I, GreenFantasy64 don't own Legend of Zelda series nor the Assassin's Creed series. But I do hope you guys enjoy this story.
My thanks to SweetestChick for editing. : )
Chapter One:
The night brought promises for a successful kill in Dark Link's favor.
Clouds drifted in groups, in which some would block the cheese-coated moon every few minutes. Glimpses of the glow worked with torches from a nearby village of Verona, that the villagers made their living with two calm rivers. Owls hooted somewhere inside the barn that the man stood on top of. His mare waited outside down below, away from the other horses. The doors to the barn were shut and locked to protect the livestock from any burglars that would need a ride or in need of a profitable sell tomorrow.
This kill won't take long, Dark Link concluded as he shifted his footing on the ledge. He would be long gone from here before the farmer could wake up and see a spare, fine horse hanging out so close to his barn.
His red eyes continued scanning the open roads for any guarded carriage that would arrive.
Shad had told him this before he left that evening. This carriage would not be missed as the target would pass by here on the way to Hyrule Castle from Verona. The target being a Lord from Verona with a deep coin purse, full from the taxes collected. A Lord that worked alongside Lord Ganondorf.
His jaw tightened and he leaned forward as if it would make the carriage appear for him. He wore gloves, but that didn't stop his flesh from gaining some red around his knuckles as he gripped the ledge too hard.
Lord Ganondorf, a man that he despised so much for what he did in Dark Link's past. He could see the memory playing again behind his shut eyelids. Burning houses made of clay and wood, silenced people, their terror plastered on their still faces, and smoke choking him to the brink of death. It made his blood boil, having to see the memory over and over again at night or when his thoughts wondered too far. That man would pay dearly for that…for what he had done. And it was only fair for any men and women that worked for or with him to die as many people that Dark Link once knew were slaughtered that night.
This Lord would be shown no mercy.
'Your next target tonight is Lord Ghirahim. He will be traveling at night with protection around him to Hyrule Castle.'
And Shad went into further detail explaining to him about a discovery of this man sending the rupees to Lord Ganondorf, before sending them to the taxer.
Shad, a wise young man that worked with the Resistance, was never wrong on attaining information. The Leader of the group, Auru, had sent in the young man to explain more details for tonight. The Lord would be alone inside the carriage with six guards to protect him. He might also carry an important letter for Lord Ganondorf that will be useful for to the Resistance. Tonight was their chance to kill and gain information, for Lord Ghirahim would stay in heavy protection in Lord Ganondorf's mansion for a few weeks.
Dark Link believed Shad's words—the man was never proven wrong no matter what, as he always did a thorough check twice—and he knew he would never pass this opportunity or wish to fail at all. So he took it without question and went to prepare his supplies: eight throwing knives, four smoke bombs, a dagger, four small arrows, and his trusty hidden blade. Every assassin was required to have a hidden blade on their right arm, a hidden clawshot on the back of the other arm, with a small hidden crossbow on the inside of the forearm.
A hawk gave out a soft cry that made him blink and refocus on his task, ceasing his thinking on the past. The bird flew over his head in slow circles before daring to inch closer. Around its neck a symbol crest laid against its chest: a sword tucked behind a shield with Hyrule symbol—the Resistance sign. The man held out his hand, palm facing up as he saw the hawk holding something within its talons. The bird dropped it to reveal a tiny dagger used to cut up letters.
Seeing its job done, the hawk let out another cry before taking off toward Hyrule Town, also known as the Town of Good Fortune.
He put away the tiny letter cutter into one of his four pouches and stretched his back. The mission seemed to be taking a long time as he calculated how much time he wasted just staying in one spot. The answer: three hours. He glanced back at the moon to see it high above the sky. Thin, spreading lips that showed it smiling down at him.
The moon must be on my side, he thought as he tore his eyes away.
Indeed it must, as he saw approaching glows with the sound of horses and a carriage's wheels rattling from the bumping road. They were coming from the east side, exactly from Verona. He narrowed his red eyes for a better look. Each of the six guards carried a torch in one hand while their other rested on the hilt of their swords. Four white horses pulled along an exquisite golden and black carriage, with hints of orange for rhombus symbols, too. Gold outlined the shapes.
He leaned closer so that his chin would rest against his right knee. His eyes showed hunger for some bloodshed. His fingers started to twitch to grab his sword with both hands and slide it against the Lord's chest to see blood spurt out. He took a deep breath to relax his over-excited nerves. He need to be calm and collected while he did this.
So just as the carriage was going to pass by the barn, the assassin stood up. Then, he jumped.
He closed his eyes and flipped where his feet would touch the ground. The hood that he wore was flipped off, rustling behind his head from the force of the fall, along with his black hair. He held his breath and waited. Just when his feet touched the ground, instead of crashing and breaking his legs from the hard contract he slipped into his own shadow, and disappeared.
~1~1~1~1~1~
The assassin crouched and followed with silent footsteps behind the carriage. Hidden in the dark, none of the rear guards could see him each time they checked behind. Dark Link was glad at discovering how slow the carriage traveled, as if it was taking a leisurely ride for night viewing before delivering tax rupees from Verona.
