I am not really fond of the current title of this story, but I cannot think of another one. If you have a suggestion for a better one, please let me know!
Anyway, enjoy the story!
Chapter 1: Out of the Temple
Makar blinked in the bright light. How long it been since he had last seen the sun? Months? Years? Din knows how long he was trapped in that sandy pit, praying day and night. Even though he had the sage spirit Fado to keep him company, Makar could not help but feel lonely all those weeks. The sand that surrounded his altar frightened Makar. He could not help but fear that the swordsman had not truly defeated the creature that had waited for them in the sand. Not only that, but being surrounded by dry sand was hard for little Makar. Being a Korok, after all, he was used to resting lazily on tree limbs, not the hard, cold ground of his sanctuary. Even the sight of the two battered palm trees outside of the under water temple was enough to make Makar smile beneath his mask.
"Are you coming, little squirt?" a voice called from the shore of the small island.
Makar snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.
"I would appreciate it if you did not refer to me by that name." Makar mumbled as he waddled towards the small pirate who had insulted him.
"I treat all swabbies the same way squirt. So, you'd better get used to it." the pirate sneered.
"Niko! Leave the little guy alone, yeah?" a deep voice called from the dinghy had docked in the small harbor of the island.
"I am simply giving the new swabbie the treatment that he deserves." Niko answered simply.
"For the last time, Niko, Makar is not our new swabbie!" the voice boomed from the raft.
Niko muttered something under his breath before stepping towards the boat and motioning for Makar to follow. Makar waddled slowly after Niko towards the pirate's dinghy. In the distance, he could see the pirate ship looming ominously out at sea. The only other boat Makar had ridden on was the much smaller vessel of the swordsman. Thinking this made Makar wonder where the swordsman was. He had left soon after defeating the great sand-worm, and had not returned since.
By the time Makar finished this thought, he had reached the boat. A large man sat at the bow of the small boat.
"After you," Niko said, bowing slightly. As Makar passed, Niko whispered, "Squirt."
Makar jumped lightly onto the dinghy and sat next to the large man so he could avoid being next to the smaller pirate. Niko jumped—not nearly as graceful as Makar—into the boat and sat across from Makar and the larger pirate. He lifted the oars of the dinghy and began to row slowly to the large ship. The lapping of the water against the side of the boat nearly drowned out the quiet voice in his head. It wasn't until a small wave washed over the side and splashed over Makar that he finally noticed the spirit Fado waving for his attention.
Fado was sitting next to Niko as he struggled to paddle the boat. Makar knew that no one but him could see or hear the sage, and it gave him a sense of satisfaction.
"A little dim-witted this one is, no?" Fado said lazily, leaning back and watching Niko row.
"I suppose." Makar said wearily. No one could hear this silent conversation between the two sages, and Makar was glad for that. The last thing he needed was for the annoying Niko thinking that he was touched in the head on top of being small.
"You need to lighten up, little guy! You are always so serious!" Fado mocked.
Makar smirked. Fado was nearly the opposite of him; while Makar was quiet and reserved, Fado was loud and outgoing. It was these differences that made their bond so strong.
"Thinks a little too highly of himself, he does." Fado remarked as Niko mumbled angrily to himself.
"Well, from what the swordsman told me, he is held with the lowest regard of his fellow crew members. If that is true, than his view of himself will of course be higher than necessary to compensate for the lack of appreciation in his daily life." Makar said thoughtfully.
Fado was lying upside down on the small bench that Niko sat. He looked up at Makar.
"Hmmm. Like I said before, you need to lighten up. I say he thinks too highly of himself, you say- 'Beeble booble regard bloodle beedle compensate blib blob appreciation'. Long words do not make a good explanation." Fado joked.
"While that may be true, immaturity does not nurture intelligence." Makar stated simply.
Fado sat up, made a fake pouty face and slowly disappeared.
"Touché." Fado's far away voice echoed.
By then, Niko had reached the hull of the great pirate ship. A long rope slid from the deck to greet them. Niko jumped up and began to ascend the rope, but the larger pirate pulled him down.
