Sheik suddenly stumbled back several steps, disoriented from the sensation of falling without actually having his feet ever leave sold ground. He quickly straightened, dropping into a defensive stance. His knives were poised to strike as he spun in every direction, trying to spot that…thing that had pounced on him.
The sheikah spared a few moments to quickly sweep his red gaze over his body to check for any injuries. The force of the creature had pushed him back and he could have sworn he felt something sharp against his chest. He saw nothing however. Not even a tear in his exoskeleton.
Sheik didn't spot any enemies, making him uneasy. There was no way whatever had attacked him could have left the area without Sheik noticing it. It was almost as if the creature simply vanished as soon as they entered this strange place but he didn't sense any magic being used.
With no immediate danger, he focused more on the surrounding environment. It was dark. The night sky was covered with multi-colored stars, casting subtle multi-colored light around the area. What created the most light however, was a large full silver moon that hung directly overhead. It's rays of glittering bright light seemed to roll through the air, reminding Sheik of a mirage. He paused once he realized what stood just barely within his line of sight, heavily obscured by mist.
Buildings that stood high, tucked away into the rock face. Connected together with bridges and ladders, the architecture was exactly as he envisioned a city his people would have lived in. The sight had him straightening, a sense of longing and despair overcoming him. Something tugged at his memory as he caught sight of a huge stone tower that stood away from the rest of the buildings, almost swallowed by the mist. At the top, glittering in the moonlight was a hollow sun made of a golden metal. An ethereal city in such a dark place has a sun as a symbol?
Why did that stone tower seem familiar? Did one of his predecessors live in a city like this? What was this place? What is it making him see?
Sheik took a hesitant step forward, and then another. There were no people in this eerily silent far off city, but something urged him forward. Whispering to his lonely soul.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Sheik stiffened and then swung around, eyes sweeping the area again. The voice was low, raspy and layered with a certain sense of intensity. It sounded close by but he still spotted nothing.
"Fascinating. Can you truly not see me? Hm."
Sheik tried to stay calm, but his nerves were buzzing. The voice sounded even closer now. How was this creature able to stay hidden from him?
"Clueless. Inapt. Not exactly helpless, but you might as well be with those flimsy little metal sticks. I don't find prey like you among your kind very often. Tempting. Very tempting..."
Sheik swung around when the voice echoed from behind him. His breath quickened as he started to panic. How was he going to fight an enemy he couldn't see!? The piercing sound of something sharp dragging along the ground echoed from somewhere to his left, making him gasp and swing to face it. He grinded his teeth, his frustration overtaking his fear.
"Show yourself!" growled Sheik. A dark chuckle echoed from his other side. He swung to face it and his eyes narrowed as he caught a brief shape disappearing into the shadows.
"Ah, and there it is. Well, rules are rules, I guess." drawled the raspy voice from in front of him. Sheik stiffened as that dark shape slowly walked out of the shadows. Piercing red eyes peered out from the darkness as the rest of the creature came into view. Black fur covered it's long feline body. Wisps of darkness hovered around it's body, as if it were a part of the shadows it just stepped from. Sheik would have guessed that it was a panther. It wasn't like any panther he'd ever seen, however.
That golden wolf had definitely given Sheik the sense of being 'different'. However, this creature seemed..otherworldly. Not just because it wasn't normal, but because it was powerful. Now that it was within sight, Sheik was slowly becoming aware of a tangible dark desire in the air that provoked feelings of bloodlust.
Which boggled his mind because he hadn't sensed anything until it stepped out of the shadows.
"I do hope you have a good reason for this summoning. I do not appreciate people wasting my time." drawled the panther as it sat down a few feet in front of him. It's long black tail flicked from side to side.
Sheik took a moment to put his thoughts in order. Summoning? Did Sheik somehow summon this creature like the hero had summoned that golden wolf? Nothing had pounced at the hero as far as he could tell, however. Well, at least not after Sheik had played the song. Link had simply disappeared. Why did this creature make contact with Sheik then? It mentioned rules as well. What exactly did that mean?
