Chapter 128: Remember Us?

…

There was a scramble as Link, Irleen, Valley, and Cale hurried out of the Library. They were hindered by the narrow hallways and the number of scholars present for their early evening studies. Cale did not help matters, unable to accurately judge distances through a swollen eye. He bumped into and stumbled over many of his former colleagues, all punctuated with rushed words of apology as he crashed into the next victim. This likely occurred because he was trying to keep up with Link, who was dodging and shifting around people with much better timing. Irleen followed over head height to avoid the problem, occasionally inserting a comment in Geltoan. Valley decided to forgo running into others by jumping up on the tables and leaping the gaps between them. She succeeded in trampling about sixty-two hours' worth of handwritten notes and problem-solving. And five fingers. The ruckus attracted attention from the adjoining hallways, and a pair of the Library's staff peered in to see what was causing it. One of the staff received a concussion when she was unable to move out of Cale's path fast enough.

Once outside, they charged across the Library's grounds and through Central Library Town with only Cale causing a few bumps and sore feelings. A long shadow had fallen over most of Library Town, the sun dyeing the sky orange while it hid behind the tall wall on the west side.

All four stopped on the other side of the gate to the western platforms and let out an exhausted sigh almost at once. Business had picked up for the evening, leaving a thick crowd of people wandering back and forth among the various stalls and tables.

Link turned to Valley and Cale. "Cale, look around this end of the platforms," he said. Cale, breathing hard, nodded. "I'll take the far end. Valley, you got the middle."

"Okey-dokey," Valley said, looking only slightly winded.

"If either of you find him, call for Layna or come get me," Link continued. "We gotta find this guy before he disappears."

After getting acknowledging nods from both of them, Link pushed his way across the main platform on his way to the west end while Irleen followed. He felt elbows and knees knock him around, and the menagerie of voices around him made listening very difficult. As he moved along, he remembered the first time he had come to Library Town. It occurred to him that he could be looking for the cloaked figure he had seen on the platforms before. Valley had said that the former king would speak in a strange language. If that language was Sorian, it would make it easier to find him. Presuming, of course, that the far end of the western platforms was quieter.

Link soon found out that the far end was indeed quiet. Here, the platforms were much more open with a distinct lack of daily business happening. People passed by with their wares in wheelbarrows or wagons, taking them to larger covered wagons waiting in a field further west of the platforms. However, Link found the area to be too quiet. He circled the end of the platforms twice and did not hear the bellow of the elder Gelto man. There was so little foot traffic that Link felt like he had not done a whole lot by coming to the far end. Because it was clear to him that the man was not here, Link doubled back to the market area. After about a minute, he got this.

"LinkyLinkyLinky!" Valley seemed to appear out of nowhere right in front of him, causing him to freeze in place. "I found him!"

Link's startled reaction quickly subsided, and he asked, "Where is he!?"

"Dis way!" She nearly disappeared back into the crowd, but her bounciness as she walked made it easy for Link to keep track of her by her bright hair. She led him toward the side of the cliff, which Link had not been expecting. The man sat on a thick, circular rug with his back pressed against the rock wall of a tannery. The hood over his head twitched, and he looked up at the pair of teenagers with tired eyes and a face shriveled from age. Valley, still bouncing, pointed to him and said, "I found him! I found him!"

"Okay, okay," Link said, grabbing her arm to make her stop. Then he addressed the air above him in a louder voice, "Layna?"

Valley glanced around. "Where is she?" she asked.

Link closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She should be here an—"

"Ah hah!" Valley shouted, jumping away when she realized that Layna had suddenly appeared behind Link.

Link sighed and opened his eyes. "… second," he finished.

"Oh, yep," Valley said with a relieved voice. She cleared her throat and asked, "'Immay Layna, waba matikak 'an maddix tab waba laxom haxwulat, 'inax?"

When Link did not here Layna give a response, he turned around to find Layna staring at Valley. He was not sure what to make of the expression. Layna almost appeared annoyed at Valley. So he asked, "Layna?"

Layna closed her eyes and took in a breath. "Ay'a, May Kyabtin," she said.

"She said yes," Valley told Link before Layna stepped in between them.

"I know," Link told her.

Layna paused at the edge of the rug. Then she carefully placed a toe on it and looked up as if to gauge the other Gelto's reaction. He watched her with droopy eyes as if the action was at the edge of his effort. So she placed her whole foot down. The Gelto man blinked, a process which seemed to last a whole five seconds.

Finally, Layna asked, "Maddix 'utoylwbin, waba yijoydhiysak 'inu za'ubnw max?"