Readying a small arrow to his crossbow he inched closer to the right side guard. Finished he pointed it to the other guard's neck. His hidden blade slid out with a soft sound that the guard did not catch. He straightened up and plunged his blade deep into the nape of the neck of the guard. He listened to the sounds of the blade slicing up the neck and scraping the bones. The wet sounds of the blood covering the metal as the guard gurgle of the shock of being stabbed. He pulled out his blade, coated in the man's blood and watched as the man started to crumple to the ground.
He pulled the trigger and the arrow flew to its mark. He dashed forward in a hurry to kill another guard. He jumped and buried his bloody dagger down into the guard's back, close to the spine where the heart rested. The guard made a sound in the back of his throat that alerted the last man on the right side. He released the man and dug into his pouch to grab a dagger that rested in line with the others. He pulled it out and tossed it into the chest of the man. He watched as the Verona lookout fell back with a thump, alerting the others from the other side.
Two more guards left to go.
Going for his other pouch, he pulled out two smoke bombs and threw them with force underneath to the other side. A sharp sound was made with two tiny flashes before smoke started to come out of the round shells.
The guards cried out much to the displeasure of the Lord sitting inside who asked them with an annoyed tone of what was happening outside. Instead of letting them answer the noble man, Dark Link slid underneath the stopped carriage and pulled out his sword that had rested on his left hip to do a round attack, slicing both men down. Cries of pain erupted from their mouths.
The smoke burned into their eyes as one tried slinking away as he fumbled to get his sword out. His other hand tossed the torch where he assumed the attacker was at. He missed as he saw a shadow figure darting to the side. His head snapped up on hearing the blade meeting flesh and the dying moan afterwards that was cut off short. Then he heard soft footsteps, to see dark brown boots coming closer to him leisurely. The blade that followed was trailing behind on the ground. By now the smoke was clearing up as his brown eyes trailed upward to get a good look at the attacker.
He wore a black tunic with a belt of the same color of his boots, and white pants. A black with gold laced cape with a hood, which was threating to slip and reveal himself. A shadow and black bangs covering most of his eyes to the guard. The assassin raised up his sword hand so it would hang over the man's head.
The guard's eyes widened in fear.
"Mercy!" The guard rose up his hands in surrender as his voice trembled. He moved backwards despite the aching pain on both of his legs. Fresh blood spilled on the dirt road.
The assassin stopped as his lips curled to show his disgust at that one word. "Mercy? Mercy for one that works for a Lord that follows a man's—that I so hate—words? Never," he snarled out. With a flick of his wrist, he knocked the helmet off the guard's head with his blade. It landed behind him with a soft thump and rolled away.
He gripped his sword with both hands now and raised it over his hooded head. The guard whimpered once than screamed as the blade fell down hard. The sword digging halfway into his thick skull. Dark Link paid attention to how the eyes rolled back into the head as the mouth dropped open forever in a silent scream. He kicked the dead body away to free his sword with little effort. He glanced at his weapon and flicked it in hopes of ridding the disgrace of blood.
Sensing someone looking at his back, Dark Link cast his eyes over his shoulder to see a pale, short man in front of the carriage. The driver.
'Don't you dare move or else,' he mouthed as he sent a heated glare along with his silent words to the carriage man.
The man gulped and nodded in understanding, sitting back down to pray that he wouldn't be killed at least.
Stabbing his sword on the ground, Dark Link strolled toward the door and knocked three times with his knuckles. He took a step back at the sound of a loud voice.
"Well, what is going on out there?!" A male's voice shouted in frustration.
Dark Link did his best to hold back his smile as he made a simple reply, "You have a problem."
Silence.
He made to reload his crossbow in case the Lord made an attempt to run for his life, but he didn't predict the door being kicked open from the inside. The door came close to swatting the tip of his nose, but managed to glance a small part of his hood. The assassin jumped back as the Lord leapt out with sword in hand. A sword the color of obsidian that shined from the fallen torches' light.
His target saw how the three guards lied dead to one man. Lord Ghirahim peered closer for a good look at the man in front of him. Half of his face was hidden. Apparently, he was hiding his identity. But the clothes fit the description from his leader. "So you're here to kill me? I'm not surprised since Lord Ganondorf has warned me that some of his friends were being killed off one by one. And that meant I will also be a target."
Dark Link mockingly bowed at him instead of saying anything.
He gripped his sword's handle and pulled out his sword. He raised it up and pointed the tip straight at the Lord's chest. A few seconds afterwards, he pulled it back to hold the handle with both hands again. He was ready to attack once the target made the first move.
Ghirahim flicked his front bang with an annoyed expression and unclipped his red cloak, to leave his tight white, gold diamond patterned shirt. The cloak fell down into a pool of blood behind his legs. It was kicked further behind so it will not be in the way and put the noble at a disadvantage. The Lord went into attacking position. The sound of rupees rattled inside his wallet as he shifted. A very big and fat wallet.
