When he awoke, the room was empty. The dying fire popped lazily as it ate away at the remnants of last night's fuel, the logs little more than gray ash in the shape of wood. Link sat up, taking stock of how his body felt. Testing himself, he bent his arms and legs, wincing at the tenderness he found there. His body acted like he had overexerted himself, as if he had taxed all of his muscles to their limits and beyond. Letting out a soft groan, he stood and readjusted his clothing, trying to smooth out the wrinkles that had appeared as he slept.
Glancing about the cramped room, he wondered if he could leave, or if someone waited to club him over the head should he peek outside. He reached a hand to check on the Sword, to make sure it was clear in its scabbard, but his hand met only with air. He was surprised at how quickly he had become accustomed to having the Master Sword on his person. Huffing a frustrated sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair, one foot tapping impatiently as he struggled to think of a plan. Thinking things through had never been a strong point of his. He liked letting his instincts take command, showing him when to react and how strongly. Whenever he tried to think things through, he always ended up frustrated and anxious.
A knock came at the door and Link jumped. He kept his back to the wall and out of line with the door, and waited for the person to enter, eyes darting over the objects in the room to see which would make a suitable weapon. Only a rickety chair and the mattress met his eye. The door crept open and a head with a mop of brown hair peeked around the door with a nervous eye. The two stared at each other before the door opened further, revealing a boy in his early teens holding a bowl that threatened to spill over his clothing.
"You'd better set that down," Link said after the boy made no other attempt to walk inside.
The boy started and more of the liquid sloshed over his sleeve, dripping to the floor with a thick plop! The boy scurried to the fireplace and set the bowl down by the hearth, as far from Link as was possible. He kept his eyes on Link the entire time, jumping every time Link shifted position or moved in the slightest. He's afraid of me, Link thought. More than afraid, the kid's terrified. The notion brought him no pleasure, only a sick feeling in his stomach. But perhaps I can use that, he mused, not liking the idea of scaring the boy more, but liking the idea of staying trapped even less.
Link moved swiftly between the door and the boy, trapping off the boy's only escape route. The boy's eyes widened to the size of plates and he backed up against the stone of the fireplace, all trace of color drained from his face. "You're afraid of me," Link said, kicking the door shut as he kept his eyes on the boy, who looked as if his knees where going to give out. "Aren't you?"
The boy nodded hastily. "What's your name?" Link asked.
The boy gulped, eyes shifting back and forth as he desperately searched for escape. "What's your name?" Link repeated, lowering his tone so his words were deeper and softer.
The boy's knees did fail. He sank to the floor, frightened tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. "Me- my, my name's, uh..." His face blanched even more as he struggled to recall his name, his overpowering fear stealing away his ability to think coherently.
Link sighed and walked up to the boy. He was impressed the kid didn't faint when he sank to his level, eyes locking together. "Well my name's Link. I know you're scared, and I can probably guess why, but don't worry, I've no plans of sacrificing you or sticking your head on a pike." His attempt at humor was lost on the boy. "I just want to ask you a question. Can you answer it for me?"
The boy nodded frantically, desperate to end his encounter with Link. "Good. Now, are there guards outside this door?"
The boy nodded, his hair flopping up and down with the movement.
"How many?"
"Five," he said, his voice cracking mid-word.
"Five," Link repeated, sitting back on his heels, a thoughtful frown tugging at his face. "I think I could handle five, but not without heavy consequences. Huh."
The boy watched Link talk to himself, slightly emboldened by Link not having killed him yet. Gathering up his courage, the boy said hesitantly, "Are you really a Death Rider?"
Link looked back at the boy, surprised that he had spoken on his own. "Yes."
"You don't seem like it."
"Oh really?" Link said with a slight arching of one brow. "How are they supposed to look?"
The boy leaned forward, his hazel eyes taking on a conspirator's glint. "I heard from Demnin that they're like black phantoms. They don't walk, they glide and under their robes are the rotting bodies of the damned. He said that when they lower their hoods, all there is, is a skull with red light glaring from the empty eye sockets. He says he's seen them himself."
