Dragmire's War – Part 23
-Link-
If there was ever a moment in the history of the War of the Seven Kingdoms that would define the ending of an age and beginning of a new one, if there was ever a moment worthy of being frozen, it was this. Generations of war, many hundreds of thousands of lives, all led to this singular moment. In reality, it lasted all of two seconds, but to those that witnessed it, it lasted years. They would go to the grave never forgetting the sight. Years from now, they would remember it as freshly as it happened, but history books would record it as a single line.
Riboku killed Ouki Mitagi.
Ouki coughed up blood, and his spear fell from his limp fingers. Harken pulled his blade from Ouki's chest, and blood fell from the open wounds. A quick sprite of a young man appeared between them, picked up Ouki's spear, and swung it at Harken. Harken neatly caught it in his hand. Meanwhile, the Englishman, drunken with fury, rode in and swung his sword at Harken. Harken had far more difficulty with the Englishman, as the man was incredibly skilled, but Harken tripped the horse out from under him, kicked his sword away, grabbed the man by the throat, and held him up.
The spell that froze everyone broke, and a complete frenzy erupted. Every man went for them. Every Qin either tried to grab Ouki or kill Harken. Every Zhao tried to mutilate Ouki while riding on the breath of Harken's strength.
Battle clashed all around the leading figures of the war.
Yet just as quickly as the battle recommenced, it stopped again when Harken dropped the Englishman, traded the spear burning his hand for his sword, and swung. In that single sweep, Harken's blade extended and cut down twenty Zhao. It was broken but could still extend a short distance.
"Enough…" Ouki whispered. "You won…"
"No. I didn't," Harken huffed. He briefly glanced at Ouki before baring his teeth at the Zhao. With each breath, his anger grew. He was fuming. He was angry. "They took my victory from me! They took you away from me!"
…Then I'll take you from them," Harken declared.
"You would betray your own men?" The Englishman wondered.
"You're making it sound like I'm supposed to care," Harken grunted. "They took his head away from me, so I will take it away from them. Bring him to die where he chooses, but do not let them take him. Do not give them that."
He walked into the ranks of Qin. The Englishman, Link, and Ouki were stunned silent. Harken didn't raise a hand; he simply walked past them and slowly moved into the Qin. Ouki's forces looked to each other with both confusion and fear, and they moved aside. A gap appeared before Harken and he strode through. Blood poured from his neck, his shoulder barely had any flesh to hang onto his torso with, his skull was cracked, and his body was burned and cut, but he was a Dragmire.
"How can he do this?" A man asked. "How can he just… ignore us… and betray them? It makes no sense. He acts like winning is a bad thing."
"He's a Dragmire," The Englishman said as if that was the answer to everything. Considering their family history, perhaps it was.
A moment later, when Harken quietly passed through the Qin ranks to where they fought the Zhao, he broke into a sprint and crashed into the Zhao ranks like a rhino. Men flew into the air or were trampled into the ground. Swords, spears, shields, and strength meant nothing to him. He was a force of nature unto himself.
Without Harken there to stop them, the Qin surrounded Ouki protectively. Seeing a chance, the Englishman did not miss a beat. "Get him on a horse!" He said. "We're getting Lord Ouki Mitagi out of here!" The men promptly grabbed Ouki and lifted him onto a horse. He was heavy: it took several men to lift him with his thick armor on. "Link, get on the horse with him."
"Wha?" Link stuttered.
"Do you think he can ride himself?" The Englishman asked.
Link looked at Ouki as he was being put on the horse. Link saw how he wavered, how his arm dangled, and his head rolled around. Blood flowed down Ouki's chest and Link could clearly see through the holes. Tears welled up in the Englishman's eyes.
The Englishman continued, "He can't… he doesn't have the strength to talk, to walk, to ride, or to lead the horse. You're the only one light enough to be on the horse with him. We need you to hold the reigns and help make sure Ouki does not fall off."
Link gulped. He was needed. With a little aid, he was placed on the horse just in front of Ouki. Ouki immediately fell forward, and Link struggled to keep from being squashed under him.
The Englishman put a tender hand on Ouki's face, "Ouki, stay with us. We're going to get you out of here." Next, the Englishman helped move Ouki's horse the first few steps before getting on one himself. "Everyone! We're going to charge them directly and shift towards the left side! Line up! We still have some strength left in us!"
