"You obtained nothing, which is acceptable. The absence of an enemy is just as important as his location," Geoffrey said.

"Like our mission to scout the forest from the war?" Link asked.

"Precisely. What this means is that the assassin's skill is greater than the Sheikah." Geoffrey sighed. "And there is no way I can think of to stop such skill. What confines him? If our guards cannot stop him, will the doors and walls? For now, the only thing I am assured with is he is not so bold as to directly fight or unnecessarily reveal himself."

Geoffrey looked out a window into the city. "Link... Swear to hide what I am about to tell you. I will tell the princess myself, but for now, as her personal servant, and as a man honored by my lord..."

"I swear."

"We have checked everywhere. Every weapon from the armory is accounted for. Every officer stationed in the keep is accounted for, and they all, without exception, made account for their men. They were all where they should be."

"Were there not men around the chariot? One of them could be the assassin."

"You are right to assume so. Each were investigated, questioned, and their weapons confiscated. All were cleared. The assassin was not among the men supposed to be stationed there."

"What does this mean?" Link asked.

"This means the assassin is not in the Mitagi records... and may not even be a Mitagi soldier. Zelda had made an enemy of Zant's followers, and though Zant is dead, there is no accounting for who of his followers survived. The assassin may even be Gerudo."

"Gerudo?!"

"They are unknown, yet always present. Their army is always on the border, and their assassins never even risk pulling their knives from our dead necks. Their agents are as skilled as our Sheikah. I wonder if perhaps a master Gerudo is involved."

Link gulped. A former Zant follower, a master Gerudo, or something more? None of the prospects were pleasant. Link couldn't wrap his head around it. He couldn't see the battlefield as Geoffrey did. He was growing into being a one-hundred man officer, but he still saw things from a simple perspective. He grew up as one who took orders and didn't have to think any deeper than that.

Link found his voice again. "What are your orders, sir?"

"Return to the Princess' side. Do not leave it. Be vigilant. The Mitagi elders, Sheikah, and I are giving our full support in finding this assassin, but it will reassure me to have you by the princess." Geoffrey smiled. The smile reminded Link of Ouki: the same mischievous, slightly-rebellious manner. "I do not see what she sees in you, nor what Ouki saw. To me, you are a valuable man, one with so much luck it is as if you are blessed by the Goddesses themselves. You are one with great loyalty, humility, and are determined. If I could, and if you were a little more disciplined, I would happily have a hundred of you. But as far as you go, you are still a man. There are greater men, so why Princess Zelda and Lord Ouki would go so far for you... I cannot see it. I hope one day I will see you as they did."

Link blushed heavily under the praise and awkwardly bowed while saluting him.

"Go on, then," Geoffrey ordered.

Link left to search for Zelda. Geoffrey returned his attention to the city out the window.

Geoffrey had a great deal to do. The Majora would need to be warned and escorted to safety in the castle without being noticed by the assassin. The Mitagi made a terrible error in allowing a grand occasion to welcome the princess. They believed an assassin would not dare expose himself, but he did. And he showed himself to be greater than they feared.

The trial of Ganondorf Dragmire would need to be put off or rushed. They could not afford to keep it on proper schedule, as the assassin would find that predictable and possibly make another move. It was better to throw him off by disorganizing Zelda's schedule. Zelda was insistent on eventually meeting him face-to-face, and from what Geoffrey had seen of her, she was a stubborn one. She would try to meet with her would-be killer with or without permission. With that in mind, Geoffrey thought it better to work with her and merely attempt to modify her plans, instead.

Defensively, all they could do was lower the risk of anyone getting to her. Geoffrey knew that wasn't enough. What of the offensive? What options were there in finding an assassin who kept eluding them? The assassin was an unknown: unknown skills and unknown origin. The one thing that was known was his skills were unparalleled and he aimed to kill valuable targets.

Geoffrey put a hand on his sword and scanned his surroundings. "I should set a guard for myself, as well..."

