-- CHAPTER 13: The Two Winds --

After exiting the tunnels, Colba insisted on giving Link a tour of the fortress. After the encounter with the voices in the caves Link had much on his mind and didn't particularly feel up to it, but, as it was, he didn't plan on leaving till early tomorrow morning, and he had nothing better too do. He supposed it couldn't hurt to get a feel for the fortress that he was going to bring his town's people to, so he politely agreed and quietly followed his enthused guide.

Colba began with a tour of the castle. Link was reminded of his tour of Hyrule Castle. Not that the two were particularly similar in structure or design, just that the two were so blatantly extravagant. Nothing was simple. Fancy designs embroidered the walls and ceiling as they walked over beautifully knit carpet. Huge awe-striking doors lined the spacious hallways and all led to equally fancy rooms.

Traveling down one such hallway Colba was engrossed in explaining the history of a complicated stained glass window that lined the entire left length of the hall. Link, who had been pleasantly surprised to find himself interested and enjoying the tour became inexplicably drawn to a door on the right side. There was nothing special about the door that should have drawn his attention. It wasn't in anyway more extravagant than any other door he'd seen throughout the castle, nor was it too plain as to stick out amongst the surrounding beauty. Nonetheless something egged at Link to find out what was behind that door.

Colba was completely unaware of Link's distraction and continued to busily explain the windows significance. Noting this Link tip-toed over to the door he had become so captivated with. He stood there for a couple moments debating whether he should actually open the door or not. Inevitably, curiosity won out. Link cracked open the door and peered inside.

So...familiar...have I been here before?...

Directly behind the door was a windowless spiraling staircase. Lanterns eerily lit the ascending passage until it disappeared behind the great red-carpeted pole it spun about. An ominous red rug drug along the center of the stairs leading upward. Link stared blankly at the uncomfortably familiar setting before him completely losing focus of anything else.

"Hey!" Colba shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing!"

Link snapped out of his trance and spun around. "s-sorry." Link sputtered, "I just...it was...I didn't mean...I...it won't happen again...sorry."

"I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to snap. It's just that you can't wander off on your own, some places of the castle are off limits. That staircase leads to some of the castle maintenance crew's quarter. They enjoy their privacy. You wouldn't want random stranger's barging into your home at any time they jolly-well pleased now would you?"

Link hid a glare as best he could, he did not believe Colba at all, but decided it best to keep that fact to himself.

"...Well," Colba continued trying his best to hide his fluster, "That's enough of the castle wouldn't you say? Let's have a look at the rest of the fortress. Obviously, it's not as glamorous outside but I actually find it to be no less interesting."

With that Colba led Link out of the castle with constant "inconspicuous" glances backwards to make sure Link was still with him. Once outside he became noticeably less tense.

The center of the courtyard seemed to have been turned into a market place. Tents selling various jewelry, trinkets, food, clothing, and much more crowded the busy area as people scurried about. As the two passed thru Link noticed that most people became increasingly quite as Colba walked by. A few brave souls managed a "Beautiful day out today!" or "Good afternoon Lord Colba," of which they would get a pleasant "It most certainly is," or "and a good afternoon to you too," for a reply. It was obvious that he was highly respected to the point that most people didn't feel it their place to speak to him unless spoken to.

The aroma of freshly grilling fish caught Link's nose and reminded him how hungry he was. He had no money with him, but Colba 'kindly' influenced the man selling the fish to give Link one for free. Link being a newcomer and all. But the tent that caught Link's eye the most was the rune shop selling rocks with 'magical properties of good luck'. It seemed like a sales pitch but he remembered what Gath had said about his staff and decided he would come back later to investigate.

Seemingly satisfied with the marketplace Colba ushered Link to the outer edge so he could speak to him more easily.

"And then the outer edge is pretty much just housing. There's a couple of game shops, but that's about it. Any questions?"

"Well, I guess, I think I should tell you that, I'm leaving tomorrow. I only came to find the place and then I was going to go back and bring the people from my town back if it really existed."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"What?! You don't under..."

"You'll be able to leave eventually, just not tomorrow."

"When?!"

"Well the next full moon, of course."

