Chapter 12: Rude Interruption

Link and the Sword Master talked for quite a few hours about Potio. It was soon night and Link yawned.

"I'm sorry, all this information must have bored you stiff. You might be a hero but you're still a kid, and you need your rest if we're to take off to finish this quest," the Master said.

"Yeah, you're probably righ...wait, WE?" Link said, shocked.

"Oh yes, you didn't think I'd let you go alone after all we've shared. Potio is a strong and formidable enemy; you can't take him alone. No matter how many giant pig monsters you've defeated back home you haven't seen anyone like him. You will need the help of someone from this world to make it, trust me. Now anymore questions you have will have to wait until morning, we're going to bed. I've got an extra bed in back for you; I always keep a spare just in case. You would be surprised how many people want me to help them in their 'journeys'." The man got up, winced at the sudden pain in his leg, and limped to the back. Link slowly got up and followed.

It was late; midnight had been hours before. The two swordsmen were fast asleep and unprepared. The door opened with no more than a slight creak. A cloaked head popped in. Seeing the coast clear the rest of the body crept in and the door slowly closed behind it. The hooded figure crept into the place and slowly made its way to the back. It saw the two motionless people in the beds and smiled. This would be too easy; Master Potio would be pleased.

The figure slowly climbed over the counter, trying to avoid the objects scattered on it for decoration. The figure pulled out a long sword and held it over the snoring body of the Sword Master. It raised the blade...and it hit the wall with a loud 'ting'. Link awoke with a start to see the figure with the sword a few inches above his face, and moving away. It was trying to kill the Sword Master! Link reacted as quickly as he could half asleep. He reached for his sword but remembered he had placed it farther back in case anyone sneaked in. Looks like it didn't do much good. Link grabbed the figure's cloak and pulled, making him miss the Sword Master when he let the sword down and instead cutting the sheets an inch or so away. The figure turned around and stared Link straight in the face.

"Potio will have your head for this!" And with that, he disappeared. Link thought it odd that this apparent assassin wouldn't have just killed the unarmed Link right then, but he guessed that it was just following orders, whatever those orders might have been. Link couldn't go back to sleep now so he just lay in his bed, thinking about what lay ahead in the journey and about what he had been told about Potio. It was enough to think about until morning.

The next morning the Sword Master awoke to see Link already ready. He had his sword and shield on, and was fully dressed.

"Well, you're an early bird!" The Master said with a smile.

"The early bird gets the worm, and I do mean Potio," Link said. He looked completely serious and determined now. The Sword Master noticed a new fire in him that hadn't been there before.

"Did something happen last night that I don't know about? You seem a lot more determined," The Sword Master said.

"I'll tell you on the way. By the way, you never told me your name..." Link said.

The Master smiled. "It's Yaron."

"Pleased to meet you Yaron, shall we be going?" Link asked. Yaron had been getting ready as they were talking and was now in traveling garb, a brown tunic and a shield a lot like Link's.

"Yes, we must hurry if you want to get home quickly, we have far to travel." Yaron said. Link rushed out the door behind Yaron and the real journey began, and this time he had a destination.

End of Part 1