Chapter 2
For the first time in months the area surrounding the cabin was silent. Calvin had to make a run to the nearby village to trade some of the crops they grew for some tools and other items. Feeling generous he let Sevr and Link have the day off from training. For probably the fourth time in his life Sevr was sleeping in late instead of drilling himself outside.
Ironically enough, Link had chosen this day to wake up early instead of staying in bed as usual. The young boy had dressed himself in his green tunic and shorts, donned his green cap, and pulled on his brown soft leather boots before he walked over to his collection of maps. He took a moment to look through them before he grabbed the ones to a dungeon that was rumored to be inside the Kokiri Forest nearby and stuffed them into a leather pouch. After securing the pouch to his belt Link looked over at his sleeping brother. For a few moments Link entertained the thought of waking him up and bringing him along, but he quickly banished the idea.
He'd be no fun at all out there. Link decided as he carefully crept out the door. Once outside the house Link took a moment to appreciate the cool morning air and the rising sun, painting the sky a beautiful myriad of color. Link started to understand why Sevr was always up so early. Link always figured it was because he trying to kiss up to Calvin, but now he was beginning to believe his brother just enjoyed watching the morning sunrise.
After watching the sun fully rise into the sky, Link quickly went to the shed and grabbed his training sword and shield. Once he had his stuff in hand he paused once more to consider bringing Sevr once more. After all now that he thought about it, Sevr often did talk about going out into the Kokiri Forest to test his survival training and to test his combat skills against the monsters rumored to live in the forest. But once again Link decided against it, this time though it wasn't because he thought Sevr would spoil his fun. Sevr worked hard, much harder than Link and these days when Calvin was away are the only time Sevr takes to relax and think about something other than training. And Link didn't want to take away Sevr's only vacation day in months.
His mind firmly made up, Link hoisted his shield and sword and entered the Kokiri Forest, unaware of the eyes watching him.
Zelda fidgeted impatiently in her chair as Braig rambled on and on about foreign diplomatic crap to her father, King Tobias and mother, Queen Eleanor. She had stopped listening to the High General's report about two minutes in. She tried to cast a casual glance towards Impa, who was hovering to her left as usual. The young Sheikah was perfectly composed as her scarlet eyes darted from one section of the throne room to another, searching for any sign of danger.
Zelda almost wished that an assassin or something would break in and attack, if for no other reason than to end Braig's long winded, boring speech. Ugh, this is such a waste of time. Why do I have to be here? Nayru I hate this. I'd rather be stuck with my tutors.
"Would that be satisfactory Princess Zelda?" The King's voice intruded her thoughts, snapping her attention back to reality. Zelda looked to her father, who was staring at her with a curious glance.
Zelda blinked once or twice, trying to regain her composure, "I'm sorry Father, my mind was else where."
Tobias smiled at his princess, "That's quite alright my dear, Braig was just suggesting that we hold an open tournament and that the winner earns the honor of spending a day with the Royal Family."
Zelda faked a smile, "That sounds like a wonderful idea General." At least that's what she told everyone present. Now I'm going to be forced to spend the day with a peasant.
"Wonderful, we could send invitations to Termina and Ikana as well." The King stated jovially.
"We must not forget the Gerudo's my dear." The Queen added, with her soft, gentle voice.
"Your majesty, may I have a word with you in private?" Braig asked, gesturing to Zelda and Impa.
The King glanced at Zelda and her care taker before nodding, "Zelda, return to your studies."
"Yes Father." Zelda replied obediently, before she gracefully rose from her seat and made her exit, Impa exactly three steps behind her. As she left the throne room Zelda caught a glance at Braig and was slightly amused at his expression. The High General was clearly annoyed with the parent's decision to invite other kingdoms to the tournament. Even so her slight amusement was vastly over shadowed by her annoyance. Yet she maintained her composure all the way to her room, where upon entering she let out a frustrated yell. "I can't believe it! I can't believe I'm gonna be forced to spend a day with a filthy peasant!"
"Then why didn't you tell your father that you didn't like the idea?" Impa asked, praising the goddess' that the walls were thick.
Zelda shot Impa a curious glance, "I never realized you were that stupid Impa. I have to agree with anything that General Braig comes up, otherwise my parents just think I'm being difficult and do it anyway. Especially if it involves spending time with common folk."
"Forgive me princess." Impa apologized with a bow. "But let's be realistic, the odds of a peasant beating one of the knights are very low. Plus there's whoever decides to come from Termina, Ikana, and Gerudo Valley."
"Ugh, I think I'd rather spend the day with a peasant than one of the knights or a foreign warrior." Zelda groaned, causing Impa to grow slightly annoyed with the Princess' whining. "The knight's are only going to be kissing up so Daddy will like them better. And any foreign guy is just going to be there for political crap. At least peasants are supposed to behave like idiots around us. No matter what happens I lose… unless."
"Unless what?" Impa asked, not liking the mischievous look in her eyes.
"Unless you enter the tournament and win." Zelda answered, casually taking a seat.
"Now Braig, what did you wish to speak with me about?" the King asked as soon as Zelda had left the room. The High General glanced uncomfortably at the Queen, a gesture that was not lost on her.
"I was hoping to speak with you alone sir." Braig requested.
"Braig, whatever you have to say to my husband can be said in front of me." Queen Eleanor said, her casual soft voice replaced by that of a stern ruler. "Now speak freely."
Braig sighed, "I'm uncomfortable with inviting other kingdoms to this tournament. Especially the Gerudos."
