Hazel finished the final strokes on her map, letting the black ink dry and settle on the smooth tan page. She had just completed her detailed drawing of the stable she had been lodging at for the past five weeks as she scouted around its radius to catalogue the area's wildlife. Hazel always left the drawings for last, seeing as it was a good rest after hunting down animals, rare herbs, and gems. She brushed away some of her sandy blond hair that escape her thick braid.
"Will you be taking your horse with you, ma'am?" Asked the gruff stable master from his usual post. Hazel looked behind her shoulder, spotting her vibrant russet colored horse, Sven, nipping at a smaller male who was aggravating him. She grinned and turned to face the stable master from the tree stump she had been drawing her map on.
"Could you keep Sven here for a while?" She nodded up to the cleared path she intended to travel. It led straight up to the solid rock foundation of the Rito village. "I'm going up to that settlement. I'm certain I can get the best views for my map and catalogue from up there for a few weeks."
"Maybe you could convince one of those Ritos to carry you on their backs? You can see better up in the air. Just tell 'em a little birdie asked you."
"Not a bad idea," Hazel muttered, ignoring the man's attempt at a joke. The stable master clucked his tongue and ran a gloved hand over his dark black hair.
"Don't ye worry, little lass. Sven looks to be having fun with his new friend here. Ain't that right, Blaze?" The smaller red horse nudged his head against Sven's flank. The larger horse groaned and galloped away into the woods with little Blaze pestering him all of the way. Hazel massaged the bridge of her nose, feeling sorry for poor Sven, but knowing that he would be in good hands.
"Well then. I have my supplies. A warm coat, some food, and my mapping supplies. Thanks for your hospitality!" She carefully placed her utensils inside of her pack, and popped a small red wild berry into her mouth for luck. Shouldering her materials, bow, and compass, she set off down her intended path. She waved at the stable master, and he bowed in reply.
"Hoping to see you soon, Miss."
Hazel hiked away from the stable, inhaling the sharp, cool air around her. A scent of sharp pine needles and the far off scent of boiled maple candies calmed her body. The cold mountains always cleared her cluttered thoughts and uplifted her sullen spirits. The pine trees brightened with the passing of the sun overhead from a dark mossy hue to that of a brilliant emerald, and she marveled at the shadows that were created on the mountain village. Stiff crab grass crunched under her steady boots as she neared the first hanging bridge connecting the elevated town to the rocky mainland.
"Hello!" Hazel called to the tall guard pacing around his post. His plumage was midnight black, and he wore the traditional Rito cloth and stained leather garb. When he moved, his topaz colored irises shone as if they could glow in the dark. She'd seen some Rito in her snowy village, Tabantha, a few times before selling their wares of sugar and cold resistant clothing. They usually sold top quality arrows, and it was those arrows that now lay nestled in the quiver on her back. She prided herself on being a master at the bow thanks to her mother, oiling the handcrafted wooden weapon every morning, and practicing nightly as to not grow rusty with her skills. This guard held a spear with arms as toned as to allude to a deadly aim.
"Oh, hello. A Hylian came all the way here to our village?" He cocked his head in a decidedly birdlike way, but still did not move to allow her passage into the village.
"Yes! I mean no trouble. I'm making a map, you see." Hazel pulled out the start to her map from her back pocket. There wasn't much, only what was around Tabantha village's and the Rito Stable's perimeter. She unrolled the map further and let the guard take a brief look until she replaced the map back into her pocket. "I'm also cataloging the creatures I see on my journey." She patted her breast pocket where the edge of a worn notebook poked out. The guard brushed a feather under his bill, pondering her response.
"It's a dangerous time to be adventuring right now." He pointed his spear at the general direction of the heart of Hyrule. "I hear the people at Hyrule Castle unearthed a terrifying prophecy made by a wise fortune teller. Something about a looming evil. Best to stay safe and at home with predictions like that."
