"Tifa! Watch out!" Tatl hollered as the blade of the Lizalfos came screaming for her head.
"Eeek!" The Kokiri girl shrieked, closing her eyes and crouching to a fetal position.
CLANK!
Sparks flew as Colin's blade intercepted the attack. He stood protectively in front of the forest sage, eyeing the reptile's movements carefully. Small puffs of steam formed in the winter air from the creature's breath. Its tail swished back and forth like a snake, a small axe tied to the end. Its yellow eyes looked Colin over, sizing up the youth and deciding how to attack.
The creature swung its tail axe at him, whizzing through the air as it circled around the lizard's body. Colin parried the attack, then jumped back to avoid the creature's scimitar. The Ordonian cast a quick eye on the shivering Kokiri and jump slashed his opponent. The attack connected with its target at full strength, sending the startled lizard stumbling back into the snow. Colin jumped through the air and plunged his sword into the creature's chest before it could jump back to its feet.
As the monster's corpse disappeared into a pile of smoke, two Bubbles came rushing towards him. Their bat-like wings beat against the air, their skull-like mouths wide open to bite him. Colin braced himself.
FWIP! FWIP!
Two skillfully placed arrows hit the monsters in the eye socket, extinguishing the flames surrounding their skulls and dropping them into the snow like forgotten rocks.
Colin looked in the direction of the arrows' origin. "Thanks for the help, Rishu. Your aim is pretty good."
The Water Sage smiled. "Don't mention it, Deku Baba. Zora aren't very good with fighting on land, but we've adapted ways to survive."
The Zora directed his attention towards the Moblin that had its sights set on Midna. The Twili had its hands and legs bound with her shadow magic, but the large brute's strength was testing her abilities. Rishu fired several arrows in the monster's enormous stomach. The points stuck themselves in the monster's ripples of fat, but did little damage.
"It's going to take more than that to kill him," Midna yelled.
Just as the monster was about to break free from her spell, a brown blur swooped down from the sky. The immense speed with which Atrayu descended made the slash of her talons all the more lethal as they gashed the monster's face. With a large groan, the monster crashed to the ground, throwing snow up in the air as it landed. It soon disappeared in a pile of smoke.
Atrayu shifted back into her human form and surveyed the battlefield. With the last of the monsters gone, the forest became unusually quiet. "Are there none left? That was over far too quickly."
Rishu placed his arrows back in his quiver and put his bow away. "Don't know about you, Dodongo, but I'm glad of it. How's a Zora supposed to cook quality food with so many interruptions?"
Midna nodded, pulling her cloak tightly around her as she crunched through the snow towards the rest of her allies. "If given the choice between monsters and your cooking, I'd take the monsters."
Rishu laughed. "You give me too much credit."
The Twili rolled her eyes. "You didn't hear a word of what I just said, did you?"
The Zora smiled innocently. "Not a word. Most of the time, I just kinda assume what people are saying."
Midna shook her head. "That explains a lot."
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Colin kneeling beside Tifa. His hand rested on her shoulder while she shivered and sobbed. Tatl nestled herself beneath the Kokiri's neck.
"What's wrong with her?" the Twili called out.
Colin momentarily looked up. "She's cold."
Tifa attempted to speak through her sobbing. "I don't like all these scary monsters. And I miss Link. Where's Link?"
Midna sighed. "Doesn't sound like she's cold to me."
Tatl's voice was soft as she tried to console her. "Link will be back soon. You just have to hold on a little longer."
"If this is how she is now, that girl won't survive a day in Nevkah," Atrayu's voice chilled the air like ice. She walked over and looked down on the girl. She crossed her arms and grunted in disgust.
Colin scowled at her. "No one asked you."
"I am simply stating a fact." The shifter's finger pointed accusingly at the Forest Sage. "Every time we get into a fight, that girl freezes over with fear and someone has to protect her. How long do you think that can keep happening?"
Colin stood up and stepped between them. His sword twirled restlessly in his wrist. "Why can't you just keep your thoughts to yourself?"
Atrayu shrugged her shoulders. "For once, I'm saying this for your benefit. Do you really think there won't be another battle in the future?" The shifter stepped away from Colin and walked around Tifa, sizing her up like a lieutenant inspecting a new recruit. "The monsters have been a lot more numerous since we left Termina. That fight alone was our third in the last few days."
