Chapter 16

Link walked the quarter-mile long winding path to the Kakariko graveyard. The graveyard, like Kakariko Village itself was settled into a excavated ravine in the side of the foothills at the base of Death Mountain Volcano. It ran east to west, and was irregularly shaped. The area just outside the gate where Link stood was one hundred twenty feet wide along the solid fence, and ran sixty-eight feet from where the path widened to the gate. The graveyard proper was wider, with all the extra room on its north side. It was one hundred sixty feet wide north to south and two hundred twenty feet long east to west. Its sides were fairly straight, but the land of the graveyard itself sloped upward on both sides, and as it got farther away from the gate. This formed several terraces. For the eastern most sixty-eight feet, the graveyard narrowed irregularly to a width of forty-eight feet, right behind the large capstone for the Royal Tomb. Above the graveyard to the east was a fenced off balcony with a dark entryway. On all sides, the sides of the ravine rose for over thirty feet. Trees grew densely for what appeared to be a narrow strip; the bare rock of the mountain was visible beyond that. A series of paths ran through the graveyard. In some places the path was cobbled, in other places, it was bare dirt.

Link stood close to the open gate of the graveyard. He looked to his right, and saw a sign. The sign read: "Heart-Pounding Grave-digging Tour! From dusk to curfew. —Dampé the Gravekeeper. Link asked, "What is this 'grave-digging tour?'" Navi answered, "Dampé does that to entertain the wealthier children of the village, and to make extra money. He has the kids follow him around the paths of the graveyard. When they think he's standing over a small treasure, they tell him to dig. If he digs up something, usually rupees, they keep it. They pay him ten rupees a hole, whether he digs anything up or not. But there is a piece of heart container buried somewhere along that path! Dampé couldn't know it's there, or else he would have dug it up and sold it! But he'll dig it up for us tonight!"

Link looked further to his right. Growing in a corner formed by the graveyard fence and the side of the ravine was a patch of fairy help plants. Link went over to the patch and cut them down. He received seventeen rupees, and filled his seed bag back up. He saw a clod of dirt that was hidden by the weeds. He picked it up, and three blue-shelled miner beetles ran out from underneath. Link and Navi had an idea at the same instant! Link quickly took the empty fairy bottle he had just won in Kakariko, and scooped one of the beetles up in it! Link said in his mind, "This beetle might uproot some of the curse spiders whose burrows we've seen." Navi replied, "Beetles. Look!" Link looked at the bottle again. He had been sure he had caught only one bug. But three were in the bottle now! Navi said, "The fairy bottle did that. Though there is generally no use for that part of what fairy bottles do, we have a use for it now!"

Link put the closed bottle back on his t-frame. He asked silently, "How long can I use that cork to close the bottle before those beetles die?"

Navi answered, "Forever, if you like. The fairy bottle will allow the bugs to live without air, water, or food, and not suffer the ravages of time!" Link marvelled at this as he and Navi walked through the gate.

They stood before a huge marker stone. This was the stone for all the ordinary citizens of Kakariko. The King, and the wealthiest of the Kakariko villagers had tombs dug out beneath the surface of the tightly packed graveyard. The less wealthy had ordinary graves, and were buried one atop the other, until the plot was full. The poorest of the Kakariko villagers were cremated, and their ashes were poured into a deep hole, which was capped by the large stone Link and Navi were looking at. The stone had the following carved into it: "R.I.P. Here lie the souls of those who swore fealty to the Royal Family of Hyrule. The Sheikah, guardians of the Royal Family and founders of Kakariko, watch over these spirits in their eternal slumber."

Navi said silently, "Until quite recently, only Sheikahs lived in Kakariko. This is actually the Royal Graveyard. The Sheikah dead were only buried here because they served the Royal Family of the Hyleans. The Hylean graveyard is on the other side of Hyrule Castle town, and is larger."

The two adventurers entered the graveyard itself. Link walked up a hill to the north, and stood in the northwest corner of the graveyard. He found a squared, soft plot of dirt, similar to ones he'd seen in passing in the Lost Woods. And this time, there was no doubt! He sensed a curse spider in the earth beneath his feet!

He looked around the graveyard. There was a small boy wandering around the path in the southeast corner of the graveyard. The boy was paying him no attention at all. He removed the stopper from the fairy bottle, and poured the miner beetles onto the soft patch of dirt. He quickly scooped one of them back into the bottle, and placed the stopper back in the neck. He was tying the bottle back to his t-frame, and the curse spider almost landed on him as it leapt out of the ground! Two quick chops with the fairy sword, and another two-pound ingot of others' misery was in his possession. The weird little boy didn't notice at all!

Navi said, "We need to find the Duke of Hyrule's grave."

Link answered, "Yes. Since we're here, we should pay our respects to his spirit, if the legends of his being buried here are true."

