(Zelink) The Legend of Zelda and the Last knight- Swords and Roses

Why we failed pt. 23

Chapter

Why we failed pt. 23

A splash from the past

Jun had scarcely turned away from the stairs when Purah swept directly into his path, a fierce spark behind her oversized spectacles. The young Sheikah scientist planted her small fists firmly upon her hips, brows raised sharply as though daring him to move another inch.

"Just where do you think you're off to in such a hurry, little squire? Off to learn more tricks?"

"Uh, t—tricks?" Jun asked coyly as if he had no idea what she possibly could be referring to.

"Or to keep them secret? In any case I need to know how you knew—"

"—Knew what?" Jun cut her off sharply.

"Don't play the child with me. C'mon now, what makes you say what you did earlier?"

"Uh, I was just guessing. I swear." Jun deflected, hoping she'd take the confession of desperation in his eyes as a sign of truthfulness.

"Well, guess or no guess, you're coming with me to help. It's decided."

"What? Help? But I—"

"—You heard me." Purah asked pointedly, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I need you to teach me more of those tricks down at the arena—and quickly. We have a festival to run."

I don't know of any tricks. Just simple truths, you stupid sheikah, he thought and wanted to say. But instead, he just gulped. Just as she tugged on his hand to follow, he froze, his heart quickening as he glanced nervously toward where the disguised Yiga attendant was moments earlier who vanished. The rest of the ceremonial masks to hand out—the key part of their plan—waited below, and he'd already lingered too long. He shifted anxiously, searching desperately for a convincing excuse.

"Well, come on, no time to lose," Purah spun back around to pout at his hesitation.

"But, I, uh—" Jun stammered, eyes darting briefly toward the princess. Zelda raised an amused brow, clearly intrigued from afar. "I have to fetch the masks for the masquerade tonight, the princess asked me so," he managed finally, fumbling for confidence. "The festival tradition is very important, after all. Surely someone else can help you, I mean, it's not like I know how to—it was just a lucky guess, I swear it—"

"—Bugger tradition," Purah scoffed abruptly, cutting him off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Robbie's busy, the princess is occupied with entertaining the easily dazzled, and I've had enough of waiting. Besides," she added pointedly, leaning closer until Jun felt her sharp eyes bore straight through him, "you're the one who made that curious little remark about the pillar, or what was it again you called it, 'control panel', was it? Where I come from, lucky guesses are rarer than dragon scales, little knight. Come, let's see if there are any more gems hidden in that noggin of yours."

Jun swallowed hard, a lump rising uncomfortably in his throat as panic prickled down his spine. "It—it really was just a guess," he protested weakly, his voice betraying more fear than he intended. "Honest, I have no gems in my head. Just silly ideas that's all. Surely, someone else smarter can help you—"

"—Nope!" Purah barked firmly, shaking her head so vigorously that her glasses slid slightly down her nose. She adjusted them impatiently with a shove of her fingertip. "Your guess, your responsibility. And it might just be crazy enough to work with your help to figure it out. Come now, we don't have all day."