Chapter VII: Obligations
A slight smile played about Kent's lips, sensing that the Princess had stiffened. To be expected, perhaps.
"Pardon? I believe you are very mistaken," the young woman said quietly, levelly. Yet clearly, as well as understandably, startled. Trussing her guise.
He slowly looked up, gauging his Princess's reaction. Through her calmness, he could identify the confusion in her eyes. Kent hesitantly stood, habit and engrained teachings seemingly resisting the motion. His emerald eyed gaze momentarily flicked to her companion.
A lean, muscular frame with a slight tan. Blazing, yet icy blue eyes were set in the young man's youthful face. Full of life. Yet the slightly younger male's stance suggested varied trainings, though fully willing to draw his blade. His eyes were like that of a feral beast, yet also fiercely loyal.
"Rest at ease, swordsman. I intend no harm," Kent murmured with a slight nod of his head, gaze flicking back to the blue clad Princess. "… We are well met, Milady. Deny as you wish, though I venture to mention a neglected area. You have left the Mark uncovered," he said quietly, referring the trinity of triangles of her right hand, which now had a faint blue glow. Fading, but visible in the night.
The young woman flushed, before finally nodding. Affirming. "You are correct," she said softly, sighing. "… Are you perhaps, Sir Kent?" she inquired after a moment, puzzled.
Kent nodded solemnly, bowing his head. His emerald eyes gaze flicking to where Selena lay, in doing so. "Is she alright, Highness?" he inquired hesitantly, also redirecting the subject as she knelt next the young woman.
Even in the dim lighting by the moon, he could see that the wound still bled. Though not as heavily when inflicted by the knife. "… I believe so, though my magic would not heal it entirely. Your companion seems to be vulnerable to lodestone - Perhaps that is why …" the blue clad Princess mused aloud, trailing off as she glared at the bloodied knife in her hand.
The reverse of Nayru's symbol, etched in silver on the glittering black stone.
"… Link, I believe you may recognize this mark," she murmured, handing it to her companion. Kent's brow arched. The swordsman also seemed unnerved by the symbol, tensing.
"Unfortunately, yes," Link sighed, frustration bordering on his nearly strained tone. "Though perhaps it would be best to take this Knight's companion to Ordon, lest others unnecessarily become involved. The wound needs to be properly treated," he shrugged, his icy eyes meeting Kent's gaze. Omitting something.
The Knight nodded, picking Selena up as he straitened. "I follow my Princess," he said calmly, not wishing to provoke the swordsman. Yet also make a vague attempt for more information.
He strode to where Elare was tied, giving the slip knot a sharp pull. It immediately came loose, the braided leather falling around his stallion's cannon bones. Kent pulled it over the buckskin's head, cautiously mounting.
Selena's head rested against his chest, lips parted slightly in the depths of unconsciousness. Kent sighed, adjusting her motionless form to a more comfortable position. He was aware of a golden palomino and a pure white coming to a halt next to Elare.
The swordsman seemed to be hesitating, mulling over something. "… I suppose it would not deter us too long," he murmured, half lost in thought. "We could escort you to Ordon, if you'd like."
Kent looked over, startled. "It seems that you and her Highness are embarked in a quest, and I would not wish to impede," he returned, gaze flicking back to the young woman in his arms. Even with the wound mostly healed, she showed no signs of waking. The lodestone, which had been imbedded in the hilt of Kain's knife, apparently wrought more damage than they'd thought. An unusually chilled evening breeze toyed with their hair, cutting through their garments.
His fingers curled around Elare's reins, awaiting their response. The stallion shifted his weight, growing bored. Kent's grip, loosely supporting, tightened around Selena's limp form.
"It's quite alright," the Princess said softly, gaze flicking to the young woman in concern.
The onyx haired Knight nodded after a moment, nudging his steed into a trot. He now bore personal responsibility towards Selena, as well as his Princess.
Yet concern for her welfare was beginning to overpower his sense of duty. Something of a sad smile played about his lips, having a vague idea of what would happen if they encountered Kain again. As a duo or alone. Neither consequence was desirable.
He had heard his half-brother's reason to dispose of his acquaintance. Whom he was beginning to consider a friend, her gentle disposition growing on him.
A slight breeze ruffled his tousled onyx locks, Kent's emerald eyed gaze distant. The Knight absent mindedly clucked at Elare, gently requesting to move into a faster pace. He sighed, lost in thought.
How had Kain survived their previous confrontation?
* * * * *
A billowing dark mist was descending over the entire continent, barely visible in the early morning light. It passed over many, but clung to few. And spread, tendrils of black ivy growing on their essences. Claiming them.
The seed of corruption. Whom did it arrive in, and how quickly did it progress? Far more importantly, who were those faceless individuals, their features masked by a dark shroud?
Like a heavy fog, the dark mist was blanketing Hyrule's surrounding countries, attempting to invade the boarder. Suffocating it in a deafening silence.
Someone's heart beat steadily against her ear, reassuringly. A low moan escaped her lips as she attempted to move, pain shooting through her side. The relaxed grip around her tightened. Selena's eyes opened, startled.
Gray was streaking the sky, dawn approaching swiftly. Her soft cobalt gaze flicked to the person's face, curious. Kent's emerald eyes bored into her own. "… Are you alright?" he inquired gently, uncertainly.
Selena stiffened, now uncomfortably aware of how close they were. A flush was appearing in her cheeks as she nodded, deepening. Upon noticing his condition, however, she quickly pushed her embarrassment aside; The half-formed dream forgotten.
Kent's eyes were red from lack of sleep, his muscular form slouching in the saddle from exhaustion. Dried blood ran down both his left arm and his side.
