A Welcome Home
Chapter Eleven: Old Kakariko
Their small party of criminals bundled themselves up in what winter clothing they had and left Lanway at dawn the next day. Impa was in a hurry to reach the safety of Kakariko before dusk.
She had been right about Hyrule Field. It was flat and unsheltered, the winds whipping across the snow, nipping at any exposed skin. Unlike the valley that they had spent the first portion of their journey in, the snow on the fied was hard and icy making the conditions even more miserable. Missteps off the road meant risking the horses and more than once Impa had scolded Link for wandering too close to the icy edge.
Aside from the odd, minuscule, settlements or small tufts of a tree, the sprawling field was otherwise devoid of people and wildlife. Not once did they come across another traveler.
Link knew that, for the most part, the eastward road kept to the lower portion of Hyrule Field. To the north lay Castle Town and past that the Zora Domain. To the west lay (the apparently stunning, according to Raya) Lake Hylia.
They were too far south for those sights now, and Link would not glimpse the spiraling towers of Hyrule Castle on this journey. Nor would he get to see the smooth, glass-like surface of Lake Hylia when frozen in the winter.
Instead, he was left to stare at the wind-blown planes of the field or the back ends of horses. Far off in the distance, almost too far to make out, he could spot the sweltering peak of Death Mountain. Link tried to imagine himself up there, warm in the hot pools instead of freezing in the plains below.
Impa was constantly on the lookout for any sign of the Hyrulian General, but as the road split in two, and their course veered eastward instead of north, she seemed to relax. Once they entered the narrow Eldin Canyon, she quickened their pace, presumably eager to get home.
Sheik also seemed to be in a better mood with each step closer to their destination.
Just before dusk Link began to see the faint lights of the town nestled within the snowy canyon; however, instead of heading towards it, Impa had steered them up a steep ledge, leading her horse further into a gap in the canyon wall.
"That sign back there says Kakariko Village… aren't we going the wrong way?" Link questioned, leaning forward in the saddle so Sheik could hear him. Impa was too far ahead to even contemplate asking.
"I can read," Shiek said dryly, forgoing further explanation or a backward glance.
Still, it was the first time she'd spoken to him all day, so he mentally counted it as an improvement.
To Link's surprise, it was Ricca who turned in the saddle and answered his question. "Hyrulians live in that Kakariko. The Sheikah reside in Old Kakariko. It's hidden from most travelers."
Link nodded, glad the fading light hid the redness creeping across his face. Of course the Shiekah would live in a secret location, he internally scolded.
As they progressed, Link thanked the Goddess for his years of riding skills. The walls of the canyon were steep, though not without snow. At times, the path they were on became so narrow Link was scared to look down, the edge lingering just beyond his periphary. Sometimes, he would hear a stray rock skittering out from beneath a horse's hoof and tumble its way into the depths below.
As the sun began to set the light started to play tricks on him and his eyes struggled to adjust. The shadows seemed to morph and change while odd wisps of movement swirled just outside at the edge of his vision.
Just as Link was about to call out and request that they take a moment for him to regain his senses, they rounded another bend.
Old Kakariko lay before him, hidden among the towering canyon walls, perfectly encircled within their protection. It was much smaller than he had imagined. Only a dozen or so sturdy buildings filled the snowy clearing, each one facing into the center of town and placed within a rough circle. Small doors and windows glowed with candlelight. Above, wooden walkways had been built into the rock walls. Doors and windows dotted the walkways, and Link couldn't help but wonder if that was where the bulk of the village lived - up and away from any danger.
A home, only slightly larger than the rest, lay at the back of the village. Its curling troughs and wooden shingles stood apart from the others. A few pyres flickered in the evening, the light catching the hints of golden paint that decorated the wooden homes.
It felt as if he had been transported back through time. The town stood as a testament to what Hyrule used to be, or at least could have been, had the Sheikah been more populous. Quaint and peaceful, Old Kakariko was perfectly preserved within the rocky walls of Eldin.
Beneath their horses' hooves, a wooden bridge creaked in the cold. Link peered over to see a small, frozen stream. He followed it until it dipped over the edge of the canyon near the pathway they had traveled in on.
Unlike the other few towns and villages he'd seen in Hyrule, this one seemed to be active and filled with residents. Several people wandered about, making their way in and out of the various shops and buildings. Others traversed the wooden walkways.
As they slowed their horses, a man and woman approached them. Even in the fading light, they appeared distinctly Sheikah. The man, evidently older, reached up and took Sheik's reigns.
