No beta, we die like men.
Also, "I'll make sure the next chapter is shorter!" Also me: "Have fun with 7k words of filler and worldbuilding."
of course, I think the dialogue is the best part (but when dont i?)
Also, a review told me that niah and link gives road to eldorado vibes and i love it so much.
The spring's water parted with their presence.
The warp was nauseating, as it felt like it was pulling her to pieces like one would a delicate flower. Her breath was stolen in the process and her hair fell from her braid. Not willing to tie it back up, Niah let it go. As the warp completed, the water connected back together, and her shoes were soaked once more. But she liked it. She was happy to be back in the fresh breeze of the village as it had felt like the both of them had been in there for weeks, when it had been merely a day or two at most.
Link cursed as he realized where they had ended up.
"-not surprised." He said. "With our luck."
As if it had been bad.
The sky was dark, and the stars bloomed over them as she looked up. A warm wind started to blow. Unlike before, it was dry, but Earth-y, it was warm and safe. It reminded her of her college dorms, smelling the sweet scent of the Pacific breeze.
There were no children to greet them. No adult, not even a crow. It made Niah feel better somehow, the moment of respite before they entered the next section of Hyrule. The next section of Twilight.
"You look like you're about to sleep standing up."
With that, she yawned and pressed the palm of her hands against her eyes.
They walked down the dirt path, bathed in weathered pebbles and dust from the mountains. The air was more cloudy as the volcano eased itself finally from their battle. On the outskirts, that was where the people were. Men were there again, conversing and celebrating among themselves. Their embargo had been lifted, and they were able to provide again. Link did not stop to hear their thanks, but he did scan over them with satisfaction. But, after a moment, the smile faltered, and he walked faster towards the stables.
Link was mad at her. Had to be, but it wasn't any use to stand and ponder about what to do about it. She was always taught to speak her mind, talk about it. Don't let the pressure build until it finally pops and makes a mess of everything.
The wood door creaked as Link unhinged the lock and pushed it open. There was the smell of hay.
"You're mad at me." It wasn't a question.
Link shrugged. His hand brushed over Epona's nose, and she leaned into it. "Not mad. Just…" She nudged against him, "I've been thinking about what you said-"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset-"
"I know. And you did at first." He suddenly stopped and took a deep breath, but still, he didn't look at her. "Okay, I'm still a bit upset. But you were right." Link took a deep breath, and closed his eye.
"I have a legacy designed for me. I have to live up to my ancestors' expectations of me, and that fear makes me live in shame of all the things I didn't do before all of this."
Link moved his hand to hover over the lobe of his ear, he plucked an earring. A specific one as it was sapphire and sparkled in the candle light.
"My mother tried to sing her protections over my destiny. She tried to sing her protection during the siege of our village, and through my wanderings. And even now, she sings from beyond the grave, protecting me from the darkness."
Link's shoulders slouched before he released a deep breath. He turned back towards Niah, and instead of him having a weird, quirky and awkward grin, or a disheartened and hopeless frown. Link smiled.
It was light and perfect, and it released the tension in herself.
"For the longest time, I thought my mother had abandoned me. And it sealed my destiny to be alone-"
Link took her hand and she noticed how he was gentle as he opened her fist, and a soft press of metal and emerald.
"I am the last of my people." Link's voice was low, even as he was standing next to her, Niah almost barely heard it. But, his hand never fell from her's, and the electric feeling of… understanding lingered.
"And you are the last of yours."
"Link, I'm-"
"I know." He said, "But, please, let me feel like I'm not alone."
Niah's lips formed into a flat line of concern, he wasn't alone. He had Midna.
"Just until we get you home."
Slowly, she nodded, but didn't look into his eyes.
The problem was the fact that she could go home right now. But something was keeping her back.
"After this is over. All the brawling and searching. The solving and saving. After everyone stops fighting. Who else am I going to fight?" His eye frantically searched hers, looking for an answer. And she didn't have an answer.
