Chapter 7
The 6-day journey turned into an 8-day journey but it passed by quickly to me with Dmitri's company. He even managed to make me forget about Link for a day, which I thought, was impossible.
We reached Lake Hylia in mid-day. However, we were shocked by what lay before us. It was as if there was no lake. There was no water from our view except at the very bottom. It was like someone had pulled a giant plus and drained it.
"What in the name of Farore did this? Dmitri asked just as wide-eyed as me.
"Zelda said Ganondorf allowed much evil to escape. I guess all of Hyrule has been claimed by it" I answered softly
As far as the eye could see, it just looked like a giant crater except for pieces of land that stuck up in certain places. In the middle piece of land there was a large doorway submerged in about the last 30 feet of water left in the lake.
"Wait, after all the books I've read, I cant believe I didn't know what this was" I said excitedly
"Then what is that?"
"One of the 6 temples of Hyrule. In the past they were the resting places for the 6 sages. Legend says that when darkness would cover the world, a hero would appear to awaken the sages and then a new sage would emerge. The 7th sage."
Just then the ground began to shake
"What's that?" Dmitri asked after it stopped
"My bet something that took over the temple is there"
"Wanna find out what?" Dmitri asked sneakily
"I'm only going to say this once" I said staring straight at him. "No"
"Alright. So now what?"
"Well there are two houses here and a garden with one scarecrow. I say we go to the houses and see if anyone knows anything about Link" I suggested
And that's what we did. There was an oddly shaped house across from us on the edge of where the lake used to come up. We went there first. The house was, if possible, weirder inside than out. There were creatures in jars and odd shaped jars and glasses with a few bubbling above a Bunsen burner. Dmitri reached for them but I slapped his hand and shook my head.
Behind us the door opened and a gangly old man walked in. He saw us and dropped the tray he was carrying. I ran and caught it just before it hit the ground
"Ah, I remember when I was young enough to do that. Thank you child. What's your name?"
The man was creepy but kind so I answered "My name is Saira. Sorry about just waltzing into your house like this"
"I was just startled that's all" he said
"Damn!" Dmitri yelled shaking his hand wildly
"Dear boy, you never pick up a beaker when its been on a Bunsen burner unless you hold it at the very top. Here put this on it" the old man tried to put something from one of his jars on Dmitri's hand but he pulled away.
"What is it?" Dmitri asked
"A concoction I made. It heals burns"
"Oh, Dmitri, don't be a baby" I grabbed his hand and held it out "Do it quick. I cant hold him that long"
Instantly after the liquid hit his hand, it healed completely
"Amazing" I said examining every inch of his hand. I was more amazed than Dmitri.
"What is that stuff?" Dmitri asked
"No, better question, how did you come up with that?" I asked
"Heh heh. This here building is my laboratory. I mix various compounds with Lake Hylia's water to produce medicines. This one is the most effective"
"What's supposed to be in that pit?" Dmitri asked being nosy
"When the lake was full, water filled it. It kept me from having to leave to get the water. However, now the lake has mysteriously drained and I must drag my old bones down there"
"How long ago did the water disappear?" I asked
"Oh, about a year ago it started. It's finally stopped. That little bit of water is what we get from the Gerudo River Fall"
"Whoa" Dmitri started leaning over the edge
"Stop playing around" I said grabbing him
"Sorry"
"You know maybe you could help me" The old man said
"With what?" Dmitri asked skeptically
"I was wondering if you could get me some supplies. Plants, or minerals I can mix with the water"
"What's so special about Hylia's water?" I asked
"It's said to have magical properties. Course I don't really believe that. I think there are just certain chemicals in it" he said matter-of- factly
"You don't believe in magic?" I asked sadly
"It's just a silly belief. I've never seen anything to suggest magic exists" he said mixing things together
I looked over at Dmitri with a grin. I was a firm believer in magic because I knew it and was good at it. Dmitri grinned back and nodded
"How bout' I give a you a demonstration?" I said
"My dear, there is nothing you could do to convince me"
The old man kept his back turned while I summoned a light bead. I made it fly over the old man.
"What is that?" he asked as I made it fly around his work area lighting everything up.
"It's magic"
"It's a firefly"
"Do fireflies glow all the time? Anyway it doesn't have any legs or antennas" I argued
"Is it really?" he said
"I shook my head "Do you need more convincing because I have plenty more where that came from?"
