Yes. Its me, back from the dead. I thought I would try my hand at writing something actually epic. For the time being, I'm putting SoW on hold, as it grew tiresome with so many characters, and no clear idea of how they should interact.

So, for now I will write this. When I get time. Hopefully. Cue evil laughter

The wind swept throughout the forest. The mighty ferns creaked in the gusts, swaying from side to side. The air was cold, the ground damp from recent rain. The full moon hung high in the sky, bathing the area in an unearthly light. The single roughly paved and winding road wound through the forest like a snake, trees clumsily hewn around it.

A small haphazard collection of wooden buildings stood in a great clearing beside the road. Their frames were hewn from mighty oaks. Smoke puffed from the chimney of one, a small fire visible inside it. A watchtower stood in the centre of the complex. Guards patrolled nearby, sharp spears carried in their arms. Their crimson and silver armour glinted, showing a design of a mighty eagle with wings spread wide, mounted upon a lofty mountain peak.

The guards kept watch, albeit lazily. One yawned, scratching at his helmet. He was tired, his body unused to the rigours of the watchmen. Every bone in his body ached, every limb felt like lead. His watch was nearly over. He longed fro rest, and a comfy bed, even if it would be for only several hours. Questions plagued his exhausted mind.

Quite why anyone would wish to place the borders of a country smack bang in the middle of one of the largest and most ancient forests in the world was beyond him. It was not the sort of question that he even bothered to think of an answer for.

There were other things that worried him more. Hyrule, Karias's large and for the most, benevolent, neighbour was quiet these days. Too quiet almost. For years the watchmen had grown accustomed to the procession of carts and caravans moving through the forest, bringing goods to and from Hyrule. Slowly, they had lessened in both number and frequency, until the forest road was almost deathly silent.

"Oi! Dan, you still with us??"

Unfortunately, there were things he did have to think about, whether he liked it or not.

"How many times, kid," his commanding officer chided, "must I remind you that we are tasked to protect this crossing? Not to wander vaguely off into the realms of fantasy."

That was Commander Michael for you. A man of relentless passion for his duty and an even more relentless fighter, a veteran by all accounts. If there was one man in the entire gods-darn kingdom you could count on, it would be the commander. Still, it was some surprise to the now-rare visitors that he was so well liked by his men.

"So…you got that?" The commander finished, tilted his helmet back slightly, and crossing his arms.

Daniel shook his head. "Yes. Sorry, sir."

But he had heard it all before. At least a dozen times. Why the worry? Nothing ever happened around here, anyway. He moaned inwardly. Why couldn't he have been placed somewhere interesting, like the eastern deserts? At least it was hot there…

"What was that?" One of the guards had whipped around, clutching his weapon.

"What?" said another, instantly cocking his spear forwards, his eyes skimming the area.

The first watchman shrugged. "Nothing, Just a wolf, I guess."

Daniel held his spear in front of him. Dark beasts lived in the forest at night, he knew. Slowly, he walked forwards, holding his spear at the ready. He stared into the darkness of the forest, from which the road emerged like a starved tongue. A cloud skirted over the moon. The darkness seemed to be deepening. The forest seemed denser than it had several moments before.

Suddenly, a deep sound reverberated through the forest, a deep ominous chime, as if some bell had been struck far away. The soldiers glanced around hurriedly, as the ground shook slightly, sending birds pouring from the tress into the night sky. Quickly, the vibration was followed by several others, lighter in tone, but far shriller. The din was ear splitting. The men placed their hands over their ears, groaning in pain and agony. Wolves howled in the forest.

As quickly as the sounds had come, they ceased, the vibrations carried away over the distant mountains. Sheer stillness seemed to seep into its place. The forest held its breath. Every man stood at the ready. The light from the cabin was extinguished, the smoke silenced.

Through the dark and grim eves came another sound, one that filled the guards with a seething terror. The sound of rattling armour and spears. The sound of impatient horses and their riders. The sound of hundreds upon hundreds of marching feet, and barked orders. Torch lights flicked through the trees in the distance. The sentries on the watchtower had halted, silently starring out into the wood.

Slowly, each man froze, their hands shaking. Weapons fell to the floor, yet no one made a motion to retrieve them. The commander's eyes widened, as if to penetrate the darkness that seemed to extend before them. Finally he spoke, slowly, as if to prolong his judgement.

"They are coming."

And through the trees, the army came.

Ha ha! Bet that caught you by surprise? No? Bah. You're no fun.

Oh yes, I was inspired to write this in part by Sunruner's awesome Matters of State.

Now, dance my puppets. And of course, review my reviewers.