Chapter 6 Late that night
"That was a close call today." Link mumbled sleepily. It was late in the day and they had reached Bulbbe Village without another hitch. To Link's surprise, he found out that Zirain didn't live in the village as a kid but on the training encampment in Watercrest City.
"That wasn't any sort of a close call compared to what you went through." Zirain said with a chuckle. Link had taken a break from running and basically told Zirain the same things as he had Taro and Derek. Zirain was slightly shocked as the other two were at his story but more curious about things.
"It still was a close call." Link said rolling over on his futon. Link and Zirain had checked into the inn shortly after sunset and were both beat. When Link offered to pay for the room, Zirain shook his head saying that he could handle such things. When Link insisted that he could spare more than enough ruppie's, Zirain's eyes went wide in shock. Later, Zirain had explained that the currency was very rare here and worth a whole lot more than he could imagine. Link still felt guilty though that he was mooching off of someone else's purse.
"Hunter's a puzzle I tell you." Zirain said with a sigh. "I don't know the man well but I know enough of him that he doesn't like the war." Link rolled back towards Zirain.
"Then why continue it? Why not offer a peace offering?" Link asked in a sleepy voice. Zirain chuckled again.
"That's the puzzle boy. No one knows what happened when he disappeared for that year he was missing." Link sat bolt-upright knocking Navi out of her sleeping quarters.
"Hey! I was trying to sleep you know!" Navi scolded Link as he tried to remember something that the mayor of Deku town had told him. Navi went back to sleep.
"I know why." Link said in a small voice. Zirain laughed softly. "When I was in Deku town, the mayor told me of this lands history; that when the first battle started up, two of the opposite royals met up and battled. It resulted in a draw and that they fell in love and were forced into hiding. In hiding something happened to them both resulting in their separation. Do you think that it could have been Hunter and this Lady Blue? They keep the war going because of what happened." Zirain's head shot out of the blanket and he looked astonished at Link.
"Uh-er-uh." Zirain sputtered incoherently. Link looked down and covered his mouth in a thinking position. Link puzzled over something when Zirain finally spat out. "I don't know. It's possible but very unlikely."
Link finally came out of his thoughts.
"If two people loved enough to forsake their families and go into hiding, what in all of the heavens would break them apart so badly that they would hate so fiercely? It doesn't make sense." Link closed his eyes in concentration, trying to figure out the mystery.
"I can tell you the reason if that's true. Love and hate are like two sides of the same coin. You can love a person deeply and if betrayed, you can hate them just as deeply because they hurt you." Zirain said softly. Link looked back up to the teen sleeping on the bed.
"Did you?" Link asked in a small voice. Link didn't want to impose but he knew that he needed this answer.
"No, but my mother did. She was a wise woman beyond her years and had gone through the experience herself. I love my mother but she did something that made my father hate her for the rest of her life." Zirain said bitterly. Zirain was silent signaling that he didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Oh." Link said in hurt tone. "Well, at least you had a mother that loved you. I had no one. The Deku tree raised me as a Kokiri, I can't act any other way." Link turned over to go to sleep leaving a gaping Zirain.
"You-you didn't have parents?" Zirain whispered in disbelief. Link settled in to his futon and snuggled closer to Navi and Cera.
"I was raised as a Kokiri. Kokiri are the children of the forest, we work, we make our own garb, gather our own food and interact like grown ups. As soon as I could walk, The Great Deku tree let me wander the forest freely. I can't remember the first time I met Saria because she was always there for me; my best friend. I used to get teased a lot because all Kokiri have a fairy and I didn't." Link paused for a moment. "That's why I had to find Navi, she was my first fairy partner. Without Navi, I don't feel complete as a Kokiri or as a person. I love her." Zirain was silent for a moment.
"I didn't know." Link wiped away a tear that he didn't know had fallen. "That must have been a lonely childhood." Link smiled in the dark.
"It wasn't lonely, it was loveless. There was always someone there to keep you from being lonesome but I didn't feel that I was loved. It's all right though. It made me independent and strong. If I wasn't raised as a Kokiri, I doubt I would have survived the first leg of my journey as the Hero of Time. Goodnight Zirain, see you in the morning." Link went to sleep soundly in the presence of a pondering teen.
'It couldn't be could it? What if-Hunter had been gone a year. That's just enough time to. No! What am I thinking!?! Hunter wouldn't have done it! Still-' Zirain looked down to Link laying on the futon with two bright lights beside his pillow. '-it would be interesting if it was true.'
Soaran Tower
"Thank you Soaran. I knew I could count on you for the advice." Hunter said across the table from the wizard. Soaran's eyes brightened almost magically as soon as he saw the man at the gates.
