JK: He's the wonderful wizard of…who we kidding.

Chapter 30: Vaati the Great and Powerful

After putting Zelda to bed, Impa had, at long last, found an isle of respite in which to attend to her Sagely duties. Of late, both Zelda and her network of informants had taken up most of her time. They had discovered that the malice at the head of Zora River had leaked into the water at long last. More than a few had caught ill in the Village of Ruto, though only those who were already sickly and frail were affected. She had thought to inform Bazz of these latest developments before he departed with his Brigade the following morning. As the leader of the mission to Zora's Domain and witness to the devastation malice could wrought, he deserved to know, but he had enough on his plate preparing his Brigade.

The truth was, she'd rather spend less time around him. Butterflies were ill-suited for a woman in her late fifties. She was much too old for seeking a new dalliance, no matter how kind and… Impa smothered those thoughts before they could burn brighter. Her business tonight was not of that sort, despite the sense of longing she often felt after more than half of a decade without. She ignored her yearning and shoved her feelings aside.

Instead, she drew upon her magic, and wove together a spell with the thickest shadows cast by the roaring fire in its hearth in her small private study. Next, she sliced the tip of her finger with her knife, and spilled a few droplets of blood into the gathered shadow. Technically, it wasn't necessary, but blood was a powerful focus, especially for a Sheikah such as her. Finally, she spoke a single name into the dark.

"Makar."

The shadow transformed into the shape of a young boy, small but slight, a far cry from the normal short and stumpy silhouette of a Korok. Upon seeing her, the Forest Spirit gave a deep but playful bow, one arm curved in front of his chest and the other arm behind his back.

"Impa. Indeed, most expected. I see your crimson glare is as harsh as ever!" he said, despite that she should appear as nothing more than a shade to him as well. "How may I be of service this late night whence normal folk sleep?"

She drummed her fingers against the top of her desk, sitting sideways in her hard wooden chair.

"What happened here?"

"Here?" He cocked his head.

"To you." Sometimes, one must be very blunt with a certain little Korok... He liked to flit away from awkward questions like tassels let loose in the wind. "You look different."

"Ah." He scratched at the back of his head, mussying up his hair. "Ummm…"

Impa crossed her arms.

"Fine, fine," he grumbled. "I ran into your Light Sage. The girl, Nan."

Her eyes grew wide. No. That couldn't be it. That could not be what the Nineteenth Platoon was hiding. She had been so certain… And after what had happened to Lord Gufuu, that certainty solidified. That their secret had to do with the Potion Master himself… It had made so much sense then. This, however… She was rarely caught so off guard. At most, she had thought Nan a mage who had specialized in light magic.

"...Are you certain of that?"

"Yes," his voice turned weary. "Why do you think I look thus?" He made a wide sweeping gesture with his staff. The berries on top did not jingle a single merry note. "Do you think I like it?"

It was an unusually frank tone for the usually cheery spirit. Still…

"How?" she asked. The only time he could have met her was when the Platoon had visited his domain. He should have been far more powerful in his own realm than any other Sage, and Makar was an especially old and powerful one despite the guise of immaturity he so often chose to don. "She's just a girl."

In fact, she could not once recall sensing such power from that child. Perhaps Nan had barely touched the full extent of her magic, or only wielded it when at home or beyond the city limits, but Impa had eyes and ears in the Brigade as well… Somehow, this inexperienced Sage had hid her strength from her, the King, and all the mages at Court.

It should not be possible. Even Impa, as a youth, had failed at that task. It was how the late King Ramu had discovered her. Makar had taught her how to better conceal her magic afterward.

"I am uncertain." He gave a rueful shake of his…mask. He still wore one, even in this new form. Then Makar began to pace, one hand scratching his chin. "It's nonsensical. Preposterous. Best me in my own Woods. Ha! At first, I was excited. Relieved. Grateful. A new Light Sage had appeared. But… How powerful must she be, Miss Impa, if she could do such a thing?"

The words hung heavy in the air, and despite being formed of nothing but shadow, his eyes grew suddenly bright and green, twin beacons of fae light aglow in the dark.

"I fear she is dangerous."

"You might be correct, Makar."

Then she related to him what she had discovered about Lord Gufuu. The strange red sealing magic that seemed to bind him to something or someone. His long nights within the Royal Libraries, searching ancient historical maps and children's lullabies. And, of course, the night he had hurried through the castle like a man possessed, the heavy curse of the Lost Woods clinging to him.

