PART FIFTEEN - THE HERO OF HATINO

A couple days had passed by and the gang could only stay in the shed to lick their wounds. Andie managed to catch a few grasshoppers and Dyer lit a small torch to roast them a bit. As previously mentioned by Hank, they had no supplies, no food or water. They had to make do with any insects that came in their way and drink from dirty water found in the gutters.

As grim as their situation was, they would rather have that then spent a day in Gorge's cell, that much Gus and Andie strongly agreed on. None of them could step a foot into town now that Gorge doubled the security. They would be lucky if they could stretch their legs outside the shed without seeing men with swords.

Ilia decided she couldn't take it any longer. She unbraided her hair and messed it up, taking the hoodie Link used as a disguise and pulled it over her head. They needed food and medicine. Link was still in pain and Hank's leg looked like it was getting worse.

They would've all disapproved of Ilia going alone, which was why she went brightly early when everyone was sound asleep. They looked so innocent, all huddled up and squeezed together. She needed to do a better job at protecting them. If Gorge had succeeded…

Tightly putting on the hoodie, she cautiously stepped out. It was a great relief to feel the fresh air after being stuck in a small sweaty shed for so long. It was a rather long walk to the town mostly because she had to use the alleyways to avoid detection.

Guards patrolled less in the morning. They were more languid and tired, less attentive under the bright sun. They didn't so much as glance at her, as they yawned and complained about their line of work. Ilia caught an open market with goods. The owner must have a spine of steel if they were able to open up shop under the circumstances. All those luscious fruits were just dying to be taken. The streets were partially empty with paper blown away, broken pieces of wood from merchant's stalls, stains of blood everywhere.

A soft gasp escaped her as she covered her mouth in horror. The puppet show…nothing remained of it. The remains were nothing more than a pile of wood and threads of curtains. There were spots of dried blood on the places where the children would sit to watch the shows. Oh Andie would be so heartbroken if he saw this. Gus told her how excited Andie was to watch the newest show: The Hero of Hatino. He was practically jumping about it.

But her Andie had changed. He kept quiet and reticent. She tried to raise a conversation with him but it was her that did the most talking and he only nodded his head politely, remaining taciturn. Gus advised her to give him some space and show incredible patience. The recent events keep pushing him down and it would take awhile for him to get back up. She was scared for him and even scared of him. All those bottled up emotions weren't a good idea. She knew that from experience. How long until he snaps? What would he do until then?

She still felt like she was to blame but knew that blaming herself won't go anywhere. It wouldn't change anything or make things better. She can't even stay mad at Quill anymore and felt only pity for him. He killed the chief, suffered such misery from that and his life had been nearly taken by a bullet. They need her to be strong. They need a leader.

The saleswoman was old and gloomy, didn't even question her odd customer. "Can I help you?" She had a wrinkly face with squinted eyes and strong arms that belonged to a farmer. A straw hat with a red ribbon around the cone rested on her curly blond hair. Just from one look, you could already tell this lady was a stubborn, no nonsense type. After all, she was one of the few that dared to open shop.

Ilia deepened her voice. "I'm looking for an inn," she asked innocently, pretending to look lost.

The lady raised an eyebrow. "You new around here?" She placed forearm that had fat hanging from it on the counter and leaned in.

"Just got here, ma'am," Ilia lied smoothly, making sure her face shaded underneath the hoodie.

"Listen well and turn around while you still can. This town is one step away from ruins."

Ilia faked a gasp. "Good heavens! I saw the fountain but I took it as a monster attack."

The old woman snorted. "No monster here, Miss, and if I were you I'd skedaddle as far away from here as possible."

Ilia prayed the old woman would stop staring at her. If she took one long look she'll know that it was Ilia who stole her fortune the day Link had first came to Hatino. "What's been happening here?"

"It's the damn new chief," she cursed and looked around tensely to see if anyone heard her. She straightens up and sighs. "Idiot is driving us to ruins. You know he tried to execute a kid?"

"What?! How could he?!"

The lady nodded and snorted again. "There was this boy that, as Gorge put it, was the villain that killed our beloved Dobbin but if you ask me that's a load of crap."

