This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause

To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!

from The Impossible Dream

Chapter Thirty Five
Have Faith

At the end of the next day the Kairin army was clearly visible from the walls of the city. The Stormlord's forces had marched north from the coast over the last few days day and were now camped two miles to the south of Baradale. The four generals of Hyrule were absolutely certain that their foe would assault the city at dawn. Fear of the unknown loomed over the weary armies of Hyrule. The mood around the city was grim.

A final war council was held the day before battle, lasting late into the evening. The leaders of the peoples of the Hyrule talked extensively, planning their strategy and scrutinising their responses to every conceivable situation that could arise in battle. With an enemy as unpredictable as the Lord of Dusk, this was incredibly difficult. One hour before high-night the Marshal declared that everyone should retire to their own beds, and try to catch a few hours of sleep so that they could be rested for the day of battle.

Rael locked himself in his room in the keep of Baradale Tower so that he could be alone, but he was certain he would never get any sleep because he was so frightened. He paced back and forth across the stone floor as fearful thoughts ran through his mind over and over again. Tomorrow he would fight the Lord of Dusk for what must the last time. In his heart he felt sure that this would be their final confrontation. He had to convince himself that Ralis was gone; that his older brother had been completely consumed by evil. He longed to believe that he could still save Ralis and turn him back from this path of destruction and death, but he had no hope left for his brother.

Rael did not remember falling asleep or ever climbing under his sheets. Nonetheless he awoke in his bed, immediately aware of a very loud banging on his chamber door. It must have been particularly early because it was still pitch black outside the window and he could not hear the usual commotion of dawn sounds ringing up from the city. He stumbled across his chamber to the sound of the banging, the glowing embers in his hearth providing very little light by which to see. "Your Highness!" shouted a familiar voice from behind the door as the banging continued. "Get your lazy arse out of bed!"

Rael pulled back the heavy bolt and flung the door open. "Blood and storms Anya, I'm awake," he said groggily, glaring at the tall woman in corridor outside. "What time is it?"

Anya pushed past him into his bed chamber, and stood with her arms folded. "It's five hours past high-night," she said. "I've been awake for an hour already, so I'll have no lip from you. They're going to dress you properly downstairs, so wash your face and comb your hair and get out there."

......

Corra snorted as Vash put a soft brush to his face, but let him wipe away the flecks of dirt and strands of hay around his mouth. "We have a hard day ahead of us, boy," said Vash to his gelding, "a very hard day." He put the brush aside, content that Corra was sufficiently presentable to carry a Captain of Hylia. Vash placed a short blanket over his horse's back and then hauled the saddle up onto his back. "Don't be scared. I'll take care of you if you take care of me."

All around Vash his lieutenants were preparing their horses in a similar fashion. They were all substantially older than him, but they were all fiercely loyal. If any envied him for his quick promotion above them, they did not show it outwardly.

Vash had been chosen by General Destan to take the place of the Captain Machin, had fallen during the assault on Pergondale. Vash was determined to prove that he was the best man for the role. He was now accountable for eight hundred of Hylia's three thousand horsemen.

The morning was still dim because the sun had not yet risen above the horizon, but in a few hours time the army of Hyrule would be fully assembled, and then the battle for the future of their Kingdom would be fought. Vash was ready to fight, and determined to prove himself as a leader in the field of battle.

......

King Relano lifted the jug of water up above his head, and strained to keep this sizeable urn up in the air as he asked for Nayru's blessing. "Protect my people, and protect my name, great goddess," he said, as he tilted the jug backwards, allowing the cool water to pour down over his head and his shoulders. It was wonderfully refreshing, but he had no time to savour the feeling of the Domain water against his skin.

"The sun is up," said General Vellaro Vellatta, striding into the royal tent. "We must make haste, Your Majesty."

"It's not like you to hurry, Vellaro," said Relano, with a cool smile for the older man.

"Time is running out," said Vellaro, "for all of us."

