A Rebel's War - Part 1
-Bayou, Link-
Spirits in town were poor with their heavy death tolls and the loss of Ouki. Everyone felt defeated, even though they technically won. The war Ouki fought was to stop the Zhao invasion. This was a success… but only from a narrow point of view. Anyone who understood the times could plainly see Qin had lost. Zhao retreated because their objective had succeeded: Qin had lost its greatest military leader.
Night fell and Link returned to the house where he was allowed to stay. He approached the door and knocked. A man opened it, recognized Link, and welcomed him inside. The citizens of Bayou had opened their homes to the soldiers. This was an obligation on their part, and while many soldiers might take advantage of it, Link made sure to be polite. He also ensured his remaining unit did not take the advantage too much.
"Thank you for giving us a place to stay," Link bowed.
"Not at all, you all saved us. It is the least we can do." The man smiled. His family, a wife and seven kids ranging from newborn to twenty-years of age, greeted Link. Despite their best efforts, their smile was dim. They once had nine children. The joy of surviving only goes so far. Times like these were dark.
"I hope everyone has not eaten too much. I'll pay."
The man stared at Link in shock. Link did not know it, but it was very unusual for soldiers or officers to pay back what they took. "You really don't have to-"
"At least a few of you will be starving while you feed your family, yes? Your farms around the fortress are burned, your food stores are low, and suddenly you all have an army in your walls." Link smiled as the man grimaced. "I guessed as much. My home is a simple plantation. Despite that, there are good times and there are times where you just have to tighten your belt. I know what it's like to go hungry."
Link reached into his pouch and dropped a couple coins and rupees in the man's hand. The man gasped at the wealth. The few coins and rupees were of the highest value. Link walked to his room.
"This is too much!"
Link waved it off, "Keep it! I can't count anyway." He snatched a fair bit of coin off dead Zhao when everyone was looting. He was also in store for a lower officer's portion from the palace, in addition to bonuses for his achievements.
Link walked up the stairs. The house was entirely too small and compact for nearly fifteen people, but they made do. His team was given most of the futons or made spots in the corner of the children's room. However, only the older children were allowed to sleep in there with the soldiers. Link didn't know where the rest of the family slept.
"Hey," Link greeted as he entered. "Did you guys try and starve out the family downstairs by eating all their stuff?"
"Hey! I eat when I'm sad," Hei replied.
"No surprise there," Link teased. "You always were a fatass-" He stopped himself when Den Yuu shot a glare from the corner of his eye. Link gulped, "Never mind. Eat as much as you all need to regain your strength." He acknowledged Den Yuu, "Especially you, big guy. I'm paying them."
"Thanks," Several of them said.
Kyo Gai and Hei were the two most able to stand and move. Solitare and Den Yuu continued to lay down. Den Yuu was eating enough meat to make up for all of them, but then again, he also lost a great deal of blood after being pierced with so many arrows. He was recovering, but it would be a few days before he would find the strength to stand on his own feet again. A doctor visited every day to check on him and Solitare. Speaking of her, Solitare was having a much slower recovery. Her burns weren't of a lethal nature as arrows might be, but they take a very long time to heal. And every moment is very painful. She spent all night shaking in pain or shifting around, leaving the rest of the group with little sleep as well. She herself didn't sleep at all, except when passed out from pain or exhaustion.
Link sat by Solitare and put down a bag, "Here you go, Solitare. I got something for ya."
She groaned and peered up at him weakly. Sweat covered her body.
Link put down a bottle filled with liquid, "Doctors said this ointment will help the burns heal." He put down a second bottle filled with powder. "And this will drug you against the pain. They said to only stick a finger in, suck on it, and that will be enough."
"Hey, that stuff isn't what the army doctors are giving her," Kyo Gai noted.
"Yeah, well, the army can't afford to pay the extra rupee for her with so many others wounded. I can!" Link replied defensively.
"I'm not calling you out, just be careful. Some of that non-regulated stuff can be highly addicting or dangerous. You never know what they put in it or what it will do."
Link grunted and looked back at Solitare. Seeing as he had her attention, he said, "If this stuff is addicting, we'll fight it together. Get me? You aren't fighting this alone."
Solitare nodded and tried to smile but grimaced in pain.
"How exactly are you-" Kyo Gai tied to ask, but Link already stuck his finger in the bottle, pulled his hand up, and suckled on it. "DON'T JUST TAKE IT!"
"I CAN TASTE THE COLORS!" Link yelled.
"And… he's high," Hei put a hand on his face and groaned.
