Filled with emotion, Link flew betwixt tree, branch, and bush until he eventually saw a break in the trees that formed a line of light. For he had reached the tree line of Faron. And here he walked with gasping breath as he beheld it and stood forth in it. Hyrule Field. It was a great field, clear of any woodland presence aside from that which stood behind him. The light of the noon sun illumined all in such radiance that Link looked thereon with such marvel that for a moment, his grief set aside. The light licked upon the tall grass, and the hills stood as siblings that teased each other. Vast horizons gave view of fading images the naked eye could not fathom. And to the northeast, there stood a great mountain peak, lone, and tall as though it were the adult overseeing the childlike hills. Its peak was round in crest, and a ring of ash smoke hovered above in a halo.
Thus, the blond lad had found that he had braved a whole new world. But while he was enamored by it as it presented a blissful beauty, his grief only deepened as the given beauty seemed to only suppress the life and world that he had known. And to his frustration, he did not know where the castle lied.
"What troubles you, lad?" A billowing voice came from above.
Startled as he was, the blond lad searched above him to merely see a great owl stoop from a low bough of a tall elm tree. It had the weight of an eagle and the breadth of a bear cub. Its feathers were brown about its wings and its chest was tan. Its eyes however, were as narrow as a pecan nut, and it had great brows that stood up like the antennas of an insect.
As Link searched, there was no one else present, and when he settled his eyes upon the owl, his head cocked in confusion. But then the owl spoke.
"Yes, lad. I was speaking to you!" He plainly said.
Link's eyes widened to the speaking owl. And he was dumbstruck.
"I'm…doing alright. I suppose." Link returned finally, and bringing himself nearer to composure, he went on to comment. "I have never spoken with a speaking owl before."
"Yes," The owl nodded, "I am one of the few. I am Gaepora from the north, though I do wander much. This fine elm tree is a particular favorite resting place, when I travel this way. " But then he went on to enquire. "Now I have never seen a child of the forest stray or leave the forest's borders before. I am curious, what brings you into the Fields of Hyrule?"
"I have an important errand to Hyrule Castle." Link replied. "I am Link."
"Ah…then you should go north." Gaepora commented as he gestured the direction. "The city stands on the northern side of this field. But night will fall before you reach it, so you should seek shelter. For the gates will be closed at dusk as neither entry nor exit is permitted until morning. Because the stachilds rise under the moon's presence." And then he rambled to great lengths as he told Link of the stachilds. They were the skeletal remains of the history's youth with memory revived as they lurk and seek the life of the living. But as Gaepora rambled in great detail of the stachilds, he not only described them but went on to elaborate upon their entire history and of the stories of their encounters over the course of time.
Having a short attention span as the boy that he was, Link had long faded in thought to Gaepora's words, so that when Gaepora had at last finished speaking, Link's features betrayed how lost he was to the owl's words.
"Oh dear…would you like me to repeat that again?" The owl asked.
But Link waved it off, "Ah, no thank you. I had better get started. But thank you for your kind directiion." And at that, as if he lost all sense of manners, Link took off in a run.
As physically fit as the lad was for sprinting through forest and overcoming its every obstacle, he soon found himself challenged. And as he at last learned the meaning of the distance of miles, he thought to himself. "How far does this field go?"
The sun waxed hot upon him as the day lengthened over the afternoon to the closing of May's month. So, he took his share of breaks. His motivation picked up before long and he gasped as he beheld it in sight on the near horizon: the great wall of the city. But his heart fell as he observed the descending sun. And he beheld that the city's gate was drawing to close.
Knowing that he could not reach the city, his heart began to faint as it regarded the tales of the stachildren more seriously. So, Link searched for shelter, but there was nothing nearby for him to reach in time save for one hackberry tree on the hilltop. It was relatively broad as well as its bough reached down low enough for Link's reach. And Navi concurred with Link's resolve. Yet as he began to reach for it, the nigh grounds began to stir as a couple of small skeleton's emerged as the size of Hylian children. Their joints rattled and their eyes were enlightened as ambers of wrath.
Link's heart stopped, and as the two figures of decaying bone came near, they lunged at him. Though the moment of regained composure, Link had repelled the lunges with his shield. Then quickly, the blond batted one back on to the ground; whereas, his sword splintered the ribs of the other. And without hesitation, Link hurled himself on the tree's bough where after he brought himself up he quickly climbed the tree.
