Disclaimer: I do not own the LoZ series. I own all of the Sheikah Tribe's names, though; I made them up on the spot. But, I do not own Impa the Wise...maybe...
T-Lea: My favorite chapter, but apparently, I'm not the only one who made up the feud between the Sheikah tribe and the Gerudos (the thieves of the desert). But, I will write about a war that will break out between them later on in the story. Enjoy!
The Dark Clan
Princess Fionna clung awfully tight to Link as they made their way to the drawbridge. The full moon sat atop the dark sky, indicating the latest hour of the night and the earliest hour of the morning. It was so quiet there in that marketplace during the night that it was so hard to believe that it was loud and lively during the day. Stray dogs wandered the empty streets, barking at each other and following at Link's heels.
He had never seen dogs before, and now that he had seen them he seemed to really like them. They were obedient, observant, and friendly creatures. He thought to himself that he would like to return with a dog at his side when he'd return to the forest once again, but that thought was immediately punctured as he remembered he possibly wouldn't be returning to the forest at all. He had to collect the three Spiritual Stones and hide in the mountains until the time was right. Link didn't exactly know what that meant, but it had to be something important if the Great Deku Tree had said it. He must have had something important planned.
Nyla suddenly paused as they reached the great drawbridge, and then reached into a pouch hanging off a belt she had wrapped around her middle. She retrieved a scroll from within, and then slipped it into an envelope where she then sealed it with a golden ribbon and offered it to the guard standing night watch close to the lifted drawbridge.
"Deliver this to King Hryule," Nyla told him in an urgent whisper. "Make sure he receives it before the sun rises. It is of the utmost importance."
"Yes, my lady," the guard replied with a nod of his head.
"Very well," she replied, also nodding to him. "Then, if you will before you depart for the castle, please lower the bridge for my apprentices and myself to pass through. We have business we must attend to in Kakariko Village."
"At this hour?" the guard inquired curiously. "But, my lady, it is dangerous outside these walls during the night. I cannot permit— "
"Have you given much thought that it would be an experience for my inexperienced apprentices?" Nyla interrupted icily. "Please, lower the drawbridge so we may pass."
The guard hesitated, looking right past Nyla to the two standing behind her. Link noticed that Fionna lowered the hood over her head a bit more to make sure she wouldn't be discovered, and clutched Link's arm even tighter as the guard observed them. Then, he lifted his head to the sky and called up to the men walking amongst the wall, "Lower the drawbridge for Lady Nyla of the Sheikah!"
Five heads peered down the wall at the three awaiting the drawbridge to lower, and then they called, "Aye, lower the drawbridge!" The men scrambled to their positions to unroll the chains, and within seconds the drawbridge began to lower over the river that separated Hyrule Market Town from the Hyrule fields. The drawbridge hit the other end of the land with an earsplitting thud, and Nyla motioned for the two to follow after her.
Link hesitated for only a moment, but then followed after Nyla with Fionna gripping his arm tightly. As they passed the guard with the letter addressed to King Hyrule, Link caught Fionna glaring nastily at the man as if he had just said something foul to her. And once they began to cross the wooden drawbridge, he watched as Fionna turned around completely and stuck her tongue out at the guard just as he turned his back towards them and began making his way towards the castle.
Childish, Link thought to himself. She must really despise this place to treat one who protects her home with such disgust.
Fionna and Link stepped off the bridge, and it immediately was reeled in by the guards above the castle. They both turned and watched as the guards lifted the bridge once again to protect the sleeping souls within the castle walls. Once the drawbridge was lifted, the guards waved them off, and Fionna and Link scrambled to catch up to Nyla as she began leading the way to Kakariko Village.
"We must stay on the dirt path," she called back to the two. "These fields are not as safe as they once were. The Guardian Spirit of these lands had vanished but twelve years ago. It is not safe to wander from the dirt path during the night."
"There was once a Guardian Spirit of Hyrule's fields?" Link asked in awe. "What happened to him?"
"He left because he got bored of protecting them," Fionna replied dully. "What more is there to the story?"
"One does not question the spirits of our world, my lady, Fionna," Nyla replied, looking over her shoulder at the arrogant girl who turned her face away once again at this response. "The Great *Kaebora Gaebora used to wander these lands and guide those in need of his assistance. But he vanished twelve years ago, and since then the monsters he had kept away have hidden themselves within the very soil of the ground we walk upon."
