Ch 1:
"Fire; fire in the west tower!" Yelled an ash covered servant as his lungs - which was filled with acidic smoke - burned in need for fresh air as it attempted to dispel the black and noxious gases. A slightly-crazed glint filled the servant's eyes as he tried to warn the castle guards of the blaze that engulfed part of the castle. His once pristine, white ruffled shirt was soiled with black soot as his hands sporadically convulsed around the priceless heirlooms that he was clutching to his filth incrusted chest.
One of the few guards standing in one of the side corridors glanced over his armored shoulder to glare at the servant as he barked, "Most of the west wing of the castle is up in flames. What do you think we're trying to put out?"
The servant stared wide eyes at the guard's back as he and the other guards quickly ran down the hall. The frightened servant fell to his knees as the precious cargo, which he had saved from the inferno, fell from his limp hold.
"The entire west wing? What in the name of the three Goddesses is going on?"
"Aborthennes, what is all the commotion?"
"In the seventh year of our lord, King Dedrich, you are hereby charged with the following crimes: Destruction of royal property."
"Aborthennes, what is all the commotion?"
Aborthennes paled even more at the voice of his king who was standing behind the trembling servant. Turning his head, Aborthennes looked up at the scraggly visage of the most powerful man in all of Hyrule.
"M-My lord, it's… It's the west wing my lord."
Leaping to his feet, Aborthennes flailed his arms wildly around the small hallway as his panic rose, "It is terrible your majesty, someone has set fire to the west wing. I was sleep…ur… I was working over there when I smelt smoke and saw the tapestry in the common room ablaze. I quickly gathered what belongings I could before I was forced to flee for my life."
Aborthennes' voice lowered in volume during his tale but jumped up at the irate glare Dedrich was shooting him, "A-And I tried to warn the guards but they wouldn't listen!"
"Silence your blubbering fool!" Snapped the enraged king, "Tell me who else was there, else I'll believe it was you and have your head mounted on the castle gates for the birds to pick at."
If it was possible Aborthennes paled even farther before stumbling out an answer, "N-No m-my lord, I would never betray you or the kingdom like that. I-I have faithfully served you as well as your father all my life and would, could not…" Quickly slamming his mouth close at the murderous gaze of Dedrich. Aborthennes promptly told the king what he had ordered, "I-I did se-see a captain of the guards right before the fire started."
"Which one was it, you worthless coward?"
"I believe it was Rayner your lordship."
"You are charged with the abandonment of your duties as a captain in the King's royal guard and your vows as a knight of the kingdom of Hyrule."
"Hurry Anselma, we must hurry; the fire will not distract them long." A tall, muscular man dressed in light chain-mail urgently told his wife running at his side.
"I'm trying Rayner, I'm trying."
Rayner and Anselma rushed through the dark halls of Hyrule castle, Rayner carrying a satchel with a few meager supplies while Anselma held a small bundle wrapped in cloth, hunching her body protectively over it.
The couple raced blindly down shadowy corridors until Rayner grabbed Anselma's hand and stopped before an intersection and cautiously peered around the corner. Jerking his head back, Rayner threw his body over his wife's as several palace guards rushed past the hallway Rayner and Anselma were hiding in.
Rayner listened carefully with is long, slender ears, to the heavy footfalls of the soldiers in their clunky armor hurrying towards the west tower where the fires raged. As the sounds of the guards faded, Rayner looked down at his bride who was clutching the fragile treasure to her breast.
"Anselma, I will do everything in my power to see you safely out this castle and to somewhere we can all live in peace."
Anselma twisted her eyes up to stare into Rayner's warm, navy blue eyes with her own bright, baby blue ones. She slowly turned her gaze back onto the important bundle she gently yet tightly held in her small hands.
Smiling, Anselma laid a hand on Rayner's broad chest; she lovingly stared at the wrapped bundle as she felt Rayner's big, strong hands close around her, holding her and their most precious treasure safely in a warm embrace.
Rayner felt a calm wash over him as he embraced his wife and the treasure he would die to protect. Wishing for the moment to last forever, Rayner pushed Anselma to arms length and looked into her clear, beautiful eyes. Gently lifting Anselma's head up, Rayner lowered his and softly placed his lips on hers. Separating slightly, the couple gazed deeply into each other's eyes.
