. "It is simply the hair my mother gave me," she replied. "My sister is the same way."
"Is she a knight as well?" Harun inquired.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "A researcher, actually." As the knight spoke, Seraphina leaned back against her, so Jeanne protectively wrapped an arm around the small girl. "She left Necluda to travel the world around the same time I became a squire to a knight of House Kochi."
"And how long have you been guardian to your princess?" Commander Bularis asked.
"Her whole life," she replied, brushing her charge's hair lovingly. Seraphina giggled.
Bularis nodded. "Admirable. I have served Queen Urballa for many years. Many of my Iron Knuckles and I have served the prince and princess their whole lives as well."
Harun looked back and forth between the commander and the knight. Jeanne was so much shorter, and while she was armored, her plate seemed quite light in comparison to the commander's. He would feel safer with Bularis for protection any day.
But then, it never pays to underestimate an opponent.
The prince frowned as he remembered something Lady Averla had taught him many times. Jeanne actually reminded him of her as well. She had never been quite as warm with him as Jeanne was with Seraphina, but she had her own motherly qualities.
And I… killed her. All because of Ganon.
"Harun? What's wrong?" Seraphina asked, sounding concerned.
The prince unclenched his jaw. Realizing his anger must have been showing, he tried to return to a more neutral expression. "It is nothing, young princess," he replied.
For the next few minutes, the five of them continued to talk amongst themselves. A Gerudo prince and princess, a Hylian princess, a Gerudo warrior, and a Hylian knight. It was more pleasant than anything he had expected to come out of their visit to Taafei. He wondered why the elder Princess Zelda had decided to bring her sister along with her. Even if it had been Seraphina who had asked to come along, he would not have expected the elder princess to agree, especially given how likely negotiations were to end poorly.
Perhaps she expected some good to come of the friendship between Sabah and Seraphina?
Princess Zelda did not seem the type to care too much about something like that, but there may have been more to her than he knew. Either way, the current situation gave him an idea.
"I wish to speak with the queen."
The Iron Knuckles standing guard outside of Urballa's bedchambers looked down at Harun, their faces concealed by heavy metal helmets. They stood with their giant axes crossed in front of the door, blocking the way. "Might I ask why, Prince Harun?" the one on the left asked, her voice muffled by her helmet.
"I must discuss our plans for tomorrow's negotiations."
The Iron Knuckles glanced at each other. The one on the right shrugged, then moved to open the door slightly. "My queen, the prince wishes to speak with you," she called through the crack in the doorway.
"Send him in."
The Iron Knuckles pushed the door open further, then stepped to the side, bowing to their prince. Harun nodded as he walked past them, and the door closed behind him.
The prince stood in the doorway. As expected, Urballa's guest room in the fortress was quite spacious; obviously a room designed for important guests. The bed looked nicer than his bed in Gerudo Palace. The walls were decorated with antique weapons and priceless paintings. Urballa sat in a cushioned chair by a tea table, reading a book. On the other side of the room was a lit fireplace, providing much needed warmth from the cold night air.
Urballa put her book down. "Care to join me, Harun?" she asked, gesturing to the other chair across from her.
"Yes, my queen." Harun took his seat, straightening his back nervously.
"You wished to speak with me?"
"Yes," Harun said with a nod. He cleared his throat, then tried to speak with purpose. "My queen, I would like to apologize for what happened at the negotiations today," he said. "Had I not been here, you would have been able to discuss more important matters than my condition, and the Hylians would be in a more charitable mood."
"Your wellbeing is important too, Harun," the queen reminded him. "Besides, it was not your doing. The Hylians put you in a position where you had to explain your situation to them. I suspect they already knew something about it, somehow."
Harun nodded, not sure what else to say.
"However, Princess Zelda took the news well," Urballa continued. "I am sure the proceedings will go more favorably tomorrow."
"That is what I wished to talk to you about," Harun said. He was relieved that his apology had been received well. Perhaps the queen would be as receptive to his suggestion. "Tomorrow, would it be possible to have Princess Sabah and Princess Seraphina present at the negotiations?"
