The Link between a page and a knight - PSL for Link in Tortall

[chicklet]

 Passage into this world would not have been easy, and there would have been an odd sensation like ripping through the remains of a barrier that tried to keep him out, but was too tattered and torn to work properly. Thankfully, the gods were with him in one respect. He could have easily landed in a company of the King's Own, or the Queen's Riders, or the Palace Guard. Instead he dropped down just outside the palace in front of a youngster, all of eleven years old - though topping five feet already at that age, heading to the city proper. 

Kel stopped dead, seeing a boy with pointed ears appear out of nowhere, then drew her small knife, wishing she had her naginata, or even one of the horns the pages used on their field trips. She didn't even have her dog or the birds with her, all of whom had proven themselves this past year. But she was still a page of the kingdom, to the shock of all, and she was not going to let some immortal get past her. Even if this was the first time she'd ever seen an immortal that looked like a kid.

But with those ears, and appearing like that, he had to be an immortal? Right?

All of this was running through her mind, but none of it showed on her face. Her expression was blank, as though she were a carved statue of a person rather than flesh. Her stance was practiced, though she never thought to be fighting off an immortal with just a belt knife, no matter how fine the black handled blade was! Her brown hair was cut short above her ears, her hazal-green eyes watched him with no seeming concern. No seeming emotion at all, really. 

But Mithros' spear! She could at least have a weapon or back up or something!

<i>No, Kel. Stone</i> she reminded herself sharply. <i>No, not stone. A serene lake. </i> she needed to be able to flow into her motions, rather than stiffen up.

"Who are you and what business have you here?" she asked, and her voice - as emotionless as her face - was pretty much the first, last, and only hint that the person menacing him with a short blade was female. 

Comments

[younghero]

"I'm not immortal," Link insisted. "And I'm not really keen on being studied."

At least not for anyone outside of Hyrule.

[chicklet]

"Yeah, but I'm just a page, I can't give you permission for anything, and can't judge if you're a threat or not, they're adults, they can." If only duty were clearer about EXACTLY who she was supposed to bring him to, and how, being on summer as they were.

[younghero]

"I'm not a threat. I'm the best swordsman in Hyrule, but, I'm not here to fight."

He chanced a hopeful smile. "Don't suppose you know anyone who teaches swordsmanship?"

[chicklet]

She just stared at him for a long moment, before saying, "My lord Wyldon does not care for boys with egos, if you are looking to learn swords from him you will have to be properly humble as any page."

[younghero]

"It's not ego. I can't find anyone I can't beat back home. I want to learn more, but, I best every master I go against."

[chicklet]

She managed to keep her face stone. "The pages fight any number of masters, and we have two Shang here in the fall." And she would give anything to see the Lioness fight in person, but so far her hero had failed to show while she was in residence.

[younghero]

"You have...what?"

Link tilted his head.

"I keep breaking men's swords when we spar. It'd be nice to find someone who could teach me some new stuff."

[chicklet]

She didn't think much of any child who felt the need to brag so, but she was Yamani enough not to show it. "So sign on to be a page."

[younghero]

"I'm Hyrule's." Link shook his head. "And Princess Zelda's. Thanks, but, no thanks."

[chicklet]

"Well then your best bet at getting training would be a Shang Monastery," she said a bit stiffly.

[younghero]

"Religious guys?"

He scratched his elbow.

[chicklet]

"Some of the greatest warriors in all the realms," she said, voice still cool and emotionless. "Though they rarely train children as old as us." She suspected he was about her age, anyway.

[younghero]

"I'll keep looking."

He rubbed the back of his left-hand, glancing at the golden symbol.

"Sorry to bug you. I'll leave."

[chicklet]

"You just appeared, unless you are just vanishing the same way I am obligated to report you." Though to whom she had no clue.

[younghero]

"You can report me. I don't mind. I'm just not going with you."

He gave her a wan smile.

[chicklet]

She didn't stamp her foot or otherwise show temper, though it was hard to stay Yamani calm. "Yes, actually, you are."

[younghero]

"No, sorry."

And he did sound genuinely apologetic.

[chicklet]

"I'll not be kicked out for letting a known threat wander around the king's forest unchecked. Not after all I've endured this past year to stay," she said, her voice still emotionless, her face still blank, though her blood boiled that this boy might spoil everything for her. Tears wanted to come, she refused to let them. this was harder then when Joren and his friends beat on her.

[younghero]

"Does your Forest have wolves? I could turn into one and then you wouldn't be in trouble."

[chicklet]

He either really had no clue, or he was stupid. "They would know you for a mage then." And since when did mages not want to meet other mages?

[younghero]

"I'm not a mage, I'm a hero."

Gee-whiz he was offering her a way out. Why did she have to make this hard?

[chicklet]

She made a snorting sound that could almost be called rude and opened her mouth to speak when two small sparrows flew down from the trees to fly around them. Something very like relief lit her face when she saw the tiny birds.

Thank all the gods, she thought to herself, planning to go to a temple and do just that.

"Crown, Freckle, please fetch Daine..." and after a moment thought she added, "And Jump, if you please."

[younghero]

Link watched the birds with a softened expression. He hoped Shadow and Clef were taking good care of his pets.

"I'm telling you, I'm not a danger."

[chicklet]

"And you probably aren't, but my lord would like any excuse to kick me out, and I'm not about to give him one," she said, firmly.

[younghero]

"Just take him down, then."

Obviously this wasn't a trusted adult, like Clef or Impa. So, naturally, Link suggested fighting him.