*Clack clack… THUD*

"Owwwah enough enough! I'm out. Geral, it's your turn," Pip squeaked from the ground, rubbing his bruised shin vigorously.

"You need to shift your feet more, you're about as mobile as a tree", Link said, offering Pip his hand.

"I'm moving more than Rodan anyway" Pip muttered sullenly, as he allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Geral gave him a kick to his good shin.

"Pip, shut yer trap", he hissed as Pip made an exaggerated display of hobbling about. Eventually Pip flopped back to the ground and looked bashfully up at Rodan.

"Sorry Ro, I didn't mean it. You doin' okay?"

Rodan didn't reply. Though he had been watching Link fight with the others, his mind was elsewhere. He wasn't sure he had been truly present in days. Link, Pip and Geral exchanged concerned looks. Link walked over to his friend and spoke to him gently.

"We don't have to train today, you know. No one would blame you if your head wasn't in the right place. It was only because you said…"

"No… I mean I'm fine" Rodan said, snapping back to the present. "The sooner I start the sooner I'll improve, right? Is it my turn?"

"Sure is," said Geral quickly, handing him the wooden training sword he was holding. Link pursed his lips, but instead of saying anything else, simply nodded and took up his position in the little sparring circle they had drawn in the frosted earth.

Rodan spun the sword in his hand and gave it a few practice swings. It felt heavy and unwieldy, being of length with a full-sized longsword, and carved of a substantial hard-wood. It was crafted for use by soldiers in training drills, but his father had told him that there had been occasions when men of Ordon had gone into battle with wooden swords like these, when metals were in short supply. In the right hands they were still a dangerous weapon, despite the lack of cutting edge.

Worry stabbed at his heart as his thoughts unconsciously returned to his father. For three days and three nights the chief had moaned and sweated in Cylia's hut, managing to regain lucidity for barely more than a minute or two at a time before drifting back into feverish sleep. Rodan hadn't left his side, barely registering the procession of well-wishers hovering by the doorway, presenting gifts or dispensing platitudes until Cylia shooed them away. Rodan was surprised Cylia had not made him leave too, while she sutured his father's wound and dressed it with foul smelling tinctures and thick linen bandages that seemed to become sodden in no time at all. Rodan had thought that a bad sign. If Cylia was confident of a recovery, she would have made him clear out to give his father space. Though her demeanour was unflappable and relentlessly chipper as always, Rodan was aware of the gentler tone and affected looks that she was treating him with. She's letting me stay so that I can be with him if he…

Eventually however, his father's fever had broken, and a little colour had returned to his ashen skin. Cylia had stressed that he was not out of the woods, but had insisted that Rodan go home and get some food and a good night's sleep. He had returned to the empty house he shared with his father, slumped on the bed and immediately fell unconscious, despite his worries. In his dreams, a familiar voice called to him.

"Okay Ro, come at me whenever you're ready," said Link, taking a stance; sword raised high, shifting back and forth on his feet.

Rodan gripped his his sword white-knuckled and charged.

*Clack THWACK*

It flew from his hands, as he winced, holding his throbbing wrist tenderly.

"Don't run at me blindly, it was too easy to sidestep your attack, which left you open to a counter," Link said calmly.

Rodan snatched up his sword from the ground. "Again," he growled.

Rodan had returned to Cylia's hut the next day but she had turned him away.

"He needs to rest. I promise to send for you if he wakes. For now, go see your pals, take your mind of things. Just do me a favour and don't go getting in any scrapes. My hands are full enough as it is, you hear?."

He had wandered the village, his eyes on the ground, pointedly avoiding the sympathetic looks of the townsfolk. He was in such a daze, inattentive to his path, that he almost collided with the mass of Odo's stomach, who seemingly wasn't looking where he was going either. Rodan looked up to see Odo; greyfaced, bleary-eyed, and upon realising who he had almost bowled over, filled with barely contained emotion as he apologised profusely.

*Click clack clack…thwack THUD*

"...Again."

Rodan and Odo had walked together for a while, saying little.

Eventually Rodan blurted out "I can't…I can't lose him too, Odo. I'm not ready, not strong enough to be alone."

"Yer stronger than you think Rodan Chiefson," Odo had said as steadily as he could. "But you're not gonna be alone, young master. That I can promise with certainty." Odo pointed in the direction they were headed. Down by the River Nada, had sat his friends, talking in serious tones. When they saw the two walking towards them, they jumped to their feet and waved. Odo quietly took his leave. Pip and Geral talked over each other as they rushed over.

"Ro! Link told us what happened. Are you okay?"

"We wanted to visit but Cylia wouldn't let us in, the old bat."

"The Chief, he's gonna be fine right? Cylia's patched him up?"

