Alaia Skyhawk: Lake Hylia! (For the record the lake is about 5 miles wide, in case it's been a while since anyone's taken at look at the map from Winds. Just so you know what I'm describing at the start. That thing is big...)

I don't own the Zelda series or anything associated with it. I do however own this story and any OCs, so please don't steal them.

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Chapter 7: Unexpected Test

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The lake glittered in the afternoon light, a great disk of dappled waters framed by a backdrop of the mountainous ridges which cradled Zora's Domain to the north-west. Far out into that disk he could see a small island dotted by a single tree, the bridges leading from it to the northern shore impossible to see at this distance... Even the island was hard to spot.

Arkai winced as he turned to face forward again, having spent every day of the last week and a half in the saddle his body was seriously complaining. But no pain no gain as they say, as sore as he was he was sure he'd get used to riding with practice. He'd taken the south route at the fork in the road some four miles back where it met Lake Hylia, deciding to pay a visit to the city he knew was on its southern shore, to rest for a day before heading to the Temple. That city was ahead of him now, the road moving away from the shore of the lake a little to pass the end of rim of cliffs that had once encircled the lake. The only remaining cliffs were to the north now, the southern rim having crumbled away to little more than a low ridge when the land had risen to the surface five hundred years ago. The southern shore now clear, it was only natural that a new settlement would develop there.

The city was in view now, or at least the end of it; tall fluted towers and low graceful buildings, built in flowing lines which looked as though the stone were carved by the waters of the lake itself. It was the pride of the people living there, a mixed population of Hyllians and Zoras, the buildings being of construction by the former, but designed by the latter. It was a combination of two styles, two cultures, merged into one harmonious whole.

It was with wonder that Arkai looked around as Anami carried him into the city, wonder which turned to sheer awe as the road passed around the end of the city to reveal the many terraces which seemed to flow down the deep slope south of the lake, the great waterfall, which was the result of the old underground river being blocked by subsidence, flowing over the rim of the lake above and down through the heart of the city before being routed through the many canals which ran throughout it. Hylienalis, the City of Water, it was more beautiful than any of the stories he'd heard told of it.

Arkai stared at the sight, even Anami seemed to be stunned by it as her rider's eyes traced the line of the city to where it met the forest dotted hills to the south, the altitude of this place letting the people here see the ocean beyond on a clear day. It was no small wonder that reams of poetry had been written about this place since it had been built, it certainly filled a person with inspiration.

The potential hero continued to take in that panorama, as he and Anami just stood there.

"Seeing this view... If I hadn't agreed to this journey, I might never have seen this... Sailing on the Great Sea wouldn't have brought me anywhere near this place. To see all the lands of Hyrule... The Pilgrimage of Sages won't take me everywhere, but to enough places I wouldn't otherwise see. If those places are anything like this, seeing them alone would be reason enough to keep going." He let out a short laugh. "Can you believe me, Anami? Just over three weeks ago all I wanted was to be a sailor, to see nothing other than whatever ports I might find myself sailing to. Now though, seeing this makes me realise there's so much more to Hyrule... I think I'm actually starting to want to explore; to go on an adventure to see just where that might take me."

The mare snorted, tossing her head a little as she whickered in a way that sounded a great deal like a laugh.

"Huhuhuhuhnn..."

Arkai laughed back.

"Ok ok, I know you think it funny coming from a guy who would rather run from a monster than fight one. Exploring means going to places where monsters might be, which means me saying I want to explore effectively says I'm seriously considering wanting to go to those places, monsters or not... I just wish Jaran could see me now, he'd be laughing his head off to see his 'jib headed' best friend getting all inspired to go places on land. I always did say the sea was all I needed, but now I'm not so sure I believe that anymore."

Thinking about his Changed friend made him pause, Anami sensing his shift in mood.

"Hnnnn..."

He patted her shoulder.

