The Sea Land of Hesra was composed of many cities, but the jewel of the land was the City of Fernad. It was named after a man of great knowledge and wisdom. He was the one who unlocked the secrets of the orb of the sea and was capable of using all its powers. The city was the largest of the land, spanning a distance of ten miles from its center. Magnificent houses were built within its protective walls. The City of Fernad also had the largest port. Ships of all sizes docked at its piers. Trade ships from the lands of Holodrum, Labyranna, Dundas, and recently Middle-Earth.
The walls stretched out into the sea. There was a war about thirty years ago. The inhabitants of the Shadow Land tried to take the Sea Land. All their land attempts failed, so they tried an unexpected route. The Black Warriors would have broken through had it not been for Count Secras, who used the orb of the sea and destroyed the Shadow's armada.
Borin, captain of the guard, was patrolling the seaside wall. He enjoyed this part of his duty the most. Like everyone of his land, he had a profound love for the ocean. But he wished to look at it only. He had never set foot on a ship. He did dive into the water, but only to bathe. It troubled his family, but they saw that he was content and did not pursue the matter.
On this day, the bay was very busy. The annual feast was coming, to celebrate the City of Fernad's one hundred and fortieth birthday. Fishing ships skipped across the waves, trying to find the food. Merchant ships were arriving from the distant lands, bringing gifts and decorations.
Looking at the ships, Borin sighed in disappointment. Captain Goy's ship was not among them. Borin and Teri had been friends since they were children. Though Borin wished their friendship, he knew there was no way to calm Teri's adventurous spirit. Borin did not enjoy adventures as much, which is why he could never understand Teri's long voyages. Usually he did not mind. But Teri usually was away when it was feast time. And whenever she was there, it was a night to remember.
The captain continued to stare out at sea, recalling the last time Teri was at the feast, when one of his men came running to him.
"Sir," he said, agitated, "Ye best come see this." Borin came out of his trance and looked at the soldier.
"What is it?" Borin asked.
"I don't know," the soldier replied, "but it's big. We judge it to be at least twenty leagues away." Curious, but sensing no danger, Borin followed the guard to the east wall. As they ran, Borin noted that it was the same direction that Teri took when she left six months ago.
When they stopped, there were several other soldiers leaning on the wall, looking at the thing approaching them. They moved aside when they saw their captain. Borin followed his men gazes, and saw something quickly approaching them. As he stared, something clattered to the floor. He looked down and saw a telescope. One of his men had dropped. That man was now trembling.
Borin picked up the telescope and looked through it. What he saw nearly made him drop it as well.
"Majora!" he yelled, "It's Majora!" He quickly shouted some orders to his scattering men. A bell was rung. A horn was blown. Some of the guards ran into the city, warning the people. Soldiers were called to defend their city. Borin remained where he stood, looking at the fast approaching beast. When he could see the mask on the monster's chest, he knew he was going to die.
Link had been asleep for two days. He lay in one of the beds in the medical wing of the castle. Zelda sat by his bedside all the second day. They had learned that Majon had left Termina the day before.
"He will be in control by the time we arrive." Teri said once she heard.
She decided to return to her land. Though the sailors were guaranteed safety if they stayed, they knew that danger would soon come for them.
"We cannot bear the wait." Teri explained, "And we cannot bear to let our friends suffer while we enjoy freedom, even if it is short-lived."
The sailors were to set sail the second day after Majon left. It was on this day that Link awoke.
"So he's gone?" was the first thing he said when he saw Zelda sitting next to him. She was not startled or confused by the question.
"He has." She replied softly.
"And the sailors?"
"In a few hours." Zelda said, "Teri will wait until sundown. She wants to say good-bye to you."
"And when will the doctors let me get up?"
"Whenever you want." She laughed when Link sat up quickly.
"Now, that's a first." He said, "There's nothing wrong with me?"
"Oh there are plenty of things that are wrong with you." Zelda said, "Your sanity for instance."
"Hey!"
"But the doctors know they can't keep you in bed no matter what they say." Zelda continued, "So they gave up."
