Link felt excitement race through his veins when the sensation of teleporting wrapped around his body. He wasn't even sure why he liked it so much. In fact, he loved it even more now than he did before. It was familiar to his soul but foreign to his mind.
It must be because of the Kokiri's Emerald. The presence of magic is so much more vibrant now than it ever was before. I can literally feel the strands of Sheik's magic infuse with me and pull us where we need to go even though I'm not the one teleporting!
Then the constant wave of magic that had been pulling them along suddenly wavered and the vibrant energy that encased him started to rupture.
The hero hissed in pain and jerked his arm closer to himself. He couldn't really see himself clearly in this state but he felt like something had slashed his arm. Suddenly he was thrown haphazardly out of the teleportation and went tumbling forward until he smashed against something solid.
Link groaned as the bright light from the sun pierced his sensitive eyes. He glanced down at his arm and noticed a cut that stretched a few inches up from his elbow. It wasn't that deep, so Abby should be able to handle it easily.
As if hearing his thought, the red fairy popped her head out from under his hat and glanced warily around.
"What happened? I haven't teleported before but I don't think it's supposed to feel like that," said Abby worriedly. Link frowned and turned to ask Sheik but paused when he didn't see his guide anywhere.
"Sheik?" called Link as he stood to his feet and searched for the Sheikah. Abby took to the air and flew higher to get a better view.
"I don't see Sheiky anywhere! This is a big city though! How did we end up on a roof?" asked Abby as she flew lower to zoom around Link's head.
The hero peered around suspiciously and realized she was right. They were on a random roof. The polished marble tiles that were at his feet looked familiar but the flags mounted on the poles that surrounded the edges of the building bore an image he didn't recognize. He leaned closer to inspect the image of the flag gently waving in the wind.
It was made of a material that didn't look cheap and the fact that he couldn't see the street below without moving them aside told him this building must belong to some kind of noble who took his social standing very seriously.
The flag itself was crimson but the hero flinched when he took in the icons on the flag. He wasn't even sure why it unsettled him because he was certain he has never seen such a flag before. What did his ancestors have to do with this image?
A silver lion attacking a black serpent?
He became suspicious and glanced around nervously before stepping closer. The silver lion stood proudly, surrounded with bands of golden light as it pinned the serpent underneath a huge paw while the other one was in midair, ready to deliver the fatal strike. The ebony serpent had its white fangs bared but its red eye drew his attention immediately. At a distance, the eye could be wounded underneath or had a red tear trailing down from under its eye. The hero reached out to run a hand down the cloth of the flag as it brushed lightly against his arm.
He couldn't help but compare it to the red eye symbol that was on Sheik's body suit.
The hero jumped when an almost bell-like 'ding, ding, ding' suddenly filled the air. He turned to see Abby bouncing in the air near the edge of the building.
Did Abby make that sound…?
"Linky! There's something going on down there!" exclaimed Abby as she bobbed up and down in the air. He glanced up at her before approaching the red ball of light.
Once he grasped the flapping cloth of the closest flag to stop it from obscuring his view, he peered over down at the street. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the banners and decorative flags full of bright colors were strung up across the buildings all along the street. There were several people dancing in the street, some of them wearing the most distractingly bright colors he's ever seen.
Man, I feel sorry for painting that kind of picture for Sheik during that imaginary game now. I wonder if that kind of clothing was what came to mind when I described what he was wearing?
The hero gasped when he suddenly spotted someone he recognized.
"What the…? I know that goron! He sells hot spring water in Castle Town!" exclaimed Link. He peered closer and smiled when he saw the large of container of steamy water next to the goron.
Then this is Castle Town…? What the hell is going on then?
Link leaned over the edge and finally spotted the grand white castle of Hyrule but then swung his head around to peer over toward the exit when he heard commotion. People started to rush past the goron and headed out of town. He frowned as he watched them.
I don't like the looks of that…people tend to do stupid things in large groups.
So, he hopped on to the edge of the building and peered over. He was greatly unsettled by the image on the surrounding flags still, so he didn't even consider going inside the building to meet the people that they belonged to.
"I'll look for a clear route down!" exclaimed Abby as she whizzed past Links face. He smirked as she flew around the different windows looking for a safe way down for him.
Heh, Sheik is going to be learning the true meaning of patience now that he has two reckless teammates.
She suddenly flashed a green color before bobbing up and down near the window at the edge of the building. A decorative iron railing surrounded the small balcony of this window. Link pushed the flags out of his way as he walked the length of the edge until he stood above the window.
I didn't know Abby could change color like that. Wonder what it means?
Link pulled out one of his Clawshots and turned to aim it at the base of the flag pole right behind him. The metal claw shot out and gripped the pole tightly. He pulls to test its strength and grins when it holds. He then leaned over the side of the building and lowered himself using the chain the claw is attached to.
Once he is close to the window with the small balcony, he triggers his Clawshot to release the pole and he drops and lands on his feet.
"Hey Abby, why did you change color like that?" asked Link as he grips the low iron railing with one hand and steps over it. Abby giggles as she returns to her red hue and circles his head.
"Oh, my emotions tend to influence the color of my aura. It didn't really happen all the much in the forest because there were so many of my kin there that we all sort of stabilized each other. I'm sorry…I can't control it," said Abby bashfully. Her color flashed and dimmed to a grayish hue. He frowned and then reached up to tickle her. She squealed and shot away his hand, immediately returning to her red color. He grinned, grip tightening as he leans his body back and aims his Clawshot at the railing.
"Much better. For the record, I think its cute that you change colors. Makes you more interesting," said Link with a smirk. Abby giggled again as she flew close to his pointed ear and rapidly flapped her wings to tickle him. He laughed and swatted at her, but she quickly zoomed out of his reach.
Link suddenly pauses as movement from inside the room attached to the window catches his eyes. Someone wearing a deep red cloak with golden seams strode into the room talking with a maid. The hero is leaning down too far to have a clear view but he spots red hair and pale skin. The person abruptly stops and seems to notice Abby's red light as she cautiously approach's Link's head.
He quickly releases the spring loaded chain at the railing and lowers himself to the street when the mysterious person storms toward the window. He stumbles a bit from the force of the drop, but quickly stuffs his Clawshot into his pouch and snatches Abby out of the air. He holds her close to his chest to try and hide her bright red light as he blends into the crowd. As playful and childish she may seem at times, she seems to also have a strong sense of insight. She fell silent immediately and clutched the material of Link's tunic the moment he snatched her out of the air.
Link subtly looks back to find that red haired person sticking their head out the window and watching the crowd intently, so he turns around and follows the flow of people out of town.
"Linky? What's going on?" asked Abby cautiously once they passed the archway out of town. She was close to his face already but he still barely heard her over the growing noise of the crowd. Link glanced behind himself again and seemed to deem it safe, so he released her. She fluttered in the air, but stayed close to his face.
Her red hue darkened as she noticed the blood starting to run down his arm.
"Hey! Why didn't you say you were hurt!" exclaimed Abby disapprovingly before Link had a chance to answer her first question. The hero blinked, surprised when she flew in front of his face to give him a pointed look before zooming down to his injury.
