Volga had awoken to the sounds of thunder and frantic shouting echoing across the camp. He'd quickly dressed and darted outside, spear in hand and awaiting the first sign of any enemy that crossed paths with him. What he hadn't expected, though, was to find the Princess looking into the sky with awe alongside some of the soldiers. Confused to find them in stillness rather than combat, he'd looked up to see what had caught their attention.

It was certainly a sight to behold.

A magic circle created by the same rune barrier they had witnessed the day before loomed above them in a stormy sky, and within it descended what appeared to be an island of some sort. Watching this strange chunk of earth carefully, he approached the Princess's side.

"What is it...?" he asked, his bafflement clear.

"I don't know," she replied wearily. "I just stepped outside myself."

Volga thought for a moment. "It's the same magic from yesterday, so there's no doubting the source, but when did this... thing, show up?" he wondered aloud, at a complete loss as to what he should make of the situation.

"According to some of the knights, it appeared just moments ago," she answered. "I know it's a piece of earth, but I can't fathom where it could've come from..."

Once the strange island's descent had ceased, the storm clouds vanished, returning the sky to its morning blue.

"Your Highness, look there," one of her knights spoke. "A mountain suddenly appeared to the east, as well as some type of building in the south."

Volga and the Princess first looked to the strange mountain, with a thick cloud of black smoke rising from its peak, then to the structure made of stone, with what seemed to be two towers on either side. It was clear that they were all... brought there through the same magic, but he had no clue why. "If they're able to... 'summon' anything, why did they bring these three objects in particular? What could they possibly have in common?" he asked.

"I don't know, but... they all look familiar somehow," she noted with a questioning frown.

He glanced again. "Now that you mention it, I do recognize the mountain somewhat. It almost looks like Death Mountain," he stated. Strange as it may sound, the sight of it caused a faint ache in his being...

Of course, Death Mountain was a sacred place to the Reptilians, due to its shared history with them. Since many Reptilian and Goron clans had coexisted within it in ages past, it was revered by both. But its reverence in the eyes of the Gorons had been lost when Volvagia's mind was stolen from him. In his crazed state, the Dragon had tormented them for seven years, until he was slain by the Hero of time and relieved of evil's influence. No one knew what happened to anything that remained of Volvagia (no one outside of the Clans, anyway) after the Gorons reclaimed their home; but it was said that any trace of his presence was destroyed.

If it was true that he was Volvagia reborn, then it was no wonder that he'd felt that faint ache. The part of him that resonated the most with the Dragon longed for the place it once called home, though he wasn't sure why, as it surely couldn't be the same one. Even if it was, Volga himself held no desire to see it. It would be the equivalent of a relic from his past, a time he wished to keep behind him where it belonged, having little to no involvement in his daily life.

There was no escaping it, he knew; but King Dodongo had made it clear to him that the second chance he'd been given was his to do with as he pleased, though not without specifying that if he made no attempt to do better with it, it was unlikely he'd receive another. So he'd resolved that he wanted nothing to do with his previous life, though it seemed that it would be harder to move past than he originally hoped.

"You're right... but if that is Death Mountain, then it can't be the one from this time. It rises in the lands of Eldin, far beyond our own borders, so unless it was moved from there, the one we see now is likely from another era," the Princess stated, eyeing the peak with a calm but intense gaze.

"Another era? Not to be rude, but isn't that stretching it a bit?" he questioned, his tone laced with skepticism.

"Well, it should be impossible... do you know the story behind the Hero of Time?" she asked in turn, glancing at him briefly.

"All I know is that in order to save his world, he had to use an enchanted item to travel through time," he replied honestly. While he saw how it could relate to the current situation, he wasn't entirely sure why it would be relevant.

"After he defeated the evil being that plagued them, the Princess of that era sought to collect any scrolls or tomes that held mention of, or instructions on how to use any magic that involved the manipulation of time," she began. "The Hero of Time first traveled seven years into the future, but he also had to travel that same amount in reverse as well. He did so more than once, and each time he either increased or decreased in age by that same number. Such extensive use of that power had taken its toll on him, for even though his body changed in age, his mind did not. Even when he was permanently returned to the days of his youth after the evil was vanquished, he had no choice but to keep the mature mindset he'd had to adopt, as well as his memories of the event."

"In other words, it made no difference," Volga stated.

She nodded. "Yes. Having seen how it affected him, but also knowing that it may be needed again, the Princess of that era decided to find as many items related to such magic as she could, in order to place them under her own protection, or the protection of those she knew she could trust. After this, she sought to help write more detailed instructions on how to use those items efficiently, in order to help train any future heroes that may have need of it," she finished, gazing at the new structures.

"You imply that these new locations have been brought here through the use of time manipulation; but if anything that involves that is within the castle or held by trusted allies, then why have these places appeared?" he asked with a quick glance at her. "Perhaps something was stolen from the castle, or one of these allies?"

"Where our allies are concerned, it's unlikely, but not impossible. As for the castle, they could've gotten hold of anything that wasn't destroyed in the attack. Even then, they may well have dug through the debris to find something," she replied. "However, I've seen all of the scrolls, tomes and objects that hold this type of power; and I don't think, or at the very least I don't remember, any of them speaking of something like this."

"What else could it be?" he asked, turning to look at the 'island' that hung above them as if held in place by a string.

"A new form of time manipulation, or possibly an old one from before the Era of Time," she answered. "I'm afraid that's all I can tell for sure, until we find out more."

He nodded. "I see. So if that," he gestured to the fiery peak, "is another Death Mountain, then what are the other two?"

"I would assume that the piece of earth above us is Skyloft."

"You mean, the same place from the book you showed me?"

"Yes. It's definitely large enough to have a village built on it," she replied, then looked to the south. "As for that stone structure, though, I have no idea."

"Princess Zelda."

They both turned to see King Ezu approaching them, a calm expression on his face, but a rigid posture that told Volga of his unease. He stopped before them and offered a quick bow before looking to the Princess.

"Has something else happened, King Ezu?" she asked, her tone concerned.

The King shook his head. "No, your Highness, I only wanted to speak with you."

"Very well, what do you need?" she questioned further, moving to face him fully.

"I'd like to suggest that we leave the area as soon as possible. I'm aware that we do need to know what exactly has occurred here; but the appearance of these... things... has left the army on edge, myself included. I think it might be best to move along and make haste for Deya Village. Hopefully by the time we arrive there, we'll have heard from Captain Impa, and the Goron and Zora tribes," he explained, glancing around warily. "It's easy to tell that these objects were brought here by our enemy, and I don't think it wise to be near it when we have no way of knowing if we're at risk of attack."

After a moment the Princess nodded in agreement. "You're right. We've lingered long enough," she said, looking back to the island above them. "I would have a group of soldiers inspect the mountain and stone structure, but we simply can't afford to thin out our army any more than we already have. It will just have to wait."

"I dislike the uncertainty as well, but I'm glad you feel the same. I'll tell my lookouts to at least watch the... island ... above us while we prepare for our departure," King Ezu replied.

"Yes, I'll do so as well," the Princess said. "I just dislike the idea of leaving this unchecked..." she paused, her expression conflicted.

Volga crossed his arms. "Please forgive the interruption, but I highly doubt we'll be able to avoid investigating them. For now, I'd like to suggest that we focus on leaving, and come back once we've regrouped with the others."

The Princess looked thoughtful for a moment. "That may be our safest option..." she said, then turned to the old man "What do you think, King Ezu?"

"I concur," he answered. "Now's not the time to be taking chances, so I say we set off."

"Alright then," the Princess replied, turning away slightly with a polite nod. "Let's get started before we second guess ourselves. Come find us once you're ready to go."

"Very well," King Ezu said. With a nod in return, he turned on his heel and briskly walked away.

As he began to follow her, Volga couldn't help but ask, "Pardon me for asking, but doesn't he seem a little too... fearful... to be leading an army?"

The Princess smiled lightly. "He's being cautious because he's never dealt with something like this before. King Ezu is a man who cares greatly for his people. He knows as well as I that the soldiers who so loyally follow us have lives of their own; whether they have families who are depending on them to return home safely, or they have seen far more combat than anyone should have to, and want only to spend the rest of their days in peace. He will do all he can to bring them back alive. I assure you, once the real battles begin, you'll see just how fierce he can be."

