Unable to sleep, Link had woken up before the sun had even risen, leaving the chair he'd slept in while in Zelda's room to pace the hallway. Bardo and Leon, Zelda's two favorite guards besides Link and Finn, watched him pace.

"Is the Princess okay?" Leon asked, genuine concern on his face.

Link nodded once, though he couldn't stop moving…. much like Zelda, who had been restless and fitful all night, moving her loud silk sheets with every turn she made. It had taken everything he had to stay seated at a respectable distance, determined not to comfort her as he normally would have. Auru was coming shortly, and Link knew that, for both their sakes, she couldn't wake up in Link's arms again. It would only do more harm than good.

"Link," Bardo said, grabbing him to stop Link's incessant back-and-forth. "We'll watch out for her. You're not even scheduled to be on guard today, so go. Sleep or take a walk or something. We'll be here when you come back."

Of all the guards, he'd learned to trust Finn first, and then Bardo and Leon. So he nodded and headed to the barracks to find Finn, needing to reason everything out with someone he trusted.

"You really think there's something weird going on, don't you?" Finn asked once Link had filled him in. Link had all but pulled Finn from his bunk. Finn glanced to where Link sat on top of the table in the barracks' main hall, his leg bouncing at high speeds.

His fists were balled up by his mouth and he rested on them, nodding slowly. "Don't you? Auru doesn't give her the right amount of troops but he's already on his way to help end this war? You need soldiers to win a war, and now, we won't have enough because he's cut his number in half. How does any of that make sense? He can't want to die. This is a stupid way to do it if he does."

Finn leaned back against the wood, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know. I'm no strategist or a king. I'm just a soldier. I do what I'm told. If someone tells me we have half the troops, we have half the troops. We deal with it."

"Yeah," Link agreed, "That's how I'm supposed to think too, isn't it? But when it's about her, I just can't."

Finn snorted. "You don't think at all around her, apparently. Almost killing a prince? Smart."

"Shut up," Link grumbled. "I don't know. Maybe I am over thinking it."

"Or, maybe you're thinking it just enough…" Finn scrunched his face up, unsure if his phrase had come out right.

Link nodded. "Remember Kayne?" He looked at the scar on his palm, evidence of that day. "He took all of us out from the inside. We didn't even suspect him because he was one of us. And I'm only here because he had a moment of weakness, thankfully, and decided not to kill me too. I can't let that happen again, especially not to her."

"So you think it's Auru who's the secret problem? That Daltus is working with the King?"

"I don't know. I think it's odd that he's hiding half his troops from her. But Daltus seemed genuine when he talked about their numbers. I saw the letter."

"Okay, then you want to…"

Link shrugged. "I'm not scheduled to guard Zelda today. How about we get ourselves into some trouble again?"

"Oh, Link," Finn chuckled. "You want to break into another brothel?"

Link laughed heartily, not realizing he still had that kind of joy in him. "Gods no, don't remind me about that. That was the weirdest mistake we ever made. I'm never going to tail someone again."

"Remember when Commander Farosh saw us?"

"My eyes are still burning. I'm still surprised we both kept our jobs."

Finn pinched his nose as he laughed. "When even was that? Five years now?"

"Maybe? I don't know, sometimes it all blurs together," he chuckled. "No, I was thinking of trying to talk to Niko."

Finn scoffed. "You're not subtle enough for that. The man's probably afraid of you. We could just look around. We did that with uh… what was her name? The red head who smuggled out half of our weapons?"

Link stood, heading back to the house from the barracks with Finn in tow. "Oh… Knuckles, right?"

"Yes! Knuckles! We found half the shit just by poking around where we didn't belong."

Spinning to face Finn as he spoke, Link made a face. "You know, when I wasn't hanging around you, I actually followed the rules. You're a bad influence on me."

"Me? You're the one who first roped me into that suicidal mission in Hebra. Damn near froze to death trying to find that traitor."

"I was actually sent on that one. I was following orders all the way until we fell off that ledge into the ice. You were the one stupid enough to say yes when I asked you to come."

"That was sanctioned? They wanted us dead then."

Link snorted. "That might be the first time I thought we were genuinely going to be killed. Now look at us. It happens all the time. It's like a hobby."

Finn led the way down a long corridor that Link already recognized as leading straight to Niko's room. Finn tapped the walls as he walked, energized with the thought of doing something other than guard duties. "No wonder this is fun."

They strode up to his room, expecting nothing less than guards to be posted at the doors. Link casually gestured to them. "Is Master Niko in there? I have a message from Princess Zelda."

