-The Legend of Zelda-
The Age of Link
Chapter 2
True to the General's words the scouting party was mounted and ready to go by mid-day. The sun burned bright overhead and the warm summer air blew through the trees. The palace courtyard was crowded. Knights moved to and fro securing their packs while squires and attendants made last minute preparations for the soldiers' mounts. There was a constant murmur of activity as family members and curious villagers gathered to say their goodbyes. The Queen appeared at the castle wall several times during the day to watch before retiring to her private quarters. There were twenty riders in all; Link and nineteen of General Cole's fastest riders.
A young squire fought his way through the crowd struggling with an old and weathered backpack. The boy was around eleven years old and a lot smaller than all of his friends. The other squires had chosen the larger packs and left him with the smallest. He would have been insulted but that particular pack belonged to his father's best friend and his personal idol, Link. He had seen the opportunity as an honor, until he picked up the tiny backpack. The bag felt like it weighed a ton. The boy fell over twice before he could get it properly situated on his back. It was far too heavy for him, but he refused to let the other squires know that and he wanted to be the one to hand it to Link. The boy had heard stories of Link's mythical bag that had been enchanted by fairies to carry anything he desired but most people thought it was a folktale.
He staggered around an old beggar trying to con one of the younger knights out of a couple of rupies and was finally able to see his heroes. Link sat atop a large brown mare of the common stock used by the soldiery, a big and sturdy breed loyal and strong. Beside Link was a slender elf with long black hair tied into two ponytails that trailed down either side of his head. The boy waved and Skilk, his father waved back. Arguably the best hunter in all of Hyrule, Skilk always rode a jet black horse from the lands of Duko Dale. The boy had long ago named the steed Fade and loved the animal very much. As he drew closer Fade bowed its head and swatted his tail back and forth in happiness. He stopped to catch his breath alongside the horse and it commenced to gnaw on the collar of his uniform.
"Stop Fade not while I'm on duty" whined the boy playfully. He didn't really mind that the horse was ruining his clothes. He just liked to tease the animal.
"You heard the boy." said Skilk's voice from atop the animal. His voice was higher pitched than most men and his accent singled him out as a native of the dale lands of Duko. "The boy is on duty. Cut it out." His words were of their usual nonchalant, displaying no emotion. Many thought Skilk was a cold hearted man but those close to him knew otherwise. The master hunter looked down at his son's burden and gestured to the green clad elf beside him. "Kilken give Link his pack quickly, we are starting to fall behind schedule. Look, here comes General Cole as we speak." The boy looked in the direction his father indicated and teetered over to Link with the heavy bag.
"Here Sir Link, I've brought your backpack." Kilken stammered. The Queen's personal bodyguard nodded reached down and effortlessly claimed the burden. Shocked by the elf's strength, Kilken could only stare in wonder and massage his sore muscles.
"Thanks kid, now run back to the stables and take a break." said Link. He winked and tousled the boy's hair. Link had watched the boy grow into a fine young man and loved him like a son. Link was fully aware of the terrible burden his backpack was to anyone but him. Long ago it had been given to him by a fairy as a gift for saving her from a witch's specimen jar. To him the bag weighed nothing but to anyone else it would be at the very limits of their physical strength. The fact that the boy lugged the bag all the way from the stables spoke of determination that Skilk should be proud of thought Link.
"Thank you Sir Link." said Kilken, joyous of Link's thanks. He looked to his father for approval and once his father smiled the boy took off for the cool air of the stables.
The crowd quickly thinned and the knights guided their mounts to the gates where General Cole and watchman Derrickson waited. The twenty mounted riders waited in silence for their final orders. Link and Skilk waited in the rear quietly saying goodbye to Skilk's wife Kelli. The General began to speak and the woman hurried off. Skilk gave her a last longing glance and then turned his full attention to Sir Cole. Link watched as his favorite couple in the world parted ways and thought heartbrokenly of his Queen. Determined to get his mind off of her through the new mission he turned to the General even as Zelda peered in his direction from the castle walls and then returned to her quarters.