Relano massaged the water into his skin, ensuring that his body would stay fresh and supple in the coming day. "I know," he said. He turned to a pair of serving men, who were waiting at the side of the tent for his call. "Armour," he said, simply. The two young men jumped forward with breastplate and shin guards and all other pieces of his shining steel armour. It was Goron built of course, thin and light, but very strong. He held out his arms as pieces were buckled to him.

Vellaro watched patiently as his king was armed for battle, speaking little, and after a few minutes he was ready. "Let's go, you old pirate," said Relano eventually, picking up his father's spear as he made his way out into the Encampment.

......

The legs of Hylian soldiers snapped together and hands were raised in salute as Jevilla and Jaendral strode out through the doors of Baradale Tower into the courtyard of the keep. "Keep it easy boys," said Jaendral. The young men relaxed their guard, thinking better than to contradict this giant of a man.

The courtyard was alive with activity. Patrols of Hylian men were marching around the Keep as ever, hoisting spears over their shoulders. Other soldiers of every race were hurrying about between the various outposts and the main tower. Messengers were hurrying to and fro between the Keep and the city with reconnaissance and troop-deployment reports, some on horseback and others simply on foot. Commanders of various rank barked orders to their subordinates, ordering them to stop slacking and get down to the Encampment or hurry up with some other assigned task.

"I love the pre-battle ruckus," said Jaendral as they made their way to the southern gate into the city. "Men are never more alive than before a proper fight."

Jevilla knew that Jaendral only enjoyed seeing the liveliness of the troops. The steadfast courage that fighting men and women showed in the face of danger gave them hope as leaders, but Jaendral hated the reality of battle as much as anyone else.

"You should have slept in the Encampment, last night," Jevilla said. "There were plenty of young mares eager for one last studding. You'd have had the pick of the lot."

"Pah," said Jaendral, with a superior laugh. "I would rather be honour guard of our noble Queen any day." He looked down at Jevilla suspiciously. "And I certainly hope you didn't let the men and women at each other."

"Of course not," said Jevilla, "not on my watch. At least none of the girls are that dumb-foolish. But, as for your men on their own, I can only wonder."

Jaendral remained stony faced. "And what about yourself?" he asked.

"Oh I think you know me better than that, Governor," she said, dismissively.

Jaendral smiled, though he kept looking straight ahead. "That's pleasing to hear," he said.

Jevilla looked up at the mighty man and allowed herself a slight smile.

......

"This sight makes a brother proud," said Chief Link. The Goron King clapped his hands together approvingly as his army marched forward from the Encampment out onto the open plains. There were two thousand Goron men in his army, and they were all beginning to move out onto the field of battle, where they would form order themselves into fighting formation.

From a distance they looked like great boulders treading steadily forward, as though the ground itself had risen up from the foundations of the earth to do battle.

The King beat his chest and looked southward to the thick dark line of Kairin soldiers on the horizon. He threw his head back and let out a deep, powerful roar. "This is your end, Kaira."

......

Zelda heeled the sides of her white mare Daisa, encouraging her to gallop forwards across the open grasslands. She pulled the reigns left and right, practising their sharp turns for one last time before battle began. "Good girl," she said, patting the beautiful beast on the belly. She brought herself low on the saddle so that Daisa could run as fast as she could for a few moments, then reigned her in to a gentle trot. "Very good," she said, "that's enough for now. Let's rest."

Daisa was very familiar with Zelda, and was accustomed to bearing the extra weight of armour, as well as the Queen's own armour and weaponry. The mare was the natural choice of mount for this battle, having proved herself to be steadfast and strong in the Battle for Shaylin. Daisa was neither the fastest nor the strongest of the creatures in the Royal Stables, but she had the best stamina. She was Zelda's personal favourite, and she would guard the life of the fine creature as closely as she guarded her own.

Zelda saw Elane approaching her, riding on her own brown mare. "Ma'am!" called Elane, waving an arm. Elane had agreed that it was wisest for her to stay well clear of the fighting, so she was now wearing any armour.

