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.
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.
posted by Czar at 4:53 PM
1 Comments:
First off the reason I did not post was because you left me hanging so I didn't know what to comment on. Besides your writing is good so what am I suppose to say?? *grin*
But nonetheless I will comment...
In this section I like how you have more descriptions of what the people were thinking and what they were like (as you said there would be of Draq). I liked the little more background the reader was able to get from some of the interactions between the characters or from what you brought out on how they were behaving. The interchange between Toran and Shiek concerning going to Migrid made me laugh…well not just the interchange but also how you explained Toran’s lack of complaining. Classic… BTW, you are doing a good job at capturing the way girls talk and interact with those around them. How did you get so good at that?? *smirk* (The interchange I am thinking of is when Shiek is trying to ask Draq to dissuade Toran from liking her.)
Shiek has a good ability to keep things to herself…doesn’t she need someone to talk to or is that why she has the close connection with Impa? It seems as though she will burst soon…
And the ending…it sure doesn’t endear me to Toran…that is for sure…
Can’t wait to read what happens less.
But nonetheless I will comment...
In this section I like how you have
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