Chapter 9: A Hylian in Seyruun!
"Woah! Seyruun's huge!" Link gawked as he gazed at the White Magic Capital up top the plateau. Even atop Epona the city still was still a sight to behold.
The city itself was an architectural work of art. The city walls were arrange in a giant magic circle star, a white magic field that prevented Black Magic attacks and low level monsters from attacking the city. Link was grateful that he had a party that would know their way around the city; even with all his expertise in dungeons and puzzles he would still find himself lost in such a huge city! Link did recall that Castle Town was in the middle of expanding when he left Hyrule. The home-sick Hylian soon wondered weather or not the town was much larger than it used to be.
Amelia smiled down at her city proudly. "It is! Seyruun is known as the White Magic Capital of the known world! We are a peaceful, prosperous kingdom. And there is so much to do there, Mr. Link!"
Lina slammed her hands together excitedly. "Alright! I can't wait till we get there! I'm itching to have the palace's food again!" Gourry nodded eagerly with Lina's statement while Phil and Amelia's faces paled in fear.
"Please, Ms. Lina! I don't want you gorging yourself on our food supply again!" Phil pleaded as he looked back at the wasted, unopened food rations. "You already have these fine rations you can eat!" the prince pointed out. Phil's horse HATED dragging the unnecessary food supply on the trip to Seyruun. The white stallion rolled his eyes at the fools of humans; he was glad that this trip will be over soon.
Zelgadis quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of palaces, we should stop wasting time here and leave." Huffing grumpily, Zelgadis spun around and began his way down the trail towards the city.
Link rolled his eyes at Zelgadis's foul mood. "Geez, you're right, Lina. Zelgadis is a tight-ass." the Hylian grumbled as he kicked Epona gently to get her going, following the chimera. Treading after them, Lina and the others begun their descent towards Seyruun.
"Zel's always like that." Lina grumbled. Sure, she wanted to go to Seyruun as much as Zelgadis, but both sorcerers had quite different reasons: Zelgadis's search for leads on how to cure his body, and Lina who wanted to exploit the perks of being friends with royalty. Oh, and to answer Phil's request, too.
Amelia pouted at her friends talking about the moody man. "Don't be so hard on him, you two. Mr. Zelgadis has been through a lot." the princess defended quietly. The memory of the Hellmaster's Jar darkened Amelia's face sadly. "Especially after Mr. Rezo and Taforasia…"
Lina spied Amelia walking depressingly beside her and groaned. "Geez, Amelia! Stop brooding so much! I swear, Zel's starting to rub off on you. C'mon! Flip that frown upside down, I say!"
Amelia sighed defeated as she managed a small smile. "I suppose you're right about not letting myself get depressed, Ms. Lina."
"Of course I am!"
The princess couldn't help but giggle at Lina's super sized ego. Finding a new topic to discuss, Amelia switched to Link and Epona's side, looking up at the Hylian with intrigue. "Say, Mr. Link?" she asked kindly. The Hylian looked down at the princess with curiosity. "You were pretty cool beating back that Pea Hat with all of your weapons! You have a bow and arrows but I'm not exactly sure what you used to pull the monster's roots out."
Smiling Link pulled out the item in question: the golden, sharp hook with a decorative handle. "This? This nifty device is called a "Hook Shot". Its a hook connected to a chain and it springs and attaches to many surfaces; after it hooks on to something it pulls you in, like what you saw with the Pea Hat."
Soon Lina, Gourry, and Phil became entranced by the conversation. "Pretty neat trick! What else have you got, Link?" asked Gourry as he surveyed the hero's enchanted pack.
Soon Link began playing a game of show and tell to his new friends, pulling out his weapons and trinkets, from his bomb-chus to his boomerang, and even some of his masks that he had obtained in Termina (but being careful not to show them the masks that could transform him). Link also told the tales of how he had obtained them but leaving out details about his mission to save Zelda and Hyrule.
"Wait, you found this enchanted boomerang INSIDE the STOMACH of a WHALE?" Lina stuttered as she held the yellow item. The elf had revealed that damning information after Lina took it and palpated it with her hands. Link grinned sweetly, "Yup! I had to slay rather nasty, green, pussy tumor monsters and finding that 'rang in the mucus coated floor helped me strike down those beasts without getting electrocuted!"
Lina's lunch threatened to emerge from her mouth as she threw the contaminated weapon back at Link. She groaned and gagged to herself, reminding herself to NEVER touch Link's stuff again. But except that Ocarina of Time she wanted, of course.
