Chapter 3
More New Faces
Malon tugged on the boy's arm, dragging him nearly the entire distance to the wagon. The cool night's breeze blew her long red hair softly and dried her navy blue eyes a little. Malon blinked a few times to moisturize them. "Where are we going?", the boy asked. Malon smiled cheerfully. "To the wagon, silly", she replied. "What wagon", he said desperately. "My wagon, where else", she answered as they came to a stop. The old wooden wagon stood were it was left, draw by a pair of horses munching on a bag of oats around each of their necks. "Here we are", Malon gleefully announced.
Link brushed himself off. "Listen, thank you for what you did back there, I really appreciate it", Link said, and turned to leave. "Oh no you don't!", Malon said, seizing his right arm. Link was left-handed, a rare thing, so he could wrestle the girls full weight off of his arm. She was light, but not that light. "Hey…come on…let go!", Link struggled. The girl giggled playfully, "No." "Hey, I'm not kidding", Link protested, unable to break her embrace. "I never said you were", she replied smartly.
Link stopped struggling. Malon released his arm and stood up straight, folding her hands behind her back. "I did something for you, so you gotta do something for me", Malon said. Link readied himself to raise argument, but as he looked at her, he could tell that it would get him nowhere. He let out a heavy sigh and nodded. Malon clapped her hands in approval. "Come with me", she said, grabbing Link's hand. She pulled him to the back of the wagon and pushed him forward. "Get in", she ordered. Confused, Link did as she said, climbing in. The inside of the wagon was small and relatively empty with the exception of a sleeping man in blue work cloths. He was older, about middle-aged. The shorts sleeves of his red undershirt were exposed under the blue work outfit, both of witch were sopping with sweat. His heavy brown work boots matched those of the girl outside. Mostly bald on his head, the man did have a full beard that wrapped from under his nose and all the way around his head. The short round fellow let out a tremendous snore and shifted uncomfortably. "Ahem!", Malon directed at Link. Link peered out the wagon and down at her. "Aren't you gonna be a gentleman and help me up?", she spoke impatiently. Link rolled his eyes and extended his hand. Malon grasped in softly, being very ladylike. Link did his best to pull her up as gently as he could.
Malon stepped into the wagon, releasing her overdramatic clutch from Link. Delivering a sharp kick to the large man's gut, she said, "Daddy, time to get up; we're leaving." Her father sprung awake, "What in tar nation…oh, Malon. Is it time already?" "Dad, its been nearly four hours", Malon explained. The large man shook his head and stood up. "Now who do we have here? I sent you in with milk and you return with a man", he joked. "Yeah, I found him outside the castle. He owes me a favor", she said. "Talon's the name, I own the Lon Lon Ranch", the big fellow explained. Link shook him hand, a little impressed. The Lon Lon Ranch was known throughout Hyrule and many others as the best ranch around. "I'm Link", he responded. "Well hello then, Link", Talon greeted, "I take it you've already met my daughter, Malon." Link nodded, looking over at her. She gave him a warm smile and a sly wink. She was very…unique as far as Link was concerned. She kind of scared him, but at the same time he sort of liked her. "Well, lets get going", Talon said and grabbed the reigns. With a loud snap, the horses stared to pull the wagon forward. Link sat down, leaning against the walls of the wagon. Letting out a considerable yawn, he began to doze off. It had been one eventful day. Link wonder where York was, but at the same time, couldn't really care. He thought of the princess in all her beauty and grace. Then he thought of Malon much in the same way. She had a more simplistic beauty, a clear but quiet thing. As his thoughts melded together, Malon sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and made herself comfortable. Link was about to more her until he realized that she had almost immediately fallen fast asleep. Unwilling to wake her, Link closed his eyes too and slowly drifted off.
"Hello, Talon. How did it go at the castle, everyone accounted for?", a young man with long purple hair joked.
The tall and lanky fellow worn white and purple present's clothing that matched his purple eyes. He seemed to radiate with the color as much as his bright smile did to any mood. He helped the hefty rancher down, brushing off his clothing.
"Actually we're heavy one, Kafei", Talon said, searching his pockets. He produced a small bit of bread and began eating it.
Kafei raised an eyebrow, awaiting a better explanation from Talon. However, the large man only wandered off into his house. Kafei winced as the sun broke over the walls of the ranch, lighting the grand Hyrule Field that spanned in all directions. Sighing, he pulled himself up onto the wagon as a second man came to take the horses. The was tall and gruff looking. He had a large mustache and a grumpy demeanor. He was Ingo, the miserable ranch hand.
"Come on you damn horses, get in the stable", Ingo said grouchily. He struggled to push the reluctant animals into the shed.
Kafei shook his head. "A forceful hand will command an army, but it takes a gentle one to guide a steed", he said aloud, trying to teach the thickheaded man.
