A/N: I've come back and rewritten the dialogue between Rusl and Bo. Anyways, I wanted to thank all of you for your feedback once again. I do appreciate it, and it helps improve this story overall. I hope you all continue to enjoy reading this. Here's Chapter 4.
The steam rose quickly from the bubbling pumpkin soup, dissipating into an indistinguishable mist. The untouched meal sat in front of Rusl as he stared at it pensively. He heard mumbles from across the table, but he was too lost in thought to decipher their meaning. His reflective blue eyes gazed up from the soup as he saw his beloved wife, Uli, staring nervously at him. Her straight blonde hair flowed gently to the back of her neck; her tender hand stirred the soup in the bowl before her in a soft circular pattern. Like most Ordonians, she wore the standard multi-cloth tunic.
"Ah, dear, are you… feeling alright?" she asked quietly, her eyes glancing quickly at Colin and Zen sitting at opposite sides of the square wooden table. Colin looked down at his bowl, not saying a word. He took a wooden spoon full of soup and set it to his tongue, only to flinch and quickly return the hot contents back to the bowl. Zen looked eagerly at his father, curious to know what went on in the minds of grown ups.
"I'm fine, Uli. I-" Rusl paused for a moment, allowing his eyes to wander about the room. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately." His lips curled into a forced smile. He took a spoonful of the steaming soup in front of him, gulping it down quickly as his eyes began to water. The concoction proved too much, forcing out a reluctant cough. He cleared his throat. "It's a little hot, that's all," he said, trying to remain suave.
"It's supposed to cool, silly," Zen laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He mimicked Rusl's reaction, opening his eyes wide to exaggerate the image of his father's surprise. Colin smiled to himself but said nothing. A little red painted his cheeks as he recalled his own failed attempt to stomach his mother's spicy soup.
"I suppose… it is a little hot," Uli said, blushing slightly.
"I'm sure it'll taste delicious as always," Colin spoke at last, trying to sound as cheery as possible. He gripped his wooden spoon once again in determination and prepared himself for a second attempt at the formidable soup.
"Please, dear, don't get the wrong idea. It tastes wonderful," Rusl quickly added, looking at his wife lovingly. After all these years, she still looked as beautiful to him as the day they had met. He took a quick gulp from the goat milk in front of him to alleviate the stinging of his tongue; his sense of taste was slightly dulled as the milk poured down his throat. He glanced for a moment at his wife and two sons. "Well, shall we finish eating?" Even as he spoke, Rusl settled in his mind that he would discuss his anxieties with Bo. He would pay his friend a late visit tonight.
They all shared a quiet chuckle and continued their meal.
Colin glanced quickly at Zen as the young boy played with his soup. Even after seven years, it was still unusual to find Zen sitting there instead of Link. Having no parents of his own, Rusl and Uli became the foster parents Link never had. He commonly joined them for dinner; lighting up their spirits with casual conversation and bits of laughter. That was before Hyrule was attacked; before Link left and never returned. Colin sighed and let his mind wander in the nostalgic hallways of days long gone.
Ilia laid quietly on her wool sheets and stared blankly at the ceiling above. Her eyes were captivated by a small beetle scuttling across the boards in a spontaneous pattern. She followed the small insect as it headed for a small hole in the wall across the room. Inch by inch it drew closer, occasionally wandering from its original path but still managing to return within a few seconds. After a few minutes of silent observation, the young woman's eyes wandered once again as the beetle finally scurried into the hole that served as its private sanctuary. Down below, the floor creaked as her father busied himself.
Ilia sighed quietly to herself, turning over to gaze out the window. The crickets outside sang in a nighttime symphony, always a pleasure to the ears for those willing to take the time to listen. In the distance, the silhouette of a barn owl flew past the pale full moon. She gazed outside her window for several more minutes, entranced by the bustling nocturnal community just through her window.
Her eyes slowly moved toward the dirt path as she saw a figure walking towards her house. She squinted, using the pale moonlight to identify the silhouette as Rusl. The scabbard he always wore swayed as he walked in rhythm to the crickets' chirping. He approached the door and placed his hand on the wooden handle, opening it without hesitation and stepping into Bo's and Ilia's comfortable home.
Ilia snapped out of her daze and lifted her position upright.
What's Rusl doing here so late? Pa never told me we were having company.
She shook her head once, as if tossing the idea aside.
No. There's something else going on. I can feel it.