"Where?" Link wondered. "Look around: we're all walking dead."
"Not all of us," The Englishman pointed to the left and Link saw where. Moubu, enraged by the words he heard in the wind, had grabbed the last of his men and charged the Zhao head-on along the far left side. "Men! We are going to ride the wave of his energy!"
With the Zhao on the front lines distracted by Harken, the Qin rallied everyone and moved left. The infantry was gathered and rushed into line behind the cavalry as they moved towards the Zhao's thinner left flank. The Zhao saw and rushed away to pierce Ouki further. Were Link's hands not on the reigns, he might have been able to do something. However, someone else did for him. As a spear flew in, an officer rode into its path and knocked it aside. Another spear pierced his side, and the man was dragged off his horse, thrown into the Zhao ranks, and torn apart.
"G-go, boy!" The dying man yelled. "We must protect Ouki at all costs!"
The Englishman and other riders surrounded Link and Ouki to lead their way.
-Riboku-
Riboku saw the arrow strike and Harken dealing the finishing blow. Satisfied, he turned and rode back to the Zhao army.
"You did it?" Kaine asked.
"I did," Riboku confirmed. His expression was down, almost sad. "I pierced Ouki with an arrow and Harken stabbed him twice through. No one, not even he, could survive that."
"Are you sure?"
"Men greater than he have died from less."
"Sir!" Someone rode up from the front lines. "I bring a report! Harken Dragmire has broken ties with us and is coming straight for you! We are trying to slow him down, but… nothing short of Ouki seems capable of stopping him. Also, a small army under Moubu has appeared on the right side and is on its way to us!"
"I see," Riboku replied. He put up his glass and peered through it. As he watched, Harken Dragmire barreled through the Zhao lines and was nearly was out into open country. A few moments later, he did arrive and charged the Zhao army alone across open terrain. Riboku peered right and saw General Moubu on his way. Riboku then turned his glass to where Ouki was. The Englishman was rallying them to join up with Moubu.
"Even though Ouki is dead… they are doing all they can to allow him to escape," Kaine pondered.
"It is because they know that Ouki's body would be subject to defilement were it to fall into our hands."
Kaine gulped. She glanced at Riboku, "If we were in their position, we'd probably turn into demons too. We'd fight without even being scared of death… They truly loved him. It's enough to make your heart bleed."
"This is why I dislike war. Were there a path forward without it, I would prefer so… but this is the time we live in. We cannot open a path forward with sentiment alone. If Zhao is to survive, we must rid ourselves of obstacles and become strong once more."
Riboku put out his hand to gain the attention of his officers, "All men, prepare to fall back!"
"Sir! We can take them!" An officer argued.
"Yes, but at what cost," Riboku replied. "Sure, we can pummel Harken with arrows, but he will take tens of thousands of men with him. And what of Moubu? What of Ouki's remnant? They are not in despair. They are in fury. They will die, sure, but they will take many lives with them… too many lives for us to spare. Duke Hyou is on his way. We had better return to Zhao before he arrives. We are not here to kill Qin for the sake of it. We are here to preserve Zhao. Remember that. Every life matters."
"What of the men on the front lines?" Kaine asked.
"Get word to them to fall back as well… But I feel it will be too late. The Qin are no longer concerned with fighting. Just tell our men not to chase and instead rally with us. That will be enough."
-Link-
"Oh shit…" Link muttered. The Englishman broke off briefly with the men to stop a group of Zhao, and he left a few horsemen back with Link.
A few Zhao broke through and pierced the horsemen in front, bringing them and their horses to the ground. Link's horse jumped over the bodies and continued, but the damage was done. There was no one left to protect Ouki. A group of Zhao horsemen broke off from the Englishman and charged at them. Link tried to swerve, but it was too late to avoid a collision.
Ouki's spear swung ahead and shattered the Zhao that had come close.
"Ouki! You're alive?!" Link gasped.
Ouki did not respond. Instead, he sat up straighter so his weight was no longer on Link and put a hand on his shoulders to steady himself.
"Where?" Ouki whispered. He took short breaths.
"We are in retreat from the Zhao," Link said. "We thought you died…"
"Yes…" Ouki murmured. He blinked in memory. He had briefly blacked out. He could feel it in the dulling of his senses and the weakness in his body. He should be dead with as much blood as he had lost, but it looked like there was an ounce of vitality left in him.