After a while, Link observed the stachildren standing below in wait, and they seemed to grow impatient of his lingering. So, they returned into the earth from whence they came, burrowing their way back into the turf. As he felt confident in the safety of the tree's elevation, Link settled on a broad bough. And he was able to lay back in resting against the trunk. Thus, he slept through night.
Waking up was rough for him as his back ached from the tree's rough arch. For though he was raised in the forest, he wasn't in the habit of sleeping in a tree that wasn't hollowed and filled with the comforts of home. Navi, on the other hand, slept as fine as any forest fairy could be expected. Link found himself awakened by the cock of a bird with great lungs from the distance. To which a bird, nested in the tree, from Hyrule's wild answered in a gentle whistling tune. The dawn had smitten Link so that he was still in awe, for this was his first sunrise. His heart was warmed by the light that graced his sapphire irises, the fiery display setting his heart's passion of adventure in a fervent blaze. And when the sunrise exceeded the point of dawn, the bird's whistling ceased.
Finding a few mushrooms beneath the tree, Link contented himself for a 'cold breakfast'. And while he sat still in mulling thought as his meal settled in his stomach, Navi chirped. "Hey! That great stone on the hill, that's someone's home." She observed before exclaiming, "Link, we had shelter right there!"
On the evening before, the ascending stone seemed to blend with the land as rock that naturally stands on a hill. But now as Link looked, the light revealed that the stone was a jagged wall that was both primitive and sturdily made. And at the northern wall, there was a gate to lead therein. "Well…" he thought aloud, "a lot of good shelter will do me now." But then his head cocked with a sigh, "But it's still good to know nonetheless."
It wasn't long before the young blond left on his way until he at last reached the wall of the city. There the sun illumined the stone of the ascending wall as though it were unpolished marble. The battlements stood as teeth of stone. A river flowed from eastern Hyrule and ran along the city's wall in mote before it descended southward. And the gate was open as a great drawbridge of hickory wood in many planks.
A guard stood present as Link made entry. "Stand fast, little master. What business brings you to the city of Hyrule?" The man was tall with boots and greaves of steel, his shirt was chainmail, and his armor was hardened steal with bronze plates. Amidst his breastplate, a crimson emblem presented the signification of the Kingdom: three triangles stood together as one great triangle, and the wings of a phoenix protectively embraced them as though it held them up.
Since Link was in no way prepared to answer without giving himself, Navi whispered to him from under his cap what he should say. "I am a boy of the forest near Faron, and I have come to visit friends in the city." He said.
"Alone?" The guard remarked with a raised brow.
"No," Link returned, "My family gave me a fairy to guide and watch over me so that I may be safe in my travels." And then he removed his cap as the blue orb then hovered over him with dusts of her light sprinkling over him.
The guard was taken aback and at first observed with scrutiny, but at length he came to settle in his thought. "Unusual. … Though not exactly unheard of. … Ugh, I know very little of the ways of those who live about the forests of Faron. Tales that hail of that place ring fantastic to say the least, and even dark in some cases. If your fairy is able to see you safe through that environment, then I suppose that there's no harm in leaving you be. … You may enter, master…?"
"Link…" The boy replied with a hint of a smile.
And the guard smiled in return, "Have a safe visit with your friends."
Link smiled as he went forth. But his smile changed as his mouth dropped and his features expressed pure marvel. For as Link walked down the streets passing the guard station and the defense's housing, he found himself upon the main square. A fountain of running water stood center of the pavement which was surrounded by a perimeter of fashionable buildings. Then to call the buildings fashionable was perhaps an understatement when observing the people. For the Hylians stood tall to the Kokiri raised lad, and for the most part, they were all dressed in extravagant attire of bright tunics, fine silk blouses and dresses, and jewels of many stones and gems for decoration. And they were all bustling about from one crowd to another as shops were open and booths made sells. Others made music while some danced. The children frolicked, and dogs and pets made chase. This was the city's market.
