PART FOUR - THE SHADOW OF MY KIN

"Okay, I might've missed those monsters," Link said quickly when he could see the recrimination in their eyes, "but I didn't take the damn thing."

"Well, someone did!" Tristan bellowed. Sally went tense and stayed behind Link as Tristan continued to vent out. "The deed was a phony all along and you—" he turned sharply to his nephew. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

Silas bristled. "I swear—"

"Don't give me that bullshit," Tristan snapped.

Tristan winced when Katie brightened up. "Watch that tone! He is your Lord and your nephew. How can you accuse him like that?" She squealed when he tried to grab her. Because there was no sunlight for her to retaliate, she took to Link's side.

Viktor's eyes narrowed at this. "With great respect, Lord Tristan, this behavior of yours is unacceptable. If your brother were here now—"

"He hid it all along!" Tristan spat. "He never showed it to me! Only when I put my foot down this showed up!" He moved his hand over to the pile of ashes.

"Father would never do such a thing." Silas's hands clenched. "Don't speak ill of the dead, uncle. All this fighting will lead to nowhere. I don't know where the deed is but I never knew that I had a fake one in my possession."

"He didn't show it to anyone," Tristan repeated. "It was a secret, but when I insisted, he decided to add this as a decoration. Now isn't that a little suspicious?"

If Tristan were telling the truth then Link would have to admit that it did sound damn suspicious. But why and for what purpose? What did Lawrence gain in hiding the real deed? It didn't add up.

"It belonged to him," Silas said through slightly gritted teeth. "It was well within his rights to hide it. This doesn't change a thing."

"I think it does. He's been hiding it all these years!"

"Father wouldn't do such a thing. He is a good man."

Tristan threw back his head in a hard laughter. "You think you know your old man? I knew him better than the rest of you lots." He chuckled dryly. "You think he's the most honorable man you know but how honorable does a whoremonger get?"

"Do not speak to him that way!" Link never thought to see Silas like this. His first impression of shorty was a small grey kitten cuddling in a box. But now there was a storm in those grey eyes, and those fists looked real ready to fly at his uncle. Even Sally and Katie were startled. "After everything he's done for you this is how you treat him? All the money he gave for you when you came in like a drunken fool, you forgot about those?"

Silas shrugged Sally off when the maid tried to calm him down. The young Lord strolled up to his uncle. "Fine, I'll admit he wasn't perfect. He's made his mistakes but that doesn't make him any less than he was. He's far times the man than you will ever be, uncle."

Tristan's face blackened, then he smiled coldly. "You're father was more of a bitch than I was."

Silas punched him. It wasn't that much of a blow. Tristan was more shocked than in pain. There were the beginnings of a bruise swelling on his cheek. Everyone jolted, silence. The older man would have repaid his nephew if it Sally didn't step in. Viktor played a role by pulling his young lord back.

"Get off me, bitch!" The sound of sharp slap rang in the air followed by a shriek. He held her by the throat, shaking her. "This is all your doing, isn't it? You did this! I know you did!"

Well, show's over. This was fun and all but it was getting out of hand. Link grabbed Tristan's shoulder and shoved him back so hard that the man's head went smack on the ground. Unfortunately, he was still conscious. He rubbed his temple with a wince then gave Link a dark look.

"You know, I should thank you for locking me up earlier." Link cracked his knuckles with Katie glowing red by his side. Behind him were Silas and Viktor fretting over their gasping maid.

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Tristan spat.

"Oh, I think you should be very afraid!" Katie snapped. "Link, for once, I give you permission kick his butt!"

Link grinned. "Gladly." He was stopped when a shaking hand grasped his shoulder.

Silas's face was pale, worn out like he hadn't been sleeping for days. He seemed frightened. The black robe made him look smaller. "Please don't," he said softly. "He may be a tyrant but he's my uncle."

Link scoffed. "He locked me up."

"And I let you go," Silas reminded him, his hand pressing on Link with more than just persistence. The storm was gone and there was only pity as he glanced at the man who was on the ground. "Please."

Link sighed, turning to Tristan with five fingers held up. "I'm going to give you by the count of five to get out my face. One…"

Tristan looked at his nephew. "You're going to let him do that to your own blood?"

"Two…"

"I want to see that deed!" he yelled.

"Three…"

"Uncle, I suggest you leave before he finishes," Silas said simply.

"Four…"

"I'll be back," Tristan growled, backing up from Link. "And you, boy, you think you're infallible? I'll show you."