"Listen up!" bellowed the General. "Someone has managed to attack the Eastern Fort. No messengers have been sent and the only indication we have is this brave gentleman at my side. The Council of Elders need to know the exact situation before a move can be made. I've chosen you men because you are the fastest and the brightest." said Sir Cole as he swept his gaze across the assembled troops. "I need two things from you. First you need to find out who is behind this and what Hyrule is up against. Second I want you to search the Eastern Fort for any survivors. Those men are our fathers, brothers and sons… bring them home if you can." The gathered Knights gave a roar of agreement. "This brave man has volunteered to guide you men to the Fort." With that the General gestured toward the watchman next to him. "Treat him as one of our ranks for he has earned it through his actions." The Knights' second roar was even louder than the first.
The twenty-one riders had two days of hard riding ahead of them. Derrickson had made the journey from Eastern Fort by taking byways and shortcuts through heavily wooded terrain in an attempt to lose any intruders. The armored knights would be unable to utilize these paths and were forced to use Hyrule Road. The road was heavily used by the peasantry during crop season and it was decided by The Council of Elders that it should be kept in constant good repair. It was one of only two brick roads in the entire kingdom and the only road that connected East and South Hyrule to the palace. This made it the perfect road for the twenty-one fast riding Hyrulian soldiers.
The bright midday sun shone brilliantly off of the light armor of the Knights. Derrickson watched the highly trained and disciplined soldiers ride swiftly through the countryside in awe. These were the backbone of Hyrule's might, the sword which the young Queen wielded to protect her lands. Nineteen wore the full compliment of helmet, cuirass, greaves, and gauntlets; polished to perfection. He looked down at the drab cloth and leather uniform he and the other watchmen had been issued and felt out of place by such magnificent men. He rode towards the center of the group flanked on all sides by knights. In the front road the Master Hunter from Duko Dale, Skilk, leading the way as was decided by the party leader, Captain Tucker. The rear was silently watched by the living legend Link. There was no one in Hyrule who hadn't heard of the elf's heroic deeds in protecting the Queen and saving the kingdom. Derrickson had always thought of him as a huge man, rough in manner and appearance with shoulders big enough to support the weight of an empire. The quiet man that rode behind him was a disturbing contrast.
Strangely Derrickson found his self relating more to the group's renowned rear and vanguard. They were outsiders like he. The Master Hunter rode ahead with all of his senses focused on the road ahead of the troop and any dangers that might arise. His stead was of a foreign stock and easily kept up his rider's demanding pace unlike its larger counterparts that panted and perspired behind. His armor was even thinner than the other knights' armor giving him more mobility at the expense of defense. The Hero of Destiny sat atop his ordinary looking mount somberly guarding the rear. To Derrickson the elf was an enigma. Link looked nothing like the legends that blew across Hyrule telling of his great deeds. He looked like your average Hyrulian of his age except for an unexplainable fire that sometimes twinkled behind within the depths of his eyes. He wore nothing more than a thin chainmail vest under his green tunic. The three of them stood out like sore thumbs in the briskly moving group. Though Derrickson could never hope to be as renowned as the other two for a moment at least he was their equal.
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They rode until the sun began to make its decent behind the mountains that bordered the north. When Captain Tucker ordered the knights to dismount and make camp the horses were covered in foamy sweat and dirt, the knights' armor fared no better. In the gathering gloom of dusk the scouting party cleared the chosen camp site, erected tents and started a fire large enough to cook the evening meal. Eastern Hyrule was mostly farmland and untouched forest so the knights found themselves alone for many miles in all directions. Tucker was a very efficient commander and wasted no time barking out orders and arranging his soldiers into organized groups.
