Sunset. The beauty of all the day’s works gathered together into one gorgeous end; a dimmed orange sun careening down toward the western landscape behind the distant trees of the Faron woods. What a sight. The people of Ordon were lucky enough to view this precious gem at the end of every day of hard labor. One appreciated it more than others.

Link, now of twenty-two, sitting, looked upon the gleaming orb making its descent to the top of the trees. Every evening after his work, he looked upon this and saw it as a sort of symbolism. Whether by his will or not, he felt that this sunset would affect his life, and the life of all the people around him. Of course, not the actual sunset, more of a metaphor for something else, something more important that would impact him greatly.

“Link…” He paid no attention to the voice. “Link,” the voice said again, Link took no heed. “Link!” He awoke from his daze. He turned to his right and found Fado looking down on him. Link sat at the top of the hill overlooking Ordon from the farm. He was looking out to the sunset when Fado, the village’s farmer, woke him from his daze.

“Go home,” said Fado. “It’s getting pretty late, and I’m going to need you again tomorrow, so get some sleep.”

Link sighed and stood up. “I’m not seven years old.”

“I know,” Fado said. He closed his eyes and sighed in a breath. “But head home anyway, you’re going to need some rest.”

Link pushed himself up to a standing position and started pacing towards town. He reached the end of the pathway when he came upon the village. Usually there was a little more going on than what he saw now. It was quiet, and nobody was outside except for the shopkeepers cat who despite having caught fish as an apologetic move to her master, remained at the river-dock and eyed the water, praying for a fish foolish enough to near it.

Link looked out at the lake in the distance and continued to walk homeward. Eventually he arrived in his little section at the corner of town and noticed Epona was missing.

“Ilia,” he thought to himself. Of course, Link was troubled, but he trusted Ilia with his horse. She would take good care of her. Hopefully, however, she would return his horse before morning.

Link entered his house and climbed up the two sets of ladders leading to his bed. He turned off the lights and fell onto his bed, his eyes closed and his thoughts drifted to dreams.

***

Awake. Golden sunshine was caressing Link’s face, urging and complaining for him to waken. Hesitantly he rose and climbed back down the ladders and exited his home. As he left his house, he noticed a three Hylian guards, standing at attention near the entrance to the mayor’s home.

What are soldiers doing here? Link thought to himself. The thought from the day before fell into his mind again and he looked toward the recess next to his home. Epona was still missing. Link sighed and continued down toward the village.

Link hoped that these soldiers weren’t here for an important reason. If they were, he wasn’t sure what he was hoping against. There wasn’t any threat that these soldiers gave the villagers. There wasn’t any real issue involving them. He didn’t know what the situation was, however, he still remained uneasy.

“Oh Link!” said a voice, which Link clearly distinguished as the mayor. “These men were looking for you.” Link turned around and noticed the mayor standing behind the three Hylian Guards, exiting his house. “I was just about to go find you. Come inside!”

“But sir, I have to-”

“Now, now. Whatever it is, I’m sure it can wait.”

Link walked towards the mayor’s home. Bo invited him into his home and closed the door behind him.

Link, upon entering the house, saw a fourth soldier which he hadn’t noticed. He wasn’t sure if he was actually a soldier. He wore armor, but had no weapons. The soldier, which Link couldn’t think of defining any other way, had loose, shot-black hair which came into a short braid at the back of his head. His armor was regular Hylian, but he wore a cape the base of which was trimmed in gold. It had a hood, which he had not pulled over his head.

“Pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” said the man. He let out a smile and held out his hand with a greeting.

“Please,” said Bo. “Take a seat.” He pulled out a chair and offered it to Link.

He thanked him and took his seat. The foreigner gave the mayor an odd look, Link turned to look at the mayor, who had apparently been given the message to leave the home. Bo closed the door behind him and it was quiet again.

“I am a messenger of the Queen of Hyrule,” said the man.

“Queen?” asked Link. “I thought she was a princess.”

“Shortly after she had been reinstated, she turned eighteen years old, and the council gave her the title of queen.”

“Council?” asked Link.

“The council is more of a senate. It’s a government system that was put in place after the king’s death. He had one heir and his wife had already passed. His heir was not old enough to rule the kingdom, and so the rules of succession would have to be postponed. Upon this action, a council was made.”

“So she wasn’t actually-”

“Would you like to hear my message or not?” said the man again. A level of irritation rose in his voice as he said this.

“Of course,” said Link. “Please continue.”

“The Queen wishes for you to head to Hyrule Castle. Upon the arrival, she will give you her orders and you are to follow accordingly. You have the option to either accept or deny this message. Do you accept?”

“I’m sorry,” said Link. “Could you repeat-”

“Accept or deny,” interrupted the man once more. A level of irritation arose in Link this time. He collected his thoughts and finally put together an understanding of what the messenger said.

“Accept,” stated Link firmly.

“Then sign here please,” said the messenger. He pulled out a piece of parchment. Rather ornate compared to what Link had seen in his lifetime. It was clean white with a gold trimming, and the writing on it was perfect Hylian handwriting. The messenger handed him a golden quill and an ink bottle.

Fortunately, Link was one of the few villagers who actually knew how to write apart from the mayor, and Fado, the one who taught Link.

Link wrote his name as best he could.

