Chapter 6: Setting up the Stage, Part I

Zelious looked up from the book he had been reading when he heard Schala announce her return. "So," he spoke as he closed the book and set it aside, "learn anything interesting?"

"Well, the kid seems to know some magic abilities. He killed Kent and two of his henchmen with little effort." She flew over to Zelious and landed on his left shoulder. "So, is this how you wanted things to go? Kind of cowardly, sending a kid to do a task that you could easily do yourself."

Zelious merely chuckled. "Did you not since the power radiating off of the boy when he was over here?" Schala shook her head. "I sensed the same type of power when I first met Princess Zelda of the Hyrule kingdom two years ago."

"Speaking of which, you never told me why you had gone there."

"Oh, it was a simple errand. Their king needed some sort of fancy artifact appraised. Now, back to the subject at hand. While I do not know how or why, there is definitely a great power resting within those children. Power that could prove useful to me..." His voice darkened as he thought of a certain enemy his. "...Or to that secretive psychopath, Izlude."

Schala knew well of the personal vendetta Zelious had against Prince Izlude. "What of the other two princes?"

"Those two couldn't recognize a truly gifted individual if they were standing right next to one. Izlude, on the other hand, is a very adept magician. He could easily sense the great power radiating off of those two." Zelious then stood up and walked over to a small oaken table. He took out a small roll of parchment and began writing furiously and quickly on it. "Remember yesterday when I stated that civil war was pretty much inevitable?" Schala nodded. "Well, this very morning I received a letter that had been personally written by Prince Marcus.

"In the letter he addressed that he had asked for Hyrule's support should civil war erupt. In three weeks' time, the king of Hyrule will arrive at the capital city by way of boat, accompanied by his daughter as well as a group of elite soldiers." He finished writing whatever it was on the parchment, rolled it up, and handed it to Schala. Being as small as she was, she had to struggle to hold the paper.

"I have a little task for you, dear Schala. First, you are to give that letter to our good friend Link. You will then guide him to Elderidge, where Prince Izlude resides."

Schala was shocked by this request, her dislike for Link evident in her facial expression. "So, why can't you do it yourself, old man!?" Schala instantly regretted speaking to her master in such a way, fearing a punishment.

Zelious, however, didn't seem to be angry at her sudden outburst. "Because," he stated calmly, "Prince Marcus also requested that I be there as well. Seems the young prince still has deep respect for his old tutor," he said with a small smile.

"So, why take Link to Izlude?"

"Simple. So when they finally meet and Link sees Izlude for the insane monster that he is, he will kill him. Perhaps Link will be the person to finally bring about Izlude's long delayed execution," he mused. "Goddesses know the kingdom would be better off without him."

Schala watched as Zelious began packing supplies for his journey to the capital city. "You still haven't told me why you want Link to kill those pirates."

"Oh, that?" He said it as if the subject was completely devoid of importance. "Just a simple test to see how well Link performs in combat. That, and the simple fact that this town really needs to be free of their ruthless oppression." He glanced out the window and judging from the sun's position, assumed that it was around one o'clock. "Well, I must be off. The boat going to the capital city will leave pretty soon." He began walking towards the door, and stopped as he reached it. "Take care of yourself...and Link." With that said, he walked through the door and disappeared into the crowded streets.

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Author Note: Okay, so I had originally planned on making this chapter much longer and with a lot more included in it. However, I decided that that would make the single chapter waaay too long, which some people find to be a pain to read. So, I instead chose to divide the single chapter up into three different parts so it would be easier to read. The next chapter may come tomarrow. Please read and review. They help motivate me.