Link cast a quick glance of anxiety down at the ground, skipping ahead to catch up to Nyla's side.
"He must have been a powerful spirit," Link thought aloud, looking up into Nyla's face.
"Yes," she agreed, "he was very strong. He took the form of a large owl that patrolled the fields during nightfall to watch for beasts that could endanger travelers. However, his disappearance has brought those very beasts to these lands. Haunted souls of the deceased wander aimlessly about these lands, as do monsters with no way to life, and even thieves from every corner of the country. It would be very unwise to travel by dark on foot through these lands, but I have faith we will be safe. For we are not easy victims to be taken advantage of so quickly, are we, young master?" She looked down at Link, who immediately nodded his head. He wasn't so sure he could fight any of these monsters and thieves mentioned, but he also didn't want her to think he was weak and scared.
"If that spirit really cared about these lands, do you not think he would have stayed to protect them?" Fionna called to Nyla in irritation. "For even spirits have desires and morals."
Nyla paused abruptly, causing both Link and Fionna to stop as well. For a long while, she stood her ground and listened as the howls of hungry breasts hovered over to them, and to the wind that swept across the fields, razing through the long grasses and causing them to wave in cheer. Then, almost as soon as the howls of the beasts disappeared, she turned towards Fionna and repeated quietly, "As I said before. . . One does not question the spirits of our world. Now, come," she added a bit urgently. "We must make haste to the Eastern Cross. There is a pack of beasts close by, and we mustn't allow them to catch our scent."
They hurried through the darkness, careful to keep on the dirt path that stretched out ahead of them. They followed the river that gleamed in the full moon's rays, flowing smoothly through the land to their far left. It was not long before they came to a hill that curved upwards, and no doubt rolled over the top of the land before dropping down to either a field or valley below. The trio scrambled up this hill in haste before stopping to catch their breath at the top.
"Wow. . .!" Link gasped in a whisper, drinking in all that was Hyrule that stretched before his eyes.
The full moon shone large and bright in the sky from where he stood, illuminating the fields below in a magnificent white glow. The rivers snaking through the lands shimmered in the light; the forest surrounding the fields to the south-east took on eerie shadows in the darkness; and the mountains that dotted the country in the distance shone brightly as the moon's rays struck against the snow-frosted tips, causing their shadows to glow against the shadow of the moon. Down below in the field, Link could see many small saplings and shrubbery waving in the wind while other such natural phenomenons dotted the country.
He spun on his heel quickly to catch a glimpse of the beauty that stood below behind him, but his awe fell away suddenly as he noticed a huge gap between two separate landmasses that separated that which was Hyrule from that which was another piece of land. He followed the huge destruction to the other fields he had just examined, and a strange feeling of dread dropped into the pit of his stomach. It seemed that Hyrule Castle was the only piece to the land they currently stood on that lied at the very edge of the endless abyss, staring down into its dark pit of Hell.
"Whoa," Link whispered on a breath. "What is that?"
"A scar, and a very bad memory for my people," Fionna responded bitterly from Nyla's side, also looking at the space between Hyrule and the other land. "You'd do well to not ask any more questions of that, Rin."
Link looked in her direction, catching her eye in a second.
"Why— "
Nyla suddenly grabbed him and pulled him in closer to herself as an arrow whizzed straight through the air and struck into the earth where Link had been standing only a second before. He gasped at nearly being struck down, and glanced down the field to where five figures with their bodies well hidden stood with their arrows at the ready.
"Thieves of the desert," Nyla told Link, as he looked up into her face. "It would be wise, young master, to be observant when wandering these lands in the darkness. I suppose they will pursue us until we reach our destination. We must hurry, you two."
Nyla spun with a whip of her traveling cloak and began descending the hill at a quick pace. Fionna, however, stood her ground and gave Link a piercing look through her bright, sparkling blue eyes. Then, she, too, turned with her eyes still on Link, and began down the hill after Nyla. Link followed a second later, wondering what the history behind the huge ditch separating Hyrule from the other piece of land could be.
The three of them dashed through the field in haste, making their way through the dirt path and making sure to follow the river. The land stretched out longer before them than what it appeared at the top of that hill, and Link began to soon feel discouraged. He wasn't so sure why, but he suddenly felt as if this task was much too big for him to handle. The country of Hyrule was much too large to brave on foot, and the last Spiritual Stone could be anywhere in Hyrule. For all he knew, it could have been at the bottom of that dark, endless abyss! There was just too much to do and cover, and Link felt in himself that he couldn't possibly fulfill the Great Deku Tree's wishes.
