Ah sorry for the few hours delay. Prom night ya'know. Had to do some dancing and partying... And then go to Denny's for some late night/early morning coffee. Good times, good times... But I did update, and you know what...? It's actually a normal length chapter. OHMYGAW... D:
The group began to move again when morning arrived, or at least what they presumed was morning. Link had departed soon after they woke to hunt down breakfast, this time not having to be ordered by Zelda. Vega had been more quiet and pensive than usual, and the witch wasn't quite sure why. She hoped it wasn't because he figured out anything of her plan, which she still felt partially guilty for going to have to do it later. But she quickly changed her mindset so her feelings of guilt would not reach the star. If they had, he didn't seem to notice.
After they ate, Makar proceeded to lead them through the forest, which seemed to get thicker and thicker the more they traversed through it.
"I was always under the impression-" Vega was cut off when a branch yanked his silver-white hair back. Scowling as he untangled the lock he continued, "-that forests thinned out towards the edges… At least they do up in Heaven." The last comment wasn't meant to be heard, but Zelda had managed to catch it.
Makar was quiet about it and offered no explanation. If Zelda had to guess, she'd say the little creature was concerned about something. The young witch wondered if she could ask. Actually, she wondered if the squat creature could answer given his limited thought processing. Something about this section of the forest seemed to concern him but she wondered if he could remember what.
"Link," she said to the wolf, who acknowledged her with a grunt. "Do you know any stories of a thicker part of the forest near the town?"
The wolf-page considered it for a moment. "I recall something but I couldn't say what. Most people around the castle refuse to tell stories about the thickest parts of the forest. Something about horrid things… That in itself probably tells us we should keep our guards up."
"I never let it down." Came Vega's smug remark.
Zelda rolled her eyes at that. She wondered how exactly it was that he could understand Link as a wolf; she doubted it had anything to do with their shared soul. It most likely had more to do with Vega being a creature of magic. Something like that was probably nothing to him.
"Makar, do you know anything about this part of the forest?" Zelda asked, feeling that asking might have been better than nothing at all. After all, the worst the Korok could say was no.
The little forest creature didn't answer immediately, but he did. "I… I think there's something I should know… But I don't remember. I don't feel too good about this part of the forest, though…"
"As well you shouldn't."
All four nearly jumped out of their skins.
"Cor blimey!" Vega's shouted as he caught sight of the giant owl, Kaepora Gaebora. "How… How the bleeding hell did…" he looked over at Zelda and Link incredulously. "He's a freaking giant owl, how the hell did he get here without us noticing?"
"What's a 'cor blimey'?" Makar asked.
Everyone ignored the little Korok as the owl made its strange laugh, a sound in between a screech and warbled hootings
"I merely came to warn you to use extreme caution when passing through this part of the forest. You are near your destination, but this is by far the most dangerous part of the forest. The Great Deku Tree's reach is limited here and dark creatures have made it their home. There is no way around, not unless you wish to delay your progress. If you do, however, I am most certain your king will die." Said the owl.
Snapping his jaws, Link answered, "We can take anything that decides to hunt us down." Zelda translated for him.
The owl let out a softer laugh. "Very well, then. I take my leave." He then spread his great wings, somehow maneuvering his giant form through the trees with what seemed to be little effort.
Not truly… owl…
Vega's thoughts permeated through Zelda's mind. Not truly an owl? She had to wonder what Kaepora Gaebora really was then… The blond girl couldn't help but notice their little Korok guide shivering, then.
"Are you alright?" She asked him.
The squat fellow shifted his gaze upwards in somewhat surprise. "Ah… I'm not sure… I'm scared."
Both Zelda and Vega shared their feelings of concern. Link on the other hand puffed out his furry chest in defiance. "No kind of monster can stand against my blade… Or fangs, in this case."
Idiot.
It was thought both by the star and the witch.
Rolling his eyes, the star finally said, "We might as well continue."
Quinn frowned. He stood and walked to his window, the curtain still closed. He gently slid a section of it aside to catch a glimpse of the outside. Twilight was enveloping the castle walls and Castle Town in shades of orange and yellow. His gaze was not lingering on the many structures of all sizes and types below, however. No, he was looking beyond the actual town and to the forest nearby. There was something in that forest.
Stupid thought, he told himself. Of course there was something in the forest. Ever since he was a child he was always able to tell that there was something strange about the wood, as if there was a strange enchantment upon it. One didn't need to be a master mage to know that. People avoided it for a reason; even if people couldn't sense it the way he could, something in the subconscious mind told people to stay away from it. Whatever lived in the forest certainly wanted its privacy, and the people respected that. Fear had a way of doing that to people.
