chickletpsls | The Link between a page and a knight

chicklet posting in

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

younghero

There was a glint of gold from the Triforce of Courage on the back of his left hand.

"Four foot two."

It was almost impossible to tell if he was joking or not. But, the flicker of gold, coupled with a very deadpan expression, pointed towards a positive.

From:

chicklet

She snorted and while snorting, lunged for a thigh cut keeping her shield high to cover her sword arm, neck, and head.

She wasn't really all that much taller than he was, and she had learned how to turn a small strike zone into an almost impossible one.

From:

younghero

Link's eyes glinted as he did a somersault followed by a side jump. He planned on lulling her into trying to come too close and unleashing a spin attack at the last second.

That was how he'd broken a knight's sword.

From:

chicklet

Acrobatics? She avoided the urge to show off. Being underestimated was how a short female knight took down Tusaine raiders at the border these days. So instead of matching him move for move, she did what she expected would tick him off most. She settled back into a comfortable rest and read position, like she was planning to just stand there and enjoy the breeze....

From:

younghero

Not angry, just disappointed. The look he was giving her was much akin to a disappointed father.

"You know, if you don't want to take this or me seriously, we can quit now."

He expected better from you.

From:

chicklet

Just the faintest hint of a smirk. If he wanted to think she was playing around, if he wanted to underestimate her that badly, that was fine by her.

Even if it meant they cut training short. Because one thing she had learned from Alex? You never knew when you might have to fight a friend for real. Being underestimated by people who held her back from tasks because they worried about her ticked her off. Being underestimated by Jon made her curse and scream and throw things, often at him, but anyone else? Anyone not her family? Was always welcome to underestimate her. George might be the one who acted the Player, but she knew how to play a role as well.

From:

younghero

Oh, he knew what she was doing. It merely disappointed him. Link shook his head at the smirk.

"I came looking for a way to further my skills because, I am the best in Hyrule. From what I've seen just now, there is nothing I wish to learn from you. You're treating me like a hot-headed child, who'd be drawn into a trap. I need a teacher who respects their opponents, without underestimating them? despite their appearance, and who has a great deal less arrogance."

Sword and shield put away. "Thank you for your time. I will be leaving now."

From:

chicklet

She frowned a bit, then shook her head. "If you can't find anyone who can beat you, this might be why, kid," she said, eyeing him. She wouldn't relax her stance while he was in the ring, though.

From:

younghero

"No, they all respected me enough to try. I'm not even considering this a match, let alone one with a victor."

From:

chicklet

"I am trying. You lack patience. Come back when you've learned some. And learned to see things as they are, rather than through the lens of what you expect them to be."

From:

younghero

"You are treating this like a game. No, I will not just stand around until you're done amusing yourself and trying to see if you can get a rise. If I'm wrong, and you really are just enjoying the weather, I apologize."

From:

chicklet

"I am neither out here for the air, or treating this as a game. But where I come from, Knights are taught patience when we're even younger than you. Attacking a foe of unknown strength gets young knights killed, squires and pages too. If a foe is stupid enough to let us test and watch, we let them be. If a foe is stupid enough to waste all their energy on attacks, you learn faster. On insults, they're just weakening themselves. And if you just stand and watch, and they just stand and watch, eventually one of you breaks. Or you find a way to make peace. Why shouldn't I do in a sparring match what I do on the battlefield when you told me to go all out. The Shang also teach patience, stillness until the right moment." Ah, Liam... Not that anything more would have ever happened there, and she was glad of her life now. But she missed her old friend and teacher.

"If you want to live to be my age, kid, learn patience. It can save your life, one day."

From:

younghero

"Patience is for people who have time to spare. When your world is ending, time is luxury you don't have."

Link's tone was flat.

From:

chicklet

"World isn't ending now. Having a sword is a luxury in some cultures. Didn't mean I stopped practicing with my sword when I lived with them. Learn all the weapons you can, then choose the ones you need."

From:

younghero

"Having a sword is accepting responsibility for your homeland. It is both a luxury and a burden. Look, I'm sure you're used to hot heads who wanna prove something. I'm not one of them. I just wanted more skills so I can better serve my princess and my homeland. "

Link's expression didn't flicker.

"I didn't intend on coming here. I was basically kidnapped and not permitted to leave. I'm hoping I can leave now."

And that's what he'll attempt to do now, turning and walking away.

Edited Date: 2018-11-29 09:00 pm (UTC)

From:

chicklet

Given who he arrived with, and that those two wouldn't kidnap so much as a mouse against its will, Alanna drew her own conclusions, sliding her sword into its sheath to touch the ember stone at her neck, under her armor. What have the Gods been doing this time? Of course, the Gods kidnapping someone and dropping them on Daine? She sent a quick prayer to the Goddess in her mother guise to watch out for the kid, especially if he had drawn the attention of any of the trickster Gods. The Graveyard Hag had already rolled her dice once with Daine. No reason to think she wouldn't drag her about again. But she was one of the few who knew that Kyperoth looked in on her husband, so this could be his doing. And the problem with trickster Gods is that trying to figure out why they did anything led only to madness.

She felt badly for the kid, and stung by Jon's words, she had tried to teach him, but she didn't have Sklaw or Corrum's way. She could hardly teach her own children, and they knew to mind her. How was she to teach this one? Again she missed Liam. He would have known how to teach the kid. Or if they were here, Buri and Tayet. But she'd be skinned alive before anything short of a royal summons would bring her back to Corus while the King's law said she couldn't go near Keladry of Midlean.

As he walked, a small songbird attempted to land on his shoulder, singing happily.

From:

younghero

Kidnappings didn't have to be violent or ill-intentioned, Link would argue, but, he was unaware and preoccupied.

He was used to tiny creatures on his shoulder or in his hat, with both Navi and Tatl using him when they needed a break from flying. Link gave the bird a small smile, letting it land where it wished.

"See, the trouble is," he told the bird, "telling someone you've surpassed everyone in you homeland, no matter how you slice it, sounds like bragging. And then people don't even believe you when it's the truth. No one is ever gonna let me teach 'em neither."

He took out the Ocarina of Time, determined to play the song he'd attached to the Southern Gate.