"Saira, do your water trick" Dmitri said
"Which one?"
"The one I like"
"But there's no water"
"There's a bucket fill right over there" Dmitri pointed out
"Okay, now watch. I'm determined to make you believe." I walked over to the water and started making spiral motions with my hands. The water began to lift out of the bucket in the same motion as my hands.
"Hurry Saira. This is the part even I can do"
"Patience, Dmitri, is a virtue. I'm getting there"
The old man was watching me with a look of pure delight. Next I created a person from the water I was now floating in mid-air. I made the water person walk around and do all sorts of thing. Then I made him bow and tip his water hat before I dropped him back into the bucket.
"Marvelous. I haven't been this entertained since that young lad came here. Good lad kept a lonely old man happy if only for a few days.
"What was his name?" I asked hopefully
"Link I believe"
"You've met Link?"
"Oh yes. He came here to ask me if I knew anything about a stone. Sadly I couldn't help him, but he helped me nonetheless" The man said "May I ask why you ask?"
"We're looking for him" I answered "He's my brother"
"Well, I'm happy to meet you. Link was a kind young lad and I was happy to have met him. Wait, I do recall that he went to visit the fishing pond. You might try asking the man who owns it if Link said where he was going"
"Thank you. Thank you very much" I said excitedly
We headed for the door but the old man stopped me
"Saira, was it?"
"Yes"
"How did you do that thing with the water?"
"Not sure. Everyone has magic in them, but not many believe they can do magic. I, however, really believe I can and I do."
"Could you teach me?"
"You cant really teach a person but I can probably help. But only if you teach me how to mix those potions" I said
"It's a deal. Now off with you. Oh, wait, do you have a place to stay?"
I looked at Dmitri who was shaking his head behind the man so we wouldn't stay there.
"I'm sorry to say we already have a place to stay. But I shall be back tomorrow as promised"
I bowed courteously before walking out. Dmitri was right on my heels. He accidentally tripped me and I landed face first.
"Oh, you're going to get it now" I laughed getting up and chasing him. He zigzagged back and forth trying to lose me. He started running backward knowing he was faster than me. Big mistake because he fell off the edge of the garden we'd seen earlier. He lay there with the wind knocked out of him. I bent over him trying to keep from laughing.
"You alright, chap?" Someone asked
I looked around but saw no one except a scarecrow.
"Can you hear? I said, are you alright?"
It was the scarecrow. I stood speechless
"Saira, please tell me I'm hallucinating and that a scarecrow is not talking to me"
"I really wish I could Dmitri. I really wish I could"
"Name's Pierre. How's the young lad?" the scarecrow asked
"He-he-he'll be fine" I stuttered
Still staring at the scarecrow I helped Dmitri up.
"Oh, looks like he's got a good knock on the head there"
I tore my eyes away from the talking scarecrow and looked at Dmitri. He had a welt forming on his head and blood was slowly coming from it.
"C'mere" I put my hand over it and said a spell. Then I took a piece of cloth out of my bad and wiped away the blood. Underneath the knot had healed and nothing was there.
"Thanks" Dmitri said "So, Pierre?"
"That's me name. Pierre the high stepping scarecrow. You play a song to me and I'll remember it for life."
"Really?" I asked "Why dont you sing us a few then?"
"OK, um, let's see. Been a few year's since anyone's had me remember one. Last was Link. Boy, did that kid have rhythm."
Just then Pierre broke into song
"Shut up for a moment" Dmitri said before I had a chance to.
"Oh, sorry"
"Not to be rude but what do you know about Link?" Dmitri demanded
"Came to the lake bout' 3 and a half years ago. Came right out of the water just like one of them Zora people. Amazin'. Never seen a man or elf come out before. Anyway, apparently he came looking for the Zora's Sapphire whatever that is. Instead he found a singin' scarecrow and a message in a bottle. After he found that he left and I've not seen him since."
I'd heard enough. No one knew. I stormed off. There were remains of an old building where I went to sit. A bit of water covered it but I didn't care. I pulled out my map and apparently right where I was standing there should be a secret tunnel to Zora's Domain.
"Dmitri, come here!"
