Chapter Seven
Greater Hyrule

A cool morning and a bright sunrise brought Rael some refreshment. Though bright, the sky was fairly cloudy, and so the heat was considerably lessened, and the thin film of dew across the grass was cooling. Spending little time on breakfast, he and the other nine travellers were all in the saddle again soon. By the time the sun had risen above the eastern hills, they had been riding for nearly an hour.

The plains of Greater Hyrule were largely flat, with occasional hills, and a lot of rocky ground breaking up the fields of green and gold. They made quick progress over the land, but Sergeant Shaef was always keen to keep moving. They had short breaks, for the benefit of the horses more than anything else, but they were able to refill their water skins in streams. Water became very important to Rael as the sun came out and blazed down upon them once more. Taking inspiration from Mara, he wrapped a spare shirt around his head like a headscarf to keep the heat off. If it was exhausting for him, he felt sorry for Garsh.

They kept moving on through the heat of the day, and the scenery shifted from reedy marshland to thickets of leather leaf and heather covering hills. They rode near villages largely consisting of stonewalled dwellings and thatched roofs, and sometimes small towns too. Keeping to the roads helped Shaef to track the direction to the city apparently, but he had no intentions of lingering in a village. Around the villages the land was always pitched out for farming. Fields of tall stalked corn and grazing pastures for cattle and sheep made a patchwork of green, gold and brown about the land. Vic had suggested a place to stay the night and Shaef had agreed to go there. It was to this place that they were now travelling. But he had not ventured to tell them where that was.

The heat seemed to affect everybody; heaven only knew how the Baradale soldiers managed to wear their plate mail in this weather. Daran rode beside Rael for most of the time, and despite an improvised headscarf the sweat running from his head had slicked back his golden hair flat on the back of his neck. They didn't talk much, but occasional glances seemed sufficient. There was little to say in any case. The day rolled on, and many times distant landmarks drew closer and closer before fading into the distance behind them.

Later, as the air cooled, and the sun hung lower in the western sky, they drew nearer to a large structure. From further away, it had appeared to be a walled town, but closer inspection revealed it to be no larger than a small village. Small slate roofs poked up from within the dark stone oval-shaped perimeter wall, and a thin trail of smoke rose from a chimney.

When they reached the gates, Sergeant Shaef and Vic slowed down, and everyone else did likewise. All ten horses moved close together, before the large open gates. "What is this place?" said Rael quietly.

Daran obviously thought he had been asked a question, for he replied, "I have no idea." Daran untied the shirt from his head and stuffed it into his saddlebag, then ran his fingers through his hair, shaking out cold sweat and letting it fall lazily about his face. After a few moments Rael realised he was staring, but then noticed what he was looking at.

"Daran?" He said, getting his friends attention. Daran looked across at him.

"Yeah?" Asked his friend, only half listening.

"The tips of your hair, have you noticed?"

Daran took a pinch of his hair and held it down in front of his eyes. The bottom half inch of his hair had gone very pale, the tips of his dark yellow-gold hair had lightened to something nearly white. He chuckled, "Well, look at that. Must be all this sun."

Rael nodded, looking at his own red-brown hair curiously, but did not discover the same effect, "Yeah. Oh hey, better listen to this." He jerked his head in the direction of the soldiers, at the head of the column.

"Are you sure about this, Vic?" Said Shaef with some scepticism.

"Sure I am." Said Vic brightly, "Its my own home, they're not exactly gonna turn me away."

Rael caught Kopus murmur, "Might turn us others away though." No-one else heard.

"You better go and check yourself, first." Said Shaef.

"Nonsense Sergeant, we- Oh, sorry sir, your forgiveness if you will. But what I mean is we'll all be welcome, you'll see." He pulled at the reins of his grey mount and it began trotting him up the slope, and around a gradual curve through some trees.

The Sergeant shook his head, but followed on, if a little reluctantly, "That lad is going to get himself into a world of trouble one day," he grinned, and disappeared up the slope, calling back, "Kopus! Haram! Get up here! The rest of you as well!"

