Lon Lon Ranch- Sometime after Link left
"Malon, are you okay?" Koji asked. After Link had left, he and Malon headed back to the ranch to figure out what to do next. Except that Malon didn't seem much in the mood to do anything at the moment.
"Go away" was her muffled response. Even though he couldn't see her, Koji had a feeling she was crying into her bed. Koji propped himself up on the door to her room.
"It's not like he's dead. He's just off training to be a knight. And it's not like Castle Town is that far away." No response. "Just because he left doesn't mean we still can't have adventures."
The door cracked open a bit, startling Koji. "Like what?" said the voice on the opposite side.
"I don't know, think of something."
"I've thought of something" she said, opening the door fully. "The western woods. We've never explored them fully."
"There's a reason for that," Koji said, following Malon down the stairs. "It's referred to as Moblin Woods. I don't know about you, but I would rather not go anywhere near anything with Moblin in its name." His comments were futile.
Malon led him through the swarm of Cuccos to the door. "Come on, it will be fun! Plus, it will help us get our minds off Link." She said, opening the door.
"Get your mind off Link, I think you mean to say." They crossed the path to the stables. "I am perfectly fine. You're the one complaining." They headed into the stables.
"I am not." She responded, picking up the nearest saddle and throwing it over a large brown horse with a flowing white mane. She grabbed a quiver and bow hiding in the corner and slung it over her back. "Let's go, Epona. You coming?" She asked, opening the stable doors.
"Someone has to protect you from your bad ideas." At that moment, he noticed a man standing in front of the now open stable doors. "Malon…"
She had already noticed "Oh. Hello, father."
Malon's father, Talon, was a short, pudgy man who spent ninety percent of waking hours asleep. Technically, he did own the ranch. He just never did any work on it, choosing instead for his old friend and colleague Ingo to do it all.
"Malon? What are you doing up at this hour?" he asked.
"You mean mid-morning?'" she responded under her breath. Anything before noon was early for Talon.
"Exactly. Early. Out to feed the Cuccos?"
"As a matter of fact, me and Koji are heading out."
"May I ask, where? I hope it's not the western woods." A quick look at Malon's face told him otherwise. "No. Absolutely not. Did Koji agree to this?" He asked, peering around his daughter to find Koji, who had plopped himself down on the stable floor.
"Umm…"
"He said he needs to protect me from my bad ideas." Malon said gleefully. "Besides, we will be careful. And quiet. Moblins aren't that bright."
"I still can't say I'm entirely with the idea, but I know how headstrong you are. Just like your mother."
"Is this a yes?" Malon asked.
"A reluctant one, yes. I've know for years that nothing can change your mind. Go along."
"Thank you, father. Koji, lets go."
Koji sighed, mounting the horse behind his friend. Soon they were out of the ranch, racing across the field towards the distant forest.
Castle Town
Link followed Rusl over the large, polished stone bridge leading to the castle's front gate. Beneath them, a wide, deep moat encircled the castle. Various citizens hung around on the bridge, talking, hanging out. Guards wandered back and forth, occasionally stopping to chat with citizens. No one paid Link or Rusl any attention.
The castle was surrounded by a second wall, thicker then the one around the town, reaching all the way behind the castle where it met up with the towering Eldin Mountains. Dotted around the wall were towers, connected to the castle by bridges. Lookout towers. The front gate, large, wooden, and well crafted, was guarded by what appeared to be a high ranking guard, wearing more ornate armor them the common soldiers on the bridge. In his hand was a long spear.
Rusl seemed to recognize him. "Good morning, Captain." He said, like old friends would speak with each other.
"Rusl, old friend. How are you this morning? Beautiful day, is it not? By the way who is the boy?"
"This is Link, my new trainee. He's Satoshi's son."
