The sound of the rushing water filled my ears as the last lights of day disappeared over the mountains. The wind blew gently through the tall evergreen trees as twilight set in over the land. Twilight has always been a sorrow some time of day, as the darkness of the night set in, depressing the ground in it's golden and purple light, that wasn't really light at all. And yet, it was my favorite time of day, twilight was so beautiful and unlike anything else. It was as if the goddess was painting the sky. Basking in the twilight has always relaxed me after a hard working day at the ranch, or working with Rusl.
Rusl was a good friend of mine, like a father to me. He taught me how to use a sword to defend the village, as I was the oldest of the children, being 17 years of age. He has taught me how to fish, how to ride on horseback, how to hunt. All my life skills I owe to this worn down man. Rusl was a strong jawed man, with kind eyes, and a constant tiredness that hung around him. He was built leanly, from his younger years, his skin was tanned from days spent fishing and helping his son, Collin, with the things he has already taught me. Rusl is the kind of man I want to be.
Rusl groaned as he set the last bit of wood onto Epona, my loyal horse who whinnied at him. The chestnut horse then nosed his back, as if telling him to go sit down and rest. I laughed, far too hard. Rusl sighed, gave Epona a carrot and hobbled tiredly over to me and sat down. We stayed silent, just listening to the nature around us. I liked being able to just sit with Rusl, not talking, but still comfortable. It was my favorite thing about spending time with him.
"Link.." His voice was gruff and wise, and shook me from my thoughts. "Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls?" He said softly.
I stayed silent, understanding, but also not. Twilight was a sad time, but only if you made it so.
"They say it's the only time when our world intersects with theirs…the only time we can feel the lingering regrets of the spirits who have already left our world." Rusl sighed, his shoulders tensing up as he looked out to the spring before us. "I think that is why loneliness always provides the hour of twilight."
Rusl sighed once again, and was quiet. He was going to get to something important, I could tell. He always said something rather profound before he needed to say something of great significance. I looked to him intently, waiting for his next word to start floating in the air.
"Enough of sadness…" he started. "Link, I have a favor to ask of you. I was supposed to be the one to deliver a special gift to the royal family of Hyrule the day after tomorrow, I do realise the the mayor appointed this task to me but..would you go in my stead?" He asked, placing a strong familiar hand on my shoulder. "You have never been to Hyrule right?"
I shook my head. I've never been outside of the Ordon village before. Faron woods has always been off limits to everyone as it was far too dangerous. Only Rusl has been allowed to open the gates and go inside, and that's only because when I was younger, I managed to sneak in there and get hurt pretty badly. The Ordon province is small, and wooded, only consisting of Ordon village itself, an entrance to Hyrule field, and the entrance to Faron woods. No one in the past 20 years has ever gone outside of the province. We trade with the neighboring village, Kakariko, but they bring the goods to us, as the only horse we have is Epona.
Rusl smiled, "The kingdom of Hyrule is vastly diverse," he begun nostalgically. "There is a huge palace, and surrounding that palace is castle town, a community far bigger that our tiny village." He was staring off into the distance watching the fairies in the spring dance on the water, remembering his time spent traveling. "And beyond the palace and castle town is the rest of the world that was created for us. You are old enough now, you should look upon it all with your own eyes." Rusl stood, the bones in his knees creaking with each movement. "It's getting late. We should head back home. Don't worry, Link. I will talk to the Mayor about this matter first thing tomorrow." He said grasping Epona's reins. I stood and followed suit. And we walked quietly to the village as the hour of twilight fell and night arose with its quiet footsteps, covering the land and ending the day.