Chapter: XIV

"Heroes, Villains, and Gods"

The rush to gather weapons and provisions gave Link an exhilaration he had not felt in months. Finally, he was going to leave the lake. Finally, he was going to do something meaningful! Alfon, who normally patrolled the lakeside garrison in his shining plate armor, now moved to his tent and switched to a more subdued coat of mail and dark green tunic. Link was given leave to don his Kokiri tunic to cover his armor. It felt a little tighter than he remembered, but Alfon explained that they were going to need absolute stealth on this mission and the glint of armor could give them away. "You will ride behind me on my horse. Wrap yourself in my cloak, so that you are not spotted." Commanded Alfon. "Viscern! Russell!" he called out to the company. "Here my lord!" they replied, as they pushed forward and saluted their Marshal. "New Orders," Alfon began, "Gear up for hunting, we leave in an hour." Viscern grinned with satisfaction, "Where are we going my lord?" he asked. "We're going to save Hyrule!" bellowed Alfon, and the nearest soldiers cheered.

"Why didn't you tell them we were headed to the ranch?" Whispered Link as they readied Alfon's horse for travel. "There are spies and traitors everywhere Link. There will only be four of us, we cannot afford anyone alerting the enemy." He answered. Link was downcast at the idea that one of their own soldiers might sell them out to Ganon. "There are some in every war Link. Always look over your shoulder, they always strike when and where it will do the most harm! But don't worry, I've served with Viscern and Russell for many years, they are good men." In fact, Russell was an accomplished infantry captain from Hyrule's eastern garrison and an expert broadswords man. Viscern had spent time amongst the Sheikah and was one of Hyrule's most deadly scouts.

The three soldiers, and Link, gathered near the Lake-Road to Hyrule's central plains. As they outfitted their horses and prepared to leave, Telma discovered them (Likely tipped off by talk in her bar that Alfon was going on a mission). She trudged her way through the snow wrapped a long fur coat (with an immodestly low-cut neck). When she spied Link preparing to climb onto Alfon's horse, she flew into another frenzy of maternal emotion. Grabbing him up in her arms, she again crushed him against her chest. "You can't take him! You absolutely can't! It is too dangerous!" she sobbed at Alfon. With his two men chuckling behind him, the marshal became quite cross. "Woman! Unhand my squire and let us be! We're under orders from the Princess and the boy is going with us!" Normally, Alfon spoke softly with her and would try to reason or negotiate with her when he felt she was being foolish. But this was a firm command and Telma knew it was useless to argue. She lifted Link higher (letting him breathe again) and furiously kissed his cheeks. "Don't let anything happen to you! You hear me honey?!" She cried.

Viscern and Russell were hardly containing their laugher at the sight of poor Link being shaken and kissed like a doll. Eventually, Telma released him, and wiped her tears away with a handkerchief . Looking to Alfon now, she sniffled and meekly asked, "You are certain you will return My Lord?" Alfon, slowly drew himself up to his full height, breathed deep, and said, "A soldier is prepared not to... if he must." "OH ALFON!" she cried as she rushed toward him. A quickly raised hand halted her in place. Link was still furiously scrubbing at his cheeks to remove the color of Telma's lipstick from his cheeks; Alfon would not permit himself to be humiliated like that before leaving on a mission. Her eyes still streaming, and her lips quivering, Telma lifted her skirt and curtseyed low to her beloved knight. "Come home safely to us, My Lord." she whimpered. Alfon returned a bow, then slowly stepped toward her. Her hands shook as he gently reached up and cradled her cheek with one hand. Link grimaced as he was sure he was about to witness some romantic goodbye, but nothing happened. Alfon just seemed to stare at her, and she at him. For several seconds, Telma's delicate green eyes stared up into Alfon's strong, warm brown eyes... not a breath or other movement was made between them, save the gentle caress of his hand upon her cheek. Finally, Telma let out a small gasp and stepped back from him. He turned, mounted his horse, and pulled Link up behind him.

