Ordon province, Hyrule

Frost coated everything in a delicate blanket of lace and light. The roof of the stable, the blades of grass, trunks of trees, the ruts in the road dusted with powder. Winters here were mild, but the mornings could be bitter. Still, the sun's rays made the frost sparkle, the layer of fluffy snow bright.

Dark's breath came out in a small cloud as he walked towards the structure, reaching with gloved hands for the latch.

Dark yanked the cold metal into place, shoving against the door to slide it open. Inside, a chorus of whinnies and snorts greeted him as the horses caught his scent. Dark stepped into the considerably warmer stable, grabbing the bag of feed and pouring some into a large bucket. He went to each stall in turn, shaking a bit of feed into the troughs and greeting each horse by name with a friendly pat.

After each horse was fed, he unlocked the stall doors one by one, going inside to check on the six inhabitants. His chore complete, Dark locked up the stable behind him and entered the shed adjacent. Inside he grabbed another bucket and checked its contents. He walked over to the cucco shed, ducking his head through the door. The cuccos, awakened by the scent and sound of food, scuttled from their perches and clucked about, pecking away.

Dark ducked back outside, stretching his neck. He looked out at the yard, warmed by the rising sun. Icicles hung from the farmhouse roof, glinting in the light. An old but sturdy wagon was tucked next to it, and a black and white cat was sitting atop its bench, squinting in the bright winter morning.

Dark clucked his tongue when the cat turned at his approach. "Here, Sebastian," he cooed, holding out an arm.

The cat rubbed against his fingers and Dark rewarded him with a scratch. Purring, the cat crouched, then leapt onto his shoulder, content to come along for the ride while Dark made his usual tour of the yard. Knocking any spare snow from his boots at the farmhouse door, Dark lifted the latch and stepped inside.

Sebastian hopped down when he pulled off his coat and gloves, sprinting for the kitchen. The smell of breakfast wafted over, encouraging him to hurry. Dark followed the cat's lead into the cozy kitchen, dropping into his seat.

Silas turned to glance at him over his shoulder. "Eggs and bacon?"

"Love some," Dark replied, arranging the plates, cutlery and spices laid out haphazardly on the table.

Silas dished them out and took a seat at the table, his permanent smile brighter than usual this morning.

"Did something happen I'm not aware of?" Dark asked, accepting the plate Silas offered him. "Or last night?" he added with a smirk.

Silas snorted. "Unlike you, I am a bit more discreet. And no, there's nothing. Can't a man enjoy his morning?"

"I suppose."

They lapsed into silence as they ate their breakfast. In the corner, Sebastian dug into the bowl of food Silas had left for him.

For the last four years, this had been their routine. Silas and Dark, along with the help of hired farmhands, worked Silas's family's farm. Each morning, Dark woke up earlier than he'd ever wanted to and saw to the chores with Silas. They ate breakfast together, then started the day's work.

Dark glanced at Silas as he sipped his cup of coffee. Four years ago, almost to the day, the man had saved Dark from freezing to death, alone in the woods. He'd welcomed Dark into his home like family. And so they had become a sort of family. He and Silas and the animals.

"I have to go into Taipa this afternoon," Silas announced, scooping up a bite of eggs. "Flahnen wants his money a few days early this month."

Dark didn't comment. Silas rarely brought up Flahnen even when it was appropriate. And it was even rarer for him to call the man by his actual name. Usually it was 'that bastard' or some variation.

"I could come with you," Dark offered, chewing a piece of bacon.

Silas shook his head. "Don't bother." He paused, shooting a sly glance at Dark. "Unless you want to come so you can visit Keilie at the shop?"

Ignoring his friend's grin, Dark stabbed a forkful of eggs in his mouth. "No."

"She likes you."

"I'm aware."

"You haven't been out with a woman since Marissa."

Dark snorted. "And look how well that turned out."

Silas shrugged. "There are other women, nicer than Marissa. It's been a year, nearly."

"I'm not interested."

Standing up, Silas brought his plate and drained cup to the sink. "Suit yourself." He sighed. "That ornery bastard will probably be expecting me this morning." Reaching into a cupboard, he pulled some rupees from a jar and counted them out.

Although the farm had belonged to Silas's father, it had fallen into Flahnen's hands following the deaths of Silas's parents and younger sister. Being just 14, Silas had been forced to leave his home. When he'd grown older, he'd vowed to get it back, so for the past eight years, he'd worked for Flahnen to pay back the debt owed and reclaim his family's land.

Dark washed their dishes in the sink while Silas dressed for the journey. He came back into the kitchen, heavy boots thudding on the scrubbed wooden floors, and clapped Dark on the shoulder.

"Until soon," he said with a smile.

