Chapter 66: The Pawns of Fate
"Look!" Link pointed down the hill.
Navi flew to his cap and padded the front of it to clear the view. Across the field stood the gates of Castle Town. Miles back they saw the tips of the tallest towers peaking over the rolling meadows, but now the entire city lay before them.
Amazing, what the big folk could build, most of it without the aid of magic. They moved stones a thousand times heavier than her, or more and stacked them taller than most trees. The setting sun turned the white stone gold and crimson. A blazing beacon of safety for all within its walls. So close, and the journey could finally be over. Link would be safe, at last.
"You think we can make it?" Link asked.
"I don't think so," Navi sighed. The city still lay some miles away and the sun lay half hidden behind the eastern hills. "The gates will close soon. How much further do you want to walk today? We could slow down, even make camp here. Be well rested to meet the princess tomorrow."
"Hmm," he paused as if he was actually considering her words. Though Navi already knew what he would say, rising off his cap to find someplace more secure. "I'll try for it anyway."
"Wait," Navi flew into the ocarina tied to his belt, folded in her wings, and landed on the soft wood. Link may want to keep running about, but Navi would take what rest she could get. "Now, go!"
He yelped and laughed as he sprinted down the road. The first few steps made Navi bounce within the instrument, but once he reached a steady pace the mild lift and fall of the ocarina felt no worse than a gentle current bobbing along a stream. Navi lay down and looked through the holes, enjoying the green grass and darkening sky.
The outside world could be beautiful.
It had been hard to remember that deep within the fog of the forest. Perhaps even the Great Deku Tree had forgotten in his grief. There were good people along with the bad. Beauty intermixed with terror. For not the first, nor even the hundredth time, she thought on the day that the Great Deku Tree closed off the woods. If she could live through it again, would she have spoken in defense of this world and its people? As the twins Tatl and Tael had. So many things she could have done different. But she had been young, too eager to please. And now-
And now there's no point thinking over the wrongs of a century ago. She was here now. She could enjoy the beauty now. And she had Link to look after. That's all she needed.
The sky turned dark before Link spoke again. "Almost made it!" He slowed to a stop. Navi flew from the ocarina. They were less than a mile away from the walls. Well close enough to see the great gates set, sealing the city until morning. "Whooh," Link bent over, taking deep breaths.
"You got closer than I thought you would."
"Maybe, I should climb them? The walls. It's not like they can keep me out, anyway."
"What if someone is keeping watch up there? Besides, we still have the entire city to get through until we reach the castle. And the princess' tower to climb after. By the time we get there, it'll be near morning anyway."
"I guess you're right. Like always." He gave her a big smile and straightened up. "You think we can have a fire and a warm meal tonight?"
"I don't see why not," Navi gave a little laugh. "You earned it. There's no more reason to hide."
Somehow the boy still found it in him to run as he left the main road into the grass and trees. He gathered loose twigs and branches and dumped them into a pile before digging a pit and filling it with dried leaves and grass. From his bag, he drew a piece of flint, and in three strikes the leaves caught flame and he fed it wood until a real fire burned. Then he set a piece of mutton, bought from a village the day before, cooking over the flames.
"I'm sorry we didn't make it," he said when he finally sat down to let the meat cook.
"Oh, don't apologize. Out here we have the stars."
"I know. But you want all this to be over. I can tell."
"Don't you?"
"I suppose," he leaned back until he lay on the grass staring up into the sky.
"What's wrong?" Navi flew over to rest next to him. Lowering her light so as not to outshine the stars.
"It's just… I don't know what comes next. The Great Deku Tree gave me this task. Then the princess. I... now what do I do?"
"Now, you get to be a child. Finally. As you should have been all this time."
He sighed and stood to check on the mutton. Though it barely had time to cook.
"What is it?"
"Nothing... it's only... I like being me. I didn't used to. But traveling? Meeting new people? I like it. And I like... you know."
"You like fighting."
He managed to look a little sheepish when he smiled. "Not only that. But I'm helping people. And I'm seeing things I would never have seen if we settled somewhere. And these last weeks traveling with you. I could do that forever."
