A/N: I herby give you all the conflict resolution I promised! XD A special thanks to all my readers!
Yami no Nokutan: Don't underestimate tiny wolf boy and his cohort too badly, between them they might think of something XD aww why thank you, It's always a joy to hear that one's evil plotting is appreciated XD that what it looks like to me too oh, and apparently you can play as Zelda, Sheik, and Midna too. Thank you!
Arison Nakaru: I haven't played it either, but I have to agree with you there. I hope you are satisfied with how the cliffhanger turned out XD Thank you for the review!
silverheartlugia2000: When in doubt, throw something, those are wise words of wisdom indeed. Actually doing stud like that had help me out of a few jams before XD Thanks for the review!
Storm Dragon Wolf Princess: Yeah lousily designed female fantasy armor is one of my peeves in life XD. Oh really? What part? I love the Ranger's Apprentice series. John Flanagan, Brian Jaques, JRR Tolkin, CS Lewis, Nancy Springer, Shakespeare and quite a few other poets are some of my greatest inspirations when it comes to writing. In fact it was reading their works that made me want to try it for myself XD Thank you for your review!
CupcakePride101: Awww thanks :3 I am glad you like it Rusl won't be back yet in this chapter but we shall definitely see him again. The designs are similar I must say. Yeah I had pretty much the same reaction. She scared me too DX and to think I thought Ghirahim was the worst when it came to designs XD. No I haven't really, sounds kinda interesting. Thank you for the review it really made my day to read.
Twilight16:Sorry about that X3 I haven't got a Wii U yet either (which tells you how bad my inner fangirl is XD) Thank you for the compliment and the review! I hope this is soon enough for you BTW X)
A Game of Sheep and Wolves
The men continued their slow, unbearably ceaseless motion towards the spot where Fado lay cowering, just barely concealed. Link knew instantly that Fado would be discovered before a minute passed. He knew also what would happen to the older boy when he was caught. The Reihmag might have ignored them for the most part previously, but this was a total infringement on their regime. This was, in a way, a blatant act of revolt against them. Fado would get no simple warning for that. Based on how the bandits had been acting previously, he would be beaten if he were to get off easy, and probably killed or worse if Thann was in no mood for lenience. Link had honestly never seen Thann anywhere near what could be termed a lenient mood.
Link began immediately to wrack his brains for any sort of course of action that could help Fado. He may have been rather cheeky and slightly devious when it came to planning but, for all that, the thought of doing nothing never even crossed his mind. Link honestly could not even comprehend the amount of malice and apathy that a person would have to harbor in order to do nothing and walk away, whilst knowing fully what would happen to the other person if they so. In Link's mind, everyone deserved a chance. That definitely included Fado, especially when it was well within his power to grant such a chance and regardless of the price that would fall upon his own head for taking it. If he had the ability, means, and opportunity, he saw it basically as his duty to protect anyone who could not defend themselves. In fact, doing so was almost instinctual to him.
So, the moment that he had formed the beginning semblance of an idea, he acted without a second thought for himself or hesitation. Link leaped to his feet and moved further back into the trees, where he purposely trod of several fallen branches and rustled the brush. The sounds carried instantly to the three Reihmag patrols and they immediately turned towards the noise. Link, peering at them through the foliage, with the help of the bright moonlight around him, saw them turn towards him. He immediately and very obviously darted from his cover to another patch of shade. He purposefully acted the part of a clumsy villager trying to sneak through the woods behind his enemies' back to draw them out and keep their attention off of Fado. As soon as he was behind the tree he had raced for, he waited a few moments and then moved forward again, snapping another large branch as he raced full tilt into another patch of shadow.
He glanced quickly towards Ordon clearing and saw he had gained the marauders' full attention now. They had taken the bait. All three began to walk purposefully towards the wood line with swords in hand. That sight nearly froze Link's blood as he gave up his feigned pretense of sneaking and sprinted into the dark thickly forested woods. He felt his breath catch in utter dread as he heard the men pick up their pace drastically as they raced in pursuit of him, all the while yelling for him to stop.
Fado had heard some loud snapping sounds and the three Reihmag patrols cries of 'look, over there,' and, 'stop!" but nothing registered completely with him then. He gingerly turned his head now, as his terror-numbed mind picked up the sound of the three men, who had been closing in on him, began to move past and away from him. Something had obviously drawn their attention. He peered through the sparse leaves of his bush. The bandits were indeed headed away from him, and at a rapid run. They were chasing after someone apparently. Just as he thought it, he caught sight of the small figure in question as it sprinted deep into the woods. Instantly, he knew who it was that had drawn the bandits' eye. How many times had he himself seen that same figure fleeing before him like that into those very trees?
