Dance of Dragons

"I dunno," Konbei answered indifferently as he sat down in a nearby chair. "I live with Gwene now. Officially, and permanently."

"Really?" Sergius said "She's been talking to Zelda about it for a while now, about time she asked you."

"She told you?" Konbei looked across at Sergius. "Though I bet you hear a lot, doing what you do."

Sergius nodded. "She talked to me one time about it, after I overheard them speaking about it." he paused for a moment "Did you have a falling out with your mother?"

Konbei gave an irritable sigh and leant back in his chair. "More like a disagreement," he said without looking at Sergius. "But I don't care."

Sergius nodded "I'm not going to press the matter, but you should make up. Invite her around to dinner one night and show that you were better off moving in with Gwene."

Konbei scoffed. "I have better things to do," he said stubbornly.

"Up to you." Sergius said. "Now, I had best go check on security, they could try come after Zelda next."

Zelda continued to sob quietly, her shoulders rising and falling in an irregular rhythm. She turned her face towards Gwene, her bleary eyes now red and puffy.

"It was awful, Gwene... he was bleeding everywhere and there was nothing I could do... nothing I could do..."

-S-

After her meeting with Ankoku, Fortuna proceeded to cross the desolate intersection and slip into the small, cluttered shop on the street corner.

Gahan trailed her silently, wondering how he would enter the shop without her notice...

It was hard to see Zelda like this, she too was sad, Danphes had been like a father to her, he was the one that had helped her get into the army and introduced her to its decorated General, and never hesitated to help her when she needed it the most.

Tears began to come to Gwene's eyes "Zelda..." she truly had no words of comfort, but she could relate to a certain extent, he father had too been taken away before his time due to an incurable heart condition.

She smoothed a comforting hand on Zelda's head, hoping to calm her down "Sit up, let me comfort you."

Zelda pulled herself up, practically flinging herself into Gwene's arms. A voice in the back of her mind was screaming at her for showing so much emotion, but she paid it no heed. 

-S-

As the Gerudo girl was observing the curiousities in the shop, a rough voice called from somewhere in the back:

"Whaddya want, kid?"

She stepped away from the glass vial she'd been looking at and approached the desk. "Uh... a certain kind of literature."

She nearly jumped as the owner of the shop emerged. He didn't much look the part of a shabby shop owner, but she was sure that was better than what she had in mind.

"Well don't you sound like someone with class." He crossed his arms. "We have spellbooks, rituals, how-tos, contacting the dead... cough it up, now!"

She blinked. She wasn't used to this callous treatment, but she was going to let it slide. "Black magic, if you please."

The man froze for a moment. "Why'd you be dabbling in something like that?"

"I'm not! I just need it." 

Gwene held Zelda tightly, she couldn't fight back her tears any longer, she smoothed her hand over the back of Zelda's head, hoping to calm her. "It's okay, let it out." she sobbed slightly.