-The Legend of Zelda-

The Age of Link

Chapter 4

The bandits had blocked the fort entrance with boxes and tables in order to hinder the advance of the approaching column of knights. As the Hyrule soldiers drew closer the criminals began to gather at the wall and bombard them with arrows. Captain Tucker bellowed in excited anger and the knights echoed his war cry. The Black Eyes lacked formal training and consistently fired inaccurately. Following their commander's lead the column of knights drew their swords as one being. The sight of the guardians of Hyrule barreling toward them made many of the bandits supporting the blockade abandon their post and the sight of a demoralized enemy fueled the knights' fervor.

Derrickson ducked to the side as an arrow meant for the knight ahead of him missed its mark and almost killed him instead. This was his first time in battle and he found it both exhilarating and frightening at the same time. He glanced up and watched as the archers along the wall prepared to fire another volley. Three dropped dead even as the others fired and missed. A moment later a sparkling missile of wood and feather fell from the sky with the force of a meteor. A portion of the wall exploded and the bandits unfortunate enough to have been there were thrown to the ground. Stubbornly the archers prepared for another series of shots and were all sent into the air by another enchanted arrow. The blasted body of a bandit fell pass the watchman as the knights broke through the blockade and engaged the Black Eye Gang.

Horse and blade met the bandits with bone crushing force. Infantry was never meant to meet cavalry on the battlefield. Unable to slow the deadly momentum of the charging horses the Black Eyes were hacked before they could react to the situation. After the initial blows the bandit formations broke and the criminals fled approaching retribution. Captain Tucker led his men to the rear of the former fort where he spun the formation around and bore down on the scattering bandits. There were a few scattered attempts to ambush the column that were thwarted by the archers on the ridge. After the second pass of the cavalry Tucker had the knights dismount. Even though it was a cowardly act the bandits had managed to render the charge ineffective by scattering among the remaining buildings where the horses could not go.

Fighting erupted everywhere as the bandits were able to meet their mortal enemies on equal footing. The arrows from above stopped coming as Link and the others refused to risk hitting their fellow knights in the confusion. Clusters of knights fought outnumbering groups of bandits all over the fort but the overwhelming numbers were no match for the rage fueled knights eager to claim revenge for their comrades. Tucker, Derrickson, and four knights chased a group of bandits through a cluster of small buildings and down a long alley.

The watchman was at the rear as always. Along his forehead was a slash he'd received from a close call that was narrowly averted thanks to the help of a vigilant knight. His sword arm was covered in an assortment of scratches and he had lost his small shield long ago. He watched as Tucker led his men in furious pursuit of the fleeing criminals. The Captain's presence was electrifying. His every word spurred his soldiers on. Even Derrickson was caught p in the moment forgetting the fact that he lacked the training of the soldiers that fought beside him. He should have been scared but he found himself eager for another engagement.

He watched the backs of the knights ahead of him and his thoughts were drawn to his mission. He had completed the first part by warning Queen Zelda but he was far from done. There were still things that he had to do. Blood from his head wound dripped into his eyes and he slowed down as he vigorously wiped the fluid away. When he could see again he noticed that the knights had turned the corner without even noticing that he was not among them. He stopped moving and looked around. He was alone. Nervousness began to prey on his mind. In the fort courtyard the battle raged but in this dark alley he was one soldier out of his league.

He reached an intersection and paused to look around. The alley stretched on in two directions but there was no sign of Tucker or the knights. He had chosen to head right when a sound spun him around. Out of the shadow of a large crate emerged a bandit brandishing a large mace. Derrickson froze as the man looked around and inched slowly toward him, oblivious to his presence. The watchman began to backtrack when a piece of glass cracked beneath his boot. The bandit reacted to the noise like a cornered animal, wide eyed and feral. The watchman quickly raised his short sword in a defensive position and the bandit advanced with his weapon raised.

The criminal stepped forward and Derrickson was gripped with a wave of panic. Knowing that his life was on the line the watchman made a clumsy lunge at his opponent. The criminal stepped to the side and raised his mace to make a killing blow when he froze. The murderous look on his face changed as he stared down at the franticly heavy breathing watchman. He looked at the man cringing against the wall, the man shaking, barely able to hold a sword and he felt fear. He lowered his weapon and backed away. Derrickson stared at the bandit with wide eyes.