Link was relatively skilled at moving quietly and carefully; Fado had lost him enough times when chasing him to know this. He wouldn't have made all that noise unless it had been on purpose. Fado leaped to his feet, staring in horror at the bandits who were, even then, disappearing after Link into the tangle of trees. There was only one reason that Link would do such a thing that he could think of.
Link had saved his life. Fado continued to stare after the bandits and his unexpected ally long after they had passed from his sight. Link had saved his life; the very same Link who had been his rival for years, the same Link who had been after him many times with guerilla style prank attacks. In the back of his mind, Fado had always viewed this as the behavior of a coward, but today he knew that that was not right. Perhaps many of the ways he had been viewing Link were not quite right either, or at least not the whole truth.
In all of their conflicts, he had never really looked at his own part in everything. But, now that he saw firsthand what happened when strength and power were abused, he had begun to experience this odd sinking feeling as he looked back at his own actions. He was beginning to realize that, in his own way, he had behaved just as dishonorably. He was just as guilty, especially lately with the business about Link wanting to be a blacksmith.
He had been as much of a bully to Link as these bandits were being to practically everyone in Ordon. It was not a conclusion that he particularly enjoyed coming to but, now that it was staring him in the face, he had no way of not acknowledging it. He had been a bit of a bully, a bit of a fool, and oh how he wished that he could take it back now. Link had saved his life despite what he had done and he was out there alone, with three bandits on his tale. Fado knew that realistically there was nothing he could do about it. He could do nothing, that is, but hope that Link could outrun the Reihmag with the same skill that he always used to outrun him.
"All because he tried to save my life," Fado mumbled softly from his hiding place.
The gesture warmed his heart even as it chilled it. He was worried for Link's life. He had never been given a gift so great, so selfless . And he had never been so afraid of the cost of such a gift, even though it would not be he who paid the price. Desperately, he wished for a way he could help but, at the same time, he knew that if he tired, he would only make things worse and squander the gift of life and freedom that Link had given him. Silently, Fado prayed for Link to be safe, for something, someone, anything to help him.
Link was rather of the same mind as he fled through the trees with the Riehmag patrols hard on his tail. He began to wish desperately for something, anything to save him. He had miscalculated, plain and simple. He had terribly misjudged the bandits' speed in relation to his own. He had tried almost every single trick he had often used to give Fado the slip but these men were experienced, fit, and they were faster than he was, much faster. It was all that he could do to stay ahead of them and out of their reach. He had never been more afraid then he was now. Conversely, he had never been as sure of himself before either. If he could have been given the chance for a do-over, he knew he would have chosen to do the same thing again, without hesitation.
Link had gotten what he wanted. Fado could escape without notice and he had successfully goaded three armed fighting men into chasing him. Perhaps, he thought suddenly, it might have been better if he had been just a little less successful. He was probably going to die, he realized with sudden clarity. So much for being or thinking himself clever. He was an idiot. He wondered wryly if the mayor gave out idiot awards. If he did, there was no doubt that he would win it. Maybe Rusl could craft him a special one as a sort of monument for him.
It wasn't funny, or it shouldn't have been funny, considering the circumstances. Nothing about this situation was funny but his mouth seemed to think otherwise. Despite his gasping breaths, his lips had begun to twist themselves into a semblance of a grin. He wondered vaguely if he were mad, then shrugged inwardly. If he were going to die then he might as well go out smiling.
The smile faded almost instantly as he made to swerve around a particularly thick tree trunk and felt a hand just miss grabbing him by his belt sash. His heart sputtered with fright and he found that he really had no desire to die at all, despite all his best effort to convince the Reihmag otherwise.
Hands trembling with fear, he put every last ounce of effort into his pumping legs as he tried to carry himself out of the man's reach and not so loving embrace. The night shrouded forest seemed to close in around him. It made his world seem as small as himself, his three bandits, and the meager distance he could see. It had a claustrophobic effect on his mind that only heightened his terror.