"Then maybe that's what we'll do."
"Will you want to?"
"Not right away. Let's enjoy royal hospitality for at least a few days. But then? If you want to see the world, there's nothing I'd rather do than see it with you."
And his smile made her happier than all the stars. Her brave little boy. He deserved every joy the world could bring.
"We'll have to find something magic for you. You can't just live off the ocarina. But I think the princess will have something to give us if we ask nicely." He rambled on, telling her of all the wonderful things still left to explore in Hyrule and beyond.
Then she felt it. A presence, the shadow that reached out for him. Ever searching for Link. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and her light flickered and dimmed. At first, she thought it must be a figment of her imagination. A manifestation of her dread that she might once again lose the boy. But now she wasn't so certain. They were so close to the city, surely the worst was over. So why did she still feel it? Why was it looking at him?
"Navi? Is something wrong?"
"No. It's nothing." She said though the shadow remained over them. "Give me a moment."
He looked over her, the light of the fire heightening the worry etched on his face. The presence disappeared. Navi breathed in her relief. Gone, just as quick as it came. Nothing to worry about. As she steadied herself, she felt the darkness return. This time not hanging over Link but growing from the horizon. Ravenous and furious as it approached. No more masked and diminished over many miles, she felt the power in full. And she recognized from whom it came.
"No, something is wrong. Link, we need to leave."
"What? I just got the fire-"
"Link, we need to hide now!"
The boy shot to his feet and started kicking dirt into the flames to douse them.
"No time! Run!"
Link dashed away from the still crackling flame, scooped up his bag, and ran. Navi dimmed her light as low as she dared and flew after him. They raced over the rolling plains around the city. Not stopping until Link dived into a thicket, while Navi perched within the bramble. Keeping her wings tucked close she shifted about, angling herself to catch a glimpse of those she knew were coming.
They did not take long to appear. The hoofbeats of the Gerudo host came first. Then from across the meadows they rose, riders and a single wagon pulled by the largest horse she had ever seen. Tearing up the grass as they headed to the city gate.
"They didn't take the road," Navi muttered.
"They don't want people to know they're arriving," Link said, as he peaked out of the bushes. "But why now? The gate is closed. It won't open until morning."
She had no answer. Nor could she speak if she did, for the fear that gripped her. It doesn't end. It will never end.
I shouldn't be here. Nabooru fiddled with her fork, playing with her untouched food. Some Hylian lord droned beside her, and she could not muster the focus to pretend to care what he had to say. Instead, she focused on her true battle. I should leave. Tonight. Ride straight for Gan to warn him. But wasn't that what the witches would expect from her? Just as in war, it is best to advance your goals in a way your enemies will not anticipate.
But what if the messengers she sent were not enough? Even now, five of her mother's fastest riders raced toward the Zora or the battles to the East. One of them should find Gan. She had heard nothing back yet, but then, of course, she hadn't. Perhaps none of them even reached their destination yet. As soon as one of them found Ganondorf, he would contact her, and they could hash out everything.
It was necessary, lest she somehow miss him charging out after the armies by herself. But it did not make the wait easier. If only Bulira offered any significant detail as to what the Twinrova plotted. All she knew was they were using her to play with Gan's dreams and memories. They twisted his ambitions to make him do what they wished, just as those vipers had their entire lives.
"Furthermore, Lady Nabooru," the lordling rambled on, "the rise of jewelry in the Gerudo style at court should tell you how profitable this venture would be for all involved. All we would need-"
"No," Nabooru said. She had enough to worry about without catering to this pompous fool's desires. "I know what you want. You already spoke to Matron Rijya, my mother, and one of Matron Ashdin's servants last I heard, and all refused you. Thank the Goddesses you were not foolish enough to bring this to the Most-Feared herself, or you might be speaking through a few less teeth."
"But think of what we could make."
"No Gerudo will ever give up the location of our wells. Least of all to a pudgy little nothing like you. Now, voe, leave me to my meal."
