*Syndellius Start*

The faint melody of the bard's lute could be heard across the Inn, which was an achievement considering how many travelers and locals were talking at once. It would perhaps make one ask himself how those persons can hear themselves talking.

But Syndellius had come a long way from that point. He'd grown used to the small town chatter of the Ordonians and the mildly interesting tales of the travelers. Sometimes one would come up with something worth listening, but often those tales were blurted out by those who drank a little more than they should. At least in here he knew what was happening in the other parts of the country.

The inn owner would never have expected this to be his life, but he barely found himself bothered by that idea. It was a simple life, free from worries. And the times were times of peace, so there was not much to worry. However, in between the songs, the idle chatter and the stories, rumors of shadows were whispered. Was evil rising again?

It didn't matter to him, what mattered was being paid for supplying food, drink and a place to sleep in for the night. And of course, he was very much intolerant to any sort of bar fight. In the first years, it had been a weekly to daily problem, but with time, Syndellius managed to establish order in his inn.

This day had been quite a busy one for him, he hadn't seen the inn so full in a few months. Oh well, it was probably a seasonal trend. Some chose the forest roads over the mountain roads in the winter, to avoid the cold. And when summer came, the inn would go back to a more calm environment.

Syndellius had finished storing the firewood in the stock room, and headed to the bar to serve the drinks and clean up the mess that the counter quickly became in just a few hours after opening the bar. Some of the travelers looked at the man as he got to his work station behind the counter. Some watched him in silence, for they knew well Syndellius. However, those who were passing by for the first time sometimes shouted at him for making them wait so long for a drink. And that happened every day in that time of the year.

"Hey, Cinderella, took you that long to get up from yer beauty sleep? I've been waitin' since mornin' for a blasted beer!"

Syndellius looked at the one who was complaining this early in the morning. He gave the man a cold stare, his blue eyes seemed to pierce into his soul, sending shivers down the man's spine. Or so the silly local rumors said, after all, Syndellius was known for being rather cold when provoked.

"You don't like the way I run this bar? You can leave. The door's right there, just don't expect to be let in anytime soon." He said in a slightly harsh tone, though his facial expression remained unchanged.

The man got up and left, cursing to himself, and slamming the door, probably as an attempt to get some attention.

Syndellius ignored that and began serving the beverages to those customers who actually knew how to wait. From the amount of people in the bar, he could tell it was going to be a long day of work...

However, the inn owner had been smart enough to follow the advice of one of the locals, and so he hired someone to help him keep the inn running. It was a polite young girl from Ordon. Her name was Michelle, and so far she had shown great enthusiasm in her work, so he didn't mind the extra company. It had been little over two years since she had begun working at Riverbend, and yet she didn't lose the spark in her eye when coming every day to work.

Syndellius envied a bit that spark. In fact, sometimes he'd avoid her stare...there was something in that stare, that determined stare, that made the inn owner have to avoid talking to the girl for a few days.

That always puzzled Michelle, but Syndellius had always been nice to her, so she didn't bother to ask his weird way of acting sometimes. She surprised him as she showed up in the bar already carrying a tray full of beer mugs and began serving the thirsty patrons.

"I see someone is up early today, Michelle. Wanting a raise?" Syndellius said behind the counter, joking a bit to forget of the little unpleasant event that happened so early in the morning.

The girl laughed a bit. "Don't be silly, Mr. Silversong...you know I barely work here for the pay. I got nothing to do back in Ordon..."

"...So you come here to wear yourself out with countless days of serving travelers? Riiiight. You're a bit crazy, anyone told you that?" He smiled a bit, it was good to know he had someone around that he could actually have a nice conversation with everyday.

"Now, is that so? And settling down here and building an inn after traveling the world and getting to hear all the sorts of stories sounds any saner?" She said as she went back behind the counter to grab more beer.

He chuckled. "Touché."

*Start with Cecillia*

The door into the inn opened slowly, a few seconds passed and no one walked inside. Then a young girl stepped in, she was dressed in a simple green dress and her golden curls was falling down around her neck and shoulders like a waterfall. She also had a brown cloak thrown over her slender shoulders and it was tied together with a small decorative flower jewelry. She was holding a broom in her left hand and a small scroll in the other.