After all, there were very few reasons for such a potent spell manifesting so far from other's Sage's domain. It was yet another reason for her to cast this spell and seek Makar's advice in the first place.

"Strange, strange. That is of greatest concern." He had started to pace again as she had told him the tale and all that she had gathered about the furtive Gufuu. "Is she his apprentice?"

"No, that position belongs to Ruuya."

He leaped back in alarm. "That Gerudo girl?" Makar spat, still in shock. "Woman, I should say, ah. Ummm. Woman. Miss Ruu. Err. Yes. Her."

"You met Ruuya as well."

"Unfortunately," he muttered, then shook his head. "But what I cannot fathom is this. Why take her as his apprentice when a new and naive Sage is in his entourage ripe to be plucked? Impa, you must watch them, and please, if young Naneth is willing, guide her."

There was something akin to fondness in his green gaze. Huh. Impa sat back in her seat. For as long as she had known him, he, at best, had only tolerated mortals. Impossibly, Nan had trimmed back the thristles that had entrapped his soul, removing the thorns and the vines and exposing the sprig again to the sun.

A Light Sage, indeed.

Impa arched an eyebrow at her fellow Sage, a subtle smile touched the corner of her eyes. "A request?"

"I am in no position to command you anymore. She is our leader now. By Farore's blasted whim." His eyes gleamed bright as he reached up and adjusted his leaf-shaped mask. "Perhaps, mayhaps, the gods have thought to teach me humility at last."

The sound of cackling leaves stirred up in her study, then a gust of wind dispersed the silhouette of the Forest Child into wisps of green flame and tassels of dark shadow. The King would not like this news. Makar might be a capricious sprite, but he had long served as leader of the Sages. Even though, for generations, it had only included the three of them. The other Sages were lost.

And the Royal Family knew nothing of the young Rito Sage, Rime. Their folk were all but completely secluded in the mountains of Hebra to the north. Not lost, merely hidden.

Perhaps, for now, it was better for Alphonus not to know that Makar had been replaced as their leader. She would inform him of Naneth, but nothing else. It was not the only secret the Seven Sages kept from the King, and it would not be the last.

/-/-/

It was a misting dawn when the Bazz Brigade was to set off towards Zora's Domain. The twilight was yet frail and gray. Figures shuffled through the cold damp, the hoods of their standard rain cloaks drawn, their voices muffled, and their hands busy. An unusually silent affair for the often overly chatty platoon, all brought about by one decision made by their commanding officer.

Linkle wasn't coming.

They did not disapprove of that decision. From what Ruuya could tell, they even seemed to agree. The soldiers of the Nineteenth had noticed that their friend Linkle had been acting strangely. They wanted her safe. Healthy. Better. She was their sister in arms, after all. It had also made them realize just how serious this mission must be if even their best spear was not fit to fight in the upcoming battles. Those present would have to pick up the slack and steel themselves for whatever Zora's Domain had in store. A place Hylians had all but abandoned centuries ago. Only the Village of Ruto slept on the river's shore.

Ruuya, for her part, rode on Jamila out onto the parade grounds, shivering. This was despite the fact that she was bundled in layers and layers of thick cloaks. Vaati, her damnedable companion, had not yet spoken a word since they had left the Potion Room that morning. She glanced over at him and immediately spotted why.

His chest rose up and down softly, his chin rested gingerly against his breastbone, and his eyes had drifted shut. He had been lulled to sleep by the gentle rhythm of his mare's slow walk. That very fact made Ruuya grin from ear to ear and poke his foot with the butt of her spear. It was too cold to aim for anything else lest she disturb her mountain of cloaks.

He grumbled something in his sleep. It sounded like a threat, something about turning her into a leever. From what she'd seen of his magic, she doubted he could do such things. Those threats had bark but no bite. Or she didn't have the strength to support such spellwork.

Either way, it didn't matter. She slammed the butt of her spear into his boot again.

"Master…five more minutes…" His head sloped to the other side of his chest. She poked his foot one last time. "Curse you..."

"Damn, he sleeps like a rock, huh?" Nan remarked. Like the rest of the troops, she was on foot, but wore a fine wool rain cloak of deep green instead of nondescript brown. It was as much a mark of her position of squire as her armor. "Bazz said to fetch you two. It's urgent."

"Can you wake him?"

