LoZ: Dark Times

"What...?" Konbei said, clueless.

"Thank you for coming Auru." Rausten began "I trust you..." he stopped speaking when the Queen and Shadow entered the room, he watched Auru's reaction and listen to Shadow's defense.

"If you two don't mind, we have more important matters at hand." Rausten said, he walked over to the giant table, which had a map of Hyrule spread across it. "First things first, we need to decide what we should do with the citizens, I have a couple of suggestions." he paused before speaking.

"The first being, we draw up all the bridge's into the castle, cutting off access to the Castle Town, from what I have seen, that army can only go where Arthur goes, if he can't access the Castle Town, then they can't. I know this because right now, his access is cut off, thanks to the bridge connecting Ordon and Faron being destroyed, and he is trapped there, but not for long."

"The Second, we move the citizens to a safe location, I think the Hidden Village might be a nice place for them, and we cut off access to them, hiding them. However, there is a risk he will have spies around and they could reveal their location."

He looked to the others "Any thoughts?"

Shadow turned his attention to Rausten, listening as he spoke. He waited until the other finished before crossing his arms and retorting, "Yeah, there's a small problem with that. People aren't cattle, they won't be satisfied with simply being herded someplace, even if it is safer for them." Idiots he thought bitterly, but kept that last part to himself.

"Either we need to make it law and enforce it with what little soldiers we have left," he added with a frown and narrowed eyes, "Or we might as well not even bother, and should shore up the defenses here."

Auru, still surprised by Shadow's entrance and his knowledgeable speech, was silent for the time being. However, regaining his bearings, he frowned as he looked back down over the map. "The Hidden Village should be safe, but is it large enough? We may have to-"

"Did you even hear what I just said?" Shadow growled at him, surprising Auru once more. "It's not going to be as simple as that."

"Where are you?" Gwene asked "So we may help you."

=====

"What would you do then?" Rausten asked Shadow.

"Are your ears broken, too?" Shadow snarled, glaring at Rausten. He was obviously in a foul mood, and his impatience was rising. Rusl as well was growing upset with the boy, and his eyes were narrowed grudgingly in his direction.

"I already said what we need to do. Make an evacuation law and escort the citizens elsewhere, or close up our defenses here as close to the castle and town as possible. Either way," he added with crossed arms, "Offense is the last option we have here. Defense is what we need to focus on- we have to trust the others to get done with their part quickly, and as they're doing that, WE have to take care of the defenses here."

Rusl bit his lip, his frustration rising. Not because he didn't like what the boy said, but in fact, the opposite- Shadow had a point, and obviously knew about war tactics and strategy. But his attitude was far from what the blacksmith was used to, and he obviously had little to no tolerance or willingness to accept social skills. He was too blunt and unsympathetic- perhaps skills that worked well on the battlefield, but in the war room? He had other thoughts.

Sighing under his breath, keeping his jaw fixed, Rusl looked over towards Zelda. "What shall we do, Your Highness?" he asked, his voice stiff yet respectful.

"I... have another idea, but this one is rather complicated, so I need you all to listen carefully." Rausten said to them all.

Shadow raised an eyebrow at Rausten, impatient, but ready to listen.

Rausten then began to explain his plan in precision detail and slowed down to explain the more complicated parts. When he stopped speaking he looked around at the others "That is basically it, does anyone have anything else they would like to say?"

Shadow thought about it, looking away as he went over every detail. However, before he could respond, Rusl beat him to it.

Straightening up, the man said firmly, "I think it's a sound plan, sir. A good defensive offense strategy which is sure to-"

"No."

Furious at being interrupted, Rusl glared at the child once more. "What now?" he growled, irritated.

Just as angry and returning his glare, Shadow whirled on him as he snarled, "That plan is FULL of holes. For one, you have no idea if what you're predicting what Arthur will do is correct. For another, every part of that plan is full of "what ifs" and "possibilities"; there's only one sure thing we know that would happen as a result, and even then I don't like it!" he added, snapping harshly at that last part.

"So what do you suggest?" Rusl retorted angrily, keeping his glare on the boy. "And all you've told us so far are ideas, no solid plans like Rausten here has! So if you've got a plan, then say it! Otherwise-"

"Otherwise what?" Shadow snapped back, cutting him off. "Otherwise, just shut up and obey a stupid plan? THAT sounds like a great idea."

Fed up with Shadow's insolence, Ruslfinally turned away from in a huff, straightening up as he looked back to Zelda. "Well, your Highness? You have the final say."