Amelia commended Link's bravery as Lina attempted to recover her composure after hearing the gory details of Jabu-Jabu's belly, or whatever that stupid whale was called. Gourry enjoyed talking to Link about swords and shields; both blondes shared their own experiences about holding their first blades and even the first beasts they've slain. Gourry was also impressed that Link battled his first monsters when he was only ten; barely a preteen! Amelia once again trailed off of how Link was the perfect example of an Ally of Justice; a hero that everyone looked up to and how Lina should act a little more like him. Of course, Lina pounced on Amelia for the insult to her character.
None of the conversation surrounding Link avoided Zelgadis's ears, even though he was ahead of them. What made the blue man cringe the most was the way Amelia acted around Long Ears. That kid called himself a hero, and Amelia came running, wagging her tail like an eager dog. She even went as far as called him "cool". That wasn't right! Zelgadis was the "cool" swordsman, not this stranger claiming to be a rare species of human from a land kept secret from the world! Even her father Phil addressed the man as "Master Link"! Her father never called him Master!
But Zelgadis was a rational man, and his rational mind was able to squeeze through these flaming emotions. His main objective was to find the cure for his body. Why should he care if Amelia made friends with a hero? A hero who defeated monsters, was recklessly brave, loyal, kind, possessed cool gadgets, owned a horse, and who was conveniently handsome and well toned?
The more he thought about this and the more he heard the conversations behind him, the more grumpy the rocky human became. "Oh, Mr. Link! You're so brave and cool! If only there were more people who could take on monsters like you!"
"Uh, thanks, Amelia! You're brave too, y'know, so I'm not that special."
"Oh, don't be silly, Mr. Link!"
That didn't help the chimera's mood. His steps turned into almost stomps, as the chimera muttered incoherent rantings to himself. Gourry looked at Zelgadis with concern. "Hey, Lina?" he whispered, leaving Amelia and Link to continue their innocent conversation.
"Huh? What is it, Gourry?" the little red head whispered back as she threw her skull back in order to see eye to eye with her towering guardian. "Don't you think Zel's acting a little odd ever since yesterday? He seems upset." Lina raised her eyebrow and huffed at her comrade.
"Uh, Gourry, Zel's always like that."
But the tall swordsman's argument wasn't affected. "Not like that, Lina. It's just he's agitated more so than usual; he mutters under his breath and stomps a bit." Lina dropped her skepticism as she turned her gaze at the chimera ahead. Indeed, even she could catch grunts and growls, although incoherent, from the stone man as he stomped the ground with each stride. "Huh, looks like you're right, Gourry. Wonder what's gotten under his skin."
Suddenly, a stray wolf's howl echoed nearby; too close in fact. Zelgadis and the others halted in their steps, startled by the animal's cry. A chill ran down the chimera's spine as everyone else froze. His instincts kicking his reflexes into high alarm, Zelgadis spun around and shouted to everyone to duck.
"A duck? Where? I thought I heard a wolf howl, not a quack!" Gourry asked wide eyed, searching for the said bird. Lina growling at his stupidity or poor attempt at a joke, pulled him down by his blue collar. Just in time because multiple evil arrows had dug deep into the side of Phil's wagon, startling the horses and missing Lina and Gourry by a hair.
Gritting their teeth, the group's attention spun towards the arrows' source. Sure enough, mounted on equina chimeras with her posse was Saurus. She sat on her ride menacingly as she was the day before. With a roar she pointed her single shamshir at the group and charged. Her horde of assassins followed closely behind her, shooting more arrows and other dark spells at the heroes.
"I can't believe it! That sneak Xelloss was right; that scaly hag's still alive!" Lina growled as she readied a spell. She, along with Zelgadis, hurled Fireballs at the enemies, scarring some, but Saurus was spared due to her quick reflexes. Amelia summoned a barrier spell to deflect the arrows and dark magic projectiles. Link himself was flinging arrows like no tomorrow.
"Wait, everyone!" Phil interrupted urgently. "Um, we're a little busy here, Phil!" Lina shouted as she dodged an arrow that somehow escaped Amelia's barrier. Link prepared Epona to charge Saurus and her goons, letting Lina know beforehand. But Phil continued, "Please, Ms. Lina, everyone! There's no point in running into this fight; we've nearly arrived at Seyruun and although Saurus has her large gang, she's still no match for the royal army stationed in the city!"
