Chapter 8: Comrades and Nephews
Mid-Day, June 28, 610 GK, The War of Imprisonment, Day 353
Lake Town
It was the strangest feeling for the princess: walking amongst her people, and not being seen. The men simply glanced at her and then looked away again. A few might -at most- nod, if they noticed her eye. The women largely ignored her completely and the children stepped around her without a word or smile. Zelda was completely out of her element as a "commoner" beside the lake, and it left her feeling strangely lonely.
"I don't like this Impa," came her new voice -much deeper than her own, but still light for a man-, "I don't know what I should do... no one is speaking to me." Her guardian walked steadily beside her, gracefully nodding to the reverences of the people she passed. "You must be calm inside, your grace," she answered under her breath, "While this is very different for you, this is the most agreeable solution. The ability to disappear into a crowd will greatly increase your chances for survival in this war and it will allow us to move freely together, and meditate when we wish."
Despite her attendant's words, Zelda still felt apprehension rising in her stomach. She was more nervous now than when the Hylians had first arrived at the lake. Then, she was awkward and nervous as "Princess Zelda, Sovereign of Hyrule". Now, she was thoroughly terrified of being discovered as "Shiek, assassin-apprentice of the shiekah, and distant relative of Lady Impa" -who was kind enough to take Shiek as a student for several months, despite her other duties. "I don't believe I am ready for this yet Impa!" She squeaked to her companion as her concentration began to waver. "All will be well, your grace." Impa responded softly as she nonchalantly rested a hand on "Shiek's" shoulder. From this, Zelda could feel a slight warmth spread through her shoulder and into her body. Steadily, her apprehension faded, and her concentration was restored.
The two walked through the long length of Lake Town, turned about, and traveled back toward the temple. "You are doing very well, your grace," the matron encouraged as they began to pass Telma's Tavern, "Soon you may be able to-" but she was cut off by a sudden shout from the tavern door. "My Lady! It is good to see you!" cried Captain Corin, as he stepped out of the tavern with several of his men. Slowly turning, Impa hurriedly whispered, "They don't know you!" to Zelda. Once they faced him, Impa smiled warmly and greeted, "Captain! It is good to see you as well!" Corin approached with the usual bounce in his step and bright smile, "My Lady! I am pleased to see you out of that dreary temple and enjoying the summer air!" he said with a light bow.
The minister had canceled the Captain's morning report to allow herself and "her ward" to tour the town and the garrison's amenities. Corin, ever eager to keep a neat and orderly operation, seized on the first chance to deliver his report anyway. For several minutes, Impa smiled pleasantly and listened to the captain's long-winded report over the status of supplies, the fitness of the lake-side guard, the availability of arms and equipment, and the ongoing efforts to improve sanitation in the camp. Zelda, however, had heard these reports hundreds of times and found them to be incredibly boring. She let her eyes drift over the town as she watched townspeople pass back and forth. For a few moments, she wondered after what their destinations might be, or who they might meet with during their days, when she suddenly realized that Impa was talking about her.
"Yes, this is Shiek, a distant nephew of sorts that has come from Lanayru for training here... with me." she finished awkwardly as Zelda snapped her head back to the conversation. "Oh Really?!" boomed Corin with boisterous excitement, "Impa, I had no idea that you had any family at all! Welcome Shiek! Welcome! How are you enjoying the town son?" The princess' heart began to pound inside her chest as she struggled to hold her concentration, and keep Shiek's appearance. This was the first time anyone beside Impa had spoken to her in this form.
"I...uh..." she stammered as she struggled to think of what to say. "Well come on lad! You can't be a good soldier if you are too frightened to talk to an old man!" shouted Corin with a broad grin. Impa frowned disapprovingly and ushered "Shiek" away. "The apprentice is undergoing a... 'Shiekahn Trial of Silence' captain, and cannot speak to anyone but his master for several days. Thank you for your report! Carry on!"
He tried to babble an apology as he saluted the departing Impa, but she swiftly turned Zelda away and led her back to the Temple. "Insufferable man," she grumbled when they had reached a safe distance, "A bumbling fool in a soldier's costume if I ever saw one!" The princess turned a worried look to her attendant, "He is kind, hard-working, and true Impa! You should not think of him so harshly. Do not forget, he was a worthy opponent to Lord Alfon in the training ring! He must be a good soldier."
