Chapter 4: Wishes of the Woods
I knew from the start of my journey that this would never be easy. No, not that Veran or Onox would figure it out, it's because of the forest's hostility toward the Hylians after our last battle with the Kokiri. However, I had one chance. I could not start with getting allies with the Kokiri. I had to make up with their closest ally, the Deku. Do not let their small bodies fool you. They can shoot seeds and bubbles out of their snout at an incredible velocity. Plus, they have a HUGE advantage. They are the only civilization that can go airborne. If I have this power on my side, things could get a lot better for my cause.
Due to recent
combat, I have to stay on my toes, making sure that not one Deku sees
me. If they do...
Things could be all over for me. I can't let
myself get captured, at ALL COSTS.
I snuck into the village, hiding behind rocks, trees, houses, whatever I could find. But, there was no one outside. No, I couldn't take a risk. I must stay sneaky. Eventually, I was starting to close in on the Emperor's Palace. And that was as far as I got, before...
"Put your hands up now!!!!"
I was surrounded by Deku, probably Palace Guards. They didn't take any chances.
"Wwwwait, I..."
"Silence! You're
coming with us."
I decided to cooperate. If I fought them off,
the Kokiri would definitely come to help them, and I wouldn't
survive, not without my armor. The guards led me to the palace's
dungeons. They would either:
1. Keep me here as a POW.
2.
Execute me.
3. Send me to Onox to be executed.
None of them are
something I'd wish for, but I'd rather stay as a POW. However, none
of those possible situations came true. In fact, I was only down in
the dungeon for about an hour. They led me up, but this time, to the
Royal Chamber. There, the king, in all of his wooden glory, was
sitting on a nice-sized chair. Guards surrounded all possible exits,
including the windows. This still doesn't make sense. Why was I
called to the stand?
"State your name."
"Evan...Evan Harkinian."
Heh, I could tell it. He knew my name. So did everyone else. They say I used to be loved and adored, but after this war started, I lost that so called "good" reputation and became hated by all, even my own people.
"Hmm, you look like you're a member of the Hylian Army; correct me if I'm wrong."
"No, my lord, you're right. I'm a knight, or was..."
"Good enough. I...need you to do me a favor."
"Hmm?"
"You see, my daughter was kidnapped by some... beast from the forest. I need you to rescue for. In turn, I will give you your freedom. And maybe, something else."
I had no choice. Either I helped him, or I rotted in a small wooden cell. "Okay I'll do it, but how will I navigate the forest?"
"I was getting to that. Coorae, come here!"
I saw the leader of the guards who captured me. He was tall, and had a satchel of seeds that he used for weapons.
"Coorae, you must guide this man through the woods and make sure he doesn't escape."
"Yes, sire." His voice was very monotonous. Like what I used to be, until the accident.
Well, at least I have someone who knows the woods. The king has given us the night to rest up, but tomorrow, we will battle.