~25~
"The story begins after the creation of Hyrule. The legend goes that the goddesses prophesized the coming of an evil more foul than any ever seen by the likes of men. It would inhabit the form of a corrupt man of the desert, and blacken Hyrule's lands. Then a boy would rise, and become the Hero of Time, conquering the evil one and restoring peace to Hyrule's plains once more. That is where most believe the story ends. This is not so. The goddesses prophesized the second re-birth of evil. A return of the plague of evil that had reigned before, and this time with vengeance in it's soul. It would begin to build power in silence until it finally revealed itself in all its horror, and try to reclaim the triforce. The goddesses saw the prophecy, and knew they could not let it come true. Together they forged four sacred relics. The staff of light, and the three sage rings. They would be used by the heirs of the goddesses only, to try to restore peace to Hyrule once more. The sages' children would be laden with them. They would be the only ones strong enough to stop the might of the evil desert sorcerer. But, if just one relic was missing…or misused…then the quest would be futile, and all hope would be lost." Rondansa closed his eyes. "There is little time left before Ganondorf reveals himself, we must go with haste to find the other relics." "Well, we know they are the children of sages," said Nayru, "And they probably will be about our ages," Londaris said. "Well that narrows it down a bit. We know that Impa has no children, and Link, Darunia's son is much too old." Said Karzad. "What about the spirit sage?" asked Londaris. "Who, Naburoo?" asked Karzad, and then a light came on in his eyes. He looked over at Nayru and they both said at the same time "Zarij!"
***
"Who?" asked Rondansa. "A girl," said Karzad, "we met her on our quest, she helped us. She is Naburoo's daughter." "But I had forgotten all about her, I wonder if she is alright, and if she has managed to keep mother safe." Nayru said, looking out the window. "Yes," said Rondansa, "I wonder." He drifted into silent pondering. "If," he said after a moment, "If she has had the power of Din's ring bestowed to her, it would be best that we find her immediately, because it has a more terrible strength then either of your rings. Din's ring is the ring of destruction, with the power to destroy and kill. It gives the ring bearer the power to shoot columns of fire from their very hands. Its power is said to be intoxicating, and not easily tamed. She may become corrupted because of its power, so we must find her at once." "Well, where could she be?" asked Londaris. "I think I have a pretty good idea," said Nayru.
****
They went back out of the house into the back yard. There was a small stable and a little paddock. "Our horses lie within the stable," Londaris told Nayru and Karzad, as Rondansa approached the stables. "They are fine steeds, bred in the secret encampments of the Sheikahs, where I was raised, they were given to me as a parting gift when I took my apprenticeship to Rondansa." Londaris looked over with pride as Rondansa led the two beautiful horsed out into the sunlight. One was a deep brown stallion with a black mane and tail. "That one is Rondansa's," said Londaris, "It's name is Moorshen," And another came from behind Rondansa, it was a pure white mare, with a light silver dapple speckling it's muscular flanks. "And that is my steed, named Flonsador." Londaris said, walking to his horse's side and patting its soft hair. "I trust you two have horses as well?" asked Rondansa as he began to saddle his horse. "Yes," said Karzad, "We left them at the foot of the stairs to Kakariko, fearing that the climb would be too difficult for them." "A wise decision," said Londaris, "The climb can be treacherous for a steed," "But, if it is so dangerous, how are you going to get your horses to Hyrule field?" Nayru asked. "Ah, you forget Nayru, I am a scholar, and I know the lay of the land here well, you must not really believe there is but one path to Kakariko." Rondansa said. "Well," said Nayru, "I suppose I never really thought of it. But now that I do, I suppose it would be odd to only have one way into a village." "Yes," said Londaris, "But most don't think so, because our way is hidden, a secret entrance created by the Sheikahs when they were the only inhabitants here, so that they could come and go on horseback and remain hidden." "Well, lets go," Said Karzad. "Not so fast," said Rondansa, "we must wait until nightfall before we go, so that we will not attract any attention."
****
That night the four headed out of the village under cover of darkness. Londaris and Rondansa led their horses out behind their house toward the corner of the village. They went up a path and reached a spectral place. Weeds grew everywhere; brambles and thistle bushes grew over everything. They walked into the place silently. Before them was a large crumbling rock. On it was carved in fading words the message that this was the royal family's graveyard. Rondansa spoke, "This graveyard used to be well tended until the grave keeper died. Since then it has become overgrown and unused. The entire village believes this place to be haunted. No one will take the job as grave keeper, so the graveyard has fallen into mess and disrepair. But, because of this, it is perfect for hasty and completely hidden escapes from the village." Rondansa led the way, picking through the briars and stepping around gravestones. They reached the back of the graveyard. Rondansa approached the hillside in the back. He stooped over on the ground and appeared to be searching for something, pushing weeds and brambles aside. Then at last he seemed as though he had found what he was looking for. He pushed something down with a grinding sort of crunch, and then he stood up and backed away. "I haven't used this path for a long time, so it may take a moment to open fully. They stood and waited in the nipping night air. Suddenly a grinding sound could be heard and the back wall began to sink in. The earth crumbled away and a winding tunnel was revealed. Rondansa mounted his horse and Londaris did the same. Rondansa motioned for Karzad to mount behind him and Londaris motioned for Nayru to climb on behind him as well. They mounted and then set off down through the tunnel. As they all were finally within the tunnel the opening in the graveyard's hillside closed behind them and it was pitch black. From ahead Nayru heard Rondansa mutter a few words and a soft white glow appeared in his hand, he pushed it out in front of his horse, to be a guiding light. Novur, who had remained surprisingly silent through most of their visit, now sprang up from Nayru's pocket, lighting her face with an eerie bluish glow. They moved in utter silence through the tar black of the cavernous path. They all looked a bit anxious. Peering ahead in the dim white light, straining to see an end to the tunnel. They moved on for what seemed like an eternity. At last, hours later they finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel. They broke into a steady trot as they moved quickly toward the pale sunlight. They at last reached the entrance back into Hyrule field. Only, it seemed they had traveled to an unfamiliar area of Hyrule, at least one unfamiliar to Nayru and Karzad. They were in a thick swamp-like forest, it was cool and misty, and the sun had only just begun to rise in a greyish glow along the horizon. "Can you call your horses from here?" Rondansa asked them. "Yes, I think so," Said Nayru. She pulled out her ocarina and then played Epona's song. A moment later Lapeze and Rahona had galloped to their side. Nayru and Karzad climbed onto their own horses and then Rondansa motioned for them to follow. "Where is he taking us?" Karzad asked Londaris. "To my village, the hidden village of the Sheikah."