Kyo Gai snatched the bottle from Link, who fell back on the floorboarding, staring at the ceiling with a wide-eyed expression. "Yeah, no more for you," He said. Kyo Gai sniffed it, licked the barest edge of the bottle's lid, and spit it out. "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff. Despite our lovable moron's methods," Link giggled, "He's right. The army won't go out of their way to pay the extra rupee for every day soldiers. It's on the officers to invest in their own soldiers out of their portion. Just take a lesson from him and take… much less."
Kyo Gai left to ask for the woman of the house. Returning with the mother of the family, he gave her instructions on what to do with the stuff Link brought back. Next, he and Hei dragged a giggling Link out of the room. They couldn't move Den Yuu very well, so the man closed his eyes and turned away while the mother exposed Solitare enough to rub her down. Even so, Den felt a bit uncomfortable; he was married after all.
It was peaceful for all of ten seconds. The woman groaned when yelling and crashing started outside the room. Girls squealed in fright and a yelling match began.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? DON'T STRIP! There are girls present!"
"It's infested with spiders! And why do you have the face of a bird?"
"Put your ***** clothes on!... Okay good, keep the pants at least. Now for the- Holy shit that's a lot of scars! -No! Don't-" More crashing ensued.
"Spider-chickens are everywhere! It's all over me! I'm getting chickenpox! I'M GONNA DIE!"
"What the hell are spider chickens?!"
"Kyo hold him down!"
"GAH!"
"How is he in four places at once?! Which one is he?"
More crashing rattled the house.
The mother sighed, "Are they always like this?"
"Yeah," Solitare chuckled. Then she groaned in pain: laughing hurt. "They're a bunch of morons."
-Later-
Days passed. Even though the war was over, there was a need for recovery, formalities, and a distribution of portions. Portions were not coin and rupee, per say, but an acknowledgement of debt to be paid in some form or fashion. These portions were written on notes for each soldier.
The soldier would then meet with their respective higher ups and come to an agreement on their personal achievements in the war. Proof and witnesses were always useful. Participating and surviving certain battles, killing a certain number of Zhao, and killing a Zhao of rank were the primary methods for bonuses. There were other ways, such as those assigned scouting or medical duties in the war, and they would also earn portions.
With the achievements and portions agreed upon, and the soldiers mostly recovered, the army took the slow march back to Genyuu Pass. Den Yuu had recovered enough, but Solitare was just reaching the part of her burns when the burnt skin peels. So as the army moved, Link's remaining unit took turns carrying her as gently as they could.
The army marched to Genyuu Pass and then to Kanyou, which was only a stone's throw away by then. The capital opened its gates, and they looked to see people cheering as they entered. A street was opened for them to walk through, and it seemed like the entire city had crowded the surrounding area to cheer them on. They threw glitter and flowers down on them, and despite everything the soldiers went through, Link felt himself smile just a bit. The pomp and circumstance was not asked for, but it showed how grateful Qin was for them. The rest of his team also tried to enjoy it and wave back.
"Don't they realize how much smaller this army was from when it started?" Hei wondered.
"Of course they do. Everyone knows. But we won, Hei. We stopped Zhao from invading and killing our mothers… our wives," Kyo Gai said.
"Our daughters," Den Yuu whispered, thinking of his own family.
Hei still didn't understand, "But the Zhao's objective was Ouki!"
"And they don't need to know that," Kyo Gai answered. "Just… let them have this. For that matter, you need this too." Hei grit this teeth angrily. "Hei… Even if you don't want this, let your brother have it. He died for a reason. Let them honor him."
Hei breathed in deeply. He nodded, "Alright."
Link listened to his team talk, for once keeping his thoughts to himself. Normally, he would probably be louder than all of them, but something about this occasion struck him with a meaning he just wanted to soak in. It wasn't until now he allowed himself to miss who died. In the war, he had to push the deaths to the back of his mind so he could have the strength to move forward. Now… he found it difficult to walk. It felt almost wrong for Ouki to not lead them through the crowd-filled street. He wanted Tou to be here. He wanted the rest of his unit to be here. He wanted Ganondorf to be here.
Link sighed. Ganondorf had been found in the belly of the demon and was imprisoned for judgement at the Mitagi fortress. Link vowed he would manage to see him. He looked back at his team. Den and Kyo were in good spirits, and Hei was trying to stay positive. Therefore, his immediate concern was with Solitare. She was on Den Yuu's large back.
"You okay back there, Soli?" Link asked.
"No!" She snapped and then whimpered. "Won't be… for a while. Everything that touches the burns hurt. It feels like my own clothes are stabbing me." Link frowned. It seemed the pain only became worse lately.
