Chapter Seven: Is There an Assassin in the House?
The night had come. Guests were arriving in coach after coach after coach. The line backed up all the way through the entrance gates, and there was still more to come. The Ballroom was lit with dazzling torches and decorated with brilliant tapestries in every color. Every lady wore a stunning dress and every man looked right and proper in their own respect. This had truly come out to be the gala event Link had not expected. With the knowledge of the killers' plans, guards had been stationed secretly in the appointed rendezvous spots with the hopes of catching the criminals in the act. But the King knew as well as Link that this was useless now. The killers knew that they had been caught onto, the plan would have changed for sure. Despite the dire problem that plagued the castle, the party guests retained no knowledge of it and King Harkinian planed to keep it that way.
Link stood next King Harkinian in his thrown. Next to the king, new seats were added for Princess Adel and her mother. As 'visiting royalty', it was only proper. As the Hero of Time it was his duty to be there, despite how much he disliked being on display for people. The King waved and greeted his guests, and Link could only smile and blush slightly as many of the females batted their eyes in his direction.
"Don't look so gloomy my boy," Harkinian laughed, "I think every young man would love to be in your boots right now. You seem to have the attention of every single young lady in the room!" He laughed again and patted Link in the shoulder, almost in a fatherly way Link thought. Link glanced over at Princess Adel, whom he found had been starting at him. She quickly looked away and resumed her sour expression.
"I would be a lot happier if I could know what to expect tonight," Link said flatly, making sure the Queen could not hear. "These men…no one knows how or when they are going to strike, if they are at all now! I don't like being so unprepared…" The King raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips. He leaned on the armrest of the thrown and stared at the Hero of Time.
"My boy, why should you worry? This is hardly anything compared to Ganondorf. I have faith in you, you are one of my most trusted advisors Link. Now, stop worrying but just be on your guard. The moment will present itself in time." Link stood in silence afterwards.
Rook had been ordered to stay out of the Main Hall. "Keeping guard", they had told him, but he knew that they just wanted to keep him out of the way. But he didn't care too much, he rather would be out here anyway than inside with all of the 'rich folk', he called them. He stood in the middle of the kitchen, trying to make his way through to the kitchen gardens and then on to the stable where he was supposed to be tending the guests' horses. Attendants were going every which way with trays of food and drinks; everywhere you looked there was commotion. Rook was glad when he finally escaped out into the cool evening air. He started his way off in the direction of the stable when a young servant girl carrying a large sack with much difficulty came up the walk.
"Malaiya, give me tha'," Rook smiled at the girl. "Tha's to heavy for you lass, let me have it." The girl smiled likewise and allowed Rook to take the bag off her shoulder.
"Thanks Rook, that feels much better," she straightened up and stretched her back, arching backwards. "That there is a heavy sack of grain, I wasn't sure I was going to make it." She looked up at him with her big, curious hazel eyes, "Were you on your way to the stables then brother?" Rook grinned.
"Ya, but I'll help ya in with this first sis," he said in his tone of voice used for mocking his little sister. "Wouldn't want ya' going home to mum with a hurt back, she's lively to blame me for it."
"That's because you're the most likely to cause it," Malaiya grinned. Rook glanced lovingly down at his little sister.
"Aye, why aren't ya speakin' with yer accent Malay? Aren't ya proud of where you come from?" He asked her, as he always did from time to time. He knew what her answer was going to very well be too. Malaiya sighed and roller her eyes, preparing to give her little speech once again.
"Don't start again with me Rook, you know very well why. Mum thinks it's more fitting if I speak with a Hyrulean accent rather than an Adrean peasant one. I'm not planning on serving at the castle the rest of my days you know and---"
"And it's just something ye feel is necessary, I know, I know," Rook grinned and put his arm around her shoulder. "Oh Malay, ya know I'm jus' teasing you."
"Yeah, I know," she replied.
They walked into the kitchen, dodging a random servant every now and then, and placed the sack of potatoes in the corner. Rook noticed the cooks placing the last details on the food they had prepared; dinner must be served soon he figured. Malaiya was called over to help peel the vegetables amidst all the commotion.
