A/N: Hello everyone. After reading the last chapter again, I decided that I didn't like it as much as I thought I did, so I edited it. There isn't a need to read it again, but that's the reason why this chapter is late.
-black rose a.k.a jane- it was sleeping pills. And yes it would have been much easier to poison Rahzel.
-SaratheAngelic- I'm sorry that you were confused. Thank you for the review, it made me think back to the chapter. I agree with you, Rahzel's father did just appear. I only mentioned him once in Of Sparrows and Swordsmen and during the first chapter of this story.
-Anibella- I'm sorry I meant to say that I was excited to read a sneak peek. It sounds interesting and I'm interested.
Ghirahim clenched and unclenched his fists. The anger that he felt toward his former advisor was beyond words. The Bokoblin that were searching through Vladimir's things tossed the demon's possessions out of the tent that was set up for him. The advisor never reappeared and Ghirahim had insisted that the bird-like demon's tent was searched for any clues to the identities of the others in this revolutionary group.
"Ghirahim, it looks like they didn't find anything," Rahzel said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Please, calm down. I'm still alive and will remain that way."
"How can you say that?" Ghirahim growled, "he was your friend and he backstabbed you."
"It was my stomach actually," Rahzel said.
The noble grabbed the woman firmly by the upper arms, "He intended to kill you."
"And I now understand how Link must have felt," Rahzel said, "I am no better than he." She looked down in shame.
Ghirahim stopped and loosened his grip, "I..didn't think of that… You may be able to forgive and forget, but I can't. I've nearly lost you too many times."
"My lord and lady, I have found something," a Bokoblin screeched causing Ghirahim to wonder if Rahzel understood what they said. Ghirahim nodded to the Bokoblin to encourage it to continue. "This journal was found among Vladimir's belongings."
"I didn't think he was the type to keep a journal," Rahzel said as Ghirahim flipped through the pages.
"I'm thinking about letting Zant search for these revolutionists," Ghirahim started waiting for a response.
"It seems a wise choice," Rahzel said, "He is one of our generals." In a softer voice she added, "one of our weaker generals."
"Exactly, Midna and us can complete this siege while he looks for these traitors," Ghirahim said.
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Midna followed Zant into Ghirahim's strategy tent. "Do you know why he called us here?" the Twili asked the other.
"No ma'am, I don't know," Zant replied, "he said he needed to speak to us." Midna sighed somewhat irritated. The male Twili held up the cloth flap to the king's tent and Midna slipped underneath.
"Hello, you two," Ghirahim said, "I've been waiting for you."
"What's this all about?" Midna asked crossing her arms.
"This," Ghirahim said holding up a pure black ring that seemed to be made from volcanic rock.
"I don't understand, your Majesty," Zant said with a tilt of his head.
Ghirahim flipped the ring and caught it in midair. "This was found among Vladimir's things. Rahzel and I believe that it is a symbol of the members of this revolutionary faction. I want you to find them Zant."
The Twili held out his hand and Ghirahim dropped the ring into his hand. "I believe that I have seen some of the soldiers under my command wear these. I can eliminate this filth."
"Thank you, Zant. I'll be sure to reward you once you complete this task," Ghirahim said dismissing the Twili. Zant gave a bow and left the tent.
"I have a special task for you, Midna," Ghirahim stated.
"You want me to track down Vladimir," Midna said with a blood-thirsty grin.
"Yes, just don't kill him," Ghirahim answered making Midna raise an eyebrow as if to ask the noble if he was being merciful. "Bring him to me alive. I will finish him myself." The noble had a cold gleam in his eyes.
"He just needs to be alive?" Midna asked.
"Yes, besides that you can do whatever you like to him," Ghirahim answered.
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Rahzel looked over to the woods to avoid watching the demons dispose of the patrol that came to spy on the siege. The sound of tearing flesh and the smell of blood sickened her, she placed a hand on a nearby tree to keep herself upright. Deciding that the scene was too much, she walked a couple of meters away to be alone.
Out of earshot, she fell to her knees. She put both hands over her face as hot tears ran down her face. "I'm so sorry," she murmured out loud. She wished that the Hylians and Sheikah that had fallen could hear her and forgive her. A snapping twig got Rahzel's attention. A Sheikah's red eyes bore down into hers. His bow drawn arrow aimed for her head. He looked nervous as if he expected a trap. Rahzel looked down.
There was a gurgling noise and Rahzel looked back to the Sheikah. A demon grinned at her, blood running from the corners of his lips as the Sheikah crumbled to the ground. He picked up his golden staff and wiped the blood on his mouth on his dark sleeves. "My lady," he greeted with a bow.