"I'm fine, it's just that thinking about what that mist did to him gets me down. That's another reason for me to keep going, to save him and all the others like him; to return them to normal... I want to hear him laugh again, for the two of us to walk down Nae Lanai docks bitching about my cousin Yara with the sea wind in our faces." He sighed and then nudged her with his heel. "Come on, let's go find and inn with a stable, then both of us can sleep comfortable tonight."

The pair of them set off again, walking into the heart of the City of Water.

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"This is the best of our rooms, and I'll make sure the Stablemaster takes care of your horse personally. If there's anything else I can help you with, all you need to do is ask."

Arkai turned to face the innkeeper, a little embarrassed by the preferential treatment he was getting. It had started the moment after he'd dismounted in the yard between the inn and its stable, Anami being recognised as a Nayruan the moment she'd strolled nonchalantly in with him astride her. One of the stable hands had immediately rushed over, helping the rather stiff and sore Arkai down from her back and then lifting the saddlebags down for him as well. One of the porters from the inn had then hurried over to carry them for him, while the stable hand led Anami with infinite care into the hay warmth of a clean straw lined stall. It had only gotten worse when the potential hero had pulled Queen Zerana's writ from inside his tunic. That writ guaranteed him free accommodation and supplies, with the cost to be covered by the crown in full... That writ, along with his clothing, made it obvious just what he was doing and who he was. Not to say that he would be known as 'Arkai', but rather everyone would know he was the one the queen thought might be their salvation from the darkness now assailing the lands of Hyrule... All of a sudden the pressure placed on him, not to end the journey in abysmal failure, grew from the size of a boulder to the size of Hyrule Castle.

He scratched the back of his head, doing his best not to cringe at all the attention.

"Really, it's fine, this is more than enough. All I want is to sleep in a real bed and stretch my legs a bit tomorrow. You don't have to do anything special."

The woman tilted her head, thoughtful.

"And why not? You're the Hero we've been waiting for, that the Sage of Courage said would come."

Arkai winced.

"Uh, to be honest I'm not so sure about that. I want to be the one, but I'm not sure if I'm really up to it. I keep wondering if my attempt is going to end up as a complete disaster... The only thing I seem to have going for me is that I saw the Eyes in the Dark Mist, like the Queen and Chieftain Koanli did. It's why she asked me to do this, and I feel like I'm seriously out of my depth."

The innkeeper blinked, before smiling.

"You know how much everyone is depending on you to succeed, and you worry about failing because you care about them. You've got a lot of honesty admitting that to me... A lot of courage."

It was Arkai's turn to blink.

"Huh?"

She continued to smile.

"It takes courage to tell someone who is depending on you that you're afraid. While I may not know personally, I'd bet that every Hero that has ever existed has felt the same way at some point as you do now. Keep doing your best, keep trying, that's all any of us can ask of you. To ask more wouldn't be fair." She turned and headed for the door, pausing to glance back. "That's why I'm giving you the best room, and the Stablemaster will tend to your horse. You've got a lot to shoulder, and for tonight at least we at this inn can lift a little of that burden from you. Get some rest and clear your head, you'll feel the better for it when you leave to continue on your journey."

She left, closing the door behind her as a rather stunned Arkai sank down onto the edge of the bed murmuring to himself.

"It takes courage to admit to being afraid? I have courage? But I'm such a wimp..." He looked down at his hands. "Maybe I am, but damned as hell I'm going to try."

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Silver flashed as sunlight struck steel, the razor length of the blade swinging and darting as its wielder took it through the movements of the drills he'd been made to memorise and told to practice. He'd ditched his green over tunic for today, although he still wore his chainmail between his grey shirt and the padded undershirt that went with the armour, both to continue getting used to the weight of it and to protect himself from his own sword should he make a mistake while practicing with it. By the time he'd been practicing for an hour he had quite the audience watching him, from the inn's windows, the stables, and even a few peering through the gate from the street outside. Word had spread that a young man wearing the garb of a Hero and carrying a Queen's Writ was staying in the town, and now it seemed that a few curious local swordsmen had decided to take a look at the potential Hero.

