Naomai pulled him out of the room and down the stairway, pausing briefly to ensure no one occupied the hallway. Ogadai followed in a fog as she turned back every so often to smile or wink at him. His mind's eye saw the both of them running through the complex as little kids, catching iridescent bugs, playing tricks, fighting childrens' battles. Why did I have to miss this, growing up? They were here, the whole time…
He caught flashes of the settlement at night as they raced through narrow alleys. Women gossiped and traded war stories in the flickering torchlight. Horses nickered inside stables. The few decorative touches – a collection of feathers here, some woven rugs there – trembled in the slight breeze that wandered lazily between the buildings.
Finally, she led him to a kind of open courtyard, at the back of several buildings so it was hidden from the rest of the complex. He felt the ground packed hard beneath his feet and several gouges in the thick walls, as if war training or some kind of game took place here. Five young women stood waiting in the shadows.
"Tosa!" All but one of them cried, and Ogadai found himself suffocating in the embraces of several people at once. Once released, he still couldn't move, for the four women pinched his cheeks as well as squeezed his arms and legs. He felt extremely uncomfortable until he realized they were exclaiming over his health. Even though every one of them had strong muscles and agile frames, they also had thin hair and flaking skin; one or two had a few sores that looked like they did not want to heal.
The last woman shooed the others away. She was much taller and healthier; as if she'd had food the others were denied at an early age, and appeared to be the oldest of them all. She folded her arms and announced something in a deep voice.
Naomai turned to Ogadai. "She says her name is Zuma, and that she already knows yours."
Zuma blinked at this, then said something that sounded derogatory to Ogadai's ears. It must not have been polite, because Naomai immediately rebuked her. Zuma snapped back but was drowned out by the yells of the other women, apparently in a hurry to make her calm down.
Acting as if nothing had happened, Naomai gestured to her sisters. "Zuma's the eldest, then Maati, Olai, Idena, Neru, and myself." Ogadai's eyes lingered on the one called Idena, whose naming ceremony his mother was not allowed to attend.
Zuma nodded at Ogadai's quarterstaff and issued a challenging question. He did not need the translation: "Zuma says, 'Can you fight?'"
Ogadai nodded, and pulled the staff from its bindings on his back, settling into a ready position. Zuma smiled wide, showing a row of healthy but stained teeth, and drew her scimitar.
Zuma launched herself at him, and Ogadai's whole body rattled as he blocked her blade. He stepped back, swinging his staff at the back of her knees, but she jumped easily out of the way. She attempted strike after strike, and Ogadai could not do any more than deflect her blows, each one feeling like it could shatter his bones. He suddenly realized that she had no inhibitions about hurting him, brother or not, and upon seeing the fear in his eyes she laughed and mocked him.
Ogadai fell over on his back and kicked out with his legs. He managed to catch one of Zuma's feet, and while she managed to keep herself upright, her stumble backward allowed him to jump up and slam his staff downward. She blocked his attack with a smile, then pushed him back and held her sword arm out to the side. "Yush!"
Ogadai tried not to look too relieved that she had called off the fight. The other women crowded around him, slamming him hard on the back and tweaking his hair. Zuma pushed them aside and began speaking excitedly to Ogadai, then turned with a nod to Naomai.
Looking hesitant, Naomai told him, "Zuma says you are a good fighter for someone raised Hylian. From her, that's a compliment." Ogadai waited, knowing there had to be more to Zuma's speech. Zuma herself looked suspicious and snapped at Naomai, who shook her head. Joined with the other girls, Zuma yelled at Naomai and pointed to Ogadai.
Frowning, Naomai continued, "Zuma says you are the sign that change will finally come, when we will be as rich as we were when she was a child. She says…she says our father will return soon, now that you have come back to us."
Ogadai blinked. "Return? But how-"
"Don't worry about it," Naomai said. "She's being figurative. You are of our father's blood and the first male after him. So maybe we will be more successful now that you are with us."
Ogadai could see she didn't believe a word of this.
"We should go back now." Naomai took Ogadai's arm, and translated this to the others. "Mother will be angry at me if she finds out you're not resting. You have a long journey ahead of you still."
As she dragged him back to his room, Ogadai looked over his shoulder at the little knot of women, beaming and waving at him until he could see them no longer.
The next morning after breakfast, Namu handed Ogadai a set of Hylian clothing; tunic, belt, trousers, and boots, all in sensible brown. She also gave him riding gloves to hide his mark. It all looked used, but Ogadai decided he didn't want to know where it came from. "As I told you, most Hylians have some Gerudo blood in them, and vice versa; so with your mother's ears and these clothes, you shouldn't draw too much attention."
After he changed, she handed him a sealed envelope. "This is an introduction letter. Show it to any guards that you meet and they will let you pass. They are familiar with my name, and if they ask you any questions, simply say you are a messenger with a delivery. In the letter, I have told the Hylian Princess who you are and that you have a good character. It is also addressed to her bodyguard, Link, whom you will probably meet before you see her."