He could see it peeking out from underneath the Lord's shirt close to his rear.
The assassin's eyes lowered in thought of how the rupees would benefit him once he took the wallet. It would be a sure waste to leave it behind where bandits or patrolling guards will come, and decided to search his carcass after this. He almost smirked at how he was going to loot the soon-to-be dead man. A very 'bad habit' that he picked up over the six years of training and being an assassin. Loot the dead of your enemies for any goods.
Better get on with this, then.
Dark Link, not to wasting time, dashed forward to strike first. The Lord of Verona blocked it with ease. Both put pressure into the blades, waiting for one to lose the battle and stumble back that will leave a wide opening for the other opponent. The assassin saw up close how Ghirahim wore make-up with white lipstick and purple eye shadow on his lower eyelids. Black eyes clashed against red. Black blade clashed against pure white.
Snarling, Dark link loosened up the hold to do a sweeping kick, which was avoided.
"Ah, you have deep anger inside you," Ghirahim pointed out with a wide smile.
He almost flinched but recollected himself to scowl. Just what he needed. Someone working with his hated enemy talking about his inner problems. Trying to bring down his guard to make him an easy kill. He rolled his eyes mentally.
He stabbed the ground once more and pulled out his left arm and aimed it between the collarbones of his target.
Lord Ghirahim grew confused at the gesture and how the assassin stabbed his weapon into the ground beforehand. Was the assassin giving up? He began to chuckle and charged straight at him, his black sword ready. Until a force jerked him back that caused him to fall down, stunned. He stared up at the calm assassin. "W-what?"
The assassin just pointed down with his eyes, as he reached into his third pouch that hung on his right hip.
Seeing an arrow sticking halfway out between his collarbones, Ghirahim felt sudden pain hitting all his nerves at the same time. He grabbed the shaft and tried pulling it out despite the agony of doing so. The torches started to dim. They were signaling that his life was coming to a close.
"I-I can't die now!" Ghirahim said out loud, his hands searching for his dropped blade. He couldn't break eye contract. If he did, then the assassin would surely strike.
Dark Link tilted his head at him and bent down. Something sharp and cold touched his skin above where the arrow rested. It was the letter knife. It hovered close to the man's throat, ready to cut flesh and spill out blood.
But no matter what it would never be enough blood until the day he could slice open Lord Ganondorf's skin and leak out his life. Then it would be enough and maybe Dark Link could finally rest in peace for avenging his village.
He saw in his peripheral vision that his target had managed to grab his sword. He acted quickly. He sliced deeply across the throat. Ghirahim widened his eyes and gurgled as his hands went up to clutch around his new wound. One that will hurry the job and finish him. Dark Link, feeling a bit annoyed, used the tip of his finger to push the dying Lord's forehead, causing the man to lie down.
"You will die and don't worry, for your master shall join you soon."
He watched up to the last second when the last breath was taken and Lord Ghirahim stilled forever with his eyes wide open, along with his mouth. To make sure that he was dead, the assassin kicked the lord in the ribs. No reaction or surprise attacks. Just the force of the body moving away from the kick. Exhaling, he bent down and picked up the money pouch, before doing so to the deceased body.
He tossed the ragged body of the lord into the carriage and closed the door. He turned around and walked forward to see the carriage driver. "Let's not keep Lord Ganondorf waiting anymore, shall we?" Then he walked backwards until the darkness swallowed him whole.
Taking it as a cue to leave, the short man did so. And the assassin watched the carriage drive away. Once the carriage was gone from his sight he went to pick up Lord Ghirahim's sword. He tested the weight on one hand and found holding onto it felt nice. It was frowned upon to hold his own sword with one hand for too long, but this one probably would encourage it if you couldn't use both hands. Not too heavy or too light. He tilted the sword and liked how the blade looked: simple yet beautiful to have. A fine, handcrafted sword. He preferred using this one more than his own even more. It would suit him too.
Deciding on keeping it, he whistled four notes to encourage his horse to come. Sure enough, his mare had been following behind him and after years of training stayed a short distance away until called for. The galloping hooves came forth and stopped. Dark Link turned around to see a red coated horse with a white star and stripe facial marking.
"Good girl," he told the horse as he gave it a pat.
Epona stared at him with her big, brown eyes.
He looked down at his clutched hand to unfold it, to see the bloodied little dagger. His mission was complete. All he had to do was give this proof to Auru when he returned and he will collect his little reward and get a new mission. His lips curled up. He was getting closer to Lord Ganondorf. He just needed to be little more patient until that time comes.
He put away the proof and quickly looted the dead bodies. The big wallet from Lord Ghirahim, few rupees from four guards, some arrows from another, and five smoke bombs from the last one. He hummed as he straightened up. He no longer grew surprised if the guards didn't have a lot of valuable items or rupees these days.
Mounting his horse, he took off away from the scene. It was time to head back to Telma's bar.