It was pretty tempting to use the hookshot and drag his ass all the way back. Link exchanged a look at Katie before turning to see Sally. "Not something you see everyday."

Her face looked greatly irritated, a nasty bruise laced around her neck. "That pig," she hissed, rubbing the bruise. "I can't even begin to write fancy words. How can I fake a deed?"

Link, again, wanted to know what the big deal was. So they lost some old paper, so what? It was until they saw Silas stumble. Both him and the butler caught him. "Fine. I'm fine," Silas said quickly. "Just a little winded."

"You sure don't look fine." Link frowned. "What's wrong with you now? You gonna keep passing out like this all the time or what?"

"He needs to rest," Viktor insisted, frowning when Silas pushed him off. "My Lord—"

"I can stand on my own. Goodness." He rubbed his tired eyes. "Please make sure you send him the rupees by tomorrow."

The servants didn't like it but they were hired to obey. Link was the only one who had the luxury of voicing their thoughts out. "He gets to lock people up, come in here and say shit about your old man, gets to strangle your maid, and you'll pay him for all that?"

Silas tugged down his shirt. "He won't be able to take care of himself without it. My father always supported him. I ought to do the same regardless." His eyes turned away from all of them, looking at the ashes. "How could this be? After all these years?" He spoke softly under his breath then said with conviction, "We have to find it."

"My lord, we don't have time for that," Viktor said gently. "We don't need a deed to prove your status. That silly paper has been more of a decoration if anything. Now, if not for your sake then for ours, please rest."

Silas shook his head. "But…"

"Please," Sally said looking very concerned. "You look so tired. I'll make you some nice soup and get you some medicines. That'll help, right?"

There was a sudden glint in Silas's eyes, a slight rise from his shoulders. He allowed himself to be ushered away by his servants without complaint, leaving Link and the fairy in the hallway with burnt marks on the wallpaper and broken vases.

"Take care," Katie called out before they left the room. With a sigh, she beamed yellow at Link. "Well, we better go see if the town's doing alright."

Link groaned. He just came back from fighting.

"Don't you dare mope," Katie said sharply. "All this happened because you were too much in a hurry! Now we're going to the town and I don't want to hear it from you."

Link glared at her. It was then that they saw Sally walk right in with some cleaning supply. She did well to keep her expression annoyed as a maid should feel when cleaning a mess, but her hands trembled slightly as she picked at the ashes. Tristan must've really raddled her. It was actually more common than people think for maids to be abused in households like these.

Whatever it was, it was none of his business. He knew he better not let this mistake happen again. Though Silas could often be pushed around easily, it was clear he had his limits and when you cross that limit there'll be a storm that will take you by surprise.


She watched him dispatch the new group of monsters, and then made sure he didn't miss any this time. It was disconcerting to see many of them and so frequently too. Even in the chilling weather, they weren't slowed down. They came in the morning, in the middle of the day, near the evening—they seem to be on some sort of schedule. Monsters don't run agendas. It just wasn't something they would do.

It wasn't just them that were causing trouble.

Several soldiers were out to deal with the upheaval from villagers who wished to say what they felt about Lord Silas's new rule. Katie found it difficult to listen to a woman screaming out, "You're no men! My son is at there! You hear? My son! You won't do anything yourself and won't let us go? What are we paying you for then!"

For anyone who turned to Link as an alternative were showed the sharp side of his tongue. No one was to bother him about business that he didn't want to get involved. The red tunic was the only thing that mattered to him.

Selfish, she thought, watching him fight. Absolutely selfish.

Poor Silas. People would begin to lose faith in him. He was a strong young man to put with this after losing his family. And what remained of his family was causing him nothing but trouble. They didn't deserve such a generous and dedicated leader.

How could Tristan say such vile things about his own brother? Katie heard of him playing with his money and his gambling addiction. Rather than help his own kin at his time of needs, that oaf disavowed his responsibilities, offering nothing to the town. Honestly, it was as if he existed only to be a bother.

"Damn, they really don't quit," Link said after the battle. The sweat was dripping from his face, soaking in a V shape down the front and back of his tunic. "Has it always been this hot?"

It had been chilly but now the heat was blistering. People had begun to complain about it often. Link took off his cap and moped his face with it. "How long are we stuck here?"

She hummed. "A couple of weeks maybe?"

"More like a couple of years," he muttered, putting on his cap. "The thing's been missing before I was even born. What if they don't find it?"

