Sorry for skipping those last couple of days, guys! I forgot about the story, lol. Anyway, enjoy these new chapters!
"What'cha need all this leather fer?" an old, portly merchant said, standing behind the counter of an old, run down restaurant.
"We uh… Need this all for some horse saddles we're making for our ranch," Cyrene answered, smiling. She looked around nervously at all the people sitting at old, wooden tables. They eyed her necklace with greed, admiring its amethyst orb. They also eyed Link in the same way, seeing his expensive looking shield and the pretty hilt of his sword. Cyrene clutched his arm in either fear for herself or fear for her friend. Neither was entirely sure.
"Well, we don't have as much leather as you kids are asking for… Might want to check in a more populated area," the merchant said again, pointing out the door. They walked out, and looked around the dusty roads to the next part of town.
"At this rate we'll never get enough materials to build the saddle, much less get to building it and training you on it," Cyrene rolled her eyes. "We'll just have to keep looking, I guess." Link nodded, and stared at her, still remembering what exactly the saddle was for. Ever since he discovered his new friend to be a dragon, the warrior always looked at her differently. Both of their trust got stronger, but Link wasn't sure if he could handle another ride with Cyrene… Still though, there was room for development. He walked off toward the west, as the sun started to set and dip under the horizon.
We're running out of time, Link thought, his face contorted in sorrow. If we don't prepare soon, Gorethik will attack Hyrule, and neither Cyrene nor I will be ready! How hard is it to buy some leather?
"Time is indeed running out. I don't know when he'll schedule the attack, but it is definitely soon," Cyrene appeared next to him, a serious look crossing her features. They walked to the edge of the old, dirty city and to Epona, mounting her. "Well mate, you know these lands better than I, right? What do you recommend next?" Link looked around the horizon, studying each direction and glancing at his map. Folding up the parchment and handing it to his partner, he eased his horse into a trot. They rode into the night, both slumping in the saddle.
At least Epona gets a lot of rest, Link smiled slightly, patting the horse's mane.
"Link… We have to stop for the night," Cyrene mumbled after half an hour of riding. "I'm exhausted and hungry! I haven't eaten in so long, you know." He sighed, feeling hungry as well.
We were just in a town, too… He halted Epona and looked behind at the girl.
"Any idea where we can eat, at all?" Link was just silent, as usual. "I don't want to go back to that other town… The food looked so gross! Even to a dragon," Cyrene looked away and into the sky at the moon.
Above them, the wyvern circled, keeping hidden in the shadows. It remembered that this was around the time Gorethik would be asleep, and a thought occurred in its slow brain. Maybe if it helped them out a little, more information would be told!
But if His Majesty ever finds out I was spotted…It gulped, remembering how Gorethik devoured one of the underlings. Still, it circled downward gently, being careful not to appear like its sneaking up on them. Epona obviously sensed the wyvern, and started to become restless. Link easily calmed her down, looking up into the moon as well and seeing a silhouette. A tiny, golden wyvern that would only come up to his shoulder landed beside the mare and stared up at them with silver eyes.
"I'm sorry to startle you," it faltered in a squeaky voice. "I-I just couldn't help but notice your dilemma as I was… uhh… hunting tonight!" Cyrene glared at the small wyvern and bared her teeth, growling.
"How do I know you're not Gorethik's familiar, hoping to report to him while we're asleep and take us away with your larger friends, completely lying to us!"
"I assure you, if I were a familiar of him, would I reveal myself so easily?" It pretended to smile. The girl was taken aback, thinking that it might be making sense.
"Very well but, if you so much as speak that cursed dragon's name-," Cyrene actually drew Link's sword as he wasn't looking and poised it at the golden creature's throat.
"Please don't hurt me!" it squeaked.
Hey! My sword! Link glared, grabbing it out of Cyrene's grip and sheathing it.