The man huffed off, muttering how she could dare to insult him. She allowed herself a moment's satisfaction before her mind returned to Gan, the Twinrova, and all else wrong with the world.
'Nabs,' a voice whispered in her ear.
She froze, at first looking about the hall before she recognized whose voice she heard.
'Nabs, it's me, we must talk.'
He got the messages. Thank the ancestors. She stood up and left through the crowded feast hall. Nodding once to her mother, and gently touching her shoulder as she passed. As she maneuvered through the room, her eyes met Sir Jora standing at the shoulder of the princess. She smiled at him before she left through a servant's entrance that headed toward the kitchens. There she went to one of the storage rooms none of the servants appeared to be entering. Inside, empty barrels in need of cleaning left barely enough room for a conversation. But at least it would be away from prying eyes.
As soon as the door shut, a black and purple hole tore through empty air. Out stepped Gan, wearing that skull mask he needed to make these visits.
"Sab'saaba," what part of his mouth she could see twisted into a smile. "I missed you."
"And I, you. I'm glad my message reached you. How do you want me to-"
"Message?" He shook his head. "No, Nabooru, I need you to listen. I do not have time. I am outside the city gate."
"What city? Here? Castle Town?"
"Yes," the mask made his eyes grow a ghastly yellow, as Nabooru looked upon them she saw nothing but madness. "It's happening, Nabs. Right now. Everything I've planned, everything we've wanted. Everything we've fought and bled for. It's happening."
"No, Gan. You promised me, we gave that dream up."
"I told you if the plan failed that would be the end. But it hasn't failed. There is still hope, more than hope. All three of the stones have practically fallen into my lap. It's just as I've said. The Three want me to do this. I cannot explain it. I know you always think it makes me sound mad. But it's true."
"It's not the Three. Gan, it's never been the Three. It's those hags, it's your mothers."
"Nabooru," ghostly hands encircled her own. They could not touch, not with this magical image he cast. And yet, she almost felt him. "This is me speaking. Not my mothers. Not some prophecy I know you don't believe. Me. I am outside the gate. I have already cast my lot. Even if I leave and somehow remain unseen, word will reach the King that I abandoned my armies and the duty he gave me. I have broken my vows, and he will know it."
"We'll think of something. We can-"
"Nabs, I need you to open the North Gate. As fast as you can, I am already approaching it. If you don't, I'll have to open it myself. It will be noisy. I will lose any element of surprise. Assured victory will turn to chance."
"You should have told me days ago. I'm not… I'm not ready for this. Mother. And… others. I-"
"Nabooru, I know this is hard. But I thought you were with me. Until the end."
She swallowed, trying to force out the vow they had given each other a hundred times or more as they grew up. "And whatever comes after." But now the words felt harsher than the desert winds tearing everything in its path to shreds.
"I know what I'm asking you." The massive figure absorbed back into the dark portal, leaving only one final message. "I trust you, Nabs. I always will."
She stood alone in the dark room. Her fingers clenched. This mad dream was supposed to be over. How could he do this to her?
No. This was their play. All from the beginning. The Twinrova. This was why their lies felt so sloppy, why their plan seemed too lazy, stupid even. It did not matter what Nabooru knew or did not know. It did not matter what she did at all so long as she had not been by Gan's side to speak sense to him. When he needed her most, she had been on the other side of the kingdom.
They bested her before she even saw the battlefield.
Howling, she turned to one of the barrels dripping with grease from whatever it had once stored. She punched it. Knocking it to the ground before she kicked it to pieces. Splinters scratched up her leg. But it did not stop her. Another needed to be destroyed, then another. It didn't help. Nothing could help.
She grabbed a chunk of a broken barrel top and held it above her head.
"Commander!" A hand grabbed her arm.
Nabooru turned to see Sheviath holding her back. Behind her, three of the Hylian servants stared into the room. Nabooru growled at them, causing the three to gasp and fall back, closing the door behind them. "Let me go."
The tattooed warrior did, after a moment. "The servants went to the Matron, who sent me to calm you down. You are lucky, they could have gone straight to the king. What has come over you?"
