Inspiration: Dramatic irony, and inductive and deductive logic.
Shout Outs: Hope to Dream, and Catarii.
Author Note: This is the beginning of the end. ~ZR~.
Word Count: 9,048
Chapter 18
Three Days Later: Vincent's POV
I was starting to wonder if these new sets of events now put into play were the best course of action for Morgana and myself. We were fugitives in hiding, Queen Zelda had decreed for our immediate arrest when found, we were living in one of our underground bungalows, and given what we now had planned, if we went back out in the open, we could potentially get caught... and the potential was high. However, after some due pondering on our objective and my sister's reassurances, I allowed my concerns to fall to the wayside for now. Even though, I wasn't going to pretend that I wasn't bitter by how close we were to achieving our goal at the Dragon Gala, only to have the outcome blow up in our faces. However, with this new set of circumstances along with information gathered, I was quickly believing in the new alternative. What alternative? That answer required further explanation.
Unbeknownst to me, Morgana had secretly been doing an untold amount of research on the Mirror of Twilight. The mirror was said to be the doorway to another realm. I had never seen it myself, but formerly and formally being part of the brotherhood, it was required reading as an adjunctive study. I had already read a great deal about the intricacies behind it. Anyway, in addition to what I previously knew, Morgana also stated that there was said to be a latent power lying dormant within the mirror. What that power was was still a mystery, but if the Gufu Key and the Demanded Flower could possibly be used to unlock that mystery, I was willing to give looking for it a shot.
Given my new position with the brotherhood, or lack thereof rather, there was no way I could use that network as a means to an end any longer. With the Protector's identity now out in the open, the man known as Master Auru, and being witness to an obvious strain in the ranks, I could use that information as leverage for a certain other headmaster. It was no secret that the two headmasters were butting heads as of late for some unknown reason, and to be quite honest, I always had more political pull by the man known as Ventus anyway. He was the one who recruited me, even though I had no idea who he truly was. However, getting in contact with him was not going to be an easy task since I hadn't properly reconnected with Ventus in months. Given how the brotherhood operated, starting a new line of communication with him was going to be extremely difficult. There were spies everywhere, and information gathering was much harder when one was on the outside looking in.
However, even with everything I knew, there was still the possibility that Ventus was already aware of who the Protector was. When I divulged the true identity to Morgana, she looked at me stunned for a second and made a little offhanded comment to herself, but then afterwards she smiled, sat back in the chair she was sitting in, and told me, "Do not to worry about Master Auru, he will be taken care of in due time". I wasn't sure where her confidence was coming from, but she seemed convinced by it in whatever it is she knew. Anyway, I didn't know the exact extent of Ventus and the Protector's relationship, but those two men had been working side by side for a number of years, and they seemed to trust each other implicitly. It was quite probable that they were aware of each other's identity. Even still, the more I thought about it the more frustrated I became.
It made my blood boil just thinking how all this time I was taking orders from a man who was nothing more than an insignificant peasant. Who was he to lecture me? Better yet, why in the world would the brotherhood elect such a lowly man into such a high position? That in itself made me realize that the sect was nothing more than a joke. A very bad joke. The secret society with the real power and the real partitioning of the arts laid with the group known as the Interlopers. The Interlopers were a pack of individuals who yearned for the time of darkness once again. Darkness was not the evil the Hylians would have everyone to believe. It was simply what was found when there was an absence of light. Not every person belonged in the light. Arts and practices forbidden by Hyrulean law were done in secret, all in the hopes of bringing Hyrule's one true master back to the land. Once the initiatives of that group were realized, real power would return to Hyrule.
Real power.
I will release you Master Vaati, I thought, I promise.
Currently, as all of this conjecture was plowing through my mind, I was working on phase one of Morgana's and my new plan. The details behind it were meticulous, so there could be no mess ups. I was crafting a letter that was going to be signed anonymously and sent to her majesty Queen Zelda. The letter was going to have complete details of roads, maps, and destinations that may have been probable hot spots for a certain text known as the Book of Mudora. The reason this aspect of the plan was so important was because Morgana had found out something interesting while doing her research on the mirror. In addition to her findings on the portal, she did a little digging on the Twilight Realm's royal family. During Zant's usurping, he turned the princess named Midna into an imp and planned to eradicate her like he did the king and queen. However, before said actions could take place, she escaped his clutches and immediately looked for help. Unbeknownst to either one of them that they were being guided by destiny, that help came from a man who could transform into a blue eyed wolf when coming into contact with the twilight. That same wolf was rumored to be the hero who saved both worlds.