Her hands pushed off the bed as she hoisted herself onto the wooden floor. The ranch girl tiptoed out of her room and down a few stairs, placing her hand gently on the oak railing to maintain balance. Her light figure made no noise against the sturdy boards she walked upon. She approached as close as she could without being seen; the muffled voices of Rusl and Bo were barely audible against her ears. She could see the two men standing near the doorway through the railing.
"Rusl? What brings you this time of night?" Bo asked, the inflections in his voice clearly indicating his surprise. Ilia rolled her eyes; her thoughts exactly.
Rusl folded his arms and looked at his old friend. "We need to talk. Can I sit down?" His tone was ominous.
"Of course," Bo replied quickly. "Where are my manners?" He quickly walked over to the table by the wall and pulled up a chair for Rusl. He then did the same for himself as the two sat down. "What's on your mind, friend?" he asked curiously. He knew from Rusl's hard set eyes that something serious was brewing.
Rusl rested his arms on the table and leaned forward slightly. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about the monster attack two days ago. It's really making me uneasy."
"I see," Bo said, nodding quietly. "Go on."
"We haven't seen monsters in this area for seven years. What would cause them to attack so suddenly?" Rusl's face was folded into a grimace.
"I don't know," Bo conceded, rubbing his chin with his large fingers.
Rusl continued. "I admit, the defense plan went far better then I could've ever hoped. No one was hurt, and nothing was damaged." He paused for a moment. "Still, I can't shake the feeling that attack was just the beginning. I don't think the villagers understand that."
"So what are you suggesting?" Bo inquired, leaning forward. He could sense that they were approaching the reason for Rusl's visit.
Rusl curled one of his hands into a loose fist. He looked directly into Bo's eyes. "I think we need to escort Beth and Talo back to Castle Town as soon as possible. We don't know how safe the roads will be in the future."
Bo sighed and leaned back in his chair. He furrowed his eyebrows in thought and glanced towards the front door. "You may be right. I suppose they would be safer in the city." He paused. "But who would go with them? I'd volunteer, but I have my duties here as mayor."
"Of course not," Rusl said, a confident smile forming on his lips. "I'll accompany them myself. I have some business in Castle Town."
"Just you?" Bo scoffed, taking his hand off his chin and slapping it on the table. "What if you're attacked? Even you couldn't defend against an entire horde of monsters alone."
"Perhaps," Rusl conceded. "But what if I brought Colin? He has enough skill with the sword to defend himself. And Zephyr? We'd need a way to carry belongings."
Bo paused for a moment, reflecting on Rusl's proposal. "Very well. He's your son, and its for the safety of the children. When are you two leaving?"
"Two days from now. I'll tell Beth, Colin, and Talo to prepare for the journey tomorrow morning. We leave the following day at sunrise."
"If that's what you believe is best, I won't stand in your way." Bo nodded his head. "Just come back soon. We need Colin and Zephyr at the ranch."
Ilia couldn't believe her ears. Colin wasn't bad with a sword, but he wasn't as experienced as Rusl. Now he was going to take the long trek through Faron Woods and the southern portion of Hyrule Field with monsters about? Her body cringed as she imagined the group surrounded by bulbins, kargaroks, and whatever else might be out there. She knew firsthand their cruelty. Her hand felt for the scar on her back, the place where a bulbin's arrow had pierced her skin seven years ago. If Impaz, a kind old woman, hadn't found her and cleaned the wound, she certainly would have died.
The angry young woman got up from her hiding place and tramped down the stairs, making no more effort to conceal her presence. Bo looked at her surprisingly, while Rusl glanced in her direction with an amused smile.
"I-Ilia?" Bo stuttered, evidently caught off guard. He got off his chair and approached his daughter. "Were you listening this entire time?"
"Every word," she said furiously. She glared at her father. "How could you allow everyone to travel to Castle Town with monsters about?" Her foot tapped impatiently against the hard floor. "You're the mayor. It's your responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone in this village."
"I know," Bo dipped his head to look at the floor. After a few moments of instinctive shock, the mayor gathered his nerve and looked his daughter with equally stubborn eyes. "And that's what we're doing. It's safer for Talo and Beth if they're back in the city, not our small farming village."
"Well, if Colin and Zephyr go, I do too," she declared, stamping her foot down in assertive authority.
"Of course," Rusl agreed, his smile softening Ilia's defenses.
"Absolutely not," Bo protested. "It would be far too-." Bo stopped mid sentence and looked at Rusl in bewilderment. "What did you say?"
