THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES...
Things were not right.
Vincent sat alone in his room, sword on his lap, absently rubbing it with a cloth.
Vincent
The rubbing stopped and the knight looked about him.
"Who is there?" he demanded, looking around the room carefully.
Silence greeted his question.
He rose to his feet and took a better look around the room, sword loosely gripped in his hand.
Vincent
The voice was louder this time but coming from nowhere yet at the same time everywhere around him.
Come Vincent
"Show yourself!" he shouted. The knight brandished his sword menacingly as his eyes darted around the room. Nothing moved, yet to the adrenaline-backed eyes of the young man, the very air seemed to be advancing on him. With his sword in a death grip, Vincent narrowed his eyes and screamed, "Show yourself!"
The walls of his room shook with the voice's insane laughter, drowning the knight's mind in turmoil.
Link strode through the many dark, cold hallways of Hyrule Castle. They had not always been dark and cold, the boy thought. Ever since Mira had died, things had not been right.
Over the past few weeks, Queen Julia had become nothing more than a ruler in name only. She spent all of her time in her chambers, refusing to allow entrance to any other than her son, Trine. Trine had adopted the throne and had already established himself as the ruler of the Land. Several people of the castle had gone missing since Trine had taken the throne, but it seemed to him that only a few people could see the reason of those disappearances: They had been the supporters of Princess Zelda.
No, Link corrected himself, not princess. Not any more. Zelda had been exiled for the death of her sister, Mira. The girl's rank and title had been stripped of her and she had been cast out of the very land that had given her birth, had raised her, and had been so deeply rooted in her heart that every breath she took was for it. Hyrule had turned it's back on Zelda in favour of her young cousin, Trine. As much as it saddened him, Link knew that the people of Hyrule would realize their mistake too late. Trine wanted something. What it was, Link could not say, but he was sure that it was more than just the command of the oldest nation in the world.
Link rounded a corner and almost collided with his sullen companion from Calatia, Vincent.
"Link," asked the man, "have you found him?"
"No," Link said, shaking his head sadly, "I can't find any trace of him. It seems like he has just disappeared."
"Nothing 'just disappears'. Nature does not work that way. Only creatures make things disappear."
Link looked his friend over slowly. Poor man, he thought. He's a wreak.
Vincent had neither rested nor slept in the past two days and the quiet knight looked it. His only companion whom he would call friend had vanished without a trace shortly after Zelda had been banished. No, Link again corrected himself, not friend. Vincent had always treated the moblin as more of a trophy than a friend. A trophy that not all moblins must live in slavery under the mighty Calatian thumb. Unfortunately, Kubo hated him for it. It was one thing to be freed from slavery and quite another thing to be constantly reminded of that slavery.
But now Kubo was missing.
"Come on," Link said, putting his arm around Vincent and guiding him to the kitchens, "let's get something to eat. Maybe we'll think of someplace Kubo could be that we haven't searched yet."
Silently, the knight nodded.
Together Link and Vincent entered the dining hall of Hyrule Castle and found some tidbits of food there. They seated themselves opposite each other and started to eat in silence.
"Link," said the knight suddenly.
Link stopped chewing on a piece of bread and looked to his friend. "Yes?"
"I have been thinking lately, since Kubo vanished, and I have come to a decision. I shall leave for Calatia tomorrow."
"Why?" This was bad news to Link as the lonely knight was the only ally he had in the castle.
"This castle reeks of evil, Link. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it. I can no longer stay in such a vile place. Sooner or later it will consume me, as it will consume you too if you remain here."
Link sighed. "I understand. I don't blame you. Ever since Trine took over, this castle seems less beautiful and more gloomy. It's as if the spirit has been taken from the walls." Link absently rubbed the table, fondly.
"Then come with me, Link!" Vincent said urgently. "Come with me to Calatia and help me free the slaves! Make a name for yourself other than a king's lackey!"
Link shook his head. "I can't go. I have a duty to the people of Hyrule if not to the royal family. My place is in Hyrule."
"Link, there is a whole world out there waiting for you to come and explore it and learn from it and help it in ways you cannot imagine. You can not stay here all of your life. You could learn so many things from so many people if you came with me."
"Sorry, Vincent," said Link sadly, "I have too many responsibilities here. As long as the royal family and the people of Hyrule are living, I will be here to protect them."
"What if the royal family has become corrupt? Will you still blindly follow it?"
When Link did not answer, Vincent shook his head and looked to the nearest door as a man in a long, shrouding cloak walked in and stopped at the sight of the two heroes eating. The knight recognized the man as one of the two who had accompanied Prince Trine from Delabor. As far as he knew, neither had ever said a word to anyone. They could not be trusted.