At first I didn't care about any of this nonsense. It just seemed like a bunch of useless conjecture to me. However, after Morgana told me that he slipped and said the Twilight Princess's name before he slept with her, I immediately became intrigued. If they had just been standard allies, then why was he desiring to see her face in a moment of lust? I was aware of how 'The Treatment' worked. I knew it made a person see the individual with whom they desired the most. So, why would he go and do something as foolish and unguarded as saying the princess's actual name? Why would he utter something so unfiltered that he could potentially put himself at risk to exposure? It didn't make sense unless there was another explanation in order. Unless... unless he was in love with her.
Now that was interesting.
With this inferred knowledge in tow, I instantly recalled the time when the hero came and had an audience with her majesty Queen Zelda only a little over a year ago. It was subtle on her part, but I could tell immediately from that fateful interaction that the queen was smitten with the young warrior. She had always been such a stoic, hard to read woman, not so in the presence of the one name Link. Over time the rumor mill churned out story after story regarding the two of them, some even being so outrageous and suggesting that they were openly carrying out an illicit sexual love affair. I never believed any of that nonsense, knowing that her majesty cared too much about her public image to engage in such activities. However, I did think the queen had fallen in love with the hero. She was like a whole different person in his presence. It was evident in how she constantly defended him, invited him to the ball, and even scorned and publicly humiliated Prince Elbourne in the process. She was definitely head over heels for the peasant, and it was quite revealing of her character to see. It was assumed by everyone the young master felt the same way for her majesty. However, after what was told to me, I believed the hero may have been feeling something else entirely, perhaps even using the queen for his own personal devices.
I raised a brow and grunted thoughtfully.
For the hero to openly expose a vulnerability like the one he expelled in the Red Lantern District, told me that this Midna woman was more than a simple ally. An unconventional piece of information like that was going to prove to be priceless in my plot of revenge against him. The queen of Hyrule was his ally, true, but if she had somehow found out that her precious Link was not quite as loyal as she thought he was, then that could potentially drive a wedge between the two of them, a real wedge. The funny thing was, some how some way, perhaps by fate, I think that may have already happened. There was an interesting rumor already being industriously circulated that not even three days ago, the queen and the hero had a falling out. If the two of them were trying to keep that secret, it certainly didn't work. Queen Zelda's servant Lydia was loyal, but the young woman had a big mouth and a penchant for gossip. There was no doubt in my mind that whatever she heard she churned to her other peasant friends, and now the gossip mavens were out in full affect. The news was everywhere, even to me in my little remote corner of the world.
The interesting inquiry behind all of this was why the hero even went to the queen in the first place. What suddenly spurred him to see her? Why the need for the sudden request? What did he ask? Why was her majesty so upset if it were simply a mandate to find and capture me?
I already had the answer to those questions. I already had the answers because I was the one who started planting the seeds. I was putting the pieces into place. I was luring the young master out. I was plotting my revenge against him. Since the reveal of the Protector's true identity, I conveniently made it known through mutual circles that I was now searching for the Mirror of Twilight. Why? Given the nature of the man named Auru's relationship with Link, I was confident he was going to divulge this information to the young master. Actually, I was banking on that... and he did apparently. The abrupt fall out with the queen was no doubt evidence of that. If, and this was a big if, if the hero started mediating a search or suddenly changed his normal routine at the castle, I knew he had taken the bait. It could have been reasoned that he was simply looking for me, but I would know the difference if he utilized certain tools orchestrated to be given to him. Tools I personally put together.
The implements were: a compass, a map with several distinct locations marked throughout Hyrule, the Gufu Key, and the Demanded Flower. I was willing to part with the items temporarily if it meant getting rid of this nuisance in the mean time. I was going to have the items delivered to an area where it looked like I had lost them for either him or one of his colleagues to find. It was imperative that no one knew I was setting this up as a decoy, otherwise they would all sense it was a trap and not take the bait. The timing had to be perfect, that was why I chose one of the back alley passageways that led to the underground crypts. There were only a handful of people who knew about that alleyway: certain members of the brotherhood, Auru the Protector, his protege Bastion Belmonte, and the peasant Link. One of them would find it, or already found it. I would know soon enough.
In the mean time, I was carefully making preparations to have the letter delivered to the queen, if and only if, the hero started venturing to the hot spots I had marked on the map. How would I know he went to the locations? It was simple really, I was going to bury certain items of no real significance in each locale. If any of them were unearthed I would know he had been there. I was going to have to be patient regarding this situation, for this may have taken quite a bit of time. However, whenever it was that the peasant uncovered two of the three locales populated, I was going to have the letter delivered to the queen. If the queen took the bait, and if I knew Hylian law the way I thought I did, a direct act of insubordination against the crown was considered treason... and there was only two ways to treat a traitor: imprisonment first, then either banishment or death. Considering the gravity of his 'would be' crimes, the queen was going to have no choice but to make an example of him. If she didn't, she ran the risk of mutiny and mayhem in her court.
The contemplation of that made me smile.