Link, Lina, and the group stopped to consider Phil's strategy. Although it seems crazy for a prince to lead Saurus directly towards Seyruun, they all admitted that even Saurus was no match for an army despite how many lizolfos she brought. Zelgadis sheathed his sword as he climbed into the wagon. "Phil is right: Saurus would be a fool to challenge Seyruun." the chimera observed. He looked back, "And we'll be hard pressed in a battle against a cavalry of monsters by ourselves." Amelia looked pleadingly at Zelgadis and her father. "But what if Saurus gets into the city?-"
Link pulled Epona up to the concerned princess's side. "She won't, Amelia. I won't let that happen." Phil nodded in approval. The elder prince glanced at Zelgadis. "Mr. Zelgadis, I want you and Amelia to fly off and warn the soldiers; make sure Amelia gets there safely."
The blue chimera nodded obediently, but this news brought more distress towards the princess. "But Daddy! What about you and the others?"
"Don't worry about me, daughter! Master Link and the others will guard the wagon as we make our way downhill; you need to announce our arrival and have soldiers stationed and ready to drive the fiend away!"
Amelia wanted to protest, but Lina assured her that they would be fine. Link gave Amelia a reassuring nod. Zelgadis placed a hand on her shoulder gently. "Come on, Amelia, time is of the essence." Amelia gazed at her chimeric guardian. When she read Zelgadis's expression, all of her doubts seemed to melt away. With a determined smile she nodded. "Right! Let's get going, Mr. Zelgadis!" Amelia did not leave before wishing for her father and friends' safety, then she and Zelgadis cast a Ray Wing and zoomed towards the city, with Zelgadis covering the princess's back.
Confirming their safety, Phil turned his gaze back to Link, Lina, and Gourry. "Alright! We're going to make a dash to the city; Amelia and Mr. Zelgadis will be there before we arrive, but we mustn't delay! Ms. Lina and Mr. Gourry: I want you two to ride the wagon with me as I steer; use your spells and your sword to protect the wagon from projectiles. And Master Link," the prince turned his briefing towards the horse riding elf. "I'm counting on you to keep those chimera things from coming too close to the wagon. Use whatever is necessary to drive them off!"
All the youths grunted in understanding. Not wasting a moment, Lina and Gourry jumped into the wagon as Phil whipped his horse into a mad gallop to safety down the snake like trail to Seyruun. Link ran with them as well, however from behind in order to keep check on the equinas from coming too close.
As predicted the cavalry of monsters pursued them down the hill with murderous intent. Much to Link's horror Saurus and her posse begun closing in with unnatural speed. "Damn! She's fast!" Link cursed.
Link carefully turned his body on Epona in order to face the foes. Pulling out his bow, Link shot arrows out like a mad man. His aim was true as his weapons dug into the beasts' hides, sending some flying and tripping off of their mounts.
But Saurus and her monsters weren't without their own arrows and magical projectiles. Her archers flung arrows at Link and the wagon, however their aims weren't as skilled as Link's and Lina had no trouble blocking the arrows with her spells. Whenever she got the chance, Lina would throw Flare and Freeze Arrows at the enemies. Gourry, with his new sword, canceled out the spells thrown at them that somehow evaded Lina's defenses.
Hooting and wooting, the equinas caught up with Epona and Link. Reacting, Link unsheathed his sword to protect himself in close combat. Epona was unable to run faster and not at a much worse time. Two lizalfos pinned Link and Epona on their sides, attempting to prevent Link from catching up to his friends. They swung their blades and clubs at Link. The Hylian blocked the blows with his sword and shield, trusting Epona to steer on her own. But the two were beginning to fall behind.
"Uh oh! Link's in a pinch!" Gourry shouted over the noise. Lina begun to cast spells to help out the trapped hero.
Link was still trapped by the troublesome lizolfos and their mounts. And worse, Saurus herself was catching up to him. But surprisingly, she bypassed Link all together.
"What?! I thought she was after Link!" Lina shouted as she gazed at the dinolfos closing in on them. "What's the meaning of this?! I'm your target!" Link screamed at Saurus angrily.
Snickering, the evil beast woman swiveled her reptilian gaze towards the hero. "Oh, yes you are, Hero of Time. Do not fear; I will grant you your death as soon as I dispose of your meddling friends!" Kicking her chimera, Saurus charged at the wagon. "No!" Link howled as he tried to push himself and Epona from the lizolfos's trap.