~1~1~1~1~1~
The afternoon sun bathed her face in warmth as Princess Zelda shut her eyes to enjoy the feeling of relaxation. The light that touched a small part of her face came from between thin, open curtains. She could hear the wheels and the horses moving along the stone path. The sounds of the people chattering around the carriage.
She wanted to enjoy a day spent out in the streets of the town. To see how the people were doing on such a fine day. Her fiancé disapproved of her wish, but her father gave her permission on the condition that Lord Ganondorf and few guards went with her due to her status in Hyrule.
She blinked open her eyes and they adjusted to the bright light that peek through the gaping curtains. The light made her blue eyes a brighter shade.
The princess hated the fact that the Gerudo Lord was to be with her throughout the day. The guards she could understand and be okay with, but to be with him almost put her in a foul mood, thinking of her day getting spoiled within a second once they start their stroll. She had tried her best to go with just her guards, but both her father and her soon-to-be husband wouldn't listen. Or probably didn't care in her opinion. 'Get to know each other more' to quote her father, as he bid her to have a good time with her fiancé.
Zelda felt the Gerudo Lord shift in his seat. The air surrounding him felt suffocating and made her feel uncomfortable to be next to him. That man didn't mind coming when he used his charms on the King. That didn't help the fact of how much force he put in his words this time. He was angry on the inside about something however, he smiled and was brought back to reality.
That didn't mean she was going to press him about what was bothering him. Why should she when she, personally, didn't care about him? There was something about that man that bugged her. Something he was hiding behind his pleasant smiles and warm words. It didn't help that at times she would wake up drenched in sweat of a repeating nightmare of him choking her, then shadows embracing her to comfort after they pulled her away from his gripping hands.
The way he wanted to take charge in the meetings also irked her. As if he only wanted to marry her for the Throne only. She scoffed in her mind so as not to alert the Lord. Not that she was surprised at thinking that. She learned long ago that she will be only married to a noble man with good status and with the parents on each side agreeing to it. The marriage was not for foolish, blind, love-stuck people after all.
She moved aside the curtain a few inches to see more of the outside.
Close to noon already, crowds formed in the streets on all sides of the carriage to do their business. Probably the main reason that the carriage was going extra slow. Each man carried a crate full of goods. Few that could afford them rode horses for faster travel and more distance was covered than just walking with the crowd.
The only times she could be in a carriage in the town would be for business with her father outside the Castle. At those times, they would take a faster path and have way more guards following close behind them. She would not even be allowed to push aside the curtains because of her father's orders.
She touched the tan shawl out of habit to make sure it was in place. Her crown had been left behind in the castle and she made sure to wear less royal clothing for this day. The clothes were provided by one of her handmaids on the orders from her father. The outfit was a simple lavender dress and corset, with worn out leather boots to go with it.
The older man shifted in his seat and crossed his arms, his face showing how deep in thought he was.
Princess Zelda thought of what she knew of him to pass the time. Even see if it will clear the heavy atmosphere that the man was oozing.
Lord Ganondorf, a high noble from the land of Geru, and was one of the rare male Gerudo. The King to the land was his eldest brother. Zelda made a mental picture of the map of the whole land of Uniti. To the south of Hyrule was the realm of the desert kingdom.
All the population made mostly of women that did their famous trademark of stealing from the four other Kingdoms: jewelry, food, and boyfriends. It was custom for the Gerudo males to marry in their own clan. The women that didn't get the rare Gerudo men steal ones from other lands. Yet the King's younger brother chose to tie the knot with the Princess of Hyrule. An unheard thing to happen in the Gerudo's history.
For Hyrule it would make history. To have a King with a blood of Geru and a pure-blood Hylian Queen. In the past years only treaties keep the peace between the five Kingdoms. Marriage between rulers was only necessity to prevent war or keep steady peace between two domains. Which only the Hyrule and Ordon Kingdom do.
While the Gerudo Lord meant well on the marriage proposal to bring further peace of the two Kingdoms, Zelda couldn't bring herself to trust the man. Ever since she met him she couldn't bring herself to accept the man's word no matter what; a gut feeling. Especially four years later, nightmares would start to appear each night along with a memory.
Memories of a young boy with blonde hair and blue eyes that had come to her. Cuts on his cheeks and blood on his hands with dirt cloaking his green tunic and bare skin. She blinked as she lost herself in that resurfaced memory.
The boy had snuck inside the castle at dawn, where he came upon the Royal Garden. He had been asleep when she had arrived to be alone to play her harp. She had feared for the boy's health and had almost called for the guards to take him to the nursing hall when he woke up and stopped her. She insisted on knowing what had happened to him where he reassured her that the blood wasn't his with downcast eyes. But she had saw the pain in his blue eyes beforehand.
His village had been attacked during the hours of the moon. The Village of Ordon from Lorule south from Hyrule. He had told her that the Gerudo women lead by a man, killed everyone in sight with the first death belonging to the next in line to the Throne to Ordon, Bo. Next, his wife. Then, their only daughter. Houses close to their home were burned to the ground. People running for their lives from the sudden attack before being slain by the chasing Gerudos.
