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"There are few who see the queen for what she is, wanderer," the guard spoke, still mistaking the guardian for his other persona, "the prince asked for our assistance, and it was given."

He glanced from Midna to Ancwalar. "He will be asked if he wishes to see either of you, but if he chooses not to, then you will be asked to leave."

"They are an enemy clan. They claim to be peaceful, but only because they strike like a beetle as you sleep. They rely on sorcery, not might." The guard spat into the sand. "Her clan want's power, and your sister Goddess would give her the gifts to get it." He made a quick motion to one of his men, "Tell the boy who is here, and ask if he wishes to see them."

The guard nodded and moved towards the sand, finding a hidden string and lifting a hidden latch in one of the mounds. He disappeared beneath the sand quickly.

Before the guard could respond, his man returned and gave a clipped nod. "Shim has cleared them as safe, though he says to be wary of the gray one. Hid loyalties are alligned with Shim's father, and Shim cannot trust his father."

The head guard tilted his head, giving sign for Midna and Anc to follow. He moved to one of the sand mounds, pushing away a layer of sand and pulling back a hidden door, before slipping into the hole. "It may be a tight fit for you Wanderer, but I've heard your size can be adjustable?" He glanced back, not waiting for an answer as he slipped through the hole.

Midna thought, moving after the guard.

The mound led to a tunnel, lit up by luminous moss harvested and stored in small glass vases and pots. It was dim, but functional, and some of the make-shift lights glowed with varying colors. The actual village was fairly deep beneath the ground, and after a good fifteen minutes of travel the guard brought them to a small tentlike enclosure where Shim was sitting on a carpet, waiting for them.

Shim looked to have grown some, still in the transition between boy and man, though his jaw had taken a stronger look and now held a soft covering of dark fuzz.

"Hey squirt," Mid said with a smile. She walked up and gave Shim a quick hug before joining him on the rug.

He smiled back at Mid and then looked to Anc. His smile dropped. "Guardian? Not wanderer." He stood up quickly, his face paling. "By the goddesses tits you left my father's side?!"

Shim let out a long sigh. "God-gifted with Tifa's voice. She can charm, and the more she charms the deeper her hold. I'm not sure the gods are even aware of what it is they gave her." Shim glanced at Anc's bracelet. "Be sure to keep close. I won't doubt she'll attempt to kill him sooner or later. She has what it is she wants, after all."

The guard gave a stiff nod, the saefali having intended to do that very thing.

Shim stood up from the carpet. "That's why I left. She wants me dead, all of her clan does, as I'm one of the few standing in way of the throne. Ever since she confirmed her twins, my fate has been sealed."

Mid raised an eyebrow, "You want us to go into another room so you can do that alone?"