The autumn winds that swept across Hyrule field seemed to bring more than just a chilly air that came with the passing of seasons. Leaves that once covered themselves with green masks began to reveal their true nature; reds, oranges, and yellows flapped in the wind like paper fires that could not be extinguished. The crops began to show the first fruits of the diminished harvest, a small beacon of hope in a desolate land. Squirrels and other animals scurried throughout the woods, beginning the preparation for winter's blanket of snow that would smother the landscape in just a few months.

Just as nature adapted to the changing season, so too did the people of Hyrule begin to cope with the brutal effects of battle on their nation. Some refused to yield to the pressure, maintaining a cheerful hope against all odds. Others cried out in anger and frustration to the heavens, wondering if there was anyone even listening to their pleas. And still others let their despair consume them, showing no more life than the wilted brown leaves that fall to the ground and are crunched beneath a traveler's feet.

Though it had been short, the war had already taken its toll on the nation. Many of the eastern villages had been pillaged and burned during Zant's advance on the capital. Refugees now swarmed around the main city as over half of the farmland now lay in ashes. Hunger and disease began to take their toll on Castle Town and the country as a whole. The city buildings echoed with the songs and prayers of those who lost their homes as they tried to keep their spirits alive. Even so, unrest quickly grew as pleas and complaints about overcrowding, filth, and lack of food pounded on the doors of the castle day and night.

To make matters worse, rumors were spreading faster than a locust swarm; many of them centered on the absent Queen Zelda. Some said she had been murdered. Others claimed that she had eloped with a mysterious lover. Still others boldly accused she had abandoned her country in cowardice. The variations were endless, but none did any credit to the queen's name. Of course, anyone with a sound mind could dispel these as spinsters' tales. Nonetheless, as poverty oppressed the people and the certainty of a daily meal diminished, people were more than willing to lend a listening ear. The country was falling apart at the seams.

Even the figure advocating for the reconstruction of Hyrule, Durian Anarvi, was not immune to the suspicions and discontent that the recent misfortune had brought. Although many were grateful for his charitable acts, such as his donations from the royal food supply and the ongoing reconstruction of the Hylian army, many questioned his motives. The current tale that circulated around the city originated from a castle servant who claimed to have seen him lock the queen in her study only hours before the attack. Others who knew him commented on how he seemed in brighter spirits despite the ongoing poverty. The mysteries and wild stories surrounding the Duke of Crimea mixed with the countless others to throw the populace into a confused frenzy. Few knew who to trust anymore.

While the citizens of Hyrule groaned beneath the weight of hardship, a lone figure watched from the shadows and reveled in their suffering. His home was far beneath the rough, rocky roads of Castle Town, where the sun could not reach and the water was stagnant at best. He and the remnants of his kind had been exiled there centuries ago, practicing their culture in isolation and surviving centuries of persecution. Despite being ostracized from the country, they had persevered as thieves, eventually reaching the very pinnacle of the criminal underworld. Every outlaw and villain knew the name of Scorpio. They had built a secret empire that transcended nations; he was its ruler.

"Please, Lord Geroshida, just give us one more chance." Maholo's voice echoed off the damp stone walls. "With Error gone, she won't get away this time." The nervous foreigner was careful to hide his fear. He kept his hands clasped neutrally in front of him while he stood against the thief lord's gaze. As head of Scorpio's operations in Holodrum, he had been summoned to Hyrule to give an account of his failure. As sweat began to trickle down the back of his neck, he anxiously awaited his superior's response.

The thief lord folded his hands in front of him, his large elbows causing the wooden table to creak as he progressively leaned on it. A chess set of quality marble lay in front of him. The pieces were carved into figures of ancient Gerudo lore. On the white side, female Gerudo warriors served as pawns, mounted desert archers as knights, and an elaborate but condensed version of the Spirit Temple served as the rooks. Figures of the ancient elemental witches, Koume and Kotake, replaced the traditional bishops, while a figurine of Nabooru replaced the formidable queen. The Dark Lord, Ganondorf, commanded the army as king. Opposing the Gerudo army, colored in black, was none other than the Hylian army, with the first Princess Zelda as the king and the legendary hero of old as the queen. They commanded a variety of Hylian soldiers to oppose the marble Gerudo army. Several pawns lay scattered from both parties on the side of the board; symbolic casualties from a centuries old conflict.

Geroshida eyed the board carefully and moved his bishop to take out a pawn belonging to his invisible opponent. His yellow eyes glowered at Maholo in disinterest.

"Tell me, Maholo, have you ever played chess?" His deep voice boomed across the enclosed room.

Maholo shifted his feet slightly as he looked at the intricately designed board. The room felt horribly claustrophobic, and the dim light flickering on the walls from the scattered candlesticks did little to comfort him. Geroshida's question had taken him off guard. What did chess have to do with anything?

"I'm afraid I haven't, Lord Geroshida."

Scorpio's leader seemed to ignore the response as he focused on the board in front of him. He moved a white knight for his imaginary opponent and placed it in a position threatening two of his own pieces. His large dark hands retreated back to his lap as he surveyed the board once again. "It teaches one to plan ahead. To anticipate potential problems and deal with them before they arrive." He reached for his own knight to take his opponent's, knowing full well the space was protected by other pieces. "Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary to get ahead."

