Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Rebel's War - Aftermath

-Mitagi Fortress-

Smoke and fire rose from the Mitagi fortress. The castle's spires had impaled a dragon high in the sky where it still hung, ominously framed against the backlight of the moon. Without their 'mother' and the Rebellious Hero, the Twilight monsters were easily routed by the Mitagi, who were forced to invade their own fortress and sweep through the ruined streets. Hidden survivors were found and brought to the outside camp. Nearby cities opened their gates to the refugees, along with the Majora ambassadors and Mitagi nobles.

Under the leadership of Geoffrey, the military's efforts to protect and rescue the scattered pockets of survivors went smoothly. Districts were taken back in an orderly fashion, fires were quelled, and by the end of the night, the fortress had returned into his hand. The Fae were found in a broken home protecting the high heir and two of her companions. They were all quickly escorted to the general's camp.

By morning, all that remained was the quelling the last few fires, separately burning the bodies of every monster and civilian, and sorting the survivors out to decide what to do next. The fortress would need to be repaired, homes would need to be rebuilt, and while the Mitagi could afford the costs economically, other damages were done. Many lives were lost, and the reputation of Mitagi and Qin was damaged. The Mitagi fortress, the pillar of Qin that had so long held back armies of the Gerudo, had fallen for the first time since its creation. No matter how brief the collapse, it had fallen. Word of this would spread through Qin within days, and within weeks, all of the nations of Hyrule would hear. Qin would soon face the attention of all their enemies at once.

Geoffrey understood this and the pressure it would bring. Qin would look vulnerable. They had lost two of their pillars, Ouki Mitagi and the Mitagi house's invincible reputation, in short succession. The princess had said before that Qin was bleeding. Whether she considered it merely a speech to put their heads into the game, or if she truly believed it, she was right. Qin was bleeding. Qin was spread thin and crumbling at the seams. Unless something was done fast, Qin would fall and collapse under the weight of its own size. Enemy nations would see its vulnerability and press harder to claim territory. Piece by piece, and city by city, Qin would fall into enemy hands. Finally, someone would pierce all the way through to the capital, and then Qin would disappear.

Geoffrey turned from the meeting with his commanders and found the tent of the princess. He approached it when a guard announced him, and the princess said from within, "Let him in."

Geoffrey lowered his head around the flaps and entered the tent. It was his own tent before, so it was already prepared with a few short-term furnishings. It was still uncomely for a princess, though. Zelda's clothes were torn apart and laid out on a side table. Zelda herself rested on a cot under several blankets. She turned her head to better see her guest, and Geoffrey suddenly felt blood rush to his face. He dearly hoped she was not nude under the blankets. So far as he knew, there were no clothes prepared for one such as her.

He looked away and nodded to the Fae elder's construction near the side.

"He is not present, Lord Geoffrey," Zelda said in a tired voice.

"How do you figure that?" Geoffrey replied.

"Fae may always be still as statues, but there is no glowing presence inside currently. The Elder is resting."

"Ah, then it makes me wonder if he has done this before and tricked me into thinking he was listening when he was not," Geoffrey mused jovially. "But how are you, Princess? Is there anything you require of me?" He still kept his attention to the side.

"It is kind of you to worry. Water would be good, as well as to have my mind at ease."

"Then I shall have a man bring you more water. But what is it that worries you?"