Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Ryo's War - Hidden Cracks and Schemes

-Zelda-

Zelda stood in her study while facing the map of Hyrule. It included the nations, the hundreds and hundreds of cities, the roads, the rivers, and the mountains. All of it laid bare before her. She didn't know what it was she was searching for, but something had been bothering her ever since the alliance was made.

"You really should be at the feast," Impa said.

Zelda turned to see Impa with a concerned expression.

"No need to fret, dear Impa," Abhdan chuckled from the doorframe. "I told you she would be here." The old man staggered his way inside and collapsed in a chair. "It is not as though royalty is required to attend. Zelda goes where she wills. More often than not, kings and princes will pass on feasts."

"Be that as it may," Impa insisted. "I advise you to show some face, Your Highness. Let the noble families see you. Say a word with Zhao's Chancellor."

Zelda sighed. "I will, I promise... I just... something bothers me."

"What?"

"The alliance. Something doesn't feel right about it."

Abhdan chuckled. "Oh-ho! So the princess has sensed it too."

"So I'm right," Zelda noted.

"Of course, it is always best to trust one's feelings of trepidation in dealing with men worthy of caution. Riboku is proving to be amongst the best I have seen. In this case, it is a very real 'thing' you sense is wrong. Ryo was able to feel there was a plot at play a year ago, but was unable to do more than feel it because he didn't know there was another player in the game. Now we know Riboku is to be contended with. Riboku has yet again put a plot at play that, while I do not know what it is, I can feel on instinct. Tell me, what does not feel right? Give me the benefits and problems."

"Abhdan..." Impa murmured. "She is tired."

"Shush, don't mother her. This is a teaching moment."

Impa narrowed her eyes at the old man before facing Zelda.

Zelda nodded and said, "It is alright, dear Impa. I will come out when I am done."

"Very well... But I'm staying." Impa pulled up a chair as well.

Zelda answered Abhdan, "It is too equal, the benefits. Zhao receives a clear border between us to focus on Gorondis, and we receive a clear border to focus on Lorule and Termina. Possible benefits... Termina is weakened, we are strengthened with Lorule land, and if we play our cards right in the same manner as King Shorlin, we gain their armies as well by treating them well. We assimilate their strength into our own; we gain narrow borders with Gorondis and Zora. It is a favorable prospect."

Zelda groaned, "Now for the problems. There would be increased borders with Gerudo, albeit small. We would need to rebuild our relationship with Termina or face anger and hate as deep as our rivalry with Zhao. Um... Although if we conquered them next, following Lorule, we would need to seek a permanent relationship with their people... one started with a setback. The alliance would damage our relationship with Gorondis and Zora because we have always had a positive relationship with Gorondis and by doing this publicly, we will have allowed an attack on them without repercussion. We would... come across as greedy. I would come across as untrustworthy before ever being crowned king; I would be seen as greedy, selfish, and aggressive. A warmonger."

"A warmonger even in the time of war... an interesting thought," Abhdan mused. "You are right in all of what you say. We will have gains and problems."

"These are the things I understand and know... but I still feel there is more. Something I am missing!"

"Your problem, my dear, is you are thinking too big. This isn't about all of Hyrule. This is about Zhao and Qin. Direct all of your attention to that."