Legend of Zelda: Book of Mobius

The point of views will switch between Hask, Edge, Reno and Link. I’m sorry if this causes any confusion. I know it did at the beginning of the last one.
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“Kessler. I need ya fer a breath.” A girl called from Razer’s side. Link spared the healer a glance, the thick braid trailing in the dirt that was dusty grass green and large eyes the color of a cloudless sky. Long ears were bared, her thin lips in a tight line.

Kessler shot Hask a glance before following the order. The blonde flicked his gaze at the boy, who looked troubled as he watched the bird-girl. The scarlet orbs found the azure and blinked, all expression draining before turning to Reaper and Striker.

“We’ll leave Kessler to Edge.” The steam gunner rasped. Link blinked until he realized that Edge was the healer. “Reaper, Striker…you take the south wall. Shep and I will take the north. Make sure the watch has changed and there aren’t any more Unknowns lurking near the walls.”

Striker looked as if he wanted to argue, the icy blue orbs darting to where Kessler was crouched. He sighed heavily, glaring at Reaper before nodding in compliance. Reaper gave a shrug, hand reaching up to stroke the staff of his scythe lovingly. The pair turned away, leaving Link and Hask.

The steam gunner jerked his head towards the wall before turning and picking his way through the bodies that lay out in the dirt. The thief sighed, reaching up to stroke Reno’s jaw before following. The thief didn’t want to follow the boy’s orders, but there didn’t seem like much else to do.

He could just sit in the middle of the makeshift hospice like a lump. He suspected he’d be put to work if he did. If he were on top of the ramparts, he could see the lay out of the grounds and get an idea on what he was working with outside the walls. Leaving was pretty enticing also. However tempted he was to do so, it wouldn’t give him any answers. Why is Ganon interested in babes? Doesn’t make much in the way of sense.

Oooh…The Hero is straying dangerously close to acting in an intelligent manner! Perhaps the world is ending! His inner Monk mocked, teasing a slight twitch from the teen.

Anything to shut yer yapper, old man. Link thought in annoyance, ignoring the impulse to rub his temples. The fact he was in the middle of a possible siege was bad enough without arguing with himself.

“Don’tcha wanna use tha stairs?” Link blurted when he realized they were headed towards a wooden ladder leaning against the wall. The steam gunner threw a scowl over his shoulder, letting his gun arm drop before he scurried up the ladder faster than the teen thought possible.

The short boy stared down at him from the ramparts, a smirk on the thin lips. The dying light threw the thin face into stark relief, milky strands soaking up the darkness. “The stairs are needed by the wounded. I can hold my own when the ladder doesn’t move, Shep. Get your tail up here.”

The blonde gave a crooked smile, deciding the white-haired boy was more than a little odd and clamored up. The rungs creaked ominously beneath his weight, the thief questioning if it could handle the strain.

Link followed Hask down the walkway, eyes scanning inside the walls curiously. A herd of ten goats grazed in the coral along the far southeast corner of the yard. The majority of the northern space between the wall and mansion was converted into weapons training area. Hacked pieces of furniture lay about the area, riddled with holes and scorch marks. A struggling vegetable garden took up most of the east side, where it had the most light throughout the day.

They have an impressive setup. They couldn’ have done it all themselves, though. Where are the adults? The thief wondered with a frown, gaze traveling over the ruins outside the wall as they rounded the corner onto the east wall. Shouts rose into the air, disrupting the teen’s musings.

Hask cursed, taking off towards the struggling figures a few hundred feet away. Link snarled and followed suit, his body protesting against the sudden burst of activity. It wanted to rest and sadly, it appeared that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

Striker and Reaper were screaming at one another, the children on watch struggling to hold them back. Hask skidded to a halt as he neared the group, yelling for the two to stop fighting. The blonde slowed to a walk, disgusted with the display. They had all appeared far more mature before. Where the young ones did as they were asked without question during chaotic and frightening times, the elders couldn’t seem to keep their act together.

Perhaps it should be expected. Not everyone could handle the pressure of having so many look to him or her when they were just as uncertain. The stress was obviously starting to get to the scythe and staff wielder. Doubtless, it didn’t help that they probably had a volatile relationship to begin with.

Link turned away from the fight and towards the ruins. The blue eyes roamed restlessly over the scenery. Darkness and shadows had gathered, clinging to everything stubbornly in spite of the stars gathering in the sky. The teen blinked as a shadow shifted, an odd glint among the destruction. The strange glint flashed and Link was moving before he’d even realized what it was.

“GIT DOWN!” He roared, pulling off his shield and holding it up just as the arrow dinged against it. Children screamed and complied, covering their heads. Shock was written over Hask’s face as he scooted up to the edge of the wall and held his gun arm close to his chest. Their eyes met, Link’s grim. “Three archers. Straight ahead.”

The head bobbed, lips tightening in concentration. The teen closed his eyes, listening. The children weren’t screaming anymore, but their breathing was heavy with fear. There weren’t many archers, but the darkness made it that much more frightening. If they’d been standing a proper watch, they probably would have caught the movement of the boblins moving in. There wasn’t much cover on the east side.

Shouts sounded down the wall, the hissing snap of steam guns announcing more archers had made their move. Link wondered how prepared the others were to deal with the sudden onslaught. There weren’t any screams of pain to announce a wounded child, but beyond that the teen was clueless of the outcome.

His free arm tingled unbearably and shot up, hand closing around an arrow shaft to snatch it out of the air. His eyes opened and he stared at it for a moment before dropping it. Striker and Reaper were watching him, but Hask’s eyes were on the land. The gun barked three times, slow and calculated.

The children with crossbows and steam guns followed suit, scanning the area and firing at the advancing wave. Link lowered his shield, watching the onslaught turn to chaos as the Unknowns turned tail as more of their fellows turned to ash. The clockwork Unknowns continued with a single-mindedness that lost them whatever kind of life they possessed.

Hask pressed against his side, the blood-colored eyes staring into the blue. A small smile quirked the boy’s thin lips as he nodded to the teen’s hand still clutching the arrow. “We need to get you a long range weapon.”
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Link rested his arm on an upraised knee, staring out the open window he was perched in. There were just enough cushions to make the seat comfortable, the window pushed open since the glass had warped from the heat. It wasn’t much of a view, considering he was only on the second floor. Enough to see over the walls, but the candles at his back made it hard to pick out the details beyond the yard. He could pin point the campfires of the Unknowns spread along the ruined city. The fires glowed eerily off the walls of the deformed buildings, throwing long, dancing shadows of the Unknowns.

A child was feeding their small herd of Luna goats, letting the beast drag her about the pin while she clung to the horns. They obviously got their milk from them. The vegetable garden that had been planted in haste would only support them for so long. Their well was clean and deep, but they were starting to hurt for supplies. The coming winter would surely kill them all.

However bad he may feel for them, he really didn’t want to help them out. It wasn’t cowardice holding him back, but the simple trouble that the pack of orphans presented. The Unknowns holding the siege had completely encircled their little haven and made safe escape for everyone impossible.

Reno jumped onto his shoulder, Link starting a little. He hadn’t even heard the fox approach. The kit draped his body over the shoulder, violet eyes peering through the darkness.

“It seems a bit far-fetched that a group of orphans could survive here for as long as they did.” Link started, feeling a soft triangle flick back towards his soft voice to show attention. “What happened to tha elders? Nuthen I see should hold much ground. There’s more to the story.”

The fox didn’t answer, thinking that it was a little too convenient also. The nag’s behavior had been unsettling and Reno was suspicious of the reason for the uncharacteristic bolt. Horses weren’t soldiers. They had to be trained to enter battle, to fight with their riders. Beebe hadn’t been trained for that. She’d too light to be an effective warhorse, so something or someone was dictating her actions.

It wouldn’t surprise the kit if the sudden surrounding of the camp weren’t part of a larger plan. The children had only been kept at bay, not putting up much of a fight due to the security the mansion afforded them. The adults wouldn’t have pushed leaving too hard either, not knowing if they could safely transport over two hundred plus children across the Nocturne Plains with no trains or wagon.

“What do ya think then?” Reno asked quietly, wondering just what the blonde made of the situation.

“We were set up by Ganon. That’s the only reason I kin figure they lasted this long. This isn’t set up that well, either.” Which is a surprise for Gramps. The teen thought bitterly. “No siege engines, sloppy formations. The only thing holding us here is the sheer number of them.”

“Moblinz an’ their ilk aren’ bery shmart.” Reno remarked, going over his memory. “Bulbinz are za shmartish. Any line they form iz likely ta break when ya draw blood. Za leader kept them together lasht time. Za lasht wave wuzza joke.”

“Yeah. They tried to retreat a few times. If I take out tha leader, ya think tha rest will scramble?”

“No doubt.” Reno assured him, the ears flattening. “Jusht gotta find him. Do ya think there’z a cresht here?”

