Link sat in the shade and happily munched on a pear, the juices dribbling down the corner of his mouth. A little ways behind him, the horses were tied to an oak tree, bags of oats strapped to their muzzles. Ahead of him was the ferry to the other side of the Hylia River. Flynn was over there, arguing with the ferry master.
Their trek east was uneventful, if a bit slow. Neither wanted to push their horses very hard, and, in all reality, inspecting their lords' plantations was a welcome respite from the rigors of training. Link enjoyed stopping at the markets to stock up on food and chat with the farmers about the coming harvest. Flynn found the provincial life boring, but never passed up an opportunity to watch a play put on by local performs (neither did he hesitate to critique their performance to Link).
But when they reached Ordon, the county with the closest port, they hit their first problem; unusually heavy rains the past spring had washed out the main bridge, with the nearest one several days south. And the ferry here claimed to be booked solid with all the merchant traffic it absorbed from those that normally took the bridge.
Finishing the pear, Link reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a piece of stale bread. He grimaced slightly as he bit into it. He hoped that the delay wouldn't be too long; he wanted to visit his family before he departed for the tropics.
After a little while longer, Flynn walked back his hands wringing his blue cap.
"No luck?" Link asked, brushing the crumbs from his mouth.
"I swear," Flynn growled. "The merchants get bolder every passing day. If my father were here, he'd have them clapped in irons for treating nobility as such."
"Well," Link said with a slight shrug. "We best get on our way. The ships set sail in two weeks time. We miss those and we will never see knighthood."
Link started undoing the straps around the trees. Epona snorted at him as he took the feedbag away. Link patted her flank and reassured her that she would be fed again before the day was done.
"There is another crossing, Link," Flynn said as he mounted Catherine. "It's a low point in the river, enough for us to ford and only a two days ride from here."
"Then why aren't we already on our way? An even better question, why did you waste our time with that ferry master?" Link asked, his brow furrowed and gloved hands clenching at the reins.
"Because," Flynn slowly said. "The ford is to the north. In Hyrule."
Link's lips curled as he dismissively shook his head. Hyrule. The one place he never wanted to go. Full of stupid people and not much else. Their army and navy never accounted to much either. They couldn't even find a handful of black magic users.
"Where did you hear this from?" Link asked, settling back on Epona.
"The ferry master back there," Flynn said, motioning behind himself. "He said it was the route all the regular travelers were taking."
"We are not regular travelers," Link stated. Flynn sighed.
"I know this isn't your first choice, or even your tenth," Flynn said, leveling his gaze. "But it's the fastest. And we won't be going that far into Hyrule, barely five miles into their southern border. No one lives there."
Link didn't even want to step one foot inside that land. But, it made the most sense. It would put less strain on their horses, and they could be left with his family, as he originally wanted.
"So long as we don't run into any problems, I guess I can stand it," Link said, turning Epona back onto the road.
Link and Flynn journeyed north. The well-trimmed shrubbery that lined the major trade roads gave way to wild thickets. Game became numerous with several herds of deer crossing their path. The boundary between Hyrule and Catalia was marked not by a guard shack or royal tolls, but by a single rope bridge that spanned a deep chasm. Link wanted to push on, to reach the next crossing as swiftly as possible, but the shadows were getting long and the horses needed to rest.
They came to a stop next to a brook. Their campsite was nestled near the foot of a series of heavily forested hills. It was a nice grove, not too many rocks on the ground, and plenty of shade to rest under.
"Hyrule doesn't seem to be the nightmare you make it out to be," Flynn said, dumping an arm load of wood by the fire pit Link dug. The young man grunted, keeping his attention fixed on the tinder and kindling he was arranging.
"The way you talk," Flynn continued, "there are soldiers at every turn, robbing people blind of what rupees-"
A scream from the east ripped through the air. Link and Flynn's heads whipped towards it. Almost immediately, they heard inhuman shouts and growls, followed by the clashing of steel. The two scrambled to their horses, abandoning the fire pit. Flynn drew his sword from the scabbard on the side of his horse, his shield still strapped to his back. Link snatched his shield from Epona, mentally berating himself for not bringing his sword. Armed such as they were, they ran in the direction of the battle.
Link arrived first, shield gripped tightly in his left hand. He saw two people – an old man and an elderly woman – on horseback. Their steeds had been forced back against a rock wall that marked the road. The horses shook their manes and pawed at the ground.
