Out of the ashes of pain and failure springs forth the bloom of hope for a life worth living.

This is the beginning of that tale.


As the sun shines brightly through the sparse clouds over North Castle, its gentle rays dance upon the faces of two bright yet weather worn faces. One is a man of about 20 years of age by Hylian reckoning, wearing garments only slightly out of place amongst the surrounding locals. Slung over the man's shoulder, a distinctly foreign stringed instrument bounces at his side as his stride lightly sways to the beat of the ambient music of the courtyard. On the man's shoulders sits a young child who has likely seen no more than eight changes of the seasons.
The man ambles listfully through the center of the courtyard with no apparent direction as he soaks up the aura of peace and prosperity in the lively common. A gentle breeze tousles the boy’s hair which he brushes out of his face in order to get a better view over the crowd.

Child: “Hey brother, they sure do have a lot of people here, you sure we’ll find it here?”
Man: “I’m not sure, but it can’t hurt to take a look around. C’mon, let’s go find a place to stay.”

The man folds up a slightly worn picture and slides it neatly next to an elaborately decorated dagger hilt and the two fade into the bustle of the marketplace.

Later that day

Lyos looks around the courtyard, confusion and frustration becoming increasingly apparent in the lines forming on his face.

Child: "Lyos, I'm hungry and it looks like it's getting dark. Maybe we should head back."
Lyos: "We'll be okay, I'm going to try to figure this place out a little longer."

Lyos takes a cursory glance over the crowd and tries to find the friendliest face. His face lights up as he sees a royal guard standing a mere twenty meters away.

Lyos: "Excuse me sir, I have a few questions about how you guys do things around here."

The guard continues to stare blankly forward with the same militaristic expression so commonplace of soldiers of his caliber.

Brother: "Is he dead?"
Lyos: "I don't think so, just unresposive. Lack of activity can cause lethargy. C'mon lets go fill that belly of yours; we can try again tomorrow."

OOC: MMk so this is a bit heavy handed and prolly in the wrong place, but I posted a few questions in the Noob forums a few days ago and they haven't been looked at. Just curious if anyone's still keeping up with the newbie forums anymore. Thanks guys and you can wrap me in tar and burn my toenails off for posting in the wrong forum once I figure this stuff out

[edit] OOC: I'm so sorry moderators i just made a really clumsy entrance and this seemed to be the best way to reconcile the paradox i had created. Won't happen again.[/b]

OoC: Its all alright, Lyos. No one is going to hurt you for this, and like I explained, Its actually quite commonplace to introduce yourself in this manor.

IC:

The crowds of people in the main square seemed thicker than usual to Sovelis as he tried to find a path through the tangles of people. He managed to find an open spot near two young men, and a Royal Guard that was keeping a lookout for any trouble makers. "Whoa...Its quiet the busy day here, isn't it?" the Tempest said to the older of the two that he stood near. "You'd think that the colder weather would actually keep people indoors. Instead, their all out in droves. shopping and wandering the town."

He looked at up at the slightly taller Lyos, and smiled. "Your new to town, aren't you? My name is Sovelis. Whats your name?" Sovelis said, holding out his right hand to the young man, in an attempt to warm up to him.

Lyos stops and turns away from the setting sun to face the source of the new voice. It is clear the newcomer means no harm, his hand extended in a gesture brotherly goodwill. With a grin, Lyos firmly grasped the hand as the warmth of gratitude permeated through to his cold extremities.

Lyos: "How could you tell? We just got in a few hours ago and we're still getting used to the area. The name's Lyos and this here's my little brother.
The boy's face beams down at that of their new friend .
Child: Hiya
Would you be able to tell me where I should go to find Reg the Shadowmaster of Saria Town? I was told that he might be able to help me, but I can't for the life of me seem to find the road to the reach him.

"Yes, that is an unfortunate thing, isn't it? Unfortunately, the road to Saria town is blocked by a boulder." Kasei said from behind Sovelis, a bag of groceries in his arm, a bottle of goron ale visible at the bottom. "What are your names again, newcomers?" The aincent shiekah asked. "My name is Kasei Dornmos Gobi, I am a freind of Sovelis here."

Lyos startled at the sudden appearance of the new man out of Sovelis' shadow. Lyos suppressed a slight tremor at the dark demeanor of the Sheikah. He had always heard of the legendary speed and mystical powers of the Sheikah but had only seen one once or twice in his life. While it was clear that both of these men knew their way around the battlefield, the sight of the groceries in the man's arms was a welcome reassurance of their benign intent. His anxiety dissolved, Lyos smiled and offered his hand Kasai's free one.

A pleasure to meet you Kasai. My name is Lyos Svara and this is my little brother. We just arrived earlier this morning.

"Well, It is indeed a welcoming sight to see new adventurers here in North Castle." Sovelis stated, looking over his shoulder at Kasei. "Too many of the people here in the city are just content with living a normal life, safe from harm and unaware of the powers that threaten their lives on a daily basis...." the youthful mage spoke his words with some strange distaste filling his voice, as if he envied those clueless common people, most of whom never had to worry about an invasion, a plague, or some magician of dark powers attacking them and reducing everything they loved to ashes....