Vincent leaned closer to Link, one eye still watching the man in shadow.
"Link, you should leave here as soon as you can. This castle is doing more than just feeling wicked, it is radiating emotions of evil." At Link's confused look, the Calatian continued. "Last night I was alone in my chambers and voices started talking in my head. They started softly but quickly became so unbearable that they pounded my head with every word. It went on for hours and I started to lose control of myself. I took out my sword and started attacking everything around me, trying to make the voices stop. I was in a haze of hatred at the voices, every word they uttered rang through my bones and chilled me to the spine!" Vincent paused to steady his breathing. "I killed a woman in that haze." Before Link could say anything, the knight continued. "I heard the door open and I turned to it and saw King Eridanus standing there; the very man who I have been fighting against for my entire life. I pierced him with my sword, and as soon as I had killed him, the voices stopped, his body vanished, and was replaced with that of the serving girl, Helen." At this, Link could see his friend begin to shake violently in pain at the memory. "She died in my arms, Link! I killed her in cold blood! And the voices started to laugh at me. Shrieking that I was under their control now and would serve them for eternity! They made me kill her!" The knight's eyes seemed to lose focus for a moment before again centring on Link "Even now I can here them. Calling me and jeering me softly. They could again take over my body and mind at any moment! I must leave this castle or risk losing my mind!"
Vincent's body seemed to lose it's strength and his head fell to his chest as he held back the stinging tears of shame. Link thought about what the silent knight had just said. It was unbelievable that Vincent, this calm and composed man, could ever fly into a violent fury so uncontrollable that he would kill in cold blood. Link could vaguely remember the girl, Helen. She was always so happy with life, always smiling and willing to help others smile. If he remembered correctly, she was also very beautiful, not a flaw in her perfect skin. Such a waste of life.
Link placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "It's not your fault. The voices pushed you to it. There was nothing you could have done."
Vincent looked up at Link. "But it was my fault, Link. It was. It was because of me that she was even near my room."
Link started to open his mouth to speak, but the knight cut him off.
"Just before dinner last night, she came to me in the gardens and asked about the slavery in Calatia. We talked for some time but dinner time was upon us before we could cover much of the topic. She was expected to help serve the dinner, so we agreed that she would visit me after dinner in my room. It was because of me that the poor girl was there!"
Link slightly squeezed his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "You could never have known what would have happened. It's not your fault."
"Thank y-." Vincent looked slightly above Link's head, his eyes wide, his pity forgotten. "Link look out!"
Link dropped from the chair and spun around just as a dagger sank itself deep into the wood of the table.
The Hero of Hyrule looked up at his attacker to see that it was one of the men in long concealing cloaks that followed Trine about. Link reached down to his side for his sword but only then realized that he had left it in his quarters. The knife was pulled from the table and swung again at Link. The young man rolled away out of reach of the blade and kicked at his attacker's feet. The robed man fell down onto Link and immediately received a fist in the gut. He grunted and rolled off of Link.
Vincent jumped over the table and kicked the knife from the robed man's hand. He drew his own sword and pressed it to the man's neck. Link got to his feet and kneeled next to the robed man. As soon as he saw the man's face, he gasped.
"What is it Link? Do you know him?" asked Vincent.
"Yes I do." said Link, pulling off the hood that covered the man's face. "Auldric! I thought you were in Turka."
Aulrdic spat at Link and missed his face by inches. "You shall die, Link! I'll kill you!"
Link, bewildered, stood up and said, "Vincent, let him go."
Slowly, the red knight removed his sword from Auldric's throat. Quicker than either of them would have thought possible, Auldric launched himself at Link and started strangling him.
Link and Vincent forced the man off of his one-time friend and Vincent held him fast.
"Why are you trying to kill me, Auldric? What happened to you?"
"That is not for you to know, Link."
Link and Vincent looked to see Trine walk into the room followed closely by the other man concealed with a long cloak.
"What?" Link asked of his new master, shocked.
Trine looked the three combatants over and said, "What has become of your friend is not your concern. Release him."
Obediently, Vincent let Auldric go and silently the would-be-assassin moved to stand behind Trine.
"He just tried to kill Link. He should be punished." said Vincent.
Trine glared at the red knight. "Do not tell me what to do." he growled, "I am king of Hyrule. You would do well not to overstep your position."
Vincent returned Trine's glare and said, "You are not king of Hyrule. You are just filling in your mother's shoes. You are the ruler of nothing. Perhaps you should not overstep your boundaries."
Link could see the fury building up in Trine's eyes. "How dare you speak to me in such a way! Filling in or not, I am still the ruler of this land and while you are in it you shall obey me! Only your friendship to Link is saving you from the executioner's block." he turned to Link and almost shouted, "This man is under your protection. If he speaks out against me again, you shall be held responsible. I will personally kill you both. Am I understood?"