The beast woman closed in on Lina and the wagon despite their spells and defenses. When she got close enough, the dinolfos leaped from her ride and landed flawlessly on the wagon, nearly throwing the carriage off balance. Lina scrambled to get some distance from the monster, but it was proving quite difficult with such a small wagon. She braced herself as Gourry hovered over her protectively. Saurus grinned evilly as she unsheathed her other shamshir, brandishing both of her curved blades against the sorceress and the swordsman. Phil growled in frustration, but he had to keep steering his horse down the right path.
"Oh great! Hey, giant dinosaur hag! There is a weight limit to this vehicle! Get lost!" Lina growled as she stood defensively in front of Phil.
Grinning, Saurus waved her shamshirs dangerously. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, little girl. Because of the stunt you pulled on protecting the Hero and devastating a portion of my forces, I cannot allow you to live." The dinosaur sorceress waved her shamshir in attack. "An ally of the Hero, who is an ally of the Gods, is an enemy of mine!"
Roaring, Saurus swung her blade down to cut down Lina, who did not have a chance nor room to dodge. She would have died, if it weren't for Gourry cutting off her blade midway and begun pushing the dinolfos away. "Don't you dare think you're going to get to Lina that easily!" Gourry hissed, his once carefree nature replaced by a burning, protective one that quivered with hostility towards Saurus. "You're getting to her and Phil over my dead body!"
Saurus pulled back to gain her composure, shifting the weight of the wagon again. Phil's horse was hard pressed to run with all the weight. One slip and they would go hauling. Nevertheless, Saurus ignored the screaming and whinnying of the horses and pointed her blade at Gourry.
"Humph. Risking your own life to protect another? You aren't a very bright man, swordsman." Gourry scoffed at the monster's statement, holding his own blade up threateningly. He retorted, "If being smart means leaving Lina to die, then I'd rather be stupid! Hah!" With a battle cry Gourry charged at Saurus, pulling her into a deadly dance of death. Lina crawled and ducked on the floor; she was so close to the fight that if she raised her head up it would be cleaved clean of her shoulders. "H-hey! Stop! This thing isn't meant to be fought on!" Lina pleaded in panic as each footstep the fighters made created more stress for the wagon.
"Lina! Gourry! Phil!" Link shouted alarmingly as he watched the brawl tip the wagon out of balance. If the fight continued, their ride would collapse into a nasty accident and risk serious injury for his friends at the speed the horse was galloping. Seeing how it was proving too difficult to shake these foes with his weapons, Link resorted to magic. While dodging the swings of his enemies, he begun to recite:
"O Golden Red One, who hath cultivated the Earth with thy flaming arms, lend me thy Power, and let thy holy flames incinerate evil!" A ball of holy, but powerful, crimson fire swelled in his hand. With a cry, Link plunged the ball of fiery magic on Epona's saddle horn, activating the spell. "Din's Fire!"
After the ball was smashed between Link's palm and Epona's saddle horn, a dome of pure, hot, scolding flames emerged from his hand. It encompassed the hero and his horse, then expanded towards the enemies nearby. Lina watched astounded. Apparently, this spell summoned a dome of pure, red fire and spread out around a small area. Lina watched as the flames rolled off of Epona and Link like oil and water, while their enemies were consumed by the unforgiving inferno. "I see. That holy spell only affects whomever the caster wants to injure! Neat trick!" Lina managed to observe. She made a mental note to ask Link to teach her that spell later.
Din's Fire wasn't finished, though. The dome continued to expand as it's caster caught up with the wagon, expanding the spell's range. The dome consumed Lina and the cart. Lina and Gourry instinctively shielded their faces as the flames engulfed them, but were relieved that the fire rolled on and off of them like smoke. It was hot, but Lina, Gourry, nor Phil felt any burning sensation. Not even the wagon, made completely out of wood, caught on fire. It was, in a word, surreal.
Saurus wasn't lucky. As Link had recited, one could only assume that she aided the side of evil, and she caught ablaze. Roaring in pain and fury, she tumbled off of the wagon on on to the dirt road violently.
The wagon finished its decent down the plateau and Seyruun was nearly moments away, it's great white walls fortifying the city within. From atop the drawbridge's tower, a soldier with a telescope confirmed to the Princess and her chimera friend of the Prince's wagon.
Amelia thanked the soldier and preceded to order her men to their stations. Zelgadis watched alarmingly, as he witnessed a dome of fire encompassing the wagon. But the spell dissipated, and the wagon dashed on unharmed. Zelgadis could only assume that that dome was one of Link's obscure holy spells.