Cecillia sighed softly and brushed some dirty of her skirt before looking around at the people present, she avoided to really talk with anyone. Mainly because most people made her nervous for one reason or another, or in case she did not become nervous...they became nervous about her. The young witch casually walked over to the bar and watched the people behind it, she then made a small couch to get there attention. "Excuse me" she commented slowly.

Syndellius looked over at the girl that came in, after all, he had to be aware of every person that got in and out of the building, else one could easily steal from him. "Welcome to Riverbend Inn how may I serve you?" He asked casually, whilst he cleaned up a cup.

In the meantime, Michelle went back to serving beer to the patrons.

Cecillia listened to his words, then she slowly opened the scroll and handed it over to the man. "My grandmother asked me to get these things for her" she explained slowly, then she gave the inn a small glance before she looked to the owner again.

Syndellius put the cup aside and approached the girl on the other side of the counter. He grabbed the scroll and unfolded it. He read carefully, then put the scroll back on the counter. "We might as well have those..." He unlocked a door behind the counter that led to the stock room.

A few moments later, Syndellius had a basket with everything in the list. He placed it on the counter near the girl and looked at her. "There you go...everything you need. That will be forty rupees." He then grabbed the cup again and kept cleaning it. "...just be careful with that sulfur...even more experienced alchemists can kill themselves by mixing it with the wrong components."

He could say that as Syndellius, but deep inside, He knew that the girl had been someone with magical affinity all along, but an inn keeper shouldn't know those things...and he didn't want to create more rumors...

The girl waited patiently for the man to return with the things from the list, she also picked out a small bag with rupees from inside of her cloak and began to make sure that her gradmother had given her enough money to buy these things. Her blue eyes looked to the owner when he came out with the basket with things, she smiled and began to pick out the money.

She blinked a few times when the man commented the sulfur, then she nodded slowly. "Grandmother knows what she is doing sir, there wont be any problems" she assured softly, the girl then picked up the basket and made sure that she had everything. As all was set she did not see much more reason to stay there any longer. Cecillias was just about to turn around when she accidently dropped the broom and with a small sound it was gone. Or...it would seem gone, but in fact it was right then stuck against the ceiling inside of the room. Cecillia looked around and then she looked to the broom. "not now, I do not have time to..." she whispered and tried to remember the words to get the broom down again. It seemed like none of the other guests had noticed this little incident.

"Very well then..." Syndellius looked around as the girl found a way to get her broom stuck in the ceiling. "So..." He said as he walked out from behind the counter and next to the girl. "...you're not who you appear to be." He said in a low voice tone, which was drowned by the talk in the bar, so only Cecillia and Syndellius could actually hear. "Do not worry, though...I am not as superstitious as the local folk...just don't raise suspicions around here..."

Cecillia glanced to the man when he came out from the counter, she swallowed a little and looked up at the broom. She took a deep breath of air before she whispered something, the broom feel down from the ceilling, the witch was able to catch it before it hit the floor. The girl then looked around, but it seemed as if most people was busy with there own things to look at them right then.

"I am just as I appear to be sir, I do not try to hide who I am" she stated slowly as a reply to his words, after all she did not like the fact that she had to hide what she really was. "People have no right to be superstitious, I am as much a normal person as anyone in this room" she added after a small silence.

"I absolutely understand, but I don't know if people around here are so used to seeing magic everyday." Syndellius said, going back to the counter. "Have a nice day" he said as he went back to his work.

Cecillia did not say anything more, she just nodded a little before slowly walking towards the doors out from the inn. She was happy that no one had noticed what she was in there, it could have turned out dangerous and she did not want to have to harm anyone to get away from them.

*to the Faron woods*

The low sound of high heels against wood was heard as someone was walking down from the inn's second floor. A few moments later a lady dressed in a simple crimson red dress arrived to the first floor, her eyes looked around for a few moments before she crossed though the building on her way to the counter. "Hello handsome" she told and gave her husband a small kiss on the cheek, then she sighed and looked around the room at the quests.

