~ Disclaimer ~ I don't own Zelda but I am borrowing Link and several of his
friends ^_^
Link: *sneaking away*
SIT BOY!
Link: T_T Yes ma'am.
^_^ Good boy. Now, you don't need chains, gags, and whatnot, Shadow Knight. Just training school. Very nice to meet you, Nisiko *returns the bow* and nice kicks.
Link: She is kind of scary though. 0_o
Now then, It's getting to be a bit trickier as this story is coming to a turn. The festivities will soon be over with about one chapter after this but you guys will have to hang on and watch.
The dedications go out to: CrysSton16 (she's here even as I write this one), A new person named Kimo
Link: Hello, Kimo!! Please keep up with us!
Ahem, as I was saying. And also going out to Jelie36 (Yes, Link does get to go to the party at last.) and to both Shadow Knight and Nisiko.
Lovely performance, you two. It alone spurred me on to finish this chapter tonight rather than tomorrow night. So, here I go:
~~~~~~~
~ Festivities at the Festival 3 ~
The long tables were set with piles of delectable treats. Link wiped his mouth as saliva dared slip past his lower lip. Lance beamed with a smile as though he had conjured it himself. Crystal was looking for certain food items while several elderly people were carrying trays, ready to serve themselves.
Link looked for where the serving trays were set, finding none, he started a quick walk toward the nearest table end were a huge hunk of succulent sirloin was steaming from the top with an aroma that reminded him of dreams. The meat was reddened with only a little white rimming the edge of each slice. He reached to touch one of the tender, thick slices. Suddenly, two hands caught either side of his shoulders and pulled him forcefully away.
"Link, have more manners than that. There are a lot of people here and the serving order is eldest to youngest!" Crystal hissed to him and Lance sadly nodded, "Respect your elders I was always taught but I never figured it applied to the festival serving places! All the meat will chill before all the oldest people around here are done and wiping their lips dry! It isn't fair I tell ya! And here I was hoping for a few still warm slices of the finest sirloin that Dondoran has to offer! No, Link, you are not the only one here eyeing that fine cut of meat. Alas," and here he let out a heart- felt sigh, "We are forced to wait. And wait some more. It is said it is because in the olden times." A new person cut him off with a hand over his mouth, "Hello, guys. It's been a bit of a while, hasn't it? A day and Link has behaved himself, I'm a bit impressed but why he's still escorting you, Crystal, remains a mystery to me."
"Andrake! When did you get here?!?" Crystal demanded, Andrake held the hand tight over Lance's mouth as the boy began a struggle for breath, Andrake held him, indifferently. Link began to motion to Lance as the boy was turning an odd shade of grayish white. "I saw Link fighting my buddy Lance here and thought I'd see how things are going. I must admit, I am surprised to see Link here, though."
Andrake sent a meaningful glance at Link but was ignored as Link was becoming concerned for Lance's new and quickly deepening shade of purple. Andrake wasn't careful as he let Lance go, to which Lance started gasping for air on his hands and knees in the grass. Fire blazed in Lance's golden eyes as he raised himself up and tried to keep calm, "I was talking there, old friend. Now, you do realize it is exceptionally rude to."
Andrake was completely ignoring the boy, an odd grin crossing his face as he talked to Link and Crystal. Lance began counting slowly in his head but a red haze was falling over his eyes. Unfortunately, this green-haired boy had totally lost his temper with Andrake. With a kick against the ground, Lance shoved violently at Andrake. Andrake dare let out a laugh and unsheathed his sword, readying it in a fighter's stance. The plan was in motion.
Lance set both long knives in his hands, completely serious about the fight, to be rude to a Montego was at the very least an injury in the waiting. But this swordsman was one of the top of his class as a fighter. It was rumored that Andrake had given his past life to be a fighter in particular and that meant he had skill to spare.
Link grew worried as some of the elderly had seen the violent shove and heard the unsheathing of metal weapons. Grabbing Crystal's wrist as Lance made the first attack, Link pulled her to one of the far, covered tables and they both ducked under before they could be spotted.
