For a moment, Link could only stare back at the owl. Though the owl hadn't
denied his request, the question was good enough as a denial. And it felt
as though his world had come crashing down and that there really was no
hope left for his friend.
The owl must have sensed this, but of course, it was only for a moment that Link felt this way.
And then it was gone, to be replaced by a strength that flashed in his blue eyes. He didn't know what to say at that moment, as it seemed so natural to help Siegfried despite his past sins and darker deeds, but the words came then, came from his mouth, from his thoughts;
"Yes, it is painful," Link agreed, and he agreed whole-heartedly. "But this is what I do. It's what I WANT to do, save another life. If it's in my power to do so then I will do it.
*But you cannot save him.*
Link interrupted the owl. "Yes I can, and I will. With or with out the help of the gods, I will find a way. The gods brought me here to help the warriors of this world, I include Siegfried as part of my charge, equally as important as the purest warrior because he is like the rest of us, he is prepared to make the sacrifice and he understands what it means."
This seemed to amuse the owl, and he waited till Link was finished with his resolve.
*Tell me, young warrior of Hyrule, what is it that you have seen inside that Mortal? Truly just believing in one such as him would not be enough to fuel that fire that burns in your soul? What is it that you have SEEN?*
"His power." Link replied simply.
*His power?*
Link nodded curtly with an air of confidence before continuing "It is a power rarely beheld, and I am most fortunate to see it in his eyes. That is why I continue to follow him, because he knows he's got the strength to continue on despite all odds, and he wields that power for all the right purposes and all the right reasons."
This is truly how Link felt; it was rather simple and terse but could not describe it any other way. When the owl did not speak up, Link thought that there was something that was left unsaid and that the owl was waiting for him to say it.
Pain is still there, and so was the fear of losing so much.
"It doesn't matter how much the pain hurts, I choose to stand by my comrade." Link said firmly, and he elaborated; "I believe in the strength that has caused him to resist the evil blade and turn away. It is in this strength that I have seen such hope from and why I stand by him. I don't know what answer you have been looking for, but this is all I can tell you. I just believe in him and I owe it to myself to stand by it. Even if no one else thinks I'm right."
The owl was silent for a moment, a moment too long for Link when it finally said; *Link of Hyrule, though you honestly speak with your heart what words cannot express, I'm afraid that the gods simply won't allow it. The crimes against your comrade are just too great to be ignored. And ultimately in the end, helping this man is helping the demonic entity*
But before the defeat could settled it, the owl added; *Though I am sure the gods disapprove of your views and dismiss you as simple and inexperienced, I have come to understand that you really do believe in people and in yourself, you are most idealistic. And though belief is a very mysterious thing, I admire that in those that I serve. So I will offer you my help.*
Link couldn't believe what he was hearing and his heart skipped a beat in pure excitement. He didn't even bother to try to hide his elation as it spread across his face.
The grand bird spread its wings majestically as it pushed off from Link's arm with quite a bit of strength leaving a small molt of feathers in its wake.
*There is a sacred relic to the west known as the 'Cane of Byrna', seek it out for it holds great properties that will aid your friend.*
Link stared after it, shielding his eyes from the noon sun trying to watch the bird's figure as it began to ascend. "The, the Cane of Byrna?" Link asked
*He should be so fortunate, for the power of the staff in your hands will truly be a sight to behold if your fidelity is as I believe it to be.*
And with that, the bird was gone. Leaving Link to think things through once again.
"The Cane of Byrna lies to the west? But that can be anywhere." Link deliberated out loud.
"Actually it lies in France." Raphael interrupted nonchalantly. Startled, Link turned quickly finding the taller man leaning against the entrance doorway nonchalantly arms crossed. There was a smug look upon his face.
Had he heard? How long had he been standing there?
Link was dying to ask, but that would make everything even more suspicious, and he had to bite down hard on his tongue to keep from asking. Instead he came back with;
"So you've heard of this Cane of Byrna? You have to tell me where it is." Link demanded.
"I just told you, weren't you listening?" The man pushed himself off the wall and when he did so, his right arm immediately went to his left side, but if it had hurt, Raphael did not show it. As he walked forward to meet Link, it was clearly visible that there was a limp to his strides. No doubt caused from the fight earlier.