Link grunted at the sudden topic change, brought back to his original reason for traveling to the cursed city. He rubbed the back of his left hand restlessly, frowning in thought. He’d already done a thorough inspection of the mansion and hadn’t found one. The servant’s quarters on the top level had been stripped of all linen and pallets.

Link suspected that most of them were in the makeshift hospice on the first floor. A large sitting room had been cleared and the wounded had been moved from the yard and into there. The two of the four rooms on the second floor were heaped with pallets, cushions from the furniture, pillows and blankets. They looked like nests.

The other two had everything comfortable stripped from them, with the exception of one room that had a view of the west. The only locked door had been to the basement. Nothing of interest was below, except for a squat door that had been hidden behind a clothes press. According to Link’s map, it led to outside the mansion, which made next to no sense to him.

I need ta get some sleep. I’m dead on my feet. My whole body hurts. I need the armor off… He thought wearily, letting his head fall to his knee. Cripes. What takes so long to make sure that tha parameter is clear? “They’re taken their time, aren’ they?”

“Yeah.” The fox agreed. The large eyes closed to snatch a quick nap in their wait. Hask had told them to wait inside until they made sure that the children were calm and able to stand their watches. That had been at least three hours ago. It was far past midnight and the kit was worried they would wait till the morning.

Hask found the pair napping in the same position an hour later. The steam gunner felt a tired smile stretch at the sight. Shep looked innocent in his slumber, quite different from the usual strained look that edged the fine lines of the long face. If Hask didn’t feel so envious of the catnap, the steam gunner would have thought it a shame to wake him.

However, Hask was just petty enough to take pleasure in jerking the green tunic hard enough to unbalance the teen. Shep woke in a rush, reaching out to snatch the frame of the window to keep from flopping out. Rex wasn’t so lucky and tumbled from the armored shoulder to land with a yelping thump on the floor.

The teen’s wide eye locked on the scarlet ones watching with amusement. “No rest for the wicked. Come on.”
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The blonde stood in the middle of the only furnished and nestles room on the second floor, not bothering to sit in one of the chairs pushed against the wall. It was a large study, books lining cases along one wall, a fireplace opposite, and a hardwood desk was shoved out of the way in front of the books. Two uncomfortable looking couches were shoved against the wall on either side of the double doors, leather chairs flanking the fireplace in the far right corner. The Dolstrol woven rug was plush; though it had dark stains of blood and grit matted into the strands.

Striker crouched on the side of the balcony opening, bright blue eyes watching Link with an intensity he’d only encountered in Provost Hounds. The silver frosted white fur standing on end. Reaper stood with his shoulders propped against the wall beside a couch. Kessler stood at the balcony rail, her back to the teen as she preened her hair and shifted on her feet. Hask stood off to Link’s right, in front of the fireplace. The scarlet eyes were focused on Kessler.

The lanky teen found the position the children had fallen into interesting. Where the scythe-wielder kept as far from Kessler as possible, the dog-Shifted seemed glued to her side. Hask was withdrawn, giving no clear line where his alliance lay. No one had spoken since they’d stepped into the study, irritating the teen to no end since he wanted sleep.

His nap had refreshed him only to a point. His feet were tired, his legs beginning to ache at holding his weighted body up. His scalp itched, the dirty blonde strands coated with ashes. He just wanted to get the story out and find somewhere to collapse. He fought the urge to shift his weight, crossing his arms over his chest. Reno leaned against his leg, as if sensing the teen’s unrest.

The milky-haired boy gave a soft sigh, drawing Link’s attention.

Hask felt anything but calm, eyes locked on the taller teen. The steam gunner knew that Kessler felt intimidated by the stranger and Hask was hard-pressed to be the same. Over a head taller than the rest, Shep was a walking arsenal, bristling with weapons and armor. It was impossible to discern how built Shep was beneath the layers, but if his speed and endurance earlier were any indication, it wasn’t all for show. Reaper and Striker aren’t going to speak up…God. They’ll just scrape if they do, in any case. Where do I start? Where do I begin?

“What is it you wish to know?” Hask finally asked, unsure of what to tell the teen. The azure eyes blinked and the thin lips tugged into a frown.

“How did y’all end up alone?” Link finally asked, rubbing the back of his neck to loosen the knots. Good as place ta start as any.

“Tha Elders that didn’ end up fodder ran like tha pig piddle they are.” Reaper answered, voice laced with irony. He didn’t seem very upset, despite the harsh words. The words earned a quirked brow from Link.

“Shut yer hole, Reaper!” Striker snapped, rising from his crouch in a rush of motion. Hask flowed between them so quickly, Link never saw him move. Striker hesitated, body trembling with suppressed rage. “Keep spewing that swill an’ I’ll be forced ta plug it fer ya!”

“Ya don’ have tha balls, ya half-witted hound!” Reaper snarled, vicious glee written over the narrow face. “Just face tha facts! Yer ma ran like the rest!”

“Like yer pa wuz much better!” Striker growled, lunging forward until his furry chest pressed against the muzzle of Hask’s gun. Link’s brows rose, impressed despite his rising ire. He hadn’t even noticed the boy draw it. He didn’t have time to let them squabble but he wanted to see if Kessler would step in. “Or mayhap he wuz! Chewed him up like the fodder he wuz!”

“ENOUGH!” Hask roared, voice thick with anger. The scarlet eyes flashed to Reaper, who looked ready to kill, hand over his shoulder to grasp the scythe. The pale skin stood out over the dark metal forming savage claws over the knuckles. “BACK DOWN OR I SWEAR! I’LL KILL YOU BOTH TO SAVE ME THE TROUBLE!”

Striker let his rage rumble from his chest and out his throat. Both boys trembled with barely contained emotion. Link saw the dog-Shifted move while Hask’s attention was elsewhere. The blonde flew across the distance. He jammed his shoulder beneath the ribcage and lifted, throwing the canine’s body a few feet and watching it land hard in grim satisfaction.

A shrill scream made the teen’s long ears ache and he winced away. Kessler strode forward, hair fluffed to the max as she glared daggers with her one eye. “MURDERER! KILLER! NO GOOD! I’LL KILL YOU!”

The bird-Shifted halted when her throat pressed against the tip of Link’s blade. The lanky blonde wasn’t even sure when he’d drawn it, but he didn’t hesitate to press into the soft flesh. She didn’t speak, but her breath whistled between her clenched teeth.

“He wuz about ta brain Hask. Not nice, are my thoughts.” He started, azure eyes hard. He hoped she’d give him a reason to take off her head. She rubbed him the wrong way entirely. “Yer pup is fine. Tell me how y’all ended up here.”

Kessler altered her stance ever so slightly, but Link shook his head.

“Ah-ah-ahhh…” He taunted. “Keep those creepy twitchers up away from tha steam gun, gilly. Ya really don’ wanna press me. Stop acting cracked! I don’ care if ya are nuthen but babes; y’all couldn’t have lasted this long if ya weren’ doin’ somethin’ right! Stop squabblin’ an’ get yer story out!”

Kessler opened her mouth, but Link made a sharp gesture for silence. “Not from you. From Hask.”

“I’M THA LEADER!” She screeched at the insult, colorless eye blazing with hate. “I tell tha story!”

“If you were such a leader, yer men wouldn’ be scrappin’ like fools!” Link countered hotly, face twisting in anger. “Their idiocy nearly ended their lives and a bit of yer watch earlier!”

“Kessler, stop it!” Hask snapped, patience as tried as Link’s. He rose, helping the gasping Striker to his feet. Kessler sub-sided, looking sullen and rebellious. The red eyes flicked to the blonde, who kept his gaze on the bird-Shifted. “Long story short: We’re plains folk. Survivors banded together. We couldn’t reach Kakariko, so we settled in Dolstrol for the time. The Elders started disappearing steadily from patrols. We made a push for Kakariko, but were attacked before we could reach the outskirts of the ruins. We lost a good number of Elders and some babes. We pulled back, but it’s obvious why they were keeping us here at that point.”

“Why?” Link asked, brow furrowed as his tired mind tried to work through the details.

“Easy prey.” Reaper hissed. The tall boy ignored the nasty look Hask shot at him. “Ate the dead before they stopped screamen’.”

“So the Elders didn’t just run. They were hunted.” The blonde pointed out, rubbing his eyes.

“We only know the fate of those from the first push. The others…we are unsure of.” Hask admitted after a moment, looking tired. “They’ve been picking us off slowly since. We are careful on who goes on patrols. They seem to be getting impatient. They’ve never swarmed the ruins like this before.”

“We can only build up a good defense.” Link pointed out after a moment of thought. Kessler’s head jerked around to stare, eye narrowing in annoyance at his comment. The blonde cocked a pale brow, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What about offense?!” She squawked, feathers ruffling through the auburn locks. “Just wait! Like prey!”

“These aren’ humans. They’re Unknowns.” Link countered, voice harsh as his brows drew together. “We don’ know where they receive supplies, if they even do, so we cain’ cut them off or ruin them. Y’all seem ta be their food supply, really. Harrying them in tha night will do us no good. They’re too stupid to understand a threat or fear the dark. They don’t have sentries as we understand them, they rove around in packs, so we cain’ pick them off. Not to mention, all we have is babes to throw at them.”

