Chapter Seven – The Feast
Inasha sat at the head of the long table that had been situated in front of Jaggle and Pergie's house, which sat right beside the lake with a huge waterwheel on the side dipping into the river. Several lanterns had been lit all over the grounds and on the tables, providing a beautiful ambiance for the feast.
For a small village, they seemed to have plenty of food. A few roast cuccoos sat in the center of the table, along with broiled goat meat and charred bullbos. Inasha had never been a fan of bullbos, but she found she enjoyed the goat almost as much as the cuccoo.
There were also many fruits and vegetables placed decoratively around. Many of them she had never seen before. Apparently, they only grew in the temperate Ordanian climate. A few other Ordon delicacies, such as Ordon Cheese and Milk, were also placed around the table.
The large table was actually made by putting together three large picnic tables with a gray-blue tablecloth thrown over it. The whole village turned out for the occasion with huge smiles and jovial attitudes. Even Link seemed more upbeat that he usually was.
Inasha did her best to join in with gratitude and joy. She felt shy and awkward with so many people paying her attention and conversing with her. She was far from her comfort zone.
To her right sat Link, eagerly tearing into a drumstick and laughing with his friend Fado, who sat next to him. Uli politely looked on with an amused smile on Inasha's left. Down the table sat Pergie and Jaggle, Hanch and Sera, and then the Mayor, at the opposite end.
She'd been attempting to avoid eye contact with him all night. She couldn't bring herself to look at the father of the girl she'd failed to save. She knew the man had no other family left. Though she felt a connection between the two because of the common trait, she was afraid he would not forgive her for failing to save his daughter.
Especially if she never returned.
"If I may have everyone's attention," the mayor stood up. "I would like to make a toast to our guests of honor."
Inasha's heart stopped, dread creeping over her.
Mayor Bo turned to Link first. "My boy, Link. We have long been aware of your heart for our children. You've kept a watchful eye over them, often times better than we have ourselves. There should have been no doubt in our minds that if anyone were to bring us news of their safety, it would be you. I eagerly await more good news of my own daughter, news I am certain you will bring soon."
Link dipped his head in respect.
Now the mayor's eyes fell on Inasha. "Inasha. A girl of whom we had no idea existed until two days ago. You are the reason why our children are safe now. You took the chance and rescued four children you didn't even know. And I have no doubt in my mind that you did the best you could to rescue the fifth."
She gulped nervously.
"The two of you make a formidable team. I believe that you two will find my dear Ilia as well, and bring her home safely with the other children. There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind."
"To our tykes' saviors!" the whole village joined in and raised their glasses, then tipped back a good swig. Inasha dipped her head in nervous thanks and took a small sip of her wine.
Link nudged her. "I told you, nothing to worry about. He understands."
She laughed nervously and looked down at her plate. She did feel a little better, but the guilt nipping at her mind refused to give her any source of peace.
After the main meal was devoured and everyone had their fill, they began to mingle and gossip, like most small towns would do. Inasha shook hands with several people who had already thanked her, but stood by herself unless someone approached her.
While she was gazing at the stars a few feet away from the main gathering, the mayor walked up.
"Link tells me you were worried I might be angered that you didn't save my little girl," he started.
She crossed her arms. "Well…she's the only family you have. I know what its like to lose someone…the first thing you want to do is blame someone." Just how I blame someone for sending those monsters that killed my parents. They weren't just rogue demons…someone was commanding them…the one who told them to leave me because I was already nearly dead.
"That is usual human nature," he conceded. "But I think I would blame myself rather than anyone else. I shouldn't have let Ilia take off with Link's horse to the spring. I should have been more commanding. I shouldn't let my daughter walk all over me like that…if I had been the true father I should have been; maybe she would still be here. Maybe they all would."
"If they had not found anyone at the spring, they would have continued into the village. Countless lives could have been lost, just as were lost at Kakariko. These children were merely kidnapped, not ripped apart…" her voice broke off. She cleared her throat and tried to speak again. "Right now there's still a chance she could be alive. And the village is still thriving. Four of the five children are safe, hidden in a sacred place. And soon, they'll return home, along with your daughter.
"I promise you that."
The mayor looked at her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "You have such hope. Such strength. Like I stated earlier, you and Link will bring them all home. I have faith that you will."
For the first time all night, Inasha felt a genuine grin begin to show, and her spirits lifted a little. "You're…a lot like my dad was," she said softly. "You're optimistic. And you look for the good in people. He was always like that."
The mayor smiled at her, then bid her goodbye and left her where she had been standing.
But now, instead of a look of indifference, a trace of a smile was upon her lips as she gazed at the natural beauty of the small, temperate village.
X-X-X
"I'm not quite tired yet…are you?" Inasha asked Link as they walked back to his house.
The festivities had died down quite a while ago, but they had stayed to help clean things up. The moon was just past its halfway point in the sky.
"I'm a little tired," he admitted. "But I ate so much food, I think a walk would do me good. Would you like to join me?"
Inasha nodded and the two continued into the woods. They walked at a slow pace, enjoying the late night ambience of the nature around them.
"I've never been anywhere outside of Kakariko," she confessed after a few moments.
"Really? So this was your maiden voyage into the greater world? Had I known that I might have baked you a cake."
She narrowed her eyes. "Here I am opening up to you, and you start making fun of me."
Link feigned innocence. "What? I was completely serious."
She rolled her eyes and jabbed him with her elbow. "Do you want me to talk to you about me or not?"