Every branch seemed to grab at him and every shadow made him start with the fear that perhaps one of his pursuers had outflanked him and was coming at him now from the side. He wished uselessly that he could have been blessed with a thick covering of fog that would offer him some sort of hiding spot, but the night was perfectly clear for once. There was not even a bush that he could duck behind. The Reihmag were too close behind him for him to try that anyways, too close even for him to try to climb a tree. The trees that had once appeared almost like guardians to him, now served only as reminders that his enemies were too close for there to be a place to hide. Every gnarled trunk and tangled branch seemed only to be chocking in on him; yet they were all too far apart to afford him shelter. Frantically, his eyes darted around, looking for any means of escape but found nothing.
He vaulted over a fallen log land landed awkwardly on the ground in a roll, his body banging painfully against exposed roots and rocks. The roll saved his life however, for it carried him just out of the path of another reaching hand and the dully gleaming point of a sword. He jumped to his feet, ignoring his pain and the stitch that was beginning to form in his side.
It was then that he saw a dense patch of brush ahead. The spacing of the tangle of plants was wide enough to allow his small body access but too dense for the bandits to follow outright. It was a veritable hedge if protection and he made for it. He dashed forwards and practically threw himself down on the ground to slide through the first tangle of leaves and branches. Once friction stopped him, he began to crawl quickly through the others. When he emerged on the other side he instantly became aware of the sounds of swords hacking at the undergrowth. He felt his stomach drop as he realized his ploy would not give him anywhere near enough time to hide or get away. The brush that had offered him its false promise of safety, grew chokingly thick all around him. He could see only one clear path out of it. He sped towards it as the first of the Reihmag burst through the bushes.
Link ran forwards and nearly cried out in alarm as he felt the ground beneath his feet disappear. Because of the darkness around him, he had not seen that the land dropped steeply before him until too late. He fell straight into the rocky, leaf strewn bottom of a dried ravine bed. No sooner did he realize this and pick himself up from this new patch of ground he had introduced his face to, then he heard the heavy thud of boots as the bandits jumped in after him.
If he wasn't thoroughly scared before, then he was now. He had completely outmaneuvered himself. He raced blindly ahead in the only direction left to him. It was as if he had trapped himself in a veritable hallway. There was no way he could even come close to climbing out before the enemy would catch him. His heavy breathing was beyond harsh and his muscles were screaming and trembling with his efforts to stay ahead of his pursuers, but he was beyond the point of stopping now.
Link blinked as the gully path ahead seemed to inexplicably lighten. At first he thought it was just a trick of his exertion and terror-numbed brain but, as he ran forward, the light seemed to grow from the gentle luminescence of a candle flame to the brilliance of a lantern. Link suddenly saw it burning not more than thirty paces ahead of him. The light however, did not shine out like a lantern. It simply was, pooling gently on the ground, in the air, and on the sides of the ditch.
The air itself seemed to shimmer with its gentle glow, but there seemed to be no source for it. Link hesitated for the merest of moments, his mind flashing warning wary thoughts about poes and other spirits, for the gentle golden light was eerie and seemed out of place in this world. It was so quiet in the near bursting sounds of his terror filled mind. Then, he continued doggedly forwards despite his hesitation. In his mind, even a poe was preferable to the three brigands behind him. At least a poe might give a more merciful end.
He sped onwards towards the clam light, his small body lurching with every exhausted stride. As he drew closer, he saw it begin to shift before him. It was as if it were materializing into something more, morphing into something with more substance than a shivering patch of light. It twisted like the tendrils of a glowing mist as it resolved itself slowly into the shape of a wolf. The apparition seemed to stand, and open one glowing red eye. Still, Link ran forward. His terror was so great now that he could not make himself stop, try as he might. The wolf seemed to have hardly any more substance than air but, at the same time, it did not look as if Link could run right through it.
Suddenly, the shade or spirit, Link couldn't decide, gathered itself and sprang forward. Its spectral mouth was agape in a howling snarl that sounded like echoes. Its phantom teeth seemed deadly sharp and gleamed in its own light. Link's heart skipped several beats and he finally regained enough of his own faculties to throw himself flat to the ground. Link grit his teeth and braced himself for a very messy end at the teeth of a phantom- but nothing happened. He glanced up to see the shade leap high over his head. Numbly, his eyes followed it as it bounded through the shadow filled night towards the three bandits, trailing a golden light behind it. It streaked forwards, its paws never seeming to actually touch the ground as it leaped and ran without the slightest sound, save for the echoing howl that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
The bandits had slowed their pace as soon as they had become aware of the light's prescience growing before them and their quarry. Like most uneducated people, their beliefs were high in the areas of superstition, especially in a place like Hyrule were rumors of forest spirits abounded and where it was known that creatures such as poes and fairies existed, to name only a few.
