PLEASE DON'T SKIP THIS!
I know, I KNOW it's been way too long but I've been very, very busy with family and collage and other stuff.
Now this arc is very special to me, VERY. I put a lot of effort in the story as a whole, but its nowhere near the amount of effort I put into this arc specially. There are so many times I wanted to just stop writing since I thought it was so bad, but I'm glad I kept writing since this arc ended up becoming something very meaningful.
Now I understand if you aren't interested in the story anymore since its been way too long and I could guess that you forgot some of things that happened recently but please give this arc a chance. I have put so, so much into it and I've been extremely excited to share this story with all you lovely readers.
The chapters are going to be longer this time, as I want to keep the story at a reasonable pace and not bore you guys.
Side note: I just wanted to make it clear Link and Ruto are JUST friends. I love to keep their friendship just the way it is (if it still exists, maybe~) as it really reminds me of Pitto and Lucina (For those of you who read my other work!)
Now enough rambling. Here is the story that took great dedication and devotion, took a little of my sanity, and is possibly the reason on why I failed in some tests….
Anyways, enjoy the chapter~!
- PROLOGUE -
Kyle hated hunting.
It was mostly because he couldn't stand the sight of blood, the thought of watching something die in front of him made him sick. It couldn't be helped though. His father insisted.
"Come here," his father urged, drawing the boy closer to show him a patch of twigs on the dry ground. To anyone, it didn't seem worth checking out, but Kyle had been on hunting long enough to see that the twigs have been chewed on. Also, the grass nearby was lower than the others in height.
"Are you almost done, sir?" Kyle asked carefully. If there was one thing his father hated, it was a whiner.
His old man was belated in his answer as he contemplated at the tracks. It was rare to find animals in Eldin anymore. High cliffs rose at either sides of them, clusters of pines and cedar trees all around them along with squat shrubs. The ground here was uneven, like a shattered plate that's been put together with gaps between the pieces. Some of those pieces rose several feet high, others plummeted several feet below. Often those pieces could be a whole plot of land. You need to keep your eyes open, or as his uncle once said: 'Keep your eyelids pinned up.'
A bow hung over his father's shoulder along with a quiver filled with arrows. Sweat glistened on his face and his breathing was heavy.
"We need to find food," the man muttered. "I know you're tired but we're almost done."
Kyle kept his mouth shut but there was only so much he could take. They've been walking for hours, tracking down this animal his father claims to be an ox. Finding an ox all the way out here was a rarity, and getting it would keep them fed for a week.
As if seeing Kyle's grudging dedication, his father patted him on the head appreciatively. "I'll buy you a nice treat when he head back, even if we didn't get 'em, okay?"
That brightened up Kyle's mood. The best way to get on his father's good side was to show docile willingness to do anything he asked. Obedience and devotion was well rewarded.
They continued to stalk around the wide forest, going further and further from the town. Any more and they'd find themselves on the road to the Zoras. A few numbers of rabbits and birds passed by them, but Kyle's father never bothered with them. He wasn't as sharp and quick with his bow as before.
Kyle felt his stomach whining, but his lips were trained to a thin line. His father was more enervated than he was, being at the age he was in.
Suddenly, he saw bright ardor in his father's eyes when he noticed something. "Stay here," the old man said excitedly.
Kyle frowned and would've broken his silence but his father was already gone. The child sighed. Why did he have to come here?
He leaned against an oak tree, watching longingly at a rabbit passing by. He tried not to let the unfamiliar surroundings bother him. They had never been this desperate to travel this far out from the town. The best archer was often his uncle, but since uncle died, the family had to rely on Kyle's retired father.
Kyle wished he could do something other than wait. He was still inexperienced to hunting, not as quiet as he should be, which was why his father left him behind. His feet had grown numb from the walking, his back was starting to hurt, and he felt dirty in his sweaty attire.
His eyes glanced over the trees, trying to discern the town and he was relieved to see smoke slithering up from chimneys. Okay, so they aren't that far, but by the time they go back it'll be sunset.
He went on his toes to try and see the manor their Lord lives. You could see it from the town. The manor was derogated from the town, resting on the top of the mountain and you would need to get passed a thick weald in order to reach there.
Kyle saw the young Lord less and less these days, but everyone likes him. He was very kind. Kyle loved him especially since he had a playground constructed just outside their school, along with that he invited many entertainers to the town, making it lively enough that children were quick to finish their homework to go outside.
The boy froze when he heard the sounds of twigs snapping. He whirled around, but didn't find his father. The same sound happened again, much louder. He wanted to check it out but was firm in his place. If his father saw him wander, not only will Kyle lose his reward, but he would've lost any respect he earned from keeping his trap shut.
That twig sound happened again, and Kyle tried to ignore it. He did see a flash of colors from around the corner.
He was getting restless with curiosity. Maybe I could check it out. He could say that he might've seen the ox.
Or maybe it is the ox. That would get him twice as many candies!
He passed by the carpet of flowers, turning over a corner, and nearly lost his life. Once again, he could hear his uncle's raspy voice in his head. Around the corner was a long steep slope with jagged rocks at the end, and beyond that the forest opened a wide, grassy glade. Dropping from this height would've snapped his neck in three different times.
But it wasn't his near death that shocked him. It was something that was at the center of the glade, picking at the grass. The same creature that left those twigs behind, the same that Kyle and his father had been chasing since the morning. A grin cracked on his face. The ox was had oily-like skin, its horns twisted upwards on its head. It was unaware of him as it kept feeding off the grass.
Not only had Kyle found the blasted creature at long last, but he had also found a save vintage from where his father could take it down. The young boy had been worried about how his father could've taken a mighty beast down.
"Father!" Kyle exclaimed, breaking one rule of never raising your voice in the middle of a forest, but in his delectation he didn't care. The excitement steamed out of him as he thought of candy and juicy meat, a real meal after weeks of eating bruised fruits. As he turned around to run, he bumped into a solid wall.
He stumbled back, almost falling and tumbling where he could have broken all the bones in his body. He managed to regain his balance, his exuberance turned to ashes. The wall turned out to be a man. The man was not his father.
Kyle didn't get the chance to see the man's face before the stranger struck him with a blow so mighty that Kyle's vision turned pitched black.
/||\
PART ONE - THE SHADOW OF MY KIN
His hair was growing out and rather than tying it up, he cut them to a reasonable length. The sun shined at his side, the muggy heat sending fat sweats rolling down his face. He shaded his eyes when he looked up at the sun above the cliffs. The ground was dry and cracked, red rocks immured them with the occasional lizard slithering by.
It was obvious that they were well out of Lanaryu's district. Eldin welcomed them with powerful heat that had them melting. Katie warned him that it would take a while to get to Death Mountain. When he saw the legendary legendary landscape looking more like a fading imagine in the distance, he tried not to get discouraged.
He could feel the cold touch of the piece of the Pirate's Charm he took with him. Katie didn't know since if she did she would have had him throw it away. But hey, his wallet was growing cobwebs. When he offered it to the merchants, those cheap bastards would pretend not to see the value of the gem and name a price so low it took a lot not to strangle them.
Aside from the hidden crystal, he didn't know why he had to carry around the scale. The scale belonged to the dragon Naydru, which allowed its user to breath under water. It had been Mathilda's, as an escape plan until Link and Ruto thwarted her. Katie told him the scale was too valuable to leave behind.
One other thing that troubled him badly was Hank's invention. It really sucked to see his friend's hard work eventuated into a shabby mess. Hopefully those Goron's were as talented as Ruto praised them to be.
It had been a very long journey after that entire affair with the Zoras, but one thing that made it deceptively long was this godforsaken fairy. Aside from the fact that she was finicky in her teaching, never letting him turn the page if he didn't read the current one correctly, she really loved that hammer. A lot. She liked to use it to coerce him from cursing or when he acted like a brute. She got the hammer when she had been on her own during their wonderful time in the temple.
The first few days of their travel, she was enjoying herself a little bit too much. She did mellow down eventually when he insisted on fighting monsters on his own. Turning a fairy into a violent fighter wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do.
However, he learned her hammer worked under special conditions. It would only work under the clear rays of the sun or moon, and if they managed to get to a temple, it would also work there just as fine. Thanks to this advice, Link stuck to the shady areas whenever he wanted to be a jerk.
They haven't rested at a stable in over a week. How long has it been since he drunk himself and spent some time with women? Oh, the things he did for Agnes.
Katie had had fun with her little fanatic power, while Link kept himself from relying on the blessing Tiana, the guardian or sage of the water temple, had saved for him. He had three uses of the shield per day, each ten minutes. The shield could protect him from anything but he spent his life relying on his own strength, thank you very much.
The Zora king and everyone else weren't exaggerating in the least about monsters. A lowly Bokoblin nearly cut him for the first time in years. Underestimating them had almost gotten him killed and Katie got him out of a few tight spots.
The monsters were much faster, more cunning. Their movements were fluent than before as they were able to dodge his attacks and predict his movements. They were well aware of their surroundings, making it difficult to ambush them. And in their hideout, they would meticulously search their perimeters, having a higher chance of catching him.
He tried not to feel too unhinged by this new development. He knew the world would turn to the worst but didn't know it would be this fast. How were villagers handling this? The villages that were often cloistered up in the mountains or in valleys, some without any soldiers at all? These monsters would do a little more than just hurt business.
Katie fared well in the new weather, but he started to notice the slight change in her flying patterns. The heat was getting to her, or he thinks. Honestly, he didn't know how her body worked. Come to think of it though, there was a period that she had avoided him when they traveled out.
