Chapter Seventeen
An Ambassador

"So it has come to this," said Rael, drumming his fingers lightly upon the hilt of his sword. From his high window in one of the tallest towers of Shaylin he could see far out into the desert. About ten miles from the city an encampment had been steadily growing for the past two days. It had begun a few days after Elane found her grief in the gardens. She herself had taken to spending much time alone in her rooms. Rael had therefore found himself frequently in the company of Jaendral and his officers, discussing battle plans for the inevitable assault from Ramades. It was during one such meeting that the first news had been heard of massing Ramadesian Gerudos to the north of Shaylin.

Now the mass encampment of tents far from the city walls was sufficiently large to be easily visible even without a seeing scope. Jaendral's and Lana's fighting men and women were itching for battle, but Jaendral and Rael both agreed that marching out to meet Ramades would be tactically foolish when they had the defensive might of the city walls to their advantage. Rael was still hoping above all that a peaceful resolution would be possible.

Peace with Ramades would come with a scorpion sting for Rael, and even more so for Elane. It was Ramades' soldiers that had murdered Tabett and the Hylian soldiers in the desert. All those men were now dead, killed in retribution by himself, Link and Zelda. They were just part of that group of people that now threatened to overthrow Shaylin. If he ever came face-to-face with Ramades he did not know what he would say.

"Yes, Your Highness," said the messenger, "what shall I relay Her Majesty?"

Rael stroked the hilt of his sword, wondering when the time would come for him to unsheathe it in battle once more. The messenger had brought news to him that an ambassador from Ramades had arrived in the city. The ambassador was due to present himself before Queen Lana, and Rael was naturally expected. "Run ahead and tell her I am on my way," Rael said, without turning to face the man.

"Yes, Your Highness." The soldier quickly departed, his footsteps disappearing away down the steps of the tower.

Rael planted his fists down on the ledge of the window, and dragged them back towards himself across the gritty sandstone. "Peace, presence, posture," muttered Rael, remembering advice from Zelda.

……

Queen Lana had predictable elected to receive the ambassadors in the throne room. When Rael arrived she was seated on the Amethyst Throne, in a flowing black and scarlet dress. She was engaged in light conversation with Jaendral, who stood at her right hand dressed as ever in black, with some light armour. The grand hall was lined with both Lana's silk wearing ceremonial bodyguard of women, and ranks of Jaendral's grey-clad men with ragged red headscarves. Rael had never seen the room so full of soldiers. It seemed highly unnecessary to him in terms of defence. It was undoubtedly to show to Ramades' ambassador the sheer strength of Shaylin' combined armies.

When Rael entered Lana and Jaendral both turned to face him from across the hall, nodding respectfully then returning to their private discussion. Rael walked along the carpet towards the throne, soldiers on either side of him bowing as he passed. He felt like he was set in stark contrast to the rest of the room in the yellow-gold robes he had chosen to wear today.

"Rael!" said the familiar voice of Elane behind him. She hurried up alongside him, hastily brushing her dark hair back with her hands. She looked like she had put her grief aside now, standing tall with a composed expression. "What is happening?" she asked.

"An ambassador from Ramades is here," Rael said simply. As they approached the throne Rael turned aside and Elane came to stand next to him. He did not intend to take an active part in discussions, but wanted to make his presence known. Lana watched him for a moment, as though wondering to herself what he was going to do.

"Oh," said Elane, "I see." The mask of serenity she had assumed fell away into a look of hollow grief.

"Elane," Rael said, taking her hand in his own, "I know you are angry at Ramades' people, but the fate of the entire Gerudo province could rest upon what transpires now."

"I am not a child, Rael," Elane snapped in a whisper, "I understand what is at stake here." She released his hand and folded her arms. Rael did not know what to say, so he said nothing.