Link had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the boy's story. It wasn't surprising to know that such extravagant and false tales existed, but that didn't make it any less amusing. "Well if that's what a Death Rider is supposed to look like, then why do you think I'm being held here?"
The boy shrugged, his earlier fear now completely gone. "I dunno. But you look too much like a regular Hylian to be one of those devils."
"Have you remembered your name yet?"
The boy's cheeks colored. "It's Fainer," he mumbled.
Link leaned close, matching Fainer's position, as if he were ready to share a secret of his own. "Let me give you a small bit of advice, Fainer, in exchange for your help. Don't believe a word of what your friend said." Link's eyes darkened, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "The worst things imaginable often go cloaked in the guise of a friend, or an average Hylian, as you put it." He stood up and offered a hand to Fainer, who numbly took it. Helping the boy to his feet, Link said softly, "You'd better go before they worry that I've eaten you or turned you into a demon."
Fainer nodded and slipped away. He paused by the door. "Um, well, uh, despite what you think, Mister, you don't seem all that bad. You didn't eat me, and you had the chance to. So, uh, thanks." The boy walked outside, leaving Link to stare at the shut door with wry amusement.
He had hours to think over all that Fainer had told him. He wasn't ready to try a break for freedom, and all that left him was to pace about the small room, trying to come up with a plan. Unfortunately, nothing useful was coming to mind.
After another fruitless circuit of walking, Link was ready to burst from the door and try his luck running for freedom. He didn't like the feeling of being trapped. The knowledge grated at his mind, rubbing his nerves raw. Fingers twisting the hem of his shirt into knots, Link took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, lining his body up with the door. If he timed it just right....
He pushed off from the floor, putting all his strength into that initial leap, inertia soon aiding him as he picked up speed. He knew the door opened to the outside, he had noted that when Fainer had entered and left, so if he hit the rickety door on the side where the door knob was located, he would be able to break it down without slowing his stride too much. Hopefully the action would startle the guards enough to allow him time to escape.
Right as he was about to slam into the door, it opened. Link had a fleeting glimpse of a startled face before he ran smack into the person, sending them both flying outside onto the cobbled street. They landed in a tangle of limbs. He could hear the person beneath him struggling for the air that had been knocked out of his lungs. Link had to fight an overpowering urge to laugh while his brain yelled to him about the danger he was in. He looked down at the face beneath him, and it broke his last vestige of control.
Link slid off Ganondorf, clutching his sides as he laughed until tears formed in the corners of his eyes. The flummoxed expression on the Gerudo's face was priceless. That moment alone was worth whatever the Hunters had planned for him.
Ganondorf sat up, clutching his chest, the area Link had run head on into. "You goddess' damned, crazy Hylian. What in all the Dark Realm is wrong with you?"
His words succeed in making Link laugh harder. Link wondered if his stomach was going to explode. He felt the tip of steel touch his throat, but the threat to his life couldn't dispel his hilarity. "That, that has got to be the funniest thing I've ever seen," Link forced out between gasps of air and laughter. "I wish, I wish I could've, could've gotten your expression on pictograph."
"Ha. Ha," Ganondorf said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Link looked up at the disheveled man who held a pike's blade to his neck. "Didn't you think that was funny?"
The man's eyes widened at Link's question. "Well, I, uh, that is...."
A conspirator's grin slid over Link's face. "You know you did. I bet you've never seen Ganondorf fly so far in your life."
A surprised grin turned up the corner's of the man's mouth. "Well, now that you put it that way, I do wish my wife could've seen it."
"Kernorn!" Ganondorf snapped. Kernorn's face quickly resumed an expression of sternness, though Link could tell he was struggling to keep from smiling. "In case you have forgotten," Ganondorf said slowly, as if he were explaining something to an addled child, "this is a Death Rider you are talking to."
The Gerudo's words instantly erased any hint of a smile from Kernorn's face. "I'm sorry, sir," he said, pressing the blade closer to Link's throat. "I won't forget again."