Maholo swallowed hard. He didn't like where this was going. He had heard Geroshida was an unforgiving man that didn't tolerate failure. Since this was his first time meeting the man, he prayed the rumors were false.

Scorpio's leader glanced at Maholo quickly, analyzing him for any sign of weakness, and quickly returned to the board. He wiped out his own piece with his opponent's and looked back to the chess board. His right forefinger rubbed his chin while he pondered his next move, the red stubble brushing against his fingertip abrasively.

"Maholo, is it true that you and your men were defeated by a kangaroo?" The thief lord's voice asked with a hint of irritation.

A surge of panic shot up Maholo's spine. If he were standing before anyone else, he would have laughed off the question. The nervous thief swallowed hard and projected his voice to sound more confident than he was. "It was a boxing kangaroo, sir." He paused. "But Error was the true cause of our failure. Everything else was just mud thrown on the manure pile."

Geroshida's eyebrows creased slightly. "Oh? So one of your own rebelled and you were defeated by a boxing kangaroo?"

Maholo's palms began to sweat bags of water as his feigned confidence shattered. Suddenly, the room felt hotter than usual. The incense permeating the room began to make him nauseous. "I'm a dead man, right?"

Geroshida wiped the chess board with a swift motion of his large arm. The pieces rattled all over the table and onto the ground as they joined their fallen comrades. Several rolled aimlessly on the wooden surface, while others nestled themselves between the tomes of dark magic stacked next to the board. "How do you think people will react when they learn that the most respected underground criminal organization was humiliated? By a boxing kangaroo?" His fist pounded against the marble board, causing several of the pieces to jump. "And our target escaped!"

Maholo raised his voice slightly. "But it was Error who…"

"Do you think I care?" Geroshida rose from his chair, his fiery red hair only inches from the damp ceiling. He easily towered above his underling, making it all the easier to intimidate him. "I ordered you to bring me Zelda, and I have yet to see results." His voice lowered as he began to take the fallen chess pieces and place them methodically back in their starting positions. "If you want a second chance, then show me that you are capable of learning from your mistakes."

Maholo's head perked up. "Of course. I will not fail again."

Geroshida sat down and leaned forward on the table again, seemingly satisfied. "Good. " He pointed to the chess board. "Then how about a simple game of chess? Beat me and we'll forget your failure ever happened."

Maholo let a small but confident smirk creep across his face. "Is that all?"

The thief lord nodded. "That is all."

The underling nodded his head. "I'll show you what I'm capable of."

The objective was easier said than done. Several minutes later, Maholo found himself hopelessly outmatched. Geroshida had swept aside his feeble strategies and cornered his king in just a few moves. Now, no matter what he did, checkmate was imminent.

"It's your move," Scorpio's leader taunted him from across the table. His cheek rested bored on one hand while his fingers tapped expectantly on the wooden desk.

Maholo rose from the chair frustrated. "What's the point? You win no matter what I do!"

"So?"

Maholo scowled. "You knew I couldn't win, yet you had me play anyways. You were just manipulating me."

Geroshida shrugged his shoulders. "That was the intention. A sound strategy should lead to the desired outcome."

The defeated Gerudo looked from the chess board to his superior. "And what happens when I lose?"

The thief lord cracked his knuckles. "The same thing that happens to all those who taste defeat at my hand."

Maholo sat back down. His fingers grasped the little crown on black Zelda's head and stayed there. A chill ran down his spine. What if this was the last move he'd ever make?

"So this is the infamous Scorpio I've heard so much about?" A woman's voice mocked from the entrance. The shadows hid her face and her black armor seemed to melt into the darkness. "Playing chess? I've seen butterflies with more ferocity."

Maholo retracted his fingers from the piece and reached for a small dagger he always kept by his waist. He spun around, eyes wide with adrenaline like a frightened animal. "Who are you? How did you get down here?"

Atrayu looked at his weapon and smirked. As she stepped into the candlelight, boots clomping against the hard stone floor, her many battle scars became visible. A large scrape ran against her black armor; countless shallow scratches dotted her skin like body paint. Her left arm was tightly wrapped with cloth. Based on the way she carefully avoided excessive motion, Geroshida deduced it was recently inflicted. A dragon scale swung freely around her neck.

The feral warrior unleashed her own claws and prepared for a fight. "I walked down here. The guards practically let me in."

Geroshida tilted his head in amusement. The wild amber eyes that returned his gaze piqued his interest. He decided to keep silent and watch the scene unfold.

Maholo stepped forward, his knife at the ready. "Don't get feisty with me. I asked you a question."

The shifter shrugged her shoulders. She watched him from the corner of her eye. "And I answered it. What more do you want?"

Maholo began to circle the entryway. He kept a safe distance and remained vigilant. "I demand to know who you are and how you found us!"

Atrayu retracted her claws and began to step forward. She ignored Maholo altogether and faced the ever watchful eyes of Geroshida. "My name is Atrayu. I'm a wandering mercenary. I stumbled across your band of merry men in Holodrum and followed them here." Her lips pursed into a sinister grin. "I have a few things I would like to discuss with you." She pointed to Maholo with a nod of her head. "Preferably alone."