Before them were several… beasts that Link had never seen before. There were tall creatures with broad shoulders and bulging arms that gripped long pikes. They had dark, leathery skin, claws in the place of hands and feet. They had the heads of board crossed with the jowls of a bulldog. All wore a breastplate made of boiled leather for armor.
One lone beast was the height and build of an average man. It had the head of a rat, with bits of gray fur poking out from under its tunic. A high-pitched squeal came out of a snout filled with yellowed teeth. It pointed at the old woman with a wooden boomerang.
The old man had a single short sword drawn, skillfully parrying the pike thrusts. But the blood dripping from his arms and shoulders said that it was only a matter of time before one of the pig-dogs landed the killing blow.
Bracing his shield, Link dashed out from the bushes, aiming straight for the rat monster. The creature turned and shouted something, its stubby hand pointing at Link. The lad slammed full force into the creature's side, sending it into the ground.
The pig-dogs looked at Link. A heartbeat later, the old man shoved his sword through one's head. It collapsed with barely a gurgle. Two of them split off, pikes towards Link, while the others redoubled their focus on the old man.
Link backed away from the monsters, his shield held high. The two that advanced on him snarled and snapped. One thrust its pike, the tip catching a gleam of light. Link sidestepped, and then blocked the other's jab.
Something large and heavy hit Link on the side of his head. Flashes of black and white danced in front of him. His legs buckled, then gave way.
Through the fog that enveloped him, he heard a shout, as though it was from a great distance. A large shadow leaped over him and straight towards the pig-dogs. All three figures collided and began to grapple. Slowly, Link climbed onto unsteady feet. The dark blobs and indistinct figures gained color and came back into focus. He blinked and saw that it was Flynn who had comes to his defense. Link scrambled to his side.
Flynn was trying to jab his sword into one of the beasts. Steady footwork and counter-thrusts kept him at bay. As one made its drive, Link grabbed hold of its pike and smashed the staff with his shield, breaking it in two. The monster stepped back and sharply barked at Link. The young man watched as its pike began to grow and reform. Magic. Link's attention shifted to its comrade.
He and Flynn moved to attack that one before the other could rejoin the fight. The duo split and attacked it from wide angles. The pig-dog swung its pike low. Link tucked in behind his shield and took the full force of the blow. Pain radiated up his left arm, but he held. With a shout, Flynn dashed forward and drove his blade deep into its belly. The pig-dog groaned as purple blood oozed out. Link swiftly closed the gap. Despite that it was nearly twice his size, he struck his half of the pike into its head, through the center of its face. The creature wobbled, then fell to its side.
One down. Link focused on the other pig-dog. Its pike was completely regenerated, the tip sharp and deadly. It kept its distance from the two swordsmen, its beady eyes shifting between the two. Link and Flynn reformed by each other's side. As one, they advanced on their lone opponent. Every step forward they took was matched by one the creature took back.
A dash of movement flittered in the corner of Link's eye. He looked to see the rat creature running towards the body of the dead pig-dog. He pursued, leaving Flynn to deal with the other beast.
The rat reached the dead body. Just as it went to pick up its weapon, Link charged in, his stolen pike at the ready. The creature jumped out of the way as Link jabbed forward, the tip getting stuck in the ground. It hissed at him, swinging its hand at his face, sharp claws aiming for his eyes. Link raised his arm, crying when it raked his skin. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt.
Link staggered away, cradling his injured arm. He and the rat began to circle each other, both eyeing the pike on the ground. An idea struck Link. He intentionally dragged his trailing foot and caught it behind his calf as he stepped, stumbling. Sensing an opening, the rat leapt for the pike. Link's trailing leg swept forward, kicking a shower of dirt and rocks into the eyes of the beast. It completely missed, slamming into the ground.
As the creature squealed and flailed, Link grabbed the pike and shoved through the thing's head.
The instant he did, the pike disintegrated in his hand. So did the body of the fallen pig-dog. Link looked up to see that all of the monsters had vanished, except for the rat creature. Flynn stared at the spot where his foe had been, trying to wrap his head around what happened. At the road, the old man looked around for any other signs of trouble. The old woman lay on the ground. Her horse was nowhere to be seen. Link rushed over.
"Madam, are you hurt?" he asked, kneeling to her help. A large gash trickled bright red blood across her forehead. Trembling, her hand came up and wiped across her eyes. She peered up at Link. Her eyes narrowed as she stared into his face.