Ilia's surprise was genuine. She turned to see a couple of men headed their way and both her and the saleswoman averted their eyes from the guards'. They waltzed through town like they owned the place and the few people who had the courage to roam the streets turned their gaze away. Hatino was unlike the place when she first came here. It burst with joy and happiness, with merchants yelling from the top of their lungs and children surrounding the puppet show.

The sight of these men insolently walking the streets with no care about the damage they have caused burned indignation inside her heart. She wanted to make more chaos if it means to divest Gorge from the office or she could find some way to spark a reprisal and let the people fight for their rights.

At the end of the street, she could see gruff men construct what appeared to be a platform. What was Gorge planning this time?

Once she was sure that the guards were out of earshot, she continued the conversation. "You don't think it was him?" She was baffled. Didn't the villagers try to kill Link themselves when he jumped out of the mansion?

"Listen to half of what you hear is what my Pa used to say." The woman rubbed her hands with a towel. "He's just a boy that got caught up in a mess is what I think. And get this. A couple of days ago we nearly had a forest fire getting started. Gorge went on and on about this 'Link' character, saying that he's the son of a demon."

Ilia was still looking at the woman, bewildered. "So, did he do it? Link, I mean. Did he start the fire?"

"Girlie, do I look like I was born yesterday?"

"No, ma'am."

"Then you beat your pockets that I don't believe a word out of that man's mouth. The second the storm passed, he rallied up any young fools he can find and even lit all the torches." Her eyes sharpened as if daring Ilia to contradict her. "So you tell me who's really dangerous here."

Ilia pursed her lips. "Well, it's the chief of course." She paused for a bit, being cautious as if she's stepping on thin ice. "What about the kids though? Do you think they deserve it?"

"Sweetie, I have five children, all grown up and married. I know when a kid deserves to be punished and how it should be done. Those kids don't deserve anything that came in their way." She heaved out a sigh. "I actually know one of them. This little runt, about your height I think, broke into my house and stole my life savings."

Ilia feigned horror. "Oh, that's terrible!"

"I think community work would do it but execution? Children are children until they're taught to be adults. Gorge's taking it too far and people aren't getting happy. " She sat down, using a paper fan at her sweaty face. "I only pray that those kids are all right."

Something twisted in Ilia's gut. She didn't notice it before but the lady had a benevolent face and an admirable strength. It was a challenge in itself to even maintain eye contact, as Ilia wanted nothing more to leave even if it meant that she didn't get what she came here for.

The old lady's eyes sharpened. "People are getting mad and I think they're going to do something about it." She spoke these thoughts out to no one in particular and realized that Ilia were still there. "Sorry to disappoint you but you shouldn't stay and I guess I used your ear up too much."

"That's okay," Ilia replied politely, looking at the shimmering fruits.

"Take as much as you want," the woman offered with a shrug. "No one's gonna buy them anyways and it'll be a waste if they rot. I can see that you need it more." Her eyes were looking at Ilia's tattered shirt and stained blood.

Ilia felt her heart sink at the offer and shamefully accepted. The woman didn't blink when Ilia took as much as her bag would allow. She sincerely thanked the old woman to which she shrugged, saying that Ilia should consider it a bribe for her to get out of Hatino as fast as she can.

It took a while to get back at the shed. The lady did use up her ear and now there were more guards. This time they were wide awake and alerted as ever. She pulled the hoodie tightly and held her breath when one passed by her. He was so close she could smell him. In order to get to the shed, she absconded to a long detour. The boys would be awake by now and she had to get their before they do something reckless.

When she opened the door, Dyer nearly attacked her with his fists. He stared at her in stun surprise and dropped his arms at once, looking at her as if amazed. They were all awake and she seemed to have interrupted what appeared to be a heated argument.

Gus' face was the same color as his hair. "What the bloody hells were you thinking?" He demanded, slamming the door behind her. "You didn't even leave us a note!"

"Shush," Dyer hissed. It was his turn on watch duty and he was getting restless just standing there doing nothing.

Hank wasn't saying anything, only on his side and staring blankly at the wall. Quill was leaning against the wall, carving something out of a wooden stick and Link lay there the same like yesterday, still in pain too move.