Link nodded and hung his head in submission. "Yes, sire."
"Good. Do not let it happen again." With that, Trine stalked out of the room followed by his two cloaked followers.
Link and Vincent just stood silently in the hall staring after the lord.
As they left the dining hall, Ashir spoke up from beneath his cloak.
"Sire, perhaps you should not have threatened Link. He might react to it."
Trine did not look at the sorcerer as he replied. "Let him react. I know how to handle him."
"I hope you are right, lord. He could become a problem if he is outright against us. The people trust him. If they see the throne in direct opposition to him, they may follow him."
"Do not worry." Trine paused. "Can my mother be controlled as Auldric here is?"
Ashir glanced at the youth beside him. "Perhaps, though I would be reluctant to try. She is very weak from the potions I have been giving her. She may die from the spell."
"It is a risk we must take. Prepare the spell quickly. I think Link may make his stand soon.
"As you wish, sire."
The trio continued through the many dark halls of Hyrule castle in silence.
The next day was a chilly fall morning. The sky threatened to start raining and a slight wind rustled the leaves on the many great trees of Hyrule City. Somewhere in the great city, a window slat slammed shut, disturbing the early morning peace.
Link and Vincent had gathered all of their belongings and were prepared to leave Hyrule. All that remained was to inform the queen of his plans.
After the threats Trine had made on Link's life as well as on Vincent's, Link knew that the royal family that he had sworn to protect had disintegrated. The man who had been like a father to him, King Gerrik, had been killed while deathly ill. His good friend Mira and her husband Torvus had died under mysterious circumstances and the princess to whom he was protector and friend had been exiled from the land. Link knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be ordered to take part in something evil and he could not allow himself to be controlled blindly by people who surely had the vilest of intentions.
The two companions entered the hall where the royal chambers were held. Link approached the door and was stopped by the guards.
"I wish to speak with the queen." he said simply.
"No one is the see the queen except his highness Trine." said one of the guards.
"I am the protector of the royal family. That title gives me the ability to override the orders of anyone in the land if I feel the need to. Let me in."
The guards looked at each other before replying. "But Prince Trine said-"
"I don't care what he said. I'm overruling him. Let me in."
Again the guards glanced at each other and then stepped aside to allow Link to enter the room.
"Thank you." Link said coldly.
He entered the extremely ornate general room of the Queen Julia. Gems and gold hung off of everything. He looked around for the door to the queen's personal chambers.
He quickly found it and knocked softly on the door.
"Yes?" came a weak voice from the other side of the door.
"Highness, it's me, Link. I need to speak with you."
"Come in, Link." came the voice again.
Link entered the room and saw the ailing queen lying in her giant bed. He gasped at how sick she looked. She looked almost dead. Her cheeks were sunken so drastically that her skull could be easily seen through her skin. Her skin was almost chalk white and her eyes almost glowed yellow.
The frail hand of the ruler waved slightly, dismissing the doctor that was constantly hovering over her. When he had left the room, the queen spoke. "Yes, Link?" she whispered. "What brings you here? It has been so long since I have seen anyone other than Trine."
Link started to speak when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Out of the corner of the room walked Trine. He sat down on the bed beside his mother and looked at the hero.
"Yes," he said, smiling, "Tell us what brings you here, Link."
Link drew in his breath and said, "I wish to give up my title of Royal Protector."
Julia shook her head slowly. "Why would you want to do that?"
"My duty was to protect King Gerrik and his family, especially Princess Zelda. I have failed at protecting the royal family so far, and Zelda is no longer part of the family. I do not think that I could protect you."
Julia was silent for a moment and then asked, "Are you sure?"
Link nodded. "I am sure. I am leaving the land today."
Julia nodded sadly. "I am sorry that you must go. The people truly look up to you. All of Hyrule will be sorry to see you leave." She paused to gain her breath. "Help me up, please, Trine."
Her son helped her skeletal frame into a sitting position and she ordered Link to kneel before her.
"Link, I hereby release you from all duties to the crown of Hyrule, other than those required of a citizen of this land. I hereby strip you of the title of Royal Protector, of the title of Captain of the Praetorian Guard, of the title of Knight of Hyrule, and of the title of Hero of Hyrule."
