Chapter 11: Clues

"So we come to the real problem," Lord Grendel said. "In that it appears that you acted against the majority vote, Lord Ghirahim."

"Actually, I did not," Ghirahim said, pleased that Grendel lapsed into truth when he was speaking to all of them. "The majority vote was in my favor. All thanks to you, of course." He would have had to deal with the consequences if it hadn't been—there was no way he would have risked Fi destroying everyone in the pit. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary.

Lord Grendel frowned. "Now, I agree it was the practical decision. But certainly you cannot argue that it was the proper one. The votes were-"

"You recall that my vote counts as two, do you not?" Ghirahim asked.

"Certainly. Which means-"

"That the votes were five in favor and four against it," Ghirahim finished. He noticed that Terrin had said nothing after their fight. Even the scraping claws had fallen silent. Most likely he had lost interest in the meeting, and retreated into his own thoughts.

Grendel stood and made an exaggerated show of surveying the demons at the table. "I see—oh, one, two, three...six people here. For a total of seven votes. That is three in favor, and four against. Unless you were voting for our fallen member and the absent Lady Embers as well?"

"I was not," Ghirahim said. "But I have already chosen a replacement for Lord Faust and a temporary stand-in for Lady Embers. I believe I am allowed to do that at any time it becomes necessary."

"Well, yes, of course. But if they're allowed to vote immediately, you might just choose anyone who will vote in your favor on, ah, some item of pressing importance to you. Surely we aren't allowing that..."

"And yet we are. If you would be so kind as to check paragraph 403, line 73b of the Laws of the Diamond Table?" Ghirahim gave him a bright smile. Grendel shuffled through his satchel and grabbed a thick tome. He riffled through the pages and stopped suddenly on one. "And any replacement heir chosen, whether permanent or temporary, will immediately be vested with—oh. I guess you're right."

Of course I am. Why is it that just because you write all these things down for us, you always think I don't read them? "So you see, it was all done properly."

Grendel frowned. "Yes. I guess it worked out for the best. Still, I think we should vote on getting rid of that loophole-"

"Enough with this nonsense," Lord Rend said. "I want to know who these two new members of our Order are." He hit the handle of his machete against the table a couple times for emphasis.

Amelia smiled. "Oh, certainly. Out with it, Lord Ghirahim. Who are you filling those empty seats with?"

Ghirahim smiled. "Well, Lord Faust's replacement you have already met. He stands right in front of you."

Amelia raised an eyebrow, still smiling.

"What?" Grendel said, looking confused.

"Is this some sort of attempt at humor?" Lady Pyre asked.

"Or perhaps you've made them invisible, to increase the dramatic effect of their reveal?" Lord Rend asked, rolling his eyes.

"Are all of you pretending to be blind now?" Terrin said, breaking his silence. "I believe this is possible to deduce by a process of simple elimination. As our lord was addressing the Lady Sirin, and since he is obviously not referring to himself, it is clear that our new Order member is Orynx."

Ghirahim heard a strange choking sound behind him.

Rend and Pyre began murmuring to each other, their eyes darting towards frequently towards the guard.

Amelia's smile widened.

Grendel continued to look puzzled. "Who?"

Amelia laughed. "Oh, Grendel, look a little to the left, and up a bit. Yes, there. Tell me who you're looking at."

"What?"

Ghirahim wished someone could do a painting of Grendel's expression. He gave the portly green demon a wide grin. "Do you have any other questions, Lord Grendel? Or perhaps you could clarify the previous one?"

"I know that is not in there!" Grendel said. "Nowhere does it say that you could choose someone who wasn't a noble!"

"And nowhere does it say I can't," Ghirahim answered.

Grendel shuffled through the pages, apparently stopping at the relevant passage. After reading silently for several moments, his face fell. "I guess—I would like to put this up for a vote to be eliminated in the future as well. Of course, it would not be proper to make it retroactive-,"

In the end, Grendel got half of his way. The ability of new Order members to vote would, in the future, be delayed by one month. But Amelia, Rend, Pyre, Orynx, and Terrin had sided with Ghirahim on throwing out Grendel's second measure. At least, they had taken Orynx's noncommital grunt and nod as a vote to keep the current laws. He had said almost nothing since taking the seat next to Ghirahim. As for Terrin, Ghirahim was very interested in questioning him further about his newfound favoritism. But that would have to wait until later.