He bent to give Sebastian a scratch under the chin and then he opened the front door. Dark set down the dish cloth when the door didn't shut again. In the hall, he heard Silas talking to someone.

"Everything alright?" he asked, drying his hands and poking his head into the front hall.

Silas stepped back from the open door. Standing in the entryway was a young man, dressed for the cold, with a heavy coat fringed with fur over top of woolen trousers and snow boots. He pushed his hood pushed back from shoulder-length blond hair. His blue eyes locked on Dark and he grinned.

Dark almost chuckled. "Link, good to see you again."

Pulling his younger brother out of the cold and into an embrace, Dark motioned for Silas to shut the door. He did so, curiosity clear on his face.

"This is my younger brother, Link," he said, releasing him. "Link, this is Silas, of course."

The two men shook hands. Both had heard plenty of stories about the other from Dark.

"Please, make yourself at home," Silas said warmly. He apparently forgot his own errand, for he hung up both his and Link's coats and ushered everyone into the kitchen to sit.

"Don't think I'm not thrilled to see you," Dark said, mussing Link's hair as he sat down. "But why did you come all this way?"

Link tucked his hair back behind his ear. His smile broadened even more. Whatever news he had, he was beyond ecstatic about it.

"I need you to come back to Castle Town."

Dark lifted his eyebrow. "Why? Did something important happen?"

Link was almost beaming now.

"I'm getting married."

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then Dark launched himself out of the chair to congratulate Link with another hug and a few manly slaps on the back. Silas grinned.

"I'll get something to drink to celebrate."

Dark drew back, his hands resting on Link's shoulders. "Who're you marrying?" He frowned. "If it's not Zelda, this is a terrible story."

His brother laughed. "It is Zelda," he told him. "We just announced the engagement. We'll be married next spring."

Dark sat back. Silas set down three cups and poured ale into each of them. "I'm very happy for you both," he said sincerely, raising his cup for a toast.

Link grinned back. "Thank you."

Setting down his goblet, he finally noticed the navy blue soldier's uniform Link was wearing, with the captain's crest sewn into the breast.

He gestured to the outfit. "Did the guy they were supposed to knight not show to the ceremony?"

Link scowled. "You know I joined the army. Is it shocking that they promoted me?"

"I hadn't realized you'd been climbing the ranks so fast," Dark replied. "Your last letter was more than a month ago."

"I've been busy."

Dark chuckled and took another sip. "I'll bet."

Link narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to retort, but Silas interrupted.

"Will you be staying for a bit before you head back to Castle Town? You're welcome to stay here."

Link shot Dark a look and turned to his friend. "Thanks, but I'll need to leave soon. I have a few guards that came with me; they've stayed behind in Taipa, but we'll need to be heading home."

"You have bodyguards now?" Dark asked.

"Soldiers under my command," Link corrected. "And yes, part of their job is protecting me."

"Seeing as you're now a future king, I don't doubt it."

Silas's eyes widened. "The Zelda you're marrying is Princess Zelda?" he asked incredulously. He elbowed Dark. "I didn't realize you had such high connections," he teased.

Dark rolled his eyes. "My connection is with this nobody, not the princess," he said, chuckling at Link's scowl.

His expression quickly turned beseeching. "I'd like it if you came back and stayed for a bit. I have a house in Kakariko now. And Zelda would like to see you, too."

Despite his immediate unease, Dark considered the offer. He hadn't been back to Hyrule in years. His life, simple as it was, was here, in Taipa. A knot of guilt twisted in his stomach. He hadn't visited Link in person in all that time, and before that, he'd barely spent any time with his brother.

After time wound back on itself and he lost Sienna, he'd wanted to escape. Now, his only remaining family was here, asking him to come home. A spike of surprise hit him. Home? Did he still consider Hyrule home?

Link waited patiently for his answer, but Dark knew he was hoping in his heart that Dark would choose to stay past the wedding. He wanted his family back together.

He glanced at Silas, who was also watching him. His mouth curved up.

"I can spare you for the winter," Silas assured him. "In fact, I'm tempted to go along, if you'll have me."

Dark couldn't hide his surprise. "But the farm…how can you leave it?"

Silas waved his hand. "The animals will be taken care of, and the planting season is months away. I think I've earned a vacation. And that old mule Flahnen can't stop me." He winked.

Link waited, watching Dark, a grin creeping onto his face.

Dark turned to his brother. "Alright," he said. "When do we leave?"

~oOo~

Lymira twisted in her seat on the wagon bench to observe the lush green and grey peaks of Talus grow smaller in the distance. An ache tightened her chest, even as she tried to reassure herself that she would lay eyes on her homeland again.