Before long, they reached the front gates of the palace, and everyone gaped at the splendor of it as they entered. Only Link wasn't particularly excited. His first impression involved the corpse of his best friend, and he had been at the palace enough times to know what to expect. So as they entered the courtyard, filled it even, everyone was excited and felt, in a way, that their sacrifices were all worth it. They had entered the gates of heaven, seemingly, and were acknowledged for what they did. Granted, it wasn't heaven, but the closed palace was a mystery where common people were not allowed. People would kill just to walk in these halls. It was said immortals walked here, and it helped that the Royal family was a bloodline passed down by the Triple Goddess themselves.
The sight of Fae flying about more openly than before and Elder watching over them as a giant statue only gave proof to their fantasy.
Link was perhaps the only one, short of the other commanders, who wasn't basking in their reception. He had other concerns, "Den, pass them Soli."
"Uh, sure. What for?" Den Yuu carefully lowered himself and Link picked Solitare off his back.
"You guys enjoy the speech or whatever. Soli needs care."
"You're not going to stay!?" Hei whispered.
"Link… don't. Stay," Solitare said in between pained whimpers. "I'm okay."
Hei tried to scold Link, "Link, you do realize the princess is going to-"
Link shot him a glare and Hei shut his mouth, "And?" Link asked. "It's not a goddess, it's Zelda. I talk with her all the time. I can meet up with her later. She'll understand. Right now Soli needs better care, and Zelda has the best doctors in the country."
Without waiting for an argument, Link carried Solitare into a side passage and into the palace. He knew the palace well enough to know where the palace personal doctor was, and thankfully, he entered to find the doctor unoccupied.
"Link?" The doctor wondered on seeing him. His eyes immediately darted to the girl in his arms. "Oh dear… put him in that bunk."
"Her," Link corrected.
"Her, then? Okay. What is the problem?"
"She is burned, mostly on the back. It's peeling."
Link put her down on the cot, and the doctor gently rolled her over. The doctor rolled up her shirt, and Link blushed furiously before looking away. Some warning might have been nice! He didn't know whether to feel guilty or happy he got a brief eyeful.
Solitare squirmed in pain. The exposure of wind to the burns wasn't any better than her own bloody clothes.
The doctor said, "She will need a change of clothes. Blood stained clothes won't do. Has she been given care already?"
"Yeah, some ointments for the burn and powder for the pain."
"That's… amazingly vague."
"The doctor in Bayou said the ointment was designed for burns, and it did help her. He said the powder was to relieve the pain. It was the good stuff too: it made me incredibly high with barely a lick."
The doctor gave him a judgmental look. Link balked defensively, "What!?"
"You shouldn't make it a habit of 'licking' things you don't know."
"Yeah, well… it helped," Link pouted. He sat down on a bench beside Solitare.
"Yes, I imagine making a patient high relieves the pain. Granted, the doctor in Bayou gave you the correct advice. Putting her into that state would give her a much needed reprieve."
The doctor finished examining her. Rather than put her shirt back on, he removed it entirely and put a blanket on her. "You can look now, Link. Her modesty is intact. Young lady, can you hear me?"
"Yeah," Solitare whispered.
"The care you have been given has helped greatly. The burn will heal in a few more days, but I must be honest with you… patients who have been burned never truly heal. They can still feel the heat at times throughout their entire lives."
"What?" Link gasped. His shock was eclipsed by Solitare's horror.
"W-will it scar?" She dared to ask.
"… Yes, I'm sorry."
"You can't be serious!" Link exclaimed. "I've been burned a bunch of times and I don't feel it anymore!"
"Were you burned through to the muscle?" The doctor questioned and Link shut his mouth. "What she was dealt was a burn through to the muscle. You should both be thankful she can still move at all. There are many kinds of burns. Burns can go through the skin, the muscle, and even to the bone. The final one is lethal. The second is only crippling, and I do feel good about the odds here for her to make a full recovery. So yes, you should be thankful."
Link gulped. Solitare was pale as a ghost.
"Is there anything that can be done?" Link asked.
"You did the best thing. You brought her here," The doctor said. He smiled in comfort. "That's my job. What is your name, young lady?"
"Solitare," She said.
"Solitare, rest. You're safe and in good hands. I'll find you something less… experimental for the pain. It should put you right out."
Link stuck his tongue out the moment the doctor turned his back. He made himself comfortable.
"You don't have to stay," Solitare said.
Link shrugged, "Got nothin' better to do."
"You're in the palace… and you say you have nothing better to do than sit there watching me in pain?" Solitare asked incredulously.
"So long as you stay quiet and don't complicate this, you can stay," The doctor said to Link. "But it would be better for both of you if you left, focused on other things, and let her sleep."
"Fine!" Link sighed. "I swear, it's like everyone thinks it's weird for me to be in here instead of out there, listening to Zelda prattle on and on and-"
The doctor coughed. The door behind Link closed.