Revenge would be so sweet, and the irony would be so great. The man the queen thought she could trust the most was going to be either her or his undoing, and when the circus of his downfall came into full effect, then I would properly search for the fabled second Mirror of Twilight. I was comforted by that, but I had to remember to wait and be patient. I went back to crafting my letter as my plans were once again realized, and when I had the first draft finished I grinned wickedly.
"Oh yes," I whispered to myself, "revenge is going to be so sweet."
~SSS~
Two Days Later: Zelda's POV
It was important that I resumed my duties, otherwise my people would still be worrying about my well being. I was a queen and I couldn't let a small thing like heartbreak keep me down. Hearts were broken everyday, and they would be broken again. I had a kingdom to rule. I had people to look after. I didn't have the luxury of sitting in my room crying my eyes out any longer. The fairy tale was over, and the love I thought I felt had faded. Infatuation was for fools or the weak, and I was neither. If Master Link didn't love me, fine. His little charade of affections were done, he accomplished his intended goal, and now he was on to his next conquest. He could fool me once with his handsome face and sweet words, but he damned sure wasn't going to fool me twice. Who did he think he was coming in here the way he did the other day? He came back with the same lies, the same silly little phrases. The first time he just wanted my power, but this past time he wanted to add insult to injury and request for my favor too. Well, he came to the wrong chamber for that, and I would make sure he didn't do it again. How dare he think he can come here and make demands when he has been so deceitful to me. How dare he think he can use me once, and then be so bold as to try and use me again. What was I to him? A bloody brothel girl?
It didn't matter.
None of that mattered.
I was starting to sound bitter, and that was something I wanted to avoid. Link was in love with Queen Midna, fine. I just wish he could have been honest with me from the beginning. I wouldn't have cared that he loved another. I would have moved on and been happy for him. As an unmarried queen I had plenty of prospects... plenty. Princes and noblemen from all over the world came to visit me and ask for my hand in marriage. I was one of the most desirable women in Hyrule. It was I who sat on the seat of indecision. I was considered the most beautiful woman in the land. I had power, prestige, and glory, and yet... yet a simple peasant didn't want me. I swallowed hard and tried not to be upset by that.
I shook my head and got up from the seat I was sitting in and walked about the room. That had been my constant activity for the last few days. I glanced over at the terrace to Hyrule Field in the distance and sighed. What was it about the Twilight Queen that made Link so drawn to her? Did I not have those same qualities? Was I not a loyal companion? Did I not fight by his side when we vanquished Ganondorf? Was I not worthy of his love that he felt she was so deserving of? Those were questions I was probably never going to get an answer to, and frankly it would just be an exercise in futility. Link loved who he loved and that was it. It was time to be mature about this matter and move on.
I sighed again and fiddled with my gloved fingers.
"That's the way life is I suppose," I whispered to myself.
I took to reconvening my audiences and got back to business as usual. Currently, I had recessed court so I could take a break. Lydia who had been watching me off and on while she cleaned my room was just staring at me now. I could see her look of worry out of the corner of my eye as I continued to gaze at Hyrule Field. She was obviously walking on eggshells around me because she had heard how heated I got with Master Link. She knew what I said to him in a moment of weakness. She knew because she knew that I knew that she told everyone after everything was said and done. I wasn't angry with her regarding that. That was the price of being a public figure. If I were a servant and I knew some salacious gossip, I would probably talk about it too. I wasn't going to fault her for being Hylian. However, I wish she would learn a little restraint just for the sake of peace. Some of the things I heard people saying were down right ridiculous. Lydia walked closer to where I was as she pretended to be sweeping the floor, and when she was near to me she stopped her pseudo activity. She bit her lower lip and cleared her throat in preparation to speak.
"My lady..." she said quietly.
I turned my headed slightly to look at her.
"Yes?" I replied.
Lydia put the broom aside for a second then fiddled with her hands nervously.
"May I speak freely?" she asked.
I closed my eyes at her question, not in the mood to be lectured by her. I was aware of what speaking freely meant.
"Why?" I asked.
She looked down at her hands.
"Because I would like to apologize to you," she said.
I looked back over at the terrace and raised a brow.
"You just did," I countered.
However, Lydia didn't give up. She walked closer to me and got down on her knees. There was no need for her to do all that, her dress was going to get dirty.
"Lydia get off the floor," I ordered.
She ignored me.
"Please my lady," she begged.
I paused for a moment, and stared at the young woman. After a second of rational thought, I took in another deep sigh and nodded.
"Fine, permission granted," I replied, "but keep it brief."
She then got up off the floor and took a step forward towards me.
"I... I'm terribly sorry for the way things played out with you and Master Link," she said.
I didn't reply.
I knew she was going to bring this up, I thought, hiding my irritation.
Lydia went on.
"I still think he cares for you though my lady," she said, "he doesn't seem like the type of man to not be true to who he really is."
