Lymira paced the polished floors of the castle infirmary, her ball gown rustling with each step. Her anxious movements were annoying the guards posted at the door, but she didn't care. She couldn't sit still. She didn't know how Silas managed it, sitting like a statue at Dark's bedside, watching his friend.

The Sheikah warrior, Impa, stood on the other side of the bed, examining the wound. She'd strolled in earlier carrying a vial of some unknown potion. She'd dabbed a bit on the wound, then announced—to Lymira's irritation—that it would need time to take effect.

Impa finally lifted her head. "He'll be fine," she assured them. "He is responding. He will wake by morning."

Silas released a heavy breath, gripping one of Dark's limp hands in his. "Did they catch whoever did this?"

"Yes," Impa said.

Lymira waited for an explanation. When she didn't receive one, she arched a brow. "And? What the hell happened?"

Impa's deep red eyes shot to hers. "I shall explain in due time. For now, please excuse me."

Without elaborating, she walked around the bed and past the guards, disappearing down the hall. Lymira pushed an empty chair next to Silas and dropped into it.

"Damn cryptic," she complained. She leaned over to get a better look at Dark. He was less pale now, and he was breathing normally again.

She tried not to dissect the feelings of gut-wrenching fear still swirling in her belly. Seeing Dark, unconscious, a bleeding wound in his shoulder, his brother frantic and panicked, had thrown her. Then hearing that he'd been poisoned…the last few hours had been hell.

She sighed. Dawn was approaching. Neither of them had slept. And neither one of them was moving from this room until Dark opened his eyes again.

Tired of pacing, she dropped into the seat next to Silas, who wordlessly curled his hand around hers. She let him, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes. His attention was on Dark, but his free hand was resting on his knee, tightening and loosening his fist in a nervous tic.

Now that some of the concern for Dark was abating, her useless, anxious brain reminded her of her and Silas' near-kiss in the castle courtyard. Despite what the impulsive side of her wanted, now didn't seem like a great time to rekindle the romance. She settled for holding their joined hands in her lap.

"I haven't been this worried about him since we first met," Silas said, rubbing a hand over his face. "I wasn't sure he'd recover, then. Half-frozen in the woods…"

Lymira remained silent, letting Silas pour out his emotions, telling her how he discovered Dark, having escaped his horrific abduction, and nursed him back to health. Silas eventually paused, letting out a sigh and dropping forward, elbows on his knees.

"He's lucky to have you," Lymira told him, uncertainly placing a what she hoped was a comforting hand on Silas's broad back. "I can tell you really care for him."

Silas tilted his head and smiled crookedly. "I'm lucky, too. I know he's an awkward, socially avoidant loner with a spooky curse on him." He shot Dark an affectionate look. "But he's probably been the best friend I've ever had."

He reached out and took Dark's hand, as he had Lym's, and his smile faded back to quiet concern. "I don't know what I'd do without him."

Feeling like an intruder suddenly, Lymira withdrew her hand. "Tell me a story about him," she said, when Silas was quiet for too long.

"What?"

"Tell me some of your favourite stories about him. I have a feel they're hilarious."

Silas grinned. "They are. And I've been told I'm quite the dramatic storyteller…"

Hyrule Castle dungeons

The castle dungeons were typically dim and musty, being underground and lit only by oil lamps placed in pockets along the walls. They didn't extend far, as they served more as a temporary holding place for criminals awaiting judgment. Still, the narrow stone corridors, blackened with age and mildew, felt never-ending.

Link had never visited the maze-like castle dungeons before on official business. Knowing the would-be assassin had tried to kill him didn't tie his stomach in knots nearly as much as knowing he would be asked to pass judgment on her for her actions. True, his opinions could be superseded by the king, but it was unsettling to think a stranger's fate rested in his hands.

Following the instructions of the guard at the door, Link passed several empty cells before coming to a surprised stop. The three cells at the end were occupied, all by Gerudo women. They glanced at him curiously as he unglued his feet and continued walking. Two wore the garb of travellers, while one wore ceremonial dress—she'd been a guest at the ball.

