The soft frost coating the forest began to harden into ice as the sun started to dip. Link and his fellows had been on the road for the better part of the day and made good time. His companions were surprisingly adept at foot travel; none had requested a stop, and all kept a brisk pace easily despite the chill. Even so, their speed wasn't enough to beat the swift autumn sunset and the shadows of the tall pines.
"This looks like a good place to make camp," the eldest man suggested from his place at the head of the group. "The road widens here but then narrows into a curve, leaving this clearing on the right here mostly unseen from either direction."
"Seems well enough," the man in red yawned. "Shorty, you seem handy. Help me get a fire started."
The headbanded boy raised an eyebrow but followed into the brush. The walk had been mostly silent, but when there had been talking it was done by the man in red. He deemed it necessary to curse at the wind every time it chilled him or swear at the insects every time he was bitten. One could argue the only conversation was a faceplant followed by a shout of "Damn pine roots!" and some raucous laughter by the wild boy in blue. Link guessed it wasn't so much actual discomfort that caused the complaints; more likely this was the man's method of keeping himself sane. A relatable sentiment.
"I'll hunt," the boy in blue said.
"I'll come with you," Link put in, "I'm pretty good at tracking." That was true, though not his primary reason for volunteering. He was fairly certain the boy would get himself into trouble and end up hurt or dead if he went alone. That wasn't something Link wanted to see, even if they were strangers.
A sudden twang of sadness pinched in his chest as he and the other boy set off. An image of auburn hair and pink silk cascading over the side of a stone platform lingered in the back of his mind. He knew this feeling, and as expected, a familiar rhetoric entered his thoughts. I did it for the kingdom, not just a pretty stranger. It was the right thing to do. Even if it hadn't worked for her, it would have been worth it. He put a hand to the square-shaped lump in his wallet. I hope she's okay.
"We ought to gather herbs as well," the wild boy hummed, plucking a thistle from the ground and interrupting Link's somber thoughts. "Especially these ones. Reddish thistles like this go excellently with venison."
Link cocked his head. "You sound pretty certain about finding a deer out here."
"Well, I mean, it goes well with boar and poultry, too," he shrugged. "It's a tasty plant."
Link chuckled and joined in collecting the red plants. The boy in blue pointed out a few other 'tasty' types of foliage as they searched the darkening woods for signs of game. They had a good bag full of herbs, nuts, and berries when, finally, they found something.
"Over here," the boy in blue whispered, crouching in the brush. "Fresh deer droppings."
"Very fresh," Link replied softly, "Probably very close by." The two scoured the surrounding earth. The frozen ground didn't lend itself to holding tracks, but several bent tufts of underbrush gave them a direction. The boy in blue removed his bow from his back.
A few minutes of swift, careful creeping through the trees, and Link spotted it. A doe, eating purplish berries off of a spindly bush not thirty yards away. He beckoned to the other boy, who had an arrow knocked. The boy in blue spotted what Link was pointing at settled into a low crouch, lifting his bow and drawing the string back. The calmness in his stature as he took aim impressed Link; archery had never been a strong suit of his, but this boy's eyes said he intended – and expected – to hit his mark.
The boy released the arrow with a fwip. Instantly, Link could tell something was wrong. Branches cracked and the thud he was expecting when the arrow landed was replaced by a cry of pain and a curse. The doe leapt off into the shadows without a trace. Link and the boy exchanged shocked looks and rushed to where it had been.
"Are you alright?" The unfamiliar voice called from the blackness past where the doe had been.
"Peachy," another voice growled. This came from much closer - close enough that he could see the figure it belonged to. Kneeling on one knee and clutching his left arm was a young man in a dusty, forest green tunic. A wolf pelt lining his collar, light mail beneath, and a shield strapped to his back, he was obviously well acquainted with the wilderness. Sunk deep into his shoulder was the wild boy's arrow, a dark circle slowly growing around it on the green fabric. Link began searching his bag for a potion.
"How…? Where…?" the boy in blue stammered. Link heard two sets of footsteps stumble out of the brush but didn't look up from the wound.
"Not your fault," the injured man grunted, "I jumped in front of it."
"Miracle it didn't hit your head," one of the strangers breathed.
Link uncorked his potion and offered it to the man. Strikingly blue eyes met his. Between them a jagged spiral of gray ink crawled its way up onto the man's forehead before falling down along his nose, and feathery stripes crinkled in suspicion above his eyebrows and along his cheekbones. "It's only a red potion."
The man eyed it again but took it, yanking the arrow from his shoulder before downing it in one gulp. The skin immediately began to knit itself. "Thanks. All I've got on me is lantern oil."
"Why did you block my kill?" the boy in blue asked frustratedly. "That was our party's food for the night."
