Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Seven Years Part Seven and one half

The left over of the last section... since nobody has posted comments yet I thought I'd try and get this up real fast. Not long at all.... Reread the last section and just move right into this for best context.

Shiek’s military life had made her accustom to rising early, but apparently Malon woke earlier.

“Oh. My. Goddess.”
Shiek’s head was fuzzy again, and it felt as though someone was squeezing her brain. She opened her eyes, only to immediately snap them shut again as a lantern’s light shone directly into her face.

“Oh. My. Goddess.”
Rubbing her forehead Shiek groaned slightly, still keeping her eyes tightly closed.
“Malon, could you please get the light out of my face?”
“Oh. My. Freaking. Goddess.”
“What’s wrong?” Shiek asked, pushing a few of her long bangs away from her eyes.
“You’re a woman!”
Shiek’s hand froze, and she instantly cursed under her breath.
“ummm, yes, I am…” springing up, Shiek grabbed her turban and mask, “sorry, it’s a long story.”
Malon broke into a wild peal of laughter.
“I BET IT IS!”
Shiek was finding this reaction slightly odd, but then the entire situation was more then slightly odd.

Malon set the lamp down and crossed her arms. Leaning back against the wall she gave a slight smirk.
“So, women aren’t your style, eh?”
Shiek blushed bright and nervously cleared her throat.
“Um, no…”
“Guess you’re straight after all…” she giggled. Suddenly her blue eyes darkened slightly.
“So, what’s between you and Draq?”
Shiek began to emphatically wave her arms, words coming out in spluttered waves of shock.
“Nothing. No. Whoa, no. I mean, wow. No. Nothing-”
“Ok, ok,” laughed Malon, “I get it. Who then? Toran? Or maybe Draq’s little brother, I know he’s cute…”
“Um, he’s still a kid…”
“I doubt you’re more then three years older then he is!”
“Well, regardless, I’m not attracted to him at all.”
“So it’s Toran then…”
“Look, Malon, isn’t there something you should be doing?”
“Oh! So it IS Toran!” Malon cried, falling down to sit on the hay. Grabbing a hand the ranch girl pulled Shiek down next to her.
“Come’on girl, spill. Neither of us are moving till we have a serious talk!”

Shiek wasn’t sure what to do. She wanted to get moving, but at the same time felt a strong desire to take up Malon’s offer. She hadn’t talk girl-to-girl with someone her own age in nearly seven years, not since she had fled Hyrule Palace and the Bloody takeover of Gannondorf. Sighing, she hugged her knees to her chest, propping her chin on them.
“It’s nobody on the team, Malon. I mean, they are all great guys and everything, especially Toran, but, I don’t know…” she finished with a shrug.
Malon’s blue eyes took on a knowing look.
“Already have a major crush on someone else, eh?”
“Sort of,” Sheik shrugged. How were you supposed to explain that you were madly in love with someone you hadn’t seen in seven years, and who also happened to have his existence doubted by nearly everyone you knew. Finding no words she merely shrugged again.

Malon smiled and moved on, realizing that Shiek wished to drop this subject. The two talked on and on, and by the time Shiek noticed how long she had been talking with Malon nearly four hours had past. Springing up, Shiek quickly began to wind up her hair.
“I need to get going, Malon,” she said, arranging her turban and pulling up her high collar/mask, “thanks so much for talking though.”
“Anytime,” replied Malon brightly, “after all, I don’t get to other girls much anyway, so it was lots of fun.”
“Um, about that…” Shiek began, a hint of hesitancy in her voice.
Malon laughed lightly.
“Oh, don’t worry Shiek. I don’t really understand why you want everyone to think you’re male, but if you want things that way I can respect it.”
Shiek smiled back.
“Thanks Malon.”“No problem, but you will have to try and explain it sometime.”

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Seven Years Part Seven

Well, this is a long section, and much darker in many ways. I am VERY intrested to get peoples thoughts. Um, this section does get both violent, bloody, and a few other things though, so be forwarned. Have fun!

It was only a half day’s walk to Lon Lon Ranch if one kept up a quick pace, but Shiek had to get the cave ready to be unoccupied for several days, just in case she experienced unexpected delays. She also had to ready enough food to keep her for at least one meal given that Draq and Malon might not want her to hang around. After finishing the preparations, Shiek arranged her normal outdoor clothes, brought up some low level magical shields to finish off her disguise, and headed out the door.

Taking a deep breath of the afternoon air, Shiek glanced at the sky and figured that Draq had a good two hour start on her. She didn’t really want to overtake him, and so she set a moderate pace, hoping to reach the ranch shortly after nightfall. But her calculations had not taken a few key events into mind.

At around five o’clock Shiek sat down for a quick diner. The ranch was just in sight from where she sat, but Shiek figured it was still a few hours away. Distances could be deceiving on the open flat parts of Hyrule Plains, and she knew a person could often see their destination well before it was close. Shiek was halfway done with the small loaf of bread she had been eating when she felt a tingle run down her spine. It was some sixth sense screaming at her to run and hide. Shiek knew that to ignore such a feeling could result in disaster if ignored, whereas the temporary embarrassment of hiding for no reason could be laughed off later. There wasn’t much in the way of cover on Hyrule Plain, but Shiek had been trained by the greatest master of quick disappearing Hyrule had ever know: her own beloved Impa. Darting over to a large nearby rock, she pushed herself against it near the ground on the shadow side. Her eyes darted around the field to see if she could locate the source of her alarm. She was just about to write it off as a false alarm when she glimpsed the dark figure on horseback. It was him.