The sudden movement of his horse snapped him from his thoughts. The third member of their party had been nothing but act like an ass the entire trip. Damn horse couldn't even stay on the right track. He had to keep a firm hold of her to remind her who was in charge.
Epona sashayed out of the wide-open path, and again he had to pull back so that she could go the right way. The hazardous road curved upwards, and the clopping of hooves echoed into the empty area. No monsters in sight. He couldn't even let his guard down. And to make it boring, there weren't even any merchants. He could really use some decent company.
His stomach groaned and when he checked their food supply, he muttered, "Goddammit. Hey, sprit, when's the next stable?" She wasn't paying attention. She was too busy enjoying the view. "Katie."
"Huh?"
Link took in a deep breath. The past week left him restless and agitated. Last night he had to keep one eye open. He really hated repeating the same thing but decided to keep his cool since she's done the same for him. "Stable. How long?"
She hummed in thought. "Four days at least if the weather's on our side" She noticed his soured expression. "What's wrong?"
"Low on food."
"You could always hunt, you know."
Anything but hunting. Words and days, he couldn't stand it—the waiting, the stealth, cornering his prey and also keeping at bay. Fishing was even worse. He would have fired a bomb arrow into the river and let that be that but Katie stopped him and gave him a piece of her mind, something about 'endangering the environment.'
"No time," he said, squinting against the sun that was beginning to sink low behind the cliffs. "We need to make camp soon." He glared down at his supplies then thought of how long and laborious this travel would be. "Goddammit," he said through gritted teeth.
"Don't start," she warned him. "I think I have an idea. Take out your map."
He groaned out. "How many times do I have to take it out?"
"I need to see it," she said stiffly.
"You've seen it five times now! How hard is it?"
"Then why don't you do it?" she said bitingly.
He set his jaw. "Fine." He got Epona to stop. She wasn't very happy about it, and even moved forward a couple of steps before he reeled back in harder.
In his rush and in his frustration, he pulled out the map too hard. It got stuck on something in the bag, and the sound of its tear rang loudly in the air. "Dammit!" he shouted.
"Don't pull it all the way out!" Katie snapped.
"You shut it," he hissed. He pulled it with forced steadiness, and saw that only the top was torn. It was still readable thank goodness and he laid it out in front of him. There were markings of X's and circles—Katie's way of teaching him map reading. Forgetting about her earlier repartee, Katie went at his side to read it, glowing in a soft yellow.
"If I remember right, there's a town called Desmera two hours away."
Again, the irritation rose up in his voice. "Why didn't you say anything about that?"
She matched his tone. "It's far off our way and you kept saying no delays. What was I supposed to do?"
This. This was exactly what was driving him crazy. It had been just the two of them these last few weeks. With the monsters emerging, it wasn't safe anymore to just sit down and have their lessons. He still had to keep his guard up, even if the coast was clear. That left them both with little to do.
Except, of course, getting on each other's nerves.
He sharply breathed out through his nose, stuffing the parchment in the bag that hung at Epona's side. "Then let's go."
"You could've just said that," she muttered.
They were both languid and on edge. With the intense heat and the endless road, he knew they just needed to take a breath, and to take a break from each other. Make that a long break.
The unfettered horse tried again to act on its own and Link, running out of patience, roughly pulled back, forcing it to face the right way.
Katie glowed a sharp pink that he took it as a flinch. "Link, you have to be gentle."
"You aren't dealing with this." He tapped his foot at the recalcitrant horse's side to get her to stop. "It's not easy."
"I know but—"
The monster acted out so suddenly that it startled him. Epona flew back, her front legs kicking in the air and this time she successfully threw her rider into the dirt. Link cursed out loud with Katie crying out. Epona managed to trample over the monster and the damn animal galloped away.
"Dammit all!" he screamed, kicking the dirt.
"Link—"
"You shut up," he snapped. "If you just told me about the damn place earlier, we would've—"
"Whoa, whoa!" She came into his face piping red. "First off, do not blame me for what just happened, dummy! Second of all, yelling and acting crazy won't get you anywhere, and lastly, it's all your fault for not treating her right."
He scoffed. "Yeah, treating her like a princess won't do shit."
"If you treated her better, she'd spring right back the second you whistle for her."
His heart pounded furiously, and his hands shook. Slowly, his shoulders slumped and his eyes stared at the direction where his horse ran off.
"We'll find her," she said, voice softer. "But first we need to go to town and that will take a while. I have a feeling that's where we should be going."
He didn't need her telling him about the long walk. A two hour trip on horse would be eight on feet. Heaving out a ragged sigh, he went on the narrow road. There had only been one Bokoblin that startled Epona, the first monster to approach them since the morning. Bokoblins travel in packs, so he kept his guard up.
With horror, he realized that his map and his compass were with Epona but Katie saved him by saying she knew the way looking at the sun's direction. It was times like these where he was glad that tolerating her was for nothing.
"I miss Ruto."
He glanced over at her, taken back by the random statement. The color suggested that she was embarrassed. "I mean…it's been a while hasn't it?"
"And it'll be even longer. It's pointless to think about it now."
"Yeah but…" She sighed. "I miss the Zoras."
They haven't spoken about the Zoras since they left. She didn't say anything his way when they had.
"Well, we'll be seeing the Gorons. Wouldn't that be exciting?" He arched an eyebrow when he caught a flicker of green. "What, you don't like them?"
She flushed. "What? What a thing to say! A fairy should love all the creatures of the Goddesses."
He chortled. "Uh huh. Sure."
"It's true!"
"Gorons are big and loud and dirty." He grinned. "Ha! I bet you'll start going on how they don't wash their toes properly."
"Exactly!" she blurted out with vehemence. "I mean, if you're going to attend the Princess' birthday, shouldn't you wear something decent?! Seriously!"
This kid dreams way too much but at least he got her to stop talking about Ruto. Whenever he thought of her, he had a poignant pang of sadness and deep regret. He did so many horrible things to her, and to put things like that to an end, knowing that he would never come back—
"And another thing," Katie went on with her triaged, "someone really needs to tell them not to wear those ghastly robes! I mean, come on, you're in the great hall of Hyrule castle, wearing that kind of thing should be illegal and—are you listening?"
"Sadly, yes. But go on please."
She scoffed. "Lucky for you that the Gorons aren't as proficient as the Zoras."
"Proficient," he echoed, amused. "Oh how proficient and peachy the Zoras were. I bet their shit smells like perfume."
She glowered at him. The only thing that protected his head was the shade of a rocky cliff as they entered through an area that looked more like a red wasteland. The trees were dry with skeletal branches stretching to the sky. There were only a few plants nearby, stubbornly surviving in this burning weather.
"They'll probably excuse your bad manners but I wouldn't suggest being too comfy with them."
He arched an eyebrow. "Why? Are they annoying?"
"Yes, annoying and so loud! Gah! I can't stand it!" She fluttered up and down, an act that twitched his lips. "All they do is dance around, laugh really loudly, and make weird jokes!"
He grinned, turning to look straight ahead. "Hey, I'm starting to look forward in meeting them."
"Tch, I knew you'd say something like that. Oh, you better not say how I feel about them unless you want to make things complicated."
Like he could give a damn. Knowing her, she'll end up exposing herself. He found it strange though how often they argue and how quick they back on speaking terms. He still wasn't able to understand that.
His pacing was crawling, as his energy started to wane. Eopna had carried off most of his water with the rest of his food, and all he had with him was a measly bottle. Eight hours away, a half-empty bottle, a fairy to drive him nuts. Gosh, this will be amazing.
"Link, can I ask you something?" Katie glowed pink. "Why do you hate Ruto?"
He looked at her, baffled. "Why would I?"
"Why didn't you say goodbye to her then?" she asked, anxious as she knew the topic to be touchy.
He turned away. "It's complicated, alright?" His tone refrained her from asking.
That question still taunted him throughout the journey. He could've said something meaningful to her, even when he knew it would do nothing. He couldn't let her think good of him anymore. It was wrong.
Link stopped all of a sudden, his blood ran cold. Katie knew this, swirling in a mix of white and pink. Someone was behind them, coming out from a crack in the wall.
"I wouldn't move an inch, my good sir," spoke a rich voice cheerfully. "Lest you wish for your guts to spill."
Link relaxed. It wasn't a monster but some guy with guts. Link couldn't reach for his sword at his back, as the stranger behind him would be quick enough to gut him. Link did have his dagger that could do the job, but really he wasn't in the mood. He needed to save the energy for the walk.
The bandit was around his age, maybe even younger. He had a bright face, a bit dumb looking with brown locks of curly hair running thickly to the side. You could tell a lot by the way a person held a sword, and with the guy holding it in a clumsy way, it told Link enough.
Link sighed tiredly. "What is this now?"
"Do you know who I am?" The stranger looked offended when Link shrugged lamely. "Why, I'm Misko! The greatest bandit that ever lived."
"Never heard of ya. Bye."
Katie glowed red, which did stop him. "Wait a minute. Misko? You mean that thief from Calamity era?"
Misko looked pleased. "Yes, finally someone who knows their history! That Misko was my ancestor, you see, and I am his successor!" He gave off a proud laugh and pointed his sword at Link. "Now that you know who I am, empty those pockets, my good sir, and you'll find yourself on your way."
Link blinked dumbly at the sword that lacked any passion or skills. "Buddy, I'm going to give you five seconds to get lost before I do something seriously horrible to you," he said dryly.
Misko frowned slightly, and he squinted when Katie went near his face. "Look, Misko," she said hastily. "This is actually for your own good. Now please run while he's being generous. Link can be…a little mean."
