Woot! Chapter 10! We're making progress people.
Chapter 10
Premeditation
"Ja-ja, good sword no?"
"Yes it is a good sword but I'm not looking for a sword. I'm looking for katanas. Do you have any?"
"No, no. Collin though, good katanas. See him, Ja?"
"Thank you."
Link walked away from the small stall and moved to another across the cavernous room. Stalls lined the walls and stood on their own sprawled across the center. Sheik was talking with the blond store owner of the stall Link was looking for. He nodded to Link as he continued his conversation with Collin. Link quietly looked at the weaponry before Sheik turned to him.
"So, the other store not have anything that fancied you?" Sheik laughed.
Link snorted. "Normal swords. I don't need one of those yet."
"Yet?"
"Well yeah, I can't keep the Master Sword forever now can I."
"Oh. Still, didn't see anything?"
"No. All too flashy."
"Well I hope my wears aren't too flashy for you," Collin joked, leaning on his elbows behind the stall. "Sheik's told me about you."
"Really, nothing too bad?"
"Just explained why you've been gone ten years and suddenly appear again."
"Good to know," Link said as he picked up a pair of katanas and examined them. They were simple blades with black hilts. "How much for these?"
"For just those two," Collin said thinking, "A hundred rupees." Link grimaced and was about to set them down again until the store owner continued. "They're actually part of a set." He pulled out a bundle of five knives. "If you buy them with these three knives and two throwing knives, the price would be about seventy-five rupees."
Link's eyebrow rose. "Aren't sets usually more money than the item itself?"
Collin snorted. "Usually, but this is a deal on Sheikah wears for a Sheikah. Cut's the price."
Link nodded as he examined the knives as well. He sighed and pulled out his wallet. "It's a good think Impa remembered to send someone to give this to me."
Sheik laughed and slung an arm around Link's shoulders as the money was handed over. "Yeah, you always seem to forget stuff like tha- OOF!" Sheik let go of Link after the Tenshi elbowed him in the gut. Link gathered up his new weapons and began walking away from the stand.
"Thanks Collin. Come on Loud-Mouth, we still need to find a bow."
Sheik smirked as ran to his friend's side. "Already found one." Link's eyebrow rose yet again as sheik pulled out a long, thin package. "Sheikah don't normally sell bows, and when we do, their usually expensive."
"Right, they usually work with throwing weapons," Link said as he accepted the wrapped bow. "Where'd you get this then?"
"Your uncle gave it to me when he stopped in here before he left. He said that it was your fathers and he felt that you should have it."
Link blinked before he began unwrapping the package slowly. Inside lay a yew bow painted gold and crimson and a full, crimson quiver with a golden Phoenix in the center. Etched on the inner ring of the quiver and along the inside of the bow were ancient glyphs similar to those that appeared with strong spells.
"What's it say?" Sheik asked as he looked at the glyphs as well.
"It's a spell to return the arrows to the quiver after they've landed and to keep the arrows from falling out," Link replied quietly as he turned the bow around in his hand. There was a hook on the side of the quiver that could hold the bow. Link slipped the weapon into the hook and slung the quiver over his shoulder.
"Let's head over to the ranch," Link said. "That was the last item that we needed to get here."
"Fine by me," Sheik replied, putting his arms behind his head. "So much to do in so little time." They laughed as they exited the room.
After getting other needed supplies from the kitchen and storage room, Link and Sheik headed toward the exit. Impa was waiting for them with a blue haired boy no older than ten. He shifted his feet nervously as the two Sheikah slowed to a stop, scrutinizing him. Impa cleared her throat before speaking.
"Kenshin here just informed me that the Cockatrice have become more active recently."
"Cockatrice?" Sheik asked, cocking his head to the side.
"It's another one of the Tenshi tribes here in Hyrule," the boy, Kenshin , supplied nervously, looking between Link and Sheik. "T-they were banished to the deep refuges in the forest years ago during the war."
"Why?" Link asked.
Impa sighed. "They didn't pick either side to fight on."
"But the Ten-"
"They killed anyone who crossed their paths," Impa snarled. Link and Sheik took a step back in shock. Impa rarely showed anger or contempt this vigorously. "Ruthlessly I might add. They were after blood. Didn't matter to them which side won or lost, they just wanted to kill, to taste blood."
Link gulped slightly. "I-I'm guessing that they've been moving closer to Hyrule then."
Kenshin nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, because the Lost Woods can turn anyone that spends too much time in them into Stalfoys or Skull-kids we've been unable to track them down and push them back."
"Wait," Sheik cut in, "Why haven't they been turned into Stalfoys or Skull-kids?"
"They're already dark creatures," Kenshin replied. "Cockatrice aren't like Seahawks, Thunderbirds, and Phoenixes. The creature itself is a poisonous, rooster with a forked tong and a lizard-like tail. The tribe – it…" He trailed off and looked at Impa for help.