"Who do you think you are?" Maholo snapped angrily. He stepped forward and readied his weapon.

Atrayu noticed the subtle slash from the corner of her eye. She evaded the knife with ease and grabbed his wrist with her hand, twisted his arm around, and pulled tightly. The knife dropped to the ground as the strain overwhelmed the nerves along his entire limb. She pulled his arm around his back and thrust him into submission against the wall. She extended her claw-like nails and brushed them gently against the back of his neck.

"Tell me," she hissed, "do you welcome death, or do you fear it?"

Maholo gritted his teeth against the pain in his arm. He could feel her breath warming his neck. "I fear neither death nor you."

Atrayu grinned with a twisted sense of amusement. "That's what I like to hear." She felt the pulse in his neck and the soft tissue of his skin as she pressed harder. How could humans be so arrogant when their flesh was so fragile?

"That's enough," Geroshida's voice deep voice filled the room with authority. His full attention was on them. "Kill him elsewhere. Otherwise the smell of blood will linger for days."

The shifter smirked. "Your loyalty to your underlings inspires me." She shoved Maholo to the ground and picked up the knife, twisting it between her fingers as she examined the craftsmanship. The defeated thief quickly regained his footing, his hand feeling the tender skin around his neck that had almost been sliced. Atrayu looked to him, her lips now curled into a scowl. "As a warning for next time, don't ever tell me what to do." She paused. "I only respect the strong. Unless your strength surpasses my own, don't even speak to me unless addressed."

Geroshida looked to his humiliated underling. "Leave us. I tire of your presence."

Maholo 's eyes flashed. He glared at Atrayu, pupils burning hotter than the candle next to him. He should've been grateful for having his life spared, but how could he be when his pride had been stripped, beaten, and spit on by this newcomer. He nodded his head silently and sauntered out of the room like a dog with its tails between its legs. The door slammed loudly behind him; the candles flickered softly from the sudden impact.

Geroshida folded his arms in front of him and leaned forward on the desk. He looked over the feral warrior and grunted to himself. "So you have business with me? What could be so urgent that you followed my men all the way here from Holodrum?"

Atrayu took a step back so she could lean against the back wall. The shadows cloaked her figure once again; only her amber eyes peered through the darkness. The stone wall was cold to the touch, causing the more sensitive parts of her arms to shiver. It was times like these she wished for nothing more than to be wrapped in wolf fur sitting by a warm fire back in Nevkah. But those days were long gone.

"I come with an offer. You and I have common interests." Her upper lip curved into a confident sneer. "I am aware that you seek the monarch of Hyrule, but she continues to avoid your grasp."

Geroshida raised a brow. "You would do well to watch your words, mercenary. I don't take kindly to insults."

Atrayu shrugged her shoulders as she shifted her weight. "I am not here to mock you. I merely come to offer my assistance."

The thief lord's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the warrior. "I have hundreds of underlings at my disposal. Why would I need you?"

The shifter laughed aloud. The sound of her voice seemed to amplify itself in the dark, enclosed room as it echoed off the walls. Geroshida's fingers tightened against one another as his patience emptied.

"You could send all of your incompetent men after her and they would not succeed." The shifter's eyes narrowed. "A powerful warrior protects her. His name is Link."

The thief lord's fist slowly began to loosen. "And how would you know this?"

The shifter rolled her shoulders casually. "Because I fought him in Holodrum. He nearly took my life."

The thief lord reclined in his chair. His right hand grabbed the chess piece depicting the ancient hero on the board before him. Slowly, it spun between his fingertips like a floating top. "For one who boasts of her strength, you are not very convincing. If you lost to this 'warrior,' why should I accept your help?"

"Because I know his fighting style. His goals. Where he and his companions are headed." She closed her good hand into a fist. "But most importantly, I know his weaknesses now. If you intend on taking your monarch, you'll need me."

Geroshida took the chess piece and placed it back on the board. "And how do I know I can trust you? What do you gain from this?"

Atrayu crossed her arms. "On top of humiliating me in combat, that man took something dear from me. There is nothing I desire more than to repay him what he deserves." She paused. "Whether you trust me or not, the fact remains that we need each other. You want to capture your target, and I want my revenge."

Geroshida scrutinized the mercenary as he deliberated on her offer. Her stance was confident, yet not arrogant. The scars adorning her armor and covering her body gave testimony to her exploits without words. Not to mention she had single-handedly snuck into the hidden lair of the world's most elite criminal organization. But the question still remained if could she be trusted?

"Where are you from, mercenary?"

The darkness hid the pain that flashed across the shifter's face. Her good hand reached for the dragon scale still dangling around her neck. She tightened her lips and maintained a confident tone. "I once called Nevkah my home. Now I am just a wanderer."

The thief lord folded his hands in front of him. "A shifter? That explains how you found your way down here I suppose." He paused for a moment, inhaling the incense with a deep breath, and scrutinized her a little longer. "I admit your offer intrigues me. However, I require time to think it over." He rose from his chair and walked around his desk, showcasing his massive features for the first time.