"They will. I trust Viktor."

He frowned. "You barely even know him!"

"He'll find it. Don't worry."

He rolled his eyes, beginning to walk towards the end of the town. "I bet he'll stall to keep me here."

"Stop assuming the worst out of people," she snapped. "He'll find it and until then we keep our part of the bargain.

"You mean me. I'm the one doing all the heavy work. You know, you could do something with that hammer of yours." He added in, "Aside from using is on me."

She snorted. "And then you complain about me getting in the way. Besides I don't want to go near those things. Ugh, they smell horrible!"

There was shouting, and it was loud enough that it reached them from the other side of the street. They turned to see guards putting chains onto men who had gone from complaining to fists. The men didn't go down easily and soon the soldiers called for reinforcement. Some people watched with discomfort and some were quick to go to their homes as if to escape the same fate.

The scene didn't faze Link. He sighed. "What a morning," he said, walking past the chaos.

"It's only temporarily," Katie said hopefully, doing her best to ignore what was happening.

One of them cried out, "My boy is out there and you're keeping us in here!"

Link glanced back and shook his head. "This place will go under before the monsters have anything to say about it."

"Don't say that. Lord Silas will handle it. I know he will."

Link looked dismayed, even stopped walking. "That guy's just a kid! You can't seriously expect him to solve everything."

"He is a Lord."

He gave one of his 'I can't believe I'm hearing this' look. He rubbed his face in exasperation. "No wonder he isn't getting any better. Not with the shit you people are putting on him."

"Why do you care?"

The question made him pause for a moment. "I don't," he said finally. "It just pisses me off."

"This is how the world works. People have responsibilities to do." Silas was no longer the subject of the discussion. This was a dangerous territory she just stepped on but she had grown daring around him. Aside from the mess that was happening on the other side of the street, there was this stillness in the air between the two, one that was heavy and very cold despite the weather.

Link turned his face away. "I'm going to go get something to eat."

It was his way of saying that the conversation was over. She had to let it go. If she pressed on further, things will go very ugly.

As if to show her he could do whatever he pleased, he walked over to pay a visit to Mad Frank. The lunatic was found leaning dangerously on the railings of the bridge, looking down at the river that had nearly dried up in the weather. She truly didn't understand why Link would bother.

"Nice day, ain't it?" Frank said without looking at them.

"The monsters made it better," Link replied sarcastically. "By the way, I'm not going to jump in after you if you fall."

Frank laughed as he pushed himself off the railings. Dirt smudged on his face, and the corner of his eyes crinkled with amusement when they danced on to Katie. "Your fairy doesn't like me."

"Anyone that isn't important in her book isn't worth her attention."

"I never said that," she said bitingly, turning into a pale color of seaweed. "And, you, can't you dress better?" Frank wore nothing but rags.

The loony just chuckled. "Darling, these are as good as they come."

"I'll say." Link chuckled. For whatever reason, he seemed to like the company of Frank. It shouldn't come off as a surprise to her; they were both crazy. Link brought a bottle out from his bag. "Consider this an offering."

She gasped. "And where did you get that?" He gave her a sly smile that had her boiling. He must've snuck out when she wasn't looking. She did spend a little too much time in the library.

Frank nearly blenched at the taste. "Shit, didn't think you're the bitter kind."

Link grinned. "I'm guessing you're the sour kind, aren't you?"

"Let me tell you something." Frank wiped his spittle lips, still wincing from the taste. "Mix this in with a little bit of whiskey. You'll thank me later for it."

Katie fluttered in between them. "No and no. He doesn't need you enabling his drinking problem."

Link frowned, fanning her from his face. "I don't have a drinking problem."

"We should go back to the manor and see if Lord Silas needs our help with anything."

He looked like he wanted to argue until she summoned her hammer. "Ugh, fine! But I'm not doing anything extra."

"Lord Silas," Frank mused thoughtfully. "A good kid that one. I could tell from the looks of it, you don't know the mess that happened."

Link waved at him as he started walking. "Heard it all. Lost his dad, sis and love."

"You know how?"

Link paused. "Does it really matter?"

"Who knows?"

Katie wanted to leave. She didn't want to hear anything from Frank about Lord Silas. Men unstable as him aren't straight with their stories. Link had to wave her out from his view when she became persistent.

Yet a part of her did want to hear. Gossiping was such a dangerous thing because of how powerful it was. She wanted to know what people thought of Silas, how they truly think of him. Do they really love him as she hoped they would? What are the stories they had of the Haidrunds?