"Abby, it's just a scratch-"
"Even a scratch can get infected! If I don't notice an injury right away then tell me so I can heal it!" chastised Abby as she fussed over the cut on his arm. Link smiled as the sting from the small injury disappeared.
Maybe he was wrong. Perhaps Abby is the perfect balance of cautious insight and reckless bravery that is needed between Sheik and him.
Then a sound reach's his sensitive ears. It is full of pain and frustration, causing every muscle in his body to stiffen as the wolf within suddenly perks its ears up at the familiar sound.
Abby hears it too, so she flies higher to peer over the crowd. She gasps once she catch's sight of a familiar blue and white clothed figure trying desperately to escape the hold of several soldiers.
"Linky! Sheiky is up head! He's-" But Link rushed forward when Sheik shouted out in pain again. He tried to maintain control but the wolf was right at the surface, snarling possessively. Abby hurriedly followed, noticing the change in the hero's aura. The energy became dark and violent. Nothing like the green vibrant energy of life that she was used to feeling from him.
The people flooding out from the capitol city were starting to surround his guide as he was trying to fight off at least six soldiers that wore armor that shared the same icons as the flag from the building Link had landed on. Two were attempting to restrain him, and the Sheikah cried out again when one twisted his arm behind his back, using his injured wrist as leverage.
The hero's mind started to cloud with fury as he bolted toward the center, shoving people out of his way. The excited yells from the growing crowd and the other foreign soldiers that seemed to just be mocking or lashing out at the Sheikah were quickly chipping away at what was left of his self-control. So, Link knew he needed to get his guide away from here before the wolf became too dangerous.
A few of the foreign soldiers had blocked his path as they tried to control the crowd but the hero threw them aside like they were weightless, a feral growl escaping through his waning control.
One of the soldiers that stood in front of the Sheikah paused when he noticed Link storm closer.
"Get back citizen-" But Link shoved passed him and initiated the Mortal Draw, allowing him to draw the Master Sword so quick that the soldier restraining Sheik's injured arm didn't notice the gleaming blade until he felt the sharp point at his throat.
"Release him," growled the hero menacingly, before shifting his feral gaze to the other soldier restraining his guide. He glanced down at Sheik and his entire body quaked with barely suppressed rage at the sight.
Sheik's whole body was covered in lacerations that bled into his body suit so much that it seemed stained mostly red now. His right leg was bent in a way that clearly showed it was broken but his pained and fearful ruby gaze, which could barely be seen through the matted bloody blonde hair that was coming out of his shawl to cover his face, finally brought the hero to his limit. If they didn't release him immediately, then the hero was certain that the wolf would rip into every last one of them.
The entire crowd grew silent as they watched what would unfold before them. The soldier restraining the Sheikah's injured arm glanced nervously down at the blade pointed at his throat. Perhaps he sensed the approaching doom in the hero's feral gaze or maybe the fact that the other soldiers had slowly backed away from the green clad man, but both soldiers released Sheik at the same time and backed away.
The Sheikah straightened and tried to limp over to Link's side but hissed in pain once he put pressure on his broken leg and fell forward, heading straight for the floor. The hero shot an arm out to catch him and then held him close. He frowned and shot a glare at the soldiers that had gathered together when he felt his guide's entire body shaking.
Abby gasped at Sheik's severely weakened state, but her keen medical eye noticed something was off about him. She zoomed around his body, targeting the most serious injuries first, with the exception of his broken leg. That needed to be reset before she tried to heal it.
She then noticed his shaking form, but it seemed involuntary. Though the Sheikah weakly held onto the hero's form as if he were a life line, she didn't sense the kind of fear from him that would normally promote such a powerful tremble. In fact, as she flew around his face looking for any head injuries, she saw relief in his red eyes. But he also wasn't weeping.
Abby looked worriedly down at him. If she was going to find out what was wrong then she needed him to be relaxed and safe. Something that definitely wasn't going to happen around so many onlookers.
Adrenaline had allowed Sheik to stay up and moving while he faced a deadly threat, but that was rapidly wearing off now. The blood loss was quickly taking its toll on him, and Link grunted in surprise when Sheik suddenly slumped against him. Abby whizzed up to the Sheikah's face and bumped into his forehead, causing his half lidded eyes to vaguely focus in her direction.
"No Sheiky! Stay awake! I don't know what's wrong with you yet!" exclaimed Abby as she flashed a yellow color. She flew higher to hover in front of the hero's face, who was looking around the crowd in an attempt to find a clear way through.
"Linky, we need to get him away from here! There's something wrong with him…something more than just being really hurt," said Abby hurriedly. The wolf within Link bristled at the thought of the ones that hurt Sheik so badly would not be punished. One glance down at his guides fading red eyes calmed the beast though. It seemed to understand that his guide needed help now.
He shifted Sheik's weight and gently propped him over his shoulder, making the Sheikah hiss in pain as it jolted his broken leg. Link then wrapped his free arm around the back of the Sheikah's legs, gripping the broken leg gently but firmly in an attempt to try and keep it immobile. His stern and angry stance wavered a bit when he heard a soft whimper of pain from his partner, as fingers dug into his back.
I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner…
The group of soldiers seemed to have banded together with renewed courage and approached the hero as he turned to head back into town.
"You citizen! You are under arrest for threatening a knight of Calatia and aiding a dangerous spy!" exclaimed one of the soldiers from behind the hero. Link sighed impatiently, but didn't even stop in his steady walk back into town. He tried to keep Sheik as still as he could, but it was difficult while trying to navigate through the crowd. Something that was a bit surprising to him. The people had been so riled up that Link expected them to hinder his path but they seemed to move out of his way easily.
He had a fleeting thought of the fact that he didn't see any Hylian soldiers around the crowd. Then it went forgotten once he heard a few irritable grunts and exclamations of surprise from behind him as the soldiers seemed to have decided to pursue him. He growled when his sensitive ears picked up the definite sound of metal armor clanking together as one of them got within a few feet of him. So, he stopped abruptly and slowly turned around, making sure his guide wasn't jostled too much by the close proximity of the crowd.
The soldier in the lead jumped back when Link leveled the Master Sword to point directly at his chest.
"I am going to see that my friend, who is not a spy, receives the medical attention that he needs. If you get in my way, I will move you. If you do anything to hurt my friend any more than you already have, then I will end you. Understand?" said Link dangerously. The holy blade he wielded pulsed with violent divine energy, startling even Link momentarily since it has never done that before. It caused everyone within several feet of the hero to stumble back a step from the force.
Abby looked curiously at the Master Sword, noticing the energy reacting to the hero's protective aura.
Suddenly a few familiar faces appeared within crowd.
"Link! Goddesses, what happened?" asked Auru as he came rushing up to the glaring hero's side. Ashei and Shad trailed behind him. Ashei looked ready to say something but Link turned and headed back into town once he heard Abby trying desperately to keep Sheik awake again.
"I'll meet you guys in Telma's Bar," Link muttered to his friends quietly as he passed them. He heard Auru tell Shad to go with him and then the sound of arguing could be heard as Ashei and Auru apparently were delaying the soldiers from following them.