"It's you! I didn't recognize you." said the bandit as he shook his head in denial. He backed up against the opposite wall dragging his mace beside him. Derrickson was still sweating but his confidence was returning.

"Do I know you?" asked the watchman. He could still hear the battle raging in the courtyard but standing in the alley it all seemed far away.

"I was there, at the meeting." replied the criminal. Derrickson's blood froze. His fear totally evaporated as he realized that the bandit posed no physical threat to him. This man was part of The Great Plot, an ally.

"I don't remember you." stated Derrickson icily as he glanced down the alleyway for any of the Hyrule force.

"I was there. I was part of the Bosses' guard. I wasn't part of the meeting but I saw you."

"Then you heard the plan?"

"Yeah I heard it."

"Then tell me," he began as he looked from side to side. "Why are all of you bastards here? There was supposed to be a small group here, NOT THE WHOLE DAMN GANG!"

"The bosses decided it would be better if we could get rid of a few of the Queen's knights while carrying out our part in The Great Plot." said the bandit smugly. With that Derrickson broke into a fit of laughter.

"Get rid of a few of the Queen's knights? That's what you call this? This massacre? The gang is getting wiped out!" The watchman shook his head. "Where are the bosses now?"

"They left after they saw that bonfire out there, they didn't like what the beast did… they think that we didn't get paid enough for this."

"What about the fire could possible scare you band of cutthroats and psychos?"

"You have to see it for your self." the criminal responded. Irritated by the remark the Watchman prepared a stinging retort about obligation and cowardice. There came a loud commotion and suddenly Captain Tucker and his knights were at the other end of the alley. The snappy reply evaporated before a word of it could be spoken Derrickson could see that the knights were too far away to truly observe the clandestine conversation but would be in a matter of moments. He had to think fast in order to keep up his charade.

"What were your bosses' orders?" he hastily asked.

"I'm to stay as long as possible, observe what takes place here and then report at the rendezvous point." answered the criminal. As they spoke the knights drew closer. The bandit raised his mace and began to back toward the unobstructed opposite side of the alley. "I'm out of here! Watch your self, only a few of us recognize you as an ally."

"Wait, where is the rendezvous point?" pleaded Derrickson. He moved closer to the bandit.

"I can't tell you." said the bandit firmly. "My first allegiance is to the bosses and then to The Great Plot. The information has to remain secret… it's not safe." The two were at the lip of the ally, ahead was an expanse of street that was deserted and beyond that a small rope trailing up and over the wall. The bandit turned and made as if to run for the rope and freedom but he never made it. He felt a cold and sharp blow and with it his approaching end.

"You're right. It's not safe." The bandit looked over his shoulder and watched in confusion as Derrickson pulled a small knife from his side. A short spray of blood stained the wall and the bandit dropped.

The Captain arrived and saw the watchman standing over the dead body of a bandit. He was too busy giving orders to notice the look of shock on Derrickson's face. He patted the soldier on the shoulder and led him back down the ally toward the continuing battle.

"Good work, Mr. Derrickson! You'll be praised in the streets of Hyrule if I have anything to say about It." assured the knight captain. Derrickson was too frightened of how close he was to being caught to find the absurd statement funny.

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With no more safe targets Link led the others back to their horses and the group sped down Hyrule Road to join their comrades. A group of knights had gathered around the huge bonfire that's smoke cast most of the former fort in shadow. As the four late comers drew closer Captain Tucker stepped away from the group and gestured for the two lead horses to approach him. The two knights at the rear joined their fellow knights in mopping up the remaining Black Eyes. Skilk and Link reined their mounts, dismounted and made their way to the foul smelling fire.

Link noticed the clothes lying around in burnt tatters, the bits and pieces of weapons arrayed haphazardly about and his brain came to the inevitable conclusion before he reached the enormous bonfire and its terrible secret. An arm hung out of the blaze, blackened and slowly burning away. The fire's fuel was the people of Eastern Fort and the farmers that populated the surrounding area. The faces that watched as scorched corpses that used to be Hyrule citizens turned to ash ranged from disgusted to enraged to one knight that knelt and openly wept. Tucker's eyes had acquired a glow similar to the fire that he stared into.

