[center][h2]Hyrule Castle City, Inner Wall District[/h2] [h3]Morning[/h3][/center] There was a jubilant energy in the air in Hyrule Castle City. Even in the wake of recent murders, many people still go on about their daily lives, making the best they can. The Inner Wall District kept it's cobblestone streets clean as guards patrolled every corner, but there was a smile on their faces, not a glum and gloomy enforcer of the law. Here, it seemed everyone was friends. However this atmosphere in the city was not the result of a utopian society of any kind, today was an annual event that Hylians, Gorons, Zoras, Rito and Gerudo and even marginalized minorities of the kingdom enjoyed, because it was the one even where despite any background, only one thing mattered. Martial skill. It was time for the annual Hyrule Kingdom Combat Tournament, to determine who was the best warrior in the land that year. The banners strung up all over the Inner Wall District as well as food stalls set up were tells that this event was no mere tournament to those who would not participate. It was a festival. One where people can come together and make merry over food and drink and entertainment. There was a line of people signing up for the tournament this fine morning, it seems throughout until lunch, they were going to run rapid eliminations to narrow down contestants for the main events between the best out of the selection. There seemed to be a lot of promising contestants this year, among them was a Goron, strapped to his hands is what appeared to be nothing but scrap, a Gerudo in black dancer gear with a giant scimitar strapped to her back, a towering man, based on his attire and weapon, he was a Highlander, and finally a Rito warrior, he had a bow strapped to his back, and a short sword at his side. Meanwhile not far from there... The Guard Outpost in the square, the largest in the city had a few guards being dispatched, as soon as another set had returned, they were dispatched again immediately. It seems they were a bit more antsy they usual... [i]"Ugh... Of all the times for us to get busy... I just wanna watch and enjoy the tournament"[/i], [b]"Yeah, but that smuggling ring's definitely going to take advantage of these crowds. We can't let illegal goods circulate freely, the stuff's banned for a reason you know",[/b] [i]"Y-yeah I know, gotcha captain... But still..."[/i], [b]"Yeah I know, but if the day goes well we're getting a bonus, so that means we go drinking tonight eh?"[/b] [i]"Well that makes me feel a bit better... Well, I guess I'll head out then",[/i] the guards waved goodbye as the patrol went on their way. The Captain though was looking at the sheets, between the guards needed at the murder site and the increased patrol in the square, they were still short on hands... In fact if they weren't so occupied, some extra hands to go on the offensive on the smuggling ring would be great too... [b]"Ugh... If only...",[/b] he sighed. [hr] [center][h2]Inner Wall District, Cordoned House[/h2][/center] [color=00a651]"The exact same patterns, and method too, the wounds match the weapon type, a crude bladed weapon. Missing organs, and... Very clean, not a lot of blood, meaning two things. Victim was not awake at time, and whoever did the deep, despite the crude cuts, is very careful..."[/color], the golden haired and green garbed knight standing in the mostly untouched bedroom, stood over a corpse he was just describing. Like the others, a young woman also, but he chose not to note that as it was normal. [color=00a651]"Autopsy from the Fountain Knight Scholars tells me this is all related to a dark ritual... Hmmmmm..."[/color], Linwood was always a rather proactive individual, but he was a bit stumped on what to do here. He had some leads to follow, but duties at the castle called for him, it wasn't something he could simply ignore either, it was an order from the King himself. Which was why he was waiting here. He got some people assigned and believed it would be quicker to brief them once they got here. [color=00a651]"I hope they come soon... The King is friendly, but I shouldn't stretch his patience..."[/color], he sighed. [hr] [center][h2]Lon Lon Ranch[/h2] [h3]Morning[/h3][/center] [color=red]"Okay Ingo, I will send you the supplies as needed. It's been good you could visit us"[/color], the hefty man in the rancher attire was speaking to what appeared to be his opposite, a lanky rancher that towered over him, but not quite the width. He was identified as Ingo. The two stood outside the Lon Lon Ranch's residence house which belonged to Talon and his daughter, the fields on this elevated plot of land were rich, the horses galloped happily on the grass, and some part timers were tending to some of the horses too. There were even some knights here looking to obtain their first horse it seemed. [color=green]"Hmph. Of course Talon, I'll make the Akkala branch even greater than this one, mark my words, the horses found in Faron are some of the finest"[/color], he had lofty ideals, but one could not help there was more he wanted to say about this matter. [color=green]"Also, good luck finding that horse thief of yours. I swear I looked at the stables too as you asked, and there was not a single clue of any break in... Almost as if they'd just disappeared"[/color], it had to have been either someone incredibly skilled, or magic. Regardless, after farewells, Ingo was on his way. Soon as he left, the door to the residence opened, walking out was a young beauty, Talon's daughter Malon. [color=orange]"Oh was that Ingo?"[/color], [color=red]"Yes it was. He needed some supplies for repairing fences and building more facilities"[/color], [color=orange]"That's the third time he's requisitioned extra supplies though... It must be the highlanders over in Akkala isn't it...? Oh well, no matter... I'll be going to the stable. I'm sure I'll find something on the missing horses there"[/color], she seemed quite sure of herself. Even though there was no visual evidence, she was still quite confident... Woman's intuition? Well regardless, Talon had a busy day ahead. [hr] [center][h2]Ordon Village[/h2] [h3]Morning[/h3][/center] [color=598527]"H-hey! Quit it! I'm trapped up here with you too you know!"[/color] [i][color=39b54a]"Well maybe if you weren't such a spineless knight you wouldn't be up here too!"[/color][/i] [color=598527]"W-well! I'm just not good with dogs. That's all! Anything else I'm fine, be it dodongo, moblin or- Gah!"[/color], the green garbed knight flinched as one of the wolves jumped a bit higher than he expected. Right beside him was a Korok also shivering and holding onto him for dear life. It seems they were in a bit of a tight situation... [color=598527]"Ah geez, I shouldn't have made camp... But everyone in Ordon is a little suspicious of me"[/color], [i][color=39b54a]"I mean to be fair you were here for a very long time, that alone is suspiciouooouuusususs! N-nevermind that's none of my business. Someone help!"[/color][/i], the Korok stuttered and halted it's reprimand as another wolf leaped just a few inches too close.