The messenger eyed his handwriting. “I’m going to need your last name as well.”

“Well, people here don’t usually have last names. It’s not so important.”

“So,” said the messenger. “I should be able to trust you that this is your name and if you do not comply with the orders that this cannot be used in your favor in Hylian court?”

“Yes,” said Link finally able to keep up with the fast pace of the messenger. “You can trust me.”

“Perfect,” smiled the man. The messenger arose and readied himself to leave. “A pleasure to speak with you,” he said as he held out his hand for another shake.

“Leaving so soon?” asked Link.

“Yes, sad though it may be.” said the messenger. “It’s quite beautiful here. You don’t get this kind of peace and quiet in the city.”

“I understand,” said Link. “I’ve been there before.” He let out a light smile.

“We will be expecting you to arrive in town tomorrow afternoon,” said the messenger. “So, be prepared to leave either tonight or early tomorrow morning.”

“Very well,” said Link, having no option to argue or to refuse due to his signed compliance.

The messenger opened the door and rose up onto his horse which apparently the guarding soldiers had brought to him.

“It truly was a pleasure,” said the messenger. The rest of the soldiers arose onto their horses and they galloped off exiting town.

Bo walked up to Link. “What did you speak about?”

Link turned to face him, “I’m not sure if I can speak about that.”

“I understand. Do what you have to,” said the mayor as he entered his house.

Link turned back towards the mayor. “Can I ask two favors of you, sir?”

“What, Link?”

“Could you tell Fado I won’t be helping him on the farms for… I expect quite a while.”

“Of course! What else?”

“Could you tell me where Ilia’s gone off to?”

“Try the spring in the woods,” said Bo. “She didn’t come home yesterday afternoon and that’s where she usually stays.”

“Thank you,” said Link.

Link returned home and headed out towards the Faron woods, hoping that Ilia would have his horse.

The woods had grown quieter since Link’s adventures. Of course, the animals and insects still made noises, but monsters no longer roamed the woods. It was much safer now. Someone could actually live here.

Link entered the spring and found Ilia lying on the sand next to the water. She was still sleeping.

Link let out a grin and decided he’d pull something. When they were younger, Link and Ilia would always play pranks on each other. Link turned his hands into a cup and lowered them into the water. He raised them out and poured the water onto Ilia’s face.

Barely a response. A twitch. How unsatisfying, but she was awake.

She opened her eyes and saw Link. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m trying to find Epona. What’d you do with her?”

Ilia pointed to the corner. Link turned and didn’t see anything. He turned back, but by then it was too late. Ilia had already jumped into the air and before he knew it, she landed on him and tackled him into the water.

Link came up gasping, soaked in water. Ilia sat down next to the water again, somewhat wet.

She let out an innocent smile. “Who played the better trick?” she asked him with one eye closed.

Link gave her a blank expression but couldn’t contain it. He began laughing and so did she. Link took a seat next to her and kept a smile.

“She's at the ranch,” said Ilia. “After washing her I decided I’d bring her back to Fado.”

“Thank you,” said Link.

“Why do you need her anyway?” asked Ilia. “She’s at the ranch, which is all you need her for.”

Link’s smile faded. “I’m heading to Hyrule Castle.”

“Oh,” said Ilia. “When will you be back?”

Link shook his head. Ilia’s smile faded. “I don’t know,” he responded. “I figure it’s urgent, otherwise it wouldn’t have been necessary to come over here for the issue.”

Ilia seemed disappointed as well. She looked deeply into the water, here eyes glowing with the sun’s sparkles being reflected off of the ripples of the spring.

“The last time I heard you’d be going,” she said. “I barely kept myself from crying.”

“You mean when I was going to deliver the sword?” said Link.

“Yes,” she said. “And have you noticed? I’m taking it much better now!”

Link smiled at her. “Yes…”

They both rose and headed back towards the village. The morning sun hadn’t completely made its way to the middle of the sky, and Link could already smell food being cooked around the small village.

“Are you going to say goodbye to everyone?” Ilia asked.

“I don’t think I will. It’d be best if it were something natural. If I made a big deal out of it, there’d be lots of talking, and I don’t want that.”

“Alright,” she said. “When will you be leaving?”

“Before sunset,” said Link.

“Today!?”

“Yes,” said Link. “I have to get there before tomorrow evening, so it’d be good to get an early start.”

“Well, that gives you about…” Ilia looked towards the sun. “Eight more hours.”

“Yeah,” said Link. “I’d better get to work.”

“Well,” said Ilia. “I’m heading to Kakariko after we eat today so I don’t think I’ll be seeing you again.”

“Goodbye,” said Link.

“Goodbye.” Ilia hugged him and went into her father’s home. Link smiled as she closed the door and he walked towards the ranch.

After several hours of work, the sun began to set on the day. The orange gem had returned from the day before to bless the village with its golden light.

Beautiful, Link thought to himself as he looked out once more from the hill towards the coming night.

“Link,” said Fado. Link turned to look at his work-master.

Fado helped pull Link to his feet. “Good luck,” he told Link. “I hope you come back soon.”

“So do I,” said Link. And with that, Link turned to head back home.

Morning. As if Link wasn't annoyed enough by his midnight ride through Hyrule Field, he had to live with the sun glaring straight into his eyes.