Link kept his head bowed as he was stripped of everything that bound him to his homeland. Only now did his actions strike him. For the past few years, these titles had been everything to him. They had made him who he now was. As the Royal Protector, Link had become very close to the princess Zelda, been by her side whenever she needed help or just a shoulder to lean on. As the Captain of the Praetorian Guard, he had led a militia of over forty of the strongest and best knights in the land in guarding the Royal family from any and all harm. As a Knight of Hyrule, he was guarding his homeland from any danger, be it foreign or domestic. And as the Hero of Hyrule, he had fulfilled an ancient prophesy and had the adoration of the entire world. Without these titles, what was he? A rogue? A brigand? A knight without a home? Link thought harder. An orphan? A peasant? After all, his parents had died when he was very young and he had been raised by his uncle as a peasant labourer. If it had not been for these titles, he would probably have died in obscurity among the masses of the land. He would not have seen the things he had seen. He would not have done the things he had done. He would not have met the people he had met. And Zelda. It had been because of the prophesy that he had even met her, yet it was also because oft he prophesy that he had to live in hatred of himself. He may have been the Hero of Hyrule, but he was still just a peasant, and could never have a relationship with a princess. His feelings for Zelda had to be constantly masked, and in doing so, he had to wear a mask of lies and deceit to cover up the real him. A thought struck him. Now that Zelda was no longer a princess, but in banishment, he could finally remove his mask and show her the real person inside her knight. He could be free.
Eventually, the queen finished the ceremonious rights and Link's mind focused on the duties at hand. He rose.
"Link," she said solemnly , "Please hand over the Master Sword."
Link looked down at his sword. It had been with him since the beginning and now he must give it up. The sword had become as much a part of him as his arm, but he must relinquish it along with his titles. It belonged in Hyrule among the royalty, not with a peasant in another land. Reluctantly, he passed the blade and belt over to the frail queen. It was by far the most difficult action he had taken in his life. His fingers refusing to release that which had made him what he had been for the past several years. Eventually, though, he overpowered the sword and relinquished it. Something in the back of his head wept and disappeared. The weight was too much for her to hold and it dropped with a dull clang to the floor.
"Do you have any requests as to who should take your place?" she asked.
Link shook his head. "No, your highness. I have not found anyone worthy enough to take on my duties."
"Well," said Julia, "We must have a Royal Protector." She turned to Trine. "Trine, do know of anyone who could take the title?."
"Mother," he said, "I know the very man. The prince left the room and returned again with one of his cloaked assistants in tow. The hood was pulled back to reveal the face of Auldric.
Before Link's startled eyes, the very man that Link had once called friend and now reluctantly called enemy was given the power to control Hyrule. He was given the titles of Royal Protector, Praetorian Captain and Hero of Hyrule. Link watched in silent horror as the Master Sword, the Evil's Bane, was handed over to a man who surely now followed evil.
Auldric stood up and brandished his new sword. In his hands, the sword flickered with an unusual orange flame, instead of it's normal blue. The young man replaced the sword in it's scabbard and grinned at Link in a menacing way, his eyes burning like coals in a fire with intense hatred.
"Good bye, Link." he said and he sheathed the sword.
Link and Vincent slowly led their horses through the many crowds of early morning Hyrule City. Neither said a word until they were outside of the great city's walls.
Stopping his mount and looking back at his former home, Link said, "I've been thinking, Vincent."
"Yes?"
"I will come with you to Calatia and then I shall go find Zelda."
Vincent shook his head. "The chances of you finding her are next to impossible. She could be anywhere in the Seven Lands."
"I know," admitted Link, "but I just have this feeling that Zelda is destined to rule Hyrule. I've got to find her and bring her back."
The silent knight shrugged and mounted his steed. He waited until Link had done the same before asking, "What if the princess is dead?"
"She isn't." Link replied, fixing his gaze southward. "I can feel it."
Vincent stared at his companion for a moment, shook his head, and kicked his steed into movement. A second later, Link followed. Neither one of them noticed Trine and his two hooded associates watching them from the battlements of the castle walls.
As soon as the two heroes had faded from sight, the prince turned to Link's former friend.
"Follow them and report to me everything they do. Do not let them notice you. Understood?"
"Why can I not just kill him?" asked Auldric.
"You are not strong enough to kill him. Wait and I guarantee you will slay Link." came the reply.
Auldric nodded and tightly grasped the pendant hanging loosely around his neck. In the centre of the pendant was a small blue crystal that would allow him to speak with Trine over long distances. Such powerful magic was almost unheard of to normal people. Only a magician or sorcerer could make such a device.
As the young man raced out of the city in pursuit of his prey, Trine turned to his other cloaked companion who also held a pendant.
"The pendants will work?" he asked.
The cloaked one nodded. "Yes master. I assure you. My former master used these crystals often. They work perfectly."
Trine grunted happily. "Well," he said, "If they were good enough for the great Agahnim, they are good enough for me."
The sorcerer nodded.
