The hero, the broken, the saviour
In the last chapter (which we all know I didn't like :mutters to self:) Rufus managed to reach the Great Deku Tree, yet Shadow was acting oddly towards him. Sometimes she was as co-operative and helpful as she was on Dragon Roost, and at other times she was hostile and seemed downright mad. The name Dragmire was mentioned, but this confused Rufus, who could only watch as his Sheikah companion changed moods like he can change the wind. Now to see exactly what happened to Shadow, and how Dragmire managed to gain control…
For all of the people who have reviewed so far, and put up with my erratic updates. You people rock.
Thoughts : double hyphens : visions and dreams italics. Ganondorf thoughts in / slashes, hehehe /
Shadow: Relinquish Control
As soon as I was sure that Rufus was well, down below in the hold of Flo, and saw Marie reappear above deck, I untied the landing rope. Swiftly, the wind, which had been tugging at the sails for some time now, catapulted Red and I away from land, and out onto the open sea. Thankfully, though the wind was strong, the waves were relatively calm, which made a pleasant change from all the previous journeys I had taken over the Great Sea in the past few weeks.
Looking around, I saw that Flo, with her more bulky frame and extra weight, was lagging behind, and swiftly disappearing from sight. The King of Red Lions seemed to notice this fact at the same time as I did. He craned around to look at me. I looked down, and hazarded a guess at what he was going to say, "Shall I drop the sail to half mast?"
"That was just what I was going to suggest," he nodded, a slight smile twisting his wide mouth upwards. "Don't want to leave them too far behind…you never know what will happen in these waters." I grabbed onto the sail rope and began to tug it downwards so that the sail dropped down – we slowed in the water, and Flo was able to make some ground on us.
"I hope that doesn't mean we'll have another trip like the one to Windfall," I grunted, as a particularly strong gust of wind threatened to pull the sail out of my hands altogether, before I'd had a chance to tie it off.
"So do I," he agreed with a dark frown. "From what I remember, there shouldn't be too much trouble…before Valoo arrived on Dragon Roost, the Rito used this as a direct channel to the Forest Haven, and I believe they ensure to keep it clear for other travellers, even if they no longer use it," he informed me, nodding to himself when he saw that we were now sailing roughly in tandem with our fellow vessel. She still lagged behind a little, the slap of the waves against her hull no more than a distant hum. :I doubt a Hylian would even pick that up: I thought, remembering Rufus' attempt at silent footsteps.
"Red?" I began, realising that we still hadn't discussed what was to happen when we reached the Forest Haven in a couple of days time.
"Aye?"
"I was just wondering…what do you propose to do? When we get to the Forest Haven, I mean…? Rufus knows of me…so would you still wish me to tail him, or…?" I trailed off, waiting for an answer. He just hummed to himself, obviously thinking about it. I respectfully remained silent, carefully moving to the stern so that I could sit down, and steer with the rudder at the same time. :I suppose it'd probably be more sensible to work with him. Otherwise I'm willing to bet he'll be even more distracted that he was in the Cavern…: My train of thought seemed to be running in much the same direction as Red's, as only half a minute later, he lifted his head from watching the waves rush by, to meet my eyes.
"I believe travelling alongside him might be best. He already knows of you after all, so it only seems sensible…" I nodded my agreement. "Good, good… Hrm…perhaps we should speak of this with Marie?"
"She doesn't have a stone, does she?" I asked, sure that the pirate did not.
"Ah – no…she doesn't," he answered. "Blast." He looked over at Flo again, and then an idea seemed to dawn on him. "She doesn't – but Rufus does. I could always ask to speak to her through that."
"Maybe we should wait until he's settled and asleep before you try that?" I ventured, willing to bet that he wouldn't really wish the boy to hear us discussing his future adventures.
"Indeed. Though…how will we know when he's asleep?"
"Good question," I conceded. "Shall we just wait until this evening, and try then?"
"If you think that's the best course action…" I shifted uncomfortably at being given the decision on the matter. :He should be giving me the orders, not the other way around: I didn't answer immediately, instead looking back at our sister boat again, taking in the peeling paint on the sides, and even managing to spy Marie just coming out onto deck, in order to check the sail, and correct their course. "Well? It's up to you Shadow…shall we wait till nightfall?" he pushed.
"I-well, I- I think so, yes," I decided, smiling slightly when I saw Marie's legs become entangled in the sail rope, and thought I heard a curse drift across on the wind. "Yes, we'll wait until then. And we'll have to ensure that Marie's below deck at the time, or it'll be quite futile."
"You can keep a lookout on that matter, can't you?"
"Yeah, I can," I said, nudging the rudder to the right, so that we started to drift closer to Flo. A large yawn escaped my mouth, mercifully silent. I took a deep breath and blinked a few times, forcing back the sleep that wished to claim me. :I need to stay awake and keep us on course for Gods sakes! Falling asleep isn't exactly going to help: However, I found that it was quite difficult to help it; I hadn't slept properly in a long time now, and with my magic completely gone, it wasn't easy to stop my eyes from drifting closed…
"Shadow." I started, having drifted into a stupor. The Kind of Red Lions was looking around at me, with an amused but kindly expression on his face. "Maybe you should sleep now… You're still not looking quite well," he advised, tone worried.
"But- I need to keep us on course-"
"That's quite all right! One of the benefits of being the only talking boat that sails the Great Sea, is also being the only boat that can also steer itself!" he proclaimed, rather proudly. I just blinked a few times, taking this information in. He seemed to take this as hesitation, and added, "If we come to any danger, I will wake you, you needn't worry about that. But you really should rest…you've done so much already, and I'd wish you to be in the best of health when it comes to aiding the lad again."
"Well…if you're sure," I murmured haltingly, not taking my hands from the rudder.
"Quite sure."
"…All right then. Just- wake me when you want to speak to Marie."
"Will do – now, try and get some sleep whilst the water's calm." :I don't like the sound of that: I thought with a slight frown. :I hope there are no storms waiting for us over the horizon…: Delicately, I let go of the rudder, and then saw it move by itself back into position as Red took control. Looking around, I saw that I'd left my pack at the base of the mast; ducking out of the way of the boom as it swung across and to the other side of the boat, I grabbed it. Then, I removed the new fare I'd purchased on Windfall Island , and tied it like a cloak around me.
