Chasing Down A Witch

[Circe]

After days of seemingly endless traveling, Circe had decided that Hyrule wasn’t the worst place on this Isle. No, Zora Seas still held that title firmly. But with Hyrule, the main cities were in chaos and she had heard of a Eleazear and his plans for the country. The Witch had no mind to try and force herself into the mix of it all; but she couldn’t deny the appeal of his “Rogue Order”. Trekking across this Isle had been what she’d focused on most, that, and the training and studying that pushed that core of heat inside her to its breaking point.

But this kingdom, she decided, may well be worth any risks to stay in. As of now, she had made it just a week out from Castle Town, where she discovered every manner of foul being that could exist. Circe had delighted in showing them just how foul she could be in return. Some alleys would be running just a bit redder for the next week. And with the map she had acquired from some innkeeper in town, she knew that the Lost Woods, that large and famous forest was just a couple days away. Circe had plans to avoid it entirely, she was far more south than intended originally; but the expanse of open fields and plains known simply as Hyrule Field was quiet enough that her trekking would go unnoticed.


The Witch had kept off main roads, always had unless she needed to resupply or the itch for flesh or blood was too much to be ignored. People in every kingdom were all the same to her, every race only slightly different in her eyes. The imaginary borders that they’d all came up with meant nothing to Circe when she could simply step across the line and it was a new realm of rules and people. Yet people acted the same.


Circe continued her trek through the plains, hood up to cover her face, as she scowled at trees and grass. At this point in time, with the sun beginning its descent, she had to find a place to camp for the night. Somewhere isolated where she couldn’t so much as think about anyone passing her. There had been books she’d acquired in Castle Town, books on studying magic that had intrigued her, and she wanted to begin reading them immediately. Thick copses of trees, not quite the famous forest, but close enough to no doubt deter just any traveler, would do. So Circe continued her one-woman march into the trees, dropping her pack in a fairly well-covered spot. Rain shouldn’t be a problem it seemed, and as she settled herself down against the trees, listening around for anyone. The Witch sighed in content at the stretch in her legs as she sat, leather book balanced on a knee as she dug in the sack for bread to eat.



She’d taken a bite of her food, long fingers poised on a page of the book when she caught that sound of movement. Curious, she stared around the trees, wondering if it was just some forest creature or someone stupid enough to come barreling through these woods towards her.

[Sappho]

S

appho twirled her richly embroidered umbrella as she made her way through the dark undergrowth of the forest, a light hum buzzing from her lips. Any onlooker would have been surprised that she had not fallen onto the damp grass while she was skipping along - indeed she looked to be oblivious about her surroundings. And true enough, she would have hooked her foot on many a tough vine or a thick root, had they not all receded from the path she took, as if snakes retreating from a bright flame. For Sappho had no time to lose from such a careless act as her tripping, she was focused on one particular objective: she needed to find the so-called Exiled Witch before those in the Rogue Order convinced her to officially join their ranks, or those in the Heroes of Hyrule hunted her down and imprisoned her.

     This peculiar Zora with a talent for fiery arts was a fascinating specimen to Sappho, and she wanted to make claim of Circe before either side could snap her up into their jaws. Sappho viewed the Zora’s unique ability to be a sign of something much greater, a power symbolising the imbalance of the three divine codes, Courage, Wisdom and Power. For a girl born of the Zora, usually attributed to the element of water and thus associated with Nayru’s Wisdom, to have control over the element of fire which fell under Din’s Power, must be a fierce anomaly in the tribe. And so, naturally, a woman with such a high level of curiosity and love for anything that may undermine the codes of the Golden Goddesses like Sappho was eager to lay claim to Circe before anyone else.

     And so, as Sappho spied a small light among the darker colours of the forest, her mouth twisted into what could be vaguely called a smile, if ever such a term could be used for an expression filled with so much malice and hostility. She skipped towards the hunched over figure that could be vaguely made out among in the darkness, all the undergrowth that potentially barred her path having receded and making her approach practically silent. As she stood behind the relatively young witch, she softly whispered into Circe’s ear, ‘So you are that devil of a Zora that I have been hearing so much about lately? Will you show me the extent of your fires, so my long trip can finally be justified?’

