Chapter One
The South Burns

The end is coming. Twilight is falling. The world will kneel with the coming of the night. Mountains shall fall, and the sky shall roar, and the sea shall give up its dead.

It will begin here, in a small town in the south of Hyrule.

Here the first hammer stroke will fall. And it is here that the first chapter of the final legend will be forged.

A wind stirred in the south, from far out across the Southern Ocean. It blew northwards across the crashing waves, over treacherous waters and high tides, and as it passed over land it drifted through the small fishing town of Taran Kaey. A spray of water blew over the shores, and the wind caught the flags and creaky signs hanging over the taverns on the seafront, stirring them spiritedly and spreading beach sand across the dusty road. The wind kept on, a storm was brewing in the south.

From the window of a small tavern in the southern slums of the town, a young man looked out at the sea. The ocean was seldom calm these days, tales of storms and thunder came regularly from boat crews; stories ranging from everything from gods casting lightning to monsters attacking from the depths. Something was brewing in the south.

He looked into his tankard, and took back a long drink, draining the last of the sweet beverage and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He put down the tankard heavily, and leaned back in his chair lazily. "I tell you, Daran," he said, a relaxed grin across his face, "there's going to be trouble soon."

His friend eyed him warily from across the table, he sighed and he started making circles with his finger in his pint, "So you keep telling me." Daran leaned back I his chair and folded his arms behind his head. "So you keep telling me."

The tavern was the favourite retreat of the two young men, where they came to relax after hard day working at the shipyard. Here they could enjoy an ale, listen to some music, and forget their troubles. The inn was of a similar fashion to all in this district. Whitewashed brick walls, supported by black lacquered beams, scaling three levels, with rooms for rent in the upper floors. The common room was tightly packed with people, sitting at tables surrounded by ladder-backed chairs, with a warm log fire cracking under the chimney in the wall. There was a warm atmosphere here, and most of the patrons were good men, much unlike the vile sort that gathered and festered in other inns in this part of town.

Daran looked out of the small window, and gazed at the sea. "It looks like its getting pretty rough out there, the boats are coming in." He muttered to himself, "Sky is getting darker." He looked across at the first young man and speaking in a foreboding voice, said, "Looks like your storm might be coming, Rael."

Rael glanced outside again and nodded. After a second's pause he stood and picked up his coat. "Come on, we best be getting back. We don't want to get caught out in rain." He put his arms through his sleeves and pulled his coat up onto his back. "Father will be angry if I'm be late again." Rael laughed. "He's still mad at me for not coming home the other night, when I took off with that girl after the festival." He grinned at his friend, but Daran was still looking out through the glass pane. "Daran?"

Daran looked up at Rael blankly, and whipped his head back to the window. "There's something on the horizon, I'm trying to make it out." He gave a dissatisfied grunt and shuffled his chair back, then rose to his feet. "It don't matter." He took a last swig of his drink and fixed the tankard on the table. "What were you saying?"

Rael shook his head and began making for the door, squeezing between squashed chairs and tables, muttering pardons to those he disturbed. Daran followed him, muttering something about not listening, but it didn't bother him. He nodded to the tall doorman, and shuffled out of the door into the dusty street. It was raining lightly, and he kept in against the wall for shelter. Daran came out behind him, pulling his coat around himself tightly for warmth. "Are you coming to my place then?"

Rael started walking along the road, and Daran fell in beside him. "What you having?" He asked.

"It'll just be some stew I expect," replied Rael, pulling his coat around himself more tightly, the wind was chill and was driving right up off the shore. In the distance he heard a clap of thunder.

Daran stopped and looked out over the sea when he heard that. There really was quite a storm brewing, the sky was dark over the ocean now, and heavy rain was falling out there. Many of the boats were returning to the harbour, and these were sailors that would brave most conditions. Something bad was coming. The rain falling from above their heads was getting heavier now, and Rael wanted to press on and get underneath his own roof. "Look out there, can you see that?" Daran waved his finger out at the water, "there is something out there in the distance. Its not just cloud."

Rael shook his head angrily, "Forget it, lets get going." He slipped inside an alleyway and made haste through the dank passageway to the other side. He emerged into a street of houses, built of dark brick and slate roofs. Once they were between rows of tightly terraced buildings, they could keep dry for the most part. It was only when they had to cross the wider open tracks that they noticed how heavy the rain was becoming. Rael cursed under his breath at the cold; Daran was making shivering noises.