The new shirt I wadded into a ball, and placed it against the seat that sat next to the rudder, as a makeshift pillow. Then, a little stiffly, because of the cramped confines of the boat, I lay down, curling my legs up towards me to try and keep warm. Despite the strong sun, the breeze ensured that it was chilly out here on the water, and I shivered a little as I altered my position at least a dozen times before finding one that was comfortable enough. Again reminding myself that I'd had a lot worse, I closed my eyes, and hugged my arms around my torso.
"How is she?" a hushed voice drifted through a poorly lit corridor. Two shadowy figures stood together, the woman who'd spoken tightly clutching onto the hands of the other in the hallway. When a flash of light from a passing carriage lantern filtered through the window and onto the two of them, I saw that the other was a man. He was tall, with wheat-coloured tresses framing a haggard looking face, and deeply tanned skin surrounded eyes that were as pale as shards of ice. He squeezed the hands of the woman (who I recognised as Marie; here, she was already bearing an eye patch.)
"Not well," he murmured, biting his lip as soon as the words left his mouth, and looking furtively about. "She's been calling for him…I didn't have the heart to…to tell her…" He dropped his head, and Marie reached out to catch him beneath the chin.
"You did all you could; we all did. But it was his own foolish fault!" Both of them smiled wanly, though their eyes were over bright. "We should never have gone that close." Marie shook her head ruefully. The man just made a small sound of agreement in his throat, which quickly changed into a sob, which convulsed through him and erupted into the charged air. Startled, I took a step back, and bumped into a wall; turning around, I found that it was, on closer inspection, in fact a door.
"It could kill her. We mustn't tell her, for her own sake," the man decided, drawing back from Marie and wiping his eyes stubbornly.
"Hasn't she a right to know?" Marie hissed, catching his hands again and squeezing them. He drew a deep, shuddering breath, and averted his eyes once more.
"…Yes…but not now. One thing at a time Marie, just one bloody thing at a time."
"All right," she nodded. "Shall we go in to see her?" The man nodded, and together, they began to slowly walk towards me – I instinctively stepped out of their way, even though they could walk through me if they so wished. :I'm not even really here after all…: "How's the girl doing?" The man's face brightened somewhat,
"Well – very well in fact! She already looks so much like him…I think that is at least some comfort to her." Marie nodded, and reached out a hand to the door handle. Gently, she twisted it, and pushed the door open. As soon as she did, a gust of air rushed out of the room, and I was almost overpowered by the smell of sickness that erupted. Gagging, I placed a hand over my mouth and nose to try and lessen the impact of the smell. Even so, I followed the two of them into the room, which was lit by the light of just one lantern, the flame of which had been turned down as low as it would go.
"Lirae?" the man ventured in a whisper, squinting to penetrate the harsh gloom. "It's us – Marie and-"
"Luca?" the woman in the bed stirred suddenly, and I started at her gaunt features. :The dark haired woman:
"No Lirae, it's Vic," Marie corrected the woman. Lirae's eyes, which had briefly lit up, abruptly dulled, and she collapsed back onto the pillows.
"Damn my eyes – I can't see as well as I'd like," she cursed darkly, turning away from the others in the room, to look at the cot which lay next to her bed. "Every time I look at the little monster…I see him…" she scowled, violently turning the other way, to face the miniscule flame of the lantern. Vic seemed startled by this reference to the sleeping baby in the cot as a monster.
"Lirae, the girl is no monster – see, she's sleeping like an angel," he pointed out, striding over and leaning over the cot to smile fondly at the sleeping child within.
"Get away from her!" the dark haired woman barked, voice cracking as she did so. "And get away from me, you fiend! How dare you share the likeness of my love? Get out I say, out!" she ranted and raved, her voice heightening in both volume and pitch. "Where is my Luca? Why isn't he here yet? He must see his daughter – our Tetra. If you won't bring him to me, I shall go out and find him!" with this, she swung her legs out from beneath the covers, and tried to stand. But, they wouldn't take her weight, and she collapsed heavily on the floor.
There, she began to cry, battering her fists on the floor and screaming swear words. Marie stepped forwards, reaching out to grab the dark haired woman, but she lashed out with a growl. "Get away from me!" Lirae shrieked. With all this commotion, the baby awoke, and began to cry, the anguished sounds mingling with those of its mother's. Marie and Vic looked at one another, unsure of whom to comfort.
Gently, the man leant down into the cot, and lifted the child out. He held onto the tiny girl's head to keep it supported well, and bounced the child up and down as he carried it over to the dark haired woman. "Please…please Lirae…she needs her mother," he implored, kneeling down next to Marie in front of the tantruming woman. When she took no notice, and the baby continued to cry, Marie reached out and grabbed the woman firmly by the shoulder.
"Lest you wish us to take Tetra away, you must look after her Lirae. You are her mother, and you cannot act like a child now that you have one of your own!" she said sternly, and the dark haired woman looked up at her in shock. Desperate and furious tears clung onto her eyelashes, trembling as she clawed her way into a sitting position. Then, demurely, she reached out her arms for the child.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm sorry…sorry…I…Luca… Just…wish he was here," she hiccoughed, accepting the child as it was handed to her, and cooing over it. Immediately, it stopped crying, and clamped onto the material of her sweat-soaked shirt with a tiny, pudgy fist. "My Tetra; you'll be a great pirate one day. Just like your father," at this, Marie and Vic exchanged glances, but luckily she didn't notice. I watched them sit like that on the floor, relaxing as the four before me calmed down. The tension and worry, previously palpable in the air, settled down, and I leant against the wall, smiling as the baby suddenly burped, and then blinked in surprise at the sound it had just made.
The three adults smiled as well, fondly looking at the small child. Lirae just kissed it on the top of its head, which already held a fine downy covering of hair, and hugged it closer to her chest. "My lovely girl," she whispered, stroking the top of the babe's head with her left hand, and supporting the child with her right. Outside, another carriage went past; those in the room ignored it, but I frowned when I heard it draw to a halt, and a door open. :It's probably nothing…people get in and out of carriages all the time.:
Yet, when a rap came at the door, all of them were startled out of their reverie, and looked wildly at the door that led into the hall, which was still ajar. Something felt sinister here, and I silently implored them not to answer the door. "I wonder who that could be?" Marie pondered, looking at the other two with a bemused smile. They just shrugged, Lirae wincing slightly as she twitched a painful muscle. Her arms loosed a little around the child, and Vic was there immediately to catch her.
