Chapter 3- Rising of the tides
After lunch that same day, Link decided to go riding to clear his head, which was hurting pretty badly from all the confusing thoughts. A good ride always cleared his mind and helped him to be one with the world again. He went into the stables for his horse, Epona. His whistled, and she came galloping out, brown fur rolling and her white mane dancing in the wind.
"Ready for a ride across Hyrule Field, girl?" he asked. Epona whinnied a yes, and Link hopped on. They rode through the marketplace and out into the expanse of Hyrule Field. Sending a tall cloud of dust behind them, they traveled as far as the center of Hyrule Field, and stopped for a while. Link hopped off Epona and took a rest, lying in the grass and letting the breeze calm him. The clouds traveled lazily across the sky. Link deeply exhaled, letting the warm air fill him. This really helped.
It was then that his thoughts turned to his long-lost friend, Navi the fairy. He remembered the time they first adventured across Hyrule Field together. That was years ago. Now here he was, reminiscing. What would Navi have said if she had been with him now? He could almost hear her tiny voice now.
Listen, Link! I sense that Zelda's just fine. Don't worry yourself! It's good that you care for her and all, but you have to focus on what's at hand now, and you can't let that distract you when you're fighting a whole bunch of Lizafo, now do you?
No, he didn't. He just had to put it out of his mind for a while, that's all. Just worry about it later.
"Wait one minute! What am I supposed to be doing right now?" he asked himself aloud. It struck him like a ton of crates. The Calatians! They needed to be taken around Hyrule for a tour, and Link had been assigned to be a guard! He slapped himself, bolting up, and hopping on Epona and interrupting her grazing.
"Sorry, girl, but we've got to head back now!" he said, whipping her reins. Epona made a noise of annoyance, and then reluctantly did as she was told. Link wouldn't be surprised if they skinned him alive for this, Hero of Time or not.
Link was lucky enough to find the carriage carrying the Calatian Royal family inside moving with some soldiers posted a few intervals apart around it moving through some farmlands to the west. As he rode up beside the carriage, he peeked in through the window.
"Sorry I'm late, I just had to go clear my head…" he apologized to King Hagris.
"Oh, that's fine, we haven't been attacked, so you're in no trouble, replied the Calatian King. "Say, why not join us, and be our guide?" he asked.
"It'll be my pleasure, sire," said Link happily. At least this would keep things off his mind. "There's actually a town that I'm fond of up ahead!" we'll visit there first, if that's alright with you."
"Perfectly fine! I'd like to see the haunts of the Hero of Time!" he laughed. Link happily rode ahead to the town, pulling on his cloak to cover his face.
The town that was up ahead was a newly made farming village called Nabooru town after the sage of Spirit, Nabooru, who also served as the leader of the Gerudo Tribe. She would often visit this town to check to see how her namesake was going, settling problems if any arose or helping with any work that needed to be done. She was in town that exact same day, helping with the construction of a new building close to the town square.
"Move that plank back!" she ordered, brushing her orange hair back, "And make sure you don't hit anything!"
She was happy to help out with the work in Hyrule. It made up for her past as a thief. She was pointing out a design flaw to a worker when she heard what sounded like a man yelling. Wondering what the commotion was, she told the worker the problem quickly and went to investigate. The yelling was coming from the town square. There was a man atop a wooden platform that been erected there for public announcements.
But there are announcements that are scheduled for right now! What is this man talking about? She thought as she listened to what the man was saying.
"Citizens of Hyrule!" he cried out, his red cloak swishing, his blank eyes flashing, "Listen to my words! I come from a faraway land to proclaim the word of Gonassir to you! His way is the way of truth and justice! Gonassir will lead you to freedom from this world of flesh and material! If you follow the way of Gonassir he will surely accept you lovingly into his arms and bring you into paradise! Gonassir is love! Gonassir is truth! Gonassir is perfect! GONASSIR IS GOD!"
There was uproar from the crowd. Some were protesting, but a number of them were actually cheering him! Being a Triforcist herself, Nabooru called out to the man on the platform,
"Wise Teacher! If Gonassir is truly God, then tell us, what of the Way of the Hero? Is it false, then?"