"Catalians?" she asked.
"Yes," Link replied, gently pulling her onto her feet. "We were travelling to Ordon and heard your screams. I am Link, page to Sir Lionel. My companion is Flynn, page to Sir Miles."
The old woman looked deeply into Link's eyes. He felt as if he were under his lord's scrutiny after a test. The old man cantered over on his horse, blood dripping from his wounds onto the ground.
"We must get off the roads," he said.
"I saw a cave," Flynn said, wiping the blood from his sword, "not too far from here. We can hide there."
The old woman gently sat down, Link providing an arm for support. Flynn and the old man guided the horses in and then kept watch.
"Pardon me for asking," Flynn said, "but you have not introduced yourselves yet."
"I am Manfried," the old man said, "Chief Sergeant of the North Castle Guard."
Link looked at him with wide eyes.
"And this," Manfried continued, motioning to the old woman," is Impa, nanny to Princess Zelda of the Kingdom of Hyrule."
Now Link looked at Impa. What in heaven's name were they doing all the way out here?
"Our kingdom is under attack," Impa said, dabbing at her wound with her cloak. "Ganondorf returned a score of weeks ago. Already he has taken most of Western Kingdom."
Flynn looked at Impa. Ganondorf, the King of Evil, who had brought the whole world to its knees during the Imprisonment War. He knew that name.
"What of your royal family?" Flynn asked.
"All dead, most likely," Manfried said, his voice grim and his lips tights.
"You abandoned your post?" Link said. Manfried's nostrils flared and he bared his teeth.
"Never in a thousand lifetimes would I –" he bellowed.
"Princess Zelda sent us away," Impa said, stifling Manfried's fury. "She sent us to find help, to reclaim the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom before Ganondorf can."
Link blinked.
"Triforce of Wisdom?" he asked.
"An object of tremendous magic," Flynn answered. "Its counsel is highly regarded by all who seeks it."
All three stared at Flynn. He looked back.
"A good knight is familiar with the history of his neighbors," he said. "My companion has yet to learn this."
Link scowled.
"It's more than that," Impa continued. "The Triforce is a gift from the Sacred Realm, entrusted to the Kingdom of Hyrule for safety.
"And in that sacred charge, we have failed," Impa said with a heavy sigh. "Ganondorf seized the Triforce of Power before Princess Zelda could fracture it. And Courage has been lost in the world for quite some time."
Link finished bandaging Impa's wounds.
"Where were you heading?" Flynn asked.
"To your kingdom, Catalia," Manfried replied. "What remains of our army is trapped around the port of Mido. The Eastern Kingdom cannot help us now; it will take too long for them raise their regiments."
"Why would you come to us for help?" Link asked. "We have been… distant for several generations." The Rusted War and all the suffering it had caused – especially to his family- came to his mind.
"You are our closest neighbor," Impa said. "And we were allies once, during the Imprisonment War."
"It's hard to-" Link started to say.
"Link, a word?" Flynn said, motioning outside. The two walked some distance from the cave.
"What is it?" Link asked.
"We should do this. Take up this quest," Flynn said. Link looked at him as if he had come under a spell.
"I understand why you don't want to," Flynn continued. "If Hyrule ruined my family like it did yours, I'd want to watch it burn too. But this?" He stepped closer to Link.
"This is the makings of legend. The two of us, answering the plea of royalty against a monster like Ganondorf? Not only would we get our knighthood, the minstrels and bards would be retelling our tale for generations to come!"
Link looked around uneasily. Flynn was right. Do this and everything he had worked for, and much more, would be his. But to the aid of Hyrule? The very idea raised his bile. But, he thought after a moment, he didn't necessarily have help Hyrule. They could retrieve the Triforce of Wisdom and deliver it to Catalia. This Ganondorf could have Hyrule; Catalia was strong enough to resist him. He nodded.
"Very well," he said. "We will get the Triforce of Wisdom, and earn our place at His Majesty's table."
The two shared a grin as they returned to the cave.
"We will do it," Link stated, pushing his chest out. "We will answer your princess' plea and save Hyrule."
"You will?" Impa asked, her face brightening.
"Yes," Flynn replied, nodding. "As pages to our knights and in the name of the Grand Coalition of ancient times, we swear we will not rest until Ganondorf is defeated."
Impa's face beamed. Manfried scowled, looking the two over.