“Not just babes!” Reaper snapped, gold eyes flashing beneath the ebony spikes. Link threw the boy a bothered look. “We’re not helpless, city-born!”

“A small number of ya aren’!” Link argued, giving the leather clad scythe wielder a disgusted look. “Most aren’ much suited for this work! Wouldja send Avalanche ta play wit ‘em?”

Reaper huffed, not convinced. “Striker, Hask and me kin do it!”

“Three! Four if ya count me! We’d be doin’ all tha work! What happens when they attack? We wear ourselves ragged and cain’ survive a quick scuffle!” Link growled, fingers digging into his biceps in frustration. He’d beat them all senseless if he thought it would accomplish anything. Kessler was strangely silent, watching him with the near colorless eye. Striker’s gaze was locked Kessler, visibly calm as he waited for his leader to give him directions. “This won’ be a couple of quick jobs. It takes hours ta set up an’ finish. What if we botch one? No. Better to set up a defense so we kin figure a way ta get tha whole rabble back ta Kakariko. There’ll be enough fighting on our way back ta keep ya happy.”

“Why should we leave? We’ve done all…right by ourselves!” Kessler pointed out shrilly, shifting her weight back and forth like a nervous hawk. “Tha Unknowns were always here…but never in numbers. Not till you came! If ya leave…we’ll be fine! Safe!”

“What promise do ya have of that happenen’?” Link asked; eyes narrowed dangerously at the girl. He really hadn’t thought it possible to hate someone more than Monk. He’d thought the man had been the epitome of stubborn stupidity, but apparently there were those who could rival him.

Oh, stop. I’m blushing! His inner Monk snickered.

“They could just overrun ya fer yer troubles. Or keep ya pinned in till ya starve as they pick off yer hunting parties.” The long-eared teen continued, ignoring the comment. “One of ya will falter. One of ya will fail. When ya do, tha slaughter will begin.”

Silence met his declaration. Kessler was still puffed, but she only turned her face away. Hask was quiet, his scarlet eyes never leaving the blonde’s face. Reaper looked mulish, but merely copied the teen’s pose.

“What do you propose?” Hask finally asked, voice husky. He was running his hand up and down the barrel of the steam gun resting in the sling across his chest. Kessler’s gaze jumped to the older boy, displeasure on her pinched features.

“Dig trenches in font of tha gate. Put spikes at the bottom. A fence after that and a trench behind that, so that it won’ be easy if they manage to break tha gates. Board up tha windows an’ build a wall in front of tha entrances.” The azure eyes flicked to the ceiling thoughtfully, going over the tactics he had often discussed with his Gramps. It was getting uncomfortable, realizing how his life seemed to have been orchestrated. He hated being toyed with. “We kin use tha windows ta get in an’ out. Bar them up when we’re in safe.”

“Trap ourselves in!?” Striker asked in a disbelieving tone, slowly rolling onto his knees. Link shot him a glance, wondering if dog-boy would be stupid enough to rush him. His hackles rose as he’d listened, long canines showing proof to his displeasure.

“Reet talked about a passageway that leads under tha city.” Reaper suddenly popped up, his brows furrowed at the effort to think of a way around a fight for once. “If we can find it, then we would be able to slip away.”

“Where would the tunnel be, though?” Hask asked, eyes flicking back and forth between Link and Reaper.

“Tha basement.” Link answered thoughtlessly, understanding what the door beneath the house represented now. He felt somewhat foolish for not realizing it sooner.

“How did you get in tha basement?” Kessler hissed, rounding on the teen. The thief gave her a bland look, inwardly annoyed. It sounded like the girl was ready to damn him and the teen had far enough from the selfish child.

“Because I wuza thief, idiot! Picking locks is what I do!” The blonde threw back, patience lost.

“Ya came ta steal from us!” Kessler shrieked, standing high on her toes to try to appear more menacing. The blue eyes rolled, wondering at the bird-girl’s stupidity.

“Oh, shut up. Nothin’ in this place is yers, fer one. Another, I wouldn’ be tryin’ ta talk sense inta yer thick skull if I was after a l’il treasure.” The blonde scowled. He didn’t bother mentioning he had no way to get off with the treasure in any case. “Stop tryin’ ta find fault wit’ me and listen. I’d swear ya didn’ wanna return to a city. Do ya like bein’ in charge of all tha babes? Power gotten to ya?”

“Enough!” Hask snapped, glaring at both of them. “Reaper, go set up three teams of three to start digging. You know which are most suited.”

“Hask, ya cain’ be serious!” Striker snapped, holding his ribs as he stood. “This jock’s no good!”

“If you’d look past yer blind loyalty, Mattes, you’d see he’s trying to help.” The boy snapped, rubbing the flesh that connected to his gun sadly. “Sabine’s in the wrong this time.”

Silence met this statement, Striker and Kessler looking too stricken to answer, The red eyes turned to look at the coltish teen, assessing what lay before him.

“You’ll need a long range weapon. I’ll have it ready in the morn.”
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Link stared at the nest of cushions and blankets in the large room on the third floor. Reno was curling on a pillow, four tails beating a content rhythm against the floor. Breaker, a girl of seven or so that had a crossbow strapped across her back, looked up at him with brown eyes framed by violet bangs.

“Here’s where you’ll ger yer winks, then.” She informed him, as if it wasn’t obvious. Her right arm was clockwork, the pieces overlapping one another. Steam floated in wisps from the cracks and the plates shifted with each exhale.

“Food?” He asked, since his belly was gnawing on itself in an effort to relieve the hunger. His supplies went down mostly with the horse.

“That…” She reached into a pouch hanging on her hip and pulled out a cloth bundle. “…easy ta mend, that. Should ease yer belly pains some-like.”

He peeked into the bundle, identifying dried apple, pear and peach chunks mingling with hunks of goat cheese. Sadly, it wouldn’t really dent his hunger at all, but he didn’t see a point in demanding more. They probably didn’t have it to spare and he had a sneaking suspicion that what he had was Breaker’s share in any case. He was better off saving it until morning. He gave the girl a nod in thanks, in which she raised brow in acknowledgment.

“I’ll wake ya after a few winks. Hask wants ya ta start on weapons in tha morn.” The brown-eyed girl informed him, turning to walk out of the room. Link watched her, noticing how empty the room truly was when she softly shut the door.

There was an overstuffed leather chair beside the window near the nest. If the thief had felt like sleeping upright, it would have been the perfect spot for the night. Instead, it would have to do to put his clothing while he slept.

He unhooked his shield and propped it against the wall. The teen unbuckled both leather straps that kept the sheath in position over his shoulder, setting the sword on the linen beside where he would sleep. He laid the belt over the arms and stripped off his tunic and mail, draping them over the back of the chair. He dropped the gauntlets on the seat, rubbing his wrists for a moment in relief. Leaning down, the boots were unbuckled and kicked off, set beside the chair with stockings arranged over them.

He felt exposed, but he didn’t think sleeping fully armed would allow for comfortable rest. He flopped into the nest, arranging the sheets over his body and pulling the sword within easy reach. It was a risky move considering he may just roll over onto the weapon and make it harder to draw. The blue eyes slid shut, body nestling deeper into the bedding.

His eyes burned more when he closed them and his body throbbed. He wanted to sleep, he really did. His sore body needed rest. Still, it was a task to fall asleep in a new environment. The new sounds and lack of others made him fidgety. The thief’s mind was just a fatigued but refused to take the precious moments to take a respite.

Part of the issue was a five-year-old had called him ‘Link’ just as he left the meeting room.

—“This is Breaker. She’ll take you to where you can rest.” Hask introduced the tall girl, who gave Link a dubious look. The teen sighed, not really in the mood to make pleasantries. He just wanted to sleep. Hask’s lips turned into a smirk, obviously guessing at his bad temper. “Pleasant dreams, Shep.”

“Link!” A high voice cried, catching the teen’s attention. The blonde fought not to turn around too quickly, but he could feel Reno already looking. A small hand grabbed onto his bare fingers, tugging insistently. Feeling it was safe, the teen turned his gaze down. She’d been caught mid-Shift with a goat. Two coral colored, flat horns were planted in pink curls. There was delicate feathering about her wrists, the yellow eyes split with the long pupil.

“Oi-ya, gilly.” The blonde tussled the curls lightly, trying to keep his discomfort from his stance.

“Link! You came!” She repeated, squealing with delight and pulling at his hand. “I knew ya’d find us!”

“Eh?” Sadly, the tired thief’s brain couldn’t process what she said fast enough, leaving him to give a less than articulate reply.

“Reet.” Reaper scolded, leaning down and scooping the girl in his arms. The girl gave a pleased laugh and threw her arms around the scythe wielder’s neck.

“She was here when we arrived.” Hask called from the heated, quiet discussion she’d been having with Kessler. “She’s a bit off, our Reet. Forgive her?”