Link attempted to beckon the attention of some so that he could enquire of the castle and the princess. None gave the lad notice however, as they all continued about their own business, having no time for him. While Link did manage to get noticed by one lady, she was advanced in age, and thus she was far too preoccupied with her own state of thoughts to give him room speak. "The war is over they say. But what is to be trusted? Gerudo have become friends, but do they not abuse our hospitality? They say that the Gerudo king invades our own very records and precious traditions, and no one bats an eye …" Link had no idea of what she saying, but he could only listen as she would only ramble on, "I keep telling my son and their families that they should attend closer to the Temple of Time, for surely these times are omen to a great tragedy and that the Hero of Time will come. Be ready!"
Link's head was cocked then as he finally managed to get in a word. "What's the Temple of Time?"
Her eyes popped wide. "You don't know!? Bah…then pay attention child, and you will learn your history!" And then she turned about to the northeast and gestured to a great stone structure that stood most unique amidst the city as it was very old, and it bore a steeple pointing high. And the great mountain he had seen from Hyrule's Field stood in the background. "Long ago when the kingdom was young a great tragedy troubled Hyrule and the wise sages served the goddess Hylia and the royal family of Hyrule's kingdom. They built that building you see there, the Temple of Time. And they instructed that therein the temple was safeguard to the key and our hope when the next tragedy should come. And the Hero of Time will come to that key and bring light where there is darkness. … Yes, and I tell you that there is no safer place to be standing than under the secure shelter of the blessed temple."
"Link," Navi whispered, "we have to go see the princess!"
At that, Link slipped off, and when he looked back out of fear of his rudeness of not properly excusing himself from the lady, he found that she had not even taken notice of him being missing in her rambling. But then the crowd intensified as he turned to move forward, and as he was overwhelmed, he escaped only by making through the entrance of the shop that stood by. And interesting to him of all shops, this one stood practically empty.
The room stood open, and while it was not vast, it had significant space for its visitors. Link stepped forward and each step resonated to the chamber's ambience. 'So calm and quiet' Link almost thought, except rather it seemed off-putting. Beams stood amidst the wood and clay walls, with a simple ceiling of oaken rafters. But then he observed the racks and shelves that stood in some places about the walls with items they bore, and these gave him mixed feelings of cheer, amusement, joy, anger, fear, and dread. And he did not know whether he stood in awe or despair. Masks, they were. Wooden masks. Though Link had seen masks of Kokiri make before in their festivals upon a season, these did not just represent a face to merely adorn or put on. They seemed to be much more. And they were all a different kind, each one unique to the role it presented to fill. There were happy faces, angry faces, faces of people, and faces of beasts. Yay, there even figures that Link could not name as that he was unsure whether they were portraying a face at all.
"Navi…" Link asked with wide eyes, "what are these?"
"Masks." She plainly replied.
But Link shook his head, "No. I mean. … What kind of masks are these?"
Then before Navi was about to respond how she didn't know, another voice spoke from a figure who now presently stood at the shop's counter. "Non-ordinary. That I can assure you." The man said oddly cheerly and stoically. Two distinct expressions that neither Link nor Navi knew were possible to combine, increasing their unease.
Orange was the hair of the mask salesman, and he adorned a scholarly fitting tunicin lavender of wealthy attire. And he grinned unceasingly. A grin that had a strange effect on Link as he did not know whether it made him want to smile or whether it frightened him to a scare. But as the gentleman spoke, Link detected a means of benevolence in the voice. And that drew his comfort in the man a little closer.
"For these masks do not only represent the face, but they carry the emotion and character of the very essence behind the face. To adorn it, you are not merely masking with a ruse of decoration, but you adorn the very character that the masks represents. Therefore, you learn something more about your own character through its experience. … So, to wear one of my masks, … it is of a very personal nature to … as I said, … experience. Thus, in this way, one could argue that these are not masks, but rather that they be more properly known as 'Shells' that possess a certain nature of character."
Navi gestured then in concern, "So, then what are those sad and angry faces for, if to wear them is to experience the character of the mask?"
"Ahh," replied the salesman in a soft and solemn manner, yet with his grin ever present. "While some of my masks are found rewarding to some of my customers (or clients if you prefer) in their stories, many of my masks are learning tools, and as for these particular masks, I do not recommend them lightly. Or rather, I should say, that to recommend them is to serve as more of a prescription than just a mere recommendation. Because as experience is often the best teacher, there are some who have lessons to learn. And some of those lessons require one to learn, as the saying goes, … 'the Hard Way'. … Thus, by wearing the masks, whether it be the sad mask or angry mask perhaps through the sadness or the anger they may learn from it via its experience or maybe even of its consequences."