"Humph," the maiden grumbled, glancing at her friend. "Just so we know… What is your name, wyvern?" She tried her hardest to sound calm.
"M-my name… It's Kesch!" it greeted.
"I am Cyrene, and this is my friend, Link," she introduced flatly. The hero nodded as if to say hello.
"He doesn't say much, does he…" Kesch tried to sound casual.
"No, I'm afraid he's a mute," Cyrene put a hand on his shoulder. "Nice personality though. Very brave," she smiled at Link, and he returned it. "Anyway, what do you recommend we should do if we want somewhere to sleep and eat peacefully?"
"Hmm… I'm not sure, actually. I do know a nice spring nearby where you can rest, and we'll look for a village in the morning if you two are hungry!"
I was hoping for some beds for once, he frowned. Kesch opened his wings and flew away, leading them to where the spring was. Epona followed the wyvern in the sky, keeping pace with its quick little body.
"This has been some night, huh?" Cyrene mumbled. "I should say some week…" Link merely stared straight ahead, seeing Kesch's path with his slightly golden glow. "I hope Telma isn't worried, we've been gone for so long…" she yawned.
Eventually the wyvern led them through a small thicket of trees and into a clearing. A circle of bushes and trees surrounded the small area, just like Kesch promised; in the center of the clearing was a small spring. A waterfall came from a rocky hill that stretched up to the Moon in the sky, and there was hardly any wind. The water sparkled in the pale disk's light, shimmering and rustling from the waterfall.
"How beautiful!" Cyrene gasped, dismounting and petting the horse. "This'll be perfect for tonight."
"Well I did promise, right?" the golden wyvern landed on the top of the hill.
"Yep," she replied, sitting in the sweet smelling grass.
We should be able to make this a hideout as well, if we can find a way to block the view from above, Link thought, sitting beside Cyrene. They looked up at Kesch, smiling.
"Well, I have to go now," he smiled, spreading his wings for takeoff.
"Nope!" You need to stay right here, wyvern! I can't risk you going off and reporting to what's-his-face," she growled. The pendant that rested right in the center of her chest pulsed with pink energy, illuminating the night. Link nodded, unsheathing his powerful sword. The moonlight dance off the blade, and Kesch quivered slightly.
"O-ohkay," it stammered, gliding down to them.
They set up camp inside the clearing, getting ready for bed. Epona was already fast asleep next to where Link relaxed, as he stroked the horse's mane.
Adventure's always good for the soul, eh girl? He smiled warmly. She neighed, blinking her huge brown eyes.
"Do you need anything, Link?" Cyrene asked, walking up to him. He shook his head, and turned over in the grass. She walked off, smiling. Nearing the spring, she grabbed her furred tunic and glanced around. Kesch was sleeping by the entrance of the clearing, and the disguised dragon narrowed her eyes, decided she would need to keep an eye on him. Cyrene pulled the tunic off, as well as the rest of her clothing and folded them neatly on the water's edge. She stepped into the water, letting its sparkling wetness envelop her tan skin. At ease, the maiden sank down into the gleaming pool, and sighed. Her wet hair shone like the moonlight, and she shut her eyes. She tried not to think of the horrors that were to be unleashed upon Hyrule soon, or the little time she had to teach the little Hylian male how to ride a dragon, and battle on one. She only let the warm waves wash up against her flesh, caressing the pendant she wore around her neck.
She breathed deeply, passing halfway into slumber. Kesch opened his gray eyes, and looked over at the sleeping maiden, as well as the Hylian nearby. He nodded, and stood up.
Gorethik probably would want a report right about now… he thought, spreading his wings and flexing his tail. However, something struck his heart. He didn't want these two to be killed, or captured… Kesch looked down and folded his wings to his sides.
"I don't want them to endure the suffering that I do usually under his wrath…" he mumbled, staring up into the sky. He thought about it for a few seconds and sighed. "It's either my life or theirs," he growled and took off into the air. "And I love my life."