"I'm surprised you don't know," Frank continued on, looking at the horizon. His face was more impassive, calm. "Well, you don't stick around in town for long. You look like your ass is on fire the second you finish doing your job."

"People bother me," Link muttered. "So what's the story?"

Frank stroked his beard. "His Lordship has a twin sister. A young girl by the name of Sophia. She'd always have that cat around, talks to him sometimes." Frank's back was turned to them so he didn't notice the absolute shock on their faces. Link's eyes warned her to keep it down when her color flashed.

So that girl in the mountain, the weird girl with the ribbons who talks to her cat is a noble? Not just a noble.

"Lord Silas's twin sister?" Katie uttered.

What?

Link kept the act up. "What about her?" he asked Frank.

"Well, she's alive for one thing." Frank's tone went dark. "The other is that she's wanted for murder."

Now he noticed Katie by her loud gasp. "What? Murder?" That girl was strange sure but she never crossed them as a killer.

Link looked as stunned as her. "Murdered who?"

Frank's eyes went over by the river, which was only a snake crawling through rocks. "She murdered Irela of House Havington, her brother's fiancé."


That deed has been in those halls before he was born. Even before his grandparents were born. Every time he gazed upon it his father would recite the same old words:

One day that will be yours.

Silas worked hard for it too. He was the second at the academy, and then worked alongside his father diligently. With every mistake, every lesson taught, he pushed himself to be somewhat worthy of that deed. And now that it was gone it felt like everything changed. Was he truly the Lord? What was it that his father tried to hide all these years?

No matter what Viktor or Sally said, Silas knew in his guts that his father was behind this. The deed had been in his possession all this time; it had to be him. But to forage a fake one? And that wasn't even the greatest offense; he faked the signature and the stamp of the old King of Hyrule. That was treason. That was criminal.

Silas really hoped he was wrong. No way would his father be foolish enough to do something like this…unless it was absolutely necessary.

Tristan's presence only brought him more troubles. It sickened Silas to his stomach that his uncle would traduce about his brother like that. Lawrence was a good man, even though he had a bit of a temper and a quick, smart tongue to go with it. But he would never do anything that would shame their family.

Why did this have to happen? Silas rubbed his face in his hands. He cursed Link for being clumsy. If he had just paid attention to what he was doing, then they all would've been blessed with ignorance. The deed would still be intact, his uncle would be out of his hair, and Silas would be left to focus on the town.

To have monsters into his own home, to have them run down the door so easily, he knew he'd be having some trouble sleeping. Sally had done wonders for that hall, restoring it to its familiar surroundings albeit with some new paintings and vases around. But he'll never forget this. He would have told Grey, and have some men over for defense but Grey would no doubt lose his mind if he heard what happened. He might even have Link killed for this.

If Sophia were here, he thought, looking out at the window from his bed.

Oh boy what a show she'd make. No threats have ever dared to show themselves a mile from manor. She was always in the shadows—a part of them really—and her enemies would only get to see her if she wanted them to. And it's usually right before when she kills them. Her expression never changes. It was always calm and collected.

He shuddered slightly under his blanket. The fighting had gotten so deep into her head like a piece of shard. It had molded her mind, turning her into a solider that had been left stranded in the middle of a battle. She wanted to keep him safe from that. But he could never get used to it. He could never get used to his twin's sick determination to keep her family safe. From everything and everyone. From the world.

Sally strolled into his room without knocking. With Viktor looking into the red tunic, she was left to be as impudent as she dared let herself be. She set down the tray at his beside. "How are you feeling?"

He felt like he swallowed a hot coal. The pain came in waves, often in high and low tides, whenever he skipped out on his medicine. He already emptied out his breakfast earlier, and his vision often blurred when he stood up too fast. Despite the cool air, it felt like he was stuck in a sauna.

You don't need them, said a sly, feminine voice as he looked at the medicine.

"I'm well," he lied, praying she wouldn't check his temperature to find out herself. When he looked at the tray, he noticed his favorite drink was missing. "Nightshade?"

"You already took it, remember?"

I need it now! He wanted to snap. The thought of it watered his mouth, his fingers twitched eagerly beneath the sheets. He needed it so bad. He looked at the bedside to find another of Yvien, the sharp smell of it cut into the air like a knife.

Silas frowned. "No desserts?" Desserts were what made this tolerable. And come to think of it he could really use some.