Midna looked down at the ground. Dirt had mixed with the pristine white powder. Footprints and scuff marks gave the only remaining evidence of a conflict. "Zant and Mudora seem to be getting bolder. Whatever they're planning, it seems like we're running out of time." She looked to the shifter. "How far are we from Nevkah?"
The mercenary sniffed the air and smiled. "We're close. Real close. I'd say we should reach the border by nightfall."
Colin looked over his shoulder at Tifa. As much as it pained him to admit it, he had to agree with Atrayu. How long could they keep protecting her? Especially without Link? They had to figure out something soon. In the meantime, he would protect her as best he could. He would leave the comforting to Tatl.
He sheathed his sword and wiped the accumulated snow off his pants. "What happens once we get there?"
Atrayu smirked. "You'll have to figure out a way to protect that helpless brat by yourselves. I only said I'd escort you to the border. After that, you're on your own."
Colin leered at her. "I can't wait."
Rishu looked around. Despite the frigid air, he could feel a heated tension starting to build. "Well, I think everyone's earned a break. Let's take a breather for a little bit and I'll cook us something delicious to eat. I found some tasty looking yellow snow not too far from here. I'm sure it'll add a nice local flavor to whatever else I can find around here."
The group decided it was better not to take their chances with Rishu's cooking and pressed ahead.
The barren trees all looked the same as the company made their way through the wintery woods. Twigs hidden in the snow snapped beneath them as they leaped over rocks and climbed around trees. As they traveled deeper, a small stream came beside them, the cool water sparkling in the sunlight overhead. Small chunks of ice floated downstream, but even winter's cold breath wasn't enough to stop the rushing water completely.
They rested for a short while by the stream, exhausted from their travels. A few audacious squirrels greeted them, glancing curiously at their sack of food before being shooed away by Midna. The others refreshed themselves by the river, filling their canteens with crisp mountain water that washed away their exhaustion.
When they were done resting, the group continued their trek through the woods. As they traveled, the ground sloped upward. The river continued along with them faithfully, but the trees slowly thinned out. Large boulders became more frequent, and the incline grew sharper. The air thinned as they traveled upward, and the steady wind that had been guiding their journey morphed into a frigid gale. Large mountains loomed over them, blanketing the landscape in a shadow that stretched all around them.
Atrayu couldn't take her eyes off the peaks that towered in the distance. They stood large and impenetrable, like a great castle wall seeking to deter intruders. Just beyond them was the country she loved.
It began to dawn on her that she was really returning home. Her breath quickened and a small, hidden smile crossed her lips. She reached for her dragon scale and said a small prayer. She had been waiting so long for this moment; she could barely contain her excitement.
Yet, at the same time, a sudden chill tingled down her spine.
This would be no homecoming. She was a law-breaker and a criminal now. The penalty was death for any exile found within Nevkah's borders. She had hoped to have Link or Eidel with her so that she had a fighting chance. Instead, she was stuck with four useless fools and a fairy. If she was caught, only death awaited her.
And she feared it. That's what chilled her the most. Her entire life, she had wondered and dreamt about what kind of glorious death would be worthy of her impressive exploits in life. In the end, she had decided meeting her end in battle was the only way. Consequently, she had flirted with death more than once in her years, even sipped from its bitter chalice. But it had always been on her terms. She had never been forced to drink the whole goblet.
That's why this was different. If she died, it would not be the honorable warrior's death that she desired, one of which songs were written and stories were told. Instead, it would be the shameful and deserved death of a criminal, where people would spit on her grave and the passage of time would forget about her. As she looked at her trembling hands, she felt the surprising sting of mortality and vulnerability.
At last, the company reached the base of the mountains, marked by vertical cliffs that seemed to stretch further up than they could see. Rishu attempted to climb one, but couldn't even find a foothold. Confusion soon turned to frustration as several of them realized attempting to scale them was akin to death. They turned to Atrayu, hoping she had a solution.
She waved for them to follow her as she walked along the perimeter. "Nevkah lies in the valley on the other side of these mountains," she explained. "They form a perimeter around the entire country, and there are very few ways inside. There's only one pass near the border with Hyrule, but that's very heavily guarded. So we need to take the backdoor in."
Within a minute, they arrived at a small cave where the river they had been following originated. "This river starts in Nevkah and cuts through the mountain, forming an underground passageway. If we follow it, it should provide an easy way to gain entry."
"And no one will be guarding it?" Midna asked.
Atrayu smirked. "Even if they knew about it, I doubt anyone would guard it. You have to remember how arrogant they can be. They assume no one would be stupid enough to try and enter their lands."