"Good morning to you, Ms. Silversong." Syndellius replied with a playful smile. "I see someone was having her beauty sleep until now, but your preception is still as fine as ever." He added, having some fun with the handsome comment. He took a little break from work and sat on a bench on the other side of the counter, and looked at his wife. "So, is anything worrying you?" He said as he grabbed a glass of water for himself over the counter and started to drink.

Alicia frowned and then she sighed a little before she shook her head, she watched the husband when he sat down on the bench. "For your information mister I was not sleeping, I did some needlework" she explained and walked over to the bar and made herself a small cup with hearbal tea. She sipped on it for a few seconds before she sat down on the bench next to her husband. "Worrying me? No I just had a weird feeling and thought I would go down and see if something was wrong down here" she replied casually and looked around the area a few more seconds. "But everything seems calm over here, must have been my imagination"

Syndellius nodded. "Ok. Everything is fine. A mundane and common day like any other." He put the glass of water aside and rested his arms on the counter. "A common life. A human life. No thrills or risks, no adventures to be told in tales. Yes, Alicia, there is nothing to worry in this common day." He said with a monotone voice. "But why would it matter...it will all become dust one way or another. Time doesn't pick social classes or size..."

The lady watched her husband, then she sighed softly. She examined the cup with tea in her hand for a few seconds and then she looked at her husband once more. "For a reason I get the feeling that it is not what you want" she commented slowly and drank some more of her tea, she did not say anything and then she smiled a little. "Times changes, it is nothing we can do." she added after a small pause.

Syndellius sighed. "This life is the life I, Syndellius, want. The one who wants something else is him, and we both know he's dead." He got up and walked back to his work station. He wanted to forget the subject, so the man decided to change it. "Anyway...it is a lovely time of the year, isn't it. I've always liked the winter."

Alicia shrugged her shoulders slightly at the husbands words, she did not feel like pushing the subject further. Times changed and there was nothing they could do but change with it, the age of there time in the light was over, maybe it was going to return one day. But that was not now, but she could see that the husband was not really being honest about his words. No he wanted the old times back.

She did not seem to hear his words about the winter and in general the woman was thinking about her own things right then. The lady blinked a few times as she noticed that her husband was waiting for a reply to a question she had not heard at all. "well I am not sure, maybe" she replied.

It was then, as the Inn owner and his wife talked, that a most unusual group entered the inn. They were men clad in light armor, and symbols of Nayru were displayed on their chestplates, shields and weaponry. A tall man in white robes stood out in their midst. He had a most unusual long white mask, and carried a large locked book with him.

The man in white robes walked towards the counter, and the others followed him in a tight protective formation. That drew some attention from the customers, who started to whisper between themselves, wondering who they could be.

"A good morning to you, respectable inn owner." The man said.

Syndellius looked at him, a bit bothered by the fact he simply walked in with his soldiers like he owned the place. "Good morning, sir. May I ask why you and your followers stopped at my humble inn this early in the morning?"

"Ah, yes. I am sorry for simply coming in in such a rude manner. I am Father Tralian, one of the founders of the Temple of Nayru in Kakariko Village. I have come here for two reasons. First...I'd like to know if you've seen a templar like these escorting me, but with a unique set of armor, though he does bear the symbol of Nayru. He answers to the name Samuel, he probably passed by rushing back to Hyrule."

The inn keeper was quickly growing tired of the man's overpoliteness. Memories of...Dragonheart passed his mind, making him look away from the templar leader. "Well, I'm afraid I haven't seen nor heard his name before, Father."

Alicia glanced to the group with men as they walked into the building, she did not say anything and continued with her own job to casually dust of a few of the shelves behind the counter. She could hear the little conversation and found these men to be very silly, not that she had ever liked paladins or templars. They where all idiots in her oppinion, but of course still useful idiots at times. Samuel? The lady did not remember she had seen any templars in this part of the forest for a few weeks now, but she did not bother to talk to them.

But to be honest the enchantress was starting to find this interesting, maybe she could get some juicy information if she listened to them as they talked? Alicia slowly moved over to making sure the bottles with drinks was not empty.