"She's right behind me, isn't she?" Link grimaced.
"Sorry, monkey say what?" Zelda said. Her grin was dangerous.
"Shit... I-"
"Don't bother. I know what you meant. I agree, actually. Speeches are long and boring… and it looks like you have better priorities than listening to what we both know is just a formality." Zelda approached and looked down at Solitare. "How is she?"
"I-I've been better," Solitare said. She tried to get up, but Zelda put a hand on her shoulder and gently pressed her back down.
"Don't get up on my account. In here, the doctor is the law and authority, even over me."
Zelda sat down on the next available bench to watch Solitare. Zelda instantly recognized the person was a girl, and she could plainly see the pain she was in. The doctor had given her some pain medicine, so within minutes, she was out cold. It was at this point Link would have left, but he felt very awkward next to Zelda… He had to open his big mouth, and her silence wasn't helping.
"Who is she to you?" Zelda wondered.
"She is a part of my unit," Link replied.
"I see," Zelda nodded. Then, she smiled a bit. "That makes sense, more than I had come here expecting. Sarah said she saw you running through the halls with a girl in your arms, and I had to see. I didn't know whether to expect you to steal a servant for your little dream harem, or if you had a girlfriend suddenly."
"I-we-she! It's not like that!" Link sputtered. "Just because I slept with her once doesn't mean-"
"You what?" Zelda stared at him, deadpan. Her composure darkened very quickly, and Link put his hands up defensively.
"No! I meant in the same tent! We had to share. She mistook my tent for hers, they all look alike, you know, and I was too tired to care. I didn't know she was a girl at the time!"
Zelda narrowed her eyes at him, and Link gulped. He was really not doing well with her. "Well, thankfully for you, you aren't lying," She said. "I guess I'll let you live."
Link gulped and squeaked out, "You wouldn't actually kill me… would you?"
Zelda studied him further, enough to make him sweat. Finally, after making him squirm, she consented, "No, I suppose not. It's not a crime, unfortunately, to fornicate."
"Seriously, it wasn't like that!" Link insisted.
"Sure, sure," Zelda teased him. She dropped the act to grin. "You're off the hook. Relax, I'm just giving you a difficult time," She chuckled. "I missed you. It's nice having you around. You're like a breath of fresh air. Now, why don't we talk elsewhere? The doctor doesn't seem to appreciate us disturbing your friend."
"Uh," Link looked at her, confused by the sudden compliment. Moments like this reminded him she was nobility. Normal people wouldn't feel the need to express good company in such a way, if at all. "Thanks."
They left the doctor's room for his relief.
"Now, Link," Zelda said. "The officer's ceremony will begin soon, and I do insist you don't be late."
"Do I have to? I'd rather just talk with you and- Ow!" Link whined after Zelda flicked him. He put a hand on his forehead.
"Yes, you have to. Don't make me flick you again. We can catch up later, since I wish to talk as well. It has been a year since I've seen you, and I want to hear all about your training and adventures," Zelda answered. She knew the reality where Impa interfered, tried to kill Link, and disturbed the training Zelda wished for him. However, she kept a façade of ignorance because she didn't know of Link's perspective and thoughts on the matter.
Did Link know he was of Shorlin's bloodline? Would he use it against her? Until Zelda knew for certain if Link knew or not, and what his choices would be if he knew, she decided it was best to pretend the talk with Impa never happened. That included the illusion that Link was trained by the Mitagi.
Zelda continued, "But as it is, the officers, commanders, and generals will be assembled shortly for my official statement; you are included. We can talk after."
Zelda called for an escort to bring Link to the throne room. He knew the way from sneaking in before, but it wouldn't do for him to not have an escort inside the castle.
Zelda sighed. She missed Link, but found his presence wasn't as much of a comfort as it was before. Before knowing his heritage, she never had to question a single thing. Now she found that even he was someone to question and watch. It wasn't that Zelda did not trust One-Hundred Man Officer Link, it was that she could not trust Prince Link.
Zelda could go to the throne room, but she decided she could afford a moment. When Link went out of sight, she turned around, re-entered the doctor's room, and looked down at the girl on the bed.
Zelda knew the moment she laid eyes on Solitare that she was a Sheikah. The blood stained clothes piled in the corner was the first clue. The second clue was the small tattoo of an eye behind her ear. Every Sheikah had one somewhere on them.
"Princess?" The doctor questioned.
"How long will she sleep?" Zelda asked.
"Off and on for most of the day. May I ask why?"
"That is inconvenient. I wish to speak with her."
Zelda looked around. She saw on the doctor's desk an ink well and paper. She approached it, hastily wrote a message, folded it up, and slipped it into Solitare's bed. With that done, she departed for the throne room.