Colin nodded. "I have to admit, this is much easier than climbing the mountain." A scowl soon crunched his face. "You better not be leading us into a trap."
The shifter shrugged her shoulders. "The only trap you have to worry about is your own ignorance." She looked around at the group. "It will be dark in the cave. I hope one of you has a lantern."
Each person looked around blankly. From the way no one moved or said anything, it soon became apparent they didn't.
The shifter groaned. "How did you survive this long in the wild?"
Tatl flew up. "I can lead the way. As a fairy, I give off a natural glow. I know it won't be much, but at least it will be something."
The entire group entered the cave with Tatl and Tifa leading the way. It was dark enough that even the dimmest light was better than nothing. Unfortunately, Tatl's natural glow wasn't bright enough to illuminate the various rocks and pebbles hidden in the river. The water was shallow enough for them to wade through, but the terrain was uneven and full of dips and bumps. To make matters worse, the swooshing of the river made communication difficult, and the icy water numbed everyone's feet. Whenever they saw a patch of land, they rested there to thaw their frozen legs. Rishu, being at the back of the pack, endured the worst of it, stubbing his toe several times, falling in more than once, and even losing his guitar halfway through the cave.
After a long and grueling walk upstream in the dark, the cave's exit greeted them like a warm kiss to the cheek.
Night had claimed the skies during their trek under the mountain, but the land was still quite visible. As they looked up to the sky, they were astounded to find swirls of color dancing among the clouds like playful spirits. They gave an otherworldly glow, as if they were flickering in and out of reality as they floated over the night sky. A sea of stars watched as spectators from the heavens. Thousands of them, some small and some large, covered every corner of the night sky.
Basking in the light of the celestial show, the valley extended for miles in front of them. They could see the mountain range they had just passed beneath, stretching in both directions at the valley's edge. The river they had followed flowed past them, growing wider and deeper as it cut into the countryside, eventually joining up with a large lake. The still water reflected the beauty of the night sky, while the surrounding frost bitten trees stood still in reverence. Their numbers were great, and they blanketed much of the landscape. Each pine seemed to be frozen in time, motionless and covered in glistening white.
One large mountain stood on its own in the center of the valley. It rose from the sea of trees like a large pillar and clawed fruitlessly at the lights shimmering in the sky. Atrayu let her eyes linger on it for a while, letting out a small sigh as a soft pang stung her chest.
"Welcome to Nevkah," Atrayu said with a genuine tone. "You are among the few outsiders ever able to enter our lands. Take some time to appreciate its beauty for it may be the last thing you see."
"Hey! Animal lady!" the shifter felt a soft tug on her arm.
"What is it?" she asked grudgingly.
"What are those strange lights in the sky?" Tifa asked innocently.
Atrayu returned her gaze to the sky. "You mean the Northern Lights?"
"I think so. Where do they come from?"
The mercenary let out a soft sigh. "So many questions." She paused for a moment and allowed the cool night air to caress her cheek. If this was her last night alive, she wanted to enjoy it. "There is a place, a beautiful and sacred place that lies beyond this world. This place has no sickness or wars, no hurt or betrayal. It is a paradise; the next life for those who have done good things here. Normally, it is separate from our world. But during a certain time of year, it is possible to see rare glimpses of that place. That is what we call the Northern Lights."
Colin listened to her words in silence. He folded his arms and looked away, his eyes fixating on the lone peak in the center of the valley. He never imagined such beauty could reside in a land like this one. He even admired it and began to understand why it meant so much to Atrayu. But he wasn't about to let the gentle exterior fool him. This was a land filled with danger and death, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down now.
"What's that mountain in the center?" Midna asked.
Atrayu didn't even have to look to answer her question. "That is Dragon Roost Mountain. Our land's guardian, Valoo, lives at the summit." Her face slowly curled into a scowl. "It is also where the ruler of Nevkah lives. You would do well to stay away from him if you want to live."
Rishu stretched his arms out and sat in the snow with his back against the cliff. "He can't be all that bad. One song from my guitar and all his troubles will melt away." The snow chilled his skin and he jumped back to his feet with a yelp. "Speaking of which, I feel all mine melting away without Lola here. Is that a bad thing?"
Colin looked in his direction. "If she's really that bad, then why are you dating her?"