Chasing after an unarmed village boy was one thing, but chasing after spirits was completely something else all together. They watched in absolute terror as the light manifested itself into some sort of phantom wolf. When the apparition charged straight at them, there was no doubt in their minds that they had awakened, disturbed, or displeased some guardian of the woods. The sight of the howling shade was enough to send theme fleeing, screaming with terror, back the way they had come. Their voices cried out in the odd despairing pitch that only hunters know when they suddenly and inexplicably find themselves as prey.
Link heard the bloodcurdling shrieks of his pursuers and that sound alone was enough to make him scramble to his feet and try to run again. For the second time that night, he felt himself falling through open space as he lost sight of the ground. He tumbled straight down a four foot drop that had been carved into the now dried ravine by a long dead waterfall. He tried to catch his fall with his hands and they took the brunt of the hit, but his head struck one of the many rocks at the gully's base.
Whether from the knock to his head, his overexertion, terror, or perhaps all three, his world suddenly went blacker than the night around him and he knew no more. His body lay limply among the fallen leaves, moss, and rocks of the gully floor. The boy was not aware when that calm golden light returned and spilled over the walls of the ditch where he lay. Nor was he aware of the presence of the red-eyed wolf's shade as it stood sentinel over him until the first rays of morning began to mingle with its glow. He did not even see how the shade's spectral light faded even as the growing light of the rising sun shafted through the foliage of the trees around him with the burning hope of morning. When the sunlight did penetrate Link's consciousness, all traces of his strange midnight guardian and defender had vanished completely.
Link moaned softly to himself as he stirred. He then bolted upright, much to the chagrin of his aching body, as his memories came flooding back in a rush. He winced and began to check himself over and found that, other than the many scrapes and bruises that adorned his body, he was fine.
Mildly surprised, he began to climb up the gully walls. When he reached the top of the ravine, he peered around himself cautiously. When he saw that the coast was clear, he felt his entire face light up with the sheer joy that came when he realized that he was alive. His smile grew even wider, if that was at all possible, when he saw the area of the woodlands that he had ended up in. The night before, he had had no idea where he was running. He had gotten turned around more than once in his urgency and, in the back of his mind, he had been harboring the fear that he might have gotten lost.
Link knew where he was, however. The trees all around were familiar to him. Almost as if by the hand of fate, he had ended up in the place where he had Uli had picked the sweet marjoram a few days ago. It was the same place that he had first found the matrimony vine.
As he thought of fate, his mind wandered back to the events of the night before and settled upon the shade that had undoubtedly saved him. Perhaps more than fate was at work here. He whispered a silent yet slightly wary thanks to the forest spirit, if indeed that was what it was. He felt a little uneasy as he did so; spirits were rumored to be rather temperamental after all.
He tried to shrug that weird feeling that accompanied thoughts of the previous night's apparition off. He bent and began to gather clumps of both sweet marjoram and matrimony vine, so that the herb bundle looked and smelled right as a seasoning to the casual eye, or nose. When he judged he had enough, he left the little knoll and headed in the direction of Ordon village.
~x~X~x~
Fado hadn't really slept that night, so consumed with worry was his turmoil filled thoughts. And soon as the sun was up, he tried to discreetly make his way to Uli's house. He had already made up his mind to tell the herbalist what had happened if he found that Link hadn't come back.
He was halfway there when he saw the three Reihmag who had been on patrol the night before. He recognized the one who had gotten closest to him by his dirty plaited beard. They were definitely looking the worse for wear. Fado felt a sudden thrill of fear mixed with hope. If they had captured Link surely the village would have already been roused to see the Reihmag make an example of him. He tried and succeeded to walk causally by them without drawing their attention. They seemed to be distracted by something so they hardly paid him any mind. Logically, that in turn meant Link had either escaped or had been killed. Fado cringed at the thought. He had to know for sure. As soon as he judged he was far enough from the bandits, he ran the rest of the way to the blacksmith's house at an all out sprint.