"It does not matter." She tossed the broken chunk of wood aside. "Tell my mother to finish eating quick. Once she's done, take her to her quarters, and call up all her guards. You are to barricade yourselves in the room. You are to let no one in or out. Do you understand me?"
Sheviath cocked her head to the side. "I understand the words. Not the reason."
"That you'll figure out soon enough. Just do what I say."
"Commander." Sheviath looked down at the broken barrels. "Perhaps it is best if you are the one to head to your quarters and-"
Nabooru silenced the young warrior with her most furious glare. "Get my mother, protect her throughout the night. Do you understand me?"
Sheviath took a moment, sizing Nabooru up before she nodded. "Will you at least tell me what is happening? For the Matron's sake."
"Tonight, a kingdom falls. We'll discover which one by morning." She stormed past the guard and slammed open the door.
"Commander, what of you? Where are you going?"
What else could she do? The witches knew her too well.
"I need to open a gate."
Ganondorf pulled off the mask and felt his mind return to his body. Alone in a wagon, he tucked the mask into a saddlebag. He hunched over to avoid smacking his head against the low ceiling. Desquesza suggested the wagon, to avoid everyone noticing him a mile off. A necessary disguise, but now, cramped, and uncomfortable, he had little to do but wait and think.
They'd raced half the length of Hyrule, and they still arrived too slow. The voe had managed to reach the walls and ran off. It would take too long to chase after him. And if the gatehouse saw his warriors run down a child, they'd call the city guard. He would have to find Link again afterward. It shouldn't be hard, where else could the little squire go? Now, he needed to focus on the assault on the castle.
Nabooru won't disappoint me. She never does. This will work.
And if it didn't? He would not have long to dwell on his failures. In victory or death, all would be decided tonight.
The wagon creaked to a halt. Outside, horses grunted and pawed at the ground, while his sisters cooed at them.
"Who's down there?" A voice called.
"Sav'orr," Desquesza responded. "We're merchants from the desert."
"Lot of you for only one wagon."
"Too few, I should say. But then, I know how valuable our cargo is, and you do not."
"Ahh, gem merchants, aye? Seen a fair few of you lot these last few months. Well, you're too late for the night. Gate won't be lowered until sunrise. Best if you back away and make camp."
"Sarqso! Kind one, we'll do just that."
A knock came from the side of the wagon. "My king," Bethe's voice whispered through the wood. "Have you spoken to Nabs?"
"Yes."
"She coming?"
"She'll be here." The answer must have satisfied Bethe, as she did not respond. Once more leaving Gan in the silent wagon. He listened to the horses milling about outside, and the mutters from his guard. Desquesza and Bethmasse did their best to quell the other's worries. He had the greatest warriors in all the desert with him. But they knew the danger ahead, the risk they were taking.
And every second they waited; the worry would creep into their minds. Come on, Nabs.
"Gerudo down there. I thought I told you to back away from the gate and make camp."
"Just give us a moment, kind voe," Dessi called out. "We are simply deciding where to set up."
"Best if you do that, away from the gate. I don't want to call the barracks, but rules is rules."
"Of course, my apologies." Then her voice came to the wagon. "What's the plan here?"
"We wait."
"You're the king. But we're going to need to make a play soon."
SHE HAS BETRAYED YOU. YOU CAN ONLY TRUST YOURSELF.
He shook his head, trying to clear it of those black thoughts. But they returned louder and louder. Did he truly need her? He could destroy the gate if necessary. It would be loud. The entire city would know. The barracks would call to arms. Who would reach the castle first? He or they? They were closer. But he was already ahorse and prepared for battle. The barracks, the castle guard, the royal knights. Could he defeat them all without surprise?
YES. THEY ARE ALL BORN TO DIE.
"Enough, ladies. I've given you lot plenty of time to get moving."
"Just a moment!"
"No, you've had your warning. I'm calling-"
Silence.
Gan held his breath.