The crying knight threw up and passed out and a few of his brethren carried his limp body away from the flames. Link felt an anger inside of him grow into a sickening void that threatened to swallow him whole. As he watched skin turn dry and brittle and then flake away he knew that he had to turn from the awful sight before he was forever lost. He turned to his long time friend and felt a disgust that made him shudder with anger. The knight from Duko Dale had his back to the massacre and was studying the ground. Link had always thought of Skilk as courageous even more so than his self but here was the hero too weak hearted to even look at the handy work of their enemy.

Overcome by rage Link slowly walked over to his friend staring down at the other's downcast head.

"Look at this my friend." said the Master Hunter. His hand was slowly dusting the ash and dirt from a piece of metal.

"Coward." Link spat as he kick dirt on top of the partially exposed object. The nimble knight again wiped the dirt away without looking up.

"Please, take a look at this." said the Duko knight in his slightly high pitched voice.

"NO, YOU LOOK! LOOK AT THE BODIES OF OUR FALLEN PEOPLE." Link screamed. The other knights had turned away to watched the confrontation between their two heroes.

"Calm down and look." Link grabbed the collar of Skilk's shirt and began to wrench him to his feet.

"YOU LOOK." said the Royal bodyguard. He pulled upward but was stopped abruptly when Skilk grabbed his throat and jerked downward. The Hero of Destiny fell to the ground and quickly rolled to the side, his hand automatically drawing the Master Sword. He began to rise and froze.

His eyes were drawn to the metal item that he glimpsed as he fell. It was the blade of a sword broken almost at the hilt. The blade was edged on both sides and curved at the top in the shape of a crescent moon. Link looked up at the friend whom he had insulted and assaulted, damning himself for a fool. Skilk's face looked just as tortured as the other knights but instead of staring impotently he had done what he did best… hunt.

"Now do you see, my friend?" asked the Master Hunter unfazed by being manhandled.

"Yes, I do see now. I apologize."

"See what?" interjected Captain Tucker. He had been eager to watch the two tear each other apart. He felt they only existed to make him and the other officers look bad. In his eyes Hyrule needed more loyal men like Derrickson and less icons like Link and Skilk. Link raised the blade out of the dirt and displayed it to the surrounding knights. "It's a broken blade… so?"

"It's a blade tipped like a crescent moon, Captain." answered Link.

"Again... so?"

"A blade like the ones only used in Llolackle." added Skilk.

"The bandits used weapons they'd stolen from the Llos. Big deal!"

"Captain, I don't think the bandits are skilled enough to have taken the Fort. Not alone in any case."

"Are you implying that the Llolackle army managed to cross our borders sack a fort and melt back into their little country without a trace?"

"Sir, this is a trace!" snapped Link still bristling with unchecked anger.

"All I see is a broken blade, soldier!"

"OPEN YOUR EYES TUCKER!" exploded the green clad knight. The other knights had gathered around the two and watched in quiet disbelief. Tucker was shaking with fury and he began to draw his long sword. There was a hushed silence and as if by stage cue there came a great explosion from within the fort walls. The ground shook and an alarm cry was issued by the knights inside. The cry was immediately pick up by the knights outside. Skilk leapt to his feet and hastily ran to the former fort's ruined entrance. The other knights were swiftly following close behind him.

Link began to follow when the sound of a drawn sword stopped him in his tracks. He spun around and met Captain Tucker's sword with the flat of his own. Tucker's eyes were wild and his hand shook slightly. Link looked from the officer's eyes to the long sword which, thanks to The Master Sword was on the verge of shattering. He pushed away from the Captain to get some space between them. Tucker stalked closer and Link walked a wide circle around him.

Inside, Skilk found the largest building in the fort left standing on fire. The huge conflagration threatened to spread to the nearby structures and set the entire outpost ablaze. Thanks to the lieutenant's quick orders the horses had been pulled away from the burning building and men were fast at work fighting the blaze. The Master Hunter sniffed the smoky air and narrowed his eyes. There was a scent of black powder that wasn't there before. The sudden flash from another explosion temporarily blinded him and just as fast the Black Eye Gang ambushed those knights still close to the fire. Skilk drew his sword and charged at the emerging bandits. He watched in utter helplessness as two Knights died mere feet away. He dove into the air and met a criminal's neck with the tip of his boot. The bandit dropped like a stone. Another criminal met his end at the edge of the Duko Knight's sword as he landed.

