Kakariko Village is a vastly contrasting world to the one within the walls of Hyrule Castle. Kakariko is a community that worked together to farm, cook, sew, and essentially survive in conditions of immense poverty under the shadow of Death Mountain.
The three travellers arrive in a flash of blue light before the lone tree that stands at the village entrance. The rain has eased off, allowing the light of the setting sun to pierce through the veil of clouds behind the iconic windmill. Impa takes in the fresh air; the scent of grass, the chirp of Cuccos, the damp of dew on her slippers; the feel of freedom.
"Come quick!" Nazo tugs at her sleeve. "To the Elders' house!"
They stumble between the iron-rooved houses and up the worn-out steps to the building that hugs the cliff. Nazo opens the door and barges in unannounced.
Sheikah homes are modestly decorated, often with bare floorboards and little light. The Elders' residence is much the same, save for a wooden statuette of the Goddess Hylia that greets visitors with her open palms. A frail woman with silver hair tied in a bun turns to address the arrivals.
"About time." she grunts. She is accompanied by a slightly younger man and woman who bear similar scowls.
"Apologies for our lateness, Elder Gin." Nazo pleads forgiveness. "I am yet to master the art of warping without hindrance."
"Perhaps more time spent studying and less time chasing Cuccos with the other children would prove beneficial." she responds coldly.
Sherifu and Nazo step aside to introduce their accomplice. Impa places her hand on her chest and nods her head. "Elder Gin."
"Young Impa." the Elder nods in greeting. "How fares your life in the Castle?"
"Demanding." she replies with honesty.
"As expected." Gin agrees. "Nevertheless, I trust you perform your duties with the honour bestowed upon you from your Elders' education."
"Always." Impa answers confidently. Out of the corner of her eye, she spies a young girl peeping over the bannister of the staircase above them.
"We do not intend to distract you from your duties." Elder Gin explains. "We summoned you here tonight to brief you on recent events."
"Boys, ready yourselves for bed." the woman beside her ushers the youngsters to the door.
"But it's only six o'clock!" Sherifu protests.
"You heard your mother!" the man asserts gruffly. "To bed with you!"
Sherifu and Nazo grumpily exit the house. Impa glances up and meets eyes with the girl on the stairs. Wide-eyed in a white nightie, she gazes wondrously at the young woman in her home.
"Since the War subsided and the peace treaty was signed, Hyrule has enjoyed a period of ceasefire. However, political unrest remains rife as we have struggled to quash the ideology that first sparked the initial uprising. Whispers in the streets speak of rebels in hiding, plotting their resurgence. As loyal servants to the Royal Family, it is our tribe's duty to eradicate those who perpetuate such ideas and thus, the risk of revolt against the crown."
The Elder casts her weary eyes up the stairs. The elusive girl has vanished, leaving only the flicker of candlelight.
"During your time at the Castle, our tribe's youngest daughter Yomashita has proved to be something of a prophetic prodigy; detailing dreams in which she envisages events which are yet to occur. Last night, she recalled a dream that established our greatest fears as truth: there is a plot to assassinate the King. We don't know when or how this plot will take place; all we know is that it is our responsibility to prevent it from happening. To do this, we rely on intelligence-gathering. Thus, we require your services."
"You want me to become a spy?" Impa exclaims in disbelief.
"You were dispatched to the Castle under the guise of an attendant, perfectly-positioned to acquire information from within the Royal Court." Gin briefs her. "This was the true nature of your mission all along."
"As honoured as I am to be selected for such a role, Elder Gin, I don't think I am able to fulfil the requirements." Impa expresses. "My responsibilities in the Castle are fetching food, folding garments, dusting cobwebs – I am not equipped for intelligence-gathering."
"Never doubt your capabilities, young Impa." Gin asserts. "Consider your ancestors who came before you and the duties assigned to them. Their blood runs through your veins. This is the task you were trained to do. Accept this gift to aid you in your mission."
From her palms, the Elder conjures a small round stone. She hands it to her apprentice, who gazes upon it with bewilderment. Engraved upon its smooth surface is the hallowed Eye of Truth: a Gossip Stone.
"This mystic device has been utilised by our tribe for generations to communicate vital information." Elder Gin explains. "Through it, we will deliver instruction and advice unto you to aid you in your assignment."
"And what would happen if I were to fail?"
Elder Gin answers with blunt honesty. "Then we must face the inevitable downfall of the Hyrule kingdom."
Impa inhales as she absorbs the burden of her assignment. She is barely past adolescence, fumbling her way through the obstacles of adulthood only to be lumbered with the weight of her tribe's legacy and the fate of Hyrule.
"We trust in your abilities, young Impa." Gin affirms. "Now go forth and bring honour to our tribe. Elder Tetsu will warp you back to the Castle."
Impa pockets the Gossip Stone and follows her male escort outside. She glances back and glimpses the ghost of a girl watching her from the darkened window on the upper floor.
"A great honour it is to be chosen for this task." Elder Tetsu praises her. Impa responds with silence as the man offers his hand. She accepts it and the pair dematerialise into the darkness.