Niah wasn't sure whether or not to put the earring in her ear, or pocket it. Link stared at her and she stared back.
Niah put the earring in.
And just then, she solidified her presence to this world.
Niah must forget everything she knew. Everything she thought she knew.
She feared she would have to throw herself away completely as the weight of everything suddenly settled on her shoulders. Having the weight of the world was a devastating prospect.
Link turned away from her without malice, and back to Epona.
Mara was in a far stall. She made her way to her, and pressed her hand against her muzzle as Link had. A thought came to her head.
"Did I earn it?"
"Earn what?"
"My place with you, on the road."
"I don't know," He shrugged, "But, I think so."
After that, there was a heavy silence between them, but fortunately it was clear.
They left after they mended their horses. Link wanted to go to the bath house to wash up and Niah did as well. When they entered the inn, the keeper pestered her about her clothes, her hair. The wound over her torn shoulder that she forgot was there until she rubbed her hand against it and felt the dried blood, and there was a burn here and there. Niah truly wanted to wash up, but the bed was too enticing, and waiting for Link to get finished was hard. Niah walked past the sleeping children, and her eyes drooped and just as she sat on the bed, her eyes closed.
Niah dreamed of nothing.
_/\_
There was no sunshine to filter through, as it was the same place that she was when she first arrived here. With her head pressed against the pillow, she could hear the clatter and chatter of people downstairs.
Link was already awake, or he didn't sleep. She didn't know, and didn't really care.
He guided her to the bath house, and stole her clothes to mend them. It wasn't frightening to her for some reason. The guy had no interest in her. He was all business which was good. The soap she was given smelled cheap, as there were little luxuries where they were. It was a work town.
After she got out, she was clean and her clothes were where they were before, mended and stitched together and cleaned, she was thankful for it. Niah was offered a brush, food and water. Afterwards she was told to go to the Sanctuary, (more like forced as some random patron had shoved her out the door with a simple piece of bread in her hand.)
"Go, go now! They are waiting for you!"
"Hey! But what about-"
"Go!"
After she had gotten her bearings situated, Niah brushed the dust off her clothes and grumbled towards herself as she began to make her way to the Sanctuary. It wasn't too bad as the streets were nearly empty and the men began their first day back in the mines for weeks, kids were invited to help their mothers again. Niah took a bite of her bread out of spite, it was stale, and hard, but as soon as she swallowed it she realized just how hungry she was, and ate the rest of it just as she opened the door. The stone was like silk, very reminiscent of alabaster or a soft marble.
Niah opened the door and saw the statue shifted revealing the hole. There were torches that lined the walls that also had etched tapestry that told the stories of decades before, there were cracks on the ceiling patched hastily with worn plaster but it was warm like home, and it smelled like baked apples and cinnamon.
"The more you flinch, the more it's going to hurt-" Renado held a damp rag against Link's face who was desperately seeking an out from the situation.
"I know," He pulled himself back, "But it hurts- Ow!"
The man took his free hand to clench Link's jaw keeping him in place. His eye gazed over towards Niah with a look of desperation. "P'ease he'p me-" Renado's eyebrows furrowed and his hand clenched harder.
"This is what happens when you decide to be stupid, Link."
"I ain't dumb- ow!"
Renado pressed the rag in his hand. The water was dyed red.
"Ouch," Niah moved to view more of Link's face. His wound from the lost appendage was bloodied again, but it wasn't as bad as before. "What happened this time?"
"Talo threw a rock at it to see if it would bleed." Renado released Link's face, and he flexed his jaw a few times to release the strain from the pressure. "Which of course it did." A piece of cotton was placed there as before, and cloth was there to hold it together.
"Start em' young." Link said.
Renado shook his head, "Don't put the new patch on until it's healed again." he pointed to Niah, "You. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
She waved her hands in front of her defensively, "I can't control what he does! Don't put that on me!"
The door was then forced open, children poured into the hall, most of them Ordon kids, but the others, Niah, had seen around the village once or twice.
"What's it look like?"
"Does it hurt?"