Navi said, "The legend is true! But he's not buried, he's entombed! Being the greatest of the noblemen, second only to the kings of the realm, he was entombed. The Helfdanes visited his tomb once, but I wasn't along."

The two adventurers looked to the south. Lower down the hill, they saw a headstone with forest flowers planted at its base. Navi said, "That's it! We even walked past it coming up here!" The two adventurers walked quickly down the path to the capstone, which looked no different than the headstones to either side. Link asked, "Are all of these tombs, or are you mistaken about the Duke having a tomb?"

Navi answered, "Neither. Except for the Royal Tomb, and the Shadow Temple beyond, all the plots in this graveyard are required to look alike! If the person has a tomb, it is dug down deep below the surface, the higher your rank in life, the deeper your tomb. Many of the tombs have fairy steps in them instead of ladders, they're that deep!"

The two adventurers stood before the capstone. It was engraved "Arliss, son of Uther the Profound. Died in the fortieth year of Connor the Bold." Link asked, "Why is this all that's engraved on the Duke's capstone? I've noticed poems, and slogans such as 'Rest in Peace' and 'Beloved by all' engraved in other stones. But the highest noble, servant to the kings alone, is snubbed in his eternal rest! Why?"

Navi answered, "When the Duke was killed, he was not on speaking terms with the King of the Hyleans, to whom he owed his greatest allegiance. He was entombed, but the King of the Hyleans paid the minimum respect for the Duke otherwise. The Kingdom was not called into mourning. Besides the Kokiri, who had also lost our Chieftain and Wizard, few even knew the Duke had died!" Link said, "And I'm on a quest for a man such as that? I guess I should find the curse spiders and go home!"

"No, Link" Navi said gently in his mind. "You spoke wrongly, and you know it. You are not out here for King Harkinian. He doesn't even know you live! And you aren't here for Princess Zelda, either! At least not just for her. You know Ganondorf wants to rule all the realm—he murdered the Great Deku Tree!"

"You're right again, Navi" Link replied silently. "But the Duke fought in the King's service for many years! He died serving the realm! Yet the King rewards him like this? Why?"

Navi paused a moment, and answered, "I can't give you an answer." The two adventurers contemplated the capstone in utter silence for a few moments more.

Navi said, "We need to go inside the tomb."

Link replied, "Why?"

The fairy answered silently, "We need to claim a relic or two from the Duke's Tomb, to assure victory. We fight the same enemy who felled the Duke eleven years ago yesterday. It's only fitting we carry a piece of the Duke with us to our final victory."

Link said, "I need to call Saria."

Navi replied, "Not until we're in the tomb. Go to the back of the capstone, and draw it toward you." Link obediently went to the back of the capstone. But as he touched the stone, the weird little boy shouted, "Don't cause trouble! I'll tell Dampé!" Link looked more closely at the irritating little boy who now was giving Link his full, undivided attention. The Sheikah boy appeared to be about five years old, of just larger than average size for a boy of his age. He pretended to hobble as an old man along the path around the graveyard, waiving a stick in the air as he went. Other than his bizarre way of passing time, the boy could almost be said to be "cute."

Link approached the boy, who now stood on the path near the Duke's capstone. He asked the boy, "What are you doing out here, child?"

The boy answered, "Little kids can't go on Dampé's 'Heart-Pounding Grave-Digging Tour.' Since I can't do that, I'm just imitating Dampé the Grave-Keeper all day. But with my cute face, I'm not heart-pounding at all, am I?"

Link answered, "No, you're not." He added in his mind, "But you are an inconvenient little pest!" Navi said silently to Link, "We'll visit the Duke's Tomb after dark, when this little kid has gone home! In the mean time, let's examine the capstone to the Royal Tomb." Link walked along the paths to the far east end of the graveyard.

As he did so, it started to rain. The little boy straightened up, and ran out of the graveyard, presumably for home. Two headstones flanked the capstone to the Royal Tomb. Link examined the one to his left, as he was facing the Royal Capstone. The inscription read: "Royal Composer Sharp the Elder. R.I.P." No sooner had Link read this, then a Poe came out swinging its spirit lantern and closing in for the kill!

Link quickly raised his shield and drew his fairy sword! The poe swung viciously, almost knocking Link's shield out of his hand! Link swung at the apparition, and injured the spectre! The poe dematerialised, and drew back. It swung its lantern again, and closed to attack once more! Link dodged the lantern, and hit the poe with a jump-attack, destroying it!

Link gazed on the blue corona of the defeated poe. It said in utter disbelief, "GYAAH! YOU KILLED ME! Unbelievable! Oh, what? You aren't one of Ganondorf's men, are you?"

Link answered, "No."

The ghost continued. "Because of my role as a ghost, I had to act like that. I apologize. Now then, let me introduce myself." The ghost cleared its throat and continued. "In life, I was Sharp the Elder, one of the Royal Composers.