After sprinting for what felt like an hour, the three slowed themselves to a walking pace. Nyla informed them that the thieves must have lost interest a while ago, due to the fact that she couldn't detect them amongst the darkness. After a short break, they resumed their journey to Kakariko Village as the land continued to stretch out ahead of them without any indication of ever ending.
The long trip seemed almost event-less. Nyla was right about them being safe on the dirt road, for nothing came to disturb them. They only walked along in the silence and peace of the moon's shadow, separated only by their individual thoughts.
Link found himself wondering back to what Fionna had said about the Hero of Time, and how he had saved the world but was rejected in his love life and was denied his home. He thought back to what she had said about him searching for his one true friend, Navi, the fairy he had traveled with while saving Hyrule. He couldn't help but think about how upset that boy must have been when he couldn't find his friend. And there was still the question of what ever happened to him. What became of the Hero of Time that once saved that which was Hyrule and restored peace to all its inhabitants?
And what of the fairy that slept soundlessly in a pouch in Link's belt? What kind of role did she play in his suffering?
"You look upset." Link quickly turned his attention to Princess Fionna, who had fallen to his side without his knowledge. "What is it that plagues your mind, young master?"
Link sighed heavily. "I was only thinking of the Hero of Time," he admitted quietly. "I wonder how he felt once he discovered he was alone?"
"How would you feel?" Fionna asked of him.
"Dreadful."
She smiled at this response. "Then, I suppose that is exactly how he felt."
"Is that how you felt about seeing that ditch separating those two lands?" he asked slowly, curiously.
Fionna's face immediately fell at this, and she looked away from him as anger struck across her face once again. "I told you to never speak of that again!" she grumbled forcefully. "Why should I tell one who belongs to a royal family of one of the nations in these lands—one who bears the sword with the insignia of a Triforce on it?"
Link hadn't anything to respond with. Nyla knew of the Triforce being on his sword, and how it held royal means, and now Princess Fionna knew of it, as well. Although Link understood nothing of what they spoke, he remembered vaguely that the Great Deku Tree had mentioned something of the sort to him, as well. But he was too dazed in awe at discovering he had a sword as his own to realize what it was the Forest Guardian had said, so it was only natural Link had forgotten up until that point.
"You lied to me!" Fionna continued angrily.
Link looked at her. "As did you."
"Well, I had a reason!" she shot back instantly.
"As did I."
Fionna let out an angry growl before seizing the part of Link's cloak that hid his sword and drawing it back to expose its ruby hilt. She immediately grabbed hold of it and pushed it to the side to reveal the tiny, golden insignia of the Triforce. Link cast it a quick glance before focusing his attention on Fionna once again.
"You came from the desert, didn't you?" she hissed at him.
Link averted his gaze from her angry face. "I came from the forest," he admitted quietly. "And my name is not Rin, it is Link. I was given a task from the Guardian Spirit of the Forest to collect something and to not reveal my true identity, but it seems I have no other choice."
"Wait," Fionna cut in quickly, her face morphing into soft confusion, "you did not come from the desert? You are not the new king?"
"Do I look like a king?" he asked in disbelief. "No, my lady, I am not of the desert people. I am from the forest."
Fionna's face fell into that of horror, and she looked away from him in shame. "I thought," she began quietly, "that perhaps you were the new king of the Gerudos, and that when I saw the sword in your belt when we fought those masked men, that you had stolen it from my family. At first I thought that. . .but then I thought that perhaps you were a ruler of one of the nations of these lands. Forgive me for my rude behavior, for I have misjudged you greatly."
Link hid the sword once again from her eyes, his cheeks burning in embarrassment. To be thought of as a Gerudo thief and treated as one—and Link hadn't even given this girl reason to believe he was amongst them! He was embarrassed she had seen him that way, and wanted nothing more than to disappear into the earth. But, he knew that she was even more embarrassed, and yes, ashamed, too, for misunderstanding Link.
"I must admit," Link mumbled, still flushing, "that you mistaking me as a Gerudo thief is rather embarrassing. However, I will thank you for your apology."
"But if you are not of royal heritage, then how did you acquire that sword?" Fionna picked up, looking in his direction once again in suspicion.
Link had to think up a lie quickly, for he couldn't tell her it was his mother's. That would arouse more questions that he had no answers to, and he wasn't exactly in the mood to answer any more of her questions.
