III

Reluctant Alliance

Craning his head back, Link stared at the glistening towers in the city. Whiter than any white he had seen before, they radiated such brilliance that he could not believe his eyes. It seemed like a city one could only dream of. Not one of his dreams, however. A harsh shove brought him back from his amazed state. The guards were not being too nice with him. He grumbled under his breath as he picked up his pace a little. Finished with looking up, Link's gaze began to survey the rest of the city and its inhabitants.

There was positively no chance of this city being a part of Hyrule. Not only did the style of the structures alert him, but so did the state of its people. There was not a family in Hyrule that had not lost something during the war. And, though it ended a year ago, the Hylians were still recouping and rebuilding. This city and the people were just too well off to be in Hyrule. He also noticed that a few of the people that noticed him and his guards gave him odd stares. After returning the stares back to the people, Link surmised that they did not get prisoners too often.

A depressing shadow fell across Link and the guards. Glancing back up, he noted the building now before them. A slight chill travelled up his spine at the sight. Though he had never been in this city before let alone the building, he knew what had to be inside:

A prison cell.

It was the logical assumption in a situation like this: being thrown into a cell to wait to see what would happen to him. At the moment, his only hope that these people did not kill before asking questions.

"Any word yet from the other search group from the second anomaly?" asked the commander, removing his helm once he was inside.

"None, sir," answered a foot soldier. The commander scowled for a moment, running a hand over his scraggly chin. That was twice now Link heard him talking of second anomaly. Did that mean there were others here like he was? Part of him doubted it, though. When he and Vaati had gone to the cave, there had been no signs of anyone else.

"Hey!" shouted Link. His arms were twisted to remind him to mind his place. Glaring, he muttered something under his breath. One of the guards around him had taken his sword and was now removing the armor on his right arm. This only annoyed him more. It was not just that he did not like having his gear taken, the sword had also once belonged to his father. It was all he had left of his family. The only reminder of the life he once had.

"Take those to the armory," ordered the commander. Tossing his head, the commander then gestured that the other guards still with Link should follow him. Link clenched his jaw tight as he was then lead through the building. He tried to take notes on where the guard with his gear had gone. If he ever managed to get out of this place, he would want them back.

Though they were heading underground by now, it did not feel to Link as though they were. Most prisons he had seen in his life were dank and run-down. This place continued to shine as bright as the buildings outside. The only time he was reminded it was a prison was when he was thrown into his cell. He managed to keep himself from running into the far wall. Spinning around, he had to stop short before running into the cell bars. His momentary chance at escape was gone, for as quickly as the cell was opened, it was closed again.

"So odd..." murmured the commander, raising an eyebrow to Link. "I wonder if there are others that look like him at the second anomaly." Sighing, he turned his back to Link as he began to head out. "I only feel sorry for their majesties to be bothered with this on such a joyous day."

Link glared at the commander's back until he was gone from sight on the other side of the prison door. It was in that moment that he noticed something. What the commander had mentioned also tipped him off: Link was the only one of the people here that had pointed ears.

:::

San and Veknor walked fairly slowly through the grand city. Though they did not know the reason, Veknor was still weak since coming here. The young mage had hoped his weariness would wear off as they made their way to the city, but it had not. The only good news was that Veknor's condition had not declined. To not draw any more attention to themselves than needed, the dragon-mage had insisted upon walking under his own strength. The two spellcasters tried to stay to the less crowded areas of the city, but that was proving to be rather hard to accomplish for there were a lot of people and they all seemed to be gathering around the streets.

A loud trumpet was heard. Then another. And another. The air filled with their sound, each of the different notes resonating with everyone there. Drums began to beat, and other instruments joined in too. The music swelled up through the city until there was not a place inside the walls that could not hear it. It had been such a long time since San had heard music like this. In the aftermath of the war, there was not much time for such celebrations. The music was also from a culture she did not know of.

"Here they come! I see them! I see them!" cheered out a child's voice above the busy chatter of the crowd. As if on command, the people around the two mages tried to move closer to the wide streets. In all the hustle, both San and Veknor were forced forward towards the edge of the crowd. It was not the worst of things, for they could now easily see what was going on.

A parade of people were making their way down the street. Led by two people on horseback that carried banners, the parade moved on at a steady pace. There were several people performing acrobatics neat the front, their stunts impressing even San. After them came the musicians, their instruments shining brightly in the sunlight. It was what followed next, though, that caught the most attention.

Being pulled by six majestic horses, the elaborate wagon moved smoothly along. Two people stood atop the wagon, a man and woman, waving to the crowds as they passed by. Judging by their clothing and how the two held themselves, San could only assume that the two of them were royalty of some sort. The two both had blonde hair, but the woman's was more golden than the man's. The young mage was only able to stare in amazement, her mouth hanging slightly open. Even at this distance, she could feel great power coming from the two at the focal point of the parade.