“Uh…sure.” The blonde agreed, rubbing his face warily.—

If he’d been at the top of his game, maybe he could have wheedled why she called him Link. Sadly, the filcher probably wouldn’t have a chance till the morning.

“No good?” Reno asked, sensing his friend’s restlessness. The blonde grunted in response, the blue eyes opening to stare up at the tall ceiling.

“They’ve renamed themselves, that much is pretty clear.” The teen started off, remembering the names Hask had called the pair. “Distancing themselves from what they were, mayhap.”

“They are different.” Reno pointed out, pressing his cold nose against the long ear for emphasis on the differences the boy suffered from the Shift. “Yer tha same.”

“I’m not saying they shouldn’t.” The thief growled impatiently, ignoring the last comment. Reno knew his reasons were far different from the others. “I’m just pointing it out. I bet the whole lot of ‘em are as divided as Reaper and Striker on who they want to follow. Why the hell they’d follow a cracked bird like Kessler is beyond me.”

“We kin ashk around tomorrow.” Reno pointed out with a yawn. “Nexsht dusshk I’ll head out inta tha Unknown camp an’ pick up all I kin.”

“If ya would.” Link responded, body relaxing. He had faith in the kit’s keen observations. The listening skills would also come in handy. “I don’ wanna be stuck here any longer than I hafta.”

Sleep clouded the teen’s mind and he rested a hand on the curiously dead hilt. His thoughts became disjointed and erratic, flitting over events passed and the ones to come. Reno watched the blonde slip into the slumber, violet eyes worried.

Link was suited to be a leader, which was strange. Always a loner before, though it’s not too surprising since most thieves went solo even under the Thief Lord. It was safer and more efficient for the most experienced thieves. His grasp of military tactics raised the boy’s ire. There was only so much the teen could have picked up from the guards around Kakariko. Though Link did attribute that much to his Gramps.

As for Jin…why would the old man know such things? As far as the fox could remember, Jin had been a homeless man. Stories of his youth and vigor were well known, but he was never above the Lower Levels. Then again, they were just stories. Reno couldn’t remember ever hearing anything about Link’s parents beyond their death. He didn’t even know which one was Jin’s child.

Nothing was adding up.

It only served to unnerve the kit more.
----------=

The sun beat down on Link’s blonde head, not helping his headache in the slightest. He’d managed to get a good six hours of sleep, but he still woke up sore and unhappy with life in general. The weapons yard was just as thrown together as he remembered, the targets were cushions from the furniture positions on posts driven on the ground spaced a hundred yards a part. The wreckage from ruined furniture was in a burn pile near the wall.

The children that weren’t on watch or the digging crew were lined along the mansion and ramparts. The blonde tried to ignore the curious gazes, wishing he could order them all back to their posts or anywhere he wasn’t. The situation was too like his practices with Viscen and didn’t sit well with the teen at all.

His sword was strapped over his shoulder, but his shield and belt were behind him on the ground. He would have forgone the gauntlets, but they’d serve to protect his forearms. Considering his lack of experience with the compound bow Hask had found him, it was probably a good thing.

“Don’ look like any bow I’ve ever seen.” Link grumbled at the matt-black weapon. The limbs didn’t curve, but were horizontal and there were too many cables. Hask shrugged.

“These two things these cables are wound through? They’re called ‘cams’. The give more…oomph, but the recoil’s terrible. The bow jumps out of your hand. I had the bow modified so the recoil wasn’t such a shock.” He explained, running his fingers down the bow riser lightly. He paused at the strange contraption just over the arrow shelf. “This is the sight window. These clip things on the cable are silencers…this rod is just to allow for the arrow to clear without ruining the fletches...”

The boy faded off and coughed in embarrassment, realizing he was going into more detail then was necessary. Link ignored him, trying puzzle out the weapon.

The flexible arms were made of a material he was unfamiliar with. A quiver was attached to the right side of the grip, full of light but durable arrows. His fingers tightened on the soft material that made up the grip, trying to get comfortable.

Holding the bow in his right hand, the teen pulled back the cable with his left. The muscles along his shoulders and arms strained, but not uncomfortably. The limbs flexed further until his left hand brushed his cheek. It was a strange and familiar movement, so he slowly eased the tension and stared down at it.

“The pull’s not too much?” Hask asked from his side. The blue gaze flicked to the boy and shrugged at the almost anxious expression on the normally mellow boy.

“Meh.” He answered, feeling odd with the weapon in hand. He hated being the center of attention when he wasn’t even sure he could use the bow effectively. If there was one thing the teen hated, it was being ridiculed. One small blessing was that Reno was still napping up in the room to prepare for the sleepless night ahead of him.

“Put up a few arrows, then.” Reaper jeered from the side, Reet perched on his shoulders. She waved a pudgy hand before tucking a thumb back in her mouth, which Link returned half-heartedly while he glowered at the younger boy.

One reason. That’s all I need ta wipe that look off his face. He thought, drawing out the arrow and fitting it on the cable, drawing it back carefully. He tried to aim as he did with the slingshot, looking down the arrow. He let loose, the cable’s thrum barely audible to the teen’s long ears and the arrow slicing through the air.

“What was that?!” Reaper cried; laughter following quickly after as the arrow missed the target completely, driving into the ground.

Heat seared the thief’s flesh and he tried to tune out the guffawing as he drew another arrow and aimed higher. He’d over adjusted and the arrow missed the perched cushion completely and cracked against the stone wall behind it. More jeers followed Reaper’s as Link tried and missed once more, the arrow flying wide to scatter a few on lookers and cracking against the mansion.

“Wind and rain, city-born! Ya tryin’ ta kill someone?” Reaper roared, stepping forward menacingly despite Reet on his shoulders. The girl didn’t look concerned and laughed unabashed at being jostled about.

“Like ya’d do much better, ya swing-happy dirt-crawler!” Link snapped, eyes flashing in barely suppressed rage. Just give me a reason. Come on, one reason!

“Keep those lips flappen’ ya gutless pretty boy!” Reaper snarled, not forgetting to set Reet on the ground before advancing on the teen. “I’ll knock the ivory from behind ‘em.”

Link dropped the bow, flushing with the prospect of releasing the pent up aggression and strode forward. He could almost feel his fist meeting with the narrow jaw and snapping it.

“Enough, you two!” Hask snapped, grabbing onto Link’s arm and trying to pull him back. The teen shrugged off the boy’s hold, cocking his arm back and letting his fist fly.

Reaper swerved back from the first swing, driving his fist towards the blonde’s stomach. Link grabbed onto the wrist, yanking the boy forward. He turned into the pull, fitting his hip against the thin scythe wielder’s side and throwing him into the dirt.

Reaper landed with a grunt, dust rising about his thin form. Link stared down at him, a feral grin stretching over his thin lips. He trembled with the need to follow through. It didn’t matter how, but he needed to make it clear that Reaper was far from ready to dance with him.

“Shep!” Hask yelled, grabbing onto the thief’s shoulder and jerking roughly. Link blinked, a little dazed as his concentration broke. “That’s enough!”

The thief opened his mouth; ready to reply when a cry went up from the ramparts.

“ARCHERS ALONG THE EAST WALL!”

Hask cursed and Link gave the boy an appraising look, impressed despite the urgency of the situation.

“KARPOV! BRAWLER! COVER RAPTOR AND CROSSFIRE!” Hask roared, turning and starting towards the west wall and grabbing a couple of children that were heading towards the east. “We need to cover the west wall! Reaper!”

“I’m on it!” He growled, crawling up from the dirt and heading towards the stairs that led to the top of the north wall. The rest of the children scattered, presumably to follow orders Hask had already given for such a situation. Link watched them disperse, feeling next to useless as he scooped up the bow and gave the offending weapon a scowl.

“Link! Link!” Reet grabbed his hand, large eyes turned up expectantly at the long face. The lanky teen frowned.

“Call me Shep.” He ordered grumpily, heading towards his belt and shield. From the jeering calls from the wall, the immediate threat was over. Link wanted to be out of sight before he’d have to resume the disastrous weapons practice.

“But ya look like Link.” She pouted at the teen’s heels. The blue gaze snapped back, taking deep breathes to keep from taking his bad temper out on the goat-girl.

“Do I? Where’ve ya seen Link before?”

“In tha castle!” she gave a gape toothed grin. “I’ll show ya! Come on, Link!”

“Stop calling me that, ya bleater.” The disgruntled thief growled after the girl as he buckled his belt and strapped on his shield. He reluctantly shuffled after her, thinking it the best way to stay out of sight for a while.
---------=

The teen followed the girl towards the kitchen door on the southwest corner of the mansion. Children yelled from the walls, the hissing bark of the steam guns filling the air in an uneven rhythm. Reet continued to pad towards the kitchen entryway, ignorant or unworried of the mayhem that played about just over the wall.