"Think nothing of it. I still would like something in return though." Soaran said in a casual tone. Hunter looked at him suspiciously. "I would just like to know how you're doing; politically speaking of course." Hunter nodded and downed another tankard.
"I have had no trouble with the Gerudo lately. Their Sunset Festival is coming up shortly you know and I'm excited to see which one of my Blue's get close to that pendant." Soaran's eyes sparked the moment Hunter had said pendant.
"Festival? What festival?" Soaran asked innocently. Hunter motioned for more wine and laughed.
"That's right! You don't know much about the Gerudo customs do you? Well, every two years they have the Sunset festival. I send my best spies and thieves to participate in the running. Their pendant of loyalty is put in the center of that keep of theirs and they go onto their best war alert mode. Our allies send the best thieves they have to go and try to steal the pendant to keep the guards sharp at their posts. They always get caught of course and are released after sunrise." The servant had come back and filled Hunter's glass again. Hunter took a good long swig of the fruity drink.
"Why after sunrise?" Soaran asked interested.
"Oh! Stealing the pendant isn't enough! You have to take it to the appointed temple out in the jungle in order to win the pendant. No one's ever been close enough to even get near the pendant let alone take it out of the place. You should see it! The keep is so large and you can't use any sort of magic getting it out either. It has to be pure skill. The pendant will nullify magic as soon as you touch it." Soaran let out a small frown at the no magic policy that had been set up by the pendant.
"Speaking of thieves, I had one in my tower last night." Soaran said in a bitter tone. Hunter sputtered out his drink into his cup.
"What!?!" Hunter demanded wiping his chin with his sleeve. Tear's came to Soaran's eyes.
"It's true! Little beggar came in and stole a very important, valuable commodity of mine. I couldn't believe it! I had trouble casting a tracing spell I have put on the bottle to find it in an alleyway outside the walls. Outside the walls! I think you should look into this matter. It could be important." Soaran growled.
"Why can't you look into it yourself?" Hunter asked sipping from his cup again. Soaran frowned.
"I don't have the resources to deal with these sort of things." Soaran pouted totally innocent. Hunter sighed.
"What was stolen?" Hunter asked as if bored. Soaran leaned forward on the table.
"A fairy." Again, Hunter spit out his wine. This time however, the drink didn't land in his cup and Soaran was forced to wipe away spittle from his forehead before continuing.
Dawn
Link awoke with a yawn. Last night Link had dreamed that he had been in the Lost Woods playing with Saria along on his ocarina. It was a nice dream although a little strange at the end.
'Why would I dream about something I have never seen before?' Link thought puzzled. Link could remember dreaming about a huge white beast with wings that came at the sound of his ocarina. It looked like a white Siberian Tiger, glowing green eyes, majestic silver wings, sharp claws and a long fluffy tail. It looked ferocious and cute at the same time if that were possible.
"Morning Link!" Cera greeted in her usual perky way. Link heard a moan come from Zirain signaling that he was just waking up as well. Link stretched and yawned.
"Good morning everyone. Shall we get going?" Link put on his tunic and that's when he realized something.
'Those pendants that the Deku sprout gave me are still here and the one I found in the tower. Could they be the missing pendants? Probably not but I should probably put them in subspace so I won't lose them somewhere.' Link made a quick item change and decided to wear the one that the mayor of Deku Town gave him. Ready for the day, Link and Zirain left the inn where they had spent the night and made there way to Epona.
"No riding today. Watercrest City doesn't allow horses in it so we'll have to tie her up outside the city somewhere." Link shook his head. "What? Why not? I know you're attached to her but-" Link interrupted his thoughts by unlatching Epona from the post and proceeded to walk out of the small village.
"Epona doesn't need to be tied up. If I want her, I can call her on this." Link flashed his ocarina at Zirain. The teen looked confused at Link. "I have a special song that Epona comes to even though we're miles apart." Link explained.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Zirain chuckled out of habit then stopped. "Maybe I should re-evaluate that. You can do some pretty amazing things." Link grinned and stopped; they were outside the village. Zirain was surprised when Link gave a slap on Epona's rump that sent the horse galloping away.
"Believe it." Link said with a smug look on his face. Link followed Zirain up the path that led to Watercrest City.
Deku Town.
"Where it he!?!" A feminine voice roared at the top of their lungs as they made their way through the mayor's doors. Mr. Juba gave a loud sigh and went to greet his Lady Blue's fierce temper.
"Harvester, what can I do for you?" Mr. Juba asked politely as he made his way to his front door. The dazzling woman in blue turned her brown eyes to the short Deku mayor. Juba almost blanched when he saw the true anger in her eyes; she was nothing short of furious!
