PlAySw/Fire: No, not writer's block. More like writer laziness. I have both my stories mapped out and I know exactly where they're going, its just I can really only write well if I get in the mood to do so. As for updating, I think I've spoiled you guys too much. Some writers don't update for months at a time, although their work is usually of a higher caliber than mine, I admit.
Like I mentioned in my last update of Darkness and Light, this will probably be the last update for a while. I start classes back at school in less than 2 weeks so my writing will mostly take a backseat. So this is the last update for a while, at least until thanksgiving or winter break. I will try to keep doing so, but time will be a rather large constraint.
Once again I thank those who have read this fic that I only started writer to pass time and amuse myself. It was the people here that had me actually turn this into something and not just some idle writing. Honest criticism has been appreicated.
Ja ne
Rurouni
-----
Link was not seen again until early the next morning. While only General Wilde knew of the boy's strange exit the previous night, to those who saw him the next morning, it was easy to see that something was wrong. The young man walked through the castle, dressed in full battle regalia that he wore when fighting on the front. Usually he just wore his tunic and his gloves when at the castle, yet today he was wearing all his equipment and had an expression that looked like he was prepared to take on the reaper himself in a battle of will.
He remained silent for most of the day, even while training the recruits. His friends tried to figure out what was bothering him yet he remained steadfast in his silence. In fact, it seemed like he wasn't even watching the training, being completely preoccupied with something. This seemed to disturb his men. They had known the boy for a year and had never known him to act this way; something was up and Link didn't want to talk about it.
Eventually, the concerns of Link's men reached General Wilde's ears. Although somehow understanding that this must have come from the strange and mysterious message the boy had received the night before. Finally, he called Link to his quarters, intent on figuring out what was wrong.
Link entered the room and closed the door behind him, somehow knowing that was what was expected in this situation. He stood before the general with his arms folded behind his back. His expression revealed nothing as he asked, "Is there something I can do for you General Wilde?"
Wilde almost winced at the dead tone in the boy's voice. He was used to Link's sarcasm and strange sense of wit, yet this tone held nothing of the young man's usual speaking patterns. "Master Link, it has come to my attention that something has been bothering you lately."
Link blinked once but otherwise didn't move. "Please, do not trouble yourself over it sir."
"Link..." Wilde began, "I'm not going to order you to tell me anything that you do not wish to but I would like to know what is going on?"
Link allowed a small smirk on his face. "Even if you ordered, I would ignore it." His voice had a little sarcasm in it. He then straightened up, "Sir, if that is all you wished to discuss, I must be going. The recruits are still in the middle of training, and there are some that need my unique touch."
General Wilde chuckled at his words. Unique touch indeed. From what they have told me, that involves you beating the hell out of them unarmed while they try to kill you. He then allowed the amused expression to leave his face and replace it with a more serious one. "Does this have anything to do with the message you received last night?"
Link flinched at that, showing Wilde he had hit the mark. There was a long silence before Link finally relented, "...Yes sir." He said softly, turning his head away slightly.
"What was in that letter to cause you to behave this way? Those other soldiers from Kakariko have brought their concerns to me, and it seems to be affecting the training."
Link immediately turned and opened the door. "I'm sorry sir, but it was a matter of personal matters and I shall not speak of it. Good day General."
Link paused at the door, seemingly wanting to add something but Wilde could tell he didn't know how to phrase it. Though it was unnecessary for Link to try because Wilde knew what he wanted to ask. "How many days will you need?"
Link let out a sigh of relief, his body visibly relaxing as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Three... no two days. If you are not still here I will meet you in Kakariko as soon as possible."
Wilde nodded and then said in a tone that revealed his age to the young man. "You have them. Go take care of what you need to do. We shall be waiting for you before we return." He then laughed and said in a much more amused tone, "I don't think that even the goddesses could protect me from the men if I came back without you, 'Commander'." Wilde said with a smirk on his face, emphasizing the nickname that the soldiers at Kakariko had given the young man.