"Suddenly I'm suspicious." Link said after a pause. Zelda burst into a new fit of giggles as Link got out of bed.
Teri was standing on the shore. The sun was casting its dying lights over her as her crew readied the ship for departure. By the captain's commands, they did it slowly. But even at snail's pace, they would be done before nightfall. Teri knew she could not keep her men waiting. A cry from the ship told her that time was up. She would not see Link again. Teri climbed aboard. The plank was pulled in and they set sail.
It was a few hours after nightfall that they heard it. At first Teri thought it was the ship splashing. But then she realized that although it was a splashing sound, it was not the ship. Perhaps a fish. She had no idea how close she was.
She looked back at Termina, the beautiful land she left behind. She was sorry to have left it. Termina was just as beautiful as her own land, but in different ways. There were not as many cities and travelers. The people were far more calm and kind. And above all, Teri felt that the land was at peace; that the people who lived there, did so without fear.
Gerud came up to her as quietly as he could and placed a giant hand on her shoulder. He was sad as well for leaving Termina. But he also felt proud that he was able to leave it and help Hesra, where death seemed certain. Never before had his courage been tested to this point. Nor had the rest of the crew. Gerud was proud for himself, the crew and especially his captain.
"I know how you feel." Gerud said. Teri continued to gaze as Termina faded into the darkness.
"I hope so," Teri said, "Otherwise I would be worried about ye."
"Ye know Link's heart was with the princess." Gerud said, looking deeper into Teri's heart. She looked at him without turning her head.
"I know and I accept it." Teri said after a pause, "But I can't help wondering what it might have been."
"Well I must say I'm pleased to hear that." A voice said, then there was a splash. Teri jerked her head over the rail and saw something white and brown underwater. It leapt into the air. Teri saw it was a Zora carrying a brown bag.
"But I'm afraid it would not have worked out for numerous reasons." It said while in the air. Then it fell into the water again. It came up a third time.
"It doesn't seem so now." The zora went underwater again and disappeared for a moment. Then Teri could see it was coming straight up. It flew out of the water, over Gerud's head and landed squarely on the deck.
"But I can feel it." It said. Teri stared at the creature, cemented to where she stood. Gerud was not as impressed.
"Who are ye?" he demanded.
"Right now," the zora said, "I am Mikau, the guitarist for the Indigo-Go's, and the zora champion." He put his hands to his face. A light erupted from his face, blinding the crew momentarily.
"Now," the zora said, "You know who I am." When Teri could see again, she gasped.
"Link!" she cried, running into his arms.
"I heard what you said," Link said after a pause, "And you certainly heard what I said." Teri nodded, still holding on to Link.
"But I can make it up to you." He continued, "If you let me stay onboard." Teri let go of him.
"What?"
"Hope you don't mind," the Hylian added, "but if it took you six months by ship, I think I would get tired pretty quickly trying to swim it. Even if I used all my bag of tricks." Teri stared at him for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter.
"I believe that is a yes." Gerud said, smiling now.
"Yes of course," Teri said, "Welcome aboard Link."
"Good." Link reached into his bag, "Speaking of bag of tricks," he pulled out a bottle that appeared to be empty, "Here's my first trick. I suggest you get everyone below before I open this."
"What is it?" Teri asked.
"A gift from the sages." Link replied, "They figured out how far Hesra was and decided to speed up our journey. Six months from now, Majon might be a little tougher to beat." He paused, "Which scares me because I barely nicked him before he took me out."
"You were tired then." Gerud said.
"True." He lifted his hand up, "I also didn't have this." Two triangles glowed from his hand. The crew was awed. The glowing stopped and Link rested his hand.
"Once we get close enough, I'll be able to take the triforce of power away from Majon. That will weaken him greatly."
"This is great." Teri said. The sailors cheered. Link let them applaud before raising the bottle.
"Thanks, but now get downstairs. If this works like it should, we'll be walking on the shores of Hesra tomorrow just in time for lunch." Teri told them to do as Link said. They went down the stairs. Link was the last one.
"Sages' wind, give us speed." He whispered. And he threw the bottle at the mast. As the bottle shattered and a great wind caught the sails, Link closed the door.