"I found it," he lied simply.
"You found it? Where?" Fionna pressed, eagerly.
"In the. . .forest," he hesitated.
Fionna's face lit up in realization. "Then, it must have been my mother's!" she nearly cried out. "Did you see her anywhere? My brother?"
Link shook his head solemnly. "I am sorry, my lady. I did not see anyone near this sword when I found it. It was covered with vines and other such shrubbery. So, I thought to myself I ought not leave it there, and brought it with me on my travels." Well, it was partly the truth.
She seemed really disappointed, and turned away from Link as her face contorted in grief. "If that be the case, then you may keep it."
Link felt ashamed of his lie. Princess Fionna really seemed upset upon discovering that Link "found" a sword in the forest that could have belonged to her lost mother. It must have been very painful to admit to herself that her brother was dead, and that her mother was long gone. But what Link didn't understand was how the Great Deku Tree didn't guide her to him. If she wanted her son to be blessed, then it would have been the most appropriate thing for the Great Deku Tree to lead her to him through the safest parts of the wood.
Link shook his head as another thought came to mind. Fionna's mother probably didn't make it to the forest before being ambushed by a group of thieves, and then killed. The possibilities were endless, and knowing that her mother was dead, Fionna must have felt responsible, though it had nothing to do with her.
"You must forgive me for my behavior," Fionna started up again. "Nyla often scolds me for my arrogant, reckless nature, and I do apologize for claiming you are dim. I am quick to judge."
Link laughed at this, causing Fionna to perk up in curiosity. "I don't mind it," he replied brightly, smiling at her. "You remind me of a friend back at home. She's just like you, although, she never complemented me as dim." Fionna flushed at this, and looked away. "But, meeting such a headstrong person like my friend has really made me feel better about my situation, and for that, I am truly grateful."
Fionna seemed really taken aback at this reaction. She had never had any one person react to her canny and disconcerting behavior before in such a positive way, especially from her sister, Princess Zelda, and Nyla. They both disapproved of her nature becoming more like a boy's, though it was mainly Zelda who disapproved of it more than Nyla did. Nyla supported her in learning to fend for herself, and thus acting as a boy was expected to a certain length. But, Nyla had scolded Fionna more than once when she acted on her boyish, defiant nature towards her family and those she did not like, and for that, Fionna was truly amazed to have a boy mention that her nature was not disconcerting to him.
"You approve of me?" Fionna wondered slowly.
"I can't really say," Link replied in thought. "For a princess, your behavior is quite unexpected. But, I must admit that your masking skills are quite admirable. I. . .er. . .did not realize that you were a girl. I thought you were a boy the entire time we played our little charade."
Fionna giggled at this, her face flushing as smug satisfaction washed over her. "Thank you," she replied brightly. "I take your words as a complement. And. . .about what I said earlier. . . I did not mean to say you were dim. I meant only to shame you because you lied to me. I felt betrayed, especially after what you had told me when you felt the very same thing I felt when staring at the full moon. I was a bit. . .so to say. . .embarrassed."
Link recalled the scene where they stood at the fountain, staring in at the moon's reflection. He flushed at the memory of watching Princess Fionna's face in that dreamy state as she stared in at the moon. He couldn't believe that he hadn't realized she was a girl then, because her expression seemed so peaceful. But he didn't see any suspicion in her story of being a boy, and thus didn't think much of her true position. And now that he thought back to it, he couldn't help but flush. Quickly, he turned his face away from her eyes where she couldn't see this embarrassing reaction, and focused his eyes on the dirt ground at his feet.
"Yeah. . .embarrassing," he mumbled to himself.
"Link—look out!"
Fionna suddenly shoved Link from the side, and he fell to the ground hard as another arrow whizzed through the air and struck the ground where Link had been standing seconds before. Fionna immediately jumped into action, and drew her sword as Nyla slid to their side in an instant. She withdrew the arrow from the ground with a loud snap, studying its structure.
"It's those thieves," she told them, drawing her sword in an instant. "It seems they have reason to do you in, young master."
Link scrambled back to his feet as Fionna and Nyla began scanning their dark surroundings in haste.
"No joke," Link agreed grimly, examining a large scrape on his left elbow.
"Look sharp!"