He slowed as he reached the steps that led to the sturdy wooden door. His stomach twisting with dread, he raised a hand to knock but was distracted by a rapid movement coming from the woods behind Uli's house. He had caught the movement in his periphery and turned his head slightly to focus his full attention there. He felt an uncontrollable wave of relief run through him as his eyes lit upon Link crouching in some bracken behind the trunk of a tree, frantically waving him over.
Fado jogged forwards, gratitude and relief spurring him forwards. As soon as he reached the spot where Link had secured himself, Link stood to greet him. Fado grabbed him roughly in a massive bear hug, lifting the smaller boy almost a foot off the ground. Suddenly feeling awkward, he put Link down and chuckled nervously. Link blinked a few times and then grinned at Fado. Fado grinned back and companionably shoved him in the shoulder. Link staggered backwards a few paces, still grinning, and reached slightly behind him to retrieve something he had tied to his belt. When he brought his hand forward Fado felt his mouth gape slightly in surprise.
"You found the… the matari… marti- vine?" he stumbled slightly over the word as he asked with an awed expression.
"Matrimony vine, and yes, I did. I mixed it with the sweet marjoram so it looks and smells like that's all there is. Make sure Ilia gets it."
Fado nodded, and then looked concerned at Link as the younger boy's smile faded into a look of worry.
"Have you seen the bandits that were after me?" Link asked. "Are they still looking?"
Fado shook his head. "I've seen them, but they don't seem to be looking for you. I really don't think they told anyone about last night, they looked guilty, well, more guilty than normal." He paused a moment and then added, "I don't think they want to lose face by admitting they lost you."
Link nodded at this, considering it quite plausible. He did however think there was more to it than that. He had overheard the bandits talking enough to suspect that they were quite superstitious. Link also suspected that Thann was not and he would discourage such beliefs in his soldiers, especially since talk like that often led to cowardice.
If Thann frowned on ghost stories and spirit talk then, not only would he disapprove if his men told him they hadn't been able to catch a curfew breaker, but he would be livid if they told him why they hadn't: a ghost wolf. Though Link did not have time to try to explain his escape or the shade to Fado, he decided that it would probably be safer for the patrols if they said nothing at all to their temperamental leader. Link also knew that even though they probably had not, and would not say anything, it would probably be best for him to stay hidden. He voiced his last thought to Fado.
"I think it would be best if I stayed here, hidden, until our plan works."
Fado nodded agreement at the good sense behind this and then frowned. Like most young boys, Fado was very active and the thought of staying hidden for hours quietly was not really appealing.
"You can wait that long?" he asked finally.
"What other choice do I have? After last night, I don't think I can just go waltzing happily through the village giving Thann and his men flowers and wishing them a good day. Besides, if everything works well then I hopefully won't have to wait too long."
Fado grudgingly admitted he was right and took the plants from Link.
"Good fortune go with you," Link said softly.
"And you," Fado returned as he began to head back to the village.
~x~X~x~
Fado watched discreetly that afternoon as Ilia, with the plants tastefully arranged in a basket, innocently entered Pergie's house. He followed shortly after her, carrying a heavy sack of flour. As he set the flour down near the back of the room, he watched Ilia sidle up towards Pergie as the cook frantically labored in her kitchen.
"Miss Pergie," Ilia began sweetly to catch the woman's attention.
Pergie turned and fixed Ilia with a wan distracted attempt at a smile. It came out more like a grimace.
"Uli said to give you these." Ilia held up the basket and smiled. "She heard that you were making…" here Ilia paused and sniffed the air as she glanced towards the cauldron hanging over the fire, "lamb stew," she continued, covering her slight slip quickly, and Fado thought, rather artfully."She thought you could use some sweet marjoram to season it," Ilia finally finished.
If Pergie noticed Ilia's slight hesitation she gave no outward sign. Fado decided that her mind was simply too overtaxed and frantic with everything going on to have really taken notice. Pergie reached for the basket and flashed Ilia what could only be described as a world-weary smile.
"Tell Uli thank you for me. She is always so thoughtful."
Ilia nodded and turned to leave. Fado followed shortly after. As he was heading out the door, he saw Pergie begin to mince the herbs with skillful deft strokes of her kitchen knife and then toss the lot of it into the bubbling cauldron with a handful of salt. Fado felt a rush of success flood through him. When he was outside, he caught Ilia's eye and nodded once.