Things were not right.
Vincent sat alone in his room, sword on his lap, absently rubbing it with a cloth.
Vincent
The rubbing stopped and the knight looked about him.
"Who is there?" he demanded, looking around the room carefully.
Silence greeted his question.
He rose to his feet and took a better look around the room, sword loosely gripped in his hand.
Vincent
The voice was louder this time but coming from nowhere yet at the same time everywhere around him.
Come Vincent
"Show yourself!" he shouted. The knight brandished his sword menacingly as his eyes darted around the room. Nothing moved, yet to the adrenaline-backed eyes of the young man, the very air seemed to be advancing on him. With his sword in a death grip, Vincent narrowed his eyes and screamed, "Show yourself!"
The walls of his room shook with the voice's insane laughter, drowning the knight's mind in turmoil.
Link strode through the many dark, cold hallways of Hyrule Castle. They had not always been dark and cold, the boy thought. Ever since Mira had died, things had not been right.
Over the past few weeks, Queen Julia had become nothing more than a ruler in name only. She spent all of her time in her chambers, refusing to allow entrance to any other than her son, Trine. Trine had adopted the throne and had already established himself as the ruler of the Land. Several people of the castle had gone missing since Trine had taken the throne, but it seemed to him that only a few people could see the reason of those disappearances: They had been the supporters of Princess Zelda.
No, Link corrected himself, not princess. Not any more. Zelda had been exiled for the death of her sister, Mira. The girl's rank and title had been stripped of her and she had been cast out of the very land that had given her birth, had raised her, and had been so deeply rooted in her heart that every breath she took was for it. Hyrule had turned it's back on Zelda in favour of her young cousin, Trine. As much as it saddened him, Link knew that the people of Hyrule would realize their mistake too late. Trine wanted something. What it was, Link could not say, but he was sure that it was more than just the command of the oldest nation in the world.
Link rounded a corner and almost collided with his sullen companion from Calatia, Vincent.
"Link," asked the man, "have you found him?"
"No," Link said, shaking his head sadly, "I can't find any trace of him. It seems like he has just disappeared."
"Nothing 'just disappears'. Nature does not work that way. Only creatures make things disappear."
Link looked his friend over slowly. Poor man, he thought. He's a wreak.
Vincent had neither rested nor slept in the past two days and the quiet knight looked it. His only companion whom he would call friend had vanished without a trace shortly after Zelda had been banished. No, Link again corrected himself, not friend. Vincent had always treated the moblin as more of a trophy than a friend. A trophy that not all moblins must live in slavery under the mighty Calatian thumb. Unfortunately, Kubo hated him for it. It was one thing to be freed from slavery and quite another thing to be constantly reminded of that slavery.
But now Kubo was missing.
"Come on," Link said, putting his arm around Vincent and guiding him to the kitchens, "let's get something to eat. Maybe we'll think of someplace Kubo could be that we haven't searched yet."
Silently, the knight nodded.
Together Link and Vincent entered the dining hall of Hyrule Castle and found some tidbits of food there. They seated themselves opposite each other and started to eat in silence.
"Link," said the knight suddenly.
Link stopped chewing on a piece of bread and looked to his friend. "Yes?"
"I have been thinking lately, since Kubo vanished, and I have come to a decision. I shall leave for Calatia tomorrow."
"Why?" This was bad news to Link as the lonely knight was the only ally he had in the castle.
"This castle reeks of evil, Link. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it. I can no longer stay in such a vile place. Sooner or later it will consume me, as it will consume you too if you remain here."
Link sighed. "I understand. I don't blame you. Ever since Trine took over, this castle seems less beautiful and more gloomy. It's as if the spirit has been taken from the walls." Link absently rubbed the table, fondly.
"Then come with me, Link!" Vincent said urgently. "Come with me to Calatia and help me free the slaves! Make a name for yourself other than a king's lackey!"
Link shook his head. "I can't go. I have a duty to the people of Hyrule if not to the royal family. My place is in Hyrule."
"Link, there is a whole world out there waiting for you to come and explore it and learn from it and help it in ways you cannot imagine. You can not stay here all of your life. You could learn so many things from so many people if you came with me."
"Sorry, Vincent," said Link sadly, "I have too many responsibilities here. As long as the royal family and the people of Hyrule are living, I will be here to protect them."
"What if the royal family has become corrupt? Will you still blindly follow it?"
When Link did not answer, Vincent shook his head and looked to the nearest door as a man in a long, shrouding cloak walked in and stopped at the sight of the two heroes eating. The knight recognized the man as one of the two who had accompanied Prince Trine from Delabor. As far as he knew, neither had ever said a word to anyone. They could not be trusted.