Link sighed, knowing his chance for an easy escape was gone. He started to get up, then looked at Kernorn, asking the man's permission with his eyes. Kernorn grunted, relenting the pressure of the blade enough to let Link stand. Ganondorf stood in front of him, and the sight of his face threatened to send Link into another fit of laughter. Biting back on his mirth, he tried to listen to the nonsense he was speaking, but he couldn't. A snort of laughter escaped Link, and soon he was clutching his stomach, his shoulders shaking with silent chuckles.
A painful blow connected with his stomach, doubling him over. Ganondorf grabbed his hair and twisted his head up to look at him. "Now are you more inclined to listen?"
A pained smile contorted his face. "You could've asked."
Ganondorf let go of him, almost pushing him over. "Stupid Hylian," he growled, waiting for Link to straighten back up.
Link sucked in a lungful of air, trying to ignore the pain in his gut. It was worth it, he said to himself. It was so worth it to see that man's face. A grin threatened to return, and he forced away the mental image of Ganondorf, sprawled on his back, his eyes wide with shock staring up at him.
Clearing his throat, Link said, "So, what do you want?"
"Excuse me?"
He fought the urge to roll his eyes, a habit that had often gotten him in trouble with his teachers. "You were coming to see me before I...bumped into you. What for?"
"You make it sound like I was a neighbor visiting."
Now he had to fight the urge to make a smart reply. But by the way a vein was beginning to pulse in the Gerudo's forehead, Link decided to stop antagonizing him. Instead he chose to give a neutral shrug of his shoulders.
Kernorn was watching the two of them with round eyes. Link would've loved to have known what was bouncing about his brain at the moment. The Hunter caught Link watching him, and his eyes narrowed. He threatened him with the pike, making sure Link knew who was in control. Kernorn didn't have to remind Link; he knew perfectly well who had control of the situation, and he planned to keep it for as long as he could.
"The Hunters plan to use you," Ganondorf said, breaking the stare down Link was playing with Kernorn.
"Use me, you say?" Link said with a suggestive lift of his eyebrows. All right, so maybe I will antagonize him some more, he thought. It's too damned easy.
Ganondorf's face turned red. "Ah, what I meant to say was, ah, we're going to use you to lure the other Death Riders in, and answer our questions."
Link bit his bottom lip. He was thoroughly enjoying watching the Gerudo squirm. "So having me isn't enough to satisfy you?"
"No, you're not-" He could hear Ganondorf's teeth click together when he snapped his mouth shut. He reached forward, grabbed Link's shirt and began dragging him behind him, muttering, "I am going to enjoy this so much."
* * *
Lure watched the two sentries pass by each other. The torches that lined the crumbling walls were faced too far apart to lend any real light, and the sentries sounded like moblins stomping about in the dark. For the seemingly thousandth time, Lure thanked his teachers from before, even crotchety, old Solastaire.
In the thicker darkness outside the rings of fire, he couldn't see Malon right beside him, though he could hear her quickened breathing. Once the sentries were out of hearing range, Lure leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It shouldn't be a problem getting in. They're being very sloppy."
"But what about getting out?" she asked.
Lure shrugged, then realized she couldn't see the movement. "I'm not sure. If the inside is anything like the outside, then it won't be a problem. Besides, I know he's there. I can feel him."
"Thank the goddesses for that Guardian bond," Malon said absently. "I don't think I would have ever looked for him here."
I don't think anyone would have, Lure thought, looking up at the disintegrating remains of Castleton's outer walls. People avoided the dead capitals, they didn't set up camps there. Unfortunately the Hunters didn't seem to agree with that line of logic.
"Do we wait for the next circuit of guards, or do we go now?" Malon asked.
"Now's as good a time as any. They've spaced themselves too far apart. A child could break through their defenses."
"Don't you think that odd?"
"I know, I think it's a trap, too. But not for us."
"Oh." Malon shifted, the grass rustling beneath her. Lure almost told her to hush but caught himself. He felt like he was turning into one of his instructors. "Let's go," he said.