But something about the forest now, however, was different. The forest hadn't become more frightening or anything like that, but there was something different about it. There was something in it, like a walking magic focus. He was aware of another magic focus in the forest, but that one was stationary. This new one, this unfamiliar one, was moving…
And it coming towards the town.
The redhead let the curtain slip closed again, brushing that to the back of his mind. He would deal with it when it arrived and if it caused trouble. As for now, he had to meet with his informants.
He exited his study, locking it on the way out, and went to his quarters. They were modest, as far as rooms went in the castle… and Quinn's quarters held much the same feeling as his study. Dark, for the curtains were constantly closed; slightly messy, but an organized mess. There were books, lots of books, not all of them fitting in the shelves supplied so they were piled on top of each other on the floor. The only thing really looking absolutely untouched was his bed in the other room.
He went over to his dresser, pulling out clothing that wasn't of the Royal Wizard's office. The feminine looking young man took off his formal robes and replaced them with the normal garments he took out. As he was pulling the tunic over his shirt, there was a knock at his door. Before he could even address whoever had knocked, Anyway stepped in.
"Light a candle, would you?" She said not hiding her annoyance.
When he finished smoothing his tunic down, he snapped his fingers and muttered, "Flaris." The candles in the rooms of his quarters all flickered to life, spreading a dim glow of light.
Anya leaned against the doorway to his bedroom, looking him up and down.
"How very unusual. You almost look like a man." Said the Eldin province holder.
Quinn rolled his eyes. "I've somewhere to be soon and it isn't wise to be wearing the robes of my office in the town – especially when I'm trying to be secretive about it."
The brunette furrowed her brow. "You have somewhere to be? Outside of the castle?"
"Try not to be shocked, Anya, but I do have a social life."
She raised an eyebrow and smirked flirtatiously. "Do you now? How come you don't have a social life with me?"
The young wizard shot her a threatening glance. "Because you're not exactly trustworthy."
"At least you're honest about it." She said with a shrug, seeming to take no offense whatsoever.
"Why are you here?"
"Aside to drop by and visit a friend?"
He gave her a flat look.
"Tch, you're no fun sometimes… Ganondorf approached me. We've worked something out." Anya explained, her tone getting business like after her first sentence.
"Do you know what he's planning?" Asked Quinn, leaning against his dresser with his arms crossed.
"Not at all." Stated the woman. "He doesn't trust me completely and he has been very vague. He is the careful sort, much like you." She ignored his wince when she had compared him to Dragmire and continued, "All I could gather is that he is indeed after the crown. He promises great things for those who stand beside him. He also said that I would want to be on his good side and if that isn't a threat I don't know what is."
"It stands to reason that he would be wary of you. He is aware that we speak to each other frequently." Quinn said. He then began to walk out, letting Anya alone.
"Where are you going, if you don't mind my asking?" Asked the province holder.
The young wizard put on a mischievous grin, "I know some people who may be able to tell me more of what Dragmire is planning exactly. I'm to speak with them tonight."
The brunette frowned slightly and walked towards him, taking note how the younger man stepped back from her a little as she approached. She was only slightly dismayed by that, but enough so that she went to the door. "Just be careful."
"And the same to you." Said Quinn with a nod.
She smiled her own mischievous smile. "Oh, you needn't worry about me. Dragmire's actually not that bad of a lover."
Quinn did not hide his grimace as Anya left. Why did she always insist on saying such things?
After he was sure the province holder was gone, the feminine young man proceeded to exit his quarters. He left the castle without anyone questioning him or even seeming to care - which was good – and entered the town proper. Castle Town, despite the sun's setting, was still very much alive. The Market was closed for the day, that was true, but the inns and taverns were certainly filled and busy and people came and left them as he walked.
He stopped at a modest looking tavern called The Dancing Cat and entered. Tables were scattered about the inside, most of them crowded with people of all sorts. He ignored them and glanced around to see if his "friends" had arrived yet. They had not.
"Scuse me, sir? Would ye be needin a table?" Said a dreadfully thin serving girl.
Quinn smiled at her and nodded.
"This way, sir." Said the girl, leading him to a corner table.
He sat and then said, "Thank you. I'll be expecting at least two others soon."
The girl nodded, "Very well, sir. Can I get you anything while ye be waitin?" She asked.
"I'd prefer to wait for my company, but thank you for asking." He said politely.
The girl gave him a small smile and nodded. "Alright then, sir." And then she left.