Turning the corner, he came to the final row of cells, where Impa was standing with Lillian and a pair of guards, talking quietly in the dim light.

"Why have three other women been imprisoned?" Link demanded.

Impa looked towards the cell containing the assassin. Lillian's eyebrows rose, but she answered his question. "They've been detained, not imprisoned," she corrected. "They were in the environs when the assassin was apprehended, and are being held for questioning, per the king's command, Captain."

Uncertainty crept up. Link paused. If the king was awake, Zelda would know soon; she'd been on her way to visit him this morning. She would be ecstatic.

"Link," Impa said quietly, drawing him back to the issue at hand. Namely, why the king had acted so harshly against simple Gerudo travelers. "Now is not the time."

Forcing his feelings aside, he focused on the reason he was there. For now. He shot Impa a look that clearly conveyed the topic was not forgotten. She nodded in acknowledgement.

Seeing the tension temporarily abated, Lillian said, "She doesn't seem to remember why she's here. She claims she has no memory of being at the ball or coming to the castle at all."

"I don't!" the woman in the cell said, coming to stand at the bars. The guards shifted their spears menacingly. "I have no idea how I got here," she insisted, meeting eyes with Link, seeking understanding from a new face.

"We've tracked your movements," Lillian told her. "We know when you arrived in Castle Town, and that you were admitted as a traveler. What we don't know is how you infiltrated the castle garden and why you tried to kill several Hylian guards and guests."

"I'm not trying to kill anyone!"

"You killed three guards sneaking in," Lillian said, her mouth curling in a frown. "And tried to kill many others."

The Gerudo woman looked between the three of them, her eyes wide with confusion and fear, mouth tight with frustration. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she insisted. "I'm not an assassin!"

Impa held up a gleaming golden bow and a poison-tipped arrow. "You used this weapon to shoot at our guards. There's a paralytic agent in these arrows. I don't think you came here to assassinate someone."

The woman's expression relaxed. "Oh, thank—"

"I think you came here to kidnap him."

Link's head whipped around. "What?"

Impa glanced at him. "I believe someone is trying to abduct you," she replied bluntly. "Whether this woman was acting of her own accord or not, she knows who."

"I don't know anything!"

Impa studied her. "If she's under an enchantment, there are ways to break through."

There was a flash of silver near the Sheikah's hip, and then she held the Gerudo woman crushed against the bars, a wicked dagger aimed at her throat.

"Impa!" Lillian protested.

She didn't loosen her hold, staring intently into the other woman's eyes and speaking in an ice cold tone. "Reveal who sent you, or I will strike."

The Gerudo woman was still, returning Impa's glare. "I know nothing," she hissed.

Impa's fingers twitched. A single drop of red bloomed on the woman's collarbone. Impa murmured a few quiet words in her own language, then said, "Tell me who wanted him taken. I'll count to three."

With a gasp, the Gerudo woman went limp, her eyes rolling back. A second after, her head and limbs jerked and she straightened. When her head lifted, her long red hair parted, revealing two eyes devoid of pupils, pure white and sightless.

"Threeee…" she said in a slow, singsong voice. "The three."

"What in Din's name?" Lillian swore, pulling back from the cell.

"What about three?" Impa pressed.

"Three, three, three," the woman continued, as if she were singing a song to a child. "Three relics, three totems, three destinies. Unite the three. Bring them together."

Impa's gaze flickered to Link, a shard of naked fear in her eyes, before she turned back to the prisoner. "Is this why you wanted Link?"

The woman's attention snapped to Link. A chill ran down his spine, as sharp as Impa's dagger. She bared her teeth and spoke in a voice quite unlike her own—guttural and harsh.

"Unite the three," she hissed. "And the three will return."

Impa and Link were rooted to the floor, the strange words echoing in the dungeon. Bringing her bound wrists together, the woman shoved a golden bracelet free, letting it drop to the stone floor. Raising one foot, she stomped on the jewelry, shattering it.