"Ha! You think I care?" Misko dared to take a step, the tip of his sword nearly touching Link's nose. "Either you take out your pockets or I take out your guts. I won't be asking again"
Link's eye twitched. Misko was just as irritated when Link didn't move so he swung his blade across and Link ducked. Before Misko could recover, Link rushed in, grabbing the sword hand and plunging a knee into the bandit's stomach. Misko let out a strangled gasp, falling down on his knees.
In Link's hand was the poor sword and he threw it aside with disgust. "So then," he started to say, twisting his fist into his open palm. He could feel excitement rushing through him, the fire that was burning in his chest.
He stalked to the shrinking bandit. "Which bone should I start breaking? Or maybe I should cut your hand off for raising a sword at me?" He grinned widely from ear to ear. The entire week has been a complete pain. What a lovely punching bag to make up for it.
"We don't have time for this!" Katie snapped. "Daylight is burning! You really want to camp out for the night?"
He didn't want to leave Misko without teaching him a lesson. "Give me five minutes," he said, looming over the frightened bandit.
Again, the sprit got into his face. "No."
He scowled. "You don't order me around!"
"Listen here, dummy, I'm trying to help you. We can't spend the night out camping!"
"What, you want me to let every bandit free? Let me break his hand so he'll leave me alone next time."
"Link."
"Just one hand."
A sound of a twig snapping made him whirl around to see Misko scurrying away. Something was shining in his hand, which caused Link to pat his empty pocket in dismay.
Misko carried the medal, the medal that Ruto gave him in the arena, in triumph. "Misko the great bandit strikes again!"
"GET BACK HERE, BITCH!"
"Catch me if you can!" the bandit sang.
Link's been a thief for most of his life. The idea that anyone could slip their fingers in his pockets was unthinkable. But he's been out of the game ever since Hatino happened. The skill of a thief should be practiced or else the hands would lose their flexibility.
He's dead, Link thought with a mixture of anger and excitement. Oh he is so, so very dead.
Misko turned right and Link went at his tail. The ground here was alarmingly uneven with gaps between the landings. The crevasses beneath them looked like a pretty painful drop but Link was too angry to care. Katie was trying to stop him.
Eventually, Link was nearer to Misko. His hand was inches away to grab him. Misko saw this and sped up a lot faster than Link anticipated. Link's outstretched hand didn't get the bandit but it got something on him. A bit of paper torn off the parchment the bandit carried.
Link tripped on the ragged earth and soon the ground disappeared beneath him, Katie's voice faded in the background.
o-o-o-o
"He's not dead," a female voice chided. "Give him time. Shit, that's an awful scar there." The person gasped. "I think he's walking up. Take it easy there. You've had quite a tumble."
His eyes blinked opened, and the first thing they saw was a pair of beautiful grey eyes. Those grey eyes were so intense, so bright that he acted up. His fighter's instincts leaped into action with his hand reaching for his dagger but he didn't take it out when he took a better look at the person.
The stranger didn't blink at all. She sat next to him, chin rested on her knees that were pulled to her chest. "You're awfully fast for someone with a bleeding head."
Link took his hand further away from his dagger when he found that he was in the presence of a woman. A woman. This lovely creature had jet-black hair, pulled back into a ponytail, her face was lean, lips full, eyes large and alert. There was a mature air about her, eyes so serious, skin tanned to a light hue of brown, and oh damn was he in love.
A bolt of pain from his skull interrupted his moment of admiration. "Dammit," he groaned, looking up at where he had fallen.
There were patches of ground held up by natural pillars, like a stalk holding up a flower. High walls trapped them in. There was a small exit that would require them to crawl. He noticed something clenched in his hand and it turned out to be a red piece of paper with illegible writing.
"You're welcome by the way," the girl said, tapping on her temple. "I just bandaged that so you might want to be careful." Link felt his own head, which was wrapped clumsily with leaves. "You're lucky Simon found you or I think he found you."
As if on cue, a black cat leaped down from above, right in front of him. It sent him a message of its own through a glare and haughtily took the girl's side. Link rubbed his head, looking up at the sky. Through the gaps of the crevasses, he could see the soft pink color. He'd been out for some time. A glint got his attention and he felt his jaw slackened.
"Yeah, Simon found that. We're not sure about it," the girl said calmly, no emotion seemed to cross her expression at all.
Link stared back at his reflection. The mirror's outlines were black and eerier looking. He didn't know what made these mirrors so much different than other mirrors, but he knew for sure that this was the mirror like Desmond's, the guardian of the Forest Temple, and like Tiana and the one at the Zoras' palace. Why was this one all the way out here?
"Do…do I know you?" the girl asked, hesitating, then looked at her cat as if expecting a reaction.
"Well, you're about to, darling." Link clenched his teeth at the sting of pain. He went through his things quickly, and brought out one of the elixirs him and Katie spent hours to make. The headache started to fade a bit, as he stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket. "How long was I out?"
The girl was quiet for a moment. He waited for an answer and never got one. Her eyes were distant, staring into the empty space.
"Hello?" He waved a hand that startled her from her reverie.
She blinked, a first expression. "Wait, do I know you?"
He paused, frowning. "No. I want to know how long I was out."
The cat meowed lamely, resting on its forearms. "About half an hour ago," the girl replied. "You shouldn't move."
The pounding headache was slowly starting to lull into a simple bruise. Staring at the girl, he noticed several tight ribbons wrapped from her elbow to her wrist, so many knots and colors. It made her more attractive somehow and he just had to grin. "So to whom do I owe my thanks to?"
"Simon," she answered plainly, pointing at her cat who only meowed.
"And to the person who fixed my head?"
"I…I didn't fix your head," she said, though he did notice a confused line between her eyebrows. Her cat meowed in the background. "And I won't be giving you my name."
Sheesh, touchy.
His eyes widened when he suddenly remembered. "Sprit?!" he called out, startling the cat and the girl. He stood up, wobbly on his feet but that hardly mattered. "Dammit!"
"Not so loud!" the girl snapped. "There's no one out here other than us, you foolish boy!"
As if to agree with her, the cat meowed annoyingly. From afar, he could hear a faint voice, a spark of light descending down on them. "What…what is that?" the girl asked, squinting.
In a blink of an eye, that spark of light zapped right down in their faces in a hot blur of pink. "Link! Oh my Goddesses, where have you been?!" Katie screamed. "I've been looking for you for an hour!"
Here comes the headache.
"What were you thinking, you dummy?! Running off like that?! You could've been hurt and—" She gasped. "Oh. My. Heavens. Is that a mirror?!"
The girl stared intensely at Katie, those grey eyes never wavering. "What a little fairy." The cat meowed, making the girl frown. "You don't need to be so rude."
Katie turned pink. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Relax. She helped me out," Link said with a groan, rubbing his temple.
"Oh really?" Katie relaxed to a yellowish glow. "Thanks. Sorry for yelling. This idiot drives me nuts."
The girl blinked, a moment passed and she said nothing at all.
Quiet, Link noted. Not really his type, but its been so long since he saw one so fine.
Katie noted the awkward silence, shifting colors. "Um, so what's your name? I'm Katie."
Link figured the girl would jilt her but she surprised him. "Oh you can call me Sophia," the girl said simply, yelping when her cat tried to scratch her. "What's the big deal? It's fine!"
The cat meowed loudly, hissing at Link and Katie. Link arched an eyebrow and Sophia sent him an apologetic look. "Simon isn't fond of strangers."
"Yeah," Katie said slowly. "Well, come on, Link, we have to get going."
Link really didn't want to leave. "So where are you from?" he asked with a charming smile.
The cat incessantly meowing and hissing, ruining his game. Sophia hesitated before rubbing the back of her neck. "I can't tell you that," she muttered.
"And why not?" Katie asked a little testy. "And what are you doing all the way out here? Don't you know that monsters are everywhere?"
It took time for Link to see it. Lines ran on the girl's arm, one on her neck as well—scars. On her shoulder, the opposite of her ribbons, there was a bandage wrapped around it. Then he pulled back to take better look. He saw metal glinting on her belt, he saw a sheath at the back length of her boots.
This girl was a fighter.
But still why would she be all the way out here? Unless she was doing something she shouldn't be doing.
The cat meowed a few things and the girl immediately replied, "I'm just a traveller. That's it."
He didn't know what kind of tricks she was pulling but he knew that her head wasn't screwed on right. Especially how she kept looking at her cat like she expected him to speak. Not to mention what happened the last time he let himself lower his guard by a lovely creature. He shuddered slightly at the thought of a particular commander and her snake.
"Yeah, we'll be on our way," Katie said, trying to be cheerful.
"Oh are you headed to town?" Sophia said and Simon seemed cankerous. "I know a shortcut and—OW! Simon!"
"Can you take us there then?" Link asked, ignoring the sharp color of Katie. If Sophia tried anything, he could take care of her.
Sophia rubbed her arm over her ribbons absent minded. For a moment, Link was about to repeat himself but she motioned him to follow. "Sure. It shouldn't be far."
"Link," Katie hissed.
"I don't want to camp out so shut it," he hissed back.
Katie glowed brightly red but sighed. "Fine then but at least write down the symbols." She was talking about the mirror. Sophia asked if they knew what it was and Katie just said it was an artifact. A very rare one.
Simon wouldn't stop glaring at Link and he was beginning to feel irritated as well. Link couldn't stand cats. Sophia didn't notice. Again, he was puzzled on how he didn't see the signs. The girl had been looking over her shoulder when they were talking, and she had been tensed. She even made sure to keep her distance from him when he stirred. Her hands were never too far from her belt. He was too busy drooling over to notice.