Skilk and a team of four knights set off immediately to catch dinner. He moved quickly through the trees and silently disappeared in the midst of the deep foliage. His footfalls were noiseless as he crept through the dark shadows searching for game. His assistance spread out and quietly laid in wait for their unsuspecting prey. Derrickson was assigned to the group of knights in charge of pitching the tents. He quickly determined that the job was retained for those junior knights that had not proven themselves in battle or were too old to tend to the animals lug around heavy pieces of fire wood. Insulted the watchman carried out his duties in silent indignation. After he'd reported to the Queen Derrickson had been placed under the care of the royal healer and within hours his wounds were gone. He found himself tired but refused to show his fatigue in front of the valiant knights around him. Captain Tucker had taken Link aside so that the two could speak in private.
The two walked away from the camp and deeper into the forest.
"I know this is my first command but there was no need for the General to send you to chaperone." said the Captain angrily. Link looked at Tucker who had to be about the same age as the hero and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not here to hold your hand Captain Tucker." Link informed the commander. "I'm here because I have a gut feeling that something dark is on the horizon and I want to be present when it raises its hideous head… then I'll bury my sword in its heart and return to our Queen." Link's words made the Captain stop and stare with his ocean blue eyes.
"You can't fool me with halfhearted speeches."
"No one is trying to fool you." said Link quietly. Over the years he'd noticed a strange gap forming between his self and the other knights. They no longer viewed him as just another soldier in the ranks; he was The Hero of Destiny, the savior of Hyrule and a threat to their authority. When the common peasant thought of the Hyrulian Knights it was Link's face they saw not Tucker's or General Cole's. Many knights resented him for that and it pained him.
"Say what you like, just remember that I'm the commanding officer here and you follow my rules!" spat Tucker.
"Yes, Sir!" angrily replied Link before he marched angrily further into the woods.
Tucker stood and watched the hero storm off with barely contained anger. He hated Link. While Link was an extra hand on his uncle's farm Tucker had been a squire training to be a knight. Tucker was destined for greatness, until the dark times came. Then while Tucker and the other knights that had stayed loyal to the throne were being hunted down Link appeared wielding the legendary Master Sword… a lowly farm boy. It wasn't fair. The wind blew Tucker's long blond hair and his red Captain's cape as he watched Link's retreating back until the gloom swallowed the man he admired.
When Link returned it was well pass nightfall. The camp was silent save for the snoring of sleeping knights and the light movements of sleeping horses. The fires had burned very low leaving the camp bathed in moonlight. He walked over to his resting mount and petted the brown animal before moving around the edge of the cleared area. Eventually he came to a tree with a bole large enough and rested against it with his enchanted backpack secure in his lap.
He sat in silence for a few moments before looking to the tree's high branches. Skilk sat motionlessly watching the night for any dangers that might arise while he carried out the night's first watch. The Master Hunter quietly pulled a bundle from concealment and dropped it into his friend's lap. Link opened it and found two roasted hens and a carrot sitting in a little sauce and still warm. He smiled to himself, realizing that he'd forgotten to eat. He glanced back up but the man from Duko Dale had his full attention on the night. Link ate the meal before drifting off to sleep against the tree.
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The sound of clashing swords yanked Derrickson out of a comfortable sleep. He rolled out of his bedroll and noticed immediately that his tent-mates were no where to be found. He quickly threw on his uniform and rushed out of the gloom of his tent. Sword in hand he searched for the source of the commotion. It didn't take long for him to find his query. The entire camp was gathered in a circle, cheering and jeering as two men dueled. He ran over to the edge of the makeshift ring and watched as Skilk skillfully eluded the attack of one of the younger knights before upending the youth and depositing him on his backside.