Link looked over his shoulder at the General with a mixture of anger, amusement, and astonishment. Quite a strange expression, Wilde would later recount. Link allowed himself a small smile, turned and bowed towards the general. "Sir... thank you. This means a lot to me."
Wilde merely waved the boy out, watching in silence as Link left the room and closed the door. Wilde leaned back in his chair and rested his hands on the back of his head. Personal matters? I thought the boy had no family... and he was a drifter, so it would be doubtful that anyone would remember him unless he saved their life or something. I wonder...
-
It was only a few hours later that Link left the training grounds, leaving the recruits in his friends' able hands. He already had his gear with him, so he head directly towards the stables, ready to get Epona and get on with what he had to do. When he made it to the stables, he was surprised to see that Epona was not there. Surprised... and mildly irritated. He quickly chased down one of the stable boys to find out what had happened to her.
When Link finally caught one of the kids, the stable boy merely shrugged and said, "That horse was getting restless so we tied her to the tree in the courtyard. That's what we usually do." Link let the kid go and made his way towards the courtyard where he froze in astonishment when he was met with a sight he never expected to see.
Instead of seeing Epona running around wildly, or even sleeping, he saw Epona standing there, eating an apple from someone's hand. Part of what surprised was the fact that Epona was letting someone besides him feed her like that. Usually she would kick up a fuss if anyone else tried, leading her to be mostly fed with grains from a feeding trough.
The second part of the scene that surprised him was more in regards who was feeding her. Link felt his jaw unhinge and droop slightly when he saw that it was Princess Zelda, dressed in a strange dark green dress that he had never seen before. She seemed to be lost in thought as she fed the strangely docile animal.
He was silent for a few moments, idly wondering why she was there, and why Epona was allowing Zelda to feed her. When Zelda looked up, he was surprised to see an expression of worry on her face. Finally, he closed his mouth and slowly began to walk towards his horse. Upon reaching the two, Link crossed his arm across his chest and bowed slightly. "Milady, it is always a pleasure."
She didn't lose her worried expression as she turned her head back to Epona and began to rub the horse's head gently. This strange silence was not lost on Link as he rose up. He was unsure of what to say, considering he could tell that something was bothering her, yet he somehow already knew what she was going to say. Link only sighed as he patted the back of Epona's head. "I'm surprised she let you feed her. Not many people can do that besides me." He remarked, a strange smile on his face as he looked at his horse.
He heard a small chuckle and looked over to see Zelda smiling. "Perhaps she is able to sense that I am a friend?" She said, her voice soft and caring.
Link nodded in agreement. "I do not doubt it milady. She is a fine horse who seems to be far more intelligent than anyone gives her credit for, myself included." He then laughed, "It would really surprise me one day to find out that she can talk and just never felt like it before."
The small smile on Zelda's face widened a bit more as she laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "That would be a sight to see. A talking horse, can you imagine the possibilities?" Link only chuckled in agreement as he continued to rub his horse's head. The jovial mood soon died as Zelda asked, "So you are returning to Kakariko?"
Link raised an eyebrow at the question but didn't look at Zelda for a while. Why is she concerned about that? Although it's not the case, it shouldn't be unexpected. Finally Link sighed and answered her, "No. I am not returning to Kakariko yet."
Zelda looked confused as she asked, "So then where are you going? Did they give you another mission?" She had a strange expression on her face that Link didn't really want to spend time trying to figure out. Internally, he vaguely recognized it, yet he didn't want to believe that it was coming from her. So in turn, he ruthlessly pushed the thought from his mind.
"No... I have some personal matters to take care of. I should be returning in a few days. I need to meet with someone to the Northeast of here." Link replied, still not looking at her.
Zelda finally breathed out, "Master Link, look at me." Link turned his head as he had been told and looked Zelda in the eyes. Her eyes betrayed some feeling that she had that Link could not really understand. "Why do you look as if you are ready to fight a war if you're just going to take care of some personal matters?"