"Is it red?"
"Can we see it?" Talo jumped through the crowd.
Link crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Who's askin'?"
Talo twirled on the ball of his foot, and with a prance, he landed in Link's lap. "Me! I'm asking! Please, can we see it?!" The other kids hollard in agreement. Another familiar person ran through the door out of breath. It was Burvis. He slumped down.
"Sorry, I tried to stop them!"
But through the commotion. Link barely noticed anyone other than the children. "Well," he started as a smile formed. The Link she first met was back, even if it was just for a moment. "Since you asked so nicely-" He moved his hand to remove the wrap. But just as he started to untie it, Renado and Niah both caught his wrist as the exact same time and with yell-
"No!"
_/\_
They parted ways. Niah scolded him for his immaturity in order to please the children, who all collectively groaned. Colin stayed behind though. Renado asked for her to walk with him through the town, and in the process offered her food for the trouble.
"Your friend was meant to occupy the children."
The dusk kicked with their feet. But his voice was not laced with anger or frustration, but a sense of amusement.
"Ever since the Goron's closed their mines to us, there has been meek joy around here, so I will not ruin it for the children."
Niah said nothing as she wasn't quite sure what to say. How to respond because not once in her life did she ever think she would be having such a conversation with someone like this.
"I wanted you to walk with me because you deserve my thanks." He looked down at her. "It has been months since I have seen my village so lively with kindness. You have done something honorable for me, and my people. The Gods have sent us a bad omen, and I believe you and Link are the only ones who can fix it."
Niah opened her mouth and closed it again. Unsure of what to say. But just then, guilt settled within her. Renado thought the same as everyone else did. She did not want to give him that false hope that she was the answer to their problems in the future.
"No offense but," Niah let out a deep breath. "I have done nothing in my life that is honorable. I don't believe you-the Gods are telling you all that I actually am-" Renado shushed her, but laughed afterwards.
"First, you wake up in a strange place and agree to travel through infested and gruesome lands. Then, you save the Goron's and their home, as well as ours. Make peace once more with our greatest allies! To me, that is honorable enough."
Niah shook her head. Renado frowned. "You are right about that, I do not know all of who you are, but what concerns me more, is that it seems you do not know what is worthy of honor."
She rubbed her arm, but turned back to him as they locked eyes.
"This morning, Barnes and I agreed to celebrate the defeat of evil in this part of the land. It took some time, but Link agreed to it, and I was hoping you'd like to attend and get the recognition that you both deserve. We will gather by the spring in both of your names, and then afterwards there will be a fire in the center of town and we will celebrate with food and drinks. All in good fun. You both deserve to relax."
Link was the type to keep moving forward with little down time and rest. So this seemed out of character for the guy. But, as she turned her head back towards the Sanctuary, Link ran and laughed with the children. With that, she shook the thought from her head. If Link agreed to drink and lay around for the night, then she might as well.
"If he agreed. Then uh. Sure."
Renado clasped his hands and spoke with glee. "That's fantastic. I was afraid you'd say no. It would be a pleasure to host tonight."
A random man from the side of the mountain pulled Renado aside at that moment. She couldn't hear what was being said, but she saw Renado frown and nod.
"I have other business to take care of unfortunately. But I will see you both tonight."
_/\_
Niah showed herself around town. The men were lively with work, and in the distance the sound of pickaxes and hammers could be heard echoing. Stone against strong metal, it reminded Niah of that night. With Link, in the stronghold. It reminded her of the metal smell of blood and as the tool would hit against the crater, the screeching sound from the contact revealed a vague memory. One horrid, disgusting memory from that night. What she saw. What she heard. No.
She would shake the thoughts from her head, and bury them in the broom cupboard of the back of her mind. It was time to move on. Press forward.
Niah took a deep breath. It was time to forget the insanity of everything, and face the facts.
There was a beaten path that led up the mountain side. This is where most of the population seemed to thrive. Over the edge there were clothes lines and barrels filled with water. She guided herself up the trail. The dirt kicked from her feet as the incline made her struggle a little bit, her limbs burned as they had little time to rest themselves from the mines.
