Chapter 1 Reviews:
Sensei – Thanks for the review! I was wondering if the lengths of my chapters were too short, and now you've confirmed it for me. The next chapter is quite short too, but I'll try to improve the lengths of all of the chapters after chapter 3.
A/N: Time for a history lesson.
~Chapter 2~
Dusk had long since ended by the time they came to an encampment in the nearby cliffs. They had taken a very guarded route to get here - both naturally guarded and humanly guarded. They were led through a tunnel that went under a river and along a very thin ledge over a long drop that was barely wide enough for Epona his pony, let alone the large horses of the men.
In one of the man-constructed caves, they settled on piled blankets and ate roasted meat beside a fire. Link tore into the meat eagerly; he had not had a real meal in quite some time, and for once, someone else was doing the cooking. The jolly man had introduced himself as Packard, the lank man was Jorose, and the three other men were Olowren, Trent and Diolass. There were many other men with him, and many more names to learn, but for the moment, these five names would suit him fine. They had explained to him that they were wild-men, the people of the land that fought and lived in the wild rather than flee to a different land and leave the demons to rule. Jorose finished his meal and sat with his arms crossed, examining Link. Link decided to ignore the eyes, and carried on eating until he had finished his food.
"So, you have never been to Morëkotu before?" Jorose asked. Link shook his head. "Do you know any of our land's history?" Link shook his head once more. Jorose sighed exasperatedly and shook his head. "You are a foolish boy, going to a land that you know nothing of! Have you any idea of the perils that await you here?"
"Oh, lay off the boy, Jorose!" Olowren grimaced. "We used to have many strangers that came to this land, knowing nothing of our people, our customs, our history."
"Now pay attention Link," Packard told him. "For I shall tell you of the history of Morëkotu.
"Long ago, more than one thousand years, there was a great warrior, who carried a shield meant to be a gift from the fairies. It was named the Shield of Irishati, after the queen of the fairies that ruled in this land. This shield was to stand for justice, valour, honour and truth. It shone with a silvery white radiance and all who beheld it felt at peace. This shield could guard against even the strongest of foes, and always reflected the land in its condition. This meant that the more the king allowed the land to be corrupted, the worse condition the shield went into. Then one day, two hundred years ago, there came a demon to this land."
"Fuorresh?" Link interrupted.
"No," Packard continued. "The demon lord Kealathen came upon this land, wishing to take it for his own kind. He was ruthless and full of hatred, and the lands burned at his very touch. It was during this time that the warrior Rathor took up the shield and guarded the land against the foe. By this time the shield was as battered as the land, and seeming almost useless for battle. Yet she used the shield, and Kealathen was destroyed. But the cost was high – and not just because the warrior hero Rathor paid with her life. With his blood, Kealathen tainted the shield, vowing that when one of true Morëkotu blood but tainted heart took up the shield, the land would fall into disarray, and the creatures of darkness would claim it for their own. However, as Rathor died, she put her blood onto the shield, and blessed it with this hope: That only after a decade of demon's rule, when all hope seems lost, a hero will come to the land and reclaim the shield of Irishati. And the hero will not be of Morëkotu blood, but pure of heart.
"Two hundred prosperous years passed, and the curse went unheeded and showed no sign of being a threat. But then, Sir Jerusinus – who was of true Morëkotu blood – took up the shield against our king - King Berelorn – wishing to claim the lands for himself. From Kealathen's blood on the shield sprung forth Fuorresh, a demon in Kealathen's likeness – if, smaller and less powerful – and Fuorresh turned the king to stone where he stood, with his hands still on his sword hilt. Then, he turned his attentions on Sir Jerusinus and poisoned his heart."
"And what of the shield of Irishati?" Link asked.
"Cast away," Diolass explained. "Hidden from view, who knows where. But the shield is still needed if we are to defeat Fuorresh and Sir Jerusinus." The conversation ended, and memories, worries, hopes and fears were the only thoughts that filled their silence.
~End of Chapter 2~