The Kokiri Academy is a complex of buildings at about the mid-level of the city. It is where the Great Deku Trees are, well tended in their shrines; and where the young Kokiri learn of the world around them. Saria, Duradar and Lossenisel entered into the lobby of the main building to find Legolas and Galandrim waiting for them.
"This is a fine city, I trust that it will not give way to attack in any case", said Galandrim as the three Kokiri apparoached.
"We should hope not, as long as we keep it well defended, we have our chances", said Duradar.
Legolas nodded, "Word from the Prophet now says that the Hylian armies have marshalled over thirteen-thousand strong", he said looking down at them.
"All we have to do is last long enough for them to arrive then", Saria said confidently.
"That is easier said than achieved Saria", responded Duradar with a wry smile.
"Well we shall certainly see about that my friend", said a familiar voice. Saria turned around to see Elegbor walking toward her, and with him was Nilalkar, and a boy who looked rather like Alagbor. She realized that it was infact Alanol, his son.
"Saria, this is my apprentice Alanol, the son of Alagbor and Alunial", Said Elegbor stopping in front of her. Saria nodded and acknowledged the fair young boy.
"Always a pleasure to meet our peoples' greatest new hero", he said humbly bowing. He, as well Elegbor wore dark green robes as did many of the Kokiri walking about in the academy.
"I have taken on as a personal trainer and teacher of Alanol. I myself manage this institude, the last Kokiri Acadmey", explained Elegbor as the group proceded
into the institution. They walked down a corridor that led through a building of large rooms with glass ceilings that let brilliant sunlight into the classrooms. The corridor was covered with an arched stone ceiling but was often open on one side so one could look into each class.
"Master", began Alanol, "I... have to go, I promised to help at the palace... for a noble", he said slowly. Saria frowned, Elegbor nodded and Alanol quickly walked off down the hall.
"He seems rather up tight for his own good", said Galandrim.
"...Yes I have noticed, he has been like taht for quite awhile now, I'm not quite sure why", responded Elegbor looking down.
As they walked, Elegbor explained the works of the academy, "The teachers here are all members of the Syla Dranium, the cultural clergy. Since, you Saria, the sage, have appeared only recently... we have not had an influental figure heading this academy since.... euh.... well, ever" As Saria looked out at one class she saw an instructer in dark robes teaching her pupils the finer points of what looked to be some sort of botany. Some of the younger Kokiri appeared to be as young as nine or ten. Kokiri at that age would resemble a four or five year old Hylian infant as opposed to the older Kokiri who look more like young teens.
The serene and quiet teaching atmosphere was abruptly broken in the next room, where there was some sort of combat training commencing. These Kokiri looked a little older than in the last few rooms, looking closer to Saria's or Alanol's age.
"Here at the Academy we train Kokiri to be warriors as well as Scholars in this dangerous world. Our training is precise and we boast the most disciplined and fearless warriors in the world. We have perfected the art of warfare", Explained Elegbor. The warriors bore wooden training shields and practiced their footing and striking poses against eachother. Here and there the pairs of students would erupt into a frenzy of quick parries and strikes. They stood erect and in a sideways position when using smaller swords. The style of fencing seemed like a waltz of graceful footwork and sweeping slashes. Indeed they were exceptionally disciplined to a point where they did not fear, nor did they falter.
"These ones are still too young to fight, but most of the other Kokiri in this city were trained likewise. Every Kokiri within the city is a trained warrior", explained Elegbor.
"That will create an advantage", said Lossenisel.
"In what way? We will still be outnumbered", said Galandrim.
"Yes, but the enemy has no idea how many of us will fight. They are firm on the belief that less than two thousand of us are warriors", explained Lossenisel with a grin.
"Its strange, I have seen many forms of warriors in this adventure thus far. Yet... I have never seen such discipline. They seem in-escapably focused", observed Saria.
Elegbor nodded, "Yes well that is the point, we lack in numbers, the only way we have survived is mental supieriority in combat", he explained.
They proceded into the next room to find some more students training with their bows. Saria watched as one student stringed an arrow. She raised the weapon so that the her hand and the arrow were directly in front of her face. Her fingers firmly gripped the feather as she drew it to the corner of her mouth. She closed one eye and aimed carefully. In an instant she released the string and let the arrow fly. It sailed through the air and embedded itself in the center of a target twenty-five yards away.
"Ganon's hordes will crumble for some time under down-pours of arrow fire. As they struggle to mount the city walls they will be faced against clouds of deadly arrows", explained Elegbor, "When eventually they do get up the walls, we will have the advantage of well-trained warriors who will suffice through their knowledge, practice, and discipline. That with their sense of independence will be a perfect formula against the mindless orcs and moblins of the enemy legions", he continued.