I've had better mornings.

Link had only been to the large city in the center of Hyrule a couple of times. It was bustling and there was always something to do, but he just couldn't live with the noise of the place. There was always something to do... for everybody. So why wouldn't they do it during the night?

Link left his horse outside of the city gate. "Stay here," he told Epona. "I'll come get you later."

"Oh! Sir!" said a voice behind him. Link turned around to find a soldier nearing him and taking the reins of his horse. "Link, is it?"

"Yes," replied Link.

"I was given orders to take care of this for you, and direct you to our castle hall," said the soldier pulling Epona away. Of course, Epona was hesitant, not knowing what was going on. Link waved his hand implying it was alright to go with the soldier.

"Thank you," said Link. "I have a question though."

"What's that sir?" replied the soldier.

"Actually two questions," said Link. "What am I here for?"

"I'm sorry, sir," said the soldier. "I was also given orders not to speak of what you will be told in your scheduled meeting."

"Alriht," said Link.

"And what was your second question, sir?" asked the soldier.

"Why do you keep calling me 'sir?'"

The soldiers eyes widened, but he soon regained his composure.

"Please," said the soldier. "Head for the castle. Our Queen awaits you."

Link gave him an unusual look but finally complied. He walked through the city gates and the soldier walked away with Epona.

Loud. As expected. Children were playing through the streets, music was playing, shopkeepers were inviting shoppers into their stores. Excitement and noise everywhere.

Link walked up the street toward the castle. It was less noisy. Not quiet, of course, but it was calm. Soldiers guarded the gate to the bridge which lead to the entrance of Hyrule Castle. They saluted Link as he entered.

What is this? Link asked himself. Sirs? Salutes?

The large gate closed behind Link as he entered the castle's large garden. It was just as beautiful as it was when he had first arrived. There were no more battle towers or monsters to fight, which made it significantly more inviting. Mid-spring really gave its light on this courtyard. Flowers were in bloom and the trees had grown back their leaves.

Link entered the castle. Two more soldiers, each with a salute which they handed to Link.

The interior looked quite different than as it had when Link entered here the first time. Now there were actual stairways, not obstacles, that lead to the second floor. There was a throne, on which nobody was seated. Nobles and guards moved around the castle minding their own business. In the middle of it all stood a lone figure, not moving, not speaking, maintaining the same figure.

It was the messenger who Link had met in Ordon the day previously. The man was unusual. This was made apparent to Link when the man quickly walked toward Link without the man even having seen him.

"A pleasure to see you again," said the man with the same smile on his face. "Please, come with me."

"No," said Link.

"Excuse me," said the man with a more serious tone in his voice.

"I signed your damned papers and brought myself here. I want an answer to my questions," said Link confidently.

"In due time," said the man relaxed once more. "Now please, you must meet your queen."

Link let out an annoyed sigh and followed the messenger through a door, down a series of hallways, up a staircase, through some more hallways and another door. Through this door they walked up a winding staircase to the top of what seemed to be the main tower. The messenger opened the door, saluted Link, and invited him into the room.

"See," said Link. "That's my question. Why does everyone keep treating me-" And with that the door slammed shut and Link could hear the messenger walk back down the staircase.

Link looked around the room. He'd been here before. It was significantly darker the first time he'd seen it. Rather than dark curtains and a single small bed, there were violet curtains with a large bed covered in red sheets. A fireplace was on one side of the room which Link had not noticed before. Other ornate pieces of furniture filled the room. And Link noticed a figure looking out the window.

"Not much has changed, has it?" said the feminine voice. She turned around and looked into Link's eyes.

"My Queen," said Link bowing.

"Please," said Zelda. "Rise."

Link rose and looked into Zelda's face. She was right, not much had changed. She was beautiful, still. Her golden-brown hair was still braided on either side of her face, and was still worn straight and loose down her back. Link's attention was still drawn, however, to her clear, deep blue eyes. There was one odd feeling that Link sensed when he looked into her eyes. It didn't feel right, but he couldn't place his hands on it.

"I was given orders to meet you," said Link.

"Yes," said Zelda. "I have a request of you."

"And what would that be?" asked Link.

Zelda turned to look out the window once more. "Before I state my request, I think it better that you hear the long story."

"Alright," said Link.

"Please, take a seat."

Link accepted and took a seat on an ornate chair on the wrong side of a desk.

"Three years ago," began Zelda. "Our Senate had ordered a group of soldiers to head west into the desert at the top of Lake Hylia."

"Yes," said Link. "I've been there. What was the expedition for?"

"Originally it was an attempt to head further west and expand our borders. If we encountered any other people, we would attempt to either invite them into our nation or to set up some kind of agreement.”

“You encountered others?” asked Link. “When I was there the only thing I saw was sand and ghosts.”

“Over the walls,” said Zelda. “We met, we sent diplomats, and our result was… less than what we hoped for.”

“They refused?” asked Link.

“Worse,” said Zelda. “They killed our diplomats.”

“So what part do I play in this?” asked Link.

“Quick to the point,” smiled Zelda. “I hope you know that their actions are cause for war.”

“And…”

“And, because of your apparent experience in combat and your skill in the field, you’ve been made a commander, effective of your signing of our agreement.”

“What?” said Link, stunned by the unexpected honor.