"You've doubled what you left with," he said with a glance in Link's direction. Link was promptly dismissed before the man turned to Ricca.
The older man helped their companion to the ground, steadying the weak man's footing in the snow. They stood quietly for a moment, the Sheikah's hands gripping Ricca's shoulders.
"Kossa."
The word tumbled from Ricca's mouth, steeped in teary-eyed emotion. He stepped forward, wrapping the Sheikah in a hug.
"It has been too long, General," Kossa replied, returning the warm embrace.
As they dismounted, Link thought about everything he knew about the Shiekah. The gesture seemed to be very out of character for the people - or at least when he knew of them. Link was so caught up in his own surprise that he didn't notice the second Sheikah, a woman, approach. She stared down at him with curiosity, a small smile across her lips.
"And who is the other?" she inquired, her sharp eyes resting on Impa.
"That's Link. He has something I think the Elder will want to speak about," Impa answered. Her tone was all business as she untied the bags from her horse.
"I'm Allashua," the woman introduced, extended her hand to Link with a faint smile. "Like Sheik, I'm Impa's apprentice; although, I'm not lucky enough to go on the exciting adventures."
She rolled her eyes, laughing a little at herself, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Link."
She seemed nice enough and appeared to be somewhere between Impa's age and his own. Link took her gloved hand in his, shaking it.
"You made it in okay? Our elders in times past set up a barrier around our village. It disorients those who are not welcome or worthy, and they often get so mixed up that they either fall off the cliffs or wander in circles until, well, you know."
Link's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's horrible," he blurted out.
Allashua just laughed again.
"Your kind always think our ways are horrid until you need to use them. You must be something special to make it in alive, and on your own horse no less! The elder will be interested in you indeed," she commented before turning to the rest of the party, leaving Link alone in his confusion.
Why hadn't Impa warned him about the spell? Would she have just let him tumble over the edge? The strange, disorienting feeling seemed to make more sense now though. Before he could come to a conclusion, he was snapped from his thoughts by Impa's voice.
"Come, Link. We have business with the elder. Allashua, will you take our things to my home? My guests will be staying with me," Impa instructed.
"No, no." Kossa objected, suddenly stepping forward. "The General will stay with me. Your place will be far too crowded and I'm happy to host. Ricca and I have a decade to catch up on."
"Of course, Master Kossa. I should have considered your history before making plans," Impa said with a slight bow of her head. "Mu apologies."
Link had never seen her so formal, and he suddenly felt like he should be giving the man the highest forms of respect. Immediately, Link realized he had no idea what traditional Sheikah customs entailed. He made a mental note to ask later.
Impa turned her attention back to Link.
"Bring your sword," she instructed before heading off, Sheik trailing after her.
Allashua gave him a wicked grin before shoving him off after her mentor and turning to grab the bags.
"Why didn't you tell me I could die coming in here?" Link asked as he caught up to Impa, clutching the blue scabbard. "It's a rather important detail, is it not?"
"It was a final test," she explained, if you're truly the hero we've been looking for, if you are truly worthy, then you would make it in. Having seen you hold the sword, I was quite sure you would be fine. The fact that you are alive at this moment is proof that the Goddesses have blessed you."
She paused before a smirk crossed her face, "for some strange reason."
Sheik spoke up from Impa's right, "Allashua gives away the Sheikah's secrets like candy to children."
Link was almost surprised for a moment, awestruck at Sheik's ability to so casually insult both him and her associate with such a simple statement. Allashua seemed perfectly nice to him, and much friendlier than Sheik. A fact that probably explained why the two hardly managed to get along despite both being trained by Impa.
Two Sheikah guards welcomed them as they ascended the wide stairway into the elder's home. They stepped aside and opened the heavy wooden doors before stepping aside.
Impa led the way into the small front room and Link reveled in the warmth. He wouldn't miss riding in the biting cold all day.
"Welcome home, Impa," said a voice from the back of the room, drawing Link's attention.
She must have been at least a hundred years old.
The elder's tiny, shrunken frame sat on a small pillow nestled in front of a fire in the middle of the room. The red tattoos on her face had shriveled beyond recognition, and the single braid of hair that fell in front of her right eye was the longest Link had ever seen. It sat, neatly wrapped, in a pile to her side.
"Elder Impaz, thank you for seeing us," Impa greeted as she sat on her knees, stiff and straight to Link's right.
He took a seat beside her, mirroring her posture.
Impa lifted her palm, motioning his way as she spoke, "this is Link. He is the man who possesses the master sword."
