-Kanyou, Capital of Qin-

Link could only stare, slack-jawed and numb, as Ryo Fui and Riboku shook hands. He wanted to say something but could only draw a blank. It wasn't like he could add anything useful anyways. What they were discussing was so far over his head he could barely grasp it. He heard a lot about borders, what-if's, who attacks who or who defends who, several names he didn't recognize, and then the word 'alliance.' When alliance popped up, however, Link knew without a doubt that these two men, in only a few minutes, had accomplished something only the greatest of generals could hope to accomplish in years.

The handshake ended, and Zelda requested everyone stand by comfortably as a feast was prepared. Servants quickly brought out pillows for guests to sit on and rushed to the kitchen to prepare. Zelda left as well, leaving Impa and Ryo in charge.

Impa said to the now idling crowd, "Everyone, this will not take long, so please be patient with us. We already have much of the means prepared for a feast in the hope this occasion ended on a positive note. Now that our hopes have been realized, we need only bring it together."

Her words seemed to do the trick, as everyone milled about peaceably. Impa sighed in relief. She had half-expected them to grow irritable at waiting to eat and ruin the positive turn of events.

Impa faced Ryo after her explanation. "Chancellor Ryo, would you be so kind as to stay and help keep everyone appeased?"

"I think my abilities would be better suited to managing the staff to create an incredible feast," Ryo argued.

"It would be, but you have done enough. For now, let us do the rest," Impa replied. She left before he could argue further.

Ryo sighed in defeat, causing Riboku to chuckle. Riboku said, "It would appear the women have kicked you out of the literal and proverbial kitchen, dear Ryo."

Despite the heavy atmosphere, those that heard him laughed, the loudest being Ryo. "Perhaps you are right!"

Back in the crowd, Link couldn't just sit and wait to learn more about what really happened. He was too antsy by nature. Knowing this, he worked his way out the backrow, entered a side door, and made his way through the halls. Solitare followed him, uncomfortable in the crowd. She pulled up her scarf again but left her hood down in order to keep from looking like an assassin.

Link caught sight of Zelda in a large room keeping watch on the feast preparations. A few servant masters commanded the staff, and Zelda stood by to make sure everything was perfect. Every now and then, she made a statement for something to be adjusted.

Zelda ordered, "Don't put Kei Ki next to Matsubi. Last time they came near each other they almost killed one another. Also, don't let him sit near me, Lord Geoffrey Mitagi, or Riboku... and sure as hell not near Ryo. The last thing I need is those two together. You know what, just put Kei Ki either with the heaviest drinkers or on his own. He may get along with Duke Hyou. Next, I want the tables lined up this way," she turned along the wall, "so it lines up with the windows and the sun won't blind half the room."

"Hey Zelda!" Link called. He ran into the room, nearly knocking down a servant carrying stacks of plates on his way. He stopped as he came near, and though he was happy to see her, she did not return the sentiment.

"Yes...?" Zelda asked.

"What?"

"Can't you see I am busy?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?!"

"I am. I saw you in the crowd, but- No!" Zelda threw her hands up at the servants. "Don't put the Ki and Mitagi together! And don't put Kei Ki with the rest of the Ki! Just put him in the corner!"

"She really is busy," Solitare whispered.

"Anything I can do to help?" Link wondered.

Zelda spun back to them and deflated. She was tense but felt no need to be cold here. "Sorry. Link, I think it best if you let us handle this. This is my responsibility... Normally, an heir wouldn't play a part in this, but I need to be sure it goes well. Just rest. If you insist, you can take a chair and keep me company."

Link smiled, quite liking the idea. He grabbed the closest two chairs in sight and put them against the wall where he and Solitare could sit next to Zelda. The servant masters gave him dirty looks, but Zelda stifled them with looks of her own. Many of the servants smiled, though. They recognized Link and found his presence in the palace to be a good one.

With things running mostly in order, they were able to talk about all manner of things. Link complained about Ouhon, who was no doubt getting more victories in his absence, mentioned how nice the fortress barracks were and how tired he and his men were, the unique ways they won several battles, and whatever else came to his mind. Zelda mostly listened as she kept guiding her staff, but she took some moments to comment and offer bits of advice. Zelda's biggest surprise was to hear Link actually got one of his men to teach him how to read and write.

True to Impa's word, the preparations did not take long. Having someone to pass the time with certainly helped, as well. The tables and chairs were out and only needed to be placed with their respective guests. Names were written on labels of wood and placed to aid in this. Drinking bowls were set with various utensils and plates. Barrels of various alcohols were lined up to the side, intentionally closer to the Ki family. The dancers and musicians were ready to act. The Fae agreed to fly around just out of reach, as their presence was a fascination in its own right. All that remained was the food, which was cooked and waited in another room.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Within a matter of minutes after finishing, the room was filled with men drinking and eating. Kei Ki gambled that he could outdrink everyone, a challenge Duke Hyou and Moubu took him up on. Matsubi was placed among the Mitagi, where they seemed to get along. Various Sheikah came out of hiding to give themselves presence at the event.

"Where do we sit?" Link yelled over the festivities. Solitare shrugged. She didn't know, and it wasn't like he was going to receive an answer anyways.

He saw Zelda sitting at her own small table, but it was cordoned off from the rest of the room and under guard. It seemed she wouldn't be eating amongst them. Resigned, Link entered the bulk of the crowd to find a table with a few empty slots. With music playing from every direction and dancers everywhere he looked, it was a feast not just for the stomach but all the senses! He stumbled several times just from the intensity of it all! Eventually, though, he found a gap to sit.