Link caught up with Phil's wagon on the side, Epona huffing laboriously. Lina gave the elf a thumbs up. "Nice going, Link!" she complemented. Link laughed nervously, his chuckle labored by huffing and wheezing.
"Lower the drawbridge! The Prince has arrived!" a soldier barked to his men. Grunting, the footmen released the mechanisms and allowed the wooded bridge to crash urgently down, allowing Phil's wagon and Epona access. Their hooves thundered on the aged wood desperately, both horses forcing all of their strengths on this mad dash to safety. Soon it was over, and the wagon and heroes entered the city, allowing the drawbridge to lift quickly back into it's closed position.
Saurus had managed to put out the flames before she suffered third degree burns. She had her thick hide to thank for that, but a minute longer in those holy flames and she would have become a dinosaur barbecue. Her men halted their rides beside their master. "Lady Saurus! They're in that city! Let's go after them!" one eager lizolfos cried.
"No!" Saurus snapped at her lackey. "Seyruun is too large of a city to barge into. It is no small town like Elkmage. Besides, it has a holy seal to protect it against my magic."
The dark followers eyed their master, waiting for her next order. "They're safe from us, for now." she growled darkly. Soon her frown became a twisted smile. "But our forces of darkness grow ever stronger each passing day. Soon, not even the Kingdom of Seyruun will be a match for him!"
Despite her loss, Saurus remounted on her chimera, who had evaded the flames of Din. "Yah!" she roared, riding off away from the holy city with her crew, fleeing towards the shadows for now. Saurus growled to herself as she rode off, "If only that stupid wolf hadn't blown our cover!…"
~~~~~~~
"Man! That scaly hag doesn't quit!" Lina groaned as she messaged her neck. She had strained her muscles during the brawl. Gourry hovered over Lina with concern. "You okay, Lina?" he asked softly.
The little red head winked at him. "Everything's A-Ok, Gourry! I just pulled a muscle, that's all. A little healing spell will do the trick." After her reassurance, Lina cast a Recovery on her neck, quickly dissipating the ache and pain.
Phil wiped his sweaty forehead as he sighed. "Phew! That was rough. I'm afraid that I'm getting too old for this much action… Anyway, is everyone alright?"
"Daddy! Ms. Lina! Mr. Gourry! Mr. Link!" Amelia shouted as she dashed madly towards her comrades. Zelgadis jogged behind her. "Are you all alright?"
Lina sighed as she flung herself out of the wagon, with Phil and Gourry following suit. "Yeah, we're okay. We got into a little trouble when Saurus jumped on our wagon, but lucky for us Link had a trick up his sleeve."
Zelgadis finally caught up with the group. "I see. So that dome of fire was Link's doing? I have to say, that spell was quite powerful." Lina nodded her head. "Yeah! I really want to learn that spell! Hey, Link, think you could teach me sometime? Huh? Link?"
All attention turned towards the Hylian. Link was heaving, wheezing and sweating more so than Lina or Gourry. Dropping his sword and his shield slid down pathetically on his right arm, Link slid off of Epona. He fell off his surprised horse on the cold cobblestone.
Everyone gasped in deep concern. "Mr. Link!" Amelia cried as she knelt by his side. She studied the Hylian's condition. "He's passed out. That spell must have taken a lot out of him!"
Lina sighed as she placed her hands on her hips as she observed Link. "Well, it's not that surprising. Link doesn't have a lot of stamina when it come to magic. And casting a spell that powerful and well controlled as that fire dome would require a lot of energy."
Phil didn't hesitate to order his men to fetch help for him and his friends. With help, the group carried Link to the palace, while Epona and Phil's stallion were taken to the stables to be cleaned and healed.
~~~~~~~
"Could it be true?! Is there REALLY A HYLIAN HERE IN THE PALACE!?"
An elderly noble pranced giddily around his office. Making a huge fuss the noble man sent all of his supplies, papers, ink and quills, and all sorts of relics and trinkets flying as he ravaged his collection. Despite the frenzy, there was a method to this man's madness: as he swiped his desks clean, pulled and gutted every draw, even to pulling out his own mattress and sheets to find bits and pieces of specific literature and relics. But nonetheless, his room was a housemaid's nightmare. Not even his fellow nobles and councilors would dare enter his domain.
Fortunately, Phil had the resolve to enter such a room, however he could only stand by the door way: papers and books were sprawled on the carpet. He sighed defeated to himself: Claude, the noble who specializes in archaic, ancient magic and civilizations, always went off the deep end in his excitement.
