Chapter 1: Missing
Link's eyes opened. He sat up straight.
"Dad?" He called out. He was answered by silence. Link swiveled in his bed and stood up. He walked through the house, searching each room.
Every call of "Dad?" was met with increasingly worrying silence.
He returned to his room, donned a tunic and shoes, and left the empty house, not even bothering to to change his pants.
It was about 10 O'clock, which was relatively late for the small agricultural Darinayse Village. He moved quickly towards the mayor's house.
This day marked the end of the third week since his father's departing to Castle Town. It was a four day trip, and he was only going to be there long enough to sell his wares. It should have been ten days at a maximum.
He knocked on the mayor's door. After a few moments, the heavy oak portal swung open and the mayor's image appeared.
He was a large man, massive from years of intense physical activity. He helped found this town, cultivating the land, making hard dirt blossom with life.
At the sight of Link's dreary form, tired from long nights of staying up waiting for his father's return and hard days full of farming and herding.
"Link, ma' boy!" He said, feigning cheerfulness. "How are ya'?"
Link looked up at him, his eyes pleading for the Mayor to drop the act. "Have you heard from my father?" he asked simply.
The Mayor's face darkened. "Ehh, no. We've sent a messenger to Castle Town, though, a few days ago. He should be back soon."
"I don't want a messenger, Mayor." Link said, angry at the whole damned situation. "I want my dad. I'm taking Epona and I'm going to Castle Town."
"Link, I don't think you should-" The Mayor began, but he was cut off by Link's abrupt turn.
He followed Link back up to the young man's house where Link gathered a few days' worth of supplies. He was spouting protests all the while, but Link remained silent and adamant, even as he belted his scabbard about his waist and sheathed the sword he himself made.
Link walked outside, letting the Mayor close the door. He untied Epona from the post where she was tethered, though she was loyal enough that the tether was unnecessary. Link picked up her saddle from where it was placed on the fence and secured it onto her, all the while bearing silently the Mayor's protests.
Link mounted his horse, and rode off silently, away from the village, away from his home, away from the Mayor and his protests, and towards his Father.