Kasei smiles, and takes Lyos' hand. "Nice to meet you, Lyos Svara, and welcome to Hyrule. You can find many things happening here at a time." He said, turning to Sovelis. "A winter is coming, Aria is inviting everyone over for christmas dinner, if you feel like coming in a few weeks?" He offered. "There will be a lot of food!"

Lyos noticed the change in Sovelis' countenance as the mage trailed off into his closing words. Whether it was from his face or tone of his voice, Lyos couldn't tell, yet all the same, he was concerned with this sudden dark change that seemed to overcome his new friend.

He feels the rumble of his brother's stomach against the back of his and is reminded that they haven't eaten since morning. The boy laughed at the unusual gurgling of his stomach.

Sorry brother. Guess my body's telling us its time to eat.

Smiling Lyos glanced up at his little brother and gave his ankles an affectionate squeeze.
Don't worry, we'll get some food in you yet.

Sorry to interrupt guys but do either of you know of any good places to eat around here. You're welcome to come if you like, but I gotta feed this little monster some food before he starts gnawing on my hair.

Behind the disciplined guard, five sausagy fingers wiggled in anticipation. Kasei's back was towards him. Now was his chance. Leaping out from behind the trained soldier, a figure launched forward, his being a blur as he thrust an arm towards the Sheikah's chest. The man's eyes were wide with anticipation and unleashed lust as his fingers close around the bottle of ale, cackling manically from behind a curtain of tangled black hair. As he began to draw the bottle from the bag, he felt a hard blow to the head, and released the bottle as he began to stumble backwards, into a thinner, taller brown-haired man, who grunted under the man's weight, his sheathed saber still in the air from when he had bludgeoned the would-be thief.

"Burlo." He breathed through clenched teeth. "That doesn't belong to you." He pushed the hefty man back to his feet and looked towards the group who had been discussing he-knew-not-what before the interruption. "I'm sorry, Kasei." He muttered to the mercenary." He looked back sharply at Burlo, who had began to trudge off in a daze. "Burlo, apologize!" He demanded. Sighing, the rotund bum did as he was told and turned around.

"I's sorry." he mumbled, his bright blue eyes looking down in embarrassment. "I ha'nt had anytin' to drink lately, the lack o' likker's killin' me, I ain't meself ennymore." He looked back up at the blue-haired Sheikah with sorrowful eyes behind his black hair, as the brown haired man looked back to the group.

"So...Are you new around here then?" He said, finally realizing there were two unfamiiliar faces before him. "Would you need any help getting around the place?" He asked politely, clasping his sheath back onto his belt and brushing his hair out of his left eye. "I'm Sabertache, by the way."

Lyos felt his brother jolt in surprise at the sudden burst of excitement. The boy's eyes burned with curiosity as his gaze intently followed the mysterious black haired man slinking away. It wasn't like they hadn't seen things like this before. The road here had been long and not exactly uneventful, but Lyos couldn't blame him for being a little startled.

Pleasure to meet you Sabertache. I am Lyos Svara and this is my little brother. Who was the man just now?

Saber looked over his shoulder and realized that Burlo had disappeared, probably to beg someone else for sustenance. "That would be Burlo." He said with a sigh. "He's a bum. One of the biggets ones I've ever seen. Both literally and figuratively. He has a horrible alcohol addiction, I don't think he's been sober for years, drives him mad when he doesn't have anything to drink, as you've just seen...Spends all his time beggin, though he still claims to be a cleric..." He looked back towards the strangers and smiled at the little boy on Lyos' back. He liked children. "How are you doing?" He asked the child. "Do you need help finding something?"

Still somewhat shaken by the events with Burlo, the boy is taken aback by being directly addressed by the man who just handled a sword so well. Despite his mounting feelings of anxiety he summoned the courage to speak up with his eyes ever so slightly averted.

Some food would be nice, please...

Lyos laughed to himself as he turned from his brother back to Saber.

Actually we were just asking these guys if they knew of a good place to eat. You're more than welcome to join us if you'd like. Besides I'd hate to keep you guys out here any longer in this weather. Perhaps we could take our discussion indoors?

"Why not? I still hve some money, and theres plenty of diners around town! The cucoo tavern isn't too far, and it's one of the best! Let's have a feast there!" Kasei said jovialy, grabbing Sovelis with his spare arm. "C'mon! A night of Ale! Ya can't pass it up! Aria will come and find us, it'll be great!" He turned to Lyos and Saber, 'C'mon, whaddaya say?" He asked.

"How about we go to the Inn. I'll pay for everyone present...even Burlo." Sovelis said, trying to seem warmer to the newcomers to town. "They have some very good food at the Hylian Haven Inn, the best I've eaten in town!" Sovelis told them, as he turned and smiled at Lyos's little brother. "And what is your name, young one? You need not be so shy and hide from us. No one's gonna bite. Except Kasei..." he joked, leaning on the Rebel Flame's shoulder and smiling at his friend.

A warm smile flashes across Lyos' face as he turns to face both Kasei and Sovelis.

Either one sounds great! Could you please tell me how to get there thought? I'd follow you guys there but there's an errand i must run at the quatermaster's shop on the way and I'd hate to get lost.