A grinding winch filled the air. The unmistakable sound of a portcullis rising. Gan let out a burst of laughter. Why had he worried? Nabooru would always come through for him. He grabbed the saddlebag and pulled himself out of the confines of the wagon. It had served its purpose; it did not matter who saw him now.
By the time the drawbridge slammed to the ground, he had freed Storm from the yoke, saddled, and mounted him.
"Ride!" Ganondorf called. Makeela trilled her battle cry before Dessi could quiet her as they charged through the empty street. Nabooru would catch up to them later. They did not have time to wait for her to descend from the gatehouse and reach her horse. She'd hate missing the harshest fight, but he would make it up to her. Once he sat the throne of Hyrule and made the world right, she would understand the sacrifices he made.
She must.
They raced through the city, some few Hylians still about in the night gave them confused glances. But all got out of their way, none daring to stop or question them.
"Once we reach the castle, we will meet with the personal guard of the Matrons. Dessi, you will take command. I need you to lead them against the city garrison. I don't expect you to defeat the Hylians. But slow them down and keep them busy. By sunrise, I will relieve you and they will be powerless to stop us."
"It will be done."
"And if I do not find you in the morning, then-"
"You will, my king."
"And me?" Bethe asked. "What am I to do?"
"I have… a task for you, my sister. It is not an honorable one."
"My life is yours."
"The last time a Gerudo King assaulted this city, he slew the ruler of Hyrule. The war should have ended there, but the dynasty of the Hylian royal family survived through a young prince. I will not make the same mistakes as my predecessor. Do you understand what I'm asking you?"
The stone-faced warrior only nodded. Without hesitation, without remorse.
I am sorry to ask that of you, sister. But our future will be worth every sacrifice we make.
They did not stop until they reached the steel fence and gate of Hyrule Castle itself. Two guards stood before it. One raised a lantern high and held out his hand to get the attention of the riders. He ordered them to slow down, that the castle was closed until morning. Bethe's spear took him through the neck.
His companion shouted. Reached for a horn and blew one strangled note before Makeela slashed him across the face. His horn split in two, he crumpled back upon the gate.
Dessi cursed. "They had to hear that."
LET THEM KNOW. LET THEM QUAKE IN FEAR.
Ganondorf dismounted Storm and walked the last few paces to the gate. "If we were discovered before the city, they would have the time to mount a defense. But now? There is nothing they can do."
He drew witch-fire to his arm. Letting the dark energy swarm around him, he pushed it down. Consolidated it. Turning all that force into one point before his hand. With a roar, his fist slammed into the steel gate. Witch-fire exploded. The steel burst, twisting away, tearing apart the road and grass behind it.
"Let them know." He said as he looked past the ruined gate to the castle, to the fulfillment of all his dreams. "It will not matter."
"I have decided," Zelda told her guardian. "That I will see to it in the morning. It's too late for such a conversation."
Jora sighed; his armor clinked together as he rubbed his forehead. "No."
"You can't say 'no' to me about this. It isn't a royal function or an order from my father. Tomorrow will be fine."
"Princess, you said you'd talk to him this morning. And then your stomach was upset. So, we agreed this afternoon, only then you didn't want to bother him while he worked. You said you'd speak with him over supper, only you worried about making a scene before the entire castle. If we wait until tomorrow, you'll come up with some other excuse. We're going now."
"Why can't you be more like Impa? She would have just made sarcastic comments about me being stubborn."
"The last thing you need in your life is more sarcasm."
"But… what if he doesn't accept my apology? Some things I've said-"
"He will." The knight leaned down, so she saw the sincerity in his deep brown eyes. "Once it's over, the two of you will look back at all your bickering and wonder why it took you so long to make amends."
She could still refuse. Sir Jora would not dare force her to go. But he had the right of things. She was making excuses.
"Very well," she sighed. "Let's get this over with."
The knight led her through the halls of the castle until they reached her father's study. Only three of the royal guards stood outside; Sir Bellard and Sir Wenton joked with each other, while Sir Bors greeted Zelda with appropriate deference. She passed them by and stopped outside the door. Voices came from inside. Her father was speaking with someone, and he sounded heated.
