Chapter 8: Dungeon 2: Skull Palace part 1

Link finally arrived in the Skull Woods, and looked around. All the trees were dead, and the only inhabitants were Stalfos.

"Great," he thought, "A forest full of Stalfos. This should be fun."

He walked up to a nearby Stalfos.

"Hi," he said, trying to sound friendly. "I'm looking for… something; can you tell me who's in charge here?"

"What you looking for?" asked the Stalfos suspiciously.

"That's my business," Link replied hotly, reaching for his Master Sword.

"Hey, hey, cool it! I meant no harm!" said the Stalfos quickly. "It's my duty to ask questions. I haven't seen you round here before, that's all!"

"OK, now who's in charge?"

"The Skull King, up at the Palace. Head down that path."

"Thanks," said Link, putting away his sword. He wanted to cause as little trouble as possible.

When he arrived at the Palace, which looked just like a huge skull, he went up to the door.

"I don't suppose I just ring the bell," said Link. Suddenly, the doors creaked open. Link hesitated, and then walked in. Inside, he saw two doors; one to the left, one to the right.

"Left or right?" he asked himself. Then he remembered Ganon Castle. Left were the dungeons.

"Right it is," he said, and set off to the door on the right. On the way, he was stopped by a Stalfos Knight.

"State your name and business," said the Stalfos Knight.

"I'm the Hero of Time, and I'm here to have a word with the Skull King," said Link.

"You cannot proceed," said the skeleton, drawing a sword. Link punched it in the face, knocking its head off. He then went through the door.

A few rooms later, he spotted a staircase going down.

"Underground throne room?" he thought, going down the stairs. He found himself in the dungeons.

"Damn, wrong way," he said bitterly, but heard a noise from upstairs. He hid in the corner, as two heavily armoured Stalfos Knights entered, dragging a prisoner, who was tied up and gagged. One of them opened a cell door, and a small chink of light reflected off the door onto Link's shield, and onto the wall. The second Stalfos saw the light, turned and spotted Link, now illuminated thanks to his shield. He swung his sword, killing both Stalfos in one slash. He then untied the prisoner.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he said croakily.

"Who are you? Why did they capture you?" asked Link.

"I'm Gradil. I… tried to kill Lord Annihol," replied the prisoner quietly. "Get me out of here, and I'll help you."

"OK, let's go," said Link.