Ok, half term next week and then mocks following so I must not write. If I do, shout at me. Because I should be revising. The joys of life… Anyways, thanks for reviewing and whatnot. You people are awesome, and I'll see you all when exams finish.
Chapter 5
In which Link and Silver get told
Link sat on a lump of coral the master sword lying across his palms. He wasn't going to risk a deep communication, the zora officials put him on edge and he didn't dare expose himself so vulnerably. He and Silver needed to find a way to get to the canon. With the Goriya sniping anyone who dared poke their head out above the water, they were trapped. Besides, he didn't feel comfortable leaving Ralis in such a precarious position. He needed advice, but Midna wasn't there to tell him what to do and Fi was as silent as a ghost (though the ghosts he had encountered were anything but).
Silver padded in, she found Link seated, staring at his sword as if he expected an answer to appear in the reflection on the white metal. She came and sat next to him, leaning against his shoulder.
"Still nothing."
Link shook his head.
"Will you try to contact her?"
He shook his head again.
"What do you think's wrong?"
Link let out a little sigh, hanging his head a little. He didn't know, but maybe…
"It's not your fault Link." Silver snapped. "There's a reason you're the only one who can wield the Master Sword. Don't ever think you're not good enough."
Link shook his head ever so slightly.
"You killed because if you didn't an evil greater evil would destroy more than you or I ever could. You were thrown into the mess." Silver whined and put her muzzle under his chin. "The fact it bothers you is a good thing. The moment you begin to enjoy killing is the moment you become like them." She said softly.
Link smiled and ruffled her neck fur.
"So, what do you plan to do about Ralis?"
Link shrugged.
"When I was growing up…the alphas would prove their authority through feats of strength and courage for the good of the pack."
Link raised an eyebrow as she spoke.
"I know Ralis isn't a wolfos. But the officials don't trust him because he's a kid right? If he proves to them he's just as capable as anyone else of ruling and doing what needs to be done, they might give over."
Link's eyebrow climbed higher.
"I'm suggesting that we raid the Goriya, and we invite the little prince to tag along."
Link could see the merit of the plan. It was ridiculously reckless and foolish, but if it worked not only would Ralis learn to protect himself, but also he would gain the trust of the officials. But if the prince died, Rutela would probably haunt him death, and he would lose the zoras as allies. Well…why not.
"I know Zelda would made pincushions out of us, that's we don't mention it."
Link grinned. Epona wasn't going to like that attitude.
"I have you to thank." Silver replied cheekily.
Link playfully swiped her ear.
Link would've liked to the run the plan past Fi, but the sword spirit was indisposed and he didn't dare asked for Epona's advice, even with the threat of Nubia aside.
Link sheathed the master sword and got to his feet.
"I really hope Rutela doesn't find out." Silver muttered as they headed for the pool.
Link nodded, the ghost hadn't been particularly cheerful the last time he'd seen her (well, she had been dead, so he guessed one wouldn't be chipper what with being a ghost and all). Hopefully, she didn't have some sort of ghost mirror that let her watch her son's progress…hopefully.
Link secured the helm over Silver's head, mindful not to poke her eyes out. The helm secured, he lifted the mask of his zora armour over his nose and mouth and leapt into the water.
They found Ralis sitting at a desk hidden beneath stacks of papers. Only the very tip of his lilac coloured head could be seen.
"Ralis?" Silver called.
A head peered round the stack of papers.
"Oh it's you two. What can I do for you?" he asked, getting up and walking into view.
The young zora chuckled as he noticed their stares at his paperwork.
"Being royalty isn't all lavish dinners and comfy thrones. It's a lot of paperwork and Nayru knows how many tedious meetings and complaints I have to put up with." For a moment, his royal demeanour shifted, revealing the young child he truly was. Then as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared.
"But you didn't come here to hear me whine about my job, what is it that you wanted?"
Silver turned her gaze back to him.
"We came up with a plan to get rid of the Goriya and win the allegiance of the officials."
"Sounds brilliant, what is it?"
"I don't think you'll like it." Silver warned him.
"If it'll get the officials off my tail and allow us to use the Lake surface again, I don't care."
"Well…"
As Silver explained, the colour drained from Ralis' face and his lilac scales took on a slightly bluish hue.
"Well, you were right about 'not liking it' part. But, do you think it's out only choice."
"It's all we can think of."