Vincent leaned closer to Link, one eye still watching the man in shadow.
"Link, you should leave here as soon as you can. This castle is doing more than just feeling wicked, it is radiating emotions of evil." At Link's confused look, the Calatian continued. "Last night I was alone in my chambers and voices started talking in my head. They started softly but quickly became so unbearable that they pounded my head with every word. It went on for hours and I started to lose control of myself. I took out my sword and started attacking everything around me, trying to make the voices stop. I was in a haze of hatred at the voices, every word they uttered rang through my bones and chilled me to the spine!" Vincent paused to steady his breathing. "I killed a woman in that haze." Before Link could say anything, the knight continued. "I heard the door open and I turned to it and saw King Eridanus standing there; the very man who I have been fighting against for my entire life. I pierced him with my sword, and as soon as I had killed him, the voices stopped, his body vanished, and was replaced with that of the serving girl, Helen." At this, Link could see his friend begin to shake violently in pain at the memory. "She died in my arms, Link! I killed her in cold blood! And the voices started to laugh at me. Shrieking that I was under their control now and would serve them for eternity! They made me kill her!" The knight's eyes seemed to lose focus for a moment before again centring on Link "Even now I can here them. Calling me and jeering me softly. They could again take over my body and mind at any moment! I must leave this castle or risk losing my mind!"
Vincent's body seemed to lose it's strength and his head fell to his chest as he held back the stinging tears of shame. Link thought about what the silent knight had just said. It was unbelievable that Vincent, this calm and composed man, could ever fly into a violent fury so uncontrollable that he would kill in cold blood. Link could vaguely remember the girl, Helen. She was always so happy with life, always smiling and willing to help others smile. If he remembered correctly, she was also very beautiful, not a flaw in her perfect skin. Such a waste of life.
Link placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "It's not your fault. The voices pushed you to it. There was nothing you could have done."
Vincent looked up at Link. "But it was my fault, Link. It was. It was because of me that she was even near my room."
Link started to open his mouth to speak, but the knight cut him off.
"Just before dinner last night, she came to me in the gardens and asked about the slavery in Calatia. We talked for some time but dinner time was upon us before we could cover much of the topic. She was expected to help serve the dinner, so we agreed that she would visit me after dinner in my room. It was because of me that the poor girl was there!"
Link slightly squeezed his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "You could never have known what would have happened. It's not your fault."
"Thank y-." Vincent looked slightly above Link's head, his eyes wide, his pity forgotten. "Link look out!"
Link dropped from the chair and spun around just as a dagger sank itself deep into the wood of the table.
The Hero of Hyrule looked up at his attacker to see that it was one of the men in long concealing cloaks that followed Trine about. Link reached down to his side for his sword but only then realized that he had left it in his quarters. The knife was pulled from the table and swung again at Link. The young man rolled away out of reach of the blade and kicked at his attacker's feet. The robed man fell down onto Link and immediately received a fist in the gut. He grunted and rolled off of Link.
Vincent jumped over the table and kicked the knife from the robed man's hand. He drew his own sword and pressed it to the man's neck. Link got to his feet and kneeled next to the robed man. As soon as he saw the man's face, he gasped.
"What is it Link? Do you know him?" asked Vincent.
"Yes I do." said Link, pulling off the hood that covered the man's face. "Auldric! I thought you were in Turka."
Aulrdic spat at Link and missed his face by inches. "You shall die, Link! I'll kill you!"
Link, bewildered, stood up and said, "Vincent, let him go."
Slowly, the red knight removed his sword from Auldric's throat. Quicker than either of them would have thought possible, Auldric launched himself at Link and started strangling him.
Link and Vincent forced the man off of his one-time friend and Vincent held him fast.
"Why are you trying to kill me, Auldric? What happened to you?"
"That is not for you to know, Link."
Link and Vincent looked to see Trine walk into the room followed closely by the other man concealed with a long cloak.
"What?" Link asked of his new master, shocked.
Trine looked the three combatants over and said, "What has become of your friend is not your concern. Release him."
Obediently, Vincent let Auldric go and silently the would-be-assassin moved to stand behind Trine.
"He just tried to kill Link. He should be punished." said Vincent.
Trine glared at the red knight. "Do not tell me what to do." he growled, "I am king of Hyrule. You would do well not to overstep your position."
Vincent returned Trine's glare and said, "You are not king of Hyrule. You are just filling in your mother's shoes. You are the ruler of nothing. Perhaps you should not overstep your boundaries."
Link could see the fury building up in Trine's eyes. "How dare you speak to me in such a way! Filling in or not, I am still the ruler of this land and while you are in it you shall obey me! Only your friendship to Link is saving you from the executioner's block." he turned to Link and almost shouted, "This man is under your protection. If he speaks out against me again, you shall be held responsible. I will personally kill you both. Am I understood?"