"We ought to get you back into bed," he said, and she complied readily. The baby was placed back in the cot, where it gurgled merrily, waving its legs in the air. Vic smiled and shook his head, and then snapped his head up when another rap came at the door. "They're rather impatient, whoever they are," he commented, now aiding Lirae back into the bed, and pulling the covers back over her.
"I'll get it," Marie offered, groaning slightly as she lifted herself from the floor. I noticed her wrap her hand around a small, golden triangle. "Hey – Vic," she beckoned him over before leaving the room. "She dropped this…I think you should look after it until she is well again," she dropped the small triangle into his outstretched hand. He looked down at it, and gulped audibly, new tears springing in his eyes.
"B-but…that was Luca's job…" he protested weakly, trying to give it back to her.
"It's yours now," she told him, and jumped slightly when the person at the door began to hammer on it in an alarming manner. "Gods, what can be so important that it warrants waking the whole neighbourhood?" she exclaimed, hurrying out into the hallway.
My feeling of dread growing every second, I followed her out, unable to help unhitching my weapons from my back. It was hard to fight back the instinct, so I just allowed it to happen, and focused on the door before us instead. "Hang on, I need to draw back the bolts," Marie hollered through the thick wood, and the knocking abruptly ceased. She tutted and shook her head, struggling with the bolt, which seemed a little stiff. With a sudden spring, it flew back, and she tugged the door open, smiling slightly as the door drifted open to show her visitor.
A tall, cloaked man stood there, large hands resting on a cane, deeply tanned and sinewy. Marie just blinked, and smiled more widely. "I'm sorry sir, but what business is it you have here? I don't believe I've seen your face before around the town."
"No, you wouldn't have done," he answered, and I immediately recognized the voice. Just as quickly, I rushed forwards, trying to grab the door, trying to slam it shut and prevent whatever terrible thing that was going to happen from happening. But my hand just flew past the wood, through it, out onto the other side. Neither of them noticed a blind thing, and I cursed silently as the vision dragged me back, and forced me to watch this disaster unfold.
Marie tilted her head to the side slightly, and then seemed to remember her manners. "Well, sir, I shouldn't wish to leave you standing out on the step in such cold weather. Come inside and we can discuss your business then, perhaps?"
"That sounds like a pleasant idea," he nodded, and stepped into the hallway, dwarfing it with his great height. Marie reached out and pulled the door closed in order to shut out the billowing clouds of cold.
"Marie, who was it at the-?" Vic asked, stepping out of the other room with a soft smile on his face. On catching sight of the tall man however, he blanched, and looked quickly to Marie. "Marie – what is the business of this man here?" he asked sharply.
"I'm not sure yet…I was hopeful that he would soon inform me," Marie replied pleasantly. Vic just frowned, and drew the door into the other room closed behind him with a soft click. "Perhaps we might start by knowing your name?"
"I already know his name, and he mine," Vic cut in, striding forwards. "Greetings Dragmire – and what brings you out of your sorcery in the catacombs?"
"I heard that your brother's woman had borne their first child. I wished to offer my congratulations," Ganondorf drawled, tipping his hood back, so that his young features were visible.
"Well, I shall pass those on. Now, kindly, leave," the blond-haired man bit back icily, making as if to throw the front door open again, and to shove Dragmire out onto the street. Marie just looked from one to the other, utterly bemused.
"Vic, what-?"
"Marie, go and attend to Lirae – she needs you," he barked, and though her face was sour at being commanded about, Marie did as she was told. As soon as the door had closed again behind her, the two men glared at one another with venom. "The woman and the child have done nothing to you. Just go, before I'm forced to do something I'd rather not."
"You dare to presume you can beat me?" Ganondorf scoffed.
"Well, if memory serves, I'm able to beat you quite easily, old friend," the last word was spat out like something that tasted disgusting in Vic's mouth. Dragmire just smirked.
"I've advanced quite a way since then. I thought you ought to be the first to see, considering the humiliations you insisted on putting me through."
"It's what you get for being an arrogant, cocky little bastar-" he was cut off mid-tirade when Ganondorf lazily waved a hand. Vic placed both hands to his own throat and retched, seemingly unable to draw breath. Desperately, he hitched inwards, trying to inhale, but was unable to. Sternly, he managed a frown at Dragmire, before his eyes began to roll, and he collapsed onto the floor. The Gerudo just shook his head, and stepped over Vic, now writhing on the ground, and clawing at the skirting board, searching for help that wasn't coming.
Ganondorf pushed the door open, and I heard the cooing of a baby, and the laughter of the dark-haired woman. And then there was no more…
"Shadow. Shadow! It's time to get up!" The King of Red Lions called, and I rolled over, managing to hit my head rather hard on the side of the boat.
"Ow."
"Oh my – are you all right?"
"In a manner of speaking," I grumbled, finding myself still shaking back in the real world, and knowing that it was nothing to do with cold.
"You're not unwell, are you?" he asked, and I almost laughed at the notion – almost. :I feel like being sick, but not because I'm unwell: I thought darkly, shuddering as I again saw the blond haired man clawing at the air, clutching his throat, turning blue in the effort to draw breath… Before I could help myself, bile filled my mouth, and I had to quickly yank down my facemask and lean over the side of the boat in order to empty my stomach of what little had been in it. Red just tutted, and then offered a sympathetic, "Better out than in."
When I was done, I leant on the side, feeling drained. I left my facemask down, allowing the cool breeze to get rid of the warm clammy feeling on my face. Red waited a few minutes for me to compose myself (perhaps fearing that I'd be sick again if startled.) Then, finally, when it seemed he'd decided nothing worse could come, he talked once more. "It's evening, so I though we might try and speak to Marie." As soon as he mentioned her name, I blanched again, and he immediately picked up on this. "Shadow? What is it?"
I just shook my head, and looked stubbornly away from him, my stomach churning as I thought about what Dragmire had done. :He…he just killed him…just like that… How could anyone get that powerful? How is it even possible:
/Oh, quite easily, my dear Sheikah/ a dark, velveteen voice entered my mind, and I started. Red's voice dulled away into nothing. /Ever since I felt you watching me child, I've been most interested in your escapades… You remind me much of a girl long ago, who could see things she probably shouldn't have./
:Dragmire: I scowled as I thought the name, and the dark voice just chuckled.
