Time's Saga

First Life: Prince of Power

"There are many varieties of people in the world. And I'm talking more than just the differences between a Gerudo and a Goron here. There are people from various nations, like the Hylians, and the Labrynnians, and the Holodrumians, and the Hytopians. And of course, there are all manner of occupations a person can find, such as diplomat, merchant, magician, seamstress, or farmer."

Chapter 25: The Green Fields of Hyrule

It was green. It was truly and utterly green. Link kept staring at the fat blade of grass in between his fingers. It was almost unbelievable, that such vibrancy could exist in summer. The sun was going to set soon, and it was casting a pinkish glow over everything. He inched a little closer to the sweet-smelling fire to continue examining the color.

"The way he stares at it you'd think he's in love," Tahnra commented drily as she tore a piece of bread.

Nabooru snickered as she threw another stick onto the fire. "He probably is. Don't you remember your first time seeing Hyrule Field?"

With a happy hum, Tahnra agreed, "Yeah. It was amazing, even though at the time it was covered in blood."

Nabooru closed her eyes sadly, "Yeah, that's true. But it's so green now."

Trying not to recall the bad memories, Tahnra simply said, "That was a dark time but Hyrule still amazed me then. It's so different from the desert." Then she huffed, "But I still really hate it when it rains."

"You should be well to know, dear lady, that the skies are clear tonight." A roughly accented and deeply baritone voice spoke.

Link whipped around but Tahnra only raised a brow. She and Nabooru had seen the man approach with Ruvano guiding him to the fire. The troupe was camped on the side of the road at a common safe site used by many travelers. They were currently sharing it with traders from Holodrum. Though, of course, the Gerudo had taken the less favorable spot.

"Well, thank goodness for that," Tahnra muttered. She gave Ruvano an inquisitive stare, but before her leader could say a word, the funny looking man rambled on.

"Yes, yes, clear skies are good, but I've come to ask you… uh, what's the word? Wardrobes? No, that's not it. Uh, war… ah! Warriors! That's it. I've come to ask if you warriors might stand guard tonight. We have a long street to travel and we'd like to get some ribbons." The man was thin and short. A brown curvy mustache wiggled as he spoke. Link had to slap a hand across his mouth to keep from giggling.

Tahnra had no such reservations, "Hahaha! I believe you mean to say rest." She emphasized the last word through her chuckling.

The man's mustache twitched as he thought. "Oh mercy me! Was that wrong? If you do not have a pre-fer-ance, could we speak Common Hylian?" The man spoke a bit slower but regardless the Gerudo were impressed.

"Certainly." Ruvano's clear voice smoothly fell into the harsher beat of Common Hylian. "In fact, I'm most impressed by your knowledge of the Gerudo language. Who taught you?"

Nabooru moved over so Ruvano could sit down, and there was just enough space for the man to sit as well. The man was clearly relieved to be speaking a more familiar language and he quickly began explaining.

"Oh, well, las' year when I came to Hyrule a Gerudo traveled with us fur a short while. Labora's her name. She was a great help in pointin' us to fairer merchants, cause, well, I'm sure you know all abo't Hylian merchants. Am I right?"

Ruvano snorted in agreement and the man grinned. His teeth were yellowed, and he pulled out a little bag.

"Anyone want some fire-leaves? They're las' year's crop, but still good stuff."

Everyone vigorously shook their head no. Link was warned about the dangers of addictive materials like that. How it rotted teeth and made breath smell bad. He wrinkled his nose as a light breeze carried the bitter stench of the bag to him.

"Ah, no worries. More for me." With that, the man pinched a few torn leaves and placed them in his cheek. Link had to bite his own cheek to keep from laughing. The funny man looked even stranger now, with the bulge at the side of his mouth.

"Well, anyway, back to the story. I hunted down Labora again this spring an' we've had some good conversations. I figured learnin' a bit o' your language might help in tradin' some of that fine silk you produce." The man rose his fuzzy brown eyebrows hopefully. Ruvano was the only one around the campfire who managed to keep a straight face.

