This is the last filler chapter, I swear. Plot will move on next chapter, which I may release early as a Christmas present~ This chapter includes: Someone comes to visit the Resistance, Link tries sneaking around to get information...and the mages get frustrated.
13
Malon's Dilemma. Not so Sneaky. Searching.
Everyone had woken up early. The mages had gone off to try to find the entrance that would allow them passage into Hyrule Castle's sewer. Risbon and Yost were sitting in the main room, looking at the map Glurak had made. Ashlyn, unable to stand the atmosphere in the headquarters, made her way to The Shining Sword.
She weaved through the south of the city, glancing every so often to see if there was anyone following her. She was nearly to Telea's tavern. Maybe she'd overhear some soldiers' gossip... Something.
''Uh, excuse me?'' a voice called.
Ashlyn turned to see a red haired girl. The girl from Lon Lon Ranch. ''Yes?''
''You're a friend of Link's, right? I was wondering how he's doing,'' Malon said.
Ashlyn sighed. ''I think you need to come with me.''
''All right.''
Ashlyn started walking down the street, leading Malon through the somewhat poorer area of the city, back towards the Amalgam. The ranch girl did not question it at all. Eventually, they stopped.
''This is the Resistance headquarters. Come on in,'' she said, holding the door open for Malon.
Malon looked around the mazelike main room. ''I always wondered what it looked like...'' She followed the warrior girl to a couch.
''Yeah, this building is interesting.'' Ashlyn sat down and motioned for Malon to do the same. Once the other girl had taken a seat, she took a breath. ''So you were wondering about Link?''
''Yes. He is in the Resistance, right?''
Ashlyn nodded. ''Yeah. But he's not here.'' She took another breath. ''He was arrested two days ago.''
Malon gasped. ''Oh no! My family knows his. What will I tell my father? What will I tell his father?''
''He wasn't hanged. Thank the Goddesses for that. But he is locked up at the castle...'' Ashlyn said.
Malon let out a relieved sigh. ''I haven't really gotten to know him, but... Our family has know his for generations. I'd feel very bad if something were to happen to him.''
''Yeah. We're planning to rescue him. The Amalgam isn't the same without him here. And he's one of our best members.''
''You're planning to get into the castle? That isn't going to be easy.''
Ashlyn nodded. ''No, it's not. You're completely right. But we have to.'' She put on a determined face. ''Say, do you want me to show you around?''
Malon smiled. ''Sure! And don't worry, I won't tell anyone where your headquarters is.''
''I know that you wouldn't. Come on. I'll introduce you to the members that are here.'' She got up from the couch.
Malon stood up and followed the other girl to a section of the main room where Risbon and Yost were still sitting at the table, studying the map. They looked up.
''I heard you come in and have a chat. What's going on?'' Yost asked.
''Malon here wanted to know what happened to Link.''
''Ah.''
Ashlyn gestured to Risbon. ''This is our leader, Risbon.''
Risbon stood up from the table. ''Hello, a pleasure to meet you.'' He shook Malon's hand.
''You too. I've heard what the Resistance is doing for everyone. Thank you.''
''You're welcome. But really, we're just doing what's right...'' Risbon said modestly. He turned to his brother. ''This is my older brother, Yost. He's the arms master here at headquarters.''
Yost shook Malon's hand like his brother did. ''Nice to meet you.''
''You as well! So, where are the others?'' Malon asked. She didn't see anyone else.
''Our three mages are out looking for a spot where the city's sewer connects with the castle's,'' Risbon replied.
''That's how you're going to get into Hyrule Castle?''
''Yeah.''
''Well, that sound like a good idea. Better than trying to get in through the gates,'' Malon said brightly.
''Definitely,'' the three Resistance members said together.
Malon took a breath. There was something she wanted to ask. ''Um... Can I... help the Resistance? I would join too, but my father will worry.''
Risbon smiled kindly. ''Of course. Why not? I don't think you like what's been going on, do you?''
Malon shook her head. ''No. I'm afraid every time I have to deliver milk to the castle. I certainly don't like what's happening to people who even try to protest. I've heard that the soldiers are beating people for that.''
Risbon nodded. ''Then you can certainly help.''
