Chapter Six

After I left the Tech Lab, I decided to have a moment and take a few deep breaths to center myself. Purah is so exhausting… I walked around the outskirts of the tech lab and looked out across the landscape. I could see quite far in nearly every direction. When I got around the back of the lab and looked out to sea, I noticed three interesting places: a far away cliff with an untouched shrine, a tiny island in the bay with an untouched shrine, and a larger island far off in the distance past the cliff. I suspected that a third shrine might be on that island. I scoped through my Sheikah Slate, pinned their locations on my map, and noted them for a later time.

As Braeburn and I made our way down the hill, I saw a young lady with braids speaking frantically to a man who I assumed was her father. As I got closer, I heard mention of monsters and stealing 'again.' As he went back into the house, I hopped off Braeburn and approached her. What's the matter? I asked.

"Hey, you!" She snapped at me. "What do you want?" I was taken aback. She sighed. "I'm just on edge with all of these monsters hanging around. But you seem harmless enough. So, I might as well tell you." She informed me that some monsters that took residence on Hateno Beach stole her family's sheep. "I would fight them off myself with a pitchfork… but seven to one is a little unfair…" I felt bad for her.

Would you like me to take care of them for you? I offered.

Her expression changed. "Oh, would you?" She clapped her hands together in front of her face. "Thank you so much! I'd be so grateful!" She pointed behind me and said, "Hateno beach is to the southeast of the village, follow the winding road and you'll be there before you know it." Her expression changed. "I… um… I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Koyin, by the way." I forgave her with a handshake and introduced myself. Then I mounted my horse again and followed her directions.

Approaching the beach, I saw the gathering of monsters; five bokoblins and two moblins of various colors: red, blue, and black. Some had swords, some had spears, and some had bows. I'll have to think on my feet if I'm battling all of those fighting styles at once.

I tied Braeburn's reins to a tree branch and snuck the rest of the way down to the beach to observe them further. A blue bokoblin was at a vantage point, a black one was guarding the sheep in a makeshift pen of wooden spikes, and the others were around a fire pit. I nocked my bow with a bomb arrow -I found a bundle of them in a chest- and shot it at the fire. It blew up and the two red bokoblins were incinerated. The other three -a black moblin, blue moblin, and blue bokoblin- got severely burned. They were oblivious as to what just happened, but the sheep guard -who was closer to me- was alerted to my position behind a grouping of rocks. He came at me with a spear. I slashed him with my sword until it broke. The impact of the break resulted in his death.

Just then, an arrow shot past my head. The lookout bokoblin had noticed me. I shot him back; the arrow lodged into his eye. He staggered backward for a moment, but then kept shooting. I shot another, which hit him in the throat, and he fell off the vantage point to his death in the water. By this point, the other three were alerted – they were storming me. Think fast, think fast! There's three of them… I started running. Not away, but around the beach; leading them this way and that. The whole time, dropping bombs from my Slate – chipping away at them little by little until two of them collapsed.

Finally, it was just one on one. Now it's a fair fight. I whipped a new sword out of my Slate and sprinted at the moblin slashing at his legs; he was crippled. He tried taking a swing at me, but I was too small for him to reach or keep track of. I slashed at his gut; he toppled to the ground. I panted as he fell, satisfied with my work.

I wiped his dark blood off my face and went over to the sheep pen, cleaning my sword as I went. Four sheep were alive and mostly unharmed, one had been stabbed with a spear and lay dead on the ground. Better to be just one than all five, I suppose. The desperate can't be picky. I saw that all the sheep were wearing collars with numbered tags on them. It gave me an idea.

I retrieved Braeburn from her hiding spot and led her to the pen. From my saddlebag, I removed a long coil of rope and tethered the four remaining sheep together, the end of which I tied to my stirrup. The fallen sheep I laid over the saddle, then I led them all on foot back up to the village.

I returned to Koyin's farm just after mid-day. As I approached the gate, I saw her out in the field. I whistled to get her attention and waved when she saw me. A pair of dogs ran to the gate when I called. Koyin also ran over with excitement and opened the gate to let me in. "You did it!" She gasped in disbelief.

I did, I declared as I led Braeburn and the sheep into the gated field. Both dogs sniffed around the familiar sheep as well as the unfamiliar me. They probably smelled blood too… However, I picked up the lifeless sheep off the saddle and held it out in front of her. We lost one soldier. She rummaged through its mangled wool to check its tag.

"Aw, poor baby," she sighed, taking the sheep from me and setting it on the ground. "It wasn't your time, little one." She pet its wool a moment then looked back up to me. "Regardless of our losses, thank you for bringing the rest back to us."

I'm always willing to be of service. I untied the sheep and let them run free in the field. The dogs herded them to the rest of the flock. At that moment, her father came around from the barn.

