Written in Blood

X . A real rag-tag adventurin' crew!

"Wake up!"

I startle awake as I hear the yell shatter the silence of sleep and feel myself being shook with force.

I'm groggy and it takes a few seconds to focus on the face right up against mine. Wait. What?!

I yelp in surprise and scramble away from her face until my bare back is pressed against the canvas wall of the tent. I'm trapped.

"Why are you in my tent?!" I hiss at her incredulously through ragged breaths, my heart pounding in my chest. It was a rude awakening regardless but the fact that it's the always lovely Zelda just makes it exponentially more horrible.

She deadpans me. "... did you forget?"

I gulp nervously, already feeling sweat perspire on my forehead. Geez... she's scaring me.

"Uh... lemme think." I stall, racking my brain.

You cucco-brained moron! I yell in my head. I'm still half-asleep and already running on empty with a shot of adrenaline. My mind is as slow as those iron boots.

"You idiot! C'mon! We've got to go!" She grabs my hand and violently tugs me up. It's a jolt that I lose my balance slightly and almost fall on top of her, feeling her face press into my chest as I try my best not to crush her. Well this is awkward.

"You're still half-asleep... aren't you?" She grumbles, gripping my shoulders  to help steady me while I regain my balance. The princess' hands are so clenched that her nails are digging into my skin in what seems to be an attempt to draw blood. This is mortifying.

"I'm fine. Get your hands off me."

She does as I say and then crosses her arms at me. Guess I've already ticked off one person today. Dohean'll be second.

"Just get ready and be out in five minutes or else I'm coming in and dragging you out. You hear me fairy boy?" There is not even an ounce of diplomacy in her voice, just raw and unbidden anger. She practically throws the words right at my face.

"Yes, your Majesty, although I do not especially enjoy your morbid threats and bossy demeanor." I even bow for extra measure and give my best charming smile, which makes her look even more ready to kill me. Ah, the sacrifices I partake in to make pleasant conversation. I'm kidding, screw that. I'm just messing with her.

She doesn't even give me a response and storms out of the tent in a huff, the canvas flaps swaying severely from the fervor in her departure. Sheesh. Someone's in a bad mood today.

I get dressed without any further complications- I don't want to anger the princess too much... I'll be spending the next day or more with her and I really don't want a knife in my back. There's a clean- and new- tunic lying on the floor (real classy guys) along with the rest of my ensemble, with shoulder guards and gauntlets included!

Zelda's waiting for me when I make it over to her. It's a lot earlier than I'd expected last night, the sun is barely peeking out from over the high walls of the ranch, small pools of pale morning light dapple the field. I can already tell somehow that it'll be another hot one. Don't ask how I know. I just do.

"You ready to go now?"

"Let's go."

———

"Question. Why are we going towards the forest? Kakariko's that way." I point behind me, as the bridge leading up to the village shrinks further into the horizon.

Dohean doesn't even bother to turn his head as he replies, "It's a safety precaution. We'll use the portal to Goron City in the Lost Woods."

"Another question." He sighs out loud, "how do you know about that?" I thought I was the only person who really utilized those! Geez, the more you know I guess.