Red Sky at Night - Chapter 4
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"Link!" Medilia's mind was spinning at the actions of her son, but there was no time to process it. They were still surrounded by moblins and lizalfos, now all the more enraged by the loss of their companion. She grabbed the sword from Link and pulled him close, holding the blade out in front of them. She had no idea how to wield a sword, but she knew she had to try. Link struggled against her but she didn't let go, unwilling to chance his luck a second time, even in the face of certain death.
The sword was knocked from her hand a moment later, the club that had done it shattering her wrist. She screamed in pain and dropped to the ground, curling herself around Link in a desperate effort to use her own body as a shield.
She could feel the heavy, hot breath of the lizalfos as they surrounded her, sending a shiver down her spine. She closed her eyes, held Link a little tighter as he fought against her, his fighting spirit demanding to be let loose. She almost let him, wondering if it was better to give him a chance, but her fear held him tight against her breast.
It was when all seemed lost they heard it. A whistle, clear and sharp as it cut through the air, bright and hopeful, unlike the dull tones of the moblin horns. Distracted, the monsters turned away from their prey, looking curiously for the source.
Her head still down, the next thing Medilia heard was the sound of arrows hitting targets and the screams of the monsters as they fell. Cautiously, she looked up and her eyes went wide at the sight.
Medilia had never seen a Zora in the flesh before, but Arn had told her of them many times. She had never expected to meet any, yet here they were coming to their aid. All different sizes and colours, they nonetheless moved seamlessly, their attackers falling swiftly to arrows and spears.
Within minutes it was over, every last moblin and lizalfos no more than a pile of parts in the dust. Hesitantly she got up, uncurling herself from around Link with a groan of pain as one of the Zora came over to them.
Medilia took in the woman. Shorter than the rest, with deep red and warm white scales, holding a trident far taller than her. She was adorned with elaborate jewellery and her face wore an expression of concern as she saw Link, covered in blood and dirt. As Medilia watched, the woman handed her trident off to another warrior before introducing herself.
"I am Mipha, princess of the Zora," she said, her voice surprisingly gentle for one who had just finished a battle. "Please, let us help you."
Princess? Medilia suddenly felt very small, despite being taller than the Zora woman. "I... I am Medilia your highness... this is Link, my son."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, though I regret the circumstances." Mipha cast her gaze gown to Link, who was regarding her with wide eyes. "Hello." she smiled. "I would like to tend to your wounds if you will allow it."
Medilia was nervous, but she nodded. Link seemed relatively unhurt, but who knew what she couldn't see? And her own arm and ribs were screaming at her, the blood now congealing and her whole arm throbbing. "That would be appreciated... thank you..." she forced herself to stay upright, despite feeling dizzy from pain.
Still, she wasn't expecting the princess herself to reach out, one long fingered hand gently taking her arm, while the other hovered over it. A moment later she gasped as the princesses' hand began to glow... and her shattered arm began to heal. The pain vanished and she was able to move her wrist as though it had never broken. The glow shifted as the princess did, healing her other wounds too.
"There... that's the worst of it... forgive me for not doing more, but it can be quite draining and I must still tend to your son." Mipha smiled as she stepped back.
"That's fine... thank you..." having never experienced healing magic before, Medilia was stunned. She watched as the princess knelt down in front of Link, meeting his eyes.
"This wont hurt at all," Mipha promised him, her hand glowing again. "You will feel a lot better afterwards." When Link didn't move she proceeded to cast the blue glow all over his small body, the cuts and bruises fading away into nothing.
When she was done, Link was free of injury yet still covered in mud, as was his mother. "You must be exhausted," Mipha said. "Come back with us to Zora's Domain. You can rest there, clean up and have a meal." She looked down at Link, who was still staring. "We have waterbeds. Have you ever slept on a waterbed?"
Link shook his head and he tugged on his mother's hand urgently, almost forgetting what had just transpired. He'd never even heard of one, but he thought they sounded wonderful and his four year old mind easily pushed aside everything else.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Mipha laughed. "They are the best beds ever! Come, you will be my guests."
Guests, of a princess? Medilia shook her head. "Your highness, we couldn't possibly impose..." they were just common folk, no one of note. They didn't deserve this.
"Please, I insist." Mipha reached out to the Hylian woman. "If not for yourself then for your son. He has been through a lot today."