Ingo only mumbled curses under his breath and continued his struggle. Kafei sighed again, a hopeless cause. He turned and slid open the tarp of the wagon, spying two figures inside. One was the redheaded, sweet girl, Malon. The other was a blond-haired boy in green; both slumbered next to one another. Kafei laughed internally at the sight. It reminded him of himself and Anju four years ago. He would have been their age then.
"Hey you two, its morning", he spoke softly, nudging Malon on her arm. Malon stirred a little and after a second nudge she awoke, letting out a tremendous yawn.
"Its morning already?", she said, tired and puzzled. Malon poked the boy next to her until he awoke as well.
"Well good morning to you, stranger. I'm Kafei; welcome to the Lon Lon Ranch", he greeted. The boy shook his hand, just as groggy as Malon was. "You got a name?", Kafei asked.
He view his surroundings as he got out of the wagon, helping Malon down. "Link", he replied simplistically.
Kafei patted him on the back and departed for the large building that Talon had entered earlier. He looked back at the pair, seeing a timid boy and an adventurous girl. He smiled. It was almost just like him and Anju. Kafei opened the door and entered quickly brushed passed by and impatient Ingo. Talon was asleep in a corner on the floor and Ingo had entered his room in the cellar. Kafei sat down at the table, ignoring Talon's monstrous snoring. He could see Malon dragging Link into the stable from a window. Yeah, it was almost exactly like it was with him.
Malon brushed the horses mane with her hand, having ever the gentlest touch. "You try!", she excitedly implored Link.
Link ran his hand on the horse brushing it firmly and quickly. The horse shook its head a little in disapproval. Link backed up a little. He had never been around a horse before, or not as close as this.
"No, silly, your not doing it right", Malon protested. Link eyed her, irritated. "First, get these things off", Malon said and took Link's hands. She carefully unlaced his gauntlets and set them on the floor. "Now don't be scared, I'll help", Malon assured him.
Softly placing her hand over his, she touch his fingers to the horse's mane and ran them across it delicately. Link started to understand what he was doing wrong. He started to control his own hand movements, paying close attention to the horses reaction. He was surprised how easy it really was.
"This one's my favorite", Malon said, "Her name is Epona." Malon began humming a soft and delightful tune. Almost instantly the horse reacted in approval.
Link continued to pet the horse, now completely fascinated with the animal. Though he hand gotten the hang of it, Malon didn't release his hand. She kept her's on top, humming her tune in the most exquisite way she could.
"She loves this song", Malon said softly. Link withdrew his hand. "She has good taste", he replied. "Could I ride one of the horses?", Link asked. It was something he always wanted to do. "Hee hee, not today", Malon giggled, "We have work to do."
Carter marched with valor at the command of his superior. He was in full uniform, including his decorative saber, sheathed on his left side, and his pistol, holstered on his right. Every inch of his uniform debunked him to have the highest level of self-respect, duty, and honor. The metal plates on his boot heels clicked against the hardwood floor as he entered the Colonel's office.
"Reporting as ordered, sir!", he announced, snapping a firm salute. With a nod from the Colonel, he returned his hand to his side, still standing respectfully rigid.
Colonel Mikhail blew a puff of smoke out of his pipe. He was perched at his desk overlooking mountains of files. His sack coat and hat were hung neatly on a coat rack. His white uniform shirt and suspenders made him look less like a commander and more like any other soldier of Ninor. Removing the pipe from his mouth and exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, he drew his attention from his work.
"Captain, what do you have to report?", the Colonel asked. "Sir, our scouts report that the wizard, Wizrobe, has taken up residence in the stone structure in northern most Cretain, sir", Carter replied sternly.
Cretain, the center of the dispute between Hyrule and Ninor. Each nation vies for this land; and now a crazy wizard has taken a hobby of tormenting the native townsfolk. The bastard has begun lowering temperatures in the area, playing hell with agriculture.
"What action has been taken against him?", the Colonel inquired. "Sir, dismounted Calvary was sent in by order of 1st Lieutenant Hicks. The Calvary did not return, so I ordered Hicks and one of his platoons in, they have not returned either", the Captain said grimly.
The Colonel cursed under his breath. This wizard was more of a pain then he could have fathomed. A platoon and Calvary were unacceptable losses. The Colonel pondered the situation, factoring in several possibilities. This should not be a military problem, but if Hyrule is called for aid, this may give them a bargaining tool for Cretain.
"Captain Carter", the Colonel addressed. The Captain sprung right to an even more rigid attention. "Put out a reward for the deposal of Wizrobe, coordinate with Hylian officials and set the reward accordingly", he ordered. "With any luck, we may manage to find a capable party to handle this threat for us", he added as the Captain saluted and turned to leave. The Colonel stood. "And Sam", he said casually. Carter stopped at the door. "If anyone steps forward and succeeds, do me a personal favor and keep a close eye on them. Use whatever cover you see fit, but watch them. I sense tense times ahead and allies may fall in short supply", Colonel Mikhail explained. "Yes, sir", Carter spoke and exited the room.