"I see. I take it you've seen him in combat before, then?" he questioned with piqued curiosity.

"Quite a few times, actually. He often sparred with my father during his visits, though of course they never used their full strength," she said with a light shrug. "However, there was one time where he grew absolutely furious."

A brow raised. "Really now? He doesn't seem like he'd be easy to anger... but, it can't be said that I know him very well," Volga stated.

"You would be correct, it's not easy to gain his ire," she replied. "But it's for the best. He rarely raises his voice with those close to him, though I've heard him do so before. However, when it comes to someone who has threatened him in some way, he loses most of his compassion. He and my father were very similar in that sense."

"Ah..." Volga said, turning thoughtful. "Then, if I might ask, what brought out his temper so viciously, that you were able to bear witness?"

"Well..." she began, looking unsure of how to continue, "you remember that King Ezu arrived a few days before the ball, and the rest of his family arrived afterwards?"

"Of course," he nodded. "I assume it was because you wished to negotiate with him first?"

"You're partly correct. Since my father and King Ezu were childhood friends, it became a tradition between our families to arrive well in advance of major events in either kingdom, so that we might have time to visit before we'd be required to brave the public eye all night," she explained. "One year, Father grew ill and couldn't make the journey, but he sent Impa, Mira and I anyway. During our stay, tensions between Lanayru and one of its neighboring kingdoms grew high. To summarize, King Ezu discovered that one of his own had been relaying information to the opposing royalty. Nothing came of it, as they were able to form an alliance, but it still put him and his family at risk should that alliance ever grow strained. When he confronted the one responsible, he was... ruthless. More than I ever imagined he could be, at the time. I never saw what happened to the traitor past the King's initial outburst towards him, but I know he faced far more brutal interrogation methods than those you would see an everyday officer use."

"Did you ever see these methods yourself?"

"I can thankfully say no, but I've heard the guards that aid in the interrogations speak of them. It came as quite a shock to me then; but looking back, it probably shouldn't have surprised me so much."

"Why is that?" he couldn't help but ask. He'd read plenty of books, but he'd never been able to hear anyone explain a kingdom's past before.

"The Lanayru Kingdom has a violent history. There was an uprising against the ninth King, led by a man who believed him ill-suited to rule. The King tried to reason with this man and his men many times; but when they began to use vicious tactics against the army, he decided that talk was futile. So the King began his search for a combat form that would strike terror into the hearts of his opponents and leave them unguarded. It wasn't long until he found his solution lying in the skills of a former mercenary, whom he hired as an instructor for himself and the Lanayruan Army. It goes without saying that it worked, and soon enough the rogues were defeated. After that, the King's children learned these techniques themselves; and from then on it was passed down to each generation, be they royalty or soldier," the Princess told him. Her previous hesitance turned to fascination as she recalled the tale, though he supposed he should've expected that.

"So of course, King Ezu learned it as well," he finished for her.

She nodded. "Indeed, as did Prince Loka. If negotiation fails on more than one occasion, neither will be afraid to resort to drastic measures if they feel it necessary."

"I have a feeling that point comes along a lot earlier for one than it does the other..." he mused aloud, watching as she sighed.

"Unfortunately, yes," she replied with a shake of her head. "It's baffling that they're related..." she muttered as an afterthought.

The Dragon Knight was inclined to agree. King Ezu seemed like a decent man, despite his earlier impression that the older man wasn't a very confrontational person. He wondered just how incorrect he'd been... even if the Princess explained further, Volga doubted he would know the full extent of the man's ability. As much as he wanted the rest of their trip to be an easy one, he couldn't help but wish to see the King's skills for himself...

"Alright everyone, let's break camp. We need to leave within the next hour," the Princess declared loudly as they neared the center of camp.

Before the last words could be spoken, the soldiers immediately began taking down tents and picking up whatever belongings they had laying around. Volga followed silently as the Princess began to do the same, assisting when she asked and watching the floating island when she didn't. As strange as it was, he felt that he couldn't turn his back to it unless he knew someone else could see it; as if it would crash down on them, or a horde of monsters might leap from it. While he knew it was unlikely that anything without wings could survive a fall from such a height, he couldn't help feeling a small sliver of doubt. For all they knew, any creatures that might be up there could fly or glide, or maybe even be strong enough to make the jump and live. The fact remained that they knew nothing of what they were up against, which put them at a severe disadvantage, though hopefully one that wouldn't last very long.

And the more he thought of all the questions that had yet to be answered, the more he wanted to leave at the earliest possible moment, if only to increase their numbers.

Thankfully, it seemed the Princess was thinking the same thing, if the uneasy expression he saw on her features was anything to go by.

"Volga, could you help me load these last few sacks? Once we get them secured we should be able to leave soon, if everyone else has finished as well," she asked, one of the sacks hanging over her shoulder and two more held in her other hand.

He nodded, walking past her to pick up the remaining sacks before turning back to her and asking, "Where to?"

"The wagons are on that side of camp," she replied, walking in the direction she gestured to.

He followed closely behind her as she led them through the maze of tents and bustling soldiers, some of which one or the other nearly collided with, but both had been able to right themselves in time. When they finally reached the wagons, they saw that most of them were packed full, which Volga for one was thankful for. The longer they stayed, the more uneasy he became; and he didn't like the idea of waiting to see if he was overthinking it or not.

Once again to his relief, the Princess seemed to be thinking along the same lines, as the moment he placed the sacks into one of the wagons, she turned to head back.

"Come, we should see how everyone else is doing," she said as she began to retrace their path.

He soon fell into step beside her, glancing around to see that most of the tents and varied items they'd brought along were nowhere in sight, which meant they had already been packed. There were plenty of other Knights lugging crates and sacks around, but at least they were nearly finished. As he thought of their imminent departure, Volga began to wonder what the Ordona Kingdom was like. He'd heard of it before, and read about it in some of the books King Dodongo had requested be given to him; but beyond knowing that it was a small province consisting mostly of farming villages in the plains and hunting villages in the more mountainous areas, he hadn't a clue what to expect.

So he decided that now was as good a time as any to learn what he could.

Glancing briefly to his new charge, he began to voice the questions that had lingered in the back of his mind. "Might I ask, Princess, what you can tell me about Ordona? I'm afraid my knowledge of it is severely limited, and I'd like to know more."

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "Like the other kingdoms, Ordona was named after the ancient light spirit that is said to live in the region. The spirit hasn't been seen since the Era of Twilight, when he aided the Hero in his cause; but it is believed that if you take the time to meditate within the spirit's spring, you will find that its presence still lingers there," she said, a thoughtful look on her features. "I don't know if it's true, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is."

It made sense that a kingdom would be named after a great being that had played a part in Hyrule's salvation during one of its darkest eras. He could appreciate that mankind honored their saviors of the past, as the Reptilians were very like-minded in that regard. It was considered highly disrespectful and ungrateful to ignore the sacrifices made on another's behalf. The Clan did its best to remember the names of their fallen brethren, along with the deities that had blessed them with divine protection; and for him to see that at least some Humans would do the same was something he could respect.

"I see. And what about its people? What are they like?" he asked, finding that his curiosity continued to grow.

The Princess continued with another kind smile. "Most of them are fairly reserved farmers and hunters, but they aren't unkind. They're quick to help when needed, and sometimes even when it's not. But they also value their privacy, so it's wise not to go digging around for any more personal history than they tell you about to begin with."

He couldn't help but raise a brow with a slight quirk in his lips. "You may not say much, but your tone belies your fondness of it. Is Ordona that enjoyable?"

"Oh, well... I can't deny that it's one of my favorite places to visit," she confirmed somewhat sheepishly. "It's very peaceful there, and I've yet to see another area with a more simple charm to it. I doubt my descriptions and praise do it justice, really; but you'll see for yourself soon enough."

"I doubt I'll be able to see everything it has to offer before we set off again," he replied, "and surely there are particular places one should visit before leaving."

He received a teasing glance. "I hope you aren't planning on sightseeing for the duration of the war?" she asked, her tone light. "As much as I can appreciate your enthusiasm, I don't think either of us would want our cause of death to be stated as 'inattentive bodyguard died taking in the view."

"I make no promises, Milady," he stated with a grin. "One such as myself can't help but appreciate the wonders of a new place."

"I thought warriors lived for battle? I wouldn't think that kind of occupation allowed much time for enjoying the scenery," she replied, side-eyeing him with a bemused expression.

