CHAPTER 6: Old Friendships
As they neared the top of the stairs they were greeted by the sight of Vah Ruta towering over them. Its trunk was pointed upright and at the very tip was Mipha standing near the terminal. "Mipha! We have some guests here, why don't you come greet them?" Sidon called out.
She looked over to where they stood and grinned as she recognized the pair. Mipha then gracefully dove into the water barely making a splash and jumped back onto the pier right before them. As she approached the group, she discreetly cast her eyes towards Link but bowed before Zelda, "Hello Zelda, Link, are you here to see Vah Ruta?" The two princesses were close enough to drop their formalities with each other.
"Yes, I wanted to investigate these notifications we received on the Sheikah Slate, do you mind if I ask you a few questions about it?"
Entirely absorbed with their discussion of the Sheikah tech they walked towards the end of the pier leaving the Link and Sidon on their own.
"Link, what do you say to a friendly spar while we wait for the ladies to finish their conversation? It would be an honor to fight the Hero of Hyrule, especially with all the rumors we've heard about you."
Link smiled bashfully at his statement but agreed, he had never fought the prince in the past and it would be an interesting experience. He knew how skillful Mipha was with her spear and he could only wonder if Sidon would show the same aptitude. Sidon went off to retrieve wooden training weapons for them to use, his weapon of choice was a spear, as was common for the Zora and Link chose a longsword. Link could feel the noticeable difference in balance of the training sword. The near perfection of the Master Sword had spoiled him. He gave it a few swings feeling it out and placed his Hylian shield on his left arm.
"Ready" He called out to Sidon who was also getting a feel for his spear.
"Don't hold back Link, I expect your best." Sidon yelled back with his trademark grin on his face.
Link took a moment to size him up, the spear would inherently put him into a defensive mode to wait for an opening but once he got in close it would be over. That was easier said than done considering not only the long range of the spear itself but also the fact that Sidon was almost 2 times the height of Link. He hesitantly took steps forward, he was clearly sizing Link up as well.
Before he knew it, Sidon made the first move jabbing the spear towards him, he clearly knew how to avoid telegraph his moves as Link was barely able to avoid it in time. Resetting to their original positions, Sidon made another attack this time aiming for Links shoulder, the smile on his face now replaced with a look of complete concentration. Link deflected it easily with his shield but now Sidon began to get into a rhythm. Doing a quick backspin, he brought the spear around at incredible speed and aimed to whack Links right side. This time Link deflected it with his wooden sword and guided the tip of the spear until it hit the ground.
With ease, Sidon began spinning the spear and hit Link with a barrage of attacks. Link had to give it to him, he had underestimated not only the Prince's speed, but his coverage and Link patiently waited for an opening that did not come. Sidon's next attack swept at his feet and Link dodged it with a backflip. Time seem to slow down as he landed solidly on the balls of his feet and lunged himself forward into the opening as Sidon spun around for the next attack. Sidon was quick as well and stepped back while he spun. Putting enough space between them to bring the spear over his shoulder and slam it down on the Hylian. Links smaller size proved useful once again as he crouched low and rolled to the side. He was unable to close the distance between them but as he saw Sidon pull back on the spear for another jab an idea came into mind.
It all happened in an instant as Link dropped his shield to the ground leaving his left shoulder exposed luring Sidon to attack him there. As the spear came in Link dropped low on his right side and grabbed the spear as it flew past him and pulled as hard as he could. Sidon stumbled forward in surprise closing the distance, he had not anticipated that type of counterattack. Link brought up his sword just in time to hold the tip right before Sidon's neck and they both froze panting with effort.
Sidon's grin snuck back onto his face as he slowly withdrew the spear. "Incredible! Your skill truly does not disappoint, my friend!"
It was at this moment that the men noticed both Zelda and Mipha had been watching their bout. Zelda in particular looked awestruck while Mipha gave him a strange look he did not recognize, almost one of fascination but different somehow. Link blushed slightly and turned his eyes back to the Prince who spoke again.
"Where did you learn that trick, I have never seen anyone use that tactic before? It was a bit risky don't you think?"
"Just thought of it so I tried it," Link shrugged.
"Incredible," Mipha whispered just loud enough for Zelda to barely hear which she took note of.
Sidon outstretched his right arm to shake Link's hand, "It was an honor, we shall have to do this more often." Link smiled and nodded in reply.
"That was an amazing match between the two of you," Zelda commented "I would say you had Link worried for a while there. I can't say that I've ever seen him struggle that much." She smirked towards Link as she said it.
Link gave a small frown at first but eventually smiled back at her.
"You flatter me Princess, I, on the other hand, would like to see a match between Link and my dear sister, she is far more proficient with her trident than I. That is a fight I'd really like to see." Replied Sidon, it was his turn to cast a knowing look over to his sister to which she blushed.
"Maybe." Was all she said in reply.
"Well, Mipha and I were heading over to go inside of Vah Ruta, would you two care to join us?"
The men nodded and gathered their supplies as they prepared to board Vah Ruta.