"You've been gone for some time," Quill pointed out with a frown. "We were discussing on who should go after you. It wasn't a good idea, Ilia."

Dyer shook his head at her as if he's disappointed. "We would've discussed a plan or something. Did you have to leave like that and give us a heart attack?"

Andie was looking at her with concern and she kissed him on the forehead. She felt flattered by their worry. "Calm your pants. I was just getting us some food."

"You never learn, do you?" Gus snapped. "When will you get it through your head that stealing is what got us here in the first place?"

Ilia shoved her bag into his arms. "There you go." He shuffled the sack in his arms, blinking at the glinting apples. "I know you're all starving. It's been two days since we ate anything." She smiled when she heard his stomach agree with her.

Gus dropped the bag dumbly and apples rolled out from across the room. He poked her shoulder that caused her to step back. "I meant what I said about quitting." He seethed through his teeth. "It's done nothing but make us miserable and I'm really starting to believe that the goddesses are punishing us."

She couldn't help but snort. "Oh, this is punishment?"

"It is!" He said it like it was so obvious that even he looked mystified. "Just think about it. Everything keeps getting worse when we steal. Now tell me right now that it's all just a coincident and that it has nothing to do with stealing."

She scoffed at him and turned to Hank who stared at an apple in his hand. "Hank, I know you're starving," she said gently. "We need this stuff."

Link wasn't saying anything at all, only quietly staring at them. She expected him to voice out the loudest quarrel. This was a test, she realized, to see if he truly got into their heads, to see that if they would give in to temptation or remain strong.

Quill shook his head politely. "I'm not hungry," he answered, kicking the fruit gently away from him.

Ilia had a little smile play with her lips. "You never did like stealing, did you?"

Hank was the one that answered. "No, but he likes to ruin people's lives. He's quite good at it."

Ilia would've clobbered his head if Quill hasn't stopped her. He made it seem like the verbal attack was nothing but she could see the hurt in his eyes. Gus and Dyer didn't say it out loud but they seemed to have forgiven him since over the days they spent in this isolated shed, the three of them were playing cards and guessing games. Link hated him from the beginning and his opinion still didn't change but he was okay with him around. Dyer even told her that it was Link's idea to save him.

The only one that despised Quill from the bottom of his heart was Hank. Ilia could understand why he felt that way. There's no way he could face Gorge and the only way to make himself feel better was to take his anger on someone else. Quill took every word from Hank, never firing back and allowed himself to be a punching bag.

Dyer only kicked an apple away from him as if it was poison and Hank clenched the fruit at hand, squeezing the juicy goodness giving her a hard look. He ran his hand through his scar. "Look at this and tell me if I should steal again."

"You almost took the mechanic's things," she reminded him.

He gestured his hand at his leg. "And it was the stupidest thing I've ever done!" He shook his head, staring down at the ground. "Don't do this to me, okay? I'm quitting forever even if I starve to death."

Her heart clenched as the fruits rolled silently at her feet. It felt as if her whole world was falling apart. She would be left alone. No one would be with her if they were against thievery. Link hasn't changed her mind so much and she's not going to let anyone change her. Stealing was everything to her just as torturing monsters was the same for Link. It can't be stopped and she won't ever stop.

She could've decided to take the fruits for herself and eat it in front of them. Let them simmer and their decision wear out until they give in. She was sorely tempted to do so but it was their clothes that hung from their skin and dark circles were under their eyes that made her reconsider. They were hungry, thirsty, and tired. They had all lost their homes, all of their belongings, everything and was she honestly going to torture them now? When their situation was so desperate?

Picking up a fruit, she held it to Gus who crossed his arms. "This was given to me for free," she answered honestly.

He laughed, slapping her hand away. "If you're going to lie then try to do it better," he said with a tight smile.

She rubbed her hands, still feeling like she lost something. "I swear on my parent's grave that I didn't steal any of them."

They all looked at her in surprise and before she knew it, the fruits were picked up one by one and the first one to take a bite was Quill. She couldn't look at Link and see his teasing smile to him. she'd rather die than see him give the same look she had when everyone refused to leave with him at the mansion.

Instead of a teasing smile, he looked relieved almost grateful at the sight and closed his eyes with a sigh. They emptied her bag and sat down with satisfaction.