Link woke up when he banged his head against the metal bars of the cot's headboard. He winced and sat up. It was most likely around dawn, though he couldn't be sure. He shifted his legs over the side of the narrow bed and stood. He took his clothes off the footboard, only to realize they weren't his. His clothes must have been taken to be cleaned while he was sleeping, which unnerved him; he was a light sleeper most of the time.
He slipped out of the nightgown, dressing himself. Thankfully, the clothes were not fancy. He glanced at what he was wearing. A plain white shirt with loose elbow length sleeves, dark gray pants and a sleeveless red vest. They went well enough with his boots.
After making the bed and eating what was brought to him, Link walked up to the door and called for one of the guards.
''Yes?''
''I'd like to walk about. Princess Zelda said I could do so, didn't she?''
''She did. I have her orders concerning you. I'll get someone to take you, since we're on duty here. One moment.''
Two soldiers were sent for. When they arrived a few minutes later, the guard took the ring of keys and unlocked the cell door. Link stepped out and walked past the guard station, heading upstairs.
Ashlyn was showing Malon around the Amalgam. They had to step around furniture as they went.
''This place is so messy. And the entire building is made of different materials. Is that why it's called the Amalgam?''
Ashlyn smirked. ''Yep. As for the mess, we unofficially call the main room the furniture maze for that reason.''
Malon laughed. ''This place is interesting because it's different.''
''I know exactly what you mean. It's not just our headquarters...it's home for anyone who comes here.'' Ashlyn turned to look at the redhead. ''By the way, is your father going to be all right with you helping us?''
''Well, he'll probably worry about me. Not that I can blame him for that... But I'm tired of all this happening and not doing anything to help.''
''I like that. There are still people who still won't stand up. But you're willing to do something,'' Ashlyn said.
The front door suddenly opened and three familiar boys walked in. They went up to Risbon.
''Hey. Did you find the entrance to the castle sewers?'' Ashlyn asked.
''No.''
''Who are they?'' Malon asked.
''The mages who are part of the headquarters team here,'' Risbon answered. He turned to the three. ''This is Malon. She's going to help us out.''
''Hello. My name is Lux.''
''My name is Glurak.''
''I'm Tancred.''
''Nice to meet you,'' Malon said.
''Glurak is our healer too, just so you know,'' Risbon said.
''We are going to head out again a little while. I am sorry we did not find the entrance yet,'' Lux said.
Risbon shook his head. ''No, no. It's fine. I honestly didn't think it would be easy to find. They wouldn't want people to find it, after all.''
''True. That is very true,'' Glurak said.
Glurak and Lux went into the magic room. Tancred sat down on one of the couches. Yost and Risbon sat down as well.
''Shall we resume the tour?'' Ashlyn asked Malon.
''Sure.''
Link found out that the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the castle housed the chambers for the nobles. The eighth floor was where the war room was. The twelfth floor was where the Royal Family's chambers were. He wouldn't be going up there.
He did want to know what the Princess was planning, but he supposed that he could try figuring that out while he also figured out how to get out of the castle. But that was going to a monumental task in itself.
On a whim, he went to the ninth floor and into the library. Neither of his guards came in with him, instead standing on either side of the doors, which seemed odd. But he wasn't complaining. And it wasn't like the library had another exit anyway.
Wait. Hyrule Castle had secret passageways, didn't it? The castle had been around for centuries, renovated and expanded many times. For times of strife, castles had passages to evacuate the Royals or smuggle in supplies. Hyrule Castle was no different. He had been told stories of its hidden halls and rooms. For all he knew, there could be one in the library.
He could look for one without his escort knowing, since they weren't with him. Link headed to the back of the huge room, walking through the aisles between the bookcases. The back wall had bookshelves lined up against it as well. The books directly in front of him looked to be quite old. He reached out a hand and took a red one off the shelf. Nothing happened. Feeling stupid, he set it back.
It would be kind of obvious to hide a switch behind a book. Such an obvious place probably would not be used. And even if there was one, there were thousands and thousands of books in the room.
He wasn't going to pull out every book, but the one he had grabbed gave him an idea. The red book had been one on magic.
Ashlyn continued giving Malon the tour, although her thoughts were elsewhere. The mages had gone off again while Risbon and Yost continued to plan. She wondered how Link was doing. Was he being treated badly?