Just before diving under, Link spied and snatched a loaf of honey covered bread. Splitting it in the middle, he handed one half to Crystal as they settled into the grass under the table. Link lifted the cloth just enough to see how the scuffle would end when two strong men caught hold of Lance's arms and held him under control. Andrake rubbed his nose and said, "Thank you, gentlemen, for helping me out. I'm afraid Lance here lost his temper again. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be going about my business."
To Link's amazement, they let him go and led/drag Lance away for reprimand by his Mr. Montego. Link saw this injustice and nearly scrambled from the hiding spot to tell them the truth, how Andrake deliberately and continuously worked Lance's nerves down. Crystal caught him by the belt before he could leap out and dragged him back, "If they see us, Gramps will never let me come back next year! Link, you got me I a whole mess of trouble now. How do we get out of here? I want to see the competitions!"
Link slumped in defeat for a moment then sat up straight once again under the long-legged table with a wide grin and said, "And to think you were supposed to keep me out of trouble." He laughed merrily and took a huge bit out of the half-loaf of bread, savoring it this time rather than choking it down. Still warm, it seemed to melt in his mouth. It was heaven on Earth and he wanted more.
They continued talking about things, fairies especially as they looked through the book, while people walked by, picking out their favorites or whatever caught their eye. But then Crystal grew gloomy as she finished her half loaf. Link regarded her for a moment and waited until the next shuffling feet had gone by before reaching up and quickly swiping a small stem leading to a group of grapes. He offered it to her in the hopes of cheering her up but she shook her head at them. Link shrugged and set the grapes in the lap of his tunic to munch on them as he pleased.
"So, what is bothering you if not hunger?" He finally asked. Crystal sighed softly for they had to be quiet so they wouldn't get caught. Then she said, "It bothers me about what happened up in that tree. I can't help but to remember I had pushed you. I really didn't mean to and I tried to catch you!" Link looked at her, two grapes in his cheek and then he swallowed them and laughed lightly, "Is that all? Heck, I've been knocked about much worse than that in my.a while ago. That was nothing too unforgivable and I did see you try to catch me. I just wish you had a slightly firmer grip on that branch. Then the competition would have ended fairly. No, it's no problem at all." Crystal stared at him seriously until Link had to demand why and he popped another grape into his mouth, the sweetness of it flooding and comforting him.
"You're taking after Lance, making speeches rather than answers." At this, they both began to giggle, causing Link to slightly choke then swallow the half-chewed grape. Link shook his head quickly and slapped at the grass as a thought came to him. He turned the pages his new book looking for a large picture of a blue fairy he spied earlier.
He pointed to the picture. "This looks exactly like a friend of mine. We went on plenty an adventure together and the whole time she would get excited and start saying, 'Link, hey, look at this, hey, over here, hey, hey, hey'. Goddesses, I don't know why I miss it but I do nonetheless. That most certainly reminds me of when Lance becomes excited and I just can't help but to see him with fairy features! Hmm.have you heard of the three Goddesses?" Crystal shook her head again as she doubled over with laughter, the image of a fairy Lance burned into her imaginative mind as she stole a few grapes from his lap. Link rested back on his hands when Crystal had regained a bit of control and began reciting the ancient legend told to him by Zelda, leaving out only the part of Ganondorf touching it and about the incident of his being locked away for seven years.
Crystal closed her eyes and Link couldn't help but wish they were open again. He liked looking deep into them but he felt if he looked too deeply, he would lose his breath and drown in the ever-changing pools with or without the magic of the blue tunic. She opened them again to catch him staring at her. Link laughed nervously, tossed the grape-less stems aside, and reached up to the tabletop once again. Unfortunately, so many had gone by, not much was left. He shifted in the grass, trying to allow for farther reach when a thick, firm, warm grip closed over his wrist.
His eyes widened and he knew he was paler as Crystal saw the fear in him. The rough hand tugged on his arm and a hiccup drifted from above the table down to Link. Timidly, he gulped and dared a look out from under the table. He stared into the red-faced, drunken Roland with his coal and ash covered hands and over-alls. He looked down at Link as he took a large bite of the leg of Cuckoo in his other hand.