The old Gelto's eyes looked to widen for a moment. Then he flipped open the right side of his cape, revealing the technoworks block Link remembered seeing before. He slid it aside and pulled his cape shut again over his filthy and worn robe. "'Inu nadyayxwotak waba zangiyth 'immu thib 'ati 'oyfzhax 'azhithbin, Biynnu," he finally replied, his voice ragged and weak. "'Al waba laxom 'abunwat, 'inu 'olwu binwumak tab waba jixuk 'immu ga'na."

"Ay'a, Maddix 'utoylwbin," Layna replied as she lowered herself to the rug. She took a moment to seat herself on her legs. "'Inu miyanw'ya'ak mizabunwm sangi wammu ziyn, Tharan Dolit."

"Waba naygothak 'anik 'ahaywxi 'ithab, Biynnu," he told her, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "'Inu nadbisixak tab tharan 'asiyfinwtya taf 'acaylwti lwaylayximak 'immu zanak, 'itab 'inu nad'idhujak sudhubin marix 'asaylati wabnik ta'ab."

"'Ak sangi nadsaylotak 'inoy, Maddix 'utoylwbin. 'Inu mibinwoymak tab waba yisaylit 'imayn nwubali."

The old man looked up at Link. "'Ak soynwad?" he asked. "Salyatiy, zhi nayx goylwonak 'imbiyt 'amithjin, tayb tigi coy'aydof zamudhj binul."

Color tinged Layna's cheeks. "Zhi-zhi nadyayxwotak siylt, Maddix 'utoylwbin," she replied, trying to maintain her stoic expression despite Valley's sniggering. She glanced over her shoulder at Link to find Irleen. "'Ak 'ibu 'imayn nwubali," she told the old Gelto. "'Inu sasalitak zhadi 'idus zasfiyt zhadmin na'di, Maddix 'utoylwbin. 'Ak maddix tab waba 'idhuj. Nwaki zhadmin na'di dha' dhalbo dha' jukti tab 'agoylwnin dhiyzamtya 'Giymadicab' to. Zhidi gadhotak nwaki zatjiylw zhadik xwal."

The old Gelto looked stunned. He glanced down at the block next to him. "Awyu 'inu haynwof nwaki, 'inu goylwonak xiylwantya zangiyth 'anik tab naxiban miluk miythosot. Nwaki… 'ibubun dha' 'anik max?"

"Nway nadlwazhidak, Maddix 'utoylwbin. 'Ak 'anik tab waba yinaygith goylwonak giysolwtya na'di 'asayfnwi tab goylwon moytaktya 'Sori'anu' to ib 'ithab. 'Imayn nwubali goylwonak biynwoltya zagaylwn zhadmin thiyl 'afolwnwin. Zhidi laxomak sofitot zhadminn na'di may' zhidi goylwon zhadmin thiyl 'alwayzhdi." Layna then leaned forward and carefully placed her forehead on the rug. "'Inu mibinwoymak tab waba joydhos 'inon mizamdhiy' 'ak Giymadicab may' 'inan lwaymsaylit zhadi."

The old king released a sigh. "'Inu nad'idhujak nwarun wabin 'ubothan ta'ab," he told her. "'Itab waba thatilak Xili'anu ga'na, taf nwaki dhijubak 'inoy zalwbiyth marix 'ajoydhsin wabnik zamdhiy' 'imayn dhalbo 'akwoxbi dha' nwik jukti ta'ab." He paused as his eyes wandered between Link, Irleen, and Valley. "Niguthan 'inoy 'an soynwadh ta'ab."

Layna raised her head. She met his gaze and sat up again. "Zhi… zhi 'imayn kyabtin."

"Kyabtin? Waba konafak zhi wabin sahaydhi max?"

"Ay'a."

"Salya… waba talk. Taf zhi wabin 'iyfas."

Layna gave her head a gentle shake. "Maddix 'utoylwbin, waba yibayti'ak. 'Inu mihajikwya'ak 'anw bat'iy 'akwibgin tab 'imayn kyabtin nayx goylwon 'imayn 'iyfas. Zhi 'anadi nayx nadgoylwonak 'imayn 'iyfas."

The king gave her a difficult look. He appeared to be struggling with Layna's words, and he glanced up at Link. Link flinched, suddenly aware that the conversation may have turned in his direction. Although expectant of a direct question, Link was relieved when King Dolit's eyes returned to Layna. "Waba lwuzhd. 'Inu bat'ya'ak. Waba nayx 'ijunwak nway 'immu zanak max? 'Ak thicmal dhol 'kyabtin' to taf 'iyfas miylo?"