"We need to reach the stables before anyone notices I'm not at my post." Rayner muttered, his expression showing clear apprehension.
Kissing Anselma once more, Rayner grasped her delicate hand and moved around the corner hurrying towards the stables and freedom.
You are charged with the murder of Captain Viscen and severely wounding several castle guards.
Rayner and Anselma raced through the corridors, headed towards the south stables where the knights' horses were fed and kept. Feet hitting the cold hard stone floor echoed down the empty hallways. Anselma's legs burned with exhaustion, her hand tightly clasped in Rayner's larger rough hand, forcing her to push past the pain in her feet as they drew closer to their freedom. Turning the last blind corner before the stables, Anselma crashed into Rayner's back as he suddenly stopped.
Peering around Rayner's shoulder, Anselma saw a man dressed in armor of a captain of Hyrule. Recognition immediately flashed across Anselma's features as she stared at the soldier standing between them and the only escape route.
"Viscen, what are you doing over here?" Rayner asked as he released Anselma's hand that he was still clutching. He took a step towards the captain Viscen, shielding Anselma and the wrapped bundle she tightly held next to her breast.
"I could ask the same of you and Anselma, Rayner." Captain Viscen questioned, looking back and forth between the couple. "There isn't any reason, which I could think of at least, for the two of you to be this far away from the west tower." He said, crossing his arms accusatorially. "That is where you have your quarters, is it not?"
Slowly Viscen settled his hand upon the blade sheathed at his side. Gripping the hilt tightly, Viscen narrowed his eyes as his spotted what Anselma was carrying.
"Anselma did you not give birth recently?" Viscen asked, menace dripping from his voice. "Is that the child that you're being so protective of?" Looking back at Rayner Viscen ground his teeth together as rage bubbled out of him. "Tell me my old friend, was your child a girl…Or are you trying to purposely disobey his majesty's command?" he asked, an evil gleam in his eyes. "All male children six years and younger are to be killed without exception and…"
Viscen's reiteration of the King's orders was silenced as - faster than any eye could follow - Rayner drew a small dagger from his doublet and flung it at Viscen. Viscen's mouth gaped like a fish out of water as his eyes, stretched wide, traveled down to see the hilt of the small blade protruding from his chest. Viscen's eyes slowly rolled up into his head as his limp body fell to the hard ground where a pool of blood spread across the stone blocks.
Rayner walked over to the lifeless body of his fellow captain and bent down to retrieve Viscen's sword which clattered to the ground after Viscen died. Standing and turning to look at Anselma, a grim expression filled the former captain's features.
"It looks as if I won't be joining you my dear, nor will I be there to help raise our son."
Anselma covered her mouth with a small hand as she gripped the child in her arms tighter. She attempted to stem the tears that fell from her eyes. Anselma stared into Rayner's dark eyes as she realized that he wasn't looking at her, but beyond her. She quickly spun around and saw her worst fear. Three Hyilian soldiers stood around the same corner Rayner and Anselma had just come from. They stared in shock at seeing one captain dead and another giving off a powerful aura.
The soldiers remained motionless for a few moments before one spun around and ran back down the corridor raising the alarm. Cursing under his breath, Rayner shot forward as the other two warriors readied their weapons and charged the couple. Sweeping past Anselma, who stood frozen, Rayner analyzed his two opponents:
Both were dressed in light armor that scouts were known to wear. One unsheathed his sword while the other carried a pike. Rayner studied the two men as well as their weapons. After a moment of quick observation he saw the crest that belonged to those who serve directly under Viscen.
Reaching his opponents, Rayner swung his sword to intercept the attack from the other sword-bearer, trapping the blade next the stone wall. The poleman thrust his pike swiftly towards Rayner's heart since Rayner was too consumed with fighting the sword-bearer to defend himself from the oncoming attack. Anselma snapped out of her daze and screamed as the pointed blade raced towards Rayner. The tip of the pike stopped inches from Rayner's heart as he gripped the end of the pole with his free hand and held it steady there. The poleman attempted to release his weapon from Rayner's iron grip. Yet, he could not move it on inch. The swordsman was as equally stuck, and pulling on his trapped blade proved to be just as futile as his partner's struggles. Rayner easily restrained them both.
