Chapter 4: The Blue Baron

We had been travelling for days. We searched the area around Lake Hylia and found nothing. My patience were beginning to wear thin. This Blue Baron, whoever he was, was certainly good at keeping hidden. Link and I had barely spoken to each other since we left the Zora's Domain. We weren't angry with each other, we just didn't feel the need to chit-chat. We were nearing Kakariko Village when we decided to stop and rest. We dismounted our horses and got some food and water out of our packs. We sat in silence for a while. Link suddenly spoke. "This guy is hard to find. Whoever he is, he's good. By the way, you've never told me the description Ruto gave you."

"That's because it's the same as all the others. A horse and a blue helmet. A man with a sword. It's much too vague. This is really beginning to irritate me."

"Well Joran, you didn't have to come with me, you know. You could've stayed at the ranch."

"No, Link. I will fight by your side, always. I can't let you do this on your own."

"Why not? I defeated Ganondorf on my own, didn't I? Who's to say I can't now?"

"I don't doubt your abilities, but two heads are better than one, so having two of us makes us both stronger. We're unstoppable together."

"I guess you're right, Joran. Now, I can tell you have a theory about the Blue Baron, so, why don't you tell me?"

"How can you tell?"

"Come on, Joran. After all this time, don't you think I know you by now?"

"All right. I think I know who he is. Ruto's description of his sword really got me wondering."

"Go on."

"Well, remember when you said that the guards only found one body in the tower? I think Kiel didn't die and he escaped."

"So, you think Kiel is the Blue Baron?" I nodded. "It would explain a lot. What are we going to do when we catch him?"

"That's what I've been thinking. He is the man who raised me and trained me. How can I arrest him?" I groaned in frustration. "I can't do that, Link. Now you've got to understand that we can't arrest him."

"Well, we could think of a way for him to make amends without having to serve jail time."

"How are we going to do that?"

"We could tell him to ask to be the king's personal servant."

"What? Not only would the king deny that, but Kiel would absolutely resent it. For Din's sake." With that I got up and walked off in no particular direction. I didn't wander far, though. As I stared up at the starry sky, I thought I heard a cheerful melody behind me. Just as the melody ended, clouds began to form in the sky. Suddenly, it began to pour rain. I went back over to Link who was grinning and hiding something behind his back. "What did you do?" I asked. "Nothing. I'm just standing here, minding my own business."

"Really? What's that?" I said, pointing to the ocarina in his hand. "Oh, I was just practicing a little tune." he grinned, slyly. "You played the Song of Storms, didn't you? That's what I heard. Why would you do that?"

"I thought you could use some cooling off." I growled in frustration. "Come on, Link. We need to get to the village. We'll need to find someplace to dry off, thanks to you."

"Hey, don't blame me. It's your fault for being such a hothead." We jumped on our horses backs and rode away toward the village, the horse's hooves splashing on the soggy ground the whole way there. We arrived, drenched from the rain, and went into the local tavern to dry off. Link went up to the bar and ordered a drink. I walked up to him "What are you doing?" I asked.

"Well, we're not going to be dry for quite some time. We should relax for a while."

"Relax? We don't have time to relax. We need to keep focused on finding the Blue Baron." I noticed a cloaked man at the end of the bar fidget slightly when I mentioned the Blue Baron. "What's wrong, Joran?" I simply pointed to the man and we walked over to him. "Excuse me, sir?" Link asked. He looked up at us, but his face remained concealed. "We are looking for a man. The king has ordered his arrest. He is called the Blue Baron. Have you seen him?"

"Why, no" the man responded, rather non-chalantly. "I've never even heard of him."

"Really? He's quite well known throughout Hyrule. How can you not have heard of him?"

"Because, I generally keep to myself. The only places I ever see are this tavern and my home."

"Well, all right then. Thank you for your time" Link extended his hand. The man simply looked at his hand and turned away from him. "I have something to ask as well" I said.

"I've already told you everything."

"No you haven't. Remove your hood."

"What?"

"You heard me. Take it off."

"Why should I?" he said, aggressively. I was equal to him, though.

"Because if you don't, we'll be forced to take you outside." The whole bar quieted down when I said this.

"Trust me, you don't want that."