"Stop!" Impa shouted, trying to maneuver her through the bars.

She was too late. Inside the bracelet was a hidden vial, now broken and releasing wisps of blue-white vapour. Without warning, the vapour ignited into white-hot flames that engulfed the woman in an instant. Impa snatched back her hand and lunged for the cell door.

"Get this door open!" Impa commanded one of the guard's, yanking on the handle while the man fumbled with his keys.

In seconds, the flames devoured the screaming woman, completely enshrouding her. Link drew back from the heat of the flames, but was unable to look away from the sight, frozen by horror. By the time Impa forced the door open and rushed inside, nothing remained by a lump of ashes.

Impa dropped to one knee with a sigh.

"By the goddesses, Impa!" Lillian exclaimed. "What was that!?"

"An enchantment," she replied, rising to her feet. She turned an imperious frown on the guard captain. "Was she not searched?"

"Of course, she was! But we didn't know to look for magical vials of deadly fire!"

Impa sighed. "Search the others, just to be safe. Then give your report to the king. Tell him I will join him shortly."

Lillian bristled, but signalled to the guards to follow her and left. Impa turned to Link, still shaken from the sight of a woman burning to death.

"I need to gather the ashes for a proper burial," she told him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, snapping him from his stupor. "Go upstairs," she said low. "Take guards with you. Do not speak to anyone of this just yet. I will join your shortly."

Nodding mechanically, Link turned to follow Lillian's suit. "Impa?" he croaked. The Sheikah woman looked up. He repeated the earlier question. "What was that?"

"Someone is using very dark magic. And very old magic. Until we find out what's happening Link…it's best to be on your guard."

As he left, Link asked himself over and over what exactly he'd just witnessed. A woman was dead. Just like that. In his years with the Hylian military—and before then, as the Hero of Time—he thought he'd seen terrible things. Had developed the mental, emotional shields against it that all soldiers did. So he wondered what it was about the possessed Gerudo woman that haunted him.

And he wondered what ancient, evil magic could be so heinous that it scared even the indomitable Sheikah warrior.

Waking in the castle infirmary, Dark saw the night come back to him in pieces. The ball. Dancing with Lymira. Conversing with Silas. His tense encounter with Link and their uncle. The near assassination. Shadow. Blackness.

Groaning, he lifted one deadweight arm to scrub across his face. He'd been poisoned with one of the assassin's arrows. But he'd taken her down, hadn't he?

Link.

Dark bolted up. Or he tried. His body was sluggish and uncooperative. Instead he sort of flopped onto his side. Looking up, searching for Link, he was instead met with the sight of Silas sleeping in a chair at his bedside, Lymira curled up beside him, her head resting on his chest.

Resisting the tug on his heartstrings, Dark moved incrementally until he was satisfied his body wasn't going to give out on him, sitting up and taking stock of the room. Aside from the lingering stiffness, soreness and nausea, he felt fine. Clearly, he'd been well taken care of. Surely Link had as well. He didn't think Link was hit by one of the deadly arrows.

He planned to sneak out of the infirmary and find someone who could tell him what the hell he'd missed, but Silas stirred in his sleep, distracting him.

His gaze travelled over his friend, admiring his handsome features, so relaxed in sleep. Silas's head was tilted back, one arm securely around Lym's waist. Sleeping on Silas, she, too, was peaceful and content. She seemed deceptively soft, her lips curved in a smile. They made a nice pair, he thought, ignoring the other musings.

After Silas's questioning last night, he'd resolved to step out of the potential couple's way. It was hardly fair—to any of them—to entertain even a moment of ridiculous fantasy.

Again, he tried to sneak past without waking them, but Silas's internal alarm was clearly hardwired to wake him when Dark woke.

Mumbling, he shifted and opened his eyes, focusing blearily on Dark.

"Is it morning?" Silas asked, jaw cracking in a huge yawn.