She opened the large door, gesturing for Link to hurry as she slipped inside. The thief followed her, the biting scent of wood smoke engulfing him. Edge, the healer, sat in front of the fireplace and stirred the caldron that bubbled over the flames. She turned at Reet and his entry, a pleased smile toughing her mouth at the sight of the girl.

“Hey-la Reet.” The clear blue gaze shifted to Link after the child returned the greeting. “How goes it?”

“Only archers. They’re doing fine.” Link replied, figuring that she was asking about the action outside. The long face relaxed at that and the coltish teen realized how worried she’d actually been. “Whatcha cookin’?”

“Laundry. I’m boilin’ tha dressin’s and rags.” She pulled out the paddle and laid it across the opening. She stood and tugged her tunic straight. “What’re y’all doin’ inside? Are you on Reet Watch?”

“Gilly says she wants ta show me somethin’.” Link admitted, putting a gauntleted hand on the child’s shoulder to keep her from darting off. The goat-Shifted gave an impatient bleat but sub-sided.

“Hoo?” Edge gave a sweet smile, brushing her hands through the light jade bangs. “Mind if I tag, Reet? We’ll have somethin’ ta fill our bellies after.”

“Yes, yes!” The girl jerked from Link’s hold, running to a door straight ahead. The corridor it opened to really lead to nowhere that he couldn’t get to by other means, so he just hadn’t bothered. It’d been dark before and he had no lantern or candle to light. The large wooden door swung inward, the sunlight spilling to illuminate the opposite wall. Edge arched her brows as Reet ran through the opening and into the pitch.

“Reet!” She called, exasperated. Edge gave chase, stride long as she disappeared into the darkness next.

The coltish teen hesitated at the edge of the threshold, dust covered boots shuffling restlessly. It wasn’t as if he were afraid of the dark, he just didn’t have any fond memories of it. Being trapped in the room didn’t appeal to him either. Though the mansion didn’t have the same feel to it as the mountain or the cave did, it held something similar. A watchful and patient quiet; not an active one that ready to play tricks like on the renamed Death Mountain or in the water treatment plant. The feeling made him wary at the same.

Gritting his teeth, he trotted to keep up with the females. His foot passed over the entrance; light bursting to life along the candles nestled in the holders along the wall. The teen paused, hairs standing up along his flesh. His hand went to his sword unbidden, half-drawing the sharp blade.

No Unknowns leapt from hiding, the door remaining open. Cautious azure eyes scanned the area, falling on the shocked Edge holding onto Reet’s shoulders at the far end. Portraits and candles lined the wall, nothing malicious or remotely alive, so he let the sword nestle back in the sheathe. He let out the breath he hadn’t been aware of holding, pressing his palm against his forehead as he strode towards the pair.

“Cripes. Why didn’ y’all warn me?” He grumped, feeling foolish for behaving in such a paranoid manner. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t experienced things to warrant such a reaction, but they didn’t know that.

“Th-that’s never happened afore.” Edge admitted slowly, voice careful as if she were afraid to let to give proof to the uneasy feelings. “This room has always been…dark.”

The thin lips pulled into a scowl, shaggy head pulling up to show his annoyance at being played with. He opened his mouth to give a nasty answer, but the words died on his lips as his gaze locked on the portrait behind them.

He was dimly aware of Edge doing the same and her soft gasp.

It was two men standing beside one another, the older man letting his right hand rest possessively on the younger man’s shoulder.

The younger man was a blonde of fair skin and cobalt eyes. The ears were long, two silver hoops clinging to the lobes. A forest green doublet clung to his torso, white hose tight on the long legs and a silver chain holding an ornate saber on his right hip. With the exception of the livery hanging about the throat, he was an exact double of Link.

Where the teen was mostly green, silver and whites; the older man was black, gold and browns.

The older man in the picture stood nearly two heads taller, red hair slicked back along his scalp. The skin was dark olive, hawk-like nose set between yellow eyes that bore down into the three children staring up at the picture. A carefully trimmed beard framed his strong and thick jaw, winged brows melding into the hairline. A gold circlet held a fiery yellow jewel on his forehead. The left hand rested on the hilt of a broad sword belted on his hip.

—“Sorry, Hero. I’ll need that Triforce of Courage. Be a good lad and give it up?” Gramps asked, yellow eyes dancing with menace and triumph. The teeth were no longer yellow, but straight and white. The long ears had shrunk to round shells. The world began to fall away with a sharp jerk and casual toss.—

Link blinked, feeling sweat break out over his flesh. His gaze fell to the nameplate along the base.

Ganon jin Dorf and son, Link van Dorf

Real awe set it when he realized the date inscribed wasn’t how years had been counted for at least nine centuries.

How old does this make the picture? Cripes…this must be the founder…my Gramps…no…Ganon was the founder. The teen brushed his oily hair back nervously, unsure what to think. It raised too many questions he wasn’t sure how to handle currently.

Edge was staring at him hard and the thief tried to avoid her gaze. There was shrewdness in the eyes he didn’t think he could dissuade currently. He couldn’t lie and he didn’t feel connected to his Shep character enough to fool her.

“Uncanny likeness.” She pointed out as Reet jumped up in down holding onto her hand.

“Kinda creepy.” Link admitted, crossing his arms over his chest and staring up at the portrait. The wonder and awe he’d felt was being burned away by the panic quickly welling up. He could see the edge of a red barrier behind the frame, so he also found the crest.

“Ya seem real shaken.”

Shep seemed to flow back inside the teen and he turned, giving her a bland look. “Cripes. How would you feel seeing a painting a few hundred years ol’ wit a likeness of you?” He turned back, a slight frown along the thin lips. “Explains why she keeps callen’ me Link.”

“Ya’ve found us!” Reet pointed out and the hairs marched along Link’s skin once more. “You’ll free us!”

“Yer faith in meh is…scary. I’ll try, babe…but no promises.” The gauntleted hand tussled the curls between the horns lightly, a crooked grin on his lips.
---------=

Edge found Hask standing on the battlements overlooking the training grounds. Reaper was instructing the target practice below, which would normally be strange for the boy’s temperament. In spite of the bloodlust, he was a patient and careful teacher to the young.

Hask still watched him and the workers that were dismantling the lower windows with care. Edge stood beside the silent figure, holding her arms over her stomach as she took in the scene.

Edge was amazed at all the traps Hask and Shep were in the process of setting. The pair worked together amazing well, their personalities fairly close considering the differences in upbringing. Hask had been a militia brat on the plains and Shep, if Kessler’s words could be believed, a city-born thief escaped from Shieka.

“What’s Sokolove doing?” Edge asked as her brow furrowed at the auburn haired boy placing his hands against the boards arranged over the empty frame.

“He has a Gift…I’m not sure how to explain it, just watch.” Hask murmured, bloody eyes narrowed to slits.

The wood beneath the slim fingers turned gray, the dry crackle making the hairs along the healer’s arms stand on end. The sound of groaning wood shifted into grating rock, the board melting into the stone walls; as if it had always been a part of the mansion. Sokolove stepped away, face turned towards the sun with a strange smile on his small mouth. He turned large green eyes towards Hask and Edge, waving shyly.

Hask returned the wave slightly, a smile stretching the steam gunner’s lips in answer. “He tried to explain it to me. ‘I’m just speeden’ it up’ is what he says.”

“Hmm.” Edge replied, unsure how to reply. It brought up many questions in her mind, such as if Sokolove could be used for healing. Could he speed up how fast the blood clotted a wound or cleared veins? “Hmm.”

“Where’s Shep?” Hask asked suddenly, eyes scanning the process of stacking the glass panes on another for later use.

“Digging.”

“Still?” The steam gunner turned towards the taller girl, an insipid brow lifted. “He’s been at it since this morn.”

“Still.” She confirmed with a huff, a frown tugging her lips downwards. “Didja see the painting?”

“Uhn.” Hask confirmed, shifting on weight from foot to foot. “Strange, that was. Don’ see why he should be so shook up ‘bout it though.”

“How would you feel?” Edge asked, more or less quoting the tall blonde. The sapphire eyes flicked to the short figure. A shrug was her only answer and Edge smiled. “We could go check on him.”

Hask gave her a dry look, scarlet eyes amused. “How subtle.” The steam gunner commented blandly before throwing up a hand in defeat and answering nonchalantly. “I suppose it’s for the best interests that we make sure he doesn’t die on us.”

“Indeed. Very shrewd point, Hask.” Edge agreed gravely and began down the battlements.

They paused a few feet from the trench, seeing six dirty children who were charged with digging it. They were giggling and staring down into the hole. Hask frowned and trotted forward, leaving Edge to bring up the rear.

The little fox Unknown sat beside the edge, staring down while his tails stirred the dust. The pair walked up in time to catch the last bit of Rex’s words.

“Would be nish ta haff uh two fffoot ladder, ne?” The red head asked as he flicked some loose dirt into the trench with a paw idly.

“Shut yer yapper!” A voice bellowed from the depths.

“I wuz jusht shayin’…” The kit wheedled.

