Rahzel Farrow worried her lip in thought. This could be what I'm looking for, but I could be creating connections where none exists. Deciding that what she was reading was the answer to her search, Rahzel bookmarked the book with a red ribbon. She quickly stole a glance at the single window in the library which would normally be curtained, but now was opened. Rahzel frowned, I probably have a half an hour before he comes and we have to leave to meet the Table. Personally, Rahzel couldn't stand these meeting, but they were probably the most exciting part of her role as the second knight of wisdom.
"Dreams sure lose their grandeur when they come true," Rahzel mumbled to herself as she stacked the book she was reading with two others on the desk. Rahzel then pushed herself away from the desk and stood up. She walked to the window looking out to the sky. With a sigh, she closed the curtains leaving the library in a shady twilight lighting. Gathering some of the books that she had pulled out before, Rahzel begun to put them back in the shelves that they belonged to. She had slid the last book into place when a door slammed open.
"Number two?" an angry voice shouted sending a shiver down Rahzel's spine. Rahzel quickly jogged to the library's entrance. She slowed slightly when she reached the source of the shout. She looked down at her feet when she saw the anger on the man's face.
"I'm sorry for making you wait," Rahzel apologized hoping to calm the older man's anger. She lifted her gaze to have it met with his cold brown stare. She cast down her eyes again.
"The meeting is in ten minutes you should be dressed already," the man growled.
Rahzel bowed fervently, "I'm so sorry. I'll be ready in a couple of minutes." The woman ran to her quarters which were in a room in the corner of the library. Shutting the door behind her, Rahzel let a sigh of relief. The other knight frightened her so much and she knew better than to keep him waiting.
Rahzel removed her tunic and grabbed a roll of bandages that were laying on her dresser. She wrapped these bandages tightly around her meager bust. She then quickly pulled a black tunic over her head. The tunic was slightly large on her, but it didn't matter to Rahzel. Grabbing the cloak that was hanging on her bedpost, the woman shook it out. Rahzel pulled this black piece of fabric over herself tying it across her shoulders. Rahzel then pulled back her long hair and tied it into a small knot at the base of her neck.. She then pulled the cowl of her cloak over her head. Rahzel looked at her red albino eyes before placing a bone-white mask on. The mask was plain and had no markings beside the two thin eye slits. Rahzel shook her head to ensure that all her silver hair was secured. Satisfied Rahzel pulled on a pair of black gloves and left her quarters.
Rahzel hurried to the door and her superior. She met him with more bows and apologies. Rahzel gathered the pile of books she marked into her pouch. The man looked over her. He nodded once before opening the door and leaving the library. He spoke to her when the door closed behind the pair.
"You remember your limitations?" the man asked briskly walking to the edge of the small island.
"Of course I do." Rahzel answered. Realizing the annoyance in her tone she quickly said, "Yes sir. I do." The man appeared to have not heard her first sentence for which Rahzel was grateful for. Her superior ran off the edge of the island whistling shrilly. A brown Loftwing caught the man on its back. Rahzel followed the other knight's actions.
Rahzel could see a flash of white feathers before she landed heavily on her Loftwing's back. The large bird didn't mind the extra weight and continued following the brown bird. Rahzel tried to think of something besides her own nervousness and fear because she knew that Pearl, the Loftwing, would sense her insecurity. Unlike most knights of Skyloft, Rahzel's connection to her Loftwing was very weak. She couldn't even sense the large bird's presence and the telepathic connection between the two was dependent on touch.
Rahzel looked over at the vast sea of clouds. The stories that were told to her as a child whispered in her mind. The surface didn't exist; it hadn't for centuries and if it still did exist it was inhabitable. Rahzel herself found it hard to believe that the small islands that dotted the sky where all the Skyloftians were it. She couldn't imagine that the world was this small.