Link muttered aloud, "That sounds like a Hard lesson."
"Indeed, young master." Replied the salesman, "Indeed." He nodded. "But often their character is then shaped for the better."
Link enquired then with curiosity, "How much do you require for the masks, in trade?"
The man's grin broadened then, "Well, the sign that stands here…" he gestured to the posted paper that stood on a easel next to the counter, "… it explains the procedure of how I operate and manage business with the merchandise of masks. … But you are such an enlightening lad, and I will be happy to explain it to you myself." The man's eyes twinkled a bit as he then began to elaborate. "You do not have to pay immediately for any of these masks as rather you may borrow them and wear them as much as you like. And others will enquire of you about the masks and desire purchase, in which you will bargain with them at what value the mask means to them. Then I ask that you sell it, but then you must remember that I expect payment for my mask before I let you borrow again."
"How do I attract customers as you seek? … I am not much for business." Link asked.
"Advertising my masks will require no effort on your part when you wear them. For not only do the masks produce a rewarding experience for yourself. But as you adorn them, you will find that they are inspiring to those around you. Thus, the customer or client will usually almost beg for it. But this process is particularly true for those whose character matches the mask in their need for it. For a mask and its owner share a bond when they serve as a true match."
"How much do they typically sell for?" Link enquired.
"Well," the man started, "there is no 'typical' amount for which they are sold, but they stand to range from 30 to 500 rupees."
Link cocked his head then in wonder due to not being familiar with the concept of currency. Which then Navi interjected to explain to him, "Rupees represent values of trade, Link. Instead of trading 'things', they trade rupees which represent the value of said 'things'. So, a green rupee is worth one rupee, a blue rupee is worth five rupees, a red rupee is worth twenty rupees, and so on. And 'things' in Hyrule that are purchased in trade are purchased and measured in value by rupees."
While Link did not perfectly understand, he did get a grasp of the concept. So, he nodded to Navi that he understood her basic point. Then Link turned to browse the salesman's merchandise: each one unique with so many to choose.
"I can't decide on which one to borrow. Can you recommend something suitable?" Link asked of the salesman.
"To match you in your person?" The man asked with brows raised.
And Link replied, "Yes, like a bond as you said. A 'Match'."
The man cocked his head this time, "Do you not think it fool hardy to assume such a means before fully understanding it?"
Link paused at this in mulling thought, and in a moment the weight of the man's words frightened him. But he eventually returned answer, "I believe that I do understand the weight of the means, and if there is a lesson to be learned in the experience, it should benefit and add to my character. There is pain in growing, and is it not foolhardy to run from it when one should meet it for the better. For one grows in real life whether he accepts it or not, though the longer he takes to accept it, the longer it takes to grow."
"Sometimes," the man said with his grin turning straight for the first time, "as growth brings wisdom, sorrow often comes with wisdom, and while sorrow and wisdom can make the heart better, it can become a difficult burden to bear."
"Then so it is." Link said, and he mulled on the burden he was now bearing to carry the Deku Tree's bidding and charge to offer his strength for saving Hyrule. He thought about the trial of the Kokiri sword, and his growth to accept its burden, the sacrifice. "For what more is there for me to offer in my life than to better myself."
"Courage." The Mask Salesman whispered to himself in marvel as he observed the lad, and then he responded, "You take a courageous stance, and it speaks much of your character for who you are as you choose to take responsibility of much."
His grin returned, and the salesman observed his shelves before returning gaze to the lad, "While I believe you find delight in being able share many experiences with my masks, I do not believe that any of the masks that I display match the person as you have shown yourself to me. … That being said, there is one which I possess that probably would suit your very person, but it is very special. And I perceive that you are not ready yet to mantle its prowess. That you will have to prove to me that you are ready to bear it. …"
Link observed more then, and he noticed one that seemed bound like it were caged though it were observed in display. And it stood against the wall on back to the right, away from the counter. "What is that one?" Link asked, but only out of curiosity. It bore many colors and its shell was shaped as a heart. In the lobes, it bore two great eyes as that of a madman, and ten horns extruded from it in crown. At first Link was filled with a fear and dread of it, but as the more he beheld it, a curiosity grew great in him as though it had called to him to 'come hither'.
