Chapter Ten
Orre'Aemea

After several hours of riding, the great valley through which they had been travelling came to an abrupt end. Here the mountains began to reduce to rolling hills and a vast plain. The desert reigned supreme here, with no plant life and almost no animal life. A range of mountains was arrayed northward, and to the south the mountains still continued their westward range beyond the horizon, encircling the massive open desert before them. Rael observed a quietly optimistic smile spread across Link's face. The source of his pleasure was the same that drew every eye present as one.

A wide river cut through the desert from north to south where the hills became flat land half a mile away; it was quarter of a mile wide and rushing with crystal water which sparkled beneath the sun. The roar of the river was like the voice of the gods, loud and clear and filled with a life force. "Behold, Orre'Aemea." Said Link proudly.

Rael's eyes followed the river to its source in the north of the desert. About five miles up the river the water split into three where three separate rivers fed into this one central river. Each of these three rivers flowed down through the desert from three tall craggy hills ten or twelve miles away standing tall and solitary in the distance. "What sort of river… this…"

"One of the greatest wonders of the natural world." Said Link. "See those three hills? Deep within those three hills are mighty springs which are forever gushing forth water into those three rivers which meet to form the majestic Orre'Aemea." Link heeled his horse to begin the descent down the slopes towards the river. "Come, we have almost arrived.

Rael exchanged glances with Daran, Tabett and Elane. They rode side-by-side as they followed on down the rocky slope to the river. "Rael, do you know what we are doing here?" asked Tabett on his right.

Rael turned to face his impossibly handsome friend. "No, I honestly don't." He said earnestly. "I'm scared though. I am starting to distrust Li- Sergeant Kantar." Rael cursed himself for slipping on Link's real name, but Tabett seemed not to have noticed.

"He is certainly distressed about something," said Daran thoughtfully.

Elane was quiet, peacefully taking in the surroundings. She looked to be in total awe of the river. For a moment, he noticed her touching something under her shirt tentatively, just beneath her neck.

The sun blazed upon them from a clear blue sky, and the air was thick with heat and sand. "That river looks so cold," said Tabett, "back in Taran Kaey I never thought I could ever be this desperate for water, but when you're in a place like this…" Everybody nodded in agreement. It was true and Rael would be very pleased to cool himself in that crystalline water. "Rael, I thought I heard you talking to Jolane last night before she disappeared. Is there something you know about her that we don't?"

"No," said Rael awkwardly, "but I wish I did know more about her."

They eventually drew reign at the river side, and found Link keeling on the rocky ground at the river's edge. The Orre'Aemea was truly very wide, larger than any river Rael had ever seen, there was an invisible aura of light just above the surface of the water that Rael felt he could see somehow. Link held his hand out to stop them from approaching the water's edge, and now Rael noticed that the soldiers were standing rigidly to one side, looking longingly at the water. "This is it," said Link, "Twice and once the horn must sound, twice at dusk and once at dawn. Where the almighty three ferment their wine… the chosen must drink deep in the blood of salvation."

Link's hazy grey eyes rested on Rael, and silently he mouthed the rest of the verse to him that Rael knew all too well. Wordlessly, Link's lips worked and said, 'Ten will ride forth, and five return. The father shall weep and the mother shall mourn.' Rael shook his head slowly.

Link turned to face the river again, and rolled back his sleeves. He took several deep breaths, and then plunged his arms into the water. The group watched closely and Link eased his hands back out cupping a double-handful of water. He brought it to his face and poured it into his mouth, swallowing it down with one gulp.

Link sat patiently then, kneeling in the sand calm. Nobody knew what he was doing other than taking a very cautious drink, and Rael had the distinct suspicion that Link did not know what he was waiting for either. At length, he took a few more handfuls of water, and sat as though waiting for something to happen. Nothing happened. Link grunted, then turned to face Rael. "Come here Rael, and drink from this water."

Rael felt his blood rise, and his face grow hotter if that were possible. His friends looked at him in question. "Me?" he said.

"Yes, I want you to drink from the river." Said Link quite flatly. "Are you not thirsty?"

Rael felt Tabett put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right," Rael muttered to his friend.

"What's going on?" whispered Tabett.

Rael did not reply, but stepped toward Link. "What is going to happen?" he said. Rael kept glancing at the river, trying to understand what it was for. There was something unnatural about it that was causing him great concern. The cool water gushed persistently along its path through the desert, so inviting that he wanted to dive into it, but he was restrained by a voice in the back of mind warning him of danger.

"Rael," said Link, "trust me. You will be fine, please drink."

"No." Replied Rael.

"What?" said Link.

"You cannot make me." Said Rael, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Tell me what is going on here."

"Rael, there is no time, please, just do as I ask and trust me!" Link stood up, looking desperate. "Please."

Rael shook his head.

"Sir, if I may, what is going on?" said Barl the soldier. "Is this water unsafe?"

Link glared at him until he fell back in line then turned his attention to Rael. "Do you want everyone to know your secrets Rael? I have kept our talks in confidence, but you are suggesting that I declare everything that is causing you grief to everyone here."

"If we are going to declare secrets, Kantar, perhaps we should start with you?" Rael saw Link's fingers dance on the hilt of his sword. At the threat of revealing his identity, Link's eyes drew narrow.

Eventually, he drew a deep breath and sighed. "You know that is a bad idea, Rael."

For the longest time, they stared each other down. "I cannot maintain this farse any more." said Rael.

Link wiped a hand across his sweating face and sat down beside the river. "So be it."

Rael turned to face the other seven travelling companions; his three friends, and the four Hylian soldiers watched him curiously. "This man…" said Rael, gesturing towards Link. "…is not at all what he appears to be. He is here… masquerading as an army sergeant." Rael could not bear to look in Link's eyes, but he had to get this out into the open. He had so many secrets locked inside that he felt he had to release something before it destroyed him from the inside. He would refrain from revealing Link as the Hero of Time though, because he respected the man at least that far.

"This is Ivarl al'Arantos. The Marshal of Hyrule. Supreme commander over the armies of united Hyrule, who sits at the right hand of the Queen and rules Hyrule at her side." Rael, fell silent and looked at the incredulous expressions staring back at him.

No-one said anything for a while, then Link stood up and nodded his head. "Yes, it is true." He shook his head and sighed. "I am the Marshal of Hyrule. We are here on a mission that may turn the tide of the war."

"You?" said Barl sceptically. "You are claiming to be the Marshal of Hyrule?"

"I am the Marshal of Hyrule. You cannot begin to know how important what am doing here is. Now," he said turning to Rael, "drink."

Rael gaped at Link. "Wait, I-"

"Fire and blood Rael! You saw me drink it yourself, it is perfectly safe to drink."

"Then why-?"

"Trust me."

Rael exhaled in frustration, and pulled his shirt off his back to try and relieve the heat. In just his breeches and sandals he approached the edge of the river and knelt beside it tentatively. "Thank you," said Link sincerely, as Rael dipped cupped hands into the water.

Before swallowing, Rael tested the water on his tongue, then let it trickled slowly back between his lips. The water was fresh and cool, sweet tasting even. Link watched him expectantly, nodding slowly. "Now what?" said Rael, when it was quite clear that nothing was happening.

Link stared at him for a minute, then sighed. "We will rest here for now," he said, "drink, fill your canteens, water the horses, wash yourselves." He glanced off towards the mountains. The three craggy hills at the source of the rivers seemed to scrape the sky through the hot haze of the desert. "We will make our way up river later, and rest where the three rivers meet this evening."