A/N: Rito Village here we come!
Comments are my lifeblood :)
After a hearty meal and a good night's rest at snowfield stable, the group made their way towards Rito Village to search for the next temple.
"Are we sure that the temple is even in Hebra?" Sidon asked as they walked through Tabantha Hills.
The snow had quickly changed to grass and the air temperature raised to a bearable level. As a result, the Zora had shed their warm clothes.
"We haven't seen Astrid for a while," Zelda murmured, looking at Ganondorf. "I'm concerned."
"She could just not like the cold," Bazz suggested.
"Can Koroks withstand a variety of temperatures?" Mipha asked, tapping her chin.
"Of course we can!" Astrid giggled, appearing on top of Ganondorf's head.
"There you are!" Zelda sighed.
"And where have you been, young lady?" Ganondorf grunted, tilting his head back a bit.
Astrid leaned forward so she could bap Ganondorf's nose. "Searching for the temple!"
Did you find it? Link asked.
Astrid pointed in the direction they were going. "Somewhere past Rito Village!"
"Do you have a more accurate location?" Sidon asked.
"No." Astrid shook her head, dropping down to Ganondorf's lap dramatically. "Something's blocking the location."
Ganondorf hummed. "I see. Then we'll ask the Rito. They may know something."
Just outside the bridges winding up towards Rito Village was a stable.
The group left their horses in the stable's care and asked a wandering merchant about their wares.
Link stocked up on a few arrows as did Sidon with his new Lynel bow.
The merchant gaped at the bow Sidon held, shocked that a Zora would take on a Lynel.
They also bought some food that would be able to stand sometime in the cold.
As they packed up their supplies and got ready to renter Rito Village, a heavyset Rito with blue feathers approached them.
"What a motley crew. Three Zora and two Hylians and a…" He looked at Ganondorf, tapping a feather to his beak with a smile. "Hmm."
Ganondorf narrowed his eyes at the Rito.
"Pardon my manners. My name is Kass. I'm a traveling musician."
Zelda smiled. "Oh! That sounds fun. Do you live in Rito Village?"
"I visit often. My mate and five chicks live there, however. Perhaps you'll run into them."
"What kind of songs do you sing?" Sidon asked, noticing an accordion strapped to Kass's back.
"My teacher's songs. A lot of them are ancient, ones he came up with through research of old prophecies and the like." Kass pulled his accordion from his back. "Would you like to hear the song my teacher passed to me about this region?"
Zelda clapped her hands together. "That would be amazing!"
"Yay, song!" Astrid laughed, clapping her hands.
Ganondorf sighed at the others who appeared to be interested in Kass's song. He supposed it couldn't hurt. It wouldn't take that long.
Kass smiled and began to press the keys along the side of his accordion, pulling it out then pushing it back to create a low, mournful tune.
"With twin blades of destruction, the once god will take the instruction, of the wily bird who claims false heroism. Jealousy and envy clouds his judgement and his actions will cause ostracism. Taken beneath the arctic crust, the once god will adjust to the ice dweller's frigid home, with a mask from an ancient king's tomb."
Ganondorf frowned. He wasn't sure what the song was talking about, but the twin blades…
He glanced at the swords at his hip.
It couldn't be coincidence.
Kass hummed as he slowed his accordion to a stop. "I've had this song since I was a teenager, but I can't make sense of it. There are not many places that are frozen over in Hebra. And what's this about a mask? How can such a thing help one adjust to subzero temperatures?"
The back of Link's neck prickled at the words, something like a submerged memory trying to claw its way to the forefront of his mind. He shook his head to clear it.
"Thank you for sharing the song," Zelda said with a smile at Kass.
"Oh, it was my pleasure. May the light illuminate your path."
After strapping the accordion to his back once more, Kass gave a bow to the group before walking off.
Zelda glanced at Ganondorf. "Gan? About that song—"
"It's just a song," Ganondorf muttered as he began to head toward Rito Village. "I don't believe in pre-ordained stuff like that."
It sure sounded like it was talking about you though, Link protested, jogging to catch up to Ganondorf and pointing at his swords.