As the man followed his gaze, he nodded to answer cryptically, "Ahh, that one. That one is off limits as I wouldn't prescribe it for anyone. No good would come of drawing experiences of that tricky character. No, I just let it set on display to instill fear in the foolhardy who do not aspire to any betterment of their persons. For it inspires terror to anyone it doesn't feel drawn to in character. But of someone it takes interest in, it instills a drawing curiosity of it. Only a handful to count have I seen to fit this 'come hither', and you are one of the few. And I tell you to leave it alone and out of mind."
Link nodded and accepted the man's answer as he firmly resolved to give it no thought.
"But maybe this one…" The man said playfully as he pulled it from the shelf just behind him. It had the face of a kind of fox, that the towns folk of Hyrule more properly knew as a Keaton. It had a pointed orange face with a black dotted nose, slanted eyes, and its ears stood atop in points. "This is a Keaton mask which shares the merriment of a child. It seems that as a growing lad as yourself, your merry memories are something to cherish. And perhaps you will find a buyer who matches the need for such a gift of merriment."
Link nodded as he held it. "Alright" Then Link's conscious mind returned to the reality of time. "I should get going now." He said.
"Well met, young master." The man nodded as Link made exit.
Then as Link found himself back in the bustling market square, he again was befuddled as what to do. "What now?" He turned to Navi.
"Well, we obviously can't talk to anyone as they're too busy minding their own business. So, the only thing we can do is standby and listen to see if we can hear anything of value to us." Navi answered.
"Listen?!" Link remarked, "In this crowd?!"
Navi acknowledged, "You have a point. … Maybe I can buzz around and listen to what I can hear. You go find something to do for the time being. And I'll come find you."
So, while Navi 'buzzed around', Link found himself just looking at the sites that the shops and booths had to offer. From fish and potions to shields, deku sticks, and foods, there was a lot to see. Eventually, he ran into a few that he came to help with their things, whether it was carrying something for an older gentleman or helping a lady find her dog amongst many dogs that played about in the public. And many times, Link was tipped with blue and green rupees. And with them, he bought some potions and tried different meals and treats. Then there were games that Link participated in. One being a shooting gallery where he took aim at staged targets with slingshot, and he had to be quick. And as Link actually won after a few tries, he reaped a profit from the winnings. Then when sitting by a tree, he heard two gentlemen talking close by.
"Hahaha, you…I Can't Believe You Seriously Did That! Haha!" Exclaimed the one in laughter as the other went on to say,
"Brother, I just wanted to see it. The castle courts! His majesty and her highness. … You know, they say that she is gifted and maybe she even grants wishes!"
"Wishes!?...And here I had to bail you out! Haha!" Remarked the First.
But the second replied, "Don't laugh! I just wanted to see for myself. … It's not like I'm crazy!"
"Not crazy!? Brother, you go ahead and tell yourself that after toting double the share in sacks of grain tomorrow to make up for the bail you owe me!"
The second only grunted.
"By the way,…" The first returned, "How did you get caught, anyway?"
"Well, as I made it pass the guards on both watches of the gates, I was only needing to find a way IN to the castle. When then I chanced to see a drain pouring out on the east side to the river's mote, I found the answer." The second brother paused then as he felt a wave of embarrassment. "But I got stuck in the drain, and it took both of the patrol guards to get me out."
Link perked at hearing this while the first brother bursted in laughter.
But then a lady took notice of him. "Are you alone?!"
"Ummm, … No, how am I alone with there being such large crowd of people about me?" Link replied in bewilderment.
"Ugh, well I never!" She huffed, "What kind of mother leaves her child alone in the market!?" Then she made as if she were about to reach for grasping his wrist when Navi buzzed by her ears with a red orb.
"For your information!" Navi exclaimed, "Link, here, is not alone as he is with me!...Good day! … Come on Link!" And Link followed as the lady stood flabbergasted from witnessing the fairy scold her. For while she had heard of children being watched by fairies, the actual sight of it was unreal for her in a rude awakening.
"Navi, I know a way into the castle." Link told the fairy.
And Navi kept hurrying forward, "Great! And I know the way to the castle." And so they sped off together down the pavement that led north from the square.