''Hey, Malon? Would you like to come with me for a walk around town?'' she asked. Like earlier, she felt stifled by the tense atmosphere.
''Yes,'' the other girl replied.
Ashlyn opened the front door and they both stepped out. Once the door had shut behind them, she took a breath of fresh air. ''So I thought we'd try to find the mages or something.''
Malon smiled. ''That sound like a plan.'' She was glad the warrior girl was including her.
''Thanks. I just need to get out, you know?''
Malon nodded in understanding. ''Yeah, it was gloomy in there.''
''I know the plan will take some time but... I feel like I'm not doing enough.'' Ashlyn clenched her hands into fists. ''I don't like feeling powerless.''
''Let's go help people, then. Let's make a difference.''
Ashlyn turned to the rancher girl. ''Yeah. Let's do that,'' she said with a smile.
The book had contained information on fire magic. While Link didn't think he was ready for casting that, it did provide some insight on something he could do with regular non-elemental magic. He would have to be subtle in what he was going to do, but it was something.
He left the library and went down the stairs to the eighth floor. When he was halfway from the stairs going down, he turned to the soldiers. ''Um, I don't think this is the floor I wanted. Can you direct me to the tenth floor?'' he asked innocently.
''Sure.'' Both men stepped in front to lead.
With the guards standing in front, they wouldn't see it. Link smiled and held up his hand. Magic energy appeared, glowing a faint, pale green. He flicked his hand forward and a small ball of magic went down the hall.
''What was that?'' Both guards exchanged glances and then ran after the glowing light.
Once they had disappeared around the corner, Link ran to the stairs. He took them two at a time until he reached the seventh floor. He stopped in front of the door to the Princess's office. Praying she was not inside, he quietly grasped the handle and pulled the door open.
He breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't there. Now he could do what he had come in here to do: try to find out what she was up to. He closed the door behind him.
Ashlyn and Malon had been walking towards the city square when two soldiers spotted Ashlyn.
''Isn't that the girl on the wanted posters?''
''Yes.'' The other soldier's response was to the point. ''Hey! Hold it right there!''
Ashlyn frowned. ''Ugh.'' She gave a half glance at Malon. ''Stay back, all right?'' When she had received a nod, she drew her sword. ''Come at me!''
The soldiers drew their weapons and ran up to her. Ashlyn stepped to the side and parried the closest blade. When she had shoved it back, she turned and blocked the other man from disarming her. She then unleashed a flurry of strikes, surprising both men.
Malon watched the fight at a slight distance, both impressed by Ashlyn and worried for her. Thankfully, the other girl made short work of the soldiers, who walked off without their swords.
Ashlyn transferred the soldiers' swords to her left hand to sheathe her own blade. ''Hey, I need to sell these quickly. Come on.''
''Right. To the square?'' Malon inquired.
They resumed their walk and arrived at the square, which was as bustling as usual. Ashlyn went to sell her illegally gotten weapons. She got as much as she expected and put the money in her wallet.
When she was finished, she turned to Malon. ''That encounter with those guards reminded me how dangerous it is for you to be seen with me. I think you should arm yourself. Do you think you can handle a weapon?''
Malon nodded seriously. ''I think so. I've used a pitchfork to drive animals away from our livestock.''
''Right, so a weapon similar to that, then. I'll get you a spear.'' She turned back to the man she sold the swords to. ''You heard that, yes? I need a spear.''
The man fetched one for her. ''Fifty rupees.''
Ashlyn handed him that amount. ''I thought you'd charge at least eighty.''
''You fight for the people. Wouldn't feel right charging you more. We all owe you more than you know.''
''Thank you,'' Ashlyn said softly. She presented the spear to Malon.
Malon took the weapon by the shaft, examining it. They both left the square.
Link went to the Princess's desk, noting the neat stacks of papers on it. He picked up a stack and looked at the first paper. It was a report on revenue earned from the citizens' taxes. The other papers were other such money matters, such as funding for the military.
The second stack of papers were official documents about various things, including the order for the tax increase. They were signed by the Princess, the signature written in a very fine hand. None of them looked to be about any sort of plan.
When he looked at the next stack, he felt a chill run down his spine. They were execution warrants, all with the Princess's signature. Thankfully, none of them had his name on them. The stack wasn't very large, either. When he had looked through all of the stacks on the desk, he set them back where they had been neatly.