After the meeting, Ghirahim returned to his room to ponder where Hylia might be traveling next. Orynx followed him there, his footfalls the only sounds he made. The demon lord settled himself in front of a mirror and began combing his hair. After about a minute of this, Orynx finally spoke. "You didn't tell me you were planning to do that."

"Hmmm? So, you can speak in sentences again?" Ghirahim asked, irritated. "Really, I had not expected that you would try to confirm Grendel's accusation that you were not fit for this role. Was there a reason you were doing your very best impression of a rock?"
"I don't like talking to nobles," Orynx said.

"That will have to change. You don't seem to have a problem talking to me," Ghirahim said.

"That is because you are not a lord. My lord."

Ghirahim laughed. "You cannot be serious. And yet I sense you are telling the truth, as you see it. Please explain."

"None of them are going to take me seriously."

"They can't get rid of you," Ghirahim said. "The law is quite clear-"

Orynx gave a humorless laugh. "Oh, the law. Of course. That also says not to murder people."

"Is that what you're worried about?"

"No. What I'm worried about is the impossible situation you've put me in. I can't speak too strongly for anything, since that will bias the nobles against it. And I won't lie about what I think. So my only other choice is to look like a simpleton. Which I resent."

"All of that is simply untrue. Not all of the nobles are biased against you. Although I could certainly understand if you think Grendel-"

"He is only the most vocal of them," Orynx said. "And the most clueless."

"What makes you think none of them will listen to you?"

"Nobles are taught from birth that those of common blood are worthless. Therefore anything I say will be viewed as worthless. Only Lord Terrin doesn't think like that, and that's only because he doesn't care about such things one way or the other."

"I am of common blood, and they do, at times, listen to me."

"You don't count. You are an extremely powerful sorcerer. That is why you can get away with nearly anything, including that—outfit of yours."

Ghirahim grinned. "Insulting my clothing choices now, are we? I'm hurt. But I refuse to believe that you cannot handle this. And I refuse to choose a different heir, no matter how much you deride my choice of attire."

Ghirahim saw Orynx cross his arms in the mirror. "Fine. I'll do my best. But I despise talking to them."

Ghirahim pondered what could possibly be causing Orynx to withhold his usually strong opinions. Even if he despises the nobles, why wouldn't he simply...? "Wait. Are you—shy?"

Orynx said nothing.

"You are!" Ghirahim said. "I never knew! You hate talking to people—groups especially, I'd guess. You hate their eyes on you. The very thought frightens you."

"I don't usually need to converse with most of those I deal with." Orynx said, gritting his teeth.

"You can kill someone but you're afraid to talk to them?"

"They can't do anything to you after they're dead."

"You're hopeless. But don't worry. I can help."

"I don't want-"

"And I don't care. You will learn to talk. Even to those nobles you despise so much."

Orynx frowned. "Fine."

Ghirahim concentrated for a while on getting the hair on the right side of his face tucked neatly behind his ear. Then a question occurred to him.

"Oh, I wanted to ask—Terrin mentioned that you were in his line. I somehow don't think he meant you were a relative. But do you know what he did mean?"

Orynx grimaced. "I would rather talk to the nobles than talk about that. But yes, I know what he meant."

Ghirahim placed his comb down and turned to face the guard. "Perhaps you would be willing to tell me, then? And also why he spared your life?"

"I don't like to talk about my past," Orynx said.

Ghirahim grinned. "Touchy, aren't we? Well, I am going to be very insistent about this, because it's not really about you. It's about Terrin. I want to know what was sufficient to motivate him to spare your life—despite the fact that he seems to-dislike you."

Orynx sighed. "I'll just have to explain the whole thing. It makes no sense otherwise. But the gist is simple. I saved his life—that's why he was willing to spare me. Not, of course, out of any feelings of gratitude. If he didn't think I could be useful again, he wouldn't have bothered."

"And do you think you will be useful to him again?"

Orynx shrugged. "I don't like him, but he knows a great deal of information—information I might need later."

Ghirahim nodded. "I'll admit, that's part of the reason I keep him around. What did you ask of him?"

"Not anything he was unwilling to give—it was a deal for him, and immensely valuable to me. You recall that Thressan held him captive for an entire year?"

Ghirahim nodded.