Rael's home a small house in the eastern outskirts. It was a single building, not built right up to another, but it was quite cramped nevertheless. The front door opened into a kitchen and dining room, with old oak furniture and small wicker baskets on the walls. There were two lead famed windows, looking out across the grassy eastern plains. At the far end of the room, a doorway led into the retiring room, a comfortable area of the house with a log fire and three large armchairs, and bookshelves with many books. It was well furnished inside this house, despite its broken appearance from outside. Upstairs were two bedrooms, a third now unused was converted as a storage room.

Rael lived here with his father Resh, a carpenter who ran his own trade in the town. He was a respected man, and Rael was proud to be his son, though he did not intend to follow into his line of work. Rael worked on a farm as a shepherd, and intended to buy his own land and farm as soon as he could, that was his future. His father said the hammer and chisel were the tools to a man's happiness, but Rael did not share his views.

When he and Daran entered into the home, Rael could see through the doorway at the far end of the room that Resh was sitting in the retiring room. He was smoking a pipe and nodding slowly. "Da, I'm home," he threw his coat onto the back of a kitchen chair and began checking to see if he was wet enough to need to change clothes. Daran had hung up his cloak on a hook by the door, and had gone to look out of the window. "Sorry I'm a little late," Rael called. Looking at the table, he really was. A bowl of cold stew was sitting on the table. His father was hard, and would not keep the stove on just for his socialising time. Rael swallowed a quick spoonful and frowned, it was stone cold. His father has still not said anything in response to him. "Da?"

Daran cut in and put his hand on Rael's shoulder, "I better be going lad, time waits for no man, and neither does dinner. My ma will have a fit if I don't get back now." He looked out at the rain and sighed. "I'm about to get bloody wet again."

Rand smiled and nodded, "I'll catch you later." Leaving Daran alone in the kitchen, presuming he could make his own way out, Rael wandered through to the retiring room. His father had a guest, and this second person was speaking, his father nodding slowly and breathing out long reems of pipe smoke, "…and we lost half of our shipping order. These bloody storms will be the ruin of my trade I tell you." The speaker was sitting in the chair opposite his father, a young smartly dressed man, lounged back in the chair even more casually than the older man. A third person was also present, a pretty young woman, who was watching the young man and smiling. She was first to notice Rael standing in the doorway; she looked his way and smiled warmly. Then the two men took notice as well, and looked up from their pipes.

"Little brother!" said the young man keenly. He remained in his seat rather than standing to greet him, but made a wide welcoming gesture, "Won't you sit with us, Rael? I have brought some fine drink for us to share this evening."

Rael smiled and nodded, and moved to perch on the arm of his father's tall leather chair, "Evening, Ralis. I trust all is well with you?" Before Ralis could answer Rael suddenly stood up, and apologetically walked across to the young woman. "Mara, forgive my manners, welcome to our home. Are you well this evening?"

She nodded, "Yes thank you Rael," she laughed, "you needn't be so proper you know."

Rael blushed, "Of course, forgive me." He slid back onto the arm of his father's chair and folded his arms quietly.

Resh laughed and drew long from his pipe, he breathed out a stream of smoke and rocked his head back. "She's got you wrapped around her finger too, eh' Rael? Best watch out for that one," he winked at her, those deep blue eyes twinkling, "she's already ensnared one of my boys, I can't let her take the other."

Mara laughed, and Ralis looked at her fondly, "Yes, careful there brother." He took a smoke of his pipe and lounged back in his chair, his legs casually flopped over the arm. Ralis was as different in appearance to Rael in as much as it was possible for brothers to be. They were both tall, and of a medium build, but where Rael had long reddish-brown hair, light blue eyes and of pleasant good looks; Ralis had dark brown hair, deep blue eyes, and darkly handsome features, and held an aura of authority around himself almost all the time.

Neither of them seemed to take after their father; he was a hand shorter than his sons, with grey hair, deep blue eyes and a short beard at his chin. Resh had lines of age on his face, but remained somewhat handsome, though in another way entirely than his two boys. People often wondered how the three of them looked so different, and Resh would tell them of their mother, and of how much they both took after her in both appearance and spirit. Yvene had died years ago, when the boys were both youngsters, and he had raised them by himself as testament of his love to her. A truly remarkable woman he would tell people, beautiful, witty and caring. There was always a sadness in his voice when he spoke of her.

"What brings you here this evening then, Ralis?" Asked Rael, slouching back on the chair, and folding his arms.

Ralis laughed, "Can a man not visit his own father and brother without being questioned about it? Mara and I just came to see you and father."

Rael smiled, "Very good then. So how is married life treating you?"