Impaz's faded eyes moved over him slowly, appearing to measure him for all his worth. Somehow, Link felt she knew everything he had ever failed at. All of his flaws and mistakes, his shortcomings and fears. Sitting in front of her, he felt entirely vulnerable. Wholly exposed.
A small, weathered grin crossed her face. "Well, aren't you the picture-perfect warrior we've all been waiting for." Link got the sense it was sarcasm.
On Impa's right, Sheik shifted. He was sure she was stifling a laugh. To his surprise, Impaz's eyes darted to her.
"And I see you've returned with all of your bitterness intact," This time, Impaz's tone was razor sharp and Link was left feeling like she could end them all should she feel like it. Possibly with her words alone.
Sheik sat up straighter and bowed her head as she responded, "you are right, elder. It is unbecoming. I'm sorry."
"To say the least," Impaz hissed in reply before her eyes fell to Impa. "and what do you advise we do with them, granddaughter?"
For a moment, Impa's shoulders slumped. She exhaled heavily.
"Link is far from a skilled fighter and I propose he spends the remainder of the winter training with General Ricca. Ricca is weak, undoubtedly, but he must regain his strength and Link will be gifted with a talented teacher. Ideally, as Link improves so will Ricca's strength and they will be matched well in the pace of their growth," Impa seemed to falter for a moment and her head turned, only slightly, towards Sheik. "Sheik will continue to be under my apprenticeship with Allashua. I will specifically focus on preparing them both for their tasks come spring."
Impaz smiled warmly.
"You are never without a plan, Impa. It is one of your greatest strengths," Impaz complimented. "Now then, let us see the sword, Link."
He didn't know why he was surprised by Impa and the elder's relation. Though it was hard to say they looked like a family, they certainly had a way of shifting from one extreme to the next. It seemed to Link that Impa had inherited her sense of humor and sharp tone more than anything else from her grandmother.
He peered down at the sword by his knees, the blue scabbard calling out to him as always. Slowly, with shaking hands, he reached forward and pulled the blade. Immediately, the strange, low vibrations seemed to flow from the palm of his hand up his forearm, warming him from within.
"Does it cause you discomfort to hold?" Impaz enquired curiously.
He wasn't sure how to answer, looking up to meet the old woman's insightful gaze.
"Not... not really. It's just strange," he answered.
He felt a surge of sudden guilt as his mother's image flashed within his memory, grey skin and auburn hair haloed by delicate white flowers on the forest floor.
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as Impaz laughed. The sound of her cackling filling up the room.
"Well, I would say the sword wielded only by the Goddess' chosen hero certainly should feel strange!" she claimed. Her elation faded and she suddenly appeared mournful. "I'm sorry it pains you, and for the sacrifice it took to obtain it. With time you will find your strength. We will all help you as much as we are able."
She nodded as if satisfied with her own wisdom for the moment.
"Well then, if that is all," she said after a moment, "we can speak again tomorrow. You've all earned the chance to rest in warm beds."
Impa leaned forward, placing the palms of her hands and forehead on the wooden floor as she spoke. "thank you, Elder."
Impaz snorted with laughter once more and rolled her eyes. "I don't know why you feel the need to be so formal all the time. We're related! Calm down for a moment." She waved her hand dismissively.
Impa, on the other hand, only seemed more distressed by her grandmother's words.
"Relation should not lead to favoritism," Impa muttered. The words sounding as if they had been said many times before.
Impaz huffed. "Well," the old woman replied, "it certainly doesn't in your case. If it did, I'd favor your cousin more!" Impaz began cackling again, leaning her head back and slapping her knee.
Impa closed her eyes, letting out an exasperated breath before answering, "right. Sleep well, grandmother. We'll meet again in the morning."
So, two chapters in one week. There's a reason for that. I've run into some personal roadblocks that have taken a toll on my writing (both motivation and schedule). I've tried to manage these since October, but unfortunately I just can't anymore. There is one more chapter that is completed after this, and I will publish that in a few days or maybe a week.
While I pull back to focus on my family and myself, I will continue to write periodically. I will still be here, and I would still love to read your thoughts and comments - if any.
At this time I cannot guarantee a set publishing schedule, but my desire to finish this story still exists. I will take the time to write as life permits and inspiration strikes. Maybe it's a chapter a month, maybe it's a chapter every three. I don't want to make promises at this point, so I'll just update when I can.
Thanks to all of you - especially thefriendlycritiquer (who has a lovely story of her own you should read) - for your comments and reviews. I appreciate that you took the time to read what I wrote.
Hopefully, I will have more for you all sooner rather than later.
-J