The large black stallion was a heavy war-charger. Mettle armor gleamed on its body in the setting sun. the horse and its rider were on a path indicating they had just left Lon Lon Ranch and were on their way to Greudo Valley. The large, powerful shape of the rider was unmistakable, and as a shaft of evening sunlight illuminated him Shiek saw again the face that had haunted so many of her nightmares. The long red hair waved behind him as he galloped closer, his proud, sharp, Greudo features twisted in an evil grin. As he neared the rock something seemed to catch his sharp brown eyes. The thick, muscular, arms hauled back the reigns, causing his horse to paw the air with front legs for a moment. In one dept, agile movement the rider leapt to the ground. Shiek didn’t dare to breath. There, not ten yards away, stood Gannondorf, The Great King of Evil, in all his power.

Gannondorf was dressed as he always was; brown heavy leather and fur lined clothes, with long matching cape. The powerful frame walked towards the hiding Shiek with purpose driven steps, and she felt her heart nearly freeze. But suddenly the warlord stopped.
He doesn’t see me! she thought, hope rising within her. It stopped rising, and then died completely, as her nemesis bent over to pick something off the ground. She nearly groaned out loud when she saw the powerful magus stand, holding a piece of bread!

You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, idiot, was the first thing that popped into Shiek’s mind, followed by more colorful, yet less charitable, names for herself. Sharp brown eyes roamed around as Gannondorf sought to catch a glimpse of who might have left the crust. He sniffed the bread and growled something under his breath. Craning his neck to scan the horizon, he crushed the bread to powder in his strong grip. Shiek’s eyes narrowed as thin as possible, wanting to close but unable to tear away from the magus in front of her. She felt her heart race, and it was all she could do to keep from shaking. She knew Gannondorf had magical power beyond her reckoning, but as she watched his thick, strong, frame take a few long strides around his horse she was sure he could kill her with brute strength alone.

“I know you’re still here!”
She had been forced to talk to the Greudo king many years ago before his rebellion, and his growling snarl of a voice had not changed a bit.
“Your bread isn’t old yet, you must be here. Show yourself NOW!”
Shiek felt an odd feeling grip her limbs. It took all her willpower to keep from obeying the order. Gannondorf had found a way to magically make his commands virtually impossible to resist.
“Come out now, or know my wrath!”
Shiek closed her eyes, clinched her fists, and tried to sink into the ground. Gannondorf paused for a second, but he was obviously losing patience.
“Fine… my only regret is that I do not have time to stay for your torment.” Gannondorf raised a massive fist above his head and brought it smashing to the ground with a sharp cry. He swung into the saddle, but Shiek’s attention was drawl away by an odd scratching sound coming from the ground near where Gannondorf had struck. The earth seemed to boil as four Skultoids clawed their way to the surface. The evil wizard threw what was left of the crust at their feet.
“Find him. Make him suffer greatly before he dies.” With that grim command, Gannondorf galloped at a fast pace towards Greudo Valley.

The four skeletons made a weird chattering sound as they gathered around the small piece of bread. They slowly began to circle out from it, as though they meant to carefully scour every inch of the field. Shiek wondered what the best course of action might be. It was very possible she could outrun the four undead, but she didn’t like the idea of four skeletons roaming Hyrule Plain in search of her. It would be better to end it now she thought, and besides, it will make up for my last goof with a Skultiod.

Gannondorf obviously hadn’t expected much of a fight. He had raised four Skultiods, but they were not the large, heavily armed, monsters that guarded the Temples. These were quickly raised, unarmed, skeletons, and Shiek was willing to bet they possessed little to no actual combat knowledge. She waited until the four skeletons drew closer, bracing herself for a spring. When they drew within rang, she launched herself at the lead skeleton. The flying kick connected squarely with its chest, sending it flying backwards. It clattered to the ground, and the remaining Skultiods let out a shrieking howl of rage. They began to surround her, circling slowly as they moved in for the kill. Shiek knew she had to strike quickly. If the three foes moved in as one she would be unable to overcome them. Stepping quickly to intercept one of the circling minions, she delivered a low leg sweep, knocking it to the ground. The skeleton flipped, and fell with a clatter. Shiek quickly drove her heal into the fallen Skultiod’s head, breaking it with a sickening crunch. There was no time to rejoice in the kill though, as the Skultiod she had incapitated first was rising back to its feet. Shiek jumped it before it had a chance to regroup with the others. She delivered two quick left jabs followed by a strong right hook that knocked the head clear off the skeleton. It stumbled backwards, then regained its balance, headless of the fact that it no longer had a skull. Shiek gave it a powerful roundhouse kick to the lower ribcage, which laid it out… this time for good.

Shiek whirled back to face the remaining opponents, at exactly the wrong time; she turned directly into a vicious punch. The bone fist connected squarely with her left cheekbone. The force of the blow sent her staggering backwards, totally off-balance. She felt her feet slip out from under her as stumbled backwards, and sat down hard. The two skeletons rushed her, eager to finish off the job while their opponent was down. Shiek reacted fast, rolling backwards into a headstand. Spinning on her hands, Shiek’s legs struck out like a windmill. One of the undead retreated in time, falling back to avoid the powerful kick. The other was not as quick, and was rewarded by Shiek’s leg crashing into its side. The skeleton fell to the ground like a broken doll. Shiek pushed up with arms, launching herself to her feet. Breathing hard, Shiek took up a fighting stance across from the last Skultiod. The Skultiod hesitated slightly, then savagely rushed her. Reacting quickly, Shiek brought up her knee while throwing out her arms. She caught the skeleton’s shoulders with her hands, at the same time planting her knee on its pelvis and using its momentum to roll backwards. When she lay on her back , Shiek’s limbs shot straight, using the Skultiod’s momentum to send it flipping through the air. It slammed into the rock she had been hiding by with a bone snapping crunch. It clatter to the ground and lay still.

