The nightmare is always the same. It has been the same with some small variation since he was a child. It is always some dark, foreboding place that smells inexorably of blood and death. He is always fighting something enormous and fearsome. The monstrosities change with each cycle of sleep. Tonight, it towers over him, black and smouldering. Its horns- or tusks perhaps- curl up to the ceiling. Tiny, red eyes stare down from the shadow of its form as he draws his sword. There is a girl present. He cannot make out her face but her silhouette produces a kind of radiance that cuts through the inky blackness of the nightmare. Somehow, he knows her. If he could just ask her, maybe she could tell him why he's fighting. There is a howling wail, and then the deafening clack of enormous hooves stepping forth. The creature yawns and seems to drink the light of the figure. It is then that he rushes forward. He strikes firecely; he must kill it. It cannot be premitted to finish what it is doing. He will not let it have her. He stabs at the beast as it turns its attention from her. Its skreiking grunt is otherworldly. It brings claws like spears down on him, which he can barely hold. His sheild breaks. In spite of this, he has wounded it, and the creature seeths and squeals with rage at the bloody gash in its side. It comes quicker, and he miscalculates his movements. It slashes him from hip to collar, breaking bones and fligging him to the floor. He hears it wail again as he struggles to draw air into his lungs and his head swims. His vision blurs and he looks down to see that deep maroon is already quickly spreading over his chest. He rolls to the side, every breath strained and painful, and watches the creature turn back toward the light. Its maw opens again and he struggles against his own body to move. It cannot have her. He manages to get beneath the beast, and he drives his sword up through the roof of its mouth till it protrudes from an eyesocket. He holds tight to the hilt, wanting to be sure he has killed it as his legs begin to fail him. He only pulls the sword out as the dying creature, in its thrashing, strikes him again and sends him rolling to a stop on the stone floor. He can move no longer. He hears the deaththrows of the demon and he see a blinding flash, then there is quiet. He closes his eyes... Her hands are warm and soft as she gently turns him toward her. Her palm on his cheek and her fingers gripping his are all he can feel now. She whispers to him, the light fading from all but what shines from her. The words they speak are never intelligible, not even this night as he dies in her arms; her face still wavy and obscured by what seems like eons. She mutters to him in a language he does not understand, though he hears himself answer her. He must tell her something... As he slips away, he feels a small hand gently shaking him.
He opened his eyes and the girl beside him laughed at the look of sleepy befuddlement on his face.
"Morning, Link." Said Rueliana.
He sat up, trying to compose himself as consciousness flooded his sences again. He looked about his room, his heartbeat still quick and heavy with adrenaline as the world and the dream seperated. Link took a deep breath in an attempt to calm it. He looked up at his almost-sister, his eyes finally adjusting. She squinted at him.
"Are you sweating?" She asked.
Link ran his fingers through his hair and sighed out a laugh.
"...Morning, Rue." He said.
She sat, or flopped rather, on the edge of the bed; her long, dark braid falling over her shoulder as she slouched toward the shaggy-headed boy.
"Sooo... sorry, but dad sent me to come wake you up. He says he feels bad to work you again after such a long day, but he needs you."
Link let his head fall forward with a soft groan, stretching his neck. Rue lovingly ruffled his hair and he smiled, happy to be once again in the company of the living.
"It's okay. I was having a bad dream anyway." He said softly.
He peeled the quilt back and stood up. The girl followed and together they made their way down the stairs and into Link's rather disheveled kitchen. She draped her shawl on the back of a well carved chair and sat down at the little, round table in the center of the room. She loved coming to visit him here, in his home on the edge of the forest. Even though she had cried and begged him to not leave her father's house a year ago, she couldn't help but love this place now. Link's father had built it for his mother twenty years ago, before Link had even been thought of. It was one of the most beautiful, if not one of the most rundown houses in the Faron province. It had sat empty since Link's mother had died. The boy had really only just begun to fix it up. Rue watched him now as he removed the kettle he had been heating from the hearth and poured himself a cup full of the bitter, black substance he, her father and Khai drank nearly every morning. She cringed as he took a sip. Link sat down in the chair across from her and smiled at the puckered look of distaste she wore. Rue sighed.
"So was kind of monster was it this time? A two-headed dragon? Giant spider? Huge, armored lizard?"
Link stared contemplatively past her, his intensely blue eyes illuminated by the sun through the window. He absently took another sip of his coffee.
