Chapter 9:
"The original Light Sage?" Link asked quizzically.
"Oh yes, it's true, every word I say to you," answered Degu.
They trudged through a narrow rocky path lit by seemingly endless torches, popping up for leagues throughout the gloomy darkness of the bottom of the earth.
"So then… he's the same as the sages who inhabit the Arbiter's Grounds," Link ventured.
"Aye, the same, yet not the same… flesh and blood they never became… so same they are, yet only in name," Degu replied in his throaty yet kind voice. His tail tap, tap, tapped on the ground as they walked.
"And he knows things that will help me?" Link continued.
"Many tales of trials and war. Things that were, and are no more. Stories of deeds long forgotten and past. Things undone, and to legend cast."
Link sighed at the confusing answers. He had many more questions he wanted to ask the creature, but he decided to wait until he met this Sage of Light to ask anything else. Perhaps he would get more specific answers from the man himself.
Presently, they came to a moldy, wooden door built into the side of the rock wall facing the Palace Of Light, now almost hidden from view many leagues behind them. Even its magnificent, radiant walls were swallowed by the darkness surrounding them, and it appeared as only a speck of dust on the horizon. Degu grasped the door knob and it creaked open slowly. He beckoned Link through.
Inside he found a cozy chamber, large but humble, and decorated in ornately wrought yet modest furniture. On the wall furthest from the door, a roaring fire in an open wood stove blazed intently and cast a red light over the chamber. There were oil paintings on the wall, depicting faces and figures whom Link did not recognize. In the center was a large, comfortable looking armchair with a bald head and a small tuft of white hair poking over the top. Degu gave a stiff bow and swept his arms toward the chair, motioning Link forward. Link approached cautiously.
As he neared, the figure in the chair rose and turned to face him. The man was large and fat, obviously very old, with a shaggy grey mustache and robed in various shades of red. He smiled kindly and said, "Welcome, Chosen Hero. I am Rauru, the Sage Of Light." He looked Link up and down, inspecting him. "Remarkable…" he murmured.
Link, slightly uncomfortable, said, "We have very important matters to discuss. I don't even know where to begin."
"Indeed," Rauru answered. "All in due time. For now, you must be exhausted! Come, young one. I have prepared a chamber for you. It isn't much, but I do hope it shall suffice."
Link nodded gratefully and said, "Yes… I could use a good sleep." He yawned loudly.
Rauru chuckled. "Goodly Degu, be so kind as to show our friend to his quarters. Rest well, Link. We have much work to do, many plans to make, and centuries of history to study. Our work shall be long and strenuous, so you shall need all your strength. Go now. I shall be here when you return."
* * *
A procession of Zoras marched through a watery hall in Zora's Domain with Prince Ralis in the center. The prince chatted with his War Chief, Mikhail, as they threaded their way through the cavernous path towards the meeting chambers.
"Prince, do you truly believe that this is necessary?" Mikhail asked.
"I do," Ralis replied quietly.
"But the mountain dwellers are a reticent and proud people. Long have they remained hidden and silent in their mountains while our land suffered. They have offered no aid in the past, and they shall offer no aid now. We should go directly to Her Grace, the Princess Zelda."
"The Gorons have suffered their own problems as of late, and it was they who offered help to the Chosen Hero when he needed to restore the memory of his loved one. They are strong and have an unflawed sense of kinsmanship. If we can forge an alliance with such a race, so much the better for us."
"Hmph… so much the better for them," he replied childishly.
Ralis grinned. Mikhail was a fearless and dedicated warrior, but he simply had no mind for political matters.
"I know that you wish to keep counsel on matters of war only with our own people and within our own walls, Mikhail. After all, who can say who is a friend and who is a foe in these dark times? But as your future king, I must ask that you trust in my wisdom."
"My faith in your wisdom has never faltered, my prince," Mikhail said. "I only think that we have nothing to gain by treating with the Death Mountain dwellers. They are a simple folk. Never have they taken active involvement in matters of national court, and never have we needed them to."