Zelda’s expression didn’t change, that odd feeling arose in Link once more. “It won’t last long. Hopefully we’ll get this issue resolved with a little display of our force.”

“And,” said Link, “If it isn’t resolved?”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” said Zelda.

“To what?”

“War…”

Silence.

“You are to leave tomorrow morning,” said Zelda, she diverted her eyes from Link’s and turned to look out the window.

“But,” said Link. “Please, I have work, friends, family, home-”

“All of which you willed to relinquish by signing our agreement.”

“Those terms weren’t specified in the document.”

“You agreed not to view those terms as specified by the signing.”

“That isn’t fair!”

“If you’ve got a problem with it, then take it to the courts.”

“Please, your highness!”

“No more of this!”

“Please!”

Zelda looked into Link’s eyes once more. Link had a sense of pain that could be seen etched on his eyes. There was something in that village that mattered to him. An emotion welled up in her. She struggled to keep it down. Link noticed this struggle in her eyes. As she looked at him, her facial expression remained the same, but her eyes softened.

“I’m sorry,” said Zelda. “But you could be very useful to us.”

Link closed his eyes. “Of course,” said Link bowing, “for Hyrule.” Link rose and left the room.

Zelda quickly turned to face the back wall of the room. This, however, did not prevent Link from seeing a single tear slip out of the corner of her eye.

Link walked into the messenger once more.

“So how’d it go?”

Link glared at him. And he retracted.

“Alright, sir. I suggest we head down to the barracks first and-“

“There it is again,” said Link angrily. The two began walking downstairs to return to the entry hall.

“There is what, sir?” said the messenger.

“That sir!” said Link.

“Didn’t Our Queen tell you?”

“Tell me what?” said Link.

“You are to be the lead commander in the western front.”

“Come again?”

“You’re our wartime general.”

Link’s jaw dropped.

“Is that well enough reason for you being addressed by ‘sir?’”

“…yes,” said Link. It finally hit him.

“After having completed our first duties,” said the messenger. “You will have the rest of the day to complete any errands or personal business. Tomorrow, however, we leave in a contingent.”

“Soldier,” said Link.

“Yes General?” said the messenger.

“What’s your name and rank?” asked Link.

“Captain Davius Quin,” said the captain. “I am second in command under you.”

Link looked up at the ceiling. They were in the entry hall already. “Take me to the barracks.”

“Of course, sir.”

(You will find much of this story is based on Rome, its politics, lifestyle, and policies. I like Rome =). And so, I decided, that for the rest of this, Rome will be what it is based off of. I hope you enjoy.)

A knock on the door. Zelda awoke with a start. Her eyes blurred and the half of her face she was lying on felt numb. She had slept hard and the air felt cold, winter was coming.

It was the second sunday of that month, and so the council would convene for military matters. Over recent months, her military policy had been given little favor by the elected members of the senate. Corrupted beaurocrats, she thought to herself. They had become increasingly power hungry over the years without a hereditary ruler, and the fact that the majority of them were wealthy, higher-class members who were frequently bribed did not aid their thought of her policy.

The queen's policy was one of offensive-defense. While she didn't support her own method fully herself, she was sure that it was the only way to avoid excessive military confrontation from foreign forces, these forces being the ones they had encountered in the desert to the west... at least not excessive military confrontation on their own soil.

While no diplomats had been sent to speak with this new potential enemy, she was sure their policy toward Hyrule was one of little favor. Of course, the senators would have none of it.

They had a greater policy towards "peaceful relations" with this new culture. I wish it were that easy, and she was hoping that it still was. A single diplomat may sort all of this out, for now, however, there was no harm in maintaining an army to defend the nation if the time came.

She suspected plans of upheavel from the senators and the leading class they represented. She maintained political power due to her standing military might, and while the mob was a significant symbol of power, the opposing, and in this case the majority of the senators would hold the real power... at least for the next few years. 

A knock again. Zelda had nearly fallen asleep. She rubbed her eyes to clear the blur and got out of her bed. Not much had changed since Link's adventure. It was the same room with much of the same furnishings. Perhaps a new desk, new drapes, but no significant changes were made. She took long strides toward her desk-seat which had her robe set over it and put it on. She walked towards the door and opened it.

A councilman was standing before her. A long set of purple robes draped over the old man... the quite old man. Despite his signs of age, he had a queer aura of confidence about him which demanded respect. He was one of the few friends that Zelda had in the Senate, which wasn't a surprise seeing as how he represented the royal families.

"Good news and bad news," he stated with a forced grin.

"Good news first," said Zelda. She walked toward her desk and sat down, pulling several large piles of paper in front of her. 

"We have our recruited legions ready for departure, and our conscriptions will be ready by tomorrow morning. We should arrive at our destination in approximately three days."

"Interesting," said Zelda. Removing a local order from a particularly rebelious senator, one named Lucas, who had a habit for making fiscal loopholes in his orders, often for his own benefit. "But that's not entirely good news... you said conscriptions."

"Yes ma'am," said the senator. "In a move to gain political support from the lower class, the senate used their power of requisitum interventus (a term for a flawed movement of the senate to change the orders of a royal mandate for the "benefit of the kingdom"). I and our supporters tried to at least delay this movement, but apparently the senators had been planning this for some time."