"No... this time it was like… some kind of giant boar... but it stood like a man. I can't really describe it. I stabbed it in the head... and then I died." He said.
"You died again, huh?" Asked Rue.
Link nodded.
"Yeah… the girl was there again too… the one whose face I never see. I said something to her, and she..."
" …Licked your face or something?" Rue added, her smile mischevious.
Link smirked.
"No... she was with me when I died this time. It happens once and a while, when she shows up..."
Rue leaned forward in her seat, her eyes still on Link's.
"Well, did you win?" She asked.
"I think so, but...it didn't go well for me…"
Link paused, and sighed softly. He glanced back to the girl.
"I'm sorry, Rue... It was intense. I can't shake it off this morning."
Rue frowned, troubled by her inability to help. She reached across the table and took Link's long, delicate hand in her tiny, stout one. She squeezed it reassuringly.
"They're just dreams, Link." She said.
The boy smoothed his hair back, letting the messy, wheat-colored strands fall back around his face.
"I know... but they feel so real sometimes." He said.
Rue tilted her head.
"Yeah... I've slept in the same bed with you; you thrash around a lot... you say some super weird stuff too..."
A lull passed between them. After a moment, Link spoke.
"So anyway... why did you have to come wake me up on my day off?"
Rue's honey-colored eyes widened.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Dad needs you for a delivery to Castle Town. He meant to tell you yesterday. He's got a cart full of swords and axes for a merchent in the city and he thinks that since there's been so many Bulblin seen in the area lately, you should go as extra protection. You are the best swordsman in Ofaria after all." She said.
Link swirled the clay cup, looking thoughtfully into the dark liquid. Rue sighed as she watched him, his eyes still preoccupied.
"I can't wait to go with you guys when you ride out to other towns... but with my luck I'll probably end up getting lost, or kidnapped, or something my first trip..." She said, drolly.
Rue leaned back, the chair creeking as she inspected the glowing coals in the hearth. The birds sang over one another outside the window as quiet passed between the two. She looked back to Link and saw that a grin had spread across his mouth.
"What?" She asked, her eyebrows slanting.
"I don't know, you'd probably just whine a lot... maybe get yourself kidnapped at the most. Hair like yours would probably fetch a decent price." He said.
Rue punched him in the arm, his smile only widened.
"Shut up!" She squawked.
"What? You said it." The boy returned
"I swear, sometimes you're as bad as Khai." She said.
"I am not. Khai makes fun of you because he's trying to teach you something. I make fun of you because it's easy. If anything, I'm worse." Replied Link.
Rue crossed her arms, deepening her already exaggerated frown.
"Well, gee thanks for explaining that to me." She snapped.
"You're welcome." Said the boy.
Still smirking, he looked sidelong at Rue as he slowly took another sip of coffee. Her eyes narrowed though she smiled still. She whacked him in the thigh and Link suppressed a laugh with a mouthful of the bitter liquid. The nightmare was beginning to fade now. This was his world again. A world of daylight where he lived as the loved adopted son of a retired knight and weapons smith.
Link mounted his red mare with a quick, graceful motion. He extended his hand to Rue who gripped it and gently dug her bare foot into the stirrup as a long, sturdy arm hoisted her into the saddle. She fidgeted, smoothing her dress against her legs. Link made a clicking noise and pulled the reins toward the path. The horse began to trot through the foliage.
"Where was Epona when you got here? Usually I have to call for her awhile if I don't tie her up at night." Said Link.
Rue smiled to herself as the warm wind pushed her dark locks behind her.
"I brought her. She was wandering around the edge of the village. I brought some dried apples with me just in case I ran into her. She was hanging around the gates this morning. I got her to follow me." Rue beamed.
Link slowed Epona as they began to pass across the bridge over one of the many chasms that marred the province.
"She didn't try to bite you this time did she? I felt really awful the other day when you tried to give her a biscuit and she nearly took your thumb off." He said.
Epona had quite a reputation of being an ornery, impossible-to-ride horse. Though she was a cooperative work-horse, and far more tolerant of children, it seemed that she disliked or outright hated everyone but Link and she either kicked at or bit nearly anyone that attempted to touch her. She had been presented to Link as a foal for his tenth birthday. The boy had raised her and was the first and only person to ever handle her. Even now, Epona's ears stood straight back at the presence of another in her saddle.
"No, she didn't. I set them on the ground. She must have smelled the rest of it because she followed about three feet behind me all the way to your house. I tied her up while she was distracted with the fruit when I dumped it out of the bag." Rue said.