"This is great! Prince Alden and Princess Zelda are finally getting married!" exclaimed a person near the mages. San's ears perked slightly as she caught this piece of information. Were those really the names of the two in the parade? If so...

"Congratulations!" yelled out a voice.

"Well done, your majesties!" These and other cheers rose louder as the parade for the prince and princess passed by where San and Veknor stood. The blue-haired mage could not look away. Just where was this land that they ruled over? San's thoughts were cut short as she suddenly stiffened.

The princess' eyes had fallen upon San's.

Piercing ocean-blue orbs that were filled with wisdom beyond her years met the azure ones of San. It could not have been more than a second, but the mage knew the princess had been able to pick San out from the entire sea of people. The smile that had been on Princess Zelda's face as she waved to the crowd faltered. It had only been for a second, but San knew well enough it had dealt with her. As soon as it had happened, the moment passed, and San could breath easy again.

"Young San...we must get out of here..." whispered Veknor, his voice still weak. San looked to him, her expression voicing the question that was on her mind. "We appear to stand out too much in this crowd..." Brow furrowing, San followed Veknor's gaze and saw what had caught his attention: a pair of guards where whispering to themselves, while their attention was focused on the two mages. "We must leave!" hissed Veknor before turning.

San watched the guards for a moment longer before following her master. Her fears were confirmed as she turned: the guards had begun to follow them. The young mage was quick to catch up to her master and grab his arm. As much as the dragon-mage did not want to admit it, he could not deny the fact that he was still weak. While guiding Veknor as quickly as possible, San strained her senses to see how many guards were now after them.

"Ten are now alerted to our presence," murmured Veknor. San grunted in frustration and tried to move quicker. Ten guards. "Get yourself out of here."

San shook her head and tightened the grip on her master. "I am not leaving you behind, Master Veknor."

"That is an order, young San. I trust that some way can then be found for me to escape."

"Then consider this my rebellious stage, for I am not leaving your side! We shall find a way together. Besides, I don't know if I'd be able to get back in to free you! And you are in no condition to free yourself." Veknor eyed her for a moment before sighing and then grumbling something under his breath. Judging by his reaction, San knew he had reluctantly agreed to her side of it.

Once that had been settled, San wondered what do to next. As long as she was with Veknor, she would be unable to escape quickly. Biting her bottom lip, she decided on what had to be done. Tugging her master's arm, she pulled Veknor into an alley, the guards closing in on them. It would take a bit, but she was confident enough in her abilities that a little magic could...

"Don't!" hissed Veknor.

San's concentration broke and the spell she was preparing to cast faded away. She caught her breath as she saw the guards wait at the entrance of the alley. Confused, she shot her master a look. He knew the limits of her abilities, surely he knew San could handle taking care of their pursuers.

"Do not use any magic at all," he warned. It was the dragon-mage's turn to grip his protégé's arm. "Just allow us to be captured, and we shall make our escape later." It went against everything her mind was telling her to do so that they were safe, but San sighed and followed Veknor's orders. She could only hope that the latter of what he said, the escape, would be as easy as the capture.

:::

"Think there are any more of them?"

"Only time will tell," grunted a man in response. Rusty cage doors were then closed, and the sound of footsteps faded away in the cell block. Only once he was certain that the guards were gone did Link open an eye. From where he sat against his cell wall, he could not see anyone else. Sighing to himself, he grudgingly rose and headed to the cold bars that kept him trapped. Now he could see a robed man in one of the cells adjacent to his. Whoever the man was, he was rather tall with an air of power around him. Since he did not expect anyone else to have them, Link gasped lightly when he saw the pointed ears of a Hylian.

"Looks like we are not the only ones here after all," commented the robed man as he turned and spotted Link staring at him. "This may explain the guards' interest in us, at least."

Leaning coolly against the bars, Link crossed his arms. "Who are you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

The robed man let out a heavy sigh before he sat down. He seemed tired and weary of what had gone on for him. "I am Veknor. My companion here is San."

"Nice to meet you," piped up a woman. Link blinked in surprise. He had not expected that. His eyes darted to the wall that separated him and San. "Though this isn't the best of situations," she added with a nervous chuckle.

"And what is your name?" asked Veknor stiffly, bringing Link back from his thoughts.

The mercenary blinked a moment, having been caught off guard by the question. "Link," he huffed out. Veknor studied him with his cold-gray eyes. Under the gaze, Link swallowed. It was rather intimidating. Though the red-haired man looked weary, there was still a great presence about him, one that unsettled Link. He could not explain why, but it was different from anyone he had met before in his life.