"And is that the bad news?" asked Zelda.

"No. The bad news is that the senators are trying to to postpone royal rule indefinetly."

"Indefinetly!?" said Zelda, rather outraged. The senators had been bold before, but never so. The indefinite suspension of royal rule was an old motion set forward when the senate was first formed, as a method of tyrranical escape, or in times of severe crisis. This was hardly the moment.

"Fortunately," said the Senator. "Our courts are not yet so corrupt to allow this movement, but I'll have my spies keep a sharp eye out for this." 

"Thank you," said Zelda. She was still signing papers and did not look up. 

The senator smiled, "Pro regnum (for the kingdom),” and he left the room. 

---

Link awoke to the sound of feet pounding on the floors of the barracks. Tension... a lot of tension. He had thought much about his situation. He thought that it was not only cruel on the queen's part, but he found it odd seeing that she chose him to lead their armies into, well, whatever it was they would be doing.

Link took a step out of his temporary room, which had been set up in a hurry. A simple cot and already-packed bags were the only items in the room, besides himself. A general, Link thought to himself, should have some kind of armor. Link's thoughts were interrupted by soldiers who were filing out of the barracks rather quickly. Davius appeared out of the crowd and made a bee-line towards Link.

"Ready sir?" he asked.

"Not quite," said Link. "No breakfast. And besides, shouldn't I be a little more... equipped?"

"All in due time, sir," said Davius, who, despite his argument, was in full attire himself. It was not the same garb he had been wearing earlier. He was obviously in charge of some large group of soldiers, as could be told by the helmet he was holding beneath his arm. Plumes of feathers rose out of the top in a line leading from the middle of its forehead to the back of its neck. Traditional Hylian colors, gold and purple, ornamented the helmet. His armor was a regular Hylian breastplate, with the common overlapping shoulder plates, but his armor was trimmed gold.

"I like your armor," said Link.

Davius smiled. "It's nowhere near as ornate as yours is, general. But please, we're already twenty minutes behind schedule and it doesn't appear as though you've started to prepare."

"And how should I prepare?" asked Link.

"Armor, food supplies, and general quarters will be provided by the legion," said Davius. "Clothing, personal belongings, and other objects will be up to you."

"Alright," said Link. He hadn't brought that much clothing with him on the trip from Ordon. Ordon, Link thought to himself. They had no idea he would be coming back. Ilia. A sad thought drifted into his mind. He was going as a general, to fight in a war he did not want to fight in. He could die on the battlefield, for a cause that he truly did not willingly commit to. Someone at least had to tell the village he wouldn't be coming back soon.

"Sir?" asked Davius.

"Someone needs to tell Ordon I won't be coming back for a while," said Link.

"Already done," said Davius.

"What?"

"Well, we thought it would be extremely rude of us to simply take you for our own purposes. And besides, it won't be too long. Six months and then you have permission to take a two week period of personal absence."

"I've never learned your policies," said Link. "How am I supposed to be able to lead you in combat?"

"You won't," said Davius.

"Then why did I-"

"At least, you won't at first. We know you don't understand our fighting methods, so we will try to teach you. I've been told by the queen herself you have a very good hand at learning combat. You can learn from what we teach you, and we can learn from you what you teach us."

"So-"

"Sir, let's just start with packing and journeying, and move our way up from there," Davius smiled.

"Alright." Link sighed. "I don't have any clothing though."

"That's quite alright sir," said Davius. "I'll have someone purchase clothing in your size from the market."

"Thanks," said Link. "And please, stop calling me sir."

"Of course," said Davius. He made a facial expression that begged for a response.

"Oh. Link."

"Link...?" said Davius.

"Just Link."

"Oh, of course... Link," said Davius with an awkward expression.

Link had prepared his supplies for his journey, and his clothes had been purchased. There was still plenty of time before the caravan would leave, and so he decided to take a look around. Wagons were being loaded with weaponry; bows, arrows, lances, phalanx spears, shields, and swords. Link looked to the side and noticed a group of men signing sheets at a desk with a soldier keeping guard. After each man, who hardly looked like a soldier, signed the sheet, he would walk over to a box, pick up a sword, and head to a legion to which he had been designated.

"Horrible isn't it?"

Link quickly turned and drew a dagger, one which he had with him at all times. "I'm sorry?"

"A royal order decreed that we'd be sending our armies west for defensive purposes."

"Those aren't soldiers," said Link with a frown.

"No," said the man. He was wearing a purple robe and wore an undeserved sense of satisfaction. His hair was blonde and his face had sharp edges at the nose and cheekbones. "They're conscripts."

"Conscripts?" repeated Link.

"Drafted soldiers, citizens," said the senator.

"I thought our current policy was an extended defensive," said Link.

"It is, or in my opinion, was," said the senator.

"What happened?" asked Link.

"Our royal courts and senators managed to bribe certain senators to make a motion of conscriptions," said the Senator. "Truly outrageous. We've been trying to put an end to this war in the works, but we simply can't gain enough support to overthrow royal rule."

"I'm don't believe the queen is that cruel and corrupt," said Link.

"You don't know much about politics," said the senator. "You're foreign. The fact that they took you from your peaceful life and shoved you out onto the battlefield doesn't anger you at all?"