"Of course it does," he scoffed. "You just have to look fast enough."

He could tell it took some effort for her to refrain from either rolling her eyes or sighing, but he was pleased to see that she couldn't keep a mirthful grin from spreading across her features.

"You're not fond of losing, are you?" she stated more than asked, shaking her head.

With a thoughtful look, he pretended to consider it for a moment, before finally responding. "Hm... no, not particularly. How could you tell?"

"Lucky guess," she answered with a hint of sarcasm as she stopped to observe the campsite.

One glance showed that everything had been taken care of, save for a few items that were quickly disappearing into sacks, saddle bags and satchels, which meant that they would be leaving shortly. While he no longer felt as tense as he had earlier, he still held no desire to linger, so to see that the resumption of their journey was close at hand eased some of his remaining apprehension. Still, he doubted that any amount of distance would quell the unease that had settled in his bones, as the appearance of the strange locations made it all the more evident that Cia's plan, whatever it may be, was progressing. How far exactly was anyone's guess.

He heard the Princess begin muttering to herself as she surveyed the area, likely listing off everything they'd needed to pack. When she seemingly finished, she started anew to double check, while he listened despite the fact that she wasn't speaking to him. A bad habit at times, he knew, but one that was no easier to break than any other he'd picked up during his childhood. It wasn't as if he could help it anyway, as heightened senses didn't allow much room for selective hearing; and he couldn't very well tune the whole world out when he was supposed to remain alert to potential dangers.

Especially since it was his sole job now...

But he could only assume it was by the fates' design that he'd been given the position, though he didn't feel particularly favored considering the inevitability of what was to come. In the dark corners of his mind, he wondered if his bloodline existed solely to play the pawns in someone else's twisted game. 'I suppose everyone involved in war feels that way at some point. The difference is they don't have their bodies forcibly bent to the will of another,' he mused in melancholy. Before his thoughts could consume him further, however, the Princess stopped mumbling and turned to face him.

"I believe we're finally ready," she said with a hint of relief. "We should see if King Ezu is finished as well."

"Indeed. And the sooner we do so, the better," he replied, warily glancing around. "I can't stand being as close as we are to that island. It just doesn't feel right."

"Agreed," the Princess said as she began leading them through the camp once more. "That might be due to knowing that the source isn't a friendly one. But there's also the possibility that enemy forces are up there to make record of our movements. No matter the answer, I don't want to remain here with the limited number of Generals we have."

Volga followed closely, a question beginning to form as he considered her last statement. "Are we really so few? I'm aware that we're spread out a bit, but surely we aren't that small in number."

He was honestly curious. Against his better judgment, he hadn't taken the time to make note of exactly how many soldiers they marched with. He knew that the entirety of the Hyrulean Army was with them, save for the few that remained at Castle Town, though there was no telling how many casualties there had been after the attack.

"Make no mistake, if we truly are facing an infinite amount of monsters, then we have no chance as we are now. These men are capable, of that there is no doubt; but if we're going to find a way to stem the flow of enemy forces, then we need more Generals to lead them. King Ezu, Prince Loka and I can give orders, but we can't do so nearly as easily when we're all scattered about the battlefield. And now that you've been promoted to bodyguard, you won't be able to devote yourself to leading a group of soldiers without Impa breathing down your neck upon her return," the Princess paused with a sigh. "I wouldn't have any problems with it, but I'm afraid I don't have much say in the matter."

"I think you're right in that she wouldn't take kindly to the idea..." he agreed thoughtfully, then looked to her in puzzlement, "but you're the Princess... don't your orders overrule hers?"

"It's a complicated matter," she replied with a grimace. "I am Hyrule's Princess, but I've yet to become its Queen. In a manner of speaking, I do make all of the final decisions for the kingdom, and guide it as its ruler. However, since an official coronation hasn't been held, and thus I haven't taken my position upon the throne, I'm not officially recognized as the Queen of Hyrule, but rather its acting Queen, if you will," she explained, then continued at his nod. "Because of this, there are still laws that I must obey until the proper arrangements have been made. Impa, being of the Sheikah Tribe, was born under the employment of the royal family. She is required to heed any request or order that is given to her by the King or Queen, no matter the circumstances. However, she's only required to follow the Prince or Princess's orders to a certain extent. If she determines that an order I've given her is completely out of turn, be it in regard to my safety or it's simply too ridiculous, by law she can overrule or ignore it."

"That sounds rather unusual... I thought being a royal meant you had the final say? I've yet to see anyone put a stop to Prince Loka's outrageous behavior..." he questioned with a slight scowl.

"That's because it's a law that only applies to the Hyrulean royalty," she explained with bemused exasperation. "My grandfather passed the law during my mother's youth. I don't know what happened exactly, but Father told me that she often caused trouble. Whenever her bodyguard or servants tried to stop her, she would remind them of her rank and demand they stay out of it. My grandfather finally learned of this when Mother got herself into something serious, so he made the law. After that, she calmed down and started to act more properly, but the law remained in place for future generations."

Volga smirked, and gave her a knowing glance. "Such as...?"

The Princess sighed. "Yes, such as myself," she replied. "You know, I could have you do something you find unpleasant..."

His mirth grew. "And I could simply choose not to do so, now that I know of your law. I thank you for the information, by the way."

"I knew I'd regret telling you that," she huffed. "I just hoped it wouldn't be this soon."

"I'm afraid it's too late now. I'll be sure to keep this conversation in mind for future reference," he said teasingly.

"I know," she sighed once more, shaking her head.

He chuckled as he looked around to see if King Ezu was anywhere nearby. They had finally reached the other side of camp; and judging by the saddled horses and lack of tents, the Lanayruan Army was ready. Within moments of noting this, Volga spotted the King approaching them.

"Princess, I was just on my way to find you," he told them. "Have you finished your preparations?"

The Princess nodded. "Indeed we have. I take it you've finished as well?" she asked with a quick glance around.

"We're ready to set out as soon as the word is given," King Ezu replied.

"Excellent. Our own horses should be ready by now, so we can continue onward to Ordona, hopefully without any interference," the Princess said.

The King nodded. "In that case, we'll follow you," he said, then turned to face the Lanayruan soldiers. "Alright men, mount up!"

Before the last word had even left his mouth, the Knights had lifted themselves into the saddle, loyally awaiting King Ezu's next command as he mounted as well. Wordlessly, the Princess turned around and started to head towards her own army, while Volga trailed slightly behind, carefully observing their surroundings. Soon enough, the Princess and the Hyrulean soldiers had mounted as well, with only a few infantry groups and himself on the ground. Once assured that everyone was ready, the Princess urged Deza onward.

"Let's move out!" she called as she picked up a decent pace, while he remained at her side. The Hyrulean soldiers fell into position without fail as they followed, just as eager to leave as the royals were.

As they left, Volga occasionally glanced over his shoulder, seeing that the island, or Skyloft as they suspected, still remained in the same place, quiet and dormant, with no sign of movement to indicate the presence of life. This was a fact that left him on edge, as Cia had wasted no time launching her attacks before. At least, not in his experience. But he supposed he shouldn't count on her being too predictable just yet; she'd fought against him with a weapon and magic he'd never seen before, and while he loathed to admit it, she had caught him completely off guard, and had defeated him within minutes.

It may not have given him enough insight into her form of combat, but it had left the impression that she didn't like to let an opportunity slip by, so for her magic to be present but non-threatening gave him a sense of foreboding. He hoped that by the time Captain Impa returned and their other allies joined them, they'd have enough support to warrant coming back to investigate. If the place hadn't become a summoner's base or something by then. Of course, they'd probably have to investigate anyway, even if it did...

There was only one way to discover what the unknown actually was, after all.

Which meant dangerous situations would be involved, and he'd been trained for those. That didn't mean he had to like the idea, though. King Dodongo had instilled in his pupil the desire to know the details of a situation before taking action, and it had served him well during his life with the Clan. Sure, they would more than likely do some digging before they actually went to investigate, but he doubted whether or not it'd be enough. But he wouldn't know until the moment arrived, which wouldn't be happening for awhile yet.

'In the meantime, I'll just have to keep everything in check,' he mused. 'Perhaps I should invest in a journal, and keep a record of everything we've learned. Maybe then I could start to piece things together and find out just what that Sorceress is after...'