Zelda pushed the ornate throne room doors open. For this meeting, Zelda had called all of the generals not fighting on the front lines. The palace was a few days from their borders by horse, so they could afford to be here.
Duke Hyou, Ousen Mitagi, Mou Gou, Geoffrey, and Moubu were the High Generals present. This meant they had the authority to lead other generals and armies greater than even one-hundred thousand. Technically, the only rank higher was Commander-in-Chief, who held authority over all Qin military affairs.
Duke Hyou was a man who reminded Zelda much of Ouki Mitagi. Both were loud, boisterous, despised formality, and strong fighters. The Duke lacked the prowess of the Mitagi, but he made up for it with a fierceness that rivaled Moubu. Hyou was unique amongst the generals for his capabilities of a strategist while in the middle of the battlefield, rather than observing a fight from the distance. His hair shone red, and he had a long beard and mustache (It was naturally red, not a Dragmire's glowing red.). He held a never-ending grin and bore razor sharp teeth he whittled to a point. Duke Hyou didn't side with any faction.
Ousen Mitagi was a mystery. He kept his face hidden behind a black mask since he started his military career, and he has never been seen without it. His track record on the battlefield was the greatest in all of Qin, without a single loss, but he also fought the least. Ousen never fought without the absolute certainty he would win. His personality was as empty and black as the mask he wore. He rarely spoke outside of military commands that demand absolute obedience. All in all, he was impossible to read, but Zelda felt she could read him just slightly. His eyes reminded her of Ryo. He didn't side with any faction, but Zelda felt he was dangerously ambitious.
Mou Gou was the oldest High General remaining, and for a reason. He practiced war by the book. He had the greatest grasp of the basics, and so he never made mistakes. But at the same time, he never extended himself beyond what he knew would work. He never tried new things, he wasn't overly aggressive, and he wasn't overly defensive. He was a perfectly relaxed and balanced general with a long, strong, solid career. Mou Gou did not side with any faction.
Geoffrey was Ouki Mitagi's protégé and followed him into war for years. Geoffrey worked his way up to general by his own merit, but he was still an unknown because he never left Ouki's side. Ouki's last will for Geoffrey was for him to take his place, so Zelda would respect that. Ouki had told her once that Geoffrey would be a guiding light, should he fall. It was almost prophetic that Ouki would die so soon after telling her. Zelda hoped to have Geoffrey's support, but she was also uncertain. She had Ouki in her faction but had yet to meet with Geoffrey personally.
Moubu was Ryo's personal High General. He was known as the Dog of Qin because when he found a target, he was relentless. His offensive strength and charisma stood unrivaled in all of Qin, even higher than Duke Hyou, but lacked in strategy. As a result, he tended to rely on others for it. It was no surprise then that Ryo's personal strategist and head of the officer academy would be his advisor on the battlefield. Zelda recently heard a rumor that Moubu was raising a son with the strength of Moubu, the charisma of Ryo, and the strategic mind of Ryo's personal strategist, Shou Hei Kun. If the rumor was true, then this teenager would be a truly powerful presence in the future and a great boon for Qin.
Behind the High Generals stood the regular generals, with ranks ranging from ten-thousand to one-thousand men. Further still were the officers, commanders of five-hundred to one-hundred men. Lastly, there was Link, leader of his few remaining men after an initial hundred-man rank. Zelda scanned the room briefly, hoping to see Ganondorf Dragmire lurking in the far back away from people. But alas, he was not there. She knew he wouldn't be, but she couldn't help but hope.
Ganondorf was a troubling thought. Zelda had received the report that he would be taken to the Mitagi's personal fortress for a military tribunal. She was requested to attend, although it was understandable if she did not. A messenger was sent to the the mountains to tell the Majora to send an ambassador as well. When she was done speaking, Zelda would have to go and see to that… There was so much for her to attend to, suddenly.
"High Generals of Qin!" Zelda announced. "As you know, Zhao invaded under the leadership of Harken Dragmire. Harken Dragmire has history with General Ouki Mitagi, so the invasion was taken as a personal challenge. Ouki Mitagi lead a campaign with General Moubu, Commander Kei Ki, and Commander Matsubi." The three men in question stood, and those in attendance gave their applause. "The Zhao invasion tore at our northern land, and they sieged the fortress of Bayou. Ouki arrived in time and pushed the army of Zhao back. Zhao responded with everything at their disposal, including using the Dragmire champion's strength and summoning a demon."
The generals and commanders murmured amongst themselves, and Zelda gave them a moment to process her words. It was a troubling thing to hear, certainly.
"Yes, a demon. You heard me correctly. General Geoffrey personally witnessed the creature and can attest to its strength."
