melodiesoflife | A Cut Above

Who: Link and possibly the few individuals who expressed interest in forming a small militia.
What: Meeting and training over plans of forming the small militia which Link had mentioned to some of the heroes previously.
When: Early Wednesday morning on the 16th
Where: On the edge of the city, closest to the woods, in a small section of cleared trees.
Why: To hopefully have a small band of heroes that can not only serve the city, but remain more vigilant when danger seems near.
Warnings: None as of now.

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I. A Letter
Delivered a day before on Tuesday the 15th

To those who had expressed their interest:

I have finally finished the last touches on a small section of sorts that had been previously unclaimed near the skirt of the city. It isn't much, but it is a modest area where one can make use of a bow or sharpen their skills with a blade. It is a small school of sorts, one that I hope to use to impart what knowledge I know of knighthood to those who might be seeking a role in what has happened and what I am sure is to come to this city.

I have spoken to a few of you before about gathering a number of us to form a militia, a regimen of heroes that stand by this city to see that she is protected at whatever costs. This recent outbreak of violence is beyond what these people should ever have to endure, and my hope with at least teaching even a handful of those who might not know how to wield a sword or swing a staff, might learn to better prepare themselves for if and when we are once more under attack.

I will be North of the city in a place that I have cleared out myself. Thankfully, much of the lumber that was needed for helping to rebuild the city has made for a spacious clearing that can be put to use. I ask that if any of you still maintain some level of interest in giving aid to this cause, that you please meet me at the location documented on this letter on the morning of the 16th. I shall be there, ready and waiting, to discuss shared ideas and plans, as well as to begin training those who wish to do more for this city.

I look forward to see you then.

Warmest regards,

Link of Skyloft

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II. A Very Wooden Performance

Despite recent news and information concerning a lab and dossiers on his fellow heroes, Link does not waste a moment in finally enacting a plan that he has been trying to set into motion for some time. Obstacles had made for some unexpected delays, and being frozen for some time in crystal stasis had set him back quite a bit more than he had intended. Nevertheless, when the Hyrulian Hero was not busy doing his part in helping the citizens rebuild, what lumber and scraps that were of no use to Aquares Ixen's natives was brought by Link to the spot where he now stands.

From twisted vines hang the remnants of furniture, damaged pieces of shelving and bed frames, recycled for the use of targets and battering rams for which a person could train and hone their agility. Pillars stand up from the ground, pushed into the soil to act as dummies for slashing blades which would hopefully soon dull their sharpened edges. The clearing has been converted from a lonely looking gap in the trees to a rather well structured camp.

With his sword out, the pointy-eared knight stands before a wide pillar of timber, the point of his sword pointed towards the ground as he readies himself with his heels off of the ground. Bringing the blade over his head, he swings the length of the weapon in a long arch as if to slash the behemoth of a log in two. The air becomes still as he comes to a stop, his blade barely touching the ground as he finishes his swipe. Hesitantly, the wooden target shifts, the newly formed pieces splitting off down the middle as the wood is sectioned into two halves, collecting on either side as the pillar no longer stands as a single piece.

Wiping his brow on his sleeve, Link lets out a satisfied sigh of relief as he looks down at the enchanted blade.

".. What's the probability of them showing up, you think? 40%? 60%? What do you think.. Fi?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Link is a bit taken aback by how quickly the other knight drew a blade, the plain looking steel still holding a glimmer along its length from the sunlight which breached the canopy above them.

Clearing his throat, Link turned to walk a short distance away, putting enough space between them so as to give them a proper start. The blade which Link draws from his sheath hums as it is drawn out, not the sort of sound that rings when metal is dragged from cloth or wood. Its almost as if the blade was trying to find the proper pitch as it is swung slowly down to point toward the earth at the ready.

"It's been a long while since I've drawn for sport. Whenever you're ready.."

Link raises the blade straight up, holding it in front of his chest as he awaits Ramza's first attack.

Trusting that Link was a skilled enough swordsman to face him, Ramza swung his sword at Link's singing blade without bothering to hold back. He had no job enhancements, so he assumed his blade work would pose no real danger to the other warrior.

"Your militia," he spoke as he maneuvered his sword. "You mean for them to defend the people of this city. A 'band of Knight' I believe you said in your letter."

It was a noble thought, but Ramza needed to know the intention behind it. So many people spoke fine words to hide their foul deeds. Was Link as honest and earnest as his letter suggested?

"What is a 'knight' to you?"

Link raised his blade up to meet Ramza's, the vibration of conflicting steel rocking his hand for but a moment. He pushes back to resist the weight of Ramza's edge, making his own swing as he draws the blade from his right shoulder in a wide arch.

"A knight.."

It's been some time since he's conversed while matching attacks.

"..is an extension of good will and faith. Like a shield, a knight is both a protector and a symbol of hope, standing before whatever danger so that those behind it remain safe. And, like a sword; ever sharp and never dull, yet cased within a sheath but always at the ready for when their skills are needed."

It was well-spoken. Ramza gave Link an approving nod before swinging again.

"And what, pray tell, are your intentions with the Lady Zelda?" Because they both seemed like straightforward warriors, there was no reason Ramza could see to not simply ask. Doing so in the midst of a sparring round, with no prior warning, would hopefully give Link little time or mental space to deflect the question.

Link almost lost the grip of his sword as it came to clash against Ramza's own, his eyes going wide as he had not been expecting such a question.

"In.. Intentions?"

Link retreats his blade, bringing it closer to himself to the point where the flat of its face is against his chest.

"Do you mean the matter of our relationship, or the purpose of my existing?" He'd been warned by the gentleman known as Kaji that there would be other men coming to win Zelda's heart. It was no rare bit of knowledge that Zelda was as beautiful as she was kind, and even such words would never do the childhood friend he adored the justice she deserves.

"If you mean to ask the former, then know that my heart belongs to none other than she who spends the mornings trying to wake unfit heroes and guides the fate of my home through her own sacrifice. My only intention is to see that Zelda remains safe, as that was what I was born to do."

He swings with a backhand, trying to match Ramza's stance as the two continue to spar.

"May I ask the reason for your question?"

Ramza raised an eyebrow at Link's roundabout answer. It was an odd way to explain it. If Ramza served a lady such as Zelda, he thought he would speak of it more decisively. Love was not a word to fear or avoid.

But presumably, Zelda knew Link's worth better than he, and she had chosen to place her faith in him.

"It is obvious that Zelda's affection for you runs deep, Hero. I think it would hurt her if you did not return her feeling. That is why I ask."

He met Link's sword, parrying each thrust that came at him as he spoke.

Link was unsure of how to respond to Ramza's words. Had it not been obvious? Link had thought it was a very plain fact that he and Zelda were quite a pair. It was true that Link was not the best when it came to speaking of such matters, as the thought of being her "one and only" put butterflies to his stomach and made his heart lighter than air, but were those not the sort of things one felt when they were in love?

His footing isn't what it should be, his thoughts more focused on why some one might be worried about his relationship, causing him to retreat and lose his balance. His attacks become a bit more lazy, swinging while maintaining a look of confusion on his face.

"Not return her feelings?! Have I not been doing just that? Where is this coming from?! At what source have you been gathering this information?"

Ramza had to turn his head away so that Link would not see the smile that was spreading unbidden on his face. The warrior's flustered response spoke to his feelings more than his words could.

"I...only meant, I have seen Zelda often, but not in your presence, and I wanted to be sure..." his amused tone became serious once more. "I want her to be happy, above all else. I think you can understand the sentiment. I apologize for any offense."

The arms of the would-be sparring partner lowered, his eyes keeping to the earth while his body stands tense and rigid. It had been brought to his attention before that the time that he had been spending with Zelda was hardly any time at all. Such was the life of a knight, kept to the duty and to the call of protecting that which mattered most in the kingdom; its people.

Among his thoughts of doubt, the young hero cannot help but wonder why it was in this other man's interest of what was keeping Zelda happy. It was this sort of thinking that led to stupidity, but being as how Link has very little experience with things like love and jealousy, it is all too easy for him to forget reason when his eyes narrow and scowl at Ramza.

"And why are you so concerned with her happiness? Did you come here to spar or to see if I truly am worthy enough to have her hand?"

"Ah, so you do seek her hand? Say no more, sir." Because really, of anything Link could do, that seemed the most ready course to Zelda's happiness. Ramza's smile spread wider, oblivious to the threat Link perceived in him.

"Now we can spar in earnest, if you wish it." He brought his sword back up, in a defensive position.

A Cut Above

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