"No idea."

Silas glanced at the windows. "Nearly midday." He sighed. "I haven't slept so late in a long time." He turned a grin on Dark, dialed up to stun.

Dark glanced away. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's fine." Silas carefully stood up, lifting the sleeping Lymira in his arms. It reminded Dark of the first time he'd witnessed Silas deliver a calf on his farm, lifting the gangly newborn with ease and surprising gentleness for such a big man.

He cleared his throat as Silas deposited Lym on an unoccupied bed. "How long was I out?"

Silas scratched his chin. "A day, only. We really need to stop getting poisoned," he joked, before shooting Dark a somber look. "You're sure you're okay?"

Dark stretched out his arms, rolling his head around on his neck. "Just fine. Is Link alright?"

"Yes. He's been by to check on you a few times, but someone or other always came in to tear him away. They wanted him to help question the Gerudo assassin."

"It was a Gerudo?" he asked in disbelief. "I guess that explains the poison."

"Link told us. I don't think we're supposed to know." Silas shrugged. "Mistress Impa seemed to prefer to keep us in the dark."

"Where is he now?"

"Dunno. We haven't left the infirmary, but the guards told me that all the guests have been staying here for now and that the situation is being handled."

Dark tried not to react to hearing that Silas and Lym hadn't left his side. "I should go check on him."

"Go ahead. I'll make sure Mira gets back to her room."

"Silas…thanks."

His friend smiled again. "No thanks needed, Dark."

Giving him a quick goodbye, Dark passed by the guards outside, doubling back to ask them where to find Link. Their best guess was the princess's study, so he navigated his way to the proper wing on the third floor.

He found the door slightly ajar, which was strange. When he heard Link's voice inside, he grasped the doorknob. But the next words froze him to the spot.

"Do you think Dark could be one of them?"

"It's impossible to say at this point," Impa's low, neutral tones carried out to the hall.

"What if this is all connected, somehow? It's just a feeling I have…but I can't shake it."

"Your fears aren't unfounded, Link, but as I said, there have been no more attacks like what Lieutenant Kearns described."

Link sighed. "I should talk to Dark about this."

"That would be unwise."

Dark pressed closer to the door, careful not to let the hinges squeak.

"What if he hears of it himself? Isn't it better to hear from me? Although I've no idea what to say. How exactly do I explain to my brother that there's a murderous copy running around Hyrule wearing his likeness?"

Recoiling from the door, Dark released a sharp breath. When there was silence from inside, he feared he'd been discovered. Then Impa spoke again.

"I found nothing to suggest Dark was really behind the attack. Although it was hardly the first. I believe this…double is responsible for many other incidents over the past few months."

Link made a noise halfway between a groan and a growl. "Whoever is doing this is going to great lengths to get my attention. And now this assassination—or rather kidnapping attempt—not to mention Zelda is still in danger…"

"We will discover who is behind these attacks," Impa assured him. "And whether they are connected or not. For now, focus on protecting Zelda."

Dark drew back from the crack in the door. Someone was wreaking havoc while looking like him? A knot of dread tightened in his chest. But no, it couldn't be Alatar's old tricks. He was dead. Some asshole was playing a cruel trick on him. It had to be.

Link and Impa approached the other side of the door. Shadows jumped out to cloak Dark, concealing him in the sunny corridor. Link and Impa emerged from the princess's study, none the wiser, and retreated down the hall.

Dark watched as the shadows receded, fascinated and perturbed. His gift with Shadow had been growing, but he'd never consciously, let alone unconsciously, summoned them to him in the Light World.

Opening his palm, Dark tried to call on Shadow again, without entering the other realm. To his surprise, an ebony whorl of darkness curled up there, dancing around his fingers. Impa claimed that Shadow bearers could only use their abilities in the Shadow Realm. What this new ability meant, he couldn't say.

Closing his hand, he looked to the spot where Link and Impa had disappeared. Whatever else Link was hiding from him, he intended to find out.