"My dear," shouted back the man, "You humor me! As far I have been able to see, the religion of golden triangles is not threat to the church of Gonanism! In fact, we should accept them for who they are! Gonassir does not care if you are religious or heathen! Gonassir is accepting of all creatures and people! He will accept anyone into his kingdom! Gonassir is caring and kind, and will not judge you! GONASSIR IS GOD!" he cried out again, and the same people from before, including a few more, cheered the stranger and his words. Nabooru was shocked. Triforcism was the only true religion! How was it that so many people had decided to turn to this man? Nabooru was about to argue with the man when she heard her name being called.
"Nabooru! Hey, over here!" called out Link.
"Link! Good to see an old friend!" she said, waving to Link.
"Same here! I'm serving as the guide for the Calatian Royal Family on their tour about Hyrule. Is it okay for me to show them around the town?"
"This isn't a very good time, Link. Just look at that guy up there." Nabooru then pointed towards the man with the red cloak. "That guy's been causing a commotion with some crazy new religion."
"It's Akunem!" exclaimed Link.
"Aku-who? You know that guy?"
"Akunem. He's this weird missionary who's been traveling with the Calatians. I can guess that by now you've heard his raving?"
"He's still going at it," said Nabooru, "as you can see."
Akunem was still crying out to the mass of people gathering about the platform, as he continued to proclaim that they should become Gonanites. Now he was going into a metaphor having to do with a flower and the rain.
"...And as the flower needs the nourishing water that falls from the heavens, we need Gonassir! Gonassir feeds us and engulfs us in a blanket of love and purity! He will lead you to ultimate freedom from this world that offers little compared to what lies in the life that comes after! Hear my plea! Convert to Gonanism and free your spirits to the sky! Gonassir is GOD!"
There was another wave of clapping and cheering. Nabooru turned to Link.
"If this keeps up, what'll happen to you? You are the Hero, aren't you? Surely people will still look up to you and worship you as their savior? I mean, if Triforcism fails, then what'll happen to the entire realm?"
"Umm..."
"Link, you have to at least make good points abut Triforcism! Go up there and work the crowd a little, tell them how good it is to be one with the Goddesses of Virtue!"
"Well, okay if you say so," said Link. He pushed his way through the crowd towards the platform. There were many complaints, and there were some people who recognized him. Eventually, he managed to climb up the steps of the platform, and walked up behind Akunem and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, Akunem?" he asked.
"Eh?" said Akunem, turning around to see Link "Oh, It's you! It's nice to see you again, but as you can see, there's is no time to thank me for helping your princess at the moment, so if you would please let me continue..."
"Wait. I think I deserve a chance to speak for Triforcism."
"Eh? The religion of Golden Triangles? Well...all right. Let there be a balance. Tell you what. We'll make it a debate of sorts. You say on good thing about your religion, and then I'll say something about mine. Deal?"
Link put on his trademark dangerous smile that he hadn't worn in a while.
"Deal."
Akunem nodded, and then addressed the crowd.
"People of Hyrule! Many of you know of this young lad who now stands beside me! He is the one your people have dubbed the Hero of Time, and savior of your realm. He and I have decided to announce the goodness of both our religions. I don't believe in his words, but listen well to both! Lessons come from all people! Learn from everyone and be influenced by all you meet!"
"I'll let that count as your first good point," said Link. "Now it's time for mine." He then turned to the crowds and cried out, "Remember that day on which the fire rained down from the sky! Remember that day when darkness engulfed the land in darkness! Remember how the despair crept across our beautiful world! Now, Remember how I wrenched apart that darkness. And I defeated the King of Evil! I saved you all, and if need be I will come to the aid of Hyrule or any other land of this world that needs my help!"
The crowds began to cheer for Link. Nabooru was giving him a thumbs-up from the back.
"A fine point, lad," whispered Akunem in Link's ear before turning back to the audience, "Now, it's my turn."
He cleared his throat, and cried out.
"People of Hyrule! I say to you that Gonassir was here upon that day! He sent this boy, even if he does bear the symbol of the Golden Triangles upon his wrist..."
"My left hand," corrected Link.