"Never better," said Mara, "loving every minute." She paused for a moment. "Well, nearly every minute."

Ralis grinned, and looked across at Resh, "So, a drink?"

"Absolutely," said their father, putting his pipe to rest on the side table, "we'll have a right old party, the four of us," he joked, then stood up and moved across the room to a small cabinet. He opened it up and placed four glasses on the fold down oak surface, then began pouring from a tall crystal decanter. "So where is this from, Ralis?"

"From the south west valley, Da, and the best. The increase in shipping trade means I can get hold of lots of expensive goods for less cost."

Resh passed a glass to Mara, then to Ralis, and then brought back one each for himself and Rael. "But like Ralis was saying," said Mara, "these storms are going to do the trade a world of harm. We've had to put the shipping on hold."

Rael nodded slowly, "That's unfortunate." Outside, a peal of thunder rocked upon the town. With the exception of Resh, they jumped where they sat, shocked at the sudden outburst. "Sounds like the storm is getting close." He muttered, then added, "I hope Daran got home all right."

"This weather is truly out of season," said Ralis, "I tell you now, when I was…" And so the night went on. Ralis recounted tales of his earlier years at sea, and his experience of storms, and how unusual he found the current climate. Rael tried to relate as best he could, but found it difficult, he was not a sailor like his brother. Rael told them all of his plans to set up his farm, and Ralis and Mara offered to help his way to affording it, he told them he would consider it. Resh spoke of his week at the workshop, of strange placements that had been ordered from peculiar merchants from the east. And they all enjoyed their drink, and Resh and Ralis smoke their pipes – Resh still forbid Rael – and they laughed and were merry, and spirit was high.

But the thunder continued into the night, and as the rain echoed in the empty streets, a darkness approached Taran Kaey, unseen in the shadow of the night.

The first Rael heard was the screaming. His eyes opened with a start, and found himself laying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. "What was that?" He said quickly, climbing onto his feet.

"Just a scream, Rael" muttered his father, "if you aren't used to that in this end of town by now then I-"

"No, just listen." Hush fell, and Rael listened closely for any other sounds above the heavy falling rain and constant thunder. Another chilling scream came from somewhere in the streets, followed by another, then an angry cry from a male voice. "Something is happening."

"Stay down, Rael, it's just a roaming band of thieves. Get away from the window! You'll get seen."

Ralis opened his eye wearily, and gazed sleepily around the room, "What's going on Rael?"

Rael peered out of the small round window into the dark of the night, searching for the source of the nose. How could he see anything in this darkness? A flash of light suddenly illuminated the town, and away south, over the roofs of other buildings he was sure he could see tall masts out by the dockyard. Rael swallowed, and felt his heart beat faster and faster. "Taran Kaey is under attack." He whispered. Another flash illuminated the masts again, they were of tall warships, and they were not of Hyrule build.

A blood curdling cry echoed through the streets, the sound of a man dying.

"We have to get out of here."

Rael was already in the kitchen, grabbing coats and cloaks, and he came shuffling back into the retiring room with them, passing them to their respective owners. Mara was last to wake up, and was disbelieving at first.

"Rael," said his father, "we cannot run anywhere, sit down. You cannot even be sure that this is even a raid." Another scream, and a echo of clashing steel, sounded up the streets, much nearer this time. Resh nodded slowly, accepting. "And light forbid, even if this is an attack, where can we escape to in this dark night? Best just to hide here."

"No, Da." Said Ralis, "Rael is right. We'll be burned out of home at the least, we cannot remain here."

Mara nodded and took her cloak from Rael, "But where can we go?"

"North seems best to me." Said Resh. "Baradale, that's the nearest military outpost. If this is an attack on the kingdom, heaven help us, then the army must be mobilised quickly. Yes, go by horse to Baradale. I'm sure you will not be the only ones making that journey now."

"We? What about you?"

Resh shook his head, "If I can find a horse I will follow on, but you are more important."

Rael thought for a moment and nodded. Better not to waste time and just respect his decision, he would get away with them. "Oh, light, Daran! He lives in the north of the town, he won't even know what is happening yet. I have to warn him."

An ear-splitting crack boomed from the kitchen. Rael whipped his head around to look behind him back up the hallway. A tall man stood there, gripping a long bloody sword in his hands. He wore shining silver plate mail over his dark robes, and was dripping wet from the night. Standing on the shattered remains of the front door, he shouted loudly at them. "Bloody Hyrule scum!" He raised his sword and began advancing on Rael.