"Satoshi's son, eh?" The captain extended his hand, "Captain Viscen, Head of the royal guard, bodyguard for the King of Hyrule. I suppose you're hear to meet him?" Link started to open his mouth, but Viscen cut him off. "No need to respond. I know how this works. You're not the first one Rusl has brought to meet him." He tapped the shaft of his spear on the ground. A signal. The great wooden gates swung open, revealing the castle courtyard. "Proceed. It isn't right to keep the king waiting."
Link silently thanked the captain, and was led by Rusl across the courtyard. The castle was even more magnificent up close. Towering above his head, it seemed intimidating, yet gave an aura of peace. Guards meandered around the courtyard, paying the two no mind. Link had little time to admire the tranquil gardens, as he soon found himself walking up a small flight of stairs to a large portico. Rusl stopped.
"Link, before you meet the king, I must tell you what is expected of you. Only speak when spoken to, which shouldn't be too hard for you. The king will judge weather you are worthy of being a knight. Very few are, though I do not doubt that you will be chosen."
"Very few?" Link asked, "How many knights are there?"
"Currently, four. Our numbers were diminished during the war. Now, the king only chooses the best, so that we never have such a loss again. This poses a problem, but it's not right to question the king." Suddenly, the doors in front of them swung open, revealing the inside of the castle. "That's our cue."
Link followed Rusl in to the entry hall. Red carpets flowed down the hallways, tapestries hung from the ceiling, and the white marble bricks shone brightly. The hall led in three directions, on either side of Link and another in front. The one in front was wide, and had two flights of stairs leading up to another hall with a door on top. Between the stairs was a large door adorned with the mark of three, golden triangles. This one, too, swung open in their presence. Cautiously, Link and Rusl headed in.
The room they found themselves in was massive, clearly the throne room. The walls spread out wide, and it was surrounded by a balcony. High up on the walls were elegant stained glass windows, depicting the same triangles, as well as pictures of three women. On the floor was a long red carpet, leading from below the balcony to the raised platform on the other side of the chamber. There, on the platform, was a throne. And on the throne, there was a man.
"Proceed" the man said, in a large, booming voice which echoed of the walls. They did, slowly at first, allowing Link to take in the sights of the throne room. However, they quickly found themselves at the bottom of the raised platform. Instinctively, Rusl kneeled. Link followed his example, falling to his knee, bowing his head. The king chuckled. "Rise. We are all friends here."
"So, this is the boy I've heard so much about. Satoshi's son. What is your name? Somehow I still have not learned it." He looked at Rusl, who just shrugged.
Link stumbled over his words. "M… My name…? Link. I… It's Link." He said, facing the king. Now that he was close enough he realized something. The king was large, either from muscle or fat, Link could not tell. Probably more the former. He was impossible to miss, with his massive girth and bright red robes.
"Link, eh? Fitting name. You know? You look just like your father. He was a close friend of mine. Very brave. It is a shame you never got a chance to meet him. "
Link looked at him, confused. "But that is not the point. That is not why you are here."
"If you would please, your majesty, why was I called here?" Rusl glared, but Link didn't care. He wanted to know.
The king chuckled. "Yes, I should probably tell you. You are here because I wanted to meet you. To see if you are worthy of becoming a knight of Hyrule. Dark times are approaching, I can feel it. I need the best to fight what is ahead."
Rusl was confused. "Dark times? The kingdom is at peace. Ganondorf has been defeated. Nothing has happened it seventeen years."
The king readjusted himself in his throne. "Rusl, have you heard the stories of Carock? The dark wizard who is supposedly roaming around this kingdom, terrorizing the villages? Many have seen him, reporting grim stories of destroyed villages and missing families."
"I have not," Rusl responded, "I've been down in Ordon for a couple months, and only just got back. But I assure you, if there is a dark wizard in Hyrule, I will track him down."
"Then you won't be doing much for a while then," Came a third voice. It was quiet and somber, monotone even. From behind the kings' throne came a weasel of a man short, stubby with long green robes that obscured most of his body and trailed of behind him. They adorned with scarlet borders, and had a symbol in the middle, eye-like. Link had seen this symbol before, found throughout Kakariko. The mark of the Sheikah. His face was covered in a red scarf.
