Chapter

Over Ten-thousand years ago, Today

The door slammed open, shuddering the frail wooden walls of the small cottage with the wind of a hurricane. Out from the flash of lightning came the silhouette of a hooded man in the doorway, his weary eyes glowing in the darkness as the cindering embers lighted them up from the hearth. His demeanor remained cold and stony, even against the raging warmth of the fireplace where the middle-aged and curly brown-haired owner of the home sat.

Startled, the owner spoke. "Why, Sahasrahla, it's you… but I wasn't expecting you for at least three months? What brings you to Ironside? And at this unholy hour, no less?"

"It is time, Eliazar. It is time," replied the stern man in robes.

"I know that face well enough not to prod any further, but you know me well enough to know that I just can't help myself. Are you sure? Is it really time?" He finished with an eager rise in his voice as if he waited years for this moment, come at last.

"Yes."

"Well, don't just stand there; come in, come in! You're soaked! You'll catch your death of cold out in that swamp! Been pouring for days now!"

With that invitation, the robed elder with his long, rain-drenched white beard lowered his hood, revealing a cleanly shaven head as he stepped further into the home.

"Yes…as we spoke about before… everything, my whole life's work," Sahasrahla began, offering a sober grin as he moved toward the dining table in the middle of the humble abode. A single lit candle sat upon the table, the only light apart from the flaming hearth. "All that I have ever done and have prepared for. All of it has led me to this one task. I — we mustn't fail."

Gulping at the words, the younger man ceased fiddling about with his previous matters, moving away from the stove brewing over the fire to give all his attention to his guest. Not two steps later he stopped suddenly, alarmed by the sudden coo of baby.

Confused more than astonished, he eyed his friend in shock. Before he could utter even a syllable, he saw it as clearly as the nose in front of his face. Swaddled in cloth, safely tucked in Sahasrahla's arms beneath the old man's cloak...was an infant.

As he glanced both to him and the small child, Sahasrahla's deep blue eyes shone with dire urgency as if it carried the weight of the entire world.

"Oh, so, this must be the boy then?" Eliazar ventured to ask. "The one you mentioned would come to be in your care long ago. I have to admit, I never actually believed your—"

"Believe it," the older man interrupted. "Yes, this is the son of Sir Locke and Lady Aryll of the Burntwood. And I must keep him safe at all costs. Everything we hold dear now depends upon him."

"What? How? He's a mere child! An infant, no less!"

"And after today, he will be the last of the Holy Order and his bloodline. There will be no other."

"But that cannot be! News has already come! The KNIGHTs and the Queen are battling that thing on the plains of Veranyah even as we speak!" argued Eliazar, who shuffled about anxiously. "They say that thing annihilated the armies of the Western Fiefdoms before the KNIGHTs and the Queen could join the fray. If they had only gotten there sooner, perhaps they might have been saved. Regardless, if it is the case that they are there now, perhaps peace may be restored after all! Maybe they can win!"

"They will, and she will be victorious," Sahasrahla calmly replied.

"Then why lose hope? Why now if victory is assured? I don't understand!"

"Because, even though she will defeat that monstrous calamity from the pit of Demise and send it back to the scourge from whence it came, his father and all of his brothers will fall in the battle. This is all but inevitable—this very hour, in fact. And..."

"And!?" Eliazar rudely interrupted, becoming more impatient and frightened by the thundering crash of lightning in the night, even as the comforting fire in the hearth continued warming the room.

Sahasrahla breathed, brow raised with clear dissatisfaction at his friend's interruption as he sat down in the chair beside him. The baby cooed softly in his arms, and the older man became lost in the wonder of the soundly sleeping child. He was amazed that he could be sleeping so peacefully during a night such as this, with all that was happening in the world. He was nearly envious of the boy's blissful rest. But there was no more time to let his thoughts wander, so he rose back to his feet to face the gravity of the situation.

"And...his mother already perished two days ago. Gone back to the halls of Nayru by now, no doubt. He is all alone in this world. All whom he has left to care for him are standing here in this room."

Eliazar remarked as the house shook again from the raging windstorm outside. "It's amazing that he can sleep so soundly during a storm such as this, isn't it?"

"It is. This little one has already shown himself to be very brave. Full of courage." The older man smiled. "For what is to come he will most certainly need no small degree of it."

Eliazar's voice cracked a final time, squeaking at the startling roar of thunder clapping overhead, yet again. "About the KNIGHT's though and his father, how could you possibly know any of that? The battle still rages on. How could you be so sure? Maybe there is still a chance. What if—"

"I know. Trust me, Eliazar. When have I ever led you astray, old friend?" the sagely elder man comforted, handing the gentle baby to the arms of his friend to bear witness of history in the making.

He then continued his pontification of what was to come, arm resting on the mantelpiece above the fireplace. "This is the only way. He is not safe here in Hyrule anymore. And when news travels to the four corners of the Kingdom of the Queen's triumph and the loss of the KNIGHTs of Hylia, envious eyes shall focus all their gaze toward the last remaining son of the Holy Order.