The Zora slowly started closing his eyes and leaning forward. "She has…yawn…a lot of good traits too, Deku Baba." He caught himself from falling. "She's just too controlling. She needs to loosen up a little. Let the waves carry her a bit if you know what I mean."
The Ordonian shook his head. "Can't say I do." He bent down to stretch his legs. "Well, what do you guys say we set up camp for tonight? I'm more tired than Epona after a hard day's work."
Atrayu stood and watched the group set up camp by the mouth of the cave. Fortunately, there was a large rock plateau just above the river where they would remain both dry and out of the winter weather. Rishu was asleep within minutes, his snoring providing a steady tempo for the rest of the group as they pulled out their blankets and prepared to catch a few hours of shut eye. Colin left his stuff in the cave to search for firewood, but Midna stopped him. This impressed the shifter. Of the group, the Twili seemed to be the only one with any sense of how to survive.
"Well, I got you safe to the border like I promised. So this is where we part ways," the shifter said when it looked like they were finally settled in. Rishu was already fast asleep, and Tifa was well on her way. Only Colin and Midna were still awake. The Twili stood by the mouth of the cave while the Ordonian sat up in his bed.
"You mean you're leaving us too?" Tifa's voice called out to her in a sleepy voice, momentarily halting the shifter. The Kokiri sat up straight in her blanket, looking at the shifter with sad, half-open eyes.
"Tifa, she said she was leaving us from the start. This shouldn't be news to you," Tatl explained.
The Kokiri's eyes dropped. "I…I know." She sighed. "But why does everyone have to go away all of a sudden? I don't like it."
No one had a good explanation. So Tatl gently coaxed the exhausted girl back to sleep instead.
Meanwhile, the shifter stayed by the mouth of the cave, staring out over the celestial horizon. The Northern Lights were especially beautiful tonight. She couldn't remember seeing a display this beautiful since she was a pup.
She heard Midna's soft footfalls slowly announce her approach. "Something on your mind? I thought you were going to leave," the Twili asked. Neither of them looked at each other; they shared a mutual understanding and instead both looked out to the horizon.
The wind gently played with Atrayu's hair. "Why did you come out here, Midna? Why come to a forsaken land when there's nothing out here for you? Especially without Kari or Link?"
Midna hesitated a moment before speaking. She looked down at the ground as if it would help her find an adequate answer. For some reason, she felt like she could trust the shifter, so she decided to be honest.
"Sometimes I ask myself that same question. The doubt creeps in and I wonder if what I'm doing is even worth the pain." The hand that hung by her side clenched into a loose fist. "But then I remember how Zant slaughtered my people, and my resolve comes rushing back. Even without Link, I owe it to them to see that justice is served. If traveling here will help me accomplish that, then it's worth it. Even if it means risking death, I have no other choice."
The shifter nodded. "You and I have more in common than I thought." She smiled whimsically. "I like you, so I'll give you a hint to finding the Spirit Pipes." She pointed off in the horizon. "If you keep following this river, you'll come across a house before long. It'll be the only one you can see from the river, so you can't miss it. Try looking around there."
"You don't actually believe her, do you?" Colin asked. He had gotten out of his bed and snuck close enough to eavesdrop on their conversation. "She's probably just leading us into a trap."
She couldn't place it, but something about Colin's words pushed Midna over the edge. Part of it was that she was fed up with his constant complaints and accusations. She had heard several too many between Termina and Nevkah. But it was also something deeper than that. She finally understood why she felt she could trust Atrayu.
They understood each other.
The simple truth was that she and Atrayu were both outsiders. While their origins differed, their strange appearances, abilities, and culture isolated them from the rest of the group. In fact, Midna was positive the only reason she didn't receive the same scorn as Atrayu was because of her relationship with Link. She wasn't sure if the others consciously realized it or not, but their actions spoke loud enough.
Perhaps that's why an attack on Atrayu now felt personal.
The Twilight Princess turned around sharply. "You know what, Colin? I think she's been more use to us here than you have." She rolled her eyes. "But when you're ready to share all the valuable information you know about Nevkah, then please let her know so you can take over."
Colin's face was shocked at first. He didn't know how to respond. But slowly, his face smoldered with resentment. To his credit, he didn't say anything else.
Unfortunately for him, Midna wasn't finished quite yet.
"Believe me, Colin; I know what it's like to hold a grudge. But I've set that aside so we can get this done." She paused to let her words sink in. "You blame her for your hatred, but she can't control your feelings. Maybe it's time you did a little self-reflection."
