Chapter Four: The Blue Orb
"You're from Hyrule aren't you?" Chiron asked, looking at Link's shield, which bore the symbol of Hyrule's royal family. Link looked at his shield and nodded. Despite the fact that Link had not been back to Hyrule in nearly ten years, he still used a Hylian shield to remind him of the land he gave so much up for.
"So, what is it that you do on your ranch, Chiron?" Link asked when the ranch first came into view.
"We raise animals for food, such as cows, pigs, and cuccos." Chiron replied.
"Hmm, that place must reek," Link jested.
"It does," Chiron admitted, "but you get used to it after a while. Too bad you won't be there long enough to adjust." Link gave Chiron a weird look. Once Chiron saw it, he could not help laughing. "Don't worry," Chiron said, "it's not that bad."
The ranch was enormous. Most of the ranch consisted of large field, with many barns scattered through out it. A tall wooden fence, meant to keep the animals in, surrounded the field. Close to the southern most gate, through which Chiron and Link entered, was large house.
"By Nayru!" exclaimed Link upon seeing the building. "That house is almost as big as Hyrule Castle!" Chiron could only laugh at this, for he knew Link was joking.
"We need the large house for all my siblings." Chiron explained.
"You must have ten kids in your family," Link said.
"Actually there're twelve, including me."
"I bet you feel cramped in there," said Link."
"Sometimes," Chiron replied, "What about you? Do you have many siblings?"
Link shook his head and said, "No, I was an only child. You see, my parents died when I was very young." Chiron grew silent. He feared that he had hit a sore spot, with Link.
After a short period of awkward silence, the two arrived at the front door of the house. Chiron opened the door and motioned for Link to come inside. Once inside, Chiron walked to the other side of the room and sat in a wooden chair. Link followed him and took the seat next to his new acquaintance.
"By the way," Chiron said in an attempt to break the silence, "thanks again for saving my butt back there. I owe you big time."
"No problem," Link replied, "Helping people is what I do. Which reminds me, I forgot to ask what those men wanted with you?"
"They were after this," Chiron said, as he pulled a blue glass sphere, which was about as large as a doorknob, from his satchel. "I was out there trying to bury the thing when those guys got the jump on me."
"What is so special about that orb?" Link inquired.
"I don't know," Chiron answered. "It's just a worthless family heirloom as far as I know, but it's not the first time those Tyfirians tried to take it. I decided to get rid of it, cause I figure if Ormek wants it so much, I'm sure as heck am not going to be the one who gives it to him."
"Ormek, who is that?" Link asked.
"General Ormek is the commander-in-chief of the entire Tyfirian army and navy. Those men, who attacked me, were from the Tyfirian army, under Ormek's own orders."
"Tyfiria, is that not that the country that borders Cyntir to the north?" Link asked. Chiron nodded in the affirmative. "That means, my ship wasn't attacked by pirates at all," Link continued, "My ship was attacked by the Tyfirian navy. The question is why."
"I can answer that," Chiron offered, "Cyntir and Tyfiria are currently at war. The Tyfirians have been trying to take out our resources, so we can't support ourselves. By attacking ships in the Sea of Gidd and the Karab Sea, they're discouraging ships from going through the strait of Cyntir. The tolls we collect from ships passing through that strait are extremely important to the Cyntirian economy."
"Just one more question," Link interrupted, "Why are Cyntir and Tyfiria at war in the first place?"
"It's rather complicated," Chiron started, "You see, the Tyfirians used to be our slaves up until about fourteen years ago, when some freed slaves led a campaign for the slaves' freedom. After ten years of fighting, Cyntir finally gave in and released every last slave. The Tyfirians were given the northland to make their own country. There was then peace between the two nations for about a year, and then war broke out again. The Tyfirians decided the land we gave to them was insufficient to meet the needs of their growing population. I guess I can see where the Tyfirians were coming from. After all, the northland is very mountainous and arid. There isn't much land suitable for growing crops up there. When the Tyfirians came to us with their dilemma, the Cyntirian king graciously offered them a large strip of land in the east. The strip contained quite a bit of fertile soil, plus it connected to the Karab Sea, which would allow the Tyfirians to begin trade with other countries. This would have been very beneficial for the Tyfirians, for there are a lot of valuable minerals in Tyfiria. In fact, Tyfiria has one of the largest iron mines in the world. Still, General Ormek convinced the Tyfirian King to settle for nothing less than South Port Town, which is the port we use to monitor the strait of Cyntir. But we could not afford to give up the strait. It's the backbone for our entire economy. So, two years ago, the Tyfirians launched a campaign to acquire a three hundred by one hundred fifty-mile strip of land, which contained South Port Town. The thing I don't understand is why the Tyfirians are attacking from directly north of South Port Town. North of the town is just a desert. It's just worthless land."