"It does not matter where his symbol is! What matters is that Gonassir sent the boy in a way that you would understand! He came to spread the light! And that light is the light of God!"
"Yes, But my light is of Din, Nayru, and Farore! I do not know a Gonassir! I respect that you have your religion, but the Goddesses of Virtue were surely with me that night! It was they who sent he light of the heavens down to aid me to strike down the King of Evil!"
"But that light was of such beauty and majesty that it could not have come from anyone else but Gonassir!" responded Akunem, rising his hands to the sky, "All light and good comes from Gonassir!"
"All Power, wisdom, and courage come from the Goddesses of virtue!"
"No, from Gonassir! Because there is no other God but Gonassir! Our religion is the true religion! Respect all life and be influenced by all that you meet and see!"
"But that is the way of tolerance!" cried out Link, turning to Akunem, suddenly angered. "And tolerance leads to turmoil within society! It is good to have different opinions, as long as they are right!"
Akunem turned to Link, angry.
"Are you saying my way is wrong and yours is right?"
"No, I am saying that you are disrespecting myself and all Hyrule!"
"Death to the traitors!" yelled someone in the audience suddenly.
"What? No, that's not what I meant!" yelled Link, but the machine had already started.
"The Way of the Hero is wrong!" cried out another person in the audience, "It is too oppressive!"
"You traitor!"
And then, all hell broke loose. The crowd suddenly transformed from a peaceful crowd into an angry mob. People began to attack each other, yelling for their religion.
"Death to the atheists and traitors of Hyrule!"
"Down with Triforcism! Long live Gonanism!"
Link yelled to the fighting crowd in an attempt to return order, but to no avail. There were people punching, kicking, and beating each other in the streets. Chaos and disorder took over. Nabooru was yelling, trying to calm her people.
"You must stop fighting! This is not the way! Please stop fighting!"
"What's going on?" yelled a confused King Hagris from his carriage.
Nabooru pushed and shoved her way to the carriage.
"Hi! I'm Nabooru, I run this town, and as far as we're able to tell, there's a riot going on!"
Some angry villagers began to grab the carriage and rock it back and forth.
"What is happening!" yelled the Calatian King, now hanging on for his dear life.
"Oh, No!" Nabooru jumped into action. Fortunately, she had been spending some time at Link's training sessions and had picked up a few things. She leaped up on top of the carriage and out of the crowd, and then grabbed the reins of the horses and whipped them.
"Yah! Come on, let's get you guys out of here!" She said, as the horses began to gallop haphazardly through the mob. Back up on the platform, Link was still having a hard time to calm the crowds.
"Geez, where's the rest of the royal guard when you need them?" asked Link aloud. Fortunately, his question was shortly answered.
"Yo, Link! You need some help?" yelled someone.
"Kirk? Where are you?" Link yelled.
"Over here!" he yelled, waving from atop a building. He was accompanied by a troop of royal guards. "Okay men, let's go in there and stop this madness!"
The Royal guard leapt into action, pushing the opposing crowds apart with their shields. After about an hour, they managed to calm down the crowds. But the damage was already done, and the village was in a mess. There were overturned carts, broken crates, and shattered jars scattered about the town's streets. Smoke was rising from a building that had caught fire. The quick work of the Royal guard managed to put out the flames. Link and Kirk surveyed the damage.
"Man, this place looks like a war zone," said Kirk, shaking his head, "Good thing I was riding by here with my troop, or it could have been worse."
"I know…" said Link, "Did Nabooru manage to get the Calatian Royal Family to safety?"
"Yeah, but barely. A few people managed to knock off an ornamental thing or two, but besides being a bit shaken, literally, they're all just fine. King Hagris is just disappointed that he had to come to the town at such a bad time. He requested that I personally guard his carriage back to the castle."
"What? Why not me?" asked Link, stepping over a broken clay pot.
"Well, to be honest, some of the people think it was you who started the fight."
"What? How can that be, I was one of the people who was trying to calm down that mob, wasn't I?"
"Yeah, they also have something for that, too. They're saying that you only did it to save face."
"And what about Akunem? What happened to him? I lost sight of him after the melee started."
