Chapter 7: A Strange Meeting

With the hookshot, Link could reach places he had been unable to before. He forged ahead, caring not how many trials he had to endure to reach the end. Eventually, Link came across a spiral staircase, leading up to a higher level. Taking the steps two at a time, they led him out into the sunlight. It took Link's eyes a moment to adjust to the sudden brightness. When they did, he realized that he had made it to the very top of the great tree. A high bark wall encompassed the area and moss grew thick on the ground and on the branches above him. So awed by the sight, Link did not notice the figure that had observed his entrance.

"They are so strange." The figure said in a muffled voice. Link whirled around, ready to defend himself. The man had his back to Link and was gazing up at the wall. The wall, Link noticed, was covered in some sort of design.

"Ancient writings, I mean." Continued the stranger, indicating the carvings on the wall. "They always seem to come out wrong no matter how one goes about translating them." He turned around, facing Link, his long coat flowing behind him. They stood there for a moment, sizing each other up. The strange man wore a long, rust-coloured scarf that muffled his voice and obscured his face. His dark hair hid the rest of it.

"So, it's really you." He remarked, "The Hylian whose come down to size to resque us. You're a courageous man." There was a short pause, as though the stranger was thinking something over.

"My name is Foxhollow." He extended a hand from his pocket. "I already know yours."

Link hesitated, he wasn't really sure what to make of this Foxhollow character, who saw fit to hide his face. Something told him, however, that he could trust him. So he shook the hand, offered in friendship, though he felt that this man could prove to be a powerful ally or foe, one way or the other.