"I can, your highness," Geoffrey said with a bow. "It was truly a great demon of fire and shadow, in both sight and might."
Zelda continued, "And despite this, Ouki personally slew the demon." There was a great applause. "And on the final day, General Ouki and General Moubu pushed the Zhao towards the mountains, squeezed them in, and went for the kill." Zelda paused. "Only to be trapped themselves by a second Zhao army."
Duke Hyou bowed his head. He stood and said, "I saw it too late to come to his aid, though I was near. I accept part of the blame."
"Not at all, General Hyou," Zelda replied. "No one knew. No one could have known Zhao had sent a second army, but they did. They tricked us all. From what I understand, Harken's army had attacked northern Qin and blinded us to the mountains between both nations so they could sneak an army through. We knew Harken would be leading an army a full year ago, but he was a distraction. I am told it would take a full year for an army to pass through those very mountains. It was a trap from the very beginning. This second army was led by a man previously unheard of, but who has become a High General of Zhao overnight: Riboku. It was Riboku who plotted it all. Trapped between two generals, one being a Dragmire… Ouki Mitagi fell in battle."
The men's expressions were grim and set. They heard as much.
"A great shadow has fallen over Qin," Zelda said. "The Pillar of Qin, the symbol of our military strength has fallen. You all should know what this means. We are wounded, we are bleeding, and the other nations will notice. Zhao, Gerudo, Zora, Gorondis, Lorule, and Termina will definitely notice. We border Zhao, Gerudo, Lorule, and Termina, so I don't need to tell you to expect our enemies to come for us. Whether they be commanders, lesser officers, or full generals, expect our borders to be tested and pushed in. I want you, on your return to the borders, to ensure all villages nearby are brought inwards for their safety. Then, I need you all to put your full focus in ensuring that we do not lose a single inch of ground! Now is not the time for weakness! We have lost Ouki, but with the falling of one generation comes the rise of another! The new generation of Qin's military must be ready for whatever comes at us, and we must show the other nations that we are as firm as ever!"
The generals saluted and there was a round of applause from the commanders and soldiers.
Zelda exhaled. She was getting well versed in public speeches. She accepted the salute and ordered for them to get to it. Everyone marched out.
-Later-
Zelda sat before a list of scrolls. One by one, she went through them, made notes, and made decisions. Normally, work like this would be done by Ryo, but ever since she told him the name of the man who killed Ouki Mitagi, he had disappeared. A messenger did confirm Ryo was in his estate, but he had stopped appearing publicly. The only notice Zelda received from him was that he was busy, and a Sheikah reported that letters were sent from his estate by the dozen. Whatever Ryo was doing, he was pouring himself into it with a vengeance.
Despite their rivalry, Zelda wished he was in the palace. It was a startling thought for her to have, but she needed to decide which she hated more: him doing her work, or her. She couldn't decide.
Behind her, Zelda's favored concubine and personal servant, Sarah, was doting on Ganondorf's ward, Malon. Zelda took temporary custody of the red-head while Ganondorf was away at war. She even introduced her to Abhdan. The old man was a bit perverted, but his constant good spirits, laughter, and endless stockpile of jokes managed to bring a smile out of the little girl. So far as Zelda could tell, it was an accomplishment. Malon had yet to say a word, and she was always sad. Apparently, being mute in the throes of emotion was a common Dragmire thing.
"There!" Sarah declared. "All done! What do you think?"
Malon looked at herself in a little, handheld mirror. She turned her head a few times to better examine Sarah's work. Zelda turned enough to see, too. Sarah gave Malon's red head a pair of bangs and a braid down the back. Malon scrunched her mouth at it, uncertain.
"Sarah, what have we discussed about mirrors?" Zelda asked patiently.
"No mirrors, I know, but it's just for her. I promise I'll take it with me."
"So long as you do… what design is that?"
"Oh, well, the braid is a commoner braid. You've probably never seen it among the nobility, but peasants use it all the time to keep their hair out of the way. The bangs, though, are not done by commoners, but I have seen it among nobility. I thought I would try both. Our favorite little red-head is a commoner raised by a king! I think it fits."
"She doesn't look pleased by it."
"She hasn't said 'no' though," Sarah hummed.
Zelda looked at Sarah, completely deadpan. "She hasn't said anything… at any point."
Malon ran her fingers through her hair and destroyed the work Sarah did. Sarah gaped and looked between the two girls. "I swear! You two know how to ruin anything! I thought it looked nice. If we are taking her with us to see Lord Dragmire, she should look a little bit nice."
Zelda smirked. "I try, but I do agree with your point. Malon, let Sarah do your hair. Wear it at least for a little while; you might grow to like it. If you find you still don't, you can always change it later," Zelda said with finality and returned to her work.