Nan snickered. "Sure." She snapped her fingers, and a brief flash of light sparked in front of the snoozing mage. "Wakey wakey, Lord of Sleepy."

Vaati started, jumping high in his saddle, but did not fall off his horse. How disappointing. It would have brightened this gloomy morning if he had. There was a pile of fresh horse dung below him perfectly planted for him to land in. Sure, such an event would have delayed their departure, but perhaps the sun would've burned away this accursed mist by then.

A pale hand sprung out of Vaati's fine velvet cloak. With a gentle nudge of her knees, Jamila stepped to the side so that they were out of reach of the mage. His hand fell to rest on his reins, but his glare did not leave her.

Ruuya shot him a conniving smile.

"For a Sage, you're not very bright, are you?" he snarled. "You and all the other Outcasts know better than to disturb me."

"While workin', yeah." Nan nodded. "But yer eyes were closed."

Vaati stared straight ahead, spine straight. He refused to meet her knowing stare. "I was merely resting them."

"And snorin' like a Hinox."

He let off a low hiss.

"Don't forget where ya at," Nan said, making a quick sharp gesture at the soldiers around them. "They'll be watchin' you, Lord Gufuu."

"Thanks for the reminder," he said in a low voice. Then, suddenly, a smirk unraveled his frown. A fang poked out from his lips. "Thank you indeed."

Ruuya nudged Jamila a little further to the side. His words settled into her, making her gut twist into a knot. She imagined a fort of protection around her magic, despite that it was of no use. He could break down any and all magical walls she constructed. It mattered not how much willpower or preparation she put into her efforts. It only hurt more when he dug into her magic stores, rending her defenses to little more than pathetic wisps.

The worst part, however, was not the searing agony. It was not how she would lie there, struggling to breathe as a storm whirled around her. It was Vaati's face. He never scowled. Never showed a hint that her newborn defenses bothered him. He only smirked and took.

She inhaled sharply. He was not close enough to take any from her for now. No, he would wait for a more opportune time to show the Brigade a display of his power. For now, she need not fear that sting. That thought, somehow, tightened her stomach into a bundle of gnarls.

"Are ya two coming or not?" Nan asked. "The First Lieutenant said we shouldn't delay "much"." Upon that last word, her voice lowered an octave in mockery of the Zora. "Ya know how he is."

Vaati rolled his eyes. "What's got that Zora's peduncle all in a knot?"

The girl shrugged.

"Probably why Linkle's not here," she mumbled. Nan, unlike her fellow soldiers, had not taken that news well. Ruuya shook her head. "Well, c'mon."

The girl led them back through the mass of soldiers, until they spotted a pair of figures approaching them. One, tall and slender, rode upon a gray dappled horse, her form wrapped in a thin black cloak. An elegant but older woman with her starch white hair in a single strict braid. The other, Bazz in full-armor and blue cape, led his flaxen steed by the reins on foot. His frown was as deep as normal, his tone pleasant though she did not catch his words, but his other hand was wrapped tightly around the shaft of his spear.

That, and his curled head-tail, were sure signs of barely restrained anger. She blinked, and glanced back at the woman. Then it clicked. Before her was the woman she had met that first rainy night in the capital. Not the nursemaid that tended the Princess, but the powerful mage lurking in her shadow.

"Impa?"

"Wait, really?" Nan asked. "Isn't the River too dangerous for the Princess?"

"My charge will not be accompanying us."

Vaati gave a harsh snort. "Obviously."

It might be foolish. She could recall the duel put on by the King. Yet, seeing Impa dressed for war was still a shocking sight.

"Yeah, but, she's four," Nan said. "Who's going to watch her, ol' Al? He's so distracted by his next meal that running the kingdom falls ta Nico and Ari-ass half–"

"Enough, Nan," Bazz said.

"My granddaughter Paya will do so."

"Granddaughter?!" Nan echoed, blinking. "I didn't think ya were that old."

"Miss Paya was news to me as well."

"Met her once." Ruuya said with a shrug. Nan shifted her wide-eyed gaze to the Gerudo. "Long story."

"She needs the experience," Impa explained in her blunt and matter-of-fact way. "It will teach that girl to get out behind the shadow of her own hat."

Even to Ruuya, that sounded pretty harsh. Zelda was a quick-witted bundle of energy. Paya, from what little she remembered, was shier than an octorok hiding beneath a rock in the sand. It sounded more like a punishment…for both of them.