"I've thought about it," said Link. "It does seem a bit ridiculous, but if the kingdom finds it necessary, I will do my duty."

"Of course," said the senator. "But if the time comes when the monarchy attains to much power, will you aid me?"

"And you are?"

"Senator Lucas, representative of eastern district 23." (Link had no idea what that meant)

"How would I be aiding you?" asked Link.

"We would do whatever is necessary to remove the infestation that has been ruling over our glorious kingdom for so many years."

"You still haven't answered me."

"The details don't matter now," said the senator becoming a bit hasty. "Will you aid me?"

"Even though I was removed from Ordon, you still haven't aided me, or even supported me," said Link. "Why should I do anything for you?"

The senator scoffed. "We will speak more when the time comes." He had obviously been given a bad impression of Link. "Good journey, general."

"Thank you, Senator," said Link.

The senator turned his back and walked out of the barracks. Link turned himself and returned to his quarters to find Davius in his room.

"I've been looking for you," said Davius. "We're ready to leave."

"I need to talk to you first," said Link. "I met this strange senator who tried to convince me to betray the queen."

"Corrupted senators," said Davius. "A real threat against good rule. We've had quarrels with them before, but over recent years its elevated. Our diplomats and trusted politicians can tell you all about that though."

"I'm sorry?"

"We have to leave," said Davius. "We've been delayed quite long enough. Any more and we'll likely be a day behind by arrival."

"Why a day?" asked Link.

"Winter storm is coming in."

Link stared up at the sky and then towards the mountains. Clouds were forming. "Winter's coming," said Link.

New characters and the plot thickens =D. Now is when the story begins to get juicy.  Another little hint. I'm not presenting everything in this story full-out. If you've read some of my older writings, it was pretty simple. This won't be. There's going to be a lot of behind-the-scenes things going on. So read between the lines and see if you can't figure out the confusing stuff. It's supposed to stimulate the mind, and that's what I was getting at. Hope you readers enjoy.

It was night. White moonlight was trickling in through closed blinds into a whitewashed room in a small building hidden somewhere in the depths of Hyrule Market Town. Fog had settled from the rain the day before. There was a single bed, a table with a chair, and a coat hanger in the room, apart from an old wooden door that had a large gap in the base. Easy to hear things on the other side of the door... or people on the other side to hear you.

A man sat in the chair with a shot-black coat on. He had his hood set over him. It made him feel secure. It gave him the feeling that he was seeled off and protected by an everlasting shadow. He sat drinking a bottle of whiskey... and old bottle of whiskey. It was cheap, but the age had given it flavor over the years. 

The man, named Lucien, was not actually drinking the whiskey. He had opened the bottle and emptied its contents onto the floor. He got onto his knees and frantically searched for something. His eyes danced over the grey-stone floor until finally he caught something by a glance, a tiny sheet of parchment. Finally, he told himself. It was his next assignment. He stumbled over himself to pick it up as quickly as possible. His heart was pounding. It had been only a week since his last assassination, and finally he would get his next opportunity. The thrill of the hunt pleased him. 

He was disappointed when he had finally read the note. He quickly picked it up and dried it off on his cloak, turned it over, and read the two words "behind you."

What? he thought to himself. Within an instant, his killer-instinct told him exactly what was going on. He pulled out a dagger from his belt and quickly turned around blade first. It clashed with another. He didn't have time to see what it was that he had just struck, but from the feel of the strike he could tell it was a blade. Not a short one, but a sword. He could also tell that the figure was a man, somewhat tall, by the shadow he had cast, and that he was strong, and had a firm grip. Strength, good build, Lucien thought to himself, he can't be very quick, and that's his weakness. All of these thoughts went on within an instant. He gathered his movements and quickly ducked to avoid the second blade that the figure had just pulled on him. Lucien pulled to the left and tried coming at him from behind... but it was no good. The quick rush of adrenaline and the short time which he had to react left him dull-witted to his surroundings. The figure had pulled his right leg back and Lucien tripped over it. His head landed on the bed-post and all went black.

---

He dreamt nothing. All he could feel was a cold feeling on his face and he awoke with a shock. He had just been drenched with ice-cold water. He attempted to lift his hands to dry his face, but they were stopped. He was lying down, apparently tied to something. He opened his eyes and noticed he was in the same room. Apparently not much time had passed. Lucien quickly glanced around the room and found the figure sitting at the table drinking the remainder of the whiskey. He was also cloaked, with his hood drawn over him.

"Thank you, Dona," said the figure. Lucien didn't recognize the voice, which was odd. He didn't know everyone in the Market, but he had spied on enough people to know the voice of the good majority of the town, if not everyone. He knew Dona though. He was enraged. She was his partner, his outlet, where he got his assignments from and where he could lay all of his trust in. They had known each other for years, though, and he wasn't dead yet; so his trust in her wasn't completely gone yet.

Dona nodded at the figure and left the room carrying a bucket. She had just woken him up.

Maybe, Lucien thought to himself, he isn't aware that I've woken up yet. He remained absolutely still and tried to wiggle his hand to his waste pocket, where he kept a lock-pick. He didn't know where the lock to the chains was, but he could figure it out.

"My, you haven't said anything yet," said the figure. Lucien said nothing, hoping to fool the man into believing that he was out cold. "You still aren't saying anything? What a pity."