Link thought for a moment, "But the last full moon was just last night. That means I have a full month before I could leave again! I can't wait that long. They're dieing!"

"And what makes you think you can survive the wastelands?"

"I made it here didn't I?!"

"Yes, and on the night of a full moon."

"What does it matter? I just need to leave!"

"What does it matter? ...Don't tell me you didn't know about the effects of the full moon...You didn't did you? ...Luck is with you child, to have randomly chosen a night that happened to be a full moon."

"What is this full moon nonsense? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"The winds stop every full moon. You may not realize, but right now a cursed wind rages about. It would be impossible to make it through the desert. Count yourself lucky to have missed it."

"Missed it? What are you talking about? The winds were blowing sand about so thickly I could barely see my hand if I held it in front of my face!"

"Delusional, the desert often has that effect. And the Desert's Bane, I'm sure they didn't help much either. No son, we found you stumbling to the fortress with the Shadow Spiders hot on your trail last night, a full moon night. There was no wind"

Link was really starting to get frustrated and was about ready to hurl insults at the man when it dawned on him...

"I, I must have passed out. I remember now, when I woke up, there were no winds. It was so surreal, I thought I was dreaming. The fortress stood in front of me, beckoning me, everything was so peaceful, and then..."

Images of the Gerudo spiders ripped into his mind. Link hesitated. "...They were coming. I could feel them. It was like they were in my head, shadows in my head. So I ran, and that's when people started to notice me."

"Impossible, none as young as yourself could possibly make it that far into the desert when the winds blow. It's all a delusion I tell you. They don't call them Mindrippers for nothing, they can play with one's head."

"It's true I know it! I survived the desert once and I can do it again! What do you care anyways! Just let me leave! I don't have time to wait a month!"

"I truly am sorry, but I'm afraid you don't understand. When the winds rage the gate does not open."

"No you don't understand! They're all dieing! My father, my father is dieing! You have to let me out!"

"I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be. We cannot let the winds in."

Link sunk down into a pile of tears. By this time Link's screaming had drawn quite a crowd. One man walked up and put his hand on the boys shoulder.

"I know it's hard, but believe it or not, I had the same problem when I came here, but I just waited the month and everything turned out all right. Everything will be fine, I promise."

But Link just swatted at the hand on his shoulder and pulled away. Getting to his feet he walked off to the room where he was staying, staring at the ground to avoid eye contact with anybody.

Behind him he heard Colba saying softly, "Let him go for now. There will plenty of time to talk later."

"But what if he tries to escape?"

"Believe me, those gates are the only way out of here, he won't escape."

Link just pressed towards his room. Slamming the door behind him he threw himself on his bed in a fit of frustrated tears.

- - - - -

Link couldn't believe the sight before him as he poked his head out from the rock he was hiding behind. The great field before him was alight with flames of shadow blackening the once beautiful green meadow.

"Burn it all, leave nothing green!" bellowed a great dark-scaled dragon, the reason behind the atrocity, Dragmire, Lord of the Black Dragons.

"But Lord Dragmire, They're coming! We should leave now!"

Link steered his focus to the ocean's edge. Head's made of pure water penetrated thru the glassy-smooth ocean followed by their torso and then the rest of their cyclonic body as they marched out of the water. The Water Spirits.

"Fool! We will not flee! The whole purpose here was to draw them out!"

"But is it really wise..."

"Silence! It is impossible for our to races to coexist! We end our conflicts today!"

It was then that a water spirit arose out of the water standing at least two feet above any other. Flo'ondia! Link's heart jumped, Oh, Dragmire's in for it big this time!

"There's another child in there you know. Pity it'll never be born."

Link spun around at the sudden voice behind him to see a boy a couple years older then him grinning wickedly, long orange hair ruffling in the wind.

"Shut up Ganon," Link grunted, "just leave me alone."

"Oh, is Linky-poo in a bad mood because the meadow is burning down?" Ganon distorted his face into a mock-pout.

"Well, it was a stupid thing to do. Auntie Flo'ondia likes the field and now she looks pretty mad. She's definitely going to let your dad have it this time!"