She lightly placed a hand against his chest, pushing herself away slightly. Her soft cobalt gaze remained on Kent's. "… What of you?" Selena inquired after a moment, barely audible. Her eyes trailed to the still scabbing gashes on his upper arm.
"I'm quite alright," Kent returned calmly, his tone level. Hesitantly, gently touching her cheek. Selena's gaze immediately moved to his face, startled. He quickly dropped his hand, allowing Elare to stop. The stallion's head dipped down, grabbing a large bit of the lush turf. His teeth bumped against the bit as he chewed, clinking.
"… Your arm …" she whispered, swallowing. Now aware of two other horses.
Kent shook his head, a slight smile now playing about his lips. "You were injured worse than I. Please, do not fret over my condition," he said quietly, sighing. Guilt weighing over his conscience, apparently.
Selena slid from his grasp, landing lightly on her feet. The young woman winced, her side once again irritated. She looked up at him after a moment, concern still evident. "… I worry because I care," Selena returned, gently rubbing Elare's throatlatch.
The stallion arched his neck, upper lip quivering. An innocent smile appeared on her lips as she continued to rub it. "I believe that I have found your sweet spot," Selena murmured to Elare, faintly amused by the buckskin's reaction. She turned towards the other two riders, noticing they had also paused - As well as avoiding Kent's startled gaze. ".. Thank you, for assisting us earlier," she added with a bow of her head, her tone quiet. Respectful gratitude.
"You're very welcome," a feminine voice responded, formalities briefly returned.
Selena looked up, shyly glancing over their new companions, hiding a wince as she straitened. Both appeared to be older than her, even if marginally. Weariness tainted their features, a half finished braid hanging over the female's shoulder. The duo seemed discreetly curious, puzzled. Yet something about their essences mystified her.
They were powerful, showing strength at heart. Although something else was egging at the back of her mind, the nagging sense that both essences were faintly familiar. Yet she had not seen either, though slightly tainted with swirling emotions. Inner conflict, concern, doubt, curiosity, or suspicion? All of them? And about whom?
She forced an uncertain, wavering smile, realizing that the swordsman had asked her something. And had been too focused on understanding their essences to notice. "… My apologies, would you repeat that?" she inquired, flushing.
The swordsman's brow arched, before shrugging. "We are not far from Ordon, and will reach it soon. Would you like to continue?" he returned, adjusting his grip on the reins. Selena nodded, glancing around them.
Sycamore trees grew around them, leaving a wide, fairly grassy path. A thin dirt trail cut through the lush turf, winding steadily away from them. The sound of running water behind them suggested either a spring or river.
Selena's hand moved to the knife wound as her companions nudged their steeds into a walk, placing pressure over the gash. Attempting to relieve the persisting ache, though her success was marginal. It felt as if the blade was still partially embedded in her side.
She walked next to Elare, resting her right hand against his muscular shoulder. Continuing to hold her left hand over the gash, which was beneath the right side of her ribcage. Something brushed her own shoulder, causing Selena to look up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Kent inquired, his gaze meeting her own.
"… Yes …" she murmured, looking away. The onyx haired rider quickly moved his free hand back to the reins, seemingly shamed. Allowing each other to continue in silence.
Selena paused as they came to another clearing, early morning sun lighting the area. Kent, the swordsman, and his companion soon dismounted. Dawn's light danced across the moderate sized clearing, dappled through some of the trees. A simple cottage was nestled on a sharp raise of thin turf, a canopy of trees circled around the back and sides of it.
"This is where you live, Link? It is very nice," Kent commented, nodding to the swordsman.
"On occasion, as of late," their icy eyed companion replied, shrugging. Link walked his mare to the small treeless are next to the house, pulling the reins over her head before moving away. He quickly scaled the wooden ladder, agility suggesting long habit.
Link's gaze drifted back to them, then to his feminine companion. Then to them again. Fully taking in their appearances, it seemed. He shrugged again after a moment, brushing aside Kent's curious gaze.
"Well, perhaps it would be best to rest," Links suggested mildly, helping his companion up the ladder. Kent nodded absent mindedly, lost in thought. The rider's jaw was clenched.
"Kent? What is it?" Selena inquired softly, passively curious. Her tone was prompting, yet at the same time exceedingly timid. His emerald green gaze riveted to the young woman, startled.
"… Naught …" he returned after a moment, immediately masking his preoccupation - And the emotions beneath it. Kent lightly took Selena's arm, guiding her towards Link's dwelling. She tensed slightly, the duo pausing. His grip laxened further.
She could feel was he was. Somehow sensing his emotions, as well as strong memories attached to some.
The sellsword's face flashed in mind's eye, burning hatred attached to the brief image. Raw anger, the enduring shame and astonishment of betrayal branding her psyche.
Selena recoiled, breaking the accidental connection. "I did not mean to look … My apologies," she whispered, half stepping back. Kent's grip on her upper arm tightened slightly, just enough to remain firm. His emerald eyed gaze slowly met her soft cobalt one. Equally startled.
"It's alright, Selena," he said gently, noticing her reaction to a mere glimpse of his past. Though from a rougher section, he could see she was mortified at having pried - Even without the intent of doing so. "I am not upset … Just startled by this ability," Kent added soothingly, pushing any thought of his half-brother away. Lest she become intimidated by the sheer ferocity of their mutual dislike. Unwilling to chance breaking the friendship that was forming.
The young woman nodded after a moment, though still uncertain. She looked away was he released her arm, moving towards their new companions. Selena immediately scaled the ladder as she reached it, concealing a shudder of pain while doing so.
Though the wound was mostly healed, it was still quite tender to her movements. Kent soon appeared beside her, the small group following Link into the cottage. Their obligations and tribulations remaining far from forgotten.
I personally don't like this chapter ... But I hope that you did.