Yes, the Princess and King Ezu probably had more than enough people to keep them informed on all of this, himself included now; but he had information they didn't know, and couldn't know lest he ever felt the sudden desire to be imprisoned. So no, he couldn't afford to let anyone find out. He needed to write down what he alone knew, and reference it with any information they already had, or obtained in the future. If he was able to break her spell before she completely turned him into a puppet, he'd gladly share his findings with the others; but there was no guarantee of that. If nothing else, it may help him uncover her motive for starting all of this, since it was becoming very evident that whatever it was she sought, she certainly intended to get it.

The lengths she would go to do so were still unknown; but she'd already gone rather far in the last few days, more so than she had during his stay at the castle. Then again, he supposed that was to be expected. He was her insight into the royalty's plans, and he wondered if he should take care to mind his words. If she could see through his eyes without his knowledge, then nothing they came up with would work. For all he knew, she was reading his thoughts as well, so she may very well already have a backup plan.

He did have reason to doubt it, though. She'd been quick to show her power over him the moment he was beaten. This gave him the impression that if she were aware of his intentions, she'd have quickly made herself known to him. Maybe even going so far as to constantly keep him reminded of her awareness. But as things stood now, this was no more than speculation.

He sighed. There was no point in continuing that train of thought, as all it currently led to was a dead end; but he couldn't keep the memory of his first encounter with the Sorceress out of mind. She was different than most of the leaders he'd heard of in old war stories. He highly doubted this was some form of rebellion, nor did she resemble the kind of people found in mercenary or bandit groups. He'd come across a few of both before, and he'd quickly learned that everyone involved had a certain look and scent about them. Mercenaries held the scent of certain minerals from the rupees they earned, and more frequently held the scent of cleanliness than bandits, depending on the individual. Despite this and the familial bond some groups shared, he could still see the egotistical gleam in their eyes. But it was drastically different when it came to bandits. The only word to describe the unpleasant smell that wafted from them in droves was 'greed'. If there was any scent that could accompany that term, it was the stench of blood, filth and drink mixed in with fine silks, priceless artworks and old tomes that reeked of a professional's preservation magics and treatments, all kept as clean as the thieves could manage in order to sell the items on the streets.

Cia was different. Her greed, her desire, was as clear as day. But what she sought? He didn't know. She held the air of knowledge, of power, and walked with confidence behind each step. But with all that those things could accomplish, for some reason she'd decided to use them for Hyrule's destruction. As he considered this, he remembered that there was a more specific goal she had in mind. But what was it...?

As the memory of his defeat shifted through his mind, it struck him. She had said she wished for the Princess to be destroyed, not Hyrule. That was why he was here in the first place. If she'd wanted to conquer the kingdom, then she could've used him on the frontlines, but instead she sent him here. Sure, it would be easier for her to do if the Princess wasn't there; but when she'd given the order, she'd made it sound... personal. As if Hyrule mattered little to her, and she only wanted the Princess gone...

But again, why? Did the Princess know her? Was there history between them or their families, like some sort of blood feud? Or perhaps one had been slighted by the other in their youth... but if any of this was true, then why hadn't the Princess mentioned the possibility? Surely if there was someone that had a personal hatred towards her, especially one that had festered over the years, then the Princess would be aware of it... unless it was one-sided, and the two had never met before. Cia could very well be someone, even as a foreigner, who disliked the Princess's actions enough to start a war; but that begged the question of why it would matter to her. If she was a foreigner, then Hyrule's laws, and therefore the Princess's rule, had no effect on her. So that wasn't likely either. Of course, it could be that the strange woman just hated her that much...

A frustrated growl escaped him. It seemed that there weren't any answers to be found yet; but at least he knew that no matter what caused it, Cia held a grudge toward Hyrule's heir. If it was deep enough, then there was a chance that she would be sending enemies straight for the Princess regardless of his own presence; and it wouldn't matter to the sorceress if he failed to protect her or not. If he did fail, then the Princess would be gone; and if he didn't, then that would place him higher in the young woman's regard. Thus, Cia's plans would progress one way or the other. Which meant that he needed to set to work as soon as they reached Ordona, or rather, Deya Village as King Ezu had called it.

'But how, exactly?' he thought with a frown. 'Seeing as I'm a bodyguard now, I highly doubt I'll be able to run off without being questioned, unless the Princess sends me somewhere herself. The army is still fairly uncertain of me as things are now, and I don't need to give them or the Princess any reason to doubt me.'

So, that was out of the question.

He suddenly found himself wishing they hadn't needed to leave the camp site so soon. The more he learned, the more he realized just how careful he would have to be to get himself untangled from this mess. It made him wish he could get some training in, if only to clear his mind enough to reevaluate his options. 'Maybe all the walking we're about to do will help. If not, I'll just have to try and get some training done before the day is over,' he thought hopefully. 'Though there might be some work to be done by the time we make camp.'

If that ended up being true, then perhaps he would go ahead and look over his armor and spear. He was certain the former was fine, though it wouldn't hurt to glance over it; but he was more concerned about the state of his weapon. It had held up fine in the last battle; but it had been awhile since he last sharpened it or inspected the grip, so he imagined it was time for it to be tended to. Besides, King Dodongo would kill him if he found that his pupil hadn't even done something so basic as maintain his weapon's good condition...

…

If King Dodongo had survived, that is...

Volga suddenly felt homesick, the desire to return to his Clan settling into his bones with a soft touch that morphed into a pressing weight. His worry for their well-being appeared in the form of doubts, whispering in the back of his mind with a venom only fear could inflict. But he knew that was exactly why he should ignore it. That line of thinking was poison, and his Clan would accuse him of doubting their skills should they ever find out.

No, it would be best if he focused on the matters at hand. He would just have to be patient until he was given the chance to check on them. He probably wouldn't be satisfied until he saw them for himself anyway.

This solution, while not the most ideal, eased his doubts enough for him to let it go for now. He would take solace in his knowledge of their skills, and hope to find them well upon his return. But for that to happen, he had to work his way out of Cia's grasp, before he no longer had the option. And if she thought for even the briefest moment that he would simply submit himself to her will with no resistance…

Then she would soon learn that he wasn't called the Dragon Knight for nothing.

Zelda sighed in exhaustion.

The day had been long and tiring, but they had finally found a decent place to set up camp for the night. After taking care of some minor issues, she had gone to find King Ezu in order to discuss when they should depart the next day, as neither of them wanted anything similar to that morning's events to occur again. Having quickly come to an agreement with him, she now made her way back to the center of camp, where the evening's meal was being prepared, and where she assumed Volga would reluctantly be, as she'd told him he didn't have to accompany her for a five-minute conversation. He was more dedicated to his job than she imagined he would be, and she couldn't deny that Impa had been right.

It didn't take long for the uproarious laughter to reach her, bringing a smile to her face. It was good that the Knights seemed to be handling everything well, as they had been trained to do; and that they could have a few moments of enjoyment despite the catastrophe that had taken place in their absence. But this also brought a twinge of sorrow to her heart. Ever since her father's passing, it was difficult for her to forget that such moments wouldn't last, especially given the circumstances. She knew she shouldn't dwell on that fact, and instead appreciate them when they occurred... and normally, she could. It was just harder to do, at the moment...

She sighed again.

If only she could wish upon a single star, and watch all of their troubles fade away; just like in the stories the King had often lulled her to sleep with, when she was a child. But those were mere fairytales, no matter her regard for them and the memories they held; even so, she would always be grateful for the hope they could inspire.

Returning from her musings as she neared the campfire, she glanced over just in time to see the Knights, most of whom she recognized, nod their acknowledgment to her, which she gladly responded to with her own. But after a quick glance, she found that her bodyguard wasn't there with them. She frowned lightly, and began to look around once more. This time, however, she found him within seconds.

He had, (quite intentionally, she assumed) placed himself on a nearby rock formation that was well away from the others, but still close enough for the firelight to flicker across his face, casting shadows that further exaggerated his features, including the black marking he bore. His helmet had been set aside, and she idly wondered who had designed and assembled his set of armor, as intricate as it was, and how they had managed to cut the emerald eyes so precisely. As she began to approach him, she noticed he was working on his weapon. He expertly ran a dark stone across the edge of the cut bone that served as the spear's blade, taking great care as he did so, and only briefly pausing to inspect his work before resuming the task.