There was very little greenery. In fact, it was quite dull as she walked. With the men at work, the streets weren't nearly as busy. There were mother's and teenagers doing chores. Most of the women, regardless of their status, tipped their noses towards her. She knew it was meant to be insulting, and as she remembered the conversation her and Link had climbed to the mines. Women weren't allowed much liberties with themselves unless they were widowed. However, she liked the solitude. Even with the attitude shifted from when she was first found in the spring. Many had taken pity on her, and now they were somehow against her. But, she couldn't let it bother her.
Older women seemed more accepting of her though, many would stop and give their thanks for her bravery in the mines, and offer her sweets and woven silk to accompany her on the long journey ahead.
"Girls now, no longer know a good fight. It's best to ignore them."
So she did.
The cliffside stretched to the spring. Like a bridge made of dried earth, as if magic held it together, it passed over to another hot spring to the side of the sacred waters. Flowers were scarce, but those that were present bloomed with crumbled edges and dried stock. This part was meant to hold a heart container, but instead it was a staircase that led her down to the opening, back to where she was found. To her right was the exit to one of the fields.
"I am still offended from last night."
Niah sighed, "Ah, so you are still alive, I was wondering."
They were silent until Niah got bored enough from the walking, and made her way towards the stables. As the sun rose, it got hotter, she rolled up her sleeves, and mumbled something incoherent in pain as she saw the bruises and scrapes that were all over her arm.
Midna huffed, but instead it sounded more of an echo, or a noise you could never quite hear. "This heat is unbearable."
She didn't respond right then, as she made her way to the farside of the stall towards Mara. There was a bucket of horse feed that she picked up and hooked to the stall. The mare sank her head down happily.
Niah stopped walking and took a deep breath. "How is that my problem?" But before Midna could speak up, Niah did again, "Sorry, your majesty. Let me find myself a fan for you to simply cool down."
The emphasis left little to be desired. She knew she stepped over something. A boundary. Midna asked nothing about the choice of words as Niah had expected though. But she let out the same huff.
"Typical. You bore me with this stupid conversation anyways."
"Hey, wait. I'm just kidding, jeeze." She turned and pressed her back against a beam, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Your father."
Something in her soul sank. "I-um. Okay." Niah remembered a few throw-away lines from the game. Zant killed her father, took over the Twilight, and enslaved her people and exiled her.
Or did he?
It's been so long, her memory was a muddled mess.
"What of yours?"
"My father was socially pliant to many of the dryads of the realm. My mother was one of them of course."
"A harem. Your father had a harem."
"If you want to call it that-"
Just then, a weight was lifted from her, it was subtle, Midna hovered visibly just underneath the stall door to remain out of sight from any passerby, "My sisters and I would sit at his feet like we were maidens."
She hummed in response. However, the thought of learning more about the Twilight Realm certainly intrigued her enough to continue.
"So… not a favorable relationship."
"Absolutely not. I had six sisters, and a younger brother. I was the forgettable middle child."
"I was an only child."
"Oh, lucky you." Midna sneered.
"Well I am so sorry that I don't sympathize with your daddy issues." Niah crossed her arms and leaned her back against a lone wooden pole.
"I never wanna hear that again."
"BUT, my dad and I were pretty close with each other. He pushed me to do a lot of great things." Niah tilted her head up and she looked at the wooden ceiling. It had small holes where the sunlight peeked through, other places were slightly damaged, either from termites or warping from rain. Did it rain in this part of Hyrule? "I was sent to college, went to a good private school growing up, and then got kicked out of there and went to a public school-" The last bit was said quickly as she started to scratch her chin and jawline, "-we used to go to the park together, hiking, fishing. He let me sit during his lectures when I was a kid." The memories of the most mundane things lingered the longest it seemed, "Oh! He used to write my essays for school, told me to memorize them so I can act like I know what I was talking about. He loved writing, especially when it was history, he loved history. And he loved writing, he also used to talk a lot, and he would never shut up-"
"Appears you are both the same in that aspect."