"You! How could you!?! I sent my finest blue contingency here to protect your village from that Wolfos and the yellow's attack. Is it true? Did you really give the pendant to-to that marauder HUNTER!?!" Juba backed away from the lady in sheer caution.
"No lady I did not. I gave the pendant to the one that saved my village and I from that accursed Wolfos." Juba said in a defiant voice. "You broke your promise, I had no choice." Harvested pursed her lips together in an angry scowl.
"I did my best!" she growled in a low tone. Juba casually waved a hand to the side brushing off the indignant comment.
"I have no doubt that you did do your best. Your best was not enough though to protect me. My life was nearly snuffed out that night. A hero came out of nowhere and saved me from a terrible fate and took me to safety. Without thought to his own health, he slew the rampaging Wolfos. It was really a sight to behold; he killed it with minimal damage to the pelt."
"I did not come here to discuss what happened. What done is done. I came here to try and reclaim your membership to the alliance. Where is this hero so I can try to talk sense into the man?" Harvester's tone had gone from a deadly growl to a hopeful whimper. Juba shook his head.
"I'm sorry, he went on his way. Before you ask, yes he took the pendant with him and our loyalty as well." Harvester's eyes were almost glazed over with tears. "Now, dear. Don't be like that. The only thing I'm going to tell you is that he wasn't a yellow or a blue; there is no need to worry if you think we'll have to fight against you. It's also the last person you would expect to have our loyalty." Harvester took a long deep breath to control herself.
"What of the news of my patrols? Is it true?" Harvester asked in a shaking voice. Sadly, the Deku mayor nodded. "Dear goddess! What's next?"
"Don't be that way, they saw him battle the Wolfos. I am not surprised that they wish to remain here loyal to us. Most of them were badly injured during the fight so they couldn't move back home if they wanted to. It really was miraculous the way he slew that Wolfos. Would you like to see the pelt? I put it on display out in the courtyard." Harvester shook her head.
"I must go. I have a battle to plan for and I cannot waste my time here. Goodbye Juba, I hope our next meeting will be on better terms." With that, the ravishing Lady Blue with sun spun gold hair and chocolate brown hair left the Deku in his home.
"It will be, just you wait and see." Mumbled the Deku as soon as he was sure she had left.
Watercrest
Link had seen Zora's Domain and the area around the Great Bay Coast but what awaited him in Watercrest City startled him. There was no waterfall, no fresh water source and the sea wasn't too inviting for it looked poisoned.
"What in Nayru's name happened here?" Zirain asked in awe. Link knelt by the dry riverbed that should have supplied the Zora's and people in the smaller grass huts with fresh water. Obviously, something was wrong.
"It looks like their water was cut totally off." Link observed. "If it had been a gradual thing, the water levels would have left a ring around on the riverbed. It's as if someone turned a faucet." Zirain bent down to where Link was.
"You're a smart kid. Where did you learn that?" Zirain asked seeing that Link was right. Link stood up quickly that earned him a rap on the head from Cera.
"Just because we're hiding doesn't mean that we're not here!" Scolded Navi lightly. Link nodded gently and started walking towards the sea.
"I learned that in Termina. Why is the sea looking like that? I've never seen a sea that was actually poisonous before." Link said as he crouched to the mouth of the river. Zirain walked up behind him.
"This is the cursed sea. The water from the waterfall cleansed the curse and made it a freshwater sea. With the water gone, it's gone back to its cursed state and in the high season too. There goes their seaweed crop. If they don't do something soon, they will either have a drought or will go bankrupt because of the seaweed." Link nodded at this information. "I'm betting on the drought though. It doesn't rain here at all. I think that we should go see the regent Zora. His name's Horaku."
"Let's be on our way then." Link followed Zirain through the small hut and before Link knew it, he was led into the surrounding caves along the shoreline. This was where Link finally felt that it was a Zoran City. The caves would have been beautifully illuminated had there been water running through the canal that Zirain was walking by.
"I can't believe Lord Hunter let it get this bad." Zirain mumbled. "This place is dryer than a rock in the scorching sun in the desert." Link had to agree. This place felt like a sauna but not a drop of water was to be found. Soon, they had arrived at a big entranceway that Link could only describe as masterfully carved. There were intricate pictures of Zora's swimming, Zora's working and even Zora's festivals.
'It looks like these people are proud of what they do. I wonder why Hunter would ignore such a big problem as this.' Zirain stopped Link before they walked through.
"I know these people. Let me do all the talking." Link nodded. Link walked behind Zirain as he pushed open one of the intricately carved wooden doors. That's when Link heard the voices.