Arkai stopped in his current drill as three young men and one middle aged one came in through the gate, looking rather uncomfortable once he noticed that there were about thirty people watching him; something that, in his focus on the drills, he hadn't noticed.

They stopped a few yards away from him, the oldest of the four stepping forward.

"So you're the one the queen thinks is the one to save us from the darkness... Care for a little sparring match? Nothing serious, just a bit of one on one using sheathed swords."

Arkai wanted the ground to swallow him, wanted to run as far and as fast as he could... Pity that sort of thing wouldn't go down too well given the expectant expressions of the watching people. Doing his best not to let his voice tremble, and amazingly actually succeeding, he replied.

"Ok... I'm still a bit stiff though from riding the past couple of weeks. Before that I'd never ridden before, so my legs and back have been paying for it."

As he unhooked his sheath from the strap across his back and torso, the man who had challenged him laughed.

"I can sympathise. I'll go easy on you lad, don't worry about that."

Like Arkai had done, he unhooked his sheath from his belt, him being right handed to the potential hero's left. As soon as both of them had tied the sheaths in place over their swords, they walked to the middle of the yard and faced each other, settling into a stance with their now safe swords at the ready.

Suppressing the urge not to gulp, Arkai looked at the older man and spoke with a confidence he certainly didn't feel if the stomach in his boots were any indication.

"You ready?"

The man nodded once, before lunging towards Arkai bringing his blade over high. As he had with the bandit those days ago, he side stepped the swing, but this time he turned anti-clockwise on one foot to bring his sword round at the challenger's back. The man actually had to dive and roll out of the way to dodge it, before coming back again. This time he swung up from low in a stabbing motion, jabbing towards the Nae Lanai youth's ribs. Arkai swung across his body, blade pointed down, to strike the other sword and force it out to the side. In his next few moves the challenging man went from pleasantly surprised to outright shocked when the young man he was fighting switched from the simple blocks he'd been using to a complex strike and parry pattern that literally forced him backwards and left him no chance to hit back. He was so pushed to keep up in fact that after just twenty seconds of fending it off his sword went flying across the yard.

Silence followed as Arkai stood there with his sheathed blade pointed at the older man's throat, both of them breathing heavily. Seconds later those watching erupted into cheers.

Arkai lowered his sword, blinking in surprise until the man came over and clapped him on the shoulder.

"By the gods! If you can do that when you're stiff I'd hate to fight you when you're fresh. The queen picked a good one when she picked you." He shook his head. "Me an experienced swordsman with student of my own, and beaten so quickly. You'll give that darkness a run for its money, I'm sure." He turned to the three young men who had watched from nearby. "That, lads, is a professional at work. Keep practicing and you'll be as good as him one day."

Arkai fidgeted a little.

"Um, you don't need to do that. I'm not really one for compliments..."

He got another slap on the shoulder along with a grin.

"And humble too; you've got a good head on you lad. Many a man with skill like yours would brag and boast about it, but you stand there with humility and composure. You're a fine example of a true swordsman, and you deserve to be looked up to after a display of skill like that. Who taught you?"

Arkai gave in to fate... Might as well go along with something he couldn't change.

"The Queen's Champion, Taran. He gave me private lessons before I left Hyrule City at the queen's request."

There were several gasps from the onlookers, the man who had challenged him starting to look a little embarrassed.

"I picked a fight with someone taught by the queen's own right hand man? I'd heard that man never trains anyone solo, and only trains the best in small groups. You're something special to be given attention like that, it's no wonder you beat me so easily." He shook his head. "Well I never... A chance in a lifetime this was, and one I'll remember. Gods speed you on your journey, lad, and good luck to you wherever the road may take you."

He turned and left the yard, his three students following him as Arkai stood there in stunned silence. Perhaps now would be a good time to go back to his room and stay there...