The youth said nothing and stormed off back into the cavern. He muttered something under his breath, but neither woman could hear him.
Atrayu's mouth hung slightly ajar when Midna turned around to finish their discussion. However, the shifter quickly shut it and recomposed her demeanor. "Midna, there is one thing I need from all of you before I leave."
The Twili's eyes darkened. "And what's that?"
There was urgency in her tone that caught Midna off guard. This time, Atrayu made eye contact with her and didn't look away. As their gazes met, the Twili noticed a fear hidden in the shifter's amber eyes. Was this the same Atrayu?
"If you are caught," the shifter began, "no matter what happens, you must not tell them I brought you here. If they knew I returned and assisted you…well, things would not go well for either of us."
"Then we won't tell them," Midna replied.
"But I need you to promise," Atrayu said sternly, her brows furrowing just a little. "I can't emphasize how important this is. I took a great risk bringing you here."
"I know what the life of an exile is like. I was banished from my country once, and I couldn't face my people when I returned." She nodded. "And that's why I'll keep my word. And I'll pass the message along to the others once they wake up."
Atrayu nodded in Colin's direction. From the confused look on his face, she could tell he was still listening intently. "What about him?"
She turned around. "Did you hear all that, Colin?"
He nodded. "I heard her. But I don't make promises to murderers."
"Colin!" She said his name slow with a gradual rise in her voice.
The heat of Midna's gaze made the Ordonian uncomfortable. "Fine. I'll do it. I won't tell anybody. But only 'cause you're making me."
Atrayu nodded. "Good enough. Well, good luck out there, I suppose. You'll need it."
Colin and Midna watched in silence as the shifter dashed off into the color soaked horizon. Her silhouette shrank until she disappeared amongst the frosted trees. Neither of the two spoke to each other for the rest of the night. Colin fell asleep first, while Midna remained outside, mesmerized by the celestial show. Eventually, her exhausted body began to grumble, so she too retired for the night.
The company woke up while the sun was still peeking over the valley. They quickly gathered their equipment and followed Atrayu's advice to stay close to the river. Their pace was slow and cautious, and every step seemed to be filled with anxiety. There was a slick tension in the air that quieted their words and left them on edge. Even Rishu and Tifa had nothing to say. The group purposely avoided traveling directly by the river bank, but they always kept the sound of rushing water within earshot as they traveled among the nearby trees. Their eyes and ears swept in all directions; for they had no clue what form their enemy might take. Every unrecognized sound was a cause for alarm. Every animal that crossed their paths was reason for suspicion.
The tall mountain of Dragon Roost guided them like a signpost, gently coaxing them deeper into enemy territory. The trees observed them like silent sentinels as they passed underneath their branches. Every so often, Midna cast a nervous glance behind them. They were leaving enough footprints in the snow to be confused for a pack of bulbins. She could only pray as they continued forward that the locals wouldn't become suspicious.
At one point during their trek, Midna glanced up and met the gaze of a wild crow, its eyes watching her wistfully from one of the frozen branches. She grabbed a handful of snow, formed a ball, and chucked it at the curious bird. It hit its target square on the beak. The startled bird cawed its surprise and flapped its wings frantically, hovering off the branch for a few seconds before flying away.
"You can never be too careful," she justified herself when Rishu gave her an inquisitive look.
As they continued their journey, the sun rose higher in the sky. It bathed them in much-appreciated warmth and gave the snow a glistening sparkle. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, and the winter breeze was cool but forgiving. The river beside them widened the deeper inside the country they went. Its waters now rushed with power, crushing any small chunks of ice foolish enough to go for a winter swim. It was a welcome landmark in case they ever veered too far from their path.
"Hey! Everyone! Look!" Tifa's voice rang through everyone. "A house! We should see if animal lady's friends are inside!"
Everyone ducked for cover within the trees and peered through the branches. The house was a log cabin built on a small clearing by the river. There was only one window that they could see. A small plume of smoke came up through the chimney.
"Well, that's a surprise," Colin said quietly. "I never expected to see a house like that here."
Midna grabbed hold of a branch and crouched slightly to adjust her view. "Of course not. Because they're all supposed to live in caves and tents made from sticks."
Colin bit his tongue but remained silent. Rishu and Tifa crunched close by while Tatl hovered just overhead.
"So is that the house you told us about?" the fairy asked.
Midna gave a slow nod. "That's the one. Atrayu said we'd find the Spirit Pipes around here."