I scoffed slightly when I heard that and just looked at her.
You have no idea Lyddie my dear, I thought.
"You would be surprised of what some people are really like," I said.
Lydia shook her head, not believing that for one second.
"But ma'am, he did save the country... twice," she pointed out, "his character can't be completely defected if he has the courage to still do that."
I saw her point, but I didn't want to hear this right now. I was aware of Link's actions, and I knew how brave he was. That was what that bloody bastard didn't understand, I was in love with him. We would have been the perfect team.
"I know that Lydia," I replied.
My friend went on.
"All I'm saying is, don't give up on him yet," she said, "I really think there's more to this than meets the eye."
Maybe there was, but I certainly couldn't see it. I nodded mechanically at her words, but I wanted this conversation to be over. Link had made his choice, and I was going to have to live with it. He may have seen my actions as brazen the other day, but I wasn't going to pretend that some of my words weren't coming from a hurt place. My heart had gotten involved, and that was the worst thing to do in a situation like this. Even still, I didn't want to be an embittered recluse. However, I didn't want Link defying me anymore either. I needed to make sure that he understood that I was serious. It was in his character to be impulsive, so to be sure that there were no questions asked, I decided I was going to make what I said to him about the Twilight Realm a royal decree. That way there would be no grey area with my words.
I grabbed my chin thoughtfully.
I'm just covering my tracks, I thought.
"Thank you for your words of wisdom Lydia my dear, I shall keep them in mind," I said finally, but then headed to the anteroom and sounded the gong hidden back there for a messenger to be summoned.
Lydia looked at me perplexed regarding my actions. However, I wasn't going to say anything to her until the courtier had arrived. A moment later, there was a knock on the door. Lydia answered it and on the other side was the much expected messenger. He walked in and bowed when he saw me.
"You called my lady?" he asked.
I nodded and walked towards him from the anteroom.
"I need for you to call Sir Shad for me," I said, "I need to speak with him."
The messenger bowed and immediately left the room thereafter, while Lydia continued looking perplexed. I still didn't say a word in relation to what I was planning, but I did decide to put her idle hands to good use.
"Will go get some scrolls, some ink, and a quill pen please?" I asked.
Lydia paused for just a moment, but then went and got the items I directed. Afterwards, she set them down neatly on the table. A few seconds after that there was another knock on the door. I gestured for her to answer it, and to my not so surprise Sir Shad was waiting on the other side. I smiled when I saw him. He came in and bowed for me immediately.
"You called for me my lady?" he asked.
It was then I looked over at Lydia and decided this was as far as her ears were going to pry.
"Will you excuse us Lydia?" I asked. "I would like to speak with Sir Shad in private."
Both Lydia and Shad looked at me surprised, with Lydia even hesitating at my command for a moment.
"You want me to leave you two alone your majesty?" she inquired.
I didn't flinch.
"Yes," I said, "I'll call you if I need you." I raised a brow to show her I wasn't playing. "Thank you."
She continued to look at me concerned as she backed out slowly, but I didn't bait into it. No one was going to stop me from doing what I needed to do. She curtsied out of respect when she saw I didn't budge, then left via the main door. Afterwards, I turned my attention back to Shad who looked guarded for a moment. I guess my manner was a little more authoritative than I thought.
"Uh," he started, "is everything alright your majesty?"
I gave him a long once over, then turned from looking at him and walked towards the table.
I gestured for him to sit.
"Everything is fine," I replied, "please sit, I have some questions I'd like to ask you."
The intrigue never left his face, but Shad was shrewd enough not to question it. He sat down at the table and looked from the quill and paper back to me.
"Did you need something transcribed?" he asked.
I walked over to the table with a raised brow.
"That all depends on how you answer this next question," I said very matter-of-fact, "tell me, how much do you know about the Twilight Realm?"
Shad looked at me taken aback. This was all so confusing to him.
"The Twilight Realm?" he repeated.
I ran my fingers over the surface of the table, not to be deterred.
"Yes, the Twilight Realm," I said again, "what do you know about it?"
Shad shrugged and looked a little out of the loop for a moment.
"About as much as any scholar ma'am," he replied.
I knew that wasn't altogether true.
"Wasn't there something in one of the initiatives proposed to me a little while ago by Master Link about the Twilight Realm that you yourself were overseeing?" I asked. "What was it called?"
It was then Shad began to recollect.
"Oh," he said all of a sudden, "you must be talking about the funding to research the condition of twilight sickness."
My ears perked when I heard that.
Twilight sickness huh? I thought.
"Tell me more about this twilight sickness," I asked, and then sat down across from him.
Shad was looking at me, still puzzled as to why this was important. The expression on my face didn't help matters.