Link quickly tried blending into the crowd again, which was a bit harder with a Sheikah slumped over his shoulder. Luckily, his main goal was to lose the soldiers that did this to Sheik, not the people that lived here.
The people he passed by were very perplexing to the hero. He was almost used to the stares and excited mutters that followed him whenever he went to the capitol city, even if they were irritating and unnecessary. But as he glanced around the faces surrounded by the bright colors and sounds of the festival, they would stare after him like they were seeing him for the first time just before defeating Ganon.
Watching and waiting, like they were wary of something that they expected him to do something about.
He tilted his head in confusion suddenly. It almost felt like Sheik had gotten…bulkier, but it must have been his imagination. Abby was whizzing back and forth, trying to make sure Sheik stayed awake while healing his serious injuries but she worriedly glanced around his body. His wounds shouldn't be this bad after all the healing magic that she had been pouring into him over the last few minutes. She sniffled, thinking that maybe she wasn't doing a good enough job but then flashed a deep red color.
Healing magic was her specialty! If Sheik wasn't healing right then it wasn't her fault! Something was terribly wrong here. She paused in her frantic search and took a deep breath. Alright…take a step back. What did her mentor always say? Identify and treat the problem one step at a time. She flew around the Sheikah's body slowly this time, just as Link started to carefully climb down the stairs leading to Telma's Bar.
His wounds were absorbing her magic, but only utilizing a small portion of it. Where was the rest going? His aura was…hazy. Like something was hindering it! An aura was extremely personal and the only thing that could affect it like that was either one of two things. A curse powerful enough to penetrate the soul, which wasn't the case. She would have felt that for sure. So, something most have happened to his magical core! The more she took in the symptoms, the more she started to recognize what might be wrong.
"Linky! I think Sheiky's magical core is ruptured! Its disrupting my magic from helping him because it drains whatever magic is entering his body to try and stabilize itself. I need help to correct it though!" exclaimed Abby worriedly. Link had finally reached the bottom but he glanced up to give her a determined look.
"What do you need me to do?" asked Link. Abby whizzed around his head nervously.
"You don't have the kind of magic that is needed for this Linky! Find someone with strong restorative abilities! Like magic that can heal more than just a bruise or a broken bone! Something that can touch the soul!" exclaimed Abby.
Link started to walk down the last flight of stairs but before he could reach for the door, Telma suddenly burst through it. The red haired women stopped abruptly, surprised at his sudden appearance. After a quick glance at the body laying over his shoulder and the desperate look in the hero's eyes, she swiftly turned back around and headed back the way she came.
"The bar is now closed! Everybody out!" shouted Telma as she strode across the room. As the hero followed her, he was surprised to notice the entire building was packed with people. He'd never seen it so full before. Some people looked around confused but most started to leave immediately. The residents of Castle Town knew how temperamental Telma was rather well by now, since she ran one of the few bars in town. So, he figured the few people that hesitated must not be from here.
Telma stepped around the counter and gestured for Link to bring Sheik in the back room. The hero paused momentarily at how messy the small room was, since it had been all but barren when he was last in here, but then strode over to the bed in the corner. He gently laid his guide on top of the covers. He tilted his head in confusion when he actually did see Sheik's body briefly become bulkier before returning to its original shape.
Abby fluttered around nervously but seemed to also notice the strange sight. She whizzed past Link's face and peered down at the Sheikah who was struggling to stay awake. The hero leaned down to brush Sheik's blonde hair away from his face. His guide didn't even seem to notice. His red eyes shifted around as if he couldn't see properly and his uncontrollable shaking was getting worse.
"Abby what's going on? He wasn't doing this a few minutes ago," said the hero worriedly. The red fairy flashed a yellow color again, but then paused as the Sheikah briefly appeared bulkier again. She hovered closer and finally felt the magic of the body suit Sheik wore struggle to remain enchanted.
"His clothing…the enchantment on it is failing. I don't know if his ruptured magical core is draining too much energy from the enchantment or if all these holes in it are causing it to fail from the strain of keeping it active through all the damage it sustained," said Abby uncertainly. She suddenly zoomed forward and hit Sheik's forehead when he started to close his eyes.
"No Sheiky! You can't sleep yet!" The red fairy spun around and whizzed toward the red haired bartender standing nervously next to Link, "We need to find someone who can help me realign his magical core so you need to make sure that he stays awake, ok?!"
Telma blinked, surprised at the sudden statement but then nodded and pushed Link lightly toward the dresser in the corner.
"Go and grab a shirt and pants then. You'll stick out like a sore thumb with all that blood all over you. The last thing you need is every Calatian soldier in this damn city chasing after you. I'll clean his wounds and keep an eye on your friend honey," said Telma as she settled down next to the shaking Sheikah.
Link nodded, briefly wondering what the hell Calatian solders were doing in Hyrule this early.
Zelda said they weren't going to be here until at least two weeks. Why are they here so early? And why the hell are they doing crowd control and not our own damn soldiers?
He sighed and walked over to open the dresser. He didn't care enough to sort through the clothing. Who knew how much time he had before Sheik reached his limit. So, he grabbed the first shirt and pants that he saw, pausing only slightly when he noticed that the plain brown shirt and pants weren't anything that Telma would normally wear but shrugged and began to tug off his clothing. He was a bit self-conscious to change in the same room as a women, but he forced himself to ignore it. He didn't have time for that.
He tossed his green hat on top of the dresser and his green cloak across the top once he was done. He felt naked without his hat but he figured that it would only attract attention so he would leave it here. The hero hesitated when he glanced back at the blue hilt of the Master Sword.
The quickest way to get around is to not draw attention to myself and carrying around the sword of evils bane will do the exact opposite of that…it would be best if I went around as a peasant.
He sighed and tugged off his shield and laid it on the floor next to the dresser. He frowned at the unusual sensation that filled him when he carefully laid the Master Sword against the wall. His eyes shot over to the top of his wrist that seemed to have difficulty letting go of the blade. The golden Triforce symbol flashed briefly, so much so that the hero started to think maybe he had imagined it. He shook his head though and glanced up toward the heavens.
Are you trying to tell me something?
Link dropped his gaze back to the divine blade but then caught sight of his blood soaked tunic on the floor next to it. Blood that was mostly not his.
I'm sorry…but Sheik comes first.
He put his belt and adventure pouchs packed with hidden equipment back on, because only an idiot would go around unarmed, and then turned to head out the door. He paused at the doorframe when he heard a whimper.
He glanced worriedly over his shoulder and saw Sheik reaching a shaking hand toward him and muttered something incomprehensible. His red eyes weren't even focused on him but he seemed frightened suddenly. The words pouring out of his mouth were jumbled together and made no sense at all. Like his mind was stringing together random words and saying them aloud.
Link rushed over and gripped the out stretched hand gently and turned his face to look at him.
"I'm going to be right back, ok? Don't worry partner. I won't let anything else happen to you," said Link reassuringly. A new string of gibberish poured out of Sheik's mouth and he gripped Link's hand tighter. A sad whine escaped from the hero, and he wasn't even sure if was the wolf or him.