Smiling as she neared, she found herself asking, "You're not joining the others?"

He briefly glanced at her with a scoff, though she could see a hint of a smirk. "I believe you already know the reason," he replied.

Indeed, she did. And while she knew he had his reasons, she still couldn't help but wonder why. What had happened to him, for him to completely ignore his Human heritage? Though she supposed he didn't completely deny it... but he still didn't call himself as such. It didn't make sense to her, for him to both acknowledge and deny his bloodline and resulting appearance at the same time.

"You know, I don't mean to intrude by asking this, but..." she hesitated until he gave her a questioning look as her signal to continue, "why do you refer to people as 'Humans', when you are one yourself? At least, partially," she asked carefully.

When a slight scowl crossed his features, she feared that she'd angered him; but upon closer inspection, she realized he looked more frustrated than anything else, though his dislike of the topic was apparent.

After a moment, he sighed. "Milady, I mean no disrespect, but I'm afraid that the answer to your question lies in a time that I'd rather not revisit..." he replied. Though he spoke softly, there was a harder edge to his tone.

"Ah, my apologies," she quickly responded. "I don't mean to pry, I just..."

As he carefully inspected his weapon, he spoke again. "You're curious, and I can understand that. But there are some things that are best left forgotten."

"Of course. I won't ask you to elaborate," she began. "It's just that I've heard stories about you for as long as I can remember, but that's all they were. I always knew there was likely some truth to them, but I never thought I'd actually meet you," she explained sheepishly.

He seemed to relax as he looked to her with curiosity. "I always knew there were rumors, but I didn't realize they had traveled so far. But I suppose I should've guessed, since Prince Loka mentioned something of it," he set the stone down beside him, beginning to inspect his spear's grips more closely as his expression turned into one of bemusement. "I'm curious, what sort of wild tales were spun of me all the way into the halls of Hyrule Castle?"

She paused for a moment as she tried to recall the first time she'd heard of him. She wasn't surprised that he inquired, but she'd half expected him to scoff and keep to his work. After all, why would he take an interest in Human gossip when he cared little for them to begin with? But perhaps he didn't mind their stories as much as he did their company... "Well, I remember hearing of a boy, one who could supposedly bend fire to his will, disappearing from his village, despite being under the watchful eye of the villagers. Over the following months, the village lost many buildings to numerous fires that seemed to start on their own, thus the elders claimed the boy's spirit was punishing them for their negligence. Was that you?"

Volga shook his head as he finished his inspection. "No. I've heard of that happening to people of all kinds, usually those claimed by others to have an affinity for elemental magic, as a lot of them just up and leave. Even if it was, my memory only stretches as far back as my first day in the caves, so I wouldn't be able to tell you."

"I see... that is unfotunate..." she replied, downcast.

He shrugged. "At times, yes. But there isn't much that can be done about it now," he said, laying his spear to the side in order to pick up his helmet.

She watched him for a moment, before finally asking. "Haven't you ever thought of looking for them? Your parents?"

A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "There were a few times I considered it. But since I never remembered anything about them, I had nothing of them to hold onto, and thus I never really had a reason to leave." This time, there was only a factual tone to his reply.

"That is understandable..." she conceded, looking off to the side. "It's just that my father was the biggest influence in my life, and to think that so many others never had that... is disheartening."

After a moment, he nodded in agreement. "It's a sad truth, but one that I've made peace with. And though they may not be so biologically, I still have a family of sorts," he replied, setting his helmet back down as he turned to look at her. "While it would be nice to know who they were and what happened, I'm not sure it would amount to much. They would still be strangers to me."

"Yes, that is true," she replied. She couldn't fathom the idea of never knowing her parents; but she could understand why he felt that way, at least a little bit. After all, even if she learned the reason behind her mother's disappearance, Queen Ilia would be a stranger to her as well. The only difference being that she still retained some memory of the Queen, whereas the Dragon Knight recalled nothing.

It was strange to her that he didn't seem to mind having unknown origins. She rarely asked about her mother, mostly because of the effect the Queen's memory had on her father and Impa, who were the only two people who really knew her. But even when she did, they hardly said anything. That never stopped her from wanting to know, but no matter how much she wished to uncover the truth, she couldn't very well abandon her father or the responsibilities that came with being the heir to Hyrule's throne. So she remained, and hoped that one day they might be able to tell her more.

But they never did, and she was left without any answers. Until...

"Milady?"

Zelda snapped from her reverie, only to feel a small wave of embarrassment at the quizzical look that was directed at her.

"Ah, pardon me..." she replied sheepishly. "I was lost in thought..."

"It's fine, you just seemed..." he paused, then shook his head. "Never mind. But before I forget, was there something you needed from me?"

He didn't seem annoyed or exasperated, just curious as to why she was there. She wouldn't deny that she wanted to learn more about him, as she'd been told for the longest time that he was just a myth, born from the overactive imaginations of frightened villagers, even though many strange things existed in their world. But despite this, she actually had sought him out for more important matters.

"I remembered you mentioning that torch you and Link saw last night, so I decided that I would make a few rounds around camp to see if it turns up again. And since I know firsthand what the Captain is like when orders aren't followed, I came to inform you of this decision and spare the both of us from her scolding," she answered with a bright smile.

Amusement settled onto his features. "Very generous of you, but I'm certain I can handle her well enough."

"I thought the same thing when I was a child," she replied, shaking her head.

"What changed your mind?" he asked, his mirth ever present.

"She started notching ice arrows," she said with a grimace.

"Ice arrows...?" he echoed in skepticism, but also with a hint of consideration. "She used ice arrows... against the Princess of Hyrule?"

Growing quiet, she recalled the memory.

"If you can dodge these arrows as easily as you've tried to shirk your duties, then perhaps I'll consider forgiving the lack of discipline you've displayed!"

There was a sharp glare cast by fiery irises, emphasized by the draw of a bowstring.

"This time..."

Zelda nodded. "Yes. Yes she did. I wasn't very fond of our training sessions at first."

"Imagine that," Volga huffed. "And the King didn't reprimand her for this?"

"Not at all. Father requested that she train me as she would a Sheikah, and keep him informed of my progress, so he was well aware of the circumstances," she replied, then shook her head. "But that is a story for another day. For now, I think it'd be best if we began our patrol."

He stood, grabbed his helmet and spear, then turned to her with a nod. "I'll follow you then."

Returning his nod, she turned and began to walk in the direction of the camp's perimeter as he quickly came to stand at her side.

They made their way around the camp in comfortable silence. As she glanced at her surroundings, she idly wondered if things would ever return to normal. Everything was happening so fast that she could barely manage to keep up, only to fall behind again with the next obstacle fate seemed eager to provide. Had she failed in some way, to deserve these events; or was she to answer for her father's shortcomings in his stead? Then again, perhaps this is what she'd been trained for. She knew the stories of the Triforce, and the three goddesses who created it, and seeing as both she and Link each held a piece of the sacred relic, their respective roles in the war were clear.

However, this brought her to another question. If she and Link were destined to be there, there was no doubt that they would meet the bearer of the Triforce of Power in due time. She could understand Impa's part as she was a leader of the Sheikah, a tribe sworn to serve the royal family. But what she didn't understand, was Volga's presence. Why was a man from the Eldin Caves, said to be no more than a myth, fighting alongside them in a war that was not his own? Yes, he wanted to take fate into his own hands, he'd said as much, but what led him to this decision?

Perhaps she didn't need to question it, and she'd rather not if she were being honest, as he hadn't done anything wrong to her or anyone else. But she knew Impa was still wary, and she couldn't just ignore that. For now, though, she would continue to give him the benefit of the doubt and rely on him, especially now that the circumstances had changed.

Even Impa had conceded that point. Whether she outright said it or not, she knew what she was asking of both of them when she asked him to take the position. She doubted that the Sheikah Captain would have done so if she believed he held any ill will towards them. But on the other hand, Impa wasn't always that easy to read. For all she knew, the woman had assigned him to her as a test of sorts, to see what he would do. Zelda could never be sure... at least, not until Impa informed her of her findings.

The Princess would have puzzled over this further, if she hadn't spotted the green clad hero coming into view. She noted that he seemed alert, his attention focused intently on something ahead of him, and as such he was seemingly unaware of their approach. As they drew nearer, she saw him turn his head ever so slightly in their direction, but that was the only indication that he'd noticed them. 'Perhaps the torch has already shown up again? That would explain his stern expression...' she mused to herself.