"Well, in exchange for releasing him from Thressan's torture chamber, he told me how I could contact someone who was willing to oppose the king."

"Then this is related to what you told me earlier," Ghirahim said. "This was how you met—Releris." The demon lord grimaced. He still hated the long-dead king. Even if Thressan sounded worse, Ghirahim could never think of Releris as any kind of hero for killing him.

"Actually, I didn't meet Releris until after he'd hacked Thressan apart. The contact Terrin gave me was Releris's sorcerer."

Ghirahim raised an eyebrow. "His sorcerer? You mean a bound sorcerer, like I was?"

"No," Orynx said. "This person was allied with him. I don't know what he did to the sorcerer after he took power. Probably wouldn't want to know. Anyway, the sorcerer was a teleporter, like you. His teleporting didn't look like yours, though. He always sort of-melted, and then evaporated away." The guard grimaced.

Ghirahim wondered if the person was an ancestor of his—sorcerers usually passed on the same abilities to their children. The melting thing was certainly different, but that was linked to the teleporter's personality, not an inherited trait. "What did he look like?"

Orynx shrugged. "I have no idea. He always wore a black cloak with a hood, and he masked his voice. Said it was insurance, since he thought I was probably just trying to root out the rebels."

His expression became guarded. "Anyway, you don't need to know any more about that to understand why Terrin spared my life."

"True. But when he said you were were of the same line as him? What did that mean?"

Orynx sighed. "I've changed my mind. Maybe we could talk some more about the sorcerer instead?"

Ghirahim crossed his arms. "You said would tell me."

"I will, of course. I'd just—rather delay explaining why I am as much a monster as Terrin is. Possibly worse."

Ghirahim scowled. "Your guilt-trip is very unhelpful. Could we venture back to the land of useful explanations now?"

Orynx gave him a small smile. "Don't worry, my lord. I don't think I'm capable of feeling enough guilt to go on about it for too long. Anyway, we are part of the same line because we both served, though for different rulers, in the Elite Guard."

Ghirahim tilted his head. "There must be more to it than that. So does Ferrik."

Orynx burst out laughing. Ghirahim was surprised to see that he had trouble stopping.

After a few more moments, the guard recovered his composure. "Sorry. I don't know why that surprised me. I suppose I should have expected it. But no. Ferrik is not like Terrin and I. Not at all. We are from the old Elite Guard-the order of merciless weapons who all but died out with Thressan. I don't imagine there are any more out there, except me and Terrin. The old rulers never revealed to any others how they came to have such powerful guards of unquestioning loyalty. And I never explained to Releris what the Elite Guard actually meant. So he held these kinds of gladiator contests when he chose guards—you know, they would all fight each other and he chose the ones who survived. "

Ghirahim crossed his arms. "That sounds like the type of barbaric thing Releris would do, yes."

"Your method prevents the large number of fatalities his had, it is true. Still, I thought it was actually rather fair-minded of him, compared to how it used to be done—everyone who fought was there by choice, and they knew the stakes."

"Are you saying the old kings did something worse?"

"I would say so. The old kings had guards who were trained from birth to serve in that role. I will not describe in any detail to you what is necessary to induce the traits they desired. I will not help anyone resurrect my line. Let us just say that the end result is a warrior who serves one person with such loyalty that they would not even blink if that person told them to kill their own children and then impale themselves on their own sword."

"I do not think I need or want to know the specifics, then." Ghirahim winced. He considered what he had just learned. "So that is how you and Terrin are linked. And-he feels scorn for you because you betrayed the master you were trained to serve, whereas he serves his long-dead master even now. But since Thressan was never his master-"

"Exactly," Orynx said. "It annoys him, out of a sense of professional pride, I suppose, but he has no loyalty to Thressan."

"I see." Ghirahim frowned. "But if you were as loyal to Thressan as Terrin is to Demise, how did you ever come to consider anything more important than your master?"

Orynx's expression was closed. "It is enough to know that I did."

"I don't understand. You never explained this earlier, when I asked why you rebelled against Thressan."

"You asked then what finally decided me. Not how I came to be able to decide at all. And that is not something you need to know."

Ghirahim gave him a bewildered look. "How can you say that? What if I could get Terrin to forget his insane obsession with-"

"It wouldn't help you with Terrin. It was very specific to me."

"But why wouldn't you want to-?"