He had to be careful. He knew what happened last time, but words take him, she was very fine. She had a lovely hourglass figure, and there were muscles on her arms, earned by constant training, and the scars along with the strange ribbons just seem to add more to her beauty.
There were no monsters in sight, even when the sun began to dip down. Shadows grew longer, the creatures of the wild returned to their homes, and still nothing.
"Say, have you seen a bandit by any chance?" Link asked her. "About this high? Brown hair, ugly looking face?"
Sophia paused for a moment, looking at him. It was funny because she looked as if she didn't recognize him. "Who are you?"
Link blinked. "I—"
"Oh, sorry, I'm bad with names. You said your name was?"
"Link."
"What was your question?"
He frowned and repeated it.
Sophia didn't bother trying to remember. "No," she said promptly. "No one's around here as far as I know. I'm pretty sure he'll be at town though."
"Uh huh."
She tapped her chin. "Or maybe I've seen him. I'm not sure. What do you think, Simon?" Link honestly thought she was pulling his leg until he saw that she was really asking the cat who grumbled. "Yeah, it was just us."
Katie flashed him a nervous color and he couldn't blame her. The odd girl took them to a cave that was wedged between two boulders. They had to squeeze their way through. The dying rays of light shot through the gaps of the cave, bouncing off stalactites. Bugs crawled by, and he heard the squeaking sound of bats.
Sophia said nothing, only looking at them with those grey eyes that looked like a dull knife. Again, she had that unfamiliarity look on her, as if she already forgot about him. Her eyes didn't stay long on him though, and her hand brushed over the ribbons without much thought.
"It's only half an hour walk," the girl said, finally meeting his eyes. "Good luck."
Link gave her cat one final look. The cat had deep green eyes, greener than grass. The bright color cut through the dark fur. The cat regarded him with a flat look, before licking its paw.
Both him and Katie waited until they were well out of earshot to start talking. "What was that?" Katie blinked pink in confusion. "She was talking with her cat!"
"Yeah, didn't think we'd find a loony all the way out here." A shame. She really was fine. Dammit, why are all the pretty ones just complete nuts? Or maybe she wasn't actually that pretty, since he did hit his head after all. He had wanted to talk and drink with a woman so badly, he might've even settled for an old crone.
"But at least she helped us," he said. "I'll take a half hour trip over eight any day."
"And there's a mirror. Link, we could actually go back to the Zoras for a visit!" Her voice was too loud, spooking the bats. They both yelped, ducking down as the black creatures of the night flew over their heads and out the exit. She flushed under Link's glare, giggling nervously. "Ops."
He dusted his tunic, rubbing his head. "We don't want to waste time," he said, hating how a part of him felt hopeful. He could go back. He could try to make things right. Not only that but he could go back to Hatino.
No, no. Don't you dare think about them. Think about Ruto, fine, but not them.
Katie looked a bit disappointed but thankfully she didn't insist otherwise he would've lashed out. Then he suddenly remembered about the piece of paper and brought it out to show her. "I grabbed it from that shit bandit. What does it say?" He winced by the sudden flash of shock. "What?"
"Oh. My. Heavens!"
"What?"
"I completely forgot! I can't believe myself! Link, we have to go to this town!"
"Can you just tell me?" he snapped.
"The paper you have there says 'redtunic'." She sounded excited but turned red at his blank face. "Why does no one take history lessons? The red tunic protects you from the heat of Death Mountain!"
"I remember hearing something like that but isn't it like a million years old?"
"It's been passed down through generation by the noble family: the Haidrunds."
"And you think they'll just give it to us like that?" His eyes narrowed when she flushed. "Oh let me guess, it's for the hero, right?"
"We don't know if they still have it so let's not jump to conclusions. I'm more worried about Epona though. You can't just walk all the way to Death Mountain."
"I'll just get another horse. One that actually listens." He squinted when he started to see light from the far end of the tunnel. "So that's what Misko is after? The red tunic?"
"I guess so. Meaning that we'll definitely find him in town." She glowed green when Link started to grin. "No."
He glared. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean you're not going to do something stupid that will get us kicked out. We need the Haidrund's help remember?"
He rolled his eyes. "Can't I just make elixirs and be done with it?" They did make a handful of elixirs, all of different variations. Why didn't he think of doing elixirs years ago? Oh, all the things he could have done with those potions, all those wasted opportunities.
"You really want to keep drinking every three minutes to stay alive?" Katie asked flatly. "Trust me a tunic is better. I wish the Zoras still had theirs."
A blue tunic would have saved him a world of trouble. He tried not to think about it too much. Thinking about the Zoras always brought his mood down.
That weird loony was right about the cave. To think hours of traveling could be shortened to a measly half an hour. She glanced over at Link who vaguely surveyed the area for monsters.
They were first hit with the bright orange rays of the sun. From up the ledge, they could see the entire mountainous area miles away. A town not too far was laid out, houses were stacked against each other, going up along the mountain with natural mountainous walls immuring the perimeter like a cup. At the far north of the town was a thick forest, trees looked like painted green dots. The weald covered most of the mountain like a blanket and often there were rough patches of empty spaces from where they could see slopes and boulders. Below the peak rested an old-looking manor.
The buzz of the town was faint in the air, and smoke was pillowing from chimneys. As the sun melted behind the cliffs, she could see dots of lanterns and street lights being lit. It looked very much like a painting.
"Beautiful," she breathed. "So pretty."
Link didn't say much as he slid down the slope from the ledge. The guards at the gate stiffened at their arrival and demanded to know their business. Katie decided to speak, knowing Link would say something that would get them arrested. It was a talent honestly.
"We just want a place to stay for a few days," she said politely.
The guard on the left lifted his eyebrows slightly at hearing her speak. "Names?"
"I'm Katie and he's Link," she replied dutifully. "And there's also something else. A guy named Misko stole something from us. Did he come through here?" Judging by their blank expression, it seemed that Misko didn't.
She described how he looked like and the guard still shook his head. "If we find him, we'll let you know," he promised.
"You mute, boy?" The other guard asked Link.
A muscle leaped in Link's jaw but he kept his voice steady. "Just tired."
"Just making sure," the guard said. He glanced over at his partner then back at them. "Enjoy your stay. Give us any trouble and we'll give you one right back."
Link nodded. "Fair enough."
"One more thing." Katie fluttered near the guard's face. "Our horse just ran off so if it wouldn't be too much trouble?"
The guard on the left sighed. "We'll see what we can do."
Link passed by them. If he noticed their wary look, he didn't say anything. One of those looks was pointed at the object on his back. Now, see, ever since the Master Sword started to corporate, Link had been protective over it. Much to her dismay, the fool had wrapped the scabbard with leather to keep it from being discerned. It worked so far. No one suspected a thing, excluding the guards, but really how could she show people hope if this idiot covers up the holy blade?
Though the more she complained about it, the firmer his decision was.
Desmera was quite a large town, very large. The streets were wide enough to let several carriages through at the same time, the buildings were so high up you needed to crane your head all the way back. Because of the landscape, the cobbled streets looked like waves from afar. She could see the streets curved up into a hill with people like dots from afar, buildings crunched closer to form alleyways. There were laundry lines crisscrossing over their heads, and some had lanterns hanging on them.
Most of all, she saw lots of lapidary, which made sense. Desmera may be far from other big cities and towns, but it was the only biggest town closest to the Gorons, making it very prominent in the trades. Here, you could find the best jewelry makers, along with minerals and geodes perfect for metal.
She was excited as she told Link of how much she knew about the Haidrunds. They were the second most powerful family in the kingdom. The wealth they gained from the trade with the Gorons made them the head of financial inquires for the crown.
She could've gone on until Link paused. She hadn't noticed it before but the air suddenly chilly. Some people turned to them, their eyes dazed and dulled. It was like looking at the bottom of a dirty glass. Others just shuffled by them languidly.
Link blinked. "Sheesh, it's cold. Is it supposed to be like this?"
Her excitement deflated when she noticed mothers pulling their children closer. There were slams from above as people shut and even barred their windows from the sounds of it. "Umm, let's just get a room."
Link scratched his head. "Yeah."
The sky turned into a patch of dark purple slowly turning to black. There was one person that didn't seem hostile. He peered into the trash before his head popped out to notice them. The man waved. Link didn't return the gesture and ignored him. Katie figured they should start to look for an inn and try to speak to the Lord of the town tomorrow.
Suddenly, someone screamed: "Monsters! Monsters!"
The once dulling people of Desmera sprang into action like winded up toys. Some grabbed weapons, others bolted the other way screaming. In a matter of minutes, the once deathly quiet town was now in full chaos. The brutal Moblins broke through the first line of defense, swinging their club that threw a wagon to the side, rendering it to splinters. Behind the large monsters were Bokoblins, squealing exuberantly.
Link just stood in his place as people scattered around him like currents of water around a rock. Fear clutched Katie when she saw the number of monsters overwhelming the Hylians.
A lone guard stood on top of a dry fountain. His golden armor proved his status as a captain and his stand was authoritative. The man had dark skin with a head that had a very thin layer of hair and it was beginning to recede away from his high forehead. He yelled out orders, pointing his finger to direct his grouped men.
Midst the chaos, Link casually waltzed up to the man. "Need a hand? I could do it for a few rupees," Link offered.
Yes, she thought. With Link's help, he could end this before it got out of hand.
The captain didn't bother looking at him. "Sod off to the evacuation, kid."
Link scoffed. "Suit yourself then."
"Link, they need your help!" Katie trailed after him, blenching away from a screaming woman. "Please!"
"What am I, a charity work? You heard him." He looked vexed. "Sod off, he says. I'll be saying that to your grave, old man."