"Its gonna be ok Sheiky! I promise!" exclaimed Abby before she hovered close to Link's pointed ear to whisper, "He's not really gonna understand anything else we say Linky…his mind is shutting down from the effort of trying to keep his magical core active. We need to go before his soul starts to shut down as well,"
Link nodded and then gave his guide a sorrowful look before releasing his hand. He turned and rushed out the room. He closed his eyes as he strode around the bar and across the room, cursing his sensitive hearing as it picked up the frantic sounds that followed him.
Shad was at the bar's entrance trying to explain to people attempting to enter that it was closed.
"Thanks Shad. Can you make sure no one enters the building until I get back?" asked Link hurriedly as he reached his side. Abby whizzed around his head nervously. She knew that Sheik had time to spare but not much. She needed help from someone that could wield restorative magic strong enough to touch the soul. But that was so rare! Where would they even find such a person in time?
"Of course Link, but you better keep your head down. I hear the Calatian soldiers you encountered earlier are still searching for the both of you," said Shad. Link growled but didn't comment as he brushed passed the few people in front of Shad. He reentered the street and immediately blended into the crowd again. He knew of only one person that could do what Abby had said. Someone that had healing magic strong enough to touch the soul…he needed to reach Zelda.
"Linky, where are we going? Do you know what we are looking for?" asked Abby worriedly.
"Yeah, I know someone. She already healed someone in a way that I think you were describing so we need to get to Hyrule Castle," said Link. His cerulean gaze watched the crowd, watching for signs of trouble. He narrowed his eyes when he spotted another Calatian soldier up ahead. He spoke to a merchant in a way that easily portrayed he was intimidating information out of the shop owner despite that the man was showing that he didn't have any idea about what the soldier was talking about.
The hero growled again. His protective instinct flaring up. He took a deep breath though, and Abby quickly flew to hide under his shirt as soon as she noticed the soldier.
Where the hell are our soldiers? What gives these assholes the right to treat the people like that? This isn't their home!
Link had to force himself to look away from the scene as he passed. He was startled when the wolf reached out of him to sniff at the air. The beast narrowed its eyes at the armored man, already regarding him as prey to hunt. As soon as the hero regained control, he paused right in middle of the street. People scowled and gave looks of irritation as they tried to weave their way around him but the hero stayed rooted to the spot. Abby poked her head out of his shirt to look up worriedly when the hero remained motionless. A look of surprise that was starting to morph into fear was donning his face so she poked his chest a few times to get his attention.
"Linky? What's wrong?" asked Abby. Link blinked and shook his head, his expression troubled.
"That was the first time that the wolf took control and…I could see this time. I was there in the background. I've always blacked out before. What the hell is happening to me? What is going to happen when it becomes stronger than me?" asked Link frantically as he started to walk forward again.
The wolf was reliable and he trusted it…to a degree. But it was still a beast with bestial instincts. He couldn't…if it was able to take control away from him that easily then it could hurt people. He didn't doubt for a second that the wolf would have ripped into soldier and peasant alike if it had broken free of its restraints during his rescue of Sheik. It wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them while in such a rage just like any other wild animal that felt that heavily threatened.
He quickly rushed forward, eager to reach Hyrule Castle. He would deal with his problems after Sheik was taken care of.
The trip to the castle was more strenuous as he thought it would be. Not from the abundance of Calatian soldiers, the assholes, but from the sheer amount of entertainment surrounding the bustling capitol city. There were food stalls and people dressed in flashy clothing preforming tricks on the street. Even several games crowded with people and exhibits on display were around every corner. If he wasn't dealing with such a dire situation then he would have stopped a while ago to marvel at the sight. It was painfully obvious now that the Welcoming Festival was underway.
That means that the King of Calatia is here…how in the world did Zelda pull this off in such a short amount of time? How did the king even get here before we got back?
The lack of Hylian soldiers quickly changed as soon as he reached the gates of the castle. He paused again when he noticed that they were closed.
Zelda never closes the main gates to the castle until nightfall….
Link was getting nervous with how much things seemed to be different in the town he had been to not more than a few days ago.
Right when we figure out that there's a damn god out there trying to kill all the competition is when Castle Town suddenly looks like it belongs in a foreign country? That can't be a coincidence.
He didn't have the time to try and sneak inside so he decided to just approach the giant metal gates. Abby was spooked by the guards so she hid underneath his shirt. As he peered through the bars, he could see dozens of people, nobles by the looks of their clothing, around the courtyard but then one of the guards held up a hand.
"Halt! No commoners in the courtyard…sorry. Princess's orders," said the Hylian soldier. Link sighed in relief. At least they were still the same. No backbone but respectable, with an overall friendly, if not naively so, nature.
"I need to see Princess Zelda immediately-" But suddenly the other soldier that had been standing at the other side of the gate gasped and pointed to him.
"Oh my goddess! I almost didn't recognize you! Bob! Show some respect to the future king of Hyrule!" exclaimed the other Hylian soldier that quickly approached Link. The hero started choking on air before the soldier slapped his back in concern.
"Are you alright, Great Hero?" asked the soldier. Link finally pulled himself together and stared at the two guards, expecting them to reveal that such a wildly outrageous statement was just a prank. But the soldier that had said it was looking at him in worship. Bob frowned as he looked at the hero though. It seemed more because of the plain brown clothing he was wearing, like he had expected the hero to be draped in rich kingly attire already.
Link shook his head. He didn't have time for this. Whatever this was.
"Look. I really need to see the princess, so let me pass," said Link hurriedly. The soldier grinned.
"Oh, I bet you do sir! She has been waiting anxiously for your safe return ever since you left for your quest! Of course I never doubted you. Not for a second!" exclaimed the soldier excitedly. Link sighed as he suddenly recognized this soldier's excited and chipper nature.
"Right…so can you take me to her…Ben, was it?" said the hero uncertainly. Ben grinned from ear to ear before turning to Bob, who had gone back to his position beside the gate.
"You see Bob! I told you the Great Hero would remember me! After our fateful encounter in the courtroom and the heartfelt chat we shared before he dealt with that beast near the cities exit he was sure to!" exclaimed Ben excitedly before turning back to the hero and saluting him, "I'll take you to the princess right away sir!"
He spun around and begun marching through the gates that Bob had already ordered to be opened somewhere near the beginning of Ben's prideful speech. Link just shook his head and followed. Abby giggled as she poked her head out and stared after the marching man in front of them.
"He's funny! He really likes you too Linky! You sure got a lot of friends, huh?" asked Abby quietly.
"That's one way to put it," muttered Link. He pursed his lips at the nobles around the courtyard, because that's definitely what they were judging by the looks of confusion and derision. Whether it was from his commoners clothing or his luck of noble bearing he wasn't sure. His stride started to slow when something caught his eye.
Someone wearing a navy blue cloak was standing in front of a few soldiers that bore the Calatian icon on their armor. The cloak's golden seams caught the sunlight and briefly flashed in Link's eyes. It was enough to make him on edge. The color was different, but the style looked the same as the cloak that the red haired person that had almost seen him on the balcony of that building.
This person was thin and had short wavy dark brown hair though. His hands were clasped behind his back but his head was tilted in a way that gave the impression that he was quite surprised to hear what was being told to him.