Nodding, Veknor took a seat in his cell, steepling his fingers before him. "You are Hylian then?"

Link wanted to scoff at the question, but he held it back. If they had been sent here like he was, and as confused in this place like him, then it was a fair enough question. The mercenary allowed a silent nod to be his answer.

"And I assume you were sent here through some anomaly?"

"If that's what you call it, yeah, I guess." The mercenary still was not quite sure what to make of what had happened to him.

Veknor's eyes darted to, Link assumed, San. "We were brought here the same way."

"Just exactly where is here anyway?" asked Link, raising an eyebrow.

"Princess Zelda..." murmured San before an answer could be given. "Apparently that woman was Princess Zelda..." Link raised an eyebrow in her general direction. She seemed to be getting rather concerned over a mere name. "Could she possibly be―"

"No, she is not," answered Veknor with a shake of his head.

"Wait, what?" asked Link, already confused within the first few minutes of meeting these people.

"Princess Zelda," began San, sighing softly, "she is also the Princess of Hyrule."

Link blinked a couple times. Two different princesses of different kingdoms with the same name? Certainly that did not happen very often. "Maybe...it's a popular name these days?" suggested Link.

Veknor pinched the bridge of his nose at the comment. "It's only popular amongst the young daughters of Hyrule that were named after our Princess."

"So...this is a complete coincidence to be in a kingdom where the princess happens to have the same name as ours?" questioned San.

"So far, that is the way it would seem. Wherever here is," he added with a heavy sigh.

"Could this have anything to deal with the Demon Horde?" San's voice was soft, as though she realized the weight of her question were the answer affirmative.

Even Link felt relieved when he saw Veknor shake his head. "This does not fall into the Demon Horde's usual traits."

"You fought them too, huh? During the war." Link clenched a fist after he asked as he remembered what he had gone through because of the war.

"Aye, that we did."

"Well, even if the Demon Horde didn't do this, what if there are their are forces out here?" Veknor seemed to pause for a moment in thought to Link's question. "It could be Dalin all over again!"

The cold-gray eyes of Veknor studied Link once more. Like before, the mercenary grew uneasy under the gaze. "You were from there, correct?"

Link bit his bottom lip in annoyance. He had not wanted to let that piece of information dealing about his past out so soon. "Yeah, I am.." He quickly shook his head. "Bah! What does that have to deal with what's going on now?"

The slightest of grins seemed to tug at the corner of Veknor's mouth. "True." The fiery-haired man turned his attention to the cell beside Link's. "San, would you be so kind as to free us from here? I think we've spent enough time imprisoned." Dusting off his robes, Veknor rose.

"Of course, Master," responded San. Link could only glance in the direction of her cell in confusion. How would she be able to free them so easily? Whoever these two were, they were certainly not average Hylians. Link felt a tingling sensation travel up his spine as the air around him became charged. There could only be one explanation to what was going on...

Magic.

Groaning under his breath, Link crossed his arms and took a seat on his bed in the cell. This had not been what he wanted: more sorcerers. The second he was not with one, he was with others. The mercenary only hoped that they would soon be gone.

An odd yelp met Link's ears. San had been surprised by something. A moment passed before Link saw the hint of blue fabric followed by a spark near Veknor's cell. Once the smoke settled, the door to Veknor's cell swung easily open as though it had never been locked. The mercenary could not help but to stare in wonder for a moment. Magic could certainly have its useful moments...

Huffing in annoyance, Link crossed his arms and slouched in his seat. Sorcerers... He did not want anything more to do with them. His experience with Vaati had forever ruined what chance there had been of him liking magic wielders. They were all the same in the end. Slimey, snooty, no-good, rotten―

"Do you wish to leave here, or are you just going to sit there all day?" asked the female mage. Blinking, Link looked up to the door of his cell. The woman he assumed was San stood there, an eyebrow raised at him. She tapped on the cool bars slowly. Link clamped his mouth shut once he realized it had been hanging open slightly. He had not expected a sorcerer, or any magic-wielder, to look like her.

"Aren't you a little young to be a sorcerer?" he finally managed to ask after clearing his throat.

San gave a disapproving sniff. Closing her eyes, the same spark he had seen flashed by his cell door. "For a mage, I am. But that doesn't stop me from being your only chance out of here." A kind smile parted her lips. The mercenary could not remember the last time someone had smiled like that for him. It had to have been while he still lived in Dalin. "Are you coming?" she asked, holding out her hand.

Once again, Link was taken by surprise. Ever since he started work as a mercenary, he had never been treated so kindly. He was almost caught up in it all when he suddenly remembered what it was he was getting help from. Sinking lower into his seat, Link grunted. "I don't need help from sorcerers."