"I...apologize. I was helping...a friend contact another creature of this realm. I did not realize that it would also summon you. If I may…who are you?" asked Sheik cautiously. He straightened hesitantly, knives lowered but still gripped firmly.
The shadow panther's gleaming eyes narrowed, a low growl echoing around it. It didn't seem angry, however. It studied him for a few agonizing moments, it's head tilted curiously. Sheik shuddered as he felt more then just eyes studying him. This creature was scanning him for something, but what? Then a low chuckle slowly echoed from around it.
"Well, well. Still asleep I see. Hm...you may call me Ker. Maybe we can make this little accident beneficial? Tell me something Sheik..." The panther spoke with a honey sweet tone, grinning as it's sharp fangs gleamed like blades within the darkness.
"Do you wish to be stronger? Faster? More then you are now? I could help with that."
Sheik was taken aback. There was so many things wrong with this. How did this creature know his name? What did he mean by 'still asleep'? Also, absolutely nothing about this creature provoked even the slightest bit of trust from him but...it asked the right questions. It was something that plagued Sheik from the moment he realized just how out of depth he truly was.
Sheik did want to be better then he was now. His greatest fear was becoming the reason Link fell to the enemy trying to claim his life.
"I admit that is an...ambition of mine. Any true warrior would strive to be better." Replied Sheik hesitantly. The shadow panther chuckled again, the sound sending a chill down Sheik's back. It stood and slowly started to circle around the sheikah, as a predator would after cornering prey.
"But you're not a warrior, are you?" the shadow panther smirked as it prowled.
Sheik frowned, eyes narrowing. He'd been referring to the general term for warrior, not one of his tribe, but it still unnerved him that this creature seemed to know so much about him. Was Sheik that transparent? Or was there something else going on here?
"How do you know that? Have we...met before?" Asked Sheik. He was almost certain that they hadn't, but it was possible that perhaps one of his predecessors did. That didn't explain how it knew about his life when it wouldn't have happened yet.
The shadow panther paused to tilt it's head, one paw held in the air.
"You could say that. What do you remember of what was?" Asked Ker curiously. Sheik frowned, certain that this creature must have met one of his predecessors. It may not be the best option, but who else did he know that had contact with others of his kind that lived long ago? Maybe he could use this encounter to his advantage.
"I have flashes of memory. Some of which...does not make sense to me. Why would you make such an offer to aid me? I am not ungrateful, but I must confess some confusion toward this decision." Said Sheik cautiously.
Ker humphed, pausing to throw a slight glare at Sheik. There seemed to be a hint of surprise to his reaction as well. Sheik got the sense that Ker was impressed. By what, Sheik wasn't sure. Hopefully it would continue to happen. Suddenly the shadow panther dropped to the ground, the movement somehow graceful, as if the shadows around it softened it's fall. It laid it's head on top of it's paws and peered up boredly at Sheik.
"Obviously your job is to be the guide and protector, no? How is that going so far?" Ker suddenly sighed with exasperation, it's tone layering with irritation. It apparently lost any interest in teasing Sheik, not that he would say anything about it.
"I have to admit. We spirits are closely connected to the life force of the world. Greater spirits like myself even more so. We do not like what is unfolding within the mortal realm. Well, most of us. The mayhem created from it is breeding such delicious opportunities for me to feed but I prefer my mayhem...in moderation. Without the ties of Fate, the world will collapse. Not only will this place be overrun with spirits of all the deceased, but we greater spirits will no longer have a purpose. How am I supposed to cause death if there's no one to kill?" growled Ker. It lifted it's head to peer up at the sheikah with it's gleaming red eyes.
"What are you saying?" asked Sheik cautiously. He tensed when Ker stood to it's feet and slowly approached him. Sheik had to fight the instinct screaming at him to stay away from this creature that radiated with bloodlust.
Ker grinned as it sat directly in front of him, it's tail now whipping from side to side.