"Oh, I understand. So, he hasn't come here yet." He turned and looked at one of his followers. "Go. Find Samuel...now." He added with a harsh, slightly angered tone, which made the templar leave after Samuel without questioning his orders. He then looked back at Syndellius. "Ah, yes. Before I go...there is another thing I must warn you about, Mr. Silversong. As I arrived in this region...me and other templars could not help but to notice...it seems that evil lurks in here. Some speak of a shadow arising in this land, but in this province, as I came here...I smelled dark magic in the air." He put a hand on Syndellius' shoulder, and closed in to ask something to the man. "So, since you're a well informed man...do you know where might be the source of that?"

Syndellius didn't feel much of a difference when the man touched his shoulder. But he knew light magic was being used. For some reason, this man was trying to touch him with such magic energy. However, Syndellius had been in this form for so long that he didn't have the slightest trace of dark energy, especially since he could not cast it. "I'm afraid I do not know, Mr. Tralian. I'm a humble inn keeper, why would I know the location of sources of dark magic?"

Father Tralian let go of Syndellius. "Of course, that would be preposterous..." He said in a friendly tone, disguising a bit of his disappointment. He then looked at Alicia. "As for you, Miss...have you seen anything...unusual lately?"

Alicia was not surprised when the man turned to ask her for something, she found it to be rather interesting. The lady looked to the templar and smiled a little in a friendly manner. "We get all kinds of quests here kind sir, unusual is a very big word. We had a man with one arm and a leg missin the other day and another a young Kokiri that came and told me he was going to buy a cow for the village of his, you need to ask more specific if you wish for a good reply" she glanced to the husband and then back to the man. "But no nothing out of the normal apart from you gentlemen, not often we have had templars here."

"Hmph. Very well." Father Tralian said, apparently even more displeased. "It seems you don't know or won't tell...but I'll find out which soon. If you're just a normal Inn Owner, you won't mind me and my templars to stay here for a while and cast a ward upon your inn."

"I would mind very much, Mr. After all, who gives you the power and authority to claim this place and do with it whatever you wish?" Syndellius asked, also getting annoyed.

"Well...it seems someone has secrets to hide here...and Mr. Silversong...one way or another, we are going to find those secrets." Father Tralian said, dropping the formalities.

"Heh, you templars are no tougher than the drunk travelers I see in my inn every day. If you want to pick a fight, you've got one. Guards!" As soon as Syndellius called for them, the guards started to form a circle around the templars and Tralian. They were normal persons the inn owner had hired when he foresaw a situation like that. "I suggest you leave..." He added.

"Very well, I know when I'm defeated, Mr. Silversong. But, we'll be back if we find out that the source of shadow energy is emanating from this place. And mind you...you won't have enough guards for all of us."

Alicia watched the events as they happened, she did nothing at all to break in and was just happy to be standing to the side watching. The woman slowly picked up a glass and moved her fingers across the surface as her eyes moved from the husband to the templars. My this man sure was a little hot on the mind for being a templar, she had always imagined them to be calm and gentle.

"Such rudeness" she commented and used a serious face. "It would seem as if the nobility of the templars have been lost if you use such language in a place filled with innocent people having a drink" she scorned the templar leader and sighed. "To threat a simple inn owner like he was some kind of criminal, if you have nothing nice to say then leave" she seemed serious when she added the last words.

"I shall take my leave, Ms. Silversong. But I assure you we will be back." And in a white flash of light, Tralian and the templars disappeared. The guards were surprised at first but then they went back to their posts.


Syndellius sighed in relief. "That was close, D-- Alicia." he chuckled and grinned. "Just like in the old times..." He shook his head. "I mean...hmph. Good riddance. Now back to work. We don't want him around anymore." Syndellius said as he started to collect the empty beer mugs from the counter. For some, they'd think the man was referring to Tralian when he said him...but Alicia knew him better.

The flash of light forced Alicia to casually protect her eyes with the arm, then she sighed and shook her head a little. "They speak about abuse of magic, wonder what one would call that exit?" she commented, this actually created a small series of laughes from the people close to the bar that had listened to the little meeting. Alicia smiled as she liked when people found her words funny, because that was the idea with what she said.