Sighing, San started to head off. "If you say so." Lending an arm to Veknor to help him stand, the two of them headed past Link's line of sight.

"Put the guards to sleep, young San. We shall make our escape from here yet. He shall just have to find his own way, if he even has the skill enough to do so."

Link bristled slightly. It felt as though Veknor was purposefully trying to goad him. "Fine!" huffed Link, standing. "I'll join you sorcerers on your way out."

"My name is San, not 'sorcerer'," sighed the blue-haired woman as she looked over her shoulder. "Would you please use my name, Link?" she asked. There was no hint of sarcasm or annoyance in her voice, and once again, Link was surprised. Was this woman always so nice?

"Uh...s-sure..." stuttered out Link, not expecting that sort of attitude from her. He had always believed all sorcerers to be the same. Veknor had watched the two for a moment, and Link swore there was an amused grin on his face before the redhead turned back around. Bristling slightly, Link sighed to himself before heading out of his cell. Perhaps this was not the best of choices after all.

With San being forced to lead the way, the three of them began to make it through the halls they had been taken through. Any guard they neared was quickly put to sleep with the use of a spell from San. It made Link a little nervous, seeing how powerful a simple spell could be. He made a mental note not to get on the wrong side of this mage.

"Wait!" he hissed when they were nearing the end of the halls. "Can we go try to find the armory?"

"Why would we need to go there?" questioned Veknor, raising an eyebrow.

"They took my armor and weapon when they brought me here."

"If it is gear you are looking for, then why do you not just take some from the guards?"

Crossing his arms, Link answered, "Because their weapons don't suit me."

"Now you are being ridiculous. Any weapon should―"

"Master," interjected San, "Wouldn't it be best for a non-magic fighter to be able to fight at his greatest strength sooner rather than later? It should not take much more to get Link's armor and weapon."

Veknor let out a heavy sigh. "If you believe you have the strength to go so far, little one."

San smiled and nodded. "I do. I don't know why, but something about being here..." She looked down to her hands. "It's increased the power of my spells, so it doesn't take as much strength to cast the spells I want. It caught me off-guard when I opened my cell, but I've gotten the hang of it now."

"Very well then," nodded the redhead. Link only had the vaguest of ideas where his gear was being stored. After a few wrong turns and encountering a couple patrols, the three of them found their way to where equipment was stored. Link sighed in relief when he saw his sword and armor still safe. As San and Veknor stood guard, Link donned his equipment and began to think.

"Is it just me, or is this just a little too easy?" questioned San, voicing exactly what Link had began to wonder himself. Not that he was complaining, but it did feel as though their escape was going too smoothly. "For a prison, I would have expected to see a lot more guards. And yet we have only crossed paths with a few groups."

"Maybe they don't normally get prisoners," laughed Link, straightening his tunic as he headed back to their side.

"No... It is more as though they are short-handed at the moment," murmured Veknor. Link sighed. Of course his idea would not be the correct one.

"Why would they be short on available guards?" asked San.

"That I cannot say. What ever the reason, we should make our escape now." His statement brought their conversation to an end. Sword drawn, Link brought up the rear as the three of them headed back out the halls. All guards they had passed before were still asleep thanks to San's spell. For the first time in a long time, Link was thankful that there was someone who could use magic. It was proving to be rather useful in their situation. He wanted to kick himself for even thinking such a thing...but it was the truth. A grunt of annoyance escaped him and pulled Link from his thoughts.

"What the?" he grumbled out. Rubbing his forehead, he glared at the back of the two mages. They had stopped without reason and without warning. Why had they stopped now when they were nearly to freedom? "Hey," he began while moving to the side of the two.

"They're here..." murmured San, her voice showing signs of strain. Things had been going so well. Why was the young mage now showing signs of concern?

"Who the hell are―" began Link, but the mercenary stopped when he rounded the corner. "They..." The sight of royal guards was enough to make even Link nervous. He could certainly tell why San had grown concerned all of a sudden. It was not so much the guards themselves that caused Link to stiffen, but rather who was protected by them.

None other than Princess Zelda and Prince Alden were staring back at the mercenary.

This was not turning out to be the best of days for Link. Swallowing nervously, he tried to back up, only to once again bump into the mages. He grumbled under his breath. Good for nothing sorcerers... he thought once more. Were they not capable of teleporting all of them to safety? That is what magic-wielders were good at, after all, figured Link: fleeing and being annoying.

"Well, looks like we got here in time, then," commented the prince wryly. Link cursed under his breath.

They had escaped from the frying pan...only to be caught in the fire.