Hyrule Castle

The carriage ride to Hyrule Castle from the eastern command center was a long one. Link and his cohorts left early in the morning and Castle Town was in sight over the horizon. "We'll make it there within the hour" Kyle said to Link and Sieg who were on the other side of the carriage. "Please tell your friend that" he added while pointing up. Link knew he was talking about Shin who had been sitting on top of the carriage the whole time darting back in and out every so often. His acrobatic game of musical chairs was starting to annoy Kyle but he could see that this was just Shin's nature to be adventurous and restless.

Link was happy and kind of nervous to be returning to Castle Town as they entered through the gate, the guard gave a nervous salute as he saw both a colonel and the hero of Hyrule. Link wanted to walk the rest of the way, "I'm feeling nostalgic" was his answer as the four got out of the carriage.

"You feel nostalgic, I feel annoyed" Sieg said as he regrettably got out of the carriage as well. The four started making their way towards the castle but their progress was slow as many people instantly recognized Link. Everyone was clamoring around him giving thanks and welcoming him back.

Link then remembered something, "You know, Lon-Lon Ranch is nearby, I should see Malon and the other ranchers after this" he said to himself.

Kyle corrected him, "Actually, the family runs a small Inn here in the town. You don't have to go far, I'll show you". Kyle then led Link to the eastern section of the town the other two close behind. "Here it is, the Epona Inn" he announced. It looked like a simple inn but it seemed very popular to the people. "I'd let you in, but I just want to get to the castle and get this meeting over with" Kyle said as he led Link ahead.

Sieg was in brighter spirits, he liked Castle Town as it was right next to a large castle reminding him of the large towers in Wissen. He realized he was kind of homesick, not used to great plains, forests, and tiny villages. The yellow symbol in his right eye was almost constantly active; he was learning the Hylian language and writing quickly. He also noticed that Shin's Dragon Mark was doing the same thing.

As they were passing the Epona Inn, Shin stopped and realized something, "That's all the Hylian I need to know, "All You Can Eat!" here I come!" he yelled as he darted in with Link and Kyle not noticing. Sieg followed him in annoyance, but even he admitted he was hungry too.

Inside was a lively little diner like set. Shin and Sieg were seated at a booth as a waitress came over to them handing them menus. "Hi, I'm Malon, welcome to the Epona Inn, I'll be your sever" she said with a smile. "Is there anything I can get you?" she added.

"Your fake enthusiasm is nice, take up acting" Sieg said as he flipped through the menu finding nothing he liked. Malon was just confused about that last statement.

Shin marveled at the menu, "What's a "Sandwich", that something only for breakfast?" Shin asked as he read breakfast sandwich.

Malon was once again perplexed, but she could see this one had a better attitude than the other customer. "You guys aren't from around here are you?" she cleverly deduced.

However, almost instantly two large people at the bar looked at the duo, "Hey check out the character over here" one mockingly said.

The other looked, "Oh I think "She's" cute" the fat one said.

Outside Kyle and Link noticed that they hadn't heard a complaint and joke in a while and realized Shin and Sieg were gone! "They probably went into the Epona Inn, Xangese have large appetites and I'm certain that Shin guy went in there to get something to eat" he announced annoyingly. They instantly started running back.

Back in the Inn, Malon was shaking as she saw the two men. "Hey, why don't you get a haircut boy?" said the fat one as Shin was confusingly looking at the utensils.

"You gonna talk boy, are you just a faggot?" said the tall one.

It didn't Sieg long to realize they were insulting to him…bad idea. Shin instantly tired to defend his new friend due to a "Partner's Code" but Sieg out his hand up indicating he was probably going to do something bad.

"Please gentlemen, no harassing customers and if you are going to fight, please take it outside" Malon barely got out as the two men just looked at her silencing her. Link and Kyle walked in and saw the commotion. "Hero Boy!" she said with stars in her eyes as she saw Link.

Link and Kyle stood ready; Link had two clawshots appear in his hands. "So this is Link's requip magic" Kyle thought to himself. "Storing weapons in another personal dimension until needed, very interesting" he deduced. But he was digressing, he was about to order the two men to stand down; but Sieg turned to them.