"I'm saying sheikah, that I can make you better. I can give you the strength to hit with the force of a lion. I can make you faster then a cheetah. I can sharpen your senses to the point that even those that have hunted your kind for so long would be powerless to prevent you from becoming the hunter instead. The best part?" Ker chuckled as he leaned forward.
"All of this could be yours without years of hash training. Instant gratification. Immediate mastery. Your enemies would be nothing but helpless lambs in the face of your fury."
Ker hummed, something that sounded more like a low sinister growl to Sheik. The shadow panther lifted it's right paw and flexed it's claws before looking down to study them.
"This is your only offer. Return to the same place you were at before you came here and summon me if you decide your hero is worth the trouble," said Ker as he grinned up at him.
Then it suddenly vanished into the shadows around him.
Sheik gasped as the ground seemed to break right from under him. He fell through swirling shapes and bright colors until he suddenly hit the grassy floor next to the howling stone he had originally played the Prelude of Light at. The force knocked him to the floor and he stayed there, panting as he put his hand over his heart. He sighed in relief.
So many unanswered questions. Sheik was desperate to know more. Was it possible? Could he have such power so easily? Ker set every nerve in his body on edge however. It couldn't be trusted but...could he really pass up the chance?
What if that mage returned and Link had no one to rely on but Sheik? He had been useless until the golden wolf came to their rescue. Sheik didn't know what to do. He had enough common sense to know Ker had to benefit from this deal in some way, but at what expense to Sheik?
He was half way up from the ground when Seshat suddenly shot out from somewhere to the right side of him and knocked him to the ground. He looked down at the cat perched on his chest, but she meowed and rubbed her face against his neck. Sheik snorted, allowing his feline companion to have her moment. He'd normally scold her for such behavior, which was why she generally was more composed around him.
Seshat suddenly froze and then leapt off his chest and darted away. The action had Sheik sitting up and staring after her retreating form in confusion. He stiffened when he heard a loud thud. He spun around and saw Link raising from a crouch. Sheik started to relax, wondering why Link had been in a tree.
He did a double take when Link seemed to suddenly move with inhuman speed. One moment the hero was barely standing to his feet nearly halfway across the area from him, and the next Link was nearly on top of him.
The sheikah reacted on instinct, rolling to the side to avoid the incoming hero. Sheik started to raise to his feet but gasped when Link seemed to predict his movement and changed the direction of his full on sprint so he smashed into the sheikah. The force pushed them back a few feet until he fell to the ground, making Sheik grimace as his back was dragged along the dirt floor.
"L-link. What are y-you-" Sheik froze when a deep growl rumbled from the hero on top of him. Sapphire eyes, darkened with that wild emotion Sheik had seen before, glared down at him. Link lifted himself up and leaned over him with a hand on either side of Sheik's face, caging him with his arms. The last time Sheik faced that look, Link had not been friendly and after his encounter with Ker, Sheik could not stop himself from lashing out in fear.
It was like trying to move a brick wall. The hero was unmovable and Sheik quickly changed tactics. Instead of trying to force the hero off, he instead tried to twist and bend, attempting to squirm out from under Link. The hero growled again when Sheik's slippery form was almost halfway out from underneath him when he suddenly hauled Sheik up and smashed him against his chest.
Sheik was trembling in terror because this wasn't an enemy. This was Link.
The one that had, not even an hour ago, extended a hand in friendship. Swearing more then once during their time together that he'd never hurt Sheik.
After a few hazy moments of clouded terror where Sheik could only tremble, because what else was he going to do? Link was stronger then him, especially during these strange lapses of control he's had recently. He could teleport, but he'd have to get away from Link first, otherwise the hero would just be teleported alongside him.
However, Sheik slowly started to realize that Link wasn't actually doing anything except keeping a tight hold of him. The occasional growl vibrated through the hero's chest, but that sharp inhuman gaze never once met his own again. It swept the area, as if searching for something. He'd jerk his head in the direction of an unexpected sound, his hold tightening on Sheik.
