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

[chicklet]

"For that we generally depend on Daine." he said with a grin.

"Why do I suspect I've just been insulted?" she asked as a cat lept up onto her saddle. More cats, and a number of dogs came out around buildings to walk with them, careful of the horse hooves.

[younghero]

Link merely nodded solemnly. Slow or loud equaled dead, magic or no.

The dogs put him in mind of Castle Town. He'd liked playing with them at night, when everyone else was asleep. He smiled briefly at the sight of them, but, his expression went somber again fairly quickly.

He was still extremely uncomfortable with all of this.

[chicklet]

They were nearly to the palace stables when Daine's horse stopped suddenly. She was still slipping off before it stilled. She hadn't pulled on the reins or said anything outloud to get it to stop.

As soon as her feet hit the ground she was off running. Numair clumsily pulled his horse to a halt, watching after her.

thought I responded! sorry

[younghero]

Link watched, puzzled. His mount wasn't quite as responsive as his Epona, but, was still a good horse, and stopped when he told it to.

"Is...everything okay?"

Re: thought I responded! sorry

[chicklet]

"For her to move like that? Injured animal," he watched the way she'd gone. "Do wish she had Cloud or Kitten with her, at least." He was clearly worried, but staying put.

[younghero]

Link nodded and chewed his lip. A part of him suggested that this would be an excellent time to make an escape, but, if there happened to be real danger, it didn't seem right to leave them to it.

[chicklet]

A few tense minutes later she came wandering back to them, a raccoon drape over her shoulder, napping.

"Poor guy got himself caught by one of the palace dogs, but the dog was called back before he could finish, left this little one suffering." she scratched the small furry head.

[younghero]

Link watched this with some uncertainty. He wasn't sure if she'd managed to heal it or not, and truthfully didn't have much experience with raccoons as a species.

He was, keeping uncharacteristically quiet through this little journey, wishing he'd gone home to Hyrule instead, and still feeling very trapped.

OMG, I love the snow!!!!!!!

[chicklet]

She carefully got into her saddle, without unseating the racoon. It woke enough to shift positions, then fell back asleep.

"He'll need some proper rest, I'll ask the kids to look after him for me." Then to Link, don't worry, he'll mind them, and he's not ill. And I'll make sure the dogs and cats leave him be till He's back out and about on his own."

I adore that one, lol. I think it came from Livejournal

[younghero]

"Okay." It was good to know it wasn't going to bite anyone.

Re: I adore that one, lol. I think it came from Livejournal

[chicklet]

Daine always made sure the animals she cared for would behave until they were back in the wild. She wouldn't change their natures if she could help it, but they did mind her.

Stable hands came out to take their horses. One looked to Daine as she dismounted. "Shall I take your young friend here?"

She grinned and carefully handed over the animal. "Was going to ask Alan, Aly, and Thom to look after him."

"We'll take care of him until then, m'lady."

She gave a bright smile. "Thank you. It was a stomach wound. It is all healed now, but light foods for a few days. No berries."

"Understood. Master Cooper is waiting for you in the reception hall."

"Colour me surprised," Numair said with a chuckle.

[younghero]

Once on the ground again, Link bit his lip, not liking the idea of going indoors even a little.

But, he was stuck.

He took a deep breath and reassured himself. As long as no one tried to get him to give up his weapons, he'd be fine. Because, there was no way in this life or the next three, that he was willingly giving up his weapons.

[chicklet]

They were led through the castle, and no one gave his weapons more than a second glance. Cats kept running up to greet them though, before dashing off. They were led to a good sized hall hung with banners to keep the room warm. There were two people there. A man almost as tall as Numair, and almost as skinny, with a crooked nose and hazel eyes that seemed perpetually amused.

The woman beside him was about as short as Kaylin, maybe a drop taller. She was in leather armor, a sword resting easily on one hip, a small knife on the other. The man seemed only to wear a small knife. Where the man had amused looking hazel eyes and a face that clearly more often smiled than frowned, the woman's violet eyes blazed as she scowled, her red hair pulled back into a short tail at the nape of her neck. He stood like a commoner. She... stood like a knight.

Daine grinned. "May I introduce Baron George Cooper of Pirate Swoop and his wife, Sir Alana of Barony Olau and Pirate Swoop, the Lioness."

The woman's red brows rose. "I presume there is a reason we are being so formal?" she asked.

"Maybe they're trying to sweeten your temper, my Alanna," George said.

She gave a rude snort. "That's unlikely to happen anytime soon."

[younghero]

While Link was in no way as skilled as Shadow when it came to reading people, he could tell this woman was a warrior as soon as he laid eyes on her. Normally, he was a little better at respectfully introducing himself, and may even have bowed in respect, but, he was tired and very wary.

"I'm Link."

And that was all he offered for the moment. He still wasn't entirely sure they weren't going to try to stick him in a dungeon.

[chicklet]

She gave him a very odd look at his name, then finally shrugged. "As names go, it's better than the Claw, I suppose."

"What can we of Pirate's swoop do you you, young master Link?" George asked, his hazel eyes twinkling.

[younghero]

"I'm partial to it," Link said quietly. "And you'd have to ask them."

He didn't know what to do, so he stared at the floor.

[chicklet]

"He was speaking with Keladry of Midelan," Daine said softly, to Alanna. "About wanting to go home, and wanting to try himself against our swordsmen."

"And no one is better with a blade than our Lioness. Except maybe a Shang Warrior," George said, dancing out of the way before his wife could kick him. She didn't try that hard.

"Watch it, Laddybuck," she warned. Then she shrugged a bit at Link. "Not sure how we could get you home. If you need a ship, that's on George, not me, but we could warm up and I could see what you've got."

[younghero]

Link flicked a glance up. "I can get myself home, but, so far, I haven't been allowed." He'd attached a song to the Southern Gate of Nautilus. All he actually needed was a moment of privacy to play the Ocarina, but, he wasn't terribly optimistic about getting one.

He took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay. Only if you promise not to go easy on me."

[chicklet]

"Not allowed? Well, after you dance with the Lioness some you can chat with me about what that means."

Alanna snorted. "I won't kill you, but if you can meet me on my level we can go harder. But this isn't a duel to the death, no matter how skilled you may be."

[younghero]

"Who said anything about to the death?! I'm not trying to kill anyone, I'm trying to improve my skills, which is hard to do if one of us is dead!"

Link huffed, crossing his arms, tapping one boot anxiously.

[chicklet]

"You said not holding back. I am a Knight of the realm, when I don't hold back, people die. When I hold back at the wrong time, I could die. I've had to the death challenges before. I have learned to make it very clear that I will not accept them anymore."

Rodgir still haunted her some nights.

[younghero]

Link gave her a flat look. "First of all, it wasn't even my idea to come here, why would I kill you? Do you get a lot of murdery kids my age?"

A pause, but, his expression didn't change. "Secondly, you're already assuming you'll win. And that's a dangerous attitude to go into a fight with, even if it is friendly."

[chicklet]

Her lips actually twitched up a bit at that. "I'll be in the training yards, apparently," Alanna told her husband.

George chuckled lightly. "Thought that might be the way of it, lass."

She turned and started leading the way.

[younghero]

Link followed solemnly. He walked tensely, trying to make sure he wasn't walking into a trap.

[chicklet]

She led him to a huge interior courtyard setup with practice dummies and archery targets, as well as a larged cleared circle for sparring. A small building was set to one side for weapons and armor, to keep them safe from the elements. She was rolling her shoulders as they walked. "Sword and shield, I'm guessing, or did you have some other preference?"