Link coughed once, not expecting her to cut so close to the heart of the matter like that. He quickly recomposed himself and said, "I'd rather not talk of it milady. I don't wish to seem rude, especially to you since you and your father have done so much for me already, but quite frankly it is none of your business."
Link could see the shock on Zelda's face when he finished the statement and immediately regretted it. Perhaps that was too harsh? He thought mildly as Zelda eyes looked as if she had been really hurt. He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed and unsure of how to handle this situation that had arisen. She then spoke in a detached voice, "I see then. Please forgive me for keeping you Master Link."
She turned to leave when Link gently grabbed her wrist. She looked back at him in shock but calmed herself when he saw his apologetic expression. "I didn't mean to say it like that. You know me better than that milady." He slowly released his grip on her wrist and took a step back, his eyes downcast. "It's just... I need to deal with this myself."
She nodded, seeing that he had not meant to insult her or hurt her. "I see. Then I wish you good tidings and that you will return safely."
Link slowly reached up and undid the clasp for that chain that he wore around his neck. He took it off and held it out in front of him, looking it for a few seconds before lifting one of Zelda's hands and pushing it into her hand and gently force her to close her hand around it. "I need a favor. Can you get this translated for me?"
She seemed confused by this action but then agreed. "Yes, but why did you wait until now? We talked about that a long time ago."
Link shrugged and slowly released her hand. "You could say this has relevance in regards to my personal matters." He then bowed to her once again, "I'm afraid I must now take my leave Princess."
She nodded and said, "Travel safely, Link." Link nodded and turned away from her and untied Epona from the tree. He mounted her and nodded once more to Zelda before riding her out of the courtyard. Zelda was left there holding Link's chain with a strange expression on her face. He other hand slowly drifted to her necklace that held the Goron Ruby but she then turned and left the courtyard.
Unbeknownst to either of the young ones, someone had been watching the scene from above. Minister Foss stood there in his black robes as he overlooked the courtyard and watched Princess Zelda leave. He could not hear their conversation but he had a good idea what had been said. He also knew where Link was going and allowed himself a thin smile. Everything is going according to plan.
-
Link rode hard and long through the fields of Hyrule, pushing Epona with a strange passion that he had never felt before. Although the conversation with Zelda before he left had calmed him slightly, he still felt uneasy as he rode on towards his destination. He held Epona tightly as he rode, feeling a sense of dread the likes of which he had never experienced before.
During one of the times he had stopped to either feed Epona, let her rest or drink from a stream, Link reached into his pocket and removed a piece of paper. He held it up and looked at it, but didn't read it. He had already read it numerous times already, the shock from the previous evening gone. This was what was driving him now, driving him towards the Northeastern edge of the Hylian border.
To Master Link of Hyule Castle, Commander Link of Kakariko, and to Link of the Lost Woods:
I have no doubts that this letter has taken a great deal of time to reach you. You have not been a very easy person to find, yet that is due to my brother's fault I suppose. Regardless, the reason I am contacting you is that I have information about your family that you may wish to know. I do not know when this letter will reach you, but I will be waiting near the Northeastern Border, towards the eastern edge of the Lost Woods for you. Come as soon as you can, as I long to meet the nephew that I have heard so much about.
Sincerely,
your uncle Tyrel.
While Link did not want to believe the validity of the letter, he found himself thinking about it far too much the previous evening. At first he had only been surprised. Then he felt angry and mildly insulted that someone thought they could manipulate him like this. This anger was what forced him to leave the celebration earlier, for fear of hurting someone due to his unhidden rage. I suppose that even General Wilde was disconcerted with my exit last night. As he walked back to his room, the letter continued to plague his mind as he read it over and over. It was at this time that he began to pick up things that he had missed the first two times due to his emotions.
