Author's Note: First of all, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have reviewed this story and added it to your favorites. All of your comments have been very encouraging and have pushed me to continue this story. I was going to write this chapter a bit later, but your positive feedback has given me some motivation to keep writing. So without further ado, I give you Chapter 3 of Kasuto's Redemption.
The bright sunlight pierced through the window, directing itself inconveniently onto Colin's eyes. As he turned with a groan, he brought the red cotton sheets his mother had sewn for him over his eyes, burying his head into the sack stuffed with cuckoo feathers that served as a pillow. He groaned in lethargic complacency, trying to ignore the rays that reminded him he had to wake up. He and his friends had stayed up late into the night laughing and conversing, and he was just now feeling the price on his heavy eyelids.
"Colin! It's time to get up," came a high-pitched voice from across the small house. Colin said nothing, hoping that the voice might leave on its own. He knew it wouldn't.
A light weight jumped on his stomach, causing him to grunt. The small bundle of energy grabbed his shoulders and jerked them up and down. "Come on, Colin. Don't you have to work today?" came the vibrant voice of Zen, his younger brother.
"Okay, Zen, I get the point. I'll get up." Colin groaned, shoving his brother's hands off him with a quick swipe. Zen rolled off and stood on the ground, hovering over him persistently. As Colin rolled over and opened his eyes, he was greeted by Zen's energetic face only inches from his own.
"You don't look like you're getting up," Zen said, his bright blonde hair appearing more intense from the light shining through the window. The boy was only seven years old, born at the same time Link had saved Hyrule. He was half of Colin's height, and wore the standard Ordon garb with trousers and a multi-patched tunic. Always brimming with energy and curiosity. Colin often entertained him with stories of Link's adventures.
"Give me a minute," Colin said, pushing off his covers and sitting on the edge of the bed. He got on his feet and walked over to the window, gasping as he saw how high the sun was in the sky. He was late for work! He looked over at Zen, who eyed him curiously. "Listen, Zen. I can't talk anymore. I gotta go!"
"It's about time." Zen shrugged, losing interest. His job was done; he had already obtained the pleasure of waking his older brother. He meandered out the door, looking for his mother, Uli.
Colin rushed around the house, quickly putting on a pair of suitable clothes and scrounging around for his sword and shield. They were nowhere to be found. Sighing in exasperation, he rushed out the door. He had gone no more than a few steps when his father's voice halted him.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Colin?" Rusl inquired with a serious tone, leaning against the front of his house and eying Colin carefully. One of his sandal-clad feet tapped impatiently on the soft grass below.
The two were about the same height, but Rusl was far more intimidating. His black mustache followed the outline of his mouth, curved into a frown. His blond hair was held back by a white head band, a precaution for whenever he practiced with the steel sword resting in the hand-made scabbard on his back. He wore chain mail beneath his Ordon tunic for the various adventures he often undertook.
Colin turned around slowly, holding his breath and hoping his father wouldn't delay him long. He said nothing, waiting for Rusl to continue. Even though Colin was considered an adult, he still treated his father with the utmost respect.
"You forgot your sword and shield at Talo's house last night in all the excitement." His father smiled, his countenance completely changed. His feigned impatience quickly dissolved as Rusl tossed the scabbard to Colin. The young man caught it in his free hand and fastened the leather strap around his shoulder. "You'll want your shield as well, though I pray to the goddesses you have no reason to use it," Rusl continued, tossing the wooden item carefully to Colin. He caught it, feeling the splints rubbing against his coarse fingertips. He fastened it to his back and turned to leave for the ranch when Mayor Bo called out to him, walking up the path to the father and son pair.
"There's no need to go now, Colin," Bo yelled, nodding to the ranch in the distance. Colin turned back to face the mayor as he approached. When Bo arrived, he folded his arms and inhaled the crisp air. His two-piece mustache curled to the shape of his grin, causing the forming gray upon it to become more noticeable. A simple Ordon garb was his clothing of choice, supplemented by a white sleeveless shirt that showcased his powerful arms and heavily built body. It was said that he wrestled with the Gorons of Death Mountain in his youth, but he calmed down significantly after meeting his wife.
"Fado is capable enough of letting the goats out of the barn," Bo said. "It's just getting them back in he needs help with," he sighed, shaking his head side to side. "I know Talo and Beth are here, so I'll give you most of the day off. Just be at the ranch near the end of the day, okay?"