Sheik sighed in relief, tense muscles slowly uncoiling as he sagged against the hero's chest. He was still confused at Link's behavior, but he now recognized that Link was actually protecting him. Why the hero was being so aggressive about it was a mystery however.
Now that his mind was clearing of his fear, he was startled to sense something else. Link was warm. Unnaturally warm. It took him a few moments until he recognized that the hero was radiating with this supernatural heat. It flooded Sheik's senses, provoking flash's of memory.
Screaming. Sobbing. Burning. Such unmanageable despair but it wasn't his own. Not even for the one to whom these memories belonged to. They were suffering through the pain of others and it was smothering Sheik. The sensations washed over him until he couldn't see or hear anything but this world of spiraling madness and searing pain.
Was he screaming? Or is it the cacophony surrounding him? How could anyone stand this?! Why did he feel like he is burning?!
Sheik is gasping, his throat raw as he shook with exhaustion. His sense of reality was slowly returning. That blanket of madness and pain was suddenly replaced with a warmth that settled into into mind like a balm. Red eyes fluttered opened, not remembering when he'd even closed them. He realized he was still in Link's embrace but something was different. That supernatural heat was still there but it was...different now.
Sheik hadn't the presence of mind or even the motivation to try and decipher what that meant.
The sheikah just laid there, eyes closed again as he listening to Link's heartbeat. Something about this was...familiar. Who among his predecessor's had shared such a connection with another Great Hero of the past? Who among them were lucky enough to have someone that could make them feel this safe and content?
Sheik sighed, red eyes opening with a look of dejection. Past memories and uncertain feelings aside, Sheik knew that Link was not himself right now. He wasn't certain what promoted Link's strange behavior in the first place, but he couldn't take advantage of him like this.
"Link? Can you hear me? Please answer me...I...do not know what is happening here." muttered Sheik against Link's shoulder. Sheik could only see the vibrant forest that surrounded them from over Link's shoulder, but the sheikah distracted himself by studying a newly sewn patch that was slightly darker the rest of the hero's tunic.
Link had tensed when Sheik had started to speak but then slowly relaxed, that supernatural heat beginning to fade. He suddenly jerked away, a look of befuddlement on his face.
"What...what happened? Why was...what were we...I can't remember. Why can't I remember?! Why does this keep happening to me?!" Link began with a tone that was small and lost. Then it gradually raised in volume as he got more emotional, until finally growling in frustration. His hands raised to pull at his hair, his blue eyes wide and hysterical.
Sheik reached out hesitatingly and placed a hand on Link's knee.
"Link. Just breath. You are alright now. You must calm yourself." murmured Sheik soothingly. His light touch seemed to help center the hero. Slowly Link calmed down and the hero took a deep breath before finally laying down and staring up at what little he could see of the sky through the surrounding canopy of trees.
Sheik crawled to his side and then paused, tilting his head to the side in curiosity. He didn't know what to say however, but it seemed Link beat him to the punch.
"I feel like I need to both thank and apologize to you. I...can't remember what happened after you disappeared. Which I would love an explanation for, once I'm not recovering from my embarrassing bout of insanity...I didn't hurt you did I?" Asked Link hesitantly. The hero paused to glance over to him, a hint of unease in his eyes. He sighed in relief when Sheik shook his head.
"In fact...I believe you were attempting to protect me. It seems you did so unknowingly, however. Also in a manner that was...unlike you. Do you...wish to talk about it? I will help in anyway that I can." replied Sheik as he tucked his legs underneath himself. The hero paused to wonder how that stance was not hurting Sheik's legs, but it seemed comfortable to his companion, so he let it go.
Link sighed as he glanced back up at the mostly hidden sky. It was difficult admitting to such a glaring weakness. Especially one that he didn't understand himself. He was the 'Hero of Twilight'. Apparently part of a line of divine guardians meant to stand steadfast in the face of evil and adversity. He wasn't supposed to have any weaknesses. Or at least none that could stripe away his control with such ease.