Urballa raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw how well they get along," Harun explained. "You saw it, too. At the horse track. And because of them, Commander Bularis and Seraphina's bodyguard were able to converse on friendly terms. I think the young princesses may serve as a reminder that our people and the Hylians can truly cooperate."
The queen toyed with her jewelry, deep in thought for a moment. Harun figured she would say he was being too optimistic, but his idea couldn't hurt to try. However, she did not seem to think that way. "I am not certain it will be the best environment for children," she replied. "The situation nearly turned violent today. The possibility of another disagreement getting out of hand in the same way is too great. My daughter is too young to take such risks."
"You allow both me and Sabah to be present when you are addressing the citizenry back home," Harun pointed out. "The disputes you deal with often come just as close to violence."
"I am in control in Naboris," Urballa rebutted. "Things are different here. If a fight is to occur, I want my daughter in another part of the fortress grounds entirely, protected by my best guards."
"You do not seem to care as much about such precautions when it comes to my safety." Harun spoke without thinking. Some little spark of anger from somewhere within him had flared up. He considered it only natural that the queen would care more about her daughter than she did about him, and given her young age, it made sense to be more protective of her. But even acknowledging that, some voice in his head told him it was unfair.
The look she gave him told Harun she was surprised by what he'd said, and she was perhaps a fair bit offended. "I am sorry, my queen," he said. "I did not mean to say it like that."
Urballa continued to regard him in silence for a moment. It was difficult to tell if she was once again weighing her options, or if she was deciding whether or not to scold him. Finally, she spoke again.
"I apologize, Harun," she said softly. "I have never once wished to neglect your safety, but perhaps I have failed you on some occasions." The queen looked somewhat guilty, which again made Harun feel he had been too harsh. However, she seemed to move past it rather quickly. "Moreover, it is true that the friendship between my daughter and the younger Hylian princess appears strong. Perhaps it may give us hope for the future of Gerudo-Hylian relations. And, if the elder Hylian princess saw fit to bring her, perhaps she recognizes this as well."
"Precisely." Harun had thought the same thing. There was no sense in letting the young princesses remain on the sidelines for the negotiations when their relationship showed such promise.
"And, with the Sage of Light present, my daughter's adherence to both Nephysis and Hylia is bound to appeal to the religious members of the council." More and more, the queen seemed to be warming up to the idea. "Very well," the queen agreed. "But at the first sign of trouble, I will have her escorted somewhere safe."
"Of course," Harun agreed.
There was silence for a moment. He was somewhat nervous again. If his idea worked, it would mean he had actually contributed to the Gerudo cause, which would hopefully make up for whatever problems were sure to come from the Hylians' reaction to his condition. However, if Sabah ended up getting hurt because of his actions, the queen would never forgive him, nor would he forgive himself. "Do you truly believe Vapith will relinquish her governorship to you?" he asked, hoping to be told she had a good chance.
"I believe it is possible," Urballa replied. "The more I request it, and the more I fulfill the conditions given to me, the more pressured the Hylians become to acquiesce. Otherwise, they risk losing what support they have from our people, and provoking us into war."
Harun furrowed his brow. Of course, he had heard talk of war with the Hylians many, many times, especially from Elder Kobami. However, now that he was here in Taafei and meeting with Hylian leadership, the possibility seemed much more real to him. "Would you truly go to war with them?" he asked uncertainly.
Queen Urballa ran her hand through her hair, jangling some of her jewelry. It took her an almost uncomfortable amount of time to answer. "There are circumstances under which I would, yes," she admitted. "As queen, I need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario."
"But you would not go to war simply because they refuse to name you governor, yes?"
"Most likely not," she replied. "Kobami has been advising me to do so for some time now. But unless they place unreasonable restrictions upon our people or respond to our demands with violence, I do not believe it will be necessary, even if I am refused once again."
Harun nodded slowly, his worries subsiding somewhat. However, he knew how manipulative Elder Kobami could be.
If only Averla were here to counteract her influence…
There were other Hylianites among the queen's trusted advisors, but none were Lady Averla's equal. Harun felt his throat tighten from being reminded of her for the second time that day.