After the two other soldiers, Ralis was first to lead on up the slope between the large gate posts. Mara followed closely behind, then Elane and Tabett. Rael moved on up after Daran, reading a neatly carved and painted sign that hung from the gate.

Lon Lon Ranch

Owners:
Malon el'Mayenne
&
Vicren al'Vicran

"A ranch eh?" Rael said to the air, "Vicren son of Vicran," he smiled, and leaned over to talk to Daran, "you don't suppose Vic is related to this guy do you?" He laughed to himself, though he wasn't sure why. The top of the slope wound up into what was - as the sign said – a ranch, indeed a very large and open ranch. On his left was a large farmhouse, grey stone walled, pine doored, lead framed windowed, and red slate roofed. To his right was a building constructed of wooden panels with a sloped wooden roof; no doubt a stable. Up ahead the path gave way to a large open field, but he would have to wait to see that.

In imitation of all the others, Rael and Daran dismounted, and led their horses aside, near to the stable wall. Vic had moved as though to knock on the farmhouse door, but was relieved of the need when it opened for him. Standing in the doorway, eyes wide in surprise at the large party and hand to her mouth in shock, was a tall slim young woman, of an age with Mara. She was wearing a long white dress with a low neckline, and her pale arms were bare; the dress was slightly dirty, as though she had been working in it. She wore sandals on her feet, which poked out from beneath the rim of her dress. Her very red hair was tied back behind her head, and her dark blue eyes held an unusual aura of awareness around them. She gasped at the sight of Vic, and then smiled delightedly, throwing her arms around him, "Vic," she exclaimed, "big brother, I've missed you so much."

Rael was rather surprised that such a pretty girl could be Vic's sister, but kept watching and listening with interest. Kopus and Haram snickered to themselves. Vic put his arms around his sister briefly, though his armour was restrictive. "I missed you too." He took off his helmet, and held it under one arm, looking her up and down. "You've grown, Mayalon."

She nodded her head, then asked slightly quieter "So ah…who are these people?"

Vic laughed and turned to face Rael and the others, standing beside Mayalon, "Well, I'm on important errand for the army, you see. We're going to Hylia." He gestured to Shaef, "This is my Sergeant, call him Shaef. And these two are my fellows, Haram and Kopus." The three guards nodded and smiled. "These other six are from Taran Kaey, in the south. We are…" he paused, "escorting them to the city as repayment for a favour. This is Mara and Elane, Mara's husband Ralis, his brother Rael, and those two are Daran and Tabett."

"A pleasure to have you here," she said to us, "but Vic? What are you all doing here?"

"Looking for lodging," he said cautiously, "so, where's Ma and Da?"

"Mayalon!" Called a woman's voice from in the house, "Who's there?"

"Hey Ma!" Said Vic loudly through the door, "It's me!"

"Vic?" There was a sound of running footsteps from within the house, and then a new face appeared at the door. A kindly looking woman in her late middle years, slightly shorter than Mayalon, and quite plump. She wore a white apron over a red and green dress, and a white headscarf held her dark red hair in place. "Oh, my goodness! Viclon al'Vicren, its about time you came home!" She looked around at the misfitted assembly out in front of her humble home, and her eyes widened in shock, "And who are all these people?"

"Evening Ma," said Vic casually, "You mind if me and my friends stay here tonight?"

The older woman sniffed loudly, and folded her arms under her breasts, frowning at her thirty year old son as though he were a young boy. Then she looked about the unusual travelling party and did her best to smile, sighing slightly, "Welcome to Lon Lon ranch. I'm Malon, owner and housemistress. I suppose companions of my son are welcome here," she glanced at the soldiers, "especially if this is of military importance to you, or something of that nature."

"Thanks, Ma," Said Vic, laughing, "Don't you worry about a thing, they'll behave."

Malon looked about ready to faint.

……

The hospitality at the Lon Lon Ranch was much more lively than Rael had anticipated. After having some time to cool off, Malon sat everyone down to a meal in the very spacious house. In truth, this meant a lot of people, seventeen in all. They were seated around a very large oak table, on beautifully crafted chairs with soft cushions. Rael was seated on one of the long lengths, along with, Daran, Tabett, Elane, Ralis, Mara, Kopus and Haram.