"I can't say for sure if you'll get a better deal, Mr. Douglas Huges." The mustache drooped a little. "But your kind gesture is noted. I'll be sure to inform other Gerudo of your willingness to trade with us. That's a rare thing, you see."

Mr. Douglas Huges grinned. "I'm sure it is, Miss Ruvano. Though I've got to say, we Holodrumians are probably better off than you."

His eyes then widened, and he began to stutter, "Uh, well, what I mean to say is, ah-"

Ruvano was polite enough to cut him off, "We understand what you mean Mr. Huges. No offence taken." She added a sly grin, "We're not weak Hylians who have to be politely spoken to or else we'll faint." A round of light laughter went around the campfire.

"And besides, things are getting better," Ruvano continued with a warm smile and a glance to Link. He ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Right. I heard abo't you're join'n Hyrule. The negotiations are nearly complete, aren't they? That King o' Hyrule would be an impressive man, if t'weren't for all them nobles hovering abo't 'im. Such a shame the Queen died."

The Gerudo nodded their heads in silence. Ruvano gave a deep sigh, "We probably would have been made a provincial-state by now and have good fair-trade agreements if only she didn't die." A surprisingly hard glint came into Ruvano's eyes, "But we Gerudo don't live by 'what-if's' only what is."

"A fair standard o' living, I might say," Mr. Huges vigorously nodded his head. "Now if you don't mind me changin' the subject from depressin' topics, how abo't we talk some trade? I couldn't help noticin' that you're carrying some nice silk there."

"Quite right," Ruvano dipped her head, "We're bother traders after all. I think you might be interested in a bolt of our light-yellow, if your scarf is anything to judge by."

The man tugged at a simple faded cotton cloth that was wrapped around his neck. "Ah, true. But I won't be tak'n this lovely piece off any time soon. Gift from me wife, you see."

"Ah, well then what's her favorite color?"

Mr. Huges wagged a friendly finger her way, "Now Miss Ruvano, I know what you're tryin' to do! I'm-a trader as well, and a fair good one too. I buy and sell for profit, not just for me wife's pleasure."

"Oh, what a pity. So it's blue?" Ruvano gave a wicked grin.

The trader returned an even bigger grin. "Quite right! What shades do you have?"

"Nabooru, Prince Link. Go get packages eleven and twelve."

Link was a little startled. He was enjoying listening to their conversations and wasn't expecting to be called upon. Mr. Huges had a very lovely voice, quite unlike any of his sister's. And the way he spoke was very foreign and delicious to Link's ears. He fancied he could listen to the trade all night without any input from him, so he was surprised when he was called out.

Nabooru nodded her head, set down her piece of bread she was nibbling and helped Link to his feet.

Mr. Huges rounded eyes bugled and he began sputtering, "Prince-Prince Link?"

After brushing his pants, Link looked up and met Mr. Huges' brown eyes. The man's jaw dropped a little and he hands fell to his side as he examined the boy.

"But-but you're a Hylian! Why are you with the Gerudo?"

Wrapping an arm around his shoulder Nabooru answered for Link. "He was a baby orphan that I found. Instead of leaving him to die by rebel hands I brought him to the desert. Link is a prince among our people."

With that Mr. Huges jumped up and began examining Link closer. The man was shorter than Nabooru, but the way he looked at him still intimated Link. Staying quiet, Link just stared right back at the man, fidgeting under his questioning stare.

"By the Maku Tree," the man croaked in an unfamiliar language. He rambled on unthinkingly, "I just thought them were fancy rumors in Castletown! I heard that the Gerudo were cookin' up some plot to overthrow some noble families and were usin' a Hylian child to do it, but it sounded too crazy to believe."

Nabooru stiffened, Ruvano frowned, and Tahnra had a hard glint come into her eyes. An uncomfortable silence quashed the previously happy atmosphere, and Mr. Huges' face fell. Link wasn't sure if he should breath in this situation, with everyone so suddenly tense. It was Tahnra who finally spoke up.