Orynx narrowed his eyes. "No amount of threats or promises of reward could ever induce me explain what happened. And the only other person who knows anything about it is dead. So don't waste your time."

Ghirahim scowled. "Fine. Obviously this is a sensitive subject for you. I only wish you had less important secrets."

"It's not important. And I'm not going to talk about it."

Ghirahim didn't think he was going to get any more out of Orynx just then about whatever pivotal event had changed his entire life outlook. He was sure that whatever it was would be immensely useful for him to know. But he had to pick his battles. This one could be fought later. He had other, more pressing concerns.

"Fine. Let's find out where Hylia is going next, then."

Ghirahim could feel time racing away from him. He shoved a stack of books aside on the table and stood, pacing. "Ugh. Nothing in these, either. I want answers! Where is she going? Why is she going there? What was in the last temple she visited?"

Orynx looked up from the tome he was currently checking. "These things take time."

"I don't have time! It's already been four days since she left the last temple. Who knows how far she's been able to get with the help of that Sheikah dog of hers."

Ferrik looked up from the book he was examining. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to find any trace of them outside the temple, my lord."

Ghirahim looked over at him. "You tried your best. Anyway, as Orynx has said, they probably left by magic."

"They must have," Ferrik said. "I even searched inside, to see if there were any clues there. Of course, it's too bad I couldn't check the entire temple. Even with the key in it, I can't touch that last door."

"It's not really the last door, anyway," Ghirahim said. "There was another door inside it, a golden door. Unfortunately, even I cannot-" he stopped.

"Of course," he said, grinning.

"What?" Orynx asked.

"I think I know who can help us with that."

Ghirahim teleported into Link's room. Link was sitting at the table, drawing something. He hadn't noticed Ghirahim yet. The demon lord padded silently up to Link and looked down at what he was drawing. It was an image of Link riding an enormous bird.

"What is that?" he asked.

Link yelled and jumped out of his seat. His charcoal stick had marked a line across the paper.

"Oh! I apologize," Ghirahim said. "I didn't mean to startle you." Ghirahim gave Link a contrite look. But I don't regret it. The demon lord loved the wide-eyed look Link gave him, and the exaggerated rise and fall of his chest.

"Sorry I ruined your drawing. It was a nice one, too."

Link gave him a good-natured smile and shrugged, turning over the papers he had on one side of the table. The last ten of them all showed Link on that large bird creature, in various positions and angles.

"I see. You must really like that creature. I'm guessing it's something you have in your sky land?"

Link nodded. He looked down at the images again, his expression becoming slightly sad.

He probably misses his home. I'll bet it's a great deal nicer than mine. Ghirahim did feel bad, then, knowing that he was the reason the Sky Hero couldn't return. Still, there was something he could offer.

"How would you feel about visiting the forest temple again?" Ghirahim asked.

Link gave him a puzzled look.

"You remember when you saw me, before we fought?" Ghirahim didn't really want to bring their fight up, but thought it would be better than trying to avoid mentioning it.

Link nodded.

"I was trying to open a golden door?"

Link frowned. He turned back to the table and took another sheet of paper, sketching an image on it. He held it up to Ghirahim.

"Ah, yes. Your friend was in there. Of course, as I've told you before, she's long gone from that place—she left not long after our fight. I don't know where she is right now. If I did, I would tell you."

Link searched his face, and tilted his head.

"I want to see what's in there," Ghirahim said. "Of course, I'm sure if there was anything important, your friend would have already taken it. But I need to try to figure out what she's doing. You understand, don't you, that if it involves the Seal, I would find that very disturbing? The Sheikah with her is sure to want to restore it, and drive me and all of the other demons back into the Lower Realms."

Link nodded.

"The door won't open for me, of course. And it's protected by some of Hylia's most powerful magic." Which means whatever was in there was very important to her.

Link gave a smaller nod. His eyes always seemed to be searching Ghirahim's face for something.

"But I am willing to bet that it will open for you," Ghirahim said. "I was wondering if you would help me open it?"

Link held Ghirahim's gaze for several long moments with his intense blue eyes. Then he nodded, more firmly this time.

Ghirahim smiled. "You have my immense gratitude for your assistance, then. Let's see what's in that room."