"All the Sheikah, who used to be the only people who lived in Kakariko Village, were born to serve the Royal Family of Hyrule. My brother Flat and I also served the Royal Family. We were assigned to study the hereditary mystic powers of the family, as well as to be Court Composers. Though we never could figure out the power of the Triforce, we had almost completed our study of controlling time with the tones of ocarinas. Uh, I mean… Actually, we did complete that study!

"We would have been famous, if that hateful Ganondorf had not tried to steal our results. We could never let him reap the fruits of our research! That's why we gave our lives to protect the secret."

Link asked "You and your brother killed yourselves?"

The ghost answered, "Yes. Had Ganondorf learned our secret, he would have killed us to prevent our sharing it with others. This way, he did not get our knowledge."

Link asked the spectre "I am serving Princess Zelda. She asked me to help me gain the Triforce. Ganondorf is trying to get it, and she wants to get it first. Would you share your secret with me?"

The ghost replied "Young man, there is a test to see if you speak the truth. Our secret is inside the Royal Tomb. If you serve the Royal Family, you will easily enter the tomb, and claim our secret. If not, you will never get it. If you do get in to the tomb, you will find a use for our discovery right away!" The ghost disappeared as quickly as it had originally materialized.

Navi said, "The Triforce Crest of the Royal Family is carved into the stones in front of the capstone of the Royal Tomb. Perhaps you should try playing Zelda's Lullaby there?"

Link answered silently "We may as well. That kid will cause all sorts of trouble if I try pulling the capstone away and going into the tomb." Link played the Song of the Royal Family.

For a second or two, nothing happened. Then, the light rainstorm got worse. Lightning crashed in the sky. The sun almost seemed to disappear, making the graveyard black as night. The capstone took on a green glow, then glowed bright white. The capstone suddenly exploded, throwing Link to the ground! The force of the explosion stunned Link, but he wasn't otherwise hurt. He lay face down on the ground for a moment, waiting for his head to clear. As his head cleared, the sun returned, and the storm weakened back to a light rain.

Link stood up and looked at where the capstone had stood. There was now a hole in the ground. He approached the hole and looked down into it. He saw the unmistakable glow of a fairy-step. Link silently told Navi "I guess we can go in now without moving the capstone." The two heroes went down the hole into the Royal Tomb.

Link found himself at the top of a twenty-two foot sloped passageway. The passageway was six feet wide, and had an eighteen-foot ceiling. At its lower end, it emptied into a larger room. Link looked at this opening, and saw a bat hanging from the top of the opening. He asked, "Navi, is that a bat, and should I kill it?" The fairy answered, "Yes. Whenever we find bats in places like this, we should assume that they will attack us if we don't get them first." Link shot the bat with his slingshot, killing it. He cautiously approached the opening, and stopped to survey the room beyond.

The chamber was twenty-eight feet long by thirty-five feet wide at its widest point. It was slightly octagonal in shape, and had at least a thirty-five foot ceiling. Link, in fact, couldn't see the ceiling! At the far end of the room was a stairway consisting of three steps, each one appearing to reach up to his shoulder if he were standing next to them. At the top of this stairway was a doorway blocked with a portcullis and a stone door behind that. There were two torch sconces atop the stairway, several Hylean skeletons strewn about the uneven damp floor of the chamber, and three fat, sleek bats guarding the chamber. Two were on the stairway, and the third was perched on the wall to Link's right. Link took his slingshot, and quickly killed the bats. When he killed the last one, the portcullis withdrew into the ceiling of the room. Link explored the room carefully.

Navi said, "I can feel words coming from two of the skulls here!" Link went first to one on the right side of the chamber. He asked, "What does this one say, Navi?"

The fairy replied, "It says 'Those who would break into the Royal Tomb will be obstructed by lurkers in the dark.'"

Link asked, "What does the other one say?"

She answered "It says 'Shine light on the living dead.'"

Link asked, "What does it mean, Navi?"

She replied, "I think it means we'll have problems. We may be seeing ReDead in this tomb.

"ReDead are cursed beings that are normally found only in tombs or dungeons. They are dead, but cursed to wander about, draining life-force from whomever they can grab! Their glance can also paralyse those unfortunate enough to be caught in it. If that happens, your only hope is that the paralysis wears off before the ReDead gets you in its grasp. Even with your extra strength, it would kill you easily!"

Link asked, "Is there any way to kill one?"

Navi answered "Some wizards know of a spell to paralyse one, but I never learned it. Also, direct sunlight will freeze them. They can be killed with fire, or with several sword blows to the back. I wouldn't try attacking one from the front, though. Their glance is unblinking, and would freeze you in mid-swing, until it grabbed and killed you."

"Should we even try to get the Magic Song, Navi?"

The fairy replied, "I think we'll need it."

Link exclaimed, "Ok, let's go," more to reassure himself than her. He climbed the stairway, opened the door, and went into the next chamber.