He circled around the desk and moved the chair out of the way. He lowered himself to the carpeted floor to see the drawers in the desk. All of them had a shiny metal handle, probably brass. He opened the bottom drawer on the right. Inside were money reports from a month ago.
The other bottom drawer held receipts of things that the Royal Family had bought recently. The middle level drawers were full of older documents and budgets. He opened the top drawer on the left to find lists of people who worked as servants in the castle. The middle drawer held extra quills and inkwells.
Feeling somewhat rushed, Link yanked the top right drawer open and grabbed the stack of papers. They seemed to be notes, but written with complicated terms that he couldn't understand. The paper on the top mentioned his name. He found that it was a report on his arrest. He turned to face the back wall and started to read it.
Name: Link Aldamear
Age: 16 (as of two weeks ago)
Date of Birth: March 4th
Date of Arrest: March 18th at two forty in the afternoon
Charges: Treason, assault on law enforcement, breaking and entering, theft of government property, obstruction of justice, and disturbing the peace
Link noted that it had been written the day of his arrest, most likely after he had been brought to the castle. The crimes he was charged with were more or less what he had expected, but seeing them on paper was...distressing. My father is going to kill me. That is, if the law doesn't first. He was so focused on the paper in his hand that he didn't notice the door open.
''Looking through my papers, are you?'' a cold voice said from behind him.
Link had to refrain from screaming. He knew that voice. With dread, he turned around. Princess Zelda was standing in front of the door, wearing her white and pink dress. He hadn't heard her come in. How had she done that?
He swallowed nervously and put the papers back in the drawer, shutting it. She is going to kill me. He bit his lip. ''I...''
She looked darkly amused, a faint smirk on her face. ''I knew that you would sneak in here eventually.''
''Can you read my mind?'' he asked, horrified by that possibility.
She gave a soft, dark laugh. ''While I can read minds, if such a thing can be called reading, the human mind is not something that can simply be read like a book, I do not unless it for a trial. It is otherwise illegal and rude to pry into other peoples' thoughts. So no, I have not read your mind.''
''If you knew I would come in here, why didn't you have someone guard the door?''
She smiled. ''I wanted to catch you in the act.''
Link was being escorted back to the dungeon. The men who held him by the arms were not the same soldiers that he'd ditched.
''You really have a lot of nerve to sneak in there. Why, if I had that nerve, I would have snuck into all the Royal chambers. Heard that the furniture is very soft.'' The soldier seemed quite amused.
''I wouldn't do anything like that again, though. Next time she might have your head, boy,'' the other warned.
He was to spend the rest of the day in his cell, his privileges having been revoked temporarily. He was glad the punishment was not more severe, but he was upset all the same. She had set a trap for him, one that he'd played right into.
When they unlocked his cell door, he noticed that his clothes had been returned and were folded neatly on the cot. He entered and went to the foot of the bed, sitting down on the straw stuffed mattress.
Malon hurried back to the Amalgam with Ashlyn, the spear in her right hand. She had a weapon, which she found both strange and oddly comforting. It was nice of Ashlyn to buy it for her, seeing as they probably could have gotten one back at the Amalgam. She opened the front door and they both stepped inside.
Ashlyn explained what had happened and handed the money from the swords to Risbon.
''Good job,'' he said to her. He turned to Malon. ''If you want to train with that spear, you can.''
''I think I'll do that.'' Malon went into the sparring room with Yost.
Ashlyn looked at Risbon. ''Did the mages come back yet?''
He shook his head. ''No.''
''Eh, I'm sure they'll find it.''
Risbon smiled. ''I have no doubt about that. However, I hope they haven't run into trouble.''
''Yeah. But between the three of them, they can handle most trouble.''
Lux was frustrated. They still hadn't found the entrance to Hyrule Castle's sewer. Originally, they had thought that the entrance would actually be hidden away from the castle. But now that theory was quickly being proven inaccurate. They went to the next street, tapping into their magic to scan for hidden areas.
Nothing except hidden rooms that some citizens used to hide illegal things, including Resistance hideouts. Lux sent out a sizzling bolt of magical lightning into the nearest wall. Glurak and Tancred looked at him, their eyes wide. He usually never did anything like that, even when frustrated.
