Chapter 13:

Ralis paced before his throne in the Zora's royal hall, losing more patience with every step he took. He had been at it for hours, ever unsure of his next move.

"Please, Prince Ralis, if you don't soon take a seat, you're like to wear rivets into that stone floor," Mikhail said, not unkindly.

Ralis stopped and shook his head. "What is taking so long? She's been asleep for days. I shan't give any commands until I know what she can tell us of the battle at the castle and Zelda's whereabouts."

"Her wounds were grievous, prince. You knew she was badly beaten, but you do not know the extent of her wounds. Truth be told, it's a miracle she survived the wash down the river after her battle was done. I surely would not want to invoke the wrath of whomever it was did that to her," Mikhail said.

Ralis fidgeted. "Is it really so terrible?" he asked uncertainly.

Mikhail paused a moment, searching for the right words. But there was no way to soften the tale. "Her bones were shattered, all over her body," he explained solemnly. "She was bruised from head to foot, and her skin was mottled red and raw as if some terrible force had racked her body. Our healers had to cut deep channels from her innards to relieve the internal bleeding. My prince, by all accounts, she should be dead. Give her time to recover."

Ralis was dumbstruck. The ugliness of her wounds seemed to unnerve him. "What kind of terrible enemy do we face?" he murmured. "The evilness of men…"

"It was not a man did that to her," Mikhail cut in sharply. "To inflict such pain and damage to such a beautiful woman, warrior though she may be, and then throw her down the river to be left for dead… such a creature has no right to be counted among men. He is an animal, and the day will come when he is put down like one, with all the rest of our enemies."

"I do so hope," Ralis said, his voice laced with doubt and sadness.

"My prince, do not let your courage falter now," Mikhail said. "No matter what we learn from the woman when she awakens, surely you know that we are on the verge of battle. The Zora need you to lead them in these dark times."

"But what use can I be against such an enemy?" Ralis cried, suddenly angry. "This is too much for me. I am not a warrior, and what courage I had all but fled when I learned that Link was gone!"

Mikhail put an arm around his shoulder. "Yours is not the place of a warrior. You are a born leader, and you can alone can make the decisions that others cannot. It is to you our people will look when things are at their most grim. You have strength and courage that you do not realize, my prince. But Link knew it. And your mother knew it."

"I am not so sure," Ralis said dejectedly. "I have done nothing of any value since this war started. I am lost, and stumbling through the dark. I am terrified of our enemies, and I'm only courageous when others give me courage." He kicked at a loose pebble and set it skittering away. It bounced across the stone floor and bumped against the throne. "I am not fit to be prince of anything. I lost all right to sit that chair when they butchered my mother."

Mikhail sighed and stood to face to the prince. "Prince Ralis, have you ever heard the tale of the Lion God and the lost prince?" Ralis shook his head. "It is a long and interesting tale," Mikhail continued. "But the part I want to tell you is at the end. You see, when the prince was just a small boy, his parents were killed, and he had his title and kingdom stripped from him by his wretched and power hungry Uncle, who wanted to rule the land in his own name. The prince was expelled from his home and disowned from his family, and he seemed doomed to live out the rest of his days as a common beggar. But when he got a little older, a great Lion God from across the northern sea came to his aid, and after a long and arduous war, the prince and the Lion God defeated the boy's uncle and reclaimed the kingdom."

"A touching tale," Ralis said halfheartedly. "But it does not relate to my own story."

"I'm not finished," Mikhail said. "As you can imagine, having lived his entire life as a beggar, and not being a boy of great ego, the prince felt much as you do right now; lost and afraid, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yet the Lion God sought him out after the final battle, and the prince knelt and kissed his paw, and the Lion God said, 'Welcome Prince. Do you feel sufficient to take up the kingship of the land?' And the boy prince said, 'I don't think I do, Sir. I'm only a kid.' And the Lion God said, 'Good. For if you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been proof that you were not.' And so it was that the boy prince accepted his destiny, and ruled his kingdom for all his days, bringing an era of peace. And the people loved him."

Mikhail waited, and eventually Prince Ralis surrendered a sad grin. "Thank you for the story, Mikhail. If only such fairy tales were true…"

"I've heard it said that many tales, whether they be legend or myth, have at least some root in reality," Mikhail assured him. "And regardless, the moral of my story rings true. It is traits of humility and gentleness that mark a great king. You are so young, but you are old enough to feel the weight of your responsibilities. And you think yourself weak; but that is far from the truth. In your short life, terrible things have happened to you, but you remain one of the most gentle souls I know."