Ogadai's blood froze. Link was the name of the Hylian Hero who had killed his father. He felt secretly relieved that Namu had the foresight to vouch for his character. She smiled at him and touched his hand, the one with the branded symbol. "When you do meet her, be sure to offer to hand over the item of power that resides within you. She will be thrilled to get it back, and it has caused nothing but suffering for our people."
The entire settlement came out to see him off. As he waved to them all, he could see his sisters jumping in the air and calling his name. He turned around and set his horse to a quick trot on the road, hoping he would see them soon.
For maybe an hour he followed the narrow path flanked by limestone on each side, the sole remainder of an ancient river that once flowed through. Then, as he reached the end, he found himself on a high plateau and reined his horse back in wonder.
Before him lay a beautiful landscape of leafy trees and rolling fields, with a small, sparkling river running through the middle of it. Birds chirped cheerfully in the branches above him, and he could hear an eagle's cry echo across the land. Off in the distance, the huge towers of Hyrule Castle rose high above him.
He nudged his horse into a trot down the plateau, along the well-worn road, pockmarked with horses' hooves and the ruts of wagon wheels. A steady breeze carried the smell of wildflowers across the fields, and here and there he could see a farmer or a merchant ambling by on business.
Breathing in the sharp, clean air, he spurred his horse to a gallop into the tall, waving grasses. He sped through the flatlands, enjoying the wind in his hair and the thumping gallop of his horse's hooves upon the rich, black soil. Filled with ecstasy, he declared his mother's homeland the most beautiful in the world, greater even than the wildflower fields (with its hordes of stinging wasps) or the Painted Canyon (with no water to be seen).
All this even before he reached the castle town.
On the outskirts of the town stood a row of inns, where travelers could drop off their horses and arrange for a night's sleep. Ogadai found the one Namu had recommended to him, the cheapest one on the block but still more extravagant than his mother's own at home. This one, at least, had its own water pump. The ruddy innkeeper smiled at him when he asked for a room. "Haven't seen you around here before. You from a long way off?"
"Yes, west of Kando," Ogadai replied.
"Seriously?" He laughed. "You must have as much gumption as the Hero!"
Ogadai smiled thinly. "Speaking of which, can you tell me how to get to the castle?"
"Why? You want to sign up for the Guard?"
"No, I need to deliver something."
"Oh. Well, just follow the path out to the fountain, and take a right."
"Thanks."
Ogadai had prepared himself for a shock, but no amount of mere thought could prepare a boy from a refugee village for the extravagant beauty of the castle town. The humblest of homes had colorful flowers in window-boxes; their doors were opened by knobs, not latches, and had real metal hinges instead of leather ones. Healthy, happy people walked by in ones and twos, and all of them wore not just a dress or a tunic but layers of clothing, some in shades Ogadai had never seen before.
After wandering around in a fog, Ogadai found himself staring down at the cobblestones, each neatly laid down into the ground, wondering how there could be so many in perfect formation. Someone tapped him on the back and he jumped.
"So sorry, didn't mean to startle you." A middle-aged woman with her hair done up in curls and a frilly blue dress smiled at him. "Are you lost, young man?"
"Uh…I'm trying to find the castle." Ogadai held up his letter like a passport.
"Just keep going on this path through the market until you reach the fountain, then turn right, dear." She smiled and waved, and went on her way.
Ogadai pulled himself together, only to be distracted once again by the market. So much food! Just piles and piles of it…look, there's oranges, I've only seen those once at home…these extravagant flowers, they don't look they could grow in any old dirt! And the size of those watermelons…
He bumped into something very hard and nearly fell over. Looking up to apologize, his words died in his throat as an enormous person loomed over him. This rotund person, or creature, or whatever he was, stood nearly twice as tall as Ogadai, and looked like a walking stone statue. But unlike a cold stone sculpture, the rock-creature looked down at him and smiled, offering his hand to steady him.
"Oops! Didn't see you there," he said in deep rumbling tones.
"It's okay." Ogadai trembled slightly, even though the voice sounded friendly.
The rock-man chuckled. "What's the matter, never seen a Goron before?"
"No, actually."
He laughed. "I don't come down here very often myself. Every once in a while I bring things to sell. See, look." The Goron pointed to a small girl in a poofy dress, who held what appeared to be a stick with multicolored sparks bursting from it. "I make firecrackers. This is just a simple one, for little kids, but I can make ones that light up the night sky." Ogadai bent down to get a better look, and the little girl obligingly waved her stick like a fairy's wand in front of his face. "Are you interested? The kiddie ones are only five rupees apiece."
"It's beautiful," Ogadai said breathlessly, "but I'm on an important errand. I'm trying to get to the castle…"
"Say no more. Just go to the fountain – see it there? – and turn right. You'll see the gates and the guards, can't miss it. See you later!"
Ogadai approached the fountain with reverence. So much water! And just for decoration! He wondered if he could convince his mother to return here once he cured her. Surely, if he gave up this piece of relic he'd been cursed with, the Hylians would have to accept them…
He walked up a little uncertainly to the guards. "Do you have a pass, son?" one of them asked him politely but firmly. Ogadai gave him the letter. The guard examined it and handed it back. "Some errand for the Gerudo lady, huh? Well, go ahead. If it's for Her Highness you should hurry up."