"I'll see ya later love," Rook smiled and kissed his sister on the cheek before she turned and disappeared into the crowd. And what a crowd it was in there! Curiosity had finally got the better of him and he took a quick peek through the great oak doors and into the Main Hall. Just for a quick looksee he thought, that's all. Rook glanced about from the doorway, trying to keep out of the passing attendants' way. It was just as busy out there as it was in here! People wearing every color Rook would have known to exist and then some. Why, it was livelier than back at Old Hawthorn's Pub late on a Saturday night. Which, Rook must have had to admit, participated in frequently. And in the midst of all he saw, he could still pick out Link, standing up at the top of the Hall alongside King Harkinian and the visiting royalty from Adrean. Princess Adel looked particularly sour this evening he mused. Rook laughed a bit at how awkward Link looked standing there. He could tell, even from across the room, that Link hated every minute of wearing those fancy clothes. The thought made him laugh even harder. Seeing enough, Rook turned back and once again attempted to make his way back out of the kitchen. He glanced once more over his shoulder at all of the shimmering lights and music, but his surprise when he turned back around was a full on collision with a rather broad and hard headed servant.
"Watch it!" The man yelled, trying to steady the tray of wineglasses he held. "What do ya think you're doing? These are for their Royal Majesties! Pay attention!"
"Sorrae' Sir," Rook apologized, holding his head from the blow it had received. Strangely Rook smelt something vaguely familiar on the man. The man scowled and went on his way. Rook looked on after him, knowing that he had seen him somewhere before…
***
"Are you having a good time Queen Adeilia?" King Harkinian turned and asked his guest with a most charming smile.
"Oh yes! Of course! Aren't we Adel?" She replied most enthusiastically, smiling back at the king. Princess Adel sighed impatiently as her mother awaited her reply.
"Oh yes mother, splendid!" She forced out in a completely fake cheerful voice. Adel glanced around the room again, her eyes once again resting on Link. Look at him, how stupid he looks! With that goofy grin and that ridiculous outfit! Not fit for even a servant! He's stupid, and unrefined…and, and…She immediately looked away, there was no way that she was going to acknowledge that she found him a bit attractive.
Rook's eyes had gone wide when he remembered where he had seen that man before. His adrenaline was starting to rush and his pulse quickened as he hurriedly followed him through the crowd of guests. It was now he though, it was up to him. The big, broad man brought King Harkinian and Queen Adeilia their glasses of wine and the room went silent. Rook's blood was pounding in his brain.
"My honorable guest," King Harkinian began to speak, "we are gathered here tonight to honor a great man. My Lead Advisor, Michael Pardee, who after fifteen long years of service, is resigning. He has provided me with infinite insight and wisdom over the years, and, frankly, I trust him with everything. To you Michael, thank you for such wonderful and loyal service." With this King Harkinian lifted his glass to drink. The rim was just about to touch his lips when, from what seemed like out of no where; Rook appeared from behind him and snatched it out of his hands. A gasp went up from around the room as the deep red liquid spilled over onto the floor as well as onto Rook. Everyone look at him in alarm.
"Don't do tha' yer Majesty!" Rook exclaimed, now surrounded by guards. The wine dripped off of the end of his nose and the rest pooled at the floor. His blood was still buzzing in his brain from his somewhat heroic (at least what he would like to consider heroic in one way or another) dive for the wineglass.
"What's the meaning of all this?!" Harkinian asked gruffly. "Explain yourself lad, if you would be so kind."
"Rook? What's gotten into you?" Link spoke with concern. Rook looked helplessly around the room. Everyone was staring at him. King Harkinian motioned the guards to stand down and reluctantly they did so.
"It's poison!" He shouted out. His cry was met by a murmur of 'poison?!' around the room from the guests. Queen Adeilia gasped in her most royal fashion and exclaimed:
"Good gracious! Poison?! I can't imagine---" she fanned herself with her hand as if she was going to faint. Rook looked helplessly at Link, who was quickly sorting things out in his head. Link reached out and ran two fingers down the side of Rook's face.
"Wha' are ya doing Link?" Rook asked in surprise. Link lifted his fingers, now with the wine on them, up to his nose to smell. His eyebrows arched up in shock.
"It's laenraeth," Link said quietly enough for only the surrounding people to hear. "Mixed in with the wine, Rook, you were right." That in alone amazed Link. He looked around the room at the frightened guests and added in a low tine, "your Majesty, perhaps you'd better calm the guests down, we don't want a panic to break out." Harkinian nodded in agreement and raised his arms to the people.
"My guests, it is alright! Just a simple misunderstanding, that's all. It's all taken care of now. Please, go back to you meals, everything is under control." The king sat back down and motioned for Link to come close. "Link my boy, take some of the guards and find that man who brought the wine," he paused and waited for Link to nod. "Good, oh and take that tall lad back there with you. My place is here and---"
"Yes I know your Majesty," Link nodded. "Don't worry, we won't let you down."
"I never doubted that Link."