"Well, from what I was told it was a condition some of the soldiers came away with after being exposed to high doses of twilight radiation," he explained. "As you know, it transforms regular Hylians into light droplets. However, after a long period of time some of the men's constitutions were affected. They weren't able to hold down fluid or eat regular meals."
I felt my eyes widen at hearing that, this may have been the information I needed.
"How horrible," I said.
Shad went on.
"But... they were all sustained just fine, and all cases of twilight sickness has since been eradicated," he continued, "it just disappeared without really needing too much medical attention. Dr. Borville knows more about the subject than I do."
I sat back when he said that last part, that may have put a damper in what I intended to do, but I was planning to go through with it anyway.
"Were there any really severe cases?" I asked. "Has anyone ever died from this disease?"
Shad grabbed his chin and looked to the table thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't called it a disease," he corrected, "but out of the one hundred cases noted, no fatalities have been reported," he divulged.
It was ironic, but I wasn't happy to hear that when I knew I should have been ecstatic. That was when I knew I wasn't thinking the way I normally did.
Damn, I thought.
"I see," was all I said.
Shad studied the expression on my face for a second and continued to be puzzled by it. I didn't blame him, I wasn't quite myself.
"Your majesty..." he trailed, "are you alright?"
I cleared my throat and stood back up.
"Yes," I replied quickly, then added, "I need for you to take this note of dictation for me."
He looked up at me surprised from his seated position. He probably wondered why I got off that so expediently.
"Alright," he said, again he was hesitant, but he picked up the quill and dipped it in the Gerudo ink anyway.
I walked away from the table and looked out at the terrace once again.
I have to do this, I thought, there is no other way.
"This will be a royal decree for all regions," I said, getting into my diplomatic mode. "'Effective immediately, no Hylian shall be permitted to indulge, bask, or search for any wormholes that lead to the Twilight Realm. Such actions would be considered seditious and traitorous because of the unknown unparalleled danger therein. This is not a request it is a command.' I will sign it with my royal seal."
Shad was scribbling my words feverishly on the scroll and when he was done, he looked over the contents before he rolled it up making sure he didn't forget a word. He even repeated what I said to make sure he had clarification.
"'Effective immediately, no Hylian shall be permitted to indulge, bask, or search for any wormholes that lead to the Twilight Realm. Such actions would be considered seditious and traitorous because of the unknown unparalleled danger therein. This is not a request it is a command'," he repeated, "and it will be signed with your signet ring."
I nodded.
"It's perfect," I said pleased.
Shad then got up from the table and bowed.
"When would you like this circulated your majesty?" he asked me.
I didn't hesitate.
"I want it through all of Hyrule by dusk," I said with a hint of finality, "there will be no excuses for anyone not knowing."
The slight venom in my undertone made Shad raise his brows, but being the shrewd man that he was, he still didn't question it. He bowed once again and started for the door. However, as he was making his way to the exit he stopped for a moment and looked back at me. It was unlike him to question anything I did, but I wasn't surprised, I was expecting it.
"Your majesty..." he trailed.
I clasped my hands together in front of my gown.
"Yes Sir Shad?" I asked.
He looked down at the scroll then back to me.
"May I ask why the haste for such a decree?" he inquired.
My eyes narrowed slightly.
I didn't expect Shad to understand.
No one would... except Link.
"Because it's necessary," I replied.
Shad stared at me for a long uncomfortable moment before bowing again. The perplexed look never left his eyes.
"I see," was all he said in reply, "I will make haste my lady."
With that, he took his leave, and when the door closed, I felt a feeling I couldn't really describe. Was it guilt? Was it anger? Was it jealousy and contempt? I wasn't sure, but I suddenly had a strange premonition that some how, some way this situation wasn't going to end well. It wasn't going to end well at all... for any of us.
Hylia help if that day comes, I thought.
~SSS~
Several Hours Later Hyrule Castle: Link's POV
I wasn't sure how, but news of Zelda's and my meeting spread throughout the kingdom like wild fire. Our conversation wasn't exactly cordial, but I didn't think it would warrant such gossip either. Most of what was spread were tall tales anyway. There was even a story going around that I asked for the queen's hand in marriage and she rejected me. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. However, it didn't help that when I left her chambers that day I had an angry expression on my face. That could have been interpreted in many ways. I remember seeing from my peripheral field of vision the queen's servant Lydia and the guard I was previously talking to, looking at me with widened eyes as I walked by. Most likely they heard some of what was said and were the culprits of the circulation. It didn't matter, what was done was done, and I had no plans on calling on the queen again anytime soon. I was going to have to bide my time and go about doing things my own way.