"We need to clear out as much seaweed as we can before the whole sea is tainted!" A Zora voice yelled. Link cringed at the sound of voice's arguing.
"Nay! We need to destroy the rattacks in the clear waterway. If the water is purified again, there would be no need to rush." Growled a human voice.
"How well did that work the last time you tried that? I say we clear out as much seaweed as we can and-" Link peered from behind Zirain to see a human in yellow armor and a Zora wearing forest green yelling their throats out before a Zora behind a desk. The Zora behind the desk obviously had a headache by the way his flippers were rubbing his temple. Zirain was about to say something when the Zora finally lost his temper.
"ENOUGH!" The loud roar silenced the two before the desk. "Have you forgotten that's not our main problem right now. Our people of dying of thirst and I cannot do a thing to help them. The water shipment has been sabotaged, Hunter will not help because of the upcoming battle and we are getting weaker. An attack on the waterway is just suicide right now. No, we need fresh water and we need it right now!" Barked the Zora. Silence. Zirain took the opportunity to butt in the conversation.
"It seems things are a lot worse than you thought Link. Greeting you old fish. I would ask how things were going but it seems that I already have a clue." All three in the room turned to the newcomers.
"Zirain? Is that you?" Asked the soldier in armor. Zirain nodded and Link smiled. It was obvious that the two knew each other. It was silent in the room for a moment. "Zirain. You certainly picked the wrong time to come back to your old roost. What is the hero of Neutral City doing here? Did you come to help us?" Zirain shook his head.
"I never knew that you were of such a plight. I came here to ask Horaku a favor but it seems that can wait. What happened here?" Link and Zirain listened closely to the events of the last few weeks in mute horror. Link had been right; the water just stopped flowing without reason. When they tried to go to clear cavern, the source of the water, they were attacked. Link listened closely to the details on how the rattacks fought and tormented their inhabitants. Rage silently boiled in Link's stomach.
"How I wish that it would rain. At least then we could have some water. The people are dying. We cannot do anything to help them. Zirain? Would you do this for me? Would you please help us in trying to find a water source so my people won't die?" Flabbergasted at the plea for help, Zirain froze on the spot. Link then thought of a way to help the Zora regent.
"Zirain, grab a bucket." Link ordered. That's when everyone in the room noticed Link for the first time.
"Who is this? A friend of yours?" Horaku asked eyeing Link. Zirain nodded dumbly. Link made his way towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"I was serious Zirain. Grab a bucket and meet me outside. Tell your people to do the same." Link was given odd looks of disbelief. "Are you coming or not?" Link asked as he walked out the door. Zirain came back to his senses and picked up the nearest jar he could find.
"What are you doing?" Derano the old soldier asked. Zirain looked back to the three still standing in the room.
"I would do as he says. That is no ordinary kid that walked out of here. Alert your people to standby with buckets. I don't know what Link's up to but I know that it will work." Zirain then dashed out the door leaving the three speechless.
"What should we do?" Asked Horaku looking at Derano. Derano shook his head and made a movement towards the door.
"I don't know about anyone else here but I for one am going to grab a bucket." Link charged out the caverns and found himself looking over the cliffs. The huts below seemed to blend in the sandy dunes and Link growled to no one in general.
'How dare they! Don't they realize that they're killing an entire species? An entire race of people? I won't stand for it.' Link took a deep breath to control his anger.
"Link?" Link looked to his left to see Zirain with a jar. Link nodded and found a place to sit. When Link was firmly seated by two stones, he pulled out his ocarina. "Link? What are you doing?" Link ignored the question and put the instrument to his lips.
'I hope this works.' Link then began to play an older song that he had learned twice in his travels; the song of storms. Zirain gaped in disbelief as Link started playing on his ocarina and a haze suddenly appeared at his feet. The haze shot straight up into the atmosphere overhead and seemed to get bigger. In fact, clouds began to form. Zirain's jaw dropped considerably when he felt a raindrop tickle his nose. Link was still playing. Astonished gasps were heard from behind Zirain and he looked to see Horaku and Derano with jars of their own.
"Told you so." Zirain said with a grin. Water began to pour from the sky and excited shouts could be heard from the caverns. Zoran and human alike shouted to bring more buckets and to hurry. Link focused everything he had into the song and the clouds grew bigger. Hours went by and Link continued to play the song of storms.
'I can't stop now. I have to let the Zoran's collect enough water to drink. I have to keep playing. I have to -*" Link's last thoughts were actually a prayer to Din that he had done enough for the Zoran's could survive until the waterway was clear. Link collapsed into Zirain's arms shivering from the wet and cold.
Don't worry. I won't kill Link ....yet.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hyrule or Link. (Damn Zelda got dibbs! Nintendo too!)