"Raphael are you hurt?" Link asked concerned, and he quickly stride over to meet him quickly forgetting about the earlier topic. It was a good thing too for after a few steps, the pain really hit the French man hard and he could not help but grimace a slight hiss escaping his lips. He almost crumpled to his knees had not Link been there to hold him up.
"Don't bother, I shall be fine. I was simply careless as I didn't expect that old timer to have such strength." Raphael tried to wave Link off, but the elf would not leave him. As he moved to Raphael's side (the one not injured), Link could see red marks around Raphael's neck and a few grazes around his face probably caused by some close calls with an iron first.
"You're crazy," The youth shook his head dismayed as he maneuvered Raphael's arm around his neck. "You gotta take it easy you know, you're not as young as you used to be in case you haven't noticed."
Those icy blue eyes regarded Link rather darkly, and the elf couldn't help but laugh.
"God you're green." Raphael growled dangerously, but there was a slight smile upon his lips as well. "At least I'm not some light weight. From what that old man showed me, you wouldn't have lasted so much of a minuet against him."
"I know," Link replied. "Thank you for saving me back there, I guess that means I owe you my life huh?"
Raphael did not reply right away as it seemed he was thinking, and then Link felt the man's body give a slight tremble as his legs threatened to give way. The elf shifted the man's weight on to him quickly.
"Are you hurt bad? We'd better get you back to the temple and have one of the others look at it."
"It's just a slight bruising, nothing I can't handle." The sandy blond insisted, but the pained expression upon his face seemed to suggest other wise. So Link stayed by his side reluctant to leave and began to lead Raphael out of the temple. As he did so, it became more apparent that the old man had more than one lucky hit to the side, as Raphael's limp worsened.
"Geez, that old guy messed you up bad, you're almost as bad as Siegfried." Link said a little offhandedly. At this, Raphael actually chuckled a bit, but that seemed to pain him as well.
"This isn't anything compared to what I did to him." He said a little cruelly. "I gave him a scar to match his other one."
The crowds that had formed in the middle of the main road to the temple had long since dispersed (much to Link's relief) as it seems the old bruiser had left, but there was still a fairly large gathering at the inn where they had stayed the previous two nights before. As the two approached, Linked spoke to the other;
"Think you can make it?"
"I'll cut them down myself to make way." Raphael said sharply. As they neared he spoke again; "Who is your source?"
Link blinked his large angled eyes confused and he almost came to a stop. "Wh, what? What do you mean my source?"
Raphael kept his gaze ahead. "I'm referring to the owl in the temple. I've heard of messenger pigeons, owls are quite new to me. Where are you getting your information? Who is your outside help?"
With his free hand Link pointed upwards. "Up there." But he did not give details feeling there was no need to.
"What did it tell you?" The man asked. Link's finger shifted from point up to pointed ahead.
"To go over there." He said plainly and then; "Actually, I've been meaning to ask you if you'd be willing to show me where this Cane of Byrna is."
Raphael bit his teeth together as if trying to bite back the throbbing pain in his body. "I've only read about it as part of my studies, but I do recall reading a later article about it's last resting place. Evidently it resides in my home land, France."
This time Link did stop and rather suddenly causing Raphael to gasp, clutching his side in agony. "Easy boy! Easy!" He scolded the elf.
"sorry about that, I didn't mean to stop like that." Link apologized. "It's just that I didn't expect it to be so easy to find it's location."
"Easy?" Raphael asked incredulously, "Who said it would be easy? France is half a continent away and I only said that I had read about it. Hey! Slow down!"
Link had continued walking forward again, but his pace had visibly quickened. Another apologetic face and they had resumed their slow walk. "Sorry, sorry. But it's the best lead I've could ever ask for, and you said it was your home land. Surely you will be able to help me locate it that much faster."
"And what makes you think I'm going to help you that easily?" Raphael returned coolly.
Link smiled, but it was somewhat determined. "Because I know you want to find the Soul Edge and destroy it like the rest of us and with out Siegfried, it could prove to be quite the task then if we had him lead us straight to it."