Pearl dived as she tried to grab a small bird. Rahzel was jolted to attention. Rahzel took this jolt as a warning to stay on her toes. The knight guided the bird to rise to the same level as her fellow knight. Riding into the setting sun, Rahzel squinted to see their destination. It was a small island smaller than the one that held the library. This small island held a single building on it; built around the time when the Skyloft islands were raised, the all laws were created here by the Table. This ruling body consisted of the six Golden Knights which where the strongest two knights from the three orders (Wisdom, Courage, and Power) and the three most senior staff member of the Knight Academy.
Rahzel angled Pearl to land on the small island. When the large bird touched down, she folded her long white wings. Rahzel slid off the bird and gently gave it a pat before the creature took off. Rahzel straightened her mask before following her companion to the building.
The older man stopped at the door. Rahzel understanding what he wanted from her gave a short bow in apology before opening the door. The first knight of wisdom entered followed by his second.
"Ishcard, Jerald," the headmaster greeted as the pair entered. The headmaster like the other members of the Table was sitting at the large hexagonal table in the center of the room. Rahzel remembered her first meeting when she asked why such a large table. She had learned a lot that day including that the table was hexagonal so a mock Triforce formation could be made opposite of the headmaster.
Directly opposite of the headmaster were the Knights of Power and from there the seating chart was arranged. "Humph, late as always," one of the knights of Power spoke. He teased the large spike of his red hair up.
"Durk, that's no way to speak to them," the man sitting to Durk's left said. The man to the left of this interrupter placed his hand on the other's shoulder to quiet him.
This man spoke, "Please excuse my second, Durk. Ishcard, Jerald, sit down so we can begin this meeting." Both of the standing knights took their assigned seats.
"Thank You, Aelfraed," the headmaster spoke drawing the knights' attention. "As you all know today was the Wing Ceremony." The knights nodded their agreement. "I know each of you were busy with your duties and were unable to watch…"
"Who won?" Durk asked excitedly, "Was it my younger brother?"
The headmaster sighed, "Link won, but that's not what we've come together to discuss. When Link was riding with my daughter, a large tornado threw her off her Loftwing."
"Is she okay?" Aelfraed asked.
The headmaster shook his head, "No one was there to catch her. She fell below the clouds. This is why I asked you all to meet here today. Jerald, I know you have been researching the surface for years. Did you find any evidence to a survivable environment below?"
Rahzel swallowed nervously and turned to Ischard. Whispering, so only her superior could hear, "There is a prophesy of a maiden that would be snatched from…" The man held up one hand to tell Rahzel to stop. Rahzel clammed up upset, but not willing to defy the man.
"He said that there is no evidence of any life on the surface. Zelda is most likely dead. However, Jerald is willing to continue searching the records for more information."
"Until we know more about this strange tornado, I recommend that all citizens of Skyloft stay grounded," Aelfraed suggested.
"I second the motion," the headmaster agreed.
Rahzel grit her teeth angrily. They are just going to let Zelda wander alone in a hostile environment. "Sir," Rahzel shouted in the lowest voice she could make, "If you allow me, I would like to search for Zelda." Rahzel ignored the death glare her superior gave her. She knew the consequences of her action and would take it later, but right now she had to save Zelda.
The other knights stared at the now standing Rahzel. "I forgot Jerald. This situation must remind you of your sister. … I'll allow you to search for my daughter," the headmaster said. Rahzel nodded and sat down. A couple of more items of business were discussed before the meeting was adjourned. The knights filed out of the meeting house one by one.
As Rahzel walked to the edge of the island tailing after Ischard, she could hear the second knights of power and courage conversing. "What happened to Jerald's sister?" one asked.
"She fell off Skyloft. No one has seen her since," the other answered.
Rahzel ignored their conversation and continued to think about the prophesy that she mentioned to Ischard. "Issy, where are you leaving in such a hurry?" Durk's voice called. The knight of power threw his arm around Rahzel's superior. "Alf and I are going to Lumpy Pumpkin for a drink. You want to come with?"
Ischard chuckled, "That's very tempting, but I need to help Jerald to find more information about the Surface."
