Chapter 4: "The Watchers"

Terra awakens to find Eric still asleep. She looks at him and thinks about how last night went. She walks to the door, yawning, and sees a note from the knight saying:

Dear Terra,

I am at breakfast. Eric slept fine through the night. He said your name a few times in his sleep which is how I came to know it. I will be back later to see how he is doing.

Your Friend,

Selim Tarnot.

Terra, still meditative of last night, walks out to a bench overlooking the field. The late morning sun is a bright yellow and the grass still has the emerald shimmer of yesterday. The lake is very placid today and has a very bright, cerulean depth to it. She smells the fresh air and hears the birds singing. She thinks on last night and the morning's beauty helps her release some of her guilt of Eric's injuries.

"How are you doing today, Terra?"

Terra turns to see Lynn standing near the bench with her hands gently folded in front of her. The sun glances off her light brown hair as it moves in the wind. A small cart stands next to her with something steaming. She smiles and speaks again.

"May I sit with you?" she asks.

"Certainly," said Terra as she looked back out onto the field.

"I came to see how you and Eric were doing when I saw the note from Mr. Tarnot." Since you weren't in the room, I went looking for you. I figured you were hungry since you did not have much to eat last night."

Terra looks into Lynn's outstretched arms and sees a bowl of oatmeal and a plate of fish. Terra gratefully accepts the food and taking a bite, is amazed at the wonderful flavor of the dishes.

"Pardon me asking, but what is this exactly?" she asks looking at the fish. "It's delicious!"

"The bowl is filled with Hylian Oatmeal, which is made of oats and berries. The other dish is a special deku-oven roasted fish basted in honeysuckle."

Terra politely continues to indulge in the food while Lynn continues to talk.

"You know, I can tell there's something special about you two."

Terra, alert asks, "Really? Like what?"

"I don't know but something inside me says you two will be very important someday."

Terra thinks about this for a minute but her thoughts are dashed when she hears a voice behind her.

"Hail, Terra!" says Selim Tarnot, walking towards them.

"Hello, Mr. Tarnot! I'm surprised you didn't inform me of your arrival last night. What news do you bring with you today?" says Lynn. "Mr. Selim usually delivers fish and other fresh foods from the castle," Lynn says to Terra.

"Well someone important just woke up and I thought Terra might like to go see him."

Terra, almost choking on the last bits of fish and oatmeal, musters out, "He's awake! Well let's go see him!"

- In Eric's room -

Eric is lying there, eyes open sitting against the wall, and turns to see who entered.

"Sup, y'all," said an exhausted Eric.

"Eric? Are you feeling better?" answered a slightly excited Terra.

"Well, slightly. I'm still exhausted."

"Oh! I almost forgot. Here drink this," said Terra as she handed over the blue liquid given to her by Lynn the previous night.

"Woa! That is some good stuff!" exclaimed Eric.

Eric stands up, runs to the nearest wall, and kicks off it, only to land in a handstand.

"Umm… You alright?" asked Terra with one eyebrow raised.

Lynn, laughing, speaks to Terra, "Things like that aren't uncommon with that potion."

"What was in it?" asked Selim.

"Can't tell you."

"Why not?" asked Eric.

"It's a secret concoction from 'The Jolly Hylali.' I don't even know what's in it although, being a doctor, I have my suspicions."

"The Jolly Hylali? I guess we'll have to go there later," suggested Terra.

"Good luck. It's an exclusive shop but very worth trying to get into," Selim explains.

"Well then, all the better! " says Eric indifferent to the challenge.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I never introduced myself! I am Lynn, the head doctor here at Lyran. It is wonderful to meet you Eric."

"And I am a Hylian Knight. Selim Tarnot at your service."

"It's wonderful to meet you both," said Eric, shaking their hands.

"So where are you guys going? I mean, you wouldn't stop here for rest with heavy packs if you weren't going anywhere," asked Selim.

Eric and Terra exchange a look of uncertainty but Eric speaks up.

"We were actually headed to Hyrule Castle. We have never been out of our forest and decided to tour the wonderful world we live in to a fuller extent."

"Ah, I see! Well then, I guess I could guide you to the Castle since I'm heading back there myself if you would so wish to do so."

"That'll be just grand," said Terra.

"So when were you guys figuring on leaving?" asked Selim.

"Whenever Eric is up to it," said Terra with a look towards Eric.

"In a few hours we will set off again," said Eric.

"Well then we'll leave you alone to discuss things," replied Lynn as she and Selim left the room.

Terra turned to Eric saying, "Well, what do you think?"

"I think we found a great town. Such liveliness and helpful people here."

"Yea, sure."

"Something up?"

"No," said Terra looking at Eric, only to be met with the 'I completely saw through that little lie you just made' look.

"Yes," Terra consented. "It's about Lynn and Selim. Doesn't it seem like they almost know enough to anticipate out actions? I mean Selim knew that we were traveling and he just happens to be a Hylian solider."

"I disagree, Terra. I don't know what you are talking about since Lynn hasn't said anything weird."

"Oh. I forgot that I hadn't told you what happened while you were asleep. Well first, I woke up…"

"… and that's when I came in to see you!" said Terra smiling.

"Hmmm. I still think your suspicions are too much like that old hag back in our village who foretold death and destruction."

"Watch it or she'll be right about you."

"Relax, Terra," said Eric, getting a good chortle out the situation.

"So what are we to do now?"

"Let's go check out The Jolly Hylali. I'm jealous of you based on your description of that fish you ate."

"Sure!"

Terra and Eric then set out to explore the town. They browsed the numerous stalls of food and supplies; still amazed at the surplus of things they had never seen before. They finally saw a building ahead of them with the "The Jolly Hylali" written on a large suspended, rupee-shaped, sign. They approached the door which had a small slot with what appeared to be a pair of olive-green tinted eyes staring back at them. Terra went to knock but stopped when startled by a voice that came from what appeared to be the eyes staring at them.

"What do ye seek, coming to 'dis here building?" asked the eyes.

"Well, we heard this was the place to be and decided to try it out."

"Gnnaahhhrr, this be a building only for 'de finest of 'de people. However, I see you are honest in asking to come here so I will give you a shot."

Smiling at Terra, Eric replied, "Alright, so what do we have to do?"

The slot closed and the little man came out. His olive green eyes only complemented the other weird things about him. He had a small wooden cane and a crooked nose. His grin was the thing that drew the most attention. All of his teeth would show and it disturbed the two forest natives. "Follow me," he said.

Eric and Terra followed to a place with three stumps.

"You are to stand on a stump and stare at the third one. Do this until I return."

The man left and went inside where he met with Selim and Lynn.

"So what do you think?" asked Selim.

"I'm not sure, but I know they had talked with him," said Lynn.

"I'll let them in," replied the man, "because if they have talked to him, then they will need all the help they can get." The man turned and looked out the window at the three stumps.

"We shall see," he murmured. "We shall see…"

To be continued…