Chapter III: Vigilance

Zelda's grip on the reins tightened. The swordsman nodded as Sumner pranced on the turf, eagerly awaiting the coming arrivals. Epona trotted beside the elegant equine, soft brown gaze staring at the horizon.

"Let's hasten … And now would be an excellent time!" Link added, seeing the first mud colored boar appear over the hill. He rammed his heels into Epona's sides, urging her into a gallop.

The duo reined their horses to the south, fleeing the army of mounted goblins. Excited grunts were audible behind them. A blazing arrow flew past his ear. Link gasped, feeling the blistering heat. He drew his sword, noticing a bublins on his left.

A stained steel axe glinted in the morning light. The boar neared him, it's coarse brown hairs almost brushing Epona's golden pelt. He struck. Axe and sword clashed. The Master Sword's blade gleamed yellow in a ray of light, before a green aura flared around it.

Roots burst out of the grassy field, tangling around the boar's short legs. It fell with an astonished grunt, throwing it's rider. Link's gaze scanned the plain, searching for Zelda. She was nearing the bridge.

With two bublins closing in on each side.

* * * * *

Kent turned back to unsaddling Elare, seemingly avoiding her curious gaze. He pulled the saddle off, resting it against his brown clad side. Selena's eyes followed him as he placed it on the sand, walking back to his steed.

She dipped the cloth, scrubbing along Elare's sweat-encrusted spine. Kent's expression was nonchalant, though his eyes were far away - Deep in thought.

He, too, seemed concerned about the creature's appearance. Droids, Kent had called them. The emerald eyed rider ran his hand through his tousled onyx hair, sighing. Elare nickered, nudging his master. Kent gently rubbed the stallion's velvety black muzzle, absent mindedly scratching the base of Elare's throat with his other hand.

The buckskin arched his neck, thoroughly enjoying the additional attention. Selena continued to groom the stallion, observing him. Kent shook his head, clearly frustrated. He slowly lowered his hands, his gaze now focused on her.

"What is it?" she inquired, pausing. Curiosity seemed to intensify his stare.

"Naught …" Kent returned after a moment, looking away. He dipped, rubbing it up Elare's hocks as he squatted. "… Where do you plan to go?" he inquired, wringing out the cloth. A thin stream of sweat tainted water hit the surface. Kent swirled the cloth in the warm spring water, glancing up at her.

"Hyrule … Why do you ask?"

Kent shrugged, still holding her gaze. He seemed preoccupied. "Would you care for me to accompany you?" Kent inquired, straitening.

She flushed, stepping back. The water sloshed around her boots, wetting the knees of her trousers. "Please, do not think of me as a responsibility," Selena returned, raising her hands as if to fend off a strike.

The onyx haired rider shook his head, a smile playing about his lips. "No, it is not that. It would simply be uncouth not to offer …" he commented calmly, yet evasively. She continued to gaze into his deep green depths, sensing he was omitting something.

Elare nickered, turning his head to look at her. The stallion rubbed his head against her hands, clearly tired. "… Alright, I see no reason why you shouldn't," Selena consented, looking away before speaking again. "How did you know what those creatures are called?"

"I had the semi-recent misfortune of meeting someone who controlled them," Kent sighed, his tone distant. "Well … I suppose we should rest some before departing …" he mused, seeing as they were both teetering on the brink of exhaustion and Elare had reached it.

She nodded in agreement, glancing back at him. Kent took the reins, leading the buckskin to a grassy area near the water. He looped the braided leather around a tree, tying it into a secure slip knot.

Selena waded out of the spring, smiling as Elare promptly plopped down onto the grass with a snort, shaking his head. She walked to the equine, squatting as she ran her hand down his muscular neck. Elare's legs were leisurely folded, his head now resting on the ground.

The young woman moved to the side, further away from the stallion for when he got up. She hesitantly laid down, feeling Kent's eyes. Selena's gaze flicked to him, curious.

His back was resting against another tree, ankles comfortably crossed. Kent's scabbard rested across his legs. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the other gripping the sheath.

As if preparing for unwelcome company, she mused as exhaustion finally overtook her, sleep invading her senses.

* * * * *

Link's breath caught in his throat, watching as another boar loped onto the south end of the bridge. Zelda was surrounded. Two boars from behind, one ahead. All three were notching their bows.

Sumner's shod hooves pounded on the weathered wood. The young woman suddenly pulled on the reins, nudging the white's sides. His brow arched.

The gelding responded immediately, jumping off the bridge. Water splashed around it's cannon bones. The trio of boars collided, erupting into startled and agonized grunts. Sumner cantered beside them, snorting.

There were two others. She glanced at Link, nodding. The duo focused, once again relying on magic. A flaming arrow sailed past Zelda's arm. She tensed.

Spirit Light burst forth, momentarily blinding their pursers. She ducked forward in the saddle was the Forest began to glow, another arrow flying over her head. The Faron Woods were in sight. Roots once again burst out of the vibrating ground, snaring a single boar.

Epona suddenly tensed underneath him as they entered the Woods, biting the bit. He looked to Zelda. Her grip on the reins was tight. She could feel it was well.