Outside, Link and Captain Tucker continued their dance unaware of the events transpiring on the other side of the wall. The Captain feigned a lunge at the hero and drew back in frustration as Link didn't even bother to flinch. Focused on each other they barely noticed the second explosion.

"You've forgotten your rank, bodyguard!" spat the Captain like a venomous snake. He kicked a large rock at Link but the other easily dodged it.

"You've forgotten your rank CAPTAIN!" insinuated the hero. He understood what had overcome the Captain. His rage, horror and disgust at what he saw in the flames needed an outlet and Link was his chosen target. The hero was itching for a fight but not with the commanding officer of the unit, and not with his best friend either.

"How dare you?" said the Captain, sounding half crazed.

"Look beyond your hatred of me. See the bigger picture. Something is happening here and these men need your leadership and they won't have it as long as you're busy fuming at me. You don't like me. Fine. Get over it and lead these knights!"

"…"

The sound of screaming and horses galloping brought their attention to the fort entrance. Five bandits of the Black Eye Gang shot from the ruined fort like rats from a sinking ship. They hit Hyrule Road and swiftly disappeared from sight. Moments later thirteen of the original seventeen knights that set out from Hyrule came following behind. One broke from the others riding fast and leading the Captain's horse. Tucker stared murderously at Link for a long moment before grabbing the reins and quickly mounting. Link ran as fast as his strong legs would carry him to Fade and his tethered horse. He leapt onto the mare and cut the tie that kept the horses in place. He looked down into Fade's eyes.

"Go and find Skilk, boy." he told the animal. The horse nodded and Link spurred his animal after the swiftly departing column of knights.

Skilk and two other knights were surrounded by burning debris and armed bandits. One of the knights went down from a mortal wound to his side but not before taking two of the criminals with him. A bandit slashed at Skilk and promptly had his blow deflected and his fist spilt open. The Master Hunter swiftly cut a fatal pattern across the front of the criminal before he could step away. Another bandit thrust at Skilk's exposed back and was surprised by the Duko knight's parrying blade. With a blade in each hand Skilk made short work of the poorly trained Black Eye. The other knight had managed to kill a pair of bandits and even the odds. Skilk turned to help his comrade when a great chunks of burning wood came crashing down. A cloud of ash and smoke rose into the air and when it cleared Skilk stood alone.

Fade found his master covered in an assortment of tiny burns and a few scratches. Skilk jumped into the saddle and Fade sped off after the other knights. The fire couldn't be stopped by one man and though scores littered the streets of Eastern Fort none would ever rise again to lift a finger.

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In his mad rage Tucker had easily claimed the lead of the pursuing knights. He wanted no Black Eyes to escape and live to pillage and plunder again. Though he wished to ignore Skilk's discovery he was far too good of a commander to do so. As he rode he thought of the sword found in the dirt and wondered did the Gang have foreign help? He glanced over his shoulder and saw that Link and the other knight's were directly behind him. He was the unit's leader and under his command they were going to crush the Black Eye Gang and then investigate.

They followed a bend in the road and the Captain caught a glimpse of the retreating criminals. They were leaving the road and heading for the foot hills. He slowed for a moment to allow his men to catch up and then once more claimed the lead with the other's right on his heels. He led the group off the main road and onto a dirt road that lead to the mountains. Tucker bent low to avoid the branches that hung down above the infrequently used path. He could see the bandits more clearly and the thought of visiting sweet revenge upon them filled him with joy. He looked back and watched the resolute faces behind him all mimicking his actions to avoid the branches. Yes, he would lead.

He raised his sword and released a battle cry that would have cowed the toughest bear. The column of knights echoed his roar and he smiled as he was almost upon the waiting bandits. The criminals waited unfazed by the knights barreling toward them. Captain Tucker saw the trap too late to do anything about it. The sound of a felled tree drowned out the sound of charging horses. The Captain reined his horse just shy of the falling oak but two riders behind him weren't as fortunate. They died with a sickening splat as rider and horse were crushed. Tucker turned in his saddle to warn of the trap but was rendered breathless when a spear big enough to skewer a bull pinned him and his mount to a nearby tree. He couldn't breath and could barely see. A large brute with a pig's face leapt from cover and smashed the Captain's face with a huge flail.

