Chapter One- The Wandering Swordsman Starts an Adventure?

The warm heat of the sun shown down on the bright field as a lone figure walked across the grass. A watchman had seen him coming, and alerted the town. Bells rang as people shouted of his presence. One would ask of who could cause this much arousal in the people.

"Could it be Link, the Hero of Time?" they would whisper to each other.

"No…" would come the hushed reply, "He couldn't be… Link hasn't spoken to Zelda in years…"

"And if he was here too… where's Epona?"

When the figure drew near, they decided it was indeed not Link, but the new Swordsman everyone had been talked about. They were afraid, and hid. Castle Town drew silent in anticipation.

Not much had been known about this man. It was rumored that he kept his past a secret, and only told a few select people. This man's name was Noah.

A few children ran through the streets, and the kittens and pups hid with their masters.

People yammered on in hushed voices, "Where is his army…? I heard he had an army!"

"No… I heard he always traveled by himself… because people were too afraid of the danger…"

"Do think he's gonna try to recruit someone? That would be sooo exciting!"

"What do you think would happen if he and Link met?"

They continued on, and a few people emptied into the streets, curiosity overwhelming their fears.

Outside, Noah neared the gates…

"Ah, the great city of Castle Town!" Noah exclaimed as he reached the drawbridge. He stopped short, and listened. How odd… he thought. He was noticing something was wrong, very wrong indeed. The City… was silent! Absolutely silent! He slowly drew near, and when he did… he saw two figures emerging from the double doors.

Were they leaving, or were they waiting…?

He drew weary. Who were they? What did they want?

Noah slowly pulled his broadsword from a long leather sheath, and inched slowly across the wooden planks, water sloshing beneath.

When Noah got nearer, the smaller figure, a woman, stood muttering something. Her lips moved frantically, pointing a wooden staff in his direction. Noah raised his eyebrows.

He was close to running, or attacking her, but what kind of person would that make him? Plus, there was a tall, menacing male standing close at her side, his eyes narrowed. The woman's face was concentrated, and the man's was firm as he drew his bow.

Noah tried to take a step forward, but found that he could not. He yelled in shock as dark green vines shot up from the ground, entangling his legs. Noah writhed and tripped, hitting the bridge hard. He groaned as the woman stood still and slowly walked towards him, her boots thunking against the wood.

Noah struggled, trying to find a grip on his sword. When a shadow moved across his face, he looked up at the woman in a long white robe like cape, brown tights, small cream-ish colored dress, and honey blonde hair. She held in her right hand, a tall wooden staff with indescribable detail. She was beautiful, but not the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"What do you want mage?" Noah spat. Her dark expression turned bright as a smile widened across her face.

"Food." She said simply.

"Food?" Noah demanded, an irritated tone in his voice. "FOOD?" The girl jumped at the sound of his anger. "You could've just asked! Now get me out of here before I change my mind about not killing you!"

Her mouth dropped, and then her eyes darkened again, and she slapped him in the face with her staff. Blood gushed from Noah's wound.

"What the hell was that for?" Noah demanded, blood dripping into his mouth. This small white-cloaked mage just managed to bind me with magic, and then beat me with a staff for food. Are they some sort of thug, or all just really hungry? He thought.

"That was for speaking so rudely to a lady!" and she released him from the spell. Noah stood and wiped his nose, his sword lying on the floor beside him. The man walked up behind the woman.

"That wasn't very nice Pandi…" His voice was deep and stern.

"Well you should have stepped in!" she yelled, stomping a foot. Noah looked between the two of them.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait… what's your name?" Noah asked, pointing at Pandi.

"Pandi," she said, her back towards him.

"It's a nickname," the man muttered, not taking his eyes off the girl. "And my name is Ric… Short for Ricky…"

"Which is short for Richard, I presume…?" Noah asked. Ric nodded.

"Now, Mr. Man-With-No-Food…" Pandi began, now turning to Noah, "we heard that you are a great swordsman and adventurer."

"And you see, it's quite boring here," Ric added.

Noah stared them and processed what they were saying. After a minute or so is face lit up and he said, "So you wish to join me in my adventures here, that's it! Well, I don't know really… it's really hard to maintain a band of people… and the supplies are quite heavy and expensive…"

"But sir, please… all of our lives here are dull… nothing ever happens… an adventure like this is just what we need!"

"Well… possibly… as long as you carry your own supplies, and have some fighting skill, I guess it would be alright."

"WOO HOO!" Pandi nearly screamed. She jumped forward and hugged Noah, which surprised him. Ric just smiled and put his bow back into its case. After they all settled down a bit, Pandi said, "Wait… you're not mad…?"

"No… why should I still be mad?"

Pandi was shocked, "I hit you in the face!"

"Don't remind me!" Noah grumbled, but with a smile on his face nonetheless. Pandi was shocked, and Ric took a step forward, and stretched out his hand between them.

"I don't support violence!"

"Ric… just shut up… You should've said something before I nearly broke Noah's nose!"

Noah was silent for a few seconds before saying with a little bit of "oomph", "ANYWAYS! Now first we need to head to the Temple of Time. The people I met at a village on the way here said it's an amazing building and a must-see attraction." Noah said, walking across the drawbridge. Ric and Pandi followed patently, finally falling silent.