Chapter 7

Link stared down at the Black Sheikah as his mind reeled away from the truth, "How can that be?! I killed you!"

Telamon nodded, "I distinctly remember your blade entering my chest."

"But how are you alive if I killed you?"

"I couldn't die because I wasn't human, but I couldn't live either," He shuddered as he dragged himself up into a sitting position, "I hope you never have to find out what it's like to be half alive and half dead."

"But how can you be alive now?"

"By making a deal with a madman and hoping that you returned to life," The Black Sheikah looked the hero in the eye, "Not that it did me any good."

"You're supposed to be dead!"

"As are you, but you are alive. Now let me get up."

Link rose to his feet and backed away. Telamon drew a deep breath and clambered to his feet. He staggered backwards as he stood up and leaned against the wall. He looked over at the Hero of time, "You have no idea who chose you to be his slave and you will regret it."

"I already regret it."

"You only know a small part of what he wants out of you."

"I think I know that it's too much to expect."

"He expects much more."

"You're joking! He can't expect me to even survive this."

"He chose you because he knew you would survive this."

Link's eyes narrowed, "Chose me? Ganondorf was the one who chose to bring me back."

"And our master took advantage of that," He rubbed his face, "It would not surprise me if he were the one who suggested the idea to the dark Lord in the first place."

A deep chill settled onto the Hero of time like a cloak and he rubbed his arms. Who was this madman? How could he wield so much power? What did he want with all of them? He looked at the Black Sheikah, "Is there anyway we can get free of him?"

"I would not suggest it," He pushed himself away from the wall, "Our best hope, if we have any left, is for us to do his bidding and hope that he frees us once we're done."

Link crossed his arms, "I'm not going to be a slave forever."

"You have been warned. Now let us go find a man that I know who can help us get into the castle."

About a half hour later, Link gawked at a sign that was held on by one chain and twisted in the night breeze. The building seemed be standing because no one had leaned against it in just the right way. He squinted in the fading light to catch the name of the tavern. The name 'the Black Maw' didn't inspire any confidence that it was any better on the inside. As he turned to the Black Sheikah, Two bodies hurtled through one of the almost black windows and crashed onto the street in front of them. He saw a glint of silver in the man on top's hand and watched as it slit the other man's throat. He averted his gaze as the man tucked the knife away and rifled through the dead man's garments.

The Hero of time arched an eyebrow at Telamon, "And you think we can find help in there?"

The Black Sheikah shrugged, "I told you about the warlords ruling the countryside?"

"Vividly."

"If we are to sneak into Hyrule castle, We must go through the proper channels."

As they started towards the door, Link stared at Telamon, "Proper channels? I thought the king was in charge of the city?"

"He thinks he is in charge of all of Hyrule, but the King of thieves controls the towns and villages."

"So the nobles…?"

"Are for nothing more than show."

The Hero crossed his arms as he followed Telamon into the tavern, "So does the Dark Lord know this?"

"Apparently not or else he would have subverted the king of thieves or one of the other powerful warlords."

"So we're going to try to get one of them to help us?"

"We are servants of the most powerful warlord."

"Which one has the most power?"

"Lord Raiden has more man power, but Tzalmon has more magical power."

"We're waltzing into the lair of his arch nemesis?"

"In a word. Yes."

Link halted inside the door and stared at the interior. Men dressed in ragged tunics leered openly at women dressed in brightly colored dresses. The tankards of ale were passed around freely and he was sure a great quantity of it ended up on the floor. Raucous laughter and high pitched shrieks of glee rose around them to a deafening roar. The place was crammed with people and he found himself sweating from the heat. At the far end of the room was a huge fireplace with a roaring fire and a strangely vacant area around it. A lone man leaned against the fireplace.

The Black Sheikah started toward the empty end of the room and Link was forced to follow him. His hand drifted onto his sword hilt and soon he was aware that every pair of eyes in the room were looking at him. Telamon glanced back at him and frowned, "Do you want us to get our throats slit?"

"It would take care of several of our problems."

His old shadow reached over and firmly removed Link's hand from his sword hilt, "I am certain that both of your masters have taken steps to prevent that."

"Then why worry about it?"

Telamon rolled his eyes, "Because I would like to talk to the King of Thieves in one piece, even if you do not."

The hero of time scowled and crossed his arms as they set off once more for the far end of the room. The gazes of the rogues drifted away from them and back to the serving wenches. The high pitched shrieks of glee continued and he was sure that much of the laughter was now at or about him. He ground his teeth together and couldn't wait to get out of the Black Maw.

They weaved through tables, people, and chairs and soon stood before the fireplace. The lone man leaned against the stone of the fireplace off to one side and watched all the rogues that filled the tavern. His eyes locked onto the two of them as they approached. Link looked the King of thieves up and down. He was a tall slender built man who wore red tunic over a black shirt and breeches. The man had no visible weapon on him but the air about him was that he could take care of himself. His brown eyes glanced at The Black Sheikah and then the Hero of time. His brown hair was cut off at the chin and the wavy locks were held back fiercely by a leather thong. His gaze drifted back to Telamon, "So did you reconsider my offer?"

The Black Sheikah smiled and shook his head, "I have told you he will never release me."

"I control the assassin's guild."

"I doubt that you would want all of them slain, Raiden."

The King of thieves chuckled and glanced at Link, "So who's this young bearded fellow?"

The Hero of Time scratched at his annoying beard and wished he could shave it off, "No one important."

"Just another slave of Tzalmon?"

"I'm working on that part."

"Brave man," Raiden turned back to Telamon, "What brings two slaves of my enemy to my den?"

The Black Sheikah crossed his arms, "We need a favor."

"I'm not that good at giving out favors."

"It is something that only you may help us with."

"Let me rephrase that. I don't give out free favors," He winked at them, "Even to an old friend like you, Black Sheikah."

Link scowled, "So you're not going to help us?"

Raiden glanced at the Hero of Time and then turned back to Telamon, "You're friend here could have a sweeter disposition."

The Black Sheikah shrugged, "He's been through a lot these past few years."

The king of thieves looked back at Link, "I didn't say I wouldn't help. I just won't do it for free," He turned to Telamon, "How much of a service do I need to offer?"

"Our goal is to break into Hyrule Castle to rescue someone."

"Ambitious," Raiden looked up at the ceiling and was silent for several moments, "There's an execution planned for tomorrow in Noble's square."

Link raised an eyebrow, "So?"

"The condemned is a close friend of mine," The King of thieves looked back at them, "So, if you rescue them from the noose tomorrow, I'll gladly get you into the Castle."

The Hero of Time opened his mouth to protest, but Telamon quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, "Who is over seeing the Execution?"

"That would be Lord Ganondorf."

The blood drained out of the Black Sheikah's face, "He'll be there…?"

"I did say it's an even exchange of services."

Telamon looked at Link with horror filled eyes and removed his hand from the Hero's mouth. They both knew what the other was thinking and Link felt sick to his stomach, "There's no other way, is there?"

The Black Sheikah shook his head and turned back to Raiden, "Deal."