Mentions of the Lost Woods caught his eye. Although I told them I was raised near there, I never told them that I was actually from the Lost Woods. The part about being hard to find due to the sender's brother also caught his eye. Perhaps... my lack of a family name? The sender was claiming to be Link's uncle, something that surprised him but the letter had struck a cord within his being, unlike he had ever felt before.
If he had to describe it to someone, the best word would have been 'homesick.' It was the same feeling that he often felt during his travels through various lands, the feeling that would come to him when he rested at night, staring at the sky and thinking of Hyrule. A strange sense of nostalgia covered him when he would reread the letter for most of the night, trying to convince himself that it was too good to be true. Truth be told, Link's lack of knowledge about his family and himself had bothered him for a long time, and far more than anyone could've ever suspected. This person is claiming to know me in a way I don't know myself. Is it worth the chance? He often found himself thinking.
When it came down to it, the answer was a resounding yes in his mind. He had come to the conclusion in the very early morning hours, even earlier than when the servants awoke. He had not slept as the issue had been plaguing his mind. It was then that he decided to take action.
Link snapped out of his reverie as Epona nudged her nose against his arm, as if understanding him. He smiled as he placed the letter back in his pocket and reached up and rubbed her neck. "Thanks girl. Come on, we still have a lot of ground to cover." The horse neighed once in agreement before Link rose to his feet and mounted it. With a few quick motions, the two were once again heading towards the border, this time with Link having a resolute look on his face. I will not run from this.
-
Although the trip was long and tiring, it did not take Link too long to actual locate the house mentioned in the letter. Link stopped outside of it, taking in the appearance of the place. For being so isolated, it was in rather good condition. The roof was made of some type of wood that he couldn't recognize while the house itself was made similar to the buildings in Kakariko and certain small inns he had stayed at in his travels. Before he dismounted, Link had one final argument in his mind to just head back and not listen to the words of this man. And once again, he lost that argument, dismounting from Epona and calming her with a few words before approaching the door.
As Link held up his hand to knock, the door suddenly opened, revealing a woman, slightly younger than him, standing there. Her eyes opened in shock at seeing Link there. "Oh, hello there." She said, her voice betraying her shock.
Link nodded once. "Is there a... Tyrel that lives here?"
The woman lost her look of shock and nodded. "Yes, Master Tyrel is the owner of this inn."
"Inn?" Link asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked around to see that, indeed he was not the only one here, judging by the horses tied up outside. Such an odd place for an inn, there shouldn't be a lot of traffic around here...
She smiled gently before asking, "Yes, would you like a room?"
Link slowly nodded. Why not? "Yes, and I would like to speak with Tyrel in private if possible."
The woman positively beamed. "Coming right up sir. Please come this way." She said, gesturing for him to enter. She led him through the small inn, showing him the common area before sitting him at the bar, insisting that he have some food and drink before while his room was being prepared.
It wasn't too long before a glass of ale and an older man placed a bowl with some sort of stew in it before him. Link's gaze went from the food to the server, to back to the food. Finally Link picked up the spoon and began to eat silently. The older man merely watched him in the same sort of silence before Link decided to ask, "Are you Tyrel?"
The man flicked the ends of his pointy ears a bit and smiled grimly. "That is correct kind sir. The little lady told me that you wanted to speak with me." He then sighed and leaned forward, "Now what brings a young one like yourself to see me?"
Link didn't answer at first, content to eat the food and drink before he put the spoon down. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the message he had received at the castle and placed it on the table and pushed it towards Tyrel. "This is the reason I am here."
The old man picked up the letter and pulled out some reading glasses. He quickly read through the letter and his eyes lit up. He looked back to Link with a smile and said, "Oh, its you!" He then laughed heartily, attracting attention from the other people in the common area. "I had just about given up on this reaching you. I sent it a little less than a year ago."
Link didn't respond to that, pushing the food and drink away from him as he asked, "So you wrote this letter?"