Shiek stood for a moment in the wreckage of the four Skultiods. None of them rose up, so Shiek sank cross-legged to regain her breath. As she took in weary and ragged breaths, Sheik let her tongue run over her dry lips. She started in surprise at the sweet taste of blood. Lifting a hand to her face, she gently probed to feel the injury. A flash of pain confirmed her worst fears. The blow she had taken had reopened her cut, and blood was seeping slowly, but freely, from the wound. Cursing under her breath, Shiek considered her options. She could try to reach Scela at the Hylia Lake Laboratory, but that would mean crossing the entirety of Hyrule Plain, a daunting enough trip even without the knowledge that Gannondorf was running around. In the end she decided to continue on to Lon Lon Ranch. It was nearby, and she figured she would be able to find some medicine there. Her only concern was wondering why exactly Gannondorf had been riding from the direction of the ranch when she met him. Draq was there wasn’t he? She hoped he was alright.

I was around midnight when Sheik stumbled into the ranch. She paused to look around in the gleaming moonlight. She had only been to Lon Lon twice, and both times had been years ago, when her father was still alive and she was just a princess longing for a pony. Talon had been running the ranch then, but the hired man, called Indigo, had since taken over the place. It was widely rumored that way Indigo had achieved the hostile property grab was his fierce loyalty to Gannondorf. Shiek had never actually met him, but still remembered the feeling of revulsion that had choked her when she saw one of those times so many years ago.

As she stumbled further into the darkened ranch, Shiek wondered if anyone was still awake. The ranch house was dark, but she noticed a glow coming from under the barn door. She silently slipped in, praying to all three goddesses that she wasn’t about to stumble onto Draq and Malon together. Draq was nowhere to be seen in the barn, but there, standing with her back to the door and gently rubbing a horse’s head, was Malon. She was humming an odd little tune in a sad voice, and Shiek could tell from the weary slump of Malon’s thin shoulders that the poor ranch girl was exhausted. Finishing with the horse, she turned around and saw Shiek standing in the doorway. Giving a startled cry, Malon snatched up a pitchfork that was leaning against the stall she stood by.
“If you even think about stealing a horse, I’ll stick you good!” she challenged, her tired blue eyes flaring up with a fire that matched her flaming fair.

Sheik remember that she was still in costume, and Malon would have good reason to believe that she was here with ill-intent. Raising her hands in a gesture of innocence, Shiek took a cautious step into the barn.
“It’s ok, Malon,” she said, trying to make her voice soothing, while retaining masculinity, “I’m a good friend of Draq… I think you know him,” on several levels, she added mentally.
“Maybe he has mentioned me, my name is Shiek.”

To her surprise, Malon giggled and laid her pitchfork back against the stall.
“You’re exactly like he said you’d be; still, overdramatic, but kind.”
“Draq said that? Wait, how’d you know all that about me from one sentence?”
“Oh please,” the red hair tossed saucily, “It’s a woman’s intuition… you wouldn’t understand.”
“I see…” replied Shiek, trying to sound as skeptical as Toran or Draq did when she offered this as her reasoning. She was glad to find Draq hadn’t blown her cover.
“So, Draq said I’d be coming?”
“Oh yes,” Malon replied, picking up a bucket, “but he did leave out how cute you are… even with your face covered.”
Shiek felt a nervous quirk form in her stomach. She used a bit of magic to make her disguise more convincing, and she thought it was fairly sound, but this was the first time a girl had actually hit on her. She was thrown completely off balance.

“I, um, well, that is to say…”
Malon laughed at the affect she was creating. Smiling with mock innocence, the red-haired beauty stepped closer.
“Oh come now Shiek… surely a cutie like you hears that from all the girls.”
“Actually, I don’t hang around girls much…” Shiek stammered nervously, backing into the wall as Malon advanced well within her personal space. At this, Malon’s shoulder slumped, and she raised a weary eyebrow.
“So you mean you’re gay…”
“Um, yes!” A straight woman disguised as a man is a gay man, right?
“Figures,” she sighed, brushing past Shiek into the yard, “Well, if you ever decide to go straight, let me know first, ok?”
Well, she IS darn good looking… wait, what am I thinking? I REALLY need to stop dressing like a guy…

Running after Malon, Shiek caught up with her in the empty corral, staring wistfully at the full moon.
“Hey, Malon, I really need to talk to Draq. Where is he at?”
Malon sighed and shrugged.
“I have no idea… he never talks about his life. In fact, he doesn’t talk much at all.”
Shiek nodded. She knew all about that.
“He’s the same way with the team, Malon. He just keeps to himself a lot. I had thought he always came here in his free time though.”
Malon gave a small smile and shook her head.
“Nah. He comes to hang out sometimes, mostly to buy milk for those fairy kids. I mostly talk, he mostly acts like he listens, then we have sex, and then I wake up alone. Great relationship, huh?”
Shiek felt a twinge of pain for Malon, but at the same time had heard enough about her reputation to know she might just be on the receiving end of what she had done for years. However, she had to admit that Malon, though obviously a flirt, wasn’t exactly striking her like the rumors had led her to believe.