"So what's the plan?" Colin asked. He quickly felt for the weapon in his scabbard and relaxed when it brushed against his hand. "What do we do if we find one of them in there?"
The Twili ignored the spite in his voice. "If there's only one of them, we should be fine. You and Rishu will attack head on. I'll support you with my magic." She looked to the forest sage. "Tifa, we'll need you to guard the door. If someone tries to escape, you'll need to catch them with your earth magic. Can you do that?"
The Kokiri twiddled her thumbs and looked away. "Well…maybe…"
Midna nodded. "Good. It's decided then. Let's move while no one's around. Everyone, be careful and stay alert."
They approached the quaint little cabin one at a time. Dashing from one tree to the other, they got as close as they could until they reached the wood's edge. In the clearing, there was no place to hide. Even then, they approached from the cabin's rear where there were no windows. Each person moved with a sense of urgency, crouching low to the ground and minimizing unnecessary sounds. Once they reached the back wall, they sidled around the sides of the cabin until they were crouched just beneath the side window.
They sent Tatl as a spy to peek through it. The glass was foggy at first, but the fairy wiped a small viewing hole that allowed her to see the inside. The entire house was composed of one room. A warm and inviting fire crackled in the fireplace. Various articles of furniture decorated the small room: two beds in opposite corners, a small wooden table with two chairs, a carved wooden dresser against a far wall, and several fur rugs thrown on the wooden floorboards. Various trophies adorned the walls, including antlers, horns, and claws.
The fairy flew back down. Everyone hunched around her to hear her report. "There's no one inside," she began. "The place looks quite cozy. Even if we don't find the Spirit Pipes, at least we can find some warmth."
Rishu's face lit up. "That sounds great. Do they have a kitchen? I could make us something good."
Midna couldn't suppress a smirk. "And I'm sure they'll even wash the dishes for us after we leave." She looked at the rest of them. "The quicker we get in there and search, the quicker we can leave."
The Zora's smile slowly faded. "Guess there's no time for a meal then."
"Maybe next time," Midna said. She waved them towards the front door with her hand. "Colin, Rishu, and I will search the house. Tifa and Tatl, you two will be the lookouts. If you see anyone heading this way, knock on the door and find a place to hide. Got it?"
They both nodded.
The trio entered the house and closed the door behind them. They began searching through the furniture. Because the cabin was small, they had little ground to cover. Midna checked the bed and its sheets; Rishu examined the table and the fireplace, while Colin searched through the dresser. The rustling of sheets and the clomping of wood filled the cabin as they combed over each piece of furniture. Several minutes passed before they finally had a breakthrough.
"I think I found it!" the Ordonian's voice rang with excitement.
The other two quickly gathered beside him as he pulled out an instrument resembling a pan flute. Each pipe had a different length and color assigned to it. Small green tassels hung from each end. Colin brought the instrument to his mouth and blew into one of the pipes. A low, hollow sound echoed through the cabin. He tried a different one, this time creating a sound with a higher pitch.
"I have no idea how to play this," Colin said with a sheepish grin. "But it's kind of cool. It's a shame this was buried in so much useless junk." He motioned to the cluttered drawer he had pulled it from. "It makes you wonder if they even knew what it was."
Rishu's face brightened again. "Hey Deku Baba, I just got a great idea. How about you play something and I'll join on my guitar? We can have a mini concert."
Midna scowled. "That's a great idea. Let's alert the whole country we're here."
The Water Sage's enthusiasm slowly died. "Oh…yeah. I guess I didn't think of that." He looked around at the cabin's décor. "So, now we can wake up the next sage, right? Five down and one left to go?"
Colin shook his head. "It's not that simple. We still don't know who the next sage is. And without Kari, we couldn't awaken them anyways."
The Twili placed a pensive finger on her chin. "Well, actually, we might know who the sage is. Think about it…most of the time the sage has been the instrument's owner. That's how we discovered Rishu."
Rishu shook his head. "I prefer to think my amazing culinary skills are what drew you to find me."
Midna ignored him. "What I'm saying is that the owner of this house could be our sage. If that's the case, it might be worth sticking around."
Colin's face darkened. "Or it could get us caught."
"Then we'll just be ready to jump them if—"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Quiet! Was that Tifa?"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Colin quickly tucked the Spirit Pipes in his satchel. "That's the signal. Do we stay or do we bolt?"
