Author's note – My God! I'm so sorry this has taken so long! I have other chapters written up. I just need to type them up --' But I haven't forgotten about this story! Thanks for bearing with me everyone
Okay, this is chapter two of my story, I'm…not quite sure how long this will last, but I hope you enjoy it none the less!
The Raven's Feather Chapter two – 'The Marionette Maker'
'I followed the path of suspicion,
To find puppets made of wood,
Were they made by commission?
Because I don't think they should,
Represent such familiar faces,
Just what are these?'
An hour had passed, it seemed like an eternity. Link sat upon the roof of one of the houses in Kakariko. His face reflected both suspicion, and irritation, this was blatantly obvious. At a glance, you would think he was just being sore-headed about Egor's 'welcoming' and getting scolded by Princess Zelda.
Unfortunately, this was not to be…
Link forced himself to his feet, looking over his should to see Malon conversing with Zelda; after hearing his name mentioned, Link stepped to the side, hiding behind a set of boxes placed at the side of the Bazaar, so the two girls would not notice him. ''Okay…'' Link pondered, ''so I don't usually do this, but since my name was mentioned. I have an excuse!'' he smiled, ''besides…it may shed light on a few 'stupid Grave Keeper' questions I have…''
''Do you think he's jealous or something?'' Malon asked Zelda. The Princess seemed confused, tilting her head to the side, ''Of…Egor?'' she blinked, ''of course not! At least I don't think he is…'' Link scoffed, standing up and began to walk away, ''Humph…yeah right'' he thought again, ''why would I be jealous of some hunchback who looks and smells like he hasn't bathed in months…?''
''Um…Malon…is something wrong?'' asked Zelda innocently, ''your shoulder joints keep…twitching?'' Link stopped, turning back, staring at Malon, her shoulder joints looked as if they were sticking out more than usual. The farm girl jumped slightly, ''Not at all Princess. I just…haven't been eating much lately…'' Malon replied with a hint of embarrassment, ''it's kinda painful…'' Link rolled his eyes, taking off down the stairs, soon reaching the main part of Kakariko, his boots softly treading across the plush green grass. People were all quite busy: a small woman was running around the village, presumably delivering milk to the villagers on Lon Lon Ranches' behalf, other people were conversing with one another; underneath the watchful eye of the afternoon sun. Link ran up a small flight of stairs, past the well and up to one of Kakariko's watchmen that stood by the fence bear 'Granny's Potion Shop', he bowed to Link as he approached.
''Good afternoon Hero! Are you well?'' beamed the watchman, bearing the Royal Crest upon his armour. Link smiled and nodded, ''Yes, thank you. I hope you are as well…may I ask a question?'' the sentinel grinned,
''Of course you may; Young Master…if it is one you believe I can assist you with" he chuckled.
"Well…" Link began, "I was kinda wondering if you knew when Impa would be back…me and Zelda are supposed to be waiting for her…" The guard blushed slightly, "I am most sorry Master, but I was only informed that Lady Impa would be 'back shortly'" replied the sentry shamefully. Link sighed, stepping back, "Ah…never mind then, thanks anyway!" said Link as he paced away. He stopped by the stairs leading up to the Windmill, looking around him,
"Nobody seems to be around…" Link whispered to himself, then instantly took off for the Graveyard. The clouds always seemed to tint grey in this area, but the looked darker than usual…
Link scoped the area for several minutes, seeing no sight of Egor, he walked over to the small hut and tapped on the door…"No answer…" Link thought as he looked around the Graveyard, "didn't Egor say he was going to tend the graves before…? Well the place looks a mess…he hasn't done a THING around here…" The Hero grew ever more suspicious, standing back from the hut. He began to search the fairly muddy area, after a while Link let out a sigh; finding absolutely nothing, "…Maybe I was wrong to suspect him…" spoke the disappointed Hero.