“Fairy kids?” She asked, hoping to get a lead of Draq’s location.
“Yeah… the Kohria forest children out by the Lost Woods? I know he acts like he doesn’t care about anybody or anything, but he loves those Kohria with all his heart. He takes them milk, plays with them, and keeps all the monsters they can’t beat out of the forest. He really is a softy under it all…” Malon sank to her knee and sat on her heals. Folding her hands in her lap, she gazed up at the moon with her large blue eyes. Shiek felt a swell of pity for the young woman. She sat down beside the wistful ranch girl and gently let a comforting arm slide over her slooping shoulders.
“I’m sorry these have to be such rough times Malon, but if it helps, I know he cares a lot for you.”
Malon gave a sniff and a slight mirthless laugh.
Please Shiek… I might come across as a little spacey and a flirt, but I know Draq would NEVER tell anyone that.”
“Well, he didn’t exactly say it, but he flared up like I have never seen to defend you.”
Malon’s sad blue eyes took on a gleam of hope.
“He did? What happened?”
“Well, you got called a name-”
“Let me guess,” said Malon, sighing again, “slut…”
“Whore actually," said Shiek, leaving out that she was the person, "and Draq nearly used his axe.”

Malon swooned happily, falling back onto the long grass.
He really is wonderful…” she sighed, bliss written plainly on her tired face. Propping herself up on her elbows, Malon sobered a bit.
“I guess I am one though… no sense in denying it.”
Shiek was not sure how to respond. She was starting to like Malon, but had spent enough time around the young men of Castle Town and the village to know Malon’s assessment of herself was probably true.
“Well, if you’re worried about that, maybe you should back off the guys a little, you know?” she offered after some thought. The same tired expression flitted over Malon’s face.
“Maybe… it’s just that I get so lonely now that dad is gone.”
“And Indigo?”
Malon shivered slightly, an odd look coming into her eyes. Shiek instantly read the reaction that a male might have missed.
“He doesn’t…” her voice trailed off, uncertain of what exactly to say.
“Oh no, not like that… Indigo only gets pleasure out of beating things it seems.”
“Oh…” again Sheik was at a loss for words. Malon was the first female company her own age she had experienced in years, and the ranch girl was turning out quite different then what she had expected.

If Indigo is hitting her I should do SOMETHING, she thought, looking over at the pretty girl beside her.
“Why don’t you come live with us, Malon? You wouldn’t have to fight, just get away from this place, you know?”
Malon smiled and shook her head.
“Thanks, but I can’t leave. If I weren’t here, Indigo would end up killed the weaker horses. He knows how to train rough battle charges as well as anyone, but he thinks the smaller horses are worthless and would, at best, neglect them. I have to be here for them,” she sat up straighter, hugging her knees to her chest.
“It would be so wonderful to move in with you guys though…” she sighed, resting her chin on her knees, “you probably think me silly for staying.”
Shiek gave a thoughtful look at her, then shook her head.
“Actually, it makes a lot of sense. I imagine it’s a lot like Draq and those kids. Both of you have hearts for those who can’t help themselves.”
“Maybe…” Malon said, more to herself then Shiek.
“Well, I should get to bed… you want to hold up in the barn?”

Shiek wanted to find Draq, but also figured it was too late for the long trek over to the Lost Woods. Malon and Shiek walked in silence over to the barn. It was not the horse stables that Malon led her to, but a small loft at the back of the ranch.
“This is where we keep the hay for the cows. Don’t worry, Indigo never comes up here; feeding the cows is my job…” Malon pushed open the door and gestured at a large pile of hay in the corner.
“It’s quite comfortable… of course, more so if you have a nice, soft, pillow,” a playful smile crossed the pretty lips.
“Thanks for the offer Malon, but like I said, women aren’t really my style…”
The young woman shrugged, and left, humming the same odd tune.

After the door closed, Shiek dropped her low-level magic shields, and began to unwind her headgear. Gannondorf could monitor magic use in Hyrule, having some kind of ability to sense all mystic power around him. This meant Shiek had to keep the magic aiding in her disguise at a nearly non-existent level. She mainly used magic to change her eye color and give her upper body a flatter appearance. She pulled off her turban, but rather then feeling the veil fall away, Shiek found it clinging to her face. Wincing, she gingerly touched the cloth and felt it stiff and board like. It was as she had feared: the blood had dried, causing the cloth to stick. Pulling it away would be very painful, and probably reopen the cut. Gritting her teeth, Shiek gave the cloth a quick tug. It pulled away, and a stab of pain burned through her. After washing out the wound with some more of Scela’s water, Shiek nestled down into the hay. It was a matter of seconds before she was asleep.

Shiek’s military life had made her accustom to rising early... but apparently Malon woke earlier.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Another Song

A song that has been really popular with the kids I teach... I really like it...

GREEN DAY LYRICS

"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"

I walk a lonely road

The only one that I have ever known

Don't know where it goes

But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street

On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Where the city sleepsand I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone I walk alone I walk alone I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating

Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me

'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ah,Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line

That divides me somewhere in my mind

On the border line

Of the edge and where I walk alone

Read between the lines

What's screwed up and everything's alright

Check my vital signsTo know I'm still alive and I walk alone

I walk alone I walk alone I walk alone I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating

Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me

'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ahAh-ah, Ah-ah

I walk alone I walk a...

I walk this empty street

On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Where the city sleeps

And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating

Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me

'Til then I walk alone...