"That doe was pregnant," the man snapped. "It's hard to tell from looks, but their scat smells different."
"Does that matter?" the wild boy huffed, "Pretty sure they taste the same pregnant or not. And you could have died!" The young man glared fiercely but didn't reply.
"We'll share our catch if that makes up for it. We got a good-sized buck and a wild boar not long ago."
Link finally looked up to the two strangers. The one who spoke was young, perhaps two years older than himself, with sandy brown hair and fair but sun-kissed skin. He wore a fern green tunic, thin chainmail, and a deep red wrap belted over both layers. A white half-cloak bearing a large blue bird was tied around his neck. The other man was older, likely in his mid-twenties. Dressed in lush, finely woven green cotton and shiny silver mail, he carried himself with an air of authority and poise. His vibrantly blond hair framed a handsome face and contrasted starkly with the royal blue scarf draped over his shoulders. The glow of twilight glinted off the polished steel pauldron he wore on his left shoulder and highlighted the warm tones of his light complexion. The only thing marring his near-perfect appearance was a single, thin scar across his left cheek.
"We were stocking up in case we were lost for much longer," the blond man added, "but if you fellows know where the road is, then we won't have much other use for so much meat."
Link helped the fur-clad man to his feet. "I suppose we can add a few more strangers to our party," he chuckled. "Which way are you headed?"
The three newcomers exchanged glances before the blond man replied, "That depends on where we're at, though probably Castle Town for me."
"Castle Town?" the boy in blue puzzled, "Strange, that's where our group is headed."
"Strange indeed," the fur-clad man hummed. He stretched his shoulder with a wince. "Looks like my arm's a little tender. Lend a hand with the buck? It's a bit large for just one."
The boy in blue nodded, and they followed the strangers into the brush to where their kills lay waiting. The buck was indeed quite large, and the boar equally impressive. Link helped the blond man and the boy in blue heft the deer onto their shoulders while the man in the white cloak took the boar.
"This is going to be delicious," the boy in blue smirked as they set off for camp.
"Who shot these?" Link asked. He couldn't help but admire the precision – each had been dispatched right in the eye.
"I did," the white-cloaked man answered.
"I'm impressed," Link hummed, "I'm not much of an archer myself." The white-cloaked man blushed slightly and hefted the boar higher on his shoulders.
The rest of the walk passed in silence. Though the three newcomers had been together, Link got the impression that they were also strangers. No one mentioned names. Both the blond man and the one in fur had weapons equipped and readily accessible. The man in white appeared to have a sword and shield as well, but both were covered by his cloak. He also had a look of deep confusion. I guess it's not impossible that they were stranded by the storm, but to also be going to Castle Town? There is definitely something strange happening.
They reached the camp just as the light drained from the sky. The others had a strong fire burning in the middle of the clearing, tossing shadows up against the trees.
"Praise Hylia! We've found the road!" The blond man ducked out from under the deer he carried and sprinted to the dirt path, leaving the wild boy to stumble about under the unbalanced weight with a disgruntled shout. The headbanded boy and the man in red got to their feet, putting hands to their weapons.
"Just some more lost travelers," Link said, "also headed to Castle Town. They agreed to share their catch." The white-cloaked man laid down the boar next to the fire and offered them a small nod.
"We'll have to redistribute blankets, then." The eldest man had just entered the clearing from the far side, carrying a bundle of wood and wearing a beige tunic instead of his full suite of armor. He turned to the pile of woolen bundles near the fire and picked up the largest, then tossed it to the fur-clad man. "We bought ten from the inn in Beaverville – the closest town. I have my cloak, so I'll only need one."
The fur-clad man took a moment to respond, stuttering a quick thank you. The wild boy followed suit and tossed one of his own rolls to the blond man, who nodded in gratitude.
"Well I'll be keeping both of mine," the man in red announced. "The one cape I have won't do squat in this cold, and I don't want to freeze during the night."
"You can take mine," the shortest boy said, handing a roll to the man in white. "I'm small enough that one will be plenty, and I have my coat as well."
"It is greatly appreciated," he smiled. "My half-cloak isn't big enough to make a good blanket."
"Perhaps take my spare as well then," Link put in. He was quite accustomed to sleeping in the cold and wouldn't mind sacrificing a layer.
"Better not," the man in red cut in. "What would we do if another lost stranger showed up? Then I'd have to give up my second."
Laughs passed around the camp, but they were quickly replaced by a silent tension. There are quite a few of us. Who are these strangers, exactly?
The eight men unrolled their beds in silence, casting suspicious glances at their fellows. The blond man made a show of removing his gear, drawing his sword and examining it in the dim light before sheathing it and laying it with his things. The man in white chose to be more subtle, making his weapons known but unseen and giving an air of relaxed confidence, though the wariness still glinted in his eyes. The fur-clad man in particular was especially nervous. Each time Link looked at him, he was watching the eldest man intently. I doubt he's taken his eyes off of him. Does he realize it?