"Zelda, don't you have someone else to do that for you?" Sarah asked.
"Yes, I do. Plenty of people."
"Then… why? Why tarry?"
"You know me. I want to play an active role, at least in the beginning. I am only giving my own thoughts and impressions. I am not stamping them with the seal of the king, so it isn't binding. Some of the accomplishments these men did in the war were extraordinary and some less so. So far, I have come across no less than five officers who are forced to retire because they lost both of their arms… I want my ministers know I want them taken care of and helped into a new position they can live on with. I also have to consider how everyone will be paid. My treasury is brimming from taxes, but those taxes are meant for government work… not our army. I have to figure out how to pay all those who fought. In many cases, I will need to allocate bonus forms of payment, like land and special rights. But where will the land come from? The land would have to be stripped away either from my own or a minister's, and they fight enough in court over that very topic. I can't just give away huge chunks of my country to every soldier," Zelda sighed. She put down her quill and rubbed at her temples. "This is giving me a headache…"
"Then why don't you stop? You've done a whole pile of them. We should get ready to depart."
"Yeah… I have. Very well, I will do one more."
"Princess…"
"One more," Zelda repeated. She picked up a scroll and looked at it. "This one is Link's. I'm uncertain how to pay him back for his accomplishments. Ouki already did much of it, like promoting him to a one-hundred man officer, but since then, Link only went on to do greater and greater things in the war."
"Why not give him some land? You already did give him a bit so he could join the army legally," Sarah proposed.
Zelda narrowed her eyes at the thought. She had, hadn't she? Perhaps that was a bit of a mistake on her part. A prince with land only validated him further. The last thing Zelda wanted to do was give him enough so he could border off against her. She wanted to ensure he was happy with his portion, but if she gave him more land, it would only be a security risk against her.
Zelda just remembered: she had promised to talk with Link after the speech.
"Zelda… why do you look angry?" Sarah whispered.
Zelda blinked. Did she look angry? She shook her thoughts away and composed herself. "I am not angry," She said. "All is well, Sarah. I'm just frustrated. I have a lot on my mind." Zelda glanced at Sarah and back to the scroll. "But perhaps you can assist me."
"Oh?"
"You are of a similar mind to him. Simple. Uncomplicated."
"Uh… Is that a compliment or an insult?" Sarah asked slowly. Malon shrugged.
Zelda ignored the question. "What kind of things would please you, should you be in his place?"
Sarah hummed in thought. She put her hands to work on Malon's hair again, fixing it from the mess Malon had made of it. "He was happy with small gestures last time, yes?" Zelda nodded. "So keep it small, but tailor-made to him. If he accomplished a great deal after his promotion… perhaps another one? I don't know how ranks work, whether he has to fulfill a certain amount of time, or pay for a promotion, or what. But it's a thought."
Zelda considered it. Many officers and commanders were promoted easily just for their bloodline and connections, so all things considered, Zelda could tell her ministers she wanted him promoted several times over. However, she also thought about how Link was. He would feel cheated. Zelda wanted him to achieve his dream and become a strong asset, but she also wanted him to reach it properly and fulfill both of them.
Zelda wrote her recommendation and stamped the scroll with the seal of the king. "Congratulations, Link, new officer of three-hundred."
"So you are promoting him?"
"Yeah, but a small one. Just one step up. He needs to learn his way up, not spoon fed like so many others. If he continues to perform well, other generals will notice and give him promotions too."
With that done, Zelda picked up the scrolls, left the room, and passed them to a minister to go through. While Zelda was out there, Solitare approached her. The Sheikah had a limp in her stride and flinched periodically.
"Should you be up?" Zelda questioned.
"Doctor says I should walk a little bit," The Sheikah replied. She pulled out the paper Zelda had left her. "Also, you left me this. You wished to talk with me?"
"Preferably, with you resting. You didn't need to impose yourself like this."
"My liege calls, I come," The Sheikah replied. She bowed a tiny bit. She couldn't bend far with her injuries.
"Very well… If you insist." Zelda glanced around. There was no one important near. She whispered, "I have some orders for you."
"I am your loyal servant, your highness."
"I want you to stay in Link's unit. Observe him. Make sure he stays loyal."
Solitare blinked in surprise. "L-link? W-why would you think he is disloyal? He has done great things, and all in the name of Qin. He cares deeply for his people, his friends, and for you. He speaks well of you and only smiles when he thinks of you."