"He will be sought after all the days of his life. Attempts will be made upon him while he is still a child and vulnerable. And should his bloodline ever be lost, all future generations of this world would be doomed to peril forever. The KNIGHT's seal above the forsaken sepulcher would be broken. And we cannot let that ever happen…for if we do…a far more terrible threat than the likes of which this world has seen thus far would be unleashed. And, we would all be but powerless to stop it."

"You don't really mean...?" Eliazar whispered, eyes shrunk in terror at the mention while he gently rocked the baby.

"I do. And I cannot remain here much longer. My time left in this world is all but spent, and the well of life that has been granted me has dried up. My tree will shed its last leaf, and now…I fear the Fallen Autumn."

"Then I—"

"No, Eliazar. This course of action we take must be done according to all that has and ever will be written since the dawn of time itself," he cut the man off, spinning around in a wild hurry to unscroll a piece of parchment with reach of the candlelight. Upon the worn page were unfinished murals and inscriptions of old, telling part of a story of what was to come, but its details were of a language unspoken by either of them. "Don't you see? This is the only way. Destiny awaits us all. This is the key to everything, this boy included."

Eliazar returned a confused look at that remark, but shrugged it off as Sahasrahla being his usual self, mysterious and full of wonder. "I don't see. None of this makes any sense. I'm a priest, for Goddess' sake! I am a part of the Holy Pillar, yet you seem to know more than all the members of the Sacracy combined on these matters! All this despite being nothing more than a mere temple novice in your youth, at best,before you were forced to work the ships at Mirkwaster Bay to pay your father's debts when you came to Anchorhead!"

Sahasrahla cut off his babble with a wave of his hand. "None of that matters. This is what matters now. Go to the Grand Sanctuary of Her Holiness in the capital as soon as you can; at midsummer's eve would be best, before the Fallen Autumn. If you want to know everything, head straight down the forbidden corridor, past the Maiden's prayer chapel. You know the one of which I speak? The one restricted to all denizens except the Royal Family?"

"Why, that's the Chamber of the Sages. None can enter there except the High Priest himself, or those granted special permission by the Royal Family. I couldn't possibly...no one can! Even if I wanted to, the sealed door wouldn't open to me!"

"You can, using this," the wise man boldly declared, unfurling yet another surprise from beneath his cloak. He'd been making quite the habit of being full of surprises, of late. Held in his arms now was an artifact far more beautiful than any other mortal eyes had ever seen.

"But, how...where did you get that!?" came the astonished cry from Eliazar, who nearly dropped the baby in his arms before remembering he still held the small child. He was quick to correct himself, even offering the baby a smile.

Sahasrahla shot a smug look at the man, as Eliazar returned to gaping in wonder at what the elder held. With eyes wide, glowing from the sacred luster of the finely crafted item, he moved closer to his friend.

"That has been lost for centuries, Sahasrahla," the priest stated. "Last anyone had ever heard, it was said to be sunk in the deepest part of the Poison Sea, at the Broken feet of Hera. For all that it is beautiful to look upon, that cannot possibly be genuine."

He stretched a wavering hand from the baby he held, eager for his fingers to bask in the dancing illumination projected by the object.

"It is, my friend," the elder man replied, smiling through his long beard, holding the ancient heirloom from end to end for both to see. "As real as the child breathing soundly in your arms, I assure you."

"But that's the Royal Scepter! It cradles the Moon Pearl, one of Hyrule's most valuable treasures!"

"Present it to the High Priest. Tell him you recovered it."

"Ha! He won't believe that I simply happened upon something like that! Nobody would! Hell, I am standing here, staring right at the thing, and I don't believe me! They are more than likely to try me for heresy, theft or worse! Better yet, why don't you go?"

"Eliazar, we all have our part to play in this great song of destiny! Mine is with the boy. Yours is, well..."

"Fine, fine! I'll do it…though, I haven't the faintest idea how I ever get mixed up in these things."

"You are a saint, my old friend; the Goddess will surely bless you in the next life," Sahasrahla declared with a smile, placing both hands on his friend's shoulders in thanks and assurance.

"I was hoping for more so in this life, but the next will do, I suppose," Eliazar returned with a smirk. "But the question remains. How could I possibly convince anyone of the truth?"

Sahasrahla was forced to reluctantly agree with his friend's conclusion. How could anyone believe this to be real? And with that, he turned around to contemplate in silence, gazing at the mantelpiece for just a moment before returning to face his friend.

"Then there is only one thing left for you to do," he began. "You must sneak it into the Chamber of Sages. The scepter's crown will open the master door. It carries the full authority and weight of the Royal Family and their song. Just present it to the Trinity Crest of the Goddesses that loom overhead. The crest will burn like the golden sun above, and the door shall open to you. But it must be placed back into the vault at all costs if we are to succeed. It is key you follow these instructions exactly, my old friend."

Eliazar was preoccupied with the baby, having fashioned an old laundry basket to rest the child in as he scurried to find some parchment to write down each detail.

