By Joker's Specter
Chapter Three: Meeting the King, Godoro
Link was forced to walk between the two guards as he exited the jail and stepped into the bright, sunny, warm streets of what seemed to be a large town. He observed the stone street he was on and noticed many houses lined up along the road. Behind the jail was a reinforced wall, which ran around the town providing a protective barrier. Glancing down the road, Link saw a fountain in the middle of a market area that appeared to be in the center that particular district. It reminded him a lot of Hyrule Castle's market.
"C'mon," said the guard behind Link, who looked to be about in his late forties. He had gray, thinning hair, but still appeared strong. As they walked down the road in the direction of the market, the guard kept pushing Link and telling him to go faster. Even though Link wanted to stop and look around, he knew if he didn't co-operate, he might not even be alive to find Epona and continue his search for Navi.
The trio entered the market, which was bustling with activity from all types of people. Merchants were peddling their wares to buyers, while spectators stood back and watched the enthusiastic sales pitches or intense auctions. Link saw items for sell that he had never encountered before. The Hero thought he'd seen it all.
The guards led link down a wide road that branched off from the market and headed toward a large castle structure that was concealed by even more tall walls. As the three ascended the guarded staircase, Link had to squint as he palace-like castle gleamed brightly in the sunlight, accentuating that it was the fanciest place in the entire town. A healthy lawn and garden stretched out around all sides of the castle.
As Link walked with the guards down the straight, smooth walkway that cut through the lawn towards the castle doors, he heard horses from far off. From the sound of things, Link deduced there must be stables behind the castle. He stopped and listened carefully for a familiar horse.
"Get movin'," said the guard behind him calmly, while once again pushing Link forward by his shoulders. Link withheld his desire to run towards the stables and continued through the castle doors.
When the boy entered the castle, he wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed to him like all castles were developed by the same architect, as he noted that the entry room for the castle was very typical, much like Hyrule Castle. There were tapestries, a red carpet, and a stairway at the far end that led upwards. Aside from that, there were hallways branching off in several directions.
As Link thought of Hyrule Castle, he couldn't help but think of the land of Hyrule itself. He wished he were back in Hyrule, with his friends. He wouldn't have even minded seeing Mido or Ingo... Anything familiar would lift his spirits.
"Go on, up the stairs," the guard said, motioning in front of Link.
Sighing, Link continued on up the stairs, following the guard that had already headed up. When he got to the top, the two guards guided him down a winding hallway to a large door at the end. Standing next to the thick wooden door was yet another guard. Based on the location, Link guessed he was about to enter the throne room.
"Tell the King that I have brought him the prisoner that Commander Bronzen caught trespassing last night, as he requested," said Link's more verbal escort.
Trespassing? Link couldn't help but wonder just why they thought he was trespassing. Who could possibly own a little patch of trees out in the middle of nowhere?
Or, more accurately, who was smug enough to believe they owned it?
"Wait here for a moment," said the guard beside the door. He cracked open the entryway and disappeared inside for a few seconds. When he came out, he stated in an official voice, "The Great King Godoro will see you now."
The guard who had pushed Link along nodded. "Thank you," he said. He then turned to his companion. "That will be all. Return to your post," he ordered.
Link and his now singular escort entered through the door and came upon a large room with many tapestries hung high up on the walls. Hanging between some of the tapestries were many paintings of old men with crowns on their heads. Link realized they must have been all of the kings of older generations for the town.
The only thing on the floor other than smooth, glimmering tile and the most elaborate looking throne Link had ever seen was a red carpet that ran through the middle of the floor to the end of the room and stopped right before the throne. Standing beside the throne were two heavily-armored guards. Seated high up in the throne was the King.
"Sire, you asked me to retrieve the prisoner for you?" asked the guard loudly.
"Yes, yes... Bring him closer," replied King Godoro impatiently. The guard pushed Link forward, and then quickly bowed to the King. When the guard looked up and saw Link not doing the same, he got angry.
"You will bow before his Highness!" he exclaimed angrily.
Link seemed to ponder on that for a moment, which clearly aggravated the man beside him. "I shouldn't have to bow before a King who isn't my own. Especially one who imprisons me without explanation..."
The guard seemed surprised. His shocked expression turned to one of anger, and he appeared as if he were about to lash out to Link.
Before he could do anything, the King cut him off. "The lad is right, you know."
Even more surprised than before, the guard managed to stutter out, "But...but sire!"