For several hours the three horses plodded along the road, traveling first Northeast, then North as they made their way across Central Hyrule. Though the light was dim and the wind cold, Link was eager to peek out from behind Alfon's cloak and see how the landscape had changed. The same grey snow stretched out for miles in all directions. Far away in the east, Link thought he could make out the dark silhouette of the old forest, blackened and cruel looking. He had secretly hoped to see a green tree while they traveled, but he realized that was not possible now that winter had taken all of the green. His thoughts wandered to his time in the Kokiri Forest; of Saria and Navi, the Deku Tree, and even Mido. It all seemed so trivial now... the fights that he and Mido had. He felt a sharp pang of shame in his stomach that he allowed himself to be so foolish when times were peaceful. Now Mido, Saria, and all of the rest were likely dead... burned in the forest. He took one last look at the blackened, broken trees in the distance, before he covered himself in Alfon's cloak again.

"What was that? With Telma..." Link asked. "What do you mean?" answered Alfon. "That's his Lordship's way of courting lad!" piped up Viscern, "He just stares into her heart and bewitches her mind." "Not that he could win her any other way!" added Russell with a grin. Alfon frowned at both of them, which set them to laughing again. "Oh your pardon, my lord please! I only jest!" cried Russell in mock-submission. Alfon turned to look over his shoulder at Link, "If you can hold her eye. If you can hold her helpless in your gaze... she will be yours forever. If she looks away, or laughs, then you have not proven yourself to be enough. But if she stands there lost... helpless... looking into your eyes silently, then you know you have her." he explained. It did not make much sense to Link. "What if she's just waiting for you to say something?" Link asked after a moment.

The explosion of laughter from Viscern and Russell startled Alfon's horse as the two nearly fell from their own. "Even the boy sees through it My Lord!" they cried. "I will have the both of you in irons if we make it back to the garrison, Goddess help me! Now BE QUIET!" growled Alfon. The two soldiers quieted themselves, with great effort, as Alfon turned back to Link again. "You cannot just walk up to a girl and stare at her, You'll frighten her. First, you have to gain her attention. Next, gain her heart. Then, when she wants to look into your eyes, you hold her. Gently, but firmly, you hold her gaze and the goddess will decide whether the two of you should be bound. If you have proven yourself worthy of her, the goddess will smile, and the lady will fall helpless to her love for you. If you are not worthy, the goddess will not smile, and the lady will turn away from you." Again, none of this made sense to Link, but he prodded once more, "What do you mean 'bound'?" "Soul-bound son. Drawn together even in spirit to one another. A love beyond Gold, Wine, or Flesh. Pure love. Endless love." Alfon looked over his shoulder again and smiled, "But you are much too young to be thinking about any of that now!"

The sun had set long ago, and the moon (or its faintest glow) had risen in the east sky as the riders neared the Ranch. Alfon signaled for silence as they cautiously moved down the road. "There is supposed to be a front here!" whispered Alfon to Link, "Where are they?!" Viscern and Russell too had grown silent and alert. Something was very wrong, how could the Hylian army go missing?! Steadily, the land began to slope upwards ahead of them. The low flat-lands of the south gave way to the rolling hills of the north. Eventually, the team came to the crest of a small hill that let them look out over the landscape. Through the gloom, Link strained his eyes to see the tall plateau of Lon Lon Ranch, standing Northwest of where they now stopped. Beyond, lay the ruined outer wall of the capitol and Hyrule Castle, but it was little more than a black shadow in the distance. Still, Link shivered at the thought of what lay inside that castle. "Don't worry lad," whispered Alfon, "we're not headed there yet."

The Marshal whispered with his captains to plan their next move. Viscern would move as stealthily as he could toward the ranch. Alfon, Link, and Russell would wait several minutes, then quietly follow. Viscern was to scout for guards and check the entryway to the ranch. He was instructed to only do what it took to allow the others to enter the ranch. Once inside, Alfon and Link would locate and set loose all of the horses in the ranch, while Russell and Viscern searched for the girl, Malon. Link objected here saying that he wanted to rescue Malon. "This isn't about glory son!" hissed Alfon, "The girl is likely chained and will take some time to free!" Link's heart dropped until Viscern spoke up, "The princess believes the girl has been tortured my Lord... seeing Link's face may help keep her from crying out in fear when we set her free. Strange faces will likely terrify her. I can pick the locks, if the lad can keep the girl calm." Link's heart rose as Alfon considered his captain's words. He did not like the idea of being separated from his squire... but Viscern was right... a terrified girl was very likely to scream when strangers came for her. Alfon's strength was in shattering chains, not quietly picking their locks, so Viscern had to go. "Very well, take Link with you. Look after my ward Viscern!" Alfon whispered. "Without fail my lord." Viscern grinned as he tapped Link on the shoulder, winked goodbye, and disappeared toward the ranch.