"This General Ormek seems to put a lot effort into acquiring seemingly worthless things doesn't he?" Link commented eyeing the blue orb, "Which in my experience, usually means there is something here we can not see."
"My thoughts exactly," Chiron continued, "That's why I think Ormek is planning to take over all of Cyntir. Although the Tyfirian king swears he won't let Ormek do that."
"Does Cyntir have any allies to help?" Link inquired.
"No," Chiron answered, "Any potential allies are too scared to get involved. They think if the help us, they'll come off as pro-slavery. In any case, I don't think Cyntir wants to drag other countries into the war." Chiron then sighed and stretched out his arms. "That's enough politics for today. You've had a long day, Link. Why don't I show you to the guest room, so you can rest a bit?"
Chiron took Link up to the second floor and led him to small room. Inside the room, there was a single cot set up. Chiron allowed Link to enter the room, he then shut the door behind his acquaintance and left. Link walked over to the cot and fell over into it. He fell asleep almost instantly.
A gentle knocking at the door awoke Link several hours later. Link got up and opened the door to find a young girl, no older than nine, looking up at him. "Chiron sent me to fetch you for supper," the little girl said shyly. The girl then took Link by the hand and led him to the dinning room. All of Chiron's family was in the dinning room and seated at the table. The table was long, surrounded by fifteen chairs. Chiron's father sat at the front of the table and Chiron's mother sat at the foot. There were only two empty seats around the table. The little girl who had retrieved Link filled one of them. The last remaining seat was next to Chiron's father and across from Chiron. Link took the last remaining free seat and was delighted to find a full plate in front of him.
"So, Chiron tells me you're from Hyrule." Chiron's father said trying to start a conversation.
"That's correct," Link replied.
"What are you doing so far away from home?" Chiron's father asked.
"I would not exactly call Hyrule my home. You see I have not been back there in many years. I have spent the last few years of my life with a band of mercenaries." Upon hearing that Link was a mercenary, Chiron's father gave him a somewhat frightened look. "Do not get the wrong idea," Link said, "My clan does not work for just anybody. We only fight for causes we believe in. I have heard the plight of Cyntir and I can assure you my companions will not be working for Tyfiria any time soon. Actually those Tyfirians are why I am here. I was on my way to Nicrosia in search of work for my associates when my ship was destroyed by Tyfirians."
"Those blasted Tyfirians have to ruin everything don't they?" Chiron's father blurted out, pounding his fist on the table. He quickly calmed himself again and continued to question Link. "Were you sent on this mission alone?" He asked. Link did not answer. Thoughts of Calrith and the Zora who murdered him came back, flooding his mind with thoughts of revenge. Despite his desire to bring Calrith's killer to justice, Link knew he would probably never see that Zora again. This filled Link with even more rage. Link was about ready to go into a rampage until he remembered something Calrith taught him once.
"Anger can be one's greatest weakness," Calrith had told Link long ago, "Anger impairs judgment and clouds one's thoughts." Link was often counseled by Calrith to control his anger, mainly because ever since Link left Hyrule, he had developed somewhat of a short fuse. By remembering Calrith's instruction Link was calmed, but he still did not speak for the rest of the meal. Not that he needed to, seeing that his question upset Link, Chiron's father ceased with his inquiry.
"Captain Lucrus," a Tyfirian soldier said to his commanding officer just outside the ranch, "all of our troops are in position. We will attack the ranch on your command."
"Good work, lieutenant," Lucrus said, "Remember, don't burn the ranch till we have the orb." The lieutenant nodded and made a motion with his hand to his troops, signaling them to move in on the ranch. There were around twenty men under Lucrus's command. They were all dressed in the standard blue and grey uniform of the Tyfirians, but they were not wearing much if any armor and the only weapons they carried were light-weight swords and shields. Many men were also carrying torches. However they still would have been considered terribly under equipped had they been preparing for a real battle. The Tyfirians were not worried though, they did not think the ranchers would pose much of a challenge and were quite confident they would be victorious.
Link's meal was disturbed by the ranch animals all acting up at once, as if a predator was on the loose. "Why are those animals getting upset all of a sudden?" Chiron's mother asked.
"They've probably spotted a pack of wolfos," Chiron's father answered. He got up from his seat and got his bow and a quiver of arrows, which were leaning against the door. Chiron's father opened the door and was immediately grabbed by his shirt and pulled out of the house.
"Dad!" Chiron cried out.
Three men in blue then charged in with their swords drawn. "Chiron, go get my equipment quick!" Link commanded. Chiron dashed for the stairs. One of the men in blue tried to follow him, but Link stepped in his way and grabbed him by the wrist. Link twisted the man's arm, till he began howling in pain and dropped his sword. Link then elbowed the Tyfirian in the face, knocking him back towards his companions.