"Also, you have heard of the relic, the Book of Mudora, correct?"

"Aye, I think so…How do you know all this?"

"That's not important. What is important is that you follow these instructions to the letter. I have a critical favor that will require all the wits and will you have in those fragile bones of yours. It must be done, and nothing can be missed. Can you do this?"

The reply did not come soon enough, so he scathingly demanded again. "Can you!?"

"Yes, yes, yes! All will be done according to how you say," Eliazar squinted, trying to take it all in. It was all so much.

"Good. Then it would be best if you fetched it from the Citadel first. In the Room of Remembrance, at Hyrule Castle. That is where all the scriptures and text of the known history of the Kingdom are held. Everything from fact to fiction, to myth and legend. It is un-vaulted, so it will be easier to access than Her Holiness' Sanctuary. I have need of that book. It, too, must be placed in the Chamber of Sages when I am gone. And, just so you know, both of these tasks must be completed. One fulfilled is worthless without the other. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I think so. Wait just a minute, the Book of Mudora! I remember now!" Eliazar hopped up from his writing and gazed with wide eyes in revelation back to Sahasrahla before continuing. "That's the old KNIGHT's scripture! Why on this good earth do you have any need of such a thing as that? Nobody can read it! Not even Sir Locke himself, who is the head of their order, can repeat the verbiage of those ancient texts. It is written in the pure Hyliamic language of their people. But, all memory of those words has fallen from knowledge, even to them."

"Leave that to me."

"But—"

"But nothing! Do you understand the task I bestow you with?"

"...Aye. It will be done. I understand."

"Good. It is very important that you do. And last of all—"

"There's more!?"

"Stop your bellyaching and have some courage, man! These are trifles compared to what others will have to sacrifice, I can assure you! And there will be sacrifices..."

Eliazar gulped and listened.

"After you do these things, hurry back to the Stonelands and to the Miracle Tree Forest. You can still play the ocarina, correct?"

"Yes, of course! As a matter of fact, I have been getting quite good at it; sort of a hobby I have taken up in my free time aside from Sanctuary work. A little routine I have with myself after tea; even began to compose a few original melodies, and I must admit they are quite the ear benders. I actually entertained a few friends at the tavern when a bard couldn't be bothered to play over some pints. You know, perhaps later I can show—"

"A simple 'yes' would suffice! There is no time for such a thing like that tonight. Focus."

"Oh, right. Sorry…"

"As I was saying, I will leave a simple transcription of a song that must be played when you arrive at the forest meadow. It must be played exactly to this tune, and on a specific ocarina."

"Where, exactly? The forest is a rather large place, you know."

"You'll know it when you see it. A small clearing by a grove, it can't be missed. Trust me."

"If you say so. What does the song do?"

"That's not important for now, but it must be played accordingly, at that very spot. But do so only after you have completed the other two quests I've given you."

"I will."

"And, once you are done, it is imperative you gift the ocarina I leave there for you back to House Illiastar. This ocarina."

Eliazar saw the precious instrument that the wise man held in his hand. A beautiful, ocean-glazed ocarina, with gold adornments at the mouthpiece shaped in the holy crest of the Royal Family. Eliazar knew instantly that this was no mere flute of some tavern bard, but one that belonged to kings, that most certainly had special powers bestowed upon it.

He shook his head at the wonder, and returned to the discussion at hand. "Illiastar? Why them? They are such highborn prissies, they hardly deserve such a fine treasure. Why couldn't I keep it? If you have no other use for it, I mean. Mine is quite old, if I do say so myself—"

"Eliazar! This must be done. Please."

"Fine, fine, have it your way then. I will gift it to the Lord of that House. Who should I say it is from?"

"Tell him it was Sir Locke the Valiant's. He will understand."

"Very well," Eliazar replied with a shrug.

"Now, I must take my leave with the child. Time is running out on us, and we must be on our journey." Sahasrahla declared, reaching for the baby, and safely concealing him once again in the warmth of his arm beneath his cloak.

"Wait, wait just a minute! Surely you aren't leaving right now? It's storming outside!" Eliazar exclaimed, his panicked voice sounding as though he had a frog stuck in his throat. "And if all you say is true, where are you going to go? You said it yourself, there is nowhere on this good earth where he will be safe, nowhere he will not be hunted down! I don't understand. Surely, if the boy really is in all this danger — and I don't want to sound rude or doubt your abilities, but you're no warrior — how will you keep him safe?"

"He will be safe with me, for where I go, he shall have more than sufficient protection."

"How, Sahasrahla? The whole bloody world will be looking for him! Where will you go!?"

"Not where my old friend, but when."

And with a final smirk on the matter, the sagely old man stepped out into the black unknown of the night, child safely tucked in his arms.

Authors Notes:

Hello friends. This is just an in-between chapter right before the climax. Originally, it was to come afterwards, but after proper review and editing I believe it needs to be here now. Expect the climatic end of this story arc in just a couple weeks. I'm still doing the last finishing touches on it. Thanks for being patient and do let me know with a comment your thoughts. Thanks again and until next time!