"Are you still sulking?" Yasei said.

"No," I replied, trudging back to Castle Town with chin permanently tucked.

She slipped her arm through mine. "Wonder what folks in town will say when you get back?"

"I don't care."

As we crossed the drawbridge, one Hylian guard jerked upright. He said nothing, eyes hidden beneath his helmet's shadow, but the death grip on his pike told me enough.

A tingling bell heralded our return. Everything seemed in order and I greeted my masks that had waited so patiently. In many ways as their creator, they were like my children. Even when sold, I still had a bond with them. Did they lie abandoned at the bottom of a dusty drawer? Or where they displayed on a magnificent marble fireplace? I couldn't help but wonder.

I lifted the latch from the shop counter and held it up for Yasei. Kilton followed without hesitation and bounded into the workshop. I didn't bother to protest.

"Off my bed, please. There's a good boy." I pulled open the curtains.

He gave a huff then went to take a good sniff of his surroundings. My single bed lay in the furthest corner along with a stack of books on a small table. Designs and sketches littered the desk from my creative brainstorming. Swatches of dyed fabric hung on the drying rack with samples of ribbon, fur and feathers ready for sewing.

"What's this?" Yasei had found one of my prototype designs. A crude and poorly carved mask that one of the children had asked me to make. It had to be as 'spooky' as possible apparently.

"You still carving masks from wood with a knife?"

I laughed at this. "No, my dear, I have moved with the times in the artistry of mask making and use the very latest techniques."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, and what techniques would they be?"

So, I told her everything. How I dabbled in the process of making masks from wax, although this was a rather messy process.

"Then I thought about leather, there are plenty of farmers ready to part with goat, pig and cow hides for the right price. Do you know, leather is a dream to work with, so supple, easy to cut and comfortable against skin?"

Yasei nodded. "I feel a 'but' coming?"

"Tanning," I admitted. "Customers heard rumours about some of the more rustic ways to preserve animal skin."

"Rustic?"

"Yes, the use of urine for example."

Her nose wrinkled up. "That's disgusting. The Kokiri use tanners like oak or spruce bark. It takes longer, bout eighteen months, but avoids the smell."

"Is that possible?"

"Yep, tried it myself." She leaned in closer. "And I tell you what, works a treat."

"Hmm, if I could use more leather instead of velvet that would cut costs enormously. A single reel is at least a month's wages."

Yasei whistled. "I can believe that. You ever heard of a double cloth loom? Make your own and you could weave the silk and produce two pieces of velvet simultaneously. Just think of the profit."

I grinned back. For a moment, I considered if this humble establishment could house two people and a husky. I could see us tending the shop together, but that wouldn't be enough for Yasei. Once we had made all manner of interesting things, we could take the Trading Dragon 2, and hit the road. Perhaps given time even start a family.

"What time do they want us at the castle?" Yasei cut through my thoughts.

"I believe it was just after midday."

She glanced at the cuckoo clock. "Jeez, we don't have long. Right, you get tidied up and I'll rustle up some grub."

"Sounds perfect."

Turning to the large trunk, I rooted to find a garment to make me halfway presentable. My spare shirts felt cold to touch after being away for so long. I remembered the sparse Gerudo garb that Kavia forced me to wear and chuckled. But a sudden stitch in my heart reminded me that she was no longer alive.

I was about the close the lid, when I came upon a curious object. A painted face of two halves: one frowning red and one smiling white peeked back through the coloured cloth.

Wait, I locked you away. Immediately, my gaze went to the floorboards beneath the bed.

Now in my hands, the mask seemed to vibrate. Black oozing tears trickled down gaping eye holes. A wheezing gasp echoed throughout the workshop and something burrowed through the cheek of white. Were they worms? Maggots? I tried to let go, but it clung like glue. Kilton barked.

"Get away," I hissed. "Don't touch it."

My four-legged friend whined with concern.

"Ronri?"

Now maggots crawled over my knuckles, wriggling to my wrists, up my arms. Carter's mask had become more flesh like with skin, freckles and stray hair. I gasped as two blood shot eyes blinked at me and then a tug at my shirt.

"It's filthy. Don't touch it, stupid mutt. Why won't you ever listen?"

Yasei grabbed my shoulders. "Hey, stop yelling at him, moron. You're not even holding anything!"

"Of course, I'm holding -"

I looked again. There was nothing there.

Another illusion, I realised. "Carter's mask. I saw Carter's mask."

"Sweetheart, who in Hyrule is Carter?"

"He..." I stopped. He was a traitor. He tried to kill me. He became a mask; my thoughts betrayed me. "He was a soldier that saved my life in the war," I croaked, "but he died."

I didn't expect the hug. Sudden warmth against my back, lips pressed to my temple chasing away the chills.

"Coming back here brought up a few nightmares, huh?"

"Yasei, I, er…" My eyes stung. By Ganon's breath, just tell her, my conscience screamed.

"Still not up for talking?" She gave a deep sigh.

"I can't, not now. Let's just see the King and get this over with. Then I promise I'll tell you everything."