"Oh, really? Why would that be?" He answered me by knocking me over with a hard shove. He ran past Link, who dove at him too late. He continued out of the tavern. "Link quick! After him!" We ran after him out into the night. It was still raining. I heard the whinny of a horse and I saw a man astride his horse shoot straight past me. "Come on! Let's get the horses!" We ran to Epona and Honor and sped off after him. We went in the direction of Hyrule Field. When we reached the field, he was riding hard toward the Kokiri Forest. I dug my heels into Honor and he responded with a loud whinny. He reared up and then charged straight toward the rider. I glanced behind me for a moment to see Link and Epona trailing just behind. The man and his russet mare turned towards the entrance to the forest and went in. We followed suit. As we entered the forest, we were only a few paces behind him. I dug my heels into Honor again, and he ran on faster. We began to gain on the man. We chased him through the bush with branches whipping in our faces. I suffered a few cuts and scrapes, as did Link. Finally, I caught up to him. As I reached his side, I reached over and grabbed his hood. I pulled on Honor's reins and the man fell off his horse and hit the ground, rolling. His horse stopped immediately. Link leapt off Epona and held the man down. I turned Honor around and he trotted over to him. I stopped and jumped off Honor's back. I looked down at the man. Because I had removed his hood, his blue helmet was exposed.

We had finally caught him. "So" I said. "Mr. Blue Baron, would you kindly remove your helmet, so we can see who you are?" He said nothing. "Very well. I will do it for you." As I bent down to remove his helmet, he knocked Link to the ground and drew his sword. I saw it's colour. It was the same colour as Kiel's. "You'll have to beat me to get your wish."

"Very well, Baron. I'll let the Hero of Time have at you"

"Hero of Time?"

Before he could react, Link had already charged toward him. The Blue Baron turned with a lightning fast reaction and blocked Link's attack. Surprised at his speed, Link stepped back and tried a jump strike. The Baron simply moved aside and let Link bring his sword down on air. The Baron then kicked Link to the ground, causing him to drop the Sword of Courage. "Ha! Hero? What kind of hero fights like that?" Link grew angry at this and picked up his sword once more. "Well well. You've some courage, lad. Let's see you use it." Link rushed at him with a flurry of attacks, but the Baron blocked each one. Link then struck the Baron with his shield, sending him stumbling. Link then leapt over his head and swung down with his sword. Amazingly, the Baron blocked even this strike. "You've some impressive skill, lad. Your probably the best swordsman I've fought. Even better than my best student."

"Wait. You're a teacher?" I asked. The two stopped fighting. "I've taught many, yes. But my best student was one quite similar to you, soldier. Wait, why should I tell you this?"

"Because I believe I know who you are."

"All right then, go ahead. Tell me. What's my name?" I took a long pause. I was hoping that my theory about him was correct. "Kiel." I saw his shoulders slump forward and his head drop. He then raised his sword in challenge. "How do you know that?"

"Because, Kiel" I stepped forward, into the moonlight. "It's me, Joran." Even through his helmet, I saw his eyes widen. "Joran? I don't believe it. I need to take a better look at you." He took off his helmet and, sure enough, there was the face I thought I had lost five years ago. He stepped forward, and looked hard at my face. He then suddenly cried out "Joran! It is you! Oh, Farore's wind it's good to see you!"

"Yes, you as well, Kiel."

"Look at you, lad. A soldier for the king. I never thought you'd do it."

"I'm not a soldier, Kiel. Link and I were charged with the quest of finding the Blue Baron."

"I see. Well, you found me. What happens now?"

"We're supposed to bring you to the castle to be put on trial."

"On trial? For what?"

"Well, the king enforces this law that nobody but the Honor Guard is allowed to catch criminals without the king's consent. He strongly believes in it."

"So? All I have to do is ask his permission. Problem solved."

"No, Kiel. It doesn't work that way. The king wants permission before every criminal quest. You've already broken his law. It's too late to ask permission."

"Well, what if I choose not to go with you?"

"Kiel please. Don't make us fight you again. There is no other choice. You have to surrender. If you run, we'll just keep hunting you."

Kiel sheathed his sword. "I guess you're right, Joran. I'll go with you. I'm getting too old for this, anyway" he smiled. "Just let me get Farona."

"I'll come with you."

"Don't you trust me?"

"Not in this instance, Kiel" I smiled. I got on my horse and followed him towards his. He climbed onto her back and we rode towards Link. "Come on, Link. Let's head back." He climbed onto Epona and rode to our side. Before setting out, I turned to Kiel. "Don't worry, Kiel. I'll think of some way to fix this."

"That's not necessary, lad. I need to face the music, like a man should." The three of us then galloped away, on towards Hyrule Castle, where Kiel's fate awaited.