The rider entered the gate just as the clock tower struck midnight. The night guard commanded in a surly voice, "Who goes there? Speak!" The figure on horseback stopped, and turned slowly to face him. The guard could only stare at one thing: the glowing red eyes studding the rider's invisible face. He stammered, his voice suddenly high and wavering, "W-what is y-your business here?"
The figure's only response was a sudden movement and a sharp light, and the guard slumped to the ground, his body devoid of blood.
The next jab brought Link off balance, causing him to drop his sword to the side. He failed to parry the following slash that found his throat. "Athas, you sly dog!" he growled at the figure holding the sword to his throat. In response, Athas only shrugged and lifted the wooden pole from his friend's skin. "Best two out of three?" he suggested. Link laughed. "You're on," he replied. He moved his legs upward, then brought them down quickly enough to hop up and land on his feet. He retrieved his wooden sword, and went through a few stretching and breathing exercises. Athas did the same, and after a moment questioned Link, "Ready?"
Link stared into Athas's ice-blue eyes and nodded curtly. The two young men faced each other, and both bowed, each keeping his eyes on their opponent. Quite a crowd had accumulated, and Link's heart skipped a beat when he saw Kari, his crush, in the gathering. She winked and smiled at him. He shifted his already sweaty grip on his pole nervously.
"Go!" Athas yelled. Link leaped into action immediately. He dropped into a roll around his compatriot, parried the expected thrust, and spun about fiercely, and fell into a series of slashes and stabs. Athas, forced to the ground, was making fierce effort not to let the pole touch him. Link forced Athas's blade far to the side and was about to make the finishing blow when he looked to the side- at Kari. She smiled again and waved a little, and Link suddenly found himself on the ground, his head exploding in excruciating pain. He could feel himself coughing up blood. He heard someone female in the crowd scream "Somebody help him!" The last thing he saw before fading into blackness was Athas's concerned face.
Link opened his eyes that evening and immediately blushed. He saw that he was in Kari's room... In Kari's bed! He felt a sensation, lifted the sheets, and groaned.
He was naked. He jumped when a feminine voice next to him whispered, "Your clothes are in the bathroom," Startled, he slowly turned his head, and felt his face burning when he saw who it was.
"Don't be embarrassed, I won't look!" Kari said with a giggle that could only mean that she already had. She obediently looked away as Link sidled out of the bed, holding the sheets to cover himself. She let out a giggle, and Link's gaze shot in her direction. He saw that there was a mirror in front of her, looking out at the whole room. She blushed when she saw Link glaring at her in the mirror, and threw a blanket over the mirror. "Sorry," she said, "I couldn't help it!"
Link snorted incredulously, dropped the sheets and used his crossed hands instead. He hurriedly walked to the adjoining room, spun about, then slammed and locked the door. He walked to the middle of the tile floor and fell to his knees, making no move to conceal his manliness. His head was still pounding, and he could taste the blood remaining in his mouth. He got up rather shakily, and slipped on the imperial clothes left for him on the sink. He sat on it for a moment, rubbing his face. He wearily stepped off and began to wash his face in the ice-cold water. He sighed, relieved. He walked up to the door, and unlocked it. He took a deep breath, opened the door, looked out, and quickly closed the door again. He didn't even have to look in a mirror to know that his face was brighter red than a cherry. Kari was sitting on the bed, scantily clad, obviously waiting for him. He looked around the lavatory, for a window or conveniently placed vent, but in vain. He groaned, and opened the door to face his now-lover's embrace.
The dark rider strode into the tavern, right up to the tubby bartender. Once the bartender looked into the deep, red eyes, he recieved a telepathic message. He pointed a sausage-like finger to a door on the side of the room, and died, his exposed entrails wrapped around his neck. An off-duty watchman moved for the shadowy figure, and the last thing he saw was the rider quickly moving its arm before he fell apart, sliced in eight pieces. No more moved to stop it, and they just watched with a chilling silence as it slipped into the portal.
Link fled the room, awkwardly stuffing his shirt onto his torso. Kari opened the door, naked, and yelled after him to return. Link turned around the corner, and bumped into Athas, carrying a food tray, and knocking him over. The tray's contents splatted all over the wall. Mashed potatoes, Link observed. Athas staggered up, and glared at Link. I assume you're better, then," he said, exhausted. "Where's the fire?"
Link rolled his eyes. "Athas, remember what Elder Matis said about overusing clichés... Anyway, you don't want to know."
Athas dived into Link, knocking him over. He gave the blonde a noogie and said, "It has to do with Kari, doesn't it? Did she finally make her move?" Link blushed. "Well... Uh... Kinda..." Athas jumped up and exclaimed, "HA! I knew it! So, how was it?"
"How was what?" questioned a deep voice behind both startled boys, causing them to turn around. "Uh..." Link stammered. Erik Sarrison, Athas's older brother, was standing before them, arms crossed over his muscular chest. Erik told them, "You two should get to bed before Matis finds you out here after curfew. You remember what happened last time! But before you go, clean up this mess. She would know it was you, Athas. Now get moving!"
Link and his companion needed not be told twice. They went into a cleaning fury, and finished before Erik had even left the hallway. They scooped the trash into a nearby bin, and ran to bed.
What do you think? R&R!