Ignoring it won't fix anything. Actually, it seems to make it worse. Sheik is always involved somehow too. I am the one that is encouraging trust here. Come on, how do you expect him to open up if you aren't willing to do the same?
"When the Twilight spread and I was...trapped, I was forced to take a different form. Nothing changed on the inside as far as I can tell though. Lately I've been having...lapses in control. Times where it's like...I don't know. Like my emotions spiral out of control and It feels like I lose consciousness, but obviously I don't. Afterward, it feels like I'm waking up in middle of an action I didn't take. What is happening to me?" Muttered Link as he folded his arms over his chest.
Sheik hummed in thought as he tapped his fingers against his knee. This was unnerving to hear. If this conversation had happened ten minutes prior, he wouldn't know what to make of it. Experiencing memories that were not your own was not the same thing. They didn't take anything away from you. This was different.
Sheik shivered as he remembered being trapped in that memory. It was as if he were reliving a horrible moment, instead of just watching it. He remembered what he saw however. It appears as if Link did not.
"Perhaps you should explain what led up these lapses in control?" Asked Sheik.
Link thought back to the times where he'd felt like his control was slowly being striped away. It was always gradual, that primal instinct creeping up until it was to late to actually fight it. The first instance he could remember was when Sheik had threatened Renado.
"The first time I remember it happening is when you had threatened Renado. I was already worried on the way there, since the kids had come to warn me. Once I saw you there, holding that knife...well, things happened kinda fast. I just remember being angry."
Sheik hung his head in shame, but the corner of his lips lifted in a slight smile when Link reached out to lay the fingers of his left hand against Sheik's knee. The hero didn't look over. He didn't even change his expression as he gazed up at the sky. The simple action let him know that the hero had already forgiven him.
"Your emotions seem to play a heavy part in these lapses of control. However, I find it strange that one of these...lapses didn't occur when your hometown was attacked. I do not know you well enough to say for certain, but compared to what I had witnessed at your side the night we met, I would say that you grow stronger and faster when these lapses occur. There is also a certain...bestial nature that surfaces within you." Sheik replied with some apprehension.
Link frowned, a look of unease spreading across his face.
"I hadn't really thought of that. As much as I care for Renado...I was far more emotional when my hometown was under attack." Link paused and then propped himself up with his elbows. Why didn't it happen when his home was attacked?
Was it that little asshole? Did he do something to me? He seems like the kind of guy that would gloat about it though. He certainly wasn't acting as if he was even aware of it.
His gaze hardened when he thought of the implications of what these lapses meant for his partner. For anyone that was around him. Foe or friend.
"Sheik, what was I doing during these lapses? What happened to bring me back to my senses?"
Sheik narrowed his eyes with a frown. He hesitated, remembering Link tossing him through the air. He still had bruises from how hard he hit that statue. It was his own fault. There was no need to upset Link about it.
"After my altercation with Renado you proceeded to, I assume, intimidate me. I am not certain what your intentions were beyond defending your friend because you returned to your senses when one of the children called out to you. I essentially did the same thing here when you were...protecting me." Sheik quickly turned to glance away.
A blush crept along his face, luckily hidden by his shawl. It didn't stop him from feeling embarrassed though. The memory of the hero curled around his lean frame had been frightening at first. Now that he thought back to that moment without the haze of fear, Sheik felt oddly giddy.
No one had ever held him that closely before.
Sheik shook his head. He didn't know what to make of this. The sheikah was out of his element, but at least the hero was starting to return to normal. Sheik turned back when he heard a sound of disapproval.
The hero was peering at him through suspicious, narrowed eyes.
"You gonna tell me were you went now? I wasn't gone more then maybe two minutes and when I got back, you've just vanished into thin air. It's not really fair if you're the only one that gets to be mad if one of us suddenly disappears without a trace." Grumbled Link.
Sheik frowned, lowering his eyes to the ground. He still didn't know what to make of his encounter with Ker. He couldn't keep something like that from the hero. They were partners after all and Link was already sharing his burdens.