Link smiled warmly and waved with his own free hand. Roland laughed, a movement that sent his great belly bouncing and flecks of half-chewed Cuckoo everywhere. Link shielded his face and the fowl smell of ale poured down on him as Roland declared loudly, "Well, now. I was wondering where you had gone to, lad. Now, where is Crystal, eh?" Crystal, recognizing the voice and, noting the slurred words, also poked her head out beside Link. Link pointed at her with the grin back on his face.
Roland's eyes, once squinted, cleared up somewhat and he nodded knowingly, "I see you two need time alone. Well, I won't be callin anyone on ya for anythin but I must say, Crystal, your grandpa would not approve of him."
Crystal blushed profusely and ducked under the table. Link chuckled slightly but said to Roland, "It really isn't what you think. Matter of fact, you didn't even see us. Go about your business and don't forget one of those cinnamon cakes!" Roland grunted slightly but let Link go and half- wandered, half-staggered toward the cinnamon spice cakes, another hiccup reached Link's ears as he too ducked under once again.
Link sighed in relief as the drunk listened to his words. Link had dealt with Talon and Ingo, he could deal with Roland also! He groaned in remembering coaxing Ingo to do as he said. That was a tough case!
Crystal took his groan the wrong way, "I'm the one to be embarrassed, not you." Link waved off her comment weakly and fell back with a solid thump into the grass, arms spread and said, "It's not that."
Crystal smiled slightly, that playful gleam returning to her blue eyes, "You ate too much, didn't you?" Link looked over at her as he laid in the grass, "No, and don't try again." He let his head fall back again, not wanting to move. Perhaps he had eaten too much?
"Crystal, when does lunch time officially end?" Crystal shrugged slightly and said half to herself, "Five minutes before dinner? I'm really not sure but I know there is always food at the festival." Link was not happy with this answer but pulled the front lip of his hat lower, covering his eyes and said drowsily, "Wake me when the coast is clear. I'm taking a nap." Crystal nodded but Link did not see as he set his hands beneath his head and began to slumber soundly.
~~~~~~~
Andrake scanned the tabletops, knowing that those two would not have tried sneaking away, not with all that food at their disposal and worse, time alone together. He growled deep in his throat and made another pass to where he thought they had ducked away. He swore to himself, if he heard anything resembling kissing.
His fist clenched until his knuckles, though hidden by the half gloves of a fighter, turned white and his teeth clenched painfully. He had driven off some suitors before but Crystal wasn't interested in any of them. What if she was falling for this foreigner?
His cape flapped about behind him, licking at his ankles when he paused but not even the sound of shuffling floated to his ears to betray their position. He snorted in annoyance and made another round about the tables.
Crystal watched his iron clad boots, knowing that when they turned aside, it would be the perfect moment for escape, perhaps even the only moment. Link nodded to her and went down the table, away from where Andrake was quickly walking. They half ran in a crouch around an empty stand. They laughed to each other, knowing what may happen if Andrake had indeed caught them. Unfortunately, their laughter was only half enjoyed as another figure appeared. Gramps was also shopping and enjoying the several bright, vibrant tapestries in the stand they hid beside.
Slowly, Link took Crystal's wrist and helped guide her backward. Together, they backed the way they had come but then, Andrake did see them! Link slowly turned about, suddenly very aware of his hold on Crystal's wrist. He released her as though it burned but to no avail. Andrake had seen this touch and had proof that Link had cut in the placement of lunch. There would be no effort in getting Link sent to his own little box for punishment and that was when
Andrake could have a word alone with him.
He slightly knelt, preparing for a sprint. Link sucked breath into his lungs as sudden, real fear boiled within him and began running as quickly as he could in the opposite direction. Crystal looked around, hoping for something, anything to become useful. The stands beside her with the tapestries came to her mind. The paint! Had she seen buckets of dye sitting there? She must have!