"Fair morning, Elane," said Zelda, hailing the young queen and inviting her to come to her side.

"There's nothing fair about this morning, ma'am," said Elane as she drew up alongside Zelda. "It's a dark day." The two horses walked alongside each other as the women spoke.

Elane pointed out that the dawn sun was already hidden behind dark clouds, bringing the southlands only a dim grey morning. A southerly wind was blowing even blacker clouds towards them, heavy with rain. The Stormlord was very close.

"Don't be frightened, Elane," said Zelda, gently, "The sun will rise tomorrow as it rises today."

Elane grumbled, and looked at Zelda with stern eyes. "Will the sun rise again?" asked Elane. She spoke with grave seriousness, and Zelda knew she was not asking the question lightly. "The way Rael was talking in the council last night... it is as though the world is about to end."

Zelda thought carefully before answering. "Rael will be Rael," she said, "but the sun will rise again tomorrow, even if we are not here to see it."

Elane reached down to grip the handle of the sword at her waist. "I don't want to die," she said. "I'm so afraid, for me, for Rael, for all these soldiers..."

Zelda reached over and placed her hand over Elane's sword-gripping hand. She smiled like a mother, and spoke so softly yet with such sincerity. "So am I," she said.

......

Five thousand Hylian foot soldiers had taken their position on the plains south of the Encampment. The front ranks were all equipped with shining plate mail, which made the assembly appear as a sea of steel from the distance.

The Hylian cavalry were waiting further away beyond the infantry. Those horsemen were reserves for when the tide of battle began to turn against them, as seemed inevitable. The three thousand horses and their riders were the remainder of the five thousand who assaulted Shaylin. A thousand had been lost in the desert battle; another thousand had died in service during the border campaign, or else had not answered the summons to Baradale.

General Destan nodded approvingly from a rise in the land as he watched the last vestiges of the infantry marching out from the edge of the Encampment towards the troop line. "Lerune, Nerry, Ingril," he said, turning to the three colonels appointed to manage the infantry. "You've done well. This is the last push." The former Governor-Captain of Baradale looked northward to the great stone-walled city, admiring the height of its keep. "I governed this land for a long time, and I know it well. But I tell you - however well we think we know our land or our soldiers, we don't know our enemy - so don't underestimate him."

"Let us hope he underestimates us though, eh sir," said Colonel Ingril.

Destan nodded. "I expect he already has done. But I know you'll keep your wits about you." The General of Hylia glanced southward towards the Kairin. "A lot of blood will be spilled today. Make it Kairin, not Hylian." The General looked east and west along the troop line, at the mighty armies of the Zora, Goron and Gerudo people. "And look..." he said, "these are our brothers in Hyrule, and we do not value their blood any less than our native kin."

"Yes, sir!" said the three high ranking officers, in unison.

"You have your orders. You know the battle plan. Get back to the line, and may the gods be with us," he said that last when he realised there was nothing more to say. The time for words was over. The time for action was here. "We march at the command of the Marshal."

......

At that time the Marshal of Hyrule was standing alone on a rocky outcrop, gazing southward. The Kairin legion was mustering for battle. Scouts had reported that the Kairin were around forty thousand in number, and that was far more than the number of Hyrulians under his command. Link was afraid. The storm clouds were ready to unleash hell upon Hyrule, and he did not know if he could protect his people to the very end.

The south wind was blowing strongly, whipping the folds of his black cloak so that it billowed out behind him, revealing his shining steel armour. He drew back his hood, letting the gusty wind blow through his grey hair. For a few moments Link closed his eyes and savoured the sensation of being lost in the power and the majesty of nature. The wind was beautiful and untameable, whistling trough the grass, pushing at the branches of the scattered trees.

