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]

"Hello," Link said, more interested in the horses than riders. Malon would have loved them. He held his hand out flat for the friendliest one to sniff.

"My name's Link."

[chicklet]

The pony leaned forward and then glanced at Daine before sniffing once she nodded.

"Hello, Link. My friends tell me you just appeared here?" Daine asked.

Kel stood to one side, moving over to the large warhorse, trying to seem invisible while he lipped at her hair.

[younghero]

"Yes."

Link pulled a sugar cube from his belt for the pony.

"I'm sorry if that bothered anyone."

[chicklet]

"Teleportation can be a difficult skill," the tall man said waving a hand. "Few mages try it. Where have you studied, young mage?"

[younghero]

"I haven't studied with anyone. Just sorta taught myself."

He kept his gaze on the pony.

[chicklet]

"Just... Just taught yourself TELEPORTATION?" the mage all but roared.

"Well now you've done it," Daine sighed.

"Do you know how gods curst dangerous that is!? Where are your parents? Your teachers? Who has let you do something so dangerously stupid? Do you know how badly hurt you could have been?!"

[younghero]

"Orphan."

Link wondered why adults got so worked up.

"I'm in one piece, don't worry."

[chicklet]

"THIS TIME!" He shook his head and stared at Daine. "The Gods must find this a hilarious joke to keep throwing orphans at me with more magic than sense!"

She patted his arm. "Maybe they know you're the only one who can keep up with us," she said consolingly, tossing a wink to the kid.

[younghero]

"I'm sort of 'made' to do dangerous things and survive. I mean, it's kind of my purpose. But, that's not important."

Link was subtly looking for an exit.

[chicklet]

"Made?" he asked, his eyes narrowed, the skin around them tight.

[younghero]

"Why the goddesses of Hyrule want me around."

Yeah, he's judging the distance to some trees.

[chicklet]

Oh good luck with running away in THIS forest, kid, even shape changed.

"The gods rarely tell us what they want of us," Daine said dryly. "And half the time they do it's unreasonable."

"Says the maglet who killed Orzone," Numair said dryly.

Kel's eyes widened slightly.

[younghero]

"I'm the Hero of Time. Whenever Hyrule or Princess Zelda need me, I'll be there. That's my soul purpose."

Once a Fairy Boy, always a Fairy Boy. Trees meant he could blend in and vanish long enough to leave.

He held out his left hand, feeling awkward. "This is the marking of the goddesses, the Triforce. My third is Courage."

[chicklet]

"Which Goddesses?" Numair asked, nudging his mount closer so he could get a good look at it.

[younghero]

"Din, Nayru, and Farore. Goddesses of Power, Wisdom, and Courage."

[chicklet]

He stroked his small beard. "Not certain I've heard of those," he admitted. "I would have to look through my books, perhaps the Copper Isles?"

Daine shrugged. "Don't ask me, I barely know the great gods, let alone gods of other realms."

[younghero]

"Well, if that's all, I'll just be going. Nice to meet ya guys and all."

[chicklet]

"It would be utterly irresponsible of me to let you teleport off again untrained," Numair said. "We shall arrange for a proper escort."

[younghero]

Link winced slightly and gave serious consideration to just flat running for it.

"Don't worry about me, I'm pretty tough."

[chicklet]

They both gave him a look. "Where are we escorting you to?" Numair asked, voice set and stubborn.

[younghero]

Link was fairly immune to looks, especially from strangers.

"I'm not sure you guys know where Hyrule is."

Maybe he'd have to fake allowing an escort until he could escape and travel back to Nautilus.

[chicklet]

"We have a fair amount of maps in the royal libraries. I am certain if it is in the mortal realm, we can find it," he said, self assured.

[younghero]

Link shifted uncomfortably. Sure, Hyrule was a mortal realm, and had other worlds and realms that connected to it. Termina and the Sacred Realm he'd experienced first hand, and Shadow was living proof of yet another.

He really should have brought his brother on this little outing, in retrospect. He hoped Nautilus picked him to be an Angelii soon.

"I'm really not worth the bother. I'm great at traveling, mountains, time, fields, lakes, rivers---you really don't gotta worry."

[chicklet]

"Thankfully, so are we," the mage said.

"He gets stubborn," Daine said with a ghost of a smile.

[younghero]

Having failed at trying to talk his way out, Link's body tensed slightly. Then he tried to sprint for it.