Looking over his shoulder, Rayner locked eyes with Anselma, "Go. You must leave now and flee to safety, else our child dies."
Anslema could no longer hold her sorrow back and cried out, "NO! I cannot abandon you to die. I will not escape without you. W-We are supposed to live far from here and raise our son together. I-I can't live without you…"
Anselma's body trembled as her heart broke. Tears ran down her face unhindered as she fearfully stared at Rayner.
A soft, sad smile appeared on Rayner's lips before he turned his head back to the two soldiers who still tried to free their weapons. Holding his sword firmly in place, Rayner pulled the pike past his side; which caused the poleman to stumble forward, his hands still locked onto the shaft of his spear. Releasing the other swordsman's blade, Rayner swung at the poleman as the poor warrior followed his weapon past Rayner. The other swordsman, who was still pulling with all his strength, trying to free his weapon, fell backwards when Rayner freed his blade. The poleman let go of his weapon and jerked his body away from Rayner's descending sword. However, Rayner was too close and too fast. The blade slid across the soldier's face, cleaving one eye in half as it traveled down slicing off most of his nose as well. Falling on his back, the soldier screamed in agony as he clutched his ruined face trying to stem the blood that flowed from his grievous wound.
The remaining soldier steadied himself and prepared to commence attacking when his comrade fell to the ground, yelling in extreme pain. Bellowing his attack the swordsman charged Rayner and swung a two-handed, vicious strike. Rayner blocked the incoming blade; Rayner then reached out and grabbed the soldier's arm and threw him towards the side wall with all of his strength. The castle guard hit the stone wall with a sickening crunch and the soldier's body limply fell to the ground and stilled.
Breathing harder Rayner spun on his heels and walked back to Anselma who still shook in distress. Wrapping one arm around Anselma's shoulders Rayner pulled her close and laid his head on hers. Kissing her hair Rayner tried to embrace his family even closer then possible. Pulling his head back, Rayner lifted Anselma's face towards him and gazed deep into her stunning eyes as tears continued to pour from them.
Forcing a smile Rayner whispered to Anselma, "I need you to reach the stables, grab a horse and flee the castle. I need you to promise me that you'll do this and protect our son."
Anselma sobbed into Rayner's broad chest, "Rayner I-I can't leave you…"
Rayner grasped Anselma's shoulders and shook her, "You must, if not for yourself then for our child. He deserves to live and I want him to know at least one parent. I-I never knew mine and I will not wish for my own son to go through the same. So my dearest you need to quickly get to the horses before anymore…"
Just then loud, angry shouts echoed around the corner with the sound of heavy feet hitting the stone floor reverberating all around, sounding much like a roaring waterfall. The noise drew ever closer to the two lovers.
Reaching in-between them Rayner pulled back the wrapping and stared at his son. A tiny, pale babe slept in his mothers arms, a small tuff of brownish blonde hair peeked out of the soft cloth enveloping the newborn. Gently stroking his soft, smooth cheek Rayner bent down and kissed his son on the head, smiling a proud, fatherly grin. Rayner raised his head gazed into Anselma's eyes for the final time before crashing his lips upon hers in a fiery, passionate kiss. The two lovers parted and gazed lovingly at one another.
Anselma's eyes caught movement behind Rayner and shouted a warning.
Turning too late Rayner felt the sharp pain of a blade sliding into his shoulder. Falling back and being caught by Anselma, Rayner grasped the blade protruding from his arm and glared at the soldier whose face he had sliced, racing the other way, towards the encroaching castle guards.
Glancing back, Rayner looked at Anselma one last time and silently told her he loved her before running after the scarred warrior in order to buy Anselma time to escape.
Yelling behind him Rayner parted from his wife and child, "Raise him well Anselma. And always remember, I will love you both forever!"
"And finally you, Captain Rayner knight of Hyrule, are charged with treason against the crown and shall hence forth be put to death by the executor's axe."
Hurrying away from his precious ones Rayner determined in his soul to buy enough time for his wife and son to get away. With his heart breaking Rayner turned another corner and straight into a full phalanx, which behind followed the King. Standing next to him was the surviving soldier who sent a death glare at Rayner with his remaining eye.