~x~X~x~
Thann and his council of six captains had been in a lengthy meeting since late afternoon, discussing their plans of where to go next after they left this small village in about five days. Thann was a powerful leader, and he was also no fool. He trusted his own judgment above all others but, at the same time, he knew it was the path of a wise leader to seek the counsel of others. He thought this especially when it came to such important and decisive matters such as the Reihmag's next move. He would consider the advice and opinions of his captains. They were men nearly as skilled, cunning, and ruthless as himself. He had the final word in all matters so he had nothing to lose by listening, and, more frequently than not, he gained much more by considering his captains' ideas. It was because of this system that the Reihmag had won themselves such success as a tactical unit. They benefited well from each other's strengths. It was why he and his men had been nearly unopposed and undefeatable until Hyrule's king had built his army up for that massive counter attack.
They had a lot of planning to do in order to get the Reihmag back to their former glory. It was a matter of some delicacy and urgency and so, in accordance with that, he had left his lieutenant in charge and had practically sealed himself and his captains off from the rest of the village. Because of the closed off secretive nature of his meeting, and the fact that he did not want to be disturbed by anyone, he had had one of his soldiers prepare a small meal for himself and his men in the mayor's kitchen that evening.
It was not until late that night, when they finally drew their council to a close, that he deemed it time to retire for the night. He had made his final decisions and was rather pleased with the way things were going to be headed. If he and his group moved quickly and decisively enough, they could regain control of much of what they had had lost before the Hyrule army really had a chance to rally and build itself again. By that time, he and his men would be safely out of harm's way. Hyrule was not really a good place for them in the long run, they would probably have more success in the far south.
With those pleasurable and fulfilling thoughts in mind, he left the mayor's house with his captains early the next morning. His mood had been vastly lightened by the talks the night before. With that knowledge adding to the strength of his imposing countenance, he strode forth. In his mind, he could already see himself standing proud at the head of his Reihmag, leading them to victory after seven years of forced inactivity.
That was why he was so startled when he entered the equivalent of the town square and saw all his men laying on the ground. The ones who were conscious were shuddering, moaning and sweating with fever as they writhed in agony. The others were ominously still, their rapid feverish breathing the only indication of life. All around him, the air hung heavy with the stench of vomit, and worse. Of all his men only two, aside from his council were still standing. And, despite their valiant efforts he could see that they were sick and totally unfit for battle.
For a moment his mind was frozen with horror. Just yesterday his men had been fine and fit for battle. Today not one of them was healthy. His mind whirled with the question as to how this could have happened. Then his eyes alighted on the near empty cauldron lying listlessly on its side, no doubt knocked over by one of his men. The remainder of the giant pot's contents was pooled miserably at the bottom. His eyes narrowed instantly with suspicion and then still further with anger as he confirmed his suspicion in his own mind. There was only one thing that could take out perfectly healthy men this way, and that was poison. He felt the boiling-over sensation of livid rage began to overtake his entire being. His men had been poisoned. All his carefully laid plans were already falling into shambles around his feet. For that, there would be the Dark World to pay. His face grew hot with fury even as he vowed to kill the perpetrator of this deed.
His eyes suddenly focused their white hot rage upon the blacksmith's house. In this village of bumpkins and fools he instinctively knew that there was only one person with the knowledge and skill enough to accomplish such a deed. There was only one person with enough knowledge of woodland plants and poisons: the herbalist. He drew his sword slowly with the burning passion of a righteous rage. His world had narrowed until there was only room left for one thought in his mind. He would find the herbalist and she would die upon his blade.
She would die, but not quickly. She would suffer for her rebellion and treachery against him, and she would suffer dearly, only then would he take her life in recompense. He would make such an example of her that this village would never forget. Perhaps then they would learn fear, perhaps then they would learn never to cross him. He was Thann, the leader of the Reihmag and he would have his retribution.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! I am pretty sure there will be one more chapter after this, and then and epilogue. As usual, reviews are much appreciated. I have had this idea that the Hero's Shade might have acted like a guardian to Link even before his adventures in TP, so I could not help but add him (I love the Hero's Shade. Also I am having quite a fair amount of empathy for the bandits as I have had the outstanding pleasure of contracting a stomach bug yesterday (not fun DX) Also a final note, (Time for another of my geeky gardening and horticulture notes) (yes I have quite a lot of random hobbies and interest XD) the plants I have used in this story are real and what I have said about them is accurate (don't eat the matrimony vine unless you know what you are doing) (parts of it can be used for medicinal purposes as I have said.) Once again, Thanks for reading! I hope you all have an amazing week!