One of the guards shook her head. "He's not in there."

Link nodded once and turned around. If he pressed the guards here, he'd never get anywhere else. "Okay, thanks. I'll find him later then. It's not urgent."

Her head gave a stiff nod as she went back to staring at the wall in front of her.

Link headed back around the corner and slid into the room beside Niko's, a large, unnecessarily large lounge area with a writing desk. Hesitating, Link decided that was worth a look.

As he rifled through the papers, Finn kept an eye on the door. "You know, the more I remember the brothel incident, the more I remember that we're soldiers, not spies. We did our best work with swords, and our worst with snooping. We should get Viscen with us. At least he's a professional."

"Not a bad idea. Why did I let you drag me here first?" Link muttered, folding a blank paper and sliding it into his pocket as he continued to shuffle through things. He hummed to himself as he checked every piece of paper on the desk, but all he had was his one blank page. Besides, they didn't know what else they were looking for. "Let's go find him then."

For the first time in what felt like ages, Link left the building to go into town with Finn on his heels, heading to the local clinic, to Shad's. It wasn't a long walk, and as they pushed the door open, they were met by Viscen lying across several chairs, turning his head at the sound of the door.

"Ah," he muttered, closing his eyes. "You look determined. What's happened?"

"Did you hear anything about last night?" Link asked.

Viscen smirked. "The very loud fight that half of Niko's servants could hear? No. You should tell me. But in here," he said, rolling off the chairs to lead them into a room to see patients, switching the color on the door to red so they wouldn't be disturbed.

"So then you did hear." Finn asked, taking a seat.

Viscen stood, leaning casually against the wall, looking more like he'd fallen asleep again. "Tell me anyway. Perhaps I heard wrong."

Link sat beside Finn. "Daltus hit her so I stepped in…"

"As a soldier, that is your duty," Viscen interrupted. "As a man in love, perhaps it is impulsive to choke royalty, but I can see the appeal."

Link leaned back and clapped his legs. "Okay, so I don't have to tell you."

Viscen quietly laughed to himself. "No denial? Have you perhaps spoken with the Princess about your feelings?"

Nothing Viscen asked ever seemed like a real question, but rather something he already knew the answer to. At Link's exasperated scowl, Viscen waved his hand. "Forgive me, continue with what happened. I would like to hear another account."

Rolling his eyes and ignoring Finn's all-too interested stare, Link continued. "Zelda threatened Daltus by threatening Niko."

Link wasn't sure if Viscen had an actual problem letting others speak, or if he simply enjoyed cutting Link off.

"Yes, and Daltus surrendered his fragile pride to save the master of the house. How odd, don't you think? To give up pieces of oneself for love?"

"Are you actually asking me this?"

"No," Viscen chuckled. "You strike me as a man who enjoys the ease of following orders. You've begun to give them, since being with the Princess, but it doesn't come naturally to you. So, I imagine running around trying to gather intelligence is not your usual wheelhouse either which is why you're here. So, show me that paper in your back pocket. What is it?"

"You got all that from the paper?" Link hook his head in disbelief and handed the paper over. "Blank, but I was hoping you could read it better than I could."

Viscen's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Now this is something a spymaster would notice. You surprise and impress me, soldier. How did you know to look for this? Fetch me ink from that desk."

Finn hovered over Viscen's shoulder, confused as he stared at the empty page, though Link set the writing materials down for Viscen.

The older man tilted the paper, squinting, as he began to write words.

"My mother," Link answered finally. "I used to sketch out armor and then burn the pages so she wouldn't find it, but she still knew. I got in trouble for ruining two pages every time, so I learned to always take the top page off a stack."

Finn bent to match Viscen's angle and finally, he understood. "You can see the indents from the words on the page above."

"Mhmm," Viscen muttered as he continued to tilt the paper into the light at different angles to get a read on the words. "Given the contents and the weight, this is Niko's, I'd imagine. I can't get all of it, but I can get most. It is fortunate Niko seems to write with a fairly heavy hand once he gets going, unlike the Princess and Prince, who are taught to hold their utensils with a grip so light that it could be taken from their hand mid stroke. Did you know that?"

"I didn't," Link said, leaning against the table, reading what Viscen could make out.

"Try it sometime. I did it to her father once. I imagine it would go over better for you than it did to me." He moved the paper so the others could see as he wrote.

…Auru… troops… to the Princess Zelda… arrival and… but upon hearing the news of the recent… has become a problem. Prince Daltus would… though I cannot say how he will react to that specific piece… information. I shall inform him… which… last letter. She will expect your troops immediately. Please send numbers… Daltus… know. Niko.