Link seated himself at the table and looked at the small meal placed before him. Baked beans, corn, mashed potatoes and some ham made for an appetizing supper. At the long table, Malon sat next to the left of him. The two bummed elbows as they ate, Link being left-handed. Talon sat across from them, eating to his hearts content. Next to him sat Kafei and a red haired girl named Anju. Her hair was much shorter than Malon's and darker at that. She wore a red shirt tucked neatly into a tan blouse. Kafei had introduced her as his fiancée. The only one not present was Ingo, who had taken his dinner outside.
"Its nice to have new company", Talon said, stirring up conversation. Link nodded as he ate. Malon giggled softly.
"So Kafei, how have you been", Talon asked, shifting the conversation. "Never better", Kafei replied, "Anju and I are making wedding preparations. We were planning to be married in Cretain before summer's end, but that might not be possible", Kafei added, disappointment in his voice.
"Oh Cretain, that reminds me, Malon I need you to go to Cretain and pick up hay for the horses, two bundles", Talon requested. Malon sighed loudly. "Come sweaty, it won't be that hard. Why don't you take Link along to help?", Talon said.
Link nearly spat his food out at that comment. He tried to object, but couldn't bring forth the word once Malon hugged his arm, volunteering him. It seemed he just couldn't argue with her, once she had an idea no one could stop her. Link couldn't help but think this was why her father was bald.
"So Link, where are you from", Anju asked in a soft-spoken voice. Link swallowed his food and answered, "Well, I was born in Hyrule City and lived there until I was fourteen. When my mother died, I moved to Cretain and I've lived there for the past three years." "Oh, I'm sorry, you didn't have a father?", Anju asked. Link shook his head. "My mother told me that he served in the army and died, I never new him", he said, the subject not depressing him. He had just gotten used to it by now.
"What do you do for a livin' Link?", Talon asked. "I live with an old swordsman. I clean and work for him in exchange for a place to stay and food to eat. By the way, thanks for the meal", Link said, pushing his plate away. "No problem, you've done your share of work today", Talon replied with a smile.
At that, Anju and Kafei stood to leave. "Goodbye, and thank you", they said to Talon and Malon. "No problem, come back anytime", Talon said.
Kafei and Anju lived in Kakariko Village to the Northeast. The large village was nestled between the massive Death Mountain and the Zora's Domain. It was a peaceful area with a lot of Hylian history behind it. The original Sheikah, the protectors of the Royal Family, hailed form this village.
Link stood and cleaned his plate. Malon showed him to the guest room and advised him to get some rest. Tomorrow would be a long day. Link kicked of his boots and plopped onto the bed. He yawned and began to doze off.
Carter stepped into a small office inside the Hylian barracks. The room was made mostly of stone and was rather plane. A single wooden deck stood in the center and a pair of chairs of either side. A soldier stood from the desk and saluted him. Carter saluted back at the armored soldier. He wore full plate mail armor and a pointed helmet. The armor was stained white and shown several Hylian insignias.
"Captain Carter, 26th Infantry Division", Carter spoke. "Captain Viscen, army of Hyrule", he replied.
The two sat and Viscen removed his helmet, reveling a young officer with black hair and a clean shaven face. Carter found it hard to believe that he led Hyrule's entire military. Carter handed him a letter stamped with Ninor's seal. Viscen opened it a viewed to contents intently.
"As you can see, to rectify this problem without expending military assets would be most beneficial to both sides", Carter said. Viscen finished reviewing the letter and looked up at Carter. "What reward do you have in mind, Captain?", he asked. Carter quickly responded, "On Ninor's behalf, our equivalent of five hundred rupees."
Viscen nodded and pondered for a moment. "My King has expressed a desire for less of a gap between the peasants and royalty, I could put up the offer of a chance to dine with the Royal Family", Viscen said.
Carter gave an internal smirk. It seems that Hyrule was afraid of invasion after all and rightly so. Ninor's military power far surpassed Hyrule's, even without the aid of magic. Rifles and cannons was what made Ninor's army, technology that Hyrule barely understood. That's why they want a loyal population, one close to the king. Without one, they my side with an invading power. Carter didn't think war would break out, but Hyrule did and this information could aid in securing Cretain.
"I do believe we have a plan then", Carter said after much delay. The two stood shook hands. Viscen called in an aid and gave him orders to post fliers in Hyrule and Cretain. Carter departed the barracks and mounted his horse. Night was falling quickly and the moon shown bright in the sky. Not since his childhood had he seen a Hylian moon. Carter snapped the reigns and road off, back to Ninor.