Black gauntlets embedded with a gold lunar crescent covered his chaliced, dark-skinned hands. Vambraces sat on his lower arms, while his biceps alone looked thicker than her legs. A thick brigandine covered his torso and arms with a crimson scorpion stitched to the chest, worn underneath a pair of black spaulders that protected his shoulders. His red hair was shaved close to his head and quickly receding. A necklace hung around his neck with a small skull positioned towards the front. Gold-plated earrings dangled from his ears as he stopped in front of her, his yellow eyes looking past his prominent nose to belittle her.

"In approximately an hour, there is going to be a public trial of a key army official," he continued."If you want my cooperation, then you must first complete a task for me before it ends."

"I'm up for a challenge," Atrayu said as she gazed at the giant standing before her.

Geroshida nodded approvingly. "Good. Then here is your task."

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

The proud captain focused solely on his breathing as he knelt on a hastily constructed wooden platform in the Castle Garden. In just a few minutes, he would be put on public trial before what seemed like the entire population of Castle Town. Word had spread quickly that Durian had found one of the conspirators against Zelda. No one was going to miss seeing the man with their own eyes. How things had come to this, Geoffrey didn't have the slightest inkling. He just hoped the truth would rise to the surface somehow.

A large sigh left his lips. There was a tight pain in Geoffrey's chest, as if someone had grabbed his heart and clenched it in their hands. A sturdy rope bound his wrists behind him and constrained his knees to the wooden planks; prisoners accused of treason weren't given the comfort of sitting nor the dignity of standing. His stomach growled ferociously beneath his white prisoner's tunic; he hadn't had anything to eat or drink since being thrown in prison save a little daily water. His entire body ached; he hadn't entirely recovered from the wounds inflicted on him during the battle. As he looked to the afternoon sky, the sun blinded him and obscured the crowd gathering at the base of his platform. He could hear their growing murmurs above the chilly autumn breeze, no doubt wondering why he had "betrayed" their beloved monarch. Two guards stood on either side a short distance away, helms masking their identity and spears ready to act at a moment's notice.

He had observed dozens of trials during his time in the Hylian army, but never did he suspect he would one day be among the accused. He knew the required procedure, and thus knew what to expect. Up until a few decades ago, a verdict was given on a whim. He had heard tales from his father of the old ways when people were drowned in water. They were innocent if they sank and guilty if they floated. Thankfully, the Queen had made reforms to the justice system in the years following the Twilight War to be rid of such barbaric ways. In her abundant wisdom, she had conceptualized a trial "by peers" as she called it. Rather than leaving one's destiny to chance, she insisted that a man's equals should judge his case. Many conflicts were decided in this manner, excluding crimes of war and other serious cases. In those circumstances, the case was brought before Zelda herself, where she questioned the accused personally and discussed a verdict with a council composed of representatives from the noble and working classes.

Unfortunately for Geoffrey, the Duke of Crimea would be the one overseeing his trial today. On top of that, what would normally be a private trial was now available for the entire public to watch. Squinting his eyes, he saw people of all different backgrounds taking their seats like a trip to the theater. Some sat on stone walls, others took a seat in the grass, but all were here for the same reason.

A stray leaf fell from a nearby tree and brushed gently against Geoffrey's face like a lover's caress. He turned his face to follow its gentle tug until his eyes rested on the noose swinging threateningly in the wind. It was attached to the gallows on the other side of the platform and seemed to have been constructed simultaneously with the platform. Its meaning was painfully obvious; in their eyes, he was already guilty.

The captain had brushed up against death more than once. Memories of Hyrule's last stand against Zant in the throne room came to mind. The sheer speed and ferocity of the attack; the certainty of defeat. He would never forget it. Yet, even that paled in comparison to the dread he currently felt knotting in his stomach. He was hopelessly alone and at the mercy of a politician blinded by greed. The crowd seemed too disillusioned by pain and Durian's sweetened lies to see the truth. The former captain felt like an actor on a stage, isolated in the great drama of life while everyone else watched from a comfortable distance. His entire life, he had always triumphed with a strong work ethic and an infallible loyalty and determination. But now, as he sat chained to the wooden boards like a common animal, he was helpless and vulnerable. Those values of self-sufficiency that had always sustained him now crumbled like a dam during a flood.

The captain recalled his conversation with Luda in this very garden. It seemed like ages ago, but its impact remained with him even in the dark depths of the castle dungeon. She had been so moved by compassion that she prayed ceaselessly for every person, perhaps even him. She had given her complete trust to the Goddesses, something Geoffrey still had difficulty understanding. Yet, as he knelt helplessly at his own trial, he felt there was no one else to turn to.

"Goddesses, I've never done this before…so I don't really know what to say. But if you're out there…if you're even listening…I need your help. I don't care how you do it, but I need to get out of here. If I have to die...it can't be like this. At least let me die with honor. If you can do that, then I'll become a believer just like Luda and Queen Zelda." He hesitated for a second. "I promise."

As the words left Geoffrey's mouth, he didn't feel any different. The crowd still watched him curiously. The noose still swung ominously to his side. The wooden boards still dug into his knees; the feeling in them had gone numb long ago. He looked up to the sky, but the sun's bright rays still blinded him.