Is showed him the map. He tried to avoid falling in the puddles of water by hopping on pieces of rubble sticking out of the ground
"Quit playing around" I said pulling him down
"Ah, Saira, I wanted to keep my boots dry"
"You know I couldn't let that happen. Anyway, look"
"And what pray tell am I looking at?"
"Don't be stupid"
"It's a map of Hyrule" he said obviously
I slapped him in the back of the head
"Ow"
"Do I need to put a little star that says 'we are here' so you can figure our what I'm trying to point out?"
"Keep your shirt on. Wait, I didn't say that. Anyway, we're by an old building that was destroyed in a war ages ago. What's what little line going across the map to Zora's Domain?"
"It's a tunnel" I stated
"Wait, if that's a tunnel and Zora's Domain is the last place Link was seen -"
"Someone there might know where he is" I said "C'mon"
I ran to the edge and stopped. There was a 30-foot drop. I started climbing down.
"Saira, I really don't think this is a good idea. Chances are the tunnel is filled with all sorts of nasty stuff"
"Well, we wont know unless we climb down. It could still be filled with water. Like a sealed tunnel. If that's the case, I know a plant that makes you breath underwater"
"You do?" he asked
"Yeah. Found only in Hyrule at the bottom of the lake, which is easy to get to now that it's practically empty. I wish I had a Zora's Tunic but they cost a lot of money or are only presented to heroes of the Zora's. To my knowledge, the king of Hyrule was the only person who had one"
"You have too much stuff crammed in that brain of yours"
"I'll take that as a compliment'
I concentrated on keeping myself from looking down. The wall was difficult to scale and if I looked down it would make me let go.
"Um, Saira?"
"What?" I didn't look at him
"Need an easier way down?" He said feeling smart as he was hanging next to me on a rope
"I knew I forgot to bring something" I said trying to play it cool
"C'mon then"
He slid down and held the rope so I could do the same. What we found at the bottom was not uplifting
"Solid ice" Dmitri said
"God, I could have searched every place in Hyrule by the time that thaws"
"It wont thaw" Dmitri said
"What?"
"It wont thaw. It's not natural. Watch"
He pulled out a pocketknife then hacked away at the ice. Every time some fell off it would instantly grow back.
"I say we stick to searching all of Hyrule" Dmitri said
The 6-day journey turned into an 8-day journey but it passed by quickly to me with Dmitri's company. He even managed to make me forget about Link for a day, which I thought, was impossible.
We reached Lake Hylia in mid-day. However, we were shocked by what lay before us. It was as if there was no lake. There was no water from our view except at the very bottom. It was like someone had pulled a giant plus and drained it.
"What in the name of Farore did this? Dmitri asked just as wide-eyed as me.
"Zelda said Ganondorf allowed much evil to escape. I guess all of Hyrule has been claimed by it" I answered softly
As far as the eye could see, it just looked like a giant crater except for pieces of land that stuck up in certain places. In the middle piece of land there was a large doorway submerged in about the last 30 feet of water left in the lake.
"Wait, after all the books I've read, I cant believe I didn't know what this was" I said excitedly
"Then what is that?"
"One of the 6 temples of Hyrule. In the past they were the resting places for the 6 sages. Legend says that when darkness would cover the world, a hero would appear to awaken the sages and then a new sage would emerge. The 7th sage."
Just then the ground began to shake
"What's that?" Dmitri asked after it stopped
"My bet something that took over the temple is there"
"Wanna find out what?" Dmitri asked sneakily
"I'm only going to say this once" I said staring straight at him. "No"
"Alright. So now what?"
"Well there are two houses here and a garden with one scarecrow. I say we go to the houses and see if anyone knows anything about Link" I suggested
And that's what we did. There was an oddly shaped house across from us on the edge of where the lake used to come up. We went there first. The house was, if possible, weirder inside than out. There were creatures in jars and odd shaped jars and glasses with a few bubbling above a Bunsen burner. Dmitri reached for them but I slapped his hand and shook my head.
Behind us the door opened and a gangly old man walked in. He saw us and dropped the tray he was carrying. I ran and caught it just before it hit the ground
"Ah, I remember when I was young enough to do that. Thank you child. What's your name?"
The man was creepy but kind so I answered "My name is Saira. Sorry about just waltzing into your house like this"
"I was just startled that's all" he said
"Damn!" Dmitri yelled shaking his hand wildly
"Dear boy, you never pick up a beaker when its been on a Bunsen burner unless you hold it at the very top. Here put this on it" the old man tried to put something from one of his jars on Dmitri's hand but he pulled away.
