Disclaimers are in Ch. 1. Bit of a short chapter today. Sorry I haven't updated in a bit. Lots of things going on here and in the world right now. All right, well, here we go.
Ch. 19
Oh, breathe not his name! let it
Sleep in the shade,
Where cold and unhonored his relics are laid.
-Thomas Moore
By daybreak, streaks of golden dawn had painted the sky, the seas, shimmering in the morning light and stirring in the fresh, crisp breeze, the sails, billowing in the fair wind, and Link, Saria, and Tappor, hanging over the stern of the ship.
Sailors laughed to themselves while going about chores, and threw tips and old wives tales at the three unfortunates.
"Run 'round the for'ard seven times ter settle yor stomacks!"
"Aye, an' scrub with coral ter get rid o' that dreadful green color!"
"My my, yor 'airs lookin' about blonde next ta that face o' yors, lass!"
Ichiro, though slightly ill from the tossing and sway of the sea, seemed to be holding back sickness by sheer cussedness, and he stood on the high deck with the Captain, discussing their route. Most of the Royal guard had been trained thoroughly to keep from getting seasickness, but for the most part remained below decks to keep from joining Link, Saria, and Tappor on the gunwalls.
Link finally eased back over the side, and collapsed to the deck.
"Ugh... Who was the last to go?" He muttered weakly.
Saria sank down beside him, her face truly showing a slight tint of green. "I think it should be a tie... We all ran pretty fast." Tappor joined them shortly.
"So much for the romanticism of the high seas," He added. "I don't believe I'll ever be a swashbuckler at this rate!"
*************
Mid-afternoon, the three felt slightly better, and went up to watch the helmsman at the wheel. He explained several ship equipment to them while he kept the rudders on course.
"See 'ere? This fine instr'ment be the compass, tho' sailors usually only have ta look ter the stars ta know their route. The rudders, wot I'm keepin' steady, are wot steer 'er about."
"How fast can we travel like this?" Saria asked, clutching at Link as a particularly rough wave rocked the boat.
"Fifteen knots on a good, calm day, me lass. Capt'n says we'll be nearin' the coasts in sev'ral weeks."
"The coast?" Link asked excitedly. "Exactly what coast?"
The sailor shrugged. "Whichev'r coast we're bound fer, I ser'pose. Have ter ask the Capt'n 'bout that yorselves." Tappor leaned forward, and peered out at the calm seas.
"I must ask, do you believe there is any truth in the stories behind sea monsters? Or may we soothe that worry?"
The sailor blinked at his cultured voice, but shook his head. "Oh, thar be monsters bound all about 'ere, includin' the sea folk."
"Sea folk?" Saria asked. "Like Zorons?"
"Nay, the sea folk is part 'ylian woman, part fish. They sings a Siren's song ter the sea-goin' men at night, in 'opes of catchin' one ta eat."
"Eat?" Link and Tappor chorused. The sailor nodded very seriously.
"Aye, so I'd advise ya ta be careful if ya start to hear anything at night. In fact, stay below soon as the sun starts ta set!" At Link and Tappor's widened eyes, the sailor started to laugh, and Saria joined in. Link scowled.
"That's not funny." He said, and Tappor nodded.
"I agree. How low of you to scare poor land-lubbers such as we!"
"Well I wasn't scared," Saria said, finally releasing Link from her death grip as the sea calmed down again. Link rubbed his arm and mock glowered at her.
"Figures, what monster would want to eat you anyway?" He laughed, dodging her playful swipe.
*************
Before several days had gone by, Link had gotten his sea legs, and was able to move about the ship with ease.
"I don't know how you do it," Saria had said in annoyance upon seeing him. "You've always been a fast learner. It's disgusting!" As for Tappor and she, they still struggled against sea sickness, though neither, fortunately, was leaning over the gunwall again.
Link now joined the crew in it's chores and duties, learning as much as he could in the short time he had, and enjoying himself immensely in the sea spray and sway of the ship.
On one particularly foggy night, a week or so into their voyage, the captain, who was known only as Cap'n One-Eyed Deadleg, called a meeting in the mess area below deck. Though Saria and Tappor asked many of the crewmembers who had known him for some time, no one was actually sure why they called him this, since both eyes were intact, and his leg was absolutely fine. Nevertheless, he wouldn't settle for being called any thing else, and so One-Eyed Deadleg it was.