The knight sluggishly crawled out of the circle and the crowd cheered loudly. Skilk made an exaggerated bow and motioned to another knight that had been hastily tightening his chainmail. The knight entered the circle and a miasma of quiet swept the observers. The knight drew his long sword and rushed at the Master Hunter. Skilk swirled out of range and managed the strike the young man on the wrist with the flat of his sword. The knight's hand spasm caused him to drop the blade. The crowd jeered. The knight reclaimed his weapon and approached his opponent more carefully. He got within striking range and attempted a few quick thrust, Skilk effortlessly dodged and circled the young knight. Skilk smirked as the knight began to chop at him wildly out of frustration. He feigned a quick slash at the knight's head causing him to defend himself. When the youth fell into his trap the man from Duko Dale did a spinning, sweeping kick and dropped his rival on his back. Angry but smart enough to know when he'd been bested the knight left the circle.
The crowd cheered again and Derrickson noticed for the first time that Captain Tucker was walking through the crowd watching the sparring matches. The jovial banter of the crowd was cut short as Link entered the circle. Everyone watched silently as Sklik bowed to the Royal Bodyguard and Link in turn bowed to the Master Hunter. Link placed his sheathed weapon on the ground and motioned for a nearby knight to loan him a sword. All knew of the legendary sword that lay before him and no one questioned his decision to use a normal sword. No mortal weapon could stand against the Master Sword. Link hefted the offered blade to test its weight and then began to discard his shield. To everyone's surprise Skilk gestured for the green clad elf to keep the protection. Link gestured behind his friend's back and Skilk obligingly produced a blade identical to his original if a little smaller. The elves of Duko Dale trained to fight without shields. They were taught that their sword should be their protection and their enemy's undoing. Their swords were their shields.
The gathered knights were utterly silent as Link and Skilk faced one another. Skilk's foreign style of fighting had no match within the borders of Hyrule and Link was reputed to be the best fighter ever to live. The match up promised to be spectacular. Even Captain Tucker froze in anticipation. They all stood silently and waited. Link raised his shield into a defensive position and gestured for the Master Hunter to approach. Skilk smirked but stood his ground. Both knew the weakness of Duko fencing, the advantage always fell to the defender. As long as Link didn't attack he had nothing to fear from his friend's blades.
Murmurs began to spread throughout the crowd as their excitement began to die down. Derrickson looked around and saw Captain Tucker shake his head and head towards the forest. He watched as the Captain walked passed the horses and stopped at a tree and the backpack that lay against it. Derrickson focused on the pack and noticed that it belonged to Link. With that realization he returned his attention to the hero in question and watched as a gust of wind blew leaves across the ground between the two combatants.
Suddenly Link was on the offensive. He charged at Skilk, leading with his shield and his sword held tightly to his chest. Skilk smiled and ran into the attack with both blades at his sides. The silence of the crowd became a palpable thing as all watched in awe of two masters. The gust of wind vanished and the leaves settle an instant before the two clashed. Skilk swerved at the last possible moment in order to let Link's momentum drag him off balance. He'd used the technique before against bigger and stronger opponents before. Having never committed himself to the charge Link was able to quickly stop and twirl around with his sword outstretched. Skilk was shocked but recovered with supernatural speed. He lowered his torso to avoid the swipe and at the same time raised his parrying blade. He deflected the strike and sent Link's sword arm high. Skilk slashed at Link's open midsection but missed as his target kicked him in the arm and sent him to the ground.
As the Master Hunter hit the ground and rolled out of the way of Link's charging shield the gathered knights broke into a loud chorus of cheers. The dance of swords intensified as Link consistently attacked and then swiftly shifted to a defensive approach. The technique confounded Skilk's attempts at disarming the legend but allowed no opportunity for him to score a hit. The speed of the fighters was like lightening made flesh and even the most veteran knights watched with jaws dropped.
"They're unbelievable." stated Derrickson to no one in particular. The knight beside him looked from the watchman to the fighting heroes and back.
"I'm glad their on our side!" exclaimed the knight. Derrickson narrowed his eyes at the knight's comment. The remark infuriated him for some reason.
"Lucky? Yeah, we sure are lucky." he said sarcastically. A little taken aback by the watchman's remark the knight rolled his eyes and went back to watching the fight.