"Our sheep!" He exclaimed. "They- They're back! Koyin, what happened?" She explained to her father that it was my doing, then he shook my hand heartily. "Please, young man, allow me to thank you properly."

Oh, no need. Your words are enough, sir.

"No, no, I insist." He patted me on the shoulder. "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? 6pm. I'll give you a reward then." Trying to induce me with food, eh? Well, you picked the right bribe!

I appreciate that very much. I'll make sure to be here.

"Excellent! What do they call ya?"

Link. He looked at me with pensive curiosity.

"Nice to meet you, Link. I'm Dantz. You dealt with the monsters at the beach to bring our sheep back?"

I did, sir.

"All alone?" I nodded. "Incredible. Did you use a sword, or a bow?"

Both.

"You do seem like you'd be pretty handy with a bow. Mind helping a poor, old farmer out?"

What do you need?

"If you can, I need someone to hunt some deer out in the Retsam Forest. They're overpopulating these days, and it's destroying the habitat."

I see. Unfortunately, I'll be heading out tomorrow. A job like that would take all day, if not several.

"Right you are, right you are. But perhaps the next time you're in town?"

I could, but… that might not be for some time. It'd be anywhere between a fortnight and a few months.

"I see… Certainly I could find another young man to assist me within that time. And if not, I'll be waiting for you to become available again."

I'll keep you in mind, sir.

"You better not be late tonight!"

Oh, I won't, I smiled as I led my steed away. As I was leaving, I heard Dantz say to his daughter:

"No use wasting a good sheep, even if it is a young one. I'll prep it for dinner after you've sheered it, alright Koy?" That seems fitting. We are blessed with what the land provides us, and we do with it what we are able. If we are unable, then we make do. And likewise, we must give back to the land that has provided for us. I'm beginning to sound like Impa now…

I changed my clothes at the inn and asked Prima, the innkeeper, if there was someone who could wash them for me. She told me she'd handle them herself. I thanked her. "There's an awful lot of blood on these…" she commented when I handed them to her. "What in the world happened?"

I did away with a handful of monsters on Hateno Beach, I told her, matter-of-factly.

"All by your lonesome?" I nodded. "Wow…" she whispered. "That's impressive." I smiled at the complement. "Be careful out there."

Don't worry I will.

Purah had informed me that in addition to storing weaponry and materials, the Sheikah Slate could store meals and clothes. The meals, surprisingly, are kept warm (or cold). But the clothes remain dirty. 'Everything is in stasis,' she said. 'The way that it enters the Slate's storage is the condition it will be in when you remove it.' That sounds fair enough to me. This is why I passed my clothes off to be washed since I have more things to do today. I paid her extra when I got back, much to her surprise since she said it was her job and responsibility. But I felt bad not doing so because it's not a requirement, it was a request.

Across from the inn stable was the cooking area. I spent the better part of an hour going through my recipe book and cooking up a lot of my stored ingredients. I was very pleased with the things I made! I put most of them away for later. I know that there will be some point in time in which I won't have the means to cook, so having a few things in reserve will be useful. Many of the meals I made were experiments with effects. For example, if you put an armored carp in a meal with iron shrooms, the resistance effect is amplified. That's really cool! And useful! I'd be able to down one of those before a fight and end up being less injured by the end of the scuffle. It won't make me invincible, but it'll help raise my resistance to attacks.

I made so many things with so many effects that I know I'll need later, and some that are just plain delightful! And lots of mushrooms! I cannot stress enough how many mushrooms I've been able to find! Various kinds grow all over Hyrule and I'm eager to find at least one of every kind! It made me so happy to be able to cook with them; skewered, steamed, grilled, in an omelet, with fish or meat, and so much more! I would have made a mushroom soup as well… but I didn't have any milk. Oh well. That'll be a meal for a later time, then.

When I was satisfied with my cooking, I ate a couple things that I'd prepared and then made my way along the main thoroughfare to the shrine at the edge of town. As I passed a series of shops, I heard; "Young man! Over here!" I approached the girl who addressed me. "Hullo! What great weather!" She seemed to force a smile. "The East Wind General Store is open. And it's just as lively in there as it is out here…" I don't blame her. "Go on in and take a look!" I thanked her and entered to see the store owner busy with inventory on a back wall.

"Oh. Hullo," the owner addressed me once I caught his attention. "I didn't hear you come in. I trust everything is how I left it." I nodded. "The name's Pruce. Welcome to East Winds. What can I do for you?"

A young lady outside advertised this place. I thought I would take a look around.

He smiled kindly. "Ah, that would be my daughter, Ivee." His face turned serious as he added, "but don't you get any ideas about her, ya hear?"

I was taken aback. I… I wasn't, sir. I mean, she is rather pretty, but…

"Bah, I'm just pulling your leg," he laughed. I exhaled my worry. "Take your time to peruse. No rush. Been quiet around here lately." So, I started perusing. I realized I should have come here before my cooking spree… The man sells milk… Ah well, I'll save them for next time since my Slate's meal storage is full. You know what, I think I'll start calling it the Slate's 'Pantry'. Why not?