Link smiled and shook his head.
"Well, I guess that's one way to get her to listen." He said, lovingly patting her side.
Epona only snorted in reply and both Link and Rue chuckled as her ears continued to stand backwards.
The road to the village was a pleasant one, shaded with various trees. The dappled sunlight on the rocks, scattered ferns and flowers was a sight, Link suspected, had inspired many songs and poems throughout the land. It was early summer, and the air was sweet with the scent of opening blooms and grasses. As he rode the familiar path, his thoughts meandered suddenly to his birthday, his seventeenth birthday that had passed a few weeks before. He had been allowed his first drink of ale, that Roland knew of at least, and he had enjoyed himself very much that night between the food, drink and Khai's jokes. Though, in the days following, a sort of anxiety had come upon him. He had felt a strange sense of restlessness as of late. He had said nothing to Rue or Roland, or even Khai about the odd, shapeless feeling he had been experiencing but now, on the edge of the village with its peaked, thatched roofs and the smell of fireplaces, he pondered its meaning. Perhaps it had something to do with the nightmares; they had become all the more vivid in the passing week. As Link and Rue trotted past the brook and the wide vegetable garden sprawling next to it, a familiar pair of bright orange heads came flinging over the creek-bridge. Logon brandishing a stick with the corpse of a fish stuck at the end and Loron, screaming in terror as she ran across the road. Link quickly pulled Epona to a stop. With an audible sigh the boy dismounted and watched with a mixture of amusement and annoyance as the twins ran about. The little red-head screamed at the top of her lungs as her brother, laughing madly, moved to hurl the skewered fish at her. Link caught Logon's stick and tossed the dead fish into the creek, bringing the clamor to a halt. Loron skidded to a stop and looked up at Link with wide, grateful eyes. Logon stood with his mouth a gape. He crossed his arms and his freckled face reddened.
"What'd you do that for?!" He exclaimed
"Because this is probably the third time this week I've caught you torturing your sister." Said Link.
The angry red-headed child looked up indignantly at him
"I wasn't even doing anything! She's just a cry-baby..."
The second red-head balled her fists.
"Shut up Logon! You're always throwing gross stuff at me!"
Rue rolled her eyes and groaned in the saddle.
"Come on Link, we have more important stuff to do than settle the stupid fights of small children." She said, looking directly at Logon.
Logon reddened deeper and stuck his tongue out at Rue who in return, did the same. Link smiled.
"You know, guys, those really shiny green beetles you like are starting to hatch up by the spring. Why don't you two go catch some? If you find some grubs, and don't throw any at each other, Logon, I'll take you both to the river tomorrow and we'll fish."
The twins smiled, glancing quickly at each other.
"Really?" Said Loron.
Link nodded in reply and the two five-year-olds ran off for beetle hunting; their conflict already forgotten. Link climbed back up into the saddle and gave Epona a soft kick and the horse started back on the road to Roland and Yolandae's house. Rue sat behind him, still thoroughly annoyed
"Stupid kids. They're so irritating when they fight." She said.
She heard Link chuckle in front of her.
"Little kids are so much easier to reason with than adults."
Rue rolled her eyes.
"Pfft, you really think so?" She said.
Link turned his head a slight to see her
"Oh yeah, I just solved a conflict with bugs, Rue. I would way rather deal with ten kids fighting than try to convince any one of the adults in this village of literally anything. The kids actually listen to me... Not a single person over the age of twenty in this village cares what I think. Not unless I'm carrying the other end of something heavy for them anyway..." He said.
Rue shot him a knowing smile.
"Does that include my father?"
The boy returned her exprerssion.
"Nope, not at all." He said, turning his head back to the road.
Roland sat on the wooden porch of his home on the top of the hill beside the ever regal Yolandae. The two of them shared a long curved pipe filled with a sweet-scented herb, the familiar smell of it greeted both Rue and the boy as the large stone house came into view. Roland stood as Link approached, his snowy hair and beard about his face in multiple braids. He helped the still raven-headed Yolandae to her feet and offered a wave to his ward and his daughter as Epona drew near the house.
"Rueliana, You left so early this morning. I have not seen you yet today." Said Yolandae as she helped Rue down out of the saddle.
"Good morning." Rue sang, kissing her mother's cheek.
"Have the two of you had breakfast?" Yolandae asked, turning her gaze to Link.
Link dismounted and took Yolandae's hand, quickly pulling her into an embrace as they kissed each other's cheek.
