The moment she could do so, Marianne immediately went to check on Commander Tethras. He was, after all, one of the people she had known from childhood. When the princess was little she was often in the company of knights and military men, cherished especially by those who had known her real father in life. Her later life drifted her apart from the barracks, yet there was no love lost between her and her “uncles”.
The commander put his hand on Marianne’s shoulder. "Stay strong. The trials ahead will be perilous, but I know you can manage them. Show what the Royal Family is made of."
Moving her hand to hold the commander’s own, the princess nodded.
“Worry not, Commander. There shall be no stain on de Hyrule’s name as long as I draw breath.”
Her grip on the commander’s tightened, as if not wanting to let go.
“Be careful on your way out. Tell the knights that I am alive and well, and that I shall join them soon. I wish them to hold the line for just a while longer. Take care…uncle.”
Having exchanged their swords so that no one would accuse the commander of deserting his charge, Marianne watched Tethras limped away with a heavy heart. The princess’ expression was unreadable.
Sir Tart seemed to be agitated to strike the baboon down. To his entreaty on how to proceed, Marianne gave a firm nod. She had already figured out that Sir Tart responded better to words shaped as a command. One more thing to help her uncover the darknut's past.
“Stay with us for now and help us fight, Sir Tart. And don’t get too far from us. I…I don’t want to lose you again.”
Her expression softened as she said that last sentence. Already the strange darknut was something precious for her.
And towards another one who was also precious to her, Marianne was worried sick. Though it was not returned.
"No, Marianne," her mentor said softly, "I am not alright."
There no mistaking the worried tone of the princess. “Then, maybe we should rest and-“
But lifelessly, Mrs. von Brandt had walked away, leaving her mid-sentence. Marianne stood where she was, biting her lips, as she watched a distance grew between her and Mrs. von Brandt.
After a while she followed her out of the room, her face confused and hurt. The monkey on her shoulder tugged her hair in sympathy, but the princess ignored her.
They arrived at a bridge stretching over a bottomless abyss. On the far side was the baboon-like creature from before, ready to cut the ropes. Thankfully, both Vlad and Chaska was quick to defuse the situation, displaying the kind of agility Marianne knew so well. She had found him rather odd, especially after noticing the scarcity of information her contacts provided of him after their first meeting. Marianne made a mental note to send an inquiry to the kingdom’s agents in Termina once she returned to the castle. Assuming, of course, that she survived this foul place.
They would cross the bridge, with Josh figured that Sir Tart should cross last. Marianne, however, was adamant not to cross until after Sir Tart had arrived safely on the other side. In the event that the bridge snapped because of the darknut’s weight, if someone had stayed behind they would be able to get to the entrance and sought help from the camp, which would not be possible if they were all trapped on the other side. After all, no one knew what waited for them on the other side, and smart Marianne always thought of all the possibilities.
Thankfully, even though the bridge creaked and groaned and Marianne’s worried eyes did not leave the darknut as it crossed the bridge, nothing snapped. Marianne breathed a sigh relief, though it was cut short by a pain on her chest. Hope that whatever the baboon was it did not have the mind to return and finish what it had started….
“You know,” she said, turning towards the monkey on her shoulder as they carefully crossed the bridge, “I should like to call you something while we are in this together. How does Donna sound?”
The monkey grunted, which Marianne selfishly took as a yes.
Then, as soon as they entered the next room, Donna made a loud screech and stomped, her arms flailing towards something. There, on the far side of the room, was the baboon from earlier. Though it quickly left the room when the party entered, and in its place was caged monkey. Donna seemed to be anxious to get the monkey out of its cage. But alas, a mesh (?) prevented them from getting close.
Marianne wasn’t interested in the Fire Keese. She knew that her companions would deal with them swiftly. And she wasn’t disappointed. Mrs. von Brandt alone had dispatched two of them easily. No doubt the other would follow suit. Instead, she immediately moved towards the mesh which separated the room, barring their way towards the cage and to the hall which the baboon disappeared into. She kept a close watch on the Fire Keese, however, as Mrs. von Brandt suggested. Should they proved too close to flammable vines or foolish enough to try to attack her, she would not hesitate to strike.
“A strong wind can extinguish the flame of Fire Keese, turning them to regular Keese,” she mentioned, to no one in particular. Already she had crossed the room and started tugging at the mesh, keeping an eye on the vines which covered the floor.
“Sir Tart, Sir Josh, you are the strongest in our group." She would address the group once all Fire Keese were down. "
Can this mesh be pulled or torn apart? Or be cut, perhaps?"
Sir Tart Josh Dragelion Ursula von Brandt @vladimir
Chaska I don't fully understand, sorry! So there is a mesh draped from the ceiling to the floor, separating the room? Is it also made of vines? Can they reach the cage if the mesh is gone or is the cage too high up?