Claude was an advisor to Phil when matters concerned ancient civilizations, technology, and magic. And Claude's favorite ancient civilization? Elven. His favorite type of elves? Hylian. Very few people in the world were even aware of the world Hyrule or Hylian; only a handful of Seyruunian royal family members, Claude, and very few others knew of their existence. Even so, the knowledge of these ancient humans was very limited. As a result, Claude's collection was the only known remnant of written proof of the mythical Hylians.
Which made Claude Phil's only confidant in these weird events, that is until Link, who claimed to be a Hylian, showed up. Naturally Phil will have to introduce the young elf man to Claude, but silently he wished to the Dragon God Cephied that Claude wouldn't scare Link with his… eccentric nature.
The giant prince sighed as he shook his head. "Yes, Claude. That is what it seems. He's in the guest wing along with my daughter and Ms. Lina and her friends. I would like you to meet-"
"OF COURSE I'd like to meet him!" Claude shouted excitedly, oblivious to rudely interrupting Phil. "I've always dreamed of meeting a Hylian! I would fantasize what to say, ask, and do! Why, back when I was a lad, I dreamed of marrying a beautiful Hylian belle!" The old man blushed giddily, chuckling and giggling to himself, which was a frightening sight if the giggling person was an eighty year old man.
Phil sweated awkwardly. "Um, yes, but anyway," Phil coughed to ebb the embarrassment away. "You must see him as soon as possible; he should be awake by now." Taking a moment to pause, the prince still watched as an ecstatic Claude continued to binge on items and papers. It was a humorous sight to behold as a little elderly man crammed scrolls and tablets under his arms. Many of the precious information he had gathered dropped and popped out of Claude's grip.
The acting king frowned at the elderly council member. "Do you really need to bring all of that? You know the texts by heart, Claude." Huffing as he waddled towards the doorway, Claude managed to wave the prince off. "It is nothing, Your Highness! I can manage! Besides, I wouldn't trust my memory being this excited!" the frail, long bearded man reassured as he waddled out the door. Phil sighed as he followed him. At least he would be there to prevent Claude from falling down the stairs…
~~~~~~~
Thud. The noise woke the young Hylian with a small jolt. Link narrowed his hearing on instinct for danger: he heard a grumpy girl shouting at a whiny man over food. Lina and Gourry.
Link groaned as he stretched his arms and legs under the covers, a bit displeased with being so rudely awakened. But Link was a patient man, as his annoyance dissipated as soon as it came when he remembered the events that passed. Saurus's second attack. Escaping in Seyruun.
With his vision awakened, Link deducted that he was in some sort of palace or mansion by judging how elegant and clean the chamber was. It was different from Hyrule Castle. The walls were made made from smooth plaster rimmed with elegant wood rims in the corners and the ceiling, where Hyrule's was made from stone, but was still just as elegant. The furniture matched the room perfectly: the armchairs and drawers were rimmed with wood carvings nicely.
Link sighed as he draped his feet over the side of the bed. He wore a strange bed robe with vine-like designs embroidered in the white material. This was possibly the style of Seyruun. But Link was a creature of habit and longed for his usual garb. Scanning the room, he searched his surroundings until his eyes caught a flash of green. Sighing in relief, Link found his tunic, hat, chain mail, and other gear sitting on the low table folded. He approached the table and held up his garb lovingly. Through the years, Link grew out of his original Kokiri outfit. On the go and with some help from women he had met on his journey who were kind enough to offer him bed and food, Link created and mended his outfit, replacing each one as he got bigger. Of course for sentimental sake, he kept each outfit in his enchanted pouch (he obtained this bottomless adventure bag from the Deku Tree himself, well, he found it inside the Deku Tree. But fortunately, the Tree Spirit gladly gave it to Link for his journey).
As he fondly remembered his early childhood in Hyrule, Link begun the tedious ritual of dressing himself in his gear. Speaking of gear, Link was grateful that his Gilded Sword and Hylian shield lied neatly nearby on an armchair. Soon he was dressed in his tunic, chain mail, undershirt, pants, and his boots, but he decided to not equip his shield, sword, and pouch. No point in wearing his weapons when he was in a safe environment. But he'll keep them close nonetheless.
Finished with his dressing, Link crossed towards the door, still hearing the muffling squabble of his new friends. Opening the wooden tall door, he strode into the connecting lounge only to find Lina and Gourry pigging out on the room service lunch brought to them. How typical; the blonde elf frowned when he learned of how hungry he was. He would have to act fast if he wanted to eat anything at all. From what he had witnessed, there was a pecking order within this group and Lina and Gourry were at the top.