Pugnacious, Link folded his arms in front of him and stayed leaned against the wall, watching as an outrageous number of monsters invade the town. The cacophony of screams of terror and the cries of battle rang shook the town. Blood and flakes spilled on the cobbled ground.
Seeing the number of Hylians dropping, she turned to Link, hoping that somewhere in his rotten heart there was a shred of sympathy. A Moblin came from the side and he just sight tiredly, simply slicing its head off with his dagger.
There was a flicker of consideration though when he saw a child running away from an eager Bokoblin. Seeing a helpless little thing with wide fear in her eyes, Katie glowed white. The fairy was about to beg Link but he was already moving.
Link cut the monster in half, appearing before the girl who had tripped. "Go," he ordered. The child stared up at him with awe before scurrying away.
He glanced at the monsters around him, and sighed tiredly. "I guess I can do this on the house," he muttered.
He used his hookshot to save the life of a young boy who was nearly stabbed by a Bokoblin. It didn't take long for Link to be the center of the attention. Monsters surrounded him from every corner with sudden interest. There were dozens and dozens of them, all piling at him.
He fought tirelessly, his movements were fluid and deadly. He made it look so easy, like cutting through grass. Watching people's expression of mute amazement made her proud. People made a ring around him, their hoopla bringing life to the town that had been dead moments ago.
Windows opened and so were doors. People peeked out hesitantly, and shock was smacked on their faces when they saw what was happening. Soon, a large crowd was watching a young man handled a situation that would've taken twenty men. Fighting came so naturally to him that it was almost scary. The way he just did it was as if he was born to do it.
"Go, Link!" Katie cheered.
"What is he?" a solider asked, baffled. "He's beating them silly!"
The monsters took the hint and turned tails. It was a bit pathetic really. They came as a large fearsome group, and now they look like frightened little puppies. Link put his sword away, ignoring the attention. The only sign of fatigue was the perspiration of his forehead.
"You-you saved us!" A woman smiled, laughing a bit. The crowd cheered. Katie saw the life of the town, something old and nearly forgotten. She saw the town for what it was, what it had been once.
Link only rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Bye now."
He can't be serious! Doesn't he know what he just did?
The captain from earlier approached him, sword swinging on his belt. "You have my thanks," the man said. "Monsters were a daily thing for us lately. Its been draining my men."
No wonder the people looked on edge. She can't imagine how they survived for this long. Link didn't seem to really care, only nodding and demanding to know where the inn was.
Suddenly, the crowd parted to allow someone through. He was short, but it was clear he was around Link's age. The person was slim wearing a dark robe with thin sleeves. He had thick black hair that curled at his round cheeks, and thin bangs hung over brilliant grey eyes. Something about this boy was a bit familiar. It wasn't just that he had the making of nobility.
Link raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
Katie really wanted to smack him for his tone.
The noble didn't react to his impudent tone and smiled kindly. Katie knew who he was and blurted, "You're Lord Silas from House Haidrund!" Realizing that she cut him off, she turned pink. "I didn't mean—"
"Yes, I am," he said, still with that pleasant smile that warmed her. His eyes were gentle, and his features were almost delicate. "Correct me if I'm wrong but are you the fairy of Hyrule Castle?"
She tried not to sound excited. "Why, yes I am." She ignored Link's snort. "My name is Katie and this is Link."
Around them were collective gasps. She saw something in their eyes that sank her heart: hope. These people thought that they were the hope of Hyrule. The way they looked at Link with recognition, that buzzing excitement that was quickly rising to the air, it made her glint blue.
"You're Link?" Silas's eyes brightened up. "The hero?"
Oh no.
"I'm no hero," Link said sharply.
Silas blinked. "Oh, forgive me. I meant no offense." He still kept his smile, though Katie couldn't help but notice that he seemed very pale, sickly even. Wait, there was something else about the Haidrunds, something important. Blast her memory! "Thank you for lending us your strength. That was the worst attack we've had so far. You've handed it all on your own. It was remarkable."
The way he spoke, that high composure and integrity, it reminded her painfully of Zelda. Oh how long has it been since she's been in decent company? She's been with Link for so long she forgot that there were actual gentlemen. She wished she could say that she knew Lord Silas, but she never did like to attend the parties and balls of Hyrule Castle.
"If it wouldn't be any trouble, I would be honored to accept you two as my guest for your services," Lord Silas said. "I understand if you are busy but please accept my invitation."
Link glanced over at her, and she was shocked to think that he was looking for her opinion.
"Say yes. Say yes," she whispered jauntily. They could ask him about the red tunic later. Rather than let Link answer, she did it herself. "We would be honored."
Link sighed almost exaggeratedly. "A few hours won't hurt I guess."
Lord Silas'ss smile broadened and he motioned them to follow him. A handful of guards took to his side and the people thanked Link before returning to their homes. There were so many things she wanted to know about the young lord and about his town.
Little did she know the kind of events that would take place, and the future that was in store for them.
o-o-o-o
This day could have been easily been her best day if not for Link. This idiot somehow made it a skill to ruin things in the worst way.
It started when the noble gave her a gentle smile that made her flush. He didn't have a firm feature as that of a soldier, but he was very attractive, one might call him adorable. "I have to say it's been some time since I've seen a fairy."
Stammering, she said, "Uh, well, fairies are usually shy. I mean, I'm not shy or anything." She flushed even deeper when, behind Silas's back, she saw Link mimicked her words wordlessly with a mocking face. "Anyways, how is your town holding up the monsters? They've gotten really strong."
He was young but his troubled expression added years to his age. "I fear we're at our limit," he said and as he said that, a dark shadow crossed over his captain's face. The captain's name was Grey, and he seemed very much surprised to see his Lord out from his manor. "The monsters never seem to grow tired. They've exhausted our food and resources. The numbers of our brave men grow less for every battle we survive."
Katie gasped. "That's horrible!"
Lord Silas nodded. "Indeed, which is why I owe you two a great deal. Hopefully, we could use this night to relax and gather our strength. Isn't that right, Captain?"
"Aye," Grey said. His eyes were pale green and his hair was ironically living up to his name. Aside from the wrinkles around the corner of his eyes, he looked strong. He told his lordship that he will send for them a carriage and went on his way.
"You live all the way up there?" Link asked him with a slight frown.
Silas's eyes always glinted with adulation whenever they glanced over to Link's way. "Yes, my manor is just at the top. It doesn't take long on foot though."
They stepped into the carriage with Grey sending them off. The sun was long gone by now and lanterns and street torches were being lit. "Give my regards to Viktor," he said in a grunt. If Katie didn't know any better, his expression seemed to sour lightly. "Take care, my lord."
"Thank you as always, Grey," Silas said to him, meaningfully now and almost a bit apologetic.
Link reclined back into his seat. He didn't seem at all interested in anything around him. Perhaps once he sees the manor in all of its glory then it might change his mood. She was already excited.
The ride was certainly ephemeral but it was frightfully rocky. There were often jolts and bumps that had the two Hylains jump slightly from their seats. Lord Silas wasn't bothered at all, but Link was evidently unhinged.
The forest was split open for them, trees hanging at either sides as the carriage rolled onto the rutted road. The canopy of the weald snuffed out the stars, and slowly she had some white trickling in her.
There was silence in the small space. Lord Silas stared at the town from his window in contemplation, troubled.
For someone to be so young and leading a large town that was routinely ransacked by monsters, she had nothing but deep reverence for him. This was what it meant to be a true lord. Link could learn a thing or two.
The senescence of the manor rose up as the path parted and the weald was behind them. The great manor of the Haidrunds was…small.
She hoped she didn't look as disappointed. That could be expected from her. After all, she grew up in an extravagant castle, and had recently lived in a palace but this manor didn't look anything like she imagined. Vines veined the sides of the manor, crawling up to the windows and tangling around the support beams that stood at either side of the front doors like sentries.
The dark-bricked, squat manor looked like it belonged to a more lowly noble than to a powerful, wealthy family. There was a wide field circling the manor as it was at the very flat center beneath the high peak of the mountain which stretched up from behind the building like a shadow. There were empty spaces of dry dirt and boulders around, along with some shrubs and trees.
Some windows were lit up, looking like yellow squares in the dark. From the roof, crows beat their wings, and flew in the night.
"It's erm pretty," Katie complimented, forcing herself to glow.
The carriage slowed to a stop and a tall elegant older man opened the door. "Lord Silas," he spoke bowing a bit. Despite his deference, his tone was flat, teeming with silent anger. When he noticed Katie and Link, his eyebrows rose up.
He had heavy wrinkles dragging his face down. The remains of his grey hair combed over his balding head as if to cover it. From the crookedness of his nose, the hardness of his eyes, this man was by no means the one for humor.
Lord Silas cleared his voice, and though he looked dignified, he had a hint of panic on him. "Apologizes, Viktor, but once I saw the town I couldn't help myself." As if to save himself, Silas motioned over to his company. "This is Katie and Link. They are to be our guests."
"Are they?" Viktor asked his tone steady but his eyes held a silent message in them.
"For saving the town," Silas stressed through a tight smile. "I hope to treat them to dinner. Now if you don't mind?"
Viktor held his composure well. In fact he hardly looked mad at all. He helped Silas down and greeted Link with a nod. "A pleasure. Welcome to the Haidrund's manor."
Link muttered something under his breath that caused Viktor to raise his eyebrow slightly. Katie came in front of his face, glowing orange. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Katie."
The butler blinked. "Why, I haven't seen a fairy since I was boy."
Katie giggled. "We are one of a kind."
"So you are."
"Captain Grey sends his regards," Lord Silas said, motioning Link to follow.