She sighed. "I've only ever met one and was lucky that your father was there to save me Link… His wings were like those of winged dragons and, unlike the other races, he had the tail and tongue to accompany it." She grimaced. "He could spit poison and manipulate anything poisonous as well. I expect that the rest of the tribe can do much more than that but, Zevak was able to get me away before I experience any more than that."
"Wonderful," Link muttered sarcastically.
"You'll be able to tell when their nearby," Kenshin said. "They smell really bad."
"Smell?" Navi asked, startling Link and Sheik (though they would deny it latter).
"Where'd you come from?" Sheik demanded.
"The forest." Navi replied snippily, "What do you mean they smell?"
"They smell like rotting flesh," Kenshin replied, warily looking at the fuming Sheik. "They eat raw meat and I've heard that they look pretty undead themselves."
"Any advice on what to do if we run into one?" Link asked Impa.
"Run," She said simply. "I don't care about your 'manly dignity' or whatever. Get out of there."
"But-" Link and Sheik objected.
"No butts. We can't afford to lose either of you, and not just because of the fights ahead. I-We can't – not another…" Impa said haltingly, her voice cracking slightly before trailing off. The boys fell silent, they knew what she was trying to say.
"We'll be fine Impa," Link said reassuringly. "If we do encounter a Cockatrice, I promise you, we'll do everything we can to get away."
Impa snorted. "You better." She stepped aside and made room for Link and Sheik to pass. "Get going. You have a long journey ahead of you."
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"You want us to pay HOW much for buying a horse?" Link demanded, mouth hanging slack. Sheik turned pale and took a step back slightly.
"You heard me boy," the owner of the ranch snarled. "5,000 Rupees."
"How the hell are we supposed to get that much money for a horse?" Sheik growled.
"That's your problem."
Sheik began to argue again before Link dragged him away toward the barn. Sheik pulled away as they rounded the corner. Link sighed as Sheik continued to glare at the ranch owner.
"What happened to Talon?" Sheik raged quietly. "He would never be this ridiculous. Who does this guy think he is? The king or something?"
"Sheik," Link said quietly, "complaining about this won't help anything, we need to find some way to get a horse that doesn't involve dragging the Sheikah into bankruptcy."
"But that much for ONE horse? What the heck! That should be a crime or something."
"We are talking about a country that is controlled by a desert thief Sheik," Navi replied quietly. "Thieves don't usually play by the rules."
"But-"
"FOCUS PEOPLE!" Link growled causing Sheik to jump slightly. "We can find some way to get rid of him later. For now we have a job that needs to get done."
"Right… sorry," Sheik said sheepishly.
"Um… Excuse me," someone said as the door to the barn slid open slightly. A young woman with long orange hair stood in the doorway. "You're looking to buy a horse?"
Link and Sheik exchanged glances warily. "Uh, yes," Link replied slowly. "Do you know of any way we can lower the price."
The girl nodded slowly . She looked around quickly as if she was expecting someone to jump out and attack her. When nothing happened, she opened the door wider and beckoned them in. Link and Sheik walked in and the girl closed the door behind them. She began to work furiously as she talked.
"Mr. Indigo took over the ranch a while ago after my dad was kicked out by King Ganondorf. I have to work hard or else he'll hurt the horses."
"Ok…" Link said slowly as he looked around the stalls. As the girl continued to talk, Link noticed something moving in the very back stall. He walked slowly over to get a better look. A young black stallion was laying down in the hay looking very bored, or, as bored as a horse could look.
The horses head shot up as Link neared it and stared at him. It barred its teeth and let out an warning snort as Link reached out to it. Link stopped moving but left his had hanging, palm up to the horse. The horse seemed to glare at Link before tentatively sniffing his outstretched hand. It let out a startled snort and jerked back suddenly, staring at Link.
Slowly, carefully, Link walked into the stall. The horse did not shy away this time but did not move. Link placed his hand lightly on the creatures muzzle. The horse closed its eyes as Link began rubbing its head.
"Link!" Sheik yelled, causing both Link and the horse to jump. Link turned around quickly to face his friend who stared wide-eyed at him. The girl, who he remember introduced herself as Malon during the conversation, looked just as shocked as Sheik.
"What?" Link demanded, suddenly self conscious. He jumped again as the horse nudged his hand with its snout. He began scratching behind the horse's ears but kept looking at Sheik and Malon.
"I – H-how are you doing that?" Malon asked.
"Doing what?"
"Malon was just telling me that that horse was untamable," Sheik stated staring at the horse now. "Said that it was uncontrollable and would snap at anyone that came to close."
Link smirked and turned back to the horse. "Naw, this fella's a sweetie. You wouldn't snap at me would you Sparky?" the horse snorted and butted him lightly with its head. Link laughed. With one last pat, he walked over to the dumbfounded duo outside of the stall.
"Sparky?" Malon demanded gaping.
"He just kinda looks like a Sparky to me." Link said with a shrug.
Sheik snorted. "Its name's Lightning."