He found himself at the top of another hallway, just like the first. The chamber beyond was illuminated with a sickly green glow. He heard a series of soul-chilling grunts come from within the chamber. Navi said, "Those are the ReDead!" You can look at them, but don't let them look at you. The floor looks like it's flooded with tomb water. They cautiously went to the far end of the hallway and looked at the chamber beyond.

They gazed on a rectangular chamber, just as wide as the first chamber, but somewhat longer. There were four pools of tomb water, casting an eerie glow in the chamber. There were also four ReDead guarding the way. Each ReDead stood as tall as a Hylean adult man, and had normal proportions. But these bodies were a dull slimy brown! They wore wooden masks over what would be their faces. And they stank of absolute putrefaction!

The most direct way to the door beyond would have Link run through at least two of the pools. Navi said "Those pools are flooded with tomb-water. It will hurt you, but not nearly as bad as the ReDead will! See the hallway at the far end of the chamber? Run straight to it as fast as you can! We can only hope that there is safety on the other end of that hall!" Link asked, "Will the ReDead chase us?" She replied, "They shouldn't. They're normally rooted to one spot, and can't travel too far beyond it. They can't open closed doors, or move from one room to another."

Link and Navi made a mad dash across the length of the chamber. The tomb water burned Link's legs as he ran through it, and sapped his strength. At one point, a ReDead paralysed Link! The paralysis wore off after only a second or two, but that time seemed like forever to Link! After crossing the room, he ran up the hallway. Fifteen feet later, he was in the main chamber of the tomb.

It was thirty-seven feet long, and twenty-three feet wide. It had a pool of tomb-water on each side that went just over half the length of the chamber, and were separated by a four-foot wide walkway. The far end of the chamber was raised up almost four feet above the level of the walkway. Another three steps went up to the seal stone of the Royal Crypt itself. There were two skeletons scattered to the right side of the central platform, and a third one scattered to the left. Two tall wooden braziers lighted the chamber with magic fire. Link walked to the far end of the tomb, and examined the seal stone. The seal stone was engraved with the following legend:

"This poem is dedicated to the memory of the dearly departed members of the Royal Family. The rising sun will eventually set; A newborn's life will fade. From sun to moon, moon to sun, Give peaceful rest to the living dead."

Link said, "That's an unusual epitaph. Had members of the Royal Family itself been cursed?"

Navi answered, "Not to be ReDead, no." A moment later, she exclaimed, "Remember that poem!"

Link asked, "Why, Navi?"

She answered, "That poem must be the spoken spell of enlightenment! If you recite that poem, you may be able to paralyse the ReDead with it!"

Link was about to turn away from the seal stone, thinking he had already received everything of value from it, when he saw some engraving on its lower left corner. He examined the engraving, and found it was written music! He was profoundly grateful that he had finally learned how to read music the way Hyleans write it, as well as memorizing the songs of his people like most Kokiri did.

He looked at the engraving, and played the music several times, committing it to memory. The last time he did this, he felt a rush of magic, just like that when he first played the song of the Royal Family! Navi exclaimed, "That must be the song the Royal Composers discovered! If it is, the ancient legend must be true!

"In ancient times, some wizards had a song they could use to change day to night, and night to day. They called it the "Sun's Song." They also used it to paralyse ReDead, and any other monster or evil which froze at the light of day, so they could kill the monsters in safety!"

Link asked "So, can we use this against the ReDead?"

Navi replied, "Let's try it. Play it from the entrance to the next chamber on the way out. We'll know real quick whether or not it works! And we need to get out of here anyway. You're starting to weaken from the vapours of the tomb water. Link and Navi left the main chamber, walked down the hallway, and stopped just outside of the chamber with the ReDead. Link played the "Sun's Song."

The three ReDead were paralysed, and turned a glowing snow-white! Navi said, "Let's go, Link! We'll leave these ReDead alone for now!" They stayed out of the tomb water this time, running past the ReDead safely but quickly, and ran to the hallway leading out. They ran up the hallway, opened the door, and were back in the first chamber. They climbed down the stairs, crossed the chamber, and ran up the last hallway to the fairy step. They stepped on the fairy step, and were out in the graveyard.

It was now about two hours after sunset. An old, stoop-shouldered man was walking the path at the other end of the graveyard, as the boy had been earlier. Navi said, "That must be Dampé. I don't think he can see us up here. The first tomb we need to visit is the second one on our left. If we run, we can get into it without being seen. Link ran to the capstone, and pulled it back. It opened a three-foot square hole with a fairy step at the bottom. Link and Navi jumped into the hole.

They found themselves in a small, single chamber tomb that was twenty feet wide at the widest part. The main chamber took up the last twenty feet of the length, the first twenty-five being a sloping entranceway. This entranceway was no wider than the fairy step at the start, but widened to the full width of the tomb at the end. There was raised platform at the far end of the tomb with three skeletons strewn around it. On the central platform were two lit torch sconces, and one ReDead sitting in quiet contemplation!