Viktor's smile wavered for a bit but other than that he kept his imperturbable act. He led them to the grand manor and Katie's disappointments were only just beginning. The manor looked so…plain. Well, not plain by much. There were some items in here worth a small fortune but that was it—a small fortune. It wasn't protruding; it wasn't luxurious as it ought to be.
The Haidrunds were supposed to be rich, but it didn't feel like it at all. The walls were wooden and furnished with drawings on them, and there were tall vases that didn't hold any flowers. There were marbled statues of famous people frown in time. There was one statue in particular that darkened Link's eyes and his hand rubbed instinctively against his tunic.
The foyer held a wide staircase that lead up to a landing where it split into three doors. At the bottom there were two ways to go, and the hallway from here was immaculate with a smooth, red carpet. It was fluffy enough to muffle their footsteps.
There was one thing that did perk her interest and it was the rare paintings by Hrule's famous Jośe Flimbèrt; his paintings exploded with colors, incredible strokes, and only affordable by those with the thickest wallet. These pieces of art were splashes of wealth, lifting the decorum of the manor.
"Do you like them?" Lord Silas asked.
"Do I?" She giggled. "These have to be priceless! I haven't seen one of these in a while!"
Thankfully, Lord Silas didn't notice the roll from Link's eyes. Katie saw that Viktor's eyes darted around, and he nervously tucked his gloves in. She also saw that there weren't any servants to be found. Even at the dead of night, you would often catch some maids or footmen scattering about, especially now when their young lord was awake and needed to be fed. She couldn't even hear any footsteps or voices. Wait, couldn't just be the two of them, could it?
Lord Silas excused himself, saying he will change to a proper attire for supper. Link looked like he wanted to say something—possibly question on why Lord Silas couldn't eat with the clothes he had on him—until Viktor told them that he would take them to the guest room to wait.
"This is so boring," Link muttered irritated. "What's so exciting about some paints?" He winced when Katie glowed feverishly red. "What's with you all of a sudden?"
"Can I just enjoy this for five minutes?" she hissed. "I've been stuck with you for so long I'm starting to forget how normal people work!"
He glared at her, and before he could argue, she quickly caught up with Viktor who kept the darkness at bay with a candle's light. "Excuse me, sir."
Viktor's eyes flickered to her. "No need to address me as such, Miss Katie. I am a mere butler."
"Oh, well, I want to ask: how old is Lord Silas?"
The butler sighed. "He had just turned eighteen. A boy his age and he's doing marvelous at leadership." His praise didn't match his expression. He looked lugubrious as if this depressed him.
Katie hesitated. "Did his parents…"
"His father, Lawrence Haidrund, passed away about a couple of months ago."
Her color turned sharply. Lawrence Haidrund wasn't just any man; he was a very close friend to Edmond, the late King of Hyrule.
"Oh I'm so sorry," Katie said, horrified. "How did he—"
"I'm afraid that's a story for another time," the butler said dismissively, setting his candle at a stand and opening a set of doors. "I ask that you refrain from mentioning his name during your stay."
She turned blue. "I don't mean—"
The butler nodded but he seemed distracted. "Please rest here until dinner is prepared. I'll have the maid draw you a bath if you wish."
"Don't bother." Link passed by the butler who blinked a little by his tone. Viktor did an excellent job to keep his decorum. He gave a little curt bow and closed the door.
Katie glowered at Link who ignored her and slumped down at the couch. Knowing this idiot, he was probably here only for the food.
The small room was just as boring. She tried not feel bothered too much. There wasn't much to it, but it was fancy enough to hold in guests. The couch Link sat didn't look as opulent but it seemed comfortable enough for Link to lounge in. Seeing him like this annoyed her.
This was what she had to deal with. For the duration of the travel, it had always about him. I want to eat. When will we get there? I want to sleep. When can we do this? When can we do that? Are we there yet? I want sake. Are we close? I'm hungry. I'm tired. Are we there? I'm bored. I hate this. Are we there yet?
Heavens bless her, she should get an award.
A part of her almost wanted to give up on him after they left the Zoras. It was strange. Whenever she thought she had enough, they ended up speaking to each other just fine. It made things easier on her part, and soon she was determined to do her job and make a hero out of him.
Link started to complain about wasting his time.
"Did you forget why we're here?" she asked, simmering. "Remember the red tunic?"
Link's hands dragged down his face. "Do we have to go through all this?" he said querulously. "We could've just asked the kid for money and hit the inn."
"It's Lord Silas. And he's around your age," she hissed. She prayed that he wouldn't slip up and actually call the young lord that. Oh how she wished she could use her hammer. "Be glad that he's inviting you. We would've had trouble getting his attention with everything that's been going on. Now can you stop being yourself for one hour?"
Link hung his head back and groaned. "Would anyone notice if I jump out the window?"
"Don't you dare! Can't we just let me enjoy myself?"
She took his sigh as a sign of acquiescence. Hopefully, he would stay rectitude until they leave. Just a little longer, she just wanted to stay around and pretend that everything was okay.
Silas knew what was coming and prepared himself a script in the carriage. As soon as Viktor opened the door with his usual calm expression now fuming, Silas went on the defense.
"Before you say anything just let me explain. I know you're mad—"
"Mad?" Viktor's eyes flared. Silas's winced at the older man's tone. "How, my lord, can I not be mad when I found the window has been opened and the carriage gone?"
Silas nervously glanced back at the door. Knowing Viktor, he probably moved the guests away so that they can't hear a thing. Silas made a placating gesture. "I just wanted to see if the town was okay," he said lightly.
Viktor rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If you wanted a report then you should have spoken with me. How did you think Sally took your disappearance? If the attack was as bad as you have said it was then you've put yourself at risk. A boy of your station, especially considering your condition—"
"I am not a boy," Silas said sharply. "Why can't you see that?"
"The day you stop making these rash decisions will be the day when I start to treat you as an adult," Viktor spoke, using the firm tone that faltered Silas's bravo. "And why, pray tell, have you invited guests without informing me beforehand?"
Silas forgot all about that. Viktor took great pride at keeping the manor up to order, always meticulously expunging every dust he comes across. He was finicky about appearances and must've been horrified when he heard that they had unexpected guests. No matter how many times Silas assured him, Viktor simply would not accept anything less than perfection.
Silas scratched his head, an act Viktor frowned at as it showed uncertainty and lack of confidence. "Okay, I'll admit it slipped out from my mind but I had to invite them over. They've done us a great service."
"And you decided to invite them for supper?" Viktor asked flatly.
"Isn't it the highest accolade to be dined by a great house?
"And why, pray tell, does someone slovenly and uncanny as him deserve an accolade?"
Silas knew Viktor would disapprove of Link. He doesn't exactly fit into Viktor's definition of 'proper.' Silas went over to his wardrobe in order to pick the right attire. When he said he'd go change, that had actually been an excuse to take a breath but now he had to see through his excuse. He really didn't want to change out of his black robe, as that showed how he had been feeling these last few weeks.
"I told you he saved the town," Silas said.
Viktor took it upon him to search through the wardrobe. "We have men who do that everyday," Viktor said wryly.
Silas gawked at him and nearly missed the clothes that were thrown at him. "If you have seen him, if you've seen what he could do, I bet you would have thrown him a feast."
Viktor made a blasé hum, setting up the screen for Silas to change. Silas frowned at the unconvinced face. "It's true!"
"Of course it is. I'm sure."
"He defeated three dozen monsters all on his own single handedly." Silas's voice quickened with excitement as he hung his old robe at the top of the screen before putting on his new ones. "If you don't believe me, ask Grey."
"I believe you," Viktor said with some edge to his voice as the mention of the captain. "So this boy defeated something his men couldn't?" Now there was some amusement.
Silas frowned. "His men are tired. They've been fighting for weeks. Its even a wonder how they managed to stay on their feet." His heart ached for them. Watching all those soldiers with their weary eyes, he knew something had to be done about this. "I mean Link is clearly talented! Have you seen the way he swung that sword?"
"No, I haven't."
"Exactly." Silas emerged from the screen with a smile on his face. The expression felt odd on his face since this was the first, genuine smile he ever made. He hadn't even realized he changed into his usual deep blue vest overlapped by a white shirt and dark trousers. He never wanted to wear this piece again, but decided he wanted to look his best.
Every time he recalled that battle, he felt that amazement bubbling. "All those monsters, Viktor, all of them. He took them all down like stepping on bugs! He took care of them like nothing!"
The only person he could think of that could match Link's skills where his uncle's bodyguard: Banard. Silas shivered. Every time he thought of that man, he always had this uneasy feeling.
Now Viktor did look impressed and that didn't come easily. He picked up a comb, tilting Silas's head to the side. "Is he a solider or a sell sword?"
"I don't think he's either, just a traveller who decided to lend us aid. I've never seen anyone as valorous as him aside from Grey." Silas pretended not to hear that indignant sound from Viktor. "If we had more of him, we would never have to worry about monsters ever again."
Silas suddenly felt the pain crawling to his stomach, reaching up his chest. He had done well to emote nonchalance but he could feel it starting to get the better of him. "That would be a dream," he said steadily.
Viktor let out a sigh, unaware of Silas's state and moved back to look at him better. "Very well then. I'll make sure we have an appropriate supper for our esteemed guests."
Silas smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Viktor. I'm sorry for worrying you."
"If you're really sorry then you won't do it again," Viktor said sharply. He looked like he wanted to continue but only sighed annoyingly. "Honestly."
"I'm sorry. What more do you want?" That dryness in his throat getting stronger and that crawling pain was wrapping around his chest. Leave. Please leave already.
Viktor noticed it with narrow eyes. "Have you taken your medication?"