A hush fell upon the room as Lana's proclaimer entered the hall. Following closely behind him was a man in metal-studded leather armour with a heavy brown robe around his shoulders, which looked very much like bear fur. Behind him were four unarmed soldiers in the same armour, two men, two women. They looked so similar to the soldiers who had repeatedly attacked them in the north desert that Rael could not help clenching his fists. Beside him Elane had a face like thunder. The proclaimer bowed to Lana, but the Ramadesians did not.

The proclaimer made the formal announcements hurriedly, every bit aware of the macrocosm of the greater conflict all around him. "Your Majesty Queen Lana," he said first, keeping his eyes lowered, "presenting Ghaldan Narseen, ambassador to Her Majesty from the Lord Ramades." He bowed and quickly stepped aside as Ghaldan the ambassador stepped forwards. His escort of soldiers remained where they were.

The ambassador began to talk without waiting for permission. "Lana Dragmire," he began, bringing gasps from the ranks of soldiers and causing Jaendral to frown. The Queen herself just smiled in quiet amusement. "I come on behalf of The Amethyst King: Ramades, High Seat of House Madeena, Right Hand of the Royal House of Nohansen, Blood of House Dragmire." Jaendral now laughed out loud with utter contempt. The ambassador continued untroubled. "His Majesty decrees that the usurper Lana shall remove herself from his throne, lay down all arms, and throw wide open the gates of his city that he may assume his rightful place in Shaylin."

Lana interrupted him by raising a hand. With all her royal presence she said, "Please do not bore me with Ramades' foolish demands. I have heard all the man has to say many times before. May I introduce to you Lord Jaendral Rashan," she said, gesturing to Jaendral, "and His Highness Prince Rael Nohansen, First Prince of Hyrule."

The ambassador turned to Rael, and stared at him momentarily. "Your Highness," he said, dropping to one knee, "my Lord Ramades knows of your presence, and holds you in the most high regard. He sends good tidings to you and to Her Majesty Queen Zelda, but requests most humbly that you allow him to resolve the war in his land on his own terms."

Rael could not hold back his fury. "The traitor Ramades sent neither high regard nor good tidings to Hylia when his soldiers hunted me and my companions down in the desert, and butchered five of my Hylian brothers before my eyes. By the actions of his people he has betrayed the Grand Alliance of Hyrule, for which the penalty is death."

The ambassador was shocked. "I know not of what you speak, Your Highness, but Ramades holds you in the highest esteem-"

"Enough," said Rael, firmly, "you are not here to treat with me."

The ambassador blinked, and then he nodded. "Yes, Your Highness," he said. With a flick of his cape the ambassador turned to face the throne again, and fixed his eyes upon Jaendral. "Jaendral Rashan," he said. Jaendral, stood upon the dais next to the throne, looked down his nose at the ambassador.

"Ambassador," he said.

"His Majesty King Ramades extends the branch of peace to you. He is willing to forgive all past errors if you would support his glorious return to Shaylin."

Jaendral folded his arms. "When you go back to your master, tell him that when he is brought before me in chains, he may have the honour of licking the dirt from my boots."

"Ghaldan Narseen," said Lana, "if you refer to the traitor Ramades as 'King' again, you shall be put in chains and locked in the city dungeons. I will not hear such foul treason in this place." The ambassador shifted uncomfortably. "State Ramades' terms."

"You have already heard them," the ambassador said.

Lana leaned forward on her throne, and shook her head. "Does Ramades seriously believe he could take these walls, against the combined might of myself and Lord Jaendral, against the will of the Hyrule Crown? Has he not sent you here with demands for his return under high station?"

"My Lord will accept nothing less than full, unconditional surrender," said the ambassador grandly.

Rael watched the Lana's face as the words reached her ears. Her eyes moved slowly, glancing around the room carefully as she leaned back into the throne. "Be gone with you," she declared, "tell Ramades that the Snake has returned to Shaylin to affirm my rule. I am the Amethyst Queen, and no other."

Jaendral's eyes widened and he snapped his head around to glare at Lana. She did not look at him, but raised a finger at which he instantly resumed his former posture. The ambassador watched this exchange curiously, and a small smile flickered upon his lips momentarily. "I take my leave," said the ambassador with a short bow, "Amethyst Queen."