The lady then listened to her husband when he was speaking, she did not say anything about his words and just returned the glass she was holding to the shelf. "I wonder what they will do? I sure do not want those templars running around in this building with there silly ignorance" she commented and did sound slightly irritated.

"Don't worry...they won't be back so soon. I just have to do one thing." Syndellius turned and headed to the stock room behind the counter. He then opened a hidden door built into a large barrel and entered. It lead to his bedroom's closet.

He then sighed. "I can't believe that those templars would be the ones to make me do this..." He took off an amulet he had around his neck and placed it in a small hole in the room's stone wall. 'Open' he then said in a language he hadn't spoken in ages.

The stone wall lowered, revealing a spiral staircase going down.

Syndellius sighed before taking the next step, and then entered.

*to the Inn's Underground*

Alicia followed her husband with the eyes, she knew what he was doing. The lady slowly walked with him into the small room and closed the door, then she examined what he was doing. She did not say anything and just watched in silence as the door opened and after that how the husband walked down the stairs.

The woman sighed and then she walked after Syndellius down the stairs. Making sure to close the opening behind her, she was not sure this would end all to well.

*To the inn's underground*

*From Outside the Inn*
Byrne entered the inn. Immediately he went to the counter, but found no one there. Too early. Good and bad all at once. Cautiously, the Lokomo gazed around the inn, looking for any signs of a Force Gem. Nothing so far... With his basic search done, he focused on the task at hand once more. He tapped the bell at the counter, hoping to see someone come.

A man wearing crimson clothes and hat with a white feather appeared not too long after Byrne rung the bell, coming right from the bar. It appeared to be Syndellius Silversong.

"Good afternoon to you, sir. Welcome to Riverbend Inn. Do you wish to rent a room for the day? We've lowered rent prices to ten rupees a day for the rest of the season." He asked casually. "If not, the bar is on the right, I recommend our homebrewed beer." He said, pointing towards the bar entrance.

So this Syndellius fellow was here after all. They were just in luck then. "I was wondering what the price for food and water for a horse would be." he informed Silversong. He'd go into the bar after the question was answered to find the price of food and water.

Syndellius nodded. "The stable service costs five ruppees a day, food and water included, this is also a season discount. Anything else you may need?" He said, writing down something in his log book. "By the way, your name sir, so I may register you here and keep track of the services you've requested during your stay."

What a lucky break. Five rupees was far cheaper than Castle Town. His stern gaze watched Syndellius carefully, examining the man. Just what sort of man he was... "Staven. For now, the only other thing my companion, Cody Hillbrand, and I need is food and water to refresh ourselves." the Lokomo replied shortly.

"Very well, Mr. Staven. If you and your companion need food and water, do go to the bar. The waitress, Michelle, will be with you shortly. Enjoy your stay." He finished up writing everything in the book and closed it, then put it away inside one of the counter's drawers.

After that, Syndellius headed towards the bar and went to the counter to help Michelle by preparing the drinks.

Pling-e-ling!
The entrance door opened carefully with the shimmering bell ringing the visitor welcome. Cody went into the lobby with careful steps and tried to recognize the area. They hadn't done much changes here for the past 5 years. Or maybe they had. He couldn't remember that well.
He saw a man walk away around the corner. Maybe Syndellius? Oh, and there was Staven.
"Oh, hey, mr. Staven. Did it go well?", he asked while approaching him.
He looked over Staven's shoulder and spotted the waitress known as Michelle. Her long, red hair was enchanting to the beholder's eyes and her cheerful demeanor was entrancing. Who was she?

The man took a blue rupee from his wallet and placed it on the counter. At the sound of the door, he looked around to see Hillbrand coming in. Staven nodded. "Indeed. We're lucky. It seems they're running discounts for now, so it's cheaper. The food and drink will be at the bar." He indicated the room around the corner.

He glanced at the one called Michelle as he walked into the bar. Even he had to admit, she was nice looking. But he reminded himself of his business here and put the thought out of his mind. Instead, he quietly sat at a table.

Syndellius picked up the rupees and put them away, then went back to work.