Still so much of this is my fault.
"It is late, Prince Harun," Urballa stated. "You should get some rest."
"Yes. Right. Thank you, my queen. I bid you goodnight." Harun stood and bowed his head before heading to the door.
I can only hope tomorrow will turn out better.
"Sabah, may I speak to you for a moment?" Harun caught up with the Gerudo princess in the early morning as she and Bularis were about to exit the guest area of the fortress. As far as he knew, Urballa had not invited her to join them at the negotiations that day, so he thought he could be the one to do it.
"Hmm?" Sabah turned around, her earrings swinging through the air as she did. "Of course, Harun. What is it?" Bularis stood beside her, waiting patiently. She was armored as usual, but she was holding her axe with the blade down on the ground.
He hesitated for a moment, remembering Urballa's concern for her daughter's safety. However, Harun knew he had to ignore that for now and continue on. "Your mother and I have discussed it, and we both believe that having you and Princess Seraphina present at the negotiations may help put everyone in a more cooperative mood," he explained. "Would you be interested in joining us?"
Sabah smiled, but Bularis reacted first. "Are you sure that would be wise?" she asked. "Such meetings can get extremely tense, perhaps even dangerous."
"It's alright, Bularis," the princess said, raising a hand to her. "If I can help make peace between us and the Hylians, I would gladly attend the meeting."
Harun nodded, exhaling quietly with relief.
The level of maturity she displays for one so young still surprises me.
"Excellent. You have my thanks, Sabah," Harun said. "Now, we must invite Princess Seraphina as well. Shall we visit her?"
"Sure!" Sabah replied, smiling brightly. "Bularis and I were about to pay a visit to the temple with Seraphina. The Sage of Light is supposed to give a sermon this morning. Care to join us?"
"...It would be my honor." Knowing the sage was probably not very fond of him, the idea of listening to him preach was not very appealing. However, the sage did not seem dangerous, and he would hopefully be too busy with his religious duties to pay Harun any mind.
Gesturing towards the door, Harun invited the princess and her bodyguard to go ahead of him. They stepped outside, and he followed behind them.
The temple was further down the slope, a short distance away from the main fortress. It easily stood out because of its distinctive Hylian architecture, compared to the Gerudo appearance that most of the buildings in Taafei had. When they entered the building, the Sage of Light was already speaking. He stood at the altar at the far end of the room, in front of a two-story statue of the goddess Hylia. Most of the pews were filled with Hylians. Harun could see both Hylian princesses at the front, surrounded by armed knights on all sides.
Princess Sabah slid into an empty back row and took a seat. Bularis, likely believing her bulky armor would not allow her to fit, simply stood behind the princess. Harun decided to stay standing as well. Something about being in that temple gave him a strange, uncomfortable sensation, so he wanted to be able to leave on a moment's notice if need be.
Ganon, Demise, I'm not sure which of you wants me to leave this place, but you're both going to have to deal with it.
"These are indeed troubled times," the sage spoke, gazing out into the audience. "Every corner of the kingdom sees the shadow of war looming over it, but we mustn't fear. As the people of Hylia, we are honorbound to make peace in her name throughout the land."
Then leave.
Harun pressed his hand to his temple. He heard the thought in his head as if it were his own, but it was not in his own voice.
"Here in Gerudo, we treat with our sisters from the desert," the sage continued. "Though we have had our differences, we are all Children of Nayru, and we must remain united as one. I hope you will all join me in prayer, that we may have continued peace." He made a triforce symbol with his hands, which many throughout the room copied. "Now, let us read from the Book of Mudora…" The Hylian holy book sat on the podium in front of him. Sage Aurun reached for it and opened it to a page near the middle.
As soon as the Mudora opened, Harun heard a loud ringing in his ears, as if the heavy book had been slammed on a table right beside his eardrums. The prince groaned slightly, covering his ears with his hands.
This was a mistake.
Without excusing himself to Bularis or Sabah, Harun hurriedly made his way to the exit.
