Somewhat nervously, Kuno Jr. was walking through the corridors of the castle's basement. Every now and then, he looked around as if he was someone who was doing something wrong.
'It is for the good of the kingdom,' he continued to tell himself. 'I'm just following the king's interests. Lord Ganondorf would never betray us.'
Well, maybe his fool of a father would intervene, would he learn of what his son was up to right now, so a little alertness was advisable.
Then he approached the door to the treasure rooms, a complex of chambers and corridors underneath Hyrule Castle, each chamber containing a different kind of royal treasure. Every single treasure chest and artifact was protected by some trap, magical spell or some other means of protection.
As a high-ranking member of the royal guard, Kuno knew about most of those mechanisms, but there were still some rooms that had a very special protection, as the treasures inside were the most precious of the whole kingdom.
So was the Ocarina of Time.
Turning around the corner, Kuno brushed his insecurity aside and took on a regal posture, as he approached the two guards that were flanking the main entrance to the treasure rooms.
They both sprang to attention. "Lieutenant Kuno! What brings you down here today?"
While Kuno's rank wasn't that high, every soldier still respected him as a high member of nobility... the chancellor was his father, after all.
"I'm on a mission," Kuno simply stated. "Keep up your good work."
"Sir!" They saluted.
Just as Kuno was going to enter the door, a cool voice stopped him:
"My, my... Kuno-baby, what brings you down here?"
Kuno tried his best not to snarl while turning around. "Nabiki Tendo..."
"Oh, you remember my name," the middle of the Sheikah sisters mocked. "I'm so flattered... Now, I haven't seen you for a while. Whatever business could you have in the treasure rooms?"
"I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you," he snapped. "But I could ask you the same."
"Well, there's a pretty good reason for that, Kuno..." Nabiki interjected. "I'm on guard duty."
The nobleman stared. "YOU??"
"Well, yes. I don't want to bore you with all the details, so let's just say my mother and I had a little... disagreement, and so she assigned me to guard duty to - as she put it - 'better learn to attend to my duties as a royal servant.'"
"Indeed, you are a servant," Kuno grumbled darkly. "And as such, you have no rights to stop a member of nobilityike myself... Now, begone!"
Having said that, he believed the matter to be over and turned around to continue on his way.
But Nabiki wouldn't cave in just like that. "Not so fast, Kuno... You want me to talk to your father?"
This time the lieutenant DID snarl. "That... that was..."
Nabiki smirked. "Below the belt, I know. But still, I have to do my job, right? Now, what were you here for again?"
Tatewaki was torn. On the one hand, he quickly wanted to accomplish his task. On the other hand, he didn't want his father to suspect anything.
"I'm... on a secret mission."
"Oh? What kind of mission?"
"I can't tell you."
"Oh, really now? Maybe you forgot the 'guarding paragraph' number 36? 'Every person that enters the castle's treasure rooms, may it be servant or a member of the royal family, has to be accompanied by at least one guard. If anyone refuses to be accompanied, he or she may be denied access to the vault anytime, as he'she's likely to be a spy in dusguise.'"
Kuno cursed inwardly. 'Damn that Tendo brat and her smug manners.' But she was right, he had to follow the protocol, or else he would attract attention.
"Fine..." he grumbled. He gestured at the left soldier standing in front of the entrance. "Soldier, you accompany me."
"If I may..." the Sheikah girl interjected yet AGAIN. "I'd prefer to come with you myself... we wouldn't want to bother those guys because of such a trivial matter, right?"
"Why you..."
"My, whatever got you upset, Kuno? Was it something I said?"
Kuno tried to compose himself. 'Patience, Tatewaki, patience... as soon as Lord Ganondorf manages to show His Majesty the truth behind those back-stabbing Sheikah's plots...'
He forced himself to a sneer and even managed to do a mocking bow. "Well then... ladies first!"
Nabiki smiled. "Why, thank you, my lord!"
And while the duo was heading towards the chamber of the Ocarina of Time, Kuno could only seethe with fury.
'Damn, how am I going to take the Ocarina from its pedestal as long as that girl is watching me? Just you wait, Nabiki Tendo! You will be the first traitor to taste the wrath of the Blue Thunder!'
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(Posted Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:36)
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