Many times, she had departed the beautiful, mountainous Talus Peaks, with its crystal-clear rivers, wild forests and untamed waterfalls, for the tamer world in Lynna, the capital of Labrynna. But those times had all been short journeys. This one, she knew, would be considerably longer.

The young woman turned back to the road ahead, craggy from rare use and hilly from its meandering route through the Nuun highlands. Capan, her driver, clucked his tongue as he urged his old draft horse up a steeper hill.

"We should make it ta Lynna 'fore nightfall," he remarked conversationally.

Lymira knew Capan wasn't big on small talk—he was trying to distract her. Over the many years of their acquaintance, they usually rode the road to Lynna in companionable silence. Capan knew the highlands like none other, traveling them on foot and by wagon for years. Lymira led a similarly nomadic and solitary life, so they both understood the yearning for peace and quiet with their thoughts.

His remark was fair, as Labrynna was a small country, topped by the imposing mountain ranges and wild highlands, surrounded by thick forest to the east and west. The southern coast Lymira had never laid eyes on, but it was said to be picturesque.

Capan chewed the end of his pipe, his white beard bristling as he worked his jaw. His teeth clicked against the wood. "Ye know I prefer to keep outta yer business, lass," he said. "But if ye like, I got two ears and years of experience. If ya want ta talk about what ails ye."

Lymira chuckled humourlessly. "I doubt even your wealth of advice can help me," she said. "Have you ever been out of Labrynna?" she asked suddenly, curiosity spiking.

Capan shrugged. "A few times; for trade, mind ye. I been along the Southern Sea and on into Hyrule, trading with the coastal folk in my younger years."

She seized on the information. "You've been to Hyrule?"

Labrynna's biggest and most imposing neighbour was somewhat of a mystery to most Labrynnans. People in this small, simple kingdom led simple, mostly peaceful lives. Unlike Hyrule, which seemed to be plagued with war and strife, Labrynna stayed out of most conflicts. There hadn't been anything bigger than a skirmish in the little country since…Lymira shut down that thought with a mental slice.

Thinking about the Great Purge brought back the things she definitely did not want to think about.

All of a sudden, a change of scenery seemed like the best thing.

Capan continued his stories about the people of Southern Hyrule, but as Lymira was being sent to its northern provinces, she doubted the experience would be the same.

At best, Hylians appeared to have troubles getting along with each other, due to their being stuck-up, prissy snobs with a prejudicial streak a mile long. Being no stranger to prejudice, she could handle that part. It was the prissy part that made Lymira's back molars grind together. There was nothing worse.

True to the highlander's word, they reached the town of Lynna before the sun had fully set. Behind them was nothing but rolling green hills and dark green forest—the Talus mountains were grayish bumps on the horizon now.

Lynna was the largest and most populous town in the country, though by Hylian standards it was barely mid-sized. Still, about 75 percent of the entire population lived in and around the capital, where land was fertile, trade was abundant, and the wilderness's dangers were mitigated.

Buildings were clustered in an orderly circle, with the streets crisscrossing in all directions like a starburst. In the centre, they all congregated in the same place: the Tower.

Queen Ambi's Tower was the official home of the little kingdom's regent, built long before Lymira's time. Some folk in town talked about how their great-great-grandfather or some distant relative had helped build Ambi's Tower, but no one alive remembered a time before it.

It was an imposing structure of black stone, defying its advanced age with a polished look and minimal wear. It was tall enough that it could be seen from miles away—she and Capan had been able to see its crown-like spire on their way down from the highlands.

Its resistance to weather, erosion, damage and time left some inhabitants of Lynna to speculate that it was a magical tower. Protected by an ancient spell put on it by the late queen. Whatever the story, it was a sight to behold.

Maybe due to its slender shape, with sloping, hexagonal ridges, and the regal spikes of the spire at the top, it had always reminded Lymira of the famous queen who'd had it constructed. At its base was even a flaring chunk of stone, propping it up—the black queen's cape. Though it had no face, it seemed to face south, towards the ocean.

Capan guided wagon and horse along the Nuun River, which eventually cut straight through the village, traveling underneath the tower before continuing its journey to the sea.

The road melted seamlessly from countryside into town, and like the flicker of a flame, there were villagers everywhere. Their progress slowed to a crawl as Capan took the widest, north-south street, hugging the edge of the canal and nodding in acknowledgement at familiar faces.

Capan knew almost everyone in town, thanks to his years and frequent travels. As they passed, many waved or smiled at Capan. And studiously ignored Lymira.

Ignoring them right back, she reached for the dagger she'd sheathed in her boot and began polishing it on the hem of her cloak. She could have gotten a thrill from staring at the crowds and waiting for them to catch her gaze before they squealed and ran off, their heads bowed, but she didn't. Besides, the glint of the weapon in the dying sun was sure to make a few stomachs roil.