"He got away, no sweat. I found him hiding inside a shrine at the far side of the town. He's going back to the castle, as well."
"And…?"
"And…what?"
"And, what are the people saying about him?"
"Well, just that he tried his very best to calm the crowds down."
"What!" yelled Link, "He was up there same as me! How come I've ended up being the bad guy here?"
"Well, I think it was more of a matter of the favored one. Everyone was more interested in Akunem's preaching rather then your points about Triforcism."
"I'm really starting to get worried. This whole religion thing is starting to get out of hand. I'm going to have a talk to that Akunem guy."
"I wish you luck, you'll need all you can get. There are a lot of people who support him."
"Thanks heaps," said Link. He then pulled out the Ocarina of Time and played a song to call Epona to him. Epona trotted forwards, and allowed Link to climb up.
"And be sure to give Zelda my regards, I heard about her bump on the head."
"I will, Kirk, see you later!"
Link whipped Epona's reins, and they began to gallop through the town. Link had a chance to look around again. If this is really all my fault, then I screwed up big time, he thought to himself.
* * *
Back at the castle, Link tied up Epona in her stable so that she could rest. He climbed the stairway to his room and, after making sure that there was nothing that would disturb him this time, he flopped down onto his bed, letting out a humongous sigh. He would talk to Akunem later. Right then and there, he needed a good rest after a situation like what happened. Unfortunately, this was not to be so, as a page barged in suddenly right then.
"My apologies Master Link, but King Daphnes has requested your presence downstairs in the grand hall!"
"What? Now? Great Goddesses above, when can I get some sleep without being disturbed?"
"I am deeply sorry, Master Link, but this is of great urgency."
"Great, just great," said Link, shaking his head. He climbed out of bed and lethargically made his way past the page and down the stairs to the Grand Hall.
Upon entering, He saw King Hagris and Akunem sitting at a table positioned near to King Daphnes' throne. None of them looked as if they were about to award Link for outstanding services, so it was safe to say that Link was a bit nervous about what this was all about.
"Um, someone just told me to come down. What's this all about?" Asked Link, even though he knew the answer.
"I think you know very well, Link," said the King of Hyrule gruffly. He was not in a very good mood.
"Is this about the incident at Nabooru town today?"
"Indeed," answered the King.
Uh-huh, right on target, Link thought to himself.
"Your actions today were very…how do I say this…immature…for someone of such status such as yourself! You, a member of my court, savior of the land, and the legendary Hero, were causing trouble? I would have never believed it, had it not been told to me by King Hagris and Father Akunem! I was tempted to issue a notice to have you removed from the castle immediately, but out of the goodness of my heart, I decided that would be a very rash and harsh decision. I have therefore decided to…"
"Begging your pardon, sir," interrupted Link, "but I did not mean to do anything, if I did do anything at all! I was simply trying to speak about Triforcism to the people of that town!"
"Begging your pardon, Master Link," responded King Daphnes, starting to turn red, "but you were speaking against Father Akunem's beliefs and did a very poor job of representing our people to the Calatian Royal Family! Because of this, Hero of Time or not, I have hereby issued that you are not to leave the castle grounds unless approved by me until further noticed! You are dismissed!"
"But sire, I…"
"This discussion is closed! You have your orders, now leave!"
Link was steaming on the inside. He hadn't even been able to point out anything else for his own defense! But orders were orders, and he had to follow them.
"Yes, sir," said Link, bowing and then leaving. When he was fully out of hearing distance, The King of Hyrule spoke.
"I'm very sorry you had to be in the middle of the crowd when it happened, Hagris. I'm also very sorry I put Link to this task…"
"Oh, it's alright. My family and I are just fine, that's what matters the most right now."
"Yes. And we can only hope that something like today's fiasco doesn't occur again."
"Speaking of incidents," said King Hagris, trying to change the subject, "I heard something about your daughter having a nasty fall. Is she well?"
"Yes. She will be fine, thanks to Father Akunem. Within a matter of a few more hours, she will be rested enough to return to her duties."
Akunem looked up to the King of Hyrule suddenly.
"I trust that Master Link is going to be kept away from the quarters of the princess?" he asked.