She was horrified at his story, picturing a clear image of his words as if she was there with him on that night. So she promised him that she will find ways to help him give his village justice. He hid in the brushes when she told him that she had to have breakfast with words to come back very soon.
She ate a quiet breakfast with her father, left to her room to grab a hundred rupee from her spare crown, and went back outside before her study time. She give him the money after beckoning him from his hiding spot, where he had fallen asleep at. They both did not know if the Village of Ordon was completely burned to the ground or not, but Zelda wanted the boy to have a room and be close to her just in case she needed him.
Then she told him that she will tell the council and her father of the event herself since there was a meeting going on right now. She told him to go find an inn to stay at while she'll go speak with them. After a glance back, however, she found him going back to his hiding spot instead of leaving as he was asked to.
On the entrance to the meeting room she had a hard time with the guards not letting her in until she ordered them aside. This caused the talking on the other side to hush and the doors to open. She brushed past the guards and walked inside to face the men. Her father gave her a questioning look, so she jumped right in on why she was here disturbing them.
She had questioned in front of the whole council about the attack and killing in Ordon Village. Every council member had turned quiet with a nervous chuckle from her father. They focused on hearing Lord's Ganondorf's answer. He did not take long to answer. To brush her off, he stated that he didn't know what she was talking about.
Disappointed and humiliated, Zelda left, however, she did not return back to the boy right away. She paced outside the meeting room gathering her thoughts for a couple of minutes. The mutters were heard from behind the door. For her age and gender she was powerless against the council and her father that now looked to Lord Ganondorf for leadership. What could she do to help the boy in her own power?
Perhaps tell him to wait a bit. She'll have her father take a visit to Lorule to see the damage themselves then it would be up to the King for what needs to be done.
That settled, she took off to meet the boy again. The boy whose name she didn't even know. Only he was nowhere to be seen in the garden.
The next day, news of Bo and his family's assassination late in the night on the road home reached Hyrule town and the Castle. By the influence of the Gerudo Lord, a new Lord—in fact, a Lady; Lady Aveil—was placed which made her next in line for Lorule's mayor.
The boy never came back to her either, which she counted as second bad news. Did something happen to him? Did he get caught by the guards making sure he didn't get through the second time? If only she could know.
So when a maid questioned her why the rupee was missing from her spare crown, Zelda snatched it from her hands. Then she opened her window to toss it out as far as she could. She was left alone after that for a few hours.
She somehow knew that the death of Bo and the sudden arrival of that boy with Ganondorf placing Lady Aveil as Lorule's mayor the next day were connected.
Once she had calmed down, she went to fetch the crown that she had saw land somewhere in the Royal Garden. She searched for it for a long time yet it was nowhere to be seen.
The spare crown was forever lost.
Next to her, Lord Ganondorf cleared his throat yet she didn't face him. He didn't appear bothered by it as he spoke, "My dear Zelda, I must apologize for my silence earlier as I had important matters that had come up last night that have troubled my mind."
This almost peaked her interest.
"Oh?"
He smiled at her. "Don't worry about a thing though. It is not that important for you to hear about."
Disappointment crept into her voice as she said to him, "Oh, well as the future Queen of both Hyrule and Uniti I should know everything or else I will be an awful ruler." The important matters had to be about Geru, Zelda assumed.
The Gerudo Lord took her hands in his own and give them a pat. "Yes that is true in a sense, but that duty belongs to the King, Princess; the Queens are just supporters."
Her blue eyes narrowed at him. "There have been Queens solely ruling this whole Kingdom in history. Even some that improved or saved this land from being ruined in the past."
There had been Queen Hilda, who was banished from her home due to her mother's new husband, who was killing every royal child that wasn't his. She ran to the forest in the north and later named it Lorule. All the outcast people and the forest's spirits were gathered to help her take back the throne when she turned twenty years old. As Hyrule's Queen she improved the system, the trading goods, and helped build Lorule to a better state than before.
Queen Zelda the fifth stopped a war from breaking out between Uniti and Midora when her father had failed. A peace treaty was formed between the two lands by the two signatures of Queen Zelda and Queen Midna the second.
If memory served her right on the Geru's history, when there wasn't any King's born there would be a woman in charge until there is one. Now she just needed to hear what Lord Ganondorf would say to that if she told all this to him.
The carriage stopped, though, before her fiancé could open his mouth. The door was opened to the Gerudo Lord to show that they stopped in a large alley with less crowds. The one holding onto the door handle and showing himself was a slave, judging by his appearance: dirty brown rags for a shirt and short pants of fade black, around his ankles were burned marks for symbols of cuffs. He appeared to be living healthy despite his appearance as he had chubby cheeks and fatness in his body. Unless he is a slave pig, Zelda thought in half horror and in half wonder of seeing one in person.
The princess had heard in stories that the slave pigs were actually monsters that took a humanoid body of a man, that were tamed by elves in the past.
She peered closer in thought.