He sat near the head of the table, where sat Malon and Vicren – Vic's father. Facing them at the opposite head of the table sat Sergeant Shaef, who had an indefinite look of anxiousness. Clearly he had not experienced this sort of treatment for some time, he had been suspicious of their open welcome, though he even admitted himself that was rather unnecessary.

On the opposite length of the table sat Vic, next his little brother of no more than ten years, and his four sisters. From what he could make out, they followed traditional naming patterns. The sons named for the father and the daughters named for the mother. The oldest son and daughter had also inherited 'lon' which obviously held certain significance in this family history. The eldest daughter, Mayalon, sat near her mother, opposite Rael. Beside her, Malera, slightly younger, and slightly prettier too Rael reckoned. Further along sat Viccia, unusual in that she was named for her father, she was about Elane's age. Then Malane, who was younger, perhaps fourteen. And then Viclon, and little Victren. How in the world he had managed to keep track of the names was beyond Rael.

The spread of food that Malon had been able to put on at such short notice was impressive to say the least. Three roast chickens were spaced along the table, and about them were gathered a multitude of prepared vegetables: plates of carrots, potatoes, cabbage and parsnip; there were several loaves of crusty bread and butter that had been churned only hours before. Everything looked delicious. The other Taraners were digging into the food as though they had not eaten for days, which they almost hadn't. Rael was cautious though, and wanted to look grateful rather than demanding, and so took less food and ate more slowly, though it was difficult with such a hollow stomach.

It was dim outside now, the room lit by lanterns along the wall and small candles across the table. There was a very warm, friendly atmosphere, and Rael felt almost at home again. After some time eating, Vicren – who was almost the perfect image of Vic, with the addition of a few lines on his face, and wings of grey in his hair – stood up and asked for everyone's attention. "Well, good evening everyone. I must admit this is not how I had anticipated spending my evening, but it was a welcome turn of events. This has all been very sudden, and I would like to thank Malon for putting this on for us, she works so hard, and has provided us with such a wonderful evening. So if you'll raise your glasses with me, to Malon." Malon blushed, and smoothed back her wispy red-grey hair, raising her own glass along with everyone else.

Rael raised his glass, "To Malon," chimed everyone in chorus, and drank from their glasses.

"If I may say a few words?" Said Tabett, rising to his feet, as Vicren sat himself down again. All heads turned to the handsome, dark haired, young man. "As you will know by now, me and my travelling companions have suffered a great and tragic loss these last few days. Being here like this feels like being home again." Her voice cooled slightly, and he flicked his hair back with a gentle movement of his head, "Though I fear war and pain may stretch its hand across all of Hyrule soon, so long as there is joy and merriment and good times, we'll be able to get through everything that comes against us. So, if you would, let us raise our glasses to good times, and may there be many more to come."

Rael did not feel much like raising his glass to that, but did so anyway for politeness, "To good times," said everybody.

Tabett shuffled back into his seat, and suddenly the room was a buzz with talking again. Rael scanned the room, blankly, and eyed each of the four sisters. They were all very pretty, and all red haired, with the exception of Viccia. Viccia was as dark as her father, perhaps that was the reason for the different name. Vic was conversing with his fellow soldiers, though Shaef remained quite quiet throughout the meal. Ralis, Mara Elane and Tabett were chatting away amongst themselves and with the girls opposite them.

Daran was fairly quiet, though he listened to the things people said and laughed at their jokes. He looked at the yellow-white tips of his hair a lot, with suspicious interest in his eyes.

"So Rael," said Vicren, leaning over to him and taking a large bite from a carrot on the end of a fork, "you're from Taran Kaey are you? I lived in Taran Morval myself for a few years in my youth trying to make it as a fishermen. That was before I met Malon of course and came back to my farming roots. Are you a sailor then?"

Rael took a sip of his wine and placed the glass back down slowly on the table. "No, I'm not. I worked as a dock man back home, because it was all the work I could find, but I want to be a farmer."

Vicren's eyes brightened with interest, "Really? Well I say that does come as a shock to me. Forgive me, but I didn't think you looked like a farmer. But in that case, I suppose I could help you out if you wanted to start your own small holding near Hylia. Farm trade is good this near to the capital."