Viscen kept turning the paper and began to draw out a symbol. "This was also pressed in, likely a stamped down seal, since there is more force. It's Daltus' family's seal. Niko was using it."

"So Daltus was the one who instructed him to do this?" Link asked.

Naturally, that was too simple for Viscen to answer like a normal person. "Let's ask a different question. Is Daltus a fool? No, don't answer that. You'd say yes, but he is not. Not really. He knows what games he plays. So, Daltus realized he is in danger and reached out to Auru, this we already know. But why involve a lowly noble in a game between kings?"

"Not a king," Link grumbled, only to receive a sharp look for breaking Viscen from his thoughts.

"No, but this is a king's game, and they are trying to ensnare a queen into an unwinnable position. She would have to position herself with the lesser of two evils. But Niko does not make sense. Let's think on this from another angle." He turned. "Link, you nearly killed a royal, thus earning a beheading that would have devastated Zelda. Why did you do that?"

"Why are we talking about this again?" Viscen waited, and Link sighed. "He hit her."

"That's not why. Why did you attack him?"

"I…" Link stuttered, unsure what he was looking for.

Viscen waved it off. "Fine, change the angle: my brother said that you were stabbed three times by some man named Reese, who—interestingly enough, since Shad asked me to look into his death—is not dead. He was saved by a king who sent men to retrieve him."

"Ganondorf?"

Viscen shrugged. "Likely, though unverified. But a matter for another day. You took a knife for her. Why? And spare me the response that 'she's the princess and I'm a soldier' that you're about to give me. We both know better than that."

Link threw his hands up. "Well then why are you asking?"

"Do you want to protect her?"

"Do you answer every question with another question?" Link groaned and accidently slammed his head back against the wall in the process. "Is the answer you're looking for that I did it because I'm in love with her?"

"Not quite," Viscen said with a smirk. "More than that."

Glancing at Finn first with a mildly embarrassed look, he returned his gaze to Viscen. "I didn't know there was more than that."

"You do. You didn't want her to die, correct?"

"Does this have to do with Daltus and Niko?" Link managed, hoping to end the interrogation that made no sense to him.

"Hush. Questions beget answers," Viscen said, his eyes lighting up. "Yes, it does. You spared her life, taking the potential punishment of death for yourself. As a soldier, you would be trained to do that almost naturally. You believe you are a pawn because that is what you were taught. Add love into that, and you have a soldier willing to do whatever to protect the one he loves."

"Please skip to how this is about Daltus." Link's face was not only red, but hearing the words spoken over and over when he knew he could never say them to her sent sharp jabs through his chest. To Viscen, it was just an observable fact. To Link, it was a painful reminder.

"Patience is wasted on an older man," Viscen scoffed. "Think now to what transpired in that room yesterday. Daltus was attacked, in his mind, by our Princess. You, her… what did I hear… 'rabid lap dog' he called you, right?... came to her defense and nearly killed him. That, understandably, made him angry and he retaliated. This is a real fight in many ways, is it not? Anger leads to action? Well, our Princess wields no swords, but she was trained in the art of verbal swordplay, as was Daltus. She brought in Niko. Do you see where this is going yet, or shall I continue?"

Link glanced at Finn, who silently shrugged. With a sigh of frustration, Link shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Understandable. You are still learning to look at the world through different eyes, not just ones of a soldier. But here is where my comparison to you comes in. You were unwilling to let her die because of your love for her. Because of that, your instincts and training kicked in, and you acted by sacrificing yourself. Did the Princess not threaten Niko's life? I heard she offered to put him on the front lines… a man with no training is as good as dead there. Daltus was unwilling to let him die because of his love for him. Because of that, his instincts and training kicked in, and he acted by sacrificing himself. A noble is punishable, but a royal is not. Daltus knows this."

"Are you trying to say that we should feel bad for Daltus because he was only protecting Niko?" Link spat.

"No, I would never willingly defend anyone who harms our Princess, but I believe we are limiting ourselves and potentially risking her life by believing Daltus is entirely at fault and ignoring other possibilities." Viscen tapped the paper. "Are these the words of Daltus or Niko? We are clear from this sentence—'Prince Daltus would… though I cannot say how he will react to that specific piece… information'—that it is Niko's words. Niko is going to tell Daltus something. Does that strike you as odd? We have been operating under the assumption that Daltus is the sole threat to the Princess, but what if he's not? What if he's the shield protecting someone else? What if his involvement is partnered with another, or what if he has no participation at all? Has our Princess ever done something for you, Link? Has she ever thrown herself in harms way for you, literally or figuratively? Because I knew her once, and I think I know her now. She doesn't kill innocent people. And right now, she believes Niko to be an innocent. She did threaten his life, and indirectly, it was because she was protecting you, Link."

