Chapter 1:
Link and his opponent circled each other, blades drawn. Each waited for the other to begin his attack or present an opening. Neither showed any signs of relenting. The posturing continued until Link raised his blade and entered an immobile fighting stance. His opponent grinned and ran in to begin the dance. Their blades crossed and clashed while the bright afternoon sun glinted off their helms and obscured the vision of the bystanders who surrounded them. Link thrust his sword, spun, parried, and swung with all his might, but his opponent deftly blocked the blow and followed suit. Their dance continued for minutes before his opponent began to lose his wind and became sloppy. Link started landing blows in quick succession and finally knocked the soldier down to the ground.
The soldier dropped his weapon and yielded. Link extended a hand and yanked the man to his feet while the crowd around them cheered for the young recruit.
"Don't take it harshly, lad," yelled one fellow soldier.
"Aye," called another. "Tis very few recruits who are able to land a blow on our Lord Commander. Though I admit, I like your form."
"Agreed," said Link as he removed his helm and studied the young soldier. "You're quick and agile, and you possess great skill for one so young. With the right training, I think you'll make an excellent addition to the Hylian Guard."
"Thank you, my lord," said the recruit as he grabbed his practice sword and left the training ground. The crowd in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle began to disperse and break into their own small training groups, each led by a Hylian Knight.
"My lord, can you show me that parry you did when he swung in low from the right?" asked one soldier.
"Of course, Lauro," responded Link. "Come with me."
As Link instructed the soldier, one of the more experienced knights said gruffly under his breath, "He speaks down to the boy as if he's a grown man himself. 'Great skill for one so young?' Where does he get off? He's naught more than a boy himself!"
"Perhaps," piped in another. "But if the tales are to be believed, he has done things no man here could dream of. He's a hero of the greatest sort. He saved us from the Twili, after all."
"And his incredible swordsmanship cannot be denied," offered another.
"It's said that he's blessed with the power of the Goddesses. If that's true, then it's no wonder he was honored as Lord Commander at such a young age," said another. "And the monsters they say he's fought…"
"Is it true that he slew a dragon?" asked one recruit.
"And that he sumo-wrestled a Goron?" asked another. That made some of the listeners laugh.
"Campfire tales," said the original gruff knight. "I care not what legendary deeds he has claimed to perform. He is too young to lead an army. Methinks the princess knows not what she is doing."
"Her Grace is wise, and must have had good reason for the appointment," reasoned one of the soldiers. "It is not our place to question the decisions of the royal court. Ours is to defend our people and our homeland, nothing more," he finished. The gruff knight harrumphed in reply.
Link was wrapping up his instruction with the soldier, and began to glance around to see if anyone else required his attention. He had overheard some bits of the gruff knight's words, but he wasn't stirred by them. It was natural for some of the older, more seasoned knights to be angry about his appointment of Lord Commander. But he knew that for every man in the royal army who despised him for his status, there were five who loved him for it. The tales of his heroism and rescue of Hyrule had spread far and wide, and most were honored to style him Lord Commander and follow him into battle.
He continued with his rounds until a messenger jogged up to him. "My lord, Her Grace requires your presence in the audience chamber," he said to Link.
"Understood," Link responded. The messenger saluted him as he turned and began the ascent up the dirt path towards the castle. The day was airy and bright, with a cool breeze which ruffled the grass encompassing the courtyard. The wind was refreshing to Link, who was lightly sweating from the training session. Link reached the top of the path and hailed a group of soldiers who were dicing just outside the gates of the newly constructed Hyrule Castle. He continued inside and made his way to the audience chamber.
Seated in the audience chamber was Princess Zelda, two of her royal advisers named Stanton and Kurtz, and Ser Hectur. Hectur was the Captain of the Royal Guard, the knights charged with the protection of the princess. He was a large, muscular man with slick, blue hair and a strong yet friendly disposition. He fought with a great axe, and men feared to face him in battle. He was steadfast and loyal, but could also be good company, Link had come to find.
"Lord Link, please be seated," the princess welcomed him. Link took a seat at the round table and clasped his hands before him. "I've summoned you all here because I've just received news from the Eldin Province," she explained.
"News, Your Grace?" asked Stanton. "What sort of news?"
"News of the grim sort. The report came in from Renado of Kakariko Village. It seems another band of monsters has been spotted in the province. A large band, if the report can be believed. A small village on the western coast of the province was attacked and burned. Many are dead… including women and children," she said softly.
The advisers glanced at each other, while Ser Hectur bowed his head. Link sighed, but said nothing. It was Ser Hectur who broke the silence. "Something must be done. These attacks are becoming frequent, and more horrific. How many villages have been laid to waste now?"
"Four," answered Link. "They come in the dark of night and raid, pillage, and murder, and then disappear before the sun exposes their crimes. Our scouts and defense parties have been unable to track them or find any clue as to their purpose. They come, destroy, and then fade away, only to return later and wreak more havoc. We don't know what they want or where they'll come next."
"This is unacceptable," Zelda said sternly. "The descriptions of these monsters make them sound like some of… Ganondorf's ilk." Everyone in the room glanced towards her at the mention of his name.
"Impossible," said Kurtz.
"Princess, Ganondorf is dead ," Link said slowly. "You saw me run him through with the blade of evil's bane. You saw the life drain from his putrid eyes."
"I did indeed, Link" she answered. "But I also know that he wielded the power of the Goddesses, and in their divine designs, death is not always absolute. He could have returned. I don't know how… but if he has…" she trailed off.
Link stood up. "I will take a group of soldiers to the Eldin province. We will investigate and we will find the source of these monstrosities, and then we will slaughter them. If Ganondorf has returned, we can no longer sit by idly and wait until he decides to stop murdering peasants and make his bid for the castle once again."
At this, Ser Hectur glanced up and said, "But the castle's defenses are already stretched dreadfully thin. We simply don't have the numbers that you would need for such a mission. Not without leaving the castle even more vulnerable than it already is."
"I agree with Link," Zelda said. "I know you are right, Ser Hectur. But we have little choice. We cannot let any more of our citizens be slaughtered in their sleep. Eldin was the last place these monsters were seen. If we can sniff them out and end this without any more Hyrulian bloodshed, we must take that chance."
"Agreed," said Stanton. "A swift, decisive strike will be unexpected by our enemy. Lord Link possesses the talent to find these creatures, wherever they are hiding, and finish this business."
Hectur was unconvinced, but he knew there was no point in arguing. "Yes, Your Grace," he said. "I will issue a command under Lord Link's authority to double the guard's shifts while our Lord Commander is away with his party."
Link nodded. "Very well," he said. "Ashei will be in charge of operations here at the castle while I'm gone. We shall leave tomorrow at first light. With any luck, we can squash this threat before it grows any worse." Zelda rose from her seat. The others followed suit and bowed, then filed one by one from the room until only Link and Zelda were left.
"Please return safely, Link," Zelda said. "Hyrule may need you now more than ever."
"I shall, my princess," Link answered. "And do not fret; Ser Hectur will protect you and keep the castle safe while I am gone. He is a good man, and trustworthy."
"Yes, he is," Zelda said with a shy smile and a glint in her eye.