Legend of Zelda: The Lost Queen

The Beginning of the End

"Bloody wolfos," Link heard his companion mutter to herself as she slammed the hilt of her sword down on one of the icey pests.

He dispatched the remaining ones as she reached him. She sheathed her blade and looked up at the sky.

After their run in with the Hycras, they'd travelled through the remainder of the day, not even stopping when the moon rose. When the sun lit the sky, Tarlien had led them to another cliff, where a set of stairs led, presumably, into Zyconia. It was there, as they paused to regain their breath before beginning the steep downwards climb, that they had been ambushed by a pack of wolfos. The beasts were easy to dispatch, even with what little light they were given by the rising sun.

"It shouldn't be more that two days before we reach Krann's home. You'll have to hide your ears though. It was clever of Zelda to give you a shield without Hyrule's coat of arms on," Tarlien remarked, rubbing her hands together, "once we get down from this mountain, we should find a cave and rest for a bit."

"Good idea," Link agreed, beginning the steep descent, "what's Zyconia like? I never really heard much about it during the war so I could only imagine."

'Lien pursed her lips in thought, "I'm not so sure about now, but back when my mother ruled, it was so beautiful and warm and welcoming. I loved when Taemara would take me and my sister with her on visits to the different provinces. We'd go to the markets and visit the people. I loved when me and Therene would go to the old ruins of some of the ancient buildings. Even when mostly reduced to rubble, they were beautiful and magnificent. One huge, towering spires, now humble piles of cracked stone and debris. My favourite part of all of Zyconia was always the archives, deep beneath the Library. Apart from the fact that I would always be given cake of some sort from Krann every time I visited, I loved reading about my ancestors; the people who's footsteps I walked in every time I ran down the halls of the castle with my sister, laughing until our chests ached or mother found us. Zycopia used to be so breathtakingly wondrous. There was always something to do or someone to meet. Under my mothers rule, Zycopia blossomed into a place where the arts mattered just as much as science or physical fittness. It was a place where people could just belong. Now, it just feels cold and barren. When I flew overhead... my childhood home was gone, replaced by an uninviting wasteland."

"We'll get it back," Link smiled kindly, "when Hyrule was overcome by the Twilight, it seemed almost impossible to regain it but now it stands proud as ever."

"Maybe so but both of our kingdoms are weakening more and more every day in a war that should have never begun," 'Lien stared out at the clouds obscuring her view of the empty shell that Zyconia had become, "I'll fight until the last of my blood is spilt to defend and avenge my kingdom, the problem is, I'm not sure I'll be able to save it in time. My uncle has had a ten year head start on finding the key to shattering the only thing protecting my sister and I know for a fact that he'll be sending out his Zulric followers to find me and kill me. He might value brawn over brains but my uncle is not to be underestimated."

Link laid his hand on Tarlien's shoulder, "well from what I've gathered from Zelda and yourself, neither are you. We'll save your sister."

Tarlien nodded, "we should go. I dont want to waste any time getting to Krann's."

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It had taken them a few hours to reach the bottom of the cliff steps and it was Link who had spotted the cave they were currently resting in. Tarlien hummed as she warmed some of Luda's soup. Link sat at the mouth of the cave, watching for any suspicious movement. 'Lien joined him after a moment. She sat beside him and toyed with a few wisps of shadow in between her fingers. 

"What's it made of?" Link inquired.

Tarlien glanced at him, rocking back on her heals, "energy I think. I never really understood. All I know is that its tied to a Zyconian's life force. I guess it's kinda weird... Is there nothing like this in Hyrule?"

Link shook his head, turning his gaze back to the sky. Tarlien moved away from the entrance of the cave before returning with a small bowl filled with Luda's soup. The Hyrulian nodded his head in thanks, a companionable silence falling between the pair.

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"It's just over here," Tarlien pulled Link through the alleyways of the small town, "keep your hood up. If anyone sees you I'm sure they'll recognise you. Plus I know for a fact I'll be recognised."

Link nodded silently, a wanted poster with Tarlien's face plastered on a sign post catching his eye.

Tarlien stopped in front of a dark building with boarded up windows and the Zyconian gently nudged the door open, noting that it wasn't locked. She gave Link a look that said 'be alert' before stepping through the threshhold. Link followed, darkness consuming them when the door closed. The pair moved back to back as their eyes began to adjust. 

"Oh my!" Tarlien's eyes were wide as she spun around to take in the sight of the ransacked home, "they must have gotten here before we did."

Link turned to look at her, "who?"

Tarlien moved to say something but a voice beat her too it, " Adolmond's followers... Tarlien, it is not safe here but I am glad you are alive."