Hela stared at a list of instructions left by Mace as she sat at the table. It was around noon and Link was napping in his crib.
“Let’s see: 1. Tomorrow, there is a meeting of the Hylian Parliament. In my absence, I would like you to represent me in my stead. The meeting is in...”, Hela thought about sitting among the powerful of Hyrule. Indeed, for many years Mace had been a member there representing Kakariko village.
She continued to read the note, “What in Nayru’s name? The meeting is in Castle Town? That’s a full afternoon’s ride on horseback, even if I hurry!” She exclaimed to no one in particular.
She stepped outside with Link in her arms and walked over to the small pasture in the back of the house. There was her beige horse, grazing in the small yard. She saddled up the horse and took a few provisions for the ride.
She turned around suddenly to see a strange figure standing in the doorway. He had blond hair and cyan eyes and wore strange dark blue leather armor. On the lamed chest plate was a strange red painted eye. Hela immediately recognized him as a Sheikah. They were seen commonly throughout Northern Hyrule, but little was known of them. They were a class of Hylian warriors that supposedly possessed magical powers.
“May I help you?” asked Hela. She tried to act calm, but it seemed some eerie atmosphere surrounded Sheikah.
The Sheikah spoke now, quietly and calmly, “I am Shah. Is Mace at hand, I need a word with him”
Hela shook her head, “He left with the division not two hours ago, sorry”, she said looking back toward the saddle.
Shah frowned looking at the horse, “Where are you headed, Hela?” He asked.
“Into Castle Town for Parliament”
Shah shook his head, “You should not enter the plains this late on your own. I too, am journeying to parliament, I will accompany you”, he said.
The two of them set off onto the plains of Hyrule that afternoon, making for Hyrule Castle Town, which was more of a city than a town in truth.
“Shah, what do you know of this war in Ikana?” Asked Hela as they rode over a bridge crossing a river.
“We have always had problems with the Garo. They are an ancient class of warriors, much like my kin. This is, though, the first time we have dealt with them in such large numbers. Troops are being summoned out of Hyrule because, well, Ikana is being overrun”, he explained
Hela frowned, “What do you think will become of this was?”
The sheikah looked Hela in the eye, “Personally, I think this will be one of the bloodiest wars in Hylian history. We need allies, we need the Zoras and Gorons and Gerudos to help us. That is the subject of tomorrow’s meeting”, he said. His sudden opinion surprised Hela, usually Sheikah didn’t make opinionated comments.
The two were quiet then for the rest of the ride. When they reached Castle Town they parted ways; Hela headed for a local inn and Shah went towards the castle for some business. Settling into her room, Hela tended to baby Link then collapsed into her bed.
“How does Mace do this every week?” She asked herself in exhaustion as she fell asleep.
The next morning Hela awoke to the sound of minstrels in the square outside her window. She got up and looked out her window to see people eating and dancing in the marketplace. Everywhere there was food and décor and a LOT of ale. She went into the other room and dressed, and after waking and tending to Link she went downstairs into the tavern.
It was bright in there and the large room was filled with tables and chairs, most of them occupied. Hela noticed Shah standing at a nearby table. She walked over and sat down at the table and began slicing up a fruit to feed Link.
“What’s all the excitement for?” She asked the Sheikah.
Shah looked down at her, “It is a market festival honoring the birth of the new princess, Zelda”, he said.
Hela smiled, “Oh isn’t that nice, the long awaited princess is born”, she finished feeding Link and they stood up.
Walking out into the marketplace, Shah led Hela through the town a bit until they were standing right before the castle of Hyrule. They entered via the drawbridge and walked through a large hallway until they came out into a large open patio in the gardens. There, in a small stadium-like meeting area where the nobles and representatives were gathering for the meeting.
Hela and Shah took their seats and looked around. Creatures of all races were gathered there. Most were Hylian, some Goron. There were Zoras, Gerudos and a few strange child-like people.
Hela frowned, “Shah, are those forest faeries?” She asked pointing to one.
Shah nodded, “Yes, they are Kokiri, but ones you know. Those few you see there are leaders of a near extinct empire. They are disciplined warriors, like my kin. They also are immortal, like any other elf. And see over there? That is my own leader, Impa. She is a caretaker here at the castle. She founded your home village of Kakariko”, explained Shah.
When everyone had sat down, the king entered and stood before them, “Good morning races of Hyrule. We are gathered here to discuss the recent conflicts in Ikana”, he began. He was tall man, rather burly with a wide stature. He had thick graying beard and dark, deep-set eyes.
“As you may well know, last night at the battle of Darkwater Canyon, the third and eight Ikanan regiments were driven back to the western borders of Termina”, there were many gasps and whispers in the audience.
“Ikana has fallen, but with hope the Garo will be driven back by fresh divisions dispatched just yesterday. And that invasion will hopefully be retained. And yet in the meantime, we have yet another threat”, said the King, “Lord Dragmire”, said the king stepping aside. A Gerudo with red hair and black armor stepped forward.
“Many of you may know me as Chief Ganondorf. I have come with unsettling news from the west. In the last council of the chiefs, I overheard talk of an uprising against Hylia. While I am still investigating the source of the extreme new notions, I know one thing: I am the youngest chief in the council, and am most influenced by Hylian culture. I have not got the prestige to petition against revolution” Explained the Gerudo.
Shah sighed, “Gerudo, they care about two things: wealth and power”, he said quietly to Hela.
“If there is an uprising, I will rally as many tribes as possible to repel them. But… if they were to revolt, that would mean that Hyrule would be surrounded by war-fronts”, explained Ganondorf.
“Hyrule would be under siege!” Declared a Goron chieftain standing up.
The king stepped forward, “Ganondorf has long been our loyal ally, despite differences between the Hylians and Gerudo. All of our races need to unite to survive this siege of Hyrule! If we stay at our backs, we will prevail through this bloody conflict!”
Hela blinked, “This is frightening news, and my husband is out there. What is to become of him?” She asked worriedly.
Shah sighed, “It seems then that we will fight. The Sheikah will go to war”
Shah looked over at Hela, “You should go enjoy the festival, I have business to attend to”, he said approaching the Gerudo chief.
“Lord Ganondorf”, he called, gaining his attention.
“Good morrow to you, noble Sheikah”, he said.
“And to you. I respect what you said today, this parliament needed someone of your likes to bring forth such news”, replied Shah.
Ganondorf sighed, “The western peoples of this country are on the brink of revolution, and not just Gerudo. I fear that if war strikes Hyrule, the races of this country will be unable to unite and defeat it”, he explained.
Shah nodded, “There are too many different groups of people squabbling amongst themselves, this country is in more danger of collapsing itself than by the sword of our enemies. Well Dragmire, do we have your support in this conflict?”
He nodded, “Yes, I will try to snuff out this rebellion. I’ll try to focus on the western Hylian towns”, began Ganondorf.
“Ah yes, the western conflict”, began the king approaching now. Both Ganondorf and Shah bowed lightly.
“I am sending a division of the Hylian Cavalry, led by Colonel Paetad to deal with some of the rowdier Hylian towns in the west”, explained the king with a hint of pride in his voice.
“That really won’t be necessary my lord, I can watch over those lands just as easily”, insisted the Gerudo.
The king shook his head, “No Dragmire, that’s done. The towns are under my rule, and I will deal with them accordingly”, said the king, then turned and walked away.
Ganondorf shook his head in dismay, shah tried to comfort him, “He means only well for his people. He is a ruler under stress right now”, insisted the Sheikah.
“He is as ignorant and prejudice as all Hylians are toward my people”, said Ganondorf before storming back into the castle.