Stripped of my pride, my sanity, even my mortality, I have resigned Myself to the role Of an onlooker. 

by MIZO.❉ of ww

[Deleted]

Leon had been still recovering from his wounds from his encounter with the two acolytes he had fought alongside is allies but as all seemed lost the two acolytes changed to human form and retreated leaving the young knight to recover. It was a rather long trek back to their hideout in the Lost woods as it was starting to get darker as he felt his wounds trying to recover from his wounds as he tried to escape out of the castle town as the battle with the acolytes came to a close. Leon was no longer bleeding but he was very weak right now as the clangs of his armor would sound against the ground in a slow pace. He felt the weight of his body getting heavier as his breathe felt weaker with each step. "I do hope everyone got out alright." Leon had said to himself knowing that no one was around until he saw a small light and the smell of smoke nearby. It must have been a traveler setting up camp nearby. Leon made a light smirk as he felt his wounds starting to recover a little more as he got closer to the heat of the campfire. There sat a Zora woman reading a book under the trees as Leon approached. Her first sight of Leon would be seeing Leon's armor with several holes in it with the most noticeable one being the gaping hole in the stomach area of his armor but his actual gut scarred from the blow he put on himself. As Leon approached she would also notice that he had several cuts all over his body with most of them already treated somehow along with the dried up blood that had marked part of his face as it needed to be washed off soon. Leon was hurting but not dying as he limped over to the woman using his bloodied sword as a crutch to finally sit down on a rock near her. 
"I hope you don't mind me being here." Leon said with a smirk as he felt the weight of his body nearly collapse as he sat on the rock. 
As he sat down on the rock he tried to catch his breath as he held his hand against the spot where he stabbed himself and thankful for the young blonde haired woman who saved his life before Leon came here. "I just need to recover a bit then i'll be on my way." Leon said as he felt no hostility from the woman who had been in this encampment. As Leon had his eyes mainly focused on the fire the zora woman had made, Leon then heard a familiar voice as he looked to see the woman who rescued him just a short distance away. "Well this is a funny coincidence then. I didn't expect to run into the woman who saved my life here." Leon chuckled as he looked back to the zora woman. "My name is Leon and you are?" Leon said with a small smile to the zora woman.

[Circe]

You started a fire now you're burning up With a snap, Circe shut the book in her lap and set it aside, sitting up straight readying herself at the sound of movement. Too loud to be someone purposely trying to hide, that or they were rather terrible at sneaking up on others. She moves to stand, not trusting this forest and whoever was in it to let herself sit for any longer when a voice in her ear has her spinning. Circe reins back the urge to simply blast the intruder with fire and stares at the young woman before her. Somehow, this woman knew exactly who she was, though it wasn't like Circe actively hid herself, no, she much preferred the fear people had when they realized just who they were dealing with. At the same time she is being questioned by this woman, Circe hears the crashing sound of someone unable to silence their steps again and she turns. A young man, clearly injured is before her, Circe can smell the faint coppery smell of blood on him. His armor severely ruined, and by the look of him, he was not in much better shape. He's politely asking her if he may use her small campsite for a time, and Circe finds her lips drawing up into their characteristic cruel smile. In the dim lighting, on her rather charming face, the smile could be taken for something pleasant. Rarely was it ever. Looking back at the woman, as this man, Leon, discovers he is familiar with her new guest. She asks, "And if I am?" "Not at all, I was just remarking at how lonely this forest felt," Circe says, hiding the bite of sarcasm that threatened to enter her tone. She wondered if this man was as foolish as he seemed. "My name, is Circe." she says simply, gold eyes narrowing and focusing on the woman again. "You are placing a lot on someone who does not know you, to satisfy your whims. I'm not fond of doing favors for strangers."

@sappho @leon wordswordswords srry this took so long Coded by Rem

[Sappho]

S

appho looked over from behind the Zoran Witch to observe a bloodied soldier stumble into the encampment. To her mild amusement, it seemed it was the same man who she had deigned to save during the time her peaceful respite had been broken by the acolytes in Hyrule Castle Town. Her smile losing any precious signs of malice, she glided towards Leon, somehow managing to not trip, and proceeded to talk with him. ‘It has not even even been a week, and yet you have managed to meet with me twice! That is an honour few people achieve in a lifetime, let alone a few days!’ A quiet but sharp voice pulled her from her astonishment, and turned her attention back to the seated Zora.