"We was tryna catch a fish, as a present for ya. S'dumb I know, but we couldn't think what else ta do."

"Yeah but we couldn't cut a hole in the ice. Sorry."

Rodan saw that Link had stood back from the others. His face was troubled.

"I'm sorry Rodan. I was the one with the weapon. I should have protected your father. If I had just reacted quicker…"

"Don't be stupid. You weren't responsible for his safety," Rodan had said, waving his hand dismissively. Still, Link looked worried.

*Clack thock clack thunk*

Rodan yelped and blew on his stinging fingers.

"That was better. Maybe we should take a break for now?" said Link, who could not hide the concern in his voice.

"No!" Rodan said, more sharply than he intended. I must get stronger. I must! He was panting heavily, and his body was bruised and battered but he retrieved his sword and once more took the stance Link had taught him. "Let's go again."

The four boys had traipsed around the town, moving continuously to try and keep warm. Rodan gave a brief update to the others as to his father's condition, but he found words hard to come by. He longed instead for a course of action to take; something he could do to put things back to the way they were. Every muscle in his body was coiled with an anxious energy. I just feel so helpless. I wonder if this is how Da' felt when they found out Ma' was sick.

"Link, tell me again how it happened."

Link and Rodan had slowed their walk to put some space between them and the others. Pip and Geral were quibbling over something ahead of them, oblivious to their grave conversation.

"It was like I said after the guards and I took him in. We were stalking a deer when, from out of nowhere, this creature charged straight at us. I don't know how I didn't hear it coming, the thing was as big as a horse."

"What was it? A giant stag or somethin'?"

"No. It was a boar I think. An enormous boar with red eyes."

Rodan gave a short, gruff laugh devoid of mirth.

"Come off it, boars don't get that big."

"Do I strike you as someone prone to exaggeration?" Link had said, only ever so slightly miffed.

Another humourless grunt. "No I reckon not. Red eyes you said? Were they glowin'? Did they seem like the hated everythin' they saw by any chance?"

They exchanged a dark look. Link nodded slowly.

"It was gone so quickly, I didn't get a good look but… yeah, I think so."

"Which means Ganondorf, am I right? It was another one of his gods-damned creations."

"That's what worries me. When I fought him before - at the very end, just when he seemed defeated, he used his power to transform into a gigantic boar. It had the same cruel eyes but there was intelligence behind them. Oh and it was as tall as a tree."

"That sounds… terrifying. Just when I thought your stories couldn't shock me anymore."

"I've got plenty more."

They walked in silence for a while, listening to Pip and Geral bicker about who's father was stronger.

Then, coming to a decision, Rodan asked "Would you teach me how to fight? I mean really fight. Wrestlin's one thing but in a life or death battle I'm totally useless. I would have started weapon trainin' next year anyway but I get the feelin' the I might need to know sooner than that. Plus I bet I'd learn way more from you than from any of those meathead soldiers anyways."

Suddenly Pip and Geral had turned and were right up in Link's face, eyes shining.

"Ya gotta teach us to fight too, Link!"

"Pleaaaase Link, that would be so cool! My Da' would flip if he found out but I don't care, I wanna see you usin' a sword."

"I don't know guys" Link said, scratching the back of his head. "I wouldn't know how to teach anyone sword fighting. I've never had any training myself."

Pip rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah we get it, you're just naturally amazin' at everythin'."

"No, that's not what I… " Link started to protest until Pip cut him off.

"Whatever you say. Anyway, my Da' has a key to the armoury. I could definitely get us some swords to practice with."

Before Link even had a chance to answer, Pip had scampered off. Geral chased after him, calling out "Slow down, yer not gonna be able to carry a sword on yer own with those tiny arms."

Link looked at Rodan, exasperated, who just grinned slightly and shrugged his shoulders. For the first time since his father was injured, the debilitating hypothetical scenarios that had played on a loop in his mind were pushed away.

And so they had snuck out of town to a secluded clearing the Ordonians had once used as a campsite. Once they cleared the snow, it made for the perfect combat arena and the close-knit firs protected them from any watchful villagers who might be around.

As it turned out, even Pip and Geral combined couldn't lift a steel sword - never mind two - which was probably just as well. They had however managed to secure the pair of notched training swords, one of which was currently leaving its mark all over Rodan's body.

"That's enough Rodan! I don't want to hit you anymore. We're going to take a break now, okay?" said Link, who Rodan was annoyed to note, had barely broken a sweat all afternoon. Rodan grumbled a little, but did not protest with any conviction as he sat down heavily on a nearby log, massaging his aching muscles. The enthusiasm the Ordonians had shown for training with Link had lessened somewhat, hammered out of them as Link had disarmed and overpowered them again and again, but the boys were still in good spirits.