Navi said, "I didn't sense that! I did sense a piece of life-force container, and still do. You must have to kill the ReDead before you can claim it!"

Link said, "How do I do that?"

Navi answered "Play the 'Sun's Song,' get behind it, and chop it with your sword a few times. When it starts to turn around, quickly play the 'Sun's Song' again, and chop it a few more times. Do this until the ReDead falls down and disintegrates." Link was dubious, but decided to try anyhow. Navi had a pretty good feel for what he could do, and didn't seem to be in any hurry to die.

He played the 'Sun's Song.' The ReDead froze and turned white, seated where it was. He quickly ran behind it, and gave it three quick deadly blows with his sword. The ReDead stood up! It started to turn toward Link! Almost in a panic, Link dropped his sword, and grabbed his ocarina. His mouth was dry with fear, and he almost couldn't play! But play he did, and once more, the monster was paralysed. He picked up his sword, and struck the monster four more times, furious with himself that he panicked. This time, the monster fell dead, and a large wooden chest fell onto the platform from the ceiling. Link opened it, and almost saw the piece of heart container, before his body absorbed it. He felt an extra healing rush, and a burst of strength!

Navi said, "You've completed another life-force container! You are now almost as strong as three Kokiri! Link marvelled at this for a moment. Navi said, "We need to get out of here. There's still the piece of heart buried somewhere along Dampé's path, and you need to get it. We also need to visit the Duke's Tomb before we leave here! Link ran to the fairy step, and left the tomb.

Link was back outside the tomb, with the capstone closed behind him. He heard a scratching sound up high to his left. He looked, and saw another curse spider about thirty feet up the side of the ravine in which the graveyard sat. He knew he couldn't reach the spider yet, but memorized its location, for a later visit. He looked down to the other end of the graveyard, and saw Dampé there. He ran to the gravedigger.

Dampé said "Hey, kid! Don't mess with the graves. I'm Dampé the Gravedigger. My face looks frightening, but I'm not a bad guy! Let me tell you about my side-business, Dampé's heart-pounding, grave-digging tour! What's gonna come out, what's gonna come out? When I start digging, we'll all find out! Ten rupees a hole, do you want me to dig here?"

Link answered, "Yes, sir."

Dampé replied, "You don't need to 'sir' me, boy, just pay up for each hole!"

Link said, "Ok. Here's ten rupees." Dampé took Link's money, and dug.

The first try, Dampé dug up five rupees. The second, he dug up nothing. The third time, he dug up a piece of heart, which surprised him more than it did Link!

Dampé said, "You're our jack-pot winner tonight, boy! This piece of heart is worth one thousand rupees at any potion shop that can buy it. Or, if you can eat it within an hour after you start eating it, and do the same with three more, you will become stronger, and live a longer life!"

Link answered, "That's great! Thanks, Dampé!" Link picked up the piece of life-force container, and instantly absorbed it. Dampé looked at him incredulously, as Navi came out into full view. The gravedigger said, "What's your name, boy? You look Hylean, but you must be Kokiri."

Link answered, "My name is Link, Dampé. I was a Hylean orphan, which explains my looks. I'm a young Kokiri warrior."

Dampé answered, "That explains the piece of life-force container, and the fairy!

"I tell you what. See that grave down there, the one with the forest flowers?" Link looked down the hill at the grave and answered yes. Dampé continued. "That's the tomb of the Great Duke of Hyrule! He was a hero to your people! I don't normally let people go into the tombs. But seeing you have travelled all the way here, I'll let you go into the tomb! I'll even let you take a relic from the tomb to take back to your people, if you want."

Link answered "Thank you, Dampé! But why are you being so kind to me?"

The gravedigger answered "I was a friend of his lordship when he lived. He had a special affection for your people. But after he died, your Great Deku Tree stopped letting the Kokiri leave their forest at all. Warriors of your people were allowed to visit the grave but once, on the Samhain after his lordship was killed. They planted the flowers.

"His lordship's ghost has not rested easily these past years. I hope that your visiting the inside of the tomb will help him rest."

Link told Dampé "I'll do what I can. My people adopted me about the same time the Duke was murdered. I owe him my happiness, for I can imagine no other life for myself than the one I live, and that life is wonderful indeed. If I can help the Duke rest, then I can do nothing else!"

Dampé said, "Ok. If the fairy step is broken, give a holler. I'll wait until you leave the tomb before calling it a night." Link thanked Dampé; then he walked quickly to the capstone of the Duke's tomb. He pulled the capstone back, went around it, and jumped down the hole.