Link did need a proper rest, she had to agree. They'd slept on the ground for several nights and he was in desperate need of a bath. Not to mention what he'd just done... that would need to be addressed. Slowly, she nodded. It did make sense. "Very well, your highness, I accept your most generous offer."
"Wonderful." Mipha looked pleased. She spoke quietly to some of the warriors, who started to gather the scattered possessions from Medilia's broken pack. "They will bring your things on. Please, follow me."
X
It was still quite a long walk to the Domain and Link, already tired, began to lag after they had been walking well over an hour. Noticing this, Mipha signalled one of her guard, who stepped up and, with a grin, scooped the boy onto his shoulders.
Link squealed and Medilia laughed. "Don't worry, I don't think he bites!"
"Only if you're a fish," the guard grinned, exposing surprisingly sharp teeth. "I am Rivan... do not worry, I have a child of my own. And I've carried her like this many a time." He twisted his head so he could just see the Hylian boy he carried. "Comfortable?"
Link's hands were tightly gripping the Zora's head fins, though he didn't seem bothered. When Link nodded he chuckled and picked up the pace a little so they didn't fall behind.
The steady rhythm was soothing to the tired child and he rested his head against the Zora guard's head fins. Before long his eyes drooped and and he sagged against Rivan, who carefully adjusted his position so he didn't fall.
"I'm sorry... shall I take him?" Medilia said, slightly embarrassed.
"No, let him sleep, it's fine." Rivan patted one dangling leg. "He's had a long day. A number of long days, I would guess."
"Your guess would be right..." She looked up at Link, soundly asleep on his new Zora friend. Rivan looked completely comfortable with him there and she felt a pang in her chest for the father Link had never had.
"Are you okay?" Rivan asked gently. "I admit we never expected to find a woman and child alone out here."
"We're traveling to Akkala... to move there." She sighed. "I was naive, I didn't think this would happen." Looking at her sleeping child, it seemed unreal. "He... he killed one of them."
Rivan frowned and Mipha came over as she heard. "The boy?" He queried.
Medilia nodded. "I don't even know how he lifted the sword. It was just before you arrived. He grabbed it and stabbed one to save me."
"That is unusual skill and courage for one so young," Mipha murmured. "Anything is possible in the heat of the moment but still..." her brow furrowed as she wondered if such a show of strength had a deeper meaning.
"His father was a knight... a royal guard. He died before Link was born, Medilia admitted quietly. "I think Link takes after him. I do not know if it will be possible for him to be a knight though, even if he wants to."
"Why do you say that?" Rivan asked, keeping his voice low. "He is strong and brave, even this young."
"He does not... cannot speak. His birth was difficult and then he fell ill... I believe there is too much damage for his voice to work. He makes some sounds but not a single word. If he cannot speak I do not see how he could become a knight."
Medilia glanced at Link, giving Mipha and Rivan chance to exchange a look. "You must not give up," Mipha said. "The determined often find a way. Our healers can look at him, though I can promise nothing."
"That's kind, Thank you." Medilia was starting to feel overwhelmed. "I can't thank you enough for all you're doing."
"It is nothing, we are glad to help." Mipha smiled at the Hylian woman. "A little kindness goes a long way."
That was true, Medilia agreed. From Oric to the princess, they owed their lives to the kindness of others. She only only hoped that one day she could find a way of repaying them.
They walked a while longer and as they did, Medilia started to notice carved posts and signs, leading the way to the domain. A soft glow seemed to permeate the night as they got closer and then at last a great bridge came into view, it's soft blue glow calming and beautiful. Beyond, the main structures of the Domain rose high, that same glow surrounding it, the intricate carved beauty like nothing she'd ever seen. Not even Arn's descriptions did it justice.
"Oh... Link... Link, wake up!" She shook him lightly, knowing he would want to see this.
Link blinked groggily, sitting up on Rivan's shoulders as the Zora supported him. As his vision cleared and he saw what was in front of him he frowned - and then his jaw dropped. Raised in a tiny village, he'd never seen anything so big or elaborate.
Mipha saw his amazement and smiled, pride in her home obvious as she led them on towards the great arches. "Welcome, my new friends, to Zora's Domain."
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Technically Rivan should be younger but eh, artistic licence!