"But that's why I'm doing this." Hazel gripped her hands and held them up to her chest. "Suppose a hero sent to destroy that evil might need to get somewhere quick, but doesn't know how. Maybe he or she would need to know what to eat to survive in a new area? My map can direct that person and let them know of the monsters, animals, and fauna along the way." Her turquoise eyes gleamed with excitement from just the thought of helping someone so powerful. She would have been an actoress in the play that defeated an ancient foe!
"Hmn, that does seem helpful." The guard glanced up at the shinning sun, covering his golden eyes with a feathered arm. He moved as if he saw someone, his bill clacking. "What do you think, Revali?"
"Who?" Hazel followed the guard's gaze, locating a shadow flashing before the sun's dappled rays. A Rito flashed into view, swirling on a gust of freezing wind, twirling in the air like a well practiced dancer. He spun once then twice, dove, and landed right next to her with a delicate oof. She couldn't help but back away to give him room. The Rito man brushed a stray feather from his face and gave her an arrogant avian grin. He rested his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the left.
"Sounds like a waste of time to me," the Rito named Revali mocked. His voice was like a melodic song, pulling one close, only to flit away on a crescendo. He crossed his winged arms, showing off his dark blue plumage. He was fit for a Rito, and quick. More handsome than the Tabantha Village men who frequented her mother's shop to show off. The Rito's attractive physique, however, did not excuse him from being rude.
"Excuse me. You haven't even given me your name, and you've already dismissed my mission?" Out of habit, she held the small pocket knife in her right trouser pocket, rubbing her thumb along the wooden hilt.
"Oh, I'm sorry. How crass of me." The Rito gave her a low bow, the smile on his face marked with red patches of feathers on his cheeks. He watched her from under half lidded green slit eyes. "My name is Revali, pride of the Rito, and your quest is meaningless." Revali's grin widened.
"Er, Revali. You really do have to get a handle on your—" The guard attempted, but Hazel already beat him to it. She surged forward, poking the avian man on his leather tunic. His chest was hard under all of that cloth and leather. She ignored that.
"What makes you say that?" She hissed.
"You are not a Rito. How can you truly capture a landscape without the aid of wings?" He grabbed her hand and brushed a feather along her bare arm, indicating the lack of hollowed bones and steady plumage. "You may as well give up now. Leave the map making to us Rito." Hazel narrowed her eyes, winding her arm around Revali's, and hooked his wing so that he could not move. He grunted from the effort to stay on his feet. The guard watched with an open beak.
"I'll decide if what I'm doing is worth the trouble or not. You don't get a say," she ground out through clenched teeth. He blinked his handsome, electric green eyes at her, both parts shocked and intrigued. He adjusted to her armlock, and seemed to be finding a more comfortable position. She rolled her eyes.
"What is your name, Hylian woman?"
"I'm Hazel," she replied heatedly, not sure why she complied so easily.
"Hold on tight then, Hazel." Revali used her own weight to flip her over his shoulder. She unwound her arm from his just in time for Revali to duck underneath her. She tumbled through the air landing directly on Revali's back with a thump. He bent at an angle, moving over to the side of the cliff. The guard waved his arms, attempting to dissuade Revali but to no avail. Understanding smacked into Hazel almost immediately, and she scrambled to find purchase on the Rito's back, grabbing at the leather tunic at his shoulder blade. Revali spread his wings, hefting the appendages downwards as leapt off of the cliff, plummeting to the cold water below. Soon, after catching a delicious updraftthat drove them upwards, Revali and his passenger were steadily airborne. The guard stared at them from his post, still a bit in shock. His weapon sat abandoned on the frigid ground, and he turned to flee up the pathway.
"Are you crazy?" Hazel yelped. She flung an arm around Revali's neck after the cloth of his tunic served to be a poor item to hold onto to. She squeezed her legs tighter around his waist.
"I always make perfect sense. It's you I am bringing into her right mind." Revali turned his head to glance at her, and she wasn't sure if it was the constant flapping of the Rito's wings or her own heart that made her stomach squeeze. "Take a look down there. Tell me what you see."
