Halym groaned as she started to come to. Her eyes slowly opened, and took a few seconds to adjust. Clear blue skies and soft morning light greeted her. The girl furrowed her brows, searching the area with her eyes. She was in a circular, high-walled area, grassy and peaceful. Small twirling balls of light danced around a calm pool in the middle. Halym lifted herself onto her elbows. A sharp pain hit her side, and she cried out as she fell back down. She looked at her side. Her shirt had been sheared off a bit above the waist, revealing a heavily bandaged stomach.
With great care, Halym moved to a sitting position and looked wonderingly around. A flutter above the girl caused her to give a small start, and shield her head with her arms. Something landed lightly in front of her.
"Easy. It's okay, you're safe now," a male voice said. She lowered her arms. The voice's owner was a Rito, a bird-like creature. She had only seen one other Rito once before, but still couldn't help but stare. His feet were yellow and scaly, with bird-like claws. A hooked hawk beas was in place of his nose. His dark skin was sharply contrasted by his white hair, which was swept up behind his head. His red eyes stared back.
"Don't try to move, okay?" he told her, kneeling next to her, "Your wound's still healing." Halym gingerly touched her bandaged middle.
"You… saved me?" she asked, her voice scratchy.
"Yes. Just in time, too. That big bird was after you. It was lucky that I happened to be in the area. Not many people are," he told her.
"Thank you very much," she said, the fact that she was free sinking in.
"No problem. I'd have to say, I was surprised to find someone like you near a place like that." Halym's eyes widened as she remembered something.
"Link! Did you find Link!" she cried. She placed a hand over her lips, suddenly embarrassed at her outburst. The Rito stared at her. She was about to apologize, but he interrupted.
"You know Link?" he asked.
"Yes. I was helping him free his sister." The Rito's head tilted to one side.
"What's your name?" he asked her.
"Halym. Of the Forsaken Fortress." The birdman held out a hand.
"Quill. Rito Postman." She shook it. "The Forsaken Fortress… How'd you end up there, Halym?" The girls gave him a quick run-through of basically her life story; her pirate captain father, the curse, the confinement, how she met Link, how they got chucked from the top of the Fortress. In turn, he filled her in on Link's story; how his sister was taken, how he had convinced the pirates to help Link into the fortress.
"So… you've never been outside the fortress before?" Quill asked. Halym shook her head. She gazed around the clearing once more.
"Where are we?" the girl inquired.
"We're in the Mother and Child Isle, just southeast of the fortress. It was close and safe." One of the balls of light twirled around Halym's foot, sending dazzling sparkles every which way. She chuckled.
"Quill, what are these?" she asked her new friend. He smiled.
"They're fairies," he told her, catching one in his hands, "Here," he held the creature out over Halym's lap, and parting his fingers slightly. She placed her hands around his, and he carefully slid his out. Quill clasped her pale hands, and pulled them quickly apart. The fairy darted out, then spun around Halym. She closed her eyes, grasping Quill's hands as a tingling feeling tickled her side. The fairy stopped, and the tingling subsided.
"There," Quill said, pulling Halym to her feet, "I've been trying to get one to do that since we got here." Halym released his tan hands, and gingerly undid the bandages of her side. Her injury was healed.
"Wow," she whispered, smiling. A sad look flashed momentarily over Quill's eyes.
"I can't believe you've never been outside the Forsaken Fortress," he told her.
"I know. I'm in your debt," she said.
"Please," he started, "It was nothing." Halym slowly looked around.
"Did you… happen to grab my glider?" she asked meekly. Quill shook his head apologetically.
"I'm afraid there wasn't time," he told her. Halym's heart sank, but she smiled anyway.
"I understand." Quill watched her for a moment.
"How about you come to my island with me? I think you need some time to recuperate still," he offered. Halym tilted her head to the side.
"What about Link?" she asked.
"One of my comrades is already out looking for him. Let's take care of you." Halym smiled.
"Okay. Thank you." He nodded. Quill's arms began to shift, soon to be replaced by brown and white-flecked wings.