Link let Silver talk as he thought. He hated the idea of taking a child to battle. But…neither did her like the idea of leaving a child in the cruel world of politics. If only things were as simple as hitting the officials over the head with a big stick and telling them to behave.
"What do you think Link?" Ralis asked, jarring him from his thoughts.
Link conveyed his message through Silver.
"He doesn't think it's right to take you into battle, but neither does he want to leave you at the mercy of the officials. The Goriya however, must be dealt with and to prove your capability and competence, it's going to take something drastic. We can protect you if needs be, but…if only there were someone we could ask for advice."
"What about my mother?"
The two froze.
"Don't worry, I understand why you kept her existence as a ghost a secret." Ralis assured them.
"Yeah, uh Ralis, you do realise your suggesting we ask your mother if we can lead you on a raid on an armed monster camp. She'd haunt us for life if she ever found out we suggested it."
"She might provide some counsel though."
Silver and Link exchanged glances.
"Well, she'll have to join the queue."
Later that day, they found themselves in the zora shrine to the dead in the Lakebed Temple.
"Wow Link, three times into the same temple, that must really suck." Silver said.
Link growled and swiped at her, the wolfos ducked beneath his attack, laughing happily.
"You two aren't very good at taking things seriously are you?" Ralis said as the two play fought.
"Oh we're very serious Ralis, we just don't like to show it." Silver replied, jumping off of Link's back and padding away. "I won that one." She called over her shoulder.
Link poked his tongue out after her.
Ralis sighed, walking on.
"Honestly, I might as well be surrounded by four-year-olds." He muttered.
"Aw, don't be like that Ralis, you love us really." Silver said, giving him her puppy look that felt as if butter wouldn't melt.
"Yeah, I love you two like an older brother loves his annoying younger sibling that won't get any dinner if they continue to get on his nerves."
"Oh, you got told Link." Silver said.
"I was talking about both of you."
Link burst out laughing, his peals of joy echoing through the caverns.
"Meanie…" Silver pouted.
The faint ripples that danced across the ceiling, made the stalactites look like tribal zoras dancing to the primordial melody of the murmuring water and constant tip tapping of waves against stone. Fish watched from the shadows as the group made their way deep into the temple. Glistening frogs of every colour watched with poker face eyes at the intruders from their regal perches of shimmering rock and coral. The glowing jellyfish turned the water into a living rainbow, their different hues painting the rocks until they shone like precious gems. The glowing eyes of kelpies tracked their movement from the shadows, searching for an easy meal. Their skeletal features threw warped and grotesque shadows of nightmarish creatures across the rippling walls, fragmenting the idyllic feel of the temple.
Ralis led them into a huge cavern. Statues made of coral and stones depicting the deceased zoras of old filled the cavern. The largest were of the royal family. Near the front in the centre were statues of the late queen Rutela and her husband the king. The statue of Rutela shimmered a faint dusky pink. Then her ghost turned to face the trio.
Her features were softer that before, traces of sadness graced her delicate features. Her coral like hair tumbled down her back and her long head-tail (whatever you call it), shimmered with different colours as the scales reflected the light. The layers of frilled fins that hid her legs made her appear as if she wore a dress. Her scales were every shade of dusk from the same lilac as Ralis to pale golds, soft oranges and delicate pinks. She looked at her son with withdrawn affection, as if she dared not show emotion for fear of it overwhelming her.
"My son." She said simply.
"Mutti."
"And the grey ones." She said, looking past her son at Link and Silver. "Greetings heroes. I see the zora armour still serves you well."
Link dipped his head as did Silver.
"What brings you here?"
"Mutti, the officials challenge my rule. They have lost their trust in Link and them over-throwing me becomes an increasingly likely prospect by the day. Link and Silver say they have an idea that will win me their loyalty and also rid the Lake of the monsters' presence."
"Go on…"
"They suggest that I join them on a raid of the Goriya's camp."
The look Rutela flashed Link and Silver could've given a goron sunburn and a wolfos frostbite all at once. Link half expected her to zap him with some weird ghostly laser. Suddenly, the idea didn't seem quite as appealing and Link considered backing out.
"Is that truly how bad things are?" she asked.
Ralis nodded.
"Then, Link and Silver, I permit you to take my son on the raid." Link and Silver let out an audible sigh of relief that they weren't dead or being haunted for life. "If…" oh dear. "Take the zora Lana with you."