The old man nodded, "Indeed Link. I must say, you caught me by surprise. I thought I'd never get to see you again."
"Again?" Queried Link, his stone-faced expression remaining locked on his face.
The old man nodded with a sad smile. "It was only a few days after your birth. Your mother held you as if any person who came by would try and take you. Now that I really think about it, you have her eyes."
Link nodded, but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure if he could trust this person, making claims about knowing his mother and such. Finally he asked, "Can you prove any of what this letter says?"
The old man looked confused. "Proof? What do you mean?"
Link started to feel irritated but he kept himself composed. "I have many enemies," he explained, showing he didn't trust the man in the slightest, "and I know nothing about my past. This letter and you claim that you are my uncle. I want proof."
The man scratched his head, as if unsure what to do. "How do you expect me to do that? I haven't seen you in almost twenty years, yet you expect me to be able to do that?"
"Tell me something! You can't just expect me to believe such a claim!" Link exclaimed loudly, slamming his gauntleted fist on the table. The other customers looked over in shock but eventually turned their attention away from the two.
Tyrel merely rubbed the back of his head. "This is what I can tell you. You are my sister's kid. I don't a whole lot about you, I'll be honest, yet I do remember how my sister died, running into the Lost Woods carrying you, intent on asking the Great Deku tree for its protection."
Link's face fell at that. That is how the Deku tree told me I came to the forest. Link took a deep breath and asked, "How did she die?"
The man frowned. "A group of bandits attacked her and your father as they were traveling towards Kakariko. I don't remember the reason but I do remember asking them not to travel there. I only know what happened because someone came here with your father's corpse, telling me how they had heard his last words."
Link paused for a moment to think. This in itself was difficult because Link felt very tired. He had been riding all day and it was catching up to him. "What makes you think it was me?"
The old man shrugged. "I was hoping you could tell me actually. The stories about the strange commoner named Link in the army without a last name have made their way even out this far. Some of the rumors state that you came from the Lost Woods, a wild young man who bites into the asses of the nobles when you can. When I heard those rumors, I thought of what I had heard happen to my sister and her child. I thought it was worth the risk and sent that letter out." He then sniffed a tear away, "I'm glad you came."
Link found that his head was starting to spin and idly found himself wondering how strong that drink was. "You still haven't told me anything that convinces me that what you said is true."
The man's face went deadpan and he asked, "You mother wore this chain around her neck. After you were born, she draped it around yours. I don't remember what was on it though, mostly because only your mother could read it. Strange markings I've never seen before."
Link froze at that statement, his fingers reaching up to where his chain normally rested. Not many people know about it, even less know about the markings... "I have someone translating it for me right now." He said rather weakly. His head was now starting to hurt as well.
The old man chuckled and said, "Yeah, it always bugged me. So, you believe me now? I also know about that strange mark on your hand."
Link eyes shot open at that, despite his weariness. I didn't have this mark before the Imprisoning war! Link shot to his feet and almost fell over as his equilibrium was shot to hell. What's wrong with me?
"I say kid, are you alright?" Tyrel asked, his face showing concern.
Link saw through it though, and beneath that expression was one of a liar. "What... did you... give me...?" He managed to speak out, his voice coming out in short breaths.
The old man's eyes fell, as if caught in a lie. "I'm sorry lad, I had no choice." He then looked to the other customers and asked, "Is that enough?"
Link's weary eyes looked towards the others in the room and he noticed for the first that their ears weren't typical of Hylians. They were rounded like those from Termina. So it was a setup, I should've known. He thought bitterly as one of the men spoke. "Yeah, he's harmless now. The boss said he wanted him alive anyway."
One of the other ones from Termina walked over and gave Link a brutal kick to the rib cage. "This is the little prick that kept us from taking Kakariko a year ago?" He asked in disbelief, giving Link another kick for good measure.