Raphael raised a brow at Link's sound reasoning. "Ahh, quite right, but I do believe you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. You're forgetting about the others and most importantly Siegfried himself. The journey there will be yet another detour, and who said the others are willing to accompany you? How do you even know that the item you seek is really there?"
But Link did not miss a beat as he quickly replied. "I don't know for sure, but I believe that this is my only chance at saving Siegfried. And if it works, I'll be helping everyone out. They don't have to come along; they were never obligated to me or Siegfried."
He stopped for a moment as they entered the crowds, but it was not as nearly as bad as they had been earlier that afternoon, and both made it out fine, with Raphael muttering soft curses about 'inconsiderate fools'. Link continued then,
"Now that I think about it, I don't think I want them to come." With a questioning glance from Raphael, Link explained; "They'd just get in the way, it would be faster if just you and me did this."
"I think you're a bit off there boy." Raphael interrupted. This time, it was Link's turn to throw the man an indignant look.
"Don't call me boy, and no I think I'm right in what I'm saying. If the theft of the Master Sword meant anything, then I think it would be dangerous to leave it here, but then again, it's just as risky to bring it and Siegfried along."
Raphael caught on then; "So you're willing to risk leaving both in the care of the others? What if they kill your friend?"
"It's not easy, but it's for the best.Besides I trust that the others will understand."
The French man shook his head. What Link had just said was in his opinion wrong and illogical. There would be no way that the others would agree to such terms. Things simply could not work out that way as this was not a perfect world and yet the elf seemed so sure everything would be okay, it truly boggled the mind. "You're quite idealistic aren't you?" He asked.
Though the hood partially covered Link's face, he could feel the elf smiling as he always and ever did. "I've been told that quite a few times, but who knows, maybe I'm just crazy."
"I'll say you're out of your mind, but in some aspects it's really the only way if we want to, *destroy* the Soul Edge. It's far better than splitting up and wandering around aimlessly looking for the bloody thing."
"So you're in? You'll help me find what I'm looking for?" Link asked turning his head slightly to regard the other.
"But of course, and who knows, you may be able to repay me that debt." Raphael said coolly. "So I guess this means we're partners eh?"
It took everything Link had from jumping up and down in childish exhilaration, remembering he did have a wounded man at his side. He had thought it would take a lot more persuasion to win Raphael's services, but this had proved to be quite easy. Hopefully everything else will run as smoothly as he planned it should.
All he had to do was go to this place called France, find the 'Cane of Byrna' heal Siegfried and everything would be on track. It was so simple. TOO simple. And with an ally like Raphael how could things possibly go wrong?
~*~*~*~*~*~
Raphael could almost swear that Link had come close to celebrating their newly formed partnership in a manner that he wouldn't of liked to much. But surprisingly the elf kept himself steady, though their pace had some what slightly quickened (again).
He couldn't believe how easy it was to gain the young elf's trust it should have been a sin!
"Raphael, I don't believe our efforts have been enough, and I feel that this 'Link' could jeopardize everything." Ivy's cold voice echoed as clear as day. "I want that boy cut out of the picture!"
The man had looked back to the silver haired woman dispassionately.
"What's with the vehement offense? I don't believe the boy has ever done anything despicable to my lady."
If looks could kill Raphael was sure that it would have been over kill. But the lady Valentine regained her composure. It seemed emotions never stayed long with her, and her mental agility astounded him because it was so much in his own likeness.
"That may be so, but I could of just held you responsible for misinforming me." As she said this, she gave her unsheathed sword a flick, causing metallic segments to clatter threateningly to the floor. But it was not the sword that she drew his attention to, but rather her arm. Instead of the smooth shiny black leather that was usually worn, there was a dressing of white cloth carefully wrapped.
This piqued Raphael's interest as he asked; "My god, what ever happened to your arm? Don't tell me that my crude Korean companion did that~"
"This was done," Ivy almost seethed, "When I grabbed that accursed sword. It reacted in a way that I had not anticipated, and I had to wrap the damn thing before I could even think about touching it."
At this, a small smile tugged at the corners of Raphael's lips. He really couldn't help it, it was such a novelty. So the Master Sword could really distinguish between good and evil, it wasn't just a name after all.