"He can come, too. He used to love Lumpy Pumpkin before that incident," Aelfared invited.
"You mean he loved Kina," Durk said with a chuckle.
"It's been a long day, but maybe next week," Ischard said before launching himself off the island whistling. Rahzel gave each man a bow before following her superior.
Pearl faithfully appeared catching the falling knight. Rahzel urged the bird forward. Once she reached Ischard's side, he spoke. "You understand what you did," the dark-haired man started.
"Y-yes. I almost gave myself away, but they would have…"
"Silence," the man shouted causing Rahzel to flinch unconsciously. "They could have discovered that your not Jerald. It is treason to impersonate one of the Golden Knights."
Rahzel was silent. Anger began to overcome fear. "Then you must understand. If I'm convicted, I will bring you down with me. I asked for the position, but…"
"Silence," the man shouted. Unlike the previous shout Rahzel knew that if she wasn't silent she would regret it.
Pearl cooed in a comforting manner. Rahzel quickly changed her thoughts hoping to hide her fear from the large bird. She tightened her grip on the bird's white feathers as she saw the Isle of Legends. With a name like that you'll expect something amazing, but all that was on the island was a large library. The library was built as the headquarters for the Order of W, but all of the knights (except for Rahzel) in the order lived on the residential islands that dotted Skyloft. As such the building became deserted; after all, why stay in the library when there was a great big unknown out there to explore.
Pearl landed gracefully on the island and Rahzel slid off the bird's back. She wordlessly followed her superior to the library. Once the large pair of doors closed behind Rahzel, she clenched her fist. Just as she expected, Ischard's hand made contact with her masked face. The force made her wobble on her feet. She straightened herself when a knock came from the door.
"Go," Ischard growled pointing to Rahzel's quarters. Without looking at the man, Rahzel left without a word.
In her room, she sighed in relief. Whoever was at the door they just saved her. The loud voices of Durk and the other Golden Knights calmed Rahzel further. With the other knights here Ischard would be too busy to bother her the rest of the night. She would also be able to leave before they wake up the next morning. By the time she returned, Ischard would have cooled down.
Rahzel removed her mask a smiling gracing her face. Rahzel shook her hair out before preparing for bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
LOZ-LOZ-LOZ-LOZ-LOZ-LOZ
Rahzel awoke and stretched. She then put on the outfit she had at the meeting. Once satisfied, she left her room. She had her sword and shield under her cloak, her bag of books and a pouch full of empty jars. Leaving the unconscious men in the library, Rahzel headed to the Bazaar.
Her bird landed in the plaza and Rahzel dismounted. The island was slowly waking up. Not wanting to be the center of attention (as most Golden Knights were), Rahzel ran inside the Bazaar and into a body running out. Rahzel fell onto her rear. A hand was held out to her and she accepted the help.
"I'm sorry, Sir," the person said. Rahzel waved off the apology. "My name is Link. I've always been a big fan of yours." Rahzel once again waved the boy's comment. The boy gave a quick bow before running off. Rahzel s watched the boy and was shocked to see a blue hilt peeking from behind a wooden shield.
Didn't think they gave the newly graduated knight's such nice swords. To think, I only got a training sword when I graduated. Shrugging the oddity of the boy named Link, Rahzel bought enough red potions to fill her empty jars. As she was leaving, she heard a voice call her.
"Jerald, would you like a fortune. Just like old times."
Rahzel sighed and knelt in front of the fortune teller. The strange man waved his hands over the crystal ball. His blue eyes fixated on the glowing ball. These blue eyes grew clouded. The man shifted from the ball to Rahzel's masked face worried. "What is it?" Rahzel asked half-way interested.
"Your future… It's shrouded in darkness," the man said worriedly.
"Right and I bet twenty more Rupees would clear it up," Rahzel scoffed as she got to her feet.