"Yeah, well, don't believe all those stupid rumors. It's true Prince Link has Hylian blood, but he's about as Gerudo as the rest of us. And he's not doing anything nefarious either. Not sure if he could. He's too pure," Tahnra grumbled.

"Uh, ah, of course! I never listen t'them rumors anyway." Mr. Huges pale face finally started to return to a light pink color, but he was still greatly embarrassed by his outburst.

Ruvano lightly patted the ground next to her, to encourage the man to sit back down. She shooed Link and Nabooru away as she explained, "Well, we would much appreciate it if you would help clarify those rumors if you happen to hear them again."

Mr. Huges heartily nodded his head and opened his mouth to speak, but Ruvano pushed on.

"When Nabooru found Prince Link it did cause quite a commotion, but there was a high chance that the boy would have died if we hadn't intervened. True, he is a bit of a small political gesture. He's proof that we Gerudo are not heartless killers, as the war made many believe, but that we are willing to open our arms to any helpless soul. He'll be going to the castle soon, as provinces of Hyrule usually send one or more of their children to study at the university."

Ruvano let out a mocking laugh, "As I'm sure you're familiar with, Mr. Huges, many nobles are revolted by the sight of us Gerudo, so our hope is that Prince Link will be less offensive to their sensibilities. Understand?"

Mr. Huges unconsciously swallowed his fire-leaves while under Ruvano's hard stare. "Well, that certainly makes a lot more sense than a lot'o them rumors," he muttered. "It's just- uh, uh bit o'va strange situation, don't you think?"

Tilting her head, Ruvano stated, "I suppose. Now, if you don't mind, Prince Link will listen to our negotiations. I'm trying to teach him the ways of trading, as it's such a useful skill." She waved Link over, as both he and Nabooru had returned with two bolts of fabric, each a different shade of blue.

Mr. Huges nodded his head in understanding, though he still stared at Link. Trying to be friendly he said, "That right, it is, Laddy! So just listen to ol'Huges here barter with Miss Ruvano and see if we can't come to a suitable exchange. Shall we begin?"

Ruvano nodded her head, and Link gave her the first bolt of fabric. He then sat down just behind her and angled himself to watch the two begin their trades. Naboou passed her bolt to Link and she left to sit by Tahnra, who was already losing interest in the proceedings.

"These are good shades o' blue," Mr. Huges muttered. He looked up hopefully, "Now which is your intention; rupees or goods? I have some ores, jewels, dried shrooms, and even pickled fish."

"We've only entered Hyrule so we're in need of rupees."

Mr. Huges looked a little disappointed, but he acquiesced. "Well, then, since you just got here, seems I'm obliged to perform Trader's First. How abo't thirty rupees per momme?"

Ruvano gave a light snort, "Please, Mr. Huges that was the going price five years ago when there was a boycott of the silk market. The price has gone up considerably since then. I ask that as the Trader's First, you make a reasonable offer."

Twisting his mustache, Mr. Huges' lightly blushed, "Can't blame a man for tryin', Miss Ruvano. Very well, then, as Trader's First, how abo't seventy-five?"

"I sense a rise in the market. Why not four-hundred?"

"Why Miss Ruvano! Now who's bein' unreasonable? One-hundred."

"Can't blame a woman for trying, Mr. Huges. Three-hundred."

Mr. Huges rubbed his chin in thought. His dark brown eyes wandered over to Link. "Hrmmm…" He thought for another long moment. "Tell ya what, Laddy. Let me see that other bolt and I'll make another offer."

Link looked to Ruvano, who gave a short nod of her head and Link carefully passed the fine fabric over.

"Nice. Very nice," The trader muttered as he fingered the material. He finally looked up at Ruvano and grinned, "Very well, here's my final offer. Two-hundred-twenty, and that's only if I buy half on credit."

Ruvano pursed her lips in thought. She sighed and said, "Sorry, Gerudo don't work on credit. Either you have the money, or you don't."

The trader kept pushing. "I know this is a good deal for you."