She silently thanked the Goddesses. Her father was busy. Tomorrow, she would find the courage to speak with him then.
"Pity," she said. But before she could elaborate Sir Jora opened the door, revealing her father and Matron Rijya facing each other.
"Two of my nieces, in as many nights," the matron said in her strange emotionless way. "This insult cannot stand."
"What happened to your girls-vai is terrible. But we all knew that tensions between our people would not disappear overnight. Just because we signed a treaty."
"Many words, king. But Seraji's face is still bruised, and Nobelli's arm still broken. Those that attacked and robbed them must pay."
"What would you have me say? You have shown yourself wise, and I respect you too much to lie. With the city watch dwindled as it is, I cannot promise we will find the perpetrators."
"Excuses. I am a matron because I am strong, because I protect my people. Do you think I will remain Matron long if I say I cannot bring justice? Because it is too difficult? An example must be made."
Sir Jora coughed. The king and matron both turned to look at Zelda standing at the door. Her father's eyes found hers, immediately, they hardened. This was a terrible idea. Of course, he did not want to hear from her now. She should just leave.
"Matron Rijya," King Liotidos returned to his duties, ignoring Zelda. "I will send my personal physician to see both of your nieces. But I do not believe we will decide anything further tonight. We shall speak again in the morning."
For her part, the matron did not appear angry. She did not appear anything, as emotionless as the dead. She swept past Zelda out the door. "A ruler cannot afford to be meek." Two of the king's guards shifted uncomfortably, but her father gave the slightest wave to tell them not to respond to the insult.
The king sighed, "What is it, Zelda?" His voice full of weariness, already preparing for another argument with her.
She gulped and stepped toward her father. She could do this. She had practiced what to say with Jora twice before and thought of the words a dozen times more. "Father." The front of her dress was rumpled. She straightened it. "Father. I-"
A note from a horn blew outside. It ended quick, but a cacophonous eruption followed. Had two wagons collided before the castle? No. This late? And so loud? Why had the horn blown?
Her father's eyes grew wide. He grabbed Zelda's arm and pulled her behind him.
"What's going on?" Zelda asked though the answer came to her before the words left her mouth. They were under attack.
Heavy footsteps raced through the halls, growing louder. No. Not racing. Marching.
"Inside," Jora ordered the guards and Matron Rijya. They crowded into her father's study, all around the door. So thick Zelda could hardly make out the shapes that approached while the marching grew louder.
"Sister Rijya, I see you've been caught unprepared," the deep spiteful voice of Matron Ashdin came from the hall. Zelda tried to push through the armored knights to see, but her father's grip on her shoulder pulled her back. "Fallen King," the matron said.
"What is the meaning of this?" her father demanded. "Matron Ashdin, this is treason."
"So it is," the Most-Feared laughed. "Rijya, the mistresses of the sands called upon me. It is time to put this farce behind us. Our true king has arrived, and we are expected to aid him."
"Pity," the slender weather-worn barbarian stepped forward, away from the protection of the Hylian knights. Finally providing space for Zelda to see. Ashdin grinned as she held out her arm to the matron of the Molduga-Skinners, but Rijya did not accept the gesture. Instead, she turned back and bowed her head to Zelda's father. "You are not a bad voe. But you are weak and beaten. It matters little, but I am sorry."
Zelda's father said nothing. Words did not seem capable of embodying his wrath. His face turned crimson, his jaw clenched, his eyes piercing deeper than any sword. Rijya turned and walked past Ashdin and the warriors that filled up the hall behind her. So many. It must be every one of her guards, and all her servants given weapons.
Against them, only four knights.
They were doomed.
The Most-Feared gave a barking laugh and swung her arm down. Soldiers rushed forward, and the Royal Guard braced their weapons to receive them. Zelda closed her eyes as the forces met. Howls of pain, and clashed steel rang. Hacking and panting. All pressing around her. Blood. There would be so much blood. Scraping, screeching, scratching, the sounds of violence and chaos filled her ears.