"Ha! Is that what you think? Father is going to get Flo'ondia back for locking him in the Desert Colossus."

"Yeah? She's the one that pushed him back and cast the enchantment that trapped him in there! Face it, Flo'ondia's just stronger then your dad!"

"And my dad broke the spell! Huh? What about that. Flo'ondia's got nothing!"

The two children's quarrel was put to a hold as the frosty voice of Flo'ondia boomed from the ocean.

"Enough! You have gone too far Dragmire! Long have I tried to keep peace in this land, but you have proven times too many that as long as you remain that will be impossible. I hereby banish you and your kind forever from the face of Hyrule. You may either leave peaceably or, if necessary, by force!"

"Wench! It is you who will be banished!"

With that he let out a stream of licking black flame that stretched much further than anybody thought possible. Flo'ondia didn't have time to react. The flames smothered her instantly as she cried out. The flames remained burning even on her liquid form and try as she might flailing about, she could not douse them.

Time seemed to stop and yet everything seemed to happen at once. Link didn't realize what he was doing till he was already on his feet dashing off towards Flo'ondia. He heard Ganon behind him laughing. He heard Dragmire bellowing, "Not a single flame have I lit since you entrapped me till now, that flame was filled with a full year of pure vengeance!" He heard the cries of the Water Spirits and then the clashes of the instant battle, but at the same time he heard nothing but the beat of his heart and the pounding of his feet. Nothing existed but him and Flo'ondia before him...and the unborn child inside her. He was completely unaware of the flames that danced all about him and streams of water that flew dangerously close to his head. He simply sprinted with all his strength to reach Flo'ondia.

Still not completely aware of what he was doing Link found himself hurdling towards the burning tower of water. Passing thru the cursed flames and the body of Flo'ondia Link came crashing down on the other side tightly clutching a bright blue sphere to his chest. He wasn't on fire, nor was he conscience, but nonetheless, he wouldn't stop shaking.

- - - - -

Link sat up with a shot to find himself on the floor, having rolled out of bed. Sweat poured down his face, he was shivering uncontrollably, and he didn't know why. He lay there breathing heavily in the dead night eventually pulling himself back into bed. There he fell asleep to dreams of thousands of spiders crawling about his head.

- - - - -

-knock-knock-

Link groggily rubbed his tired eyes.

-knock-knock- "Can I come in?"

whossat?...what're they doing here?

-knock-knock- "Wake up. I brought you some breakfast."

Link slipped out of bed and wearily trudged across his room to the door. He cracked it open, stuck a tired blank face out the doorway and monotoned, "Whaddaya' want?"

"You probably don't remember me, things seemed a bit rocky last night. I'm the guy you shoved off your shoulder." He smiled cheerfully, "and one of the guys who help drag you in from the desert. I just wanted to extend my sympathy for what you're going thru; I know how you feel...oh! And I brought some breakfast, thought you might be hungry."

Link let out an audible sigh, the man was way too happy for how early in the morning it was and he found it irritating, but...the man had food... "s'allright, it's not yur fault." Then after an awkward silence Link finally gave into his hunger, "...you wanna come in?"

The man happily obliged as he danced into the room revealing a second breakfast in his other hand showing that he intended to share a breakfast with Link all along.

Link sat down and blinked off into space. His guest came and sat down across from him setting the plate of food in front of him. It took Link a couple moments to avert his attention to the plate and then a couple more moments of him blankly staring at his food before he looked up at the man and managed a "thank you." He started slowly, fidgeting around with his food absentmindedly. The other man watch amusedly as Link quickly began to wake up as he put food in his belly and almost instantly was scarfing down food barely remembering to chew. After Link had emptied his plate he looked up again to see the man smiling back at him.

Reaching out his hand he said, "The name's Withrow, pleased to meet you."

Link took the man's hand and shook it.

"My name's Link." He said, eyeing Withrow's untouched plate. Withrow smirked and pushed the dish over to Link.

"Eat up! I'm actually not hungry."

Link gave him a wide-eyed "are-you-serious?" stare before he squeaked out another "thank-you" and wolfed down the second meal.

"So..." Withrow began after Link had finished and there was an awkward silence.