Rael nodded, but replied politely, "I appreciate the offer, but I have other things to sort out in my life first now."

Vicren smiled slightly, and put down his knife and fork, resting his elbow on the table and chin on a closed fist. "So who is your father? Is he a farmer then as well?"

Rael's heart skipped a beat, and a nervous tremor ran through his body. Best to be polite he thought. "My father is Resh al'Shael. He's a carpenter…the…he was the best in Taran Kaey…though I don't know where he is now."

Vicren nodded, "Oh, I see. You…right. Sorry, I wasn't thinking, forgive me." He closed his eyes for a moment as though trying to remember something. "Resh al'Shael, I know I have heard that name before. Maybe from my military days, was he ever a soldier?"

In the past, Rael would have found answering that question difficult, but now he found himself nodding, "Yes, he was."

"Maybe that's it then."

Rael looked down at his plate, and picked up a piece of chicken, popping it into his mouth and chewing slowly. He looked around again, and was almost going to turn back to Vicren and say something else, but his eyes met with someone else's. Viccia was gazing at him with her dark pretty eyes, quite expressionless, but very intensely staring at him. He looked away for a moment, scanning the walls for something interesting to look at, a little bit self-conscious. Finding nothing to see, he looked back at Viccia, who suddenly seemed as though she had realised what she had been doing, and turned away quickly, embarrassed. Rael shook his head and then turned back to Vicren, but the older man was already discussing something with Malon and Mayalon.

"Rael," said Daran quietly, and Rael moved to face him "where are going to be sleeping tonight? I very much doubt this place has ten beds to spare."

Rael shrugged, "I wouldn't worry about that. I doubt I'll be able to sleep tonight anyway." He whistled slowly and put his hand behind his head, "We may very well arrive in Hylia tomorrow. Hylia, Daran, us! Things are going to change then, and it most likely won't be for better."

Daran nodded, and sighed, "Yeah, I know what you mean."

"Excuse me, Rael is it dear?" He twisted around once again, to face motherly faced Malon this time. Rael nodded at her, unsure how else to respond. She tilted her head, and looked at him closely, "Forgive me, I am probably out of place, but I have a strange feeling that we have met before. Have you ever been up North before, dear?"

"No…" He replied, a little puzzled, "I've never left the Taran Region before."

"Oh, well all right then. I'm sorry," she laughed, "must be all this heat, it certainly is hot, isn't it dear?"

"It certainly is, and I know it all too well. I've been riding in the hot sun for days."

"My goodness, that certainly is quite a difficult thing to be doing. You know, I remember a few years ago we had a heat spell like this and I…"

……

An hour or so later, when the meal was over and cleared up, everybody found their way through to the retiring room. Inside this rather small, cosy room, a few high backed armchairs were spaced around a blazing fire – which save for a couple of candles in lanterns was the only light source in the room – occupied by Vicren, Malon, Shaef, Mayalon, Ralis and Mara. Everyone else either sat on the floor, or had dragged a chair through from the dining room. It was a tight fit, and Rael was fairly unsure of how necessary it was for them all to be in here, but said nothing.

The six in their tall chairs talked amongst themselves, and paid less attention to the young ones, or to the three soldiers in another corner of the room who sat smoking pipes and laughing loudly, they had had plenty to drink this evening.

Rael had put just his head back gently to rest, and shut his eyes, when the familiar tune of Tabett's flute stirred in the room. Rael smiled, and looked across to where Tabett sat slouched up against the base of Ralis' armchair. He has his arm around Elane, who was laying up against his side lazily, with her head was on his shoulder. He played with just his left hand as he ran his fingers through her dark curls. Sitting opposite him, leaning on a tall bookcase, was Daran, who had somehow found himself in the company of Malera and he had his arm around her shoulders. Though she seemed far more interested in him than he in her. Younger Malane was sitting close on Daran's other side, frequently eyeing her older sister with a look of jealousy on her face.