Michelle smiled as the two gentlemen sat in the table. "Good afternoon to you, I'm your waitress, Michelle. What do you want to order? I recommend the shrimp and octorok special, we've just got them fresh from the sea, they arrived earlier today." She took out a small piece of paper and was ready to write down their order.

----

*from the Outside*

A black knight got in and went right to the bar, and sat in a table next to the counter, since a stool would clearly not withstand the weight of his armor. He looked over at Syndellius and asked for a large beer, with some ordonian goat meat. He looked around silently, trying to make it seem like he hadn't been to the place before.

Syndellius nodded and went to the kitchen to place the order. Then he filled a mug with beer and put it on the stranger's table.

Oh, it seems Staven had taken the liberty to order some food. Hmm... It would soon be noon. Good timing.
The rancher followed his friend and shared a seat by that table. He could hear some noises coming from outside and realized the rushing hours were about to come, probably for lunch. But then his attention was immediately stolen when their waitress spoke. Her voice was that of an angel, holding a cute voice filled with innocent yet presence. She knew how to reach into people's heart, and probably exploit it for business gain.
Not that Cody was thinking on this or anything.
"Oh, hi. We, uuhm...", he spat out and felt a bit nervous. He looked at Staven's direction, who was sitting there playing calmly and cool. Would he or him make the order? Wasn't he the older of them two? No, wait, what was he thinking? Now's the time to act like a real man. Yeah!
"We'll take that. Two, please", Cody said, trying to use his most macho voice he could muster, which didn't sound that impressive. At all.
"And...".
The boy scratched his head. What did Staven like to drink? Maybe he had same taste as his dad?
"...One brown ale, and a mild ale for me."
Hope he didn't screw up now.

Michelle giggled at Cody's nervous reaction, but wrote down their order. "Two shrimp and octorok dishes and two ales, one mild and the other brown. Got it. The meal will be ready in half and hour or so." She then happily walked to the kitchen humming a song to herself.

The black knight hadn't touched his drink yet. He seemed to be waiting for someone or something. But mostly, he seemed to be waiting for his meal.

Byrne's golden gaze followed the black armored man when he entered the bar. The man looked slightly familiar...

Distractedly, Staven shifted in his seat and didn't seem to notice when the waitress came to get their order. Lucky for him, Cody took control of the ordering, even if it was unprofessionally. Distantly, from the direction of the kitchen, he heard the sound of the food being cooked. He needed to distract himself from whatever was bothering him.

Byrne leaned back, letting his tight muscles loosen up. "Have you been working at that trading post your whole life?"

The boy let out a sigh of relief. This was too intense. He could see Staven's look telling him disappointment. Crud...
But it seems he didn't care and went ahead to be more social. Cody listened.
"T-trade post?", he said with a stuttering voice. Oh yeah, that's right, that man was there looking for that jewel. Now he remembered.
"Oh, right! Well... I don't actually work there, officially...", he said. "I was... How do I put this?... I was more of a delivery boy. I mostly ran around, helping my friends stock up on goods, and-..."
That's right... He will never see those friends again...
He lowered his head. The lad's words got cut off, seemingly by something internal. His face revealed inner turmoil and sadness. But not wanting to talk about his dramatic problems to a somewhat stranger, Cody faked out a smile and proceeded, raising his head back up.
"...And that was it at the trading post. My true job was with my father. I helped him raise our goats, put them out to pasture, and tackle the little noisier ones. I also did some farming to help out our neighbours, as well as made some errands to the castle town."
Cody put a tired arm onto the table. He rested his head on his hand and looked troubled.
"The castle town is always so lively, but hostile. I hate how they always cause so much trouble for themselves. I got myself into some trouble. But... It was to help. I'd never start a fight. I hate violence..."
He began wondering what Syndellius would show him, and suspected it would be some kind of violence training. He wasn't really looking forward to this. He knew how to defend himself pretty well already but that's that. He was not really the hero type to slay beasts and save maidens. Well, perhaps solely on the saving part.
"Heh heh heh... I don't have much more interesting about me", he then said with a casual voice and scratched his neck. Then he got a curious look. "How about you? You're a townspeople-type, aren't you? What do you do for a living? Do you have any families or friends there waiting for you?"