A scream. A thump at her feet. A splash against her dress. Zelda's eyes opened as she stepped back further into her father's shadow. Sir Bors lay before her, his mouth open in a cry cut short. A blade had found the slit in his helmet for his eyes and drew across his face. The top of his head split near in two.
He was gone.
Completely gone.
She had known Sir Bors her entire life. He had always been quiet, but polite. And he smiled whenever she made her sarcastic little comments. She had liked him.
And he was gone.
Red spilled around him. Red flowed around the door. Red filled the hall. Her three knights that remained were covered in it. Five Gerudo lay dead at their feet, as near as Zelda could tell. How could anyone make out where one broken body started, and another ended? But the Gerudo did not care. They marched over their fallen as if they weren't there. All the while the Most-Feared laughed.
"Zelda," her father's grip on her shoulder grew painful. "Stay behind me. You'll be safe."
But he was lying. She could always tell. What could they do? Every one of her father's knights fought as five of the Gerudo, but there were so many more of them. There were other knights throughout the castle, but what if they didn't reach them in time? What if this was it? What if she would soon fall like Sir Bors, split open? Seeping the ground in red.
What if this was the end?
Her hand raised, though she did not think she had raised it. Her magic surged through her, though she did not think she called upon it.
"Zelda!" her father cried.
Others screamed, some in fear, some in pain, some with mad wrath or wicked delight. Her light filled the room, growing brighter until its radiance was all she could see. The power burst from her palm. Everything she had learned from her books and Rauru sprang forward, blazing through the room.
When the light died, the Gerudo fell back. Some clutched at their faces, others simply spilled out onto the floor along with the other dead. Everyone else stared at her, none so intensely as her father. Was it anger or awe on his face? She could not tell.
Sir Jora moved first, grabbing the door, and shoving it closed. The matron's piercing screech called her warriors cowards and demanded they break the door down. Sir Wenton and Sir Bellard ran to help Jora, taking hold of her father's desk, they threw it against the door. Before bracing themselves against it.
"Jora," her father's hand left her shoulder. "Sir Jora!" He grabbed the knight's arm and spun him about to face each other.
"My king?"
"If you barricade the door, they will burn us out. That way is assured death. You cannot allow the princess to die, do you understand me?"
"Your majesty," he looked to the door with the bloody-minded matron screeching on the other side. "Trying to break out? That is just as doomed. We'd have better luck trying to knock out the back wall."
"No," Zelda whispered. "There's another way."
The two men both turned to her.
"What is that?" her father demanded.
"Above us, there's a passage, one of the Sheikah Paths through the castle. But it's blocked up." She pointed to the small stone slab hidden among the rest of the ceiling.
Jora seized her father's chair, positioned it beneath the slab, and jumped atop it. He pushed at the ceiling. "Hylia guide me, there's something up here."
Wood cracked. The top of the door split down the middle. The remaining guards shouted as they pressed their shoulders into what remained. Through a hole, a spear scraped across Sir Wenton's cheek. He gasped in pain but stood firm. Bleeding, he grabbed the spear length and pulled at it, pressing until the wooden shaft snapped beneath his weight. But as he roared in victory, a Gerudo axe hacked at the hole, widening it further.
"I think I have it," Jora pressed against the ceiling. Slamming his forearm, shoulder, fist, anything at the entrance to the passage. Dust rained down. Then pebbles smashed to the ground as stone scraped against stone. With a loud creak, it burst open. Light from the room shone into the cramped stone corridors where she once used to study in peace. "Zelda!"
Hands grabbed her. First, her father lifted her with a strength she did not know he still possessed. Before she knew what was happening, he had passed her to Sir Jora who hoisted her into the dark passage.
"You know the way?" the knight asked her.
"Yes."
"Good," he stepped off the chair and turned to the king. "Your majesty."
But her father did not climb atop the chair. "Sir Jora, I have entrusted the princess's safety to your hands. Take her out of this city."
Jora shook his head. "My duty is to-"
"Is to the princess. Go."
"Are you-"
"There is no time, go!"