Realising he wouldn't get any sort of rest anyway, Rael slid down from his chair and shuffled across the floor to where the others were sitting. Tabett was playing 'Sleeping Softly', a calm and slow tune with just a few notes. Elane appeared to have fallen asleep on his shoulder. Rael leaned back on his palms and listened to the tune. Across from him, Malane, who was mature for her age but still a lot younger than himself, had now lost interest in Daran and was gazing at him instead. She watched him with deep green eyes, and no matter how much Rael looked away, she would not break eye contact.

Eventually, he gave in and smiled at her. At which she starting shuffling across the floor towards him, doing her best to smile seductively. Rael tensed, and decided he had made a mistake. Then, seemingly from nowhere, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a warm breath past his ear, followed by a smooth and cool voice, "Excuse yourself, and get up and come with me." Malane was wide eyed with anger at whoever it was behind him – and he knew very well who it was – but he knew where he would rather be.

He felt the girl brush past him and he knew she had gone through to the dining room. "Er…excuse me," he said to nobody in particular, and stood up nervously, before walking away though the wide oak door into the coolness of the dining room. Behind him he heard an angry muttering about selfish sisters.

Leaning casually up against the table, with a hand to her mouth to hide her giggling, was the beautiful, tanned and dark, Viccia. Rael stood awkwardly in the doorway, an eyebrow raised in question, and a relieved smile on his face, "I thought you would appreciate being rescuing from Malane," she said, trying to contain her laughter, "the look on her face… did you see?" She laughed again and hoped backwards up onto the table.

Rael walked across the room towards her, and dropped down into a chair, "Thanks. That whole room was getting a bit too crowded for me, really."

Viccia nodded, and smiled, "Me too." They sat quietly for a moment, then Viccia said brightly, "So, Rael? Shall we walk?"

Rael nodded slowly, considering, wondering how much drink she had had, "That would be… that would be nice." He stood up and offered her an arm. "Shall we?" he said, in a mock voice, as he imagined a Lord might.

She laughed again and took his arm, replying in a mock noble accent, "Certainly, Master Rael." She stumbled a little when they started to walk across the room to the front door, and fell down on him clumsily.

"Goodness, how much have you had to drink?" He asked, a little concerned, but also a little excited now by this slightly odd girl.

"Nothing!" She said, shocked. Then giggled again, "All right, maybe just a few…" She straightened up, "I'm fine, really I am."

Rael nodded and they made their way to the door. He undid the solid bolt, and they slipped out in the cold night. "Oh, its so cold," she said, pretending to shiver, "better not stay out here for long."

"Aren't you really hot after being in there?" Rael asked, a bit confused.

She shrugged, "I chill easily."

He realised she was guiding him more than he her, and they were walking along the dirty gravel path between the buildings towards the open field. The stars in the sky were bright tonight, the night was cloudless and cool, and each star was a brilliant white jewel picked out against the darkness. The sound of laughter and music in the house faded, and soon all he could hear was Viccia's steady breathing. He wrapped his arm around her, and sighed as though for everything he had been through this week.

They came to a fence, which was part of a large fenced out area where horses would graze and run around in the daylight hours. The entire area outside of the ring was walled by the high stone perimeter that encompassed the entire ranch. "This is where we run and train the horses," she explained, leaning up against the wooden framework, "we breed the best horses in the kingdom you know. My Ma has owned the ranch for many years, many of those with my Da. She inherited it from my Grand Da Talon, and he from his father. Over twenty generation's of 'Lon's have owned the ranch. Of course it will be Viclon who inherits it from Ma, or if not him then Mayalon. Them being oldest and carrying the name."

"Do you like your sisters?" Rael asked, turning to look at her, with his eyes meeting the side of her face. It was a stupid question, but he was not in the mood for flirting with any girl right now, no matter how pretty she was.

"Mayalon has no time for me," she said, "she is always with Ma. You may have noticed that I'm not so fond on Malane either. Malera is very nice though, she is like a best friend to me, though she seems rather more interested in your friend Daran tonight."

"What about Vic?"

"Viclon has been away from home for years. He has always been decent to me, but what brother has ever had much time for little sisters?"

"It must be hard for you then." He said, sympathetically.

