3

Ch. 14

Haeda adjusted his position to the stone wall he was sitting against. Crude metal cuffs were wrapped around his wrists; which were connected to chains bolted to the wall. They weren't long enough to really do anything else but sit with the chained person's hands half suspended in the air. He moaned as he saw that there was no window or niche he could possibly climb out of. The only light sources were from tiny holes in the outer wall and the barred window in the thick wooden cell door. All of his weapons had been taken away, and immediate escape seemed impossible. A cold draft was blowing in from outside; as if a storm was overhead.

A few hours ago; Haeda had found something out. Puzzle pieces had slid together as soon as Vaati had introduced himself as the Wind Sorcerer. The storm that accompanied the attack on Kokiri, the breeze that had divided Ganon's attention, the storm on the mountain that accompanied the Wizzrobes – and the mention of the Wizzrobes' master – and all of the other subtle breezes and clouds along the way – they were all signs. Signs that Vaati had been watching, waiting for his overthrow of Ganon; and Haeda had not recognized it. He was still mentally hitting himself for not seeing that something would happen.

And Haeda couldn't try to talk to Zelda, either. They were purposefully separated by at least three hundred feet of cell and stone. His chains clinked as he moved again; trying to keep warm. The cold stone was seeping into him and biting the warmth away. He did a double take when someone called his name.

Haeda!

He stood up and looked out the barred window of his door. No one was there. Confusion swept his face and he sat back down.

Haeda! The voice called again; a little louder.

The boy realized with burning cheeks that someone was in his mind. Zelda? He had completely forgotten that she could communicate with her mind. Are you okay? Where's Ganon? Who's this Vaati? He blurted out uncontrollably.

She chuckled. I'm okay, just a little cold. She shivered. Ganon was overtaken by Vaati yesterday. He's in a special cell that repels magic. Ganon hasn't even been able to get out yet!

Haeda grimaced. Vaati must be a powerful being.

Zelda seemed to nod her head. Yes, he sure is. Vaati is definitely a Sorcerer of Winds. He can control any breath of it anywhere in Hyrule! And the storms he can produce… I'm afraid of what will happen to Hyrule. Ganon and Vaati will probably struggle for power over this land; reeking even more destruction than just one would make alone!

Haeda tried to calm her growing fear. It's okay, he said, We can defeat them. The first order of business is getting out of this dungeon.

That won't be too easy…

The conversation was interrupted by a thunderous clang that rung in both Hylians' ears. The noise was followed by a series of screams and shouts; which were answered by more loud bangs and crashes. Almost immediately, all was silent again.

Do you know what happened? Zelda asked; since Haeda was closer to the scene than she was.

He did his best to look out the cell door. But if he turned his head, the window wasn't big enough to give him a view of the corridor in either direction. He froze as a low, heavy footstep echoed down the hall. And then another. And then another after that. Someone with big bulky boots was steadily making their way toward Haeda and Zelda's cells. Haeda struggled further to get a view of the corridor; but could only see anything directly in front of his cell's door. He quickly stepped back as the footfalls were about to reach his door. A shadow blocked the light from the hall as someone stood in front of the window. Haeda stared at the silhouette like a trapped animal.

Zelda had been standing at her cell door; listening; and stopped breathing when the foot steps stopped. There was a momentary, terrifying silence; and then there was a snap of wood and iron. There was a loud crash similar to the one only a few moments ago; and then a warning cry. "What do you want?" It was Haeda's voice; accompanied by metal clinking.

There was a snort. "Nothing, really, boy." Someone retorted. "I merely wanted to ask you something." There was an odd metallic sound – it took a moment for Zelda to realize that it was the sound of ripping metal.