Link quickly backed into the group with his hand on the hilt of his sword as six masked figures surrounded them with their arrows pointed directly at their faces. They appeared to be women wearing black cloaks that covered their entire bodies, and wearing masks that covered their noses down to their chins to disguise their identities. They wore strange jewelry and piercings on their ears and noses, and their eyes were oddly captivating. Each woman had hair that of a bright orange, Link could see just barely from beneath their hoods.
"A descendant of the darkness. . .," one of the females spoke from in front of Link, lowering her bow and slipping off the mask covering her face, ". . .and two children? What is such a strange party doing about these lands at such late hours of the night?"
"You're to speak!" Fionna piped up, pushing past Link and glaring deep into the woman's piercing, green eyes. "What is a party of thieves doing wandering at such late hours? Are you in search of slaves, you filthy beasts?"
The women pulled their strings back harder at this insult, but the woman lifted her hand to stop them.
"Who are you?" the female asked, curiously. "You must be very brave to speak rudely to the thieves of the deserts. . .or very foolish."
"Perhaps a little of both," Fionna replied coolly. "Why does it matter to you, wench?"
The female thief frowned at this. "You dare challenge me, foolish brat?"
"Trust me, it isn't much of a challenge."
"Pip!" Nyla suddenly grabbed hold of Fionna's right arm as she made to raise her sword in a challenge. "You will be silent now. These matters do not concern you."
"Your friend who follows the shadows is very wise," the female told Fionna in a mocking voice. "You should listen to her, little boy. Men are no challenge to the women of the deserts' tribes."
"You know nothing of who you speak to!" Fionna hissed at her forcefully.
"Do I?" The female pulled back Fionna's hood to expose her face before she could do anything, and then stood back as a cunning smile slid across her face.
"A young girl!" the female mused with a slight laugh. "How very interesting. Pip is a boy's name, is it not, Rina?" She addressed a female standing next to her.
"I believe so," the female replied slowly, not taking her eyes off of Princess Fionna.
"So, you would have had me fooled, O Foolish One of the Shadows?"
"You speak out of line, vile!" Fionna spat at her. "I should have your head for that!"
Fionna lifted her sword to where the tip was level with the female's nose, but Link gently lowered her hand before the females around them could make the decision to attack. Fionna stared at him blankly as he flashed her a warning look. Then, he pulled her back as he stepped up to the female that had challenged Fionna.
"What is it you want with us, thieves of the desert?" Link asked of them, calmly. "As you can see, we have nothing of value for the six of you to take from us. We are merely trying to reach our destination in peace, so please leave us be."
The female frowned at him. "You may not have anything valuable on you, but your very lives are value enough. We can take you as slaves to sell, O Foolish Child."
Link gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, and she cast a glance down to his hand at this motion.
"I would not do that if I were you," she told him calmly, smirking smugly. "For you are completely surrounded, and your only option is to surrender yourselves."
"There is no need for this," Nyla spoke up, summoning the female's attention to her. "All of you return to your deserts and continue to live your lives in peace. We all here mean no harm to each other."
"You speak of peace, Descendant of the Shadows?" the female snapped at her. "Was it not your own people who once threatened this land?"
"You will stop there!" Fionna barked at her, pushing past Link back to the front. "My master has done nothing but serve this country with her very life, despite her heritage! And would the shameful race from the desert dare question her of that, when they, themselves, are being wrong to these lands? I shall have you killed to shame your lands, you bi— "
"SILENCE!" Link roared, causing everyone to jump and look at him. He, himself, jumped at his abrupt outburst, for he didn't mean to shout. "I know nothing of the feud between your people and Pip's master," he continued on a quieter note, "but I do know that this argument will change nothing. Even if Pip were to slay you and take your head as shame, or even if you and your comrades were to take us as slaves and sell us, it will be of no profit. We have nothing for you to steal, so kindly leave us be, Leader of the Thieves."
The female observed Link with distaste before reaching and pulling back the hood to reveal his face. However, the moment she touched him, she yelped in shock and withdrew her hand in an instant as horror struck across her face. The female thieves surrounding them all rustled in discomfort at their leader's yelp, and Fionna and Nyla cast Link a curious glance as the female that stood before him stood in pure horror, staring at her hand as if it was going to kill her.
"You hold great, dark power to you, young master," she whispered quietly, horrified, looking back up into Link's now-exposed face. "Why is this that you defend yourself from me?"
"Probably because of your filth!" Fionna spat nastily.
The female did not even react to this, but rather fixed her mask back over her face as she retired her hand to her side.
