The Raven

Chapter 1

He had always wanted to be famous… like his brother. And the people of Hyrule knew well his legacy. The trail of blood left behind him led to one name and one name only: Dark Link. The Raven struck fear into the hearts of unwary citizens. They could never figure out who his next target would be, for he did not have a set pattern. It seemed once a person was marked for death by The Raven, it was simply a matter of time before he met his untimely end. But was this notoriety what the young man really wanted: a simple assassin for hire, who only killed for money. He sat on the bank of a river staring at his reflection in the crystal blue water. "Look at yourself, Riven." His mind whispered. His pale face had long ago chiseled into a cold expression. His red eyes were sharp and always alert. They say that his eyes always seemed to laugh at you just before he struck a person down. But none of his victims had dared look into the eyes of this man. It was like he could peer into your very core and see your inner demons.

"Well?" said a voice behind him.

"Well what?" Riven replied, still absorbed in his reflection.

"Are you going to do this for me or not?"

"You want me to kill the girl…well you know I absolutely detest hurting women." He said looking back at the Gerudo King.

Ganondorf sighed impatiently, "I'm not asking you to hurt her. I'm asking you to kill her. Now is it going to be a problem?"

"Depends on how much money we're talking." Riven said, casually leaning back on his arms and closing his eyes, letting the wind whip his black hair about his face.

"One hundred thousand rupees." Ganondorf stated.

"Tsk Tsk. Ganondorf, you know I don't accept any offer below one fifty and that's not negotiable. Now care to try again?" Riven opened one eye and looked at Ganondorf.

"What will you do for a hundred thousand?" he asked.

"I will laugh in you face." Riven stood and brushed his black tunic off, "We're obviously wasting our time here." He turned his back on the Gerudo king.

"Riven, wait. Honestly, is this how you're going to repay your father?" he asked, knowing this would get a rise out of the young man.

Riven whirled around, a new fire burned in his eyes, "You are treading dangerously." He said narrowing his eyes as his hand traveled to the hilt of his sword.

Ganondorf simply smiled, "Did I make you angry?" he said mockingly.

"You don't know who you are messing with." Riven said gravely.

"Neither do you. What you fail to realize, Riven, is that I'm not afraid of you." Ganondorf said his voice equally dangerous.

Riven unsheathed his sword and pointed the black blade to Ganondorf's neck. Then he smiled, "Good, will make killing you all the more fun."

"Put your dagger down, little boy." He said moving Riven's sword away from his neck, "And tell me what you will do for one hundred thousand rupees."
"I'll take her to Termina. That's the best I can offer with such a distasteful price." He said still gripping his sword tightly.

Ganondorf thought for a moment then spoke, "That will have to do. I simply need her out of Hyrule. And out of my hair."

Riven sheathed his sword and crossed his arms, "Who is she?"

"A girl from Lon Lon Ranch."

"Malon? A 20 year old red head engaged to my bro…Link?"

"Guess again: She's a Shieka. I want her out of Hyrule."

"Why?" Riven asked him curiously,

"I'm not paying you to ask questions. Just do it!" Ganondorf said firmly.

Riven looked at him resentfully, "She'll be out of Hyrule by the end of the week. I expect my money to be ready before I return. I'd hate to look at your piggish face any longer than I have to." He mounted his black horse and galloped off in search of his newest victim.