The ambassador swept away with his escort in tow, followed by a far greater number of Lana's royal guards. When they were out of earshot Jaendral turned on Lana, "What do you mean, your rule is affirmed?" he demanded. "The rule of this land shall be mine so soon as this conflict is done."

Lana cut him off. "Foolish man," she said, rising from her throne and looking up at him with scorn, "of course I said what I said. I cannot have Ramades believe this city is nothing less than an undivided stronghold."

Rael crossed the hall, and spoke up. "War is now a certainty, Your Majesty," he said, "this is your affair, but you should be looking to peace. Many lives may now be forfeit for your pride"

"Pride has nothing to do with it, Prince Rael," she said, turning to him. "Ramades is daring to challenge the ancient law of the Gerudo kingdom, and I shall defend what is just."

"How is the death of hundreds or thousands just," asked Elane, "when a peaceful resolution could be found?"

Lana talked down upon her sharply. "You forget your station, girl," she said. "This is above you."

"Above me?" Elane exclaimed, stepping forward.

"Indeed," said Lana.

Elane was shocked. In a move that surprised all present, not least of all Rael, she stormed towards Lana and walked up onto the dais so that she could stand face to face with her. Lana's guards quickly began to move themselves towards the conflict, but Lana stopped with a raised hand and let Elane speak. "Ramades Madeena murdered the man I was to marry," Elane said "and the blood of many of his soldiers is already on my hands. Have you ever killed someone, Your Majesty? Have you ever felt the blood of another woman or man upon your flesh, as it drips from your blade?"

Lana returned her stare with equal intensity. There was a great and unmistakeable tension in the room. "Yes," said Lana, venomously, "I have. Get away from me, girl. Perhaps you think that because that snake hangs from your neck I should give you special favour. You shall receive nothing of the sort. You are but a commoner."

"Not any more," said Rael, stepping forwards, and laying a hand upon Elane's shoulder, wondering if he should physically pull her away from any danger. "By the power bestowed upon me by Her Majesty Queen Zelda, I decree that Elane el'Elaina shall be recognised as a Lady of the Hylian Court."

"What?" said Lana, turning to face him, indignantly.

Rael was preparing to justify himself when he was suddenly interrupted.

"Your Majesty!" came a voice from the far end of the hall. A Gerudo woman was running along the rich carpet towards them. Her green silks dragged behind her as she ran, and her blood-red hair waved behind her head messily. She was breathless. Rael was later to learn that she had run from the stables on the ground tier up through the entire city. She dropped to her knees before the dais and lowered her head.

"General Jevilla," said Lana, with concern brushing past Elane and Rael and descending the steps, "please rise. What news have you from Hylia?"

This woman whom Rael had never before seen arose and spoke to Lana like a sister. "The Marshal of Hyrule is rallying all armies to his banner. Hylia calls upon us to rise up now in arms."

Rael spoke up over her. "You have come from Hylia?" he asked.

The woman called Jevilla Falsha looked up at Rael. "Yes," she said, looking at him with recognition.

"Jevilla-" said Lana, but Rael spoke over the top of her.

"Is the Marshal well?" he pressed, "And what of the Queen? And Daran al'Larban?"

Jevilla nodded, "They are all well." She looked Rael up and down, smiling at him with a cunning grin. "My Lord… surely you are the Prince Rael of whom I have heard."

Rael nodded, stepping down alongside Lana. "I am he."

"You are the very image of your father, Your Highness," said Jevilla.

"Enough," said Lana. "Jevilla, what of the war?"

Jevilla paused, and looked around the room at Jaendral, Elane, Rael, and then finally returned her gaze to Lana. "Hylia rides to engage the Kairin invaders. The Marshal has sworn to drive the Kairin back across the ocean from whence they came." Jevilla smiled. "Queen Zelda herself is to lead her army into battle."