/Quick, aren't we/
:Get out of my head: I commanded, finding nothing more than hatred for him. I knew it was irrational, that he was more powerful than me, that I should fear him, and should not allow my emotions to overrule me. But…having seen what I'd just seen…
/Yes, I thought that particular vision might get you riled./
:What: I froze, registering that Red had stopped talking to me.
/Custom made vision, don't you know? A rather charming little tale…if only I'd gotten there sooner, I would have realised that the woman no longer had what I sought. If only I'd searched his body…but I was so sure she would have it./ He trailed off, and I wondered if he'd forgotten my presence. /Oh no Sheikah, I haven't forgotten you…not in the least./
:What do you want: I demanded to know, feeling my fingers tensing around the lip of the keel rails.
/Want? And why would I be wanting for anything/
:Why else would you be contacting me:
/A good question./ He paused, as though to think about it. /I don't want anything/ he said after a few seconds. /But I'm sure you'd like to get that Tri-Force piece…just think of the Wisdom you could have were it yours./ A flood of desire that was not my own flooded me, and I smiled indulgently at the idea of holding the small golden triangle in my hand, and knowing all that there was to know. The glory of holding even greater wisdom in my hands than the eldest member of my tribe. Of having access to every possible facet of an argument that I would need, and instinctively knowing how to deal with it.
:To be the perfect Sheikah… Which I would be if I held it…: I grinned at this thought, but then snapped away, horrified at myself. :NO! It's not mine to take! I'm Sheikah…we're not meant for the Goddesses' powers:
/NO/ he bellowed, and then calmed himself. /No, my dear…the wisdom is already there within you. All you need to unlock it is the Tri-Force piece. Then, you could be as great as the lady Impa, or the lord Sheik! Think how proud your mother would be…/ An image of my mother sinking down onto her knees and prostrating on the ground before me, an awed look on her face, fluttered across my vision.
:That would certainly show all those who doubted my worth as a warrior: I thought, individually cursing everyone who had ever doubted my abilities – Delia and Firen included. :Firen…: I frowned when I remember our first meeting, where he had immediately targeted me as someone to bully. :Yet…after I showed him my skills, he was my friend: I struggled against Ganondorf's dark thoughts.
/Only because he knew that, should he get into a fight, you would be there to cover his back. The same with your dear friend Delia…both using you for their own ends. They are no real friends! I am…I could be a very dear friend to you/ his voice had dropped to a low purr, and a girlish giggle rose in my throat. /We could become…close./ His words were heavily laced with implications, and I could feel my cheeks burn with a blush.
:B-but… I cannot: I protested weakly; Rufus' face swam into my mind, determined and blood stained.
/Would it not be better than this farce? I ask for nothing other than friendship…and in return, you gain Wisdom itself./ The offer sounded so tantalising, and his voice so kind. I smiled again, fingers unclenching from the railings, and heard him laugh softly, gently. /The pirate is the one who stands in the way of you and the piece. If you are able to remove her, then you shall find it, and it will be yours. And then…we may be friends./
:Why can we not be friends now: I asked.
/I would wish that you receive my gift before you consider me a friend…consider it a…token of my affections./ This made me blush even more furiously than before. I became slightly more aware of the world around me, and studied my flushed face in the reflection in the water that sped by us. /One so handsome in face deserves such affections/ he said, rather flirtatiously. I gaped at this, which made my reflection look rather gormless.
Suddenly, we crested a large wave, and I caught sight of a fin rising out of the water before us. :W-what: Cold water sprayed on my face, and I collapsed backwards into the boat as the Gyorg rammed into us.
/No…shh, shh, listen to me now/ he implored. But, the spell had been broken. Shaking my head, I cleared the foggy haze from my mind, and cursed aloud at my own stupidity. /NO! You will listen, wench/ His voice was no longer soft, but harsh and jarring, and I bought both hands up to either side of my head, squeezing my eyes tight shut.
:Get. Out. Of. My. Head.: I commanded, eyes so tightly shut that stars were exploding in my vision.
/Wench. You cannot combat me for long/ And with that, he was gone. Red's panicked voice suddenly became audible, and, almost lazily, I took my whip from my waist, flicked it out so that it wrapped around the monster's fin, and sent a bolt of magic through the leather. It screeched, and disappeared. Then, feeling tired, I lay back down, despite the protestations of Red, and tried to get back to sleep.
The sight of blood on the deck in front of me stopped me. I blinked at it stupidly, wondering where it had come from. Hesitantly, I reached out my right hand to poke at it (for some reason that seemed sensible to me at the time). And that's when I saw it. On the upwards facing back of my hand, deep cuts crossed through the heavy leather of the gauntlet. Blood welled out from these, and three patches of bare skin presented themselves. Each was in the shape of an equilateral triangle, radiating out from a central triangle of the same proportions. The outline of each triangle was marked with a thin cut, from which blood was weeping.
Three triangles of leather fluttered past the small pool of blood, and finally, Red managed to cajole me into answering him. "Yes?" I snapped. "What is it?" He seemed taken aback, and it took a few seconds for him to get over his shock.
"Uh… We need to speak to Marie… I was wondering whether you could see if she was out on deck or not." I whipped my head around, and glared through the dark night time air.
"She's below deck," I informed him, less snappishly this time. He took this more calm speech to mean that he could safely ask me,
"What's wrong? You seem shaken." I avoided his gaze, and just supplied him with,
"Visions…unpleasant ones…"
"I see…" it was plain that he didn't accept this answer, but he seemed to worried about contacting Marie to push the matter any further than that. For which I was very glad – Dragmire's presence in my mind had shaken me, as had my susceptibility to his machinations. It scared me just how easily he'd been able to bend me to his will…and it also terrified me how well he seemed to know me… I'd always wished to be as wise as the great Sheikah of legend…often I'd marvelled at the tales of the Tri-Force.
And he had offered it all to me, in exchange for mere friendship. :It seems like a great opportunity, with such a negligent price…:
:It's a trick! Don't be fooled: I quickly told myself, focusing on the green stone in my palm, through which Red was trying to summon Marie. I couldn't remember getting it out, so preoccupied was I with my thoughts, and I didn't listen too hard when Marie's sleepy voice replied. She and Red discussed many things, and I was even cajoled into answering a few questions myself. Though, were you to ask me afterwards what it was I said, I truly couldn't tell you…
The night passed by in an indeterminate blur, punctuated by light banter with Red and further talks with Marie via the green stone. Nothing seemed important enough for me to take too much notice of; luckily, Red left me alone. Perhaps he thought I was in a bad mood or some such. He just didn't bother me, instead keeping our course when I slept and not addressing me unless necessary when I was awake.