"No, only a little coffee." Said Link.
She smiled, the creases near her mouth and eyes making her worn but lovely face all the more charming. Rue looked just like her, it was almost uncanny.
"You probably don't eat half as well since you've left this house, do you boy?" Roland asked through a puff of smoke.
Link only smiled and shook his head. Yolandae laid a hand softly on Link's shoulder.
"Come in. There's an omelet and a berry tart inside." She said.
The four of them entered the wide archway of Rue's family's home. A long table sat in the center of the room, furnished with plates and an iron skillet containing a heap of eggs, mushrooms and cheese. The warm, buttery scent filled the room. Sitting with his feet up on the chair in front of him, as Link had expected, sat Khai. He was still reading the book he had been trying to finish since the week before, something that their schedules had not allowed much time for. As the two of them had more or less been raised in this house, Khai would often show up in the mornings; hovering about in hopes that Yolandae would cook something for him and his lady. Link walked up behind him and playfully laid his hand against the pages of his book and Khai looked up; one thick, dark eyebrow raised.
"Link. You're early. I expected you'd sleep until at least noon today." Said Khai.
"Can you really blame me after yesterday? Where's Mariana? I saw the twins on my way here and I figured that if she wasn't with them, she was with you." Link replied.
Khai glanced back down into the pages.
"I asked her to come. She said she had some kind of recipe she wanted to try, but the berry bushes are a few miles in. She was getting ready to leave when I left this morning. She's probably in the bog, picking berries that aren't ripe yet. She's going to create some kind of monstrosity later." He laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkeling.
Link took a seat next to his friend.
"I happen to think Mariana's a good cook."
Khai closed his book and kicked his legs back under the table.
"Of course she is, but nothing can top Yolandae's cooking. I've had food from the kitchens of ladies in every province and still, her's is beyond compare."
Khai gestured with his glass toward Yolandae, who smiled and dropped a large cut of the omelette onto his plate, she did the same for Link and Rue who nodded their thanks. Link tapped Khai's shoulder.
"You riding with us today?" He asked.
Khai, his cheeks stuffed with egg, shook his head. Link looked at him quizzically.
"Nope." Rue chimed.
"He's giving me riding lessons today. He's teaching me how to jump fences."
Rue glowed as she spoke, and Khai rolled his eyes and made a flickering gesture with his hands.
"Hooray for me. I get to teach the princess of Ofaria how to ride a horse. You have a sword ready, right?" He asked.
Rue nodded enthusiastically.
"Good, because we're not just jumping. You really need to work on your mounted combat skills. Hopefully you don't fall off and make me listen to you cry all day after." Khai said.
"Aw, c'mon Khai, I'm not that bad." Rue said.
"No, I guess not. I've seen worse, even though you almost get yourself bit or kicked by Epona every other day. Though, I guess I can say that you're pretty brave for even getting near her. I've never met a meaner horse."
Link laughed quietly into his drink. Khai furrowed his brows at him
"What?"
"Nothing really, it's just that… I don't know. It seems like Epona just kind of hates you particularly more than everyone else. I've never seen her go out of her way to bite anyone but you." Said Link.
Khai scoffed.
"I don't care. I hate that horse. The last time I rode to the city with this kid, we were coming through a pass that was wide enough for us to ride at least four feet from each other. Out of nowhere, with Link pulling her away the whole time, she comes up and bites me right here." He said, pointing to the underside of his chair.
Rue tittered, as did Roland and Khai couldn't help but smile himself as he remembered the incident as well as Link's panicked reaction.
"I think you might have had something that she wanted to be honest. Wasn't that the day Logon filled your wallet with pie filling?" Said Link.
"Which time? Anyway though, don't blame the fact that you can't train a horse on pie-filling, Link." Said Khai, stuffing another fork full of omelet into his mouth.
Link sighed quietly, playing with a mushroom on his plate.
"Epona listens to me." He said.
Khai laughed.
"Yeah, okay. You treat her like she's your pet, Link. It's cute, don't get me wrong, but it's really annoying when I have to get something out of the saddle bag and she tries to take my hand off. I still can't believe that she ripped my wallet off of my belt." He said.
Link grinned.
"Is that the real reason you're not coming? I can keep Epona on the other side of the cart you know. Maybe it'll keep her from sneaking up on you and stealing your wallet, you malcontent." He said, glibly.
"...Which may or may not be full of pie filling." Rue added.