"It may surprise you to know that in ancient times, the Goron Patriarch and the King of Hyrule were Sworn Brothers. In the eyes of the Gorons, that is as good as family," Ralis explained. "It is only in modern times that the Gorons have recessed from greater Hyrulian society. To say that they hide in their caves and wait for the plagues of the land to creep to their doors and touch their lives directly is not entirely true, nor is it a fair assessment."
"Then, my prince, where were they when the Twili invaded and seized our lands? Where were they when our home was frozen and our people sacrificed? Princess Zelda, at least, made a stand and tried to defend the kingdom. The Gorons only remained on their mountain and did nothing until the Chosen Hero appeared." Mikhail clenched his fist. "They couldn't even save their own leader!"
Ralis' face twisted in sadness. "Neither could we… or have you forgotten?"
Mikhail froze. He realized suddenly the conclusion that his own words had unwittingly led to. The Zoras were just as helpless as the Gorons in those troubled times. And he had just resurfaced a painful memory for the prince. "Prince Ralis, I didn't mean… I should not have…"
Ralis sighed. "Mikhail, before she died, my mother told me that the three major races of Hyrule – being the Hylians, the Gorons, and we Zoras – are each blessed by a division of the Golden Power. The Hylians represent courage; they are fearless leaders and protect Hyrule from the heart of the kingdom. We Zoras represent wisdom; our knowledge and skill in tending Lake Hylia provides life and nourishment to all the land. And the Gorons represent power; they are strong and unbreakable. Alone, each race is formidable; but only when we work together for progress is our kingdom complete and healthy."
Mikhail was silent for a moment, and then said sheepishly, "Queen Rutela was very wise… if this is what she would have wished for, then I'm sure it's the right course of action. Forgive me, Prince Ralis. I spoke out of turn."
"You're speaking like a War Chief," Ralis said as they emerged into the meeting hall. "Think nothing of it."
Mikhail chuckled and said, "You've changed so much since you assumed the throne… I'm sure your mother would be proud of you, my prince." Ralis beamed.
The chamber was large and decorative, cut and chiseled over the years into very fine Zora architecture, with many tapestries and scrolls hung from the walls and ceiling depicting ancient Zora rulers and royal insignias. There was a large dining table in the center of the room, laid with many courses of fish and rocks, hot spring water and cool fresh water, and wine. In honor of the Goron guests, the Zoras had hung a banner across the entrance welcoming them to Zora's Domain, and they had scrounged what rocks and iron they could from their caves for the Gorons to feast on.
"I see all has been prepared as I asked," Ralis noted to his attendants. "Well done. Where are the Gorons?"
"They are being escorted here by a small fleet of guards and attendants. They should arrive shortly, my prince," answered one Zora.
Prince Ralis and his attendants lined up before the entrance to the cavern, waiting patiently. Before long, they felt a low rumbling in the earth as the Gorons approached. Three emerged through the stone carved door, lightly ducking their heads to squeeze through. One was extremely large and muscular, one was slightly less large and muscular, and one appeared old and wizened, smaller than the other two but still strong and able. They stopped as they entered and looked around, apparently having never seen such ancient and elaborate Zora architecture before.
"Honored leaders and fabled warriors," Prince Ralis began. "On behalf of the Zora kingdom, I welcome you with open arms to Zora's Domain. It is a pleasure and a privilege to host the noble Goron royalty in our halls. I am Prince Ralis."
The slightly less larger and menacing looking Goron finished his survey of the chamber and turned to look at the Zora child. "I am Darbus, Patriarch of the Gorons of Death Mountain! Me and my brothers have come to speak with the leader of the Zoras about important things. Where is he?"
Prince Ralis was slightly confused, but kept his composure. "I am the leader of the Zoras," he said politely. Then he repeated, "I am Prince Ralis."
"The leader of the Zoras is one so small? Are you the strongest warrior? You must have great hidden strength if all the other ones follow you," Darbus said, obviously impressed.
"No, you see, I am not the strongest warrior of my face, but I am of royal blood," Ralis tried to explain.