“Ya know what else a two foot ladder’s good for?” Shep asked, the disembodied voice silky sweet.

“What?” Rex asked quickly, sounding amused as he panted sharply.

“Climbing outta his earlier grave, most like.” Hask cut in, sensing nastiness unsuited for children’s ears about to emerge from the teen.

“Hask.” Shep stated darkly in greeting, azure eyes glittering up from the hole as Edge and Hask peered down it. He’d dug it nearly seven feet deep. An impressive hole, yes, but there wasn’t anyway for Shep to climb out of it. “Give me a hand, will ya? Ya seem ta have an Unknown infestation. I’ll tae care of it fer ya.”

Rex gave a yelping laugh, turning tail and scurrying towards the mansion. Hask and Edge lay out on the ground, extending hands down into the teen. He growled and grabbed on, bracing his feet against the wall and walked up the wall until he could scramble out.

Shep stood, brushing the loose dirt from his chest. He only wore boots and the downy grey leathers. His chest was streaked with mud and sweat, outlining the muscles that dwell beneath the pale skin. His shoulders and face was a little pink, giving testament to the length of time he’d remained in the sun working.

The blonde scowled after Rex, propping his fists on his boney hips. Edge enjoyed the view, nudging Hask when she noticed the steam gunner doing the same. A scowl was the healer’s answer and she chuckled quietly.

“The windows done?” Shep asked, large hands rubbing his shoulders lightly and smearing dirt against the sweaty skin as the cerulean eyes flicked over the mansion.

“All the glass is removed. Sokolove is taking care of the rest.” Hask answered, looking into the deep ditch. “We’ll set the traps along the pit now.”

Shep gave a monosyllable response, eyes unfocused as his mind traveled elsewhere for a few breaths. Hask dismissed the children to clean up and find some dinner, Edge didn’t move from the lanky teen’s side.

Bloody dusk colored his body, the shadows slowly encroaching upon his boots. The teen slowly focused back on the healer, his long face set in careful neutrality. Edge gave him a razor thin smile, knowing that the teen was leery of her perceptive nature. She wondered what he was hiding for him to be suspicious of what she’d seen or could see.

Shep was an unknown. Edge knew everyone else in the camp; intimate details of most of the children’s lives before and after the Shift. She knew nothing of the moody blonde before her, no way to compare previous behavior and reactions with previous experience to guess at his mind.

That was the majority of what drew the healer to the young mercenary.

“Has Striker gotten back?” Shep asked, breaking through the young woman’s thoughts. Edge blinked, lips stretching into a frown.

“No. Hask figures he’ll be back near or after sundown.” The healer began to nibble on the tip of her bright green braid. “Something about any escape tunnel worth digging is gonna be long.”

“Hn.” The blonde replied, squinting into the darkening sky before giving a decisive nod to some inner thought and walking towards the mansion.

Hask stepped beside the taller girl, smirking at her. “There’s probably a haystack in the basement you two can roll about in.” The steam gunner pointed out, stroking the flesh connecting to metal. “As long as ya don’t mind the goats watching.”

“That’s enough from you.” Edge answered loftily.
---------=

Link was sulking.

He knew he was sulking. It drove him to distraction that he was acting so childish about the cursed portrait. It had shaken the foundation of which he identified himself. Yes, Viscen, Monk and Chris had said similar things that things were preordained when he’d first woken from the Shift. It’d been easy to shake off.

Not shake off, really; but ignore. He didn’t want to accept that he’d been maneuvered in such a way. Especially by a person he’d gone against his very nature to protect and support.

He had to re-evaluate his entire existence. He had to find some purpose for his life beyond being the Sage’s bag boy.

“You don’t know how to use it.”

Link turned, azure gaze locking onto Hask. A cloak shrouded most of his form, the opening along his right side. His arm was a flash of pale flesh and tubes. He felt a flush fight up his face as he realized that the steam gunner spoke of his bow skills. He gave an irritated scowl, not wanting to admit his ignorance and wanting to be left to brood in peace.

“You just don’t know how to aim.” He pointed out, rotating his shoulder a little. Link could see the gun tucked into a leather sling when the canvas shifted. “I could teach you.”

“Jog on.” The teen scowled, turning his gaze back towards the gathering dusk. He listened to the soft shuffling as the shorter boy stood at his shoulder.

“Most of the little ‘uns are sleeping. The night watch won’t pay us any mind.” Hask pointed out in the husky voice, almost teasing. “I’ll teach you to use the sight. You need a long-range weapon. If there were a steam gun that wasn’t attached, we’d give you one of those.”

“Why tha hell do you care?” Link growled, still seething from the afternoon of laughter at his expense. To just rip all their tiny heads off had been sorely tempting. Picking a fight with Reaper had been the only way to give his rage and humiliation an outlet. The battle afterward had left him feeling less than useless.

Seeing that portrait helps even less. This’s all…I dun wanna think about it right now. The thief thought irritably. His body ached from the daylong effort to not think on it. He wasn’t ready to face the implications, didn’t want to face the questions it presented of his current life.

“It does me no good if I can’t have everyone fight.” Hask pointed out, expressionless as he watched the teen’s inward struggle. The older boy seemed to be dwelling over something incredibly unpleasant and the steam gunner just wanted to keep him busy. “You suggested the final push would be soon.”

The thief sighed, leaning his arms against the rough ledge. “Not too long, I think. How long was the tunnel?”

“Six miles, all told and don’t try to change the subject.” Hask chided, looking amused and annoyed at once. The teen growled in response, looking sulkily out into the darkness once more. “I’ll explain the sight first, how about that?”

The steam gunner picked up the bow from the blonde’s feet, setting in the sill and pointing to the pins on the positioned on the sight attached to the bow.

“First one is twenty yards, the second thirty and the third forty. It’s pretty basic. The only difficult part is judging the distances.” He murmured, touching the pins lightly and cocking a white brow at the watching Link.

“What if the target is thirty-five feet away?

“That’s gap shooting. You just aim between the marks. Nothing too hard, you’ll see. You just hold high for distances over forty and low for fewer than twenty. If you get some practice, you’ll do fine.”

Link was quiet for a moment, mulling it over. Practicing would give him something else to focus on at the very least. He grunted and grabbed the bow, slinging the quiver over his back with an agitated grumble.

“Let’s fix your stance, first.” Hask gushed, grabbing his arm and preventing him from walking to the stairs. “Keep an open stance, one foot a little more in front of the other. Good…now make sure the grip is in the fleshy bit of your palm…yeah. The arrow is supposed to be nock the arrow here, where the colored bit is.”

“Ya realize we’re inside, right?” Link asked, honestly amused by the boy’s eagerness.

“Yes, yes. So don’t nock one. Put your fingers on either side and raise the bow. Draw back in a smooth motion after you stop.” The steam gunner urged, adjusting the teen’s feet and head as he paced around him. “Your anchor’s your jaw, I think. You seem to like it there. Good form. You’re a natural, Shep. When you release the cable, don’t move until your arrow hits the target if you can help it. If you drop too soon, you’ll mess up the arrow’s flight.”

Link grunted and let the cable go, barely noticing the cable’s whisper as it snapped at the sudden slack. “I’ll never remember this all.”

Hask grinned. “You’ll do fine. Just takes practice. My father always said I’m only good with the bow is because my peaches haven’t filled much.”

“Your…peaches?” Link asked, looking at the boy askance. “I hope ya don’ get’em, jock. It’d be a li’l unnatural like.”

“Jock?” Hask frowned a beat before the scarlet eyes widened and jaw dropped. “You think I’ma…boy?”

The thief suddenly sensed he was on new and unsettling ground and stepped away from the gender-confused child. Hask looked unsure on the emotion best suited for the situation and settled for indignation.

“You thought I wuzza boy!” He-she accused.

“Ya look tha part.” Link pointed out, amusement overcoming the discomfort. He gave a one-sided shrug. “Yer cloak covers the bits that count.”

“Ass.” She flushed deeply, giving an annoyed growl and put a hand protectively over the clasp holding it over her right shoulder. “Take my word for it. Now go do something useful instead of sulking like a child!”

Link watched her stomp off, a smile touching at the lips in spite of his annoyance. Pulling her tail would keep him amused until he managed to get free.
------------=

The teen learned something in the next three days.

The children didn’t handle the idle waiting well.

Link spent most o his time practicing with the bow and teasing Hask. He took great pains to avoid Striker, Reaper, and Kessler. Razer, the brunette that he’d seen the first day was surprisingly quiet in comparison to her companions. Hask had assigned him to be her partner, ignoring his protests.

—“Everyone has a partner, why should you be any different, Shep?” She asked dryly. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Ya sure ya don’ wanna partner up with me?” Link teased.

“You couldn’t handle me.” Hask growled with a flush, ignoring the smirking blonde.—

The tall girl stood beside him on the wall, fingers of her right hand tracing the twin three foot hooked claws extending from the back of her wrist. A curved saber on was strapped onto her waist, her breeches and tunic studded with flat metal disks. Her features were feline, having Shifted with a bobcat.