"You ride well…" Ouki commented.
"N-not really… the horse is doing most… all of it. But don't talk. We will get you to a doctor and-"
"Link," Ouki whispered. "I want you… to sit up straight… close your eyes… take a deep breath."
"This isn't the time for!-"
Ouki chuckled. He pinched Link's neck between two fingers and squeezed slightly.
Link flinched, "Ow! Ow! Uncle! Aunt! Uncle's aunt! Alright! Stop it!"
Link straightened as best he could. With Ouki no longer collapsed on him, Link actually could sit straight up. He closed his eyes and took deep breathes. Link felt his mind slightly calm down after taking a moment to breath.
"Link," Link heard Ouki whisper. "We don't have much time… so listen… This is a general's steed… You are riding… through this battlefield… atop the steed… of a true general. If you understand, open your eyes… take a good look."
Link opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the back of the horse's head and further were masses of men fighting.
"Feel the strong heart… of the horse… beneath you."
Link felt every breath the horse took in his legs, as well as every gallop, and every heartbeat. The horse had a strong heartbeat, stronger than any man. Its muscles were firm and built. It was strong, powerful, fast and disciplined. Link was putting no effort into leading the horse. He only listened to Ouki, but the horse still knew what to do.
"Feel that strength… pushing you forward. Feel the strength… of your allies… opening you a path… Feel their hope…"
Link saw the Qin around them leading the way as best they could and protecting the two with their bodies. They were covered in blood, wounds, sweat, and tears. They were desperately pressing forward.
"The enemies' masses. The enemies' faces," Ouki whispered.
Link saw Zhao on the right side trying to get to him. They were full of frustration in their attempts to kill. But there was something deeper than frustration in them... pain. The Zhao were full of pain, haunted by it, and were lashing out. The deaths of their loved ones in Chouhei filled their souls to the brim and they were as men haunted and fanatical.
Ouki ignored them, "See the high sky. See the strong earth. This is what a general sees."
Link, no longer concerned with what was immediately before him, saw everything. He saw the ranks of the Zhao and Qin moving throughout the canyon. He saw commander Matsubi far off holding Zhao back. He saw Kei Ki was outriding the Zhao and pummeling them with arrows to poke through their lines. He saw the Englishman was clearing a path forward. Lastly, he saw Qin surrounding him, pushing him forward, and telling him he was doing a good job or that they would gut him if he let Ouki fall.
Ouki chuckled, "So… how is it? Can you comprehend it?"
"I… feel like I have a small grasp of something," Link replied.
"A general's eyes… see many things… For instance, look there," Ouki pointed afar off to where Link could see a clash. "An escape… which didn't exist before… is opening… before us. Moubu… and his men are using… their last reserves of strength. It's an extremely… narrow path… but as expected of Moubu, it will be plenty."
"I see it."
"Good," Ouki patted Link's shoulder. "Now… General, lead us there… Ride the wave of his strength."
-Riboku-
Under Riboku's orders, the Zhao forces collectively made room. They were not fast enough to move all one-hundred thousand out of the way, so the Qin clashed into their outer wing, tore through, and ran out the other side towards the canyon.
Riboku watched as the Qin fled.
"Why are we not pursuing them!?" Commander Mangoku barked as he approached from the front lines. He had lost an arm in battle, but seemingly he hadn't cared. He tied the remainder of the limb up with cloth and held a crazed look in his eye. "Why are we not committing our entire forces!? If Ouki were to escape from us, what purpose would we have died for!? What is the point of our vengeance for Chou-Hei!? It is meaningless if we cannot bring his head back with us, hang his entrails from the highest tower, and humiliate the Q-"
"Rather than defiling a corpse, is it not far more important for us to avoid sacrificing more of our soldiers needlessly?" Riboku rebutted.
He raised his voice and said, "Brothers! I know of your pain. I have not felt it, but I can see it in your eyes. I see it haunt you in your every waking moment, but there is no point in this war if we seek death for ourselves as much as our enemy."