Monday, April 18, 2005

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…

Which isn’t really true. However, since I posted a good segment on Thursday of last week I feel perfectly fine with not posting an update today (plus, no one has reviewed my last segment *much sadness*). Instead I will show you all a nice picture to go with my story. This isn’t the BEST drawling of Shiek I have ever seen, but it captures more the image I am driving at in the story. She looks pretty feminine, but also boy-ish at the same time. I am thinking it would be like her on her little ledge, or like her later at Lon Lon Ranch (which we haven’t got to yet in the story). I figure she is still in disguise, but has dropped the magical shields that add the finishing touches to her alias.

Anyway, here is the link so you guys can see it and the artist get the due credit (people who steal other people’s work that is posted for review on-line are more worthy of death then anyone else in the world).

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/fanq/a/n/andamay2/zelda_is_sheik_final.jpg.html

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Seven Years part Five

Ok, after three slimer posts I am getting around to putting up a substanial protion of the story... at last... Don't worry, I wont make it a habbit. This really starts to develop a figure who I have noticed is becoming a number one figure to talk about and psycoanilize, so everybody should be pretty pumped. This is an important section, so please R&R! (Lee the next three to four posts will have your jumping all over the place... but with joy, anger, excitement? Who knows? Well... I do...)

The door closed, ending the conversation. Toran only stayed outside for a few minuets before following Draq inside, but it seemed an eternity for Shiek. So much had happened that night, and she knew it would be a long day in the morning.



When Shiek first awoke, she couldn’t remember anything. Her head felt fuzzy, her face ached, she couldn’t remember why she had a hanging feeling of depression and she couldn’t remember why she wasn’t able to open her left eye. Her hand drifted to her face, and the pain that burned through her nerves in response to the touch brought yesterday’s events screaming back to memory. Shiek staggered to her feet, rubbing her head to clear it. She stumbled into the main room from her side chamber, clutching her headgear in one hand while continuing to massage her forehead with the other. The three other team members already were sitting around the table, and it looked as though they had just started breakfast. Shiek sank into a chair and allowed Scela to inspect her face. He pronounced it clean and suffering from minimal swelling, which was (in his experience) to be expected. Shiek was glad to hear there were no complications, but given that she could barely open her eye she inwardly doubted the how ‘mild’ the swelling was.

“Ok guys, here’s the deal. I want us to stay low for a bit to ensure our trail is cold. I was thinking two days maybe. However, on her visit here last night, Impa implied that Gannondorf might be intensifying his efforts to sweep the kingdom, so we will need to keep our eyes open.”
“Wondered what the Iron Maiden wanted,” Toran commented, taking a gulp of his poorly brewed coffee. Shiek’s eyes started to burn again, but she knew in her heart that none of the team meant any harm in the nickname.
“Point is, our current mode of operation should be cautious, but observant.” She paused to take a small drink from her mug. Palace manners died hard, especially after having them beat into you by an entire army of etiquette instructors.
“Now, can someone tell me what time it is?”
Draq paused from his near continual axe sharpening.
“7:15 and all is well! Weather is clear, none of Gannondorf’s minions seem to be lurking, and Shiek finally looks like the man she wants everyone to think she is…”
Shiek chose to ignore the last comment, hoping Draq wasn’t TOO serious.

Scela finished his breakfast first and announced that he was heading off to Lake Hylia to collect medicines and pay his former teacher a visit. Gathering his bow and assorted knives, the young medic set off letting them know he planned to stay on the Lake till midday tomorrow.
“If your face starts to swell more rub some of the RED water on the cut. Don’t mix the other medicines, or you could end up turning yourself into something distinctly unnatural.”
With this warning, Scela headed out the door, whistling a jaunty tune.

The remaining three finished eating quickly, and without conversation. Toran fished first, pushed his chair back and bounded to his feet.
“So, what are we doing then?”
“Actually, you will be running an errand for me, Toran…” Shiek said, turning to pick up a letter she had written the night before. “I need you to run this letter to Migrid in the village. After she reads it she will probably need you to run a message to the Greudo Fortress. The whole thing will probably take a few days, so you’d better get started.”

Toran’s countenance fell slightly, and Shiek realized he had probably been hoping to have a talk with her over the slower days. But he didn’t complain as he gathered food for the trip into a bag. At least, he didn’t complain TOO MUCH. That is, he didn’t complain too much, FOR TORAN.
“So, I’m the message boy now…”
“Beats getting fired, no?” Shiek shot back with a smile.
“Fired! You’re literally sending me to EVERY corner of the country with this. I should just QUIT!”
“I don’t recall asking you to join…”
“Well, I’m leaving now to walk for two days straight… have fun doing whatever it is you plan on filling your lazy days with.”
Draq ran a thumb experimentally over the blade of his freshly sharpened axe.
“Get out of here before I turn you into fire-wood kid…”

After Toran made his exit, Draq stood resting the pole of his long axe over his shoulders, keeping it balanced with his left hand as he finished off his drink. Setting down the empty cup, he studied Shiek with his clear icy blue-grey eyes.
“Got anything for me chief?”

Shiek stood, and nodded. She felt a slight blush creeping across her face, and didn’t look Draq directly in the eye at first.
“More a, um, personal favor, Draq,” She began, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I… Well…”
“Out with it girl, I don’t have all day…” Draq smiled. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the cave wall.
“It’s about Toran. I, well, I like him a lot, but not like that or anything… you know? I mean…” Shiek trailed off. She normally had no trouble expressing what she was thinking, but this was something she was having great difficulty getting into words. Draq wasn’t really helping either. His face had returned to its normal emotionless state. At her pause he cocked an eyebrow slightly to display his confusion on what exactly she was asking him to do. Sighing, Shiek decided to try again.