''Whoa. But then again, I'm tempted to tear up the street,'' Tancred said.
''Sorry, I am just losing patience,'' Lux muttered.
''I think we all are. Shall we take a short break?'' Glurak asked.
''Yes.'' Since the street was empty, they sat down on the ledge above the gutter, though close to the buildings to avoid getting their clothes wet.
''So, where should we go after this?'' Tancred inquired.
''Well, I don't think it's around here. As much as I would rather not, I think we should go to the north of the city. There would be more soldiers but...'' Glurak said.
''That seems like a good idea. But Glurak... Are you sure you want to risk being seen with us, especially in that neighborhood?'' Lux said.
Glurak ran his right hand over the fabric of his robes. ''I will go... It...it doesn't matter if I am seen in your company.'' His tone was determined but there was a vulnerability in his orange-ish eyes.
''Is this about your parents?'' Tancred asked.
Lux felt the sudden urge to hit the earth mage for his insensitivity. They all knew that it was a subject that they did not speak of to Glurak.
Glurak, however, did not seem angry. ''Yes.'' His tone was flat, though, showing that he was reluctant to elaborate.
''So... Should we go?'' Tancred sounded apologetic.
''Yes.''
Lux glanced at his best friend. ''If you are certain... We can act like we are holding you hostage if we are seen by soldiers. That way, no one will suspect you are with us.''
Glurak stood up abruptly, his robes rustling. ''Let's go.'' There was a slight smile on his face.
''Heh, we're kidnapping the nobleman, eh?'' Tancred said.
Glurak laughed, something he had not done in a while. Actually, Tancred had never heard him laugh. It was surprising but nice.
They headed to the richer section of the city. Once there, they ducked behind a house.
''Let us head up to the castle. Not near the gates, though.''
They made their way towards the castle, keeping out of sight. Glurak stopped just before they left the relative shelter behind the last house on that side. The castle wall was ahead and they could see guards on top.
''How are we going to scan around with them up there?'' Tancred asked.
''I will distract them,'' Glurak replied. His normally upperclass way of speaking became more pronounced.
''Will they go for it?''
Glurak nodded. ''As the heir to the highest ranking family in this country besides the Royal Family, they wouldn't ignore me.''
''So you will distract while we search, correct? How long do you think they will leave their posts for?'' Lux inquired.
''Correct. I am hoping they'll leave their posts for at least five minutes.''
''We need to move fast, then.''
Glurak went around to the front of the houses to avoid suspicion. He walked in a dignified manner up to the gates of Hyrule Castle. The soldiers standing on either side of the gleaming steel gates took notice of him.
''Young Master Romswind?'' Both gave flustered bows. ''What brings you to the castle?''
''I've been robbed. Would you assist me in catching the thief?''
''Of course. We shall send for the men in the barracks-''
Glurak shook his head. ''No, no. That will take too long. Bring them,'' he said, pointing to the men on the right side wall.
''But they must stay where they are!'' one of the men said. Glurak noted that the man was smart for not instantly agreeing, although he did need them to do what he asked.
The other soldier, however, complied. ''Oi! Get down here! The young Lord has been robbed,'' he shouted up to the guards on the wall.
There was some brief disorder as they climbed down and soon the gates opened to allow the soldiers out.
While Glurak was leading the soldiers away, Lux and Tancred left their hiding spot. They let their magic scan the ground, looking for the slightest hint of where the city sewers ended and the castle sewers began.
''I hope our friend is able to keep the soldiers busy until we find it,'' Tancred said lowly.
''I am sure he will manage,'' Lux replied.
They continued their search until Lux sensed something below. Something beyond where the city sewers ended. The blond mage stopped abruptly, almost tripping over the hem of his robes. He concentrated, following it towards where the castle wall turned north. He flicked some magic at the remaining guards to distract them. His magical sense was directing him to a spot where the entrance must be concealed. It also connected to the city sewer.
Lux turned and met Tancred's gaze. ''We found it.''
Heheh. You didn't actually expect Link to succeed in his sneaking around, did you? Zelda got him good~ So Malon decided to help the Resistance out. At this point, I am unsure if I'm going to have her join. Ashlyn's getting impatient, I do believe. I wonder what will become of their plan to rescue Link?