IV.
More Questions than Answers
"Answers NOW" Link signed but only Zelda saw his motions and thought it best not to translate Link's harsh tone. Ignoring the gruffness of her friend, she began,
"Ben, thank you for your assistance, I am not sure if I would have seen the Lynel in time to defend myself. For that you have my gratitude." At that she shot a look to Link. "Now, I must ask, who exactly are you? You do not appear to be Hylian, but you do not seem like any of the other races of Hyrule either.
Turning to Zelda, Link signed quick enough that only she would be able to tell what he was saying. "Zel, how do we know we can trust him, what if he's a Yiga out of disguise, you know they are still hunting us."
"I appreciate your concern Link, but my question was to our acquaintance here, and besides the Yiga are hardly able to restrain themselves once they see our throats."
Keeping an eye on the man, Link folded his arms to show he was finished talking… for now.
"Ben is an alias I use to avoid certain people, but…" looking around Oi-Wan could tell the empire had no presence here, but just to be certain "what news have you heard of the Empire, I am amazed a world this beautiful has yet to see its presence."
At this both Link and Zelda blinked, looking at each other.
"He's changing the subject."
"Link, he may be just as confused as we are"
"I'm still not convinced, what empire is he even talking about, should we be concerned?"
"It's not impossible to assume Hyrule could be considered an empire, especially considering recent treaties, or there may even be one elsewhere in the world."
"But he said, 'a world' implying there are others, other worlds with life."
"That is curious…" turning back to Obi-Wan and back to full speaking volume, Zelda continued "What empire do you mean?"
Breathing a simultaneous sigh of relief and confusion, Obi-Wan relaxed some. Good, there may still be hope for these people, but how could they not know of the Empire, it spans the galaxy, could I be lost somewhere in the unknown regions? Taking a courteous bow "My true name is Obi-Wan Kenobi"
"Queen Zelda of Hyrule."
At this Obi-Wan's bow deepened ever so slightly.
"And this is my trusted friend and knight, Link, he does not speak in our traditional manner, but he is fluent in Hylian sign. Speaking of, tell me Obi-Wan, how is it you do not know of our sign language, it was my assumption that it had become a common practice in the years since the Calamity ended." Zelda could assume why but knew better than to rely solely on her assumptions, besides she may glean something from his answer.
"My Lady, how could you not know of the Empire, their rule stretches the breadth of the galaxy." It was Obi-Wan's turn to glean something from this queen, if they deny knowledge of the Empire, he may be farther from home than he expected… or they are very good liars.
"Mr. Kenobi, if we keep asking questions in circles we'll never get anywhere."
Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow. She's cleverer than I gave her credit for.
"But you did save my life, so I suppose it is my turn to put a step forward. I have absolutely no idea what this 'empire' you speak of is, nor did I know life existed beyond the stars. Now your turn, what is your relation to this empire, and should we be concerned?" At this she held out her hand in invitation of the truth.
"If they knew a world existed outside of their sphere of influence, I would say yes, but somehow this world seems to have remained of galactic charts. As to my relation to it, I suppose it would be dishonest to not tell you I am technically a fugitive of it" knowing he had said the magic words, Obi-wan raised his arms above his head before the first halberd had even been leveled at him, "however, I am not your enemy. I was once a Jedi Knight, a master in the order, a protector of the peace and guardian to the Republic, the government from which the Empire was born from"
"It sounds like he was in bed with this 'empire' be careful Zelda."
"I was thinking nearly the same thing, Link. Obi-Wan, if you once protected this republic, why are you now a fugitive of its successor?"
"Because" Obi-Wan now cast his gaze down, the Empire is nothing like the Republic… but was it truly so different, especially towards the end. "Because your Highness, for all the faults of the Republic, it at least sought to do good for the various systems in its fold, it was founded on the idea of protecting others, and my order, the Jedi, joined them to assist with that mission long before either began to crumble. The Empire on the other hand, is cruel and sadistic, seeking dominance over the galaxy, it erased any of the goodness the Republic attempted to do and purged my order. All sense and semblance of society shifted over night as a great evil rose in its place, an evil that had spent years grooming society to accept his takeover. I am now only one of a few remaining Jedi left in the galaxy. Though I suppose now I may not even be that anymore."
The years had not been kind to Zelda, nor to Link, and from the look on Obi-Wan's face, Zelda could tell he had seen similar tragedy.
I may have judged him too quickly. Link thought as he looked at the man before him, hands still raised in submission. I know that look in his eyes, it's the same one I see in the mirror, the same eyes that long for a simpler time of peace and hope… a longing I may have forgotten even existed.
"Zelda… I trust him."
"I agree Link, mister, or is it master Kenobi, we can continue this conversation in the castle."
He put his arms down, but could not bear to look up, he could see that something in his words had touched them, and not necessarily in a place they liked to remember. "As you wish My Lady, and for now, Just Ob-Wan or Ben will suffice."
"Well than Obi-Wan, let us be off, I feel there is much to discuss."
With that they returned to the castle. The order had been given to pile up the remains of the monsters and to gather their fallen.
As they walked back Zelda and Link shared a moment of understanding
There are more questions now than answers
