Once Link defeated the monster and took down the keese flying around, he waited to see if there was many more nasty surprises. Thankfully there was none. Navi, in her tiny squeaky voice asked if he was planning to travel forward. He nodded. He knew what he needed to do, but the diary called to him. So far it was getting interesting.
Its been a month now. None of us have been released yet. We are starting to question why. The King's guards refuse to answer our questions, all they said is that we needed to stay put. We are fed well though. Oh Cecily, I want nothing more than to be with you. But until then, I must wait. The Sage. I wonder if they found him yet? I hope he hides the treasure at least. It is our duty to protect it.
The sounds of laughter was heard throughout the village. The Moon Festival was well under way, and many of the town folks were wearing masks having a good time. Cecily was wearing her old costume, her bunny ears. She was pleased to see her stew was gone, many people enjoyed it and when the last bowl was taken, the line waiting groaned in disappointment.
"Cecily! Are you going to Hyrule Castle Town tomorrow?" Her friend Isolda asked. The Moon Festival was even more grand in the city.
"I don't know yet. I have to ask."
"Did he propose yet?" Isolda asked in a teasing tone. Everyone knew about their relationship. When Cecily started dating the mountain guard, many of her would-be suitors were disappointed. Cecily's mother was the most beautiful in the village, but died when Cecily was very young. She had her mother's looks.
Cecily blushed. She knew her father gave his blessings to her boyfriend. Her sisters and brother teased her about it. Its been months, Cecily barely seen him, with him working his job guarding the mountain entrance and him working with the Sage. But they tried to make time for one another. She had his present ready, it would match his sword and sheath. The fire tunic was used, but it was in great shape. She knew he'll like it.
"Not yet. But I have a feeling it would be soon."
"Well when he does, I want to hear every detail. Speaking of...I see my own suitor. Excuse me." Cecily smiles at Isolda when she walks up to her latest conquest, the son of the weapon shop owner. Seeing her love, she immediately straightens her dress.
"Cecily! I been looking all over for you!" The ring felt heavy in his pocket. It cost him a lot of rupees, but for Cecily, it was worth it.
"My love." They kiss.
"The stew. I been unable to get a bowl, I been looking forward to eating it." It was unfortunate. He was next in line to get a bowl, but it was too late. The heavyset man in front of him got to it first. He got the last bit of it.
"Do not worry. I saved you some." She hands him a container. Seeing his eyes lit up, she giggles. "C'mon. Lets sit down and eat."
Later that night, both him and Cecily walk hand and hand down the river. Zora's river wasn't very far, just a pain to get there. Good thing he had his sword, he can protect Cecily. Although it wasn't necessary. She can wipe the ground with him. She was one of the finest warriors in the village. Seeing a octurock peeking out of the river, Cecily draws her arrow and fires at it, killing it.
"That was close. Those things hurt when they fire at you." He knew that from experience. He was knocked out cold when he was walking home after he was fishing. Good thing he didn't fall in the river, but the stupid creature stole his fishes. He thanked Cecily and walked to towards the cliff. That cliff is when they had their first kiss. Now, it was going to be the the spot that their love will be sealed. While Cecily looking up at the moon, he discreetly pulled the ring out of his tunic. Nervously, he asked Cecily to get up.
''Its getting late."
"Yes it is. My father, he is probably getting worried, the monsters they will getting up soon." Cecily was worried. Usually monsters left people alone, but lately, they have been more bold on approaching people and attacking. Especially at night. She could already see the keese flying about. She was about to take out her bow when she saw her boyfriend on his knee. She just teared up.
''Cecily. Ever since we were children, I always thought you were special. But as we got older, I realized how extraordinary and loving you really are. Cecily, my love. Will you marry me?"
Cecily was about to answer when she heard her brother shouting.
"Cecily! The village! It's on fire!"
The fire in the village. It was deliberate. At the time we thought it was an accident. But it was meant to distract us from what was really going on.
Cecily was crying. Her sisters, her father. They were dead. They burnt bodies were found among with the members of their church. The choir was rehearsing for the end of the Moon Festival. The whole village gave their thanks to the Goddesses, by gathering to the center of the village to sing and dance in song. But since the tragedy, it was canceled. Instead funerals were planned.
"As we gather here, we are not here to celebrate, but to say farewell to our brothers and sisters that returned to the Heavens to be with our Creators, the Goddesses. Let's us not be sad, but to say goodbye. Their mortal lives on our soil may be done, but their spirits are now above and around us watching over all of Hyrule. Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom will be watching over them, to guide them to their final rest. Until that day we are reunited, let us remember, night turns into day, rain brings sun, and death is not eternal. Farewell." The Sage says after blowing out the candle. "Lets us pray, so our prayers can be heard, so our love ones will know we are thinking of them."
Cecily and her now fiance walked towards the pyre to throw their flowers onto the grave. The Sheikah burn their dead, they believe their bodies will hold their spirits from moving on. Her brother Allard's face was grim. He blamed himself for not being there. Even though it was his night off, he blamed himself for not checking the furnace in the church. He was a maintenance man, always fixing up anything that needed to be fixed. Even though everyone said it was a accident, he unfairly blamed himself.
"Cecily. No matter what, I will take care of everything." Cecily's lover says, with his hand on her shoulder.