The two passed through the entryway into the temple and turned down the long passage to the throne room. The princess could now relax herself and reveal her identity -though she still used a small amount of her power to display an elegant summer dress-. "Any man can be fearsome in the training ring, your grace." Explained Impa, "But I doubt very much that he would be effective when it mattered." The princess frowned at her pessimism, "Well, I for one believe in the good captain! I am sure he will make us all very proud when the time comes!"
~That Night, in the Kakariko Pass~
The great owl had vanished into the night and Link now lay injured beside his beloved mare, Epona. The great horse groaned pitifully on her side as blood dripped from the wounds on her hooves and from the large spear which was embedded in her rear leg. The last of the squire's adrenaline had left him by now and the cold, shivering dizziness had returned to flood his mind. Fighting desperately to remain conscious, Link fumbled with the straps to his soldier's pack, which hung from Epona's side. "Don't... worry... Epona..." he muttered through the haze, "I w-won't... let... you go... anywhere." With agonizing slowness, he managed to unbuckle the pack, and sift through its contents. "Be there..." he begged, "Be... there."
His hands reached a small, round leather bundle, soaked in wax. Drawing it out, he discarded the pack, and began to tear the waxy layers apart. Inside, was safely bound a soldier's healing potion; meant to keep an injured man alive long enough on the field for a comrade or a nurse to find and care for him. Now Link needed it to save his mare. "I don't know if this will work girl, but I am going to try." he mumbled as he uncorked the small bottle, and pulled back at Epona's lips. The horse was so weak, she did not resist him as he tugged at her mouth, and poured several generous drops onto her tongue and teeth. "Ok girl... come on... drink it." he tried to soothe as he patted the mare's neck. Though her eyes had started to turn upward, the mare managed to roll the potion on her tongue, and swallowed once.
Link continued to gently brush and pat her neck as Epona dozed. She had been his closest and truest friend since the night Ingo perished. Alfon was more of a father, and Malon was beautiful and warm, but Epona was strong and courageous. She had carried him over hundreds of miles, through several small battles with moblins, and always remained true. He had no idea what he would ever do without her. "I love you, you damn horse." He groaned, as he tipped the very last of the healing potion into his own mouth and laid his head upon her side. The deep, rhythmic beating of her heart gradually carried Link into a hazy slumber.
The next morning, a patrol of five Hylian spearmen, tramped their way down the pass toward where Link and Epona lay. "The night watch swore that they heard a great commotion coming from down the pass." said one of the soldiers. "I heard it too," said another, "Shouting, wolf-howling, and a moblin's horn call."
A third soldier, taller and sharper-eyed than his comrades, suddenly stopped and peered into the distance, down the path. "There is something down there!" he warned as the men readied their spears and cautiously approached. They came upon a large, dead moblin; laying on the road beside the north-wall of the pass. Though it bore a heavy mail shirt; a brilliant Hylian broadsword lay buried in its chest, sticking out at an odd angle.
Across the pass, near the south cliff, was a large pool of red blood and several staggering bootprints on the dusty stones. "Well... whoever he was, he got one of them before they got him." Said the first soldier. "Maybe not." said his sharp-eyed friend has he pointed farther down the path. Reaching out from the side of a fallen tree trunk, were the legs and boots of a Hylian soldier.
They found Link still laying with his head on Epona's side; an empty healing potion dropped on the ground beside them. "He dead?" asked one. "Nah... he's still breathing." answered another. "He's not wearing any colors... or rank." said a third. "Maybe he's a deserter." suggested the fourth. "Whatever he is," answered the sergeant, "the horse will give us a great deal of good meat! Get him up!"
Two of the soldiers set their spears aside and reached down to lift Link up by his arms. Weakly, he groaned and opened his eyes a little. "Who... who're..." he tried to ask, but lost consciousness again as the two men pulled his arms around their necks and began to carry him up the pass toward Kakariko. The sergeant motioned for another man to retrieve the squire's sword as he knelt down behind the great mare. "A fine horse..." he muttered to himself as he gripped the spear stuck into her, "...a damn shame to lose her."