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

Re: likely not

[chicklet]

The birds called out hellos in their various ways. They didn't SEEM about to attack.

Re: likely not

[younghero]

Link closed his eyes and played Zelda's Lullaby, to see if he could get the birds to sing along.

Re: likely not

[chicklet]

After a moment of listening, they would happily do so.

Re: likely not

[younghero]

Amused, he chuckled and attempted to guide the birds to perch on something other than him, so he could play his song and exit this world.

"See you guys later."

[chicklet]

They took the other perches and matched this son too, still singing as...... nothing happened.

[younghero]

Sometimes he'd mess up a note without realizing it. So, Link wasn't too alarmed at first. He merely played again. And again.

Link let a few curse words drop, frustration, tinged with a hint of panic.

[chicklet]

There was an odd sound, like what it might sound like if water and earth were laughing, but faint and distant. And a scent like spoiled flowers. But all just for a moment.

[younghero]

Link had his sword out in a minute.

"Okay, who's messing with me?"

[chicklet]

A window opened and a little girl stuck herself so far out she looked like she was going to fall at any moment. "Wasn't me this time. Why? What'd they do? Was it fun?" She was about seven or eight.

[younghero]

"Probably a spirit or something," Link replied still a little irritated that his return to Nautilus was being denied.

"And I think they're having more fun than me." He didn't put his sword away, but he did give the girl a polite smile.

[chicklet]

"A spirit? Like a ghost? I've heard of Gods an immortals an heroes and such, but never heard anyone say spirits were real afore!"

[younghero]

Link nodded. "Sure, ghosts are real, and Guardian Spirits protect lands they care about."

[chicklet]

"Whoa....." she said, leaning further out. She was starting to tip. "Tell me more?"

[younghero]

Link stepped forward. "Uh, you're gonna fall if you're not careful..."

[chicklet]

"If I fall, would you catch me?" she asked with a giggle. Aly Cooper, Age 8, already flirting with older boys.

There are reasons her mother has spent half her life wanting to strangle this kid...

[younghero]

Link was actually used to this.

"Nope. I have lousy reflexes."

Of course he'd catch her, but, encouraging girls to jump out of windows was not on his agenda.

[chicklet]

"Uh huh," she said with a smile. "Somehow I bet they're just fine if you were dancing around with momma and aren't all covered in blood."

[younghero]

"That's just not getting hit by something. Catching someone is running towards something to get hit by it. There's a huge difference."

[chicklet]

She laughed. "Okay, I like you. Are you going to stay for the fall?" Did she mean autumn, or her out the window? Hard to say.

[younghero]

"I'm actually leaving now."

[chicklet]

"Awww. Okay. Where too? Can I come?"

[younghero]

"Back home."

Or at least, his home in Nautilus.

Link shook his head. "Sorry, can't take travelers with me."

[chicklet]

She pouted a bit. "Is it because I'm too young? I won't be this little forever, you know."

[younghero]

"Oh, no. It's not your age. I couldn't take anyone with me."

[chicklet]

"Oh? Why not?"