Rael shouted out in terror, and retreated into the retiring room, tripping and falling on the leg of his father's chair. He scrambled for cover and looked for something to defend himself with. Resh was on his feet, but was shaking. Mara was behind Ralis, gripping his arm tightly.

The soldier – for that was all he could be called – looked at Rael, fallen as he was on the floor, and made for him first. Resh shouted at the soldier, "Get out! Get out of my house!"

Rael got to his feet, and put an arm to his father's side to tell him to hush. But that would do no good. The soldier raised his blade and brought it down upon them. They stumbled out of the way, and the soldier swung again. Rael leaped across the room to avoid him. "Bloody worm!" Shouted the angered warrior. Mara screamed and Ralis looked desperate to do something. Suddenly, he picked up the armchair he had been sitting on that evening, and threw it at the steel-clad man. He was knocked down to the ground. Resh darted to grab his sword, but got there too late, and was met by the flat of the broad sword and stumbled across the room.

The soldier took a candle from a bracket on the wall and dropped it onto the fallen chair. It caught fire instantly. The soldier brandished his blade threateningly, lunging at the three men, and laughing. Then he set his sights on Rael again, backed up in a corner of the room.

He took up his sword in both hands, tensed to strike, moved in on Rael, and stopped short as a red hot fire poker was thrust into his left eye. He collapsed to his knees instantly and crumpled in a heap on the floor.

Ralis stood triumphantly, his arm still outstretched as though he were still holding the weapon. He was shaking, trembling all over. Mara looked at him fearfully, and his brother and father looked on in astonishment. "I…I killed him." He stammered.

Realising the fire still burned, Resh quickly grabbed a pitcher of water and doused the flames. "Hush, Ralis," he said, "you've done nothing wrong. Your brother was in danger."

"Yes, yes, of course. That's right." He smiled at Rael, and then turned to Mara. "Are you alright?"

Rael left the two of them together and went to his father's side, "More will come, what are we to do?"

"Flee." Said his father. Resh picked up the blade from the floor and checked its sharpness. "I will keep this here with me. You must run, as fast as your young legs will carry you. Go on horseback if you can. Head north to Baradale, I will find you there."

Rael looked into his father's deep blue eyes, and wondered if he would ever see him again. "All right, Da." He embraced him, and then turned to leave. "Make sure Ralis leaves soon." His father nodded, and Rael slipped out of the doorway and out into the darkness of the night.

He pulled his coat tightly around himself, wrapped his scarf across his face, and hurried into the streets of the town, heading northwards as best he could. The night was heavy on the town, and dark storm clouds blotted out the stars. The gutters flowed with rainwater, and Rael slipped many a time, falling clumsily into walls. His footsteps echoed into the night, mostly drowned out by the sound of the thunder and rain, and screams of women and children, and the anguished cries of men..

The screams of pain seemed to come from all directions, and occasionally he caught sight of flames catching. The invading soldiers had spread out here before making their move, and were swarming all over Taran Kaey. Rael ducked into shadows as patrols came running past, and he watched in terror as they smashed windows and doors and set fire to homes. Who under the light were these people, and why were they terrorising his fair home?

Rael pressed his back up against a wall, under the shelter of an overhanging roof, and caught his breath. He had to get out of here, but he was from the town edge. A sudden shriek caught him off guard, and he jumped. A woman came running out from a narrow street further along the road, pursued by a chainmail clad soldier. He caught her and pushed her to the floor. He was going to kill her, Rael knew he had to do something.

"Hey!" He shouted, "Leave her alone, you coward!" The soldier looked his way, and started to advance on Rael. Rael called out to the woman lying helplessly in the street, "Run away now, get out of the town!"

Rael ducked into a narrow alleyway, and doubled his speed when he heard heavy footsteps following behind him. The soldier was pursuing him down the back street, blade raised angrily. Rael could not believe his foolishness. He was shivering in the rain, and trying to ignore the terrible bruises he had acquired earlier. He reached the end of the alley and darted across the wide cart track at the other side.

He was in the market quarter of the eastside, and in too much of an open space. He could see several groups of these invaders here. And he thanked the light when he saw a patrol of Taran Kaey guards fighting them back. But he knew full well that the small guard post in this town would not be enough to turn back an invading force.

Lightning lit up the sky again momentarily, and he could see the market square bathed in light. Everywhere flames were growing from homes, and many people ran through the square trying to get out of the town, and they were cut down by soldiers as they ran. Rael held to one side, and crept as quietly as he could in the shade of the unwatched buildings.