The wild boy took less than a minute to lay out his bedroll and jumped right into butchering the buck. Link was awed at his skill; every cut careful but quick, every slice clean and precise. When he had finished with his own bed the boy had naught but a carcass left and was already working on the boar.
"I'd love to get more of this frozen," he mumbled, working off a portion of hide. "Beautiful kills, really. It's a shame most of it has to go for jerky. What I wouldn't give for some ice arrows."
"Ice arrows?" The eldest man raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty rare item, wouldn't you say?"
"Not really," the boy shrugged, "I saw a bundle of fifty or so at the market last week and I really wish I had bought them."
Link shared confused glances with the others seated around the fire. Ice arrows?
The eldest man stroked his chin. "A bundle? That's new. Though, I haven't been to a proper market in quite a while."
"Is there another way they come?" the wild boy asked, glancing up from the boar.
"Well, I have my spell stone for them. I'd offer to use it, but my magic supply is nearly gone."
That made more sense to Link. He was well acquainted with casting spells, and he supposed creating arrows with the power to freeze things could very likely be a spell he wasn't familiar with. The others still looked puzzled, however, and this time the wild boy joined their ranks.
"I've got something that'll work," the man in red announced, having just finished with his bedroll. Link gave a start. From his things the man removed a shiny silver scepter tipped with a large blue crystal. It was short and looked fairly lightweight. The man in red tossed it back and forth from hand to hand and swung it like a baton. A magic rod? I thought mine was the only one.
"Whoa, an ice rod!" the boy in blue grinned. "I haven't seen one of those in ages!"
"Mhmm. And lucky for you, I've got magic to spare." The two set to arranging the excess meat on a tarp, Link and the other five men watching curiously. The boy in blue took a step back, his face plastered with an eager smile.
The man in red took a deep breath, closing his eyes and holding the rod in front of his face. Link felt the familiar tingle of magic before he saw it. The man took on a slight glimmer, his hair waving slightly as if brushed by a breeze and the rod beginning to glow. The man opened his eyes and swung the jewel down at the meat with a grunt. From the crystal burst a cloud of snowflakes and bluish energy. Link heard several of the other men gasp, and his own lips parted in surprise. The nebula of ice collided with the tarp and instantly covered their catch in thick frost before dissipating with a puff.
"There, that should keep it unspoiled for a while," the man remarked with a smirk.
"Impressive," the eldest man said, "May I see?"
The man in red shrugged and tossed it to him while the boy in blue began wrapping up the frozen morsels. The group expected the seasoned traveler to say something as he examined the treasure, but he didn't look up from the glittering scepter. After a moment the man gave a start, as if remembering there were other people there, and tossed the rod back to its owner.
"Beautiful craftmanship," he coughed. "Shall we get started on food?"
The wild boy was an exceptionally good cook, Link discovered, though it wasn't a surprise based on his skillful butchering and extensive knowledge of herbs. With little aid the boy threw together delicious meat skewers seasoned with a pinkish flower they had gathered on the hunt. Each bite of the kebab filled Link's belly with warmth as well as curbed his hunger, and the pops of fresh rock salt – the boy's "personal supply" – were a pleasantly tasty addition. When everyone had had their fill, they each retreated to their bedrolls, leaving only the boy in blue to tend the fire and the deer jerky he had smoking.
As Link crawled into his bedroll, he once again became uneasy. I don't know any of these people. How did I end up here? How did they end up here? This can't be coincidence… or can it? Can I trust them not to kill me in my sleep? He glanced around at the other blanketed lumps. They had agreed that two people would take watch at a time, the first watch being the wild boy and the man in white. The second would be the eldest of them and the blond man with the scarf, followed by the wolf-pelt boy and the man in red, and finally the shortest traveler and himself. It gave him some comfort to know he shared the watch with the same person he had shared a room with the night before, but it wasn't enough to invite a restful sleep.
Perhaps counting the stars will help, he thought. He shifted onto his back and peered up through the needle-laced canopy. Small, twinkling lights peeked through between thick pine branches and the dancing shadows of the dim fire. Link took a breath. The wild never really changes, I suppose. He watched the stars vanish and reignite as the clouds passed overhead in a peaceful dance, his eyelids slowly getting heavier and heavier. Even if I can't trust the others, I can trust the wild. His eyes locked onto a particularly bright star as his mind began to fog. It was a method he'd used many times in the past. Watching the stars was grounding, perhaps even comforting. He could simply observe, not wondering the why or the when or the how, allowing time to slip beyond his active recognition.