She reached back, took a firm hold on one of the handles of dye and just as Andrake began his sprint, she cast the contents of the bucket at his feet, the effect was instantaneous. Unable to stop or slow down, Andrake slipped in the red dye and his momentum carried him sliding in the grass, yelling all the way. Link dove away, a few blades of grass went into his mouth as he did and he scuffed one hand on a rock to protect the book but these were forgotten as he turned to see what had happened to Andrake.
A splintering of wood foretold of Andrake's ultimate destination and the boy had crashed feet-first into the wall of an unfortunate stand. The worker in the stand wasn't at all careful with picking up the boy. Andrake tried to stay steady on his feet but was unable to and had to lean against one still standing wall as he was berated by the keeper.
Running one hand through his blue hair in frustration, Andrake began a calm explanation and apology to him and promised to pay the man for damages. When Andrake glanced back through where the wall had once stood, Link was gone as was Crystal. Andrake began running several scenes of death and torture through his mind. The victim in each scene: Link. How was he ever going to afford the repairs? He thought to himself, nearly sobbing with despair. Why was it that when Link was involved, none of his plans worked?
~~~~~~~
Well, that's all, folks. That is, that's all for this chapter. I'm hoping it's safe from Merrick still but.Shadow Knight did give him a lot of power.
CrysSton16: Ah, worry not, Shadow Girl. That guy will have it coming from me if he dares to try to mess with you again!
Link: I am once again willed to align with what CrysSton16 says. Besides, Shadow Knight has called upon a natural foe for Merrick to deal with, hasn't he?
Indeed he has, Link, now that I remember. Man, it has been a long day and what feels like a longer chapter! I hope it was worth all that effort, really. Heh, poor Andrake. Link is always messing up the plans.
Link: Hey, what was that you said? And here I am protecting you. -_-
Link, I was just kidding. It's good that Andrake's plans are all messing up! Really, it is! Well, we certainly haven't heard the last of Lance yet, either!
CrysSton16: *groan* We have to listen to his speeches?
^_^; They are part of what makes him unique. You must admit, he and Navi can have a rather interesting competition all their own, can't they?
Till next time, neh?
Link: *sneaking away*
SIT BOY!
Link: T_T Yes ma'am.
^_^ Good boy. Now, you don't need chains, gags, and whatnot, Shadow Knight. Just training school. Very nice to meet you, Nisiko *returns the bow* and nice kicks.
Link: She is kind of scary though. 0_o
Now then, It's getting to be a bit trickier as this story is coming to a turn. The festivities will soon be over with about one chapter after this but you guys will have to hang on and watch.
The dedications go out to: CrysSton16 (she's here even as I write this one), A new person named Kimo
Link: Hello, Kimo!! Please keep up with us!
Ahem, as I was saying. And also going out to Jelie36 (Yes, Link does get to go to the party at last.) and to both Shadow Knight and Nisiko.
Lovely performance, you two. It alone spurred me on to finish this chapter tonight rather than tomorrow night. So, here I go:
~~~~~~~
~ Festivities at the Festival 3 ~
The long tables were set with piles of delectable treats. Link wiped his mouth as saliva dared slip past his lower lip. Lance beamed with a smile as though he had conjured it himself. Crystal was looking for certain food items while several elderly people were carrying trays, ready to serve themselves.
Link looked for where the serving trays were set, finding none, he started a quick walk toward the nearest table end were a huge hunk of succulent sirloin was steaming from the top with an aroma that reminded him of dreams. The meat was reddened with only a little white rimming the edge of each slice. He reached to touch one of the tender, thick slices. Suddenly, two hands caught either side of his shoulders and pulled him forcefully away.
"Link, have more manners than that. There are a lot of people here and the serving order is eldest to youngest!" Crystal hissed to him and Lance sadly nodded, "Respect your elders I was always taught but I never figured it applied to the festival serving places! All the meat will chill before all the oldest people around here are done and wiping their lips dry! It isn't fair I tell ya! And here I was hoping for a few still warm slices of the finest sirloin that Dondoran has to offer! No, Link, you are not the only one here eyeing that fine cut of meat. Alas," and here he let out a heart- felt sigh, "We are forced to wait. And wait some more. It is said it is because in the olden times." A new person cut him off with a hand over his mouth, "Hello, guys. It's been a bit of a while, hasn't it? A day and Link has behaved himself, I'm a bit impressed but why he's still escorting you, Crystal, remains a mystery to me."