I stayed awake for almost the whole night, turning over Dragmire's proposal in my head. I knew it was wrong and I knew in my heart of hearts that I would never go through with such a thing. But that didn't stop it from being tempting… When he didn't try to contact me again, I decided that he must have lost his nerve. With this thought in mind, I decided it would be safe to have another proper sleep, as opposed to merely dozing. The last sleep had left me even more tired than before I'd gone to sleep, so I hoped that another one would bring me back to full strength.
With a lazy yawn, I spread myself across the deck, being careful to stay as far away from the patch of blood as possible. As with earlier, as soon as my head touched the pack I was using as a pillow, I was out like a light…
And right back on again in a vision.
Looking around, I could see that I was below deck on Flo. Judging by the light streaming in from the open cabin door, it was mid-morning. Footsteps pattered down the steps, and a widely smiling Rufus hurried inside, clutching an overlarge trench coat around himself. :That's Marie's: I noted, as he shed it onto a chair. This revealed that he was clad only in white tights, and I raised an eyebrow in surprise at the slightly protruding stomach on the boy. :He still carries a child's frame…he should be at home…:
He huffed, and grabbed his clothes, which were stiff from salt. Whilst wriggling around to try and get his tunic on straight, he knocked Marie's coat onto the floor, and I saw something shiny tinkle out of one of the pockets. The Hylian saw it as well, and bent down to pick it up. Curiously (and knowing that he couldn't see me anyway), I walked over and looked over his shoulder to see what it was he held.
A sharp intake of breath behind me startled me. I looked around, expecting Marie to come storming down the steps to reclaim the triangular gold piece. Yet, what I saw was most definitely not Marie. I reached around to get my weapons, and closed my hand over the handle of my whip. However, it dissolved beneath my grasp! I looked down, and rather than my salt-stained bodysuit and clumsily tied bandages, a floating skirt of pure white came into view.
Startled, I looked up, an exclamation ready on my lips to yell at the man who shouldn't have been there… But he was gone… :What's going on: I asked hopelessly. Looking around, I found myself to be in a rather spectacular garden, filled with roses of white, purple and red. Their fragrances were heavy, and the air warm against the bare skin on my arms. Despite this, I shivered, and wrapped my arms around me, willing myself to wake up.
"Pretty, aren't they?" a voice erupted from the heavy silence. I started, but was unable to turn around when a hand rested all-too-comfortably on my shoulder. "Sheikah colours of course, just for you my love." :My love: The hand trailed down my arm to grab onto my right hand, and then abruptly spun me around. I found myself crushed against the wide torso of a certain, tall, dark-skinned, red-haired Gerudo man. Now out of my paralytic state, I pushed hard against his chest with my hands, and managed to break free of the hold he had around my waist.
"What is it pet? Have I done something to offend you? I thought you'd like it…" he gestured limply to the perfect garden about us. "But, if you want to change it for the wedding, then, I suppose that's alrigh-"
"W-wedding?" I choked, taking a few more steps back as he took a few more forward.
"Why of course love! People generally have to have a wedding to get married," he smiled, and extended a hand. Music began to drift through the air, and a band of string players marched through the ivy arbour that led into the garden. They lined up against the wall, still playing; it sounded like a slow waltz. "Want to dance?" I backed up a couple more paces, and he frowned good-naturedly.
"I-I… This isn't real," I muttered to myself, looking down at my left hand, which bore a silver ring. Then I looked to my right hand, and saw that the Tri-Force symbol was stamped across it, with the Tri-Force of Wisdom glowing brightly. I shook my head, and looked up at Dragmire, who was still smiling softly, though had dropped his hand.
"I know it seems a bit much pet, but it is real, I assure you!" he chortled. "Now, come along, you've had your fun – let's dance and be horribly romantic and suchlike, shall we?" He reached out and his fingers closed around my left wrist.
"No."
"Pardon darling?"
"No – get off!" I yelled, yanking my hand back. The band stopped playing, and looked at one another in shock.
"Darling, really, this is getting beyond a-"
"NO! This is not real! It's a bloody vision! You told me yourself you could customise them, so why don't you stop this right now?" I stamped my foot, and immediately felt like an idiot for doing so.
His smile turned into a sickly smirk, and he waved his hand. Suddenly, the garden fell away, and in its place unfolded an unearthly scene. A red glow bounced off of rough stone walls, rather reminiscent of Dragon Roost Cavern. Behind Dragmire was a large, black castle, with twisted turrets and spike laden towers. Bodies in various states of decay littered the ground, which was red with blood as well as fire-light.
"If only you'd played along…just think what you could have if you would only agree to be my friend."
"I'd never wish to associate with the likes of you," I spat, glad to find that I now had my weapons once more.
"In that case, I suppose you'd better see what will happen if you refuse."
"Wha-?" But the scene had changed again already. With a jolt, I arrived in the Temple back on Opacus Isle. It was eerily silent, and the candles by the entrance had burnt low, so that they cast a peculiar flickering light over the place. Dragmire stood halfway down the aisle, arms spread so that his cloak obscured my vision of the other end of the Temple. With trepidation, I walked forwards, scowling at the tall man. My whip was in my hands, and I rose it warningly. He just smiled ingratiatingly, and dropped his arms, bowing me forwards.
I stopped. Stared. Blanched. Gagged. Screamed.
There, on top of the altar (which usually held a garland of flowers, and the glass box in which the Ocarina of Time is kept) lay various things. :Not things…people…: I corrected, though they had been so mutilated that it almost impossible to tell. Save for one thing… Clothes… Sheikah clothes were on the bodies, family crests telling me who they were. And immediately my eyes were drawn to three bodies collapsed before the altar, blood having pooled around them and not yet set.
That was not the end of it. A struggling gasp sounded to my right, the breath gurgling in the person's throat. "Shadow?" they rasped and I turned immediately. Green clothes so covered in blood they may as well have started off red…a small, scruffy hat lying a few feet away. Impaled on the very sword he used to fight with. "Please…help me…"
Dragmire's hand once more found my shoulder as tears started in my eyes, and I whirled around, forgetting my whip as I lashed out at him. He caught both my arms, and smiled sardonically down at me as I struggled in his grip.