"It seems the Prelude of Light is a summoning song not just for you, but for anyone that uses a magical instrument. I am not certain why two different...spirits were summoned, however. When you disappeared, another spirit eventually came forth and brought me to...I am not sure actually. It was not like any place I'd ever seen." Sheik replied with a shudder. Even the memory of Ker put him on edge.
"The spirit called itself Ker. It possessed the body of a panther but...it seemed as if it was a creature of darkness. Blending with the shadows around it. I couldn't even sense it, let alone see it, until it showed itself. I have not encountered a creature that has been able to hide from my sight. The strangest thing...is I don't believe it was using magic." Sheik shook his head with a huff.
"Regardless, I don't trust this creature. It offered to aid me, but I don't believe it would be wise to rely on it. Ker is far to knowledgeable about me, despite the fact that I have not met such a creature before. Whether it met any of my predecessors matters not. They had their own lives and should know nothing about mine, obviously, since I wouldn't have lived it yet." Sheik grumbled, tone layered with agitation.
The sheikah couldn't bring himself to reveal exactly what Ker had offered. Not because he was actually considering it. Absolutely not. As he said, Ker can't be trusted. It was not going to happen, and therefore, simply pointless to point out.
Link thought he noticed a subtle hint of anxiety in his partner's body language, but then that sarcasm came rolling out and the hero chuckled. Thinking that they were connected.
At least Sheik is starting to allow himself to speak freely, even if he isn't fully comfortable with it yet. Baby steps.
"As long as it didn't hurt you. I'm curious though. What was the environment like when you got to the Spirit Realm? Mine was cloudy skies with Hyrule Castle in the background. Mist always obscured almost everything within sight. I've chatted with Zelda about it, but there's not to many records of people visiting the place. I can see why, I guess. Tell the wrong people and you'll just sound like a crazy person." Link sound with a chuckle.
"Renado is a shaman only in the loosest sense of the word. He doesn't really deal with spirits all that much. Alchemy is really his area of expertise. Not sure if being a shaman has anything to do with that. Probably not. Anyway, what did you see? Tell me!" Link grinned in excitement as he lightly bounced his body.
Sheik shook his head with a chuckle. The hero's antics easing his earlier anxiety.
"It was quite the opposite. I saw portions of a village tucked away high on a mountain face. It was basked in ethereal light from a night sky covered in multi-colored stars. Honestly, it could have had fairy's meandering about within the village." Sheik spoke with a soft tone, hints of his longing and misery reaching the hero's sensitive ears. There was a certain fondness in the sheikah's gaze that seemed fragile.
"There were no people present. There were no signs that people had lived there at all, let alone recently, but...I could almost imagine it. Banners signifying our emblem. Torches to ward off wild animals and light the night sky. Unless there truly is a place with multi-colored stars such as the ones I saw but nothing of the sort was mentioned in any of the stories I've heard of my people. I've...I've always wanted to know what it was like. To live in a place where my people could thrive. Free to act as they please with neighbors that, ah, I-ah, forgive me. I am getting sidetracked." Sheik took a deep breath and the vulnerable gaze was gone. Link frowned, but didn't press him.
"We should not linger here. Unless you have other business here?" Asked Sheik as rose to his feet. Link was astounded Sheik's legs were even working after sitting on them this whole time.
"Nah, I'm done here. My mentor can't really talk to me until I find wherever the hell he materialized at. I think it's next to the castle. He pops up all over the place, but I'm pretty this howl stone makes him pop up there. Not sure why. Spirit mojo is not my forte." Said Link as he stretched his arms.
Link paused and glanced over, grinning when Seshat rubbed against his arm. He immediately snatched her up and turned her over so he could play with her paws. She meowed, playfully swiping at his fingers and tried to nip at them.
The sheikah smiled, chuckling at the sight. He let them wrestle, thinking to himself. Sheik was no fool, but he needed to be prepared. So far, his skills have only aided them because their foe did not expect Sheik to be an ally of the hero. What happens next time they are cornered by a foe that was already strong enough to end the hero's life?