In the mean time, I was still heading the counter insurgency team and our primary objective was still to apprehend Vincent and Morgana. I broadened the search and maximized our capacities. We were even given a gift horse from her majesty in the way of several platoons. I utilized those men to look for the two Rue Morgues at Hyrule's boarders. However, it was quite possible they left the country and were trying to set up base in another kingdom. We still hadn't found them yet, but we were making some headway. The fact that Auru found out what the two of them were now after was promising in itself. There were only so many places they could hide, and with Auru's added knowledge of the crypts all over Hyrule, I had complete confidence we were on the right track and we were going to find them.
At the present, I was looking through some maps and charts, trying to find any unsuspecting pits or vaults I may have overlooked, when Bastion suddenly plowed through the door looking excited. I looked up startled, wondering why he felt it was necessary to take such actions. I groaned slightly in frustration and shook my head. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he always so foolhardy? The inquiry was going to have to go unanswered. He didn't seem to mind or care about my stern expression as he came in and placed what looked like a fully capacitated satchel on the table.
I raised a brow, looking from him to it puzzled.
"Are you nuts?" I demanded. "What's wrong with you?"
Bastion grinned and ignored my questions.
"Open the bag," he said confidently.
I paused for a moment to look at him, but then grunted and did as he ordered. I opened the satchel, and right away I felt my eyes widen in disbelief, especially when I saw all that was in there. I looked back over at my friend oddly.
"Where in the world did you get this?" I asked.
Bastion's grin widened.
"Scouting," he said simply.
My perplexity never went away.
"Scouting?" I repeated.
Bastion nodded, then sat down.
"That's right, scouting," he said again, "you see, I decided to backtrack and check some of the old passageways that were utilized through the brotherhood. In one of the alleyways I found this bag that looked like it had been dropped while whoever it was was trying to get to their next intended destination."
I didn't reply as he continued.
"Do you know what all those items are?" he asked rhetorically. "That's the Gufu Key, the Demanded Flower, and a map."
When he said all the items sequentially, I nearly felt my heart stop from excitement. That's what I thought they all were, I just wasn't sure because I had no idea what the Gufu Key and the Demanded Flower looked like. I couldn't believe we had such impossible things now in our possession, but I was cautious for a second. This all seemed to good to be true.
"Don't you think this is too convenient?" I asked. "Why in the world would Vincent be stupid enough to allow everything he has to look for the mirror to be out of his possession?"
Bastion didn't seem too interested in that.
"Maybe he was an over confident fool, I don't know," he said nonchalantly, "the whole point is, who cares? We now have everything we need to find the mirror!"
I raised a brow and smirked at him.
"We?" I inquired.
Bastion wasn't having any of that.
"I told you that I was going with you," he replied, "besides, I'm interested to see who this Midna really is. She must be quite the woman to have you so smitten."
I felt a little foolish, but my cheeks did burn when he said that. I couldn't help it, Midna had that kind of affect on me. Bastion laughed at my pubescent reaction, and shook his head.
"Don't forget, you have a lady here that you promised to get married to once you poured your heart out lover boy," he reminded, "you wouldn't want to have a moment of weakness and renege on that."
I just raised my brows and looked away when he said that. I was quite aware of what my responsibilities with Ilia were. I already updated Bastion on everything, and I told him about my intended plans with Ilia. However, I did tell him to keep it a secret for now, because I wanted to continue my search for the mirror. After everything was said and done, life was no longer going to be as I now saw it. It was going to be much different.
"I remember," I said with a sigh, then stood up and changed the subject, "anyway, let's see what we have here."
I opened the bag and pulled out the two stones and the map. The map was what had me interested the most. There were three distinct locations already 'X'd' in red on it. Whatever Vincent had found out, he had already propagated at these different locales. If the mirror was at any of these regions, then it was evident some kind of research had gone into finding each area. However, even with this sudden gift, and all the things that came with it, this all seemed too eerily easy, and that caution must have been showing on my face.
Bastion groaned in frustration at my expression.
"What's the problem now?" he demanded.
I shook my head and sighed. I tried to smile.
"Nothing I suppose," I replied.
Bastion put his hand on my shoulder and shook me slightly.
"Lighten up," he said, "isn't this the opportunity you wanted?"
I had no rebuttal for that.
"Yeah..." I said, now not so sure.
"Then take it and thank Hylia it has come about," he said.
I would try to see it that way.
"Of course," I said.
Bastion was going to say something else, when suddenly the door opened to the Situation Room again and in walked Master Auru. He had a nondescript expression on his face that left both Bastion and I quite intrigued when we looked at him.
What's going on now? I wondered.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, not beating around the bush.
Auru walked over to the table and shook his head waywardly.
"I don't know," he replied, "have you heard the queen's new decree?"
My ears perked when I heard that.
I had no idea what he was talking about.
"New decree?" I repeated, obviously out of the loop. "What decree?"
Auru raised a brow, then pulled out a rolled up parchment from the inside of his cloak and put it on the table.
"Here," he said, "read it yourself."