"That's what the boss says. Well, we better start packing up. Thanks for the hell Tyrel."
"Just make sure my daughter is unharmed." Tyrel said in a concerned voice. He mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' to Link afterwards.
The man nodded, "We already sent her to the capital here. You should go after her." He then walked over to Link and kneeled over him, "Ain't so tough now, are you little boy?" Link coughed once, fighting the drugs that must've been in the stew. He whispered something but it went unheard as he started to vomit after he said it. The men backed away as Link began to vomit again and yelled, "What was that kid? And what the hell did you give him?" He asked Tyrel, who was now just looking confused.
Link waited until one of them got closer and said softly, "You better kill me now, because if you don't, none of you are leaving this place alive."
The revealed soldiers paused for a moment, then they all began to laugh loudly. The closest one leaned over Link and said loudly, "What can you do about it? That paralysis drug isn't going to wear off for at least three days, more than we need to get you where you will probably be tortured."
Link wasn't even paying attention to the man's statement and obnoxious laughter. His eyes were caught on the dagger that was hanging from the man's belt. With a feat that seemed to take all his strength, he quickly reached out and grabbed the back of the man's head with his left hand while grabbing the knife of his belt with the other. With one other quick motion, the knife quickly slit the man's throat, causing Link to lose his grip on the man's head and let him fall next to Link on the ground.
The rest of the soldiers watched in absolute shock as Link slowly rose to his feet, obviously in a lot of pain. It was easy to see that it was taking a great deal on concentration to remain standing but Link was doing that, holding the man's knife in his hand. The leader pointed and asked, "You were drugged! You shouldn't be able to move!"
Link only smirked, "And I threw up the toxin. All drugs and poisons work the same way. If ingested, if vomited up immediately, you can avoid death and some of their effects." He then lost his smirk, "I won't lie to you, I still feel like shit and can barely move, but that matters not." He then gave a cold glare and said, "Now, I'm going to kill all of you."
Link counted three men, and Tyrel. The old man isn't one of them, just forced to help. Even if he was, he's too old to be a threat. Link then looked over the living soldiers and allowed himself to smile weakly. This will be interesting. I probably don't have the strength to swing my sword. Link held the dead man's knife in front of him and said weakly, "Come on."
The first man snarled at Link as he drew his sword and charged. He tried to stab Link in the chest, but Link fell forward in a clumsy roll. The soldier went to kick Link after realizing that his slash missed and Link was near the ground, but Link surprised him by not only avoiding the stomp, but also sticking the knife into the man's Achilles tendon. He roared in agony as he dropped to the ground, unable to support the sudden loss of strength in his leg. Link removed the knife from the man's heel and stood back up slowly.
The second man looked towards the leader and nodded once. The leader returned the nod and both men charged Link, swords drawn and no longer caring that they were ordered to bring him back alive. Link could feel his strength returning but he knew was also fleeting as well. The more I more, the quicker the drug that is still here is going to spread. I need to finish this quickly. Link ducked under the leader's swing and continued to dash towards the other attacker. He tried to thrust his thin sword through Link's body and succeeded slightly by catching Link's upper shoulder. Link grit his teeth as he continued forward, actually thrusting the man's sword in deeper into his shoulder, until he was close enough to slam the knife into the man's throat. The man's body fell forward, gurgling up blood as Link released the knife, letting it fall while still in the man's throat. He slowly pulled out the sword that was still in him and threw it to the side, a spray of crimson coating the tavern floor as he threw it. He then turned to face the leader, a resolute look in his eyes.