Though he could have been made from an awful experiment between slave pigs and humans. They would appear more human though, nonetheless, still be called slave pigs. For the markings around his ankles meant he was a slave traded from Midora, as she could see from his light blue skin and orange eyes.
She shivered and focus on the back of the Lord Ganondorf's back.
The past rulers from Uniti and Midora had discouraged and tried banning the experiments of slave pigs for many years in their lands, but they still continued to appear. The people's excuses were, 'better them than us.'
Thank the Three Goddesses we have normal people working as servants in the Castle, Zelda thought in relief.
"What is it?" Lord Ganondorf asked him.
The slave snorted before speaking, "I have an important message for you."
The sound of urgent was heard within the rumbling voice. Maybe it had to do what was troubling Lord Ganondorf. The Gerudo man got out the carriage and waved aside the slave. He turned back to lend out his hand to the princess. Zelda took his hand, getting out also. She felt a push that made her go be with the horses.
She sighed to herself, knowing fully well that she wasn't allowed to hear this message. That couldn't stop her from eavesdropping though, as she smiled at the driver. The driver on the other hand, was drinking and ignoring her. She peeked behind her shoulder to see if they moved or not.
They haven't, as the door was still open.
She strained her ears to hear their deep conversation. Her hand patted one of the horses to make it look like she was doing something.
"What is it?" Ganondorf harshly whispered to the slave pig.
"Lord Ganon, the others are scared. The hooded killer killed Lord Ghirahim last night, so they fear they will be next. They asked for a meeting right now to discuss this matter or else they will stop supporting you."
The Gerudo Lord grunted in annoyance.
Fearing that they stopped their quick secret conversation, Zelda collected herself and continued patting the horse. She sensed her fiancé coming closer to her, before feeling his hands on her shoulders.
"My dear Zelda, I'm afraid that I must leave your side as something very important just came up that needs my attention. My servant here will accompany you in my place."
She played worried as she asked him, "What's wrong?"
He brush off her concern. "Nothing that should worry you, my beautiful princess."
She stopped herself from frowning at his words. "Alright, Lord Ganondorf as you wish."
He excused himself from them after making sure that the messenger slave would accompany the princess and protect her from any harm. He took the carriage with a promise that it would return later for them at the center of the town. An odd thing to her was that the Lord took the guards with him. As if he feared that something bad would happen to him more than to her.
A shadow darted on the ground that made her glance up to see nothing. Her brows knitted together before she shrugged to herself.
The slave motioned for her to take the lead as he trailed behind. It didn't take away the awkwardness of being followed by a slave pig. She also never thought of the Gerudo Lord owning them before.
"Act as if I'm not here," he told her.
She felt uncertain as she tried her best not to bump into other people. Though her disguise was perfect in her eyes earlier, now next to commoners and lesser nobles she felt out of place. A bonus to have an out-of-place being following behind her. A bright flame dimmed that anyone with itching fingers can still target.
Zelda took a calming breath. She had to relax—she couldn't allow fear show to let any person see. The thought of guards patrolling in the Hyrule town made her finally calm. If anything bad happens to her all she had to do was scream for help to which any guards would save her. She couldn't see this servant saving her in any awful situation.
She looked down an alley to her right to see a group of three guards strolling down there. Their backs were facing her. Behind her, the servant lingered a step away from the princess.
"Now your highness you must make sure not to look lost, don't pay with high rupees, don't say your title or real name here, and don't wander off to alleys alone, understand?"
She turned her head to stare at him with disbelieving eyes. There went not letting anyone know about her title! She glanced around to find a handful of people had heard the slave say her title. They whispered to each other as they stared hard at her. Their deep stares dug right through her skull. Yes, there went her identity all right!
They entered the middle of the town's square to find the area steadily growing busy. Everyone was shopping and selling goods and one dog sniffed everyone that walked past it. Many merchants joyfully talked to the consumers about the goods they sell or a random topic.
In the center, stood a grand fountain made of pearl marble, with detailed decorations of animals around it. On top, resting in the middle was a seven foot statue of the Three Goddess holding hands. Many women gathered, carrying vases to take some of the clean water for the day. Colorful birds rested on the statues' arms watching below for a chance to drink as they chirped to each other.
A peaceful gathering, Zelda smiled at that thought, which lives up to the town's name: the town of good fortune. Or so the ladies told her.
She was missing out on knowing the people and Hyrule's town as the ladies had said to her. The Princess used to constantly see the town from the windows or at a distance. How could she rule this kingdom if she never been outside to her town at least once?
The town square appeared different than how she was used to living in the Castle. Everyone gave her space when she walked the halls yet here she had to manage her way through without getting squashed in the progress. Scents of perfume dawdle on the air in her home's hallway that made it pleasant. Here food flowed into her nose.
Her smile left her lips on seeing the arrival of three Gerudo women out of the crowd.
Their appearance stuck out of the horde that had hylian's blood. Flaming red hair that appeared untamable even in ponytails. Bronze skin from years enduring in the desert sun that passed on for generations. Amber eyes that made Zelda wondered if that's how the shifting sands glow underneath the sun. If it did, the sand would be as breathtaking as their eyes. Breathtaking and dangerous.