Midna paused to think. Her heart was pounding against her head, making it difficult to direct her thoughts in a coherent manner. She quickly looked out the window and saw a figure heading their way. She could only hope Tifa and Tatl had hid in time.
"Rishu! You keep them distracted and see what you can learn about them. Colin and I will attack if necessary."
"Umm…okay." His eyes began to dart around the room as he shifted his weight to one foot. "What should I say?"
"I don't know. If you can think of crazy names for everyone, there's no reason you can't hold a normal conversation for a few minutes."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right, Bombchu."
The Water Sage waited in the kitchen while Midna and Colin hid. He stretched his arms and looked around at the various trophies mounted to the walls, whistling a soft tune he had forgotten until now. He shifted his weight several times, causing the floor to creek under him as he tried to find a comfortable standing position. He was about to sing when the rattling of the door handle silenced him.
Slowly, the door opened with a squeal and in walked a woman of medium height with amber eyes and mid-length red hair tied back with a green bandana. Her face was hard-set and serious, colder than the draft that blew through the door with her. Her clothes were made from a pelt material. Snow covered the bottom of her boots. The woman, known as Rin, was not pleased to find a stranger in her home.
She looked at Rishu with an accusatory stare. "Who are you and what are you doing in my house? I've never seen someone like you before."
Her brisk manner caught the Zora off guard, but like the water he represented, he quickly adapted. "This is your house? I thought it was just sitting here." He pointed to his guitar. "I'm a traveling musician. The name is Rishu."
Rin tapped her boot impatiently against the hard wood, loosening some accumulated snow onto the floor in the process. "What tribe are you from? Do you have some sort of disease that keeps you shifted as a fish?"
Rishu had no idea what she was saying, so he decided to sidestep the question. "Do you like music? I know I do! If you want, I can play you a song."
Rin shook her head. The corner of her mouth twitched in annoyance. "The sound of your voice grates against my ears already."
The Zora shrugged his shoulders. "Then how about I make you something to eat? It's the least I can do for letting me stay at your house."
His hostess was not amused. "There will be no staying here. You will be leaving now." She began to sniff the air. "Come to think of it, there are other smells here I don't recognize. Did you come alone?"
Rishu began to grasp at thin air. "Well…err…"
Rin directed her attention to the window. Tifa quickly ducked her head with a gasp, but it was too late. She had been seen.
Rin glared sharply at Rishu. "There are more of you? Are you foreigners?"
While the shifter figured out what to do with Rishu, Colin snuck up behind her and jumped on her back, sending both crashing to the ground.
"Get off of me!" she screamed, thrashing to rip Colin's arms off her.
Rishu hurried to his aid while Midna rushed from her hiding place. She prepared a spell to hold the woman in place.
The trio rolled around the floor like their clothes had caught fire. The mass of arms, legs, and fins tumbled all over the cabin, knocking over the table and sending the plates atop it crashing to the floor. Colin and Rishu grunted and groaned as they tried to overpower the shifter. In the end, their strength wasn't enough to hold her down, and she broke free of their grip. She kicked the Zora off her and sent him rolling into Midna, pulling her to the floor and disrupting her concentration.
The scuffle was so loud that it sent Tifa rushing to the door. "Is everyone okay?" she asked. Tatl followed closely behind.
"I need to tell the others," Rin whispered. She jumped to her feet panting heavily. Looking quickly at the mess of arms and legs on the floor, she bolted for the exit.
"Stop her, Tifa!" Colin yelled, trying to grab Rin's foot before she escaped but missing it by inches. "If she gets out…"
"But how?" the Kokiri shouted. Once again, the chaos was proving too much for her. Her body felt like it was covered in ice; her legs and arms were frozen stiff.
"Your earth magic!" Midna shouted. "Just do something before she escapes!"
"Out of my way, brat!" Rin screamed, running towards the small girl like an angry bull.
"No one speaks to her like that," Tatl responded angrily. She flew aggressively at the shifter but was swatted away like a fly.
Now, only Tifa stood between Rin and her escape.
The poor girl had no idea what to do, and all the screaming only added to the problem. Since leaving the forest, she had always been able to depend on Link for guidance and protection. The world outside the forest wasn't so scary as long as he was around. Their whole journey, even her becoming the Forest Sage, was one giant adventure. But once he left, the horrors of the world, and its harsh cruelty, became real to her. The bitter cold, the lack of food, the constant bickering; suddenly things weren't so fun anymore.