"'Iyfas saylwobak talk dha' 'an jiyduc giy'," Layna said. "'Iyfas 'aytogak siylwub thiwa' taf nogdhim 'a xwal ura talk xaybodhak zhamin xasrik zanak. 'Inu sanimyayl. 'Inu saylwobak za'atax 'imayn 'iyfas. Nwik lwubbul golwaynya'ak tiymokwtya 'immu zanak 'imayn tacibin oyba 'imayn tiri 'anwaybdhi siylwub 'a ib.

"Taf 'inu mithuhdhak. 'Imayn kyabtin 'anadi nayx nadgoylwonak 'imayn 'iyfas. Zhi nayx nadxaylotak siylwub thiwa' taf nogdhim 'a 'al nwaki konaf zhamin giyt dha' tinnayl. 'Imayn kyabtin lwaycokak 'inoy 'imayn xwack balw. 'Ak halcix tab 'inu miyadhmya'ak milwiyjomot 'inu mimidhoyj mizatniyl 'ulwis, 'imayn kyabtin nayx hayxwolak 'inoy zhamin idduf ta'ab taf hixwumak 'inoy noygudh xwal. 'Imayn kyabtin thaywo'ak taf naygodhak 'inoy zhamin jiyduc giy'. 'Imayn kyabtin kwayfozhak awyu 'inu 'otax 'imayn sanimyayl dha' taris. 'Ak halcix tab 'inu micoybiykw mizangiydh 'imayn kyabtin, 'imayn kyabtin 'aytonak 'inoy zangiydh maddix 'abothfi. 'Imayn kyabtin lwa'in 'ayotkwi tab lwabic talwban tab 'ozhan sama'ilt Gilto. Zhi radhmya'ak 'anw hida'tawalw dhugra 'olwu zhamin walw taf gayix 'ithab. Taf zhi botaykwya'ak sa'i 'anw 'uthulb 'an Xili'anay 'anat 'a 'an 'ilthan ca 'immu ga'na zhamin naydiy' 'ikwu. Zhi 'oytonak 'ilthan'afi'il 'agolwnin ciylwobtya xaraynun giy' tab goythom xwolin zhimmu zanak. Taf, 'al waba yizhaykwith tab 'inu cilux, yi'aytinan 'inoy, taf 'inu nayx mitithulak 'inoy."

Link was surprised to hear Layna use so many words, having become accustomed to her silence. Whatever she had said, it appeared to have made an impression on the old man as he now looked up at Link with a pair of wide, alarmed eyes. Link quickly made sure that his hand was not resting on the pommel of his sword; the last thing he wanted to do at the moment was appear threatening.

Irleen spoke up, "Sa'it 'inan nayx zhoymoxak nway fiymu' ib, inax? Liynk nadyayxwotak iythalyat 'amodhfi."

"Ayyyyy'a," Valley replied with a vigorous nod.

"Huh?" Link asked. Valley hissed at him to keep quiet.

The old man closed his eyes. Then he carefully pushed the block toward Layna. "Waba naygothak alwcus dha' nurayt adi'," he said to Layna after opening his eyes. "Waba naygothak alwcus dha' nurayt adi'. 'Inu nadlway'aytinak wabin xabutha nwa' waba niguth calux 'immu ta'ab. Tharan 'abothfi ib, nwaki addu nadthaysofak. 'Itab marix 'agolwnin tharan 'anwozthi 'idhujak xiylwutun. Ura 'inu sithof 'imayn sulwayb dha' thayf, 'inu safitya'ak tab biyxab 'amaydhfi 'immu fiyk golwaynya fiysolwtya Xili'anu ta'ab. Foltab 'inu matik tab 'ati nurayt taf i'adhic lwayfaythim Gilto taf Xili'anan miylo, 'inu nadlwaynaygithak nwiy biyxab fiymu' ib nwik na'id zanak. Waba joydhosak zamdhiy' 'anw maddix. Taf 'inu hixwucak tab wabin nwubali…" He looked up at Irleen, who jerked in response. "… 'idus soysofat zhadmin na'id."

"'Inu mitowaynwak wabnik, Maddix 'utoylwbin," Layna said with a slight bow of the head. "'Al waba yi'idhuj yaxwoyt nayf, 'inu mitoyxiylak tab 'imayn 'ithma nadmithasofak."

"Wabin utxul thasofak," the old Gelto said. Then he glanced up at Link once more. "Taf 'abi 'ak xibbayn tab 'ak Gilto nayx 'idhujak 'ati lwu'un 'an latiyj ca."

Valley snorted and immediately covered her mouth. Irleen, however, let out a disgusted sound. "Salya salya…" she muttered.

"'I-'inu mixwaydhakwak, Maddix 'utoylwbin," Layna said, her face reddening through her dark complexion.

The old Gelto settled his back against the rock wall. "'Al wabun nayx nadbizhut, 'inu laxom ciynolot," he told them.

