-Approximately a year since the war with Zhao-

The rest of the year since Ouki Mitagi's death passed with great tension. Qin lost territory, but thanks to the efforts of its army, the loss was well within expectations. Border villages were evacuated further in as the border inched its way further in, squeezing the country together. Link grew, both literally and figuratively. Change in Ganondorf remained to be seen, and Zelda continued her work in the palace, striving to learn, gain prestige, and overcome Ryo.

Link asked Kyo Gai to tutor him in reading and writing, and though his progress was slow, by a year's time, he was able to read basic messages. He also hired a local commander of another unit to tutor him in using the spear. The best in the region was Ouhon, and while Link considered swallowing his pride and asking him, he thought better of it.

Then, precisely a year to the day since Ouki Mitagi's death, Ryo walked out of his estate and returned to the palace. At the same time, Ousen Mitagi moved to the Zhao border. No one thought too much about it until the day a messenger from the capital reached Link. Among the messages was a word, a singular word, that sent Link scurrying onto the nearest horse. He left his unit behind with Kyo Gai in charge and raced to the palace. Sensing a serious problem, Solitare gave chase, but she struggled to keep up with him.

"Link!" Solitare called from a horse behind his. "What's wrong!? What did the man say!"

Link did not answer at first. His mind was abuzz with burning fury. It wasn't until a full day had passed and Genyuu Pass came into sight when he started to slow. They had pushed their horses hard all day and night. Finally, they stopped at early dawn, and Solitare gaped at what she saw. Before them, beside the gate at Genyuu, was a Zhao army. Opposite to it was a Qin army bearing the flag of Ousen Mitagi. However, it was the Zhao flag that drew their attention.

"Riboku!" Link hissed.

-Kanyou, Capital of Qin-

Impa hurried through the palace halls. Her pace was brisk, and her composure was aggravated.

"What does he think he is doing?!" Impa hissed to herself. "Not only did he not discuss this with anyone, but he didn't even bring it up with the princess?! Ryo has gone too far this time! He has completely lost his mind!" Impa found Zelda in her room dressing into a better set of clothing. "Princess, did my messenger tell you?!"

"Yes," Zelda replied. "Help me get dressed. Sarah is at the harem today. We do not have long."

Impa shut the door and helped Zelda into her clothing. If Riboku was making an appearance, then they needed to dress to impress and be imposing. Unfortunately, such clothing was hard to put on alone. Impa assisted her, but as aggravated as she was, Zelda felt her tugs and pulls be a bit forceful.

"Calm down, Impa. You're going to break it," Zelda reprimanded her gently.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but Ryo is not thinking!" Impa snapped.

"In fact, he's doing the opposite, I suspect. Although I would have hoped if he was going to do something outlandish like this, it wouldn't be on short notice."

"You knew he would do something like this?!" Impa gasped.

"Nothing... like this, no, but something," Zelda admitted. "A year ago, Ryo was so very angry when Ouki died. I know he wanted vengeance. So I told him the name of the man who killed Ouki: Riboku. It has been a pleasant year with Ryo otherwise occupied on his venture, but I cannot help wonder what his plan is."

"How did he accomplish this? Riboku was promoted to Chancellor of State in Zhao. That isn't the kind of man who goes into a rival, angry nation, especially one he wounded just for a cup of tea."

"Not unless he heard of the Englishman's tea." Zelda smiled jokingly. "Ooohh! I miss it. I know now why Lord Ouki kept him around all the time. His drink is as intoxicating as his exotic, round-eared charm. Sarah has a huge crush on him, did you know? I can understand why, but can't say I share it."

"Even then..." Impa took a step back, finished for the moment. Zelda turned and let Impa inspect her.

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"Impa, again, calm yourself. It is sad when I am the one who has to tell you to brighten up."

"You're right... I am sorry." Impa took a moment to close her eyes before continuing. "I had the hawkery send a message to the Majora, as well as a messenger to the ambassador, but it will be too late for the Majora to arrive on short notice. Only the ambassador will have to do for now. But should this end horribly, they will all be prepared. The Fae Elder is still absent, and the royal guards are on the alert."

"We will make do," Zelda said. "I must speak with Ryo briefly. I have a feeling I know what he will want from me, but I need to hear it from his mouth. Gather the ministers into the throne room."

"As you wish, your highness." Impa bowed briefly before running down the hall. She yelled out for servants to attend to her.