Ralis smiled. "You've always taken care of me and helped me, Mikhail."

"Nevermind that I swore an oath to your lady mother that I would," Mikhail said proudly. "It is an honor to aid the royal prince of the Zora. And a great pleasure to be your friend."

Ralis's eyes glistened, and Mikhail thought for a moment that he might cry, but in a moment it was gone and Ralis looked like his old self.

"Come," Ralis said to his friend and War Chief. "Let us assemble the troops and begin war councils. We must be prepared so we can act quickly after the Sheikah awakens."

Rauru led Link quietly through a low hanging, twisted hall of rock and earth. As with every area Link had seen of Rauru's underground fortress, it was lit by the glow of torches hung from the walls, which sprung to life only when someone came within proximity, and extinguished themselves afterwards.

"That's quite a handy light source," Link had commented.

"That spell was shown to me by a witch who lived in the Lost Woods three hundred years ago," Rauru said, smiling as he remembered. "She was very old, and somewhat… eh… shall we say, aloof. She had lived most of her life in those woods, yet she had gotten turned around and couldn't find her hut. It was forgivable, considering her age and the location." Link chuckled as he listened. Rauru ducked under a stalactite and continued, "I helped her find her way home, and as a reward for my kindness, she offered to teach me a very useful spell."

"The proximity torch," Link finished for him.

"Actually, she thought she was teaching me a spell to transform wood into gold using fire," Rauru said, laughing. "Or so she said. If such a spell even exists. The poor old crone was so batty that truly, I don't think she knew what she was teaching me. A wonder we didn't blow up the entire forest. I thanked her kindly regardless."

Link and Rauru continued their small talk as they threaded their way through the cavernous tunnels. Link was clad in his traditional green garb, washed, pressed and returned to him by Degu. He was in better spirits after his long session with Rauru when many of his questions had been answered. He now knew the next stage of his quest was to reacquire the Master Sword before Darkhava could use it to open the Sacred Realm. He took comfort in knowing his next move.

Presently, they emerged into a large cavern with a dais wrought in stone and metal placed squarely in the center. It was three feet high with golden steps leading to the top, and ancient caricatures were carved all around the base. Link spied Goodly Degu stooped behind the dais, lighting candles and spreading rushes around the circumference of the platform.

Rauru turned to Link and took him by the shoulder. "Link, as you know, time is not on our side. I had much and more that I wished to discuss with you, and there is more I could yet have done for you. I have prepared studies and training which can surely aid you against your enemies, but those things will have to wait. It is time for you to depart."

"Truly?" Link asked, disappointed. He had hoped he could stay with the wise old sage a bit longer and learn more from him.

"You know the truth of what I say," Rauru said gently. "If I'm correct about Darkhava's plan – and I am – then he may have already found a way to obtain the Master Sword."

"How so?" Link asked, astonished. "I thought that one of evil could never touch the blade."

"That is true, but he is conniving. I shan't be surprised if he found a way to magic the blade to a place of his choosing, or some other such trickery," Rauru responded ominously. "That is why you must go now. But take heart, Hero. We shall meet again. Of that much, I am certain. Degu, if you would be so kind."

The curious little creature approached Link and extended a paw. In it lay a small golden coin. Link did not need the light of the torches to examine it; it emanated a golden glow all its own. Link picked it up and looked it over. The symbol of the Light Sage adorned one side, and the royal insignia shined brightly on the other.

"What is this?" he asked quizzically, squinting from the golden glare.

Degu's long tail excitedly tapped away on the ground as he responded. "A gift to you for a time of need. Listen well, and our counsel heed. This coin is magic, and with its power, you may return to us at any hour."

"Excellent!" Link exclaimed, happy at the prospect of not having to trek across the desert when he wished to return. "How exactly does it work?"

"It's quite simple, my boy," Rauru told him. "Simply hold the coin tightly in your left hand, and say the words, 'Kaepora Gaebora.'"

"Kaebor… Kaerora… Kae… what?" Link flustered as he tried to say them.

"Kaepora Gaebora," Rauru repeated.