"I'm afraid, Rusl, that these stories of Carock are nothing more then that: stories. Carock is an urban legend" He continued, "In fact; there is not much use for your knights anymore. They are a relic of the past, your numbers diminished…"
"Peace, advisor." He raised his hand, quieting the new man. " The knights are not going anywhere, and the purpose of this meeting is to judge a new one, not question their relevancy."
For the first time the advisor seemed to notice Link, who noticed something strange. The mans eyes seemed to be red, and burned with hatred. This was not a man to cross. He spoke up, "Um, if I may, your majesty, how am I going to be judged?"
King Daphnes returned his focus to Link, ignoring the desperate pleas of his advisor. "Oh, yes. That. You are to go on a quest to one of the ancient labyrinths around here and retrieve a gem that was placed inside. Return to me by nightfall. If you succeed, you will be ordained as a knight of Hyrule. And if you fail…" The king trailed off, "Well, you will not fail. No son of Satoshi could fail this challenge."
The advisor looked at the young boy, perplexed. "This is the son of Satoshi?" He asked. "I didn't realize he had a son." The advisor looked at Link like he was day old trash. "I don't believe it. Prove it. Prove that you are the son of Satoshi."
"Peace. The boy does not have to prove anything." King Daphnes said, silencing the advisor. "His word is good enough."
"Lies. I need proof." The advisor hissed.
"You are dismissed. Leave us." The king said forcibly. He seemed annoyed by the
mans presence. The advisor slunk off into the shadows behind the throne, and a slam of a door indicated his departure. King Daphnes resumed speaking. "I am sorry if that weasel annoyed you. To be honest, I do not even know why I keep him around."
Suddenly, the throne room doors behind them swung open, and Link could hear a man asking for the king.
"Well, it looks like it is time for you to go, if you want to make it back before dark. Link, I hope to see you tonight. I know things are coming, and I need you to help. But for now, you are dismissed."
Moblin Woods
He sat on the back of the Bullbo he had borrowed from a friend, keeping a watch on this strange figure that was approaching across the field from the East through his telescope. The Bokoblin sighed, leaning back into the large brown bull. They were probably going to turn around at some point. Hylians knew better then to enter the woods. Instead they kept coming. And coming, getting closer and closer. This was a problem
Bokoblins were not known for their speed, with their skinny bodies and impish heads. However, they were the smartest of the Blins, known for their cunning and intellect, at least compared to Moblins. This one was no different. And he knew what happened when Hylians entered the woods uninvited. He turned the bull around and raced into the woods.
It wasn't long before he reached the Moblin village, located near the edge of the woods. Village was a lose word, though. The village was little more then a collection of tents arranged in a rough circle. Large Moblins, skinny Bokoblins, and short little Bulblins milled around. None of that was any concern to the blue skinned Bokoblin. Jumping of the Bullbo, he raced into the largest of the tents, where the king of the Blins lived.
"My king!" He called, in a high raspy voice.
"Bokobo! Just who I wanted to see. What's for dinner?" King Bulblin led the Blin tribe, but unlike other Bulblins, he has twice as tall as Bokobo, and five times as fat. Two massive horns stuck out from the side of his head.
"I'm not here to talk about food…"
"I hope its meat pie. I love your meat pie." The king said, cutting the scouts sentence off.
"Look," the scout said impatiently, "I'm not here to talk about food. I'm here to say that…" He was cut off again.
"I almost forgot. I want you to meet our new benefactor." Bokobo's attention was drawn to a figure he had not seen before, standing silently in the corner of the tent. "He's a wizard." King Bulblin added. The man wore scarlet robes that covered his entire body. A unique symbol was adorned on the front. He sort of creped the Bokoblin out.
"There are two Hylians heading this way from the east."
