Thanks again Snowsilver and Inversion too.. the story now starts to gather a little more intrigue.. enjoy!

My plans for exploration met with a slight delay as I had to attend to some business. I had almost finished drawing up a map of Eastern Hyrule for Sahasrahla when I was summoned to Hyrule Castle. I left immediately and was soon at the castle's entrance. The guards stood aside for me as I presented my invitation, sneering contemptuously. They had long suspected me of sneaking around the castle at night a short time ago - they'd be right too but that's another story. I was escorted through to the throne room but was surprised to find it was not the King in front of me but a tall man shrouded in a black cloak - a wizard it seemed, the king's new adviser who had been ridding pestilence from Hyrule. He gestured to me to approach and I got a better look at his face that was a little sunken with age yet had dark piercing eyes that seemed to bore straight through me.

'Welcome my friend.' said the wizard, his tone suggesting I was anything but his friend. 'My name is Agahnim. I've asked you here so that I may.. employ your services.' I nodded slowly.

'What is it you require?'

'There is an.. artifact I require, a wand,' replied the wizard, choosing his words carefully. 'It is hidden somewhere in Hyrule's south yet I have as yet been unable to ascertain its whereabouts. It has magical properties, so would be no use to you. Given your reputation, I believe you are the best one to locate it for me. Naturally, I shall pay you handsomely for your efforts.'

I shrugged nonchalantly. 'Sure, I'm your man. There's just one thing I'd like to ask you though, if you can help me consider it the up-front part of my payment.' Agahnim raised his eyebrows and scowled, motioning impatiently I continue. I shifted uncomfortably. 'Well.. er.. I was wondering if you knew where I could find magical transporters. I've.. heard about them and wanted to explore the world beyond this.' The man in black smiled strangely at me. 'Interesting.. very few even know they exist. There are a few I know of in existence. One lies in the most south-western part of Hyrule, halfway up a cliff. The others I shall reveal to you on your return. We cannot have you wandering off when there is important business at hand, can we? Now, if we have an agreement, I believe that's all we have to discuss.' He turned away and I was promptly escorted out. Perhaps his abrupt tone was due to him disliking people of my disposition yet I couldn't help thinking there was something malevolent in the very core of his being. Regardless it was no concern of mine, for now he was aiding Hyrule and I had expedition plans to formulate.

Agahnim made his way to his tower in Hyrule Castle to contact his henchmen in the Dark World where he had already begun to set his plans in action. With nothing more than a flourish he was transported there and commenced his tranmission. He spoke sharply 'Make plans for the arrival of the Icerod. And find me that Quake Medallion immediately! Turtle Rock must be secure after the Princess is captured and sent there. I shall continue my work here and ensure the maidens have been accounted for. Once I seize complete control we can do away with the village Elder. When his secrets die with him, nothing can stop us!' The communications channel closed, leaving Agahnim alone with his thoughts. If that fool adventurer succeeds, the Icerod could be hidden away in Lord Ganon's dark world dungeons away from any possible resistance that may be met. If he was foolish enough to wander into transporters then so be it - he wouldn't be the first or the last and there would be nothing he could do once he crossed into the Dark World. All that was left now was to finish sealing the maidens away in the dark world dungeons, the descendants of the seven wise men who had sealed the gate between the two worlds. There was just one more to go, the Princess Zelda. The old wizard chuckled to himself, yet he may not have been so delighted if he had of caught sight of the dark shape at his window that now abruptly vanished.