The pinprick disappeared behind a cloud and in his half-asleep haze he waited for it to reappear. Watching the spot where it had been became slightly difficult, with his eyes refusing to focus on the nothingness. It sure is taking a while. Must be a pretty big cloud this time. The observation became a thorn in his awareness, turning his peaceful daze into an odd hypnosis. Any minute now, surely. Suddenly, his stomach dropped. That's not a cloud.
"There's someone out there!" the boy in blue shouted. In seconds all eight men were on their feet, searching the darkness with their backs to the fire.
"Where? What did you see?" the blond man barked, weapon in hand.
"Didn't see, heard," the boy hissed, nocking an arrow. "No idea where it came from. Sounded like it was right on top of us."
"Footsteps? Voices?" The man in red demanded. The eldest man drew his claymore and the fur-clad man his sword.
"Neither," the man in white growled. He held his cloak-wrapped weapon tightly by the sheath, other hand clenching the hilt. "I heard it too. Rustling of branches. Methodical. Too rhythmic for an animal."
Link held his shield firmly, frantically searching the branches above for what he had seen. Where is it?! Where did it go?! The headbanded boy took notice and turned his eyes upward.
"It's in the trees!" he yelled. The boy in blue turned his bow to the sky while the man in red lit a torch.
"Show yourself!" the eldest bellowed.
The men tensed as a branch broke with a crack.
"WhooaaaaAAAAHHHnngDJAH!"
Now in the middle of their camp, having fallen out of a tree, was a teenage boy. He was rather lanky, wearing a bright sky-blue half-sleeve shirt bearing an imprint of a lobster, and sandals quite unsuited to the cold weather. His wild, fluffy yellow hair framed a young face, which grimaced in pain at the hard landing. His black eyes and dark, thick eyebrows told Link he wasn't from Hyrule, but the pointed ears and fair skin said he had to be Hyrulean. Link would have thought he was harmless if he hadn't been equipped to the nines with weaponry.
"Hands!" the wild boy growled, pulling his bowstring back. "Don't even think about your sword!"
The newcomer winced and lifted his hands slowly. "Geez, I just fell out of a tree, you think I'm capable of killing you all?"
"Quiet!" the man in red ordered. He looked to the boy in blue. "See, I told you showing off that trinket would bring us trouble!"
"Didn't stop you from showing off that ice rod…" the boy mumbled back. The man in red elected not to notice.
"What are you doing in our camp?" the eldest man spoke sternly.
"Falling out of a tree, obviously." The eldest glared and the newcomer gulped. "Alright alright! I saw the smoke and figured maybe I could get warm here! That's it! Honest!"
"Why climb a tree, then?" the blond man snarled. "Sounds like a scout to me! Are there more of you?"
"No! No, I'm alone! Just… I, uh…" The boy glanced around sheepishly. "I… wanted to smell the jerky better. I haven't eaten in days."
Almost on cue the boy's stomach growled loudly. The men exchanged glances. After a silent moment of tension, the man in white stepped forward.
"Take off your weapons, and we'll talk. I'll put down mine first." The man crouched and laid his sword in front of the blond boy. His dark eyebrows crinkled in distrust as he searched the man's face, but slowly began unhooking his shield. After a few more tense moments, the boy was weapon free and they collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Link sheathed his sword and the others followed suit.
"Sorry," the boy offered timidly. "I've been hopelessly lost all last night and all of today and I'm really not dressed for the weather. Probably shouldn't have snuck up on you, though."
"Definitely not," the man in red scoffed.
"Hey," the fur-clad man snapped, "It's not like he could have shouted, 'Hello! Strangers! I'm lost and all by myself! Can I get directions?!' That's just as dangerous." He turned back to the newcomer. "You're welcome to some of our food – we have plenty."
"Thank you very much," the boy replied. "Though I probably could have yelled and avoided bruising myself falling out of a tree." The fur-clad man chuckled, and the tension in the group seemed to lift somewhat.
"I suppose that means I should redo my bedroll?" Link offered. He crouched next to his spot and pulled one of the blankets off, tossing it to the newcomer.
"Oh wow," the newcomer breathed, "Thank Farore for meeting strangers in the woods. My toes… they can't do another night in the cold."
"Why the sandals?" the man with the scarf asked.
"Oh, I'm not from around here," the boy said casually, brushing some dirt off the wool blanket. "I live on an island. Much warmer there. I've never seen a forest this big or this cold."
The group passed around puzzled looks. Island? The ocean is nowhere near this forest. Twice the distance to Hyrule Castle and then some. And he's lost here? What is going on?
"Say, what's your name, son?" the eldest man asked.
"My name?" The boy ran a hand through his hair. "It's Link."