Chapter 26: Old Acquaintances

The group circled around the stone perch descending slowly to eventually come to a stop on the western platform just next to the villages shrine. Revali took off at his first opportunity insisting that he still had some training to do. Teba followed but only after inviting Link and Zelda to dinner to which Zelda gladly agreed to. Zelda decided she wanted to speak some more with Elder Kaneli so they set on their way up. Another familiar blue and yellow Rito caught them as he was exiting the elder's hut.

"Princess!" he said as he bowed, "it is an honor to be in your presence. Good to see you again Link."

Zelda thought back, but she couldn't recall ever meeting him personally, he did look familiar however.

"Princess, this is Kass, he is the apprentice to the official court poet of the royal family. He also helped me uncover the location of several shrines during my travels." Link said.

"Nice to meet you Kass," she smiled, "I remember seeing you around the castle before Pym passed away, he was an excellent poet and companion. You have my condolences for his passing during the calamity, I am sure he was a fantastic teacher."

"No worries princess, I've made my peace through his music. Link here helped me in studying the songs he left behind. He actually left quite a few songs either unfinished or unheard, many revolving around the champions or even yourself! I would love to play some of his ancient verses for you someday." He replied

"I would love that, hopefully a day when we don't find ourselves so busy. I imagine the other champions would love to hear them too." Turning to Link she continued, "I might be speaking with Elder Kaneli for a while, would you mind taking care of our preparations for tomorrow meanwhile, you could also catch up with Kass as well?"

Link nodded and Zelda turned to enter the Elders hut, Kass was the first to speak up again as they began walking down the village path.

"Tell me, what quest has brought you and the princess here?"

"The princess wanted to visit all the springs but we were sidetracked by a request from the goddesses. We need to cleanse the four spirits and the divine beasts of the remaining malice that still plagues Hyrule. We think our journey might end in a forgotten temple at the bottom of Tanagar Canyon." He replied nonchalantly.

Kass's eyes widened at his reply, "Now that, my friend, is song worthy. In fact, one of my mentor's songs spoke about the two of you defeating the calamity as well."

There was a quick silence between them as they continued walking, Link could tell that Kass was thinking of something.

"Would you mind if I accompanied you? I would ask the princess of course and I promise I wouldn't obstruct you in any way. I'd like to immortalize you two in song and finally finish my mentor's song, I believe it would be a fitting end for it." Kass asked.

"I wouldn't have a problem with it but the princess decides our plans so she has the final say." Link replied.

"Of course, I understand. Well, I must get going then, Amali will probably be looking for me to help her with our little songbirds.

"I'll see you around." Link replied with a smile.

They went their separate ways as they passed Kass's house, Link continued on to the Slippery Falcon where he went to purchase some more of their gear. On his way out, he ran into Revali who must have been returning from his training. Link resisted the urge to let out an exasperated sigh.

"Running errands eh? Good to see the princess still has you completing tasks of your own caliber."

Link frowned at him slightly but didn't reply.

Revali's eyes widened in an exaggerated fashion, "My, that might just the only emotion I've seen out of you ever! If you really think you can prove me wrong, my offer still stands. I'll even accommodate you and we can do it right here on the ground."

Link considered it momentarily but then thought about what Zelda would think if she found them fighting.

"I only draw my sword for to fend off evil or when given permission by the princess. Not on a whim." It was an excuse to not engage him now but he knew what Revali would say next.

"Then why not ask the princess to let you off your leash and then come find me at nightfall." Revali said before turning his back to him.

Link watched him walk away, maybe he would have to take Revali up on that challenge to finally keep him quiet. He shook his head and made his way back towards the elder's hut, Zelda was probably finishing up by now.

He arrived at the hut while she and the elder were still talking, they weren't quite done yet, but it sounded as if they almost were. Zelda soon said her goodbyes and turned to him, signaling their leave. They made their way down to Teba's hut for dinner where they enjoyed a nice dinner, Tulin seemed to have taken a liking for Zelda as well. He'd long left already and was spending time playing outside. They had already finished their meals and were just talking to pass the time. Out of curiosity, Teba mentioned Links tense relationship with Revali, most likely hoping for an answer from Zelda but she soon admitted she didn't have a reason.

"Yeah, it's always confused me as well, he's never given me a reason either." Teba replied leaving silence between them as they each thought it out.

"He challenged me again today. I'm supposed to meet him on the landing by nightfall." Link said.

"That doesn't surprise me, he's been mentioning it for a while now." Teba said, "I don't think you should do it. It might raise more tension between you two."

"Well I think that you should," Replied Saki, "he may not respect you as a person, but if somehow you were to beat him, he may at least respect you as a fellow warrior."

Teba thought it over before continuing, "She may have a point you know, if you were to beat him, then he would show you some respect, at least in that regard."

"However, if he were to lose, I imagine it would have the opposite effect." Said Saki looking back to Link.

Link gave her a nod to acknowledge he was listening but didn't reply. He had no doubt that he could compete with Revali but he wouldn't be arrogant about it.

"What do you think Link?" Zelda asked.

"It would be worth a shot." Link said.

"Well, if that's the case, I suppose we should be heading off, you said it was at nightfall correct?" Zelda said as she stood, "Teba, Saki, thank you for a wonderful dinner, it was a pleasure."

"The pleasure was ours your highness, hopefully we can see you back again soon." Saki replied.

Zelda made her way out and Link followed after her, once they were a distance away Zelda spoke up.

"Link, as you know, I would prefer that you and Revali not fight, especially not as Hyrule's champions. Obviously, this is different than your friendly spar with Mipha, Sidon, or Urbosa, and I am afraid it might get out of hand. So, I just want to make sure that you're careful and that neither of you get hurt."

"I'll be careful" he replied.

"I don't know what you think when you fight or if you harbor any resentment against Revali, but this might just be the best for you two. I admit, I had already thought of this before, and Teba and Saki's affirmations only helped to confirm my beliefs. I have faith in you Link, and I hope this works the way we intend it to." She said.

Link nodded, she finished just as they rounded the corner and saw Revali's figure standing with his back to them on the landing. Zelda stood back as Link stepped onto the platform. He didn't have to say anything since Revali had heard him approach and turned his head to the side to look at him.

"I'm surprised you came," he said, "shall we get started?"