Link picked up the Tyfirian's sword and turned to Chiron's family ordering them to get out of the house if they could. While Link was turned, one of the Tyfirians charged Link holding his sword above his head. Link heard him coming and slashed the man in blue and grey across the stomach. The Tyfirian stumbled back and fell on top of the other Tyfirian already on the ground. The last soldier stood back, not sure whether he should attack or not. Eventually he began to circle around Link with his sword and shield both raised. They both circled each other until the Tyfirian's back was facing the stairs and Link's back was facing Chiron's family. The man in blue and grey started his attack with three quick slashes with his sword. All three volleys were blocked by Link's sword. Link then attacked himself, but his attack was blocked by the Tyfirian's shield.
The Tyfirian was unable to get another attack off, for a soon as he tried, Chiron returned with Link's equipment. He jumped down from the top of the stairs and knocked over the Tyfirian. He tried to get back on his feet, but as he was getting up, Link knocked the sword out of the man in blue's hand. Link then brought his leg around and swept the Tyfirian's feet out from under him.
Link dropped the Tyfirian sword he was holding and picked up his own sword and shield, both of which had been dropped by Chiron when he tackled the Tyfirian. Chiron handed Link the rest of his gear and then armed himself with the fallen Tyfirians' weaponry, as did one of Chiron's brothers.
"Stay here and protect your family," Link said to Chiron in a very authoritative voice, "I'll go find your father."
Link bolted out the door and began searching for Chiron's father. It did not take Link long to find him, Chiron's father was only a few dozen feet away from the house. Link ran over to his host and knelt down beside him. "Are you wounded?" Link asked once that he saw that the man was conscious.
"I think my leg is broken, but other than that, I'm okay," Chiron's father answered.
Link began looking around and saw many more Tyfirian soldiers running around the fields of the ranch. Many of the soldiers were making off with livestock and other supplies. Upon seeing this, Link ran after some of the Tyfirian soldiers, in an attempt to stop them from getting more of the livestock.
Chiron was shaking with fear; his eyes were dead set on the Tyfirians lying on the floor. If any of the Tyfirians woke up, Chiron would be ready. Little did Chiron realize though, one of the soldiers was already waking up. This particular Tyfirian was wise enough not to make any quick movements. Instead, he slowly reached for a sword lying nearby. Once the soldier had a firm grip on his sword he sprang to his feet and charged Chiron. Chiron's mother let out a scream. Chiron was able to get his shield up before the Tyfirian swung; however Chiron was not ready for the impact. The blow caused him to fall on his back. The blue orb then popped out of the satchel Chiron kept it in.
The orb rolled over to the Tyfirian who snatched it up off the ground once he realized what it was. A large smile came over the Tyfirian as he darted out the door. "Captain," the soldier cried out at the top of his lungs, "I have it, I have the orb!" Captain Lucrus made a motion with his hands to some of his soldiers. The Tyfirians began setting the barns, fences, and even the grass on fire. "Let's get out of here," Lucrus ordered to his troops. Despite this order, Lucrus remained stationary. Lucrus did not move until the soldier with the orb tossed the blue glass sphere to him. With the prize now secure, Lucrus rode off after his men.
Chiron and his family had already vacated their house and gathered around the family patriarch when Link returned, after he was unable to stop the cattle-snatchers. Luckily a heavy rain had begun to fall, putting out the flames that were consuming the ranch.
Chiron stood away from the rest of his family, still holding the Tyfirian sword. "I'll get those monsters," Chiron mumbled to himself. Link walked up behind Chiron and put his hand on Chiron's shoulder.
"Don't worry," Link said calmly, "It will be okay."
"How is it going to be okay?" Chiron yelled.
"The damage done by the fire wasn't to serious and no one in your family was hurt too badly," Link said with a soothing voice. Chiron nodded his head, but remained silent. "Do not worry" Link continued. "I'll get your cattle back for you."
"Thanks," said Chiron still trying to calm down, "but don't think you're going after those murderous Tyfirians alone, I'm coming with you."
"I'll go see if there are any horses left," Chiron's mother said as she ran off to the stables.
"I'm coming too," said Chiron's father.
"Oh no you're not," said Chiron's mother as she rushed off, "not in your condition."
She returned with two horses already saddled and a sword and shield. She gave the weapons to Chiron and told him they once belonged to his great grandfather. Link mounted a dark brown horse, and Chiron mounted a light brown horse. "Chiron," Chiron's father started, but fell silent for a while, "make me proud," he finally said.
"I will," Chiron replied.
"Do not fear," Link said to Chiron's family, "I will bring Chiron back safely," Link wiped the rain off his brow and nodded to Chiron. Once Chiron nodded back, Link kicked his horse's side and dashed of into the night. Chiron lingered a second longer, getting one last glance of his family before he sped off after Link.
"Good luck!" Chiron's mother cried out as her son's horse disappeared into stormy night.