Ivy caught the smile. "Does something amuse you, Mister Sorel?" she asked icily.
"Well to tell you the truth, the boy did say it had been called 'The Sword with the power to *repel* evil'. I wonder if I'll be able to touch the sword?"
This seemed to irritate the woman more so and she dug a heel into the ground. "In any case, that, that _demon_ needs to go. I don't want anymore slip ups from you Mister Sorel. I want him disposed of quickly before he can do anymore to foul up our plans, or have you gotten so complacent in his company that you've forgotten?"
A dark look quickly passed over Raphael's fine features and his smile was gone to be replaced by a thin line of grim determination.
"Certainly not! I just didn't think that the boy was that much of a nuisance, he's only a boy. There's not point in letting TWO boys get the best of you. It's rather unprofessional you know." Raphael reminded her once more of the loss of the Master Sword at Yun Sung's hands. But the woman had narrowed her eyes dangerously at him warning Raphael that she did not agree with him.
"At all costs Raphael, or consider this the end of our agreement." She said. "I want that Link, gone."
Raphael couldn't believe that he had stooped to this, killing off mere children because an insane bitch felt that they MAY cause a problem. Though he had his objections to the matter, he was sure that this would be no different than when he would kill men. In fact with this recent turn of events, he figured it would be easier to deal with Link upon his own turf.
As he watched the young elf, his complex mind began to work. It was truly a brilliant move to 'save' him from that burly old timer. Link proved to be so predictable, virtuous, pure hearted and above all else, loyal. And now he was loyal to him.
Truly, killing such an innocent creature was a sin that he would be cursed for, but Raphael was one who didn't believe in such nonsense.
A/N: After a long time I've finally updated! I'm sorry for such a long wait! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my story! And for those who don't know, I believe 'Faux Amis' means 'False Friends' In French, Please correct me if I'm wrong. Sorry for the slight confusion of the chapter called 'Dark Horse'. It's actually a term describing the hidden nature of a character. Or at least that's what I think it is. Like they say 'this dark horse finally shows it's true colors'. Anyway, this chapter is another 'stepping stone' so sorry for the lack of action! Please tell me how I did though; I hope I'm not boring any of you.
The owl must have sensed this, but of course, it was only for a moment that Link felt this way.
And then it was gone, to be replaced by a strength that flashed in his blue eyes. He didn't know what to say at that moment, as it seemed so natural to help Siegfried despite his past sins and darker deeds, but the words came then, came from his mouth, from his thoughts;
"Yes, it is painful," Link agreed, and he agreed whole-heartedly. "But this is what I do. It's what I WANT to do, save another life. If it's in my power to do so then I will do it.
*But you cannot save him.*
Link interrupted the owl. "Yes I can, and I will. With or with out the help of the gods, I will find a way. The gods brought me here to help the warriors of this world, I include Siegfried as part of my charge, equally as important as the purest warrior because he is like the rest of us, he is prepared to make the sacrifice and he understands what it means."
This seemed to amuse the owl, and he waited till Link was finished with his resolve.
*Tell me, young warrior of Hyrule, what is it that you have seen inside that Mortal? Truly just believing in one such as him would not be enough to fuel that fire that burns in your soul? What is it that you have SEEN?*
"His power." Link replied simply.
*His power?*
Link nodded curtly with an air of confidence before continuing "It is a power rarely beheld, and I am most fortunate to see it in his eyes. That is why I continue to follow him, because he knows he's got the strength to continue on despite all odds, and he wields that power for all the right purposes and all the right reasons."
This is truly how Link felt; it was rather simple and terse but could not describe it any other way. When the owl did not speak up, Link thought that there was something that was left unsaid and that the owl was waiting for him to say it.
Pain is still there, and so was the fear of losing so much.
"It doesn't matter how much the pain hurts, I choose to stand by my comrade." Link said firmly, and he elaborated; "I believe in the strength that has caused him to resist the evil blade and turn away. It is in this strength that I have seen such hope from and why I stand by him. I don't know what answer you have been looking for, but this is all I can tell you. I just believe in him and I owe it to myself to stand by it. Even if no one else thinks I'm right."