He found himself in a tomb almost the same as the one where he claimed the life-force container. But there was no ReDead here. There was only one skeleton, scattered partly on one side of the platform, and partly on the other. The back wall of the tomb had what looked like a bricked in doorway centred in the middle of the platform. There was a medium sized chest sitting on the platform. Link looked around and asked Navi "Who scattered the bones in here? Aren't nobles safe from having their remains desecrated?"

She answered "All who have tombs here are noblemen, or of high social rank and wealth! These times may be peaceful ones, but the grave robber still practices his foul craft.

"Open the chest, Link. You should find a worthy relic there."

Link asked, "I thought 'relic' meant bone or body part. And won't I have to take this back to our people right away?"

The fairy replied, "We'll see what's in the chest, first. And whatever we take, I think the Duke would have wanted you to keep it with you."

Link asked "I don't want to sound rude, Navi, but how would you know?"

She answered "I rode with the Duke for the last few years of his life, Link. I wasn't bonded to him like I am to you, but I got to know him just the same. I think he would want you to have what's in the chest." Link opened the chest, and found a Hylean shield.

The shield was made of sword-iron, and was three foot tall by two feet wide. It had the Hylean eagle and crest on it, and seemed to have another design over that. But Link couldn't make out that design. Navi was disappointed that there was only a shield, but hid this from Link. She said, "This shield will be a great relic, Link! Death Mountain is an active volcano! A deku shield would burn, leaving you defenceless! This relic will not only bring comfort to all the Kokiri people, but will comfort one Kokiri in particular—with the safe return of her life-mate."

Link answered "You're right again, Navi. When she wakes up tomorrow, I want to try calling her, to let her know I'm doing ok."

Navi replied, "So you shall, Link. Let's go back to Kakariko Village. We have nothing else to do here."

Link started to ask "But what about the…"

She answered, "Don't worry about the Duke's bones. They'll be set to order in good time. Carry his shield honourably, and he will rest easily enough." They stepped on the fairy step, which worked fine, and were out of the tomb.

They walked slowly out of the graveyard. As they did, Navi spoke into Dampé's mind. "Where's the sword, Dampé?"

The gravedigger answered in his own mind, where only Navi could hear, "The carpenter stole it. His boy is mad because of it. Likewise, my friend the mill tender is mad from a piece of heart container, cursed likewise. Do you think that just because you rode with the Duke, that you can have his curse escape that orphan boy?"

Navi replied, "What do you think happened to the Duke's infant son?"

Dampé said in his mind incredulously, "That's him?"

Navi answered, "Yes. Else, I would have had him buy a shield. I thought you knew."

"No, Navi. I thought Link had died with his mother! But I thought it unusual for him to have that name! And at first, I didn't recognize you. The Duke's ghost has been especially restless these past few months! I'd honestly hoped that having a Kokiri take a relic to the forest would let him rest easier."

Navi said, "His son is in great danger. He travels on Princess Zelda's orders. He is to help the Princess gain the Triforce before Ganondorf. The king of beasts has already killed the Great Deku Tree in his unholy quest." Dampé was horrified! Navi added "But he failed to gain the Kokiri Emerald, thanks to Link."

Dampé said, "The King isn't as stupid as in olden days, but will still be of no help. You're working on Princess Zelda's authority alone?"

Navi answered, "Yes. The King doesn't know of our travels, and it's just as well he doesn't. I have already considered the consequences of acting with such slight authority. I hope to stretch the Princess's authority just enough to do what is needed."

Dampé said, "This authority isn't nearly as slight as you think. The people already speak of 'Princess Zelda the Wise.' In some circles, she has more authority in fact than the King himself! Some are loyal to the King only because they would rather die than explain to Princess Zelda why they were disobedient to her father."

Navi replied, "That is good to know. Things will be easier than I thought."

Dampé asked, "You are staying the night at the inn?"

Navi answered "No. We've already lifted the curse from Arthur. We'll spend another night with them, and leave for the Gorons in the morning."

Dampé said "Go with fortune, fairy. My prayers are with you. And take care of the Duke's boy!"

Navi answered, "I'm bonded to him Dampé, he's Kokiri, though I haven't figured out how he did it! I care for him like I care for my own life, because when he dies, so do I." Navi flew off to rejoin Link, as Dampé looked on in utter astonishment.

As they walked to Jardain's once and future counting house, Link asked "What was that about, Navi?"

She replied, "Dampé was an old friend of the Duke's. Through the Duke, I got to know him myself."

"Did you tell him of our quest?" the Kokiri asked.

His guardian answered, "Yes, he needed to know. He approved of your choice of relics, too." Link walked to Jardain's house, knocked, and entered. He told Jardain "Good evening, Jardain. I need to rest here again if I may."

The spider answered, "Fine. Do you want anything to eat, first?"

Link answered "No, thank you. I've got some deku nuts with me, and I'll get something to eat at the inn in the morning."

Jardain answered, "If you aren't hungry now, fine. But I beg for the privilege of providing your breakfast in the morning."