"Alright, alright. I'll stop," he promised. "You'll probably get to see a lot of places now, though. For one thing, I'm clearing the curtain of Twilight from all of Hyrule. That in itself is a lot of walking. Usually, once I get done with that, Midna needs something from that area, so I tear the whole province apart looking for it."
Inasha chuckled. "Well. That sounds like an adventure."
"It is. But already I've seen some interesting places. I'd never been beyond Southern Hyrule Field before, but now I've been all the way up Death Mountain. Some of the insects carrying the Tears of Light Eldin told me to get were all the way at the summit."
She raised her eyebrows a little. "I guess they scatter all over the province."
Link gestured to the Faron Woods just across the bridge from them. "I had to cleanse the woods too. They literally were everywhere. I made it all the way to the other side, where this Forest Temple was. It's a huge temple in the middle of the biggest tree in the woods. It was…magnificent, to say the least."
"I hope I get to see some things like that," she admitted. "I've always wondered what's beyond this small kingdom."
"Even if Midna's errands don't take us everywhere, we're also on the hunt for Ilia. I won't leave any rock unturned until I find her."
She had to admit, his devotion to her was…inspiring. And very admirable. A mischievous grin crept across her face. "…Are you hoping for a thank you kiss when you find her?"
Even in the minimal light, she could see his face turn redder than a mountain tektite.
"I…n…no!" he stammered.
Inasha laughed. "Linky's in love!"
"Shut up," he growled, burying his face in his hands.
"In all seriousness," she continued after she stopped laughing. "I hope things work out for you too. It sounds like you have a good past, and a good connection. Perhaps it's destiny."
He didn't respond, and the two continued through Faron Woods in silence once more. They made their way towards Southern Hyrule field, and stopped just at the gate.
A huge black curtain shielded Hyrule Castle from view. Way up in the sky it changed from pitch black to orange, and eventually to a pale yellow. The bright colors seemed to move a little in an undulating pattern.
"That's…the Twilight, isn't it…"
Link nodded. "That's my next destination, after we go back to Kakariko to discuss arrangements for the kids to come home."
"Ordon told me he was worried…they couldn't get in contact with Lanayru."
"I doubt it. The Twilight messes up everything in this world…it's just not meant to be here. When I go to the Lanayru province…I don't think you should come with me. You react to the Twilight differently than I do. I'm worried…it might kill you."
Inasha sucked in a breath. "I figured you might say that."
Link nodded. "So…do you want to wait for me in Kakariko?"
She looked at him with irritation. "You're kidding me, right?"
"Oh…right…sorry," he mumbled. "Well…you could stay here. I can leave you the key to my house and everything."
She shook her head furiously. "No, no I can't do that! I…I don't want to be a burden to anyone. They've already gone through so much trouble just to say thank you. I don't want to over stay my welcome…"
"They won't mind. Maybe you can help them out in their daily chores and things, if you really feel that awful about staying."
"…it's not that," she confessed. "I'm not a people person. Not at all…I hate socializing. I don't like being around a lot of people. I like to keep to myself. Because sometimes I feel that I'm the only one I can trust."
Link crossed his arms and leaned back against the open gate. "Well, you can trust everyone here," he promised after a few moments of silence. "And they're all very understanding. I'm certain if we just explained that you don't like to be bothered too much, they'll leave you be."
"I don't want to be rude…"
"We're all very laid back here," he stated. "I don't think you'll offend anyone by requesting some alone time. You can always go to the spring, if you need to get away."
Inasha looked down in thought. "I…I suppose…"
"Great! It's settled then. I'll leave you my house key. And I'll send a letter after arrangements are made for the kids, just to let you know my progress. If you want," he added quickly. "Maybe Rusl will return soon after I leave, and you can go get the children yourself."
"That…that sounds fine, I guess. Just…can you promise me something?"
"Of course."
"Come back safely."
Link grinned. "Of course I will. We have a few missions to complete afterwards. As soon as I get rid of the Twilight I'll come back for you." He yawned and stretched his arms. "I'm exhausted, and I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Are you ready to go back?"
"You go ahead," she waved him off. "I would like some time alone…"
"It's dangerous to be alone at night…especially at the edge of Hyrule field."
"I have my dagger," she lied. "I can defend myself." I just want to be alone.
With a sigh, Link conceded and left the younger girl alone with her thoughts. She gazed out over the field, towards the hidden Hyrule Castle. If she looked closely she could just barely pick out the highest spires through the thick curtain.
The fourth Light Spirit…what if Link is too late to save him? What happens then?
A feel of dread crept over her. What if he had been too late for Eldin and I? She shivered at the thought.
Just one mistake on Link's part, and the whole world would be doomed. The goddesses are risking a lot, leaving the fate of Hyrule on one man's shoulders…
A loud screech and the flapping of enormous wings made her jump from her thoughts. A few feet away, a Kargarok was closing in fast.
She instinctively reached behind her for her bow, only to realize it was with the rest of her weapons at Link's house. She trembled nervously as the huge bird drew closer and closer.
She swallowed hard, suppressing her fears and preparing to defend herself. She put her feet shoulder's width apart and bent her knees, raising her fists in front of her body in a fighting stance.
Weapon or no, I will not go down without a fight!
X-X-X
Short chapter with the perfect cliffhanger.
Revised 12/1/12
Fixed more inconsistencies
Revised 12/23/14
Fixed more typos than there should have ever been.
