OKAY OKAY DELAYS SO MANY DELAYS I KNOW AND I'M SORRY. I was really sick and bed-ridden for most of the weekend and Monday so I wasn't able to do anything really. However, the chapter is done, and though it's a bit shorter than usual, it's here. Hopefully CH11 will be done on time. Ugh. Sorry again. Review as usual.
Port of the Great Bay, Termina
"Are we entirely sure about this?" Rusl asked, peering over the side of the dock, looking queasy.
"How else are we to get to Windfall Island?" Ashei asked.
"Right, right..." Rusl mumbled in response.
"Best get a move on," Link said. "We've got to find a ship that'll take us, and for cheap."
"Oy, lookin' fer a cheap ride, yeh?" A voice called. A short, youngish man in a blue cap sat comfortably in a simple chair on the docks, in front of a particularly impressive ship. "You're lookin' at the destination, yeah? Don't seem to mind much how ya get there," His arm motioned to the boat behind him, and the adventurer's eyes followed. It was big, but not massive, and a little worn out, but strong and true.
"Well let me tell ya, of all the ships here makin' their way out 'cross the Great Bay, out to all the islands of the Great Sea and beyond, see all those ships? Of all those, mine's the best."
"Doesn't seem... that impressive," Auru commented.
"Aw, these ships'll fool ya,"He looked at Link expectantly.
"Link," He said simply. "And this is Auru, Rusl, Ghanti and Ashei." He pointed to each of the crew as he spoke.
"Name's Niko." The man said. "And this ship's name is Demeda, and it's that fastest ride to anywhere for anyone who can pay," Niko grinned.
"We can... pay, right?" Ghanti asked nervously. Niko's smile instantly faded.
"That we can," Auru said, making Niko beam again. Auru handed him a small pouch. Niko looked inside, examined the bag itself, and even shook it and listened to the Rupees clash inside. When all seemed to be in order, he smiled again.
"Well then, welcome aboard!" He said cheerfully. "Guest cabins are downstairs. Two people per cabin, please, and keep your belongings in your cabin. Other than the Captains quarters, feel free to explore the ship if you like. Now, I've got a bit of work to do before we shove off, won't be an hour. Oy, Gonzo! Got some passengers, yeh? Let's get ready to sail!"
The crew began to shout to one another, readying the ship to set sail. The six adventurers felt somewhat out of place, so they went to find their cabins.
Though Sheik expected as much, she still felt a pang of nerves when it was agreed that Link would bunk with her. Deciding it was best not to spend time alone with him, she set her things down quickly and went off by herself to find someplace to eat.
There was a small eatery in the lower decks of the ship. Sheik peeked at the food on display, if you could call it that. The pots were filled with stews and soups of odd colours and absolutely repulsive scents. Taking a spoon, she stirred the thick sludge in the pot, but put it down quickly, her appetite suddenly lost.
Back at the cabin, Link was sleeping peacefully. Sheik smiled to herself as she sat on her own bed, picking a book from the shelf on the wall at random. The History of the Hero of the Sky. She opened the book in an attempt to cure her boredom, when she heard a whimper. Link's face, once peaceful, was suddenly pained and fearful, though still asleep.
"No," He mumbled, tossing and turning. Sheik smiled to herself and sat at the side of Link's bed.
"Zelda..." Link said. Sheik froze, for a moment she thought he'd awoken and recognized her. But he snored and turned in the bed, and Sheik sighed in relief.
"Zelda, run..."
Slowly, Sheik brushed the hair in his eyes away.
"Zelda, where are you?"
"Shhh." Sheik clutched Link's hand in her own. "I'm here, right here." She whispered in her normal voice.
"Nngh..."
"Shh, silly here, it's only a nightmare." Sheik said, still holding his hand. "It's alright."
Link's expression calmed, and he began snoring again.
Soon, a loud bell rang and the ship began to slowly rock and creak. Niko burst into the room with a delighted look on his face.
"We're about to shove off! Would you like to come up and see?"
Sheik grinned, though Niko probably couldn't tell behind her mask. "Why not?"
The sky was clear, unbelievably so, and the air smelled of salt. The land they'd departed from slowly got more and more distant, and soon everything around them was blue. Ashei and Ghanti were chatting at the edge of the ship, looking to the sea.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sheik said, joining them. "It's not often I get to see the Great Sea like this."
"We won't get much time to enjoy it," Ashei said, smiling.
"I hope we get on land soon- to Windfall, I mean." Ghanti said.
"It's peaceful though, for a change," Sheik commented. "A bit of a break from chasing demons and princesses,"
The three were still chatting idly when Link emerged from the lower decks.
"Morning, sleepyhead." Sheik teased.
"You were asleep?!" Ashei laughed.
"Oh, shut it." Link said, sleep still in his voice. The group was silent for a short moment, until Link grinned to himself.
"I... had a good dream,"