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The city fell away behind him, Arkai not even minding that his body complained at being exposed to Anami's loping again. Gripping the reins as the sun rose to his left, he shook his head, dumbfounded.

"That was crazy! I beat up an expert swordsman yesterday and I only held a blade for the first time two weeks ago! He thinks Taran must have trained me for years, he and everyone else there!"

"Huhph."

The snort from the mare was the reply, the effort in running preventing a more lengthy response. Arkai continued to shake his head.

"What was I supposed to say? Yeah I was trained by Taran... for about six hours! How the hell did I become so good so fast?" He paused for a moment, remembering something from that session two weeks previous. "...Wait a minute... Not long after we started he looked a bit surprised and then started beating the crap out of me and making me memorise all those drills... That bastard knew! He knew and he let me think I needed all that practice just to stop myself falling flat on my face!"

"Huhph!"

Arkai shook his head one more time, before beginning to laugh.

"It's ok, I get why he didn't say anything. He didn't want me to become cocky and overconfident, so he kept quiet." He laughed again. "Aw man, those bandits must have freaked after I fumbled for my sword like an idiot before suddenly going highly skilled on them. I was scared I wasn't going to be much of a fighter in this, but now I really think I might have a chance."

"Hnnn!"

He smiled.

"Yeah yeah, I'm going to keep practicing. Only a fool would think he was an expert just because he got lucky in the talent department." He leaned closer to her, lowering his body to better balance against her running. "When I get back from all this you're hardly going to recognise me, Jaran. Just you wait and see!"

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The bridge swayed a little beneath his feet, forcing him to use his arms to keep his balance as he'd had to do several times since setting out at dawn. After riding the eight miles or so around the shore of the lake from the city to the lone building on the northern shore, he'd spent the night there before setting out on foot over the dozens of bridges which linked together in a long string out to the island in the middle of the expanse of water. That building had, a very long time ago, been a research facility or so stories said. These days the Zora maintained it as a wayhouse for those wishing to visit the temple island, since the bridges that went out to it connected to the shore the better part of a day's travel from Hylienalis. The two mile walk across the bridges was bad enough, but for people to have to camp on shore and wait for morning in order to make sure they could go out and come back before dark was a bit much.

The Zoras there had been friendly, chatting cheerfully to him before he'd gone to bed, and making breakfast for him before he'd left this morning while Anami stayed on shore to graze and wait for him to come back. The only thing that was bothering him was something they'd mentioned while he'd been eating... That the Sage of Water had been secretive for the past two weeks, and seemed to be expecting a visitor...

Arkai looked at the island which this last section of bridge connected to, a feeling of dread coming over him... Why did he get a bad feeling about this? He stepped off the end of the bridge, walking towards the hexagonal stone which lay near the middle of the small area of land. The island was barely big enough to fit an average house on, though he knew it was bigger below the water, and besides the stone and a carved slab to one side, there was nothing else on it but the tall and slightly battered looking tree.

He stepped onto the stone, stopping on the middle of it before jumping in fright as a female voice came from behind him. He spun round to look, and came face to face with a Zoran woman with violet eyes, an unusual feature for her race.

She tilted her head and smiled.

"So you've come, Arkai. Queen Zerana used the Triforce of Wisdom to inform all of us of your journey to see us. I am Ruto, the Sage of Water, and this is for you."

With a flare of light something appeared in her hand, which she then tossed at him. He fumbled to catch it, staring in confusion at what looked like a three pronged grabbing claw set into the end of a handle with chain wrapped around it.

Baffled, he looked up at her.

"What's this, and why give me it?"

She began to chuckle in a way that made him very nervous.

"If you are the one the Sage of Courage said would arise, then you're going to need that clawshot to reach him... but before I let you leave with it, you must earn it."

She conjured a ball of water and threw it at him, forcing him to dodge with a terrified expression on his face.

"I have to fight you?!!"

She threw another before diving off the side of the island into the water, surfacing a moment later.