They were not far from the 'shrine' … He pressed his right heel into her side, calmly asking the mare to turn. It was making him uncomfortable, not knowing. Still, if Epona also sensed it, there was a high possibility. Horses were animals of prey, their instinct was to remain vigilant.

He ducked under a branch as they slowed to a trot, hooves nearly soundless on the forest floor. Link stiffened as he straitened, an icy chill seeping down his spine. That feeling was all to familiar. Droids.

Link swung out of the saddle, gripping the mare's reins in one hand. The heel of his boot clunked against an unnoticed root. Epona stepped back, finally releasing the bit. The palomino arched her neck, locking her legs as he tried to lead her closer to the shrine.

"Easy, girl …" he murmured, stroking her muzzle. Zelda also dismounted, glancing at him. She hesitantly pulled up the right side of her kirtle, halfway up her calve. Link flushed, looking away as she pulled the sheathed knife from the boot. The coarse fabric brushed against a thin leafed bush as she released it, making a rustling sound.

He hesitantly looked back to her, trying to push what he'd seem from his mind. A tinge of crimson tainted Zelda's features, though she quickly diverted his attention.

Someone was entering the shrine. His brow arched. The Mirror had been destroyed. It should have held no further use. Link flipped the reins over Epona's neck, edging closer. Zelda nodded, tying Sumner's reins to the mare's. It would at least keep the duo together.

She stepped into the clearing, quietly moving towards the entrance. Link dropped the reins, jogging after her. One off guard moment was all a droid would need. His grip on the Master Sword's blue hilt tightened.

The heels of their boots clicked faintly on the flagstone, reaching the door. Zelda's fingers wrapped around the cold iron handle, pulling it open with utmost caution. She suddenly sidestepped, raising her hand.

Violet fumes seeped out of the door, blowing in their faces. Link winced, blinking. The fumes stung … Like acid. Magic?

His free hand slid inside the small leather pouch at the side of his belt, searching. The capacity of the enchantment enlarged pack never ceased to amaze him. His fingers soon closed around cool platinum. The Gale Boomerang. He withdrew it, a slight breeze entering the clearing.

It toyed with their hair before wrapping around the bent metal, turning silver. Link stepped into the door, pausing. Something hissed. He drew back his arm, releasing the Boomerang in one deft throw. It swung around the small room, a harsh wind cutting through the noxious fumes.

The duo stepped back as the gas billowed out of the doorframe, like a dark fog. Link raised his hand, easily catching the returning item. His brow arched, seeing the foliage. It was shriveling into brown weeds, shells of what was once green. Dying. Even the nearest tree was becoming wilted. What power was this?

Their throats were beginning to ache, raw from accidentally inhaling some of the fumes. Link tucked the Boomerang back in the pouch, and strode through the door. Zelda was on his heels, but two feet around him.

Claws suddenly ripped across his cheek. Link gasped, sidestepping as scarlet flowed from the gashes. The warm liquid dribbled onto the right shoulder of his tunic, testament of the attack. He turned, eyes narrowing.

The droid further extended it's bloodied, dagger like claws, hissing. It's slate gray, humanoid form nearly blended with the brick wall - Aside from the violet on it's face. A glinting amethyst shard was embedded between it's cold lavender eyes.

Link tensed as it dropped into a crouch, recognizing the movement. His icy blue gaze followed every move, a faint green aura appearing around his sword. Still, to continuously use magic in quick succession would only get him killed. He could feel the effects from their battle on the field, his energy already ebbing.

It pounced. He sharply brought his sword up. Blade and claws clashed, sliding. The two jerked back, moving in for another strike. A blade whistled in the air behind him, another droid hissing.

Zelda.

He lunged, abruptly, bringing his sword across the creature's torso. It burst into ash, momentarily blinding him. Link turned, blinking the soot out of his eyes.

The princess glanced over her shoulder, hearing his footsteps. A thin gash ran across her shoulder, blood trickling from the shallow wound. Her knife glinted in a ray of light, irritating the droid. She ducked as it attacked, the curved claws missing her face by inches.

Zelda ducked around it, planting her blade in it's back as she straitened. Her expression was one of distaste, staring at the ashes. "… Their essence … It's full of hate …" she whispered, stepping away from the pile. Zelda's gaze slowly shifted to the second doorway, the Mirror Chamber.

The person had not been a wayward traveler, he had to have been allied to the droids to have passed so swiftly. She quickly, but quietly strode across the room. Link was soon at her side, squatting.

Someone was kneeling on the stone floor, his back turned to them. Long umber locks trailed down his crimson shirt, partially falling around his face.

Low voices drifted to their ears, undecipherable. Zelda inched closer, hand resting on the edge of the door. It was cracked open. She slowly, cautiously pulled it back another few inches.

"… see your assignment was successful …" a male voice was saying, his tone bored. "Your next, mercenary, will be more challenging. Take this, and depart to Lyrako," the same masculine voice added, something sliding across the floor.

"Yes, sir," the rouge said coolly, fingers curling around the flat object.

"You shall receive further instructions there … And you have company," he added calmly. The duo tensed. "Kill them."

Well, here's chapter three. I hope you enjoyed it. ^_^