Link said in answer, "I won't hurt your feelings, Jardain. I'll be happy to break fast with you one hour after dawn." Link rolled out his bedroll, took off his boots, and went to sleep.

Saria joined Link in his dream. He said, "I'm sorry I forgot about you… She kissed him, stopping him in mid-sentence.

She said, "Beloved, I had forgot that we lost our parents that day, eleven years ago! But that is the day we also found each other! It was only fitting that we should bond on that day! Except for missing you, it was just another day for me! After eleven years of absolute sadness on the fifth day of spring, I can just live that day happily like everyone else! I still miss Papa, and I know you still miss your mother. But the horrible sadness of the day is finally gone!" Link and Saria kissed each other again. They shared a dream of the forest, and both slept peacefully until an hour past dawn.

Link awoke to the smell of cucco eggs, bacon, deku porridge, and deku tea. As he put on his boots, Arthur came up from the basement of the house, with two plates, a pot, and two cups on a large tray. He said, "Good morning, Link! The plate with the porridge is yours. I hope your eggs are cooked thoroughly enough for you." Kokiri could eat cucco eggs, but had to have them almost burnt. Likewise, Hyleans couldn't eat deku porridge at all. Both peoples could drink deku tea, if it was brewed weakly enough; it was strong for the Hylean, without being too weak for the Kokiri.

Link said, "Thank you, Arthur. I'm grateful to share your meal with you."

Arthur replied "And I'm grateful to share it with you!" You notice how I've cleaned up the place?" Link looked around. The main room was not only cleaner, it was clean! Arthur continued. "I bought some eggs from the cuccoo lady by Impa's house. After I returned from Hyrule Castle Town with deku seeds, corn, and bacon, she deposited money with me! We're back in business, Link!"

Link answered "That's great, Arthur. But won't you have to loan money out to make money?"

Arthur replied, "That's the best part! I have two businessmen coming from Hyrule Castle Town to deposit money, and three more coming out to borrow! Plus I have one person from here who may come by to borrow money to finish their building, the one across from us. Some are still frightened by the curse, yet it gives them greater confidence!"

Link asked, "How's that, Arthur?"

He replied "Link, counting houses are robbed from time to time. When a counting house is robbed, if the money isn't gotten back quickly, the counting house usually fails. When's the last time you've heard of a cursed counting house being robbed?"

Link answered, "I haven't, Arthur." The young banker replied "And neither has anyone else! It will never make up for being cursed, and we'll be eternally grateful should you be able to lift the curse from all of us. But we are drawing fortune out of our own misfortune! That is almost as satisfying as having the misfortune itself removed.

"But my first duty is to help you on your quest! Is there anything you need before you leave, Link?" The boy answered "What can you tell me about Death Mountain, and the land of the Gorons?"

Arthur said, "Death Mountain is an active volcano. A Palace Guard watches the gate on the north end of the village. No one can go past that gate without the King's permission."

Link asked, "Will the Princess's permission work?"

Arthur said, "Only if it's in writing. Did her highness give you a note?"

Link answered, "Yes. It says, 'this is Link. He is under my orders to save Hyrule.' She signed it, and embossed it with her signet."

Arthur said, "It sounds a little melodramatic, but it should work. Princess Zelda is only fourteen, but she has unusual authority in her own right, apart from being the King's daughter. No Palace Guard would seriously think of disobeying her command!"

Link said, "Ok. What else do you know of Death Mountain?"

Arthur said, "There are monsters called tektites which threaten the path. Have you seen the little crabs in the bottom of streams or the Hylia River?" Link nodded his head yes. Arthur continued. "Imagine one as big as Papa, that didn't need water, and was both angry and hungry. That's a tektite. The Gorons themselves can be a problem this time of year. They roll down the path clutching bombs to their chests to prove their manhood to their women. If one were to hit you accidentally, it would hurt you badly. I've heard that they've had some kind of trouble with the mine where they dig for their food."

Link asked, "Dig?"

Arthur said, "The Gorons are the 'rock people' of the realm! Their bodies are like rock, and they eat several kinds of rock. They have a mine near their village where they dig their favourite rock. But I've been told that they've been unable to use their mine for several months."

Link said, "Thank you, Arthur! And thank you again, Jardain!"

Jardain answered "Thank you for letting us help, Link. I'm trying to see if I can keep out of the painful sunlight just by drawing tightly into the rafters like my other four sons have. We'll need light for our customers to see by, even if we don't want them to see all of us!"

Link asked, "Is there any way I can help?"

Jardain answered, "Save Hyrule, keep yourself safe, and lift the curse. We will probably have the carpenter plaster a ceiling to the bottom of the rafters to hide us, and whitewash the walls. He is one of the people coming in to borrow money today. He will probably be grateful to do that to reduce the usury we charge on his loan, or maybe instead of the usury, it depends on how much he needs to borrow."