Khai laughed
"Me? A malcontent? Why sir, that's an insult." He said.
"...Only because it's true." Rue chimed, serving herself a piece of tart.
"You stay out of this." Khai retorted, pointing at her.
"She's right."Said Link aside.
Khai lightly slapped the boy upside his head.
"Quiet, child." Khai said, turning back to his meal.
With an irritated sigh, the boy smoothed his hair back.
"You know you're just mad because Epona is faster than Starling." He said
Khai rolled his eyes and took another mouthful of egg.
"Whatever, You can ride ol' pony off of a cliff for all I care."
Yolandae clattered her fork down with an admonitory stare in the direction of the black-eyed boy.
"Stop arguing at breakfast, I don't care if you two speak to each other that way for the rest of the day but it's mid-morning and we're trying to have a meal together." She said sternly, but not unkindly.
Link and Khai looked down at their plates. Even as young men, the sound of a perturbed Yolandae struck a chord with the both of them.
"Sorry m'am." Said Khai.
After breakfast was finished, Khai and Rue said their respective goodbyes and left upon Khai's spotted mare to begin their own day in the meadow beyond the stables. Roland kissed his wife tenderly on the head and thanked her for the omelet and the dessert that had followed. He then took Link out of the western door and into the stone building in the sprawling yard behind the house. Mounted on the walls of the forgery was a bevy of weapons; from broad swords, to spears and axes. Along with their academic schooling, Roland had patiently trained his children with each. Though, the blue-eyed boy had excelled at all astonishingly well. Link was more natural with a blade than anyone Roland had ever seen. Though, that was to be expected he supposed, considering who his father was. He watched as Link walked judiciously to the dozens of swords hanging upon the wall. He looked so much like his mother, but the way he stood, his walk and sense of humor were absolutely that of Roland's long dead friend and comrade, Cyril. Roland saddened at the thought. Poor child, he had never even known the man, and his mother had died such a slow and painful death at the hands of a terrible illness; incurable by even the the most seasoned healers. Roland could still remember the night that the sobbing little boys had appeared on his doorstep with the sad news. Khai had known neither his mother nor his father. Releigha had taken him in and loved him like her own alongside the little blonde. It was the black-eyed boy who had led Link to Roland and his family that night. Roland had gone to the house in the woods the day after. He has found Releigha in her bed, already cool to the touch. Link did not speak for nearly a year. Khai always seemed to understand him though, despite his silence. The dark-eyed child was almost militant in his protection of the younger boy. As Roland looked on at the lissome teenager now he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The boys had turned out just fine, in spite of everything. They would be very good men one day, quite soon in fact. Link pulled a sword and its scabbard from the wall and examined it intently. He checked its balance and swung it gently in a sweeping motion.
"I like this one, its light but it's sturdy. Did you make this one for yourself, Roland?" Link asked.
He nodded his head.
"Indeed. That one is called Dìoghaltas. I forged her maybe a month ago. In truth, I had planned to take her with me on this ride."
Link looked closely at the blade. It was thin and flat but its weight told of its strength. Roland had emblazoned vines in the center near the hilt. He had wrapped the sliver, intricately carved hilt itself with dark green leather and it gripped in Link's hand flawlessly.
He looked over to Roland with a sly smile.
"I'll spar you for her." He said.
Roland laughed.
"As you wish boy. I'll have my sword."
Weapons chosen, Roland and Link met each other in the yard. They kept away from the windows and out of Yolandae's sight line, as she absolutely deplored it when her husband or either of her surrogate sons played with weaponry in this way. She was quite vocal of this sentiment. Roland and Link stood about three feet away from one another as they tapped their swords together. The real trick to these matches, Link thought, was to be as careful as humanly possibly not to actually wound each other. This meant being mindful of using the flat side of the blade, though Link, Roland, Khai and Rue had all been slashed or superficially stabbed more than once. But still, heedlessly, they fought. The old knight slashed at the boy who parried the blow and ducked away, fluently rebounding upward toward Roland. Youthful vigor against age and mastery was the occasion. With a slight flick of his wrist, he deflected Link's sword and the play continued quickly as the boy trotted backwards on his heels while Roland's blows dominated him, driving him back. Roland took a quick but half-hearted swing at the boy, nearly confident that he would land a hit. To his surprise, Link evaded him and ducked to the side, sweeping Roland's legs out from under him. Within seconds, the boy, barely winded and smiling, had the tip of the blade to his chest. Roland laughed; he was his father's son.