Link glanced at the soldiers nervously. Sure enough, as soon as they neared the group the hero heard the soldiers reporting what had happened at the cities exit. The words "spy" and "meddling" were heard but Link quickened his pace to try and walk parallel with Ben so he hid some of the hero's frame. Sheik certainly didn't have time for him to be fighting his way into the castle.
He saw Abby poke her head out and then stick her tongue at them. He grinned.
Yes, Abby is definitely the perfect balance between Sheik and myself.
He cursed softly when he noticed that Calatian soldiers were stationed near the entrance to the castle.
What the hell? These bloody bastards are walking around like they own the place! Why in the name of Din is Zelda allowing it in her own damn castle?
Link scowled at the sight of the silver lion and serpent on the metal armor they wore and quickly pulled Ben over to stand behind an extravagantly tall rose bush. He shushed the guard as he stumbled beside him and then stopped abruptly. He cast a sharp and subtle scan around to see if anyone was taking any special interest in them but most were too busy with their own conversations.
He then took a deep breath and plastered a smile on his face before turning toward the nervous looking guard.
"Ben, buddy. Would you do me a tremendous favor?" asked Link with that strained smile. Ben smiled in return and nodded so vigorously that Link was worried that he might have hurt his neck with the sharp movement.
"Anything for you sir!" said Ben, but he quieted down with a confused look when Link brought a finger up to his lips.
"Good, good. Now, you see my…quest isn't done for the day. So, I would really appreciate it if you could take me to Zelda…discreetly," said Link quietly. Ben's eyes widened and then he grinned slyly at the hero like he was a naughty teen chatting about his nightly plans with a new girlfriend.
"Oh…gotcha. Let us sail away from this sea of unwanted eyes then, eh sir?" said Ben with a smirk. He wiggled his bushy eyebrows at the hero and then turned to walk around the large rose bush that they had hid behind. Link watched as Ben tip toed and paused to peer around the edge of the bush, like he was some kind of spy. If his mind wasn't clouded with worry over his partner's welfare then even he would have laughed at that. Ben's loyal but overly silly behavior was a gold mine of amusement.
It turned out that Ben's overt spy behavior did draw quite a bit of attention but it was so weird and unexpected that most people, servants, soldiers and nobles alike, didn't even seem to notice Link trailing a few steps behind the guy that tried sliding along the walls or crouching behind tables and statues.
It had gotten to a point that Link would cough periodically on purpose a few times to hid the laughter that spilled out from his tunic as the red fairy could no longer stay quiet once she saw Ben quickly walk up behind a random group of nobles leisurely walking down the hall like he was trying to blend in. They would swing around and glare at him when they heard the clanking of his metal armor as he approached.
Link really needed to have a fun night out with the guy after this. He deserved it.
Eventually they reached the servant's quarters and Ben suddenly stopped and smiled as a maid approached them. She wore her long black hair in a neat pony tail and her pretty green eyes narrowed as she looked between them.
"What kind of crazy plot have you gotten yourself involved with this time Ben? There's already rumors of some nutbag sneaking around like he's searching for something," asked the maid as she raised an eyebrow. Link shook his head in amazement before turning sideways to try and hide his face. Not only is the gossip wheel stronger then even he had thought, but Ben's crazy behavior was so effective that the rumors didn't even include him.
"Just doing my job Lani. Now then! When is the princess having lunch? It should be soon right?" asked Ben as he returned to his proud stance. Lani sighed as she rolled her eyes at the man.
"Yes. We were just about to set the table actually. Did you bring help? Good, he can take the silverware up then," said Lani as she gave a once over to Link.
The hero had been looking at a giant picture on the wall that had several fruit in a decretive bowl painted in the center, wondering why anyone would want to look at a bowl of fruit that much but then his sensitive ears twitched at the sound of something clanking together.
He turned just in time to catch a huge bag of silverware as it was thrown at him. Abby made a disgruntled noise the bag smashed her against the hero's chest.
"Oh, you might as well take this," said Lani as she placed a few dozen napkin holders that already contained napkins on top of the huge bag, "You look strong enough so you could be a gentlemen and take these too," Then she briskly walked around him and then he suddenly saw a few table cloths and candle holders placed on top of the bag as well.
The hero grunted as he swayed on the spot from the effort of trying not to drop the heavy load. He couldn't even see over the pile of stuff anymore so he had to lug the stuff to the side to see where he was going.
Ben gave him a apologetic look but the hero just smiled weakly and nodded to the door with a whispered "thanks buddy,"
"Get back to your post Ben. You couldn't have been there that long. You best hope captain Hanz doesn't stroll by and see your brother on gate duty all by his lonesome," said Lani with a smirk before she turned to Link's swaying form, "As for you, just follow Surma over there. She's also in charge of setting up the table for lunch,"
Link heard the hurried steps of Ben rushing away as he lugged his heavy load to the side and looked in the direction that Lani had pointed. A young human girl, no more then maybe twelve was loading several different kinds of pastries onto a round silver plate that had three other levels stacked on top of it.
Even through his struggling he had to admire her rounded ears. He had been the only Hylian that had lived in Ordon, so he had naturally grown fond of the human race that had surrounded him as he grew up. Then he started to almost waddle over to her, trying to avoid the bustling of the other servants as they tried to prepare for the upcoming lunch.
She looked over toward him, her long blonde braid barely scraping the floor as she did, and gave him a surprised look at what he held in his arms.
"Oh, goodness me! Did Lani saddle you with all that? Sorry! Let's hurry then, ya?" said the young girl as she hurriedly placed the stacked tray of pastries in a better grip and then hurried away. The hero paused only briefly when he heard the 'ya' tacked on to the girl's sentence so smoothly. He only knew of one other person that did that but he quickly followed her so he wouldn't get lost.
It was almost a half hour of lugging the stuff like a wayward drunkard across ten hallways, three staircases and two lobbies, an event that was only possible because of the quiet but constant reassurances from Abby that Sheik could spare the time for them to get him help without leading half the Calatian army to where he would be trying to recover, that Link finally saw Surma settle her tray onto a long table set against a wall of the eastern side of the room.
Link just dropped his load right next to the table and took off in the direction of the main hallway.
"What does the princess look like?" asked Abby as she poked her head out from Link's tunic to peer at the people passing them by. The hero kept his head down in what he hopedwas a respectful servant like manner so he wouldn't attract attention.
"Blue eyes. Long blonde hair. Regel bearing and probably wearing a lot of pink," said Link softly. He paused when he spotted a group of Calatian soldiers speaking with two Hylian guards that stood firmly next to a door.
The hero was about to turn around and go the opposite way but then noticed something different about those Hylian soldiers. They held themselves with pride and one stepped in front of the door that the Calatian soldier had tried to approach. They each held a firm grip on the hilt of their blades. A fierce protective presence radiating from their forms, easily promising death to anyone who threatens who they protect.
Link sighed in relief before darting behind a huge vase that had flowers raising high out of it. He knew of only one person in this place that had guards that highly disciplined. As if summoned by the thought, the Prince of Hyrule suddenly threw open his door and stepped out with a deep scowl donning his face.