Sally gave him that same motherly smile, the one that was both gentle and stern. "Now, Lord Silas, you can't expect cake after every medicine."

The old craving for sweets was quickly sapping away his patience. "I'd like some chocolate."

"Silas—"

"I want chocolate." He knew how he sounded but didn't care. If he can't get nightshade he'll bite his nails to get chocolate and he'll damn well get it.

Irritation flashed in her eyes. "A Lord shouldn't behave like a child."

"And a maid shouldn't talk back," he said sharply. She gave him a wounded look before hardening and set down the cup harshly, turning to the door. Silas felt ashes in his mouth from the words he had spat out without thinking. "Wait, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." He gripped his blanket. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me these days."

Sally sighed, before sitting next to him, gently stroking his hair. "You know you can trust me right?"

He nodded. "I do. It's just…"

He couldn't speak. Thinking about it thickened his throat and he could feel it suffocating him. There were so many things he did wrong. Treating the only people who cared about him like dirt, failing to see what his sister was capable of.

A man could only be brave when he's scared, his father's voice echoed.

I'm scared. I'm so scared. Does that make me brave then?

He wasn't brave; he was a coward. He had done more than just snap at his servants who only tried to help. Without meaning to, he thought of his sister again, of what she had done.

He knew she had been jealous. He knew it but refused to acknowledge it. Staring down at the rippling reflection of his brown tea, the hollowness in his chest gradually grew with every passing memory. The memory of Irela, her sweet smile, her gentle lips on his cheek. He never thought he would meet someone who made him feel that way, who made him feel Complete. The day his father was murdered, he had his sister, his fiancé and his uncle.

Of course his uncle was spiraling out of control. His addiction to money detracted from his family. Rather than returning for reunions, he would often come home to demand money for his expedition. Father would've refused but they were family in the end. If families don't look after each other, then who will?

Now Silas was the last of his family. But what can he do? His town was sinking into chaos, monsters are making daily visits into his home, and now he found himself doubting the one man in his life he thought he could count on.

"Do you remember when Father died?" Silas asked, his voice strained and soft. He welcomed the ghastly taste of his tea.

Sally always hated speaking about that time. She was the one who discovered the body. "Don't speak about that," she ushered. "It was an accident."

He locked eyes with her. "You know it wasn't an accident," he said slowly. "Father isn't stupid. He would never clean out a loaded gun and you know it." He put away his tea, thinking over the matter. "Could it be the same people who took the real deed? Perhaps that was why he foraged it. Maybe they were behind this. Maybe—"

"Silas, enough," Sally said sharply, her voice cracking a bit. "Your father would want you to focus on what's important."

He wanted to argue but seeing how upset the discussion was making her, he apologized. The door to his room was opened and he could see another door with a star painted on it. No one entered that room. No one came close to it. Viktor made sure to lock it twice. Goddesses know what he did with the key.

Silas couldn't even go near it. He went as far as to take the long way around to his room. But every time his eyes lay on it, looking at the star that they both drew, that hollowness threatened to swallow him whole.

"I miss Sophia," he uttered out in a whisper. It was a helpless thing, but it came from a boy who hadn't been born alone. "I miss her so much it hurts."

He can't cry. No, crying was for children. He didn't cry in his father's funeral and he kept it together in his fiancé's. He will not waste tears for his murderous sister.

He wished he knew her as well as he ought to have. But for most of the time, his own twin felt like a stranger if anything. She had just changed so much.

When he returned from his time in the academy, everything did changed in some way. The manor had new paintings, new statues, new servants, his father's attitude from hot headed to cool and patient was a shocking development. But his sister…she was the biggest change. From a girl with a bright smile and tomfoolery to a cold-blooded, austere fighter. He could barely recognize her.

And Silas had been the center of her world. He could remember how he often had to look over his shoulder, as she had grown so used to staying in the shadows that she might as well fade into it.

It was no wonder why she did what she did. He should've seen it coming. With how she glared at Irela with great hatred, he should've seen how unstable his dear sister was. If he hadn't allowed her to stay an extra day, Irela would still have been alive. If he hadn't let himself grow soft…

The ghosts still roam the hallways, waking him up at night. Some days he often found himself walking towards his study, planning to speak to his father. When he arrived at the door, the events of the disasters came crashing down to him. Other times he went to his sister's room but stopped himself before he could touch the doorknob.

He felt he was going mad. That must be what this was.