"I'd suggest you reconsider Sheikah… For, your mother, father and even that tiny scrap of a brother, make the most excellent decorations for this place." I scowled at him, and kicked him in the shin. He seemed surprised, and let me go, reaching down to clutch the injured limb. I started towards the altar, but was quickly grabbed and thrown away from it. "NO! You will join me, even if I have to force you!"
He pointed both hands at me, palms facing towards me, and smirked. Balls of light appeared above each palm…though, I'm not sure if 'light' was the right word. For, they were black…more…'anti-light' than 'light'. Whatever magic it was, he directed it at me. I tried to scramble backwards, reaching out for a pew to hide behind. But, I wasn't fast enough. As the magic connected with me, I screamed again.
I sat bolt-upright, and quickly looked around, trying to catch sight of Rufus. I took in deep breaths of air to try and steady myself, and prevent myself from being sick once again. :Please, please, it was just a vision. I swear, if you've hurt him:-
/I'll not do anything so long as you co-operate, pet./
:I'm not your pet.:
/You are now…/ A strange hazy feeling descended on my mind. When I finally caught sight of Rufus sitting on top a boulder some way away, I just stared at him. I didn't breathe or blink, or so much as move. Instead, I just stared, so glad to find that he was still alive. /It's nice to see such a caring side to a Sheikah/ Dragmire commented dryly. I found myself unable to even think an insult back at him. Still staring at the Hylian, I quickly got out of Red and hurried up the hill, suddenly wondering if this mightn't be another trick.
:After all, he's already made visions within visions…whose to say this isn't another:
/Who indeed/
:Leave me be:
/I don't believe you really have a say in whether or not I 'leave you be', girl./ His thoughts were easily identifiable, even though he didn't continue to put them into words, and I felt terrified of what could happen with him in control. For, I realised, that was what was happening. That was why my motions seemed unreal, my world hazy…I was no longer in control.
Determinedly, and feeling like I was swimming against a strong current, I managed to gain control of my vocal chords before Dragmire could. He growled at me in my head, but I ignored him. "Rufus," I whispered, too busy fighting against the Gerudo to worry about my accent, which was getting stronger, "I'd suggest that you go and see the Great Deku Tree at once. I have other things that need to be attended to." /NO, wench, shut up, shut up/ "Should you need to contact me, call Red, and he'll pass on any messages to me." I swallowed strongly, and forced myself to turn around, back towards the boat, and away from the unknowing Hylian.
"Please…Shadow…" I paused and shuddered minutely as Dragmire delighted in providing me with the image of Rufus covered in blood. "What's going on?" He sounded so helpless… /Useless Hylian…you know they're all bumbling imbeciles. Just ignore him! Go after that pirate and get the piece/
:NO.: "It's nothing of great concern to you. Do not…don't worry about it," I ended, feeling deflated, but glad that Dragmire's intentions towards the boy were not truly violent… :For the moment at least anyway: I scowled at him. He just chuckled. "Go and see the Great Deku Tree; I will be back in time to help you when you need me to… Or at least, I'll try to be," I ended. Then, unable to control myself, I started off down to the bay once more. :I need to stay with the lad – I can't abandon him:
/But you'd see him killed instead/ the Gerudo man wheedled. I slumped a little, but was bought back up when Rufus spoke again.
"Please, don't go!"
"Why?" Dramire demanded through my lips, but I did at least manage to make it sound like a sincere question.
"I…I don't want to be alone…" I completely snapped out of Dragmire's grip for a few seconds, empathy coursing through me as I looked at Rufus staring forlornly at the ground. I brushed a hand across his shoulder, but whilst I was distracted with this, the Gerudo gained control of my words again.
"You won't be – you have Red for company, do you not?" His face said it all – I forced a sigh in order to give myself time to gain control, and said, "I suppose that isn't exactly the comfort you were hoping for, is it?" :Poor lad…: My lapse in concentration cost me dearly, because Dragmire decided to ingratiate me with Rufus… :Just in order to make sure you can kill him when the time's right:
/I never said anything about killing, did I? Not now that you're co-operating so nicely./
:Bastard.:
/Now, now, it's not wise to say such things to a man of my power./ I tuned back into the conversation, to find that we were discussing visions.
"Stopping what?" he asked.
"Deaths. Many, many deaths. Ruination. Torment," Dragmire answered for me, and I took up the buck for a short while. "In the vision…I…it was…horrible." I wrapped my arms around myself, and looked inward to try and fight Dragmire off…yet, he was gaining hold!
When Rufus touched my hand, we both jumped, our mental fight interrupted as his round young face stared up at me with worry. I just nodded to him, and took the hand he had extended. "Thank you."
"That's all right. Is there – anything I can do – to help I mean?"
:Yes, there is! You can help me get this mad-man out of my mind! Please, tell Red, he'll know what to do: I thought desperately, as Dragmire supplied a rather less helpful, "I think the best thing you can do is carry on…I must go and retrieve something most important." :NO! Rufus, please, don't listen, it's a lie:
/Alas, dear Sheikah, there aren't many Hylians who can read minds these days, are there/ the Gerudo jibed. His mockery continued in this strain, until I caught a glimpse of gold in the sunshine, and we both fell silent. Then, in unison (though in my polite wording), we exclaimed, "What the- where did you get that!" The answer didn't really seem to matter – something to do with Marie. I just stared fixedly at the small triangular object, and then quickly glanced at the back of my right hand.
Then a few moments later, I had extended my hand, and the Hylian was dropping the Tri-Force shard into my palm. Dragmire and I both studied it, he comparing it to the symbol on the Ocarina of Time, I realising that it must have been split, for it didn't look big enough. /Now to seal this part of the quest, eh/
:Wha-:
"You've just saved me an awful lot of bother and hardship by getting this." I was startled, and even a little sickened by the girlish tone Dragmire chose to employ. "Of course, we'll need to find the rest, but we're a step up on Dragmire now…" He chuckled to me as he said that, and on noticing the look of confusement on Rufus' face, decided to indulge the lad. "I'm sorry, I'm not making much sense, am I?" Then, he explained, whilst I tried to get him to shut up.
