Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Interlude - Price of Foolishness

-Zora Cavern, Link-

"We should leave here before we make things worse for ourselves." Link said.

This dimmed Ruto's excitement. "But... I." She whispered. She pouted slightly. It was rather cute, but Link just shook his head and started through the exit. Sighing sadly, she clasped the metal firmly around her jaw again and followed. Link waited just outside the hiding spot and, to her surprise, helped her step out.

"You should probably return to Prise. He can protect you right?"

Ruto nodded. Her eyes conveyed worry.

"Then have a good night and don't fret, I'll be careful." Link smiled. "I'm used to getting in trouble."

Much as he wanted to comfort her, he knew he was screwed. Link watched her enter the hole leading to where the Siren stayed. Link could return to the barracks, but felt it was dangerous at that moment and he didn't want to further impose on Len. Rather, Link returned to the hiding place and sat in a corner to sleep. He would face punishment the next day. His triangle briefly shimmered on his hand.

Link woke and marched to the barracks. His head was high but his heart was low. He knew he was in for it. The Zora parted quickly from him as if he was cursed and the atmosphere was ominously quiet and grim. His heart fell with each step.

He was prepared to be grabbed and thrown before the centurion publicly. What he was not prepared for was for Ruto to be laying there unconscious and bloody.

"What the-" Link felt his heart chill. She wasn't moving. Long fresh scars painted her back.

"Quiet!"

The centurion kicked him in the mouth. He had a whip of cords in his hand. Fresh blood caked its ends. Link grit his teeth and resisted the hold on him. He was lifted off the ground and forced into the wall. His shirt was torn off, exposing his back as he was held by two warriors.

The centurion yelled words in Zora. Words Link could not understand. But the message was clear. He was a public example. The centurion grinned proudly at the spectacle he stood in the middle of.

The first snap of the whip was for show. The next made contact and Link yelled out. There was a second. A third. The centurion stopped and said, "Beg, huma. You attacked your greater unprovoked. Beg and I might have mercy."

Link huffed breathlessly. He had never known pain like this before. It took a moment to focus his thoughts.

Perhaps it was foolishness, perhaps Link just isn't that bright, but he said, "Thank you, master... you hit so good... May I have another?"

Someone laughed.

Instantly a fourth snap cracked across his back leaving a bloody swath, a fifth. Link was whipped a total of ten times.

With each snap the centurion grew more and more angry for Link did not beg for mercy. Link did end in tears, but the tears were of pain and anger. He saw Len watching with dread before turning her head. He saw Prise being physically restrained from interfering as Ruto was kicked around. Not a sound left her nor did she react, filling Link's heart with dread. He had seen the stillness of death enough times now to know it. The warriors all enjoyed the spectacle and the rest... the rest were indifferent.

Just what was wrong with these people?!

At last Link was dropped to the floor, limp and bloody and sobbing. The centurion stood by expectantly. What he had wanted though, he did not get. Link was not sobbing... he was laughing. He was laughing like a madman.

"What is wrong with you all!?" Link yelled. Link raised himself on his hands and knees enough to be able to look people in the eye. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! She is your princess and you treat her like a slave! She lays there dying and not one of you will touch her! Not even those sworn to aid! We are children and you are so full of pride that you get off of torturing us. You are so afraid of your Sirens that you are becoming what you fear! Monsters!"