"Andrake! When did you get here?!?" Crystal demanded, Andrake held the hand tight over Lance's mouth as the boy began a struggle for breath, Andrake held him, indifferently. Link began to motion to Lance as the boy was turning an odd shade of grayish white. "I saw Link fighting my buddy Lance here and thought I'd see how things are going. I must admit, I am surprised to see Link here, though."
Andrake sent a meaningful glance at Link but was ignored as Link was becoming concerned for Lance's new and quickly deepening shade of purple. Andrake wasn't careful as he let Lance go, to which Lance started gasping for air on his hands and knees in the grass. Fire blazed in Lance's golden eyes as he raised himself up and tried to keep calm, "I was talking there, old friend. Now, you do realize it is exceptionally rude to."
Andrake was completely ignoring the boy, an odd grin crossing his face as he talked to Link and Crystal. Lance began counting slowly in his head but a red haze was falling over his eyes. Unfortunately, this green-haired boy had totally lost his temper with Andrake. With a kick against the ground, Lance shoved violently at Andrake. Andrake dare let out a laugh and unsheathed his sword, readying it in a fighter's stance. The plan was in motion.
Lance set both long knives in his hands, completely serious about the fight, to be rude to a Montego was at the very least an injury in the waiting. But this swordsman was one of the top of his class as a fighter. It was rumored that Andrake had given his past life to be a fighter in particular and that meant he had skill to spare.
Link grew worried as some of the elderly had seen the violent shove and heard the unsheathing of metal weapons. Grabbing Crystal's wrist as Lance made the first attack, Link pulled her to one of the far, covered tables and they both ducked under before they could be spotted.
Just before diving under, Link spied and snatched a loaf of honey covered bread. Splitting it in the middle, he handed one half to Crystal as they settled into the grass under the table. Link lifted the cloth just enough to see how the scuffle would end when two strong men caught hold of Lance's arms and held him under control. Andrake rubbed his nose and said, "Thank you, gentlemen, for helping me out. I'm afraid Lance here lost his temper again. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be going about my business."
To Link's amazement, they let him go and led/drag Lance away for reprimand by his Mr. Montego. Link saw this injustice and nearly scrambled from the hiding spot to tell them the truth, how Andrake deliberately and continuously worked Lance's nerves down. Crystal caught him by the belt before he could leap out and dragged him back, "If they see us, Gramps will never let me come back next year! Link, you got me I a whole mess of trouble now. How do we get out of here? I want to see the competitions!"
Link slumped in defeat for a moment then sat up straight once again under the long-legged table with a wide grin and said, "And to think you were supposed to keep me out of trouble." He laughed merrily and took a huge bit out of the half-loaf of bread, savoring it this time rather than choking it down. Still warm, it seemed to melt in his mouth. It was heaven on Earth and he wanted more.
They continued talking about things, fairies especially as they looked through the book, while people walked by, picking out their favorites or whatever caught their eye. But then Crystal grew gloomy as she finished her half loaf. Link regarded her for a moment and waited until the next shuffling feet had gone by before reaching up and quickly swiping a small stem leading to a group of grapes. He offered it to her in the hopes of cheering her up but she shook her head at them. Link shrugged and set the grapes in the lap of his tunic to munch on them as he pleased.
"So, what is bothering you if not hunger?" He finally asked. Crystal sighed softly for they had to be quiet so they wouldn't get caught. Then she said, "It bothers me about what happened up in that tree. I can't help but to remember I had pushed you. I really didn't mean to and I tried to catch you!" Link looked at her, two grapes in his cheek and then he swallowed them and laughed lightly, "Is that all? Heck, I've been knocked about much worse than that in my.a while ago. That was nothing too unforgivable and I did see you try to catch me. I just wish you had a slightly firmer grip on that branch. Then the competition would have ended fairly. No, it's no problem at all." Crystal stared at him seriously until Link had to demand why and he popped another grape into his mouth, the sweetness of it flooding and comforting him.