Niah brushed the comment off, "When he and my stepmother got married, apparently the proposal was like… twenty minutes long because he wouldn't shut the hell up–"
Suddenly, she stopped.
Niah opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but closed it immediately after. The excited gleam fell from her eyes as it hit her.
Her voice lowered, and her eyes diverted from the ceiling to the floor, "He's um. He's dead now. So uh, sorry." She scratched the top of her head and sniffled. "That took a turn."
"Don't worry about it. It's interesting the way Hylian's notice their children. There is a warmth there that my kind do not offer."
"What of your mom?"
"I do not know."
"Me too."
The crunching footsteps of rock could be heard, Midna vanished to her shadow–
"Saw a caravan on the path to Castle Town."
"Oh?"
"Yep. right before The Wall appeared, probably Telma and her goons."
Niah tilted her ear to listen to the men that walked towards the stable. She heard a scraping, and as she peeked beyond the door frame, a hardy stout man walked next to a young man relatively close to Link's age. He held a rusty pitchfork. His hair was wet from sweat, and pushed back, but strands fell around his forehead. His clothes were plain, and fit him poorly, the leather perclose was somehow more loose than the tunic that ended at his knees, and the top slightly hung off his shoulder, and his trousers were bunched and folded at the ankle, the man was barefoot. But, he was still attractive, there was no denying that.
The older man had a well kept hand on his head, no doubt he was balding underneath, and a crisp mustache that was very reminiscent of the late 19th century. His clothes were also clean and ironed, it exacerbated money and even a sense of power. But, he was much shorter.
The younger laughed, a fence door outside that held cuccos could be heard. He went in, and the older stayed out to press himself against the wooden fence post.
"Goons? That's a bit rude." He laughed regardless, it was light and graceful, attractive. Niah heard hands dig into a barrel for the feed and the sound of the cucco feed being scattered over the ground.
The man groaned, which made the young man laugh more.
"You care too much." He said.
"And you don't care at all. Daris, if the Resistance was able to travel all the way to Termanis before the evil shrouded us, then what's to say they didn't know what was already going on, before it happened?"
Daris, his name was: "If that was the case, I'm sure Telma would tell me, and let me hitch a ride with them."
"You left for a reason."
"It's still home."
The older man hummed in agreement. "Fine, I'll give you that. But, I'm leaving you to work. I'm headed to the bar, Burvis owes me a pint."
Niah walked towards the entrance of the stables.
"Oh, that lame magician-"
"Not 'lame', I called him 'simple'."
"That means 'stupid'..."
The stout man pointed with a pout, but didn't say anything, and Daris leaned against the pitchfork with a smirk on his face. "You're lucky I don't run my mouth."
He turned away and stomped off.
"Run away to your sad bar, little man!" He called out, but the older man flipped him off in response. Daris laughed in response again.
She rested herself just around the corner as she watched the rest of the conversation. It was more of a jab of wit than anything. But it amused her that a smile spread to her lips. Daris hadn't even noticed her.
"Sorry miss. You know how old men are."
She was proven wrong by her last assumption.
"Decrepit, conservative-." She played with the end of a lock of her hair as she leaned onto the doorway with her eyes down.
This made Daris laugh, "Presumptuous, speculative, and assuming?" He turned away from her. The pitchfork began to shovel old hay from the stalls into an empty cart, and lay down new hay for the cuccos to make their nests, and the horses to eat.
Daris broke the silence, "You and your friend, Link right? Yeah. Thank you for what you did." He wiped sweat from his brow. "Very brave of him to head in there. It was hot, wasn't it? Hotter than here?"
She shrugged, "Sure."
"That's all you're gonna say?"
There was something… captivating about him. He didn't sound offended, but just as amused as before. His back faced her, but he looked over his shoulder.
"Sorry, I don't really get gratitude often, and I'm better at writing than actually… speaking, I guess you could say."