The seas were especially calm that night, though dark. The moon had been blocked out of view by the fog that had blanketed the water like a shadow. The Captain and Ichiro were standing by several sealed barrels, each containing rations the sailors received their meals from, talking in low tones while the rest of the crew muttered amongst themselves. Saria, Link, and Tappor had taken a seat a at a small table towards the back of the room with several of the crewmen, and Tappor had enticed the two youths and grizzled sailors into a game of Gin and Rummy, which a crewmember had taught him. Finally, Ichiro stepped forward, and rang a small bell several times to catch the crew's attention.
"Be silent, all of you." He called. Several heads turned, and the talking dwindled.
The captain stepped forward. "AR'RIGHT! Next one o' ya lily-livered scumbags peeps another word, it'll be keel haul with ya!" He roared, slamming a fist down on the nearest table. Several people jumped, and Tappor dropped his cards, before the room fell to utter silence. Ichiro blinked, and then nodded stiffly, taking the floor again.
"This meeting was called to brief you in the manners and trade that you will be involved in when we reach our destination-"
"Where be we bound fer?" One old fellow called out. The captain's face turned red, and he slammed two fists down on the same unfortunate table.
"Didn't I tell yer ta be silent, ya lead-haulin' barnacle breathin' snake gutted-"
"I was just won'erin! A chaps got ta won'er, 'asn't he?" The crew member cried. A blood vein swelled at the captain's beet red temple.
"SHUT 'YER TRAP!"
The room fell silent again, and Ichiro turned very slowly to look at the captain.
"G'wan now with wot ya were sayin' there, Chief." The fierce captain said gruffly.
Ichiro nodded again, a little paler this time, but continued.
"The land that we're heading towards was once the most prominent trading point of Hyrule. However, in the last thousand years that trade ceased to exist, and all ties with the outside world was cut off. This land is called Mijjori, and it is where we believe the Princess is being held."
Link leaned forward in curiosity. It was the first time he'd heard the Chief of Guard say so much at once. Around him, the crew was also becoming interested, as many of them hadn't sailed past the bay, and none had gone out into free waters. It was new for all of them, and there was an equal mixture of excitement and trepidation all around. Link looked to his side to see Saria leaning forward, her chin on her knuckles, peering intently at the Chief as he spoke.
"What are you thinking?" He said, leaning forward to whisper on a whim. Saria started in surprise, and turned to him.
"I've never seen him talk so much. He really takes his job seriously," She whispered back, leaning in close to his ear so he could hear her. "I know it's terrible, but I was wondering if we'll ever see Hyrule again." She leaned back to look at him worriedly, and he sought to soothe her.
"Sure we will," He responded in the same hushed tone. "I told Tappor already, no one gets left behind." I promise we'll be together again. The thought came to him in a flash, and he felt a cold tremor go through his body. He turned away from her gaze, leaning forward, and the cabin room suddenly felt frigid, as if an icy chill had suddenly blown through. Resting his face in his hands, he willed it to go away. Not now, his mind pleaded. I thought it was over! Of all of the strange happenings, he hated the visions the most, yet he could not stop it, and in a rush, he was on his feet, racing towards the cabin door.
The crew sitting around the mess hall jumped up from their seats in surprise as the young man suddenly sprang up and began running towards the door. He reached it before anyone could react, and slipped out, slamming the door on its newly oiled hinges behind him.
*************
Outside of the room, Link paused again, listening for the scream. It came again, from up above on the top deck. He took the stairs at a run, and propelled through the doors to come to a staggering halt at the seen on the deck of the ship.
Before him, casting a long, sinister shadow, a beast such as he'd never seen before, swayed back and forth. Link side stepped, trying to get out of its immediate gaze. The creature at one time could have been a horse, but now was as corrupted as any ghost, its blackened skin only rotted flesh hanging on by sinew, and its eyes yellow and sunken. It reared at the sight of him, and let out another blood-curdling scream, showing jagged, decayed teeth, and a gray, swollen forked tongue. Link looked on in a sickened fascination as it reared about, riderless. Though it was horrible and corrupt in nature, his immediate reaction was to calm and soothe it, and he stepped forward intending to try. However, the deck door burst open, and Saria and several soldiers came up the staircase in a run, followed by the rest of the ship's inhabitants.
"Link!" Saria gasped, running towards him. "Fight it, Link! It isn't real! It's only a memory!"