"I guess it was worth a shot," the proud soldier sighed.

The crowd continued to grow and gather like a swarm of bees as the appointed time approached. The captain kept his gaze fixated on his audience like a predator. Even if it was futile, he would somehow get to the bottom of this. He watched as several nobles and commoners walked into the council box hastily built to the right. They sat down on cushioned wooden seats, eyed him quickly, and observed the trial from the sideline. They would be the ones to decide his fate.

"Beautiful day for a trial, isn't it, Geoffrey?" Durian's voice carried as he walked up a back set of stairs from the castle. The boards creaked underneath his significant weight, but the man hardly seemed to notice. His outfit was gaudy and frivolous as always, complete with the usual red doublet and ruffles he often favored. This time, a bronze-surfaced monocle rested on his left eye, enlarging the image so that his face looked like a reflection in a distorted mirror.

"If you mean the opportunity to use me as a scapegoat, then I disagree." Geoffrey replied bitterly. He refused to look at the man and give him the satisfaction of a reaction. "I think we could've used a bit more rain today."

Durian chuckled to himself. "Good to see the prison hasn't sapped your spirit." He leaned closer. "If it makes you feel better, I'll try and end this trial quickly so we can both be on our way."

The Captain's eyes narrowed. "Because we both know the treacherous one is you."

The Duke of Crimea backed off, feigning shock. "Geoffrey…how dare you accuse me of such a thing. I'm not the one on trial, remember?" He gave a twist of his handlebar mustache. "Your life is in my hands. Lucky for you I have nothing but love for this country."

Geoffrey began to wiggle against the ropes as he felt an ant crawling up his arm. He wanted to flick it off, but his arms couldn't move. He tried to ignore it but the soft tickling continued to irritate him. "Too bad that love didn't extend to the Queen."

Durian shrugged his shoulders. "I am mourning the loss of our monarch just as much as anyone. However, I must also be strong for the people while our nation recovers from the ravages of war." He turned his back to Geoffrey and walked to the edge of the platform, holding his hands out to the crowd as he awaited their silence. After a minute, they finally complied and the entire garden became quieter than a graveyard.

"People of Hyrule, it has been a long and hard month since the enemy pounded on our doorstep and we suffered the loss of our beloved monarch." The duke's voice carried through the quiet garden. Everyone's attention was fixated on him. Somewhere in the crowd, a mother hushed her crying child. "In that time, I have been searching fervently for her but still have not found her. Instead, my search has found a traitor in our midst, one that was willing to sell out his queen in exchange for favor from the enemy." He pointed to the captain with a dramatic wave of his hand. "People of Hyrule, I bring before you Geoffrey, former captain of the Hylian army."

A loud gasp ran through the crowd like an ocean wave as everyone fixated on the prisoner. People began to talk amongst themselves, but Durian quickly raised his arms to silence them.

"Though it pains me to say it, it seems our beloved Queen may never return. This traitor turned her over to the enemy, and there is no telling what they may have done with her." A few angry shouts rang from the crowd, much to the Duke of Crimea's delight. "I understand a few of you are enraged by this. I assure you that I am too. If I had my way, this traitor would be hanged on the spot." He paused once again, casting a quick glance to the gallows. "In her wisdom, the Queen declared that all prisoners receive a fair trial before receiving a sentence. Therefore, to honor her wishes, we have gathered here today to make known the treason that this man has committed."

There was a mild roar of approval from the front of the crowd.

Geoffrey kept his face as neutral as possible. In combat, even the slightest display of weakness could cause defeat; he assumed the same was true in law. He would bide his time until he was allowed to speak. He watched in silence as those in the front of the crowd relayed Durian's words to those in the back who couldn't hear. He wondered if his own words would be transmitted as efficiently.

Durian turned to his prisoner and began the inquisition. His hands were clasped confidently behind his back as questions shot out of his mouth like venomous arrows. "Geoffrey, you have been accused of abandoning your position during a time of war and conspiring in the kidnapping of our beloved Queen. How do you plead?"

The answer came quick. "Innocent."

Durian rested his hands on his chest. "So is it true that you abandoned your command post during the assault of the enemy a little over a month ago? That you left the Hylian army without a commander?"

The veteran soldier slowly shook his head. "Not entirely. Darbus and King Ralis were there."

"But you weren't present yourself?"

"No, I was not."

An official quickly dabbed a feather in a jar of ink and wrote down the exchange of dialogue. Meanwhile, the Duke of Crimea began to pace back and forth while he let the momentum of the trial carry his words.

"And where did you go? Knowing full well that you were needed at the front lines."

Geoffrey bit his lip. "I saw smoke rising from the castle. I took a group of men and went inside to investigate. My only concern was the safety of the Queen."

Durian laughed aloud. He turned to the crowd. "Do you hear this? He left his post to check on the Queen's safety?" The duke turned back to his prisoner. "And would you care to elaborate where our beloved monarch was at this point in time?"

"At your request, Durian, she was locked in a room stationed with several guards outside."

The servant carefully scribbled down the response, being ever so careful to copy verbatim what was said.