He held up a hand before Ruvano could insist. "You say Laddy-boy here will be livin' in Castletown, right? Sooner or later he'll need to understand the basics o' the credit system the nobles put together. It's all the rage these days. Look, I'm doing you a favor as First Trader, as well as a fellow non-Hylian. And if my credit isn't as true as it should be, well… you can have Labora hunt me down an' steal the portion back, al-righty?"

Ruvano leaned back and folded her arms. Link rose his eyebrows. Was she really considering the offer? Both Aaroot and Tammorock had taught him trading but seeing it in action was a little different. The fact that Mr. Huges wanted to buy with credit made the tempting offer less appealing.

"How much do you want to buy?" Ruvano carefully asked. It clearly wasn't a consent to his offer.

"Two quarter mommes of each blue, half momme of pink and white. Rupees on down-side, if you would."

"That's quite a bit."

"Oh, well, Holodrum doesn't see much silk, you know. The missus will be happy to get some raw material for the shop."

"And where would we have to go to receive the credit?"

"Merchant Jovani. He has several credit houses in Castletown, but the one I usually go to is in the southern district."

"Jovani? He's got quite the fat pocket last I remember."

Mr. Huges gave a face, "Yes, yes he does. Now, you shouldn't run into any trouble, but if there is a fee-"

"Fee?!"

He flinched. "It's- it's part of the taxation. It's not supposed to be more than three percent of the total transaction. Rupee upside. But if there is such a fee, then place it on my credit this time."

"Credit," Ruvano grumbled. "I swear, those nobles only pass laws to get more money as if they don't have enough. But very well. Your offer's too good to pass up." She brushed some hair out of her face, somewhat disgruntled by her decision.

Mr. Huges was ecstatic and sprang up. "Oh, what joyful bells that ring! Thank you, Miss Ruvano! You've made me a very happy man today. I shall go collect the money and be right back."

When he pranced away Link turned to Ruvano and asked quietly in Gerudo, "Why did you decide that? Tammorock told me we should stay away from credit. And we could have gone for seventy-five and been OK."

The rest of the troupe stared at their leader. Even though they pretended to not listen to the trade they were curious to know the answer as well. Faint wrinkles appeared around Ruvano's eyes as she squinted into the fire, and at last she gave a deep sigh.

"I still agree with Tammorock but unfortunately times are changing." She focused her hard stare on Link. "Prince Link, I did that because I believe you will need to learn how to work around the credit system eventually. Or find a way for us to adapt to it. The reason why Tammorock says we shouldn't use credit is mainly because it's too volatile. Mr. Huges just said they can't charge more than three percent but that's exactly the problem. The limits of credit haven't been decided on so many credit merchants and nobles and whoever else who have the power to do so, do whatever they please."

"That doesn't sound right to me," Link muttered, but stood and took the rolls of silk from Ruvano.

She hummed in agreement and said, "You're right about that. But even if we only receive half the payment, it's still a profit. A slim one, but we'll manage. And Mr. Huges has agreed to pay in full later if things don't work out. He's an unusual trader."

Before walking away, Link asked with a tilt to his head, "You heard about Mr. Huges from a report, didn't you?"

Ruvano gave a coy smile, "Of course! Labora gave a detailed report last year. And early this spring she mentioned how she decided to teach him some of our language. It seems to have been a good move on her part. We'll have to discuss expanding trade closer to the Holodrum border with Tammorock. If there's more merchants like Mr. Huges there we could have greater prosperity."

Nodding in understanding, Link left to take care of the purchase. Another sister left the fire to help him, and by the time they were done cutting the correct portions, Mr. Huges had returned with a sack of rupees, an envelope and two others from his caravan to help carry the merchandise.

"Everything is in order, Mr. Huges," Ruvano spoke as she finished counting the rupees. "Now, to clarify, we go to Merchant Jovani's house of credit in the south district and we present this envelope?"

"You'll need to sign the letter inside, but yes. It's the standard letter which I've filled out. The paper is enchanted to prevent anyone from claiming anything other than what I've written."