The man was beginning to turn around to look at Lucien. He quickly and silently returned to the position he believed he was in when he was still unconscious. He closed his eyes and prayed... He heard footsteps coming towards him. He could hear a blade being drawn. If he hasn't killed me yet, he obviously doesn't want me dead, Lucien thought to himself, attaching himself to this idea, praying that he wouldn't be killed. 

"You know," said the man. "I don't have to kill you." He let out a slight chuckle. Lucien felt a cold feeling and something sharp become connected to something very sensitive between his legs. "But I can make your life a hell of a lot more difficult." Lucien opened his eyes to the smiling man. He was gasping.

"Would you like me to slice?" he said with his peculiar grin. Lucien couldn't speak, he simply shook his head rapidly. "Good."

"Wh-what do you want-t?" said Lucien. 

"You're an assassin," said the man removing his blade from the 'spot' and sheathing it. 

"What of it?" said Lucien. "You don't strike me as a guard, or as someone that cares for the law."

"I'm not," said the man. He removed his hood. His face was young, mid-twenties. His eyes were green and his hair brown. It was loose and unkempt, but not unattractive."

"Then wh-what do you want?" said Lucien again.

"I need you," said the man. He turned head and looked up out of the window. "Well, I don't really need you. Somebody else needs you. But for your sake, and for that person's, I won't tell you who it is."

"So you want me to do a job then? Who is it that you want wacked?" said Lucien.

"It's not really one job," said the man. "We need a permanent position. For a one time payment."

"No deal," spat Lucien into the man's face. "I am loyal to no one except myself. I'll hit whoever it is you need killed, but I can't pledge myself to anyone."

"That's a shame," said the man. "Because right here, I have a civilian court-warrant that allows him to kill the possible assassin Lucien Balgaven, under any circumstances." He pulled out a sheet of parchment from the pocket of his cloak with a seal from the high-justice of the royal courts. "However, I was able to strike a deal with the same justice."

"What would that be?" asked Lucien. 

"He said that if you work as a royal asset, he would be more than happy to pardon you of all of your crimes, give you a regular monthly salary, which won't be too high, and give you a secure place in our society for the rest of your life."

"What does this asset have to do?" asked Lucien. 

"Well," said the man smiling. "What you're best at of course. You do what we ask you to do. You ask no question, I won't go into any details in how you do it. I just want it done. Do you understand?"

Lucien nodded. He really didn't have any alternatives at the moment anyway. The lock was at his feet and he wouldn't be able to reach it even if he managed to obtain his lockpick. 

"If I find out that you haven't done your assignment," said the man with his smile again. "We'll simply put out a public kill-at-sight warrant for you. There won't be a place in this country that you can hide."

"Simple enough," said Lucien. "Fine, I agree to your terms. But who do you want me to kill first?"

"No, no, no," said the man. "You've got it all wrong. We're not going to hire you until we need you. You're an asset now, you're a tool, we have more than one of you."

"Then what was the point of hiring me?"

"Well," said the man. "I've been told that you're good... damn good. The people that your 'client' is going after are no pushovers. They'll be tough, tougher than anything you've gone after so far."

"So," said Lucien smiling. "Royalty, politicians, nobles... that's what you want wacked, eh?"

The man smiled. "Whoever we tell you to kill, you do it. If you end up dead, I'll know you've failed. If you survive, then either you've succeeded, or haven't done it. I'll know when you're alive, and I'll know whether or not your target is alive either. Do your job, or your life is over."

"Alright," said Lucien. "So who am I working for exactly?"

The man shrugged. "As an asset, you're not supposed to be aware of that."

"Fine, fine," said Lucien. He looked down at his feet to the lock. "Could you just get me out of these chains." 

"Yeah, in a second," said the man. "By the way. Don't go looking for any assignments. You're with us now. If someone tries hiring you, forget about it. You're not doing it. And, you probably won't be seeing me again... ever. Our targets will be delivered to you, so don't ask anyone around about it. Just go about living your life. When we need you, we'll call."

"Alright," said Lucien impatiently. "Would you just get me out of-" and with that, he looked up again to see the man pull his blade. He hit him over the back of the head with the hilt and Lucien was out again.

Not a big update, just something for readers to chew on until I can continue the story in my head.

Wet, icy, and cold. That is the only justice that could be given to the weather at the time. Link sat on his horse, which he believed was moments away from freezing to death. It had been raining for several hours now, but once the rain had landed, it would freeze to whatever it touched. Icicles were hanging from the trees near the pathway. It seemed as if a thin white sheet was spread over the grass that went on forever. The sky was filled with clouds, thick and grey. It was a wonder it wasn't snowing that the time. With the temperature, one would figure that ice should've been coming down somehow.

They hadn't yet quite arrived at Lake Hylia. The caravan was moving particularly slow, as Link figured it would. A large group of people can't move quickly to one place, and the extended amount of time was made even longer due to the rain... and it seemed worse due to the cold. Link was both freezing and warm. Cold in his extremities and hot in his head due to his hanger with the slow moving group.

This is taking too long, he thought to himself. When he had finally gotten used to the cold, the wetness, and the bore, excitement was stirred once more. Link heard quick-paced hooves hitting the ground. A horse was coming up, and it was galloping. Hopefully some news on how much longer this is going to take.