"Let me tell you all something. There are two kinds of generals. The first are those who when slain result in their men losing morale so the battle ends right there. This is known to you, as the general who fell at Chou-Hei was this kind. He died early, and though we had still four armies of one-hundred thousand, it all mattered little. The other kind of general becomes a symbol of martyrdom and causes their soldiers to fight to their deaths, taking as many with them as they can. Ouki is clearly the latter. As you have spent time clashing with the Qin forces under him, I'm sure you are aware of his strength and that of his commanders. If you were to enrage those commanders into an even greater fit, what do you think will happen when they mount an attack without any regard for their own lives? What if they take that rage against Zhao? We, as you want to do, would rather poke our opponent while they are down and bring them into a feral rage!"
Riboku took a moment to catch his breath, "This war was not to invade Qin nor to annihilate their army. Were it up to me, I would rather there had been only one death: Ouki's. Our objective is his death. So with that said and since we have now achieved that, there is no longer the slightest reason for bloodshed beyond vengeance. These are now pointless deaths not just for Qin, but for us. That is one thing I will absolutely not abide."
Mangoku resisted, "But surely we can chase them with a-"
"The battle ends here, Mangoku. The war is over," Riboku declared. "Let's go home."
Riboku ordered for the Zhao to regroup and march home. Mangoku clenched his teeth furiously. He had slain many Qin, but still his soul was not satisfied.
"And what of Harken?" Kaine asked.
"What indeed?" Riboku mused. He looked to where they kept him.
It had taken a little improvisation, but they had managed to contain him. It took many arrows tied with ropes to hold him down. The red-haired man was reduced to a pincushion of ropes tied to horses. Riboku had to give the man credit: Harken was far stronger than Riboku ever expected. He literally refused to die.
Riboku said, "Leave him. Without his prize, he will return to wandering once more. He is a broken hermit. He was useful while he lasted."
-Bayou, Link-
Having escaped Zhao, the Qin fled out of the canyon. Ouki's army regrouped with the stragglers between the forest and canyon and fled to the fortress city of Bayou. Most of the wounded encampment from before was already there, with those worse off still approaching. The city was well into their repairs, and every able man, woman, child, and senior was assisting or healing the wounded.
"Open the gates!" The Qin soldiers yelled as the torn flag of Qin waved before Ouki's army. The gate raised and the men entered. Immediately, the greatest doctors were called for, a clearing was set up, and Ouki was pulled from his steed to a make-shift tent.
The doctors who rushed in didn't bother putting a hand on him. Their grim faces were enough, and Ouki waved them away.
"There is… no need. You dream," Ouki stated grimly.
"Is it not man's right to dream?" The Englishman asked.
Link and the other commanders were allowed entry. Though the other leaders might wonder why Link was given special privilege, no one questioned it. No one wanted to tarnish this moment with an argument.
Ouki looked onto his second-in-command, the Englishman, and said, "Geoffrey of the Smith family…" There was a strength to his voice that didn't exist a little while ago.
"Sir!" Geoffrey saluted.
"You are to forbid every man from following me into death, including the officers and commanders. You have been by my side these many years… Your abilities were eclipsed by my glory. I leave everything, my entire army, my powers, my rights, my land titles, and all that I possess… I leave to you. The other commanders stand here as witnesses."
"Yes, sir!" Commander Matsubi saluted.
Kei Ki sighed and waved.
General Moubu nodded and said, "I witness it."
"I'm counting on you… Geoffrey," Ouki whispered.
"Yes, sir," Geoffrey said. His fist clenched in his palm so hard his fingers dug into his flesh and bled.
Ouki coughed and blood flew from his mouth. It took all the doctors' strength not to panic as he struggled to catch a breath.
"Ouki," Moubu stepped forward. "Forgive me. Everything was my fault. I have had you in my sights for so long… I know my weaknesses, but in desiring to defeat the man even you could not, in seeking to reach your level or even overcome you, I put in our vulnerable position… Do you have any final words for me? If you wish to curse me, I accept it."
"You messed up…" Ouki agreed. "But that is because… you tried being someone you are not. You did not consider how your strengths work with others. You did not consider the big picture. You are not me, Moubu. Don't try to be. Your strengths are your own. Your achievements are your own. I would say 'don't rush,' but we are no longer in that position… There is no doubt that from now on, you will become the pillar of Qin's military. I expect you to take your mistakes and grow. After all, this Zhao commander who has appeared is an enemy of unprecedented level. We… have well and truly… been beaten. I predict that, for a while, all of Hyrule will revolve around that man."