"So..." Link returned looking at Withrow who gave a quick once-nod. Link returned with a couple nods of his own. The silence was too much, Withrow couldn't hold in his stifled laughs.

"I'm sorry," he giggled, "I'm not good with awkward situations...so, uh, have any questions? I know you were with Lord Colba a lot yesterday, and he probably answered a lot of them, but, well, you probably had a lot of questions to begin with. If you have any that haven't gotten answered yet I'd be happy to give it a shot."

There was the tunnels beneath the cave, but Link didn't know if that was classified information or not. And there were questions about Colba and the Healing Magi, but he didn't know if he'd be safe asking any of those. Something didn't seem right to Link, but he didn't want go stirring up trouble. So he eventually settled on the full moon.

"Well, about the full moon, I guess, I know the winds stop on that night, but, you wouldn't happen to have any idea exactly why would you?"

"Uh, I don't know exactly why, no. It's just, well, the ocean, it goes crazy on those nights crashing against the cliffs and onto the shore, even flooding it a bit sometimes. Otherwise the ocean remains a good ways down from the top of the edge. And people are known to have strange dreams those nights. Then there's the cool damp winds that come from the sea. It's the only time you can feel it. I know it sounds strange, but it's like the winds of the sea fight back against the winds of the desert on those nights, like it's powered by the full moon or something."

"Dreams...can you tell me anything about the strange dreams?"

"That's the thing. It's like as soon as you wake up you know you just had a weird dream, but you forget it instantly. I've heard other people talk about it to so I know it's not just me, but nobody can really explain it. You just have to have one I guess. And then, when the ocean winds come in on the full moons, it's like de-ja-vu. You're reminded of the dream, it seems so familiar, but you can't place your finger on why. And, I know it doesn't make any sense, but I always make a connection with that sensation and chanting. No particular chant, mind you, but again, it's like right there in the back of my head, just out of reach. There's some connection with the wind and chanting I just know it, but I don't know why...heh, I must sound crazy to you, huh?"

"No, not at all," Link paused, "So you think whatever makes the chanting is connected with whatever fights back the winds?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess."

"So the chanters wouldn't really be evil, in fact they could be of great help..."

Withrow was completely lost, "I don't know what your trying to get at...but, sure."

"That's actually the feeling I had before, deep down inside, that I needed to find her."

"What are you talking about?"

"...nevermind"

-- WRAP UP --

Wow, looking back that chapter seems really slow. Not unbearably slow I hope??? Well, I wrote it, so I'm going to put it up anyways, so if it was too slow give me feedback so I can change it. Otherwise I'll just assume I'm being overly critical. So I actually went back and proof read this chapter, and found a lot more mistakes than I expected, but that's due to the fact that I simply just suck at grammar. So, logically, there's probably still a plethora of mistakes left. Hopefully it's a bit more readable this time around though.

- - - - -

Angelic Fatima- Yeah, well, I'd have to say spiders are the biggest thing for me. Not that I'm fond of most other bugs. It's just that I wouldn't consider myself afraid of them. Me and my mom joke about a trade off we have- I have her kill all the spiders and I kill all the wood roaches. (she hates those things).

Thag- :) I'm sorry about the joke –cough- it's just that I hadn't played a joke all day...and nobody had played a joke on me, and I was all like "GOSH DARN! It's April Fools! Ima get sumthin outa today!" but really, truly, very sorry -cough-cough- Oh yeah, and the Wheel of Fortune Thing- I had track practice and then went strait to church afterwards and forgot to have my mom tape it. I was kicking myself the entire next day! So how'd you do?

Dark Cross- Ah! Crazy voices! Thanks, as always, for the kind review. They always help boost my esteem! :)

Split Infinitive- Naw, it wasn't a 'downer.' I always appreciate the honest criticism. I already knew I'm no good at grammar anyways. Despite that I still got too cocky and never proofread my chapters. I needed a tug. :) And I've started to read "Rebel Assassin" I just finished the first chapter, but hopefully I should catch up eventually. You certainly captured my interest already and school is ending so it shouldn't take too long... But anyways, thanks for reviewing, it's much appreciated :)