"Yeah, yeah, I understand, no need to explain to me-" Epona poked her head through the opening, and the man cupped her chin with one hand, and set the pitchfork down to scratch her muzzle with the other. "With savin' the world and stuff. Neither of you really have time to do that. I get it."
"Writing or talking idly?"
"Both, I suppose."
"I've got time to burn right now."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked away from Epona and towards her. "You're stayin' for the celebration?"
"Yeah, actually. Link said it was okay, might as well."
"He's your boyfriend."
Before he could even finish, Niah let out a scoff, and then laughed. The man looked appalled at the response, Niah was able to catch herself before it went too far. "No, no no no." When Niah finally fixed herself, the man's face was red.
"I-I'm sorry. But. No. He's not really my type. We only met about a week or two ago. He saved me from-"
"-From the spring, that was you!" It wasn't a question, and the red of embarrassment went away.
"What's he like? Link. I see the way he walks around sometimes."
"Prickly," She held out her hand and lifted out her pointer finger to count. "Feral," Another finger, "And-" The memory of the temple came back into her mind. She faltered a moment, "Definitely courageous, like the legend says."
His face lit up even more. "Good." He brushed his hair back, "Very good."
"Why do you ask?"
Daris faced away from her again and shook his head. "No reason." He said, "-other than the fact that we're living in the age of a legend. It um, nice. I guess." It sounded distant and contemplative. He stabbed the fork into the dirt, "Anyways, I should probably get back to work-"
So, Niah left him to it.
_/\_
"You said I owed you a pint. You never said of what."
"Like hell I never said-"
Burvis took the rupee that he had laying on the bar counter and spun it between the tabletop and his pointer finger, just like normal people would a penny, or a , he used his right hand to sent his own drink down, and press his pointer to the other man's lips.
"Shhh. You should have been more specific with me. Now drink, and enjoy your pint of milk, old man."
Niah had come back into the bed and breakfast to get her father's old jacket before they left in the morning, but she was also told that in this part of Hyrule, it got rather chilly even with the summer-like weather. When she had come back down from the second floor however, there was the comical sight of the short man from the stables, and Burvis arguing.
"It's true," She said. "My dad used to tell me to be as specific as possible. You never know the people you come across-"
"Father?" The man said with a grin, "Where's your family from?"
Niah raised her eyebrows at the question in surprise, no one had asked her such a question, or at least not yet.
"Unimportant- '' Burvis answered for her, "We don't need another Jo'vanis social climber, climbing again. As if Castle Town needs another one of your offspring." He sang with humor and finished his beer. The rupee he had been spinning was set down, and pushed towards the bartender, the man took it, and presented Burvis with another pint of beer. The old man, Jo'vanis? (Or was that a last name?) Gawked at the absurdity.
"I'm not a social climber, I am just not opposed to taking another wife-"
Niah had a cup of water pressed to her lips, just then however, she almost choked as she gagged on the drink, "I'm sorry, what?"
"You sound like your brother."
The man raised a hand to stop Burvis further, he took the pint into his hand and sipped it in short gulps, admittedly, it was a bit dramatic. "My brother had a son eventually, he just needed another chance. And I believe Jessroh is doing quite nicely with his wife and her family."
"Or your several other nieces languishing in their loveless marriages-"
He tilted his cup towards Burvis, "They manage."
Burvis frowned and shook his head as he turned away from the man to look at the back of the bar.
"Now, since I was so rudely interrupted, your family. Where are they from?"
She had no idea what to say. Niah hardly knew of their customs and they're social pyramid. For one, she could be as honest, and tell them of her father's profession as a professor, but then they would ask where he studied at, and if she was honest with that, they'd ask where she was from specifically. And she didn't want to break anyone's brain that didn't matter.
"Like he said," Niah leaned her elbow against the counter, and put her head against the open palm, "It's unimportant," She sighed, "-because why worry about what my father has done, when there's a million things I haven't done yet."