“Basically, I am wondering if you could encourage Toran to not entertain hopes of us getting together. It could never happen…”
“Oh?” Draq’s expressionless question took her totally off guard.
“Yes. Look it’s complicated… you don’t have to of course, but I just don’t want to see him get hurt.”
Draq tilted his head back slightly and raised his eyebrow again.
“And why is it so complicated again… I think I missed that part…”
"How can you even ask Draq! Just look at the kind of life we live here!”
The large shoulder shrugged.
“Not like you’d be asking him to change his way of life at all… he is as much a warrior as you are.”
“Now, yes, but when the Hero of Time comes and overthrows Gannond-”
Draq’s sudden laugh cut her off. Still chuckling, he spoke with a dry smirk.
“I see now… you have a crush on the legendary ‘Hero of Time.’ Well, I guess if you’re into that kind of thing…”

Shiek felt her face flush. Tears formed in her eyes, but she was able to hold them back. Draq couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. She had been in love with the Hero of Time since she had first met him nearly seven years ago. Moreover, even setting Link aside, she was a princess. After Gannondorf was put away she would become queen of Hyrule. And that was bound to complicate ANY relationship.

“But seriously,” Draq’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “don’t ditch Toran just because you’re infatuated with a legend. Real men might not be as perfect as imaginary ones, but at least they exist…”
Shiek gave an exasperated sigh and threw up her hands.
“Why do I seem to be the only person on this team that believes in the legend of the Hero?”
“Hey! I didn’t say I didn’t believe in him, only that neither I, nor you, have ever met him…”
Speak for yourself, Draq, Shiek thought as her eyes burned.
“Well, DO you believe in Link?” she challenged.
“Link? You’ve NAMED him already?”
Shiek felt hot blood pump through her.
“Just answer the question, Draq…”
Draq’s eyes narrowed. It was clear he didn’t want to give a solid answer.
“Why does it matter, Shiek…”

Shiek took a deep breath, held it for a second, then released it slowly.
“Sorry Draq. I didn’t mean to question your loyalty to our cause, it’s just that sometimes I get so tired of been alone in what I believe…” she closed her eyes and leaned back on the table, propping herself up with her arms.
“Toran believes them after a fashion… maybe you two have more in common then you think.” Draq offered a wry grin, which Shiek figured was either his way of showing he was trying to not take what she had insinuated too personally, or was playfully teasing her, which amounted to the same thing. Draq straightened and hefted up his axe from the wall it leaned against.
“Well, I am not going to tell Toran off, because I still think your making a mistake-” Shiek gave him a pleading look “-but don’t worry, Shiek… I’m not going to encourage him either.”

Shiek watched as his powerful frame re-shouldered his heavy axe. She had never really thought about how much Draq’s physical appearance matched the role he played for the team, but she was suddenly struck with it. His shoulder’s were wide and powerful with strongly muscled arms. He had deep chest that tapered down to his thin waist. He was the tallest member of the team, clearing Toran by several inches and standing a good head and shoulders above Shiek. His handsome pointed face rarely showed emotion, but his eyes often served as windows into his soul for those who knew him. His face, body and entire demeanor bespoke a solid power, and in truth Draq did serve as an important backbone to the team. He might never talk about what HE was actually feeling or wanted, but he was the first person everyone in the team turned to pour their own thoughts out on. Shiek had often wondered what dark past event had caused Draq to become so reserved, but she didn’t feel right to ask, knowing that she couldn’t tell him about her own secrets.

Draq opened the door to leave, obviously thinking the conversation was over. Shiek decided that since they were alone she might as well broach another touchy subject.
“Um, Draq… where are you going?”
He paused in the doorway.
“Out,” he replied, not turning to face her. Shiek sighed, standing up from the table.
“I meant where out there…”
“Since when have you started caring what I do on my slow days?” there was a hint of incredulity in Draq’s voice.
“Draq, you make quite a bit of money on Poes and at the Gaming Halls… what do you do with it all?”
That,” replied Draq, glaring over his shoulder, “is none of your business.”
Shiek walked forward and put a hand on the shoulder that didn’t support the axe.
“Please Draq, stay away from Lon Lon Ranch… that ranch girl is a whore.”
Draq’s icy eyes became very hard, something that must be seen in order to truly understand.
“What Malon and I do doesn’t affect this team, Shiek, so stay out of it.”
“She only keeps you around because you’re rich, Draq.”
He shrugged her hand off of his shoulder and stepped through the door.
“You don’t even know her, Shiek. In fact, there’s lot’s you don’t know. So keep your snotty nose out of it all!”

Shiek watched him strike out westward at a fast clip. Well, that went wonderfully, the young leader though. There were times when she felt immensely under-qualified to lead the small band of resistance fighters, and this was definitely one of those times. He probably right… it’s probably none of my business. But she also knew that Draq was more then just a member of her team, he was a good friend. I’ll pay the two of them a visit, here’s to hoping I’m wrong about her. She downed the last of her drink and went back to get things ready for her trip.

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

song

This is a song I have been having running through my head recently. I really like it and thought I'd put it up here just for fun....