Link creased his brow as he fough to recall who she was. Oh right, she was the one who hated him. He wondered if she ever found out that he was the wolf. He couldn't remember.
"She may not be particularly civil but, she is strong and can provide Ralis that extra protection he needs."
Link nodded.
"May I have some time with my son?" The ghost asked.
Link and Silver nodded and with dips of their heads, left the room. As soon as they were out, they both let out heavy breaths of relief. Looking at each, they burst out laughing.
"That could've gone so terribly wrong." Silver cried.
Link agreed, holding his sighs as his nervousness bubbled up in a flood of giggles.
Inside, Ralis and Rutela exchanged glances.
"It's hard to believe they're older than me…" he muttered.
"I agree." Rutela said.
That evening, Link was oiling his bow. They had decided to launch the raid just before dawn, when those on shift were exhausted and no shadows to betray their presence. Ralis was sleeping and a messenger had been dispatched to find Lana. Link had offered to stay up and wait for her. He'd sent Silver with Ralis to bed.
Link dipped the cloth in a bottle of linseed oil and rubbed it down the length of the wood. The bowstring lay coiled beside him on the bench, already waxed. As he worked, he hummed a melody of the forest.
There was a faint splash up in front of him. Link didn't look up, but continued oiling his bow, ensuring it was well and evenly oiled. A shadow passed across him and there was a soft thud as they leant against the wall.
There was a moment of silence, the only sound was the rasp of cloth on wood, Link's quiet humming and the and the soft lapping of water in the pool.
"You are a mystery Link."
Link didn't respond, though a faint smile graced his lips.
"There are all sorts of rumours about you." Link stopped humming. "That you fight like a feral animal an you can commune with beasts. That you aren't completely human."
Link looked up at Lana, meeting the zora's grey-blue eyes with his own stormy blue ones.
Lana had blue-grey thin scales the colour of dolphin skin that shimmered in the pale light of the caverns. Large bangs framed her sharp featured face. A string of softly flashing blue lights ran down her head-tail. Already, signs of woman-hood were showing. Her head-tail was covered in thin silk-like fins that resembled flowing silver hair and fins grew from her legs and wait, given the impression of skirts. Yet despite all these changes, she looked just as she did when Link had last met her. She leant against the wall, arms crossed and watching him.
Link stopped oiling his bow and put the stopper in the bottle.
"I was told I had to go on a Goriya raid with you. I won't do it until I have answers."
Link was silent. Lana narrowed her eyes.
"And another question: why won't you answer me? Can't you talk or something?"
Link dropped his gaze. Picking up the bowstring, he looped it through the hole and tied it securely before standing.
"Answer me then."
Link flipped the bow upside down and leant on the bow, bending it and looping the string through the hole on the opposite end, tying it tight.
"Well…"
Link lifted the bow up as if he were about to fire, pulling the string back to test the bow's strength. As he did so, he looked at Lana, a message in his eyes.
All people are like bows. Every time they are drawn, every time they are needed, they are eight tenths to snapping, eight tenths to killing both bow and archer, should the right pressure be applied. Yet, each bow is different. Some, like the bow he held now, required great strength to draw, but when drawn, could fire arrows at intense distances. Others required great knowledge and nurturing to be of any use. Yet just as each bow is unique, so is each archer. Only when the two are combined is a hero created. You do not question the bow's craftsmanship, nor the archer's method. They are as they are, and the knowledge of their workings could result in their destruction, should the wrong ears learn of it. That is why Lana could not know.
Alas, his lack of speech meant Link could not tell her, instead he could only look at her, his wisdom left unspoken.
"You're nothing special…just a mute with fancy weapons and a hell of a lot of luck. That's all."
Link shrugged and lowered his bow. He took an arrow from his quiver and nocked it. Lifting the bow, he drew back the string and fired at a candle set in the wall. The arrow embedded itself in the coral behind the candle, the wick split perfectly in two.
Lowering the bow, he retrieved the arrow and looked at tip before turning to Lana. His message was clear. The zora sighed.
"I'll come…only to get some answers."
Link smiled and gathered his equipment.
"Just before dawn right?"
Link nodded. Then, stowing his items in his pouches, he leapt into the water.
Lana looked at the wick, split in half perfectly, the flame snuffed out.
Ok, short chapter where not much happens, but I have revision so, yeah. Do review and whatnot and I'm going to tackle the mountain of despair that is revision. Wish me luck and see you when the mocks are over. Goddesses help me! D:
