The Inner Gambit of Darkness - Continued (Part 4)

After asking around more in Castle Town upon reaching it, Lyn had turned her sights on the majestic sight of Hyrule Castle itself. Leaving Filly with a stable-boy, she began her silent and stealthy mission to invade the mighty fortress to find her target.

Celeste crouched next to Gwene and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Gwene. Look how much we've overcome so far, there'll be a way, I just know it."

Gwene looked at Celeste, quickly she threw her arms around her neck and held her close. She couldn't help but think that it could have been Konbei killed, or Celeste, or herself, the victims were endless.

She was still sad that it was Din, if she had it her way, no one would have been killed today.

Quiet and stealthy, Lyn made her way past the first wave of security, and was careful as she made her way through the gardens, her aim the most highly protected room of them all- the throne room.

( -plays da Mission Impossible/007 theme lol ;D- )

Celeste patted Gwene's back and did her best to comfort her.

Nuala looked around at everyone as they slowly lost hope after coming so far. She sighed. As the Sage's leader she figured she should be the one to help them somehow, but the problem was she was as much in the dark as they were. She quietly slipped out of the throne room to sort through her thoughts and (hopefully) find something that came close to a solution.

When Lyn saw the scene, she could hardly believe her eyes.

A dozen... No, more... People were crowded in the throne room. They were grouped together, and all around they had an air of despair and loss. She spotted her target among them, but... How in the world would she single them out? She was no idiot, she knew she was grossly outnumbered and out of advantage. From her hiding place behind the stained glass windows overlooking the throne itself, nestled safely and protectively in between the rafters and workings of the building's walls, she could see the entire scene. Quietly she began to re-work her plan-

-That is, until she saw her target leave.

Well... That might make things easier, she thought interestingly. Still maneuvering through the rafters and the in-betweens of the walls of the castle, she began to follow her target.

Nuala stopped and leant her hands on a window sill and began to fruitlessly mull over her thoughts.

Dane had not spoken a word since entering the Sacred Realm. How could he? So much--too much--had happened in such a short amount of time. His eyes had witnessed the descent of the Goddesses, the tranquility of the Sacred Realm, the heartless murder of his Matron Goddess, the emergence of the Evil Realm's ruler, and the King of Evil's declaration of their doom. It was a miracle he was still able to stand!

But with the trouble avoided for the moment, his legs surrendered and Dane fell to the ground. His arms shook madly as the barely supported his upper body. He was hyperventilating, and tears were falling down his face.

This was the end. There was no hope now...

Her target had paused in the hallway outside of the throne room, leaning against a windowsill. All that she had to do now was get down there, quietly apprehend her, and lead her away from the others. She couldn't risk attracting the attention of those in the throne room...

Quietly, she began to move down the rafters. Silent as a feather's fall, she made her way down to the floor of a room which led to the hallway. She could still see her, keeping her in her sights at all times, as she moved downwards, eventually getting to the floor of the next room. Slowly, she drew her bow from behind her back.

"Don't give up hope, Sages..." an icy, metallic voice called to them.

"You are so close...so close to victory. It's not over yet."

Dalikos was in castle town by now, and had felt the energy of all his friends return. Though when they did, a strange wind had blown. It felt, bare. Like something was missing. Dalikos didn't like the feeling, so he went to investigate. He, at the moment was walking through the court yard of the castle.

Nuala turned her head slightly as thought she was listening for something. Someone else was there... perhaps someone had followed her from the throne room. Probably Celeste.

She turned to face whoever was there.

When Nuala turned around, Lyn's arrow was trained right at her forehead, in between her eyes. The black hood was draped over her head, with only her green eyes and some flaming-red bangs of hair sweeping out from under the black cloth. Her bow was pulled back and readied, aimed at her target.

"Don't move," she said quietly. "I don't want to have to kill you, but try anything, and I will. They said to bring you back alive... or dead. I have no preference."

Verron said nothing, did nothing, and in all outward appearences, felt nothing too. She leaned against the same spot she had before entering the sacred realm. Now she stood, arms crossed, with one thought in her mind. we are all going to die. it was terrifying to be sure, but deep down there was a freeness in it. They were all going to die, so she had nothing left to lose.

the icey voice pierced through to her deepest thoughts. She looked up. "who speaks?" she called.

Nuala sighed. She was used to threats like this and wasn't intimidated in the slightest. "A hold up in the castle, how wise..." she said.

"I..." a shady figure perched ontop a window sill spoke. He dropped down before the Sages with grace and looked at them. "I have been watching you, Sages. I think it is about time I intervene."

The figure's white glowing eyes stared at them with sincerity. "I mean no harm. I only wish to aid you in your journey. My Employer demands it, and wishes for you to succeed on your mission. You musn't give up hope. You all have come so far. Think of what will become of each other...your loved ones...if you decide to give up right now..."

Verron frowned. "and why should we trust you, huh? I think i speak for everyone when i say we've had enough with the unexpected visiters."

"Which is exactly why we're leaving." Lyn's reply was calm and yet blunt, her back up against the wall, a good distance between her and Nuala, as she subtly jerked the end of her arrow to the side, bringing it quickly back to her target's forehead- the quick motion indicating an order that her prisoner should start walking. "Now. Remember- you would be easier for me to take you dead. Don't think I won't pass up an opportunity... should you provide me one."

"Point taken," Nuala said, playing along with her capturer. She started walking calmly down the hall.

Lyn was not stupid- she knew the layout of the castle, and where they would have to go to avoid being seen on the way back. But first things first- lead her as far away from the throne room as possible. And as Nuala walked passed her, Lyn's arrow followed her- until, at the moment they were close, Lyn put away her bow and, in the blink of an eye, whipped out her dagger, which she pressed close to the back of her target's neck, her other arm grasping the woman by the shoulder. "Walk," she ordered.

"I have no allegiance to the Evil Realm. My allegiance is to my Employer, who wishes to aid you. He does not wish to see Hyrule burn, as do you." the figure spoke. "Why do you not trust me?"

Nuala remained quiet and did as she asked, letting the girl believe she had control over her.

Lyn was silent as she led her target through the corridors, always keeping an eye on both her prisoner and the path they took. Finally, taking a turn into a narrow corridor, at the end of it they reached a trapdoor- Lyn jabbed her dagger into Nuala's back.

"Not a sound," she instructed, as she waited for Nua- her target, she told herself mentally, to enter the trapdoor.

Nuala turned around watched the girl to make sure she didn't try anything as she lowered herself through the trapdoor.

She wanted Nuala alive, true- the bounty was sure to be larger- but, in all truth, she would rather bring a dead head than no head at all. So she remained calm and still, her dagger still at the ready, as she watched Nuala climb down the trapdoor. When she heard the other land at the bottom, she quickly leapt through it- closing it after her with her free hand as she did- and, upon landing, once more forced the dagger tip until it pressed against her back. The passageway was only dimly lit, but enough for them to see the path in front of them- a dirty, damp, sewage.

She didn't feel the need to say anything more- she knew the constant pressure of the dagger against Nuala's back would be enough indication for what she would need to do.