"But why?" Nan asked.

The woman glanced at Bazz, who merely nodded.

"Was it you, Naneth, who summoned that flash of light?"

The girl flinched, then looked down at her feet. "Maybe," she muttered. "Does she know?"

"Yes," Bazz replied.

"Are you gonna to make me stay back, too?" she asked, piercing the Zora with a glare befitting her mother. It, however, was chased by far more Nan-like tears. "Or do you plan to make me go with her instead?"

The Sheikah raised one sharp eyebrow. "Neither, young Nan. I am here only to observe, and to guide you if I may," she said. Then she turned her own death glare on Bazz. "But how you knew who I was…"

"Another time, perhaps, Sage Impa," Bazz said, with a swift but formal bow. "For now, if you don't mind, I must prepare my Brigade."

With careful ease, he hopped in Seafoam's saddle and rode off. Nan, rolling her eyes, quickly followed on foot, tailed by the Sheikah like her own shadow.

Ruuya stared at their retreating backs, then, hearing the wind chortle, turned to Vaati upon his mare. He wiped his eyes on the back of his sleeve, then laughed again when he saw her expression.

Ruuya frowned. She didn't get what was so funny.

"...You…you didn't know?" he asked in disbelief between snickers. "It's an open secret that Impa is a Sage."

"...It is?" she sputtered.

"Or was, once, before Hyrule forgot its own damn history," he said. "Still, tell me, my apprentice, even you must have suspected..."

"Next you'll tell me Bazz is one."

"Him?" Vaati let out a snort in disbelief. "Never. Their Sages are always royalty. You'd know this if you ever bothered to…read."

He grinned too brightly for that gloomy dawn, snickering darkly at his own joke.

Ruuya rolled her eyes, annoyed, and left him there, the ancient sorcerer giggling in her tracks. When the sun rose and the Brigade left the Castle, the wind trailed behind them with laughter at their backs.

/-/-/

This, Nan thought, throwing her line into the swampy water of the Lanayru Wetlands, is the boringest expedition ever.

It had been five days since they had left the capital, five beautiful sunny days despite the gloomy morning of their departure. There had been no monsters spotted in all that time. No camps crawling with vermin, no straggler bokoblins caught on the road, not even a keese alone at night. Sure, so far much of their route was the same well-traveled thoroughfare that ran from the capital, through Kakariko, to Hateno on the sea, so it shouldn't have monsters. The other Knights and their platoons patrolled this road and kept it safe. It should be boring.

She just kinda wished they hadn't done such a bloody good job.

Nan sighed and looked down at her line. Impa had given her the evening off as she was teaching their scouts tonight. The woman had started to teach her to use her magic in ways that were not just instinctual or accidental, as the cold Sheikah so blatantly put it. She'd taught her the basics of theory too, and said that once they got back, she would make her read up on such lovely topics as light spells, the history of the Sages, and Royal Magic. Nan had whined and complained about that last one, saying she ain't no princess or nothing like it blah-blah-blah, but Impa had given her the most traditional death glare she had ever seen.

Then said, "You will read it anyway."

Despite how much she despised the idea, she knew she would. Impa was scary. Just that one look and – bam! – she was the perfect student. She was sure Maa would be impressed.

And she would like Impa, too.

As though on cue, Stella fluttered down from the sky and alighted on her shoulder. In her beak she held a bass, big, shiny, and splashing water all over Nan and her companion. While she'd gotten permission to do a bit of fishin', Bazz had ordered that nobody do so alone despite that the most likely thing to ambush them out here was a horde of toads. Couldn't even mope in peace. Dumb, big, overprotective…

"Hey, hey, hey!" Gus squeaked. Nan cocked an eyebrow. "Stupid bir–"

Peck.

The bass went flying into the swamp.

"Gods!" He covered his forehead with both hands. Stella now roosted on his head. "Nan. Call it off!"

"Nah."

She stuck out her tongue. Sure, it was childish. Impa would reprimand her when she found out. But this was the most exciting thing to happen all week!

"But Na–"

Stella pecked twice, both eyes this time. He yelled, cursed, and raised his fist. Amazingly, the owl's pecks never seemed to do any real damage. They left no cuts or bruises, just a bit of momentary pain. It might be because she was a familiar, just as Linkle…

Just as Linkle had suggested.