"Be that as it may, I still want you to watch him. I have… reasons… to be wary of him. Reasons I cannot explain," Zelda said. She knew she was imposing now. She didn't know the nature of the friendship this Sheikah had with Link, but the position was perfect. Zelda needed this to set her mind at ease. "Let me be clear: Link is a friend, perhaps one of the few true friends I have… so I want you to protect him with your life, if need be. I want to make sure he never becomes an enemy, because if he does, he can become a serious danger to me and the throne. His potential as friend or foe is equally great."
Solitare gulped. She stared, terrified, at Zelda as she processed what was asked of her. Finally, she nodded. "I will watch him, protect him, and report on him if he turns against you."
"Good… I pray only he never does."
"As do I. But Princess, if I may impose a thought…"
"Go ahead."
"Do you truly consider him a friend if you are suspicious? Would it not distance you from your friend and turn him into the very enemy you fear if you treat him like one?"
Zelda gaped slightly. It was a good thought, one that left her speechless. Nonetheless, Solitare bowed and departed back to the doctor's room. Zelda stood firm in the hall, alone, and it felt cold, even to her.
-The Next Day-
Next morning, Zelda departed with a small escort for the city of Mitagi. She sent a messenger to bring Link so he may join her.
Link came running out the front gate and nearly jumped into the caravan before a guard stopped him. "Zelda!" He called.
"Let him join us," Zelda said. "But first, Link, what is with the spear?"
"It was entrusted to me by Ouki," Link explained. "I haven't let it go since."
Zelda's eyes widened briefly. Ouki Mitagi left Link his weapon? That was interesting.
"Link, I… You may join me if you leave the spear with one of my guards, otherwise please find a horse."
Link looked between the open carriage and the guard who was stepping forward. He did not want to leave behind the spear entrusted to him, but he also wanted to spend some time with his friend. A bit unwillingly, Link handed the spear to Zelda's Royal Guard and requested a short sword in exchange.
"I assure you, I will protect the Spear of Nayru with my life!" The man said.
"You don't have to go that far…" Link muttered.
Link climbed into the carriage with the girls and closed the door. Zelda called for the caravan to move out and meet with Geoffrey's army. From there, they would all head to Mitagi.
"It's been some time since we've talked properly," Zelda said. "I apologize for not talking with you the prior night as I said I would, there was much that required my attention before I could depart."
"It's fine, it's fine," Link smiled. He greeted Sarah and looked at Malon. "Who're you?"
"Her name is Malon. She is Lord Dragmire's ward and is a Dragmire herself."
"Really?!" Now that he was paying attention, she did have hair like Ganondorf. "Another Dragmire! I'm glad! I thought there were only two left… How did you and Ganon meet?" Link asked the girl.
A long moment passed.
"She doesn't speak," Sarah whispered.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were mute."
"Malon is not mute, she is mourning," Zelda explained. "It is the way of the Dragmire to be rendered silent when in deep emotion. In time, I am sure Malon will speak, but until then, we should be patient and find ways to include her without treating her like she is not there."
"I see," Link patted Malon on the head gently. The girl blushed under the sudden attention from everyone. "I'm sorry for your troubles. Feel free to cry, if the need comes. I've done my fair share of crying the last couple weeks."
The carriage left the capital's gates and went into the countryside towards Genyuu Pass. Sarah and Malon looked out the window and gaped. Zelda and Link had been before, but they looked out anyways.
Genyuu Pass was a wall reaching between two mountains' peaks. It was the biggest project in all of Qin, equal to the full construction of a fortress.
"I've been to this wall four times now, and it never ceases to impress," Zelda commented. "Did you know King Shorlin measured its height by shooting arrows? If an arrow could pass over its height, he ordered to make it taller. Eventually, only the greatest archer in the land could shoot over it. We have since invented bows that can shoot further than before, but the wall's height is still impressive and designed to be impossible to siege. No ladder can reach its peak, and only the greatest of bows can launch arrows over."
"Didn't know that. That's pretty cool," Link replied.
"Just trying to look at its peak makes me dizzy!" Sarah exclaimed, laughing.
"Now that I think about it… when was the last time you left the capital, Princess?" Link wondered.
"Hm… It has been some time, certainly," Zelda said. "I mostly relax by going to the Fae Grove or flying Andim from the walls. I have ridden my horse… but never far. I can only conclude the last time I truly left the capital was the last time I went here. I have not passed beyond these gates… in many years."
"Then we should enjoy this," Link smiled. Zelda returned the smile, looked out the window, and relaxed.
The last time Zelda had been on this side of the gate was as a refugee. Now it was as a Princess. Time certainly changed her in the last several years. Before, she had been a child. Now, she was well into her teenage years. Before, she had nothing. Now, she had friends, armies, and a nation at her back.
Zelda gave a silent prayer of thanks to Nayru and turned her attention to Link. They had a great deal to talk about.
(edited by RealCoolDude u/10495976/)