"Yes, I do admit it was my idea, Geoffrey, but it was only at your consent. May I add that you handpicked the guards yourself?"

A few listeners towards the front of the crowd began to shift their weight. They were beginning to get restless.

The inquisition continued. Durian stopped pacing as his eyes bore into the prisoner. "Captain, or rather Geoffrey, you and your men…did they ever reach this room?"

The captain shook his head. "No. I was attacked before I arrived."

"By whom?"

Geoffrey hesitated for a second. Durian grinned as he spotted a moment of weakness. Nonetheless, the captain responded confidently. "She was a shifter from Nevkah with black armor and red marks on her face. Her name was Atrayu."

The servant looked questioningly at Durian. He nodded his head, and the servant wrote the testimony down.

"Did any of your men see this shifter?" Durian asked dryly.

Geoffrey's throat felt parched. The ant was still scurrying around on his arm, making it difficult to concentrate. "Yes and no. They saw her but not in her transformed state. I sent them to look for others, and when they returned, they found me injured after the battle. She escaped before my men could aid me."

"So you never reached the Queen? Never arrived to protect her?

"Regretfully, no."

Durian nodded his head. "Thank you, Geoffrey. I think I've learned enough." He turned to the servant and signaled that the inquisition was done. The young man ran down a flight of stairs to deliver the testimony to the council. Durian then walked to the edge of the stage to work the crowd a bit more. "People of Hyrule, do you hear this nonsense? The traitor claims he was conveniently attacked by a shifter before he reached the Queen, yet none of his men saw the battle. Around the same time, our beloved monarch mysteriously disappears. Does this sound as odd to you as it does to me?"

The crowd began to buzz amongst itself while Durian walked to the council booth. While he conversed with the council members for a verdict, the bold captain decided to make his move.

"Please! Don't be deceived!" he cried out desperately. He heard the banging of footsteps as one of the guards rushed to silence him. Geoffrey looked at the crowd pleadingly. "Durian is the real traitor! He plotted to get rid of Queen Zelda so that he…"

His effort was stopped short as one of the guards kicked him hard in the face, sending him reeling with pain and his body sprawling backwards. The crowd gasped. Geoffrey landed hard on the wooden surface, a large bruise forming on his forehead. His ears rang continuously and his face felt on fire. The guard reared his leg back to kick him again, but the other guard placed a hand on his shoulder and restrained him.

The bruised captain was brought once again to his knees; his lip dripping with blood from the soldier's boot. His cheek was swollen red, and he had one eye closed from the pain. He glared at them with a menacing determination as they tied a cloth around his mouth to gag him. Still, it hid the smug grin beneath as he saw the people mumbling amongst themselves. Despite a short remark, his words had sown the seeds of doubt.

The Duke of Crimea emerged from his discussion with the council of nobles. He carried himself with a triumphant grin as he walked with a slight bounce in his step. He walked to the front of the shoddy wooden platform and cleared his throat. The people hushed their murmurings as Durian prepared to declare the verdict.

"After consulting with the council of peers, the decision is unanimous that Captain Geoffrey Halberder, son of Auru Halberder, the former general of the Hylian army, is guilty of the accusations against him and is hereby sentenced to execution by public hanging."

It felt like a boulder had been dropped in his stomach as Geoffrey listened to the announcement. Why should he have expected any less? He stared absently as a large falcon landed on the gallows that would soon serve its designed purpose. His mind faintly recognized the red patterns on the animal's cheeks, but the heavy reality blocked out all other thoughts. Soon, his service to Hyrule would end.

Much to his surprise, the former captain was helped up to his knees and escorted cordially to the gallows by the other guard. The boards creaked as the two walked up to the wooden steps. The noose swung unsuspectingly as it awaited the victim it had been constructed for.

"I believe you're innocent, Captain," the soldier whispered subtly as he placed the noose around the captain's neck like a collar.

Geoffrey's eyes shot open. Viscen? He wanted to say something, but the gag allowed nothing but muffles to leave his mouth. Still, soon it would be over.

Or so he thought.

No one had suspected that the hawk perched nonchalantly on the gallows was actually a fabled shape shifter. Several women in the crowd shrieked as Atrayu stood on the perch, having returned to her human form, and observed the horrified crowd that beheld her. Her clawed hands tapped nonchalantly on the surface of her arm as the crowd roared to life like a bear awaking from hibernation. Fathers stepped in front of their families as those in front of the crowd attempted to retreat. The chaotic mass pushed against the castle doors leading to Castle Town like beach waves against a cliff, but the large wooden doors refused to open and provide them escape.

Durian backed away from the feral warrior as he yelled for guards to protect him. Only Viscen stayed with Geoffrey.

"You'd think they'd never seen a shifter before," the feral warrior mumbled to herself.

She jumped down from her perch, bending her knees to soften the impact upon landing. The shifter approached the lone shaking guard that stood between her and Durian. Claws extended, she brushed past the young lad's valiant attempt to fend her off. With a solid push, the inexperienced soldier flew off the platform and into the restless crowd below.

"Durian, I have a message for you," Atrayu called out loud enough to rise above the shouts of the masses in the background. The gaudy man continued to back away until he reached the edge of the platform. His foot felt nothing but air as he stepped back, and he tensed up straight knowing he was pinned against the edge of the platform.