"Is that really necessary?"
"Have you or have you not?"
"I have," he lied. "Goodness, what do you take me for?"
"All of it?" His eyes narrowed. "Except for nightshade. Remember what we talked about?"
"I know." Silas fought against the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm the picture of health. If you could please stop worrying yourself, then go help Sally with supper. She could use an extra hand I bet."
She could use all the help she could get though after Viktor decided to fire all those he deemed unloyal. After the death of his father and his fiancé, Silas couldn't really blame him for that.
Viktor looked at him as if facilitating on whether Silas was telling the truth. Then with a sigh and a reverent bow, he left the room. Silas's composure collapsed and he stumbled on a nearby table, gasping.
He squeezed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth against a cry. He limped over to his bed, crawling on his knees, and reached his hand out underneath to get a cup of his favorite drink.
The nightshade calmed him down at once, like a soothing song. Already he could feel its influence on his nerves, relaxing them with its lenitive touch.
The pain petered and he leaned against the wall, breathing in and out. The cup was placed on his bedside. With luck, Sally would think it's from this morning even though he drowned that one and went so far as to stick his finger around the sides to get every drop.
He closed his eyes. You could do this. You can do this. You're the Lord.
If Viktor saw the state of him now, he'd have the guests kicked out, no matter how esteemed. Sometimes it was hard to hide things from that obsequious servant, but Silas, who was rarely deceptive, was getting better and better at lying. So far they haven't noticed the supply of nightshade decreasing rapidly. Honestly, they don't even hide it that well.
He stood back up on shaky legs. The nightshade was working its magic, numbing the hollowness inside of him, lifting his mood up better.
When he looked at his reflection in the dim light of his candle, he inhaled sharply at what he saw. His eyes were sunken in with dark circles. He hadn't been getting much sleep. It was those dreams. They were keeping him up. He could've settled for a nightmare about his father or fiancé. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl.
The curtains flew back from his window. He tried in vain not to look at the sky. It would surely be filled with glittering stars, each a part of an elaborate constellation. She loved stars. They were a curse to him, since each and every twinkle reminded him of her.
Don't think about that now.
He was going to host a great swordsman and one around his age! It would be a jocose supper where he will begin to feel like his old self.
Silas had seen warriors fight but none with that same fluidity, with that dexterous way his hands worked around the sword. It looked like something out of Sally's fairytale! Silas could feel his heart sinking a little when his attention drew back on the mirror. His father would tell him everyone had their own strength. A man could only be brave when he was scared, but the quote, like many other quotes his father enjoyed teasing him with, didn't make any sense. Link wasn't scared at all. He so brave and strong.
Silas took in a deep breath to calm himself down. He wished for a piece of chocolate or another cup of nightshade. Darkness crept through him as he started to wish for many, many other things that were impossible. Before it could overwhelm him, he clapped his hands together, snapping himself out of it. The sound was like thunder in the quiet room, and he started a bit. He looked at the mirror and practiced a smile.
It was time he enjoyed himself for a change.
When Link saw the manor for the first time, he was pretty surprised. He had been to the Zoras' palace, and that particular race loved to show the world their unique artifice. They sculptured statues from marble, they formed fountains that preformed impressive water dances, they molded vases, painted lovely pictures. They were talented and they want the world to know that.
But this manor didn't seem like it belonged to a great noble, maybe for an upper middle class at least. It didn't make sense as the Haidrunds were supposed to be loaded but you could tell a lot by a noble at their surrounding and their manor. From its humble features and not too extravagant but reasonably opulent environment, it told him enough about the Haidrunds.
Yet, he had this unsettling feeling about it. Despite its ostensibly comforting appearances, he could feel a foreboding from it. There was something wrong with this place. Of course Katie didn't notice. She either drooled over the noble or pretended not to be annoyed by the lack of wealth of the manor. Link couldn't even put it into words on how it was embarrassing to be seen around her.
And so he wanted to leave. Every now and then his eyes rested at the door handle. This was such a waste of time. He had no patience to kiss that shorty's ass. He could be at the bar right now, resting his feet, flirting with girls. This little sprit will drive him mad one day and all because of her silly fantasies.
The butler informed them of supper. Link reluctantly pushed himself on his feet and galumphed behind Viktor. This manor looked daunting with darkness sweeping from all corners. It looked like its been bloviated for some time now, with the only souls being Silas and his butler.
Link lagged behind while Katie sparked an inconsequential discussion with the butler about paintings and such. Glancing at the long window on the side, the woods loomed in the distant with the trees waving back at him by the howling winds.
His eyebrows then furrowed when he noticed something. Stopping, he went to the window and squinted his eyes. It took time before he found it, and when he did he felt a chilled finger run up his back. A tall tenebrous figure stood near a pine tree. It could be his imagination, as the figure seemed blurry a little to the eyes, but his guts never failed him.
"What the…" His eyes squinted further, staring at the figure that looked more like a shadow in the night. It stood so very still that he was nearly convinced his mind was playing with him.
In just a blink of an eye, the figure vanished. He stayed at the window for a moment before looking around. He cursed when he realized he got separated from the others.
Festinating, his eyes darted around for Katie's light and his ears strained to pick up her conversation with the butler. It was way too quiet for his liking. Even in the Zoras' palace they still had some servants scrambling around. Maybe it was different in a noble's house, but he figured he would at least come across one or two maids.
Dammit, he won't hear the end of it from that sprit. Ugh, he could already hear her voice whining in his head.
He took the flight of stairs down. The foyer was dimly lit with candles. He crossed the hallways that all seem to go only one way since he kept finding himself back at the foyer. Cursing out loud, he took a new turn and could smell food. Finally.
A glint caught his eye. He stopped and saw light bouncing off squared-shaped glass. The glass was large, hanging on the wall by a nail and thin rope, its smooth surface reflecting the coruscating lantern. Inside it, he saw was a piece of fancy paper. He inspected it closely and was overwhelmed with the cursive writing.
Each letter had been curved beyond recognition, twisting and folding with each other. He blinked hard, trying to identify one word but his head was starting hurt.
He nearly jumped out of his skin when he sensed someone behind him. The woman herself nearly screamed. "Oh Goddesses!" She breathed out, placing a hand on her chest as she took in a gasp. "I think my life just flashed."
"Me too," he said, his heart stuck in his throat.
The woman may have some wrinkles between the corners of her eyes but she still had beauty. Her eyes a beautiful shade of light brown, her cheeks flushed. Some curly strands of her brown hair escaped her tight ponytail and were stranded on either side of her face, making her look young.
"Are you the guest?" she asked him once she caught her breath..
"Yeah that'll be me." He pointed a thump over his shoulder. "What's that thing?"
"That? That's the deed of his lordship."
"The deed?" The paper did have an official stamp on it with a very famous signature.
"It's been written by Princess Zelda three hundred years ago," she explained, stepping up near the framed paper. "This family received land and title for their services in the war. This deed alone is proof of that."
Link frowned a bit. "Why do they need proof though? I mean it's not like they're not nobles without it, right?"
She stared at the deed with distant eyes. When she spoke, it was almost as if speaking to herself. "It's more of a reminder if anything. Just to show you how it all started." As if catching herself, she turned around and held out her hand. "I'm Sally by the way, the maid."
"Link, the swordsman." They shook hands. "Any chance you can help a poor hungry fellow?"
A smile played on her lips. "Right this way."
Link placed his hands behind his head, peering over at the maid. "So is it only just you and that other guy Viktor? I'm not seeing anyone else."
"It's a long story." Her tone gave him a message. He didn't press on.
When Sally led him around a corner, he nearly had a fairy run him in the face. She was piping hot when she saw him but in an instant her color shifted orange. "Oh you must be Sally! I'm Katie!"
He couldn't help but roll his eyes. Sally giggled at the little fairy just as Viktor came in, informing them that Lord Silas has arrived. The table wasn't as big, just enough for four people. He liked that much better than the long ones the Zoras fancied. Honestly, how can you talk to someone when they're sitting over a yard away?
Despite the diminutive staff, the food was inviting—sandwiches, a whole chicken, soup, a bowl of fruits, more than what he expected. He really wanted to ask for sake and as if reading his mind, Katie sent him a sharp red. It was kind of impressive and a little creepy how this fairy came to know him a little too well.
Silas was there on the opposite side, smiling that forced smile. Who was this guy trying to fool? Though, Link had to admit he did look much different with that sharp vest on him. That black robe made him look gloomy and old.
Katie had drilled into his head of the mannerism that high-class expected at dinner, another reason of why he wanted to leave. She had given him the lecture in the Zoras's palace, and somehow expected him to still remember it.
One of the rules was that he had to wait until the noble sat at the head seat before sitting down. Link also couldn't start until his lordship took the first bite and once Silas sets his spoon down that signaled the end of supper. All this was enough to drive Link mad. No one with the galls would tell him when or when not to eat. That alone made him livid. Who did this cheeky little shit think he is anyways?
Just let him tell me what to do, Link thought, on the verge of stuffing that shorty with his stupid smile down the soup.
Link didn't bother listening to the first rule. He sat down without giving a toss on how Viktor's eyes narrowed. Silas didn't seem bothered though as he sent Sally to fetch drinks. Katie flickered red, but was too uncomfortable to chastise him in front of the noble. She settled into a bowel of water, sighing in relief.
Silas also didn't seem against Link eating ahead of him. In fact he was delighted. "Please have as many as you like," he said.
Link dismissed the kind encouragement with a roll of his eyes. This guy was trying too hard.
