CHAPTER THREE

We reached the bottom of the mountain. Noticing that I had become considerably morose, Tetra offered some words of consolation.

"Look, Link, you'll get your sister back. Don't worry."

I sniffled and nodded.

Then, Quill, the postbird, flew down to where Tetra, Gonzo and I stood.

"So," began Quill, "I assume you'll be taking young Link with you on your ship to find his sister, no?"

A look of utter horror crossed Tetra's face. "This pathetic scallywag! I think not."

"Must I remind you that that pathetic scallywag was the one who had saved you from those creatures up in that forest," said Quill. "That bird only got you because it's looking for pointy eared girls...LIKE YOU!"

Tetra blushed. "I guess he saved me," replied Tetra, "but the pirate life is probably much too hard for him anyway."

"I don't care, Tetra," I said, "I'll do anything to save Aryll."

Tetra released a harrumph of a sigh. "Fine, but don't come whining to me if you get picked on by the others."

"Thanks," I whispered to Quill as Gonzo and Tetra walked back to the boat.

He winked before flying away.

"Hey, kid," Tetra called back, "now'd be a good time to say bye, 'cause you won't be back for a while."

I nodded. "Okay!"

I ran back home and opened the door to Grandma's house. She stood there, her face turned away.

"Um...Grandma..."

"She's been kidnapped hasn't she," Grandma whispered.

"Yes."

"It's up to you to save her," said Grandma, "you must be brave like the Hero of Time."

"Yes, Grandma."

"I'd hate to think of you going out there unprotected," Grandma said, "If you are going to be like the Hero of Time, you'll need this."

Grandma handed me a shield decorated with some type of creature and the decoration of the Triforce.

"Thank you Grandma," I said. I hugged my grandmother tight, knowing this could be the last time I saw her for a very long time.

"I love you," she whispered into my ear, "be courageous like the Hero of Time."

A lone, plaintive tear ran down my cheek. "I love you, too."

I refused to look back as I ran out the door.

I swam out a small ways into the ocean and walked into a small boat shop. I bought a few items from my buddy, Beedle, items I knew I'd need for my adventure, such as the Bait Bag, a Hyoi Pear, an some All-Purpose Bait. I had him stamp the Membership Card I had with him and headed out.

"Good luck, Hero of Time," said Beedle. I looked back and smiled before I closed the door.

"Tetra!" I called running toward the pirates who stood, waiting, on the beach, "I'm ready!"

"Set the sails!" shouted Tetra.

The next thing I knew I was waving to the populace of Outset Island as I set sail for adventure. I couldn't find Grandma in the mix. I knew she was tired and was at home. I blew a kiss to my house, knowing it would reach her safely through the breath of the wind.

"Hey kid," I heard from a voice in the hold. "Come down here."

"Huh?" I walked down to the hold and noticed a short bucktoothed pirate.

"Hey, kid," said the pirate, Niko, "since you're finally a pirate and all, I think you should pass a tough test that all us pirates gotta pass."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Just step on that switch, said Niko, and a bunch of platforms will appear."

"Yeah..."

"You've gotta use those ropes hangin' from up there and swing from platform to platform until ya get to the other side."

"Sounds easy..."

"We'll see about that..."

"Ahh!" I cried as I missed a platform for the ninth or tenth time and fell down below.

"This is way too hard!" I shouted as I climbed the ladder back up to starting level.

"You can do it."

I decided to try again. I jumped on to the first rope and safely landed on the first platform. I finally reached the other side.

"Yes!" I cheered, finally having made it to the other side. A treasure chest sat there waiting.

Niko effortlessly swung to the other side and told me I could open the chest.

"Let's keep this between you and me, though," advised Niko.

"Sure!"

I opened the chest. A green aura emitted and a I pulled out a monstrous looking purple bag.

"What is it?" I asked Niko.

"It's called the Spoils Bag," explained Niko, "you can use it to keep things you take from defeated enemies!"

"Cool!"

"LAND HO!" I heard, called from the upper level of the ship.

"We're here!" I called running up the stairs.

Tetra was there waiting for me.

"I'm not even gonna ask what you were doing down there with Niko, kid," Tetra said. "We found out that your sister is being held up there in that place called the Forsaken Fortress."

I gulped as I looked at the daunting looking fortress.

"She's up in that small window," explained Tetra.

"How are we gonna get there?" I asked.

"This ship will get spotted by those searchlights if we all go," she replied, "so Gonzo and I came up with an idea on how you'll get over there.

The next thing I knew, I was stuck in a barrel.

"We're gonna catapult you over there," said Tetra.

"WHAT!!!" I cried, "OH NO YOU'RE NOT!"

"Watch us scallywag!"

I struggled and struggled, but to no avail.

"Get ready, Gonzo!" commanded Tetra.

Three...two...one.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!