The owl was silent for a moment, a moment too long for Link when it finally said; *Link of Hyrule, though you honestly speak with your heart what words cannot express, I'm afraid that the gods simply won't allow it. The crimes against your comrade are just too great to be ignored. And ultimately in the end, helping this man is helping the demonic entity*
But before the defeat could settled it, the owl added; *Though I am sure the gods disapprove of your views and dismiss you as simple and inexperienced, I have come to understand that you really do believe in people and in yourself, you are most idealistic. And though belief is a very mysterious thing, I admire that in those that I serve. So I will offer you my help.*
Link couldn't believe what he was hearing and his heart skipped a beat in pure excitement. He didn't even bother to try to hide his elation as it spread across his face.
The grand bird spread its wings majestically as it pushed off from Link's arm with quite a bit of strength leaving a small molt of feathers in its wake.
*There is a sacred relic to the west known as the 'Cane of Byrna', seek it out for it holds great properties that will aid your friend.*
Link stared after it, shielding his eyes from the noon sun trying to watch the bird's figure as it began to ascend. "The, the Cane of Byrna?" Link asked
*He should be so fortunate, for the power of the staff in your hands will truly be a sight to behold if your fidelity is as I believe it to be.*
And with that, the bird was gone. Leaving Link to think things through once again.
"The Cane of Byrna lies to the west? But that can be anywhere." Link deliberated out loud.
"Actually it lies in France." Raphael interrupted nonchalantly. Startled, Link turned quickly finding the taller man leaning against the entrance doorway nonchalantly arms crossed. There was a smug look upon his face.
Had he heard? How long had he been standing there?
Link was dying to ask, but that would make everything even more suspicious, and he had to bite down hard on his tongue to keep from asking. Instead he came back with;
"So you've heard of this Cane of Byrna? You have to tell me where it is." Link demanded.
"I just told you, weren't you listening?" The man pushed himself off the wall and when he did so, his right arm immediately went to his left side, but if it had hurt, Raphael did not show it. As he walked forward to meet Link, it was clearly visible that there was a limp to his strides. No doubt caused from the fight earlier.
"Raphael are you hurt?" Link asked concerned, and he quickly stride over to meet him quickly forgetting about the earlier topic. It was a good thing too for after a few steps, the pain really hit the French man hard and he could not help but grimace a slight hiss escaping his lips. He almost crumpled to his knees had not Link been there to hold him up.
"Don't bother, I shall be fine. I was simply careless as I didn't expect that old timer to have such strength." Raphael tried to wave Link off, but the elf would not leave him. As he moved to Raphael's side (the one not injured), Link could see red marks around Raphael's neck and a few grazes around his face probably caused by some close calls with an iron first.
"You're crazy," The youth shook his head dismayed as he maneuvered Raphael's arm around his neck. "You gotta take it easy you know, you're not as young as you used to be in case you haven't noticed."
Those icy blue eyes regarded Link rather darkly, and the elf couldn't help but laugh.
"God you're green." Raphael growled dangerously, but there was a slight smile upon his lips as well. "At least I'm not some light weight. From what that old man showed me, you wouldn't have lasted so much of a minuet against him."
"I know," Link replied. "Thank you for saving me back there, I guess that means I owe you my life huh?"
Raphael did not reply right away as it seemed he was thinking, and then Link felt the man's body give a slight tremble as his legs threatened to give way. The elf shifted the man's weight on to him quickly.
"Are you hurt bad? We'd better get you back to the temple and have one of the others look at it."
"It's just a slight bruising, nothing I can't handle." The sandy blond insisted, but the pained expression upon his face seemed to suggest other wise. So Link stayed by his side reluctant to leave and began to lead Raphael out of the temple. As he did so, it became more apparent that the old man had more than one lucky hit to the side, as Raphael's limp worsened.
"Geez, that old guy messed you up bad, you're almost as bad as Siegfried." Link said a little offhandedly. At this, Raphael actually chuckled a bit, but that seemed to pain him as well.
"This isn't anything compared to what I did to him." He said a little cruelly. "I gave him a scar to match his other one."