"Hyrule..." he said softly, "my green country... Your soil is good and your people are strong. I long to defend you... to save you, to keep and preserve you for the offspring of my offspring. You raised me on open plains, and tested me on high mountains and under deep waters... Grant me one more day... to run on your fields and swim in clean rivers... Don't take me from this earth so soon... not while there is another dawn..."

Link opened his eyes and squinted to see south against the mighty wind. His heart was burning with a passion to save his people from death and save his country from the gathering storm. "This is my country, Ralis," he said, "and you are not welcome here."

......

Rael shifted in his saddle, trying to make himself comfortable in his new armour. His horse Kopus moved irritably as well, clearly unimpressed with the extra can of metal he had to carry. Rael's old armour from the Blades' campaign had been minimal so this full suit was a sharp contrast. He had only had a short time to become accustomed to the plate mail, and even less time to learn how to ride in it. It was very flexible though, and he hoped it would not constrict him.

The first time he had seen himself in a mirror, wearing the full suit of golden armour and gleaming helmet, he had smiled secretly behind his visor. He was surprised that seeing himself wearing the armour of kings made him feel briefly grand and important, until he remembered what lay ahead of him. Now fleeting thoughts of grandeur had been chased away from his mind.

Elane drew reign up alongside him. She was dressed in a beautiful purple and silver dress, divided for riding. Her long dark hair was neatly pinned back behind her neck and on her head she wore the silver Desert Crown. The Amethyst Snake hung from her neck on its golden chain. "You could have dressed up a little, couldn't you?" she asked.

"I just threw something together," said Rael, drily.

"Sorry, what?" said Elane, with a confused expression.

"Oh, sorry," said Rael, pushing up his visor so that he could speak properly. "I said I just threw something together. No time to dress up."

"Ah," said Elane nodding. "That helmet's not very conducive to sound, is it?"

"No," said Rael, shrugging his shoulders. "Thankfully it's not very conducive to blades either, though."

"Thankfully," agreed Elane, with a kind smile. "Everyone's coming," she said, nodding her head away to the side. "Blood and storms, listen to that cheering!"

Rael looked over his shoulder towards the troop line. The assembly of soldiers was an awesome sight. Hundreds of banners were flying above their heads in a rainbow of colours, both regional flags and banners representing military groupings, their streamers flapping wildly in the strong southern wind. The roar that rose up from each of the four nations was unlike anything Rael had ever heard. When had so many people ever been gathered together like this?

There were ten thousand Zoras, all of whom were on foot with long spear and round shields. There were two thousand Gorons, though of course each of them was worth three or four of any other man. The Hylians numbered ten thousand, if the Sun Blades were included, and they had over three thousand horses between them. The Gerudos were a force of eight thousand, but this included Jevilla's special regiment that Rael had only recently learned of; they would provide a critical edge in battle.

There were thirty thousand in all, against forty thousand Kairin. Rael new that numbers alone did not win a battle, but the Stormlord had a powerful advantage nonetheless.

Rael watched as a few small parties on horseback galloped away from the front line out into the open plain. They were riding towards a lone cloaked figure who was waiting in solitude on a magnificent black stallion.

Rael could see King Relano and Vellaro riding forward from the Zora line; Jevilla and Jaendral coming forward from the Gerudo line; Chief Link and Brold lumbering forward at a jog from the Goron line. General Destan came forward from the Hylian troops and Wulric came rode along with him, though the rest of the Sun Blades were not visible behind the rest of the assembly.

"The Marshal needs us," said Elane.

"After you, Your Majesty," he said, gesturing for her to ride.

The young pair heeled their horses and took them to a canter, hurrying across the grassland towards the solitary Marshal. Moments later they were part of a group gathering around the old warrior. Strangely though, no-one was speaking. With the large group surrounding Rael it took him a moment to realise that someone was missing. Then, no sooner had he noticed her absence, the largest roar yet rose up from the army, particularly from the Hylians.