"Yuga, correct," Rahzel asked. The demon nodded his red hair bobbing. "Thank you," she said. Yuga held out his hand and pulled the woman to her feet.
"It was my pleasure," he stated, "we should be sending our report to his majesty." Rahzel nodded and followed the demon. "Do you get queasy at the sight of blood, my lady," the demon asked. The woman just shrugged. The demon chuckled, "well, that Sheikah's blood wasn't very appetizing either which way."
Rahzel scrunched her face in disgust. She took a couple of steps away from the demon. The soft glow of the siege's campfires shined in the distance. "I think I deserve a reward," Yuga said.
"I'm your soon-to-be queen. My gratitude should be enough," Rahzel said now uncomfortable with the demon's tone.
The demon stepped in front of Rahzel. "The price is small. Just a little blood."
Rahzel narrowed her eyes putting her hand on the hilt of her sword. "I suggest that you let me by," Rahzel growled.
The demon laughed, "I was pulling your leg." He walked away, his purple cape billowing.
"I wouldn't think too much of it, Rahzel," Ghirahim's voice said before a hand was placed on her shoulder. Rahzel leaned against him.
"He threatened me," she said angrily.
"Yuga, that man is more interested in paintings than up heaving our society," Ghirahim said, "I'll keep him away from you. Whether or not he meant the threat, I'll have Zant keep an eye on him."
Rahzel stepped on her toes catching his lips with hers. "Thank you. Oh and about my report. We successively took the river and even stopped a shipment of supplies."
"Then it's time to attack. When the boat doesn't return, Link would suspect something. Is everyone ready to move?"
"They have been ready for a while. They are waiting for your command," Rahzel said.
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Ghirahim watched as his soldiers climbed the walls and figures were falling off the walls. After weeks of being under siege, the Hylians were weak and were being trampled. Arms tightened around him and Rahzel buried her face into his cape. The Hylian seemed so fragile since the battle on the hill so many weeks ago. The change in the woman angered him and he wished he could pull her out of it. He loved the woman that stood tall and fought a fight even when she knew that it was futile. He should have pushed her away after all she was weak, broken, but he found that he wanted to hold her tighter and try to piece her back together.
"The city is ours, my lord," a female voice said from Ghirahim's left. A female demon with teal skin wearing a lightly armored dress stood her hands on her hips.
"Thank you, Veran," Rahzel answered, her voice firm. The two females stared at each other for a moment before Veran took a bow.
"Of course, there is no one else as strong as I," Veran said flipping her dark hair. Rahzel slipped off the horse from behind Ghirahim.
"I can disprove that right now if you like," Rahzel said in a threatening voice.
"There is no need, my lady. I will be clearing out the houses." With that she left.
"That's rather shocking, Rahzel. You didn't need to bite her head off," Ghirahim said rather pleased at the liveliness that the woman showed for a brief moment.
"She was trying to flirt with you," she said crossing her arms, "She was batting her eyes and … you didn't see it, did you."
Ghirahim laughed pulling the woman into a hug. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, but that is the most you have acted like yourself in a while."
Rahzel sighed, "I understand. I became weak, soft." Rahzel slipped from his grasp, "I should leave. I can't do this anymore. I can't kill my friends anymore."
Ghirahim understood perfectly, "When I lived with Demise, he had me kill my best friend. I did it because I feared the consequences of disobedience. Why are you doing this?" Rahzel thought for a moment. "You don't fear me. I'm not commanding you do fight your friends… why are you here?"
"To set things right. To give your people the justice they deserve," she answered. She stood taller. "I'm giving your people, our people, everything they deserve."
Ghirahim ran his thumb along her cheekbone, "There's my sparrow."
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Midna hid behind one of large rocks that covered the rolling hills. She watched as her target knelt by a stream using his hands to drink from the running water. She formed a barrier around the bird-like demon. The former advisor looked up from his drink to watch Midna come out from her hiding spot. "I've been looking for you," she said thinking of ways to make the demon suffer.
"Lady Midna," he started, "Let me explain."
"And you expect me to listen?" she asked rolling her eyes. "You're a traitor. And I'm here to bring you to Ghirahim to receive your punishment."
"I won't fight you. I'll come willingly. I just need to speak with Ghirahim," he said pleadingly.
"Sure, I'm taking you to him. If you want to speak with him, you'll have to make him listen," Midna said looking at her fingernails. The Twili looked at the bird-like demon, "But I doubt he will be in a listening mood."