Link could feel her pressed up against his back, hearing the sounds of swords being drawn. "You think Niko is the puppet master of Daltus, and that Daltus has been protecting Niko?"

Viscen shrugged. "It is a possibility. Another is that they are working together. Another is that Daltus knows nothing but reacted anyway. Another is that Auru is a threat, but neither Daltus or Niko are. Another is that there is no threat, and we are all feeling very on edge for our Princess' sake. There are some of these options that would explain this note and even the conversation that you heard with her the other day," he said, addressing Finn.

Closing his eyes, Finn repeated the words as best he could: "'Have him come quickly. Tell him it's Prince Daltus' request. We spoke earlier so he is aware. At least we'll have his soldiers.'"

Viscen looked like the answer was in front of him, so obvious. "And we have a mention of soldiers again. That is three times from Niko. 'Soldiers.' Does that mean anything to you?"

Nodding slowly, Link pushed himself off the desk with renewed energy. "Auru is only sending half his soldiers to Zelda."

"Why?"

"Are you asking me?"

Viscen chuckled and folded the papers. "When I can think of no more answers, I go find some questions. I believe I should go to Auru's encampment and see what is happening. However, Link, I believe you should join."

"Me? Why me?"

"This stays between the three of us. Royals command power, and if we make a mistake, every one of us… the Princess included, pays the price. She is dealing with two royals and a noble. She can't afford a misstep to protect us. Now, I don't believe I can pass for a soldier," he mused, gesturing to his bony frame, "but if there is something amiss, that's where I would want to be. And, while I don't doubt your loyalty, Finn, we know which of you two would go the extra step to protect the Princess."

"I do that here, by her side," Link scoffed. "What if something happens to her here and I'm gone?"

Viscen looked pointedly at Finn. "There are other soldiers. Use your new senses. You work for a Princess, as close to her as you can be. Though you may not realize it, you have authority. It's time to use it. Have her guarded by those you trust so you both feel safe in your departure. You have reasons beyond loyalty to protect her. Auru is nearly here, and we would work fast. We'd be back within the week, it seems, if he's close."

Link sighed, considering Viscen's words. "So, you want me to go with you to Auru's camp, pretend to be his soldier, and look for… something. Even though we don't know what we're looking for?"

Viscen shrugged, unable to put it more eloquently. "My job is not to spread gossip to the Princess. I gain information, and also act to stop things before they can reach her. If the Princess is in danger, it starts with Auru's arrival. Niko and Daltus no longer have command here. She took that from them. They will wait for Auru's arrival to act, I can almost guarantee you that. We find proof: letters, word of mouth, evidence. We figure out if Daltus is complicit. Perhaps most importantly, we find half an army that is apparently missing, despite being needed to win this war."

"Tall order for two guys," Finn muttered. "But I'll stay with the Princess. I won't let anything happen to her, and I'll keep watch here at home."

Viscen nodded. "I will get word to you when we are close. You will need to keep anything we gather safe. The Princess will know what to do with it all, if we find anything."

Link bit his cheek, conflicted.

But Viscen crossed the room to stand in front of him, the most serious look in his eyes. "Your presence hurts her resolve. You should give her space to accept her decision. I believe you know… it's your turn to sacrifice."

Link let out a harsh breath. "Yeah, I know."

Viscen nodded. "I'll leave this evening. If you wish to join, I'll be out here until dusk, but then I leave with or without you."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Link scoffed. "I guess I'm going to find her missing army. I need to go fill Commander Ashei in about the numbers so they can plan for the worst case and then let Zelda know about our little trip. I'll keep the details light just in case we're wrong. Finn? Tell her if she asks for details; she deserves to know. But you'll be with her? She trusts Bardo and Leon, but I trust you more, so please, be with her more."

"Of course, Link," Finn said.

"Oh," Link said, stopping himself before he went for the door. "Play a round of three heart shuffle with her. I couldn't beat her last time, but I told her I let her win. She told me she wanted to play against you and Seres instead because she's sick of me cheating in games."

"I'll do that."

Finn laughed as he watched Link turn for the barracks again, but he couldn't help but realize the undertones in Link's voice and he felt an incredible pang of sadness for both his friend and the Princess.