Link nodded and hung his head in submission. "Yes, sire."
"Good. Do not let it happen again." With that, Trine stalked out of the room followed by his two cloaked followers.
Link and Vincent just stood silently in the hall staring after the lord.
As they left the dining hall, Ashir spoke up from beneath his cloak.
"Sire, perhaps you should not have threatened Link. He might react to it."
Trine did not look at the sorcerer as he replied. "Let him react. I know how to handle him."
"I hope you are right, lord. He could become a problem if he is outright against us. The people trust him. If they see the throne in direct opposition to him, they may follow him."
"Do not worry." Trine paused. "Can my mother be controlled as Auldric here is?"
Ashir glanced at the youth beside him. "Perhaps, though I would be reluctant to try. She is very weak from the potions I have been giving her. She may die from the spell."
"It is a risk we must take. Prepare the spell quickly. I think Link may make his stand soon.
"As you wish, sire."
The trio continued through the many dark halls of Hyrule castle in silence.
The next day was a chilly fall morning. The sky threatened to start raining and a slight wind rustled the leaves on the many great trees of Hyrule City. Somewhere in the great city, a window slat slammed shut, disturbing the early morning peace.
Link and Vincent had gathered all of their belongings and were prepared to leave Hyrule. All that remained was to inform the queen of his plans.
After the threats Trine had made on Link's life as well as on Vincent's, Link knew that the royal family that he had sworn to protect had disintegrated. The man who had been like a father to him, King Gerrik, had been killed while deathly ill. His good friend Mira and her husband Torvus had died under mysterious circumstances and the princess to whom he was protector and friend had been exiled from the land. Link knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be ordered to take part in something evil and he could not allow himself to be controlled blindly by people who surely had the vilest of intentions.
The two companions entered the hall where the royal chambers were held. Link approached the door and was stopped by the guards.
"I wish to speak with the queen." he said simply.
"No one is the see the queen except his highness Trine." said one of the guards.
"I am the protector of the royal family. That title gives me the ability to override the orders of anyone in the land if I feel the need to. Let me in."
The guards looked at each other before replying. "But Prince Trine said-"
"I don't care what he said. I'm overruling him. Let me in."
Again the guards glanced at each other and then stepped aside to allow Link to enter the room.
"Thank you." Link said coldly.
He entered the extremely ornate general room of the Queen Julia. Gems and gold hung off of everything. He looked around for the door to the queen's personal chambers.
He quickly found it and knocked softly on the door.
"Yes?" came a weak voice from the other side of the door.
"Highness, it's me, Link. I need to speak with you."
"Come in, Link." came the voice again.
Link entered the room and saw the ailing queen lying in her giant bed. He gasped at how sick she looked. She looked almost dead. Her cheeks were sunken so drastically that her skull could be easily seen through her skin. Her skin was almost chalk white and her eyes almost glowed yellow.
The frail hand of the ruler waved slightly, dismissing the doctor that was constantly hovering over her. When he had left the room, the queen spoke. "Yes, Link?" she whispered. "What brings you here? It has been so long since I have seen anyone other than Trine."
Link started to speak when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Out of the corner of the room walked Trine. He sat down on the bed beside his mother and looked at the hero.
"Yes," he said, smiling, "Tell us what brings you here, Link."
Link drew in his breath and said, "I wish to give up my title of Royal Protector."
Julia shook her head slowly. "Why would you want to do that?"
"My duty was to protect King Gerrik and his family, especially Princess Zelda. I have failed at protecting the royal family so far, and Zelda is no longer part of the family. I do not think that I could protect you."
Julia was silent for a moment and then asked, "Are you sure?"
Link nodded. "I am sure. I am leaving the land today."
Julia nodded sadly. "I am sorry that you must go. The people truly look up to you. All of Hyrule will be sorry to see you leave." She paused to gain her breath. "Help me up, please, Trine."
Her son helped her skeletal frame into a sitting position and she ordered Link to kneel before her.
"Link, I hereby release you from all duties to the crown of Hyrule, other than those required of a citizen of this land. I hereby strip you of the title of Royal Protector, of the title of Captain of the Praetorian Guard, of the title of Knight of Hyrule, and of the title of Hero of Hyrule."