Upon finally reaching him, Link glanced at them with a small, but kind smile. "Your Highness, Volga," he nodded to each of them, though he made sure to add a quick salute in the Princess's direction. "What are the two of you doing on this side of camp? Is there something you needed?"

They both nodded in return. "Actually, yes," Zelda replied with a smile of her own. "I came to ask you about the torch you saw the other night, and recruited Volga to come with me."

"Ah, I see," he said, then looked back out towards the surrounding fields. "Well, you're just in time. It's out there right now," he explained, gesturing to the area he'd been watching.

Zelda and Volga turned to look, and sure enough, a lone torch was lit a fairly large distance away. She watched it for a moment, knowing that she wouldn't be able to see much from their position. "How long has it been there?" she asked.

"Since I relieved the last watchman. I asked him if he'd seen anyone light it, but he was just as surprised to see it there as I was. Whoever's lighting it may have already figured out our guard routines," Link replied, his wariness showing through. "I'd like to investigate, but at the same time it could be a trap."

In her peripheral vision, she saw Volga cross his arms. "Or the enemy's way of tracking us," he said. "We won't know for sure until we take a look ourselves. The problem is, if we wait too long to do so, we'll be too late to prevent any threats it may pose."

"Right," Link nodded, then glanced her way. "So what do you think we should do?" he asked.

She frowned as she mentally listed the points they had made, eyeing the light that flickered in the field ahead of them with uncertainty, as each conclusion was very possible. On one hand, she didn't want to risk getting a closer look if it could be a trap; but on the other, if it was an enemy tracking method, she couldn't just let it be. So, even though she wasn't fond of the idea, it would be best if they dealt with it as soon as they were able, since either way everyone's lives could be in danger.

But what was the safest way for them to investigate?

'We can't just send a group out there. But I can't just send one soldier into a potential trap. I'd rather go myself than do that,' she thought. 'Yes, that would probably be best. I know the soldiers can hold their own, but if there's any magic involved I'll be better equipped to handle it.'

The problem with that, though, was that being the heir to a kingdom meant that everyone around you, no matter their rank, was determined to place your well being above all else, even at the risk of attack. Probably one of her least favorite things that came with the title. It was possible that she could convince them to let her go anyway, though likely on the condition that someone else go with her; and the most logical and inevitable answer to that would be Volga. She wondered how devoted he was to his job in comparison to her title, and if she could order him to stay, if only so he wouldn't be at risk as well. But she highly doubted that, and even if she could, no one would allow it unless she really stood firm on the matter.

And in all honesty, she knew it would only be a waste of time.

With this in mind, she spoke. "I think Volga and I should inspect it ourselves. I would prefer to go alone, as I don't wish to put anyone else at risk," she said, turning to look at the Dragon Knight. "But I know that I will not win that argument, and since accompanying me is already part of your job, I believe this is the best course of action."

"I'm sorry your Highness, but I have to disagree," Link replied, expression wary, but determined. "Whether it's harmless or not, you can't just walk out there. Why not let me go instead? I can manage long enough to get a good look," he suggested.

"I don't think anyone should go alone. Someone or something could be hiding out there, so it'll be better to have support," Zelda explained with a furrowed brow. "I know my way around the magic arts, and have thus built up a good resistance to it. If it has anything to do with magic, I won't be as susceptible to injury... But, if you have been trained in the arts as well, I will concede."

Link sighed, shaking his head. "I haven't. I can withstand it better than most, but only for a little while..."

She nodded. "Then I will-"

"If I may interject."

They both turned to Volga, who had finally spoken up again.

"Milady, I think you should let me go-" he began.

"But-"

"First," He held up a hand to placate her. "Let me go first. So I can make sure it's safe, while you follow behind me. I understand and admire your devotion to your soldiers; but as you said, this is part of my job. Allow me to walk a fair distance ahead of you, take a look at the torch, and make sure there's no threat. Then, you can join me and look it over yourself," he finished, raising an eyebrow in question.

Zelda paused, thinking over his suggestion. Looking between him and Link with a slowly resigning gaze, she asked, "Would this ease each of your worries?"

Volga nodded resolutely, and after a moment, Link did as well.

"Very well, I'll go along with it," she relented, then added in a tone of finality. "But I won't be stepping aside if something goes wrong."

"Fair enough," the Dragon Knight replied.

Link looked between the two of them, as she had before. "Are you sure you should go now, when it's this dark?" he asked.

"This might be the only time we'll be able to get a decent look at it. It'll likely be gone by morning, and there's no way for us to know if it'll appear again tomorrow night. We'd best seize the opportunity while we can," Volga replied, then looked to the Princess. "But of course, the final decision in this regard is yours to make."

She turned her gaze back to the distant, flickering light. Since they knew nothing of its origin or the reason behind its presence, going out there this soon might not be the most ideal course of action. However, Volga had already said earlier that it wouldn't be a good idea to wait too long, and she was inclined to agree. With this last thought, she turned back to them. "We'll investigate now. I don't want to leave it alone without confirming that it's harmless; and we don't want to give it, or whoever's behind it, the chance to become an actual threat. We'll just have to proceed carefully."

Each of them nodded, then Link spoke. "Alright then. I'll see if I can find a spyglass, so I can get a better look. That way, you'll have an extra pair of eyes, and I can warn you if I notice anything strange," he stated.

Zelda nodded with a small smile. "Good idea. We'll wait until you find one before we go out there. I'm sure they have a few in the cargo wagons. Just try to get back soon; we don't know when the torch will be retrieved."

With a nod of his own, Link hurried off to search the wagons, while Zelda turned her gaze back to the torch. She dearly hoped it would turn out to be something harmless, perhaps a signal from the Gorons or Zoras, rather than something of their enemy's design. There were a lot of uncertainties, but the sooner they found the answers they needed, the sooner they could tackle them. She was stirred from her musings when Volga moved to stand at her side, glancing at her questioningly.

"So, do you have a backup plan?" he asked, following her gaze to the flame.

She frowned lightly. "I'm not so sure anything would work in this situation, other than to retreat if something seems amiss, and tell the army to make haste for Deya Village should a threat arise, no matter if we're injured or worse. If I become incapacitated, Impa is more than capable of taking over for as long as required," she explained.

"A reasonable assessment. But are you sure Impa will be around to do so?"

"Yes. I have no doubts that we'll be able to regroup with everyone once we reach Ordona, including the tribes. Impa might not be there right away, but I'm certain we'll see her soon."

"Speaking of that, where will we go from there?" Volga asked. "Do we really know where the enemy is located?"

"We have an idea, but not an exact location. Once we get the injured settled down and give Impa time to catch up before we leave, we'll be heading for Faron to meet up with the army there," she replied.

"So, I assume we'll be accumulating a large military faction from the combined armies of each region?" he asked with a raised brow.

She nodded. "Precisely. Each kingdom has agreed to forming a full alliance; and luckily for us, some of them will meet us along the way rather than waiting in their respective regions."

"That's a little surprising. I thought it would be a more formal thing entirely," he replied.

"Well," she began with a thoughtful look, "normally there'd be an official meeting held at the Temple of the Goddesses, which lies in the heart of our continent. During times of great importance, when each region has been or will be affected by certain events, the rulers and some of the citizens of each kingdom gather at the temple to pray to the goddesses for guidance, before making any advancements in pursuit of their shared goal. In times of crisis, they pray for the safety of the people and the soldiers, as well as the defeat of their adversary. But since the attacks occurred so suddenly, we decided to make the announcements locally, then head for the temple with the entirety of the joint army before we begin our first official counterattack. This way no civilians will be at high risk, and we can buy more time to pinpoint a location."

"A wise decision," he agreed, glancing at her in question again. "What about times of peace then? Is it merely left alone?"

"It depends really. For instance, if a crisis ends, or is averted altogether, they will gather again to give thanks, and pray for continued peace and prosperity; whereas, if there is an alliance of kingdoms through marriage, they'll ask that the union be blessed, and that the couple remain steadfast throughout their shared life. After either ceremony, everyone returns to the nearby village for a less formal celebration. How long it lasts varies, but it never exceeds three days. Afterwards, everyone simply returns home," she answered.

"Well, it's good that it still sees use, even when times are easier," he mused.