"I have changed my mind," she announced to the group. "Take the children and kill the Descendant of the Shadows."
Fionna lifted her sword as the group began to move in. "I will bleed you through, if you touch her!"
"Not if I bleed her through, first."
From out of the darkness came a shadowed figure that slipped a knife to the female's throat. The other women jumped into action, but soon lowered their weapons as a large group of shadowed figures surrounded them. The female smiled slickly as she glanced sideways at her captor before submitting to defeat.
"Fine. This match is won," she announced to the group. "We will meet again in good time." And before anyone could react, she brought her hands together in a loud clap that resounded across the dark fields, and a blinding light filled their eyes. When the light dimmed and the darkness returned to their eyes, the female thieves had long gone, nowhere to be seen.
Link, Nyla, and Fionna glanced around at their saviors. They were people whose very figures consorted well with the darkness. They seemed to be shadows lurking near the three of them, and Nyla stepped forward as she sheathed her sword, stepping up to the very same person who had grabbed the female that had threatened them.
"Kreor, I owe you my thanks," she told the shadow, offering her hand to it.
The shadow suddenly detached from the darkness, and became a human form whose face was visible behind a black mask. Kreor, the shadow, removed the mask from its face to reveal a man no older than twenty-five, and he took Nyla's arm roughly as he flashed her a wide grin.
"You owe me nothing," he told her, still smiling. "We simply had business to attend to with those nasty thieves."
Nyla retired her hand back to her side, frowning. "Have they stolen from us?"
"Aye, a great many," Kreor replied bitterly. "'Twas only yesterday they stole two of our children. We retrieved them, but have yet to stop them in their treacherous path. For now, this is all we can do. All we have left now is to tighten security and pray to the goddesses in heaven they do not return. It would be very bad for them if they did."
"Kreor!" Princess Fionna threw herself in his arms. "It is great to see you again."
"Ah, young Pip," Kreor mused, wrapping his arms around Princes Fionna. "I thought you must have been amongst Nyla. And who is that young lad?" Kreor motioned toward Link, who had turned his attention to the path they had just come from, studying it in deep thought.
"Link!" Fionna called over to him in excitement. "Come meet your savior!" Link appeared to not have heard her, for he continued staring down the dark path. "Hey! Link, what are you staring at?"
He suddenly tore away from his thoughts and focused his attention on her confused face. "Sorry," he called to her, distracted, crossing over to them. "I was wondering about something. . ."
He was wondering about the female thief who had touched him and sensed the evil sage sealed within himself. Link wasn't so sure, but the last person who had touched him and sensed it, was powerful, wise, and very spiritual; and that must have meant that that girl held great power within herself.
"Well, quit wondering," Fionna called over to him, teasingly. "This is Kreor"—she gestured to the man she stood next to—"one of the Descendants of the Sheikah tribe. Kreor, this is Link."
"It is very nice to meet you, young master, Link," Kreor replied, offering his arm for Link to take. He accepted awkwardly, and they took each other's arms in a brotherly welcome. "What brings you this far away from your home, Link?" he continued.
Fionna suddenly took interest, but Nyla punctured that immediately. "We will speak of this once we reach the village. . .and not in front of our lady, Fionna," she added on a whisper.
"Oh, of course!" Kreor nodded gravely. "Then, come. The path should now be most safe, and we will guide you three to our humble village."
"Thanks ever so!" Fionna nearly exclaimed, hooking her right arm to his left arm as she smiled up at him in innocence.
"Everyone, make haste for home!" Kreor announced to the black shadows, and they all agreed and began down the dark path towards a gate in the distance that was situated between two large rocks that stretched up towards the heavens.
"Nyla," Link began quietly, "do you know who that female thief was?"
Nyla looked down at him in curiosity. "Why do you ask, young master?"
Link shook his head, focusing on the path once again. "I do believe she makes a strong adversary," was all he said.
When they reached the iron gates leading up towards the mountains, Kreor retrieved a rusty key from within his cloak and unlocked the padded lock holding the gates closed to prevent any intruders from entering. Once opened, Kreor gestured for Link, Nyla, and Princess Fionna to enter. They did so without any hesitation, and they followed the rugged trail up into the mountains until they met a large, stone wall with a wooden door built in it to hide Kakariko from unwanted eyes. There, they met another man whose face was not covered by a hood, but whose body bore the very same attire Nyla wore. His tunic was black, instead, and he wore brown slacks that covered his long legs, and strong boots made of a hide Link could not identify. His hair was a stunning dark color of black, and his warm eyes were a hazel color with a discernible hint of ruby-red.