"Why do you feel this way Braig?" the King asked, "We've had great relations with both Termina and Ikana for years and we've been rebuilding our relations with the Gerudo since the last war."
"Nations change your majesty, peace doesn't last forever." Braig argued, "Kingdoms get new ambitions. And I'm afraid that someone my use this opportunity to bring their best warriors here to strike at the heart of our kingdom."
"I doubt any one would be foolish enough to attempt an attack when they're surrounded by the best fighters in Hyrule."
"But what if a Terminian, Ikanian, or Gerudo win the tournament? They'll have the easiest shot at you of their lives."
"That's why you'll be there to protect us Braig." The Queen responded. "After all, your loyalty is unquestionable and no one has ever been able to get past you."
"And in the unlikely event that a threat is lucky enough to get past you we still have our Sheikah guards." Tobias stated, snapping his fingers. Braig glanced around as several lithe figured men and women emerged from the shadows, hands wrapped around the hilts of their wakizashi, ready to be used at a moment notice. "So you see Braig, there's really no need to worry." Believing his point to be made, King Tobias waved his hand and the Sheikah melted back into the shadows. "Have I put your discomfort to rest?"
Braig was still skeptical. The King and Queen had never been in a real battle, so they had no idea how just a single well-trained man or woman could sometimes slaughter dozens of enemies just to reach one target. The high general knew better than to try arguing with Tobias and Eleanor, once the King and Queen got their heads wrapped in an idea there was no talking them out of it. He would have to find a way to ensure that the Royal Family wouldn't be endangered. "Yes your majesty." Braig lied with a bow. "They've been put to rest."
The sounds of the forest swept over Link as the young boy wandered through the woods. The sunshine gently penetrated the canopy of the forest, giving just enough light for Link to see. As the young boy took careful steps through the tall grass, a faint rustling sound reached Link's ears. Link's hand tightened around the soft leather hilt of his training sword and he positioned his wooden shield in front of him.
Cautiously the boy looked around him for the source of the sound. A shivering shrub caught his eye. Slowly Link approached the shrub, his heart racing, palms growing sweaty, and breath becoming shallow as he pulled his training sword back, ready to attack whatever came from the shrub. When the shrub ceased shivering, Link panicked, thinking that whatever was inside just poised it self to attack, and swung as hard as he could at the bush.
The wooden blade smashed through the bush and disturbed a nest of birds. Link smirked as the birds flew deeper into the forest. "This place is making me too jumpy." Link teased himself, "Just gotta relax. Nothing's gonna happen."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Link was tackled to the ground. Link's shield and sword fell from his hands as he and his attacker rolled on the ground. Finally the two ceased rolling on the ground with the assailant on top. Link cried out as the creature dug its claws into his shoulders. Link felt the creatures hot breath on his face as it pulled back to clamp its jaws around his throat. Link took this opportunity to plant his feet on the creature's underbelly and kicked up as hard as he could. Whatever was on top of him was flung off, giving Link time to retrieve his equipment. Sword and shield in hand Link turned to face his enemy, a wolfos.
The beast slowly circled Link, never taking its glowing, pale, yellow eyes off of him. The beast's shaggy gray fur rustled in the wind as the wolf like creature rushed towards Link swinging its claws wildly. Link stepped back to avoid being scratched and quickly countered with one of the combos his grandfather taught him. The combo ended with a forward thrust to the wolfos' chest, forcing the beast to make a retreat before it circled around Link again. The wolfos dropped to all fours, muscles tensing, before it leapt at Link, growling viciously. Link spun to the side, allowing the beast to soar safely past while he held his sword out, and caught the wolfos on its spine with a powerful spinning back handed slash.
The beast howled with pain before it landed in a heap. Link breathed heavily as he cautiously approached the downed creature.
The beast remained motionless, even as Link gently poked at it with the tip of his wooden sword. With a sigh of relief Link turned to continue deeper into the forest, and found himself surrounded by a whole pack of wolfos. Link raised his shield and sword as the pack slowly closed in on Link. A large brown furred wolfos broke off from the rest of the pack leapt at Link, howling loudly in an attempt to paralyze Link to the spot.
The Wolfos' howl turned into a shriek of pain as an arrow appeared seemingly out of nowhere and embedded itself into the base beasts' skull. Link and the other wolfos stared confused at the fallen creature before the boy realized this was his chance. Link spun around and started sprinting towards the forest's edge, the wolfos giving pursuit not far behind him. Fortunately Link seemed to have a guardian angel because whenever one of the wolfos closed in on him another arrow would fly in from the trees and bury itself into the beast. By the time Link reached the edge of the forest only four wolfos remained. Free from the overhanging trees the beasts were safe from the mysterious archers that had essentially destroyed the rest of the pack. The wolfos over took Link and surrounded him once again.
Link swallowed hard as the wolfos closed in, drool dribbling from their snarling maws. Gripping his sword and shield tightly, Link readied himself for the first wolfos to attack.
"Close your eyes Link!" Out of the corner of his eye Link saw a deku nut and immediately clamped his eyes shut as the nut landed on the ground and exploded in a flash. When Link opened his eyes the four wolfos were stunned by flash and Sevr was standing next to him, his own sword and shield in hand. "Having fun brother?"
"Until you showed up." Link responded, "So how was your sleep?"
"Fine. That is until you and your new pets woke me up." Sevr glanced at the three wolfos who were beginning to recover and whistled, "So you take two and I take the other two?"
"Sounds like a plan." Link and Sevr smiled as they rushed forward.