I looked from the soldier to the scroll and the unease within me kept growing. Bastion's cavalier expression suddenly was replaced with a serious one as well. I picked up the scroll and unrolled it slowly to read its contents, I wasn't going to pretend I didn't feel my blood simmer at the realization of what was being said, and I had to keep my temper in check. It read:
"To All the Provinces of Hyrule:
Effective immediately, no Hylian
shall be permitted to indulge, bask or
search for any wormholes that lead to
the Twilight Realm. Such actions would
be considered seditious or traitorous
because of unknown unparalleled dangers
therein. This is not a request this is
a command.
~Zelda, Queen of Hyrule~"
I looked down and saw that it was signed with her signet ring, so it was official. It took everything in me to remain calm. Auru raised a brow when he saw the expression on my face.
"What would prompt the queen to make such a decree?" he asked me.
I didn't answer, as I was too upset. I just looked at the older soldier.
Jealousy, I thought, jealousy and bitterness.
I involuntarily crumpled the letter in my palm and that didn't make the situation look any better for me. All it did was alert Auru more.
"Link what's going on?" he asked.
I still didn't reply, but instead walked past him and headed out of the door. Bastion's eyes widened immediately, and he quickly followed after me to stop me. He got in front of me and took hold of my shoulders.
"Where are you going?" he asked quietly, probably already knowing the answer to that question.
I looked past him down the hall to the closed counsel room doors and felt my fist ball at my sides.
"You know where I'm going," I said.
Bastion raised a brow.
"Don't be a fool," he said keeping his voice low, "you know you can't just barge in on the queen."
I cut my eyes back to him.
"You know why she's doing this Bastion," I growled.
He nodded.
"And she's the queen Link," he reminded me, "she has every right to do this. You heard what that letter said, if you go searching for anything related to the mirror it's considered an act of treason. Stop being so idiotic. Think!"
I didn't want to hear this right now, but I knew he was right. However, I couldn't believe Zelda was doing this to me. I couldn't believe she was deliberately getting in the way of me trying to find someone so important to me. I knew deep down she wasn't this kind of person, and that most of this was motivated by jealousy. However, that still didn't excuse a decree like this. That still didn't excuse actions like this. Well, if she wanted to play dirty so could I. There was no way I was going to be forced to stop caring about someone because of an embittered queen. All it was standing to do was make my resolve that much stronger. I was going to find Midna no matter what, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop me.
Nothing.
Two could definitely play this game.
I looked away from my friend and took in a deep breath. I had to compose myself. I then let Bastion turn me around and guide me back towards the Situation Room. In the doorway, Auru was standing there, still trying to understand why I was so upset. It was not something I was going to divulge to him. I just walked past him and sat down at the head of the table. I ran my hands over my face in irritation. This was turning out to be a terrible day. Bastion in turn closed the door and came and sat down next to me.
"Come on Link calm down," Bastion said.
Auru came back to the table, still puzzled with what was going on. It was only then, he looked down and saw what was spread out on the table. His eyes widened immediately when he recognized what everything was.
"Where in the world did you get this?" he asked, voluntarily changing the subject.
I composed myself enough to answer his question.
"Bastion found it," I replied.
Auru then directed his attention to Bastion. "How?"
Bastion told him the same thing he told me. "I retrieved it from one of the alleyways," he explained, "Vincent must have dropped it in a hurry."
Auru gave him an offhanded look. "Are you certain of this?" he asked. "Did you see him drop it?"
Bastion gave him an obvious stare, but then hesitated. "If I had seen him Auru I would have captured him," he replied, "but it's the only explanation possible," he tried to reason, "why else would he be so careless?"
Auru wasn't convinced. "One thing I have learned about Vincent is that nothing is what it seems with him," he replied, "the man's a damned Interloper for crying out loud."
When Aurus put it that way he made a very good point.
Bastion had no rebuttal for that. "So what do you suggest we do?"
Auru looked over the items again. "I suggest we do nothing with them," he said, "this has trap written all over it."
This time I looked up at him like he was insane. There was no way I was not going to utilize what had been given to us.
"What?" I demanded.
Auru didn't waver. "I don't think we should use any of this," he repeated, "there's no way Vincent would let both the Gufu Key and the Demanded Flower out of his reach. He spent most of his adult life looking for it, even using you to find it Link."
I didn't reply right away, thinking the same thing he was telling me just now only a moment ago. However, that had all changed due to this goddess forsaken decree instituted by the queen. I felt like I was being provoked into action.
"And he probably found the whereabouts of the book," I tried to reason, "you can't discount that! This could be the break that we've been waiting for!"
Auru didn't budge. "What you're saying is plausible," he said, "but you're not seeing the whole picture. Vincent wanted us to find this package, he's planning something."
I shook my head in disagreement. I didn't want to hear this.
"You don't know that Auru!" I replied.