"Kaepora… Gaebora," Link stammered out. "Couldn't you have made the words something easier to remember?" he asked, only half joking.

"Those are not mere words, Chosen One," Rauru explained. "It is the name of a reincarnated sage who was once of great service to Hyrule. And trust me when I tell you that it's a very appropriate selection. When you hold the coin in your left hand and say that name, you'll be whisked away from wherever you are, across the desert and to my chambers, like an owl through the air. Besides, the magical words couldn't have been something that might be said in normal conversation," he pointed out wryly. "I briefly considered using 'Ordon Pumpkin Pie,' but, well…"

"Say no more," Link surrendered, laughing.

"You should know that the coin is a one of a kind item, and it shall only work once. It's also a one way trip. I can send you away with the help of this ceremonial dais, but I cannot bring you here at will. You must only use the coin when you are sure the time is right."

"I understand," Link promised him. "I want you to know how much I appreciate all you did for me," he added.

"T'was a pleasure, by any measure," Degu answered.

"Indeed," Rauru echoed. "I only wish we had more time. But alas, time is a luxury and we are poor."

"After I secure the Master Sword and make sure that Zelda is safe, I'll be back," Link promised. "Together we'll find a way to defeat Darkhava."

"If you are ready, then step onto the dais, Chosen Hero," Rauru instructed. Degu approached him and embraced him in a hug.

"Please be safe in your endeavor… Degu is your friend, now and forever," he said sadly.

"We'll meet again. Count on it," Link said with a smile. Degu's whiskers twitched as he returned the expression.

Link took one last quick inventory to make sure he had all his belongings, including his new Gilded Megaton Hammer which he had won in the Palace Of Light. When he was sure he was ready, he ascended the golden stairs and stood atop the dais. The candles Degu had lit flickered and bounced as he turned to face the Light Sage.

"Please send me to the Sacred Grove," he called out. Rauru nodded and began an incantation. Link felt a rising whirlwind sweep up from his feet, around his legs, snaking through his arms and blowing his cap every which way. Rauru continued chanting. A golden glow soon enveloped him, and as the sight of Rauru and Degu began to fade, he raised him arm to wave goodbye. A moment later, he was gone.

Rauru and Degu were left in the chamber, alone once again. Degu sniffed at the air, catching Link's scent one last time. His whiskers drooped and his tail ended its rhythmic tapping.

"Do not fear for him, old friend," Rauru reassured him. "He is the most able person in Hyrule. It is the princess for whom we should be frightened."

"Degu fears for all who are good and true," he replied. "There will be blood before this crisis is through…"

"Does anyone have any objections with the numbers in these divisions of our forces?" Ralis asked the room full of Zora Generals and Captains. "Speak now. This is an open meeting."

One General, Razel, raised his hand. "Prince Ralis, is it necessary to have so many stationed at the southern end of the Great Bridge of Hylia? It seems overmuch. We could allocate some of them to join the Hylian Guard in an effort to retake Hyrule Castle. It would be a great boon to Her Grace, Princess Zelda."

Ralis considered his words. "It would strengthen our ties to the Royal Family if we pledged her some of our forces. I like that part of your idea. However, that bridge is a very strategic point of interest, and at this time we don't even know where to find the princess. What say you?" he asked the rest of the room. Mikhail smiled approvingly at Ralis giving equal voice and listening to the counsel of all his warriors.

"I like it not," answered one Captain who was stationed in Lake Hylia. "The southern tip of that bridge is a safeguard from at least three entry points from south-west Hyrule. If the enemy has any forces gathered in the south, that bridge is where we are like to meet them."

"But consider the structure of the bridge," called another voice. "It's the perfect point to funnel the enemy in and defeat them as they try to break through. The numbers needed to hold such a point are small."

"That's true," said another. "But we must also think about the Lake itself. The bridge is a perfect deployment spot if the enemy comes through Lake Hylia."

"These are all good points," Ralis admitted. "Perhaps what we—"

At that moment, the door to the chamber crashed open and a messenger rushed through. He knelt before the prince, out of breath from his jog. "My prince…"

"How dare you interrupt Prince Ralis?" Mikhail yelled angrily.

"Peace, Mikhail," Ralis said. "What news do you bring?" he asked the messenger.

"My prince, it's the Sheikah woman… she's awake."