Link ducked as his opponent's staff screamed over his head, the polished wood passing centimeters from his scalp. He dropped to one knee, then twisted on his palm and lunged to the left. Grass and dirt exploded upwards as his enemies staff crashed into the ground where he had been kneeling seconds ago, and Link whirled to his feet, battle staff gripped defensively in front of him. "Well done Link." Rauru noted from his position several feet away. "Good work staying on your feet and moving quickly." Link nodded without taking his eyes off of his opponent. Teba grinned back at him, raising his own rod to circle Link. "Almost had you there." He said. "Almost." Link agreed. The Rito chuckled. "Ok, take-two." He rushed forwards in a flurry of feathers, whipping his staff at Link's abdomen. Link stepped back, planting his feet and bringing his own rod up to defend. The weapons clacked together, deflecting to the side, but Teba didn't give him a chance to reset. The Rito pressed his offensive with a combination of swipes and stabs, forcing Link back. Gritting his teeth, Link caught the edge of Teba's rod against his own, locking them in place. They struggled for a moment, then Link shoved Teba backwards, whipping his staff back and drilling it at the rito's stomach. Teba lurched sideways, avoiding the strike by inches. Link twisted and attacked again, his rod clacking against Teba's. Two weeks of hard training in Battle Ring had paid off, and Link felt the satisfaction of his blows landing hard against the rito's weapon. Rauru had proved to be an excellent teacher, he was patient but firm, kind but confident. His lessons over the past weeks had brought Link from a boy who couldn't even punch right, to a boy who could trade blows with battle staffs. True, he was still a trainee, and by no means Ringer material, but at least he could swing his staff without falling over. "CEASE!" Rauru called from the center of the Grove. Students dropped their staffs and relaxed, and Link stepped back, wiping his brow. "Good fight." He said to Teba. "Good fight." The boy agreed. "Students," Rauru shouted, "Stow you battle staffs and then come see me!" Link cocked an eyebrow at Teba, who shrugged. Wooden racks and holsters had been constructed at the far end of the Grove, designed to hold various weapons, and Link and Teba locked their rods away, taking care to ensure the staffs were dry and secure. Rauru always said respect for the ring started with respect for your weapon. "Wonder what he wants to tell us." Link muttered as they made their way to Rauru. "Not sure, but I'll bet he's going to congratulate me on my complete victory over you." Teba said. Link snorted. "Sorry, what dream was that?" He asked. Yunobo waved them over, and they took up positions in front of the instructor. "Over the past two weeks," Rauru said, "we have been focusing primarily on hand to hand and battle staff combat. These techniques are important, but you cannot progress with a knowledge of only these two." Link pressed his lips together. The words were a constant reminder that only ten of them would make it to the end of the month and become true ringers. "In light of this, We are going to begin approaching a new technique, Blade combat. Blades are perhaps the most artistic technique used in battle-ring. It is a difficult blend of hand to hand combat, perfect balance, and natural talent. Because of it's unique and difficult nature, I do not expect anyone to preform well today. Nevertheless, as a ringer you must be well rounded in all the combat techniques." Rauru turned to a young boy, "Quinn, run to the supply shed and bring out the practice swords. Everyone else, find a partner." Quinn sprinted off to the shed, and Link turned to Yunobo. "Don't blow up my head okay." He said. The goron grinned. "I'm not sure I could get through that thick skull anyways." He responded. Link chuckled and turned to watch Quinn exit the supply shed with an armload of wooden swords. "You ever used blades before?" He asked. Yunobo shook his head. "Nope. You?" "A couple times, very briefly. I mostly used a bow for everything back home." Link answered. Yunobo shrugged. "Hammers and axes are more up to speed for a goron, but there are a few who use claymores." "You should definitely try to bring a claymore to a fight." Link told him. "I would get banned for life." "But you'd win." "No, they'd kick me out before I even stepped foot in the ring." He insisted. Link waved a hand. "Eh." Rauru accepted a sword from Quinn, and turned to hold it up. "Everyone come and grab one of these, then find some room for you and your partner." He called. Link and Yunobo collected their blades and moved a few paces off. "It's heavier than I thought." Link said, hefting the practice sword. "Yeah, but I guess it would have to be." Yunobo said.
