We emerged from the hidden paths along the cliff side to see Hanaka's team riding to meet Moira. We dropped down into an alley and sprinted between the houses. Jorn shouted, "Da!"

Hanaka turned away from Moira and we ran into his arms. Hanaka glanced over Jorn's battered form giving a look to say we'd discuss the reason later. Rashan and Toria jogged past to Gret. I saw Gret return her embrace and looked to judge Moira's reaction. She was frozen in place staring at Sheik, expression pale.

Hanaka cleared his throat and left us to greet the lost prince. Gripping Sheik's shoulder, he asked, "Who have you told, lad?"

Sheik looked to Quent who still wouldn't look at him, eyes wide, with a stuttered breath. Hanaka nodded and said, "Perhaps we should take this to your village hall, Councilwoman."

Moira still hadn't found her voice, so she nodded. Clearing her throat, she called to her clan and the villagers present. Hanaka informed, "The gorons and a party of zora are following our advance guard. They will be here shortly to further discuss our battle plan."

I was about to speak to the eagles when Talona called to us. Jerry, Ben, and Talona walked from the villagers. Malone smiled and hugged her. Ben and Jerry folded their arms in perfect synchrony near Tarok and Nadav. Hanaka held a hand out to keep me back and went to greet them.

Holding a fist to his chest in the salute between equal warriors, Hanaka said, "I am King Stormtower of the tribe. Linore has told me much about her 'uncles'. You have my eternal gratitude for what you've done to keep her safe."

Ben held out a hand which Hanaka shook. "She is quite a force to be reckoned with. No doubt she gets that from her family."

Kylar put a hand on Hanaka's shoulder and barked a laugh. "So you know that side of her as well?" He raised an eyebrow in my direction and winked, making me blush. "Our queen knows her own strength. Come, you should be part of the discussion, armorer."

Ben inclined his head and matched our step. "I wasn't aware anyone still remembered those times."

Hanaka pulled Kylar to his hip and assured, "The days of hylian splendor will return, and you will once again be in service to your rightful king." The sheikah seemed to bolster by the gerudo king's words and I lifted my head in pride. Reaching for Sheik's hand, we led my team to the village hall.

I stood at Jorn's shoulder where he understandably took a seat due to his injuries. Moira stood near Sheik and Hanaka and Kylar stood across from them. Quent folded his arms and leaned against the wall near my team. He kept casting glances at Sheik, though from his angle, Sheik didn't notice.

Moira filled in the blanks of what was happening within the clan, including the corruption of elder Daniel. "In hindsight, I cannot fully say when the enemy infiltrated our ranks, but I do not believe it could have been longer than the witch-queen's systematic execution. Still, that leaves many months where our movements have been exposed."

Hanaka nodded. "It will not matter. Everything she learned through that spy is going to be useless once we've joined forces."

A sheikah ran in proclaiming, "Elder, the Zora and Gorons are here!"

She nodded and asked, "King Hanaka, will you join me to greet our allies?"

Hanaka grinned and gestured with a wide arm, "After you, councilwoman."

They left and Jorn put his head on his arms sighing. I sat beside him and gently traced circles on the back of his hand. He looked sideways at me and wearily smiled. Sheik sat on his other side and suggested, "You should rest, Jorn. We won't be discussing any true battle plans for a while."

"Come, love," I said while pulling on his hand. "Let's get a little shut eye."

I let Jorn lean into me as we left. Stephan signed in passing, "I'll fill you in later."

I signed back an affirmative, then we were outside. A crowd lined the thoroughfare where the war parties met. Jorn and I wandered through back alleys until we reached Ben's home and I let us in. He looked around the humble abode, but said nothing before I took him to the mattress behind the blanket curtaining off my living space. He eased down with a groan. I sat beside him and called up my magic, using the last of my energy to heal him now that I knew we were safe. Then we both passed out.

I finally awoke when the sunlight streaming through the window told me it was past mid-day. Jorn was sitting against the wall looking at various pages of parchment. He looked over and brightened up. "You're awake."

I sat up and stretched. "Vaguely. What time is it?"

Jorn shook his head. "I've been dozing all day. Da forbid me from helping with the war effort until you were conscious. I think you've been asleep nearly a day and a half. Much has changed."

I noticed I was once again wearing the white dress I had while living with Ben when I stood. "We should go find him."

Jorn nodded and we left the house. Much had changed. The people that moved past strode with purpose. The hylians were taking initiative, no longer living in fear, though I saw no children or women who were not equipped to fight. Gorons, zora, hylians, and gerudo worked in unison preparing the city. Defensive constructs separated the streets, forcing any attacks that might reach this far to be directed where our army had a strategic advantage.

Jerry called us over where a stall had been converted into a rations distribution center. He handed us a portion of food and we ate on our way to the front lines. Every gerudo warrior saluted us and the zora followed their example. Thankfully, the gorons didn't go for the traditional hug. Our patrols could be seen from the top of the staircase of the canyon village.

Hanaka's pennant flew near the front line, a fortified battlement running a length of the river. When we reached them, Sheik was directing his clansmen. The circlet he wore sparkled in the afternoon sun. He was young, but there was no denying the blood in his veins. The prince was a king in the making. I called his name and saluted. Sheik saluted back and said, "I hope you're rested."

I grinned. "Never better."

Quent walked up then and said, "Good. Our days are limited before we attack."

I raised an eyebrow at Sheik, but he simply blushed and refused to look at me. Interesting. Jorn asked, "Where is the witch's army now?"

Quent came over and held up a map for us all to look at. I noticed Sheik stand slightly closer than comfortable and Quent shifted to give him space. Oh goddess, it was happening! Jorn remained oblivious as he pointed to an obvious line drawn across the map. "This them?"

Quent cleared his throat and lowered his brows as he concentrated. "Yeah, leaving us a near clear shot at castle town."

I chewed my lip. "How old is this intel? Have our spies uncovered anything about her generals?"

Quent said, "We have yet to hear from the spies who left this morning, but from what our reports at dawn said, there isn't anyone particularly 'leading' her army. It doesn't make sense."

"Sheik," I said, drawing his gaze to mine. "We must be prepared. I... I think this is what my father trained us for."

He nodded. "We'll be ready."

Jorn wrapped an arm around my waist and faced the field. "We'll all be ready."