Hazel grudgingly took her eyes from the green fabric woven into feather braids on the back of his head, and looked down. She wanted to gasp with amazement, but guessed that if she did so she would be proving some sort of point Revali was trying to make. Instead, she withheld her excitement at witnessing the land and waters below. The Rito did not contain his chuckle of imperious delight at her silence. She could see busy temples, bustling towns, clusters of lush forests, and crystal blue lakes she never thought she would see all at once. With a pang of regret, there was also a ruin she had missed when making the latest installation of her map. Five weeks of trekking and she had still missed that ruin.
"Alright, I get it," she said. He was right in one way. "I can see a lot from up here. And I have missed a few things. Though, I'm also collecting animals, plants, and enemies from each region. I can't do most of that from up here. So, none of what I'm doing is useless. I just next some extra help."
"You seem to be set on your travels, aren't you?" Asked the Rito man, shaking his head.
"I've been living in Tabantha Village all my life," she said over the roaring of the air around them. She leaned over next to where she thought his ear was and spoke louder. A muscle in his shoulder jumped. "I'm done staying in one place. I'm tired of doing nothing meaningful to help others. Or maybe I'm selfish and just wanted to leave." She shook her head. "Might as well do something beneficial to the world while I'm out experiencing it."
"A good enough reason." Revali managed to shrug whilst in flight. "You'll still need a way to get in the air for a more accurate map."
"I'll do what I can for now. The map can always be improved," Hazel huffed. She felt the Rito man chuckle underneath her, and couldn't help but also feel the muscles under is tunic. They must be well toned and strong in order to fly. Heck, he was even taking on extra weight with her on his back, and he was still effortlessly soaring in the sky. He was very impressive, but she wouldn't be telling him that anytime soon.
"Well, good for you. I wish you luck in your foolish attempts at chivalry." Revali dipped down, aiming to land on the wooden pathway at the top of the Rito village. Another slightly older Rito with the likeness of an owl sauntered out from a solid, lighted dwelling where Revali intended to land. He waved at Revali and his passenger, smiling as he did so. The guard from earlier was with the owl Rito who must be the leader of the village. Revali gracefully landed, and Hazel quickly got off of his back.
"Revali and friend! I heard of what happened earlier," boomed the Owl leader.
"Hey," Revali said. He wasn't winded from the intense flight whereas Hazel spread her feet to gain a better balance on the now solid ground and sighed.
"Hello," Hazel answered the leader, still slightly windblown.
"Little Hylian. My name is Kaneli." He spread his wings in an regal bow. "Could we visit within my chambers? There is something of much import I must discuss with you." The large owl turned toward his home. "You, too, Revali."
"If you insist," Revali sighed. He hooked his arms behind his head and swaggered alongside Kaneli. Hazel frowned at the ice of Revali's ego, and she wanted to tug at his tan cotton scarf to choke him. But then again, he only did what he did to help her. Or at least, she hoped that was the case. His sly green eyes caught her watching him, and he winked at her. She bit her lip, confused at her body's reaction. Her face was burning and pulse racing. What in the world did that mean? Was she sick? Shaking her head, she tailed the Rito into the homey wooden den. A large blue hammock hung idly along the structure's ceiling. There was book case filled with hard leather tomes and tiny bobbles. A few chests idled, closed in the corner of the room. Kaneli sat on a cushioned chair and faced his two guests.
"Revali, I heard from Tomeli that our guest may be in need of some aide."
"She'll need more than that," the avian said under his breath, smirking the entire time.
"I, umm, don't need any help." Hazel lamely held up her hand.
"I want you to help, err, what is your name again, dear?"
"My name is Hazel and I don't need any—"
"I need you to go with Miss Hazel on her journey."
"WHAT?!" Hazel and Revali shouted in tandem. They looked at each other, then to Kaneli, and then back at each other. Their faces were mirror images of outraged shock. Kaneli winced, his feathers puffed out from the tension thrown at him.
"Revali, you've been cooped up at Rito Village for far too long. We are mostly to blame, being dependent on your archery skills. You are the pride of the Rito, but you need more experience in the world. Learn some more life lessons that you can't do here."