"Just because I have two swords means nothing. Anyone could have two swords!"
"But the 'once god' words," Zelda started.
A sharp look from Ganondorf made the rest of the words die in her throat.
"I was never a god," Ganondorf mumbled quietly. "I was just a monster playing at being something I wasn't."
Zelda looked at Link who shook his head with a look that told her to drop the subject.
Sidon didn't understand any of what the Hylians were talking about, but then again none of the Zora did.
They knew little about the relationship between the three and even seeing Hylia with her own backstory to tell further confused them.
Perhaps we aren't meant to understand, Sidon decided.
Along the route to the village's entrance were a few Rito guards wielding feathered spears. They gave cursory glances at the strange group but otherwise remained quiet.
The village itself was pretty small, winding up the rock that sat in the middle of Lake Totori, with a few rooms and landings for the Rito to fly from.
As they came up the last step to the village, a Rito with purple feathers and braids in his hair dropped down in front of them.
He eyed them critically before giving a huff. "Let's see here…three Zora and three….no, two Hylians...how strange."
The Rito stared at Ganondorf a bit longer than necessary, rubbing his chin before flapping a wing.
"Ah, pardon me. My name is Revali. I'm the hero of Rito Village and it's my duty to see who enters and leaves."
"Hero?" Zelda muttered to herself.
Ganondorf stared at Revali. He didn't like the Rito one bit. Something about his high and mighty nature made him feel on edge.
"Ah, you've protected your village well to be declared a hero amongst your people, hero Revali!" Sidon said, flashing a grin at the Rito.
Revali hmphed, crossing his arms as he looked away. "Please, I've done more than that just by being born."
Link tilted his head before asking What?
"Don't ask or he'll tell us," Ganondorf mumbled, elbowing Link in the ribs.
Revali scowled at Ganondorf before raising a wing. "I am the one chosen by Hylia! Born with the Triforce, I am to defeat the beast that will prowl the lands soon enough."
He gave a look at Ganondorf at the last sentence and Ganondorf scowled back at him.
It was like the Rito knew who he was and it was possible if he had studied the lore.
Link looked like he was about to sign something but Ganondorf grabbed his wrist, pulling him away from Revali.
"Don't talk to the crazy bird, Link. He's obviously insane."
Or stupid. Probably both.
Revali leaped in front of the group, fluffing up in anger at being ignored and not admired. "How dare you! I'll prove to you that I'm the chosen one; look!"
Revali showed off his right wing and on his feathers was the Triforce.
Zelda narrowed her eyes at the mark, puzzled. Was that really….? No, it couldn't be.
Ganondorf rolled his eyes.
The feathers were coincidentally arranged in a triangular shape. They had quite possibly been white but had been dyed yellow.
"The chosen one has always been a Hylian though from what I know of the stories," Mipha said.
"Well, perhaps Hylia got tired of having a Hylian hero and finally chose a master of the sky as her champion."
Zelda highly doubted that but she remained quiet on the subject. Instead she asked, "Can we speak to your chief? We need to ask him some questions."
Revali side-eyed Zelda before he smiled. "Of course! Kaneli loves visitors. I'll show you to his nest."
As Revali lead the way, Zelda glanced back at Ganondorf and Link.
Both appeared annoyed and she didn't blame them. Revali was quite pompous, believing himself to be Hylia's chosen hero.
And it seems the village believes him, Zelda thought, noticing that several Rito bowed when they saw Revali or greeted him with a 'good afternoon, hero Revali!'
She wondered if the chief was under the same spell.
Kaneli was in a room at the topmost portion of the village. He was an elderly owl-like Rito with long, gray feathers draping down to the floor like a beard.
He perked up when the group entered, sitting up in his chair.
"Oooh, visitors. Welcome to Rito Village, travelers. I am elder chief Kaneli."
"Good afternoon, chief Kaneli," Zelda murmured, giving a bow. "We came to ask questions if that's all right with you."
"Of course." Kaneli looked at Revali. "Revali, would you please allow us some privacy?"
Revali appeared like he was about to protest the suggestion before he gave a stiff nod, turning and leaving.