The redhead didn't have to wait long before his company came. He could immediately feel when they arrived as a sense of cold preceded them. He shifted uncomfortably where he sat and could see that most others in the tavern could feel it too, except they didn't pay much heed to it. Quinn looked over to the entrance to see two cloaked figures. Both were tall, one slightly larger than the other, and both wearing cloaks. The cloaks had probably been white once upon a time, but time and travel had turned them into a dusty gray-brown. Their hoods were drawn up, covering their faces in complete shadow. The two walked, actually more glided, over to Quinn's table. The young wizard gestured for them to take a seat. He took the twitches of their hoods to be nods as they sat.
The serving girl came back a moment later. "What will you be having, sirs?"
The slightly larger of the hooded figures spoke first, "We will have tea, the best you can muster." His voice was most definitely male and accented, and his tone held the presence of a man with great confidence… and one who demanded respect.
"Just a light ale." Quinn said.
The serving girl nodded, "I'll be back in a moment." And then she left.
"How have you been?" The redhead asked his sandy-cloaked companions.
As before, the slightly larger of the two spoke. "As well as we will ever be at the moment."
People glanced uneasily at their little table.
The young wizard frowned as he noticed the uncomfortable glances to their table. "Are the hoods necessary?"
He could almost feel a smile from both figures. As always, the larger spoke, "Yes. You know as well as I that our occupation is… frowned… upon. It's best we not reveal our faces, lest everyone know exactly who to hunt down."
Quinn nodded in understanding. Necromancers weren't trusted folk.
The serving girl came back with three mugs. "That'll be seven, sirs. Two for the tea, three for the ale."
The redhead took out three rupees and added another just to be polite; the master necromancer took out his four. The serving woman took them with a smile, giving an appreciative nod to Quinn.
"So, did you learn anything?" The young wizard asked in a change of subject.
The master necromancer's hood twitched in a nod. "The desert is stirring. The Gerudo are getting restless."
"Restless?"
"They drill their troops more often and their king's second in command is absent from their lands. And there is more…" The necromancer said grimly before taking a sip from his mug.
His apprentice continued. His voice was similar to his master's but it was younger, unsure and quiet. He also spoke the language more fluently. "They have two witches of immense power… Power in magic and political standing there. Currently, they are the ones mustering the troops."
"Witches…" mumbled Quinn in concern. That couldn't be good. The necromancers before him were two of the most powerful magicians he knew of; if they were saying that these witches they saw were powerful, they were. And if the desert was preparing for war with those two witches, and Dragmire – being a mighty powerful warlock himself – was leading them… The Gerudo may have all been women, save for their leader but they were mighty warriors and their magic was just as dangerous as their blades. Against all of Hyrule's military and himself, and he was a poor wizard at best, Hyrule would most certainly lose.
He took a swallow of his ale and then asked nervously, "You're sure of their power?" The young wizard tried to hide the tremble in voice. He failed.
"Unfortunately." Said the master. He leaned into the table and said in a lower voice, "If the Gerudo King is not stopped, this country will perish under his reign."
"Then why won't you do anything to stop it?" It came out a little rougher than Quinn would've liked.
It was a bad idea.
The master necromancer did not hide a sense of anger, one that even his apprentice felt from his cringe. The necromantic energy swirling around him could be felt by everyone in the tavern and the noise around them silenced. "It is not in our place to choose sides, young wizard." He emphasized "young" ever so slightly. "Our order does not permit it and you would be wise not to ask again." He snapped.
Quinn winced, both from the frightening demeanor of the master necromancer and from all the faces staring at his small table. "Sorry…" He muttered. "I should've known better than to ask…"
"Yes, you should have." Said the necromancer. He sounded annoyed, but his tone was still gentle enough to say he had accepted the apology.
After a moment of silence, the rest of the tavern goers went back to their own business, if warily.
"Is there anything I can do…?" Asked the redhead gingerly.
"Watch the forest."
The Royal Wizard lifted an eyebrow in puzzlement.
The apprentice spoke. "You've probably sensed it… a moving magic focus in the forest. It would probably work to your benefit to keep it from Gerudo King."
Furrowing his brow, Quinn felt a little confused. "How much do you two really know?"
"You should know better than to ask." The master said warningly.
Quinn frowned slightly but said nothing.
The two necromancers then stood and as usual, the master spoke, "We shall be taking our leave. I hope that what we have said will be enough to help you and your countrymen." And as soon as he was done speaking, both he and his apprentice had glided out of the tavern, taking their strange coldness with them.
The feminine looking redhead massaged his forehead. Things seemed to get worse as each day passed…
Ah, the necromancers. Heehee. They're not new characters and they do play a different role in this story than I usually give them - not that that's a bad thing. I'm sure if some of you know enough or have read a few of my other stories then you'll know who they are. I won't try to hide their identities but their names will most likely not be given out in this story.