Amelia and Zelgadis were sitting on the couch opposite of Lina and Gourry, the princess and the chimera drank coffee and tea like real human beings. Of course, Amelia did swipe some goods away from Lina and Gourry's frenzy. She offered Zelgadis the snack she sneaked, but the blue man declined as he continued to sip his coffee.
Link smiled and greeted his newfound friends, and they in turn returned the gesture. Zelgadis only nodded.
Lina managed to lift up her head, food hanging out of her mouth like a carnivore lifting up its maw while gorging on carrion. "Well, look who's up! Did you catch enough z's, Sleeping Beauty? You've been out forever!"
"How long was I out?" Link managed to say after a long yawn. Gourry also lifted his head from his feast. "You've only been out for two hours or something." the bloke smiled.
Two hours? Wait, why was Link asleep anyway? "Wait a minute. Why was I out? I don't remember deciding to take a nap…" Link puzzled as he narrowed his eyes on the floor, as if looking at the carpet will jog his memory. Amelia answered for him, "You passed out after that spell you cast to save Ms. Lina, Mr. Gourry and Daddy." Link lifted his head. "A spell?"
"Yeah!" Lina muffled as she attempted to chew and talk at the same time, her teeth working laboriously. "It was that fire dome that only burned the bad guys! Pretty neat trick, I'll say. But," Lina paused as she swallowed, focusing her mouth on speaking completely, "You got to work on increasing your stamina! You can't go fainting each time you cast a spell."
Link laid back in his seat, slumping into his chair out of embarrassment. "Wow. I knew that magic took a lot out of me, but I never thought I'd lose conscience! Sorry if I worried you guys."
Lina waved Link off, saying that it was nothing. But before anyone could add to the conversation a servant pushing a cart entered the room. It was a food cart that bared much more food than before, piping hot and ready to eat. This was Lina and Gourry's main MAIN course.
Amelia groaned as she held her head, ashamed of Lina and Gourry's insensitivity of the palace chef. The gluttonous duo squealed in delight as the plates and pots were placed on the table, swiping the tower of empty dishes from before. Of course the servant was weeping openly: he would be a slave to these hungry beasts as long as they resided here.
Link gawked at the food items that replaced the empty plates. "You guys are going to eat all that TOO?" he whined as he leaned forward. Drool threatened to flow out of his lips. A huge growl roared from his stomach as he surveyed the table. Lina stared at Link thoughtfully.
"Hey, Link, you hungry? You want some?" she asked softly as she cocked her head. Link lit up, shaking his head eagerly. "Yes, I do!"
Suddenly, Lina's innocent demeanor transformed into mischievous smirk. "Well, too damn bad! Order your own food!" she declared as she shoved a steak in her maw.
Link's eyes watered as his jaw hung pathetically heartbroken. Soon he became angrily determined. He slammed his hands on the table. "Damn it! I'm sick of being bullied out of a meal! I'm going to eat NOW."
After his declaration, Link boldly pounced on the nearest plates, grabbing meats and vegetables alike and scarfing both down as ravenously as Lina and Gourry.
"Hey!" Lina screamed as she pounced the Hylian, tugging on his hair and ears. But the elf wasn't deterred; he shoved her back. "HEY!"
"Straw!" Gourry chirped happily, seeing this as a perfect opportunity for a joke to calm things down. But the opposite occurred as a frustrated Lina punched the bloke for the bad pun.
Amelia slumped as she watched green being added to red and blue in the blurring feeding frenzy. Of course, she couldn't blame Link for succumbing to the art of gluttony considering how horribly Lina and Gourry ate. One would have to lower themselves into naked animal instinct to even get a nibble of their meals.
Not long after Link dove into the feast, the doors of the chamber opened. Amelia and Zelgadis turned their attentions to Prince Phil and Councilor Claude, who entered the room as the tiny old man dragged his supplies. The papers and tablets made such a ruckus as Claude set them on an opposite table that even Lina and Gourry halted their feasting. They were nearly finished with their lunch, but Link's hunger wasn't satisfied as he kept on eating.
"Hi, Daddy! Hello, Mr. Claude!" Amelia greeted as she gave her father a hug and then proceeded to shake the little old man's hand. Phil and Claude returned the gestures given to them. "Good tidings to you, Princess Amelia!" the old man smiled behind his long beard.