"It is a bit," she said, turning to face him now, so close, with those big dark eyes, "I've always been a black sheep though, I guess. Named for Da rather than Ma, dark haired rather than red." So close now, their eyes shifted uneasily, then turned away again at the same time, gazing away into the night sky. "What of you and your brother Ralis? Do you get on like brothers should?"

Rael sighed, "We used to, it seems like years ago now. But he's married, and moving up in the world…or was at least, before his shipping trade was lost in the attack." Rael realised he had only just considered that, Rael's entire business had been destroyed in the raid. He should have been more sympathetic. "We've been walking different paths for a while now."

"I must say, you look very different, for two brothers."

Rael laughed, gathering some of her near-black hair up in front of her eyes, "Says you."

"Oh, don't be silly. I do look alike to my sisters at least. But you and Ralis…"

"I know," said Rael, "But Da always said we both looked very much like Ma. I wouldn't know about that though, she died when we were little."

"Oh… I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter," he said calmly, "I never think of her. I didn't know her."

They stood up from the fence, and carried on walking. They were moving off at a tangent from the path, around the outside of the horse pen. She had her arm behind him now, crossing under his own behind her, "That must be quite sad, not knowing your mother."

"It hasn't ever been an issue. Da raised us well by himself."

"I feel like my Da raised me by himself as well. Of all my sisters, he's always taken to me the most. Ma however, has always been fussing after 'sweet little Mayalon and Malera'."

"I can imagine," said Rael, glancing back, they were quite far from the house now.

"I guess I've always wanted someone to really care for me, you know? Really love me…"

Rael nodded, pretending to be oblivious to her unsubtle hints.

"Hey!" She said brightly, "come with me, I've something to show you!" Her arms slipped through his hand until her hand grasped his own, and pulled him along quickly. There was no way he could resist, and so allowed her to practically drag him along. At the far end of the ranch was a tall tower, built up to the wall. It was made from grey stone, like the house, but stretched up at least three storeys, well above the great outer wall.

Viccia brought them up as far as the door, and then started fumbling with the lock. After a few moments, there was a sharp click, and the door swung open. Inside the tower were some bails of hay, and some crates of the ranch's own brand of milk. The room smelled strongly of fresh hay and dirty animals. "Come on, come on." Hesitantly, Rael followed her inside. "Up here," she was already climbing up a ladder to the next floor.

"What do you want to show me?"

"You'll see," she called down.

Rael took a hold of the shaky ladder, and began ascending. He glanced up, but quickly looked down again. Viccia's long dark legs were visible at this angle, flashing out between her long white skirts. He half suspected she intended that though. At the first floor, which was a small windowless room, she kept climbing, and on up through the second floor, which looked very much the same again, until they reached the top of the tower. A small round room, wood panelled, with a low slanting ceiling. A small pile of hay lay in the corner of the room, though he was unsure why.

Viccia had scrambled across the room on her hands and knees, to a window that was built into the lower half of the slanted room. "Here, come and see." She gestured for him to come over. The window was quite large, though dirty. She fumbled with the latch for a while, and then swung it open rather triumphantly.

Rael crouched down beside her on the dusty floor, and peered out of the window. "Oh…wow…" The window looked out over the great plains of Greater Hyrule, and he could see far into the distance, so far that he could even make out dark mountains in the Northern reach. The moon and stars illuminated the entire land in a pale shade of midnight blue. But what caught his eye, and what Viccia was pointing at rather excitedly, was something halfway between here and the horizon.

Many, many, many miles away, but shown up in light by its own twinkling lights, was a great city. It was pale and white in this light, but flames danced around it, and in the skies above was a great congregation of light, which must be a multitude of fireflies, or forest faries or something of the like from legend. A city made of light. "Hylia…" He whispered, "It's beautiful…" Awestruck, he looked up at the stars, and all around as much as the window would allow. "Thank you for showing me this…"

But Viccia was no longer looking out of the window, and he knew it. Slowly, heart beating heavily, he turned around to face her. It had been inevitable he supposed. She pounced upon him, throwing her arms about his neck, and pressing her lips up against his own. He put his arms around her gently and allowed her body to lower him down onto the floor. She raised her head, hovering above him and Rael found himself surrounded by hair that hung down from around her face. She sighed, laughing a little, and Rael moved into kiss her again. He wasn't thinking any more, maybe it was the wine; she was unfastening his shirt now. As he kissed her warm face, and ran his hands through her hair, he sincerely hoped it was the wine in her as well and nothing more, because he knew already how this would end.