She nodded. "Yes, it's important to many," she said, then turned to look at him quizzically. "What about you? Is there something similar in Reptilian culture?"

She watched as he paused thoughtfully. "We know of the goddesses, of course," he said slowly, "but it is believed that there are another three who guide the Reptilians."

At this, her curiosity grew. "Another three? Who are they?"

Volga began to respond; but before he could, Link jogged up to them.

"I found one," he said, holding up a simple spyglass. "Honestly, I'm surprised we have so many of them…"

Zelda turned to the green clad man. "Excellent. Are you sure you'll be able to see anything coming? It'll be getting dark soon."

"As long as you have a bright enough light source with you," he replied, looking at Volga. "And from what I've heard, you should be able to help with that, right?"

The Dragon Knight gave a nod. "I can. But once I start using it, we'll be that much more noticeable," he said, glancing to her.

"True…" she paused thoughtfully. "So we'll need a backup plan in case we get attacked. And since there'll be a fair distance between us and the army, it might be best if we avoid engaging in direct combat."

"Right. I can put out the flame without much worry, since I can see a little better than most at night; but it will mean that until you get closer to camp, you'll be fighting blind," he replied.

"I can manage," she stated, watching the flame intently for a moment, before turning to look at him. "Shall we?"

She watched as he nodded and stepped forward, walking a fair distance before motioning for her to follow.

Everything was calm and quiet, save for the grass crunching beneath their feet; which only made him more determined to avoid falling into a false sense of security.

Ever since they'd stepped out into the field, Volga had been carefully surveying their surroundings. The near silence was unnerving; and while he hadn't seen or heard anything potentially threatening, it still set him slightly on edge. His apprehension only increased with the knowledge that the torch still flickered brightly ahead of him, having remained undisturbed ever since they'd stepped away from camp.

His eyes narrowed as he watched the flame, then glanced around the area again. He could hear the Princess' lighter footsteps a little ways behind him, as they'd agreed. To him, they were easy to pinpoint; but he knew that to anyone else, it'd be quite the opposite. The Captain had trained her well in that regard.

He'd learned to step lightly, of course, as King Dodongo made it clear that silence could be a valuable ally; and it certainly did wonders when he wore his armor. However, trying to completely eradicate the noise was futile, so he knew he couldn't expect to remain unnoticed. At the very least, he'd left his helmet behind. While he wasn't fond of doing so, Link had mentioned that it might reflect the light from the torch, which would do any enemy's job for them, so he decided to set it aside.

He just hoped this wasn't Cia's doing. If she knew he intended to break the spell, and possibly seek aid in doing so, this could be the result of her decision to take matters into her own hands. And he couldn't be certain until he looked closely enough… he had to make sure the Princess was well away before he actually approached it.

If she would listen, that is.

While her sense of comradery was admirable, he wasn't sure she fully understood how vital her role was. Having been raised in the Eldin Caves, he came to the conclusion that being royalty was similar to being the patriarch of a Reptilian Clan. Civilians and soldiers alike looked to their kingdom's royalty for guidance, and thus rallied behind them in times of crisis. Many would remain at home and allow their armies to handle the bloodshed, while others would choose to fight with them; and seeing as Hyrule's only heir would be doing the latter, that meant that the kingdom's fate would be sealed with hers.

Cia knew this.

But what was she after? He'd never heard of her, and he wasn't sure anyone ever had until now. If conquering kingdoms was a pastime of hers, word would have spread like wildfire, considering Hyrule received visitors from every other kingdom, along with travelers that sailed here from other continents. Even if someone of a higher status felt it wasn't worth mentioning, surely there would have been rumors making their way through the market streets and taverns. But why would she attack Hyrule, if not to claim its throne? He supposed it could be for its plethora of artifacts, but why would she need them for anything other than war and conquest?

'Perhaps she seeks revenge?' he mused for a bit, then shook his head. 'It would have to be quite a slight against her, for her to declare war on an entire kingdom… unless she was slighted by the Royal Family?'

Now there was a thought. Perhaps the Princess or the King had made an enemy of her, whether they realized it or not. But he assumed that if they knew of her beforehand, her name would have been brought up by now; not to mention, she had a more… exotic look. He'd certainly never seen that kind of clothing or hair color when he'd occasionally ventured to the nearest town in Eldin, and the mask was especially strange. However, there'd be plenty of time for such contemplation later, for now he had a job to do, as they were finally nearing their objective.

He approached the unassuming torch slowly, quickly looking around the area as he waited for the first blade or arrow to strike out from the darkness. While his vision was better than most at night, it certainly wasn't anywhere near to being on par with that of his Reptilian brethren; so the fact that he hadn't seen anything yet, though a good sign, could only be considered more reliable to a point.

But when a few moments passed and no attempt was made on their lives, he walked closer to the torch to inspect the handle. It wasn't uncommon for a more infamous group of bandits or mercenaries to carve their insignia into their tools, both as a sign of ownership where weapons or gear were concerned, and as part of an intimidation tactic; usually after targeting a valued resource, or assassinating a member of an opposing group.

Eldin had its fair share of them, to be sure.

He saw nothing of the sort though, much to his relief. Deeming the area safe enough, he motioned to the Princess, who had maintained some distance as they'd agreed, keeping a watchful eye as he did so. Within a few seconds, she was stepping past him to inspect it herself. Just as he had, she surveyed the surrounding area, then proceeded to inspect the handle closely. She was quiet for a moment as she glanced over the torch, before directing a question his way.

"Did you see any carvings?" she asked softly, her gaze still searching for any clue as to the item's owner.

He shook his head, crossing his arms as he kept watch. "I didn't see anything."

"I see," the Princess replied.

She continued to examine the torch warily, until a look of realization spread across her face. "Wait a minute, that cloth…" she said, a hint of surprise in her tone. "it's not charred. In fact, it looks completely intact."

Now that was interesting. Volga leaned closer, and carefully observed the flame as it flickered gently. Sure enough, despite the heat of the blaze, the cloth was in pristine condition; and he noticed that there was no scent of rum, wine or mead, which meant that the cloth hadn't been soaked in a flammable substance. At least, not one that he knew of.

Reaching out with his left hand, he held it over the flame, slowly moving it side to side. He repeated the motion a couple of times, and soon the top of the flame began to follow it, as if drawn to him. Then he pulled back, the small fire moving with him to settle in the palm of his hand, leaving the torch completely bare.

"So it's a magical flame," he muttered, scowling at it slightly. "But it doesn't have the same feeling to it as that of our enemy."

"How were you able to manipulate it so easily?" the Princess asked as she came to stand beside him. "I'd always thought each spell's essence was tied to its caster, so it couldn't be used by a separate person."

"That is true, but only in the case of advanced spells. This, however, has to be a basic one, since I'm able to control it without difficulty. But I only know fire magic, so I can't say if the same rules apply to the other elements," he explained, then glanced to the seemingly unused torch on the ground. "That aside, we're not much closer to understanding what's happening here. Though, if the cloth wasn't affected…"

Her eyes brightened in realization. "Then anything hidden beneath it wasn't either," she finished, turning to pick up the item. Unwrapping the cloth and setting it aside, she quickly inspected the torch once more. "And there it is," she said triumphantly.

Volga leaned closer, making use of the flame he held. As they'd hoped, an insignia had been carved into the end, and the Princess frowned slightly as she moved so they could both see it clearly.

"It seems familiar… but I can't recall where I've seen it," she stated, lightly tracing the pattern before turning to look at him. "Do you recognize it?"

He studied it for a moment, but he found that it didn't belong to any groups he knew of. The insignia wasn't even remotely similar to any others he'd seen previously; but that was to be expected, as he'd only seen those from his own region. He shook his head with a scowl. "No. This isn't the mark of an Eldin group. But you said it was familiar. Are you sure this isn't from a local one?"

She nodded. "I'm sure. I see them too often to forget, so unless one of them had their insignia changed, this is probably a new group. Then again, I haven't heard of any activity from an unknown band. Usually they cause a lot of trouble to announce themselves, but I haven't heard anything other than the same reports I see every day. Arrests, leads, attacks, theft, but only in regards to the same people we've been trying to uproot for years."

"Perhaps this is a Freelancer's mark?" he suggested, though he doubted the likelihood of it.