"I'll never take fruits for granted again," Andie muttered, tossing the seeds away. He was so hungry that he ate up all the apple cores.

Link only took one, letting them take more despite looking famished. He could sit up again only grunting and cursing quietly. Andie was stuck to his side like glue and helped him whenever he needed assistance.

Quill asked how did she ever get the fruits free and she told them what the old lady said. She explained to them how there are some people who believed that Link didn't do the crime and how he didn't start the fire.

"Wait, he's actually blaming me for the forest fire?" Link asked with a chilling smile as he dropped his head back to the ground. "Ah man, he really wants my ass, doesn't he?" He gave a small laugh.

Andie frowned. "Link, he wants to kill you."

"Yeah, and if my back wasn't so messed up I'd let him take a shot." He paused and laughed hearty.

Dyer returned it. "He already did, remember?"

Link burst out of laughter, his cheeks turning pink. "What a bastard."

Quill was frowning at the sight of their satire. "What did the lady say about Gorge?" He asked Ilia.

"She's saying that people are getting tired of Gorge and they'll do something about it."

For the first time in a long time, Hank actually smiled. "All right, problem solved," he said, placing his hands behind his head and glancing at the ceiling.

Everyone but Quill was delighted of the news. As soon as Gorge was taken care of, the people might even forget about the kids that lived in the woods. All they had to do was wait until the villagers did the dirty work.

There were lines on Quill's forehead, showing that he was deeply disturbed. Ilia tried to ask him if he was feeling alright and he assured her it was nothing. Hank made another comment saying Ilia should spent more time with friends than with filthy traitors. Her eyes turned to slits at his constant lambaste but she kept her piece. Nothing would get done by arguing.

Quill went back to carving his stick but applied more force than he needed. Something was troubling him and she decided to leave him to his thoughts. Quill had shared with them the story of how he came to know Gorge and how that bastard kept him under his thump.

She wished she had squeezed the answer out of him because in the morning they found a letter pinned to the door by a sharp stick.

Another day, another speech, Gorge thought tiredly. The thudding in his head was ever so present. It was beating at the back of his mind. Thump, thump, thump thump.

It had taken considerable strength for him to get out of bed. Against the doctor's orders, he took twice his medication and drown it with a large glass of sake.

The heat had done very little to ease his aching mind, even with the shade his men had built him. A platform had been set up around the afternoon in which he would give a meaningful panegyric. The goal was to plant a seed of fear into the people and show them the true enemy.

They would quiver in fear and beg him to protect them. It was such a wonderful idea. Let Link take all the blame, have his face on paper at every doorstep and send out a manhunt.

Gorge was sure that Link's circumvention was the end of his career but he's been looking at it all wrong. It could be like a little snowball rolling down a mountain. The fear of the people would continue to grow and grow, until they refused to come out of their homes. Just when all hope seems lost, Gorge will save them.

It will be him who would be their savior, their hero, The Hero of Hatino. Has a pretty good ring to it. He ought to have the puppet show remade and have it renovated into his name.

Link and his friends may have escaped him but he knew that they were somewhere in Hatino. Where they are to be exact was still unknown to him.

The crowd began to form and he stood up straight against the sun, grinning down at them. The guards were close by, making sure no one would interrupt or leave. Everyone needed to here this.

He practiced his speech all day long, pacing around in his room at the inn, saying it over and over with a strong voice till his voice gone rough. Now he could see a wave of faces, all looking up to him and he felt himself getting excited.

"My good people," he started once he ordered for silence. "Over the years of our town, we have survived raids and monsters. We have survived and we have endured from those who wished to destroy us. Now those same people are hoping to yet again—"

"You mean the children are going to kill us, sir?" Someone mocked, raising a wave of chuckles.

He felt his eye tick as some murmurs and mumbles raised. "They are not children," he answered firmly, straightening up his posture. "They are a dangerous gang of criminals that wish to destroy us and I promise to abrogate them as soon—"

"Are you talking about that little boy you tied a rope to?!" Shouted a woman. "A boy no younger than my own, chief?!"

"Children!" A man cried hysterically. "Our home town is being invaded by children! Oh the horrors!"