"A memory?" He muttered listlessly, turning again to peer at the nightmarish stallion. How could it be a memory? No, it was there, and he needed to calm it, before it did more damage to itself or the ship. He held out his hands to show the horse he meant it no harm, and began to advance towards it slowly. The creature reared about, ignoring his approach. When he was close enough to touch it, Link held out a hand. "C'mon, boy, I'm not going to hurt you-" Before he could make contact, he felt himself grabbed, and pulled back sharply. He whirled around in annoyance to see Saria hanging gamely onto his arm.
"It's not real, Link! Don't believe it! They're only memories! Fight them! Fight back!"
He pulled his arm roughly away. "Stop it! It is real! You can see it, can't you?" He shouted, turning back towards the beast.
"No, I can't! It's not there, Link , none of us can see it..." He stiffened, and slowly, still careful of the rearing stallion, turned to the crew. They were gathered 'round, watching him with mixed expressions. Some of contempt, some of weariness, and some of sly grins, laughing among themselves. His eyes narrowed, and he balled his fists. The ones who had been joking at his expense immediately silenced.
"Young lass' right," One spoke up. "Tisn't a thing there, bucko." Several more nodded, and Link looked at them helplessly, turning to see the stallion, and then them, until, on one brief glance back to see the beast, it was no longer there. He stumbled back, and gave a cry of surprise. Saria grasped his arm again.
"Come with me, Link." She said in a low voice, trying to lead him away from the watchful eyes. Link hesitated.
"But-" He started, suddenly unsure of himself. "What...?"
She grasped him tightly. "Trust, Link. That's all I can offer for you to hold on too, but come on, lets get out of here..." He paused to meet the gaze of her dark eyes, which had grown darker with emotion. Link nodded dumbly, and allowed her to take him to her quarters.
*************
The men backed away, some nervous, some worried, as she led him down below deck. The captain turned to Ichiro.
"Strange lad yer got there, Chief. Wot'd ya bring'em fer?"
Ichiro grimaced. "It was our dying King's last wish. Are you saying he made a bad decision?"
"Nay," The captain replied. "But ah'm figurin' thats wot yer thinkin'." He said perceptively. "Mayhaps our good King didna' know wot 'e was doin', choosin' such a young un'... Does 'e do that of'en? Them fits?" Sailors are by nature notoriously superstitious, and many of the crew were already thinking of remedies they had heard of before to fend off sea demons and evil spirits.
"This is the first one I've seen," Ichiro growled. "And I mean to find out what's going on." The captain nodded.
"Do that," He agreed. "The crew won't work long when thar be demons aboard. If 'e don't improve, we may haff ta walk ''em off." Ichiro nodded stiffly.
"I'll see that its taken care of. Good day, Captain." He excused himself, and left briskly.
Captain One-Eyed Deadleg squinted a fierce eye, and tugged at his scraggly beard thoughtfully.
"Hmm, somethin' in me bones tells me thar be trouble bound 'ere soon. I pray ta the Goddesses that I may'aps be wrong."
*************
Link shivered, the cold feeling still remaining. Saria draped a coarse, warm blanket around him, and he clutched at it desperately.
"I... I don't think I want to-"
"Hush," She soothed, rubbing his back. "Link, don't think about it, just relax. It's gonna be okay, I promise." He suddenly turned to her, and met her eyes. She found herself looking into deep, troubled cerulean orbs, flecked with gray, and could not blink.
"You promise?" Link asked disbelievingly, and blinked, breaking the moment. He sighed, and shook himself as if to dispel the awful feeling. "I thought these visions were over... what was that thing?" He asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "It was like a horse... but almost like a monster, too."
"The shadow of Ganandorf's horse, inverted to show it's true self, just as Ganandorf was. And there was no rider?" She asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"No," Link said, shaking his head. "Maybe that part of the memory is blocked out... Can I have partial memories?" He asked in confusion.
"Again," Saria sighed, "That's a question for the Sages. I guess you sort of would, or else you'd be seeing whole flashes of memory scenes... I think you just keep catching snatches of them."
"At the most unexpected of times," He said, shaking his head wryly. "Well if Ichiro didn't trust me before, this couldn't have been much help. They must all think I'm pretty crazy now, huh?" He asked, grinning ruefully. Saria smiled gently.
"As crazy as a loose cuckoo. But don't worry about it, okay? We're going to get this straightened up, I promise."
"You're making a lot of promises all of a sudden," He responded, some of his good humor returning. "And mothering me, too. How did I ever get so fortunate as to find you?" He joked, though there was a slight underlying of seriousness in his tone that neither could ignore, try as they might.