Link kept his head bowed as he was stripped of everything that bound him to his homeland. Only now did his actions strike him. For the past few years, these titles had been everything to him. They had made him who he now was. As the Royal Protector, Link had become very close to the princess Zelda, been by her side whenever she needed help or just a shoulder to lean on. As the Captain of the Praetorian Guard, he had led a militia of over forty of the strongest and best knights in the land in guarding the Royal family from any and all harm. As a Knight of Hyrule, he was guarding his homeland from any danger, be it foreign or domestic. And as the Hero of Hyrule, he had fulfilled an ancient prophesy and had the adoration of the entire world. Without these titles, what was he? A rogue? A brigand? A knight without a home? Link thought harder. An orphan? A peasant? After all, his parents had died when he was very young and he had been raised by his uncle as a peasant labourer. If it had not been for these titles, he would probably have died in obscurity among the masses of the land. He would not have seen the things he had seen. He would not have done the things he had done. He would not have met the people he had met. And Zelda. It had been because of the prophesy that he had even met her, yet it was also because oft he prophesy that he had to live in hatred of himself. He may have been the Hero of Hyrule, but he was still just a peasant, and could never have a relationship with a princess. His feelings for Zelda had to be constantly masked, and in doing so, he had to wear a mask of lies and deceit to cover up the real him. A thought struck him. Now that Zelda was no longer a princess, but in banishment, he could finally remove his mask and show her the real person inside her knight. He could be free.
Eventually, the queen finished the ceremonious rights and Link's mind focused on the duties at hand. He rose.
"Link," she said solemnly , "Please hand over the Master Sword."
Link looked down at his sword. It had been with him since the beginning and now he must give it up. The sword had become as much a part of him as his arm, but he must relinquish it along with his titles. It belonged in Hyrule among the royalty, not with a peasant in another land. Reluctantly, he passed the blade and belt over to the frail queen. It was by far the most difficult action he had taken in his life. His fingers refusing to release that which had made him what he had been for the past several years. Eventually, though, he overpowered the sword and relinquished it. Something in the back of his head wept and disappeared. The weight was too much for her to hold and it dropped with a dull clang to the floor.
"Do you have any requests as to who should take your place?" she asked.
Link shook his head. "No, your highness. I have not found anyone worthy enough to take on my duties."
"Well," said Julia, "We must have a Royal Protector." She turned to Trine. "Trine, do know of anyone who could take the title?."
"Mother," he said, "I know the very man. The prince left the room and returned again with one of his cloaked assistants in tow. The hood was pulled back to reveal the face of Auldric.
Before Link's startled eyes, the very man that Link had once called friend and now reluctantly called enemy was given the power to control Hyrule. He was given the titles of Royal Protector, Praetorian Captain and Hero of Hyrule. Link watched in silent horror as the Master Sword, the Evil's Bane, was handed over to a man who surely now followed evil.
Auldric stood up and brandished his new sword. In his hands, the sword flickered with an unusual orange flame, instead of it's normal blue. The young man replaced the sword in it's scabbard and grinned at Link in a menacing way, his eyes burning like coals in a fire with intense hatred.
"Good bye, Link." he said and he sheathed the sword.
Link and Vincent slowly led their horses through the many crowds of early morning Hyrule City. Neither said a word until they were outside of the great city's walls.
Stopping his mount and looking back at his former home, Link said, "I've been thinking, Vincent."
"Yes?"
"I will come with you to Calatia and then I shall go find Zelda."
Vincent shook his head. "The chances of you finding her are next to impossible. She could be anywhere in the Seven Lands."
"I know," admitted Link, "but I just have this feeling that Zelda is destined to rule Hyrule. I've got to find her and bring her back."
The silent knight shrugged and mounted his steed. He waited until Link had done the same before asking, "What if the princess is dead?"
"She isn't." Link replied, fixing his gaze southward. "I can feel it."
Vincent stared at his companion for a moment, shook his head, and kicked his steed into movement. A second later, Link followed. Neither one of them noticed Trine and his two hooded associates watching them from the battlements of the castle walls.
As soon as the two heroes had faded from sight, the prince turned to Link's former friend.
"Follow them and report to me everything they do. Do not let them notice you. Understood?"
"Why can I not just kill him?" asked Auldric.
"You are not strong enough to kill him. Wait and I guarantee you will slay Link." came the reply.
Auldric nodded and tightly grasped the pendant hanging loosely around his neck. In the centre of the pendant was a small blue crystal that would allow him to speak with Trine over long distances. Such powerful magic was almost unheard of to normal people. Only a magician or sorcerer could make such a device.
As the young man raced out of the city in pursuit of his prey, Trine turned to his other cloaked companion who also held a pendant.
"The pendants will work?" he asked.
The cloaked one nodded. "Yes master. I assure you. My former master used these crystals often. They work perfectly."
Trine grunted happily. "Well," he said, "If they were good enough for the great Agahnim, they are good enough for me."
The sorcerer nodded.