Phil stepped forward, a bit taken back from the stack of plates that rivaled a mountain range, but quickly recovered as he cleared his throat. Lina sat back, folding her arms to support her crimson head as a pillow as she rudely set her right leg on the table. "'Sup, Phil? I was wondering why you were gone for a while!"
"Hello again, Ms. Lina, everyone." Phil nodded. The gargantuan prince turned his gaze towards Link and nearly fell on his face. Here the Hylian was, gorging himself no better than Lina. "A-and Master Link! It is good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"Guh?" Link slobbered, suddenly aware of the fact that he was the only one eating. Bits of spaghetti hung like ropes from his mouth, muffling his speech. Blushing at the realization of his crude appearance, Link swallowed his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin as dignified as possible. "Erhem, uh, yes. I am feeling much better, thank you, Your Highness."
Despite the rather inappropriate behavior of his guests, Phil just smiled. "You are very much welcome, Master Link. Now," Bearing a serious, but gentle expression, gestured towards Claude. "There is someone I would like you all to meet. Everyone, this is Councilor Claude; he is an expert on all things ancient and obscure, including elfin cultures."
Acknowledging his cue, Claude bowed towards Lina and her friends. "The pleasure is all mine! And," the old man paused as he studied Lina. "You must be the famous Lina Inverse that I've heard so much about!"
Lina giggled as she winked at the old man. "The one and only; that's me! And these are my lackeys: Gourry, Zelgadis, and Link. Oh, and you already know Amelia!" she chuckled. Amelia and Zelgadis cringed at their titles while Gourry scratched his head, still unclear what the word "lackey" meant.
Link frowned at the degrading title as well. But he couldn't do or say anything as the room became deathly silent. Claude froze, staring at Link.
Staring, staring, staring…
Everyone sweated at the intense moment, but no one suffered anxiety quite as Link. The Hylian even considered that Majora's piercing gaze were kitten eyes compared to Claude's. Soon the councilor's mouth opened and closed, as if he attempted to speak yet his vocal cords have been severed.
Without warning, Claude lunged across the table, throwing plates around and startling the heroes as he crawled desperately towards the Hylian. Link wanted to shout in terror, but his lungs failed him.
At last, Claude reached his destination in front of Link. He gawked at the young elf, as if Link was Cephied reborn as a human. Link swallowed hard; he had no idea what this weird little man would do next.
And the old man struck. He lunged his hands on Link's face, palpating and tugging his features in fascination. Everyone watched the awkward situation play out, glad that they were not in Link's shoes.
"Yes. YES. YES!" Claude hyperventilated, each word more stronger than the last. He continued to chant yes and yes, as if he was marking a mental check-list.
"P-proportions are correct-! Mmh-hmmm! Yes, check and check-! N-now the ears-!" Claude pinched Link's ears strongly, making the Hylian cringe and tear at the pain.
Claude continued to tug the poor man's ears, even at Amelia's protest and Lina's snickering. His hands froze as he at last confirmed his suspicions. "YES! THE ANATOMY MATCHES! ONLY HYLIANS HAVE SUCH EARS! HE CHECKS OUT! YOU, GOOD SIR, ARE AN HONEST TO CEPHIED HYLIAN!" he proclaimed for all of Seyruun to hear.
Link fell over his chair at the man's insane volume, also making the Slayers gang jump as well. Link's skin crawled as the old man continued to hover over Link, mumbling scientific ramblings unknown to the poor elf.
Phil sighed as he placed a hand on Claude's shoulder, gently pulling him away from Link. "Please, Mr. Claude. I know you're excited to meet Master Link, but please, ease your eagerness!"
"That's putting it mildly!" Gourry whispered to Lina in awe. "Yeah," she whispered back, "Sure glad I'm not an elf!"
Link shivered as he peaked his head over the table. Gulping, he scooted his way towards were Amelia once sat and sat down on the couch with caution, never letting his fearful gaze off the man who assaulted him with pure excitement.
Claude, however, was blissfully oblivious to the tension he had caused Link as he adjusted his spectacles.
"Oh, happy day! Oh joy! This is certainly a historical moment, my friends!" Claude bounced. Once again he approached Link, shaking the Hylian's hand wildly. "It is an honor to meet you, Master Link! Oh!- E-excuse me for my behavior! It's just that I've always DREAMED of meeting your kind and-! JUST WOW!"
Link's skin crawled, but he managed to smile at the man. After all, he was just excited. "I-it's nice to meet you too, Mr. Claude. The honor's mine, being a commoner welcomed in a palace!"
Claude squealed to himself. One could wonder how a man could lose his composure over one elf.