She tucked the blade—it wasn't even that big—back into her boot when they approached the tower's base. Capan pulled to a stop in front of two black-suited guards and turned to her.

"Be seeing ye, lass."

Patting him on the shoulder, she thanked him for the ride and hopped out, taking a moment to stretch her cramped muscles. Capan rolled off with a goodbye wave, and Lymira was left alone with the waiting guards.

"Lymira Talen, reporting for duty," she said dryly.

Like the villagers, they didn't look her in the face, but solemnly opened the wide, metal doors at the tower base and escorted her inside. She handed over her weapons before they could confiscate them. This wasn't her first visit to the Tower.

From the bottom to three-quarters of the way up, the structure was big as a house, with plenty of floors with single and split-level rooms. The guards ushered her up the narrow, endless staircase on the outer ring, one behind her and one ahead.

At the last level before the tower narrowed, they stopped and the first guard knocked firmly on the metal door blocking their way. The staircase stopped here; Lymira had never figured out how one accessed the tower's topmost floors, or what could possibly be up there.

Swinging open, the door revealed a half-circle receiving room, complete with plush couches and chairs, a huge, mahogany table set with a tray of refreshments, and a high ring of windows chiseled into the rock, letting a halo of light bathe its occupants. There was a second, west-facing window at an appropriate height, and standing next to it was the Queen of Labrynna, Anvi.

The great-granddaughter of the renowned Queen Ambi, she possessed all of the same fabled beauty and grace of her ancestor. She turned as the guards retreated, emerald eyes landing on Lymira's face without fear or suspicion. Her long, dark red hair was tied back today at the base of her slender neck. Anvi was beautiful, no doubt, but there was a stiffness to her. She rarely cracked a smile, lest she shatter those doll-like features.

"Queen Anvi," Lymira greeted her with a short bow.

"Lady Talen," Anvi said, her voice sweetly feminine. "Thank you for coming. Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you."

Anvi's perfectly shaped eyebrow raised just a notch. "Right to business, as always. I received a letter from Princess Zelda of Hyrule," Anvi told her. "She invited me to her wedding."

This wasn't surprising news to Lymira. What Anvi said next though, did shock her.

"I want you to go in my stead."

Lymira's brows lifted. "Why me?"

Anvi studied her. "You have the skills I believe are needed for this particular mission. You're smart, you're skilled, and you have secret …. Talents," she added, her gaze dropping to the pendant around Lymira's neck.

She rarely took it off—the only remaining heirloom from her mother. It was a tear-drop shaped gem of unknown origin. It gave off a faint blue glow, as if lit from within.

"I want you to take her measure, gather information for me before I set foot in Hyrule."

"You think Princess Zelda has nefarious intentions?"

It wasn't outside the realm of possibility. Frankly, Lymira wasn't sure why Hyrule hadn't assimilated her smaller neighbours by now.

"I think nothing of Her Highness as of yet." Anvi shrugged elegantly. "Which is why I'm sending you ahead. If you report back to me that all is well, I will feel much safer entering their territory for the occasion."

So Anvi was being cautious, then. With the imminent shift in power in Hyrule, it could be wise to have a set of eyes and ears in the situation.

Also, Lymira reasoned, it would give her the perfect excuse to pursue a second, more personal mission. One she would most definitely keep to herself.

Lymira didn't mind rising to the call of duty for Anvi, who was, only in the most technical sense, her queen. This official mission would benefit the people of Labrynna, who, despite their general disdain towards her, didn't deserve to be caught up in Hyrule's potential political intrigue.

Besides, Lymira was keen to take advantage of any situation that might benefit her. And being given a royal pass into Hyrule's territory would greatly help her cause.

"I will do as you ask," Lymira said, bowing again. "I accept your mission."

Anvi did smile then, only faintly. "I'll send with you a small company of guards, of course—"

"Not necessary."

Anvi's eyebrow arched further. "I can handle myself," Lymira offered. "You need your guards here, protecting Labrynna, more than I do. And if I arrive in Hyrule with soldiers, it may be taken the wrong way."

Lymira wasn't sure how true this was, but she didn't care. She would prefer to travel alone and unfettered, without having to babysit the Black Tower guards.

"Very well," Anvi agreed. "If you are certain. You can depart as soon as possible. I will ensure you have everything you need."

Lymira inclined her head, and Anvi summoned a servant to show her to one of the tower's rooms reserved for guests. Lymira took in the room—similar to Anvi's sitting room but a smaller version—and looked out the single window, which funny enough offered a view of the forest east of town. As soon as she was ready, she would be heading through those woods on her way to Hyrule.

Lymira found herself grinning. She could hardly wait.