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Alagbor climbed the stairs of the great tower towards the chambers at the top. It was in the highest point of the palace that the ailing Aran of the Kokiri dwelt. He was by far the oldest and wisest of the Kokiri. He was some said of the oldest from long before the time of even Alagbor's grandfather, the father of Alanor, who was killed nearly fifty thousand years prior to now. Now the ancient king suffered some mysterious ailment, and it limited his strength. And now by the evil of an enemy unknown confined a good heart to this high chamber. It was the kings daughter who bidded his will, a girl of little more than three-hundred years trying to serve a position fit only to a dedicated king who's body was deteriorating.
Upon reaching the top of the long staqirs Alagbor was confronted with a door. A large wooden one, adorned with the eagle crest of the Aran. Alagbor stepped through to find himself in a room with many windows, though they were shut on the sun's side. Curtains and blankets and furniture, decor of all sorts adorned the great room, but it was mostly dark. In the corner sat a Kokiri near desk with a single lit candle in the corner of the room. He was covered over in blue and gold cloaks and blankets and he bore no fairy. As Alagbor approached he stood up, and his face came into the light. It was worn and weary and his eyes bore the capacity of many thousands of years of knowledge.
Alagbor stood straight and spoke, "You sent for me my lord?"
"Ah, Alagbor... you return again to your city", he said in a weary strained voice.
"Your city, my lord", corrected Alagbor.
"Please, my friend. Call me by my name, call me Fado", he said with a smile. He had a small failing stature, and was short, even for a Kokiri.
"My lor... Fado, do you need something?"
Fado said nothing but drew back a curtain and looked out a window. It was a large one, stretching up from the floor.
"My people have seen better days", he said at last. He stared at the city below, the remains of his empire, and the Kokiri going about their business in the streets.
He turned around and looked at Alagbor who was looking down, "Is there any chance we will survive this attack Alagbor?" He asked gravely. Alagbor nodded and motioned for him to sit down with him.
Alagbor sat and leaned over the table, "Now, this army... it doesn't even have a proper general. Ganon, he... well, we don't even know what happened to him. Likely as not he's back at his base camp keeping out of any harm", Alagbor said quickly. Fado nodded in satisfaction and stood up again.
"You have a plan then", he said. Alagbor nodded.
"Alagbor, there were three powerful heroes before our kingdom fell. Your father Alanor, the great general. Thilinad, the dashing explorer and Arunic the simple Hanona rancher. Two of these heroes' descendants are among us. You are the true heir of Alanor, and your brother and sister to follow. Thilinad's only living heir is Alunial, and she is always by your side, the two great new heroes", he said smiling dimly. Alagbor looked down mournfully.
"Two descendants out of three heroes, never since the day we left the Golden Realm have I heard from Rune, son of Arunic", Alagbor said recalling the hectic chaos back in Calatia, the day they left the Mal Nor.
"Fado, our population would be doubled if not for the madness of our retreat. I did not place your caravan to move with the rest of your people for a good reason. I was there my lord, our lines were disoriented, often cut off from the civilians. Day after day of endless fighting in the woods of Calatia. Every day holding off mindless batalions of enemies in the middle of dense woods. When last i saw the Hanona they were riding into a sea of moblins that were heading straight for our caravans", Alagbor said grimly.
"Yet Alagbor, I have good news from the prophet in the wilderness region. A Hanona Kokiri from the lands north of Mirkwood has been captured by Rhun conquerers and is being imprisoned with a few others in the capitol of Rhun. This Hanona meets the exact physical description of Rune, son of Arunic", said Fado with a hint of an excited tone in his face.
"Captured by Rhun's conquerers... This is good news?" Asked Alagbor raising one eyebrow.
Fado walked over to him and rested his hand on Alagbor's shoulder, "Alagbor... when the fight is over we must bring our host west and rally more kingdoms to our aid. We must defeat Aganhim once and for all, and the descendants of our legendary heroes must unite. The Hanona still live in those regions near Mirkwood, they are ruled now by Rhun, and they must be liberated", Alagbor said nothing, but nodded.
"I... I don't underastand, why must the heroes unite?" Asked Alagbor.
Fado sighed, "Tis the will of the Goddesses, their intention, I kno not", he said quietly. Alagbor though deeply about this, then nodded.
"I... must be going, highness", he said standing.
"Ah yes, fair winds to you Alagbor. Bring your people victory, we are so close now, we must not falter", he said.
Alagbor nodded, "We shall not falter", and with that turned and left, now with new troubles on his mind.