"I find your question puzzling. Is there a reason to keep Link form entering my daughter's bedchamber?"
"Look what he did in Nabooru town today. Surley spending time with the boy may cause her to reflect the same manner of behavior. It seems to already have taken hold, just look at what happened at the banquet only last night. I heard what she was speaking of. She was speaking against my religion as well. It seems as if there are many in your land that oppose my religion. It seems as if I am not welcome."
"No! You are welcome to our land, Akunem," said King Daphnes, trying not to offend anyone; "You must understand that I, or anyone else in Hyrule for that matter, do not wish to oppose your religion at all! It just seems that a few…er…um…"
King Daphnes was now shifting uncomfortably in his chair, trying to think of something good to say.
"It is fine, Hyrule King, but there is still the matter of the boy and your daughter to address. I strongly recommend that you take all the precautions necessary in order to prevent your daughter from committing an act like the boy's."
"I hear your words, wise one, but restricting the boy would probably only aggravate him," said King Daphnes.
"Yes. I can see your point. So, I would suggest that only take a small part of his time with the princess. Say perhaps he would invite her to a luncheon. I would take that away from him in order to prevent the possible event of the boy discussing matters against Gonanism. If he resists again, take away, say, some of his time being the Princesses' bodyguard. If he goes any farther, you may go as far as to remove his duties as bodyguard altogether."
"I see. I will consider your idea, Father Akunem."
"Thank you, King Daphnes."
* * *
Link was on his bed again, this time shifting uncomfortably. He had only tried to defend Triforcism, and now was stuck in the castle. He could only imagine the horrible boredom that would engulf him if he was only allowed to stay in the castle. There was only one option he had. He got up and went over to his desk. He reached up, and pulled a scroll from one of the shelves. He unrolled it on the table and traced a single line on one part of the scroll with a finger, a line underneath the scribbled words, "secret route. Use only in emergency".
That's my ticket, thought Link, memorizing the passage's location. It made him feel better to know he had a way out if he needed it. He then rolled up the scroll and put it in the chest at the foot of his bed. His thoughts turned to Zelda. He hadn't visited her yet. By now she would have probably woken up. He decided to go down to the gardens to pick a few flowers, then go back up to see Zelda. Good plan, Zelda says she enjoys the blue daisies. I'll just grab a few of those, thought Link.
Down at the gardens, the afternoon cast an orange glow upon the garden, giving it a surreal look, almost as if it were on fire. Link located the patch of blue daisies and bent over to pick a few.
"Hoy! You there! Master Link!" yelled a voice.
"Hmm?" said Link, getting back up to see whom it was. It was Viscen, one of the soldiers in Kirk's troop. He had a spear in hand and was approaching with a stern look on his face.
"Something the matter, Viscen?" asked Link.
"Are you planning to leave the premises?"
"What?"
"Are you planning to leave the castle right now?"
"No…I was just picking some flowers for Zelda, why?"
"The king has ordered that you not leave the premises. I am simply making sure that you do not leave."
"Well, I was already informed of that, Viscen, and like I just said, I was just picking flowers. Go on ahead and go back to your post."
"This is my post. And you're beyond it."
"What? Where's the boundary line?"
"My orders were that you are not allowed to go past the rose shrubs, back there. I had reason to be suspicious."
"The rose bushes? But that's at the entrance to the garden! How can I pick flowers if I can't get to the garden?"
"I only received my orders. I don't question them, unlike you."
Link was astonished by Viscen's remark.
"You do know that you are addressing your boss's friend, right?"
"I am fully aware of that, but you do not have the power to remove me from my post. Now please move out of the garden."
"Can't I at least pick the flowers first, or is there a new rule against that, too?" said Link, getting frustrated. Viscen sighed, and looked around as if about to say something he didn't want anyone else to hear what he was about to say.
"All right. But then get out of the garden. When I come back, I don't want to see your face around here, okay?"
"Okay, geez, you don't need to treat me like I'm some common criminal."
Viscen grunted a reply, and then left. Link sighed. The sooner that he could leave out of the castle, the better. He bent over and picked the flowers, then left as he had been instructed to.