"It's possible…" she agreed, mulling over the idea for a moment, before shaking her head in resignation. "But I don't think we'll find any more answers here. We should head back to camp."

He nodded, glancing to her. "What will you do with the torch then?"

"Take it back with us, see if anyone there recognizes the mark. And if they don't, I'll check any historical records we have with us and see if it turns up. We should take one last look around before we head back, though."

Though wary from the lack of answers, Volga nodded in agreement, deciding to make use of the flame he held to see if there was anything he'd missed earlier.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for them to search the area one last time.

But even though nothing had happened, Volga suddenly felt as if familiar eyes were upon them, yet he couldn't sense the dark aura that accompanied the Sorceress, and he highly doubted any of his kin would come to the area, even if they were fleeing the caves. He supposed it was possible that he was imagining it, likely a result of his earlier concerns branching into paranoia. He wasn't sure if that would be the case, however, as he usually wasn't one to feel paranoid about things.

But that wasn't to say that he was immune to it.

Naturally, he maintained a careful observance of their surroundings as they made their way back to camp, somewhat worried that the Sorceress might be near. But by the time they finally stepped back into the relative safety of the campsite, there'd been no sign of her.

As he began to consider going on a quick patrol, he noticed Link approaching them.

"So? What did you find?" he asked, looking apprehensive as he tried to figure out why they'd brought the torch back with them.

The Princess held out the item, pointing to the symbol. "We found this insignia, but we haven't seen it before. Do you recognize it by any chance?" she asked in turn.

The young man observed the carving for a moment. "Well, it's similar to what bandits or mercenaries do, but…" crossing his arms, he shook his head. "I'm afraid I've never seen this particular carving before."

"Yes, I was afraid of that," she replied, lowering the torch back to her side. "I'd like to assume it's just another amateur group that's come along, but I'm fairly certain that's not the case."

They both paused thoughtfully for a moment as Volga came to stand beside them, quietly watching them ponder the situation as he himself had been.

"What will you do now, then?" Link spoke, seemingly at a loss for their next course of action.

"I'm going to ask a few of the others if they might know of it; if not, I'll have to try something else, or wait until we reach Deya Village," the Princess explained.

"That's a good idea," Link agreed. "Between the three of us, a royal who can't personally see to it, a guy who hasn't lived here very long and another guy who won't know because he was literally raised in a…" he paused, glancing over to gauge the Dragon Knight's expression.

"Cave?" Volga offered as he raised a brow, somewhat amused.

"Yeah…" Link replied slowly, before continuing. "There's just not much we can do right now."

"Exactly," Zelda nodded. "Which is why I'm going to start digging now, before we run into whoever's behind this," she added, then turned to the Dragon Knight. "Volga, could you look through the wagons for a journal with the Hyrulean crest painted on the cover? I've been using it for the past few years to keep track of the more influential groups; where they tend to stay, what they're known for and how much of a threat they pose. It shouldn't be hard to find."

"Of course," Volga replied, then glanced at Link. "If anything else shows up, let me know."

"Sure thing," the young man said as he returned to his post. "You two do the same, alright?"

"Will do," the Princess agreed, before turning to walk in the opposite direction. "Once you have everything, meet me in the war tent. We can look over everything there."

"Very well," he nodded, quickly setting out to complete his task.

While he was disappointed that they hadn't found much, he knew that what little they had come across would prove very useful if they could just find out who it represented.

But it made sense that the first few days of war would be the time that mercenaries were hired and bandits started lurking about more frequently. The chaos of Hyrule Castle's destruction and its citizens abandoning Castle Town made for easy pickings left behind in the rubble, along with emptied homes and shops. Whatever didn't get buried beneath the crumbled stone walls would be long gone by the time the owners returned; if the thieves could get past the hordes of monsters that no doubt lingered, that is.

Either way, he genuinely hoped the townspeople had escaped.

From their forlorn expressions and often glazed eyes, it was clear that the kingdom of Hyrule was held in high regard by its people, and the knowledge that their homes and families could be completely gone weighed heavily on them. Human or not, that was something he understood all too well…

Thankfully, it didn't take him long to reach the wagons, and he didn't hesitate to start sifting through their cargo in the hopes of finding the journal.

Though he mostly saw food, weapons and armor as he searched, there were a few tomes and scrolls lying about. The lack of them compared to everything else wasn't surprising of course, seeing as there was simply too much that could go wrong if you brought a whole mountain of them with you on a war march; not to mention that any other copies of the books they might have were now buried along with anything else in the castle, if not completely destroyed.

And there was a good chance that a few of them were exclusively made for the royal family. He could see one or two about war strategies and providing medical aid, and even one about plant life, likely noting things that were and weren't safe for Humans to use. Even if there weren't that many, at least what written knowledge they did have would be useful if the situation called for it, and the likelihood of that happening wasn't anything to scoff at.

As he considered this, the slight gleam of a golden crest caught his eye, and the journal he'd been looking for came into view. After carefully setting other things aside, he picked it up and examined the cover for a moment. At first glance, it had looked pristine, practically brand new. But upon further inspection, he could see the dents, the slightly faded edges of the cover design, and the thin scratches from where it had been accidentally dropped; numerous times, if the sheer amount was anything to go by.

There was no doubt that this little journal was being put to immense use.

He debated opening it to glance at a few pages, but quickly dismissed the thought. While he was sure the Princess would've retrieved it herself if it held her innermost thoughts and musings, and she'd already stated that it contained information about potential threats, it still didn't seem right to pry into a personal belonging of hers. She had asked him many personal questions, yes, but she had asked; in a polite manner that understood and respected the fact that he might not wish to answer. He could certainly do the same in return. Nodding to himself at this conclusion, he began to make his way to the war tent.

But the moment his back was turned, he felt an electrifying jolt race down his spine, leaving behind an uncomfortable tingling in the back of his neck.

Someone was watching him.

That in and of itself wasn't something new to him. Having someone's wary, fearful eyes carefully following his every move was more common for him than he cared to admit.

But this? This was alarmingly different. The gaze that had him rooted to the spot felt as if it was seeping into his skin with a sense of knowing, as if it could predict every move he might possibly make, and was merely waiting curiously to see which it would be. He almost felt like the pages of the book he held, paper thin, and completely transparent when held in the right light. And yet, he couldn't determine if there was any maliciousness behind it. He felt unsettled to be sure, but he didn't know if he was in danger or not. And though he glanced around, searching for any clue of someone else being present, there was nothing and no one to be found.

After a few moments, the feeling washed away from him, leaving him confused and slightly rattled. He turned to look behind him, but found himself alone. Well, as alone as one could get in a military camp site…

But regardless, whoever or whatever it was had gone as quickly as it had come, and he wondered if he should tell the Princess. On the one hand, it didn't seem like there was much to tell, but on the other, they had already faced hordes of monsters, and there was no telling what other kinds of creatures Cia had control of. He would at least mention it, if nothing else; even if it turned out to be nothing, he would rather be safe than sorry.

With this in mind, he took another quick glance behind him, then turned back and resumed his path to the war tent, where he would likely spend the next couple of hours trying to help the Princess make sense of what they'd found.

It would be a long night…

But, if they could find even a minor clue, it would be a night well spent.

Violet eyes watched intently as the Dragon Knight walked away.

The message hadn't gotten through quite as clearly as intended. But, upon seeing the heavily armored knight head deeper into the camp with a familiar book in hand, there was no doubt that things were headed in the right direction.

It was difficult to say that it would stay that way, though.

After all, there were many other factors to consider when tampering with fate, no matter the goal. It could have very easily gone off course if he hadn't turned away, and instead chosen to investigate. But, it seemed that fate was in a favorable mood.

For now.

A dark cloak was wrapped tighter around its wearer, as the amethyst gaze narrowed.

It may have gone well thus far, but it would take little to destroy what progress had been made. Which, if the desired outcome was to be achieved, had to be prevented.

But, if things continued to go this smoothly, then soon enough, everything would fall into place, just as fate designed. And the Dragon Knight, one of the key pieces to these events, was well on his way to fulfilling his role.

Though, whether or not he actually would, only time could tell.

Satisfied, if only temporarily, the figure stood once the knight had disappeared from view, then immediately turned and vanished into the dark woods. The series of events that would lead to Hyrule's ruin, or prosperity, had been set into motion, and now the other pieces had to make a move.

All that remained, was to ensure they fell in the right place.