That didn't make any sense, or at least, it didn't to her. Niah took a sip of her water and swished the contents in her mouth as she kept her eyes downcast from the man. But, out of boredom in those few seconds, she swallowed the water, and turned her head slightly back to Burvis to see his reaction. As if it mattered any. But when she did see his face out of the corner of her eye. There was a light in his eyes and a smirk on his lips that he tried to hide behind the rim of his glass.
"Hm, I suppose women in this modern day prefer to make their own legacy." The mug was set aside as the man curled his mustache with his pointer finger and thumb. "Anyways, I should take my leave. You should be in Castle Town far sooner than I. When you see Griffon, tell him that I send his wife and daughter my regards."
Burvis waved him off with a free hand, "Be on your way Calug-"
"And of you miss, the offer is open."
Niah tried not to heave, "I prefer men the same age as me."
"Oh, I guess we both lose there-" He tipped his hat as he proceeded to the exit.
The commotion of the bar was still there, it broke the stiffness of the silence between them until they finally spoke out of the boredom of silence.
"That was good."
"What was?"
"The thing you said," He swirled the liquid in his cup, "I'd say, 'inspired' even." When he said it, it sounded sarcastic because of the tone of his voice. But when he looked towards her, there was a fire in his eyes that Niah was sure she was hallucinating, but it was there, his determination and sense of self was there for her to see. Burvis took the last taste of beer and Niah gladly watched it slide down his throat.
Niah spent the rest of her day with Burvis inside the inn. Hylians and Gorons surrounded them as he told vague stories of wizards and tales of other heroes that had crossed his path during his travels. Many knew of him it seemed, regardless of their trust or distrust, they sat and listened with their alcohol, wine and whiskey in which they trusted. Before even three o'clock, many were slightly more intoxicated than they should, but as the mines hallowed out from workers, the inn began to truly fill with men wanting the sweet taste of cheap wine. Niah had some herself, although, she was never a wine person to begin with, from college, she realized she preferred Bourbon
Burvis, in the few hours of his storytelling, had made his way to sit on the counter of the bar. As the sun grew more and more dim, his dark skin became even darker. The summer sun would eventually head inside of the bar area through the window, and he would pull his long dreads back from his face using a thin piece of cut cloth tied crudely to the back of his head.
The heat, and the smell of sweat was almost unbearable, but without it, she would be crawling through the village in boredom.
"-and with that, the horse went back to her lilac woods. And for the first time in her immortal life, the feeling of regret would follow her for the rest of her years. But, even then. No sorrow would live in her as long as the joy of finding her people again."
The crowd clapped, and Burvis gave a half bow even though he was sitting down.
Niah knew that the story sounded familiar, but in the end, it didn't matter how familiar it sounded.
"I'll save the rest for the celebration tonight."
_/\_
The rest of the villagers made their way to the middle of town, when the sun had set and blinded. Many paced on the side with their significant others, the children were put to their beds, the later it got, the more irritable they became.
Linka and Niah sat near the center, baskets of bread, meat, and fruits were placed around the semicircle for people to grab. The fire was bright, and very large, and without the mountains, and the cliff slides, could probably be seen from miles away.
Link was to her left. He had cleaned up before arriving as he smelled like the fresh water of the spring, and his clothes were slightly more mended than before, he also smelled like sweet-pine and apricot. It was either the faint smell of an oil, or his natural scent, regardless, it was nice.
Burvis was off in the crowd, and when she let her eyes track among the other folk, she caught his eyes, and he waved towards her. Niah went to pick a fruit from the basket, but Link gently took her hand, and slowly moved it back to her lap.
"Not yet." He whispered.
"Oh. Okay."
"Everyone-" Renado stood up, he was near the fire, but far enough as to not get burnt, "Let us give thanks to this bountiful food, and let us also give thanks, to the honorable heros' who have saved us, tonight."
There was clapping and cheers among the people. Niah shied away a little bit. Earlier, she had let her hair down, it cascaded beyond her shoulders, to the middle of her back, and the light air of the village let it sway and tangle lightly in the wind.