"Rayner, why have you betrayed me and all of Hyrule?" Shouted a furious Dedrich as he glared at his greatest knight.
"I have only followed my own code. One which tells me that my son deserves to live." Rayner responded as he settled into a stance and prepared to repel the imminent attack.
Dedrich stared at Rayner from the box built above the execution grounds and fought the conflicting thoughts in his mind. Locking his eyes with Rayner, Dedrich peered into the other man's soul.
"Rayner, you were my best knight and I never thought you would throw away your vows and the good of the people for one child." The king commented, sadly. "You know it was not an easy decision that led me to order the young, male, children to death. Yet for my people, for Hyrule it must be done. It is a duty that all must walk the path of."
Two dark blue eyes glared across the execution grounds, boring deep into Dedrich's emerald ones as Rayner spoke in a strong, clear voice which belittled his appearance.
"My father and my father's father always told me about duty. They would say, duty is good and honorable yet it will not fill a belly and warm a home like precious loved ones. Some things, my good King, are worth far more than mere duty!"
The gathered crowed gasped at Rayner's bold statement. They stared wide eyed at the former captain that stood before the chopping block as majestic as possible.
Angry red welts crisscrossed Rayner's naked chest as well as his back from the flogging he'd received. Numerous cuts bled across his forearms and his legs shook under the strain of holding his body upright, with one of them bent at unnatural angle. Rayner's face was almost unrecognizable; one eye was swollen completely shut and the other was surrounded by a horrible bruise. Clumps of Rayner's dirty blonde hair were missing; one of his long, regal ears had been sliced off and the other appeared as if something had attempted to chew it off. Yet, despite all of his horrifying wounds Rayner stuck an imposing figure that caused several of the guards standing next to him swallow nervously and grip their weapons tightly.
"You have chosen your path Rayner, and I will not allow you to dishonor the sacrifices made by the Hylian people because you decided you were above the law of the land." Dedrich spat at Rayner. Standing to his full height Dedrich, King of Hyrule looked down at his ex-captain and sneered. "Before you are to pass on I will tell you of you heroic efforts to save your son. Your wife Anselma and your cursed son died fleeing the castle; my archers saw to that." And with that the king stormed away from the execution grounds and back to his throne leaving Rayner to stare wide eyed at Dedrich's retreating back.
"I failed… I-I am sorry Anselma, I tried… I t-tried."
As if a candle was snuffed out, the fire which burned brightly inside Rayner's soul was quenched and Rayner slowly fell to his battered knees and wept.
The guards no longer feeling apprehensive around the former captain smiled to one another as two strode up to Rayner and grabbed his arms. Dragging him to the executor's block, Rayner stared at the sky as the soldiers tied his hands and head to the block of wood in order to keep him from trying to escape the fate he'd chosen.
A hooded man stepped to Rayner's side and raised a giant axe above his head as the crowed watched with great anticipation.
Rayner looked to the heavens as tears flowed from his blue eye and whispered in his mind, "I am sorry my love that I failed to give our son a chance. However, now we can live together… Anselma… Link!"
A roar of celebration reached Dedrich's ears as he wandered inside his castle. One small, silent tear ran down his cheek as he mourned the lost of Rayner.
"Fare thee well my oldest friend, I wish things could have been different."
Forcing a stern expression, Dedrich continued past the large double doors leading into his throne room.
Names:
Aborthennes Cowardice
Dedrich Germanic- king of nations
Anselma German- God protection,
Rayner German- wise warrior
A/N: Well there you go something else to make you wish for the sweet release of death... I mean I assume you enjoyed it to make it this far, lol. Anyways, this is the beginning of what's probably going to be a long story, hope that doesn't put you off but meh.
So I have the next couple chapters written so hopefully it won't take long to get the next one out.
And I have to say that this story wouldn't have seen the light of day if it had not been for my good friend Jess, she convinced me to go ahead and post this. So any and all complaints should be directed to her, lol.
So hope you enjoyed this and remember to practice the 3 R's, Read, Review and blank. (You get to fill that last one in) Thanks a lot folks.
Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
I think so, Brain, but if they called them "sad meals" no one would buy them. (Pinky and the Brain)