"What is it?" Dmitri asked
"A concoction I made. It heals burns"
"Oh, Dmitri, don't be a baby" I grabbed his hand and held it out "Do it quick. I cant hold him that long"
Instantly after the liquid hit his hand, it healed completely
"Amazing" I said examining every inch of his hand. I was more amazed than Dmitri.
"What is that stuff?" Dmitri asked
"No, better question, how did you come up with that?" I asked
"Heh heh. This here building is my laboratory. I mix various compounds with Lake Hylia's water to produce medicines. This one is the most effective"
"What's supposed to be in that pit?" Dmitri asked being nosy
"When the lake was full, water filled it. It kept me from having to leave to get the water. However, now the lake has mysteriously drained and I must drag my old bones down there"
"How long ago did the water disappear?" I asked
"Oh, about a year ago it started. It's finally stopped. That little bit of water is what we get from the Gerudo River Fall"
"Whoa" Dmitri started leaning over the edge
"Stop playing around" I said grabbing him
"Sorry"
"You know maybe you could help me" The old man said
"With what?" Dmitri asked skeptically
"I was wondering if you could get me some supplies. Plants, or minerals I can mix with the water"
"What's so special about Hylia's water?" I asked
"It's said to have magical properties. Course I don't really believe that. I think there are just certain chemicals in it" he said matter-of- factly
"You don't believe in magic?" I asked sadly
"It's just a silly belief. I've never seen anything to suggest magic exists" he said mixing things together
I looked over at Dmitri with a grin. I was a firm believer in magic because I knew it and was good at it. Dmitri grinned back and nodded
"How bout' I give a you a demonstration?" I said
"My dear, there is nothing you could do to convince me"
The old man kept his back turned while I summoned a light bead. I made it fly over the old man.
"What is that?" he asked as I made it fly around his work area lighting everything up.
"It's magic"
"It's a firefly"
"Do fireflies glow all the time? Anyway it doesn't have any legs or antennas" I argued
"Is it really?" he said
"I shook my head "Do you need more convincing because I have plenty more where that came from?"
"Saira, do your water trick" Dmitri said
"Which one?"
"The one I like"
"But there's no water"
"There's a bucket fill right over there" Dmitri pointed out
"Okay, now watch. I'm determined to make you believe." I walked over to the water and started making spiral motions with my hands. The water began to lift out of the bucket in the same motion as my hands.
"Hurry Saira. This is the part even I can do"
"Patience, Dmitri, is a virtue. I'm getting there"
The old man was watching me with a look of pure delight. Next I created a person from the water I was now floating in mid-air. I made the water person walk around and do all sorts of thing. Then I made him bow and tip his water hat before I dropped him back into the bucket.
"Marvelous. I haven't been this entertained since that young lad came here. Good lad kept a lonely old man happy if only for a few days.
"What was his name?" I asked hopefully
"Link I believe"
"You've met Link?"
"Oh yes. He came here to ask me if I knew anything about a stone. Sadly I couldn't help him, but he helped me nonetheless" The man said "May I ask why you ask?"
"We're looking for him" I answered "He's my brother"
"Well, I'm happy to meet you. Link was a kind young lad and I was happy to have met him. Wait, I do recall that he went to visit the fishing pond. You might try asking the man who owns it if Link said where he was going"
"Thank you. Thank you very much" I said excitedly
We headed for the door but the old man stopped me
"Saira, was it?"
"Yes"
"How did you do that thing with the water?"
"Not sure. Everyone has magic in them, but not many believe they can do magic. I, however, really believe I can and I do."
"Could you teach me?"
"You cant really teach a person but I can probably help. But only if you teach me how to mix those potions" I said
"It's a deal. Now off with you. Oh, wait, do you have a place to stay?"
I looked at Dmitri who was shaking his head behind the man so we wouldn't stay there.
"I'm sorry to say we already have a place to stay. But I shall be back tomorrow as promised"
I bowed courteously before walking out. Dmitri was right on my heels. He accidentally tripped me and I landed face first.