Outside the temple, he took a breath of fresh air. He did not like having to appease the demons residing within him, but he could not take the risk of one of them gaining control of his body in such a crowded place. So, he walked a short distance away from the building and sat down on the hill. He would wait until the sermon was over, and then hopefully he could speak to the Hylian princesses about Seraphina's invitation.
As he sat there, Harun gazed upon the Gerudo Fortress.
It should be ours.
The prince scowled. He wanted to tell himself he knew for a fact that the thought was Ganondorf's, but he honestly couldn't tell. This was Gerudo Fortress in Gerudo Canyon next to the rich and fertile Gerudo Valley - why shouldn't it belong to the Gerudo? What right did the Hylians have to be there?
Realizing he was accomplishing nothing but working himself up, Harun shifted his position so he sat crossed legged, then attempted to mediate the way Sage Nashorla had taught him. Having more mood swings would accomplish nothing, and it would only make it that much harder for Queen Urballa to make any progress. They would get the fortress back if Urballa obtained the governorship, after all. There was no need to use force, despite Elder Kobami's insistence otherwise.
Time passed quickly while Harun was meditating. When he opened his eyes, Hylians were streaming out of the temple of Hylia. Most of them were commonfolk, going back to their daily business. There were some knights and soldiers among them, too. Harun stood up when he saw Sabah, Seraphina, and Zelda exit the building, surrounded on all sides by their guards. For a brief moment, the sight of Sabah surrounded by Hylians frightened him, but it quickly registered with him that the Hylians were escorting Sabah just as they were escorting their own princesses. Bularis and Aurun were with them as well.
"Good day to you, Prince Harun," Princess Zelda greeted him, wordlessly parting her guards as she stepped forward. "How are you this morning?"
"I am well, Princess," Harun lied.
"Sabah has come to us with an interesting proposition," Zelda stated, getting straight to the point. "You wish to include her and my sister in today's negotiations?"
"That is correct, Princess." Harun looked at the younger princesses. Seraphina was clinging to Sabah's arm, smiling up at him happily, while Sabah herself looked rather amused. "Provided there are no objections."
"I wanna be there, too!" Seraphina confirmed. "We'll get to save the world!" She gripped Sabah's arm tighter, causing the Gerudo princess to wince.
"Ah! Sera!" Sabah complained before giggling good-naturedly.
Harun turned his attention back to Princess Zelda, who did not appear to have taken her steely eyes off of him at any point. "I trust it will not be too much trouble?" Harun asked, wanting Zelda to either confirm or deny her acceptance of the idea.
"No trouble," the elder princess confirmed. "Political arbitration is hardly a job for children, but so long as they do not interrupt, I see no reason to disallow their presence." As she spoke, she glanced down to her side at her sister and Sabah. For the briefest moment, her expression softened, the corners of her lips turning up at the sight of Seraphina hugging her friend's arm. She then set her gaze back on Harun. "We are to begin negotiations again shortly. Will you accompany us to Governor Vapith's council chambers?"
"Your Highness," Sage Aurun spoke before Harun could answer. "I would have a moment alone with the prince before we convene."
The princess looked to him. Neither of them said anything about what the sage wished to discuss. "Very well, holy one. We shall be off, then." Zelda resumed marching up the hill, followed by the younger princesses and their escort of knights, leaving Harun and Sage Aurun alone.
The Gerudo prince looked down at the sage uncertainly. The old man's beard billowed in the wind, as did the feathers on his cloak. It had been clear to Harun since he'd first seen Sage Aurun that he was something of a stoic, so it was rather difficult to tell how the sage viewed him. However, from the sage's words at the meeting the other day, Harun suspected his condition was enough to make the sage wary of him. "What is it you wished to discuss, wise sage?"
Aurun waited another moment before answering, his head tilting back to look up at the sky. "I communed with my Patron yesterday," he said. "The great Laemora, Goddess of Light."
"The same goddess who speaks to Princess Seraphina," Harun said aloud to himself, remembering what the young princess had said to him yesterday.
The sage nodded. "Indeed. I informed her of your condition, and beseeched her for guidance. Spirits are the domain of Alkawbra, so she refused to pass judgment. However, it was her wisdom that such darkness will always remain a threat so long as it remains in our realm."