Zelda, Queen of Hyrule, had appeared on the battlefield. She came galloping forth un-helmeted on her magnificent white mare, and rather than coming towards the group of leaders, she chose to blaze along the front of the troop line. Her silver armour caught the sun's light through a gap in the clouds and her golden hair streamed out behind her, such that she seemed to all to be radiating brilliant white light. There was a flash of silver as she unsheathed Eversharp, the Sword of Kings, and held it aloft: an ancient icon of her power and authority revealed for all to see.

Rael felt excitement bubbling deep within him. His Queen was evoking inspiration and heart-lifting joy in his soul. He looked around and saw similar signs of fervour in the eyes of Hyrule's other leaders, every one of them captivated in that moment, knowing that they were witnessing the material of legends.

The Queen left the battle line and rode over towards the commanding group. Rael was so lost in his thoughts that he was caught by surprise when Zelda was suddenly amongst their number. The group had circled their horses around to make a circle, and Zelda took her place between Link and Rael. "That," she declared, "is how to rally troops."

The group were shaken out of their collective awe, and returned their thoughts to their task. There were twelve of them here, the same twelve who had formed the core of the war councils for the last few days. After having spent so much time locked up together they had all grown accustomed to each other's company, and no longer felt like a group of powerful strangers; they were brothers and sisters in a common cause.

In that moment, despite everything he had been through over the last half year, Rael could not help but feel how incredibly peculiar his situation was. Not long ago he had been a common man living in Taran Kaey. Now he was holding counsel among kings and queens and generals... but a common man he remained.

Rael looked around the circle from left to right at these brave souls: Elane, Jaendral, Jevilla, Destan, Wulric, Brold, Chief Link, Relano, Vellaro, Link and Zelda. A great burden was resting upon their shoulders, and every one of them knew the enormity of their task. Rael wondered who would fight in the thick of battle, and whether any of these courageous souls lose their lives before sundown. Hyrule was outnumbered, and her troops were weary; but they were on home soil, and with both their lives and Hyrule's sovereignty at stake, the armies would give every last ounce of their strength.

Link's hood was down and his bright silver helmet tucked under his arm, so that everyone could see his face clearly. His messy shoulder-length grey hair was blowing in the wind. He asked the Queen for leave to speak freely, then addressed the assembly. "Friends," he said, "there are few words left for me to say. I have great confidence that all of you will direct our troops with great wisdom and courage."

"We'll do our utmost," said Vellaro, "the gods send that is enough."

"The warriors are ready; sunlight is short," said Brold, "let us not delay."

"You know what is at stake," said Zelda. She looked around slowly, making eye contact with each of the leaders. "If we do not win this battle decisively, then we lose everything. The Lord of Dusk does not want to conquer Hyrule; he wants to destroy it. He will reveal his full strength today, and I can't fathom the extent of his power." She turned to Rael and asked him if he would like to say anything.

Rael cleared his throat and looked around at the group. "You know what I've said before. The Stormlord is...I mean, the Lord of Dusk is..." He paused. He was weary of using pseudonyms and titles to talk about the man he had grown up with. "Ralis, is extremely powerful and extremely dangerous. Even now I can feel his presence. I'm going to try and get him away from the main battlefield. Whether by luring him away or dragging him away I don't know, but it doesn't matter. My point is-"

"Stay well away?" asked Jevilla.

"Stay as far away as possible," said Rael. "If Ralis sees any of you he will try to kill you. Hyrule cannot lose any more of its leaders."

"Rael is right," said Zelda. She looked to Link, who gave her a quick nod. "Sacrifices will be made today," she said, "and I can do nothing but offer my deepest thanks to all of you and your people for standing with me. People are born to live in peace, not die in war. I swear that I will do everything I can to hold this kingdom together, and preserve my people from the shadow... all of my people."

Everyone in the circle offered their thanks together, and a few spoke the oath of allegiance. The group dispersed, and the leaders of the free peoples of Hyrule rode or jogged away towards their positions in the assembly.

Elane waited behind and spoke to Rael quietly. "I believe in you," she said. "You can end this. You can stop Ralis."