"Get on my back," he told her. He bent his knees, and Halym carefully wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Are you sure?" she asked as he hoisted her snugly on his back.
"Yeah, of course. Hold on!" He beat his wings, and the pair rose out of the circular island. Halym held on tightly as they ascended over the Great Sea. They were soon soaring through the sky. Halym was breathless at the view.
"Quill!" she cried, looking excitedly around as the wind tossed her hair, "This is amazing!" A chuckle rumbled from Quill. The great expanse of sea was brilliant in the morning light, and wind was warm. Halym truly felt free. She rested her head on Quill's shoulder.
"Thank you so much," she told him softly. His cheek brushed against hers as he turned his head slightly to the side.
"You're welcome, Halym," he replied. They flew on.
The pair soared over and near small islands, and Quill told the girl about each one.
"What's your island like?" she asked.
"Dragon Roost? That's where all the Rito postmen live. It's also home of the sky god, Valoo the Dragon. The island's a huge spire, and Valoo lives on the top."
"A dragon… Is the island taller than the Forsaken Fortress?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"Wow," she breathed. A large lump of island could be seen, and Halym watched as it began to slowly get nearer. She spotted a large windmill.
"We're coming up to Windfall Island," Quill told her, "Dragon Roost is a little farther east of here."
It was midday as they passed over Windfall. Halym gazed wondrously down at the bustling town, the cheery people, the roving children.
"Look, Quill!" she urged, gazing at the happy town, "Oh I've seen nothing but monsters for so long…" Quill slowed, and hovered over the town.
"You want to go down?" he asked.
"Are you sure? We don't have to…"
"We're in no rush. My wings could use a rest anyway." Quill descended over a wooden dock. He touched down lightly, his talons clacking softly on the wood. Scattering feathers, Quill's wings returned to arms as Halym slid off his back. She looked around at the sunny town as Quill led her down the dock. She broke away from him and neared a tall tree. Slowly, she ran her hands over the rough bark.
"Life," she whispered. Halym turned to find Quill taking letters out of a red box. He stowed them in his letter bag, and extended an elbow in Halym's direction.
"Come on!" he beckoned as he started for an archway. Halym smiled as she ran to catch up to him, and took his arm. They passed many people on their way up through the town, most happily nodding or waving to Halym. Joy bubbled up inside her from all the human contact and she couldn't help but beam back.
Quill pulled her to a grassy path that led to a lush green ledge. He took her past a dancing man and a headstone to stand on the edge. Halym breathed in the salty breeze as the warm wind tossed her hair.
"Look," Quill said, pointing out across the vast expanse of blue ocean, "Dragon Roost." Halym peered in the indicated direction, spying a tall dark mass.
"Yoohoo! My dear, sweet miss!" Halym turned to find a poofy-haired man leaning over the headstone. "I don't believe I've seen you around these parts!" he stated. "What's your name, pretty miss?" he asked, bouncing around the stone.
"Uh, Halym," she said with a chuckle, glancing at Quill. The Rito had a bemused smile on his face.
"Do you dance, Miss Halym?" the man asked.
"A little, but I-"
"Wonderful!" the cheery fellow grasped her pale hands and spun her around the headstone. He released her, and she twirled to a stop. The man started to dance, the streamers on his arms spiraling when he spun. He finished, then bowed to Halym.
"Your turn, Miss Halym!" Quill rested his arms on the stone, leaning in a relaxed manor as he watched Halym.
"Well, okay," she said with a smile. The girl chose a style similar to the dancer's, and twirled and spun in a cheery fashion.
"Lovely, lovely!" the man cheered, stopping Halym by taking her hands and joining her. She laughed as they spun, enjoying the company of other people. He finally released her.
"Thank you for the marvelous dance, Miss Halym!" he said, giving a deep bow. Halym dipped in a curtsy.
"The pleasure's mine!" she told him. Quill stood, and looked toward the sun.
"I'm afraid we must be going," he informed her. She waved the dancer farewell, and wrapped her arms around Quill's neck. His wings appeared as he took a running leap off of the ledge. The two soared toward the tall spire of Dragon Roost Island.