"Kru!" Princess Fionna exclaimed, rushing forward and wrapping her arms around him. "How I have missed you so!"
"Oh, my lady, Fionna!" the man, Kru, laughed. "How many moons has it been since we last saw each other?"
"Too many," Nyla responded for her, approaching Kru.
He stiffened, and held out his arm for her to take. She accepted, and they both met each other's arms in greeting. Link was beginning to understand this as their way of meeting each other, and approached slowly so as to not disturb them.
"Lady Nyla of Impa the Wise, it is a pleasure to see you again," Kru said to her, dipping his head.
Nyla lifted his chin, shaking her head in response. "You bow to no one, my friend. For we are all the same in our eyes, and there is not greater nor poorer. Come, we have much to discuss. Gather all of our people for a meeting at the practicing grounds. I have much to tell everyone from my past travels."
Kru agreed silently, and after detaching himself from Fionna with a hurried apology, he rushed on after them, leaving the wooden door opened for their passage.
"I have never heard you speak of your travels before," Fionna told Nyla. "May I join your meeting?"
"No, my curious child," Nyla replied gently, kneeling down to her level and placing a hand on her right shoulder. "These words are for only those of my tribe. . .those who will fight."
"But, I can fight!" Fionna cut in persistently. "Won't you please allow me to join you?"
"No," she repeated, this time firmly. "I cannot have the princess of the Royal Family out fighting a battle that is not hers. You must leave these matters to us, and rest yourself for another day."
Fionna didn't seem pleased with this response as Nyla stood up and crossed back to Kreor's side. She seemed more than obliged to speak her mind on the matter, but decided better against it as Kreor and Nyla swept past Link and began making their way into the village. Fionna followed along moodily, and Link fell to her side as they emerged into Kakariko Village.
It was a rather peculiar village. The ground was dry with dirt and dust that kicked up at their feet, and there were small huts made of dried mud and large leaves that dotted the village. The village was wide and spacious with these tiny houses organized everywhere around a well, what Link soon came to realize. There was a windmill that sat at the top of a ledge at the far back of the village, and two wide slopes met them on both their right and left sides. One of these wide slopes—on the right—led up to a house that seemed constructed from fine stones. It was a rather large house that looked out into the crude settlement the villagers had created. The left slope led up to another one of these similar houses constructed from fine stone, but Link noticed that there was an iron gate blocking a path up into the mountain. And actually, this mountain was larger than he had even imagined. A long ring of smoke circled this mountain as if bound to some rotational pull, and a menacing red color seemed to be emanating from the wide hole that sat at its tip. He stared at it in amazement until Fionna took him roughly by the elbow and began leading him up the slope to the right towards the large house.
"You mustn't allow yourself to stray from the group," she hissed at him. "The children of this village are quick to detect outsiders, and they will challenge you to determine you strengths before seeing you as a friend or foe."
"Forgive me," Link mumbled.
They reached the house in a matter of seconds, and Nyla opened the door and stepped aside to allow Fionna and Link to go in first. Fionna had no problem accepting this proposal, but Link stood his ground. He didn't want to seem rude in keeping Nyla from her family and friends, so that meant him entering lastly. And even Kreor seemed to be showing him the same courtesy as he stood aside to let them pass.
"Link, please enter," Nyla called over to him.
He looked at her guiltily before crossing and entering the house. Upon entering, he discovered how spacious and nice this house was. There was a small table that sat at its middle, and there was a stove to Link's right that held a fire within. A nice rug stretched out at his feet, and a bed sat at the far left back corner, exactly five feet from a wooden door. Link noticed another door that sat on the right side of the wall next to a crate of firewood. Fionna sat at the table as she awaited Nyla and Kreor to enter.
They entered from behind Link, and then shut the door as the door on the right side of the wall opened to admit an old woman wearing a long, purple and white dress. Her face was sagged with age, and her eyes seemed to be just barely open. She had two, large rings in both her earlobes, causing them to droop drastically as if threatening to fall off her ears. Her hair was white and pulled up in a tight bun, and her hands were hidden in the sleeves of her shirt.
"Impa," Nyla whispered, a broad smile sliding across her face. "How I have missed you!"
She crossed to the old woman, and they embraced for a moment before Nyla pulled away from her and whispered something urgent in her ear. The old woman nodded, and then turned as she summoned her to follow.