"That was a close call today." Link mumbled sleepily. It was late in the day and they had reached Bulbbe Village without another hitch. To Link's surprise, he found out that Zirain didn't live in the village as a kid but on the training encampment in Watercrest City.
"That wasn't any sort of a close call compared to what you went through." Zirain said with a chuckle. Link had taken a break from running and basically told Zirain the same things as he had Taro and Derek. Zirain was slightly shocked as the other two were at his story but more curious about things.
"It still was a close call." Link said rolling over on his futon. Link and Zirain had checked into the inn shortly after sunset and were both beat. When Link offered to pay for the room, Zirain shook his head saying that he could handle such things. When Link insisted that he could spare more than enough ruppie's, Zirain's eyes went wide in shock. Later, Zirain had explained that the currency was very rare here and worth a whole lot more than he could imagine. Link still felt guilty though that he was mooching off of someone else's purse.
"Hunter's a puzzle I tell you." Zirain said with a sigh. "I don't know the man well but I know enough of him that he doesn't like the war." Link rolled back towards Zirain.
"Then why continue it? Why not offer a peace offering?" Link asked in a sleepy voice. Zirain chuckled again.
"That's the puzzle boy. No one knows what happened when he disappeared for that year he was missing." Link sat bolt-upright knocking Navi out of her sleeping quarters.
"Hey! I was trying to sleep you know!" Navi scolded Link as he tried to remember something that the mayor of Deku town had told him. Navi went back to sleep.
"I know why." Link said in a small voice. Zirain laughed softly. "When I was in Deku town, the mayor told me of this lands history; that when the first battle started up, two of the opposite royals met up and battled. It resulted in a draw and that they fell in love and were forced into hiding. In hiding something happened to them both resulting in their separation. Do you think that it could have been Hunter and this Lady Blue? They keep the war going because of what happened." Zirain's head shot out of the blanket and he looked astonished at Link.
"Uh-er-uh." Zirain sputtered incoherently. Link looked down and covered his mouth in a thinking position. Link puzzled over something when Zirain finally spat out. "I don't know. It's possible but very unlikely."
Link finally came out of his thoughts.
"If two people loved enough to forsake their families and go into hiding, what in all of the heavens would break them apart so badly that they would hate so fiercely? It doesn't make sense." Link closed his eyes in concentration, trying to figure out the mystery.
"I can tell you the reason if that's true. Love and hate are like two sides of the same coin. You can love a person deeply and if betrayed, you can hate them just as deeply because they hurt you." Zirain said softly. Link looked back up to the teen sleeping on the bed.
"Did you?" Link asked in a small voice. Link didn't want to impose but he knew that he needed this answer.
"No, but my mother did. She was a wise woman beyond her years and had gone through the experience herself. I love my mother but she did something that made my father hate her for the rest of her life." Zirain said bitterly. Zirain was silent signaling that he didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Oh." Link said in hurt tone. "Well, at least you had a mother that loved you. I had no one. The Deku tree raised me as a Kokiri, I can't act any other way." Link turned over to go to sleep leaving a gaping Zirain.
"You-you didn't have parents?" Zirain whispered in disbelief. Link settled in to his futon and snuggled closer to Navi and Cera.
"I was raised as a Kokiri. Kokiri are the children of the forest, we work, we make our own garb, gather our own food and interact like grown ups. As soon as I could walk, The Great Deku tree let me wander the forest freely. I can't remember the first time I met Saria because she was always there for me; my best friend. I used to get teased a lot because all Kokiri have a fairy and I didn't." Link paused for a moment. "That's why I had to find Navi, she was my first fairy partner. Without Navi, I don't feel complete as a Kokiri or as a person. I love her." Zirain was silent for a moment.
"I didn't know." Link wiped away a tear that he didn't know had fallen. "That must have been a lonely childhood." Link smiled in the dark.
"It wasn't lonely, it was loveless. There was always someone there to keep you from being lonesome but I didn't feel that I was loved. It's all right though. It made me independent and strong. If I wasn't raised as a Kokiri, I doubt I would have survived the first leg of my journey as the Hero of Time. Goodnight Zirain, see you in the morning." Link went to sleep soundly in the presence of a pondering teen.
'It couldn't be could it? What if-Hunter had been gone a year. That's just enough time to. No! What am I thinking!?! Hunter wouldn't have done it! Still-' Zirain looked down to Link laying on the futon with two bright lights beside his pillow. '-it would be interesting if it was true.'
Soaran Tower
"Thank you Soaran. I knew I could count on you for the advice." Hunter said across the table from the wizard. Soaran's eyes brightened almost magically as soon as he saw the man at the gates.