"How do you know?" asked Rael, distantly, looking south towards the distant Kairin army. It was closer on the horizon now that it had been before.

"I know, because I know you," she said. "Have faith."

"Have faith in what?" asked Rael, feeling hopeless in his growing fear.

Elane smiled. "You showed faith in me, when you left me in Shaylin" she said, lifting the golden chain of the Amethyst Snake up over her neck. "Now I'm showing faith in you." She placed the bright purple jewel in his hand and closed his fingers around it. "Give it back to me when the battle's over."

Rael looked down at the jewel, the sacred talisman of the Gerudo people. "All right, I will," he said, deciding not to argue. He smiled. "I'll try not to lose it."

"You'd better not," she said. They leaned in together across their mounts and shared a quick kiss, then Elane broke away to follow after Jaendral and Jevilla. "I'll be thinking about you," she said, as she rode away. "Have faith!"

......

"This is your moment," said Zelda, as she and Link rode back towards the troop line. Link smiled at his wife, quietly. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"I am far too ready," said Link. There was a burning in his chest waiting to be satisfied.

"Then go, now," she said. "Put fire in their hearts, so they will follow you into hell and back."

Link nodded, and rode away from her. Zelda continued to ride her white mare towards the Hylian assembly, whilst Link slowed to a stop upon a rise in the land from where he would be able to see the entire army. There was an almighty cheer as Link reigned Edura to stop, a roar of hope and passion which filled the skies.

He raised up a hand, and for a while the cheering continued, but eventually the voices began to quieten as it became clear that Link intended to address the army.

The Marshal of Hyrule stood alone.

The winds of destiny were blowing... and the wheels of fate were turning... as an Age of Hyrule prepared to draw its final breath.

The Hero of Time beheld his people, his soldiers, his fierce and brave warriors, and he knew at once all their fright and terror at what lay ahead. Yet he felt their hope, steadfast and determined like an anchor holding firm in a storm. It was the same hope that he had once clung to as he rushed forth into the wild unknown.

Had he once been heralded as the saviour or the world? Had he once been proclaimed the protector of time itself? Such things seemed so small now, and so very far away.

"Sons and daughters of Hyrule!" he declared, and his voice was carried over the plains. "The day of doom is at hand! The day of our last stand against the dark! The day of pain, and loss, and sacrifice, has come, as darkness treads on our green land. But we fight today!"

He heeled Edura, and rode forwards towards the troops. When he was close he rode along the line, looking into the faces of each and every man.

"We stand together as four mighty peoples, united to protect our brethren and land. Though we come from both high mountains and dry deserts, deep waters and open plains, great cities and humble homesteads... we fight together as one! To defend what is ours! Yes, we fight today!"

He reined Edura around and he ran back the other way along the front line. The soldiers listened in reverent awe. Link knew his words would not carry far, but knew that the sound of his voice would inspire people nonetheless.

"This is Hyrule! This is our kingdom! And we will not surrender! We will stare down death and declare that we will overcome this darkness! Yes, we fight today!"

He drew out his sword and brandished it as he rode.

"Embrace your fighting spirit, your warrior hearts, and cry out into the howling darkness, 'Back! Back! We are Hyurle! We are strong! We are fearless! And we will fight! "

"Yes!!" shouted the soldiers, bashing spears on shields. "We fight!!"

"We will go on until the very end! We will fight with confidence, knowing no matter what cost, no matter what price, no matter what sacrifie, we shall never surrender! Fight for Hyrule!" shouted Link. "Fight for the glorious Queen!"

"Long live the Queen!! Long live the Queen!!" came back the chants.

Edura reared back on his hind legs as Link held the Master Sword aloft, pointing its shining blade towards the heavens. "To war!!" he shouted, at the top of his voice.

"War!! War!! War!!" called the army, again and again, with increasing power.

"To War!!" shouted Link back. "Cast the Kairin back into the ocean! War, and victory!!"

"WAR!!"