So, Hyrule Castle.

As a boy, I had never dreamed of setting foot into this great hall. The plush carpet scrunched as I took pigeon steps. Suits of highly decorative, but impractical, armour gleamed in the stray rays of sunshine. On the walls, paintings that I couldn't afford, but perhaps interpret if this visit was of a leisurely nature. This visit, however, was no such thing.

King Vasileios Hyrule leaned back on his throne with shoulders taut as an arrow string. I imagined that for all the intricate masonry work it must be uncomfortable to sit on. Maybe that was why his expression reminded me of my father, when I asked him to play hide and seek once. The utter disgust made me wonder what I'd done wrong.

"Welcome Ronri Okane, I have heard that you create some of the finest masks in the entire kingdom."

I blinked. Such genuine praise. Where had it come from?

"Sorry your Majesty, Ronri's a little shy." Yasei elbowed me in the ribs. "Say something, moron," she hissed.

Oh goodness, the Queen! I realised and fell to my knees.

She wore a gentle energy. Refreshing, like a cooling breeze that took the edge off a sweltering day. Soft blonde hair and blue eyes the same shade as the sea.

"I am not worthy of such words, though it is wonderful to hear all the same. Thank you."

"Please, Mask Salesman, there is no need. It is I, who should be thanking you," her voice grew softer. "My daughter is safe. General Impa has told me of your brave deeds outside these walls and at Kakariko."

She stood up and navigated the steps towards me, but for some reason I did not feel afraid. For all the severity of the king, Queen Sophia was a dream of kindness. I'd heard the betrothed princess came from lands very far away. A mysterious place with curious legends that no Hylian had ever returned to confirm or deny.

"Would you like to see her?" the Queen asked.

"S-S-See her?" I staggered to my feet.

"The Princess Zelda." The Queen leaned forward showing the sleeping baby without a care in the world. Tiny fingers clung to the purple and gold blanket draped around her.

Yasei cooed, "Oh, isn't she beautiful?"

Despite myself, I looked cautiously around me. Could fate really be this generous? Allowing a precious moment to enjoy the fact that my actions had done something good.

"Why don't you hold her?"

"Oh no, that wouldn't be-"

"There we go." Queen Sophia eased the child into my shaking arms and nodded.

I swallowed thickly cradling the child. Babies are most illogical beings. Content in slumber one moment and caterwauling the next. The flower stall owner had twins. I watched in amazement one day as she juggled selling bunches of tulips and lilies whilst cajoling and singing to the restless babes.

This baby was different. Another child of destiny if the aura that surrounded her had anything to do with it. Such power took my breath away. I hoped Robbie might be watching, finding peace in that it had been worth sealing away Bongo Bongo.

King Hyrule coughed. "We have unfinished business to discuss."

The sweet scene ended as Princess Zelda returned to her mother. Queen Sophia bid me a pleasant day as she left with Ms Mila and other ladies in waiting. That was the last time I saw the Queen alive. Her loss punctured a hole in the very heart of Castle Town. The effect on the King, a catalyst for rash action and blindness to danger. If the Queen had lived, could she have foreseen Ganondorf's betrayal?

Oh my, I must stop talking of such things. No use dwelling on a world of 'what ifs' I should know better than anyone. Now then…

"Take this." King Hyrule held out a letter. "My carpenters readied your wagon. In addition…" Now he looked to one of his attendants. They wobbled forward holding a rather large sack. "…this is for the noble beast. The one who mauled the cloaked hand."

Yasei rubbed under her nose. "That would be Kilton. Sorry if he kinda got in the way."

"On the contrary, his bravery helped drive the shadow monster back to Kakariko. I hope he enjoys these treats immensely."

She giggled back. "Sure thing, but I'll have to ration him. He'd gobble up the whole lot otherwise. Give himself a right bad stomach."

I took the letter. And I suppose my magic was just for show, was it? Then my thoughts turned to other matters, that reminds me…

"Your Highness, I do have one question, if I may?"

His white eyebrows furrowed. "If you must."

"The Triforce, where is it?" A disturbing silence followed. I knew being direct would be considered rude. And yet, trying to tease out such information would cause alarm bells to ring. I hoped coming to the point would avoid an outburst of temper. "I was concerned you see, heh heh." I kneaded my sweaty hands. "After the Interloper War, there are so many who seek The Triforce and its power. How do you plan to keep it safe?"

"You need not worry about such things, Mr Okane."

"Ah, a secret, of course." I bowed. "I can only hope that our blessed sovereign has a will of iron. With all due respect, even a king would have great difficulty to resist such powerful temptation. Although, if you could not. I daresay there must be counter measures to protect your people?"

"What are you insinuating?" King Hyrule growled. "No one is above the Goddesses; they have sealed The Triforce away in the Sacred Realm. The Sage of Light guards the entrance within our holiest place. Mark my words, it cannot be touched by evil."

"Impressive, your Highness. Please forgive my suspicion. It is ever so difficult to know who to trust these days. I'm sure you understand?"

He knew alright, but sometimes, even if you know it doesn't always stop it from happening.