-Zelda-

Zelda was displeased with the meeting. So far as meetings go, it went as well as it could have gone: she had the full support of the Mitagi and Sheikah clans in securing the city, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She had come to the Mitagi Fortress to make a social obligation, to show her face to the Mitagi in a pleasant light. She needed to advertise her role as Heir Apparent and the kind of wise leadership she would have as king to more people. Instead, she was nearly assassinated and found the crown jewel of Qin defenseless before what was likely a single man. She could not expose herself outside of the castle. She felt Geoffrey would allow her to see Ganondorf Dragmire, but he would have heavy demands in ensuring her safety. It appeared she could only trade one prison for another.

The sound of squealing snapped her from her morose thoughts, and Zelda left her bedroom door to see Sarah chasing Malon through the halls. The guards at every corner smiled, and Zelda took a moment to bask in it. The innocence, the simplicity of some people, truly made her marvel. Even in such dire times, Sarah found ways to move through it, to endure, and to help others endure.

Stolen novel; please report.

Link passed them but was nearly knocked down by their erratic running. He shook his head with a smile.

"Did it go well?" Zelda asked.

As Link got closer to her, his smile dimmed. "Depends on your idea of 'well.' We found the woman and questioned her. Ouhon did not find any reason to doubt her. I reported as much to Geoffrey, and he believes that to find no enemy is as good as finding one."

"I will take his word for it."

"He also orders me to return to your side."

"Anything more?"

"I expect he will tell you his thoughts himself. It's not my place to say."

Zelda raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh? That's unusually respectful for command. Are you going to develop table manners next?"

"Respect for command, my ass! Geoffrey is a man I respect."

"And I am not one you respect? You have never given such an obligation to me."

Link waved her off. "Bah! You're different."

"I would very much like to know how," Zelda pressed.

"Because I would never dream of giving Lord Geoffrey a gift!" Link laughed. His laughter grew as Zelda staggered forwards and gave him a baffled expression.

"You? A gift?" Zelda scoffed. "Surely not."

"It is so! A gift you've never had, too."

"Oh? I own large partitions of land, the capital, the wealth, and people within it. Then I have cities outside of my land at my allegiance, as well as their wealth and people. I have armies. I have the throne. Was is it you possibly think I do not have?"

"Okay, okay, you own much, your highness." Link bowed sarcastically. Zelda smiled again. "So let us make a wager. I shall give you something you have never possessed. Something good. If I am right, you owe me."

Zelda sat on the bed's edge and looked up at him, pondering his little game. She couldn't help but smile. Link was, in his own way, trying to play the game of politics, favors, and debts. It was a small and simplistic version, so Zelda did not fear. She was rather amused and found it fun.

"And just what would I owe you?" Zelda asked

"Hm... don't know yet. I'll come up with something. The last time you owed me, Ganondorf mentioned I could have asked to be a ward to a noble," Link joked.

Prince Link.

Zelda stared at him, wide-eyed, after the terrifying thought jolted through her head. She suddenly felt like a bucket of ice fell over her head. But just as quickly as she felt it, Zelda composed herself. She hoped Link would not notice, but a subtle shaking remained in her hands.

What could she do? Zelda feared. As much as she wanted to dissuade her worry, it seemed reality continued to slap her in the face. Looking back, Zelda recalled Ouki and his pension for games. Perhaps there was a lesson to be learned and used in it.

"And... If I were to win..." Zelda cleared her throat. "If your gift is already in my possession, then I would ask that you try to surprise me again."

"Oh? You think you can take me on again?" Link jeered.

Zelda rolled her eyes. "It truly baffles me how you have yet to learn your place, Monkey."

"I'm a stubborn one, that's my charm. But enough out of you! Close your eyes! Put out your hands!"

"Keeping my eyes closed in your presence is dangerous."

"Please..."

"Fine, fine," Zelda sighed. She closed her eyes and put her hands out. "I swear, Monkey, if this ends up being a turd, I will have your name officially changed. When you finally become a great general, it will be under the name: The Great Monkey of Qin."

"I can live with that."

To Zelda's relief, what he placed in her hands was not a turd. It felt like a light construct of polished wood. Zelda rubbed her fingers across it and found bumps, ridges, and a light layer of polish.