"You are just boys, not even men. And you!" he said, pointing at Link. "You do not even have a sword."
Link's face flushed as his sword hand felt at his naked hip.
"Manfried," Impa said. "Remember the tales of the hero, that he was just a boy as well."
Manfried looked at his companion and grumbled in Hyrulean, too low for Link or Flynn to hear. Impa replied in similar hushed tones.
"Fine," Manfried said. "But I will go with you. It will be good for these old bones to see some action. And you two know nothing of Hyrule, or the Old Kingdom, and are in need of a guide."
"Yes," Impa said. "I will set out at sunrise and continue to your king's palace."
Manfried looked back at Link and his empty belt.
"We have a saying about going unarmed into battle," he said. "It loses much in your language, but…"
Manfried removed his short sword.
"It's dangerous to go along," he said, presenting his sword. "Take this."
Link reached out and took the blade.
"Thank you," he said.
"Now," Flynn said." First order of business: do we know where the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom lay?"
"No," Manfried answered. "But Princess Zelda enchanted my compass to point towards them."
He reached into his pack and pulled the compass out. Flynn snatched it out of his hands and opened it. Manfried's face turned red.
"That is my compass, boy!" he shouted.
"Yes," Flynn said, studying where the needle pointed. "But this is an important instrument and I need to know where to go."
Manfried saw flames.
"Why you arrogant, aristocratic . . ."
Link sighed and watched as Manfried laid into Flynn.
"Never disrespect old men in a profession when it is the young who die," he softly said. Impa chuckled lightly behind him. Link turned towards her.
"Do you have a map to go with the compass? My companion means well, but he is not very good at reading either, let alone both," he asked.
"I do," Impa replied. "It is in the saddlebag on Manfried's horse."
Link nodded and walked up to the feuding pair.
"If you don't mind, Chief Sergeant," Link said, snatching the compass from Flynn's hands. "I am going outside with your compass to find our destination."
Without waiting for either to reply, Link walked out, pausing only to retrieve the map from Manfried's horse.
Outside, Link looked to the east, watching the setting sun. There, he had is first reference point. But he needed more. He draped the compass around his neck by the lanyard, stuffed the map into his belt, and began to climb the hillside that the cave was in. An hour later, sweat dripping from his brow, Link reached the top of the hill. The Old Kingdom of Hyrule spread before him.
Emerald forests, the boughs, thick and lush with life, spread before him in all directions. In the distance, a single river ran, its bank snaking around hills and through valleys, heading south towards the Great Sea, sunlight glittering off the brooks. Ancient mountains stood at the horizon, giving silent testament to the passage of time. Scant clouds were painted on the sky, tinted red by the setting sun.
Link took a knee, grabbing at the scabbard of his sword. For a brief moment, he felt his heart stir. The mountains whispered to him on breeze, told him of old wounds that must not be reopened. He closed his eyes and wiped his brow on his sleeve, reminding himself of what Hyrule had done to his family.
Plucking the compass from around his neck, Link took out the map and spread it on the ground before him. He turned the map so it faced east, as he was. Holding the compass in his left hand, he traced the southern rivers with his right finger. He found a section that ran the western slope of two tall mountains, like the one he saw. Link traced west from there, finding the road that he and Flynn met Manfried and Impa on.
Right there was the hill he sat upon.
He set the compass on top of the map. The needle swayed for a moment, listing back and forth, before settling on a direction – northwest. Link traced out a line with his finger then put it all away. He still had to find another place to shoot an additional line from and then see where that line and his current one met. And he needed to do that before he went to sleep.
The daylight had faded, yielding to the waxing moon and the stars. A small fire was lit inside the cave, letting those inside warm their bones, cook their dinner, and think of the journey ahead.
A noise, the shuffling of feet, drew their attention to the entrance. Blades were drawn, ready to face what may come.
Link walked in and looked around. Flynn sighed in relief and sheathed his sword. Manfried placed his great sword down by his side.
"I know where the nearest piece is," Link said, sitting by the fire. He took a swig from his canteen before pulling out the map.
"Here," he said, pointing at an island in the middle of a lake. Manfried and Impa studied it.
"That is Lake Hylia," Impa said.
"Two days ride from here," Manfried added. "And that is assuming Ganondorf's forces don't find us first."
"We will be ready for them," Flynn said. "For now, we should get a good night's sleep. It may be a long time before we get another."