"Ok, you win Link. You can have the sword."
Satisfied by his fortune, the boy and his mentor returned to the hearth where Yolandae sat at the table looking over multiple papers.
"Roland, Link, please sit down for a moment. I have some things I need to discuss with you." She said
They sat. In her lap, Yolandae spread a weathered map as she set the letter she had been reading on the table. Link noted the wax seal on the letter bore the Phoenix and the Holy Triangles.
"This letter here is a declaration of emergency. It says that they have closed the bridge into the Eldin lands and that roving bands of Bulblin and Bokoblin have been seen making camp. Some travelers have already disappeared while crossing the fields. The Bokoblin have no masters, they will kill at random, and they have become bold as of late. The Bulbin however... they will often pledge their allegiance to a greater force. Their presence as of now... it suggests trouble." Said Yolandae.
She pointed a slender finger to a particular pass on the map. She looked up at both of them as they followed her finger up the printed path.
"I want you two to take this route; it will take you around both of the bridges and give you the high ground on your way home. It will be nearly full day's ride and I suspect it will be well past dark before you return." Said Yolandae.
"This may be dangerous. I want you both to be very careful and on your guard. Though I'm sure, between the two of you will have no trouble if there is a blade within reach. May Nayru protect you well."
Both the boy and the old knight embraced the noble lady. They then harnessed Roland's bay roan gelding, Midge, to the wagon and left the sleepy village. The sun was still high and a cool breeze made it the perfect day for travel. Link, upon Epona, trotted behind the back of the cart; the won Dìoghaltas and her scabbard strapped proudly around his chest.
Deep in the vast wilderness of the forest, a lone rider trotted on horseback through the trees. He had been here once before, on his many travels. Now though, he had come with a purpose. An experiment, as it were, one that could not fail. As the rotten marble of the ruins came into view, the man slipped off of his horse. In the deep green shade, he removed the horse's bridal and the saddle from its back. The horse whinnied and shook itself.
"You're free, horse...which is more than I can say for myself..." The man said coldly.
He bent down to the bag that had hung from his saddle and pulled from it a think, heavy book bound in pitch-black leather. He traced the cover lovingly, his pointed fingernails scraping audibly in the silence of the deep woods. He turned to the horse one last time, stroking it's face before climbing down the cracked stairway
"... find your kin, enjoy your life, beast."
Then, the man carefully descended into the ruins below. He had forgone his usual robes in favor of a simple linen tunic, as sumptuous fabrics would have hampered this trek into this forest reclaimed city.
Dressed like a commoner... like a peasant... while starting a revolution.
He sneered at the thought as he stepped into sunlight. He made his way deeper into the ruins, the many keys on the ring at his side jingling with every step. At last he stood before a set of great stone doors. So old and decrepit were they that vines had nearly torn the stone to pieces. He stepped inside, the book clutched tightly to his chest. At the far end of the room he could see the sliver-blue glint of steel. The man walked slowly toward it, trepidation building in each step. He climbed the stairs, sweat beading on his brow now. It was even more beautiful than he had ever imagined it. He removed his riding glove and reached a single finger out to touch the hilt. Instantly he drew back, his finger burnt as if he had touched a hot stove. He held his finger for a moment, inhaling through his teeth with a sharp hiss. He turned back to the sword once more. Curious, he slipped the riding glove back on. He hesitated for a moment, and then quickly touched the hilt with his gloved hand. His scream filled the forest. He drew back, ripping the glove away. A deep red, perfect burn in the shape of the hilt had already formed on his palm. He gritted his teeth. Glancing back to the blade.
No matter...
With his other hand, he quickly drew a chalk circle around the pedestal, etching the runes of a powerful magic into the edges. Then, kneeling before it he opened the book and carefully turned it's thick, dusty pages to an incantation. With both hands, he touched the rough stone of the pedestal and began to chant. From around him the circle began to glow, dimly at first and then brighter with each repetition. Then, the man looked up with wide eyes as the sword began to fade into small sqaures of black, and then into nothingness. His vision tunneled, and suddenly the man fell backward and tumbled down a short flight of steps. Nauseated, his head screaming, he looked up at his surroundings. He was back in the bowels of the castle. Dusty, tattered banners adorned the walls, one mirror hung asymmetrically behind two giant statues of ancient knights. He snapped his attention to the top of the stairs. Above him, the blade stood stark there in its stone pedestal. The man smiled viciously.