Artist: Eagle-Eye Cherry LyricsSong: Don't Give Up
All our dreams are gone
With a lose of faith
And were still hangn' on
For another day
Its so hard to see
That its gonna get better
And when will it be
Its hard to say
We must believe
That if again we will recieve
Yes we must believe
That its gonna get better
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
And were breakin' the way
For what holds us down
And this could be the day
That brings out the light
Now were marchin' on
With the weather never gettin' on
And this town will in one
Without a fight
We must believe
That if again we will recieve
Yes we must believe
That its gonna get better
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
We must believe
That if again we will recieve
Yes we must believe
That its gonna get better
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got
Don't give up
Never give up
We won't stop givin' all we got

Monday, April 11, 2005

Seven Years part four

To say this weeks section is short would be like saying Hitler was a "bad man." However, I have very, very, VERY busy this week, as well as trying to sort through some personal complications, so I think I can be excused for only putting up the little bit I already had typed. And as an unrelated, random, thought the world can be a confusing place... Once again, read and review people... I love comments both good and evil (um, I mean negitave)

Shiek had just finished splashing water on her face when Scela entered the room. The young archer noticed Shiek’s slightly bloodshot eyes and gave a sympathetic smile.
“The ol’ Iron Maiden give you a rough lecture?” he joked.
Shiek’s eyes flashed fire.
“Her name is Impa, and she deserves more respect then a punk like you is even CAPABLE of giving!”

Snatching her turban and face covering, Shiek stalked quickly outside, leaving Scela to wonder what exactly he had said that was so wrong.

She stood out in the clear night. The stars and full moon shone brightly, and could see almost as well as in the day. She looked up to the moon and sighed; it was time to visit her personal hide-away. Shiek took a few running steps towards the cliff wall, jumping upwards just as she reached it. Planting her left foot on the wall at the height of her jump, she pushed herself the extra distance to a short think branch. Shiek grabbed it and used her momentum to swing around it like a gymnast’s pole. Letting go on the up-swing she flipped up to a small jut on the cliff wall. It was a small lip of rock, barely a foot wide and totally unnoticeable from the ground.

It was her spot, the only place in Hyrule that she truly ruled. As she sat cross-legged on the ledge, Shiek tried to clear her mind of all the draining thoughts that were ravaging it. She sat like that, thinking of nothing, for a good while. The moon had shifted quite a ways across the sky when the murmur of voices brought her back to the darkening night of Hyrule Plain.

“At twenty ruppies a play, it’s not a bad return on a win, no?” It was Draq’s voice. Toran had obviously caught up with him in the game parlors.
“I guess… I’m just worried that I’d lose all my money at the shooting gallery.”
“You have to know the trick of it. My brother was foolish enough to never miss. He cleaned house once, but they never let him play again. I make a few well timed losses to keep the game masters happy.” The voices were almost beneath her now. She heard the two pause outside the cave entrance. Draq mumbled something she couldn’t quite make out and Toran chuckled in reply.
“You coming in?” Toran’s question was back in the discernible level.
“Nah, it’s a warm night… I feel like a smoke and if I do it inside that little witch will have my hide.” She heard Draq sit down and the dull clink of his axe on the ground. Flint sounded, and Shiek saw a quick burst of flame, followed by slight dull glow from Draq’s long thin pipe, spring below her.
“Mind if I join you? Just to talk I mean…” Draq must have given an affirming gesture, because the sound of a second, lighter, body sitting down followed the question.

The two sat in scilance for a few minutes, broken only by the occasional sound of Draq taking an extra long draw at his pipe. Finally Toran broke the scilance.

“You don’t really think Shiek is a witch, Draq, surely…”
Draq chuckled.
“Of course I do! Any woman worth liking is a witch. The way Shiek acts sometimes would make you think she’s the rightful ruler of Hyrule, arrogant little snot. But I wouldn’t have her any other way; it gives her respectability and class.”
“How so?” Toran sounded a little dubious.
“It gives her sophistication. Take that girl that works in the bombachue bowling shop, whatever her name is… yeah, she’s cute, and yeah she can kiss like Heaven, but you just can’t respect her. She’s just so loose, so common… Shiek has class,” he chuckled, “and one darn good-looking figure too.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
Draq paused for a draw on his pipe before continuing.
“Of course it makes sense… and don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’re crazy about her. It’s a good choice; hope you two work out.”
Toran’s voice sounded as flustered as Shiek felt.
“But that’s… I mean… What do you know about it anyway!”
Shiek was sure Draq’s face held its ‘Sage-of-Wisdom’ and ‘I-know-EVERYTHING-you dolt’ smile.
“Experience my boy. I am your elder, don’t forget.”
“Like any of us ever could! It’s your proof for everything you say. And you are only THREE years older; that’s not much time at all.”
Draq’s voice held a tone of scorned wisdom.
“Ah, but those are three very important years. Trust me, at 21 your knowledge on many fields will have advanced beyond your dreams at 18, particularly on this subject.”

Toran seemed to accept this, and the two fell quite again. Shiek had just decided they must have fallen asleep when Toran’s voice came softly up. It was hushed, as though he was trying to ensure no one heard him, despite the fact he had no reason to believe anyone was around.
“Draq, you’re right about how I feel about Shiek. I didn’t even realize it myself until tonight. I just… well, when I saw her all cut up like that… when I left the cave I thought about a lot of things, and finally realized that I might love her just before finding you in the shooting gallery.”
“Yeah, I could tell you had something on your mind…” Draq’s voice had lost all traces of joviality.
“But I worry about her Draq. How can I tell her she shouldn’t fight anymore.”
“You shouldn’t…” she heard Draq stand, knocking the ash from his pipe. “You love her for who she is. You might think you want her to change, because it might make you happier in the short term. But if Shiek was really willing to give up fighting for what she thinks is right would she really be the Shiek you love? Trust me, it’s a thing I’ve had to learn the hard way.”

