-Zora Cavern, Link-

The following day Link rose from the water early. The light was low in the caverns and guards stood at the far end of the tunnel. Len was nowhere to be seen, so Link did some exercises while he waited. He kept it light.

Len arrived and checked on his bandages. She continued to show amazement at his progress. "Do all huma heal like this?" She asked.

"Nah, I have always been special. Needed it too. Otherwise I would be long dead." Link commented. He raised his arms as she changed the skins. "I can't begin to tell ya how many times I've been kicked by a horse, hit on the head with a beam, swarmed by demon chickens..."

"I don't know what this 'chicken' is, but it sounds dangerous. May I advise avoiding them in the future? I would say you are well enough to leave my care and meet with Siren Prise. Just come in every morning for a bandage change for the next week."

"You got it." Link agreed.

She escorted him out to the waiting guards and the warrior Zora took him further. Link's head spun constantly, looking at every little thing. He nearly stepped on a Lesser Zora, one that looked remarkably like a spider and accidentally kicked one of the hunch-back turtle ones. Zora were in such variety! Some slithered, some walked on legs like man, some had really tiny legs like a spider. One albino looking Zora stood ten feet tall and was as thin and gangly as a young tree!

The outer wall of the massive cave had a spiralling ledge that reached ever higher up to the ceiling, as well as down into the water so far the light could not reach. It was from this ledge in which all other tunnels started. A few rope bridges extended across to give a shortcut. Water flowed down the spiral in a gentle manner due to the waterfall at the top that flowed off the edge into the pool below.

Nearer the top of the spiral, where the great waterfall entered, was another tunnel with guards. A set of red curtains with a three-pronged spear symbol on it covered the entrance. Link was escorted within.

Within the small tunnel, Link realized this was their form of a home. Down a step, Link stepped into still-water ankle deep. Around the room were an assortment of furniture that was the weirdest looking he had ever seen. Several were a kind of giant mushroom with hundreds of wavy arms reaching for the ceiling. Giant shells glowed dimly on the walls. A long yellow-squishy sponge sat by the wall, on which a Zora relaxed. He saw a Zora sitting on one amidst the wavy arms leaning against them as if it were a chair. From the bone and scale armour he looked like he was from the warrior caste of a higher grade than the others.

Two more Zora entered in. They both looked reminiscent of the Siren caste. The first was average height and build in comparison to a man, and had a distinct feature of having fins on his legs and arms, although not looking near as sharp as the warrior Zora. From his build he was masculine and older. He had some wrinkles, but the biggest clue was the almost sickly shade of his scales and the sleight difficulty he had in walking. He took his time and sat at what looked like a polished rock in front of the mushroom with wavy arms. He leaned against the wavy arms.

The second Zora to enter was the same Siren Link had seen before. Princess Ruto. She was just taller than Link. She was also flat-chested, which by Link's first impression, meant she wasn't yet physically developing as a woman. Though one can easily argue he is just putting human standards of woman onto her.

Despite these things, the thing about her to draw his attention most was a metal clamp around her lower jaw up to her nose-gills, and the defeated look in her eyes. She walked two paces behind the older one, like any obedient slave would, and kept her head bowed only looking at the floor at her feet. She kept her hands clasped before her.

And this was a princess.

What. The. Realms.

The impression he had been given by Len was that these Siren were the rulers, the slave masters, and were utterly terrifying, yet one Siren was sickly and old while the other, the one supposed to be princess, was the most whipped slave he had seen. She could very well be whipped and beaten for all he knew.

There was something going on here. Link felt he was in the midst of a storm of problems and cultural differences and political intrigue, and none of it was making any sense. What were these Zora doing here? How did Ouki come to know of them? Why did Ouki kick him off the cliff? Why were the Zora people seemingly hiding a fear for a girl who was even more terrified and submissive than them? Was this Siren a slave master to other Siren?

And just where the Realms was his sword, Midna?

The warriors that escorted Link put their hands up before their eyes and lowered a knee. Link glanced at them curiously. Not wanting to make a bad impression, Link bowed in the way of Qin. This was, after all, the first time he had met a new people since the Majora who had not sacked him.

"Rise," Siren Prise said.

The moment the first sound left his lips, Link felt something come over him. The voice was beautiful, eloquent, clear. A small part of himself was compelled to obey. Link wasn't just compelled, he wanted to obey that voice. His limbs yearned to listen and obey the sweet voice, so alluring and divine.

A small part of himself at least. It was enough to shock Link. Sweat appeared on his brow as he realized the Gift of Voice was a real thing. These Siren truly had a power of sorts to compel obedience. Link grit his teeth and growled inside himself. He had been a slave all of his life. He would be damned if he allowed himself to take a step backwards.

The warriors around him immediately raised themselves to their normal position, but Link kept himself bowed for a long moment longer. It was as much so Link could compose himself from his shock as well as to test his own ability to resist. After a moment, Link raised himself. It was only polite, after all.

Prise tilted his head to the side slightly. Looking long at Link. "Tell me: What is your name, huma?"

"... Link." Once again, only polite. Link felt his lips open of their own, but forced himself to hesitate. "I am a soldier of Qin in the service of High Princess Zelda."