Kaneli smiled at the group, eyes twinkling. "It's a pleasure to have the princess of Hyrule in my presence."
Zelda blinked then smiled, scratching her cheek. "I suppose my disguise can't fool everyone."
"May I ask what brings you here, princess?"
"We've been looking for temples. Do you know of any temples near your village?"
Kaneli hummed, leaning back as he stroked his chin. "Temples, hrm….if there are any temples, they are buried beneath the snow."
The group deflated.
Ganondorf figured it wouldn't be that easy.
"However, you are free to ask around. Perhaps some young Rito have seen something during their flights. I'll have the Swallow's Roost hold six beds for you." Kaneli smiled. "It's a pleasure to entertain royalty."
Zelda returned the smile and bowed. "Thank you for your hospitality, chief Kaneli."
Kaneli inclined his head and watched as the group left, humming to himself as he leaned back, stroking his chin.
"What should we do now?" Bazz asked.
"I suppose we can ask around, like the chief suggested," Zelda said.
I can make some lunch while you guys do that! Link grinned as he signed.
"I'll help you," Sidon said. "I'm sure we can find some rare ingredients here."
"I'll ask near the inn," Mipha murmured. "I'm sure some travelers have heard something during their journeys."
"I'll join you," Bazz said immediately.
Mipha stared at him before looking down, giving a nod. "All right."
Zelda watched as Sidon left with Link to find ingredients for lunch and Mipha left with Bazz towards the inn. She glanced up at Ganondorf. "Should we split up?"
Ganondorf remained quiet before he shook his head. "No. Why don't we head towards that landing?"
He pointed towards the deck below them, painted with the Rito symbol. There were five chicks standing near the edge.
Zelda nodded. "That's a good idea."
She wasn't sure if the Rito children would know anything, but perhaps they could point them in the direction of their parents.
As they went down the steps, a small white Rito ran past Ganondorf.
He glanced after the Rito before calling, "Hey, kid!"
The Rito halted, turning and tilting his head at Ganondorf.
"You know anything about a temple?"
"A temple?" The Rito repeated, tilting his head to the other with a hum. "I haven't seen one, but I bet my dad has! He knows a lot of stuff."
"Can you show me where he is?"
The Rito nodded eagerly. "He's at the flight range! I'll show you; come on!"
With a wave of his wing, the Rito child ran off.
Ganondorf looked at Zelda who smiled.
"It's all right. I'll ask the kids here. We'll get answers faster if we split up."
Ganondorf nodded and followed the white Rito who was waiting impatiently by the village's entrance.
"What took you so long? You're so slow!"
Zelda gave a small laugh at Ganondorf's disgruntled expression at the child's sassiness before she headed towards the kids at the landing.
"A temple, huh?" Teba mumbled as he pulled back the bowstring of the bow he was working on.
He shook his head at the feel then resumed tightening the string.
Tulin sat nearby, watching his father work eagerly.
"Never heard of one close to the village. Could be one in the Hebra mountains, though."
Ganondorf nodded at the suggestion. That was a bit further out than Astrid suggested.
"Thank you for your time, Teba," Ganondorf murmured, turning to leave.
"Hope you find what you're looking for, Gerudo."
Ganondorf halted, whipping his head to stare at Teba who glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
"What? You thought I wouldn't recognize that red hair or those gold eyes? Your king may wipe the name from texts and mouths, but I knew Gerudo."
"You…you did?"
Teba nodded, turning back to adjusting his bow. "I had a few Gerudo friends. Tabantha does border the highlands, after all. I heard about the genocide. I'm sorry about what happened to your people."
"…Thank you."
Tulin looked between the two, a bit too young to understand the full meaning of the conversation, before he hopped to his feet. "Will you come back and shoot some arrows?"
"Ah…" Ganondorf rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not very good at archery. Link is, though. If we have time, I'll make sure he drops by to show you his bow skills."
Tulin's tail wiggled excitedly as he nodded. "Okay!"
Cute kid, Ganondorf thought as he returned to the village to search for Zelda.