Her heart drooped. She missed Linkle. Gods. It just wasn't fair that Bazz had made her stay home just because she was a little soul-sick. Wasn't like he wasn't. For goddess's sake, he still drank! One conversation ain't fixing all that ailed him. She, a great Sage, thought it unwise that they hadn't let Linkle come.

So she, ah, kicked Gus into the pond. A bit too hard, maybe…

The sky, clear of any clouds, rumbled and darkened. Something erupted from under the swamp with a mighty crash. Gus scrambled out of the rapidly rippling pond backwards onto the bank, then further up the grassy shore. The murky waters flashed with a crackle of lightning.

The water swelled. The air buzzed. Crawltulas scrambled into her hair, down her arms, across her back. Then the swell burst open and a monster arose. A humanoid giant made of boulders, each covered with algae and pond grime. Water flowed down in riverlets from the monster as it lifted itself from the pond on twin stubs made of stone, and despite having no eyes or head, it faced them. Thunder again roared above, and the stone giant brought its fists together with a mighty thud below. A bolt struck the monster's stone arms. Then lightning, impossibly bright, flowed out from its fists and covered the monster from torso to toe.

"What…what is–" Nan pulled Gus down. Lightning crashed behind them, thrown by one stone hand.

Nan threw out a wicked curse. "A Thunder Talus!"

She'd never seen one of this type, but a few different species had existed near the Village of Outcasts in the Dark World. Ya just stayed careful, or ya got dead. She…gods. What was this thing doing in the Realm of Light?

More bolts fell. The thing took one step closer. The water underneath its feet surged with electricity and thunder.

"Whatever you do," she said, latching onto his wrist and meeting his brown eyes. "Don't step in the pools."

Each one brimmed with sparks. Cartfuls of bass rose to the surface, fried and dead.

The young man nodded, eyes wide and arms trembling. An electric bolt flew right at them, but Nan raised a shield formed of solidified light.

"I can protect myself!" she said, then threw another shield around him. "But you gotta run! Tell Bazz! Impa! Just…go!"

She pushed him away, towards the camp on the largest island in the Wetlands, then faced the towering monolith of living boulders alone. Just to test her theory, she threw a ball of light at it.

It…sucked it in. The lightning around its arm grew a little brighter.

"Fuck," Nan said.

She just hoped she could survive this long enough until help arrived.

/-/-/

Vaati and Ruuya sat on the small plateau overlooking the camp of the Bazz Brigade, sifting through ingredients she had found for making more electro elixirs. Bazz had requested these specifically. She still didn't know why. No sign of such dangerous foes had yet to appear. These wetlands were too wet, sure, but the worst she got were water clogged boots. Like Lake Hylia, she was just amazed that one place could have so much water.

A large raindrop fell on Ruuya's forehead with a splat. Followed quickly by three more. She blinked, looked up at the heavens, and stared. Hadn't the sky been blue and clear just a moment ago?

A shout issued forth from camp. It was Bazz giving orders to his troops. They wordlessly started to pack. Suddenly, her skin prickled with static. Vaati stood up as well, frowning. Ruuya reached for her spear.

He shook his head. "No, green potion." He grabbed her hand and sucked in her magic. "I need more."

She uncocked a bottle and quaffed it. Then she took out another.

"What do you think it is?" she asked. "Poe robes?"

His eyes roamed over the camp and up at the sky. Fingers drummed against his staff. "Either Farosh is in the area...or something has been disturbed."

From the heavens, rain fell. Thunder roared in the distance. More crashed, too close for comfort. Then lightning, thick and bright, blasted forth from the earth. The camp was alight with electric and frantic energy. The soldiers bore wooden weapons and shed any bits of metal still on them. Bazz had switched his dark cloak for one lined with rubber. He had discarded most of his armor as well. The old Zora Knight had expected something like this might happen, and had thought to prepare himself and his soldiers if the worst occured.

"Lieutenant…!" a voice sounded from below. Gus, a young man with dark hair, stood with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. "Nanrundidtalus!"

"Repeat that again."

The boy shook his head. Something large and heavy crashed against the ground. More thunder roared, more lightning split the heavens. The earth trembled.

"Ta…Talus."

Something small flew over the boy like a shooting star. It was caught by Sergeant Viscen, sending both to the ground.

"Sir," he called, "it's Naneth!"