"Go wait outside, Tolgi," the King ordered dismissively. "I will call for you when you are needed."
Link looked at his escort kneeling on the ground, remembering the person who had dropped him the previous night. If they were one and the same, then he wasn't really as strong as he appeared.
Tolgi appeared to be stunned, and then hurt. He rose to his feet, dipped his head to the King, and hastily walked out of the room, grumbling about disrespect.
Link turned to the King to get a good look at the man. The King was wearing a blue robe of sorts that had maroon mixed in with it. Completing royal appearance was a shimmering, jeweled, golden crown nestled on top of his light brown hair. His facial features were strong and firm, yet he had a hint of something suspicious in his bright eyes. He looked far too young to be a King; maybe around his early thirties or so.
"So, boy... What did you say your name was again?" asked the King, giving Link his undivided attention.
Shrugging, Link replied, "I didn't. My name is Link."
"Ah, I see. Young Link, could you perhaps tell me why you don't have the appearance of one of Kain's men?" questioned Godoro.
This time, Link folded his arms. "Because I'm not one of his followers. I don't even know who he is. All I know is that I was camping out somewhere, and when I woke up, i was being attacked," he said. The boy hoped his explanation would allow him to leave. He was eager to leave as soon as possible so he could continue his quest.
The King eyed Link for a minute, observing him. "If you aren't one of his men, then why were you trespassing in my land?"
Link broke the eye contact and looked at the King's feet. "It's...hard to explain. Basically, I'm searching for a friend, whom I lost a while ago," he said sadly.
"I see. So, Link, where is your destination?"
"I...don't know," Link answered truthfully, looking the King in the eyes again.
The King nodded, seemingly deep in thought. When he snapped out of his trance, he motioned one of his guards over. After the King whispered in his ear, the guard nodded and proceeded to leave the throne room.
"So tell me Link... Where is it that you come from?" asked Godoro.
As much as Link would have liked to leave, he knew he didn't have a high chance of just walking out of there. The King would probably have guards all over him if he tried. Instead, he decided to be safe and play it the King's way.
Mentally censoring important details, Link explained all that he thought the King would be satisfied with. "I'm originally from a forest from Hyrule, by the name of Kokiri Forest. After I lost my friend, I left Hyrule to search for her. I haven't been searching for long, but I was most recently in the land of Termina. Before I was captured, that's where I had come from."
"Ahh, yes, Termina... I know of that place," the King said with a smirk. "I've been there twice myself. It is a strange land... Almost dream-like. And oddly enough, you can never get in the same way twice."
Link was surprised to hear that. He couldn't even begin to understand how an entire land could be so difficult to enter. But then, it didn't matter; why would he want to return to Termina?
The King went on. "Leaving the land is easy enough; all you have to do is continue on through the forest, and eventually you'll break free of its...how should I put this... Magic?"
That sounded about right. "Continuing on..." Link said, obviously not wanting to remember Termina more than he had to," I've been searching for quite a while now, and I would like to continue my search, if I may. I'll just need my horse and my things so I ca-"
"Such a fine horse," King Godoro interjected. "I managed to take a look at it earlier this morning. Although she's young, she will grow up to be an amazing creature... You can trust me on that; I know my horses."
Link didn't bother explaining that he already knew what Epona would be like when she was full-size. "Yes... Well..." he started to say, disliking the King more and more.
"Speaking of your horse, lad, I was wondering if I may purchase it? I will pay you a fine sum, as she is a fine horse," Godoro said, interrupting Link once again.
"M-My horse? I... I could never sell Epona; she's my only friend I have on the road!" replied Link, a little stunned at such an offer.
King Godoro grinned and waved Link's concerns off. "I could give you replacement horse if you wish. And regarding friendship, I believe you and I are friends now, boy," he said with a mischievous expression.
Link now understood what Cyrus meant by how the people of Keystone assuming everything. He was about to tell the King that the answer was still no when the door to the throne room was thrown open.
Three men strode into the spacious room. The one that stood out from the other two and appeared to be the lead had chin-length blonde hair, some dark colored clothing, and a black cape. The other two men were the average guard-type that Link had seen all day long, one of them being the very guard Godoro had sent on an errand earlier. The two guards were carrying all of Link's equipment.
His heart skipping a beat, Link turned to the King. "Does this mean I can go?" he asked, hopeful.
The King once again smiled at him. "Not quite..." he chuckled.
End: Chapter Three: Meeting the King, Godoro