"Have you no respect for your hosts? Do you have any idea who I am?" exclaimed Victor irritably. The Hylian guard stepped aside to allow his charge to be seen but close enough to protect him if it was needed.
The Calatian soldier looked momentary startled by his sudden appearance but then nodded his head respectfully, but only slightly, making the act a bit condescending.
"My apologies Prince Victor. But you have been summoned by lord-"
"Summoned?! Do I look like a lowly commoner or a some low class noble that your lord can snap his fingers and order around?! If it weren't for my sister's insistence then I would have thrown every last one of you in the dungeons! This is not your kingdom and your lord does not have a say here! Get out of my sight before I take matters into my own hands!" snarled Victor. Link looked worriedly between the groups.
They are even treating Victor like this in his own castle? Good goddesses. I don't just need to heal Sheik. I need to get him as far away from these people as possible.
The Calatian soldier frowned, glancing nervously at the two guards at the prince's side that looked ready to leap at them at a moment's notice. Then a familiar voice rang out through the hall, making the hero pause in absentmindedly moving around the flowers in the vase.
He turned his head slightly to see Zelda suddenly came striding past him and stood next to her brother. She clasped her hands in front of her and nodded to the Calatian soldier.
"Please inform Lord Leonard that we will join him shortly," said Zelda with a tone that was proper and submissive. What is happening here?
The Calatian soldier nodded, but it seemed more like a jerk of his head. Like he couldn't spare the effort. Link thought it odd how he would treat Victor with more respect when Zelda was the reigning monarch.
Then the foreign soldiers started to file away and he could practically feel Victor fuming from down the hall.
"Forget it Zelda. I don't know what has gotten into you but you shouldn't be encouraging this behavior! They will just continue to step all over you! That is unacceptable! Especially in your own castle!" exclaimed Victor in disbelief. Zelda looked ready to reply but then caught sight of Link since he had already left his hiding place and was rushing over to them.
He wasn't sure how she recognized him so quickly since he was still trying to weave his way through several servants as they went passed. He heard the sound of hurried footsteps as the heels of the princesses boots clicked on the marble floor. He barely had the time to reach up and catch her as she flung herself at him and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, sweet Nayru! Thank goddesses you're safe!" exclaimed Zelda as she buried her face in his neck. Link stiffened and then blinked several times in confusion. They had grown rather close in the last few months…but not this close. The desperate clinging to his frame was also uncharacteristic of her. She may seem delicate and flowery at times but there was strong steady thorns underneath those pretty petals.
He had wasted enough time already though. He would have to ask how it seemed that he had dropped into a strange parallel world later.
"Zelda, we have to get to Telma's bar right now. Sheik needs your help," said Link desperately. Zelda pulled back with that strong protective look in her eyes, the same one that he had seen every time he saw her in that goddess forsaken room in the Twilight.
But it vanished just as quickly and was replaced with the submissive women that had spoken to the Calatian guard. Link narrowed his eyes at that but she turned when Victor reached them. The prince gripped his shoulder firmly but friendly with a grin.
"Good to have you back Link. Maybe now these arrogant buffoons will show some respect now that the Hero of Twilight is here," said Victor hopefully as he nodded to Link. That surprised Link even more then Zelda's strange behavior. Victor had always seemed confident and reliable in the short time he had interacted with him. Especially during that furious scolding that he had given that Calatian soldier but now he figured it must have been more out of frustration instead of confidence.
"Brother, I know that dealing with King Leonard is grating against your sanity but Link is in need of my aid. Can you delay him while I'm away? Please? If anyone can handle him it's you," asked Zelda softly. Victor scowled fiercely but then let out a long sigh as his anger melted under the pleading look his sister gave him.
"Oh, fine. You better not leave me dangling in the wind with that giant self-righteous lion of a man though," said Victor with a frown. He nodded to Link before heading back down the hallway. Link was about to lead Zelda away but she grabbed his hand and lead the way herself.
He was confused when they started to climb the stairs to a higher level.
"Zelda, I said we need to go to Telma's bar. Where are we going?" asked Link. He frowned at the way that Zelda was holding his hand and nodding to each person going down the stairs, like she was trying to make sure they noticed.
"You know where we are going…oh wait, I didn't tell you did I?" asked Zelda as she paused to look at him uncertainly before turning back, "The way you always took to meet me while within the Twilight is a little different now and is sealed only from the outside,"
Link's eyes widened in surprise. She had told him a while ago that the secret entrance into Hyrule Castle that was hidden in Telma's bar had been sealed shut. Apparently she decided that it would be a good escape route. He was more than alright with that knowledge. The quicker they reached Sheik the better.
It seemed that the hero didn't even have to tell her to avoid the Calatian soldiers because she did so already. Link watched her closely as they wove through the hallways and snuck around corners. Some of the Hylian guards even took notice of them but simply nodded to the princess without a word, as if she snuck around her own castle on a daily basis.
She is scared of something…
Link kept up the fast pace but pulled back on the hand that Zelda was holding firmly so she was walking next to him now.
"Zelda, what's wrong?" asked Link cautiously. The princess gave him a slightly fearful look but shook her head. The gesture heavily implying that this wasn't the place to be talking about it. They soon reached the tower where she had been trapped in while within the Twilight.
Link had always wondered what became of the bedroom that she had used. He couldn't imagine her still using it after being held prisoner inside it for the entire time that he had been ridding Hyrule of the Twilight. He never really had the chance to ask if the maze of a bedroom that she is using now has always been her room or if she decided to stay there after the Twilight Incident.
Servants, other nobles and a few guards were passing by them, bowing to the princess but she barely paused long enough to nod in acknowledgment. Most stopped to look at him as he rushed away with her but he could still see the hopeful look as they seemed to try and figure out who he was.
Did…she tell the people of the danger Hyrule is in now? Is that why I keep catching looks of relief from those that seem to recognize me…? I haven't gotten anything like that since the Twilight spread. This will cause a panic, not to mention that she doesn't have the full story yet. Not that we do, but it's more then what we had before.
Zelda finally approached the door of the tower and swung it open, not bothering to close it behind her. As they ascended the stairs he looked up at the opening in the wall at the top. That's how he had gotten in as a wolf but it's going to be hard as they are now.
Apparently it didn't matter because Zelda rushed right past it and entered the bedroom at the top. Link took a moment to glance around the room. It looked the same as the day that he first found Zelda. Large four poster bed in the corner, area rugs surrounding the interior and the window.
That window is what he remembered the most from this room. It wasn't even colorful or all that elegant but the design didn't really matter. Zelda had spent most of her time staring out of it and she had been doing so the moment he first stepped inside with Midna urging him on like a damn horse. The dim light from the perpetual twilight had always shone through that window, a constant reminder of what was lurking out there.
Zelda knelt in front of the window and started to touch a finger to a few pieces of the stone floor. A muttered word followed each touch until suddenly the stones started to move on their own. They shifted in different directions and then lowered themselves into the ground.
Link leaned forward once he didn't hear movement anymore and stared down at the newly formed staircase in amazement.
"How-" But Zelda silenced him with a sharp look. She glanced around nervously, as if someone might be hiding in the almost barren room.