And just as another soldier helped to carry her off to the side, the stone giant arose above them, brimming with electricity. It had lumbered up from the swamp, momentarily lost beneath the placid waters. Streams of pond water fell away, and yellow electricity bristled beneath its feet and around its form. Falling into a battle stance, Bazz summoned a wall of ice as a bolt of electricity struck. It…melted.

But none in his Brigade appeared hurt by its powerful attack.

The Zora followed this with a spear of ice aimed perfectly at the gigantic topaz upon its top. The stone giant released a wordless scream, face turned to the heavens. Then it stomped its feet and more lightning rained down upon them.

"Vaati…"

This time soldiers toppled behind Bazz. Shields caught aflame. Cries of agony rang out from below the mage and his apprentice upon the plateau.

The Brigade wouldn't last much longer.

"This…is perfect," Vaati said. The wind blew back his hair and cloak. "Drink deeper."

Ruuya took out more green potions, pouring each one into her throat. As soon as one was consumed, Vaati drew in more and more power. At some point, his hand had shifted to her shoulder.

"Tell me, apprentice," he began, the wind beginning to whirl and spin around them, "how does one destroy a boulder?"

"I don't…" A few more soldiers fell before the monster's might. A shield of ice blocked a fist of thunder and stone. "A hammer. A big ass hammer."

The ice shattered.

And the wind rose to a crescendo. "Precisely!"

Sharp claws dung into her shoulder. She fell to her knees.

A great gust of violet and golden power sprung from Vaati's hand and wrapped tendrils of air around each limb of the stone giant. Like a child's plaything, he threw it high into the sky, lined with thunderous tendrils. In midair, he turned it upside down so that the gigantic topaz on its back pointed towards the ground. Drawing on even more power from his shaking apprentice, he cast another spell. Just as complex as the last, it turned the largest pool of the Wetlands to pure ice. With a flick of his wrist, he slammed the great stone man into the earth with a final blast of wind as one last bolt of lightning struck.

It cracked. Stone flew. Topaz fell. And the storm, as quickly as it had come, fled. Clear blue skies erupted above them, not a streak of white in sight.

Cries of relief sounded from the soldiers below. They whooped and clapped, hugged and cried. They praised Lord Gufuu, the great and powerful, the mage that had saved all their lives. Ruuya, barely noting the gaiety, was nearly consumed by the sorcerer's triumphant smile.

"What are you doing?" Bazz shouted. Running up to the top of the plateau, towards them, towards her, where Vaati's claw cut into her shoulder. Ruuya tried to speak. To tell him to stop. She hated this. She wanted this. She loved the sense of power.

But she couldn't breathe. Her legs quaked.

"Saving your lives. What does it look like?"

Then, finally, blessedly, accursedly, Vaati let her go. Their magic faded. Yet the whirlwind within her did not die, not before it took everything. She dropped face first to the ground, unable to move, unable to think, unable to even breath.

Thank Din it was done. At long last, she drew in a gasp, wishing for more magic. More power. Always more, Sweet Din! Give. Her. More.

A green potion landed on her tongue. She wasn't sure how it had gotten there, but Ruuya drank.

She still felt so empty. She couldn't get up. Not even onto her hands and knees. No, all she could do was curl into a ball and retch. Green, glowing liquid spat up onto the grass of the plateau.

"Vaati!"

"Quiet!" he hissed. "Not here!"

Strong hands picked her up like a small child. She was weeping. Empty. So empty. She could never be filled. The void had become her, and Ruuya crossed into it and slept like the dead.

/-/-/

A quiet laid over the camp of the Bazz Brigade that night, cold as the dead buried deep in the dark waters of Lake Hylia. As light was to fire, and electricity to the vigorous light, so was water to darkness, and forest to the waters of life. Those magics were the ones most intertwined. Those groupings traditional. Most mages could only master one set at best and many could only handle a pair at most.

Now he had encountered a man who had, perhaps, mastered all eight. He had thought that man a liar. Had known that his powers were somehow sealed and had now witnessed that seal unraveled before him.

Gods. He needed a drink. Bazz leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

But the camp was supposed to be dry, and what alcohol there was should go to his soldiers. One young man, Cawl, had died under his watch. Many others had ugly burns, a few broken bones, and Nan…

He drank another green potion, wishing again that he was a better healer than fighter. Cursing himself that he had not taken such lessons as seriously in his youth when Mipha had offered to teach him and his friends. Vaati, after force feeding several more green potions into the young Gerudo, had left the rest in that bag to him. He apparently had another bagful, and muttered something about bringing half his stash on this trip. Yet, he had been quick to leave Bazz alone in the healing tent with the moans and groans of the injured, and two young women still lying unconscious in the back.