The crowds that had formed in the middle of the main road to the temple had long since dispersed (much to Link's relief) as it seems the old bruiser had left, but there was still a fairly large gathering at the inn where they had stayed the previous two nights before. As the two approached, Linked spoke to the other;
"Think you can make it?"
"I'll cut them down myself to make way." Raphael said sharply. As they neared he spoke again; "Who is your source?"
Link blinked his large angled eyes confused and he almost came to a stop. "Wh, what? What do you mean my source?"
Raphael kept his gaze ahead. "I'm referring to the owl in the temple. I've heard of messenger pigeons, owls are quite new to me. Where are you getting your information? Who is your outside help?"
With his free hand Link pointed upwards. "Up there." But he did not give details feeling there was no need to.
"What did it tell you?" The man asked. Link's finger shifted from point up to pointed ahead.
"To go over there." He said plainly and then; "Actually, I've been meaning to ask you if you'd be willing to show me where this Cane of Byrna is."
Raphael bit his teeth together as if trying to bite back the throbbing pain in his body. "I've only read about it as part of my studies, but I do recall reading a later article about it's last resting place. Evidently it resides in my home land, France."
This time Link did stop and rather suddenly causing Raphael to gasp, clutching his side in agony. "Easy boy! Easy!" He scolded the elf.
"sorry about that, I didn't mean to stop like that." Link apologized. "It's just that I didn't expect it to be so easy to find it's location."
"Easy?" Raphael asked incredulously, "Who said it would be easy? France is half a continent away and I only said that I had read about it. Hey! Slow down!"
Link had continued walking forward again, but his pace had visibly quickened. Another apologetic face and they had resumed their slow walk. "Sorry, sorry. But it's the best lead I've could ever ask for, and you said it was your home land. Surely you will be able to help me locate it that much faster."
"And what makes you think I'm going to help you that easily?" Raphael returned coolly.
Link smiled, but it was somewhat determined. "Because I know you want to find the Soul Edge and destroy it like the rest of us and with out Siegfried, it could prove to be quite the task then if we had him lead us straight to it."
Raphael raised a brow at Link's sound reasoning. "Ahh, quite right, but I do believe you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. You're forgetting about the others and most importantly Siegfried himself. The journey there will be yet another detour, and who said the others are willing to accompany you? How do you even know that the item you seek is really there?"
But Link did not miss a beat as he quickly replied. "I don't know for sure, but I believe that this is my only chance at saving Siegfried. And if it works, I'll be helping everyone out. They don't have to come along; they were never obligated to me or Siegfried."
He stopped for a moment as they entered the crowds, but it was not as nearly as bad as they had been earlier that afternoon, and both made it out fine, with Raphael muttering soft curses about 'inconsiderate fools'. Link continued then,
"Now that I think about it, I don't think I want them to come." With a questioning glance from Raphael, Link explained; "They'd just get in the way, it would be faster if just you and me did this."
"I think you're a bit off there boy." Raphael interrupted. This time, it was Link's turn to throw the man an indignant look.
"Don't call me boy, and no I think I'm right in what I'm saying. If the theft of the Master Sword meant anything, then I think it would be dangerous to leave it here, but then again, it's just as risky to bring it and Siegfried along."
Raphael caught on then; "So you're willing to risk leaving both in the care of the others? What if they kill your friend?"
"It's not easy, but it's for the best.Besides I trust that the others will understand."
The French man shook his head. What Link had just said was in his opinion wrong and illogical. There would be no way that the others would agree to such terms. Things simply could not work out that way as this was not a perfect world and yet the elf seemed so sure everything would be okay, it truly boggled the mind. "You're quite idealistic aren't you?" He asked.
Though the hood partially covered Link's face, he could feel the elf smiling as he always and ever did. "I've been told that quite a few times, but who knows, maybe I'm just crazy."
"I'll say you're out of your mind, but in some aspects it's really the only way if we want to, *destroy* the Soul Edge. It's far better than splitting up and wandering around aimlessly looking for the bloody thing."
"So you're in? You'll help me find what I'm looking for?" Link asked turning his head slightly to regard the other.
"But of course, and who knows, you may be able to repay me that debt." Raphael said coolly. "So I guess this means we're partners eh?"