Ruvano handed the sack of rupees to another sister and opened the letter. She read the contents, and when satisfied, nodded her head. In all seriousness, she said, "Very well. And if this doesn't work out, we'll be sure to send Labora after you. I'm sure she knows how to find you."

The mustached twitched. "Yes," gulped Mr. Huges. "Yes, I'm sure she does." He then straightened his shoulders and said, "But I don't believe there will be any problems. Merchant Jovani may be greedy, but he's managed his credit houses well so far."

Without another word, Ruvano gestured to Link to pass over the precious silk. He handed it to a sandy haired boy who was a foot taller than him. The teenager couldn't stop staring at Link or the jewel on his forehead. A little self-conscious, Link scooted to the side of Ruvano and fingered his ears. It was a little strange, seeing someone else with pointy ears and fair skin like him.

Ruvano stretched out a hand and Mr. Huges shook it. "Thank you, Mr. Huges for your purchase. It's quite the generous First Trade."

"Happy to be o' service, Miss Ruvano. Now, about that guard-duty I spoke of. Would you ladies be willin' to do this for us?"

Ruvano smiled sweetly, "It will cost you. As you know, we have our own places to be tomorrow."

"Of course, of course! How does twenty rupees sound?"

"How about fifty?"

"Deal."

Raising only her brow, Mr. Huges got the message. "I'm terribly afraid of the night-horrors that exist in Hyrule Field. They've attacked before, despite the supposed enchantments of these safe places. And I know how fearless you Gerudo are."

"Done deal, Mr. Huges. We'll take payment tomorrow morning."

"Thank you. And good-night ladies." Mr. Huges walked away, his two companions following close behind.

Letting out a little sigh of relief Link slumped his shoulders. The trades were done it seemed.

"You need to stop doing that Link. It's too much of a tell," Ruvano ordered. He immediately straightened and looked at her wide-eyed. But she patted him on the back. "But you did well for your first trade. So what did you learn?"

Link looked back to the other camp. "That there are some very strange people in this world."

Throwing back her head, his Queen laughed. "Quite true! Now, let's get some rest."

A/N: For those of you who are curious, a Momme is a unit of measure for silk fabric. It's in pounds per piece of 45 in. by 100 yards. Check it out on Wikipedia for more. But I'm sure I totally butchered how things really work in life.

If I've failed to properly express the accents here, I apologize. Any help in this department is greatly appreciated. I hope this doesn't give too much away, but I'll be explaining the various cultural languages in Time's Saga.

Hyrule – English. Nobles and the like are closely linked to The Queen's English, while the average Hylian speaks more of a casual American/ Southern Accent. The "Notherners" of Hyrule are likened to Irish dialects. **Although do note, Hyrule speaks in English dialects, but their writing is structured like Japanese, per the Nintendo release.

Gerudo – I'll be using the official Nintendo words where possible, but the rest I've decided will be closer to Filipino or Cebuano (Courtesy of Google Translate). I've decided to stay away from Spanish for the Gerudo because that just doesn't seem to fit the style of their words.

Holodrum – Scottish. I tried. I really tried with Mr. Huges, but I don't want this to be over the top. Imagine his accent, it if you will, please.

Labrynnia – German/ Hungarian/ Austrian. Something like that, I think, will work well for this story.

Hytopia – French. I mean, come'on. How could Hytopia be anything other then French?

Gorons – Jamaican. They've got drums and say "Hey brother!" all the time. It's a perfect match. XD

Zora – Italian. I haven't 100% decided this, but I think that will do. If anyone else wants to chime in on this one, I'm more than happy to take suggestions.

Sheikah – Either Latin or Greek, I haven't decided. But most Sheikah speak The Queen's English for conversation. The "ancient language" is for special circumstances, which we won't get into for a while.

And if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me if the switching of languages is too difficult to follow? I just want to see if I made the flow of dialogue and switching dialects easy enough, yet subtle enough to not scream in your face.

Thanks for reading this giant author's note! I'll see you next week!

-The Friendly Critiquer