11

We finally reach the Bank of Wishes, where we will leave the waterway behind. I know I slow down Sidon a great deal, but the two-days swim really seemed to do him good. I stretch my aching neck and shoulders as we emerge on good old firm ground. Without a word, I swiftly remove my Zora armor and put on my comfortable Hylian tunic and hood, more suited to foot traveling. Sidon hasn't asked where we were headed for, trustingly following me. We make for the trench leading back from the bank to the path when a young Zora girl appears from it. Her skin is red like Sidon's and she looks about Riju's age when I first met her, even though she is probably two times older. Her eyes widen as she sees us.

"Link! Prince Sidon!" She smiles shyly. "What are you doing here?"

"Finley." My companion replies happily, treating her question as rhetorical. "How you have grown! That does not make us any younger, does it my friend?" He chuckles at me.

"You are as fine looking as ever, my Prince." Finley bows slightly to mark her appreciation. "But I do see the difference for you, Link."

"Thanks." I mumble grumpily.

"Exactly like my dear Sasan. He is a real strong man now, just like you!" She continues, ignoring my comment and beaming at me. "Oh, he would like to see you again. You have changed our lives, Link."

I feel my face turning the same color as her skin.

"Why did you come here, may I ask?" Sidon inquires politely.

"I always come here when I feel thankful for the day I met my Sasan." She smiles. "And to wish for... for things. That is this place's whole purpose, is it not?"

"Yes, it is." He respectfully nods in agreement. "We will leave you to it, then."

We engage in the trench – the place always made me uncomfortable, being perfectly carved for an ambush. However, my vigilance is somewhat zealous, as such events are mostly a thing of the past. Soon we have rejoined the path to Zora's Domain. I turn to the plateau flanking it – up above are the Zodobon Highlands.

"How do you feel about climbing?" I ask my friend as I scan the surface for a smooth way up.

"Climbing?" He repeats, surprised. "Unless there is a waterfall around, I have to admit: not my strong suit."

"It's a gentle slope, I'm pretty sure we can just walk it up. We'll take our time." I assure him.

Sidon's giant body surprises me by its agility. Even if his webbed feet often slip on the rocky hill, he manages to climb at a relatively fast, even if inefficient, paste. We are soon at the top of the Highlands, enjoying the brisk caress of the wind on our hot faces. As I lead the way, I have to resist the urge to pick the few rare mushrooms and truffles concealed under the ancient pine trees. Sidon patiently follows me, until we arrive in front of it.

"A stone monument?" He says, sounding disappointed.

"It's the story of the Sage Princess Ruto." I explain.

"I know what it says." Sidon replies, disinterested. "It tells her achievements at the Hero's side and how Vah'Ruta was named after her."

"Yes, but there is more." I can't repress my smile.

I point at the fresco carved at the bottom of the monument. Sidon crouches next to me, intrigued. The engraving depicts multiple roughly sculpted Zora figures. Isolated from the others, a female one, her fins cascading around her like a dress, is wearing what could look like a tiara – presumably Princess Ruto. Next to her stands a slightly shorter male figure – a Hylian. Sidon's eyes follow the couple they form, down to the third, smallest figure at their side.

"You know I would like it to be true, you know I do," Sidon pleads, his brows furrowed as he examines the carving, "but that is hardly proof."

"Read what it says." I slide my fingers on the symbols inscribed in the ribbon surrounding the fresco.

It is an obsolete dialect of the Zora language, but I am fairly certain of my translation.

"Her heir, born in the spring of Hylia, is a remembrance of her love for the Hero." I read out loud. "I figured that was a metaphor for the world's youth, thousands of years ago. Kass used to sing me short riddles like this." I explain.

Sidon scrutinizes the ancient text, his air pensive.

"This symbol," He taps it repeatedly, lost in his thoughts. "It can mean 'heir', but it also means 'heirloom', or even 'artefact'. I would not be surprised if the tradition of Zora females crafting an armor for their husband originated from her."

He seems determined to forbid himself any hope.

"There's a child in the depiction, next to a Hylian man." I insist.

But Sidon is not listening to me.

"Spring of Hylia." He whispers, staring at the fresco. "Spring. As in 'body of water', not the season." He points at the symbol I mistranslated.

He shoots me a grasping glance.

"Could this refer to Lake Hylia?" He wonders.

"Only one way to know for sure." I smile.


Author's notes: Well, finally the start of a quest!

numb3rwhiz: I'm glad you are enjoying the slow build-up. Technically, the chapters are so short, if they were all out at once, this story would be going a lot faster haha! But I think we have finally reached some interesting development. Thanks a lot for the elaborated reviews!

OnePunchFan8: You're welcome, that is what reviews are for ;)