They darted over to the wall at the point between two torches, where the light was almost nonexistent. Here the wall had fallen enough that when he boosted Malon up, she reached the top and pulled herself up. Leaning forward, she grabbed Lure's hand when he jumped up, pulling him with all her strength while he used his legs against the wall to push himself higher. Once they were both up, they quickly dropped to the other side.
Malon let Lure lead, trusting that he knew where to go. She kept one hand on the back of his coat, not wanting to lose him in the dark. She didn't know whether to be thankful, or annoyed that not a trace of moon or stars could be seen in the overcast night sky. No one could see them, but the same held true that they wouldn't see anyone lurking, waiting for a chance to strike them as they walked past.
Stifling the urge to press herself closer to Lure, she listened with all her might and made her ears ring instead. She took a deep steadying breath, trying to resign herself to what she must do. If she spent her whole time worrying about potential threats and not about the true dangers she was going to have to face, they would never leave here alive.
"There," Lure suddenly whispered, coming to halt. Malon was surprised to see his faint outline, then realized there were torches burning nearby. The sound of people quietly walking about, carrying out their duties broke the otherwise oppressive silence of the crumbling city.
"Which building is it?" she asked.
"The wooden one with the peeling blue paint and two broken windows. Something's not right."
Her fingers tightened around his coat. "What do you mean?"
"Just...something's not right. We need to hurry." He took off, keeping to the shadows as he crept towards their destination. They crossed the street without attracting attention and kept walking until they reached the back of the home next to the blue house. The back revealed an alley that ran behind the block of buildings, rubble and litter cluttering their path. They would have to be extra careful to prevent tripping.
They made their way to the back of the house mainly by feel. She heard the click of a door knob turning, and Lure's soft, worried exhalation. She was picking up on his tension, the idea that this was too easy hammering through her brain like a warning, urging her to flee. She followed Lure inside.
The air was musty and stale, laced with a faint odor she couldn't identify. She stepped and the board under her foot creaked. She froze, Lure going still beside her, both holding their breath in expectant fear. When nothing charged out to kill them, they shuffled their way forward, Malon still clutching Lure's coat like a lifeline. They saw what looked like candlelight flickering from the crack where the door touched the floor. She heard Lure run his hand over the surface of a wall, coming to rest on another door knob. He turned it; Malon could feel the muscles in his back tense into steel.
The door eased open, revealing no one inside. Malon let out the breath she had been unconsciously holding, and followed him into the room. She saw the door at the other side and was creeping towards it when she noticed Lure wasn't moving. He hurried over to her right, crouching by a corner swathed in darkness, the candle's flame too weak to overpower the shadows there. She heard him whisper a word of encouragement. He looked over his shoulder, eyes revealing the emotion his words wouldn't. "Malon, come over here. I need your help."
Her legs froze on their own accord. She didn't want to see what had happened, didn't want to see what she knew was waiting for her. Over the smell of melting beeswax she thought she detected the copper taint of blood, and her stomach heaved. You told yourself you wouldn't be a burden to him! she yelled to herself. If you don't get your sniveling, pathetic excuse of a cowardly hide over there, you're going to regret it!
Her silent tirade helped loosen the chains of fear that had held her legs hostage. She rushed over to Lure's side, dropping to her knees on the wet floor. The scent of blood was stronger; she could taste it every time she swallowed. "Is he going to live?" The question slipped out on its own.
Lure hesitated. "Yes. Yes, he is. I won't let him die." He stood and grabbed the candle, setting the light on the ground and revealing the true extent of the damage done to their friend. Tears sprang to Malon's eyes, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. Large welts that oozed blood covered Link's back. When Lure gently turned him over to check his front, Link moaned in pain, feeling his wounds even though he was unconscious. One eye had swelled shut, and a large bruise had formed over his stomach. "I don't feel anything broken," Lure said, his fingers lightly probing Link's body as he spoke.
"They just beat him senseless," Malon grated through clenched teeth. She suddenly wanted to hit something and bit her lip instead, using the physical pain to numb the emotional.
Lure stripped off his coat and wrapped it over Link's prone form. "We're going to have to get him to a healer once we get out of here."
Malon nodded. "Can you carry him? Do you need my help?"