"Jerald," the man said as he grabbed Rahzel's gloved hands, "this is the same thing I saw the day your sister fell." Without a word, Rahzel pulled herself away.
She walked out of the Bazaar. Seeing Karane run by, Rahzel stopped her. "Hey Jer," the woman greeted, "What are you doing here? I thought you didn't leave that dusty old library." Rahzel handed the questioning girl a note addressed to the headmaster.
"You want me to give this to the headmaster? Okay, I will, but we need to hang out sometime," the woman said before continuing her trek to the Knight Academy. Now that her errands were done and the headmaster knew of her departure, Rahzel could begin her search for Zelda.
Quickly pulling out one of the books from her pack, Rahzel opened it to its bookmarked pages. And the skyward sword would light the path the hero must take. Rahzel tapped her lip. The earlier passage said that this hero would save the sky maiden. Assuming that the sky maiden is Zelda, the only way to find her would be to get this sword. Rahzel grumbled. How was she supposed to find some weird sword? In her frustration, she kicked a small pebble off the island. Watching it fall, a large green light caught her eye. Rahzel start at the column of light. "Light the path,"Rahzel sighed. Finding the closest launching dock, Rahzel jumped. She whistled for her Loftwing.
"I wonder who found that skyward sword," Rahzel pondered out loud. The bird she was riding shook her feathers. "I know that you don't know, Pearl." The green pillar grew brighter as the pair flew closer. When they were in the center of the light, Pearl jerked back frightened. Rahzel lost her grip on the bird's feathers and found herself falling. She whistled for the Loftwing, but watched as the bird flew out of the pillar.
Rahzel tried to calm her beating heart. Looking down Rahzel noticed that the pillar ended at a hole in the cloud barrier. She fell through this hole. Think Rahzel, you need to slow your fall. A crackling sound reminded her that she was wearing her cloak which could easily double as a sail cloth. Grabbing the corners of the black material, Rahzel gathered her courage and strength. As expected, the material filled with air. okay, maybe I won't go splat. Rahzel confident in her parachute, started to look at where she was falling.
The land was wooded (a lot different than the barren wasteland that she was taught about) and in the distance a large lake shined in the morning light. Rahzel realized that while she was admiring the Surface, the ground was approaching really fast and unfortunately this land was filled with trees. Rahzel crashed into the green canopy and after tumbling through the branches landed with a crash. A sharp pain jolted up her left leg. Rahzel examined the limb and concluded that it was broken.
She sighed, "Great, now I'm in the middle of a strange land with a broken leg and no way to get home." Rahzel looked around to find a straight branch to splint her leg with. Beside a small clump of grass she saw a slightly crooked branch. She reached out to it scowling at her pain. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the branch. The grass moved. Startled she pulled her hand back. The grass stood, or rather the small mammal attached to it stood.
"Don't eat me," the creature begged.
"I won't eat you," Rahzel said as calmly as possible, "I just want the branch." She pointed to the object. The small creature looked at her doubtfully, but picked up the branch. Waddling to her, it placed it beside her. "Thank You, If it is not too much trouble could you find another branch like this?"
"Why?" the creature asked fearfully. Rahzel ignored the creature and picked up the branch it had handed her. She then used this branch to grab another that was out of her reach. When she finished splinting her leg, she turned to the creature.
"You're still here?" she asked as she used the tree she fell off of as a brace. She grabbed a forked limb and turned to the creature. The limb snapped cleanly before the creature spoke.
"Are you a demon?" the small mammal asked shaking.
Rahzel exhaled, "Last time I checked, demons don't fall from the sky. More importantly, have you seen a girl with blonde hair around?"
Before the jumpy creature could respond, a loud shriek broke the calmness of the forest. "Kweh, Kweh," the creature exclaimed curling up so only the plant on its back showed.
"I would run if I was you," Rahzel suggested, "I'll hold them off for you." Rahzel faced the direction where the noise came from; she could hear the creatures frantic steps disappear. Rahzel pulled up her cowl and drew her sword.