"Hmmm… I don't think I understand," Darbus said. Mikhail gritted his teeth.
The older Goron turned to Darbus. "It's just like the Hylians, Patriarch. They don't gain the position of leader by strength. They're born into it."
"Is that so, Gor Coron?" he replied. "It seems strange, but if he's the leader, then let's not waste any more time." He approached Ralis and clapped him on the back. The prince jolted forward from the force of it and almost fell over. "Thanks for the warm welcome, Zora leader! Like I said, I'm Darbus, and this is one of the Goron elders, Gor Coron. And this here is Dangoro, one of our strongest fighters."
Mikhail helped the prince recover from the clap on the back and was about to say something nasty to Darbus, but Ralis whispered, "Peace, Mikhail," and then turned to the Gorons and said, "Welcome, friends. Please be seated and help yourselves to the feast. I know you have traveled a long way and you must be famished."
"Truer words never spoken!" Gor Coron exclaimed, and they all made their way to the table and took a seat. Dangoro and Darbus were almost too heavy for the stone chairs. They creaked and cracked as they sat down, but the Gorons barely took notice. The three Gorons sat all grouped together on one side of the large table, and prince Ralis and Mikhail sat directly opposite them, with many other Zoras surrounding them all.
"I'm surprised you traveled with such a small escort, Patriarch Darbus," Ralis said.
"Why, Zora leader?" he replied. "We three are all we need to have these discussions and make these plans."
"Yes, but… you traveled so far, and it was only three of you… wasn't it dangerous? There are monsters everywhere lately," Ralis said quizzically.
Darbus was confused. "Gorons do not need escorts. We ran into some monsters on the way, but we gave them a good thrashing! Hah! Hah!" The Gorons cheered and yelped. Darbus pounded the table with his gigantic fists and food and rocks were sent flying in every direction. Many Zoras gasped, and Mikhail stood up and yelled, "Fools! Have you no manners!?" But the Gorons barely heard him over the clatter and cheering.
Prince Ralis laughed softly. "Haha… I see… well, then. Shall we proceed? We have much to discuss."
The Gorons all went silent and turned to the prince. "Yes, we do. Where do we begin?" asked Gor Coron.
"I thought perhaps a mutual exchange of information," Ralis said. "Our primary goal is to support the Hylian Royal Family and drive out the evil lurking in our lands. Perhaps if we pool our knowledge, we can find clues as to who is trying to kill Princess Zelda."
"My prince," Mikhail said stubbornly. "We should not reveal valuable information so easily."
"Why not?," Darbus asked. "In fact, we stopped at Hyrule Castle on our journey here. We bring news of events there."
Ralis glanced at Mikhail, who looked upset over the Gorons having an obvious upper hand in valuable information. "Well, War Chief? Would you consent to an exchange of information now?" Ralis asked with only a hint of sarcasm.
"Hmph… fine," he said and folded his arms. Dangoro gave him a funny look. Gor Coron was stuffing his mouth with rocks.
"Well, here's what we know," Darbus explained. "You see, the enemy launched a sneak attack on the castle about a week ago. Much of the city was burned and destroyed, many soldiers were killed, Princess Zelda and the Royal Guard have fled and hidden, and Brother Link has disappeared. I guess you could say things are pretty bad right now!"
All of the Zoras mouths dropped.
"This… this is horrible!" Ralis exclaimed. "Where has the princess fled? What do we know of Link?"
"No one knows, and not much," Gor Coron said, chewing on more rocks. "We were hoping you would know something that can help."
"Link is gone…" Ralis said sadly. "This is the first we've learned of these events. I knew things were bad, but I didn't know it had come to this."
"There was one person they had in captivity who had apparently been working with the enemy. He was a dirty old man and wasn't very helpful, but through an interrogation, they found out that the leader of the enemy forces is… a Twili," Dangoro said.
The Zoras froze. No one had expected that.
"That is all we know," Darbus said. "Now… what can you tell us?"