It was such a horrible thing. Every minute he expected one of them to come in through that door and fuss over his health like they always did. He even missed the staff. Why did Viktor fire them?

Silas figured he shouldn't be too harsh on his butler. Viktor now had to look for both the red tunic and Lawrence's killer. The search for Sophia had been delayed but they all knew the truth. For anyone else, going outside the town could mean a death sentence but Sophia? Oh, she'll survive. She might even be in the shadows now, watching him, hoping to keep him safe.

Sally rubbed his shoulder. "Darling, you need to finish your drink."

The cup was half empty. The Yvein always left a powerful bitter aftertaste that was almost like burning, numbing his mouth. It made it nearly impossible to drink it all in one go. "Do you think Sophia has anything to eat?" he asked suddenly.

Sally gave his shoulder a comforted squeeze. "You know your sister. Do you think anything stands a chance against her?"

That was true. That another good reason on why he was a little terrified of his twin. As if she wasn't frightening enough with her shurikens and ruthlessness, she also proved to be capable of murder. She killed bandits too, monsters, anything that threatened her family. She even broke a noble's arm just for insulting her family. Against someone like her, Irela stood no chance.

"She might be starving out there," Silas said out loud. "She deserves it, right? Of course she does."

Irela was a small thing like a mouse against a lion. How could his sister do something so horrid? How could she have strangled such an innocent girl like that? With the disparities between them, Irela couldn't hold a candle to her.

This wasn't the same Sophia he played with as a boy. This wasn't his sister anymore.

Sally got up from his bed, walking through his wardrobe to arrange it. As if to change the subject, she held up his worn robe. "Black again? Why don't we try something new like this one?" She brought out his usual blue vest with intricate markings at the V-neck collar. "Don't you like blue?"

He loved blue. It was their family's color. To him, they were symbolized the unknown, like the sky and the deepest sea. It was always so wonderful to daydream about it whenever he opened up to read. But black was the only color he was interested to wear.

"I'd like to have my dessert please," he said as nicely as he could. Without nightshade, he felt he was the verge of screaming. The idea of someone refusing to give it to him despite his Lordship was insulting. But he had to calm down. If they knew how bad he wanted it then they'll make such a big fuss.

Sally sighed. "Very well. But you have to at least get some rest after it."

He wouldn't dare to go to sleep. That man in his dreams would be waiting for him. The swirling darkness that surrounded him was beginning to thin out, only by an inchmeal.

It was silly to think about these dreams. That's all they are. Just nightmares of his failures. The man must be his father, sorely disappointed in the son he deeply trusted.


Okay, so Misko messed with the wrong bloke, but he couldn't be held accountable for that. Link seemed pretty average at first.

As much as Misko hated to admit it: watching Link fight those monsters with that sick grin on his face was enough to have the bandit on the move. Misko figured he wouldn't ever see that lunatic again but fate was cruel and unusual.

Misko had been desperate before he met Link. He had been far from Desmera at the time, hungry, frightened, spending days on the road. Imagine the temptation he felt when he saw some random stranger looking lost, confused and very well off. He should've stopped to realize that no ordinary person would be foolish enough to travel on their own if they weren't good at fighting. And Link was alittle too good.

And so Misko thought he could get some money with his scam—game, with his game—and take to the road before he ran into Link. No one was willing to buy the medal off of Misko, as they couldn't afford it. He knew the medal was enough to get him his own manor so he kept a hold of it, no matter how pesky and cajoling the merchants were becoming.

But now there was a problem: he barely had any money for travel. His games didn't attract much gullible children, not with those villagers looking more like roaming ghosts if anything. And with the monsters constant ransacking, he had to close up shop early. Whatever that was happening in Desmera it wasn't good.

One of the guards had nearly snatched him from behind. He knew by the way people looked at him that something was wrong. The guards would've cornered him if he didn't split at the last second. Thanks to the new rule, Misko had to find a way to sneak out of town. It was a bit easy when he found a guard who was pliable to some bribes.

Was Link still after the medal or trying to repair his wounded pride? Either way he wasn't going to get the world's greatest bandit that easily!

But now he was stuck out here in the woods. The same woods those hunters went missing in. The same woods where those monsters came from. But Misko was confident. He may not be great with a sword but he was quick on his feet. The moment he sensed danger he'll be flying right out.