He wondered if she had anything to help them with finding the temple.
It wasn't too difficult to find Zelda as she was exactly where he had left her.
The five Rito chicks were surrounding her, pestering her with something.
Ganondorf stayed off to the side so he wouldn't be seen, watching the interaction from a distance.
"Please sing with us, miss Zelda!" the pink chick whined, holding onto Zelda's hand and tugging it.
"I'm not so sure," Zelda murmured, appearing nervous at the suggestion. "I'm not a good singer, Notts."
Notts stomped her foot, crossing her wings. "But we want you to practice with us! Tell her, Kotts!"
The yellow chick appeared startled at being put in the spotlight and shook her head, hiding behind a blue chick with a mumbled, "You do it, Cree."
Cree sighed, rolling her eyes. "Miss Zelda, we've practiced super well to sing it! It's an old song sung by a goddess."
"A goddess?" Zelda asked, blinking. "Which one?"
"I don't know." Cree frowned then looked at the green chick beside her. "Genli?"
Genli shook her head.
Cree looked at the last chick. "Kheel?"
Kheel hummed, tilting her head then shook it. "I don't know. But it's about her lover."
Zelda appeared amused. "Is it now?"
Notts nodded. "So, will you practice with us?"
Zelda supposed it couldn't hurt.
The kids hadn't heard of a temple. And Ganondorf wasn't back yet.
She nodded. "But just for a few minutes."
The Rito chicks all cheered before lining up. Together they began to warble a slow song tinged with a haunting undertone.
Zelda closed her eyes as she listened to the music, something about it pulling at her in a nostalgic way.
"My dearly beloved, one day we will meet across space and time. I hope that day comes quickly as I miss your warmth by my side. My dearly beloved, the fates are cruel. The smile I once adored is gone from your face, replaced by someone I don't recognize."
Ganondorf closed his eyes as he listened to the song, Zelda's voice much better than she let on. He felt like he knew the song.
"My dearly beloved, I'll keep you in my memory and one day I pray we will walk together once again."
Ganondorf opened his eyes and blinked when he saw Hylia standing on the platform, her wings against her side and white dress trailing at her feet.
Hylia turned to look at him with a smile.
Then he blinked again and Zelda was standing where she had been, still singing the song.
Ganondorf frowned then shook his head, turning and walking away to allow Zelda privacy.
The others were asleep.
Ganondorf sat at a small desk with a candle lit, looking over the map to plot out their next route once they left Rito Village.
Ganondorf pressed two fingers against his temples as he stared at the map, his other hand resting on Astrid who was curled up in his lap.
They could go down to the desert. Ganondorf was quite interested in where Beedle had found his swords.
The bottom left corner of the map held no name or anything to indicate it as a place of interest.
Ganondorf knew why.
It was named Gerudo Desert and Rhoam had erased anything to do with the Gerudo's history and culture once his massacre had been completed.
Ganondorf looked at the Faron region.
They could also go there. It was mostly temperate rainforest, but Lurelin was there and he knew the Zora wanted to see the Sea Zora. They still had time before the Sea Zora arrived though.
It was just dependent on where a temple was.
Ganondorf let his gaze drift back to the blank portion of the map.
There could be a temple in the desert. They also needed to find a maze.
As Ganondorf stared at the map, he noticed a strange portion and tilted it slightly so he could see better.
It looked like a maze.
They had to go to the desert then. Part of it was a selfish reason but the maze being there was also a boon.
As Ganondorf marked the maze with a star, footsteps caught his attention and he glanced towards the inn entrance to see Revali standing at the threshold.
Revali stared at him then left.
Something in his gaze made Ganondorf realize the Rito wanted to talk to him alone.
Carefully setting Astrid on the bed closest to him, Ganondorf blew out the candle then left the inn.
Revali waited at the landing close by. He smiled when Ganondorf approached. "Can't sleep?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I saw you were awake and decided to tell you what I found while on my patrols rather than wait until tomorrow."
Ganondorf crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, waiting for Revali to continue.
"I heard you were looking for a temple. Well, you needn't search anymore. I found the temple you seek."