"Think nothing of it. I still would like something in return though." Soaran said in a casual tone. Hunter looked at him suspiciously. "I would just like to know how you're doing; politically speaking of course." Hunter nodded and downed another tankard.
"I have had no trouble with the Gerudo lately. Their Sunset Festival is coming up shortly you know and I'm excited to see which one of my Blue's get close to that pendant." Soaran's eyes sparked the moment Hunter had said pendant.
"Festival? What festival?" Soaran asked innocently. Hunter motioned for more wine and laughed.
"That's right! You don't know much about the Gerudo customs do you? Well, every two years they have the Sunset festival. I send my best spies and thieves to participate in the running. Their pendant of loyalty is put in the center of that keep of theirs and they go onto their best war alert mode. Our allies send the best thieves they have to go and try to steal the pendant to keep the guards sharp at their posts. They always get caught of course and are released after sunrise." The servant had come back and filled Hunter's glass again. Hunter took a good long swig of the fruity drink.
"Why after sunrise?" Soaran asked interested.
"Oh! Stealing the pendant isn't enough! You have to take it to the appointed temple out in the jungle in order to win the pendant. No one's ever been close enough to even get near the pendant let alone take it out of the place. You should see it! The keep is so large and you can't use any sort of magic getting it out either. It has to be pure skill. The pendant will nullify magic as soon as you touch it." Soaran let out a small frown at the no magic policy that had been set up by the pendant.
"Speaking of thieves, I had one in my tower last night." Soaran said in a bitter tone. Hunter sputtered out his drink into his cup.
"What!?!" Hunter demanded wiping his chin with his sleeve. Tear's came to Soaran's eyes.
"It's true! Little beggar came in and stole a very important, valuable commodity of mine. I couldn't believe it! I had trouble casting a tracing spell I have put on the bottle to find it in an alleyway outside the walls. Outside the walls! I think you should look into this matter. It could be important." Soaran growled.
"Why can't you look into it yourself?" Hunter asked sipping from his cup again. Soaran frowned.
"I don't have the resources to deal with these sort of things." Soaran pouted totally innocent. Hunter sighed.
"What was stolen?" Hunter asked as if bored. Soaran leaned forward on the table.
"A fairy." Again, Hunter spit out his wine. This time however, the drink didn't land in his cup and Soaran was forced to wipe away spittle from his forehead before continuing.
Dawn
Link awoke with a yawn. Last night Link had dreamed that he had been in the Lost Woods playing with Saria along on his ocarina. It was a nice dream although a little strange at the end.
'Why would I dream about something I have never seen before?' Link thought puzzled. Link could remember dreaming about a huge white beast with wings that came at the sound of his ocarina. It looked like a white Siberian Tiger, glowing green eyes, majestic silver wings, sharp claws and a long fluffy tail. It looked ferocious and cute at the same time if that were possible.
"Morning Link!" Cera greeted in her usual perky way. Link heard a moan come from Zirain signaling that he was just waking up as well. Link stretched and yawned.
"Good morning everyone. Shall we get going?" Link put on his tunic and that's when he realized something.
'Those pendants that the Deku sprout gave me are still here and the one I found in the tower. Could they be the missing pendants? Probably not but I should probably put them in subspace so I won't lose them somewhere.' Link made a quick item change and decided to wear the one that the mayor of Deku Town gave him. Ready for the day, Link and Zirain left the inn where they had spent the night and made there way to Epona.
"No riding today. Watercrest City doesn't allow horses in it so we'll have to tie her up outside the city somewhere." Link shook his head. "What? Why not? I know you're attached to her but-" Link interrupted his thoughts by unlatching Epona from the post and proceeded to walk out of the small village.
"Epona doesn't need to be tied up. If I want her, I can call her on this." Link flashed his ocarina at Zirain. The teen looked confused at Link. "I have a special song that Epona comes to even though we're miles apart." Link explained.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Zirain chuckled out of habit then stopped. "Maybe I should re-evaluate that. You can do some pretty amazing things." Link grinned and stopped; they were outside the village. Zirain was surprised when Link gave a slap on Epona's rump that sent the horse galloping away.
"Believe it." Link said with a smug look on his face. Link followed Zirain up the path that led to Watercrest City.
Deku Town.
"Where it he!?!" A feminine voice roared at the top of their lungs as they made their way through the mayor's doors. Mr. Juba gave a loud sigh and went to greet his Lady Blue's fierce temper.
"Harvester, what can I do for you?" Mr. Juba asked politely as he made his way to his front door. The dazzling woman in blue turned her brown eyes to the short Deku mayor. Juba almost blanched when he saw the true anger in her eyes; she was nothing short of furious!