Misko kept on walking through the breeches that were waylaying the dry patches of earth. There were some shrubs at his feet, small enough for him to get over it. Mountains rose around him with pines climbing up it, eating up the sky. It was a little pretty to be out here, the air fresh with wood and dirt, a better improvement from the dark despondency that was undercurrent in Desmera. It would have been a great thing for his wanderlust if it weren't for the occasional monsters he caught glimpses of just a few yards away from him.

All this wouldn't have happened if he had stayed away from Link. Misko shuddered again in the heat.

Speaking of which, what on earth was Link talking about a red tunic? Misko stopped by the leeside of the mountain, out of sight from any monsters as he unrolled the old parchment, something he had filched off from one of his costumers months ago. Apparently, if he got this treasure it was said to help him get a grander treasure. His ancestor Misko had hidden the greatest treasure of all time up in Death Mountain. It was one of the most sought out treasures ever.

Misko heard enough from his bedtime stories to know what the red tunic was used for. So with this bite information, this map seemed to finally have some sense to it. If he got the red tunic, he'd be able to travel to Death Mountain with little trouble. He'd be able to get the treasure his ancestor left behind. But Link was after the tunic too. He must be after the treasure as well. Shit. And the red tunic used to belong to the Haidrund's so they could be looking into it.

He stuffed the map in his pouch. Everyone wanted a piece of the treasure but it was left for him. He knew that for certain. He'll just have to find it first.

He felt the cold touch of the breeze brush past his neck. Should it be this cold at night? His teeth chattered as he wrapped his arms around him. He'll have make a fire, and somehow survive the woods without dying, running into people like Link or, if possibly, not join the hunters and go missing.

Oh Din take Link. Take him in flames, Misko thought darkly.

He couldn't stand to sleep anymore. There had been a time when he loved to sleep and his mother would slap him silly to get him up. But now his sleep was haunted by repetitive nightmares. It was the same every time. A tall dark man stood in flames made entirely out of shadows. The face of the man was unrecognizable but with each dream the opaque face kept getting clearer.

It's just a dream, Misko told himself shivering.

An owl hooted from afar, startling him. The woods were becoming dimmer, the trees longer and narrower with shadows trailing behind them, seeming to devour everything. He needed to make the fire now.

The sound of a twig snapping froze him. His heart was in his throat when he heard a low growl. Misko turned. The sun had sunk behind the mountains, leaving a red row at the jagged cliffs like fire. There were figures in the darkness, slowly creeping up on him. In the dying light, he saw fur, sharp teeth, claws. The figures had their backs hunched, lips pulled back in a snarl. Color drained from his face. He couldn't breath. He couldn't even get himself to take out his sword.

The wolves, large with black and white fur, growled at him. They were thin, evidently famished. Their hungry eyes were yellow, nearly glowing. Their sharp teeth glinted. Misko trembled, crying out weakly with shaky hands out in front of him.

One wolf looked like to was ready to spring on him from the way its legs hunched down. It was then the rustling sound of a bush nearby stopped them. One of the wolves growled at the intruder and ran straight for the bushes, leaping right over it and disappearing into the darkness. Silence dropped in for a few seconds, and it was broken by a whimpering sound.

Misko jolted from his place as did the wolves when their fellow was thrown back into the opening, lifeless. Emerging from the bushes, drenched in blood, a beautiful girl with black locks of hair stared down at the mighty beast. With steely eyes that scared Misko to his soul, the young woman turned to the other ravenous wolves, unbothered.

She didn't move as the two remaining wolves circled her. One of them tried to attack from behind, and she whirled to it. She moved with such a speed that Misko nearly missed it. In the weak light, he saw metal flashing. The wolf fell to the ground in a gurgled whimepr. That move left her in the open for a potentially fatal attack but she flipped back entirely, cresting over the wolf who had pounced only on empty space.

The wolf snarled at her and tried again. It was very close to her but she danced away from it easily. Her eyes were so calm, her straight hair following her as she simply moved out of the way, as if the wolf was just a child.

The wolf didn't last very long. It had pounced on her, successful this time, shoving her to the ground. The bloodied metal showed itself. Soon the wolf's body stiffened and then it fell on top of her. A deep gash ran from one side of the neck across to the other. With a grunt, she pushed it off and stood up, blood covered her.

Misko froze when those terrifying grey eyes fixed on to him. Was she going to kill him next? Did he have time to run?

Then those eyes softened a little and she looked completely Hylian. She wore a woolen shirt overlapped by a thin jacket. It didn't look like it belonged to her as it was a little big in size. "Are you okay?"