Link whistled. "Good to know. So did the two of you learn how to get a horse? We really have a lot to do in not a lot of time."
"Beat Indigo in a race a couple times. We'll either eventually get enough money for one or he'll offer the horse being ridden as the prize. We have to find a suitable horse out in the corral first."
A whinny came from inside the stall as Lighting stood up. Link smiled. "Looks like I've already found mine."
Sheik sighed. "You haven't even tried to ride him yet."
Link smirked as he grabbed the riding gear hanging on the outside of the stall and letting Lightning out. The horse stood quietly as Link saddled him up. Link started to lead him out of the stables, calling back over his shoulder, "Let's just say it's a gut feeling."
Sheik and Malon stared at each other before Sheik ran out after him. Link lead Lightning up to the corral gates and turned to Indigo who was gaping at him. "Only ten rupees to ride right?" he asked. Indigo nodded dumbly. Link tossed Indigo two blue rupees and led Lighting into the corral before mounting.
As soon as he was settled, Lighting set off at a light trot. Link pulled lightly to the right and the stallion complied instantly. Link nodded satisfied. The two continued to experiment for the next several minutes, testing how well they could get along. When time was up, Link rode over to Indigo.
"Impressive boy," Indigo said, stroking his mustache. "I don't know how you did it but you tamed that monstrosity."
Link smirked. "Yeah… I've been told that you like to race." Indigo waved his hand, indicating for Link to continue. "I can cut you a deal. Seeing as this horse doesn't listen to anyone else, I wouldn't mind taking him off your hands." Lighting threw his head and snorted violently, as if to prove Link's point.
"If?" Indigo demanded, eyeing both of them warily.
"If you let me race you for another horse for my friend."
Indigo's eyes narrowed slightly. "And if I win?"
"You don't have to deal with a troublesome horse and I'll throw in an extra fifty rupees," Link suggested calmly, though on the inside he was panicking slightly.
Indigo thought for several moments before replying coldly, "I keep the horse." Link sighed and nodded. "Fine, you've got yourself a deal boy."
Link let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding and followed Indigo to the "starting line." Indigo called Malon out and demanded that she saddle his best horse and judge the race. She hurried to comply as Sheik sat observing quietly on a nearby fence. When Indigo was situated, Malon raised a white flag into the air. She stared pleadingly at Link before bringing the flag down shouting "Go!"
Indigo sped off as Lighting started slower. After the first lap, Link and Lighting were still behind but Indigo's horse was getting tired. As they turned for the last time, Lighting sped past Indigo with as sudden burst of speed and crossed the finish line.
"NO!" Indigo screeched. "HOW! I'VE NEVER LOST! I CAN'T LOOSE THAT HORSE!"
Link glared at Indigo as Sheik slipped into the corral to find a horse. "If you couldn't lose him then why did you agree to a deal that could cause you to lose him?"
Indigo snarled. "You don't need to know that." Sheik came out riding a grey stallion and settled next to Link.
"We heading out?" Sheik asked. "A deal's a deal."
"Yeah we'd better–" Link yelled as a black fireball blasted into his chest and knocked him off Lighting. The horse reared, whinnying, and bolted for the far end of the field. The grey did the same, causing Sheik to hit the ground hard. A voice rang inside their heads.
You have failed me for the last time Indigo.
"No, Master," Indigo said , shaking violently. "H-have mercy, please."
Goodbye Indigo. I wish I could thank you for your services, however…
"N–!" The ground around Indigo burst into black flames, enveloping him. The man screamed as the flames ate away at his skin. Moments later, there was nothing but ash. The flames however, did not disappear.
Malon screamed and began to back away as the flames began to move their way to her. Despite the pained haze clouding his view, Link grabbed Sheiks arm and whistled sharply. Both stallions came running back reluctantly. He shoved Sheik onto his horse while climbing onto his own. Despite Lighting's protests, Link turned him in the direction of the fire and ordered him to run. Lighting, hearing the urgency in his new master's voice finally complied as the grey followed. They ran past Malon and Link yanked her onto Lighting moments before the fire reached her. The horses sped forward, spurred by the strange fire behind them past the gates and into the open field.
"Way too much excitement for one day," Sheik grunted.
"Welcome to the life of a hero," Link said with a smirk.
Kenshin = modest/ truthful
Katanas are like samurai swords, or the regular shinigami swords from Bleach. Can you guess where I got the idea for Collin? :D
The description of the cockatrice came from a picture I found online when I was looking for mythological birds for the tribes of Tenshi. It seriously looked like a decaying rooster with patches of feathers, dragon-/ bat-like wings, demonic red eyes, and a lizard tongue and tail. Cool and really creepy at the same time.
I know that Epona is Link's horse but to me, the rebellious stallion seemed a little more fitting for the personality I gave Link.
Please leave some constructive criticism. I know that this story's not perfect and I want help making it better. If not, Ganondorf might send some of his dark magic flames after you. XD