"I will only be a moment," she called to Link and Fionna. "Please, Kreor, show our guests some hospitality."
"Yes, my lady. Come, children." Kreor crossed to the back of the room where he opened the door and nodded for them to follow. "Come rest yourselves while you await Lady Nyla."
Fionna immediately jumped up from the table and scampered into the back room where she then collapsed on a feather-mattress bed. Link followed along reluctantly, and once he was inside the room, Kreor shut it after him without even following them into the room. Now it was only Fionna and Link in the room.
He crossed to the only vacant bed in the room against the left side of the wall, and collapsed on it, allowing his sore and stiff muscles to finally relax.
"It feels great to be back here!" Fionna exclaimed excitedly. "I cannot wait to train again!"
Link lied still, listening to the silence of the room as Fionna hummed silently to herself. Indeed, it must have felt great for her to be in a familiar place. Link, however, could not relate to her joy. He felt as if he was the only person who stuck out amongst them, almost as if he didn't belong. For reasons unknown, he suddenly found his hand wandering down to a pocket in his cloak that held Saria's ocarina. He wanted so much to retrieve it and play her familiar song where they once played in the Sacred Meadow, but paused in his thoughts as he remembered what Fionna had said to that thief when she mentioned how shameful Nyla was.
"Princess Fionna, this village. . .?" He lifted his head, looking in her direction. Her expression of joy suddenly melted into rage, and she sat up with her hands in her lap as she stared down at them.
"You heard what that thief had to say, did you not?" she grumbled angrily. "Yes, it is true. This village consists of the shadows of darkness. . .the Descendants of a kingdom fallen."
Link sat up on his knees, staring transfixed at her in curiosity.
"Long ago, a war broke out amongst the people of Hyrule and those in the shadows," she began quietly, staring hard at her knees. "There was a feud between who kept the sacred Triforce in their dimension, and the shadows of the Twilight Realm sought to take the sacred Triforce as their own. Those of the Royal Family denied their request, and a war broke out.
"The chasm you saw separating Hyrule from that other piece of land was a result of what had happened when the shadows lost the war. Outraged with their brother land, they caused a great earthquake to express their rage, and the land was divided. However, there were children of the shadows that no longer wanted to live in the darkness and serve under such a selfish leader. They were know as the Clan of Darkness, and they came before the King of Hyrule at that time and swore their allegiance to him. Their task finished, they carved a tribe in the mountain where their people could live and grow far away from the other eyes of those of Hyrule. They became known as the Sheikah, and also the village that is Kakariko.
"They are a strong and powerful people," she added in assurance. "There is none like them that lives amongst our lands, not even the Gorons. Here, they teach each other of their culture, history, and even fighting skills. They consort with the darkness to become their shadow-selves once more, and are the most successful guardians my family has yet seen. And their children—both male and female—are taught to fight from the day they reach their eighth birthday. That is what I like about these people: Despite their blood-soaked history, they are willing to put it behind them and train their next generations to guide and protect their tribe."
"And what of the thieves?" Link wondered. "Why do they hate these people?"
"Oh yeah. . . Those filthy traitors," she grumbled between grit teeth. "There was once an age when the king of the Gerudo tribe pushed to rule all that is Hyrule. But, Nyla's people, the Sheikah, helped the Hero of Time defeat him, and sealed him away with the help of the Seven Sages. That is perhaps why they hold great hostility and rage towards these people. I am not sure, myself."
Link asked her no more questions once she was done, and lied himself down on the mattress as exhaustion rolled over him. For what seemed like hours, he lied awake thinking over the things he had learned that day, and even thinking through the events that had taken place since he left the forest. He still missed playing in the wood with Saria and Taters at his side, but those thoughts were not meant for him to think of. For he had a task to fulfill for the Great Deku Tree, and he had no time for past memories.
After a long while, the door at the front of the room opened, and Nyla came in with that strange woman behind her. Fionna shot up in her bed and cast them an excited glance, but Link's face had fallen in horror. Because—for the first time since he had seen the old woman—a strange feeling of severe nostalgia washed over him.
30 page chapter!
T-Lea: Please review. Thank you so much for the support! I'll do my best to get the next chapter up tomorrow, but it needs a lot of editing, so don't expect it too soon.
* = Kaebora Gaebora is the owl in the older games of the series, including the Four Swords Adventures. He's also annoying, so I decided to make him disappear. XD