The door to the cave opened and it sounded as though Draq was starting to walk inside.
“Why do you fight, Draq?”
There was a long pause.
“Shiek fights because she believes in the stories. I fight because I believe in her. What do you believe in?”
There was another long pause. Finally Draq spoke.
“I believe in what I am, nothing more…”
The door closed, ending the conversation. Toran only stayed outside for a few minuets before following Draq inside, but it seemed an eternity for Shiek. So much had happened that night, and she knew it would be a long day in the morning.

Monday, April 04, 2005

Seven Years part the third

Sorry for it been so short again, but the next segment isn't transfered yet. Look for an update later in the week. Plus, I actually DO have a life, and was kept from finishing the typing by worthy goals... like, um, partying... At any rate, I have found this format isn't the best for this kind of work, but it's alright... just remember that I reply to your comments directly and not here. And now for the long awaited introduction of the Iron Maiden...


Toran stood up and retied his green headband. Slinging his katana over his shoulder in a fluid motion, Toran turned to the cave entrance.
“I’m going to make sure Draq is doing ok… we wouldn’t want our best axe-man to get hurt gathering gaming money.”
Shiek nodded, though she had doubts as to whether Draq spent his extra money on games. As Toran exited the cave, Shiek heard him give a startled greeting. Shiek sighed. Only one person would have elicited such a response.

“You are hurt.” Impa didn’t miss much, even if she rarely showed visible reactions.
“Scela says I’ll be fine.”
“How were you hurt?”
Why does her voice always have to sound so cold? Shiek thought, tears threatening to spill out under Impa’s stern gaze. It’s like she cares more about the incident and the fact that I am cut up then the actual pain I might be in…
“I said, HOW were you hurt?”
“I was hit by a Skultiod…”
Impa raised a questioning dark eyebrow.
“We were… well, I mean to say I…” Shiek sighed and felt her whole body slump inward. Impa really was going to kill her.
“I led the team to the Spirit Temple…”

“The Spirit Temple! You went into the Spirit Temple! Forgive my displeasure, princess, but that was MOST unwise…”

Shiek couldn’t bring herself to look back at Impa. But then, she already knew exactly how her guardian would look right now. Her eyes would be burning with reproach and disappointment, even as the rest of her face remained completely emotionless. Her arms would be crossed over her chest as her tall frame stood ramrod straight. Shiek let an eye drift up and then dropped it quickly. Her imagination had been quite correct.

“I agreed to let you engage in light resistance work, not storm Gannondorf’s childhood home. What were you doing in the Temple?”
Shiek felt her face begin to flush with a mixture of shame and wounded pride. Trying to push down her feelings, she looked back up at Impa.
“All of the Sages have been accounted for except the Forest and Spirit Sages. I thought we might find something in the Temple to help us-”
“The Sages will awaken when the time is right, not before.”
“But-”
Impa held up a hand to silence her.
“Enough. You were injured tonight. You cannot take risks like that, princess. What good will the destruction of Gannondorf accomplish if you are dead?”
Fire danced in Shiek’s eyes as she responded.
“If I don’t stand in his way there will not BE a Hyrule to save! My group has kept the village safe, turned the Greudos away from Gannondorf, and helped defend the Zora and Gordon nations! Impa, you must see that if I don’t stop him from sweeping the world then Link might arrive too late!”

Impa’s eyes softened. She reached out a hand and placed it on her ward’s shoulder.
“So like your father…” she murmured, more to herself then Shiek. Recomposing herself, Impa spoke firmly to the princess in hiding.
“Princess Zelda, I must plead with you to be careful, for it is my duty to say such things. But know that I appreciate the great work your small band has done. Doubtless it will become an essential part of the legend of the Hero of Time. But that is not why I came. The real reason I came tonight was to tell you I must go, and that I might not return. Gannondorf has broken an ancient seal of the Shiekah people that had kept a dark power at bay. I must travel to the Shadow Temple to reestablish the seal. You must NEVER follow me there, for only the Hero of Time should enter that dark place, and it is unlikely that anyone else, even I, shall ever leave the thick shroud that covers it. Princess, swear to me that you will never enter that foul place.”

Shiek’s eyes grew wide. This was too much for her to take in at once. The woman who had loved her, protected her, been the mother she had never had, had just told her they might never see each other again.
“Impa, I…” her voice caught. She couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“Please princess, you must survive. Link will return soon, and I need you to be ready for him. I must go now, I cannot delay further.”

Shiek watched Impa’s hand rise and desperately searched for some last word. Tears began to well up inside her, and her vision blurred slightly. She leaned towards her guardian slightly, hand held out silently pleading to be held.
“Impa…”
There was a flash that blinded her, and a small crack. A second later Shiek’s vision returned, and she found herself alone.
“…I love you,” she murmured, sinking to her knees. A single tear trickled down her left cheek, causing a slight stab of pain as it ran over the cut. Choking down her sobs, Shiek wiped her face on her discarded face covering. Taking a ragged breath, she stood up and walked over to the room’s barrel of water.

Shiek had just finished splashing water on her face when Scela entered the room. The young archer noticed Shiek’s slightly bloodshot eyes and gave a sympathetic smile.
“The ol’ Iron Maiden give you a rough lecture?” he joked.
Shiek’s eyes flashed fire.
“Her name is Impa, and she deserves more respect then a punk like you is even CAPABLE of giving!”

Snatching her turban and face covering, Shiek stalked quickly outside, leaving Scela to wonder what exactly he had said that was so wrong.