That gentle voice certainly didn't match what he just saw. Nonetheless this girl saved his life all the same, and she did seem concerned. "Yes, thank you." He yelped when something else came out from the bush. It was a black cat running over at the girl, meowing furiously at her.

Her calm face turned to irritation. "Leave him? What do you mean? He could've been killed!" She touched her cheek and was amazed to find it bloody. "Oh what a mess."

"I have some cleaning tissue," Misko offered. He would never bother share his things but, well, she did save his skin. He'll have to repay her now.

The girl paused. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Where did you come from?"

Misko rubbed his head. "I um got lost? Yes, I got lost!"

"You're not from here?"

"Yeah, you could say that…"

She sat down at the log, looking at the blood on her arms. Now if he ignored the blood and the metal tied at her belt, heavens take him she was gorgeous thing. That curve at ths hips, that dark hair, those intense grey eyes. How would she look like without the blood? Even better, with a dress and her hair fixed? She'd look divine.

He noticed her arm had tatters of different colors tied from the wrist all the way to her elbow—messy knots of ribbons, several of them. There was one particular ribbon that stood out. Royal blue that was tied around her wrist. The girl must have been careful with them, for none of the blood touched the ribbons. It had a nice look to it; it made her look like some traveller who collected souvenir of her visits.

The cat meowed again and the girl seemed bothered by it. "Are you always going to be like that?" It meowed again and she scoffed. "I'm not going to let someone die."

Misko didn't know if she was being serious or not so he decided to play along. "So that's your pet? Not really a safe travel partner." The cat turned to look at him. Funny. It almost looked like it was glaring at him.

"Simon doesn't like strangers. He prefers to have them killed." She pointedly ignored the cat when it meowed sharply. "I can handle myself. Those things…they were…" She paused, a confused line suddenly drawn between her eyebrows.

When she spoke, she spoke slowly, "What…what happened? Wait, what are we talking about?" Once her eyes saw the fallen wolves, they brightened up. "Yes, they were just wolves! That's all they were."

What an odd girl. He didn't think he would meet another lunatic, aside from Mad Frank and Link. And talking to a cat? Really? He snorted.

Careful. Careful. She cut those beasts like grass. She could cut you to ribbons if she'd like.

"Yes, well, I'll be off now," Misko started to say, thinking that he shouldn't spend too much time around people who's head aren't screwed on right.

"It's dangerous to travel at night. It'll be safer in the morning." From her tone it sounded more like an order. Misko would have loved to bolt the other way, but he didn't want to risk angering her so he obeyed and sat back down. The girl looked at him with those same trenchant eyes. "So what's your name again?"

"Misko," he said at once, feeling like a man crossing a lake with mighty thin ice. If he ignored how she saved him, she did look a lot like a killer. "And yours?"

"It—Simon!" She hissed in pain when claws cut her skin. "Why?" It meowed again pugnaciously.

"What's he saying?" Misko asked, then stopped to realize what a stupid thing to say.

She sucked a breath through her teeth at the claw mark on the back of her hand. "He says I shouldn't tell you. He thinks you're a bandit." Her eyebrows furrowed. "A bandit? Where did you get that idea, you silly cat?"

Oh wow this got creepy. That stare of the cat was even more daunting. Misko just shook his head, chuckling a little from his foolishness. It was just a stupid cat. "I would never do such a thing! I'm merely just a poor wondering traveler is all." He smiled, hoping that invited trust. "So can I have your name?"

She glanced at the unhappy cat then at him. "How about you just call me…Sara? Yes, Sara. That will work."

Misko didn't know what to say to that. He cleared his throat, hoping this would be the moment where the girl would laugh at him for taking her seriously. She didn't. "Ah, well then. Thank you for saving me, Sara."

"Your welcome…"

"Misko," he reminded with a slight frown.

"Yes, I knew that," she said hastily. "I'll get the fire started. We finally have something to eat." The cat kept its noise. Sara continued to ignore him. Misko kept his distance from the both of them. As if meeting Link wasn't bad enough.


I know things are going a little slow and it's driving me a little crazy since I want to get to the really exciting part but don't worry! Things are building up. The higher the mountain, the greater the crash!

So what are your thoughts now on the twins? What do you think is happening in the town, from the murder of Lawrence, the missing deed and tunic, to the monsters attacking and ransacking the place? I swear this should be a mystery thriller than an adventure. I just can't wait!