"You did some great work today. You should be proud of yourselves" Link said cheerfully, sitting down next to the others, resting his sword on his knees.

"It's great to be learnin' from a real expert. I've seen the soldiers goin' through drills afore and I reckon you'd give em a run for their money" Geral said, stretching out on the earth.

"Yeah I always wanted to use a sword but my Da' said I was too small. I can't wait to show him what I'm learnin' " Pip said, pressing a handful of snow against a black bruise on his leg. "I just wish yer teachin' style wasn't so…painful."

"I don't think your father or his soldier buddies would be thrilled if they found out you were learning swordplay from a Hylian. And I'm sorry about the bruises. I'm not used to trying to avoid hurting the person I'm fighting. I'll get better at that and your defence will improve with practice, so hopefully every session will be better than the last. In fact I think all of you will make great swordsmen one day."

Pip and Geral beamed, but Rodan who was staring listlessly off into the distance, didn't react.

"Whatcha thinkin' Ro?" Geral ventured. "Didn't ya hear? We're gunna be great warriors someday!"

Rodan decided to say what burdened his mind. "We might not have that kind of time. Ordon is in danger now. Without my father, who's going to protect it? I need to get stronger now, to protect my country."

The others seemed lost for words. Even Link was unsure of what to say.

I didn't want to unload on them like that, thought Rodan. I've brought the mood down… but it's the truth, Link knows it as well. And I'm going to need all their help if the worst should happen.

Eventually Pip spoke up, hesitantly. "There's guards and soldiers whose job it is to protect the people, Rodan. We're just kids, what can we do?"

"So? Link was, what, ten years old when he started fighting for his people? Our army is a bunch of fools and old men… no offence to your da', Pip. I don't know what it is yet but there is a great threat comin' our way, and… you've no idea what it'd mean to know I've got you three on my side. I'm not strong enough on my own. I know I've got no right to ask you Link, considering what Ordon has done to you…"

Link found his voice. "I'm on your side Rodan," he said, standing up and giving a reassuring nod. "And on Ordon's too, even if not everyone in it is on mine."

Pip and Geral looked at each other. "I don't appreciate what you said about my Da'..." Pip started.

"What Pip means to say is, we're always on yer side Ro, no matter what" Geral interrupted, elbowing Pip gently in the ribs.

"I was jus' kiddin' around!" Pip laughed. "We might not be as strong as Link but we've been best pals since forever. We'd die fightin' for ya, y'know?"

Rodan smiled. Once again, his friends had managed to briefly arrest his anxieties. But the momentary calm was shattered by the sound of heavy footsteps coming towards them through the forest.

Rodan tensed, reminded of the ominous, clanking footsteps of Phantom Ganon. He looked over and saw that Link had already raised his sword and was scanning the trees. Rodan did the same.

The footsteps came closer and closer until, with a collective sigh of relief from the group, Odo's lumpy head peeked through the fir needles.

"Hullo lads. Thank the stars, ah've been lookin' all over for ya. Oi, what are ya doin' with those swords?"

Rodan and Link, who had been trying to discreetly hide the swords behind their back, hung their heads looking guilty.

"Well it don't concern me so long as no one notices they're missin'. I'm jus' gonna pretend I didn't see nothin'" Odo said hurriedly. "Rodan, the reason I'm here… well I'm gonna need you to come with me."

"What's wrong Odo?" asked Rodan. He looked at Odo's big, weathered face. He didn't seem close to tears as he did earlier, but there was a grim, harried look in his eye.

"It's yer Da'. He woke up" Odo said.

Rodan frowned even though his heart leapt. "That sounds like good news, so why the serious face?"

"Just… let's go, eh? Link, you should come too."

"Me?" said Link, surprised.

Odo nodded and without another word, turned and stomped off in the direction of the village. Link and Rodan gave each other a look, then ran to catch up with Odo's massive strides.

"Put the swords back in the armoury before anyone sees that they're gone!" Rodan called over his shoulder.

They snaked through the forest back to the village, jogging to keep up with Odo. No one was in a talkative mood but Rodan noticed that the big man kept stealing glances at him from under his craggy eyebrows.

Eventually they reached the cabin that belonged to Cylia. When they walked the overgrown path and stood at the front door, Rodan was suddenly struck with a horrible wave of dread, though he couldn't say why. He looked to Link, but the Hylian was facing forward, as stone-faced as ever. Odo opened the door and they followed him inside, Rodan's foreboding growing by the second.