Zelda asked where Ryo was, and after a short investigation, found he was standing outside on the inner-city walls. Ryo watched as the distant army of Zhao and the army of Qin inched closer.

"I must say that I am impressed, Chancellor," Zelda greeted. Ryo turned, and his eyes widened briefly. "What is it?"

"It is nothing," Ryo dismissed her. "It has merely been some time since I have seen you, and it surprises me how you have grown in such a short time. Would it be too untoward if I say you remind me of your mother when we first met?"

Zelda frowned. She was still uncomfortable with the subject of that woman, but the years had healed her some. "It is inappropriate. You know I do not think well of her; however, I accept the compliment for what it is."

Zelda stopped next to him and looked at what he had been gazing at. "When I had given you 'his' name, I knew you would do something, but this is a surprise. Riboku must be a fool to come here... or did you do something worthy of his presence? I presume it to be the latter."

Ryo chuckled. "That is quite a compliment, my lady. It is true, I caused this."

"And my promise to cooperate with you one day... is that today?"

"It is. Together, we will show Zhao that we are not to be trifled with. We will avenge Ouki in our own way."

Zelda nodded. "Then you have my... almost full cooperation."

"Only 'almost?'" Ryo raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. To his surprise, he didn't have to look as far down as before. She was the height of a full woman.

Zelda smiled knowingly. "You can't expect me to let all of my guard down around you, now can you?"

Ryo laughed. "Then I shall take what I can get. In truth, all I will need is your silent agreement in my plan."

"Just how did you arrange this anyway? I am dying to know!"

Ryo looked at her again. "Getting mighty comfortable around me, are we?"

"I am taking what I can get, like you." Zelda smiled. "It's a rare moment where I can see you in a positive light. So please, humor me. What did you do to bring this about?"

Ryo shook his head with a smile. "Very well. I shall humor you. We have a little time to. I knew what I wanted almost immediately, but getting it? That was the difficult part. I have no doubt you have spied on me-" Zelda smiled innocently. "-and found I have been sending out messages in a flourish. Whether you read them or not matters little to me. They were small things, but together... I used my connections. I used nearly every connection I have in Zhao to pull this off, and I orchestrated them to a plan. A plan to accomplish something no one has ever succeeded in doing in the history of Hyrule... and I suspect, the world."

Ryo opened his arms wide and declared proudly, "I kidnapped the entire harem of Zhao out from under the king's nose!"

Zelda staggered. "You... How many girls!?"

"The count given to me was about one-thousand and two-hundred concubines, with three of them being pregnant. Plus, I took the seven girls and ten boys living there!"

"Children and adults?"

"Yes. See, that is the best part. The king of Zhao has no wife. He is a man of lusts. Those boys and girls make up all of his children, and it shows he is a very virile man. By kidnapping every girl in his harem, including the ones pregnant and all of their children, I have taken not only the harem girls, but the heirs." Ryo grinned victoriously. "The fool murdered his extended family and brothers, leaving only him and his line. Now with all of his children as my hostages... the unborn and the born, I hold the entire royal line of Zhao in my hand. In one word, I can cut off the bloodline of the Zhao royal family, leaving only him!" Ryo clenched his fist. "I hold Zhao by the neck!"

Zelda could only listen in stunned amazement. She remembered the history of Hyrule at a glance, and while it happened that one or two girls were kidnapped every now and then, never had anyone in history kidnapped the entirety of the harem. Were it anyone else, she might consider them mad, a liar, or just lucky. But this was Ryo who did it. There was no man Zelda feared as much, so she knew that there was no one else who could possibly pull it off without a full invasion.

"I can see from your surprise that you like it," Ryo said with a smirk.

"I see why Riboku came, then," Zelda said, processing his plan. "I am guessing he came to negotiate?" Ryo nodded to her question. "Then the king is at least smart enough to realize no one else in his kingdom would have the skill or respect to negotiate such a thing. His kingdom, his lineage, is in question and vulnerable now." Zelda grinned darkly. "I like it. Zhao shouldn't think themselves so great as to think we aren't going to fight back when cornered."

"Yes. And now he is here. Now that the players are here... my war enters its next phase. Are you ready, Princess?"

"All I have to do is sit on the throne and look like I have your back, yes?"

"Yes."

"Shouldn't be too difficult." Zelda smirked. She turned and left.

"Snarky brat..." Ryo whispered in amusement. He wondered where she could have possibly gotten that from. For a moment longer, he stayed and watched her leave. "It wasn't that bad to be on the same side for a time. Pity. I think I'll miss it."