"As you command, Your Majesty." Sir Jora stepped back onto the chair and heaved himself into the passage. "It has been my highest honor." He moved to close the passage entrance.
"No," Zelda grabbed it and tried to hold it open. "Don't be ridiculous, there's still time. Father."
He looked up to her and shook his head. "Capturing me will take time. Hopefully, long enough for you two to get away. Goodbye, my daughter." He nodded to Sir Jora, standing over her shoulder. The knight forced Zelda's hands away from the slab. Just before he slammed it shut, Zelda saw the painting of her mother and father crash to the ground and heard it tear.
Darkness surrounded her.
She shouted. She slammed her hands against the stone. She cried as steel gauntlets wrapped around her waist and carried her through the passage.
Link paced back and forth, twisting his cap in his hands. "It's him." He said, for not the first time.
"It is," Navi replied, as she had for all the others. She flew beside him, trying hard to keep up with his erratic movement. "Link, you have to stop."
He tried to do as told but couldn't stop his foot from bouncing. "How did he get here? Ruto said she'd stop him."
"I don't know."
He needed to move, to rush forward, sword drawn and screaming. But he couldn't do that. Could he? Navi would be so scared.
"But he's in the city now," Navi said. "We should leave. We disappear out in the wild. We can survive out there if we must. In a few weeks, we'll return and try again."
"They left the gate open." Link shook his head. "They shouldn't have left the gate open."
"Link, listen to me."
"I am listening. You want to leave. I understand. But something's wrong. The gatekeepers should have closed the gate again." The Gerudo had passed into the city several minutes ago. Someone had to have noticed that the gate was being left open by now unless there was no one stationed at the gatehouse.
"Whatever's happening, we cannot solve it. I know it's hard. I know you are trying to figure out how you can help. But right now, you can't."
From the city, bells clamored. They did not ring to signal the morning, nor were they the gentle chime on the hours Link had heard during his time with Malon. This was a rush of noise that must have deafened whoever rang them. No music, nor tempo to it. It only created the loudest sound possible. A warning.
Link clutched at his head. His fingers tapped on the spot the Gerudo king's touch stung him months before. "Navi, a week back you said you felt someone. Like magic. Was it him? Has he been watching us?"
The word took her long to say as if avoiding the answer would make it less true. "Yes."
"And how many times have you felt him since?"
"Almost every day."
"He can find us. No matter where we run. He'll follow."
"He's not after you. He's after these stones," she landed atop his bag and the jewels within. "Leave them somewhere. If he sees we don't have them, perhaps he'll leave us be."
"No!" How could she even suggest that? "What would we do without them? You'll starve. And… and that would make everything we've done for nothing. The battles, the journey. All we've lost. Father. We can't just give him the stones. Not now."
"If it's a choice between you and those stones, there is no choice. I'll survive with your ocarina. I just won't fly around as much until we find something else, I can live with."
"What are the chances of that? Will you last climbing back up Death Mountain to ask Chief Darunia if he can give us another of his treasures after already losing one? Will you be strong enough if that evil fairy lady comes for you again? We can't abandon the stones, and there's no point in running if I have them."
"Link," she flew directly before his eyes. "I don't do this often enough, but you are not some folk story legend who can solve every problem you come across. You are a child. And I am ordering you to leave the stones behind and run."
"Navi-"
"No, I am serious. No arguing."
From within the city came screams, the shrill call of the Gerudo, and the unforgettable clash of steel striking steel. There was a battle within the city. But not just a battle, this wasn't soldiers fighting soldiers. Some of those screams were the wailing of parents and children, those unlucky enough to live in the path of war. Innocents.
"We can go. We can see the world. Just like we said."
"Navi," Link whispered. "I can't leave them."
The fairy's scream scared him worse than the sounds of violence ever had. A raw note of anguish and fear that drowned out everything else. "Why?" she managed through strangled gasps. "Why do you have to be you?"
"I don't know."
The fairy landed on his shoulder her small arms pulled against his neck. "My brave boy. This will not go well. I can feel it."
"I have to try."
"I know. I'm with you."
Link grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and ran into the city.