Auru paused and stared at me for a second. I could tell he was getting annoyed with my pigheadedness.
"And how do you know that Link?" he demanded. "What's prompting you to act so presumptuously? Why are you worried about the Twilight Realm anyway? Our orders are to capture the Rue Morgues. Once they are brought to justice, our problem will have been eradicated."
I groaned and looked away in contempt.
Our orders... I thought, to hell with these damned orders! I have my own objectives!
Auru was growing tired of my attitude. "What's the problem Link?" he demanded. "What aren't you telling me?"
I clicked my tongue off the side of my teeth in irritation. I didn't answer.
Auru raised a brow and then looked to his son-in-law. "Bastion do you know what's going on here?" he asked.
Bastion paused for a moment, and pursed his lips together. He had just been put in a rock and a hard place. "Link just feels very strongly about this situation," he replied.
Auru took in a deep sigh, that didn't explain anything to him at all. "You're not being altogether truthful as well, but it's no matter I understand, you two are best friends and that's what friends do," he stated, then directed his attention back to me. "Get it together, if you proceed to act recklessly you'll find yourself on the other side of a prison cell. Do you want that Link?"
I looked up at the older soldier from my seated position, and at this point I didn't care. I was going to fly caution to the wind and do what needed to be done. However, I wasn't going to let him know that.
"No," I muttered, "and I understand what you're saying."
Afterwards, there was a long silence between all of us, and it was only broken when I decided to get up and address the two of them like the leader I was supposed to be.
"For now, we're going to continue the search for the Rue Morgues," I said, "and if there are any other updates, notify me immediately."
Auru and Bastion weren't too reassured by my words, but there was little to be done regarding it. Those were my orders and they needed to be heeded.
"Very well," Auru said with a sigh, then headed out the door.
Bastion stared at me for a moment, but then he too got up from the table.
"Link..." he started, "I know you're upset right now regarding the order, but you have to think clearly about what the consequences could mean. If you defy her majesty, you will be branded as a traitor. You don't want that."
I looked over at him, but didn't say a word. I think he could tell by the look in my eyes that my mind was made up. However, again, I wasn't going to utter that out loud.
"Right," I said finally.
Bastion took in a deep sigh and stared at me again. He shook his head before starting to gather the things on the table, but before he put anything away, I stopped him.
"Leave them here," I said, "I'll take care of it."
Bastion gave me an obvious stare, but I didn't waver.
"Leave them here Bastion," I repeated more as a warning, "I'll take care of it."
Bastion raised a brow in surprise at my disposition, but then nodded slowly.
"Alright," he said, "just don't make me regret doing this."
I didn't reply to that and only nodded. Afterwards, Bastion headed for the door and took his leave. When I was alone, I looked down at the two stones and the map. I immediately put them away in my satchel, and then headed for the door. If this was the chance I had to find Midna, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to take it.
I'm sorry your majesty, I thought, but in this case, your decree is wrong.
I wasted no time, and headed for the castle exit towards Hyrule Field.
I had a mirror to find.
~SSS~
Two Days Later, Somewhere in the Crypts of Hyrule: Vincent POV
I was reading from one of my favorite old texts, when Morgana came storming into the room. She had a huge smile on her pretty face which told me she had good news for me.
"You will never guess what I just heard," she said.
She captured my attention immediately.
"What's that my dear?" I asked.
Morgana came over to me and sat down across from me at the table.
"Her majesty just ordered a decree to have anyone arrested and branded as a traitor if they went looking for an entrance to the Twilight Realm," she divulged. "Can you believe that?"
I looked at her mildly stunned. So my assumption was right, the falling out between the hero and the queen did have something to do with that. Now her majesty had made it a law. Will the wonders ever cease?
"You're joking!" I said excited.
Morgana shook her head.
"And that's not all," she said, then dug her hand in her pocket and pulled out a fistful of dirt.
I looked at her confused for a moment.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Morgana's smile widened.
"I thought you would be more privy to this than that brother," she teased, "this is the dirt from the first hole you buried our little trap."
I felt my mouth drop.
"He's found the first location already?" I inquired shocked, but then added. "But I told you not to go to those places without me. It's too dangerous."
Morgana didn't seem to care about that.
"I'm after my own prey," she said cryptically, "and I just happened to be in the area. Cheer up, this is good news for us. We're about to get rid of this little nuisance."
I took in a mild sigh of frustration, but didn't let it get to me too much because she bore good news.
"Very well," I said, "but I don't want you venturing to those places without me any longer. Do you understand?"
Morgana seemed to be ignoring me.
"I hear you brother," she said bored, "but you're worrying for no reason. I was more than careful."
I got up from the table after hearing her news and went over to the far wall where I had a map strung up. On it I had three locations circled, using my quill pen I 'X'd' out one of them. This was proceeding faster than I thought.
One down, I thought, two to go.