Sieg shot an angry look at the men, "Listen to me, with a wave of my hand or whisper of my lips I can open a doorway of arcane tortures that the likes of you hicks and all you country bumpkins have never seen before" Sieg announced. "Consider that your first and final warning" he ended daring the men to do something.

Both men looked at each other, unsure of what to do, "F-F-Faggot" the fat one nervously said.

"Umformen!" Sieg yelled as a blast of magic filled the room. As the smoke cleared everyone realized the two men were gone and all that was before Sieg was two dolls. He picked them up and gave them to a little girl in the diner, "Here you go, but watch out, they contain the souls of two foulmouthed hicks" he warned. Link and Kyle convinced him to not give them away and undo the change in a time limit. "You guys are no fun" he said as they prepared to leave.

Link turned to Malon who had been ogling him the whole time in her eyes her little hero turned into a hunk, "Long time no see Malon, how's Indigo and your dad" he asked. The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment until Kyle started pointing to his pocket watch indicating that he wanted to get to the castle before noon. "Sorry got to go see Princess Zelda, see you later" Link ended.

Sieg and Shin noticed Malon twitched Zelda's name was brought up. Instantly she ran into the back where they noticed she grabbed a large doll with blonde hair and a pink dress that had the Hylian words for "Love Rival" written on it. Malon promptly starting jumping on it for a second until her head popped out of the back happily bidding link goodbye. "Popular with the ladies isn't he?" Shin asked.

Sieg looked at him, "And I thought YOU were going to be the dumb one" he retorted as they made their way to the castle.

Inside, they were directed toward the throne room where they were presented to the Lord General and King. The King looked at them and stroked his beard, "I didn't know the circus was in town" he joked.

"Oh no, I left the circus years ago" Shin said to everyone's surprise

"I KNEW IT; I'M SURROUNDED BY CIRCUS FREAKS AND COUNTRY BUMPKINS!" Sieg screamed.

The Lord General stepped up and saluted revealing his left arm was mechanical…and his left leg! It all went well with the big scar across his left eye. "Kyle, this is a surprise, two colonels coming for the meeting, double what I expected" he announced as he put his cane beneath his arm. He turned to the trio and gave a hearty salute to them. He was an old man, but apparently he was strong if he retained his position in the military of knights. As Link saluted, Shin bowed, and Sieg did he stroked his gray goatee in thought and turned away. He noticed that Kyle had something for him and realized it was Link's special agent registration.

The King stepped forward and shook Link's hand welcoming him back, "Good to have you back lad" he announced forcibly patting Link on the back. He turned, "Solomon, why don't you tell my daughter that her old friend Link will be joining us for the meeting?" he said to the young man in the corner. "She's practicing her archery out in the courtyard" he ended

The young man stepped forward and gave a bow. He was Link's age with dark hair, green eyes, and a deadpan face. "Yes your majesty" he said as he walked away.

"Poor Solomon, found him just wandering the streets five years ago" the King explained. "I felt sorry for him so I gave him a job as a royal butler since Faust already had his only good hand full with the youngsters at the military academy" he ended.

"Very funny, need I humbly remind you that I sacrificed most of my left side to save you Daphnes?" the Lord General said. "Soon I'll retire to spend more time with my remaining limbs" he announced.

"EEEEEEEEHHHHHHH?" was screamed so loud by someone it seemed everyone in the castle could hear it. King Daphnes identified the voice as his daughter Zelda's causing everyone to worry.

Suddenly, Solomon walked in with a finger in his ear indicating he was near something very loud, "Her majesty said thank you for telling her" he said. "Oh, and I she said she's getting ready for the meeting now" he added.

Everyone stared at him, "But that's before dinner three hours from now" King Daphnes said.

"All due respect, I think she knows that" Solomon said never removing his deadpan face. "Why don't I show our guests around until then?" he ended.

"Marvelous, we are waiting on Colonel Hans; he always comes to these meetings" Faust announced as he took Kyle aside.

Shin didn't want to wait though, he instantly ran up to the wall, ran up it and did a few back flips onto a chandelier and swung himself out into another room. Everyone in the room just stared in amazement. "Wish I could do that" King Daphnes said.

"Circus freak" is all Sieg could say.