What if, that time, no one comes to their aid? What could Sheik do against an enemy that was able to render them both powerless without them even noticing he was even there in the first place?
How was he going to guide the hero when he didn't know where their journey was heading? Wasn't he supposed to already have the answers? Would he have had them if he'd been raised to be a proper Shadow Warrior just as his predecessor was?
"Sheik? Something wrong?" Asked Link worriedly. Sheik turned to see the hero staring at him in concern. Link had apparently gotten to his feet, allowing Seshat to climb on his shoulder and now was calmly cleaning herself.
Sheik quickly nodded then reached out to place a hand on Link's right arm.
"Yes. My apologies. I was just lost in thought. Let us be going." He then teleported them to the horses.
Sheik was startled to feel as if something sticky tried to stop him. A web of magic that laid hidden within the swirling mass of energy that made up the Sacred Grove. He stumbled forward once they appeared, his vision abruptly starting to spin. He heard Seshat meowing worriedly at his feet and Link cursing as they reached out instinctively to each other.
"What the hell happened?" Link exclaimed as he blinked to clear his vision. That was very strange to experience.
It kicked off like normal but it took longer and something was...grabbing at us?
Sheik spared a few more moments to make sure something hadn't followed them. Or continued to affect him in some way. He was fine as far as he could tell.
"It seems there was...I suppose, resistance, is the best way I can describe it. Apparently the Sacred Grove is not a place that welcomes many visitors. There must be protection against magical means of travel, unless they are designed specifically to lead to the Temple of Time, such as the Prelude of Light. I don't think I would have been able to teleport at all if I'd tried while within the grove itself, instead of just outside of it." said Sheik hesitantly.
He was greatly unnerved to recognize that mage from earlier was using a level of advanced magic that was beyond anything that they were aware of. Nothing in the royal library described a form of magic that was capable of not just forbidding multiple forms of magical travel, but doing so subtly. How did he not sense the spell being cast? It was already affecting him by the time he realized anything was wrong! It made him maddeningly curious. What did he think Sheik was capable of if he needed to resort to using powerful magic to trap him?
As if that wasn't already an endlessly frustrating conundrum, the Sacred Grove was an enigma all on its own. At least with that short egotistical arse there was a foundation of knowledge that Sheik could fall back to. He couldn't do that with a place that seemed to just ooze magic. Sure there were some enchantments he could sense, but they had felt no different then the energy surrounding the area. Like the forest itself was the source of their power. How is that even possible? How could a forest wield magic better then Sheik could?
He quickly shook his head and sighed when he spotted Maelstrom approach them, with Epona trotting beside him. Sheik reached down to take Seshat in his arms.
"It's about time you guys showed up," grumbled Trill as he perched on the plank that was closet to Link. Epona snorted at the bird, obviously annoyed about something. Maelstrom didn't look to happy either.
"Hey, we've had a busy day…what's going on? What's wrong Epona?" asked Link as he noticed his horse dig her hoof into the ground irritably. Maelstrom tried pushing Sheik behind him, impatiently wanting him to get on.
"Oh, she's angry because I 'ruined the mood'. Good grief!" Exclaimed Trill. The bright blue bird waved a wing irritably at Epona.
"You two go do that somewhere else if you guys don't want me 'ruining the mood'! This is my place so I'll say what I want!"
Link rolled his eyes, and then mounted Epona. Sheik quickly pulled himself onto Maelstrom's back and headed toward the exit.
"Thanks Trill," Link commented over his shoulder as Epona began to walk away. Trill suddenly flew right in his face.
"Hey! I really don't mind helping you out. If you're going to leave them here again though, then tell them to behave next time! Nowhere in my job description does it say 'watch live shows of horses doing the naughty'!" shouted Trill. He then flew back to the roof of his shop.
Sheik couldn't help but lean over Maelstrom's back and burst out laughing at the priceless look on Link's face as they passed him.