‘Do not fret, I expect no unwilling help from you. But, if you do so wish, I would gladly accept your assistance. Rather, I am here to ask that you take no action, to make sure that you neither join with those fools in the Rogue Order, nor surrender to to the so-called Heroes. I trust that your magical gift is enough to stave off any potential foes you will face off against, but it does not hurt to forewarn you.’ Then suddenly, her face was covered in a pensive look while her voice changed to become more monotonous, ‘Of course, I shall accept your answer if you decide to not join me, but it would be such a disappointment…’

Stripped of my pride, my sanity, even my mortality, I have resigned Myself to the role Of an onlooker. 

by MIZO.❉ of ww

[Deleted]

He could sense her sarcasm very well as he tried to heal up from the wounds he had been given previously from that battle in the castle town. His armor creaking from the rust the blood soaked metal had made as he held his hands out toward the fire to warm himself up after the long battle he had fought. He would look back to the Zora woman and smile a little as his lips slightly curved into it. He was bloodied and beaten but he was not down for good. "You'd be right. I shouldn't trust you but at this point I should be glad my savior is here too just in case." He would try to say as he wanted to rest right then. "I..I ne..need t..to res..rest now." he was practically helpless as he just dozed off right then and there. He was sitting still so he would be partially awake as the heat from the fire helped ease his pain and allow him a short respite. 

(I am so sorry for taking so long! Also the post is a little short since I couldn't really think of much.)

[Circe]

You started a fire now you're burning up The idea of the young woman before Circe being this man's savior brought a humored smile to her usually straight lips. Though, the woman did look awfully like one of those healers in small villages. There was no hiding the malice in her smile from the witch. And from simply watching the two interact, this man placed quite a bit of faith in a stranger who helped him once, no doubt to serve her own purposes. What a fool. A fool who decides to fall unconscious in front of a wolf, no doubt did he deserve the wounds inflicted on him now. Looking back at the young woman, Circe contemplates her offer. "What benefit do I gain, joining you? I have my own motivations should I decide to approach this new King. He and I have quite similar experiences from the Zora. He'd no doubt be useful to ally with in the hopes of achieving my goals." she tells her, staring absently at her nails while she spoke. "As for turning myself over to these Heroes, I have no intentions of letting them get wind of me." Circe pauses for some time, contemplating what the woman has said, and then looking back at the human. Unconscious and bleeding he'd surely die in this forest without some help, and under that blood splattered armor looked to be quite the shining knight. "Tell me who he is, and why you saved him. I'll consider your offer more then."

Sappho @leon ### It's here, take it you vultures Coded by Rem

[Deleted]

SHING! CRASH! The sound of steel clashing against shields sent sparks flying into the air it seems a battle was unfolding in the woods not far from the trio. A band of horrifying skeletal warriors more commonly know as Stalfos had been alerted to an intruder and intended on making him join the ranks of the undead. A hooded figure stood in the distance staring down the leader of the skeletons whom was bashing his mace against his shield as if egging their enemy on, the rest of the pack joined in adding with a laugh that sounded like rattling bones. The figure in the cloak simply raised one hand signifying the bring it gesture, this enraged the head of the pack as the leader came barreling towards the hooded man. The unknown warrior stepped back as his foe started to swing his mace in a wild fury intending to knock the intruders head off, his flurry of blows was in vain as the hooded hero had avoided the entire attack. With a shadowed smirk under his hood the man stepped forward drawing a sword from his side, it was a long straight sword that looked to be the kind the knights at the castle used, it was nothing magical or special just standard steel.


Dashing towards the head of the pack the mysterious knight grasped the hilt with both hands slashing directly through the spine of the Stalfos chief, the monster howled out in pain before the man's boot came stomping down crushing his skull before the bony demon had a chance to pull himself together. The band of bony warriors grew anxious without their leaders presence to give them morale. The swordsmen walked forward boldly unafraid of the undead that stood before him, he rested his blade upon his shoulder holding out a hand as if beckoning them to come closer. Shaken by the man's unnerving arrogance the remaining Stalfos decided to flee leaving their leaders remains behind. With the conflict over he removed his hood revealing his well defined face bright, blonde hair and blue eyes.

He knelt down collecting the bones of his fallen foe and buried the remains placing the remaining mace and shield to mark the grave. Setting his sword aside he stood before the makeshift resting place and bowed his head uttering a quiet prayer for the departed. "Rest now weary warrior for you are at peace, your long battles are over and you have been freed from the thrall unnatural returns. I return your remains to the earth so your mortal body may rest while your soul ascends. May the goddess welcome with open arms." His voice was calm and kind as if a totally different man from the one who cleaved the monster in half with no remorse.