Link was once again charging Skilk with his Hyrulian shield. The Master Hunter swiftly closed the gap between the two with pumping legs and his blades held tightly to his sides. This time however instead of twirling pass he dived feet first into the shield and leaped into the air before Link's momentum could knock him over. Link thrust upward at the passing elf but his sword was easily deflected by Skilk's parrying blade. Skilk landed, barely disturbing the leaves littering the ground, and dashed at Link's exposed back. Link turned and chopped at his opponent's throat as Skilk brought both blade's slashing at the green clad knight's belly. The incessant cheering of the audience stopped as the two froze. Skilk's blades were mere inches away from The Hero of Destiny's undefended midsection. Link's sword was poised a hair's breadth from the Master Hunter's neck.
The crowd held its collective breath. Link narrowed his eyes as he stared into Skilk's. Skilk met the hero with a glare to match. .Simultaneously the heroes reversed the grips of their weapons and struck with the pommels of their swords. They struck each other and toppled over, feigning death. No one in the clearing moved as all eyes were on the fallen champions. The two began laughing and the knights joined in with clapping and cheers. As always Skilk and Link proved to be evenly matched.
"Did you see that!" exclaimed the knight. He turned around and found that Derrickson was long gone. He found that the watchman's earlier attitude made him glad that the man had wondered off. "…weirdo."
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Shortly after the knights busied themselves with cleaning the clearing and readying their horses. The sun had been up for barely an hour and there was a long day of riding ahead of them. The sparring matches had lifted the knights' spirits but they knew there was work to be done. A day's ride from where they camped was an unknown enemy that attacked hyrule and destroyed the Eastern Fort. The knights had comrades that were likely dead and they ached for revenge and closure. Preparations were quick and the knights were ready to leave long before their Captain had returned from the forest.
Link helped the knights break down the tents and saddle the horses. The fight between he and Skilk had relieved a great deal of his stress but the weight upon his soul was still heavy. It had already been the longest he'd been away from his Queen and he felt her absence like a barb buried deep within his heart. The hero was torn. The warrior within desired to uncover this new threat and meet it with his sword. The lover wanted nothing more than to ride to Zelda and whisk her away from her duties, if only for a moment, and be with her in the way they were meant to be. He ached as those two sides of him warred. Deep down he knew that he could be neither warrior nor lover for he was both… and there was no place for him in a Hyrule protected by valiant knights or a heart shackled by obligation.
He went to the tree that had acted as bed the previous night to retrieve his backpack and found that it was no longer where he'd left it. The soil on the ground bore markings of something heavy being dragged away. At a glance he followed the trail to a patch of bushes. Quickly he ran through them. On the ground where the trail ended was his pack, opened. He searched around but found no one nearby to explain what had happened to his bag. He did a quick scan of his belongings and couldn't immediately determine what was missing. Confused he donned the pack and headed toward the horses. Skilk was grooming Fade when Link came to his own steed.
"What troubles you, friend?" asked Skilk in his high-pitched accented voice. He stopped brushing his horse and studied the Queen's bodyguard. His horse turned and seemed to study the hero as well.
"I just found my backpack in those bushes." said Link, pointing. "Someone has been in it."
"Why would anyone here go through your personal belongings?"
"I've asked myself the same question. All of my things are extremely valuable but these are soldiers of Hyrule not thieves."
"I don't like this, my friend." stated the Master Hunter.
"SOLDIERS, LET'S MOVE WE HAVE A LONG RIDE AHEAD OF US!" bellowed Captain Tucker. The knights quickly mounted their horses and started taking to the road. Link and Skilk were the last to join the procession.
"I have this feeling that all that we know is about to crumble around us…" said Link. Skilk watched his friend's haunted face and felt the prophetic qualities of his words. Sadly he whispered into Fade's ears and the fast horse bore him to the front of the column.