"Please don't kill me!" Durian pleaded. "I'll give you whatever you want. Just don't kill me."

The shifter rolled her eyes. "Pathetic." She looked around, her gaze freezing several individuals who were unfortunate enough to be on the edge of the crowd. She turned back to the duke and crossed her arms. She raised her voice intentionally so that he and others would hear her. "Geroshida sent me to deliver you a message. He wishes to discuss something concerning Zelda's kidnapping. Meet him in the castle immediately."

Meanwhile, realizing that escape was not an option, the crowd turned its attention to defending itself against this strange creature that had invaded their country. Panic and pandemonium turned to anger and frustration. The crowd started pressing itself to the front. Several bold individuals even began to climb onto the wooden platform. Adrenaline filled their veins; like a cornered animal, they were ready to fight to the death. Or so they believed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Durian replied quickly, eying the restless crowd approaching their position. He looked to the ground behind him; it wasn't a very high jump. He could avoid injury if he was careful.

Atrayu shrugged her shoulders. She could hear the creaking of the boards as some of the intrepid Hylians approached her position. They kept their cautious distance but were still within earshot.

Perfect.

The shifter spoke as loudly as she could. "Well, I don't know much about the shady deals you have with Scorpio. But I wouldn't keep the man waiting if I were you."

"I have nothing to say to monsters." Durian replied curtly. His face was drenched in nervous sweat and his cheeks were redder than a tomato. Without warning, he rolled up his sleeves and jumped off the wooden platform. He rolled as he hit the ground, stirring up dust and grunting as his round body moved like a ball. He grumbled and complained while rising to his feet and brushed the dirt off his luxurious clothing. A quick look to the watching Atrayu sent a spark of panic across his face, and he quickly scurried to the castle entrance like a mouse retreating to its hole. As he went in, several guards rushed out. Without saying a word, the noble shut the door. The lock clicked as he bolted it behind him.

Atrayu smirked. She turned around and looked to the bold onlookers. They quickly lost their resolve as she stepped towards them. Eventually, one stepped forward, clothes drenched in nervous sweat and hands shaking to an invisible tremor.

"You. Y-you're the one Geoffrey f-fought. Aren't you? The sh-shifter?" The man stuttered.

Atrayu smirked as the name caused her to look to the gallows. Where there had once been a prisoner bound for his execution, there was no one.

"So he escaped in all the commotion? Wonder where he's headed?" The shifter remarked to no one in particular. She looked to the man who addressed her. "I am that shifter. My name is Atrayu." She growled for effect. "Learn to fear it."

Much to the shifter's delight, the people tensed and backed away. She had had her fun, but there were more pressing matters to attend with. She transformed into a hawk once again and let the current catch underneath her wings. She soared into the sky, leaving the people spellbound below her as they turned to nothing but specks.

To say Durian Anarvi, the Duke of Crimea, was flustered would have been the understatement of the century. His wrath was hot enough to start a fire, intense enough to heat Death Mountain. That blasted shifter had ruined everything! How did she know of Geroshida? It was unlike the Gerudo to confide in anyone; let alone allow his name to be spoken. Not to mention the fragile morale he had been building in the people was now broken beyond repair. He had worked tirelessly during the weeks of Zelda's absence to slowly win their trust. Just when he was sure he had them right where he wanted, this had to happen.

Durian walked into the study and closed the door behind him. With the chaos just outside the castle walls, he was grateful for one place where he could be alone to obtain some quiet. He took off his dirt covered doublet and threw it on the floor by the paper-filled desk. Placing his hands on the armrests, he slowly eased himself into the chair and relaxed his muscles. As his eyes glanced over his dirty attire, he couldn't help feeling a sharp pain of resentment. He had ruined a perfectly good outfit. Still, the fatigue from the afternoon slowly exerted its influence on his eyelids. As he reclined in the chair, he stretched out his arms and closed his eyes, allowing the wonderful silence to lull him into a much-needed rest.

"I hope you're comfortable, Durian. We have quite a bit to talk about." Geroshida's voice jolted the noble awake before he ever found that rest, causing his eyes to snap open. He nearly fell out of the chair. In his exhaustion, he hadn't even seen the thief lord hidden against the back wall.

"How did you get in here?" Durian demanded, standing up and placing a hand in his receding hair line to neaten it. Geroshida merely arched a brow and said nothing. The ambitious noble gradually sat back down in his chair and regained his composure. "I suppose that is irrelevant." He folded his hands in front of him. "I received your message. Quite charming," he said dryly.

"I came here to talk, Durian, not for pleasantries," Geroshida growled as he emerged from the shadows. This was the first time the noble had seen him in his entirety. Taking in his giant form and imposing armor, Durian had to swallow hard before responding.

"Actually, it's rather convenient you came, Geroshida. I just received a letter from the Mayor of Holodrum." He rustled through a stack of papers to pull out the parchment. "He went into great detail about how Zelda was safe now after being nearly kidnapped. He went on to say she hopes to return once her errand is finished." He threw the letter down and folded his hands again. "Would you care to explain this?"