……

Rays of light spilling through the open window woke Rael up with a start. He looked across at Viccia; she was still fast asleep beside him on the hay, though he knew she would not be for long. Her chest was slowly rising and falling, and her legs moved slowly in her sleep. He lay there for a second, running his hands through his hair and rubbing his face, and then sat up slowly, doing his best not to disturb her. He picked up his shirt, and ran his arms through the sleeves, fastening a couple of the buttons hastily.

Scrambling on his hands and knees he made his way over to the window and peered out. He could see Hylia in the distance clearly now, over hilly ground and grass plains. Looking east, he also observed a great mountain, far away, but clearly towering over all other mountains. He had heard enough tales of the North to know that had to be the famous Death Mountain.

He took one last look at Viccia, stirring on the soft hay, feeling for him beside her. He shook his head and sighed, and taking a hold of the ladder and dropping his feet down, began descending. He reached the ground floor, opened the door quietly and slipped outside. It was very bright outside, he had clearly slept late.

It took him about a minute to jog back to the house, where already ten horses were being re-saddled. It seemed they were almost ready to leave, though Garsh was notably left unequipped. Closest to him, as he walked down the gravel path, Tabett stood alone up against the wall watching the others, eating an apple very casually. He turned and nodded to Rael as he approached, "Good night, Rael?" He grinned and brushed his hair back behind his ear, stepping forwards and falling in step, "I knew you had it in you," he laughed out, and slapped Rael on the back, "She's a fine lass, my friend."

"Hey leave it, Tabett, I'm… too tired for this." Rael put a hand to his head and rubbed his temple irritably.

"Oh aye, I bet you are! I bet you are." He laughed, and Rael shook his head as they approached Daran and Ralis, who were fixing up Pesh's reigns. He turned and spoke quietly in Rael's ear, "Just don't tell ol' Vicren. He doesn't suspect much, and believe me when I say that you want him to keep on his good side."

"Tab, nothing happened," he lied, trying to get past the older lad to get to Garsh.

"I know that look in a man's eyes all too well," he said.

Rael made his way past, and gathered Garsh's saddle up in his hands. At least somebody had been decent enough to bring the equipment out for him. "All right, boys and girls," said Sergeant Shaef in a loud rather booming voice, "lets get saddled up and on our way, right now! I have a meeting with the General of Hylia to attend! I for one do not intend to be late!" Yes, Shaef certainly had his spirit back after last night. "Say your goodbyes and thank yous to our delightful hosts and lets be moving!" Rael smiled to himself, and began rubbing down Garsh's coat with a hand brush. "And, you, Rael! Stop messing about and saddle up, damnit!"

At that moment, Malon came rushing out, looking as though she were still half dressed, but had been awake garbed like that for hours. He voice was hurried and slightly panicked, as though she had been worried she may have missed them leaving. "Master Shaef, a favour if you will!" She stopped next to the Sergeant and handed him a sealed parchment. "Its for the Marshal of Hyrule, I trust you can get this to him?"

Rael looked over his shoulder, as he heaved up the heavy saddle, with its bags still full. Shaef looked very surprised, an expression rarely seen on his normally stony face. "The Marshal? Well certainly, but may I ask why?"

"Oh, just a silly thing really. Horse market issues, trade rights. We supply the Hylian army with many of its horses you know, be it through straight trade, or our own quality bred horses. The very best, I will have you know." She looked a little flustered, but kept on, "I just want it to go to the high authorities is all, and though I can't imagine the General or Queen will care too much, but the Marshal will. So…yes, please give that to him."

Shaef looked unsure, but took the sealed parchment and buried it in his travelling cloak. "Very well." He turned to face them again, and Rael pretended he had been working all this time, "Come on ladies!" He shouted at the men, "let's get moving!"