Now the Termina soldier was standing alone, his allies either dead or dying. The look in the young Hylian's eyes scared him, but he would never admit it. It was as if he was looking into a void, something that held nothing yet could hold everything. He raised his blade, readying himself into a defensive stance, wondering how the boy would attack. The drugs should be working! After all that movement, he shouldn't be able to even stay conscious anymore. He hasn't even drawn his own weapons yet. The soldier and Link began to circle each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
It wasn't until Link felt a pain in his back. He fell forward to his knees in pain and shock, landing on his hands to support his fall. He slowly reached around to his back and found a rather large dagger stabbed into his back. He felt it up first, then slowly pulled it out, gasping in complete agony as it finally left his body. He slowly brought it in front of him as he tried to look over his shoulder. Standing there with a satisfied smirk on her face was the young girl. Link only noticed now that she also had the rounded ears of those from Termina. "You bitch." Link hissed out.
The girl shrugged. "Sorry kid, orders are orders. It's a shame, you were cute too." She said as if she had just stepped on a rat. She then grinned sadistically as she then kicked him in the wound, sprawling him out over the floor. Link cried out in pain as he felt her placing her foot on the wound and pushing down hard. "Little Hylian maggot." She then looked up and said, "He really got the others while drugged?"
The man Link had thought to be the leader nodded as he sheathed his sword. "Yeah, he threw it up and caught us off guard." He then walked over to where Link was laying and sent a hard kick into Link's injured shoulder, causing the Hylian's screams to intensity. "Little prick. Why does the boss want him alive anyway? I say we just kill him now." Another kick sent Link's head twisting.
The woman shrugged. "I don't know. The orders are coming from 'him' though. Bad things could happen if he gets angry." She stepped off Link and pushed him with her foot to turn him over on his backside. "Though it is a shame. Kid is probably gonna get gutted either way."
The soldier scoffed at that. "If we are gonna hand him over, I'm going to pay him back for what he did to the others first." He said this while lifting Link to his feet and sending a brutal fist into Link's stomach, actually lifting his body slightly. Link dropped back down to the ground, hacking wildly as he tasted blood traveled down his face.
"Feel free. As long as he's still alive when we hand him over." The girl said, reaching underneath her dress to a thigh holder. Held there were a series of five small concealable knives. She tossed one of them to her companion and grabbed another force herself. She then winded up and threw the knife, sending it directly into Link's other shoulder, causing him to groan in pain.
"Damn that's gotta hurt!" The soldier said with amusement as he bent forward and slammed his own knife into Link's stomach, Link screamed in pain as he crumbled together into the fetal position due to the pain. The solder saw the one knife still sticking into Link's shoulder and gave it a ruthless stomp, causing Link's vision to leave him temporarily.
"Why did you stab him in the stomach? He might not live to make it out now!" The woman exclaimed, slapping his companion on the back of the head.
"Don't tell me what to do woman!"
Link ignored the following short argument as he tried to make sense of things through all the swimming pain that was clouding his sense. He slowly grabbed the knife in his stomach and pulled it out, gasping silently as the two enemies continued to argue. Link looked up at the two and felt his senses begin to leave him.
Amazing, perhaps those fits have been useful after all. I'm used to this much pain. He thought quickly as he somehow shot to his feet, the bloody knife in his hand. The two saw this too late, the man reaching for his sword but Link slashed his neck before he could do anything else. The man's body fell sideways, the man's eyes staying open, trying to figure out what had just happened before they closed in his death.
The woman quickly reached for her other knives and brought two up into a throwing position. Link was already ready though, holding one of her knives in his hand. He only glared at her, blood running down his face and neck and said, "Don't make me kill a woman."
The woman shivered at his cold tone. He looked like a fresh corpse as it was, and he was able to take out all the soldiers there. She began to back away slowly, wondering how to kill him and escape. As she was about to throw her knives, Link tossed the one he had and it flew past her face, cutting her cheek slightly before it stuck into the wall behind her. She slowly reached up and grabbed her cheek, stunned. He could've just killed me. She saw him pull the other knife from his shoulder and hold it up, obviously in great pain. He only asked one more time, his tone pleading. "Please."