A second round of guards checked his letter, then let him through the great gates. He found himself in a huge courtyard of elegantly sculpted bushes and bright flowers. The castle rose high above him, immense and immobile. And yet, here and there, he could see a scorch mark or two in the walls…the only signs that a great war had once been fought here. The three-triangle seal was everywhere, accompanied by a red spread-eagle.
After yet another checkpoint, he walked into the grand entryway of the castle. As he gaped at the marble walls and crystal chandeliers, a small boy in simple but high-quality clothes came up to him. "Good afternoon, sir," said the boy. "What business do you have at Hyrule Castle?"
Ogadai handed him the letter. After a quick look, the pageboy turned and motioned for Ogadai to follow him. Down halls and up stairways he followed the boy, his neck aching as he turned round and round, trying to get his fill of all the sights around him; elaborately woven tapestries, regal suits of armor, huge paintings depicting beautiful landscapes. And to think…when my mother was younger, she lived in this place and walked through these halls every day…
Finally, the pageboy opened a side door leading to a small room, bowing to Ogadai. "You may wait here while I deliver this message to Her Highness. Someone will be with you shortly. Please leave your staff outside with the guard."
Ogadai complied, and he heard the doorknob click behind him as he glanced around the room. Several overstuffed chairs stood around a woven rug, facing an unused fireplace. Bookshelves lined the walls. He walked over to a small window on the other side and looked out. He could see much of the town from here, as well as some of the outer landscape on the horizon, more beautiful than any painting.
Several minutes ticked by. Beginning to get nervous, Ogadai thumbed through some of the books. He had hoped to find some reference to his mother or the great War, but only found elaborate romance novels and fictional epic tales.
Abruptly the doorknob rattled and someone stepped in the door. Ogadai snapped shut the book he was holding and froze. A man about his mother's age stood there, with blonde hair and a rather strange-looking green outfit he had never seen even in the town. On his back was a great sword that even Ogadai could tell was quite ancient and of great quality.
But the man's sharp blue eyes seemed kind, and he smiled at Ogadai as he offered his hand in greeting. "Hello, Ogadai Ordana. My name is Link. Would you like to sit down? Zelda is in the middle of something and she won't be able to join us for a while."
Ogadai nodded mutely and plopped down in one of the chairs, still holding the book.
Link took the chair next to him. "There's no need to be nervous. Only you, I, and Zelda know who you are." He nodded at Ogadai's gloved hands. "You can take those off now, if you want."
Hesitant, Ogadai removed his gloves. The mark on his hand glowed brightly, and he could see a similar mark on Link's hand…except the bottom right-hand corner shone the brightest, rather than the top. "I came to give this back," Ogadai stuttered, the words stumbling over themselves as they fell out of his mouth.
Link nodded. "Yes, and to lift the curse on your mother. Zelda can do both of these things. But as I said, she's in the middle of something, so why don't we get to know each other a bit? The letter said you used to work in the fields. I used to work on a ranch. I assume you must have learned how to ride a horse, to come all the way here from your village…"
Link spoke calmly to him, discussing little things like his home village and his schoolyard friends, and gradually Ogadai began to calm down. Regardless, he could not help flicking his eyes up to the hilt of Link's sword, the fabled weapon that his Hylian friends proudly proclaimed as the death knell for the Usurper King.
Link noticed, and slowly unsheathed the Master Sword. A thought seemed to occur to him, and he asked, "Have you ever fought with a blade, Ogadai?"
Shaking his head, Ogadai replied, "No, sir. Only with a staff."
"You look like you would be good at it. Like to try?"
Ogadai hesitated. He felt no connection whatsoever to his father, but the prospect of touching the sword that killed him made his skin crawl. Yet he had the strange feeling that he was being put to some kind of test. He stood and held out his hand, and Link gave him the hilt. Immediately Link's disposition seemed to brighten, even though all Ogadai did was turn it in the air a few times and hand it back.
Link sheathed the sword and stood. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Ogadai, and I know Princess Zelda would like to meet Chusai's son as well. If you wait here a few minutes more, I'll bring her."
Ogadai nodded mutely as the man passed through the door, shutting it behind him. He stood perfectly still for a few moments, not sure what to think. It occurred to him that someone her age would probably be addressed as Queen by now, but he decided it would be rude to ask.
The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and he felt a strange coldness pass by him, as if he had been hit by a draft. He felt an odd pressure around him, which left just as quickly as it came. Feeling that he was being watched, Ogadai spun around.
There stood a very tall, muscular man. Despite the black, silver-ringed armor that he wore, Ogadai could actually see through him to the bookcase on the other end of the room. The ghost stepped toward him, making no sound on the stone floor. His red hair had been woven neatly through a thorny crown, and his fierce eyes looked intently at Ogadai, full of pride. He spoke in deep authoritative tones, though they had a strange echo to them, as if he were speaking from far away.
"At last, at last…greetings, my son."