However…strangely enough the hut door clicked open, Link blinking in surprise, returning to the door and pushing it open, causing it to creak eerily, "Hello? Anyone home?" called Link. The only thing to answer was the ever-so faint echo of Link's voice. Overly tempted Link stepped further into the small hut, "I wonder where he could be…?" said Link, thinking aloud. He stopped and stared, a newly-put bear rug was staring at him, it's deep brown eyes seemed full of life, yet the poor creature had been killed for its fur, Link frowned as he nudged it to the side with his foot, which revealed a hidden door. Shocked, Link threw it open and jumped down the hole, "This wasn't here before…neither was that 'conveniently placed' trap door…" Link mumbled as he followed the poorly lit tunnel towards another door. Link put his gloved hand on the handle of the door, hesitated, then pushed it open…
"This is…inside one of the graves!" exclaimed Link, "why would Egor…" Link stopped, looking around he saw many shelves made if wood from Kokiri Forest. Upon these shelves rested puppets; Link stepped towards them, staring at them closely, "These are…monsters I have fought…!" gasped Link, "there are Stalfos, Skull Kids, Poes, Redeads…I recognise them all…but why are they…--"
"WHO GOES THERE!" yelled a rather croaky voice, Link spun around to see Egor; his beady Red eye stalking him, the other, was concealed by his hair. He had come from another room covered by a veil, "Well, what do you want boy!" he demanded, Link stuttered, not being able to get his words out properly, "I-I'm sorry Egor, I just…just wondered where you were and I found this place…" was all he managed to say. Egor narrowed his eyes, looking away from Link, his eye scanning the surrounding area, "I see…well this is my crafting space. I made all the marionettes you see before you…" Link turned to look at the rather disturbing puppets; they seemed to have a strange feeling about them. Then he turned back to Egor, "So you made them, huh? So…where did the passageway leading here come from?" he paused as Egor's eye widened slightly, "and…what's in there?" Link pointed to where Egor had emerged. The hunched man smirked,
"I requested this tunnel to be dug out by the carpenter's: Ichiro, Jiro, Sabooro, and Shiro. Before I arrived here…" explained Egor, "Mr Mutoh… allowed it…heh" Link's eyes widened momentarily,
"Hold on…" Link pondered, "I thought the Carpenters have had a busy schedule lately…and those four get scared WAY too easily – There's no way they would dig into a grave…"
Egor glared at Link, "As for that room…" he mumbled, tilting his head towards the veil, "that room is my personal work area…you are NOT permitted to go in there – nobody is! Do you understand?" he snapped, "now I suggest you make yourself scarce…go now and I will not report your prowling session to the Princess…" he pointed to the door, "…go…" Link narrowed his eyes as he saw himself off. Egor laughed, "Put your hand in a Hornet's Nest…and you're bound to be stung…remember that, Hero…" he chuckled, "I will have to keep my eye on that one…now…back to work…" mumbled the Grave Keeper as he disappeared into the shadows.
Link ran out of the Graveyard, sitting himself down on a box. He tilted his head back to the heavens, "Oh Goddesses…I sure could do with some Lon Lon Milk right about now…" Link sighed.
"M-Master Link!" exclaimed a desperate sounding Guard, dropping to his knees before Link, "we…we have a…a crisis! The Castle Town…Lady Impa…the Princess Zelda…!" Link's eyes widened, stopping the panicking Guard,
"What! What happened! Is Zelda okay!" asked Link, with worry in his tone.
"Quickly…we must…we must go to the Castle Town…please…!" begged the Soldier. Link immediately got to his feet. Running out of the village,
"I hope nothing bad has happened…to Zelda, Impa or anyone else in the Market…!" Link thought to himself, "something is definitely wrong, and I'll get to the bottom of it, or I'm not the Hero of Time!"
Just what was Egor hiding? What has befallen Hyrule Castle Town Market? Chapter Three, 'The Bloody Blade' may shed further light on the situation…