Then she quickly gestured for Link to follow her as she descended down the stairs. He noticed her touching a few stones along the wall as she passed them, also muttering a word with each one. He jumped and spun around when the stones above them started to rearrange themselves until they resealed the top of the staircase. Link hurried after Zelda when he heard the click of her heels echoing farther away.
Once Link finally reached the bottom, Zelda was waiting with an apologetic expression donning her face.
"Link-" But suddenly Abby flew out of Link's tunic and started to zoom around his body in sporadic circles.
"I can't take it anymore! I can't just sit there! When are we going to-" but then Abby suddenly froze after the fifth spin around Link when she finally noticed Zelda, "Oh! Your right Linky! She does wear a lot of pink! But anyway, we should really get back to Sheiky! It's been almost an hour! It think it will be fine though. I can sense your magic from here! Wow!"
Abby zoomed over to Zelda and circled her head instead, making Link snicker. He knew it was the right choice to get Zelda.
"With restorative magic as strong as yours, Sheiky will be lucky if he doesn't go blind from the intensity!" exclmaied Abby happily, but then froze again before zooming back over to hover next to Link's head, "That time away from Linky didn't count either!"
"You can be a few feet away from me Abby. That won't hurt you," said Link as he started to follow Zelda again. It was damp and mold covered parts of the wall and floor surrounding them. The atmosphere wasn't even the slightest bit pleasant.
He would guess that this was somewhere in the sewers.
"Well, Sheiky didn't seem to think so…" muttered Abby as she hovered over to the other side of Link's head.
"Good old Sheiky can over think things sometimes," said Link with a chuckle. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"What is wrong with Sheik?" asked Zelda softly. She sounded nervous, but Abby had said that her magic was strong…did she know something they didn't?
"Well…I'm not really sure. Abby figured out that something ruptured his magical core. I have no idea what did though," said Link uncertainly. Zelda frowned as she thought about this, but then her eyes widened suddenly.
"Oh goddesses…did he try to use the sigil just outside the southern exit of the city?" asked Zelda desperately.
"Um, I'm not sure. We were teleporting and considering that I found him just outside of the southern exit of town getting attacked by those Calatian scumbags-hey!" Link bolted after the princess that suddenly hiked up her dress and sprinted away.
"The Order of Sol was speaking about trying to apprehend a dangerous spy near the southern end of the city! If that news already reached me in the castle then they might have found him by now!" exclaimed Zelda nervously.
"What the hell is the Order of Sol?!" exclmaied Link as he caught up to her. They sped around a corner the hero couldn't help but notice that this part of the sewer looked almost new. Even the horrid smell wasn't set in the air yet.
"It's the clergy of Calatia! They are powerful and supposedly follow the word of their god!" shouted Zelda as she rushed up a flight a stairs. Link almost stopped in shock. It couldn't be?!
"Zelda, if these people are what I think they are then you can't trust them!" shouted Link. Zelda glanced over her shoulder to look at him in surprise before continuing onward.
"You know about the Order of Sol?" asked Zelda.
"No. We have a lot to talk about though, once Sheik is alright," said Link.
"Agreed,"
They rushed through the rest of the way in silence, except for the click of Zelda's boots as she lead the way out of what Link guessed was a new section of the sewers.
Almost ten minutes later, she stopped right in front of a dead end. She began touching various stones on the wall and muttering words under her breath. Then the stones wrenched themselves out of the wall and shifted into different places again until an archway had formed.
They stepped though and Link peered curiously at Zelda.
"I haven't seen you do anything like that before. I get the feeling that you wouldn't have been as helpless within the Twilight if you could do this kind of stuff then, so when did you learn it?" asked Link cautiously.
"A month ago," said Zelda stiffly. Link frowned at that but let it be for now.
The pathway lead in zigzags, allowing no solid direction for long. This made Link wonder if whoever decided to make this particular section had been inspired by the Lost Woods, especially since it was darker along these hallways and it was easy to lose track of time.
Soon they ran up against another dead end and Zelda glanced back at him.
"This is it. This will lead to the rafters of Telma's bar," said Zelda before she started to touch a few stones again. As she muttered words to get them to reform Link began to feel anxious. It wasn't spawned from his worry for his partner. It wasn't even from the news of this Order of Sol.
It was like an anxious energy reaching out to him. And the wolf within stirred at the sensation. It seemed to recognize it.
As soon as the archway began to form, the sensation increased. Now he recognized it as well. Why was he feeling it now though? He had sheathed the holy blade and left it in a corner.
And yet, as he scampered out of the opening and onto the rafters of Telma's bar, he could feel the waves of divine energy washing over the area. It was fierce, protective, radiant…and angry. That was new.
He heard Zelda begin closing the archway behind her, but he paused and stared in shock at the sight on the floor of the bar below him.
At least a dozen Calatian soldiers were gathered around tightly together, trying to approach the small living quarters behind the bar but the figure in the front is what immediately caught his attention. It was the same red haired person that had almost caught him at the balcony of the building shortly after his abrupt arrival.
Link could tell the person was male now. His red hair was slicked back and his broad shoulders were held upright, giving him a noble bearing. The soldiers around him seemed to look to him for guidance, telling the hero that this man had authority over them. He frowned as he watched the man interact with the waves of angry radiant energy washing over the area. He would weave his hands through the air with an air of confidence that could only be acquired through years of strenuous arcane training. The red cloak seemed to flow with his movements as the golden seams flashed in the light washing over them from the energy emitting from the Master Sword.
The man had such a tight control over his magic that it seemed as if whenever he would reach out toward a wave of energy it would flow in the way he directed it, which was right back the way it came. Regardless of the fact that it was so hostile toward him. Link would have even believed the man somehow capable of absorbing the violent radiant energy if it weren't for the frustrated expression that would slip passed his mask of determination.
Zelda was suddenly at his side and she gasped at the sight as well. Then the hero felt a feather light touch on top of the exposed fingers of his gauntlet. He turned and Zelda was looking down at his hand with an expression of awe.
The golden Triforce symbol on top of his hand was glowing. He glanced back at the waves of energy and then to his glowing symbol in confusion. Zelda chuckled, making him glance up at her. She smiled softly at him.
"It seems someone is watching over those who are dear to you," replied the bearer of wisdom. Link blinked, and then peered back toward the floor of the bar. He laughed, relieved when he finally saw the pattern. The waves of energy would wash over the area at the same moment his divine symbol would pulse with the rich energy that radiated from his very soul.
Farore is protecting Sheik for me…
The hero paused to raise his head to the heavens with a look of sincere gratitude. He shuddered as a rich and vibrant presence seemed to reach out to him and wrap him in a warm embrace. Then it vanished and his divine symbol disappeared from view. The radiant energy of the Master Sword may have ceased to pulse out angrily, but it still gave off the impression of uneasiness and suspicion. That put him on edge.
The back room had no barrier now. With several people in the room that were dangerous.
The hero and wolf growled as one once the realization hit them. The Master Sword was still reacting to something or someone evil close by.
The wolf wanted out and for once, the hero didn't push it back into its cage. He slipped a hand around the princess's waist and held her firmly to his side before leaping from the rafters. He landed with a loud thud on top of the bar and the room suddenly fell silent as he straightened.