Ouki looked to Kei Ki, "I am sure I don't have to describe the animosity between me and the Ki family, but I appreciate the support all the same. You performed well. You are a cunning strategist. You wage war… not on the field… but on the mind. That is unprecedented. I foresee great things for you."
Kei Ki nodded and saluted him. Normally, he wouldn't care or would wave off everything people would say, but this was Ouki's final hour. He was the greatest legend in Qin. Kei Ki figured he would give a little respect.
"Commander Matsubi…" Ouki said. "You have a solid foundation of the basics, and when most generals try to move past them, they lose sight of it. You see war from the perspective of the regular soldier, a position most officers have never truly seen. Never forget the basics. The basics is the very foundation of war… and though you may never be as great as others… don't try to be. Rely on what is practiced and true, and you will be a strong part of our military."
Matsubi was flattered, "Th-thank you, my lord. I will."
"Link," Ouki said. He looked to Link, and he stepped forward. The others looked to each other questioningly.
"I'm sorry," Ouki said.
"Wha-what for?" Link asked.
"I'm just sorry. I'm sorry you were an orphan taken into slavery. I'm sorry… war took your parents. I have years of apologies to make… and no time for it."
Moubu raised an eyebrow and shared a questioning glance with Kei Ki. Matsubi and Geoffrey were equally confused. Geoffrey wondered if perhaps his master was losing his mind.
"It's fine," Link said. He tried to chuckle, to laugh, but it cracked and he struggled for tears not to come. Death continued to surround him. His friends were dead, his family was dead, and now his idol was dying as well.
"You were sent to me for training, but, as you can see, that's now impossible. Here is my advice: I want you to learn by running between the battlefields. Learn by delving into the world you have chosen. Live on the battlefield and master it. Find your own path through battle."
Ouki grasped his spear and, before anyone could react, dropped it in Link's arms. Link just about crumbled under its weight. The others gasped at the unspoken statement. Ouki was giving Link his weapon: The Spear of Nayru, an ancient relic of the Mitagi family once held by the Rebellious Hero.
"You have talent… Link. You have a strong bloodline… a strong body… and a strong heart. Your… mother would be proud."
Ouki said no more and his eyes dimmed. His body refused to fall even as his last breath left him. Everyone was stunned for a moment, then as the realization struck, they raised their voices to scream and weep. The word spread on the wind, and within minutes the entire city was screaming and weeping. Out of the entire city, the only two not completely broken were Moubu and Kei Ki.
Moubu despaired and fell to his knees, but he refused to cry. Ouki was his goal, his idol, and he now felt lost. But the ground wasn't completely swept from under his feet. He knew what he had to do, what he had to become, and he knew he had his strength to rely on.
Kei Ki was largely indifferent since he knew this moment was coming already. He was more annoyed and wondered why people seemed so shocked. It wasn't like the old man hadn't already been dying.
Word spread quickly throughout Qin and then across Hyrule. Within days, on the wings of the fastest horses, every soul knew of Ouki Mitagi's death. For a single day, or perhaps many days, there was a great noise. Every soul wept, whether for joy or despair.
This would naturally include Kanyou.
-Kanyou, Capital of Qin-
Chancellor Ryo stopped reading the message half-way through. His eyes widened, his voice cracked, and he couldn't breathe.
"Chancellor?" Zelda asked. They were in a meeting, and this demeaner of his was shocking to say the least. "What does it say?"
"It… I…" Ryo opened his mouth, but no sound came out. "I-I-I… I got to… I need to go." Ryo dropped the scroll and walked away.
"Chancellor Ryo!" Zelda called, more shocked than angry. Ignoring her, Ryo briskly walked out of the room in front of everyone. His faction, Zelda's faction, and other ministers who were unclear on their loyalty silently stared at his bold move.
Zelda shared a shocked glance with Impa before they both looked at the scroll Ryo left behind. For a moment, it looked cursed. The rest of the room whispered in wondering about what it was that frightened him so much. Impa gulped, picked up the scroll carefully, and read it from beginning to end in silence.
"We have won," Impa said. "The Zhao are retreating across the border."
The men cheered.
Impa continued, "Riboku of Zhao and Harken Dragmire killed Commander-in-Chief Ouki Mitagi."