Link jumped from his horse and avoided the spear that claimed his mount. He reached into his pack and produced his enchanted boomerang. He flung the weapon stunning one of the emerging pig men before he eviscerated the enemy. Another arrived and attempted to smash Link with a huge mace. The hero spun around the blow and amputated the brute's hands. The creature squealed before Link claimed its head. He looked back and noticed, with relief, that many of the knights had avoided the fate of the Captain and were on foot fighting their new assailants.

A horn blew and the pigs retreated further up the path accompanied by the bandits. Link quickly went to check on the Captain but didn't bother after seeing the stain that was once Tucker's head. The remaining knights charged after the fleeing enemy and reluctantly Link followed. His senses told him that the trap had only begun to unfold but he couldn't leave his fellow knights to fend for their selves. After all, he was a hero. He ran up the path and came to a crest. Below he could see the remaining knights fighting the pig men. The area was surprisingly clear of trees and the ground appeared to be covered in an ancient but familiar pattern. As he studied the seen a pig man charged across the field with another one of their huge spears, intent on impaling a couple of unawares knights.

Link leapt into the air and brought the Master Sword down on the creature's head, splitting it in half. For a moment the ancient patterned seemed to shift but then Link was surrounded by more pig men. Only four knights remained though three times that many bodies bled onto the clearing. Again the horn blew and the pigs began to back away. Feeling no pity for the hideous brutes Link impaled one before it could drop out of his range. As the pigs pulled away the knights all rallied behind The Hero of Destiny. The pig men had gathered at one end of the pattern around two small figures shrouded in robes.

The robed figure in red separated from the group and began chanting in arcane tongues. The other produced a staff from his blue robes and thrust it forward aggressively. A blast of lightning flashed across the clearing but was intercepted by The Master Sword. Link lowered the sword and winked at the robed figure before he and the four knights charged the mages.

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Fade was moving as fast as he could. The world passed Skilk as a kaleidoscope of colors and smells. He reached the point at which the column had left Hyrule Road and his horse followed the trail without a command being given. Fade reared up and whinnied. Skilk looked down at the ground and saw the slain bodies of his comrades and friends strewn across the dirt road. He saw the corpses of strange pig men and the decapitated body of Captain Tucker, his officer's cloak absurdly blowing in the wind. He could find no signs of Link and many foot prints led further into the foothills. He said a word in his native tongue and Fade jumped over the felled log and sped up the path.

He came to the same crest that his best friend had stopped at only moment earlier and watched as Link led a charge at the pig men and two wizards. A bolt of lightning shot from the blue wizard's staff and met harmlessly with the mighty Master Sword. Skilk dismounted and readied his bow. A pig man attempted to intercept the charging knights and was hacked to bits by men fighting for their lives. As Skilk sighted down his arm at the blue wizard he saw the red finish his chant from the corner of his eye. The red wizard raised his hands and the ground turned a pale blue. The patterns etched into the rock and dirt began to move inward toward the center with a loud keening noise. The red wizard began to chant again. Link drew closer to his target when the red mage thrust his fingers in a stabbing motion at the hero. A white ball of energy left the wizard's hand as an arrow burst through his forehead.

A noise made Skilk turn away from the unfolding scene. He looked behind him and found Derrickson coming from behind the bushes. The man looked dirty but oddly unscathed considering all that the squad had been through. The Master Hunter motioned for the watchman to get lower to the ground as he turned back to Link and the other knights. The ball of energy was picking up speed and rocketing straight for Link even without the wizard to guide it. The Hero of Destiny turned in time to intercept the magical attack with his magical sword. The light flashed and the pattern on the ground suddenly reversed its flow.

The blue mage raised his staff and Skilk raised his bow. Fade whinnied but too late to warn Skilk as Derrickson's knife went through his back. The blast of magic that left the staff grabbed onto The Master Sword as Link and the other knights were engulfed in the white light. All were blinded and when vision returned all that remained in the clearing were two pig men, the blue mage, Link's enchanted backpack and the Master Sword. Skilk slumped to the ground, finding it hard to breath. Derrickson removed the blade and raised it for another strike when Fade reared and kicked him over the crest. The horse used his strong neck muscles to raise The Master Hunter onto its back and then quickly sped off down the path.

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On the borders of Llolackle Queen PenLlack III's armies received a magical signal from agents in the eastern foothills of Hyrule and they began their long march. With her heroes gone and The Master Sword in the hands of her enemies Hyrule would fall.