Several tense minutes passed as the trio waited. Alfon rested his forehead against his horses muzzle and whispered something to it. After gently patting the horse's nose, Alfon turned and motioned them to follow him. "Leave the horses." he whispered. Stooped, almost to a crawling position, the three soldiers crept their way forward, sometimes stopping behind a snowdrift or bush to listen for any sound. The sides of the plateau were steep and very slick with the snow, but they managed to climb it and place their backs against the palisade that surrounded the ranch. "Quiet now lad." Alfon barely breathed to Link as they slowly made their way around the wall to the Ranch gate. They found it open and unguarded. The ranch was dark, but for one small light coming from the upstairs window of the farmhouse. Link moved to enter the ranch, but Alfon grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "Wait for Viscern lad." he whispered. Seconds dragged by in silence as Link gripped the handle of his sword. His body was tense, expecting an attack, but his senses could not find any sign of an ambush. Finally, a small flicker of light came from just inside the gate, between the farmhouse and the barn. "That's Viscern's sign, go to him." Whispered Alfon, and the three moved in.

Keeping to the shadow of the barn, the four soldiers leaned in very close together, to hear Viscern's report: "The horses and cattle are at the far end of the ranch. A crude set of stables have been set up for them there, beyond the corral. The ranch hand is in the bedroom of the house, writing something. The girl is chained inside the barn." "What of moblins, soldiers, guards?" asked Alfon. "The ranch reeks of them sir, but I did not find any... they must be in the house with the ranch-hand." replied Viscern. Link noticed that Viscern's voice had a slight tone of doubt... "He's not sure..." Link wondered to himself. "Alright," Alfon began with a deep breath, "We keep this simple. Russell and I will gather the horses and cattle. Link and Viscern will release the girl. Take her to the gate, from there signal us and we'll cause a stampede out the gate and onto the field. The animals should follow their herd out and we may even trample that traitor as we escape." The others nodded and split apart, Alfon giving Link one last squeeze of confidence on his shoulder before he slipped across the ranch toward the stables. Once they were out of sight, Viscern leaned in close and whispered to Link, "As quietly as you can, go into the barn. If the girl begins to cry or scream, do not rush up to her! Use your voice to get through to her. I will handle the chains. If anything goes wrong, you make for the gate and get back to the Lake, understood?" Link knew it was no time to argue, he nodded his head and slowly drew his sword. Viscern straightened up and in one skilled leap, landed on the eaves of the barn. Soft-footed and silent as a cat, he dashed over the roof and disappeared from sight. Link marveled at Viscern's ability, but quickly returned his focus to the mission.

The barn door creaked and groaned dangerously as Link made his way inside. A heavy scent of smoke, filth, and rotting meat assaulted his nose as he passed through the doorway. A little light came from thin beams streaming in from the barn's windows, but Link was still forced to strain his eyes to see anything. At the far end of the barn, Link thought he heard the rattle of metal links. He silently tip-toed his way across the timbered floor, keeping his sword close to his body, until he came upon Malon. She hung, by her chained wrists, several inches from the floor. Her dress was filthy and torn and her skin was badly bruised and bloody where it was uncovered. Her head hung limply down onto her chest; either she was dead or unconscious. "Malon... Malon..." Link breathed, "Malon... it's me Link!" But the girl did not move. Link began to fear that she really was dead, and his heart started beating hard against his chest. "Malon, it's me Link! We're going to get you out of here." he tried a little louder. A small rustle came from Link's left; the sound of hay or straw on the barn floor of the nearest stall. Alert, Link froze, sword ready for the attack; but nothing more came. "Just... just a mouse" he thought to himself as he relaxed. Flirting with panic, Link stepped closer to Malon and reached out. He carefully lifted her head and gently rubbed her cheek with his right thumb. "Malon, Malon it's me." Malon let out a soft groan, and struggled to open her right eye (her left being swollen shut). When she felt Link's hand, she jerked her head back and whimpered, "No... No more please..."