"Okay," Rauru called from the center of the field, "We are going to start with the basic forms. Pay attention." "Excuse me, sir?" Link called, jogging up to Rauru. The instructor looked up in surprise. "Link," He said. "Why are you still here? you're going to miss your next class if you don't hurry." That was true, practice had ended over ten minutes ago, and most of the other students were gone. "I know sir, I'll walk fast." He replied. Rauru smiled and bent over to pick up a training sword. Some careless student had left the blade lying in the grass. Link grimmaced inwardly, whoever that was had just reduced his chances of making the team dramatically. "What's on your mind, Link?" Rauru asked, and Link toed the grass. "I was jusit going to ask if there was anything I could do, any extra curicular tasks you have that could help me make the top ten." He said. Rauru was silent as he examined the wooden sword. "Why are you asking?" He finally said. Link frowned. "Because I want to be a Ringer," He responded, "I've always wanted to, but since coming here, it's felt more real. I want to wallk into that ring with a staff or sword and walk out holding a trophy." "So you desire glory?" "No, I'm not in it for the image. I mean, it's not an unwelcome bonus, but thats not the driving reason." "So what is?" Rauru asked. Link was silent. "There's just... there's something about this sport." He finally said, "The cameraderie, the team, the sense of honor and brotherhood. I want to be a part of that. This isn't like cavalry or tackle-ball, this is something different. Youre team is your family, the ring your mission. It's not a hobby, it's a lifestyle. If you're a ringer, you don't drink, you don't go to parties, you're respectful and respected." Rauru nodded and put a hand on Link's shoulder. "Link, if you want to do the most you can to ensure that you make the team, then work hard at it. Natual talent is an important part of the equation, but it's not the only piece. If you throw your heart into the ring, then you'll go far." Link nodded. "Yes sir." "So you have seen it then?" Link whispered cospiratorially, leaning in so Professor Robbie wouldn't see them talking. Zelda shifted in her seat, trying to get a better view of the ancient gear they were studying. Ancient Tech was becoming more and more inrtresting as the weeks went by, and each class brought new surprises and wonders. Link however, didn't seem to find it so captivating. "Well, yeah," She said, "But why do you care so much?" Link stared at her for a second. "Why do I care that my best friend has a major crush?" He asked. She chuckled. "Ok yeah, dumb question." "Eh, I have those all the time," Link said, "But back the topic at hand." Zelda gestured at the gear on the table. "Isn't THIS the topic at hand?" She asked through a sigh. Link shrugged. "It's lasted twenty thousand years," He said, "a few more minutes won't hurt it." Zelda resisted the urge to burry her face in her hands. "So," Link continued, pointing to himself and her as he spook. "Sidon is my best friend, Yona is one of your best friends..." "...What?" she asked when he didn't continue. Link chuckled. "Look," He said, "They've been playing this oblivious little back and forth for weeks now, and it's clear nothing's going to happen if they're left to their own devices. We both want a win for our friends, but unless we give them a little nudge..." He gestured vaugly. "Are you saying you want to orchestrate a date?" Zelda asked through a laugh, setting the ancient gear down on the table. Link shook his head. "No, that'd be like step eight." "Step eight?" Zelda asked, really lauhging now. "Or nine, if it's feeling rushed, it's not set in stone." Zelda laughed and shook her head. "Ok, so say I'm in on this little plan of yours, what would our first move be?" She asked. She meant it, because as ridiculous as it sounded, Link was right. Yona deserved a win. "I haven't exactly worked out the specifics yet," Link sarted. "Meaning what?" Zelda asked. "Meaning that I had no idea I was even going to dream up this plan until about thirty minutes ago." "So you have nothing?" "Not a clue." "Link." Zelda said, burying her face in her hands. She didn't know whether to laugh or groan. "Hey, I'm a guy!" Link protested, "We don't know the first thing about this shrat." "Ok," Zelda said, "From now on, I'm master planner." Link shurgged. "Ok, that's fine, I'll just be grandmaster planner." He said. "Why are you so happy all today?" She asked. Link just shook his head. "No getting distracted." "Fine, I'm in. But I get to decide what our first move is." Zelda said. Link grinned. "I was thinking something subtle," He said, "We can't overplay our hand this early." "Something that seems inocent, but could throw some tinder onto the fire." Zelda agreed. "I have an idea." Link said after a moment.