But his eyes were what did it. They were cold and held murderous intent. The woman shivered as she saw them and realized that unless she left now, she would not live to see another sunset. She lowered her knife and tossed it on the ground in front of Link and slowly backed away. Link breathed out a sigh of relief and then said, "Get the hell out of here." The woman nodded only once before turning and leaving the inn.
As soon as she left, Link collapsed to the flow. The adrenaline that had been powering him was leaving his system and the blood loss was starting to affect him greatly. Link found himself gasping for air with his eyes closed. Can't I go anywhere without having the shit beat out of me? He wondered as he heard Tyrel approach. At least he hoped it was Tyrel, he really was no longer able to fight someone off right now. Even the drugs were starting to take their toll on his body.
"Young man, are you alright?" Came the old man's voice, a touch of amazement in his tone.
"Do I friggin' look 'alright' old man?" Link wanted to yell, but it only came out as a whisper. Link then said, "So, you really know nothing about my family then?"
The old man shook his head. "No. I'm sorry lad, but they said I had to do this or they'd kill my daughter. I was given all that information to help distract you."
Link opened his eyes and nodded. "I understand. Help me to my horse then."
The old man looked shocked. "Are you sure you don't want me to patch you up first?"
Link shook his head. "I've had worse than this before. Now help me up, I can't feel my legs."
Through much painful effort, Tyrel helped Link to Epona and handed him over to the horse. Tyrel questioned one more time before Epona rode away, "Are you sure you don't want my treatment?"
Link only responded, "Old man, if I could move my arms right now, I'd be giving you the biggest beating of your life for helping them, hostage or not." Link slowly right himself so he was leaning against Epona's back and he said, "Let's go girl. You know where."
The old man only watched in astonishment as the dying young man calmly rode away on his horse. Link's thoughts didn't revolve around how much pain he was in, nor how the enemy, whoever it was, knew all that stuff about him. His only thought was, They're going to give me hell for this when I get back...
-
The four division commanders were through with training for the day, sending the recruits off to get some rest for the next day. They were standing out in the courtyard talking to each other when a loud cry caught their attention. "We need a doctor immediately!"
The four exchanged glances before Kyliss ventured, "Wonder what's going on."
Rizen shrugged, "Probably some idiot fell off his horse or something. Pay it no mind."
It was at that point that another cry echoed in the sky. "Get him off the horse!"
"I can't get near it, this horse doesn't want to give him up."
Jykan asked, "Think we should help them out?"
Vyline shrugged, "Why not? Got nothing better to do." The four nodded and slowly began walking towards the direction where they heard the cries coming from. When they arrived at the scene they froze in horror when they saw Epona fighting off people trying to grab Link, trying to protect her master from these strangers. "Isn't that...?"
Rizen nodded, too dumbfounded to be concerned over Link's bloody body. "Yeah, that's him." The four exchanged glance then immediately called out in one voice, "Commander!" before running towards the horse.
But before they could reach Epona, someone beat them to it. The courtyard was in shock as Princess Zelda ran towards the horse, trying to calm it down. "Epona, its alright." She said, reached towards the horse's head. Slowly the horse calmed down and Zelda reached up and pulled Link from the horse. She couldn't support his body however as Link fell and took her to the ground with him. Zelda pulled herself out from under Link's body and saw the blood on her hands and dress and shrieked out in horror, "Doctor!"
The four soldiers dashed towards the two and Kyliss and Jykan pulled Zelda away from Link, for fear of what she may do. Rizen and Vyline went to Link and checked for a pulse. Vyline lifted his hand from Link's neck and yelled, "He's still alive! Medic! Someone get a god damn medic right now or he's not gonna make it!"
It wasn't long before a team of doctors showed up to take the young man away, the courtyard all watching in a tense silence, most wondering what the hell had happened to him. Zelda merely watched them carry Link away in a silent state, with blood on her hands, arms, and dress. Her eyes carried great pain at seeing Link in that state and she could only think one thing as she closed her eyes when she could take no more.
Please Naryu, let him be okay.