They wore revealing clothes and shawls protecting their mouths and noses. One wore pink clothing, the other red, and the last the color of purple. Each of the women carried a spear in their right hands, decorated by a feather—that matched their clothing—tied around it.
She should not be surprised as Lord Ganondorf did bring many of the Gerudo women with him. As his personal guards and to mix them up with the hylian guards. A way to bring more protection into this land.
Zelda stopped as she saw how everyone was watching them while pretending to be busy. Their posture stiff and their eyes wide with realization and fear. Everyone was quiet. Their lips were sewn shut.
She turned around to find that the servant was also quiet and focused. But not in fear. No, with calmness on what will happen. Something that had to do with what the three Gerudo women were going to do. Of a mind of their own, her legs shuffled toward them to hear well.
They walked with purpose and a destination in mind. Their long legs were heading to a stall in front of a large fountain. A man standing behind it gulped while trying his best to smile at them.
"P-please—
The leader of the Gerudos leaned on the stall. Her hand taking hold of an apple in a lazy manner—the stem hanging between her two fingers as the apple dangled in the air. She smiled in one corner, her eyes half-shut.
"Yes, yes I already know what you're going to say. 'Please, I have a family to feed.' Boring!"
She tossed the fruit over her shoulder to which one of her group caught it. She tsk'd in disappointment at the seller, "You've been warned many times already; you can't sell unless you pay the taxes to our Lord Ganondorf, which you are behind now."
The man scoffed, getting courage on seeing the look of disgust on some of the other people, "Ganondorf is just a lord not from Hyrule, nor our King. We don't need this treatment from the people of the Geru Desert."
Everyone pitched in their opinions mixed with cheers of more encouragements to the man. The women guards stared at him with frozen looks of surprise. This told Zelda that has happen many times before. Only now did someone finally decide to stand up against them. She frowned in thought that this had occurred many times before today. Did her father know what the Gerudo's Lord was doing? And what other things did the Gerudo guards do to Hyrule's people?
It didn't take long for the leader to lose the surprise on her face. The woman shrugged before speaking in turn, "Fine, you don't want the nice treatment let's change it up then."
She took her spear in both hands and plunged it downward.
Several gasped, along with the seller paling after he felt the air get disturbed in front of his face. The stall, made out of simple wood, split underneath the spear. Many fruits that survived the attack, rolled down toward the weapon, some falling down on the ground still rolling away.
The princess took a step forward, ready to stop the Gerudo women even if it meant revealing herself. She flinched when she felt someone with chubby hands grab hold of her right arm. It was the slave of Lord Ganondorf's. His grip was sturdy and uncomfortably sweating as she strained to be released from him.
"What is going here?" A man shouted within the crowd.
The hylians split to allow seven guards pass through with one in front as the leader. He wore a helmet decorated by a long blue feather. Out in the open, he regarded the situation taking place.
Two of the Gerudo guards had gripped each of the man's arms, the lead woman checking his pockets for any rupee wallets or spare rupees at all.
Zelda glanced around to see that no one was happy to see the guards one bit. She had a feeling that she knew the reason why, but she wanted to be proven wrong so badly. Just why the women weren't panicking at the sight of the hylian guards.
The Gerudo leader shouted at the top of her lungs, "Everyone that feels like rebelling or refusing to pay their taxes will be punished by death! Any bad talk about our future King, Ganondorf will have severe consequences too!"
A captain of the guards stared at her.
Zelda's heart plunged as she prayed that the hylian guards weren't going to kill anybody. Some of the people already shifted away with uneasiness from the town square. The leader rolled her eyes and motioned for him to go on with it, so he faced the silent crowd. His hand grabbed the handle to his broadsword.
She sneered at them, her amber eyes briefly passing Zelda's. "Don't even bother going to your precious princess as she considers her future husband a worthy ruler for everyone. Now the market is closed; leave or go to jail!"
"To arms, men!" Ordered the Hylian guard out loud.
Sounds of the swords ring, stunning Zelda more than seeing them being pulled out. One guard sliced at a poor man's arm as a warning. She threw up her free hand to cover her gaping mouth. Seeing the white blades, everyone decided now was the time to run away to safety. Stalls abandoned, screams happened everywhere at once, people pushed against others, but Zelda stayed rooted to the spot.
If she had only shown herself this could have been prevented...if she hadn't been stopped!
She glared at the one that stopped her when she saw something dart behind the running people, next to a building. Seeing the change of her expression the slave looked behind to see what she saw. With less people in the way now, they both saw a person kneeling on the ground. The person was cloaked in black that had a hood blocking his face from being seen.
The cloaked person stood up, unsheathing a black sword to point it at—
The one holding tightly to her arm.
She had a hard time releasing her breath before she realized that she was being dragged along with the slave pig. She looked behind her to see if the person was chasing after them. They were. They dodge every person in their way without losing pace. The sword was no longer in their hands.