"I already have enough skills and adeptness to conquer life how I please. I do not need a Hylian as a, a teacher."
"An answer like that only proves my point. Please, Miss Hazel. Will you take Revali on your journey?"
Hazel eyed the avian in front of her. His dark feathers lay askew from frustration, arms folded indignantly, and he was making sure to keep his electric green eyes away from her sight. He really was well built for a Rito. Tall with narrow hips and broad shoulders. There was also something about his personality that intrigued her. He was crass and annoying, but Revali also buried his good intentions under those verbal jabs. Plus, having a bird's eye view of Hyrule would unfortunately be an asset she couldn't refuse. Still, there was one pressing issue.
"My horse, Sven, will be at the stable below. I can't in good conscious leave him there. I also don't have the funds to do so."
"Don't worry," Kaneli spread his feathered arms and bowed, "we Rito will take care of your steed. Revali is in sore need of your outside tutelage, and any amount of rupees is worth that advantage."
"One would guess that you all just want rid of me," Revali muttered under his breath. Kaneli narrowed his glowing owl eyes at the young master and smacked him over the head. Revali jumped away and sighed, his feathers ruffled.
"If you will not go to master your ill conceptions about non-Rito, then you should at least take this opportunity to broaden your new skill you've attempted to create." Kaneli raised a feathered brow, knowing that he located a sore spot on Revali's part.
"Fine. I will do your insane bidding, but be aware, I will not enjoy a minute of it!" The blue avian walked out of the hut, the rays of the sun lighting his handsome face. "I shall meet you tomorrow morning to discuss our journey, Hylian Hazel. Don't be late, or I'll consider you no longer interested in partaking of Kaneli's kind favor." With that, he brought his dark blue wings down, lifting his lithe body into the air as he took off from the cliffside. He soared away, grumbling about needing to procure rations.
"Thank you for your help, Miss Hazel. Our Revali has a bit of a ego, but he has his perks, I give him that." Kaneli crossed his legs, still observing Hazel from his chair. "I was pleased to hear of your self imposed journey and the initial interest Revali seemed to have with you despite you being a Hylian stranger. I couldn't give up the opportunity to educate the nit wit."
"Well, I didn't want to admit it, but I guess I do need help." She recalled the massive stretch of land she couldn't have possibly mapped all on her own. She also remembered the way it felt when Revali chuckled underneath her. Hazel cleared her throat. "I also thank you for your kindness in taking care of my horse."
"No need for gratitude, my dear." The owl Rito peered over her to gage the sinking sun. "Hmn, I suppose you should get ready for the morning. Revali is a tad impatient when it comes to schedules." Kaneli bowed to her from his chair and waved good-bye. She departed, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands.
"Jeesh, I wonder what the heck I'm getting myself into," Hazel sighed. She hazily walked over to the open air inn a few levels below her. Her head ached from everything that occurred in just one day. The guard she first saw noticed her from his new post at the inn. The Rito ran up to her until he caught up and kept pace with her step.
"Thank you, Miss Hazel. I'm sorry I caused trouble by telling Kaneli about what happened." He bowed his dark feathered head. The twisted lock of feathers on either side of his face moved with the breeze. Tomeli was taller than Revali, his outfit showing off more of the avian's hips than the other Rito in the village.
"No trouble. You've ended up helping me in the long run." She patted the guard on the shoulder as a show of forgiveness.
"Umm, I know you two just met, but, err…" The guard did a version of bird twiddling his thumbs. Hazel glanced at him as they passed a few closed shops, the wares on the stall covered up for the day. "Revali seems to really like you. I haven't seen him willingly fly anyone anywhere before. The fact he actually agreed to do Kaneli's bidding is a miracle in itself."
"Like me?" Revali's words of dismissal rang through her ears. "Heh. I don't think so. Tolerates me is a better phrase."
"Be that as it may, Revali will take good care of you."
"Thanks Tomeli, but I don't need to be looked after by anyone."