Shatter the Sky - Legend of Zelda | Twilight Princess

A Meager Assignment

"There's no way..."

"Well, apparently there is."

"Ordon's like... a three day journey on a fresh horse from here, why on earth would a ragtag, vagabond group of bandits travel all the way down there just to rest?"

"I don't know, Tara."

"What, are they planning a mass take-over of the village? The three of them?"

"No. I wouldn't give them that much credit."

"Nor I..." Tara leaned back into her chair with a sigh, flopping her arm over the back as her darkened gaze rested on the floor in thought.

"I still don't see the problem, Tara. You've gone farther for a bounty than Ordon," her employer said, leaning against a door frame and crossing his short arms over his chest.

"It just doesn't add up to me, Feo," she sighed in a hushed voice.

"Yeah, well, the rupees do," Feoryth said simply. "Really, Tara, its not that big of a deal."

"Fine fine fine fine," she said, flicking her hand back and forth dismissively, "How much is this lot going for?"

"10 for the two lackies, 25 for the ringleader."

"Yeesh... That's not bad. I guess."

"Mm. Its actually very good for the situation. They wouldn't be worth half as much if they were hiding behind the nearest tree outside Hyrule Castle Town. Most of the pay is for the travel trouble."

Tara nodded in understanding before turning a cerulean eye up to the Head of Criminal Affairs.

"Is this the total rupees before or after your commission?" There was a slight pause between the two before a toothy grin spread over the man's plump face.

Tara smirked.

"Of course. Sugar-coating it, are we?"

"Its only a 10% commission, I'd hardly call that sugar-coating." Tara wrinkled her nose at the man. Feoryth was a shorter gentleman in his mid fourties. He had a round frame and a tight, diplomatic smile, of which he had acquired from years of working his way up the political ladder. He was dark complected, and sported a salt-and-pepper comb-over to hide his receding hairline. He wore a deep plum tunic of velvet and leather, lined with white satin.

As Head of Criminal Affairs, appointed by the princess, it was his job to run the prisons and hire bounty hunters for the kingdom. Politician that he was, this man had a good heart.

"Anyway, you've been to Ordon, have you not?" Feo asked.

"I lived there for a year or two of my early teenage years, yes. There is a swordsman there that taught me the basics that started this lovely career," she said, the slightest hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Good. Do you remember the way, or shall I supply you with a map?" The Head of Criminal Affairs offered lightly. Tara shook her head, and told him she was fine. The employer and employee bid farewell, and as she was leaving his office, Tara hesitantly turned back. Something on her mind had been bothering her for quite a while.

"Sir?" she ventured formally. The politician had seated himself behind his desk, and was busying himself with sorting through a mound of parchment.

"Yes, Tara?" he called, not looking up from his work.

"I was wondering... The reason I've been assigned numerous small bounties recently, does it have anything to do with my... skill?" Feoryth paused in his filing. He gave a sigh, then removed his glasses as he looked up at Tara.

"You are still learning. I understand you've passed certain training, Tara. But you are very young. You are yet very unskilled, and there is much still to be learned." He paused briefly to give her a quick, sympathetic smile. "You do have promise," he said with slight reassurance. Tara responded by giving a nod of acknowledgement. "Well. I hope that satisfied your curiosity. Good luck with the bounty," he said as he returned to his papers. Tara gave a short bow, and turned on her heal. Disappointed with the reality she was afraid of, she left the castle slightly disheartened.