The rise of a Hero

Chapter 20

Knight's Code of Honour

18. He defends on a daily basis and in every situation the values of chivalry.

oOo

Link knew this feeling of insecurity perfectly. He knew very well what awaited him on this battlefield. Because it was not uncommon for him to have nightmares some nights. All these cries of agony, the smell of blood and death would remain engraved in his memory all his life. But this was the path he had chosen from childhood.

In the weapons room, Link grabbed a royal guard bow and a quiver. On his back, an ingenious mechanism allowed the weapon to be magnetized and to be caught with more ease. He had properly tightened the straps of his armour and made sure he hadn't forgotten anything. His fellows hurried around him to finish preparing. The tension in the room was palpable, no one spoke, only the rattling of armour and equipment echoed between the walls. This battle would arguably be the toughest and deadliest since Link was under the king's command. All peoples had made available fighters, all Champions would participate in the assault. In front of them, there would be moblins, bokoblins, lizalfos... but also lynels, the latter being formidable and almost invincible for the majority of warriors. The war council had therefore devised a strategy to limit casualties. The troops of Akkala would bring a battery with about twenty cannons. But their transport would require a whole day... The real fight would not take place until the next day. The warriors should therefore set up a camp to spend the night. The question remained whether their enemies were capable of cowardly attacking them at dusk.

Link closed his eyes for a moment to focus on his only goal. His heart rate was faster, as was his breathing. His father and friends had also been mobilized. The young man would fight with Karl for the first time. Or at least, on the same battlefield. He grabbed his helmet, wedged it under his arm and then headed for the stables to look for Ciaran, his brave companion. In the castle, many knights and soldiers ran from right to left with a rush that easily manifested their pressure. The time of departure was fast approaching. Once in the stable, Link pulled his horse out of his stall and then calmly led him to the bottom of the fortress where several regiments were meeting, including his own. An officer of his rank approached him.

"We'll be ready to leave in ten minutes," he announced simply.

Link nodded, put on his helmet, put one foot in his stirrup, and hoisted himself onto his horse's back. The young man thought that he had not had time to greet Zelda, he regretted not seeing his friend before leaving. Around him, the relatives of the other royal guards came to see them and wished them courage. Link could only join his father after leaving the fortress.

The troops of soldiers and knights gathered in a buzzing and impressive effervescence. Everyone fine-tuned their final preparations, readjusted their equipment or calmed their horse, if they were lucky enough to have one. At the gates of the city, Gerudo warriors and Zora soldiers were waiting for them, also ready for battle. As for the Hylian princess, she walked among the hundreds of men, stared at them but always ended up sighing and going on her way. She knew that some of them would not return and would not see the citadel again. It was always like that, alas... Among the royal guards, Zelda finally found her appointed knight, and a worried expression settled on her face. With a brisk step, she walked towards him.

Link wore his knight's armour, topped with a suit testifying to his membership in the royal guard. His blue tunic had remained in his cupboard so as not to be damaged. His horse took a few steps on the spot as if he was showing impatience. Or maybe anxiety? Zelda arrived at his height, hands clasped together, and the two exchanged a long glance, plunged into silence despite the bursts of voices of the men around. What a unique moment... Even though Link was the chosen one of the Master Sword and was a Champion, he was still a vulnerable man. The firing of a crossbow could take his life in a split second. The slightest inattention, however human, could very well have serious consequences. Link was not immune to all this.