The Ordo Plain was a peaceful stretch of Hyrule Field, much more expansive than the fields Link and Athol were used to. Once they emerged from the Faron Woods, the bold sunlight took their eyes by surprise. A light breeze brushed across the grasses and wild flowers.

"It's big," Athol breathed. "Hyrule is huge." Her eyes widened and she pointed. "You can see the tops of Hyrule Castle. Look!"

Link looked where she was pointing. The towers of Hyrule Castle were fuzzy but visible. They looked different than Link had expected. The new castle had been built of steel as well as stone, made to look grand and modern.

The only other building visible on the vast plain was a nearby stable and paddock, housing horses of different colors. Upon closer observation, Link could see two men, one younger than the other, tending to them.

"This way," he said to Athol, heading toward the only sign of civilization.

The familiar scent of livestock hit their noses as they approached the stable, making them feel slightly more hopeful. The older man, tall and strongly built, looked up from grooming a horse and beamed at them.

"A couple of young Tinnish folk?" he called, causing the younger one to drop his work also. They looked alike, perhaps brothers, though the older one was blond while the younger had red hair, and the older had a stronger build. They both had honest smiles and copper eyes.

"We're not from Tinn," Athol replied.

"Sarians, then?" asked the redhead. "You haven't got the coloring from anywhere else."

"We're from Hillwind," said Link. "But we're trying to get to the provinces."

"Well that's where we're from," chortled the bigger one. "The province of Tinn. I'm Nile, and this is my brother, Will. We're livestock traders out here on the Ordo Plain. Which province are you trying to get to?"

"Kakariko," Link responded.

"You mean to say that you travelled through that forest," Will jutted a thumb in the direction of the Faron Woods. "On foot? By yourselves?"

"What do a couple of Hillwinds want in Kakariko?"

Link wasn't sure which question to answer first. "It's important business," he finally said, while Athol looked confused. "Arrangements for water transportation."

Nile raised an eyebrow. "They're using children for that? Isn't it a bit dangerous to be sending young kids to Kakariko without some sort of protection?"

"We're looking for my brother," Athol piped up. "He's gone missing."

"What makes you think he's gone all the way to Kakariko?" Will asked.

Link prayed that Athol wouldn't say a word about the goddess. He breathed a sigh of relief when Nile laughed, and his honest smile was back.

"No matter," he exclaimed. "We've got what you need. A couple of horses would make it easier to travel across the plain, not that it's very difficult anyway. Just make sure you secure them well in Kakariko, or you'll find they'll go missing straight away. And these are good horses."

There came a chorus of whinnies and snorts, as if to confirm.

"How much?" Link asked, fumbling for the drawstring pouch.

"Ten rupees each," replied Will. He went off to fetch a pair, and returned with a copper mare for Link, and a gray spotted pony for Athol.

"Groomed them to perfection this morning," Will boasted. "Named them, too. Spotted one's Fae and the copper girl is Epona. They'll get you where you need to go."

Link retrieved the money from his bag, immensely glad that he had decided to bring the money with him. He handed the twenty rupees to Nile, and Will handed them the horses' reins. Epona exhaled calmly when she was passed over to Link. Her eyes contained a beauty that Link didn't know existed in animals. He raised a hand to her muzzle and carefully caressed her. She bobbed her head contently.

Nile helped to hoist Athol onto Fae's back. She took the reins confidently, having been comfortable for the first time since she left home. The pony shook its head, tossing its gray mane around.

Link hopped up onto his own horse's back. She stood still, without protest, and trusted him with the reins.

"Pleasure doing business with a couple of Hillwinds," Nile said, grinning. He patted Epona's hindquarters, and she gave a loving snort.

"And be careful in Kakariko," Will reminded them. "They're not much like the Hillwind folk."

"Aye," Nile agreed. "Thieves, mostly. Keep an eye on your pockets, lad."

"I will. Thank you," said Link. He steered Epona around.

"Kakariko's that way," Nile called, indicating the direction opposite the Faron Woods. "Good luck finding your brother, lass."

Athol smiled in reply.

"You ready?" Link asked.

"Of course."

Link pulled on Epona's reins. "Hiyah!" he shouted, and Epona took off at a gallop. Athol copied him, and Fae followed suit.

It was a new experience, riding through vast open fields on a horse. To have the wind rush in their ears. After a while, they found themselves racing with each other across the plain. The late afternoon sun was warm, they noticed, considerably warmer than it had been in Hillwind.

"Do you think it'll be very hot in Kakariko?" Athol asked, slowing down.

"Probably," replied Link. He slowed to ride alongside her. "It's the Eldin province. It's hot and dry. We're probably dressed too warmly."

"Yeah, maybe," said Athol, looking down at her cotton skirt.

"And we'll have to be careful. I don't want you to get hurt or anything. So stay close."

"I will."

When the afternoon had begun to wind down, Link squinted to better see the tall structures of Kakariko. They looked like buildings, but from the distance, Link couldn't tell their purpose.

"You see it?" Link asked Athol.

She nodded. "Yeah. Are those houses? They're massive."

"Maybe," Link replied. "They could be inns, or markets. There are a lot of people in Kakariko."

The shapes grew clearer as they got closer. Link and Athol slowly approached a rusty metal gate obstructing their way into the city. Along the top, coils of barbed wire were wrapped, and Link spotted several posted guards wearing leather instead of armor. The strangest aspect was their hair, long and black and sleek, like a woman's. Some of them wore braids. When Link stopped his horse before the gate, he noticed that they all had identical black circles inked on their cheeks, perhaps a sign of authority.

Link felt uneasy. One of them stepped up to him and Athol once they'd come to a stop.

"Dismount," he commanded, with absolutely no expression on his face.

Link nodded to Athol to do as she was told before sliding off Epona's back. He held onto her reins. He reached for his pouch, thinking maybe there was a toll to get into the city.

"There's a stable inside. Leave your horses there before you go further."

Link froze. "Uh, sure." He put his bag away. The guard stepped in front to open the gate. It squealed.