The thief lord blinked a few times, chewing on the words as he thought of a response. "Since when are we on a first name basis?"

Durian growled in frustration. "Just answer my question! I am paying you good money to get rid of Zelda. Why haven't you done so yet?"

Geroshida folded his hands behind his back as he began to pace. "That would be the fault of my underlings. If I could move about in public myself, that wouldn't be an issue."

The Duke of Crimea shook his head. "Your excuses mean nothing to me now, just like Scorpio. With this letter and a little bit of word-twisting, I have what I need to convince the masses she has abandoned her country. In their hour of need, they will forsake her and flock to me as their savior." He grinned confidently, twirling his mustache. "In fact, now that I have the power I need, I no longer require your services or that of Scorpio. I may even have your group exposed and eliminated to get rid of the evidence."

Geroshida began to chuckle to himself. At first it was soft, barely audible to Durian from his seat at the desk. Soon his chuckle turned into a loud cackle. The thief lord's chest heaved up and down as the air entered and exited his lungs.

Durian frowned. "What's so funny?"

At last, Geroshida stopped laughing. He clenched his fist in a show of might. "You hide behind a shield of words and hope it will protect you. You know nothing about true power."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

The thief lord was silent for a moment. Even high above, the frustrations of the confused mob below could be heard through the window. "Listen to it, Durian. That is the sound of a confused and divided people. Do you really have power over them? Especially after what happened today?"

Durian rose from his chair once again. "What does that have to do with anything?" He paused as he looked into Geroshida's calculating yellow eyes. "That shifter? You sent her, didn't you?"

The thief lord stopped his pacing for a moment. "Not just the shifter. I had the doors barred as well. And a few nasty rumors to sully your reputation."

The flustered noble threw his hands up in the air. "Get out! We're done! I don't know what you're planning, but it stops now! Guards! Guards!"

Geroshida closed the gap between them in less than a second. He grabbed the duke by the scruff of his collar and effortlessly lifted him off the ground. The noble's feet kicked desperately as he tried to free himself, but the Gerudo's grip was far too strong.

"Durian, you thought you were using me to fulfill your own selfish ambitions. You had me dispose of Zelda and clear the way for your ascension to power." A golden glow began to illuminate from the back of the thief lord's left hand. It seemed to grow brighter as his grip on the nobleman's collar tightened. "You didn't know I was really controlling you. With Zelda out of the picture, it was quite simple to let you throw the country into chaos while I simultaneously undermined you."

"It's impossible. You used me this entire time?" Durian groaned beneath Geroshida's tight grip.

"Yes, Durian, I did. Now do you understand true power?" Geroshida growled. He slowly lowered the aristocrat to the ground.

The Duke of Crimea gasped for breath when his feet finally touched solid ground again. He straightened his collar. "Yes, yes, I know my place now." He breathed a sigh of relief. "For a moment, I thought I was a dead man."

Geroshida sneered. "You are."

This time, the thief lord mercilessly grabbed the duke's throatand lifted him off the ground once again. The large man gagged and grabbed fruitlessly onto the Gerudo's gloves. His body thrashed violently as it lunged desperately for air.

"See how weak your words are, Durian?" The thief lord smiled as he watched the pompous noble struggle for his life. The golden light on Geroshida's arm began to take on the shape of three sacred triangles. Two were empty, but the top glowed brilliantly. "Especially when you lack the divine power that I possess." The Duke of Crimea' eyes widened with horror. He managed one final fruitless kick before his body finally gave up the struggle. The breath of life left him and he fell limp within Geroshida's powerful grip.

The thief lord released the lifeless corpse from his grip as if it were a piece of garbage. It crashed against the ground, unsettling several papers on the desk and causing them to slide over the edge. Geroshida glanced at the motionless body and smirked. The sacred triangles on his left hand faded until they were no longer visible.

"Checkmate, Durian. You lose."

He waited expectantly for several minutes until Atrayu flew through the window. As she effortlessly transformed into a human once again, he carefully watched her reaction to the scene. She glanced at the dead body on the floor and gave it no more regard.

"I did what you asked. That bag of hot air was off guard. The people are in a mass panic. Your message was delivered." She paused. "So do we have a deal?"

The thief lord nodded. "You have done well, far better than many of my own men. You may actually be useful." He paused. "Now that Hyrule is mine, I will make its people suffer the same misery they inflicted on my kind for centuries."

Atrayu sighed. "That's all well and good, but I have other concerns." She began to walk back towards the window.

Geroshida shifted his eyes in her direction. "I have not forgotten our bargain. In fact, your words brought something to my attention." He looked to the faded triangle on his left hand. "This Link, I believe I need him as well as Zelda. They both possess something that belongs to me. Tell me where they are headed, and we will pay our foes a visit."

A/N- Finally got another chapter up. As you can see, things are starting to pick up in Hyrule. Just in case people didn't quite understand that last scene, Geroshida has the Triforce of Power. How he got it will be explained later but it's really not all that complicated. After all, it had to go to someone once Ganondorf died.

Please read and review. Reviews are always appreciated and really help motivate me to keep the story going at a consistent pace. See you all next chapter!