The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever. Looking over her shoulder, Zelda wasn't able to see the light of the opening any longer, but that didn't mean they were nearing the other side yet. This was her least favorite part of the journey. She sighed again, tilting her head and giving her mother a bored look.

A pair of footsteps broke the relative silence of Zelda’s retreat, and she glanced over to find her favorite guardsmen bringing water and a parasol. Fergall dipped his chin and Phaedra smirked as they reached her, the former holding the parasol high enough to block the sun without making her feel too sheltered.

Sheik took a hesitant step forward before rushing into the room. She dove under the table, the sound of shouting echoing into the chamber from the hallway behind her and jolting her into action. She recovered quickly and crouched over her dominant leg, the other stretched out for balance. Sheik held a small throwing knife in each hand. A small part of her mind registered how naturally the knives had appeared in her hands and glowed with pride, but she pushed the bright joy down for the moment. She needed to focus.