"I wish faeries really existed," Lure said with a sigh. A thought came to him, and said, "If Link's here, Epona must be, too. If we can get her, then we wouldn't have a problem carrying him."
"How are we going to sneak a horse out? How are we going to even find her?" How-"
"At least," Lure said, biting out each word, "I'm trying to think of a way out."
She glared at him, then sighed. "Sorry. We shouldn't be fighting each other right now."
He nodded. "You go look for her, I'll stay here and keep an eye on him."
"Why you?"
Lure eyed her, wondering if she was starting another argument. Finding her sincere, he said, "You're the one that knows horses the best. Besides, if someone comes in here, I've got the better fighting skills."
"All right." Malon stood up and moved as swiftly and silently as she could, leaving Lure alone with Link. He ran his fingers through Link's sweaty hair, blinking back tears. Sorry, he told his friend silently. Sorry for screwing up and leaving you to this, sorry for not being there for you. Chalk up another failure on my part. He expelled a loud sigh, then looked around, hoping he hadn't attracted any unwanted attention. He wondered if he should move Link, take him away from here so that the Hunters were less likely to find them. But the image of Link's wounds flickered in his mind, and he decided to stay. The less Link was forced to move, the quicker he would heal. Besides, there was no place safe, not while Castleton was infested with the vigilantes.
Minutes passed by with excruciating slowness. Lure had Link's head in his lap, offering him the only comfort he could. Chewing his bottom lip out of nervous habit, he tried to still the feeling that he was going to fly out of his skin. He could hear the pounding of his heart, feel the pulse of it in his throat and fingers, the sound of it deafening his hearing. Taking deep breaths only made him feel lightheaded. He almost wished someone would discover them, so it would all be over with. The weight of anticipation was crushing him.
A boot heel scraped over the unfinished floor. Lure held his breath, noting that the sound came from the door opposite the one they had entered. The sound came again, and his vision was starting to gray. Realizing that he still held his breath, he let it out, hoping it wasn't as loud as he thought. He inhaled deeply through his mouth and set Link's head on the floor. He crept to the shadows, staying in a low crouch.
The soft scrape of his sword escaping its scabbard didn't drown out the sound of the door opening. Only one person entered, their features shrouded in shadows. When the door was shut, and Lure was sure no one else was going to enter, he snuck up behind the person, grabbing their shoulders with the blade of his sword resting close to their throat.
He heard the person gasp, and he growled, "Scream, and I'll slit your throat."
The person nodded hastily. Relieved that he had their cooperation, at least for now, Lure said, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
The person swallowed. "I, I came to give him food."
Glancing over his captive's shoulder, he saw what looked like rolls of cotton. "Interesting food you have there," Lure couldn't help but remark.
The person stiffened, and the voice turned indignant. "Well if you hadn't beaten him, then I wouldn't be here! Sir," she added as an after thought.
"Who are you?"
"Anju."
"Anju?"
"That is what I said, was it not?"
He felt a wide grin split his face. Lure let her go, sheathing his sword. "By the goddesses, I'm glad to see you," he said to her back.
She turned around with narrow eyes, as if she expected him to attack her again. "I can't see your face," she said, "who are you?"
"Lure. Lure Oryndell."
"Truly?" She hugged the bandages in sudden glee. "Oh, thank you Din, Nayru, Farore. I thought I was dead for sure."
"What are you doing here?"
"The Hunters took in my family. We were on our way to the Lady of the Wood, whom Link told us to take sanctuary with. But Kafei was too weak. He couldn't go any further. The Hunters gave us food and a way back to our home here. They've been sheltering us. I can't stop them from harming Link, but I had to do something for him. I'm sorry."
Lure shook his head. "You've done more than most people would, Anju. Thank you. Now, let's see if you can work some magic on him."
She nodded and swept over to Link's side, already preparing herself. Lure walked after her, sending as many heart-felt thanks to the goddesses that he could before his mind was taken up by the unpleasant work ahead.
* * *
A/N: Thanks to Tori for the beta-ing, and to you guys for catching me on the mistakes. Beta readers make everyone much happier. ^__~