"I... did not ask you that." Prise hesitated ever so slightly, seemingly caught off guard by the additional information.

"I know," Link replied simply. The warriors glanced to each other.

"Link, tell me: Do you know who I am?"

"I'm told by the doctor to call you Siren Prise. I imagine that is not your name in your... language." Link wasn't sure what their language was called unless he wanted to say 'tongue of Zora'.

"You are right to say Prise is not my name, but it is as close as your huma tongue can pronounce it." He commented. He ran his hands across the polished stone resembling a table. He motioned to the two Zora escorting Link. "Leave us."

The two departed.

Prise returned his attention to Link. He motioned to another mushroom chair with the wavy arms. "Sit. I have some questions for you and I am sure you have no few for me."

Link chose to stand. "I do. First one being, 'where is Midna?'"

"Midna?"

"My sword. It was around my back when I fell."

"Ah, I see. Well, your weapon has been confiscated for now. If you turn out to not be a danger, you may have it back at the centurion's discretion."

"The who's what?"

"Basically if I let you have it back." The warrior caste Zora said from besides Link. So this guy was a centurion. Sounded like a rank or position or job.

"Tell me, Link: why are you here?" Prise asked.

"Because Ouki kicked me."

"He..." Prise shared a confused look with the centurion. "He kicked you? He didn't give you a message or instruction? Nothing for us? Tell me."

Link frowned. The directness of the Siren's words were going to quickly wane on his patience. "Not that I know of. You see, I was sent from the High Princess to him with a letter to be given training by him. The next morning he took me out and kic-" Link stopped. Remembering something. "Actually, he did give me a message just before he kicked me."

"And what would that be, pray tell?"

Link did his best to remember. It was a foggy memory overshadowed by the kick to his gut. He could still feel Ouki's metal boot on his stomach. "He said... when I reach the other side, to tell 'them' he sent me. And he is sorry for the... err- something." Link remembered Ouki had said some words that he didn't know.

"Are you suggesting he sent you here for training?" Prise asked. "Surely not! He would not risk us like that!"

"Siren, if I may." The centurion spoke.

"Speak."

"Ouki Mitagi is a brilliant and wise huma, and we are here because of him. Do you think Ouki, in full knowledge of us, would send him to our very doorstep, without a purpose?"

"But what purpose would that be? The boy doesn't seem to know." The Siren argued.

Link spoke up, "Why don't you try asking him? Send him a message... or something. I'm sure you have someone who can sneak past the bandit camp."

The centurion said, "It does not work like that."

"What?"

The warrior turned his attention to the Siren. "Siren, the boy already knows of us. And despite your reluctance, surely you cannot deny the boy was sent by Ouki. In addition there is one further proof: his sword. That sword is no commoner's blade. Nor is it the blade of a regular soldier or lowly officer. The workmanship, the attention to detail, the materials, the finery in the grip, it is a sword given to warriors of high rank or service in the Royal Family. I do not know how the boy obtained it, but it leads credence to his statement that he is from the Royal Family of Qin. With Ouki as proof, and the engraving of the Qin royal family as proof, surely you can see there is purpose in his presence. So it is only right he... understand our presence in turn."

Prise looked between them hard. He said nothing for a long moment. Link gulped, uncertain what was passing in his blue head.

"As much as I disagree, you are right," Prise said. "It may be that Ouki sent him here for training. And despite his looks, he could be hired by the Qin royal family. I will trust in your judgement. But do you see what risks you are taking in us... allowing him to understand?"

"I do. I trust Ouki. I will trust in Ouki's judgement."

"Very well." The Siren looked to Link, "Then listen boy, and know-"

"Hold it."

The Siren stopped mid-sentence. The younger Siren stumbled over herself. The centurion drew in his breath through his gills. All of them stared at Link with wide-eyes.

"I never said that I wanted to know why you are here." Link said. "Sorry if I come across as rude, but all I want is my sword. Show me to the nearest exit and I will no longer be your problem."

"How dare you!" The centurion barked. The Zora stood to his feet. "You do not talk to the Siren like that! When he says to listen, you will listen!"

"Why?" Link asked. He was momentarily startled by how suddenly the Zora snapped to anger. "He is not my Siren. I hold no allegiance to him. Last I checked my allegiance is to Qin." Link sighed, and looked to the Siren and bowed. "I am thankful to you for saving me. I am in your debt. Would it be fair to pay the debt with my silence?"

"It is." Prise said. He did not seem bothered by the situation, only surprised and uncertain.

"Then I swear upon my honor that I will not reveal your presence to anyone."

"I accept, huma." Prise said. He looked down his gills at him. "Where will you go?"

"Don't know." Link replied honestly. "Ouki Mitagi would not be expecting me soon. Probably would not want me back anyway... not like he sent me here for any purpose he told me of. I can fend for myself..." Link considered his options. "But I will probably look for an army to join and work my way up."

"Then if there is nothing else, if you will?" The Siren looked to his warrior.

The centurion glared down at Link, and Link returned it coolly. "If you order me to, Siren, then I will obey. But so long as there is breath in my gills, I will not accept this insult to our pride!"