"Open," Link said.

Zelda looked down at the white fox mask with confusion. Of all the things in the world she could imagine, this was not among them. She expected a weapon, an animal, or perhaps even clothing that he thought she would look good in. But a mask? She thought. A child's toy?

"I can see from your confusion that I have victory. Your mind is blown with the smartness of my gift."

"You are right to say my mind is blown," Zelda mumbled. She turned the mask over and around in her hands. "It's a mask."

"It is," Link agreed with a knowing smile. "I am sure you possess many, somewhere."

"Then why do you look so much like the victor?"

"Because what I offer is more than a mere mask. If you will humor me a moment: put it on... please?"

"If I must continue with this charade until you are satisfied," Zelda sighed, "I will." She put the mask on. To her relief, there were eyeholes and a slit to breathe through. Link took her hand and guided her over to the changing closet. "You play a dangerous game, laying your hand on me. I can have your head for this."

"Yeah, yeah. I am insolent. I am a lowly monkey before your holiness," Link said sarcastically.

Zelda laughed. "And don't you forget it."

Link brushed aside the curtains from where Zelda would change clothes. Zelda frowned. The mirror was still there. "Sarah! I said to put that mirror away!"

Link hushed her, "No, no, Zelda. This is the gift."

Zelda frowned. She struggled to see him through the small eyeholes. "What are you talking about?"

Link stepped in front of Zelda and tried to look into her eyes through the mask. Zelda had beautiful green eyes, always capable of showing who she was. At times, they were as cold as the iciest tundra, and other times as fierce as a fire. They could be blank like an empty mask, revealing nothing. But worst of all, they could be like a ghost, haunted and empty.

"You hate mirrors. I don't know why," Link began. "I cannot claim to know why, but I think it is because you hate yourself. You hate your own appearance. You chose a common concubine instead of a truly beautiful one. Perhaps you hate beauty because you are beautiful."

Zelda didn't know whether to glare at him, kick him, or blush. She was less prone to lash out at things that reminded her of her mother than other things, but she still didn't appreciate a reminder of her being brought up. All the same, Zelda decided to patiently watch and listen as Link spoke. She couldn't help a deep blush hidden behind the mask. It was awkward for her to be described as beautiful by someone she considered a friend, not to mention a man.

"Your point?" Zelda pressed. She succeeded in keeping her tone level.

"Close your eyes, and after a moment, open them and look straight ahead," Link said.

Zelda's ponderings deepened. So he wanted her to look at herself? He was getting on very thin ice, but Zelda was willing to trust him enough to see where he was going. Zelda closed her eyes and then opened them again straight ahead at his word. She saw herself. As she predicted, she saw herself.

But it was also not Zelda. It was not her mother's eyes, nor her mother's face looking back. It was not her own face. It was that of a white fox. A painted animal with Zelda's hair, clothes, and body. For all extents and purposes, Zelda still saw herself, but her appearance did not immediately bring harsh memories. It did not make her revile or hate what she saw.

Zelda stared into the mirror. For the first time in her life, she looked at herself and did not feel the overwhelming instinct to crack the image to pieces.

"It's a mask, yes, but I think it's one that suits you." Link smiled as he stood to the mirror's side. "I think a chance to look at yourself without wanting to kill a man is a gift to you... and to your victims."

Zelda turned and smacked him on the shoulder. Link laughed and pretended to cower but paused when Zelda stumbled in place.

Link frowned. "Zelda?" He extended a hand, but Zelda knocked it aside. Her breathing grew erratic.

"Leave me," Zelda whispered.

"Zelda... if I offended you I-"

"I said to LEAVE ME!"

Link gulped, bowed, and left. He gently closed the door behind him. Zelda then shakily reached up to her mask and removed it. She turned it around to look on its painted side. Tears fell onto it.

"Thank you..."

From the hallway to Zelda's room, Link sighed. Malon cried as she held the disturbing mask of the Gerudo woman. Sarah gave him a scathing look while hugging the girl.

He felt he just couldn't do anything right these days.