"Oh, you're going to get it now" I laughed getting up and chasing him. He zigzagged back and forth trying to lose me. He started running backward knowing he was faster than me. Big mistake because he fell off the edge of the garden we'd seen earlier. He lay there with the wind knocked out of him. I bent over him trying to keep from laughing.
"You alright, chap?" Someone asked
I looked around but saw no one except a scarecrow.
"Can you hear? I said, are you alright?"
It was the scarecrow. I stood speechless
"Saira, please tell me I'm hallucinating and that a scarecrow is not talking to me"
"I really wish I could Dmitri. I really wish I could"
"Name's Pierre. How's the young lad?" the scarecrow asked
"He-he-he'll be fine" I stuttered
Still staring at the scarecrow I helped Dmitri up.
"Oh, looks like he's got a good knock on the head there"
I tore my eyes away from the talking scarecrow and looked at Dmitri. He had a welt forming on his head and blood was slowly coming from it.
"C'mere" I put my hand over it and said a spell. Then I took a piece of cloth out of my bad and wiped away the blood. Underneath the knot had healed and nothing was there.
"Thanks" Dmitri said "So, Pierre?"
"That's me name. Pierre the high stepping scarecrow. You play a song to me and I'll remember it for life."
"Really?" I asked "Why dont you sing us a few then?"
"OK, um, let's see. Been a few year's since anyone's had me remember one. Last was Link. Boy, did that kid have rhythm."
Just then Pierre broke into song
"Shut up for a moment" Dmitri said before I had a chance to.
"Oh, sorry"
"Not to be rude but what do you know about Link?" Dmitri demanded
"Came to the lake bout' 3 and a half years ago. Came right out of the water just like one of them Zora people. Amazin'. Never seen a man or elf come out before. Anyway, apparently he came looking for the Zora's Sapphire whatever that is. Instead he found a singin' scarecrow and a message in a bottle. After he found that he left and I've not seen him since."
I'd heard enough. No one knew. I stormed off. There were remains of an old building where I went to sit. A bit of water covered it but I didn't care. I pulled out my map and apparently right where I was standing there should be a secret tunnel to Zora's Domain.
"Dmitri, come here!"
Is showed him the map. He tried to avoid falling in the puddles of water by hopping on pieces of rubble sticking out of the ground
"Quit playing around" I said pulling him down
"Ah, Saira, I wanted to keep my boots dry"
"You know I couldn't let that happen. Anyway, look"
"And what pray tell am I looking at?"
"Don't be stupid"
"It's a map of Hyrule" he said obviously
I slapped him in the back of the head
"Ow"
"Do I need to put a little star that says 'we are here' so you can figure our what I'm trying to point out?"
"Keep your shirt on. Wait, I didn't say that. Anyway, we're by an old building that was destroyed in a war ages ago. What's what little line going across the map to Zora's Domain?"
"It's a tunnel" I stated
"Wait, if that's a tunnel and Zora's Domain is the last place Link was seen -"
"Someone there might know where he is" I said "C'mon"
I ran to the edge and stopped. There was a 30-foot drop. I started climbing down.
"Saira, I really don't think this is a good idea. Chances are the tunnel is filled with all sorts of nasty stuff"
"Well, we wont know unless we climb down. It could still be filled with water. Like a sealed tunnel. If that's the case, I know a plant that makes you breath underwater"
"You do?" he asked
"Yeah. Found only in Hyrule at the bottom of the lake, which is easy to get to now that it's practically empty. I wish I had a Zora's Tunic but they cost a lot of money or are only presented to heroes of the Zora's. To my knowledge, the king of Hyrule was the only person who had one"
"You have too much stuff crammed in that brain of yours"
"I'll take that as a compliment'
I concentrated on keeping myself from looking down. The wall was difficult to scale and if I looked down it would make me let go.
"Um, Saira?"
"What?" I didn't look at him
"Need an easier way down?" He said feeling smart as he was hanging next to me on a rope
"I knew I forgot to bring something" I said trying to play it cool
"C'mon then"
He slid down and held the rope so I could do the same. What we found at the bottom was not uplifting
"Solid ice" Dmitri said
"God, I could have searched every place in Hyrule by the time that thaws"
"It wont thaw" Dmitri said
"What?"
"It wont thaw. It's not natural. Watch"
He pulled out a pocketknife then hacked away at the ice. Every time some fell off it would instantly grow back.
"I say we stick to searching all of Hyrule" Dmitri said