Colin smiled and nodded. "Thanks Bo."
"You've been workin' hard. You should enjoy the time you have and spend it with your friends while they're here." His smile disappeared for a moment while his eyes glanced sadly up the path toward Link's house. "You never know how long you have." He looked back at Colin and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, his smile returning. "So go have fun, and don't get into any mischief."
No sooner had he finished his statement when Ilia and Sera came running up the path, their eyes wide with fear. Ilia spotted the three men, and rushed over, her arms glistening with sweat and her breathing quick and short. She bent over, trying to regain her breath. Meanwhile, Sera continued running to her house, rushing through the door and slamming it shut.
"What happened, Ilia?" Bo asked, the fatherly concern permeating his voice. He placed a strong hand on Ilia's back, bending down to look his daughter in the eyes.
"Monsters," she said quickly, still gasping for breath.
The three of them frowned in unison. Rusl and Colin looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. Colin placed a firm grasp on the hilt of his sword, feeling his aroused fear slightly comforted by the steel weapon.
"Are you sure, dear?" Bo asked, backing up to give his daughter space. "Monsters haven't been seen around these parts for years."
"Don't mock me, pa!" she snapped, standing straight now that she had regained her wind. Her tone was harsh, but there was still fear written in her wide eyes. "I know what I saw. The same types of monsters that raided the village earlier." She shook from the shivers traveling down her spine. "I'll ne'er forget their ugly green skin and beady yellow eyes 'long as I live."
"Where did you find them?" Rusl inquired, stepping towards her and eying Ilia's face carefully. His knees were bent and his fingertips formed loose fists, itching for a fight.
Ilia took a deep breath and began. "Sera and I just finished our fishing expedition by that beautiful spring yonder near the edge of Faron Woods. We took a few steps towards the village when we heard a cry for help. It came from that strange man who lives by the road to Hyrule Market. You know, the one with the birds in his hair? We decided to investigate and hid behind a few trees near the side of the road. We saw a bunch of monsters causin' trouble, the same types that kidnapped me." She glanced quickly at Colin and then back at Rusl. "They ransacked the entire house." Ilia's eyes dropped to the ground. "We wanted to help him, but we're too late. Nothin' we could'a done but run back and warn everyone."
Bo frowned, his eyes burning with a passion like a mother protecting her child. "I feared that this would happen one day." He turned to his daughter. "Ilia, come with me." He looked at Colin's father. "Rusl, you know what to do." Without another word, he and Ilia ran down the path and began spreading the word of the impending attack.
"Come on, Colin. We have work to do," Rusl said resolutely, his eyes vigilantly watching the dirt path that emerged from the woods. He placed a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "It looks like you'll get to use that shield after all."
"What about Zen?" Colin cast a nervous glance back to the house.
"Don't worry about him," Rusl said, giving Colin a reassuring look. "He's safe with your mother. Bo and Ilia will take care of them." He turned and ran down the path to greet their unwelcome guests.
Colin swallowed hard and followed his father, reaching nervously for the blade resting in the scabbard behind him. Sword in one shaky hand, shield in the other, he marched reluctantly to the awaiting confrontation. As he ran, flashbacks played over in his memory. Images of the ugly, pale green face of King Bulblin jumped in his mind, nearly paralyzing him with fear and causing him to stumble. The same horror he had felt when he and Ilia had been kidnapped rushed back to him, dragging down his entire body and slowing his movements with an invisible weight. He shook his head and dispelled the thoughts, shifting his focus onto the task at hand.
The air was so still that the smoke rose in a straight column from the village behind. The forest was silent, as if in anticipation of the approaching conflict. All that could be heard was the creaking of the rope bridge in front of him, swaying side to side ever so slightly. A few clouds hovered gently overhead, completely oblivious to the events occurring in the world below.
Colin inhaled deeply, letting the scent of the forest leaves permeate his nostrils. He looked behind him, seeing the spirit's spring locked tightly. He stood alone, guarding the single path that lead to his Ordon Village and all the people he loved. With small precipices on his sides and the gate locked to the spring, his only options were to fight or run. He rolled his shoulders, attempting to alleviate some of the fear gripping his body. His sword rested in his nervous hand, vibrating to the shaky rhythm of his wrist.