"Are you intending to stay up all night?" a voice asked, and he heard the sound of something pouring into a pewter mug. "Do you want a drink?"

"Is it liquor?" One eye popped open.

The white haired Impa came into view, holding two steaming mugs of some mysterious liquid.

"Coffee." She forced one mug into his hands and took the other seat at the folding table. This, he realized, was not actually an offer but a demand. He would drink this coffee if he liked it or not. "And an apology."

His peduncle snapped like a whip. "I told you, Lady Impa, there is no need," he replied, but sipped his coffee. "Just by being away, you likely saved their lives."

"Is that why you snapped just then."

It was, he noted, not lilted as a question. Bazz, taken aback, cursed into his drink.

"I…"

The Sheikah bowed her head. "I should have returned faster."

He shook his head. "You did not know."

"Doesn't–"

"And those scouts under your watch might have died if you had rushed!" This time, he did not need his peduncle to give him away. "No one can know what might have been. We can't reverse time just because it might make us feel better. Please. I've spent too much time with my own self-pity to know that…"

He bit his lower lip, drew forth warm blood, and ran a hand over his forehead. "What's in this?"

She shot him a mysterious smile. "Coffee."

As she took a sip from her mug, all humor vanished from her face, along with the fleeting smile. "How did she come to be in this state?" Her eyes flicked over to Ruuya. "That's magical exhaustion."

"Yes it is." Bazz took another sip. It really did just taste like that bitter brew. "Why do you ask?"

"It makes little sense," she continued, setting down her mug and resting her chin on top of her intertwined fingers. The bright red of her lips matched her perfectly manicured nails and contrasted the intrinsic white tattoos above her left eye. "The soldiers spoke highly of Lord Gufuu." He grimaced. "His power…his might…how he masterfully overcame the Talus…"

"Correct."

"Then why," she began, crimson eyes bright and knowing, "does his apprentice suffer from magical exhaustion when he does not?"

"From what I had gathered," he said, making sure that his peduncle stayed loose but straight, "she aided in the casting of that magic, but drew too deeply from her reservoir… It proved too much for her to handle."

She nodded along with his words, apparently believing him. Thank Nayru... "Just as a certain Zora should understand that he should not push himself too far…"

He suddenly realized just how close they were when the scent of blue nightshade brushed his nostrils, both having leaned further and further over the course of conversation. Bazz forced himself to turn aside and away from the stately woman across from him. This…wasn't the time for that. Nan murmured in her restless sleep, body covered in sweat, and a wet washcloth on her forehead. He placed a hand on her forehead – it was still warm, but no longer burning hot – and again sent a wave of fresh water magic through the young girl.

To an outside observer, Nan did not look the worst of the soldiers in the healing tent. The throw from the Talus had broken several ribs, given her a mild concussion, and sprained her left wrist. However, several severe burns covered both legs, leaving them blackened and exposing the tissue and bone beneath. Those had been addressed as best they could, but likely…

He did not want to think about what was likely. Even red potions, as Vaati had been so quick to remind him, were better at healing certain injuries than others.

"I do not know how I will explain this to Joshua…"

"Her father?"

He swallowed. "Yes…and no."

"I see," she said, and no doubt saw more than he had intended. "I, too, have grandchildren not of my own blood."

He said nothing.

"Have you checked her legs recently?"

The question seemed innocent at first, but it was unlikely Impa would know the extent of Nan's injuries. She hadn't been here. She was no healer. Yet…

The best healer in the camp ought to be the Sage of Light, even untrained and unpracticed, at least in theory. And Naneth had always had a unique gift for instinctual magic ever since she had awakened as a Sage…

With a sudden burst of energy, Bazz tuned his water magic to a different spell. This one would simply check for injuries by inspecting the body for weakness. When it reached the bottom of her legs, Bazz took a step back, then threw back the thin blanket that covered them in alarm and gently removed the dressings.

The skin beneath was raw and pink and healing far better than it ever should have been. She had healed herself. Was healing herself. A feat even rare among the most skilled of mages. He glanced at the green potions, uncorked one, and helped her down its contents instead. A bit more color seemed to return to her cheeks, and she glowed, now, a faint gold to his magical senses.

Bazz choked on something – a sob – then threw back his head and laughed.