It took everything Link had from jumping up and down in childish exhilaration, remembering he did have a wounded man at his side. He had thought it would take a lot more persuasion to win Raphael's services, but this had proved to be quite easy. Hopefully everything else will run as smoothly as he planned it should.
All he had to do was go to this place called France, find the 'Cane of Byrna' heal Siegfried and everything would be on track. It was so simple. TOO simple. And with an ally like Raphael how could things possibly go wrong?
~*~*~*~*~*~
Raphael could almost swear that Link had come close to celebrating their newly formed partnership in a manner that he wouldn't of liked to much. But surprisingly the elf kept himself steady, though their pace had some what slightly quickened (again).
He couldn't believe how easy it was to gain the young elf's trust it should have been a sin!
"Raphael, I don't believe our efforts have been enough, and I feel that this 'Link' could jeopardize everything." Ivy's cold voice echoed as clear as day. "I want that boy cut out of the picture!"
The man had looked back to the silver haired woman dispassionately.
"What's with the vehement offense? I don't believe the boy has ever done anything despicable to my lady."
If looks could kill Raphael was sure that it would have been over kill. But the lady Valentine regained her composure. It seemed emotions never stayed long with her, and her mental agility astounded him because it was so much in his own likeness.
"That may be so, but I could of just held you responsible for misinforming me." As she said this, she gave her unsheathed sword a flick, causing metallic segments to clatter threateningly to the floor. But it was not the sword that she drew his attention to, but rather her arm. Instead of the smooth shiny black leather that was usually worn, there was a dressing of white cloth carefully wrapped.
This piqued Raphael's interest as he asked; "My god, what ever happened to your arm? Don't tell me that my crude Korean companion did that~"
"This was done," Ivy almost seethed, "When I grabbed that accursed sword. It reacted in a way that I had not anticipated, and I had to wrap the damn thing before I could even think about touching it."
At this, a small smile tugged at the corners of Raphael's lips. He really couldn't help it, it was such a novelty. So the Master Sword could really distinguish between good and evil, it wasn't just a name after all.
Ivy caught the smile. "Does something amuse you, Mister Sorel?" she asked icily.
"Well to tell you the truth, the boy did say it had been called 'The Sword with the power to *repel* evil'. I wonder if I'll be able to touch the sword?"
This seemed to irritate the woman more so and she dug a heel into the ground. "In any case, that, that _demon_ needs to go. I don't want anymore slip ups from you Mister Sorel. I want him disposed of quickly before he can do anymore to foul up our plans, or have you gotten so complacent in his company that you've forgotten?"
A dark look quickly passed over Raphael's fine features and his smile was gone to be replaced by a thin line of grim determination.
"Certainly not! I just didn't think that the boy was that much of a nuisance, he's only a boy. There's not point in letting TWO boys get the best of you. It's rather unprofessional you know." Raphael reminded her once more of the loss of the Master Sword at Yun Sung's hands. But the woman had narrowed her eyes dangerously at him warning Raphael that she did not agree with him.
"At all costs Raphael, or consider this the end of our agreement." She said. "I want that Link, gone."
Raphael couldn't believe that he had stooped to this, killing off mere children because an insane bitch felt that they MAY cause a problem. Though he had his objections to the matter, he was sure that this would be no different than when he would kill men. In fact with this recent turn of events, he figured it would be easier to deal with Link upon his own turf.
As he watched the young elf, his complex mind began to work. It was truly a brilliant move to 'save' him from that burly old timer. Link proved to be so predictable, virtuous, pure hearted and above all else, loyal. And now he was loyal to him.
Truly, killing such an innocent creature was a sin that he would be cursed for, but Raphael was one who didn't believe in such nonsense.
A/N: After a long time I've finally updated! I'm sorry for such a long wait! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my story! And for those who don't know, I believe 'Faux Amis' means 'False Friends' In French, Please correct me if I'm wrong. Sorry for the slight confusion of the chapter called 'Dark Horse'. It's actually a term describing the hidden nature of a character. Or at least that's what I think it is. Like they say 'this dark horse finally shows it's true colors'. Anyway, this chapter is another 'stepping stone' so sorry for the lack of action! Please tell me how I did though; I hope I'm not boring any of you.