His eyes narrowed as he saw movement far down the path. Coming into view, several ugly bulblins tramped down the path towards the blond swordsman. Their ugly heads looked like eggs tipped on their sides, dumped in slime for coloring and dotted with two yellow beads for eyes. Their numbers consisted of six or seven, all on foot and wielding wooden clubs.
The leading bulbin looked up and glared at Colin. Turning back, it yelled incoherent growls to its companions and ran down the path after its prey. Before long, the others followed, running towards the hesitant young man with their gazes fixed upon him
Colin stepped one foot back but stopped himself. "Just a little longer," he said to himself. He bent his knees and placed his wooden shield in front of him, preparing for the coming battle. His fear grew with every approaching step the mob took. Within seconds, they were out of the woods and crossing the rope bridge. Colin took another step back, but stopped himself again. His grip on the hilt tightened, turning his knuckles a pale white.
Before long, they sprang upon him with malevolent hisses. The lead bulbin's club rained down upon Colin, its path stopped by his wooden shield. The bulbin instantly jumped back, expecting a counterattack. However, there was none. The monster looked up puzzled, only to find Colin running down the path at full speed towards the village. The monsters seized upon the moment and ran after their prey in hot pursuit.
Colin continued running for all he was worth, putting forth all his strength with every stride. He looked quickly behind him, seeing the angry mob of green only a few paces shy. He continued running as long as his endurance would let him, passing by Link's house, through the deserted village, and eventually to the ranch. He raced up the hill and through the gates, turning around to face his opponents once he was inside the pasture. His enemies continued to chase after him with undivided attention until they too passed through the gates and into the pasture.
Suddenly, the wooden gates clicked behind the angry bulblins. They turned around, surprised by the unexpected sound. Their gaze was greeted by a confident Rusl, who hopped over the gate after locking it. He drew his sword and scowled at the beasts. "We won't let the likes of you attack our village again."
Hiding in the corners behind the fence, the rest of the villagers emerged, some with rocks, sticks, and slingshots in their hands. They began to holler and scream at the bulbins, shooting seeds, tossing rocks, and hurling other debris at the monsters. Confused by the sudden chaos, the monsters began shouting amongst themselves, unsure of what to do.
Colin and Rusl looked over to see the barn doors burst open, followed by a stampede of restless blue goats. Riding atop Zephyr's back sat Ilia, her eyes ablaze with a fiery determination. She yelled at the agitated pack, herding them towards the confused bulblins. The chaos proved to be too much, and the puzzled monsters ran desperately in all directions. Several were flung back by the angry goats, quickly losing consciousness. Colin gazed at the scene before him and finally regained his courage; the same valor that had filled his veins when he pushed Beth away from King Bulblin's grasp all those years ago. Filled with a renewed vigor, he and Rusl began attacking the bewildered monsters, slaying off the few that had dodged the stampede and finishing the ones that hadn't. With a puff of dark smoke, the monsters disappeared one by one as they succumbed to the swords of Colin and his father.
Within a few minutes, the dust cleared and Ilia returned the goats back to their pens once again. Rusl and Colin cleaned off their swords and placed them back into their scabbards. The villagers let out a cry of joy, celebrating the safety of their village and the success of their plan. Bo unlocked the gate and walked over to Colin and Rusl, both of which were still shaking with adrenaline. Ilia soon joined them.
"What a show! You two executed the plan perfectly!" Bo wooped, patting both swordsmen heavily on the back. He smiled and twirled his mustache a little. "After the attack on our village seven years ago, we couldn't let a thin' like that happen again. It pays to be prepared for the worst."
Ilia nodded and sighed. "I'm just glad nobody was hurt." She turned to Colin. "That was very brave of you, Colin, acting as bait for the monsters."
Colin blushed and looked away. "It was nothing," he said quietly. He looked back at Ilia. "It was your goat wrangling that startled them."
Bo interrupted them, placing a hand on both their shoulders. "You both were great. I'm sure Link would be proud." Ilia smiled slightly, but looked away. Colin grinned from ear to ear, basking gleefully in the compliment. Bo sighed and looked around the ranch. "I'm just glad we were able to trap them out here in the open ranch. There's no damage to the village or its people. That's cause for celebration!"
Rusl listened to them converse but said nothing. His face was solemn as he replayed the situation over in his mind. Monsters hadn't been seen around Ordon for seven years. What would cause them to suddenly appear and attack the village so violently? He shook his head and sighed. Perhaps it was, as he feared, just a hint of darker days to come.