"What insult?" Link wondered. Are you really so full of yourself that you are insulted by me wanting to stretch my legs or not wanting to get involved in politics of nations that I have nothing to do with? Because if there is one thing I've learned, knowing about it, the people tend to expect you to get involved." Link scoffed. "You can kiss my 'huma' butt for all I care."

"You will respect us or I will teach you respect! We healed you when you were injured and you reply with interruption, disobedience, and dishonor. As our guest, you will treat us with respect!"

"Siren, do you feel slighted?" Link asked. The Siren shook his head. "There you go." Link raised his hand in a rude gesture to the centurion. "I ain't taking no shit from you. Don't give a Din how big you are."

The warrior seethed. The Siren looked on worriedly, even scared. Link narrowed his eyes at the warrior centurion. The centurion looked to the Siren dangerously, and the Siren replied by putting his hands up and stepping back. Link raised his brow at this exchange. Was the warrior superior to the Siren? This place was complicated.

The centurion said, "You want your sword back, brat? I challenge you to a duel. If you win, I will give it to you and will apologize."

"And If I lose?" Link asked.

"Then you are mine to do with as I see fit until such time as you learn respect."

Link smirked. He clenched his fists. It was a foolish game of pride. Link paid his respects as best he could, but his mouth got him in trouble as usual. He couldn't grasp this whole 'pride' thing the Zora spoke of, and that was probably why he tripped over it so easily. Now a tall warrior of Zora, and most likely an officer, was challenging a boy soldier of Qin to a duel? This was as one-sided as it got.

Link felt his muscles shake. The Zora noticed and said, "If you beg for forgiveness, I might change my mind. This is your chance to run."

"Who said anything about running." Link smiled widely. "I look forward to shoving your pride where it belongs."

-A little later-

Part of the cavern network was an area where the warriors trained. Most of it was empty, as the Zora did not utilize weapons outside of the natural gifts they were born with. There was scaled or bone armor and use training tools such as weights and targets. Amidst the pile to the side was Midna. Link saw it, and felt assured it was safe.

"Since you, inferior huma, are not born with weapons, you may use your sword on loan to fight as well as any armor of ours." The centurion said. He entered into the ring of shallow water.

Link caught Midna as it was thrown to him. He frowned. He didn't want to bring her into this foolishness, but despite his misgivings and pride he didn't stand much of a chance against the fins on the Zora. Now that Link was looking closely, the front side of the fin was hard bone, like a blunt sword, while it became sharper on the back and towards the pointed end.

Around the room other warriors gathered to watch. Link had become a well-known curiosity in the village as soon as he had shown up. It was hard to keep quiet that a person from another species had fallen into their front door and was receiving medical care, and now had taken up the commander of the village in a duel.

The two Siren's were present. Prise looked curious and unconcerned, while the younger one, Ruto, watched dimly.

"I'll be honest with you." Link hummed. "I don't see what I did wrong."

"Then you are as stupid as you are prideful."

Link laughed mockingly. "You are the one doing this for pride."

The centurion bounced up and down on his feet slightly, with his weight towards his clawed, webbed toes.

"Then why are you here, brat?"

"Because I am too prideful to take your shit without a fight." Link smirked. "Seems we both have a problem."

The arena was a pool of water. It was shallow enough for Link to step into. The water made it up to his lower shins just above the ankle, and instantly Link felt difficulty in walking. It was not to say he was having to fight in mud, but water still slowed him down. The centurion stepped into the water from the other side. His feet were much larger and he was not hindered by the water. If anything, Link noticed his steps were eased... he almost hovered.

Link gulped and gripped Midna tightly. He reached out with his mind to the mark of power on his hand and prayed that Farore was with him. He may have overstepped himself, but Link was too busy mouthing off to care. It was too late to learn

"Fight." Prise declared.

Link stepped forward towards the centurion cautiously with Midna raised. This Zora held himself with pride. Link couldn't tell if it was due to formal training, a bloated ego, or experience.

The Zora bounced on his toes a bit. His fins snapped out straight from his forearm, and in a single movement he was on Link. Link's eyes widened in surprise. The Zora was fast. Far faster than Link expected. In the instant, he had lost track of him.

Instinctively rather than by sight, Link raised his sword to block as the Zora threw a punch at him. The punch missed, for it was not his fist the centurion was using, but his fin. The hardened bone collided with Midna.

Link felt himself being pushed back under the impact. The Zora was strong, and the speed of his blow combined with his speed across the arena was enough to knock Link off his feet. Link stumbled in the water, unable to find proper footing so suddenly.

The Zora, though, did not suffer this problem. The moment he had been blocked, the Zora spun. To Link, it was like a graceful dance, strong and purposeful. Link felt bone collide with the back of his neck. His head snapped backwards as his body was thrown forwards into the water. He landed flat on his face in the water.

Link jumped to his knees, sputtering water. He did not have Midna in his hands. He tried to stand, but a foot planted itself on his back and shoved his face down into the water. Link struggled against the foot. But his resistance did not last, and he knew no more.