The hero let Zelda drop behind him before jumping down himself, never breaking eye contact with the mysterious red headed man in front of him. He then moved with a predatory grace, his body moving in fluid motions like he was preparing to leap at hesitate prey. The hero had been uneasy at first about allowing the wolf this much freedom but to his surprise, it didn't try to wrestle control away from him. It seemed to flow and direct its attention to wherever Link felt the most threatened. It became his motion. His body moved with the will of the wolf, but his mind remained his own. The event was both frightening and phenomenal.
Abby suddenly zipped out from the top of his tunic and flew into the back room without a word. The man finally broke eye contact with him to snap his eyes toward the red retreating fairy. His eyes narrowed as he glanced back at the hero. Link heard the click of Zelda's boots as she started to follow the fairy but they hesitated and then stopped.
Then he heard the scarp of metal as it was lifted from the floor. The click of the princess's boots sounded again until they were right next to him and suddenly the Master Sword's blue hilt was presented to him. The hero could tell by the way she held the divine blade somewhat awkwardly away from her that the Master Sword was just barely tolerating her touch.
He hadn't realized the Master Sword was this picky. Monsters and those with evil in their hearts were understandable but Zelda was not only chosen like he was, she was as good hearted as they come.
"You have the highest authority here Link. Tell them we will resolve this issue back at the castle," whispered Zelda as she bowed her head slightly to him. When he gripped the blue hilt she looked up with a pleading look before turning to follow the red fairy into the back room.
What the hell?! You're the bloody princess! How would my word matter more than yours?!
Even the wolf was momentary startled by his sheer confusion but his body stiffened and then whirled to face the red haired man as he straightened and approached him.
"Ah, it makes sense now why a blade would react in such a way…" said the red haired man with a smooth tone of voice. His sharp eyes peered at the Master Sword with such an intense look that Link couldn't tell if the man was highly impressed or deeply suspicious by the divine blade.
The hero suddenly didn't care about the expression those eyes held once he noticed their color. Gold. Cunning, calculating, and prideful medallions of gold that were too much like the pair that belonged to the man that had almost brought his home to ruin.
The wolf snarled angrily from within at the memory of the pig. Something that lessened his growing fear and caused a slight smirk to appear on his face. The wolf never viewed the bearer of power as anything but a pig, no different than any other prey that it would hunt.
Once he stood in front of the tense hero, he was able to finally decipher that last lingering expression. Hunger. A powerful hungry gaze toward the divine blade but then the man was all charm as he smiled and bowed his head to the hero.
"It see you have returned safely Great Hero! I am Salrune, of the second circle of the Order of Sol. I trust your journey went well? I would love hear about it but we have a dangerous individual to take into custody first-" but Link cut him off with growl, a feral look springing to his eyes.
The soldiers rushed to his defense as Link drew himself to his full height to glare down at Salrune, but the man held up a hand to halt them. Link noticed that same hungry look in the man's eyes but now it was directed at him.
It was uncomfortable when that gaze was directed toward his blade. It was downright disturbing now that it was directed toward him.
"No one is taking him anywhere. He did nothing wrong. Now get out. I have more important things to deal with," said the hero darkly. He heard the growls of the wolf echoing within his mind, signaling that it would pounce if any of them were to cause harm to Link or the rest of its pack.
"My soldiers say otherwise Great Hero," said Salrune as he rose an eyebrow. The hero scowled at him before backing away.
"Of course they would. They were throwing him around like a damn kickball before I showed up," said Link with a glare. The soldiers around the man muttered to themselves but they immediately went silent as the red haired mage turned to give them a sharp look.
"Perhaps there is a misunderstanding here. I think a trial is in order then. I can have the suspect delivered to the castle shortly. We must go through certain channels though," replied Salrune. Link was losing what little patience he had with this man, especially since he just wanted to see if his guide was alright.
Zelda had said that he had authority for some reason though. So he might as well use it.
"I will handle this matter. So, you can return to whatever you were doing beforehand," said Link sternly before turning to walk toward the back room. The wolf wouldn't let any kind of threat go unseen behind it, so it seemed to prowl around the counter and listened intently.
"I'm sorry sir, but that's not how-" But he stopped and flinched when Link spun around and bashed the flat side of the Master Sword against the edge of the counter, causing a metallic sound to echo around the area.
The entire room seemed to be echoing with his mounting fury and he looked up through his blonde bangs to level a fierce glare at the man.
"I dearly hope the next words you were going to say were not anything along the lines of 'that's not how this works'. Because that would imply that you, for reason, are thinking that you can implant your own judicial system here despite the fact that this is not Calatia. Here in Hyrule, you are innocent until proven guilty. You don't seem like a stupid man so don't make stupid mistakes. Now, this is the last time I will tell you. Get. Out," growled the hero before he disappeared into the back room.
He quickly closed the door but paused just on the other side and listened. He heard irritable mutterings but the voice of Salrune easily rang out to inform them that they would head back to the castle. He started to say something else but Link was startled as something collided with him and suddenly pressed him against the door.
"Oh, thank goddesses…I thought I had killed you," muttered Sheik into his shirt. The Sheikah was wrapped firmly around his middle. That stunned the hero. Because Sheik shouldn't even be awake, let alone able to move right now.
He gripped his guide's shoulders and gently pulled him away to get a good look at him. He was wearing Link's green cloak, a plain grey shirt and what was left of his blue leggings. Nearly every exposed part of his pale skin was covered with white bandages. His face was covered but it looked hastily done, especially since his long blonde hair trailed down his back completely unhindered.
But he didn't look like he needed any of that. In fact, even his broken leg seemed to have miraculously healed.
"What-how-" Abby suddenly flew in between them and hugged Sheik's nose.
"I knew it would work out in the end! I don't know how Zelly did it but she did! Now she's taking a nap so maybe we can figure out what the heck is going on right?" asked Abby happily as she jumped up to hang from a piece of Sheik's blonde hair, "Ew, you need a bath though Sheiky! You got blood all over you and you smell weird!"
Link looked over toward the bed and saw Zelda laying across it with an arm slung over her eyes. Hovering around the bed, staring at the hero worriedly were Telma and Shad.
Where were Ashei and Auru? Why was everything about Castle Town so different now? Why was everyone, especially Zelda, treating him like he was expected to be the king?
Now that he had gotten over the shock of his mostly healthy appearance, Link glanced down at his guide. His red eyes shone up at him with a subtle and unusual light. It didn't feel dangerous or even suspicious really. It was just seemed out of place.
The hero gasped when the wolf nudged at a certain memory. One where Zelda had used this power before, which had caused that same out of place light to shine subtly out of another pair of red eyes.
"Link?" asked Sheik worriedly. Link just shook his head. If Zelda had been forced to use that kind of power again then he had been dangerously close to losing Sheik. He suddenly pulled his guide back into a warm embrace. He didn't even realize that the wolf was nuzzling into his hair until he caught the scent of pine.
It was an underlying scent though…and the wolf growled possessively within him once other stronger scents became present. Blood, iron, pipe smoke and the distinct odor of other men.
"Will someone explain to me what in the name of the Three is going on here?"