:You're telling him too much – he doesn't need to know this! Stop it! Let me free to do my own talking:
/But then you'd say something I know I'd regret/ he answered brightly. Then, as an afterthought, he said/You're beginning to annoy me. Be a good girl and shut up for a while, my dear./
:I'll do nothing of the sort: I thought indignantly, now managing to gain enough control to raise myself from my perch, and go and speak to Red. I bent down, intent on telling him what was going on. But, just then, a blinding white stab of pain ripped through me. Whilst my body didn't seem injured, there was still immense pain, and I was aware of Dragmire spinning some nonsensical yarn of excuses to Red, before becoming completely unaware at all…
After that, I only experienced a few flashes of control. The Gerudo was delighted with his conquest, and constantly crowed over /your feeble attempts to defeat me./ I just continued to struggle, rarely reaching anything above awareness, and even that was a rarity.
When the talk with Red was over, I walked quickly, and managed to clench my fists as I attempted to override Dragmire's control. He hit me with another reprimanding bolt of pain, and silently whimpering, I backed down.
The next time I became aware, Rufus was proclaiming, "I hope it isn't too far; I'm starved." I immediately reached down to my pack, remembering that I had food in there. /No – bad./ Another stab of pain was administered. I fell back into my stupor, glad that he was at least allowing me to watch what was going on. Hearing something rustle in the trees to the left of us, I turned at the same time as Dragmire, and felt an odd sort of annoyance that I'd copied his movements. /Ah, to have eyesight like a Sheikah/ he sighed, scanning the forest for signs of life.
Immediately, I saw evidence of monsters between the trees – I couldn't see the creatures themselves, but what else could have made such a line of destruction through the undergrowth/Yes, clumsy little beasts aren't they/ He snapped my head back to look ahead of us, just as Rufus asked,
"Is that it?" I caught sight of a huge clearing ahead of us, with the sunlight beaming down over the open ground. In the centre of the clearing was a large, and decidedly old looking tree, which my aggressor named before I had the chance.
/The Great Deku Tree. Oh, and would you look at that, some monsters trying to set it alight. How delightful./ I could feel the blood drain from my face as he forced me to slow down, dropping behind Rufus. "I think so, yes," he had me answer, and then, when the Hylian waited for me to catch up with him, added, "go ahead. I need to sort out my boots." He nodded and did just that, following my orders to a tee. My eyes strayed to the many monsters crawling all over the idyllic scene, and I hoped ardently that the boy would notice them before he could some to any real harm. /How sweet./
:Shut up: I bit back, straightening up from the ground and trying to move forwards to the clearing. It felt as though leaden weights had been attached to my legs, and I strained against Dragmire's will. When the smell of burning reached my nostrils, panic bubbled up inside of me, and, with a great wrench, I managed to make it to the natural archway of tree branches that led into the clearing. Then, however, he was able to regain his hold, and stopped me in my tracks.
/Now, you're beginning to annoy me Sheikah…just stay still and let me watch the fun like a good girl./ I felt incensed at being referred to as girl, which only made him chuckle derisively. /Well, if you will behave like a petulant child./
:Is it really surprising, considering the situation: I snapped darkly, resulting in more laughter. Rufus once more cut across our battle of wills, begging for help. My hands twitched, reaching out for my whip, and a bolt of pain was administered.
"Come on, we have to stop them!" The Hylian had his sword and shield already out, and looked ready to battle hard. I could feel the Gerudo man's scornful appraisal of the boy, and felt it clash with my own sense of pride about him.
:He may not be the best of fighters, but at least he has a viable reason for which to fight.:
/And who is it that decides which reasons are viable, and which are not, hmm/ "We?" I registered that I sounded surprised. "No Rufus…this is something you must do alone."
:What by the Gods do you think you're doing? Get out of my mind damn it, I can't leave him to fight alone:
/If he can't fight a few monsters alone, he has little chance against me…/ I was silent after that, because my gut feeling told me that he was right. /See…and here you were assuming I was just a pretty face./ I flushed guiltily knowing that he had stumbled upon that thought, and cursed him loudly. /Such language! Really now/ Another bolt of pain. Again, back in the real world, only a couple of seconds had passed during this internal exchange, and Rufus was looking up at me gob smacked.
"What – but you – you're supposed to-"
/Ah, he's so refreshingly coherent./ "I'd hurry up if I were you, or else the lower branches will catch, and then the Great Deku Tree will be doomed. Well, what are you waiting for?" he – I – we said airily. /Confused my dear/
:A little: I admitted, before realising I had done so. When I did realise, I managed to shake my head, and looked over at the pile of leaves and kindling that rested at the base of the Great Deku Tree. Alas, the Gerudo man had spoken the truth – the tree would indeed catch soon, if something wasn't done. :Damn the consequences: I bellowed to him, and wrenched myself away from the rough bark of the tree upon which I was leaning, my head near exploding with pain as soon as I dared to violate his control. :I've had worse…worse…: I reminded myself, now clutching my head with one hand, and sweeping monsters out of the way with my whip in the other.
Looking over at Rufus, I saw that he seemed to be coping well enough, so felt a little less guilty about my own difficulties at overcoming Dragmire. He was starting to inflict so much pain that I could swear wounds had to be appearing on the surface of my skin…but…when I looked down, there was nothing there. /You're going to regret this…you could stop now, and I might forgive you…/
:And you think that's an incentive: I snorted aloud, which caught the attention of the group of monsters (mainly bokoblins) gathered around the smouldering leaf pile. :If you want to carry on seeing through my eyes, you might want to keep me alive: I growled, as he continued to prevent me from using my weapons properly. With an aggravated sigh, he backed off just enough to allow me to prevent myself from getting killed. But, when I then moved to the slowly growing fire in order to put it out, he returned to torturing me.
When the last tiny flames licked out, I smirked, before collapsing onto the ground, water soaking my legs. :Damn it: spots of blood dripped into the water, and I pulled my cowl down to discover that my nose was bleeding. Looking around, I saw that Rufus was beginning to get hemmed in, and crawled forwards, intending to help. Dragmire just sniggered, and administered another of his wonderful bursts of agony – the flow of blood pouring from my nose increased into a veritable torrent, and I paused to try and stem the flow. :Ow.:
/Well, I did warn you/ he chirped matter-of-factly, allowing me to turn my head when Rufus desperately yelled. I saw him fall to the floor in order to evade an attack that would have killed him, and then be descended upon by a band of hideous little monsters. /Looks like he's having fun./
:You're sick: I thought disgustedly, as the small creatures jabbed the fallen Hylian with sticks. Two bokoblins loomed over him, and, after another quick battle with Dragmire, I managed to gain enough control to throw two daggers in quick succession in order to fell the beasts threatening to kill the charge I'd sworn to protect. I used another dagger on one of the little goblin things, and then the pain went beyond more nosebleeds and stars before the eyes.