The king took a double take. "WHAT? Are you sure?" He bellowed, breaking his usual demeanor. Bokobo nodded. "This is a problem. Where's Moe? Moe?!" A large Moblin lumbered in, dragging a large club behind him. "There are two Hylians heading this way from the east. I want you to keep an eye on them, and, if necessary, get rid of them." The brutish pigman smiled, but before he could leave, the wizard spoke up.
"Wait. What did they look like?" he asked.
Bokobo didn't understand why it mattered, but said "Young. One male, one girl. They were riding a reddish colored horse with a white mane."
The wizard seemed deep in thought. "Capture the girl." He said. "Kill the other. And if anyone should approach by the west, kill them. I don't want my plans disrupted."
Moe the Moblin smiled evilly, and walked out of the tent like he owned it. Once he was gone, the green skinned king spoke again. "Now, about that meat pie…"
Castle Town
The student and teacher wandered down the south market street, into a narrow alley on the right. They descended some stairs into a small plaza, where nothing was seen except a small tunnel that led to a door. Rusl was taking the boy to meet the other knights before they headed out, and they met here, in this small bar in the basement of the old storefront.
"So why do the knights meet in a bar?" Link asked his mentor.
Rusl sighed. "It's the only place we have. The old knight barracks were reworked for the castle guards after the war. With no where else to go, an old friend gave it to us as a place to stay." He opened the door, and Link took his first step inside.
The bar was small with a stone floor and wooden walls, with the actual bar on the left and a couple of tables to the right. In the back, three people sat gathered around a table. Behind the bar was a slightly large woman with darker skin and red hair, similar to the stories he heard from his uncle about the Gerudo. Next to her, curled up in a ball, was a small white cat. The woman seemed to notice them coming in.
"Rusl, it's been a while!" She said enthusiastically. "How have you been? How's the family?"
"Good, good. They're fine. Link, I want you to meet Telma. She is the owner of this bar."
Telma took a good look at Link. "I've heard a lot about you. Rusl was ecstatic when you sent that letter. He would not stop talking about you or your father." She smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you. By the way, the others have been waiting." She gestured to the three people in the back.
Rusl led Link to the back of the bar. However, the three knights didn't seem to notice until Rusl cleared his thought. They turned, noticing Link. "My friends, this is Link, the next prospective knight. Link, meet Auru," he gestured to an older man with little hair, but a regally adorned outfit and hood, "Ashei," A young girl Link's age with very expensive looking silver armor, "and Shad.", A young man, maybe a little older then Link, with glasses, red-orange hair, and a purple jacket.
"These are the knights?" Link asked. They didn't look like he had imagined.
"Well, that's what we call ourselves." Shad said, extending his hand, which Link took. "We are more like an independent resistance movement, opposed to internal threats. By the way," He directed his attention to Rusl, "have you heard about Carock?"
"Just did. Are the stories true?"
"I'm afraid so." Auru responded. "And they say he comes from the desert. Survivors say that he is apparently trying to find a way into the Temple of Time, without actually coming to the city. Also, he's also looking for us. The knights. That wizard is a menace, Rusl, and one of these days he is going to find us."
"This is bad." Rusl's mood suddenly went from happy to grim. Turning to Link, he said. "We need to get your test done quickly, before Carock finds us. Ashei?"
"What?" the girl grumbled.
"What labyrinth is closest to here?"
"Eagle, probably. That's the one in Moblin Woods, yeah?" She looked up at her mentor.
"Yes. That's what I thought. Link, let's go. Now." Rusl turned to the other knights. "Don't let anyone into this bar until I come back." He led Link out of the bar and to a nearby wagon. A road Link hadn't noticed before led out of the plaza, and presumably into town. Meanwhile, many questions bounced around in Link's head, waiting to be asked. Only one made it out.
"You don't think…"
"That Carock is the mysterious Gerudo King, Ganondorf? No. But I do believe that this wizard is working for him."