"You're taking after Lance, making speeches rather than answers." At this, they both began to giggle, causing Link to slightly choke then swallow the half-chewed grape. Link shook his head quickly and slapped at the grass as a thought came to him. He turned the pages his new book looking for a large picture of a blue fairy he spied earlier.
He pointed to the picture. "This looks exactly like a friend of mine. We went on plenty an adventure together and the whole time she would get excited and start saying, 'Link, hey, look at this, hey, over here, hey, hey, hey'. Goddesses, I don't know why I miss it but I do nonetheless. That most certainly reminds me of when Lance becomes excited and I just can't help but to see him with fairy features! Hmm.have you heard of the three Goddesses?" Crystal shook her head again as she doubled over with laughter, the image of a fairy Lance burned into her imaginative mind as she stole a few grapes from his lap. Link rested back on his hands when Crystal had regained a bit of control and began reciting the ancient legend told to him by Zelda, leaving out only the part of Ganondorf touching it and about the incident of his being locked away for seven years.
Crystal closed her eyes and Link couldn't help but wish they were open again. He liked looking deep into them but he felt if he looked too deeply, he would lose his breath and drown in the ever-changing pools with or without the magic of the blue tunic. She opened them again to catch him staring at her. Link laughed nervously, tossed the grape-less stems aside, and reached up to the tabletop once again. Unfortunately, so many had gone by, not much was left. He shifted in the grass, trying to allow for farther reach when a thick, firm, warm grip closed over his wrist.
His eyes widened and he knew he was paler as Crystal saw the fear in him. The rough hand tugged on his arm and a hiccup drifted from above the table down to Link. Timidly, he gulped and dared a look out from under the table. He stared into the red-faced, drunken Roland with his coal and ash covered hands and over-alls. He looked down at Link as he took a large bite of the leg of Cuckoo in his other hand.
Link smiled warmly and waved with his own free hand. Roland laughed, a movement that sent his great belly bouncing and flecks of half-chewed Cuckoo everywhere. Link shielded his face and the fowl smell of ale poured down on him as Roland declared loudly, "Well, now. I was wondering where you had gone to, lad. Now, where is Crystal, eh?" Crystal, recognizing the voice and, noting the slurred words, also poked her head out beside Link. Link pointed at her with the grin back on his face.
Roland's eyes, once squinted, cleared up somewhat and he nodded knowingly, "I see you two need time alone. Well, I won't be callin anyone on ya for anythin but I must say, Crystal, your grandpa would not approve of him."
Crystal blushed profusely and ducked under the table. Link chuckled slightly but said to Roland, "It really isn't what you think. Matter of fact, you didn't even see us. Go about your business and don't forget one of those cinnamon cakes!" Roland grunted slightly but let Link go and half- wandered, half-staggered toward the cinnamon spice cakes, another hiccup reached Link's ears as he too ducked under once again.
Link sighed in relief as the drunk listened to his words. Link had dealt with Talon and Ingo, he could deal with Roland also! He groaned in remembering coaxing Ingo to do as he said. That was a tough case!
Crystal took his groan the wrong way, "I'm the one to be embarrassed, not you." Link waved off her comment weakly and fell back with a solid thump into the grass, arms spread and said, "It's not that."
Crystal smiled slightly, that playful gleam returning to her blue eyes, "You ate too much, didn't you?" Link looked over at her as he laid in the grass, "No, and don't try again." He let his head fall back again, not wanting to move. Perhaps he had eaten too much?
"Crystal, when does lunch time officially end?" Crystal shrugged slightly and said half to herself, "Five minutes before dinner? I'm really not sure but I know there is always food at the festival." Link was not happy with this answer but pulled the front lip of his hat lower, covering his eyes and said drowsily, "Wake me when the coast is clear. I'm taking a nap." Crystal nodded but Link did not see as he set his hands beneath his head and began to slumber soundly.