Panic grabbed at Link as the rustling sound to his side returned, and grew louder, followed by a bubbling snort. "Why are the horses not kept here... in the stalls?" he suddenly wondered. The menacing growl from his left answered question in his mind. Malon's crying had awoken one of the moblins that were guarding her and it had locked its eyes on Link. He turned, and readied his sword to fight, just as a dark shadow dropped from the rafters and landed right beside Link. Fast and deadly, Viscern flicked a small throwing knife forward, which buried itself in the moblin's neck. The creature grabbed at its throat as it sank to the floor with a disgusting gurgle. Link's eyes were wide with shock at the sudden appearance of Viscern. He had nearly swung his sword on instinct when Viscern landed next to him. "I almost killed you..." he gasped. The loud thud of the fallen moblin stirred the others. "No you didn't lad, now stay down!" grinned Viscern as he roughly shoved Link down to the floor next to the dead moblin. The other moblins, now awake and on their feet, gave a furious roar at the sight of the Hylian assassin in their barn. Viscern drew a long, slender sword, and fled out through the same barn door that Link had opened. They charged after him, eager for flesh to eat, and unaware of Link lying in the shadows.

For several seconds, Link lay perfectly still on the floor. "Did he draw all of them off?" Link wondered. Just as Link was beginning to turn over and check his surroundings, the barn door was thrown open again and a bright orange light flooded in. Link laid very still on his back, his right hand and sword hidden under the bloody straw of the moblin's stall. "What is going on in here?!" came a harsh voice from the door. Malon began sobbing and pitifully struggled against her chains. Link could hear heavy footsteps as the orange light moved inside the barn and approached Malon. "Are you causing trouble in here my dear? You know what happens when you cause trouble! I'll have to punish you again!" Ingo's voice was cruel and full of a mocking arrogance. Malon began to sob and hung helplessly from her chains. "No... please... I'll be good... No more... please" she cried as Ingo approached her. Ingo, setting his lamp down behind him, reached up and mercilessly grabbed a handful of Malon's bright red hair. As she wailed, Ingo screamed into her face, "If you want to keep your life... and mother my children... then you'd better be a good girl and beg your god for forgiveness! Or I will feed you to the soldiers... just like I did your father!" Malon only cried harder as Ingo continued to pull her hair. When she did not speak, he bellowed into her ear, "HYLIA IS A MYTH! LORD GANON IS OUR TRUE GOD! SAY IT!" "Please... Mr. Ingo, I saw her... I really saw her..." she tried to plead with him. Ingo let go of Malon's hair and quickly grabbed a short riding crop from the stall opposite Link's. He began to brutally whip her, shouting with each strike, "HYLIA," "IS," "A," "MYTH! SAY IT!" Bawling in agony, Malon began, "Hylia...is..."

Link did not remember standing up. Nor did he seem to hear very much after he got to his feet. He found himself walking toward Ingo and raising his sword. He felt nothing; neither anger, or fear. It was almost like a dream, he was just moving. Ingo recoiled in surprise at the sudden appearance of Link, but soon returned to his arrogant laughter when he saw it was just a boy. As Link came within reach, Ingo struck him once across the face with the crop. Other than blinking... Link did not react to the strike. Ingo's eyes darted from Link's face to the sword in his hand, and back again.

He sneered at Link, "What can a boy do with a sword?" Ingo mocked with an arrogant grin. Link's ears twitched at the familiar words... "I am going to kill you with this sword" He said flatly. Though Ingo was much larger than Link, he stood little chance, unarmed, against the boy. After the first slash, Ingo stumbled backward and tripped over his own lamp, which sparked a small fire in the straw. Link took no notice, and continued his calm, controlled attack. Once Ingo collapsed, Link sheathed his sword, and began furiously beating Ingo's face with his fists. As he struck the traitorous rancher, the sound of Malon's crying filled Link's ears and drove him on. Only when Alfon had torn Link away from Ingo's body and shouted at him to stop, did he realize what he was doing.