The men stopped. Zelda paled and felt her breath leave her. Impa cleared her throat, "There is a great deal more here… final words… but I believe those are to be read another day. Everyone. Go home. We will have work to do tomorrow."
No one moved. Zelda stood and walked out of the room without a word. She needed air. Impa followed. Technically, the meeting wasn't dismissed, as only Zelda had that authority, but no one questioned it.
Zelda ran out of the palace door and stopped at the railing balcony. She gasped for air. She clenched her teeth as emotions of every kind bombarded her. She didn't know whether to cry, scream, hit something, curl up in a ball, or run. It took all her focus just to breath.
"It's a funny thing… rivals," Chancellor Ryo said.
Zelda straightened and composed herself. She hadn't realized Ryo was standing right next to her. She unknowingly exposed herself. Ryo leaned against the railing with his hands clenched tightly. Zelda gasped because she saw he had tears flowing from his eyes as he gazed upon the capital city.
Ryo huffed, "There is no need to hide, princess. It's me, after all. I'm sure Ouki would feel honored if tears fell from your pretty face for him."
"Don't call me pretty," Zelda snapped
"Most girls appreciate it."
"Most girls aren't me."
"True enough… Most girls don't entertain Ouki. He is into men."
"It wasn't like that, but I did find his pension for games enjoyable. I will miss him."
"As will I… It's funny… I hated him," Ryo said. "I utterly despised Ouki. He was of the same generation as the incredibly violent era of our expansion. But more than that… I respected him. He was the one man I could never defeat. For the same reason, I was the one man he could never defeat. We spent our lives doing a dance around one another. We'd be working together and still be wary. Neither of us would truly make a strike at the another because we knew the first to strike would lose. In my childhood, the palace was my goal. I wanted riches, wealth, honor, power, prestige, and glory. Then when I had it, I had it all: the king… and the queen. There was nothing left out of my grasp, save Ouki. I wanted him so desperately… he infuriated me so easily… and somehow you got him with barely any effort. It's enough to make any man jealous."
"You loved him," Zelda realized.
"Not in the way he may wish, was he still here," Ryo smiled, "but yes… He consumed my thoughts for so long. I studied him so in-depth, and I chased after him… how can I not? He may have chosen you, but I held no betrayal against him. It was only natural that we oppose one another. He was, perhaps, the only man I ever exposed my true self to… he has that way about him."
"He does," Zelda agreed. She smiled in memory.
"And Zhao has taken him away from us…" Ryo clenched his fists tightly. He sniffed. He stood straight, turned, and looked Zelda in the eye. "I want a name."
"Pardon?"
Ryo looked in Zelda's eyes with a fierceness she had never seen. He was furious; more than that, he was focused and dangerous. The fire in his eyes that Zelda had seen before was now on full display. He was not joking. He was not playing games nor having fun. "I want a name on who killed him. Ouki died, and that is a loss far greater than what we gained from pushing Zhao back. The world will look at us as vulnerable now… That is something I cannot abide."
Ryo took a step towards Zelda, a long, dangerous step, but Zelda sensed his aggression wasn't focused on her. "I will show you what I can do, princess. For so long, I have forgotten and relaxed in retirement. No more. It's time I returned to the frontline of our war with the world… and I need your help."
Zelda gulped, afraid. Something was deeply changing in Ryo, and her only comfort was that she was not the target. "Is that a proposal I hear?" Zelda wondered.
"One day! I need one day from you. One day, not today nor tomorrow, but one day where I may have complete authority to act as I will, speak as I will, and have complete authority."
"You would take my authority away from me?!" Zelda hissed.
"No. No! That would take away the purpose of what I intend. What I want is a united front, you and me, where I may lead the war on my terms. I don't want a war as Ouki fought, but one as I would fight. Let me win where Ouki failed. I will show Zhao what I can do. No! I will show the world what I can do!"
"And all you ask is one day."
"And a name," Ryo added. "The name of the man who killed him. The one to plot this war. I admit I… did not finish reading the scroll. My eyes failed me when I read Ouki was killed. What I want from you is the name; I will do the rest."
Zelda gulped.
"Let me loose!" Ryo exclaimed. "Let me have this! I'm not asking for your court. I am asking for your court and my court to make a united front, standing side by side in silence, as I work my magic."