Link said, "I need to get going. I'll stop by again soon."

Jardain said, "Go with fortune, Link!" Arthur showed Link to the door, as a sign of courtesy.

As Arthur let Link out, the Master Carpenter was waiting to come in. He said, "Boy, you're too young to borrow money, especially from a cursed counting house!"

Arthur said huffily "Actually, sir, he is one of our largest depositors!"

The carpenter said "What? What kind of money could a kid have?"

Arthur replied, "I normally don't reveal the private matters of our depositors. But, if I may, Link, this Kokiri Warrior has thirty-two thousand, four hundred rupees on deposit with us alone!" The carpenter looked strangely at both Link and Arthur.

Link said, "Sir, I deposited this part of my fortune here because it was convenient, and safe. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the service here. And if not, there are plenty of others who will be. I will make usury on my money whether you borrow or not."

Link quickly read the carpenter's heart and added "But where else will you borrow money? I understand that the counting house in Hyrule Castle Town refused to loan to you, because your men are running behind here. And I don't think they have the reserves to loan to you even if they wanted to" he added to drive the point home.

The carpenter exclaimed, "Kokiri using counting houses? These are strange times indeed! I'll borrow your money, and pay it back! Don't think that I won't!"

Link said, "I'm sure you will, sir. And Jardain and Sons is a reasonable counting house to deal with. You will be treated fairly." Link and Navi walked toward the north end of town, leaving the shocked carpenter and the amazed banker to do business.

As he walked up to the gate, Link played the song of his wedding. Saria answered in his mind "Good morning, beloved! I enjoyed our dream. Where are you?"

He answered, "I'm about to climb Death Mountain. I just wanted to say hello."

She said, "I won't keep you, then.

"But you feel closer to me somehow. It's been said that the Lost Woods and Kokiri Forest used to be connected in many ways to the rest of the realm. It's true! If you hear our song, you're close to one of the places connected to the Forest! Listen for our song, beloved! I'm glad to hear your voice in my heart."

"As am I, beloved!" he answered, and they let the connection break. Link walked up to the guard.

The guard was standing to the left side of the gate that blocked Link's way. The gate was eighteen feet wide, and on the right end, stood a sign. The sign read "Death Mountain. No passage without a Royal Decree!"

Link walked up to the guard, and took out Princess Zelda's note. He said "Sir. I'm under Princess Zelda's orders. I need to climb Death Mountain." He then offered the note to the guard.

The guard looked at the note and said, "This is surely Princess Zelda's handwriting. He read aloud "This is Link. He is under my orders to save Hyrule." He laughed and said, "What kind of funny game has our Princess come up with now?"

Link answered angrily "I wasn't aware that the orders of one's sovereign were a laughing matter among the Hyleans! Perhaps that's why she sent for a Kokiri…"

The guard said quickly "OK, OK, all right. You can go now! Just be careful, Mr. Hero!" The guard laughed again heartily, then he pounded the end of his spear sharply on the ground once. A second guard, inside the small gatehouse, retracted the gate, allowing Link to pass.

The guard said, "By the way, Mr. Hero…If you're going to climb Death Mountain, you should carry a proper shield! It is an active volcano, after all! If you go back to Hyrule Castle Town Market, you should check out Harper's Bazaar. They sell the shield you need there. Tell Harper I sent you and they should give you a special discount! If you think you're good to go already, don't worry about it."

Link said "Thank you, sir. I think I'll be all right, though. My iron shield is old, but not rusted through. Unless Harper stocks Kokiri-sized shields…"

The guard said, "I'm sure he doesn't." He looked at the larger of the two shields on Link's back. The looks troubled him, but he couldn't say why, and he said nothing to Link about it. However, he did speak again. "Now, I'd like to ask a favour of you."

Link looked at the man strangely. This guard had been rude to him, yet now wanted his help? Link said silently to Navi "This man has guts! Let's see what he wants…"

The guard said "No, I don't expect you do to it just because of the great tip I just gave you, I'm just asking! Have you been to the Happy Mask Shop that just opened in the Hyrule Castle Town Market? Everyone is talking about it! If you go there, I'd like you to buy me a mask for my son. He's been pestering me for a popular mask for months, and I'd like to surprise him for his birthday. If you buy it, I'll pay you for it when you bring it to me."

Link asked, "Why don't you buy the mask yourself? Don't you have any time off?"

The guard answered "I work sunup to sundown seven days a week. The guard is short of people right now. My wife left me for another man two years ago. My son is nine, and does the shopping and cooking for us. We share our evenings, and that is all," the guard said sadly.

Link answered, "I'm sorry to hear that. The long hours must be especially hard for you."

The guard replied, "I know, but it's my job." The guard then sighed resignedly.

Link said, "I don't know if I'll be through this way again. But if I can, I'll get the mask for you." The two adventurers ran up the path to Death Mountain.