~~~~~~~
Andrake scanned the tabletops, knowing that those two would not have tried sneaking away, not with all that food at their disposal and worse, time alone together. He growled deep in his throat and made another pass to where he thought they had ducked away. He swore to himself, if he heard anything resembling kissing.
His fist clenched until his knuckles, though hidden by the half gloves of a fighter, turned white and his teeth clenched painfully. He had driven off some suitors before but Crystal wasn't interested in any of them. What if she was falling for this foreigner?
His cape flapped about behind him, licking at his ankles when he paused but not even the sound of shuffling floated to his ears to betray their position. He snorted in annoyance and made another round about the tables.
Crystal watched his iron clad boots, knowing that when they turned aside, it would be the perfect moment for escape, perhaps even the only moment. Link nodded to her and went down the table, away from where Andrake was quickly walking. They half ran in a crouch around an empty stand. They laughed to each other, knowing what may happen if Andrake had indeed caught them. Unfortunately, their laughter was only half enjoyed as another figure appeared. Gramps was also shopping and enjoying the several bright, vibrant tapestries in the stand they hid beside.
Slowly, Link took Crystal's wrist and helped guide her backward. Together, they backed the way they had come but then, Andrake did see them! Link slowly turned about, suddenly very aware of his hold on Crystal's wrist. He released her as though it burned but to no avail. Andrake had seen this touch and had proof that Link had cut in the placement of lunch. There would be no effort in getting Link sent to his own little box for punishment and that was when
Andrake could have a word alone with him.
He slightly knelt, preparing for a sprint. Link sucked breath into his lungs as sudden, real fear boiled within him and began running as quickly as he could in the opposite direction. Crystal looked around, hoping for something, anything to become useful. The stands beside her with the tapestries came to her mind. The paint! Had she seen buckets of dye sitting there? She must have!
She reached back, took a firm hold on one of the handles of dye and just as Andrake began his sprint, she cast the contents of the bucket at his feet, the effect was instantaneous. Unable to stop or slow down, Andrake slipped in the red dye and his momentum carried him sliding in the grass, yelling all the way. Link dove away, a few blades of grass went into his mouth as he did and he scuffed one hand on a rock to protect the book but these were forgotten as he turned to see what had happened to Andrake.
A splintering of wood foretold of Andrake's ultimate destination and the boy had crashed feet-first into the wall of an unfortunate stand. The worker in the stand wasn't at all careful with picking up the boy. Andrake tried to stay steady on his feet but was unable to and had to lean against one still standing wall as he was berated by the keeper.
Running one hand through his blue hair in frustration, Andrake began a calm explanation and apology to him and promised to pay the man for damages. When Andrake glanced back through where the wall had once stood, Link was gone as was Crystal. Andrake began running several scenes of death and torture through his mind. The victim in each scene: Link. How was he ever going to afford the repairs? He thought to himself, nearly sobbing with despair. Why was it that when Link was involved, none of his plans worked?
~~~~~~~
Well, that's all, folks. That is, that's all for this chapter. I'm hoping it's safe from Merrick still but.Shadow Knight did give him a lot of power.
CrysSton16: Ah, worry not, Shadow Girl. That guy will have it coming from me if he dares to try to mess with you again!
Link: I am once again willed to align with what CrysSton16 says. Besides, Shadow Knight has called upon a natural foe for Merrick to deal with, hasn't he?
Indeed he has, Link, now that I remember. Man, it has been a long day and what feels like a longer chapter! I hope it was worth all that effort, really. Heh, poor Andrake. Link is always messing up the plans.
Link: Hey, what was that you said? And here I am protecting you. -_-
Link, I was just kidding. It's good that Andrake's plans are all messing up! Really, it is! Well, we certainly haven't heard the last of Lance yet, either!
CrysSton16: *groan* We have to listen to his speeches?
^_^; They are part of what makes him unique. You must admit, he and Navi can have a rather interesting competition all their own, can't they?
Till next time, neh?