Shadow was quiet for a moment, before agreeing calmly with a small, yet reluctant, nod.

(I think you mean Rusl, not Rausten.)

Zelda slowly nodded. "I agree with this course of action," she spoke quietly.

Stunned, Shadow blinked once or twice, silenced by Zelda's decision. And yet... Once again... He'd do what she said. Reluctant, and clearly frustrated, he grit his teeth as he muttered under his breath, "Right. Better go get ready, then." Without another word, he turned and walked out of the War Room, not bothering to shut the door lightly behind him.

Rusl watched the boy leave with a frown- he was glad Zelda had agreed with them, but the boy's reaction... Yet he still did what Zelda said, and it was then that he realized, this would be the only way of controlling him. Forcing a smile, he turned to Zelda and bowed. "I will go prepare the evacuation, Your Highness. I will need you to come with me, to make the edict legal." He then glanced over to Rausten, adding, "I suppose you'll go and help the boy assemble the necessary troops for his part of the plan?"

"I will admit, this plan is a big risk, but I've dealt with his kind before." Rausten said "He likes to kill to demoralise his true target, and by killing the citizens, he avoids open conflict and shortens our list of allies. That is why I'm sure he will fall for the trap."

"If you will excuse me, I must get everything ready." Rausten left the war room, it didn't take him long to catch up to Shadow "What was all that, back there?"

Rusl nodded in agreement to Rausten; he was confident in this plan, and turned to Zelda to escort her out.

Meanwhile, Shadow hadn't even looked to the side when Rausten caught up with him. Instead, his face was still firmly set in a reluctant, yet determined scowl, and he kept walking ahead, undeterred.

"I don't agree with your plan," he growled, still walking and looking ahead, "but what Zelda says goes. So, for HER sake..." he added, glaring sideways at Rausten in what could only be described as a threat, "I hope you're right."

"Arthur is a coward." Rausten said "He won't be able to resist the target we are painting, and when his spies inform him, well, I already explained."

"Coward, maybe," Shadow replied simply, looking back ahead with the glare. "But not idiot." He paused for a moment, his arms crossed in thought. Glancing to the side at Rausten, he said firmly, "As for the group that's going with me, you need only bring the best. Those that can listen to orders and won't run away even if they're outnumbered."

"The ones that are out visiting the Light Spirits should be sufficient." Rausten said "I'm going down to the barracks to sort out who will go with you, and the rest to prepare the defenses."

Shadow nodded once, crossing his arms.

"One more thing," he added, turning to face Rausten directly. "If we're going along exactly with your plan, then there will be a good chunk of time in which the only people fighting Arthur will be me and those soldiers." He paused for a moment before emphasizing firmly, his red eyes narrowed dangerously, "Don't you dare give me a commander to give me orders. I'll be in charge of the squad, and those soldiers I'm taking need to know that."

Rausten thought for a moment "It may be difficult for them to follow your orders, but I do have an idea about that." Rausten took the arm of a nearby guard "Go find Seth, and bring him to me immediately."

The guard nodded and took off without hesitation.

"However, if you were to relay your orders through someone they did trust, things would go much smoother." Rausten explained.

Shadow sighed. He'd have to give orders to someone, to give orders to someone else? A stupid secondary procedure which would most likely hurt their overall performance in battle... But when facing the alternative, having to deal with an idiotic commander and watching in frustration as soldiers stupidly follow him... He gave a reluctant nod to Rausten. "I can do that," he said simply. "Who is this Seth?"

"He's a captain, he is rather skilled, but like everyone he has his flaws, but all the men know and respect him." Rausten explained.

Shadow was quiet, but it seemed as it he had disregarded most of it- after all, the one important thing he wanted to hear, wasn't said. He frowned as he asked, slowly and firmly, "Will he follow my orders?" His devilish smirk then came back, fangs and all, as he said with a grin, "I may not look it, but I've led troops in war before. Only, thing is, mindless shadow monsters are a lot better at following commands than stubborn, free-willed soldiers."

"There is no reason he shouldn't." Rausten said "He has respect for those with experience."

Shadow nodded. "Good," was all he said, as the two waited for Seth to come.

A few moments later, a red haired man wearing shining armour walked up to them "Sir, you summoned me."

"Seth, this is Shadow." Rausten gestured to Shadow "He is going to be leading our forces for a little, excursion you will all be undertaking."