The smell hit them first. A stench of sweat and bile and medicine; undercut with a sickly sweetness like rotten meat. They all shuffled into the dark, clammy bedroom where Chief Boru had been taken after the accident. Heavy drapes blocked the windows and only a couple of spluttering candles lit the room. On a bed piled with furs and blankets, the Chief was laying, propped upright on a pillow as Cylia hovered over him, spooning some amber liquid into his mouth.

As they approached, Boru tried to focus his drooping eyes on them but there seemed to be little recognition in them. Rodan felt a lump rise in his throat at seeing him so weak. His skin was bone white and had a sickly sheen to it, and his chest seemed to rattle with every laboured breath, as if it were hollow.

"Chief, it's me Odo. As you asked, I called an emergency council meetin'. They have… accepted yer proposal. I've brought Rodan with me, and young Link too" Odo said, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Council meeting? Rodan thought. What about? Shouldn't I have been invited?

"Ahh Odo, I thank you." Boru's words were a whisper Rodan barely recognised. The powerful authority and strength he had once projected with his voice was gone. The Chief waved Cylia's spoon weakly away with his hand, and strained to pull himself further upright. Every person in the room made to help him but he grimaced and waved his hand again. Eventually, panting from the effort, he managed to sit himself with his back against the wall. He turned his cloudy gaze on Rodan and smiled weakly.

"Rodan…my son…I am no longer fit…to lead our people" Boru said through gasps. "But I have no worries…you will be…you are strong…and compassionate and….Odo please tell him…I can't…"

Odo nodded and turned to Rodan. "Yer Da' asked that you be installed as actin' Chief of Ordon, and the council have agreed. I came to find you straight after the meetin'."

It felt as if the floor had just dropped from under Rodan's feet. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as if it wanted to break free. "No, no I'm not… I can't. Da' please…"

"It's only temporary mind. When yer Da' fully recovers…" Odo said, falteringly. Cylia shot him a look but said nothing.

"Wh-what was that look? You're gettin' better aren't ya Da'? O-of course y-you're gettin'' better, you woke up today, right? S-so, soon you'll be right as rain. You don't need me to…." Rodan trailed off as he saw the expressions on the adults' faces.

There was a heavy silence.

"Cylia, would you… kindly help me remove… my bandages?" Boru said eventually.

"Are you sure that's…"

"Please Cylia."

Cylia shook her head slightly but acquiesced. She helped Boru draw back his blankets, exposing his torso; bare except for the swathe of dressing tightly wound around his midriff. Rodan felt tears prick his eyes as he saw an ugly black and green stain blemish the otherwise crisp white bandage. Cylia unwound the bandages, and the smell of rotting meat grew stronger.

The healer finished her task and drew back. Rodan felt his heart stop. He crossed the room to his father and slumped to the floor next to his bed, clutching at his hand like he once had as a frightened child, afraid of the dark. Boru squeezed his hand with what little strength he had, and rested his forehead against his son's. There was nothing to be said. Rodan felt the cold grip of fear that had assaulted him the night of the Phantom attack, but now he was more helpless than ever. There was nowhere to run to.

Cylia spoke. Rodan heard her voice as if from a great distance. "Link, I have done everything in my power to treat this injury but I fear it is beyond my abilities. This wound is not natural, I would stake my life on it. You have journeyed far and wide, and have more knowledge of magic than I. Have you ever seen anything like this?"

Link came to get a closer look. He examined the gaping hole in Boru's abdomen. If the stink and the gore disturbed him, he did not show it. Finally he stood up straight and said "I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do, but I've never seen anything like this. However it confirms my suspicions. The Gerudo King is laying siege to Ordon. Why, I cannot say. But I do know, if the Chief has fallen afoul of Ganondorf's black magic, then it will take an equally powerful magic to undo the curse."

Boru stirred angrily. "No magic!" he croaked, shaking his fist. "We don't… don't need some…sorcerer…". His eyelids were drooping and his speech was becoming slurred.

Suddenly Cylia was flying around the room, herding all the visitors towards the door. "That's enough for one day, Boru needs to rest now. You can see him again tomorrow, Master Rodan" she said, patting Rodan and Link on the shoulder. "Thank you Link, I'm sorry for asking that of you" she added under her breath.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. If you think of anything else I can do to assist…"

Cylia nodded. Link, Odo and Rodan took their leave, their hearts heavy. On the road outside Cylia's hut, Odo said "Umm Rodan, I'll come get you tomorrow for your swearin' in ceremony. Don't be nervous, it'll be a low-key affair. Link, shall we head home?"

"Actually, I'm going to walk Rodan back, if that's okay," Link said. Odo nodded and stomped off. They heard him blowing his nose noisily all the way up the path.

"C'mon" Rodan said, turning and walking quickly towards the edge of town.

"Wait, where are we going?" Link called after him.

"We're goin' to the Fairy Pool, to find my mother."