But the fighting was what she hated the most. She had never had to fight anything in the forest; the Great Deku Tree had always protected her. That's why when she left the forest she found the concept strange at first but quickly repulsive after that. The sounds of iron and the grunting of combatants made her nervous. The slightest sign of blood made her squeamish and uneasy. The only time she ever attacked was to defend her friends; she had defended Link once. But even then, she didn't really know how she did it. And she hadn't been the one in danger.
When it was her the enemy was going for, she didn't know what to do. Fear often gripped her body and numbed her mind. It never occurred to her to use the earth magic slumbering in her tiny frame.
And it was that reason that Rin pushed Tifa out of the way and escaped without the slightest resistance. The shifter was out the door and transforming into a wolf before Tifa's rear end hit the wet snow. The shifter dashed across the snowy plains, well out of the reach of her would-be captives.
"That went perfectly," Midna said as she untangled herself from Rishu. "We couldn't have planned it any better. Soon, we'll have the chance to meet all her friends."
Rishu smiled and pointed to Colin's pouch. "At least we still have the instrument."
Colin turned around to face the Water Sage. "You don't get it, do you? She's going to come back! And she won't be alone." He turned to Tifa. "Why didn't you stop her? Now we're all in danger!"
Tifa hugged her knees to her chest and buried her head. "I…I…want to go home. I don't like this anymore."
He put his hands on his hips. "Well, that's not an option anymore. Now we're stuck here since Midna wanted to follow Atrayu."
Midna scowled. "Well, if you hadn't jumped on her before I was ready…"
Colin stepped in her direction. "I wouldn't have had to if Tifa had just stayed hidden!"
Now Tatl was in the Ordonian's face. "That gives you no right to act like a bully!" She forcefully turned Colin's head to see the forest girl sobbing silently to herself. "See what you did? How would you like it if someone yelled at your every mistake?"
The words echoed in Colin's head like brass cymbals. He knew the answer to Tatl's question without even thinking. After all, the years of jeering and mocking from Talo and the other kids was still hot in his memory. To be compared to that now made him feel like a disgusting hypocrite.
"I'm sorry, Tifa," he muttered. "I'm just worried about what's gonna' happen."
Midna looked out the window. "You can worry about it later! We need to go! If we run now, maybe we can make them lose our trail."
They all agreed with the idea and ran out of the house. They dashed for the forest, their feet throwing snow into the air as they ran at full speed. Hot adrenaline pumped through their systems, forcing them faster and further ahead of an unknown pursuer. Trees jumped by them. The snow crunched under them. Several times someone lost their balance and face planted in the snow. But they quickly got up and kept moving, never daring to look back.
Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before they heard the screeching of birds above them. Everyone looked to the sky and saw a dozen shifters, taking the forms of eagles, hawks, crows, and other birds, cruising through the skies. Although the company hid among the trees, the shifters' keen eyesight spotted them anyways. With another loud cry, the various birds of prey dove down into the forest and landed hard in the snow.
Everywhere they looked there were shifters surrounding them. All had the blood lust in their eyes that Colin had often seen in Atrayu. Their claws were sharp and their teeth eager for battle.
Rin emerged from the mob surrounding them. There was a straight expression on her face as usual; she seemed to be the only one not keen on fighting.
"You should know we don't allow foreigners on our lands. What are you all doing here? And how did you get within our borders?" she asked harshly.
Everyone looked to Midna. She shook her head firmly, and no one said anything.
Suddenly, a snowball came rushing at the Twili's face and hit her square between the eyes. The little ball exploded all over her face, and the sudden cold caused her to gasp.
"That's for earlier," one of the shifters said. "Now we're even." The others began to laugh their approval.
Rin was not amused by the others' antics and quickly barked at them to quiet down. They complied with startling obedience. When she was satisfied, she looked at Midna plainly.
"Since you won't talk, I'll give you a choice. You and your companions come with us as prisoners, or we tear you to shreds. What will it be?"
The other shifters began to laugh again. Several of them were itching for a fight.
"What do we do?" Tatl asked, nervously eyeing the group surrounding them.
"I hate to say it, but I don't think we can fight them," Colin whispered. "There's no way we'd survive."
Midna sighed and slowly raised her hands. "Then we surrender and hope for the best."
A/N- Another release, another chapter closer to the end. Thank you for reading this far! It is readers like you that inspire me to continue this story to its ultimate conclusion!
By the way, my copy of Hyrule Historia finally arrived! Who else ordered a copy?