Chapter Three
Prayer

Rael had to put a skip in his step to keep up with Link as he hurried after him through the streets of Hylia. The Marshal had his black cloak wrapped tightly around himself, concealing his face and identity from the plebs of the marketplace. Not that they would recognise him as anyone they knew – but Link was very particular about this matter. The crowds also seemed to part in his wake, people skirting around the hostile-looking hooded figure. Rael had to contend with crowded streets though, hence his difficulty to keep Link even in sight, let alone keep up with him.

Down in the city, a way south and east of the palace, a single tall spire twisted high into the sky. Standing out against the low roofed backstreet slums, the Temple of Time held the same ground it always had in Hylia. Fashioned out of white and grey stone, with tall windows of clear glass in the walls and shining golden bells in its towers, it stood as an eternal monument to the goddesses.

As they emerged into the grassy quarter of the town in which the temple was built, Link stopped, gesturing for Rael to come to his side. Catching his breath, Rael jogged up the steps to stand beside the man. They stood shoulder to shoulder, equal in height.

"You brought me to see the temple?" asked Rael, eyeing the large wooden doors ahead, they were wide open – inviting. A wide archway surrounded the door, its keystone engraved with the seal of the Royal Family.

"This is the entranceway to the Sacred Realm…" said Link slowly. "Here…in the deepest chamber… the Master Sword can be found. As it has always done, it holds the barrier between worlds in place. When it is claimed by a Hero, the gateway between worlds opens. Only two people have ever used this gateway to gain entrance to the land where the skies are gold." He sighed, his fingers drumming on the red-and-gold hilt of his beautiful but very much non-magical sword. "The last time the gateway was open, the 'Seven Year War' - or the 'Imprisoning War' - began."

"In which you became a Hero?"

Link nodded.

"Why are we here now?"

"The day may come when the gateway between worlds must open again. But it is not this day… Today, I must show you something else. Come." Link swept towards the entrance, his cloak catching the wind and blowing around him. Rael followed in his wake, letting Link lead him up the steps into the temple.

As he entered, treading softly on the temple ground in reverence, he was awed by what he saw. Across the great hall, beneath ivory worked columns and high arched ceiling there was a great gathering of Hylians. They were all on their knees with there heads low to the ground and their hands flat on the floor. They were chanting - chanting - towards the black and white marble altar, and the huge sealed stone doors beyond. "What are they doing?" he asked Link.

"Praying to the gods," replied Link at a whisper.

Rael nodded, and listened to their words. The chant echoed around the vast chamber, the acoustics of the hall resonating their calls high and low. It seemed some were speaking Hylia, but others, in a trance like state, were calling out in unison in a language Rael did not understand.

"Ael galan se Landa en dain. All glory be to the Creators. Ael galan Din en dai. All glory be to Din. Ael galan Nayru en dai. All glory be to Nayru. Ael galan Farore en dai. All glory be to Farore. Ael galan Shadal Brak en dai. All glory be to He Who Shall Break the Night"

Link leaned over and whispered in his ear, "They are praying for the return of the Hero of Time – to save them from the darkness that the Kairin bring."

"There's hundreds of them…"

Link nodded. "They believe the gods will save them – but the gods have already provided them with their salvation. Potentially. Whether you choose to save them is ultimately up to you Rael."

Rael grunted and stalked out of the building, hurrying down to the paving stones.

"What do you want of me!" he shouted. "It's you they want! They want the Hero of bloody Time, not me!"

Link followed him out slowly, taking his time on the steps and not letting his cape fall in his way. "I will do my part when the time is right, but I must prepare you for the future before I fulfil my own destiny. Duty calls me to you first, my lad." The older man narrowed his eyes. "You want to know what we must do?"

"Yes, please tell me!"

Link crossed the paving stones and came and stood eye to eye with Rael, hazy blue grey eyes meeting Rael's deep oceans. "We are going on a trip, then. You may bring your friends with you… I feel they may be of help. Listen well… this is what you must do…"