There was some shouting and screaming that were silenced by the sound of a pistol. "Now I assure you," he was saying, getting irritated by these interruptions, "that the little boy was an accomplice to the murder of our Dobbin. These criminals need to be shown that they will not do as they like in our town and that we will not tolerate such—" Something red and wet splashed on his face and he stumbled back. The rotten tomato slipped off his face and to the ground.

The villagers were now fighting against the guards, bringing out their own weapon. He could see a few men trying to pull themselves up the platform but his guards pushed them back. It was as if the whole world wanted his head. People rushing from either sides, against his guards, looking at him with fury. Screams and shouting filled the morning and all the eyes held such animosity towards him.

He shot a few of them and his men followed suit. His heart was racing as he stared at the people of Hatino rebelling against him. Their dissidence was unexpected and he could only wonder why.

The headache worsened. It was as if a small heart was implanted on his brain and was beating furiously. His men were trying to lead him to safety but the villagers stopped them, attacking with pitch forks and torches. Gorge and his men were out numbered, cornered by the angry mob.

What did he do to deserve this? That little boy was with Link at the time so that makes him a criminal. He didn't blow up the fountain nor did he kill Dobbin. Well, he didn't directly kill him. Quill was the one who did it.

How could they be so ungrateful? After everything he's done? He's tried to bring Hatino to its former glory before Dobbin took control. That old bones never took anything serious and Gorge tried to help them.

Is this how they repay me? He thought as he watched people raise their fists up with an outraged face.

He felt his face burn red as his shaking hands reached into his pockets. His pistol was ever so small and still underdeveloped but he knew very well how to use it. In a surge of fury, he even got some of his men that were in his way.

"I bet you were the one who killed Dobbin!" Someone shouted, throwing an axe that was inches away from his head. He shot one fire and got her on the ground, withering in pain.

Another came from behind and this one was at Link's age. "We should've done this a long time ago!" He was a thin figure yielding a shovel.

Gorge took out every one of them, even using another pistol at hand. His shots made mark and the people began to back away from him. There was fire starting and he felt a maddening smile on his face as he watched it spread. Smoke was evaporating everywhere, people were screaming, mothers frantically grabbing their wailing children. Everyone was frightened of him, staring at him in horror.

He's given them everything: his care, his love, his patience, and what did they do? They turn against him and sided with a criminal. With Link. Link was the one in Dobbin's house. He was the one who sent the fountain to oblivion. Why was he getting all the support of the people?

All his life, Gorge had been told numerous times of the plain and painful truth about this cruel world. Only men born with glory and power rise to the top and people like Gorge were mud on their feet. He wanted to prove them wrong, to also rise to the top. He always figured that hard work paid off and it did for a while. He became the chief by showing them that he was more than capable of running the office.

But there were those that received everything on a silver platter like Link. Maybe this was his plan all along. Link also tried to kill Dobbin to run the office but Quill had beaten him to it.

Fury bubbled inside of Gorge like a boiling pot. He wanted the boy to die under his boot, wanted to hear him scream and beg for mercy. Link was a good scapegoat and should have died that way. Gorge spent his entire life for this moment. He lived in hell so he could live in luxury and Link took it all away from him.

If only Quill hasn't betrayed him…the fresh image of him running away with his head on made Gorge growl. It felt like the world was against him and he wanted to watch all of it burn.

He gave a menacing laugh, could feel insanity in his blood as he made to shoot an old woman. It pleased him to watch the villagers, who once dared to raise a hand at him, run like the devil was at their tails. They were all running from him. They all feared him. They must be sorry for showing such treason. Too little too late.

At his side a carriage was erupted in flames and ran through a shop. He could see more people screaming as they ran out of buildings and into the street. More buildings collapsed and they blocked the roads to the exits that made him grin and the people cry.

There was no way that he could ever be their chief again. It was a big shame though. He was starting to enjoy it too, ruling with an iron fist, being respected by strangers. He could've brought glory to this pathetic town, could've made them rich and famous beyond their dreams. Hylians from all over the country would've stopped by to admire their town and if the king were still alive he would've made a visit himself.

It was fine though.

If he goes down, he'll drag Hatino with him.