Link wasn't even going to bother choosing which fork to use. Holy hell, why not just use one? Nah, let's just use a different fork for every bite, he thought sardonically. Ugh, how he hated this side of the world. Viktor hid his irritation well but Link could see his jaw clenched. Link hid a snicker, and overloaded his plate with more fruits and meat.
"So, Link," Silas started to say, smiling. "Where do you come from?"
Link was about to give him an answer that would have him kicked out in a heartbeat until Katie spoke hastily, "He came from Ordon Village. A beautiful village if I say so!"
Damn, this fairy was good.
Silas hummed. "Ordon Village? Does that reside somewhere in Faron's district by any chance?"
"Yup! That's where we met."
Silas sounded interested. "You're quite far from home."
"Uh huh," Link grunted. Apparently, his lack of enthusiasm didn't discourage the chatty Lord.
Lord Silas was on the edge of his seat, eyes full of wonder. "Where did you learn how to fight like that? I've never seen a fighter like you around my age."
Link decided to give him a question of his own. "What kind of lord are you?" The question took them all by surprise.
Silas blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"You know, like what do you do? What do nobles normally do?"
The familiar question settled Silas. "Well, we accept trades with the Gorons. They pass through here, you see, since we are on the borderline of both Hyrule Field and Lanaryu and that makes arrangement for trade a pleasant one. They don't need to leave Eldin district, and we don't have to suffer through their intensive climate. We also assist the crown should they need any financial support." He faltered a bit but expertly steered away from the depressing topic. "It's a big responsibility. We provide the Gorons with equipment and wagons."
"It's a marvelous job," Katie said, helping the conversation to stay on safe ground.
Link decided to bring it on the danger zone. "Now that there's no crown, what do you do then?"
But Lord Silas impressed him by keeping his pace. "Well, I do provide provisions to the nearby villages, and see that peace is maintained. These are hard days that we face and it is important that we as people of this country help each other as much as we can," he said. Viktor nodded at his side, looking proud.
Link wasn't done just yet. He had one more question that brought this whole supper to a screeching halt. "Have you ever heard of a red tunic?"
The color drained from the noble's face. "What?"
Viktor decided to intervene. He looked at Link with distaste. "That is a discussion—"
"Where did you hear of that?" Silas demanded. That niceness was finally out of his eyes and looked a bit fearful.
Link took a bit from his orange, savoring the taste. "That's not important. I could tell you've heard of it. Any chance you could lend it to me?"
"Where did you hear it from exactly?"
Link didn't like that new tone and so he leaned forward, tapping a firm finger on the table. "Listen, shorty, do you have it or not?"
A muscle leaped in his jaw and for a moment Silas looked dazed. "It's—no, I can't give it to you." His chest was heaving heavily.
Link pounded his fist at the table. "I saved your asses, remember? I want that red tunic."
Viktor's eyebrows rose to his hairline. Silas pushed himself out from his chair. He stared down at his soup, his hands trembling slightly.
Viktor gave Link a venomous look. "I think you overstayed your welcome," he seethed, placing his hands lightly on Silas's shoulder. "You need to rest." Silas shoved him off roughly with a nudge, covering half of his face. "Lord Silas."
"Wait, he didn't mean that," Katie said frantically. If she had a hammer she would've put Link in a coma.
"Leave now," Viktor told Link, more urgently.
Silas was shaking; his whole body was shaking. He started to cough. "I-I'm f-fine. Carriage will be waiting you out so please—"
Again, Link slammed his hand down, causing a mess out of the dishes. "Did you hear me? I saved you all so the payment is the red tunic. If it's that priceless, I'll just give it back!"
He thought that Silas's hands were shaking with anger; the thought of a peasant talking back could've enraged him. But when Link saw Silas's face, the anger left him like water in the blistering desert. Silas's eyes rolled back. Viktor was almost too late. He managed to keep Silas's head from hitting the table, but the sudden weight caused the old man to fall as well.
"Lord Silas!" Katie shrieked, floating above the unconscious boy. "Lord Silas, what's wrong?!"
The clear distress on Viktor's face was alarming. "Sally! Sally, get the apothecary!"
The maid was carrying a jug of water with juice. When she saw Silas, everything she carried shattered on the ground. "Silas, what's wrong?!" she cried.
"Get an apothecary, any apothecary now!"
Link decided to help. Viktor didn't complain when Link supported the noble's weight on his own. The butler led him to the private chambers, which required them to go up the stairs and passed a long hallway. Silas mumbled something under his breath, face pale, eyes rolling distorted in their sockets. His breathing patterns along with a bitter smell turned Link's stomach.
The whole event moved so fast that Link could hardly believe it was an hour. He had carried Silas into his room, Viktor settling him on the bed and ran to get water. Soon, Link shoulder was caked with sparkles, as Katie wouldn't sit still, blaming him one minute and crying the next.
The apothecary came in faster than Link had anticipated. The man looked as if he'd been staying up, as his eyes were sunken in. Other than that, he looked ready to work. Link, Viktor and Katie waited outside while Sally helped the apothecary with the young lord.
Link hated how his guts turned and twisted with that familiar feeling. This feeling that came with a voice of it's own and tantalized him with the image of Silas fainting.
They waited in torturing silent. Viktor tapping his foot down incessantly, trying to look annoyed as one would be when waiting but there was dread on his face. Katie continued to float around which could be equivalent to a Hylian pacing with worry. Link leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. When the door opened, both Link and Viktor straightened. The apothecary looked older now, tired and worn out.
"How is he?" Viktor asked, that insufferable condescending attitude of his was gone.
The apothecary closed the door behind him. "He's fine. I've given him a concoction that should have him better in the morning but I could tell he didn't take Yvain."
"It makes him feel heat," Viktor insisted.
"Which is why it should be taken in the morning." The apothecary showed his hands helplessly. "I can't do more if he won't cooperate."
"He did take them," Viktor insisted. "Though it could be the stress. He left to assist the town without informing me beforehand. And now thanks to a certain impudent lout—" Viktor shot a look at the boy who caused it all and Link, for once, had nothing to say in his defense—"He was pushed to the edge."
Katie gasped. "Oh, I remember now! Lord Silas, he has a rare disease right?"
The butler shot her a look to show how he felt about her outburst. She flushed. "An illness," Viktor said steadily. "One he inherited from his mother's side."
The apothecary nodded. "A disease that weakens his immune system, causing painful digestion, nausea, mood swings, easily fatigue—" He could've gone on until Viktor shot him a look. The doctor cleared his throat. "In any case, he could control his symptoms but recent affairs…"
"What?" Katie asked.
A silent message was exchanged between the apothecary and the butler. Katie might not have understood it but Link took the hint. With discomfiture, Link turned to the butler. "If I'd known that was going to happen," he started, sounding even a little sincere. "I wouldn't have—"
"Thank you for your services," Viktor said coldly. "But I would like it if you would both leave."
"But the red tunic—"
"Do not make me call for the guards."
Link could've demanded for the tunic, but it was that penitent feeling that quieted him. The apothecary offered to stay for the night just in case. He also offered to guide Link back to the entrance of the manor. The night was strangely hotter than when he felt it but that hardly mattered to him.
Looking at the endless tumbles of rocks, the figure he saw earlier was nowhere to be found but he was sure he saw it out there.
The doctor's voice snapped Link from his thoughts. "I don't know the exact details about the red tunic myself," the apothecary, Hen was his name said. "I'm new here myself. The usual apothecary for his Lordship would be Larry but he's busy at this time."
"We're sorry about what happened," Katie blurted out, glowing red at Link. "Aren't we?"
Link just shrugged. It wasn't like an apology would magically make up for it. He may be an ass but even he couldn't stand half assed apologies. "We'll find another way to get the tunic."
Assuming they don't get kicked out of town when Silas wakes up.
The apothecary looked at him pensively. "If you're that serious on getting it then come back tomorrow when his lordship is feeling better. The poor boy would most likely be embarrassed by what happened and would be eager to help you. He has a kind heart on him." He paused. "Provided that you ask better next time."
"Why are you helping me?" Link asked. "I'm the one that made him take a spill."
The apothecary motioned him over to walk with him out the front. "You remember that child you saved back then?"
"What about her?"
"She's my granddaughter." He nodded at Link's arched eyebrow. "I'll try to help you as much as I can."
Katie flickered yellow. "We really appreciate it."
Hen nodded, and now gave Link a stern look. "But know this, boy, I will not allow you to stress Lord Silas. He lost his father some months ago, then his sister and his lover only two weeks ago."
Link blew out air. "Shit."
Katie turned to a commiserate blue. "That's terrible!"
"And now he has his entire family legacy resting on his shoulders. We have monsters pounding on our doors, Hyrule Castle sieged and undertaken, and a genetic disease that is sinking its claws in him. If I may be bold, your problems aren't anywhere near as grand as his. I strongly recommend you be on your best behavior around him."
Link promised he would. He hated how he quickly latched onto that promise. But whatever, anything for that tunic. With a fussy fairy over his head, he took the walk to the town now that there wasn't a carriage to take him.
He tried not to be unnerved by the stillness of the forest, but it was difficult when you have a fairy who literally had a phobia of such. He kept his eyes peeled for the figure but again saw nothing. His resolve for it wavered, despite the persistence of his guts.
For some reason, he had a strong premonition about this place. It wasn't just the haunted gazes he initially saw on the villagers' faces, it wasn't even the cold atmosphere of the seemingly humble manor, it wasn't even Silas's condition. There was something…very wrong with this. He could feel it in his guts, feel it in the chilly air, feel it in the cold wind that seemed to have a voice of its own. No, something was very wrong with this town.
And that was how he spent his first day here at Desmera, a start of an adventure he will never ever forget.