"But Gonzo-" Niko whined
"But nothing. I was the one who went into that dark temple, yeah? So I am climbing up first!" Gonzo rumbled.
Niko fell, defeated and waited for Gonzo to reach the deck. Once again, Niko started up the rope, but was interrupted again by a call from Gonzo.
"Let the little guy up first, yeah?"
Niko whined again, but jumped down from the rope. He motioned for Makar to come over. Makar looked up the long rope leading to the deck of the ship.
"You expect me to climb this?" Makar said apprehensively.
"Well how else will you get up?" Niko mocked, "Would you like me to carry you?"
Makar looked back at him. The small pirate was on his last nerve. The name calling was one thing, but to expect him do demean himself and be carried by the one who was considered the lowest of his crew was too much. Makar only allowed the swordsman to carry him; and even that was almost unbearable.
"No, that will not be necessary." Makar said, leaning forward slightly. A stem sprouted from his back and leaves fanned from the top.
Makar watched in satisfaction as the propellers spun faster and faster and Niko showed more and more resentment. Makar lifted off the ground and hovered for several seconds before rising higher and higher until he reached the deck of the ship. Gonzo was waiting for him at the top.
"That's a handy little thing you got there little guy!" he exclaimed.
Makar did not mind this pirate calling him small, unlike Niko; this pirate didn't not mean it in a demeaning way. He landed lightly as Niko tumbled onto the deck.
"Now get to the galley and start making dinner, yeah?" Gonzo yawned, "I'm starvin'!"
Niko mumbled loudly as he slinked away to the lower deck of the ship. Once Niko was out of sight, Gonzo slapped Makar roughly on the back. Unprepared, Makar stumbled forward. Gonzo did not seem to notice.
"Never seen Niko so huffy before!" Gonzo laughed, "Taken a real liking to you hasn't he."
Makar was not sure, but he was sure that Gonzo was being sarcastic. Sarcasism had always fascinated Makar. Why would you say something when you really mean the opposite? It made no sense to him. Makar simply gave a forced laugh and looked around desperately for a way to escape this loud man.
Then he saw it. A girl was climbing down from the hull of the ship. She was skinny with long reddish-brown hair pulled back into a pony tail. Her face was blocked by a large stack of books. As Makar watched, she nearly tripped and fell down the stairs. Makar pulled himself away from the loud man and rushed over to the girl's aid.
"Do you require some assistance?" Makar called politely once had reached the girl.
To his surprise, the girl seemed not to hear him, but rather continued stumbling down the stairs.
"Excuse me, miss. I could not help but notice you struggling with those books
and —" Makar was cut off when the girl suddenly dropped the books and looked down at him.
Makar looked up and blinked. The girl looked down. Makar was too stunned to say anything. The girl cocked her head slightly and Makar noticed that she possessed a large beak for a mouth. Makar continued to stare blankly.
"Yes?" the girl asked, cocking her head again.
"E-excuse me?" Makar stuttered.
"You wanted to speak with me yes? Well then, speak!"
"Oh," Makar said, still confused, "I was wondering if you needed assistance with your books. You appeared to be struggling."
The girl put her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Well, it is a little late for that, yes?" she huffed.
"Pardon?"
"My books are all over the ground!"
"But you dropped them!" Makar defended
"Well how else was I supposed to talk to you?" the girl said as if it were the simplest thing in the world
"What?" Makar was beginning to lose his patience with the girl.
"Well, I could not see you behind all my books, so I had to put them down to see you, silly!"
"But I was asking you if you needed help with your books!" Makar said, his voice rising slightly.
"You wanted to help me with my books? Well, it is too late for that!"
Makar was smart enough to know where this was going. He took a deep breath before answering.
"Please forgive me, miss." he said politely, "Would you like for me to help you gather your books and carry them to your destination?"
The girl seemingly forgot the earlier conversation. She nodded and piled most of the books on Makar's little arms. he followed her into the lower decks of the ship. As he walked, Makar saw Niko in the corner of his eye. He looked up briefly before continuing his inaudible rant. Makar sighed as he realized that this was going to be a very long trip.