Captain Attics

Donphes' Office

4:14 p.m.

16 days before Declaration

Attics pushed a guard out of the way and walked into Donphes' office. Uninvited, as usual.

The general did not even look up from his paperwork, "Something on your mind, Attics?"

Attics shrugged sarcastically, "Oh, nothing much, really. I was just a little curious as to why you locked our princess in a dungeon!"

The captain's shouting made Donphes jump, but he remained focused on the paper in his hands. "Zelda is not fit to rule; I have told you this on more than one occasion. The country is in ruins and I have taken the first step to bringing it to its former glory."

"By overthrowing the head of the government! I can get being pissed at what's happened to the castle. Hell, I even get looking around the rubble for clues. But what were you thinking Donphes! What the hell are we supposed to do without a ruler?"

"Hyrule has a new ruler."

Attics took a few steps back in disbelief. He finally realized what Donphes had been trying to do.

"You?" he said softly.

At last, Donphes looked his captain in the eye, "I see no one else more qualified for the responsibility."

"More qualified?" Attics let out a chuckle, "Donphes, you're about as qualified as I am. You're about as qualified as that guard I pushed on my way in here! You're about as qualified as my neighbor's cat who keeps me up at night begging for fish!"

"Attics, this is not a joke."

"YOU BET YOUR ASS THIS ISN'T! You're not just running an army here Donphes! This is way over your head!"

"Attics, relax. This was not a decision I made lightly. I know what I am doing."

"Like hell you do." Attics spat.

As the captain stormed out of the office, he quietly muttered to himself, "I need a drink."

-

Telma's Bar
4:37 p.m.

"How bout an ale?" Attics asked as he approached the bar. He rested his eyes as he tried to forget the past hour. It was times like this when he wished he could get drunk.

He heard no reply to his order; not even a plop of glass in front of him. That was strange. The reason he preferred this bar was because of the bartender's welcoming nature...that, and also her open blouse.

He opened his eyes to the deadly glare of the bartender. A chill went through Attics that made him step away from the bar.

"You. Me. Back of the bar. Now." was all the woman had to say.

The captain briefly considered asking what she wanted with him, but he feared she might kill him if he said anything; or even worse, give him that death glare again. So he fearfully obeyed.

The woman led him to the square table Attics had sat at only a few weeks ago. It was here where he had told Donphes all the information he had dug up about the princess and the castle. He looked back on that day in disdain. Why had he not realize what Donphes was doing? Was he that blinded by loyalty? Was he that blinded by friendship?

The bartender drew a curtain behind them, so the two could have a bit of privacy. "Alright Goldielocks. What has your flat-headed general done with my Princess?"

Attics tried to keep his distance, even though the angry woman was almost in his face. "I have no idea-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." she interrupted. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. And if I have to get you drunk off your ass again for you to spill the beans I'll do it. I'm not letting you leave until you tell me exactly what he plans to do with my Zelda!"

She was keeping her voice to a whisper, but even at that volume Attics felt like she was yelling in his ear. Her face was filled with a strange mixture of rage, sadness, and fear; like a bear in search of her cub.

Attics let out a sigh, "Look, I get that you're upset, but I don't really know his plans either. I just found out about it a couple hours ago myself."

"You must have some idea."

"I know how Donphes works, so yeah, I guess I have an idea."

"Tell me."

"I'm not sure you want to know."

"Tell me."

Attics sighed again, "Donphes is an aggressive guy. Whether he's fighting in a war or in an argument, he likes to crush his opponents to dust. He's also not an idiot. The princess is a huge threat to him, even if she's locked up. So he probably plans to..."

The captain stopped talking when he noticed the bartender turning a shade paler. "By the Gods..." she whispered.

She made a dash for the bar and pulled out some pieces of parchment and a quill from underneath the counter. She scribbled out four messages and dragged the mailman from his menu to deliver them.

"What are you doing?" Attics asked.

"Calling for help. There is no way I'm going to stand by and let that son of a bitch hurt her. I have a few friends that might be strong enough to get her away from him."

She tugged Attics' shirt so his face was an inch from hers, "And if you even think about telling your buddy about this, I will personally cut off your last good ear...along with some other things. Got it?"

Attics could feel cool sweat beginning to form on his brow. He had faced entire armies before and never flinched, but there was something about this woman that made him feel like a helpless child. He made a quick nod to show he understood, and the woman released him.

With a silent sigh of relief Attics made his way to the exit, risking a brief glance back at the bartender. She was a terrifyingly aggressive bear of a woman who could rip him to shreds with a mean look...if this were any other day he might have asked her out on a date.

Unfortunately this was not any other day.

He had to come up with a way to get the princess to safety without harming Donphes, or there was going to be blood. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe he could talk Donphes into letting Zelda go without anyone getting killed. He groaned at the thought of trying to persuade his stubborn friend, but it was his only option.