/For the love of the Gods, you Sheikah are all so damned stubborn/ It felt as though I was being jabbed all over with tiny sticks, just as Rufus had been only seconds before. My head felt about ready to fall off, and my breathing came in short, sharp breaths, which made my ribcage ache and my throat burn. /Stop. Trying. To. Fight. Me. You cannot win./
:Want to bet on that: I managed, before once again losing all control. Rufus walked over to the Deku Tree, limping gingerly on his injured leg. He happened upon a lily pad, and, after testing that it would hold his weight, climbed upon it. I turned away after that, having it in my head to go and find something that could burn. :But…I don't want to…:
/What you want is irrelevant, pet./ We finally happened on a dry branch that one of the bokoblins I'd fought had dropped. Dragmire then looked around for something to light it with, before exclaiming delightedly/OH! Magic, eh? I thought that had died out a long time ago on the Great Sea… Fantastic… What a good pet you make./ I could do nothing other than watch as he created sparks above my right hand, which managed to set the brittle branch alight.
Back in the centre of the clearing, I heard the Great Deku Tree boom in Old Hylian. "The clothes you wear…could you be the legendary hero? Has the King at last found the Hero of Time? …what is the matter lad? Do you not understand the ancient Hylian tongue?" We turned to look back at where Rufus sat, looking perplexed. The tree changed into modern, common speech, and apologised, "I must apologise. I was in error…I saw your clothing and suddenly I longed for an age gone by. Such longing caused the ancient tongue to pass my lips."
/And it allowed for foolish notions to cross your mind, ancient one./ The venom in Dragmire's voice surprised me. /He protected that bloody child all those years ago…hid him from me… If he had not, I would not be here right now… Though I suppose you, my pet, make an interesting consolation prize./ He flashed a few images through my head that would have made a sailor blush…
"I'm the guardian spirit of this, the Forest Haven, the Great Deku Tree…"
/You don't say./ I managed to hush him, so keen was I to listen in to the conversation. /Listen all you want…we shall get rid of him soon…and get the Pearl./ I looked at the torch held in my hands, and realised there was a dagger in the other. /Exactly./
"The – the King of Red Lions sent me," Rufus stated boldly. "He says that you have a Great Power that we need…?"
"Ah… So it is true… Ganondorf has indeed returned…"
/Like you wouldn't believe/ the Gerudo snarled, making me raise the torch aloft, and start advancing whilst the Tree and Hylian still talked.
"No wonder such despicable creatures have been roaming this land recently… In that case, we must make haste!"
"Indeed we must!" Dragmire thought and said at the same time. Rufus looked around, and his azure eyes widened at the sight of me with torch and weapon in hand. I longed to cast them both aside, pain be damned, but I couldn't even do that anymore, the Gerudo's control over me was becoming so complete. "Great Deku Tree, my regards, but we cannot afford to waste much time. Hand us the Pearl, and we will be on our way."
The Tree frowned, and asked, "And who are you, young Sheikah, to order me around so?" Dragmire, seeming to remember the Ocarina from earlier, took it out and clutched it in the hand that had held the dagger. The Great Deku Tree confirmed his suspicions about the instrument, "The descendant of the Shadow sage?"
/I knew it/
"By Din…"
"Come along sir, we haven't the time to tarry on your memories of a sunken land," my Hylian charge sent me a dark warning look, but Dragmire pointedly ignored it, making a lude gesture at the boy.
"I cannot – not yet." The Tree carried on, but Dragmire covered his speech with a stream of curses and swearwords of annoyance.
"I'm not feeling in the mood to wait around for you, old one." /Fool…/ I couldn't believe he was daring to speak to such an obviously powerful being like that… And I was especially worried, because he was using my voice to do it. /Well, I wouldn't went to get myself hurt, would I/
"No Sheikeh would ever have spoken to me as such back in the-"
"Well, we're not in the good old days of Hyrule anymore, are we?" /More's the pity – I do rather miss a fortress full of women…/ "A lot of things have changed around here, and the balance of power has long been awaiting change!" He swung the torch dangerously close to the pile of leaves I had so recently put out, laughing with abandon. "The Pearl, if you please."
"Never – not to you, Dragmire!" There was another explosion of pain, but this time it did not come from the Gerudo man. I felt myself hit hard in the chest, and then sent flying backwards onto the springy moss on the bank behind. Through squinted eyes, I saw Rufus make to assist me, but the Tree warned him off.
/Fucking bastard – I'll kill him/ He tried to force me to stand, but it felt as though something had broken. Eyes rolling back into my head, I collapsed. /Useless pet – move./ He tried to goad me into movement with threats to my family, Rufus, Marie and everyone I'd ever so much as met. Then he cursed me with all the words he could find, before a blanket of shimmering fairies descended on me, and I fainted completely…
Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I opened my eyes blearily, registering a blissful silence in my mind. "Want sleep," I decided, the pain from earlier making me feel exhausted. However, the person who had tapped me, tapped me on the shoulder again, and with a groan, I opened my eyes. A pair of concerned blue eyes swam into focus, set in a face covered in dirt. "Rufus? What…what am I doing lying on the floor?" :Dragmire was trying to burn down the Tree, and then…and what then:
It suddenly hit me, and I reached out to grab the hand he'd used to nudge my shoulder with. "Rufus! Oh my Gods, I'm so sorry! I – I didn't mean to – he just took control, and-" I gabbled, guilt flooding me and throwing the idea of keeping up appearances out of the window. The Great Deku Tree cut across my hysterics, however, for which, in hindsight, I was glad. I sounded like an idiot…
"Explain it later, young Sheikah. There are other things that must be discussed." Wincing, I propped myself up on one elbow, and tried to ignore the pain in my ribs as the Tree began to speak once more.
Oh, just thought I ought to mention that this chapter confuses me mightily. But I did like the whole garden, dress, fake marriage idea. :Sniggers: it's just so quintessentially evil to try and confuse people! Also, I know I kept using Dragmire rather than Ganondorf throughout…I just think Dragmire sounds a lot harsher than Ganondorf – plus, by using his surname, it sort of detaches him a little, if you see what I mean:Strokes the Dragmire, who looks scared.: Yup, we all know I'm a sucker for bad boys.
Soda
PS: Nearly 11000 words…