Layna nodded and picked up the technoworks block. She turned to present the block to Link, but when she met his face, her eyes became wide with fright. She quickly lowered her head and thrust the technoworks block at him.

Bohk! "D'ow!" Link hollered when she knocked the block into his forehead. He staggered backwards and covered the impact site with his hands. He sucked in a breath through his teeth and groaned, "Ooooooooow." Valley managed to head off the snort, but her voice still squeaked through her hands as she tried not to break out laughing. Irleen did not hold back, laughing so hysterically that she started fluttering sideways. "C'mon, guys. Shut up." He turned back to find that Layna had disappeared, leaving the technoworks block on the ground in front of him with Irleen's translating gem sitting on top of it. With a sigh, he picked both items up and put the gem in his pocket. "It wasn't that funny," he told Valley and Irleen as he put the block under his arm.

"Yes it was," Irleen said as she began to settle down.

But Link was already distracted. "Wait a sec. Am I still talking Hylian?"

"Yyyyyep," Valley answered.

"How come I'm still talking Hylian?" Link asked Irleen.

"Are you kidding?" Irleen replied. "I'm still wondering what the hell he was speaking."

Link held the block out to her. "How does it look?"

Irleen gave a sigh. "Well… it was just a little active before, but it's dormant now. This doesn't even look like a block for an island. I think it might actually be from an airship."

"How can you tell?"

"Well, the main difference is that, even when it's dormant, the two look really different. Technoworks used in an airship aren't as sophisticated as the ones in an island, so they're a lot less powerful. I'm a little worried, though. Its life flow is very slow. It might not have enough to do what we need before activating it sends it into necrosis."

"Cans we give it more life?" Valley asked.

"We probably could," Irleen said. "But… well, we'll need one more block to get it going. If we connect it to another block, they can share lives until we can order them to do what we need."

"What exactly are we gonna do?" Link asked.

"Well, I originally thought we could use a technoworks block to guide us to whatever new magical source my people are using; the technoworks block would be attracted to the closest and most powerful source of magic being generated by other technoworks. But we can't do it with an airship block. So the next best thing would probably be to make a compass."

"But we need another block," Link concluded.

"Any attempt to use these ones will send both this block and Valley's earring into necrosis."

"Do the Gelto have any more blocks like this?" Link asked Valley.

Valley shook her head. "I noes knows."

"You know…" Irleen spoke up.

"Yeah?" Link asked.

"The Horizon's Eye might have a spare block on it," she said. "If we can get back to it, we could scrounge one."

"So we's going to da Snow Realm?" Valley asked in a bright tone.

"We'll have to," Link said. He beckoned her with a hand as he moved toward the individual train platforms. He had to talk louder as he explained, "We have to go back so we can pick up some more Loft Steam; we drained the Island Symphony's ballast to get back down here."

"Would we have enough Loft Steam to take the ship up to the top of the mountain?" Irleen asked.

"I-I don't know," Link said. He waited until they had found an empty train platform so they would not have to talk above the crowd. "I know that Leynne drained Loft Steam from the ballast, but I don't know how much. We'd have to go back to the ship to find out."

"Did you find him?" Cale asked as he approached them from the crowd. All three turned to look at him. Bemused expressions threatened to occupy their faces when they saw Cale's face now covered in dirt in addition to his swollen eye. His blue shirt and white trousers also looked a little ruffled.

"Yeah," Link replied, showing him the cube. Then he pointed at Cale's clothes. "Did… you fall down somewhere?"

Cale released an annoyed sigh. "I fell onto the tracks," he explained. He glared at Valley. "My eyesight is still ratheh hindahed." Valley only offered an apologetic smile.

"So what are we gonna do then?" Irleen asked. "Go back to Hovela?"

"So soon?" Cale asked.

"We cans go by train," Valley suggested as she glanced past Link.

"Are there trains going to the Snow Realm now?" Link asked.

WHOOSH! "Whoa!" Link hollered in surprise while Valley cried out, "Yipe!" and Irleen let out an even more alarmed, "Daah!"

"Gho—!" Whump!

Link instantly spun around and shouted with Irleen, more out of reflex than anything else, "LAYNA! NO!"

All four of them found that Layna had indeed landed on someone once again. However, having become accustomed to Link hollering at her whenever she tackled the wrong person, Layna slowly stood up with her victim's folded collar still in her grasp. He was still lying on the ground, his blue button-up shirt looking pristine despite Layna's hold. It was hard to tell if his black trousers were dirty at all. His face was covered in a fine layer of soot, and that was probably the only way Link, Irleen, and Cale recognized him.

"Oi, fellas," Luggard said with an embarrassed grin on his face. "Need a ride?"