"You! How could you!?! I sent my finest blue contingency here to protect your village from that Wolfos and the yellow's attack. Is it true? Did you really give the pendant to-to that marauder HUNTER!?!" Juba backed away from the lady in sheer caution.
"No lady I did not. I gave the pendant to the one that saved my village and I from that accursed Wolfos." Juba said in a defiant voice. "You broke your promise, I had no choice." Harvested pursed her lips together in an angry scowl.
"I did my best!" she growled in a low tone. Juba casually waved a hand to the side brushing off the indignant comment.
"I have no doubt that you did do your best. Your best was not enough though to protect me. My life was nearly snuffed out that night. A hero came out of nowhere and saved me from a terrible fate and took me to safety. Without thought to his own health, he slew the rampaging Wolfos. It was really a sight to behold; he killed it with minimal damage to the pelt."
"I did not come here to discuss what happened. What done is done. I came here to try and reclaim your membership to the alliance. Where is this hero so I can try to talk sense into the man?" Harvester's tone had gone from a deadly growl to a hopeful whimper. Juba shook his head.
"I'm sorry, he went on his way. Before you ask, yes he took the pendant with him and our loyalty as well." Harvester's eyes were almost glazed over with tears. "Now, dear. Don't be like that. The only thing I'm going to tell you is that he wasn't a yellow or a blue; there is no need to worry if you think we'll have to fight against you. It's also the last person you would expect to have our loyalty." Harvester took a long deep breath to control herself.
"What of the news of my patrols? Is it true?" Harvester asked in a shaking voice. Sadly, the Deku mayor nodded. "Dear goddess! What's next?"
"Don't be that way, they saw him battle the Wolfos. I am not surprised that they wish to remain here loyal to us. Most of them were badly injured during the fight so they couldn't move back home if they wanted to. It really was miraculous the way he slew that Wolfos. Would you like to see the pelt? I put it on display out in the courtyard." Harvester shook her head.
"I must go. I have a battle to plan for and I cannot waste my time here. Goodbye Juba, I hope our next meeting will be on better terms." With that, the ravishing Lady Blue with sun spun gold hair and chocolate brown hair left the Deku in his home.
"It will be, just you wait and see." Mumbled the Deku as soon as he was sure she had left.
Watercrest
Link had seen Zora's Domain and the area around the Great Bay Coast but what awaited him in Watercrest City startled him. There was no waterfall, no fresh water source and the sea wasn't too inviting for it looked poisoned.
"What in Nayru's name happened here?" Zirain asked in awe. Link knelt by the dry riverbed that should have supplied the Zora's and people in the smaller grass huts with fresh water. Obviously, something was wrong.
"It looks like their water was cut totally off." Link observed. "If it had been a gradual thing, the water levels would have left a ring around on the riverbed. It's as if someone turned a faucet." Zirain bent down to where Link was.
"You're a smart kid. Where did you learn that?" Zirain asked seeing that Link was right. Link stood up quickly that earned him a rap on the head from Cera.
"Just because we're hiding doesn't mean that we're not here!" Scolded Navi lightly. Link nodded gently and started walking towards the sea.
"I learned that in Termina. Why is the sea looking like that? I've never seen a sea that was actually poisonous before." Link said as he crouched to the mouth of the river. Zirain walked up behind him.
"This is the cursed sea. The water from the waterfall cleansed the curse and made it a freshwater sea. With the water gone, it's gone back to its cursed state and in the high season too. There goes their seaweed crop. If they don't do something soon, they will either have a drought or will go bankrupt because of the seaweed." Link nodded at this information. "I'm betting on the drought though. It doesn't rain here at all. I think that we should go see the regent Zora. His name's Horaku."
"Let's be on our way then." Link followed Zirain through the small hut and before Link knew it, he was led into the surrounding caves along the shoreline. This was where Link finally felt that it was a Zoran City. The caves would have been beautifully illuminated had there been water running through the canal that Zirain was walking by.
"I can't believe Lord Hunter let it get this bad." Zirain mumbled. "This place is dryer than a rock in the scorching sun in the desert." Link had to agree. This place felt like a sauna but not a drop of water was to be found. Soon, they had arrived at a big entranceway that Link could only describe as masterfully carved. There were intricate pictures of Zora's swimming, Zora's working and even Zora's festivals.
'It looks like these people are proud of what they do. I wonder why Hunter would ignore such a big problem as this.' Zirain stopped Link before they walked through.
"I know these people. Let me do all the talking." Link nodded. Link walked behind Zirain as he pushed open one of the intricately carved wooden doors. That's when Link heard the voices.