He teleported them both to the room with the golden door. Looking around, he took some time to admire his surroundings. He hadn't really gotten a good look at the place last time he had been there. It is actually quite stunning. The ornately patterned floor had stylistic tree leaves etched into it, and the walls had marble statutes of enormous birds connected to each other by their wings. In the center of the bright, blue-tiled floor there was an enormous golden sun. An intense beam of sunlight filtered onto it. Looking up, Ghirahim saw a great round skylight. Hmmm. Nice. Hylia does have immensely good taste in architecture, I will give her that.

He turned his gaze back to the golden door, which was also ornately patterned, with a stylized bird just a bit above-center. Ghirahim followed behind Link as the Sky Hero walked up to it. The bird, along with several other parts of the door, began to glow. Link slowly raised his hand and touched the door, and it faded away.

Ghirahim heard the soothing sound of water running inside. He followed Link carefully through the door, first sticking a hand in to try to make sure it wasn't going to close on him. When nothing happened, he stepped quickly across the threshold of the portal.

This room, if it could even be called that, was even more beautiful than the last.

Ghirahim saw they stood on a long stone platform with pillars. Underneath them was a bright, clear spring watered by waterfalls on all sides. The place was part room, part hidden vale. Trees and grass lined the other side, covering a series of small stepped cliffs. Small birds and other creatures dwelled in the place, apparently able to pass freely through the shields that had blocked Ghirahim before. At the other end, a statue of a plump, middle-aged winged woman Ghirahim assumed was supposed to be Hylia stood on a raised platform. I suspect you never looked anything like that, Goddess. Why would you, when you could appear as anything you wanted?

Ghirahim looked over at Link. "It's all certainly very pretty, but I doubt your friend came here to admire the scenery."

Link gave an absentminded nod, his wide eyes searching around the room. He walked forward until they came to the edge of the stone platform. He bent down suddenly, his eyes searching the water. Ghirahim followed his gaze. He saw a few small, harmless-looking purple fish swim by. Link reached out his hands and cupped some water in them, bringing it to his mouth. Ghirahim watched as he drank several mouthfuls of the water.

"Thirsty, hmmm? I suppose the water does look very clear."

Link gave him a smile and stood.

Ghirahim turned to face the Sky Hero, bending over slightly so his face was closer to Link's. "I don't see anything that stands out to me. There must be something here, though."

Link felt his heart beat faster when Ghirahim leaned towards him. The demon lord always seemed to hover close by him. Every time he had brought Link food, or just come to talk, Ghirahim always seemed so intent on understanding him. Even though he had only known the demon lord a few short days, it seemed longer. And even though the demon lord was always pestering him to break his Vow, he still took the time to try to understand Link's gestures and his drawings. Link realized that he had developed feelings for Ghirahim.

The demon lord was watching him closely, waiting to see what Link would do. Link wanted to express how he felt. The only way he could do that was to show it.

Link considered his thoughts. His face suddenly darted towards Ghirahim's, and his lips met the surprised demon lord's. The kiss was gentle, his lips brushing softly over Ghirahim's and lingering there for several long moments. Then he pulled away, his eyes still gazing into the the demon lord's.

Ghirahim felt a sudden swirl of emotions well in him. He could feel his limited self-control crumbling. I was right! What should I do? I told myself I wouldn't—but he's so—perfect.

Ghirahim pulled Link into an embrace and kissed him back fiercely.

Link closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the sensation of closeness he felt to the demon embracing him. Ghirahim had surprised him, by responding so strongly to his kiss. This was—Link was fairly sure there weren't any words to describe the way it felt to have the demon lord's tongue flicking over Link's own, brushing lightly back and forth. His lips pressed firmly, hungrily, over Link's. Ghirahim's hands moved down his back, gloved fingertips pressing into his knight's uniform.

Link had to catch his breath when Ghirahim finally ended the kiss. The demon lord hadn't pulled away, though—in fact, he pulled Link closer. Link leaned his head on his taller companion, listening to his frantic heartbeat and feeling the rise and fall of his chest. Link brushed his fingers over Ghirahim's back, feeling the smooth fabric under his cloak.

"You surprised me, Sky Hero," Ghirahim said. "But this time, I think I understood you perfectly."

Link looked up at him and nodded in agreement, giving Ghirahim a self-satisfied smile.

Ghirahim chuckled. "Well, aren't you pleased with yourself. I must warn you, you have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into."

Ghirahim was right. Link didn't know what would happen now. But he knew he wanted to find out.