They turned into an alley where only few people wander. It was the opposite direction from where they had entered from. They ran and ran with their pursuer still on their trail. Her breaths turning into pants, Zelda questioned why her day was like this. Why didn't they stay in the town square where there could have been protection? The crowd was declining before they left, so it would have been a great disadvantage to the cloaked person.
More so it wasn't like this person could take out seven guards!
Unexpected to her, the servant must have felt that he was being dragged down because suddenly Zelda was pushed to the ground in a rude manner. She let out a startled cry. Pain erupted on her elbow, however, she knew it wasn't a serious injury. Still she was angry at what he did. She clutched her elbow then shifted her eyes up to glower at him. He paid no attention to her while he tried his best to run away faster now.
Their pursuer jumped on the wall to get over her. She paid attention to how he reached for something, then saw him toss it to the slave pig. It turned out to be a dagger that landed in his back. He squealed similar to how a pig would. The cloaked person flew, his right hand reaching to grab the back of their victim's head, and pushed the slave pig's body to the ground.
For a moment, the princess thought she imagined hearing the loud thud mixed with bones cracking.
She carefully stood up. Her gut instinct was screaming for her to run away and get help—a logical reason to do in this situation, but she remained frozen in her spot. Baby-steps, she told herself to stay calm. Did the person forget about her, she wondered, or was she next?
She snapped into focus upon hearing a male's voice, in spite of not making out the words well enough in her distance.
A thought—a memory from a while ago—crossed her mind. This hooded figure… could he be the hooded killer that they were talking about?
There was no reply. The cloaked man grabbed a fistful of the servant's messy hair to pull his head back. He spoke again with a tone of anger. Then he smashed the face into the ground once then pulled it back.
She winced at this. Sure she was little angry with him, but she didn't want to see the poor male get beat up like that. She tried speaking up on the hope that she could have the pursuer talk in a courteous manner. No one was stopping her this time.
The slave pig must have told the man what he needed because he pulled back his right arm. A hidden dagger come out of his sleeves. The princess's face started to pale upon the realization of what the man wanted to do: kill. He darted his weapon forward, landing it in the servant's back where it could piece through his heart. The cloaked person pulled his weapon out before any one of them could react. He struck again and again close to the same spot.
The tearing of flesh and fabric reached her ears after seeing the servant jerk three times. Yet he didn't scream out his pain when he had the chance. Just a choking grunt of pain than nothing. That didn't stop her from reacting to seeing someone being murdered in front of her eyes. She was hyperventilating and her hands began shaking. She wanted to scream and run away from here instead—
"Why did you kill him?" she unconsciously asked in fear.
The cloaked person's head snapped up in attention at the sudden sound.
She tossed up her hands to cover her ajar mouth in shock of speaking out loud. She had meant to ask that question in her mind only. He had forgotten about her and she blew her chance to escape even more without notice.
He stood up and that's what snapped her into motion.
Heart beating fast and painful inside her chest, she turned around and forced her legs to walk calmly away. Despite the shaking, she tried her best to steady her breathing. The shaking motions returned to her fingers as she clutched them together in front of her. If she became calm and refrained from running, surely the assassin would think she wasn't important and leave her alone. He'll only tell her that she hasn't seen anything. She thought of this as a good thing. Only, she wasn't going to take that chance to see if he does so.
If she panicked and ran, then the assassin would chase her down and silence her forever. Before he could even discover he had murdered one of the Royal family too.
If only the people who were once here weren't gone so quickly.
The feeling of being followed dawned on her, making her blood run cold and her legs go stiff. He was coming after her. No doubt that the murderer could hear her heartbeats by now from his distance.
A repeating thought occurring in her mind, Zelda stared longingly for that alley opening where people were passing through back and forth. If only someone, or some guards, would look her way and see her terrified expression for help.
I don't want to die!
~64~64~64~64~64~
A/N: I'm back, did you guys missed me? : 3
Also Majora's Mask for 3Ds is coming out on my birth month! Who else is excited for its release? Than there is the Wii U LoZ. I got to admit I was more interested in that one (has no title as of yet) than Hyrule Warriors last year.
Oh, before I forget. I created few names up: Verona, Geru (taking out 'do' from Gerudo), Midora (somehow reminds me of close it sounds like to Majora). It was close to being Medora, but I liked the sound of Midora more. Others are from Legend of Zelda games. : )
The cover belongs to Chocobikies from DA until I can get a better cover for this story. Either Dark Link as an Assassin or Zelda sitting down in a Throne seat with Dark standing at her side.
DARKLinkNotPale: Hmmm... Actually I don't know who thought of the idea of him being pale with white hair, but I thought it was interesting. I liked the idea of what if he could be pale with white hair and when he wants to merge with shadows or use dark magic he turns all dark... all shadow-like? But for this story Dark Link is tan with black hair and not pale skin. : )
Guest Austin: And here it is at last! : )
Nice reviews will give me more power to finish chapter two.
...No, I am not stuck... :1
Until next time...
~GreenFantasy64