"We need to clear out as much seaweed as we can before the whole sea is tainted!" A Zora voice yelled. Link cringed at the sound of voice's arguing.
"Nay! We need to destroy the rattacks in the clear waterway. If the water is purified again, there would be no need to rush." Growled a human voice.
"How well did that work the last time you tried that? I say we clear out as much seaweed as we can and-" Link peered from behind Zirain to see a human in yellow armor and a Zora wearing forest green yelling their throats out before a Zora behind a desk. The Zora behind the desk obviously had a headache by the way his flippers were rubbing his temple. Zirain was about to say something when the Zora finally lost his temper.
"ENOUGH!" The loud roar silenced the two before the desk. "Have you forgotten that's not our main problem right now. Our people of dying of thirst and I cannot do a thing to help them. The water shipment has been sabotaged, Hunter will not help because of the upcoming battle and we are getting weaker. An attack on the waterway is just suicide right now. No, we need fresh water and we need it right now!" Barked the Zora. Silence. Zirain took the opportunity to butt in the conversation.
"It seems things are a lot worse than you thought Link. Greeting you old fish. I would ask how things were going but it seems that I already have a clue." All three in the room turned to the newcomers.
"Zirain? Is that you?" Asked the soldier in armor. Zirain nodded and Link smiled. It was obvious that the two knew each other. It was silent in the room for a moment. "Zirain. You certainly picked the wrong time to come back to your old roost. What is the hero of Neutral City doing here? Did you come to help us?" Zirain shook his head.
"I never knew that you were of such a plight. I came here to ask Horaku a favor but it seems that can wait. What happened here?" Link and Zirain listened closely to the events of the last few weeks in mute horror. Link had been right; the water just stopped flowing without reason. When they tried to go to clear cavern, the source of the water, they were attacked. Link listened closely to the details on how the rattacks fought and tormented their inhabitants. Rage silently boiled in Link's stomach.
"How I wish that it would rain. At least then we could have some water. The people are dying. We cannot do anything to help them. Zirain? Would you do this for me? Would you please help us in trying to find a water source so my people won't die?" Flabbergasted at the plea for help, Zirain froze on the spot. Link then thought of a way to help the Zora regent.
"Zirain, grab a bucket." Link ordered. That's when everyone in the room noticed Link for the first time.
"Who is this? A friend of yours?" Horaku asked eyeing Link. Zirain nodded dumbly. Link made his way towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"I was serious Zirain. Grab a bucket and meet me outside. Tell your people to do the same." Link was given odd looks of disbelief. "Are you coming or not?" Link asked as he walked out the door. Zirain came back to his senses and picked up the nearest jar he could find.
"What are you doing?" Derano the old soldier asked. Zirain looked back to the three still standing in the room.
"I would do as he says. That is no ordinary kid that walked out of here. Alert your people to standby with buckets. I don't know what Link's up to but I know that it will work." Zirain then dashed out the door leaving the three speechless.
"What should we do?" Asked Horaku looking at Derano. Derano shook his head and made a movement towards the door.
"I don't know about anyone else here but I for one am going to grab a bucket." Link charged out the caverns and found himself looking over the cliffs. The huts below seemed to blend in the sandy dunes and Link growled to no one in general.
'How dare they! Don't they realize that they're killing an entire species? An entire race of people? I won't stand for it.' Link took a deep breath to control his anger.
"Link?" Link looked to his left to see Zirain with a jar. Link nodded and found a place to sit. When Link was firmly seated by two stones, he pulled out his ocarina. "Link? What are you doing?" Link ignored the question and put the instrument to his lips.
'I hope this works.' Link then began to play an older song that he had learned twice in his travels; the song of storms. Zirain gaped in disbelief as Link started playing on his ocarina and a haze suddenly appeared at his feet. The haze shot straight up into the atmosphere overhead and seemed to get bigger. In fact, clouds began to form. Zirain's jaw dropped considerably when he felt a raindrop tickle his nose. Link was still playing. Astonished gasps were heard from behind Zirain and he looked to see Horaku and Derano with jars of their own.
"Told you so." Zirain said with a grin. Water began to pour from the sky and excited shouts could be heard from the caverns. Zoran and human alike shouted to bring more buckets and to hurry. Link focused everything he had into the song and the clouds grew bigger. Hours went by and Link continued to play the song of storms.
'I can't stop now. I have to let the Zoran's collect enough water to drink. I have to keep playing. I have to -*" Link's last thoughts were actually a prayer to Din that he had done enough for the Zoran's could survive until the waterway was clear. Link collapsed into Zirain's arms shivering from the wet and cold.
Don't worry. I won't kill Link ....yet.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hyrule or Link. (Damn Zelda got dibbs! Nintendo too!)