Long black whiskers sprouted from her fur-lined cheeks, black claws curved from all her fingers. Her eyes were gold with violet framing the slit pupils. Her teeth were impressive, but kept firmly behind thin, black lips. Her ears were long and black tipped. Shadowy stripes and smudges marked her flesh, but strangely there was no fur except on her face.

The Unknowns had been gathering since dawn, circling the wall and just staying out of range. It was clear the nasty beasts were eager to pull the final push, a few breaking ranks in their haste and being ashed. Every time a rogue fell, the others would squeal and roar, falling back a few feet in a mad scramble before falling back into ranks.

Anyone not on the wall was on the roof, hidden behind the spire palisades. Those who couldn’t fight were waiting on the first floor for the call to evacuate. Kessler had wanted to run the night before, but Link had insisted it wasn’t a good move.

—“We should run while we can!” The girl screeched, fluffing up as the blonde bit back a nasty reply. “Why wait!?”

“If they come and no one’s here, what do ya think they’ll do, bird-brain? They’ll spread out and search the area!” He explained, patience beginning to dwindle. This wasn’t the first and he feared not the last time he’d have to explain. “If we split up, it’ll leave one group vulnerable. We need to let them think they have us; then Striker, Reaper and Edge lead them out. After they break the gates, the rest run. By the time they figure out how to break into the blasted mansion, we’ll be halfway gone and Sokolove will’ve blocked off the basement opening.”

“They could still follow.” Kessler pointed out, preening furiously.

“Yes, but we’ll have a few hours over them.”—

If I ever hafta deal with that gilly again, it’ll be too soon. The long eared teen thought irritably, finger tapping his belt as he frowned at the line of Unknowns. Where the hell is Reno?

“Beginning.” She rasped, the words seemingly ground from an unwilling throat. It didn’t take long for the thief to realize the silence was mostly because it was so hard for the girl to talk. Link grunted in agreement, the children on either side of them readying their weapons.

A cry of affirmative ran down the wall, the voices twining in the afternoon air and clashing with the sudden roar from the Unknowns as they rushed the wall. Link found his voice joining the others, his blood burning with anticipation after so much waiting. He grabbed his bow and notched an arrow, keeping it aimed down as he waited for the line to near them. He could see the battering ram held high between moblins as they charged.

Silence descended on the wall, though Link could feel the fear trembling in air against his skin.

“Ready guns!” Link roared a beat after he heard Hask’s order on the opposite wall. He felt rather than saw steam guns raised around him. The beasts were flooding from the ruins, moving faster than Link remembered. A bead of sweat trembled on his temple, roared when the Unknowns were a hundred yards away. “FIRE!”

Ash and multi-colored blood exploded in the air after the hissing pop of the guns loosed. The Unknowns didn’t falter, the clockwork Unknowns barely faltering. The pushed forward, ignoring their fallen comrades and Link screamed as he raised his bow. “BOWS!

“LOOSE!” He cried, following up by letting an arrow fly when they reached fifty yards. Screams and gibbering cries chocked the air, adding to the symphony of twangs and pops of their weapons. Fear, careful and controlled, dwelled in the back of his mind, but he fought it off with each time he loosed an arrow.

Order was lost among the Unknowns as the line fell, their remains littering the ground in a thick carpet. They didn’t even make it to twenty-five yards, turning to flee, the battering ram dropping. Shadows flicked from above, showing that those on the roof had joined the fray. Hask’s call for retreat along had all the bows turning and clambering down the ladders attached for that very purpose.

Link, Hask, Razer and a few dozen others followed after the other children made it to the yard. A crashing boom announced the battering ram meeting the gates. It groaned and crumbled easily, as it’d been rigged for. However, it fell out instead of in, crushing the Unknowns on the other side.

Fear burned in the pit of the teen’s stomach, having overrun his control as the Unknowns first crashed into the barbed fence, and then swarmed over it to fall into the pit. Ash billowed from the pit, masking the Unknowns still pushing through.

Hask pressed against his side, firing constantly. Her bloody eyes were serious and sharp. Razer drew her saber, the teeth bared in a snarl, transforming her face into a fearsome thing. She gave a feline scream that chilled his blood and caused his ears to ring. Link drew his sword and shield, shifting his stance as the Unknowns made it past the first line of traps.

Children from the walls still ran for the doors, breathless and frightened. Link met his first enemy with a quick swipe across the throat and dancing around the dust to thrust into another behind it. Razer twirled around a machete swipe, hooking the bulbin by the back of the skull and jerking him into her saber. Link pressed his back against the bobcat-Shifted thoughtlessly, admiring her hook and kill strikes.

The blonde wasn’t sure how long they tussled with the mad mob of Unknowns before Hask’s cry to fall back broke through the melee. They broke for the doors, Link tossing a bomb over his shoulder as a last thought.

They stumbled into the mansion, the door slamming behind them. The familiar sound of grating stone as Sokolove melded door and wall sounded a moment before the explosion. The teen took a moment to see who made it in, wince when he realized that beyond two others, Hask, Razer and he had been the only ones.

“You know your orders! Group one up to the roof! Group two, follow up on Reaper!” Hask rasped, pointing in the directions before running up the stairs. Link watched the children scatter and Razer follow the steam gunner.

Lips pursed, the blonde went to the portrait corridor. The candles were still lit and hadn’t melted down at all. He passed by the noble faces frozen in serious expressions, eyes locked on the one that shouldn’t be possible.

He paused before it, wiping the sweat from his brow and taking a deep breath. He reached up and brushed his fingers against the barrier peeking from behind the ornamental frame. It flickered and died as the glancing touch. A grin split the long face and he drew his sword, doing a quick horizontal cut.

The tip bit into the wall behind the painting, grinding through the stone beneath the plaster. The bottom half of the portrait fell forward and Link slashed it lengthwise so it fell to either side of him.

The crest was embedded in the wall and the thief touched it, the bauble falling from its setting easily and into the waiting hand. Link dropped it in the pack on his back, feeling excitement welling inside his blood.

The teen made it up the stairs to the meeting room, not surprised to see Kessler and Hask on the balcony. Razer stood off to the side, crouched and growling softly in her throat. The other two that had survived, Raptor and Crossfire, stood beside the fireplace.

“That’s how they got passed the trench…just stacked up tha clockworks. How goes it?” He asked, stepping beside Hask. The Unknowns had pulled back from the walls and milled just outside the gates. The archers and shooters from the roof continued to rain down shots, but they didn’t run. “What’re they doin’?”

“Dunno. A few moments ago…they just stopped and retreated.” Hask turned worried eyes to Link. If the attack had continued, it wouldn’t be so troubling. Their behavior was unorthodox compared to what they were expecting. The teen tugged her milky bangs gently, earning a scowl.

“If ya keep frownen’ like that, ya’ll get wrinkles.” He teased with equal seriousness. The thief had a reason he knew why they had pulled back. All they had to do was wait. He glanced at the fallen gate and grunted. “That didn’ take long.”

The Unknowns parted before their leader. The exceptionally large moblin the color of dark mud rode a top a snowy bull with glowing orange eyes. He held a pike in a lazy grip, his plate armor and visor-less helm rusted in spots and showing wide gapes in the shoulders and elbows. His legs were bare, large feet tucked into the wooden stirrups. The bright blue eyes were set under heavy brows, lips nearly non-existent on the mouth that dominated the small, round head.

The bull plodded through the gates, stumbling only a moment on the piled clockwork Unknowns before pausing just inside the walls. The small eyes flicked up to the balcony and met Link’s dark gaze. The arrows and pellets from the guns were deflected easily and Hask called for a ceasefire to save ammo.

“Hero of Time.” The moblin greeted, his voice deeper than even the Goron’s; sounding closer to thunder rumbling than tumbling rocks. Ire rose and his eye twitched at the new title, making the teen clench his jaw to contain the nasty retort. “Lord Ganon sends his greetings.”

“Who’s it talking to?” Hask murmured; sounding confused as she gripped the railing. The blonde didn’t say anything, but he could feel the intense scarlet gaze shift to him.

“Boy, don’t be shy. You might hurt my feelings.” The moblin continued, allowing the bull’s head to drop and lip at the bloody grass.

Kessler hissed at his back, having grasped just as quickly as Hask on who the Unknown spoke to.

“Shep?” Hask’s voice was sharp and questioning, causing Link to wince and sigh.

“A whore in church.” He whispered in exasperation before raising his voice. “I hear ya, Unknown. Ya kin toddle back an’ tell Ganondorf where he kin stuff his greetings.”

“I’m called Mongoblin.” He replied almost amiably. “Come down, Hero of Time. We’ve words to trade and deals to strike.”

“Call me Shep, Mongo.” Link drawled lazily, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Shep? Is that what ye go by now, boy?” Mongo asked, a wicked expression in the small eyes. Hask was drawing away from him and the teen firmly ignored it.