Setting his sword at his side he noticed three figures off in the distance they we're hard to make out but he decided it would be best to warn the strangers of the band of Stalfos wandering the woods. Heading over he held a welcoming smile waving in greeting. "I do not wish to disturb you three but there's a band of undead wandering these woods, So I'd advise caution if you are to continue forward. Feel free to refuse but if you are to venture deeper into the forest I'd be glad to accompany you to see you arrive safely at your destination." He adjusted a leather strap causing his cloak to rise revealing the symbol of the Royal Family detailed on his armor, pulling it back down he rested his hand upon the hilt of his blade lightly bowing his head to the strangers. 

[Sappho]

‘S

uch confidence from a child! I can respect that you understand your own strength, but I will warn you that you underestimate that of your foe’s and rely too much on the non-existent charity of those you assume to be allies. That Zora usurper knows no word such as ‘trust’ or ‘friend’, he has long since discarded those ideas. Once you make one single step in the wrong direction, purposefully or accidental,’ To articulate her point, she drew a pale finger across her throat, ‘You will never make another move again. If you deem that to be a necessary risk to take, than I will stop you no further, for I have no more warnings to give you.’

Sappho listened as Circe talked of the Heroes of Hyrule, noting her evident disdain of them, ‘That faction of the princess’ has many worthy souls, this young man most definitely among them. He showed the selflessness needed to rise beyond his limits, willing to sacrifice his own life for the people. I admire that courage, and believe it should be celebrated, and so I was encouraged to intervene and extend his life, even if it were by only a few more decades. Who knows what this man could do if given the time,’ Sappho glanced at the young man now sleeping from exhaustion, and smiled. Not a smile hiding some dark secret, but one filled with hope, ‘But it would certainly benefit this whole kingdom if he stayed alive.’

She was, however, cut short from her momentary peace of mind by the voice of a stranger nearing their encampment, delivering a warning to the three gathered in the middle of the woods. Turning round to the source of the voice, Sappho spied a rugged man dressed in the garb of a knight, with the mannerisms typical of one who followed the chivalrous code, and laughed at his suggestion that he might protect them from harm. ‘Sir knight, how do you propose you could help us? It is not as if we are but common folk, rather, it seems you have stumble across quite the collection of individuals here. Now sit down, sir knight, and relax. Nothing, I assure you, will be able to harm us here.’ As if answering her, a thin shimmering barrier extended from her hair and came to surround their encampment, a faint glow of gold tinting the scenery outside.

After guiding the knight to a seat, Sappho produced a porcelain teapot from within her satchel and placed it down on a nearby tree stump, before rummaging through her bag to retrieve some small leaves inside of a velvet pouch. ‘Ah, tea leaves from the Faron region. I’ve always found them to have this calming scent that just puts the mind at peace, I do hope it is to your liking.’ Having struck a match to heat the water, Sappho turned back to the knight. ‘So, sir knight, what do you wish to achieve in coming here, so deep in the woods?’

Such an interesting collection

by MIZO.❉ of ww

[Deleted]

Raven was rather taken aback by the woman with the parasol's answer and smiled replying honestly. "You'll have to forgive my assumption, I saw two fair maidens and what looked like a wounded warrior and my instincts to offer aid just took over." When offered a seat he didn't refuse and made himself comfortable at their campsite that he was unaware belonged to the Zora alone. His eyes shot wide open watching a glimmering golden barrier form around the area, this was a rare sight for Raven as most magic he was witness to was followed by evil wizards or monsters screaming DIE!!!!! He watched her boil the tea and a certain word she said made his skin crawl, trying to hide the sad look in his eyes. "The Faron region!?" He thought to himself running the words in through his mind over and over. Taking the teacup in both hands it warmed his leather gauntlets and the tips of his fingers. He raised the cup to his lips and blew on it slightly before taking a sip. "Thank you kindly for your hospitality, Milady. I must say it's rare I witness magic like this without being on the wrong end of it, it's a pleasant change mind you."

He chuckled before taking a deeper gulp maintaining his composure the entire time. "They say somewhere deep in these woods there sleeps a sword sealed in stone. Legend has it this sword was the ultimate tool tool for vanquishing evil and dark magic. You see I've come all the way out here because it's a family tradition that all first born males make a pilgrimage out to seek the sword. Once they find it they place a hand upon the hilt and try to claim it as their own. Now I don't expect to pull the sword from the stone, only one person in our family ever has. But my father, Hylia rest his soul always said it was a journey that builds character. I'm really out here for him. It was a journey I should have made back when I was a squire but I always felt lending my blade to those in need was more important than seeking some magical sword. No to me it's the hand that holds the blade that's the truly important part, my sword here has gotten me through thick and thin and she's just standard steel." He explained before offering a warm smile and asking of them in return. "May I inquire as to what you three are doing out so far in the woods? Will that gentleman back there be okay?" He asked finally settling into his place and relaxing.  