Despite how incredible the feast was, the atmosphere still felt tense. Few families actually spoke to each other, rather, they gave sideways glances to those around them. Most of the activity came from the already drunken Ki and conversations inside each family. Link did not understand why, but there was a deep rivalry between the various houses fostered by the Traitor King: a rivalry Zelda had been hard pressed to side in.

"Soli, hold our spot here. I'll go get us something to eat," Link said. He hadn't gone an inch before a servant approached him.

"What would you like?" A servant asked.

"I... I don't know what there is," Link replied. The servant rapidly listed off what was available. "Well, I guess that works. I can go and-"

"Not at all! You are our guest! Sit, and we will bring it to you." The servant gently forced Link down.

"I... what?"

"It is called 'service,' young man," A noblewoman across from them said. "You don't have to go and get it yourself. Just tell them what you want and they'll go and get it for you."

"Really?!" Link gasped. He and Solitare rushed in deciding what they wanted. The servant bowed and left. Link watched the guy go. "I know what I've been missing all my life."

"I take it you have not been to many feasts," The woman mused. She smiled in amusement.

"I have, but never one with servants." Link smiled courteously. "Thanks, by the way. I am Link." He leaned across the table to get a better look at the woman. "You look familiar... Have I seen you at a barracks, somewhere?"

The woman returned the smile. "I know who you are, but it is a pleasure to meet you in person under these pleasant circumstances. I am Kaine."

"You know me?" Link wondered.

"I should say we do, young Link." Riboku sat across from Link and next to Kaine. "There is no reason why I wouldn't remember the unit and it's captain who slew General Fuuki. By the way, that was Ryo's spot."

Link froze as soon as Riboku arrived.

The man on the horse who shot Ouki was right in front of him. Link's blood pumped hard in his ears, and all of his instincts flashed into action. Link leaped back, reached for the Spear of Nayru, and glared.

He froze again. There was no spear on his back. This was a feast. Under his feet was another table that he had jumped onto. Food, utensils, and pottery were scattered aside by his sudden movements. Men scowled at him. This was not the place for a fight, nor for his battle instincts to kick in, Link realized. He didn't need to look around to know he was the center of attention. The music had stopped, and the dancers were hesitating.

Kaine jumped up as well. "You idiot! We are allies now! What are you-" Riboku put out his hand to silence her.

Riboku looked at Link. "A special unit born in the battle that took Ouki's life. It was you that his body was placed upon as he fled to where he would ultimately die. It was you to whom he gave his spear, symbolizing the passing on of his legacy. Correct me if I am wrong, but you also witnessed his death, did you not?"

Link simply glared at Riboku. He didn't know what to do. He had already screwed up by causing a scene. He couldn't just prostrate himself in apology, someone as prideful and childish as him could never. But he couldn't continue as he was doing and attack the man, either. Locked between two powerful forces of thought, Link didn't move and continued to glare.

"Ouki was... no. Ouki is an inspiration, isn't he?" Riboku continued in response to the silence. "The way he lived under the attention of all nations as if the rays of the sun were always on him offers proof of the greatness he wielded. I understand why you would be angry. He was someone special to you, but look around you. Do you really think Ouki was not special to these men as well? We are in an alliance now. I realize some may see it as temporary, and I would expect only some to be happy by these arrangements, but even so, everyone is enduring it. It is too late for anyone to make a move to kill me with permission from the state, despite whatever your feelings may be. Even should you try it... you are simply too small in a world too big."

Link straightened. Now he knew what he wanted to say.

"Don't think me so small that you underestimate me," Link declared. "I am happy to see you come out of this alive. It gives me the opportunity to defeat you, out there, properly. Ouki didn't just inspire me or leave me a spear. He showed me how to climb and struggle against the world, how to fall from a great height and still rise, and how to see the world from his eyes. I may be just a 300-man officer right now, but I will climb my way up until I reach you... until my name is known even by the heavenly realms and I stand as a champion among them. When that time comes, I want you to remember this moment and this declaration: I will defeat you."

Riboku leaned back, intrigued. "To do that, you would need to become even greater than Ouki, as he was the loser."

"Then that's that."

Riboku chuckled. "Very well, Link. I will remember this. But allow me to give you my counter-declaration: Your spear will never reach me."

They continued to stare at each other until they heard a loud crash from the corner. The men doing the most drinking loudly cheered, and Moubu stood to declare, "There is no more! Bring more!" Duke Hyou joined in, and together they chanted, "Bring more! Bring more! Bring more!" It seemed just Moubu, Hyou, and Kei Ki drank all of the alcohol available.

"Just how much did those men drink?!" Riboku wondered.

For what it was worth, the sudden noise was enough to change the atmosphere. Music resumed, the dancers danced, the drinkers hadn't stopped drinking, and everyone returned to their own eating. While it wasn't the best idea, the talk between Riboku and Link was what they all needed to hear. It was a bit of honest clarity to dissolve the thick atmosphere. Men no longer felt a great need to act or say what they were thinking: a young man had already done it for them. So one could say the atmosphere had become better as the families, who up till now had been tensely quiet, were willing to mingle and interact.

"Oh, Link?" A voice cheerfully sung from behind him. Link got off the table and turned to see Impa smiling. Except it was a very ominous smile.

Ah, shit, Link thought right before Impa punched him clean in the face, knocking him out. She picked the body up and dumped him with the other passed out drunks.

Solitare sighed loudly, and Riboku and Kaine jumped.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," Kaine said. "How terribly rude of me."

Solitare waved them off. "I'm used to it. I just need a drink."

"You may find that difficult with them drinking it all," Riboku replied with a twitch of his head. As he said it, the men near the alcohol cheered as someone else passed out.