It was Davius, who had apparently put on some kind of garment under his armor before leaving, because a hood was drawn over him from under his protection.

"Sir," said Davius. "It's something urgent. We need to hurry you to the desert-camps as soon as possible."

"What's the rush?" asked Link, becoming intrigued.

"I wasn't told what the situation was," said Davius. "However, a royal messenger hurried to our lines and told us it was urgent, and that you would have to hurry."

"Alright," said Link, hardly bothered by the fact that they had to hasten their way to their destination. "The sooner I can get to that desert, the sooner I get out of this cold."

"Hardly sir."

"I'm sorry?"

"The desert gets colder as well in the winter," said Davius. "It just doesn't rain... except all in one burst. Then it'll rain, and hard. Much of the desert will be flooded."

"So its as cold in the desert as it is here," said Link unenthusiastically.

"Colder."

Link gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. Ordon didn't frequently get cold. It got a bit nippy at the deepest end of winter, but the forests somehow usually kept them warm. Six months, Link said to himself, thinking of Ilia.

"Sir," said Davius, interrupting Link from his thoughts. "We need to go."

"Right," said Link.

---

"My messenger has arrived sooner than expected," said Zelda dissatisfied. "My political power is still weakening, and I have to throw a luncheon for people I dislike... greatly." Zelda had been complaining to her maiden the entire morning. Of course, she could do nothing but listen and to continue readying Zelda for the party that thei had planned. "It's for your image, your highness."

"I know that," said Zelda, eyeing her hair in a mirror dissatisfied. "It was my idea. But I figure its useless, and no matter how much money I throw at these parties, my public image won't change."

"You're throwing these parties for the money-holders, the nobles, and the politicians," said a voice from the back of the room. "Of course you're not going to gain any support from the common public."

Zelda turned to look at her door, where the voice at come from. "Senator Lucas," she said through clenched teeth. "How utterly unexpected of you. Adria."

"Yes ma'am?"

"Leave us, please."

"Of course."

Adria, who had been brushing Zelda's hair, quickly set the brush down and stepped out of the room, not before giving Lucas a stare of dissatisfaction. She shut the door behind her.

"Senator Gaius thinks that he can delay our mandate of requisitum interventus, and keep our conscriptions here, for at least a few additional days."

"I hope he succeeds," said Zelda.

"You must understand, your highness, that the senate only put forward this motion for the benefit of this nation."

"This kingdom you mean," said Zelda.

"Kingdom sounds like such a... powerful word," said Lucas. "It implies power and greed, which we of course can't have, if this nation - I'm sorry, kingdom is to succeed at all."

"This nation is a kingdom, senator, as long as I still hold the greatest amount of power for a single person, which I believe I still do," said Zelda, not holding back on the sas. "And that exact same power is what you're trying to rob me of." She turned back to her mirror and continued to brush her hair herself.

"We aren't robbing you of anything," said Lucas in a cold tone. "We're making this nation safer in this time of hate, of greed, of war. A war - which mind you - you in fact did start."

"I have declared no such state," said Zelda apalled, she turned, raised up out of her seat, walked up to the senator and stared him in the eye. "You keep calling it a war as if you're planning something," she said with a smile.

"We are senators," said Lucas, pulling away from Zelda's stare. "We don't 'plan,' as you are so fond of accusing us of. We are elected for the benefit of this nation, and carry out actions we seem to be most fit for it. As are you, my queen. But it seems democracy is lost with young queens. You send our troops out to the front lines to gain land, for what you call, your kingdom," spat Lucas.

"You know my policy perfectly well," said Zelda. "One of an extended defensive. The amount of soldiers I had originally intended to be sent over there couldn't have started a fire if they worked together, much less conquer a nation. Of course, you and your friends take control through old political loopholes and send much more soldiers than were originally needed to those nations, and state it was our idea to try to declare war, so that you can gain support from the mob. Now that I come to think of it, it seems that you're planning something with that many people." Zelda laughed to herself. "I guess you've already tried speaking with my appointed general?"

Lucas grimaced at Zelda's ability to interpret what he was doing. "My queen," he said with anger, "your horrible, traiterous accusations disgust me."

Zelda closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Then please leave, senator."

Lucas gave no response, he simply turned around and walked out of the door, which Zelda closed behind him. She rested her head on the door and sobbed.

---

Link and Davius had ridden ahead of the rest of the soldiers and had arrived at the bridge of Lake Hylia. Link would no longer be riding a canon to the desert. Apparently, construction workers had arrived long before and worked on a bridge which extended across the gap from the island in the middle of Lake Hylia, to the edge of the desert canyon. The rain, fortunately, had not reached as far as Lake Hylia, and so everything was dry... but still cold, which Link was still not fond of.

They walked along the bridge, which had iced over and was slippery, and took their first steps on the sand. There was a significant difference in temperature between Hyrule and the desert... it was much colder. Maybe it was intensified because of the dryness of the air, or maybe mountain wind came down from Snowpeak. Either way, it felt much worse, and Link longed for shelter. 

"Only a few more miles," said Davius. "Then we'll be in the warmth."

Link remained unenthusiastic. "I won't be happy until we've arrived," he said.

"Of course, sir," said Davius with a smile, and they continued to ride on.