[Circe]

She Who Wields Fire

THEY CALL Me the witch, AND YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID

Circe didn't hide the ire that flashed in her golden eyes at the insinuation this woman had made against her. 'Friend' and 'trust' were words that the young witch didn't bother with. And to assume that she would be so careless as to trust the man who so casually ursurped such a powerful throne, was an insult. One she found difficult to swallow. "Allow me, to cease your worries then, I do not believe in trusting that King. But simply taking his side when the time is right, because should it come down. The two of us would no doubt slit each other's throats. Though I'd prefer to burn it from the inside should he even attempt such an action," despite her ire, Circe's words are calm, measured and level. She'd spent much time keeping a hold of her anger when it threatened to explode. The key to moving around people and staying just enough under the radar, was that level headedness. 

Disappointed with the thoughts of the woman on the young knight who had sat at their fire, Circe simply shrugs him off. Even as a Hero, there was no harm he could do to her now.

She is about to inquire further into this woman when the brush and trees around them rattle, sending her into a much more defensive stance. Feeling the heat of her fire not in the one burnin on the ground, but beneath her fingertips, dancing there as if waiting for release. Gold eyes scan the forest intently until the figure breaks their treeline and she stops herself from blasting a hole in his armor then and there. She spies the seal of the Royal Family and another cruel smile forms on her lips, two rather rugged looking knights in one day. Both working for an enemy, she was finding herself quite fortunate if she knew what the blonde one would do.

"At least you understand it is an intrustion." she tells him, not bothering to hide the bit of ice in her words. And to an onlooker, or perhaps the others around her, her small campire seemed to rise a bit more agitated and not with the wind. "Do believe me, we are quite capable of taking care of ourselves." that time, her voice is more even, tempered and back to an eloquent disguise.

Circe watches the barrier the young woman sets up, studying it for any signs of weakness. The Zora Witch could still feel her magic, and her fire had not been snuffed out, so it did not seem to stop magic from the inside. How fortunate, Circe thought to herself as she watches the two make themselves comfortable with tea. She herself sits rather close to her fire, gold eyes watching them.

"You seek yourself quite the prize, even if the trip is pointless."

WORDS: || TAGGED:Sappho @sirraven || MUSIC || NOTES:here you are, sorry i took so long

Table by Nightwing™

[Sappho]

A

t the mention of a ‘magical sword’, Sappho’s eyes narrowed while looking at the contents of the teapot, the green hues of the leaves seeping out into the clear water, her interest clearly piqued by this knight’s story. ‘In all of my time serving the Goddesses at the castle,’ Sappho pondered in his words, ‘There was only one tale I know that matches that. Of course, every child in the kingdom, nay, the Isle knows of its existence as the weapon of the Hero of Legend… But how does he know of its location? That is a secret passed down by the Royal Family to each new ruler, only those who work in the palace could try to discover its resting place. Yet, he knows?’
Even as she thought on that, almost as if a direct answer to her question, he uttered a single phrase that changed her perspective of this knight. ‘Sir knight, ‘a family tradition’, you say that this journey is? What dreadful blood runs through your veins, if you must be descended Hylia’s chosen. I suppose you must be searching for the Sword of Evil’s Bane that is told of in legend, the one that supposedly lifted the veil of Twilight, sir knight? You are too late. There is no such way that you could ever take possession of it. Your instincts are correct, remain with that rusty blade, for a new vessel for the Hero’s Spirit has been chosen and taken the sword that you seek. A sad thing, but your family tradition ends here.’

Time to return to my roots. Hehehe.... 

by MIZO.❉ of ww

[Deleted]

Sensing the Zora's hostility along with the new information he'd received about the Mater Sword, Raven decided it'd be in his best interests to leave with haste. He stood bowing his head in thanks for the tea and gently place the cup back in Sappho's hands. "Ohhhh.....If that's the case I have urgent matters to attend to in place of chasing fairy tales out in these woods. Thank you kindly for the tea and information good lady. I prey a speedy recovery to your friend and safe travels to the three of you." With that the stunned Knight wrapped his cloak around his armor and walked through the magical barrier off into the trees, eventually vanishing from sight.

(Sorry for the hasty exit but I'm bowing out. I left in such a way the thread can surely continue without much interruption, can be played up as shock or something. Was fun while it lasted, hope the rest of thread is enjoyable.)