"I know. But Allard and I are homeless now. Our house it is destroyed." She whispered. They were engaged, but was considered unethical for two lovers to live together without being married. Cecily was staying with her best friend Isolda, while Allard was staying with their cousins. The young man vowed to take care of Cecily's needs, as well as his future brother in law's.
The sounds of crying and wailing were heard throughout the field as the Sage and the members of the church lit up the pyre. Cecily and everyone else watched as their loved ones were being put to rest.
The fire was set by a known criminal. He was wanted by Hyrule's Guards. When interrogated by our courts, he remained silent. But when I was alone with him, he told me his story.
Its been three weeks since the tragedy. The guard was waiting for his orders, the arsonist, a Hylian named Robyn was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death. He was found discovered in the mountains trying to escape after being discovered stealing from the donation box. After being arrested, the guards found oil and matches in his satchel, along with rupees. Robyn protested that he used those to survive. Although he admitted to stealing the rupees, he was adamant that he did not commit arson. Neverless, there needed to be justice. A investigation was done, and it was concluded with proof Robyn was responsible.
Robyn said nothing as his sentence was called out. He was sitting in a cage being mocked and spit on by the townsfolk. Cecily refused to join in, saying no matter what his crime was, a man staring at death needed not to be mocked. Same with her brother. Barten also agreed, surprising everyone, he was there when he was caught.
When the leader of the guards came out, he ordered the young man who was watching Robyn to escort him to the graveyard. He did so, after opening the cage he then led him to the entrance of the jail. Once they got there, he led Robyn to his cell. Then before he could walk away, Robyn asked for a cup of water. Not denying a dying man a cup of water, Robyn thanked him.
"Thank you. I was so thirsty."
"My mother, rest her soul always told me to never deny anyone who asks for water."
"She sounds nice."
"She was." Colleen was a kind woman. She was killed when she slipped and broke her neck while cleaning the Sage's home. He was only three when ahe died, but he still remembered her words. His dad was also dead, he died from a stroke. He was forced into a orphanage, there he lived till he was seven. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle who he considered his parents. Once he turned sixteen, he joined the guards, where he worked since.
"I didn't start the fire."
"Hmmm hrhh." The guard said bored.
"No. I'm serious. I was there at the festival. I was there to pickpocket. Yeah I know." Seeing the guard's look. "I was already gone when the fire started. I saw how it started. It was a fire keese."
"A fire keese? They only appear in caves and dungeons." They were one of the only creatures to sustain fire.
"Not this one. It had a master."
Now the guard was interested.
"Why are you telling me this? Even if your story is true, your sentence cannot be overturned."
"I don't care. What that man was, he wasn't Hylian or a Sheikah."
"Then what was he?"
"Evil."
We talked for hours. His story was ridiculous, but I had a feeling he was telling the truth. What that man said, he said that "person" scared him all the way to his soul, especially when he appeared in front of him. He said if he takes the blame, his family will be taken care of. Robyn agreed. His family was poor. His sister was sick, he stole to pay for her medicine and doctors appointments. I found out later, he kept his promise. His sister was cured, but it was heavy. Robyn, I'm sorry, but your sister should have died. She wasn't the same person anymore. Diary, Robyn was innocent. I cried when he was executed. I wish I fought for his release. Oh goddess. I hear my friend's screams. What are they doing to him?
Robyn's execution was brutal. He was read his final rights, and instead of being hanged, he was flayed alive in the prison.
The young man wanted to vomit. His screams echoed across the prison, even his hardened superiors were sickened by the sight. He forced his mind elsewhere, he prayed Robyn had a quick death. Thankfully, his screams stopped. His fellow guards faces were either wet or white. Barten had traces of vomit on his chin and uniform, he refused to look at Robyn's dead body.
"You! Take this body and throw it in the sewers! Barten! Take this mask and wrap it around his head." The executioner ordered.
"Yes sir." Barten reluctantly wrapped the hide around Robyn's dead head. His skin was gone, nothing left but muscles and traces of his skeleton. Robyn was starved before he died, he was thin when he was executed. The guard forced himself to look at Robyn's face. The mask had three holes, for his eyes and his mouth. Goddess, he was even more creepier looking. His teeth looked like he was grinning. His eyes were thankfully gone, he didn't want Robyn's eyes looking at him. He prayed for Robyn's soul.
'Nayru, take Robyn and let him bask in your wisdom and love. Amen.' He prayed. He and Barten then threw his body into the sewers. After his shift ended, he then went home and cried his eyes out.
The remains of the church was torn down. Instead of rebuilding, the Sage ordered the new church be moved near the entrance of town, that way any outsider can join. Instead, a windmill would be built in its place.
Diary, the church was burned down along with many innocent people because a spell was needed. Innocent lives were taken because of greed. I don't know what the spell consisted of, but it was only the beginning. Robyn was lucky. When I found out what was going on, I burned his bones. He deserves to rest. Oh! It gets worse. Cecily, run. Take our child and run far, far away.
Link and Navi were crying. Poor Robyn. Link remembered his history lessons. Back then punishments were brutal. Instead of jail or a fine, petty crimes consisted of losing your limbs. More heavier crimes sentenced you to life. But murder. Instead of hanging, you were flayed. But crimes against the King, it was much, much worse. Thankfully modern times were more civilized.
He turned another page. Damn. It gets worse.