Harun narrowed his eyes. "Do you speak of Ganon's soul? Or Demise's curse?"
"Both," Aurun answered.
"And does that make me a threat?"
"That depends on you, young one." Aurun spoke plainly and authoritatively, but he made no move to attack the prince with any sort of sorcery, nor did he approach him physically. "I understand the wisdom of your people's Patron was to fight fire with fire, so to speak. But such a solution seems like nothing more than a temporary measure, at best. If I were to have it my way, both dark presences would be expelled from you as soon as possible."
"The last time someone tried to expel this dark presence from me…" Harun froze as he began to tell the sage what had happened. He did not wish to admit what Ganondorf- what he had done.
"The curse cannot be lifted by the gods," Aurun stated, inquiring no further about what Harun had been about to say. "I understand this. However, we are blessed with the presence of two members of the Royal Family."
Harun raised an eyebrow. "The princesses? What do they have to do with this?"
"When the Golden Goddesses created the Triforce, they designed it so that its power could only be wielded by mortals," the sage explained, sounding as if he was transitioning into another sermon. "That is why their successor, the goddess Hylia, gave up her immortal form to walk the earth as a woman. The princesses are descendants of that woman."
Harun was confused. He knew of this, but he did not see how it answered his question. "Forgive me, Sage. I do not understand."
"The Royal Family of Hyrule exists to do what the gods cannot," Sage Aurun explained. "If the gods cannot cleanse you of your demons, then perhaps they can."
Harun's eyes lit up when comprehension dawned on him. "You mean… It is possible for them to remove Demise's curse?"
"There are few guarantees in life," Aurun said. "But yes, I believe there to be a possibility."
Harun could not believe what he was hearing. Even if it were only a slim chance, this was the best news he'd heard in a very long time. And if the curse could be removed, then there would be no need for the spirit of Ganon either.
I can be free. Free of it all.
"Do it," Harun said. "We must request Princess Zelda to perform this task at once."
"No," the sage refused, shaking his head. "The princess came here for a reason, and so did your queen. Removing your curse will take time, and it may be dangerous. We cannot afford to trouble them with it now when so much else is at stake."
"But you're the Sage of Light!" Harun complained, baffled by Aurun's response. From how he had been acting the previous day, the prince would have assumed the demon's curse to be his top priority.
"My duty is to the gods, and to the crown," Sage Aurun said. "Furthermore, we are here to discuss the relationship between our peoples going forward. If that relationship is determined to be favorable, then perhaps Princess Zelda will be more inclined to risk her own safety to help you."
Harun blinked. He could not believe what he was hearing. If he understood the sage correctly, his best chance at being freed of the curse was dependent upon the negotiations going in a direction that favored the Hylians. "Am I your hostage, Sage Auron?" the prince asked with venom in his voice. "Do you mean to use the promise of my curse being broken in order to force me to take the side of the Hylians in our negotiations from here on out?"
"Watch your tone, boy." Aurun glared at him with eyes that glowed gold with power. "You would do well not to make such accusations. I merely told you the plain truth. There are matters at hand that are bigger than you or I."
"Nonsense!" Harun shouted. "You said it yourself! This darkness will always remain a threat so long as it remains in our realm. Whatever petty squabbles our peoples might have, surely we can put them aside for a moment to deal with the common enemy?"
"The goddess Alkawbra saw fit to ensure that this common enemy remained locked inside of you for the time being." Sage Aurun now spoke as if he were explaining matters to a child having a tantrum. "Rest assured, we will discuss this matter with Princess Zelda thoroughly at the meeting. There is no reason to make hasty decisions here and now."
Harun glared at him. He still could not decipher the sage's intentions, nor could he determine how much of what he'd said was even true. Nonetheless, he did not appreciate having the solution to all of his problems dangled in front of him like that, only for it to be yanked just out of his reach. He sighed, almost growling with rage. "I see even the wisdom of the sages is limited," he said scathingly. "But very well. I will take this matter to your princess. Perhaps she will recognize where our priorities should lie."
