Written in Blood

XXXVIII . Stir-crazy

I think we're all in danger of going stir-crazy waiting for the sun to go down.

I don't know how we'll even make it past the ranch undetected. Even in darkness I know this clump of people will still be an obvious menace. If we somehow manage to get to town without any incidents then they're just toying with us. Because there'd be no way they couldn't see us slowly making our way across the terrain.

I'm situated as far away from the others as I can, leaning against a tree. We're right on the fringe of the forest, barely in the field. When darkness begins to fall thick and fast, that's go time.

I don't know what type of crazy plan Dohean's hoping to pull, but the only way he'll be able to get them some sort of fighting chance would be to catch the Gerudo off guard. But I'm more concerned with my own plans.

After I ditch the others and slip off, stealth will become the key to my survival, at least until I have to clash with the demon king head-on. I'm no Sheikah, but I've infiltrated my fair share of castles and fortresses. I just can't afford to be overwhelmed. It's already one heck of a task within itself to go against one Gerudo, if I get swarmed, I'm dead. Or maybe they'll let him kill me, just for the satisfaction. That blasted creep.

And then there's Impa. She's already made her position on my flight to the castle very clear, but would she actually go so far as to stop me? I can't tell. She's so guarded it's hard to make heads or tails of anything she says or does. The only thing that really seems to make an impression in my head is how much the old Sheikah cares about the princess.

Even back then, all she'd really cared about was her safety. I had one through that haunted crypt, a monster hiding under the peaceful town she swore to protect, and for goddess' sake... she just wanted to keep the princess safe. Even though she seems like such an aloof and a no-nonsense person, she must have some semblance of a soft side. But only a shadow, she doesn't seem like the type. But as the hidden protectors of the royal family, loyalty runs deep. It's in her bloodline, after all.

But I said I wouldn't run away. I'm running straight to that castle and that false king. I know the consequences are dire- deadly even- but the idiot inside of me is as stubborn as a Goron, unable to budge. I've already made up my mind.

———

The last few smudges of sunset are fading into darkness, and the mood has spiked to an even more frantic and panicked energy.

We're all hungry and cold, but maybe it's for the best. I doubt I'd be able to keep anything down. I'm almost to the point of being sick with nerves, and it's getting harder with every passing second to try and keep my resolve.

I glance around at the soldiers around me, locking eyes with Edmund, which is a huge mistake. Rather than anxiety, there's a look of desperation on his face. His eyes narrow into slits, and guilt plunges it's blade deeper into me.

I can feel my mouth open, trying to get out some silent words, but I don't know where to start. I wonder what hurts the most, the fact that I was a dirty cheat, or that I ruined our hunky-dory friendship.

There's a sharp shout and I tear my eyes away from Ed. I bite my lip, trying to draw my mind away from Malon and Ed with the acute feeling of pain. The pain wins out in the end, and I can feel the metallic zing of blood filling my mouth.

Great job. I think as I start to run my tongue over the indents on my lip and gums. My whole bottom lip starts to throb, and the blood starts to gush more. Distractions might as well be my goddess darned speciality. Somehow they always seem to stab me in the back- no... they come right up and run me through the middle. Unflinching.