Ralis hesitated. "We do not have much information. We knew about the villages that have been attacked these past weeks. Our strategists have been analyzing the locations of the attacks and trying to pinpoint a likely hideout for the enemy forces. But thus far, we haven't come up with anything conclusive."
Darbus laughed. "Brother Link already slaughtered those beasts when they came to Kakariko. His men and the Gorons fought together and drove them off. But that was just a small sampling of the enemy forces. You won't find them by looking for patterns. Their leader is too smart for that."
Mikhail seethed with anger at these words. "And what would you have us do, O Great Patriarch? Shall we hide in our pools and wait for them to come knocking at our doors? Shall we sit idly and do nothing?"
"Of course not," Darbus said sharply. "But you won't find them by studying charts. If you want to help, you should form search parties."
"That's a fool's errand!" Mikhail cried. "We couldn't possibly search the entirety of Hyrule with our numbers!"
"Then send soldiers to Hyrule Castle and form larger parties, or help with their defenses. You needn't always work alone," Darbus said.
"Says the crow to the raven!" Mikhail yelled.
"Peace, brothers!" Ralis interjected. "We are not here to point fingers and argue. You say we needn't always work alone; it is for that very reason I have invited you here. It is time we united our strengths and struck back at those who threaten our way of life. Apart, we are vulnerable… but together, we stand a chance."
"Well said!" cried Gor Coron between chomps of rock.
"Zora leader, you call us Brothers, but we have taken no oaths with you. And your friend does not seem to want our help. You have also not told us anything useful or anything we did not know. Why did you really invite us here?" asked Darbus.
"I have no pretense for this meeting. You must forgive Mikhail. He is loyal to the end, but he is hot tempered and sometimes speaks without thinking. Please do not take offense from his skepticism and stubbornness, for that is part of what earned him his position of War Chief." At this, he turned to Mikhail. "And please do not forget what we discussed before coming here." Mikhail sighed and nodded.
"Now," Ralis continued. "Patriarch Darbus. From what you've told us, one thing has become clear; time is not on our side. Hyrule has never been in a worse state, and Princess Zelda needs our help now more than ever. I will not turn my back on the Hylian Royal Family. If you will consent, I would like to form an alliance between our two races. If we combine our knowledge and talents, I'm sure we can be of service to the royal family."
Darbus considered his words. "Hmm… you speak well, for a small and weak leader." Mikhail flinched. "It seems we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to work together. But where do we even begin? First we must find the princess, but we have no leads. And Brother Link may still be alive, injured and alone somewhere."
At this, Dangoro spoke up. "Brother Link is the strongest human I've ever met. He defeated me in true battle back during the dark days. I'm sure that whatever has happened to him, he will be okay, and will return to us when he can. He is a Sworn Goron Brother; nothing could stop him!" The Gorons hooted and hollered and pounded the table once again.
Ralis smiled. "Then it seems that for the moment, our priority is locating Princess Zelda. And on that front, there is one thing I have not told you yet." Darbus listened intently. "A few days past – in fact, it was the day after the battle at the castle, if what you say is true - we found a woman near the northern tip of Lake Hylia. She was in a terrible condition. She was badly beaten, and many bones broken. She was on the brink of death, but she clung to life desperately. We rescued her, and brought her here to tend her wounds."
"A noble deed, but what of it?" asked Gor Coron.
"She appears to be no ordinary woman. Long have I studied Hyrulian history, and she bears a striking resemblance to an ancient tribe; that of the Sheikah, the sworn protectors of the royal family. She has piercing red eyes and long, silvery white hair. She was outfitted as a warrior. And when we removed her garb to dress her wounds, we found their symbol tattooed on her back."
"Then, this woman… she was in the battle at the castle?" Darbus asked.
"It's the only logical conclusion," Ralis said. "She must have been badly injured trying to defend the princess as she made her escape. As of yet, she is still unconscious, but when she awakens, she will surely be able to tell us where the princess has fled. We were quite lucky to find her still alive! I'm sure she'll be willing to help us!"