When he thought it safe enough he made a break for a track that led into the north-east slums. This town was large, and finding his way about in the dark and rain was proving very difficult, but he knew the road to Daran's home like the back of his hand. A small dwelling, terraced up with scores of others, making rows and rows of brick buildings in the worst kept quarter of the town. There was always a stench here that put Rael off, but in the terror of this night, he did not care the least bit.

He thanked the light that this place seemed to be untouched by the invaders. He hammered on Daran's door, and leaped back when a pitchfork leapt out to meet him. Daran on the other end, was wide eyed and fearful. "Get away you! Rael? Quickly, get inside!"

Rael shook his head, and waved the weapon aside. "Get your cloak, and any food you can grab hold of. We're leaving. I've almost died twice tonight."

Daran was shaking in an uncontrollable fashion, partly from the cold, but partly from fear. "Ma didn't come home tonight, I'm scared they took her."

Rael didn't know what to say at first, he put his hand on his friends shoulder, and sighed. "She's fine Daran, I'm sure. We'll find her. But not if we hang around her any longer." A scream, followed by another closer, and another closer still. Rael shuddered, and grabbed Daran tightly, "We have to go."

Daran nodded. He grabbed a loaf of bread from the table and buried it into a pocket, then grabbed two apples that were lying on the table, and handed them to Rael to carry. He took his mother's cloak from a hook on the wall and wrapped it around himself. He shut the door behind himself and followed Rael out into the darkness. "I told you something was coming over the sea, Rael."

"And I told you I had a feeling something awful was coming, before that." Rael reminded him.

"So you did." Daran nodded, as they rounded the end of his street. "So you did."

Another shout, and clashing of steel as a soldier broke down a door further up the street. "Light, run Daran!" They darted for cover behind the far building. "They are getting closer." They stood quietly in the shadow of the houses, hearts beating heavily, and breathing quickly. Rael looked at his friend, already his long dark-gold hair was dripping with rain. Lightning illuminated the road, and then thunder echoed down from above. Rael could not remember knowing fear like this.

"Are you ready to make a break for it?" Rael asked, wiping his hair back from his face so he could see more clearly.

Daran nodded, "But where to?"

Rael looked around, and decided that it must be clear sailing from here if they just kept running northwards. "The northern edge of town, and then out over the plain. Father said he would meet us in Baradale."

Daran shook his head, "I can't believe this is even happening."

Rael clapped his shoulder firmly. "It is, Daran. We are in very real danger, I-" An anguished cry seemed to creep up from the darkness, and it chilled Rael's soul. "We have to go."

Rael and Daran ran on into the darkness of the night in Taran Kaey, northwards, through the narrow streets and passageways of the slums, until the buildings thinned out and gave way to farmland. Behind them, flames rose above the town, licking the sky, and cries and screams pursued them as they ran. They were not the only ones to flee of course, as lightning flashed they could see groups of men, women, even whole families, but more broken families, disappearing into the plains to the north of the town. How had it come to this? Rael looked back to the town and prayed that his family would escape safely.

Even as this thought came to him, the sound of horses hooves on soft ground met his ears. The soft chopping of the soft sodden earth under footfall came closer and closer. "Rael!" Came the cry from the dark. Then two horses emerged out of the shadows, and relief came over him. Ralis and Mara, exhausted and breathing heavily. "Rael, mount up with Mara." He squinted at the two of them on foot. "Is that Daran? Mount up with me lad."

"Ralis, where is Da?" He could make out little in this dark, but he could see the concerned look on his older brother's face.

"He stayed on to fight, a large group of us took up arms, but father said it was no place for Mara to be, and I had to find you." Ralis did not fill him with confidence. "He said he would escape with the others once they had done their part to defend the town."

Rael shook his head in dismay, and for the first time tonight, tears welled up in his eyes. "Da is going to die, we have to go back!" Rael ran back past the horses and their riders towards the town

"Do not be a fool, Da will be fine, Rael! Get a grip, man! I will not let you risk your life by letting you go back alone, and I will not risk my wife's life by helping you." Daran had already mounted Ralis' horse, and was nodding to Rael.

He pulled his coat tightly around himself, and sighed. He jogged back to them, and hauled himself up onto the back of Mara's grey horse. "Hey Rael, you all right?" She said, her tone said she certainly was not all right. She was miserable, and cold.

"I'm fine." Rael grunted, and gripped the saddle tightly as she spurred their mount into the night. Thoughts passed through his mind as they rode, dark ideas and images on the verge of his conscious mind. He would find his father no matter what, and he would have vengeance on those that did this tonight. There was no pain great enough to punish those who had wronged his people this night.