Zelda put a finger in his face. "How do I know you won't take advantage of me? How do I know you won't use this… compliance… against me? Simply put, how can I trust you?"
"Normally, I would say you can't, but this is a special occasion, Princess. Right now… I am so blinded with anger and fury I can only see one thing. That thing is not you, so trust my anger!"
Zelda studied Ryo's eyes and composure. He was right. He was blinded with anger and fury. He wouldn't be going after her, not yet. One day, they might return to their bitter rivalry over the throne, but they were still under a truce because of Zhao's invasion. And that truce still worked… for a little while longer. At least, it seemed so until Ryo got a chance to take his shot.
"Riboku," She said.
With the information he wanted and not a moment to lose, Ryo silently stormed away.
Now, finally alone, Zelda could turn her sights back to the capital city beyond the palace walls. Desperate for a way to calm herself down, she sang.
"The stars are very beautiful, above the palace walls,
they shine with equal splendor still above far humbler halls.
I watch them from my window, but their bright entrancing glow,
reminds me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.
The royal circlet of bright gold rests lightly on my brow,
I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow.
But once I took the crown to which I had been schooled and bred,
I found it heavy on the heart, though light upon the head.
Although I am the head of state,
in truth I am the least.
The True King knows his people fed, before he sits to feast.
The Good King knows his people safe, before he takes his rest,
thinks twice, and thrice, and yet again, before he makes request.
For they are all my children, all that I swore to defend.
It is my duty to become both King and trusted friend.
And of my children, high and low, from beggar to above,
the dearest are my Heralds, who return my care with love.
The dearest are my Heralds, swift to spring to my command.
Who give me aid and fellowship, who always understand
that land and people first have needs that I may not deny,
so I must send my dearest friends to danger - and to die.
A friend,
a love,
a child,
it matters not, I know, indeed,
that I must sacrifice them all if there should be the need.
They know and they forgive me - doing more than I require,
with willing minds and loving hearts go straight to grasp the fire.
These tears that burn my eyes are all the tears the king can't shed,
the tears I weep in silence as I mourn my Heralds dead.
Oh gods that dwell beyond the stars, if you can hear my cry,
and if you have compassion,
let me send no more to die!
But If I must, if I must war, and if I must conquer,
then let it be known I accept the conquered,
as my children equal to all."
-Beneath Bayou, Fortress of Qin-
It was rather makeshift, but it would have to do. It was made on short notice.
Geoffrey walked down the steps and let his torch lead the way into the dungeon. Soldiers lined the walls with spears and shields on every step. He had instructed a hundred elites of those that remained with the strength to fight to barricade the outer door and ensure no one goes in or out. No one moved, and they did not bring themselves to doze. Security was so tight a sneeze would have set off alarms and sent the whole city into high alert of all the movement down here. They had been briefed well and good about the importance of their task, and they were anything if not zealot.
In fact, since the death of Ouki Mitagi, Geoffrey had to restrain them from not outright killing their prisoner.
Geoffrey entered the dungeon and stopped before its lone occupied cell. All other prisoners had been removed for security purposes. There was just this one. A man stood in the middle of the cell, both arms shackled with heavy chains on opposite sides of the room. A chain held his ankles, a chain attached to both the ceiling and back wall held his neck, and a pair of chains were looped around his torso and heavily nailed into the back wall.
Geoffrey's torch was the only illumination this far, but now it was no longer necessary. The Dragmire's red hair almost glowed in the darkness.
"High General Ouki Mitagi is dead," Geoffrey said.
Ganondorf said nothing. He gazed down emptily. His hair fell haphazardly down his shoulders, chest, back, arms, and face, thus concealing his expression.
"You, and the wounds you dealt him, are partially to blame. More than that, the deaths you caused in the forest and the demon worship you practiced to become… that… lead us to decide that you will be taken to the Mitagi house for judgement."
Dragmire's voice came out as barely a whisper. "I am king of Majora and an ally with your princess. You are causing an international incident."
"You're right. You are a king. That is the only reason why you were not burned alive last night. As for you being allied with High Princess Zelda… We shall see. Becoming a demon and attacking your own team isn't proper for an ally, wouldn't you agree? So you see, Dragmire, we are not causing an international incident. We are instead responding to the one you caused."
(edited by RealCoolDude u/10495976/)