"I'll give you one pointer. That thing has an extendable chain and the gripping claw on the end will grab onto a number of semi-hard surfaces, wood especially. It will also grab objects if they are small enough or have a point on them small enough to grip. What you have to do now you will have to work out for yourself."

She dove again, swimming in sight of the shore and not too far out. After a few seconds she surfaced and with her power lifted a huge ball of water from the lake. She threw it, Arkai again having to dodge as the lump of water as big as he was thundered past before bursting like a bubble into a shower of droplets.

Taking advantage of her being underwater again, he thrust his right hand into the clawshot's grip and with a little fumbling located the trigger. He then pointed it towards Ruto as she surfaced again, firing it when she threw another ball of water. The claw sped outwards with a resonant click and the rattle of chain, bursting the ball before it got to the island. Several balls later Arkai came to the conclusion that bursting them wasn't the task.

"Think think think! What am I supposed to do! Yahh!"

He rolled, barely avoiding the ball that had been aimed at his head, Ruto's amused voice carrying across the water to where he stood.

"Tsk tsk, daydreaming in the middle of a fight is never a good idea... Hurry up, Arkai, if you take much longer you'll fail my test."

She dove again, circling underwater for almost fifteen seconds before surfacing for just three to throw another ball. It was then that Arkai realised what he was supposed to do. He dodged the ball, and immediately after he began tracking the Sage as he'd once tracked game birds in the fields near his hometown before felling them with a bow. Aiming ahead of her, he fired.

The clawshot cut into the water, but seemed to angle upwards to pass above the Zora. He rolled his eyes as he dodged the next ball, realising his error.

"It's water, Arkai, it distorts what you see and makes it look higher than it is... Aim lower than your target looks."

He took aim again, firing. This time the chain clearly just skimmed what he was aiming for, and on his next attempted it seemed third time was the lucky one when the prongs of the claw latched around Ruto's ankle.

He braced himself as the chain began to retract, dragging the Sage out of the water and onto the island. As soon as it pulled her over the edge she vanished, freeing herself from the still retracting claw and appearing just to the left of where she'd been.

She smiled.

"Nicely done, you pass... Though you still need to practice using that thing, and learn what can be done with it. Take it with my blessing."

And with that she disappeared, leaving him with nothing else to do but make the long walk back to shore.

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Click rattle, clunk rattle click...

Arkai pulled the fist sized rock he'd grabbed out of the claw, throwing it a short way along the road ahead of him and taking aim again. The Lake was three days behind them now, the young man and his horse heading back east to make their way to the Shrine of Light west of Hyrule Castle Town. During those days he'd convinced the mare to walk for a while each say, giving him a rest from her running and also a chance to practice with his new tool while moving. He'd gotten quite good at it, usually managing to pick his now rather abused looking rock on the first attempt each time. He'd even picked up sticks and things from the road side for a change of pace, the awkward shapes making it more of a challenge to pick a point where hauling it in wouldn't cause an errant twig to try and poke his eye out. Even so it was now getting a little boring, and scanning his surroundings after grabbing and tucking his practice rock into his saddle bags he spotted something he hadn't tried yet.

"Hmmm, didn't she say this thing gripped wood really well? Hmmm, why not?"

He pointed the clawshot at a roadside tree, waiting until it came into range before pulling the trigger.

Click rattle... thud...

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Anami stopped in her tracks in surprise as the weight on her back suddenly vanished... Arkai having just been given a close introduction of sorts via his new clawshot. He'd soared through the spring air after being ripped from his seat, only to face plant into the trunk of the aforementioned tree.

She walked over to where he lay in the grass, lowering her head to nudge him with her nose.

"Hnnnn..."

A groan and a pained reply came from the young man.

"Oww... Note to self: Don't aim at things that won't move unless you want to be pulled to them..."

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Alaia Skyhawk: Hehehehehe, I've been looking forward to doing that. FACE PLANT! XD