"She's welcome to join us," Rusl repeated, causing Mayor Bo's eyes to grow wider than marbles. "More than anyone else in this village, Zephyr trusts Ilia. If something happens and we're attacked, the horse is sure to be spooked. While Colin helps me fight, Ilia can calm her and stop her from bolting."
"Hold it, Rusl. I think you've counted your cuckoos before they've hatched," Bo protested. He stood up and looked every bit the mayor he could after eating three helpings of goat meat. "Colin is one thing; he is your son. However, I will not willingly put my daughter in harm's way. What kind of father would I be?"
Ilia looked at her father in disgust. Her hands went on her hips, a habit she had acquired from her mother when she was upset or serious. "Pa, I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't protect me forever."
"No," Bo countered. "But I can stop you from needlessly putting yourself in harm's way."
"It wouldn't be the first time I've been in danger." Ilia shot back. Bo paused as the remark pierced through him like a sword. A wave of remorse swept over the ranch girl, dampening her resolve. It had been a low blow, and she knew it. "I'm sorry, Pa."
"You're right, Ilia. You have seen danger before." Bo spoke after an extended pause. He looked down at the ground, now speaking in a much softer tone. "And everyday that passed without hearing from you only added to my torment." He paused. "You're all I have left."
"I know, Pa." All of the other arguments she had fell to the floor like stones tossed in the ocean. Now, there was only a solemn air of silence between the father and daughter.
"Bo, she'll be perfectly safe. I've traveled the road countless times, and Colin and I are more than capable of holding off a few mindless monsters." Rusl finally spoke to break the tension. "It's more of a precaution than anything else. I don't actually expect trouble."
"Are you just saying that to assure me?" Bo questioned, looking at Rusl with downcast but suspicious eyes.
"Not at all," Rusl said, concealing the truth behind a plastic smile. "Besides, it'll be good for her. She can tour the city and visit Malo."
"But what about your earlier concerns? Didn't you say things could worsen?" Bo asked.
Rusl waved a hand in the air to dismiss his earlier comments. "I've had a long day. That was just my paranoia speaking. Pay it no mind." The swordsman felt a tinge of guilt tug at his conscience as white lies poured out of his mouth like a waterfall.
"You've always been a wise man, Rusl. I will trust your judgment then." Bo conceded at last. He turned to his daughter and sighed in defeat. "If Rusl says it's safe, then you can go. Just don't do anything dangerous."
"I won't, Pa," she said with a giggle. "It's just to Castle Town." She smiled at Rusl and Bo and sprang up the steps. Stopping mid flight, she turned back to the two men. "Sleep well," she said before disappearing upstairs.
"Sleep well," Bo called back. He looked back to Rusl, who was preparing to leave. The mayor folded his arms and furrowed his eyebrows. His tone was stern. "Bring my daughter back safely to me." The command was intimidating, but Rusl nodded in affirmation nonetheless.
"You have my word," he replied.
His business finished, the swordsman opened the door and turned to his friend. "Good evening, Bo." The door closed softy behind him.
Bo collapsed in a nearby chair, letting out a worried sigh. "Night, Rusl." The Ordon mayor looked up the ceiling where he could Ilia's soft footsteps. "Aria, if only you could see your daughter now. She's got not only your eyes, but your stubbornness too."
The wind blew playfully against the regal young woman's gentle face. Her compassionate green eyes gazed tranquilly at the rolling hills and lush forests framed within the window. Her tender hand pushed back her long brunette hair behind the golden-earrings covering her Hylian ears. Upon her head sat a golden crown with a blue sapphire embedded in the center. Her tall, slender figure was complemented by the royal white and purple dress she wore as Queen of Hyrule.
"Your Majesty?" a voice beckoned behind her. Zelda turned around and faced a guard standing a distance from her. He was clad in a soldier's outfit with a spear in his right hand.
"What is it, Lieutenant Geoffrey?" Zelda inquired, her kind voice filling the room.
"I have news to report, my Lady," Geoffrey said, kneeling down in respect. "I'm afraid that there have been increased monster sightings in Lanayru and the surrounding provinces."
Zelda gasped quietly as her mouth curled into a frown. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "Thank you for telling me." She paused for a moment. "We must keep the people of Hyrule safe. As ruler of this fair land, that is my top priority."
"As you wish, your Highness. Not one monster will be left standing before we are through," Geoffrey promised. He stood back on his feet, turned on his heel, and walked briskly out of the room. The small study echoed loudly as the door slammed shut.
Zelda turned her face back to the scenic window, allowing the warm breeze to once again caress her cheek. She whispered quietly to herself.
"And so it begins."