When Zelda first responded, Byrne looked up at her with incredulity from his position on the ground, as if he couldn't believe that the princess hadn't already stooped to his aid. Pressing the hidden switch that opened the passage seemed to him to be a sign that she had decided to be helpful after all, and he was already clambering shakily to his feet when he found a brilliant, glowing bow drawn at him. He flinched beneath the glare, and it illuminated his hateful and confused expression. To see that he, an important agent and a strong warrior, would be threatened in such a manner by a person he served surprised him immensely. No matter how much he wanted to shield his eyes with his new hand or growl 'do you have any idea how dangerous that it?' to Zelda, he realized that if he did she could very well shoot. He endeavored to derive some sort of compassion from her face, but found it more hardened than sorrowful. Faced with the arrow's point, Byrne could only obey its wielder helplessly. It infuriated him, but, spurned on by the pain and confusion he felt, he did it all the same.

As he walked ahead of her through the tunnel, he rubbed his elbow woefully, not bending to the humiliation of raising his hands. There was no seam between flesh and steel, but he didn't feel the air on the limb either. It was as much weapon as body part. The only sound in the passage was the steady, light hum of the magic weapon, and its radiance shone upon the walls. He walked quietly, only grunting when he stumbled over the occasional stone, making sure to play up every little misstep in the hope of garnering some sympathy.

-=-=-

“Lady Midna! Lady Midna!”

The Twilight Princess turned to look, while Zant, who had succumbed to a bout of brooding, remained still. Hurrying toward them was the Goron Gorko, clad in his usual adventuring gear. Not only did it suit him better than the cheap cloak he had worn in the Magtail Fort, but it also helped differentiate him from the ruffian that had attacked Midna. In his hand he held a scroll of paper, white except for a few spots of rain, much unlike the rough, tan ones that he kept on his person. This did not go unnoticed.

“Back so soon? Wonderful! Have you found us a task...brother?” The melodic, lilting voice of Midna carried a definitive note of excitement.

“Yes ma'am!” Gorko exclaimed, shoving the paper toward her. With a delicateness that very much contrasted her companion's action, Midna plucked the scroll and began to read. Unbidden, Gorko spared her some time. “It's a beastie! Not too far away, maybe ten miles, there is a copse of woodland in the center of a prairie. Since it's the only source of lumber and water in the local area, some villagers are building a trading post there.” He paused, savoring the rapt attention paid to him by the Twili—event Zant, now. “In that little wood, however, there's the beastie they call Arrghus, a big, floating thing with a huge, bloodshot eye! It attacks anyone who comes close with magic. When will we go?”
Midna's brows furrowed. “Tomorrow, but...we?”
“Yep!” Gorko grinned. “Wouldn't want to miss out on this for the world!”
“I had planned for it to just be Zant and I. You are welcome, I suppose, but...”
At that moment, Zant cut in. His tone had regained its evenness. “Actually, why don't the two of us go? Just Gorko and I? It'll give you more time here.”
“You are being oddly chivalrous, Zant. I trust you haven't forgotten how much I enjoy using magic?”
“Of course not. It's just...I feel it would help me get some of my...frustration out of the way. Wipe clean the slate.”

Midna looked skyward. The rain had really loosened up; trickles of afternoon daylight were beginning to slip through the cloud cover. “...Very well, if you insist. I almost feel bad for this creature.”
“My thanks. We will go at once.”

At once, Zant sped away. Gorko spent a moment looking between the two Twili, then rolled up into a ball to pursue Zant.