“I go by a manner of names.” Link danced around that question, emotion draining from his face. “Speak yer piece, Mongo. I don’ have time for this. I hafta send yer beasties on their way.”

“I think…ye should make time, Shep.” The large moblin turned around in the saddle, the wooden seat creaking as the weight altered. He swung around, a ball of fluff and metal in his massive grip. Link’s lungs deflated as he recognized Reno.

“Cripes, Rex…” He exhaled, seeing the awkward position the metal legs had frozen in and revealing the reason he’d been caught. The blonde turned from the violet eyes beseeching his and found the five others in the room watching him closely.

Hask said nothing, but the pursed lips belied the empty expression. Razer looked displeased, lips pulled back in a slight snarl. A gentle thunder sounded from the marked throat, leaving no question of her feelings. Raptor and Crossfire didn’t look much happier, their hands on their holstered weapons so Link wouldn’t mistake their loyalties. Kessler just looked smug, which pissed the teen off.

“He’s got Rex.” He explained after a moment, deciding he’d just kill Mongo. It was inevitable, he was guessing. Ganon sent the moblin specifically for him, which explained the sudden increase of Unknowns in the area. Of course, I’d figured that. “I’m going ta get ‘im. Y’all take the ones on the roof and git.”

Hask’s eyes softened after a moment and nodded, rubbing her gun thoughtfully. “Crossfire, get everyone off the roof.” She ordered and cocked a brow at the teen. “Are you sure, Shep?”

“I’m not gonna leave ‘im, if that’s whatcha mean. Just go. I’ll keep them busy.” He waved a hand dismissively, the others looking confused.

“Ya’d risk yer life fer an Unknown?” Kessler asked, visibly surprised. “Is he worth it?”

Link covered the distance between them in a blink, his fist popping the bird-Shifted in the eye and knocking her back. He grabbed onto the thin tunic and gathered it in his fist, drawing her close. He stared down into the started face. The bandage over her right eye had been dislodged. The left only appeared colorless, it actually held a shimmer of icy blue in the depths of the iris.

The other iris was completely white with a gold pupil. It focused on him and widened, the girl beginning to tremble and keen softly.

“He’s worth more than yer life, ya gutter trull.” He replied coolly in the panicked face. He considered her for a moment before throwing her roughly away and into Raptor’s arms. “Leave before I try a trade. Mongo’s too stupid to know he’d get a trash gem.”

Raptor gently pulled the girl back as Crossfire returned. Razor took a step back and relaxed her stance. Hask looked unsure what to say to the sudden burst of violence from the blonde. Link turned his back to their stares.

“See y’all in Kakariko.” He threw back before vaulting over the balcony railing. He landed with a quick roll to stop on his feet and rising.

“Well?” Link asked, throwing his arms wide. “Ya got my attention.”

“Lord Ganon has an offer for yew, boy.” Mono started, letting the kit hang in his grip.

“One I can’t refuse?” Link asked, cocking a brow sarcastically.

“Not if yew’ve a brain in yer skull.” Mongo replied with a bloodthirsty grin. “I’ll carry out that sentence if yew do.”

“Hooo?” The teen sounded less than impressed. “I better listen closely, then.”

“See that yew do, Hero of Time.” The moblin snapped, the bull shuffling under the sudden rage of his rider. “Come to his Lordship’s castle and side with him. Surrender the Triforce he seeks and he’ll let yew live.”

Link snorted and shook his head. “No he won’t. The bastard tried ta kill meh once before with his own hands. How cracked does he think I am? Give me some credit.”

“I’d hoped yew’d say that.” Mongo grunted with a grin and casually tossed the fox to the teen. Link caught the heavy kit and pulled out the key, winding up the boy’s chest. The redhead groaned and moved his limbs slowly.

“Git up there and wait fer me ta finish this.” He ordered lightly. “Make sure the others stay outta it.”

“Roger.” Reno gasped, looking apologetic as he jumped from the thief’s arms to run up the wall to the balcony.

“Yew’ll finish it?” The moblin sounded amused and even gave a rumbling chuckle. Link unsheathed his sword and gave a smirk.

“I’ve killed something a bit fiercer than you.” The teen pointed out. “I’d tell ya a message fer Ganon, but ya won’ be leaven’ these walls as anythin’ but ashes.”

Mongo kicked his bull roughly, the beast leaping forward with a pained groan and thundered towards the lanky hero. He parried the swipe by the pike and twisted from the bull’s path. The moblin’s foot snapped out and slammed into the teen’s chest, sending him flying backwards.

The coltish blonde landed hard on the shield still on his back, body spinning wildly. He saw the trench rapidly approaching and the Unknowns reaching up from the pits to grab him. He slammed his feet down, digging his heels into the earth and stopping a few feet from the edge. He stared between his legs in shock before throwing it back at the sudden tremors.

The disorienting scenery was the snowy bull advancing. Link jammed his right hand into the clawshot, aiming between the pounding hooves and squeezing the trigger. The claws anchored and dragged the teen down the same path. Link angled his sword just after passing the massive, churning front legs. He shoved the sword up, piercing the breastbone and slicing through the belly to spill the innards in his wake.

Link released the claw and scrambled to his feet, rushing forward as the bull crashed with a pained, groaning roar. Mongo had jumped free and was standing, shaking his head. The moblin stood at least ten feet high, but it didn’t cause a breathe of hesitation in the filcher. The blonde stabbed at the gaps in the armor, his blade knocked wide by the pike as the moblin swung around.

Lips pulled into a wild grin, Link ducked a wild swing and kicked up dirt as he danced around the brute and hamstrung a bare leg. Mongo roared, slamming his fist into the ground and causing it to buckle and crack with the force. Flipping back, the teen landed in a clear area and slide back until his heels kissed the mansion wall. Grey blood oozed from the wound and splattered against the ground.

The moblin balanced on his good leg, booming his rage as the pike twirled in the massive fists. The thief charged the wounded Unknown, donning his shield as he flowed over the buckled earth. Mongo stabbed the air about the boy so quickly; anyone watching couldn’t see it in motion. The filcher swayed and danced around the pike, blue eyes wide as they focused on the moblin.

Link was high on something, but what he wasn’t sure what. It coursed and pounded through his veins, filling him with power and speed. He knew he could end it soon, but it seemed a pity to waste such a perfectly good fight. Instead of a killing blow, the teen slammed the shield against the arms grasping the pike to knock them clear. Up his sword flew, tearing through the right armpit and fitting between the joint. He turned the blade to pop it apart and tore the flesh cruelly before yanking it free and rolling away.

The air trembled with the pained howl, the pike still grasped in the good arm. The Unknown swung it wildly, grunting with the effort. The thief dodged and wove from the strikes, teasing and taunting the tall brute with the smug smirk. Hot breath and bits of spittle washed over the teen as Mongo roared and slammed the pike in the ground Link had been standing just a moment before. The Unknown tried to pull it free, but it held fast in the solid ground.

Link jumped on the staff, running up its length and hacking the arm off while smashing his shield against the helm to keep the face clear. Flipping over the massive shoulders, the blonde landed on his feet, swinging around and ripping his blade through the last good appendage.

Mongo fell on his back, the earth shuddering at the sudden influx of weight. He howled like a beast, body arching in the pain at his useless limbs. Links stood over the thrashing moblin before slamming his foot down on the thick throat.

“Be still.” He ordered sharply. Grey blood sprayed over his tunic and leather breeches, speckling his face. The moblin complied; air hissing through the stained teeth. Snot poured from the flat nose and Mongo sniveled, but he didn’t seem to have the tear ducts in order to cry.

“Mercy! Mercy!” He wheezed, voice high and scratching. “Please!”

“Awww…” Link groaned in exaggerated sadness and ground his heel against the windpipe to cut off the begging. He gave a mocking look. “I would, but I promised Reno I’d finish it! I’m sure you understand, Mongo.”

He ripped open the throat as the blue eyes widened in shock, thick blood spewed from the wound for a beat before slowing to a ooze as the massive heart halted. Black and green flames consumed the body and danced around Link’s victorious form. The teen turned towards the open gate, the rest of the Unknown army fleeing at the sight of death.
--------=

A/N: ...so. It was a long week. I blame Bob. He suggested something that changed the entire sequence. I re-arranged some and had to re-create more. Of course, it made the entire chapter run smoother. But I can still be a little bitter. It didn't help that I've been put in charge of training for the work center and write for the quarterly newspaper(that's Bob's fault, too. No lie there. Jerk.), so I don't have any more free time. I also grew/acquired/been cursed with a social life. I don't know where it came from or how to manage it. It really is distressing. Moving on...

All told...32 pages.

I can't say when the next will be finished. I've given up on guessing. Hopefully I'll be forgiven. Please have patience!

Ulforce - I'm sorry for the confusing beginning. I did jump quite a bit in the beginning, didn't I? I'm gonna fix that right now...hopefully try not to let it happen again. Maybe something announcing time passing at the beginning. Sigh. I'm sorry! m._.m