"Even if one thinks they are not worthy of honor. They save our children, sons, and daughters. They protected our fine men, and women, and reconciled with our best allies. I say that is far more than honorable enough." He looked at Niah directly with a smile. Her face was red, but if anyone noticed her embarrassment, no one pointed it out.
"With that being said, I will not delay you any longer, dig in."
A band was nestled elsewhere within the crowd. Couples danced, and others ate with themselves and others as well. But, there was no denying that there was a crowd.
"Do you dance?" Link asked suddenly. He held a small glass in his hand, but it wasn't whiskey, the liquid was a cranberry color, and his breath smelled sweet, but he wasn't nearly as intoxicated as everyone else, maybe a little tipsy.
"No." Niah replied.
Link's gaze was elsewhere in the crowd though, fortunately the pit-area wasn't so horded with tipsy folks handsy men.
Daris as among them, he waved, at first Niah thought it was to her so she started to wave back until she looked next to her to see that Link was far more enthusiastic with the gesture than he probably should have been.
"You know him?"
"Yeah." He let out a light belch, "-met him in the stables with Epona. He was feedin' her." Maybe Link was a little too tipsy.
Their eyes were still connected together, and Niah took full notice of it, and her eyes only shifted elsewhere when she saw Burvis saunter towards her.
"Think I'm gonna go to bed. We gotta be up early tomorrow."
"I-wait, it's only been an hour-"
"We'll prep in the morning." He finished the rest of his glass, and set it near her thigh.
Too dumbstruck to notice anything else, she slowly started to sip the rest of her drink. Niah's eyes scanned the man and he met Daris with a smile, and just then, they both started to walk somewhere-
"You don't wanna do that-"
Niah turned towards Burvis, "Do what?"
"You know."
"I know, you know." She crossed her arms, "I just want you to say it."
"Fine, you don't want to follow them."
Niah scoffed and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Why?"
Burvis didn't say anything as he swirled his glass around and he looked directly at it instead of her.
With that, she pushed through the crowd, people were far too intoxicated to truly notice her, but she caught the barest hint of the two turning around a corner. Boots and kicked up sand could be heard behind her.
"It's a bad idea." He tried to speak as quietly as possible, he even caught her wrist as she was stopped in her tracks.
"How?" Niah furrowed her eyebrows as she stared into Burvis's golden eyes.
"I- are you naive? Actually, you know what-" He released her wrist and gently pushed her away, "Go and… ruin your purity-" But this time, he smirked.
"My purity?" Niah scoffed, "-hardly."
Then it hit her like a train. Her eyes went wide and he mouth was agape in a silent gasp, "No-"
He nodded, "Yep."
Niah rushed around the corner, but just enough that she couldn't be seen by the two, and hid.
Link was doing just as she suspected, kissing another man, and-
Silently, she walked back around the corner with her hands in front of her, and lips sucked in contemplation, "I'm an idiot."
"Just a little bit." He laughed and stepped closer to her, his arm behind her back to guide her elsewhere.
"I promise I am not this stupid. I just didn't expect-"
"Your hero to be-"
Niah shoved her hand against his mouth, "Shutupshutupshutup- Don't say it." Their faces were oddly close, and Niah tried not to notice it too much.
"You should get some sleep."
"Yep." She squeaked out.
"And try to forget about this."
"Uh-huh."
Burvis took Niah's hand unexpectedly and kissed the back of it, their eyes met again, if she wasn't already red faced and embarrassed, she would have had a totally different reaction compared to the light gasp that let out.
"A song mage earring looks good on you." He said, a faint smile graced his lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Niah felt the lobe of her ear, she had completely forgotten about that-
Before she could comment though, he was gone.
Like a gust in the wind.
Yuhh, we're back. Please don't be mad at me. It's just... you can literally do anything with this franchise almost, and people tend to go the same basic route when it comes to these stories. So, if i wanna add magicians and mages and le gays then i shall.
anyways, as per usual, the dialogue is probably the best part :)