In the corner of the store behind a produce basket rested a blanket with a pair of cats. One was calico, the other was grey and white. I smiled and gave them generous pets as I approached their produce stand.

"I see you found my daughter's cats," Pruce observed after a moment. "Anabell is the spotted one and Abigale is the grey one."

Did Ivee name them?

"She named one and I named the other. But at this point, I don't remember who chose which name." I chuckled at his story. As I receded, Abigale got up and followed my hand, pawing at it and rubbing against it. I stopped another moment to scratch her chin before she jumped up my arm and onto my shoulder. She rubbed her face against my ear which tickled me. I couldn't suppress my laughter. "My, what a social creature you are, Abby. Bring her here." I walked over to Pruce and he held out his arm. I did the same and Abby walked over and laid across his shoulders. "Don't mind her."

I didn't mind at all actually, I chuckled.

I bought out his entire arrow stock -because no archer can have too many- as well as some food items such as milk, rice, eggs, and of course more mushrooms. He had hearty truffles! I'll need those! When approaching the counter to purchase the items, I informed him that I was interested in trading and selling as well. Pruce was intrigued as to how I could hold so much in my travel bag.

This might not have been a wise decision, but I briefly showed him how the Sheikah Slate worked and told him that I'm working with Purah in the Hateno Tech Lab who was in charge of maintaining and upgrading my Slate. He was astonished at the advanced technology, but was more interested than put off by it. I made sure to not make him too interested, since I don't know who does and does not know who I am, and who does and does not need to know. But thankfully, he never asked about my association with Purah or the reason for it. He thanked me for doing business with him with a handshake. I gave another pet to Abby as well before departing. I gave Ivee a kind smile as I left. She blushed and smiled back.

After my (very necessary) detour, I finally made my way to the shrine. It will suffice to say that I didn't enjoy that puzzle… I had to place my Slate on a pedestal and use it to control an orb through a maze. Well… I was controlling the maze platform itself… It was very tedious. But I was patient. I completed it, received the Spirit Orb, thanked the monk, and ascended to the surface.

After exiting, I looked over at the strangely designed, geometric houses next to the shrine, wondering who lived in such odd structures. The sign next to them advertised Bolson Construction's model homes. On the other side of the three odd buildings, I saw an old, abandoned cottage across a bridge. I was drawn to it. Almost as if it was familiar to me. I was intrigued by that considering I couldn't remember a single thing from before I woke from my 100-year restoration. But I humored my urge and went to investigate.

I pushed open the broken door and walked inside. I could smell how old the wood was. It seemed very… comfortable. Even though it was in disarray and it was covered with decades worth of dust, I still felt at home there. As if I was being invited in by someone from my past that I couldn't remember. I looked up and saw the sun reflecting off the dust in the air. Why do I know you? I asked myself. Why do I know your previous owner? I saw a pair of field mice scurry out from under the woodstove and out a little hole in the wall. At least they have a home. But I should be going too.

Checking my Slate's clock, it was already after 5pm. I need to get myself presentable… I hurried back to the inn and quickly had a sponge bath, combed my hair, and put on my doublet. Man, just call it a sweater! I managed to make it back to Dantz and Koyin's farm with a few minutes to spare. I was out of breath when I knocked. "Koy, he's here!" I heard Dantz call to his daughter before opening the door. "Evenin' Link!" he greeted me, shaking my hand. "You seem tuckered out."

I am. I ran here.

"Haha! Well, I appreciate your punctuality, young man. Come in, come in."

He let me in before returning to the kitchen. "How does the lamb look, sweetheart?"

"It should be done soon," Koyin informed him. "I just cut into it to check. And I just took the soup off the heat as well." I could smell rosemary, thyme, and many other delicious smells from the entryway. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. Marvelous, I sighed to myself. "Welcome in," Koyin addressed me. "Please, make yourself at home." I thanked her and left my boots by the front door.

Dantz opened the back door and whistled for his dogs. "Come on in boys! Dinner will be ready soon, then you'll get your share." The two retrievers trotted into the room one after the other, and when they saw me, they bounded right over. I wrestled with them on the floor for a moment, giving them a lot of attention. "You like dogs, Link?"

I like animals in general, I answered. Dogs, cats, horses, anything really. Dantz gave Koyin an approving look. Koyin just blushed. But yes, I do like your dogs. They're very good boys.

"They'd better be," he joked. "They're in charge of keeping the flock in line. Well… when it's not being sacked by thieves, that is. But it seems that we won't have to worry about that anymore, thanks to you." Dantz sat down at the table on the kitchen side and invited me over. "Have a seat." I rinsed my hands in their wash basin and sat down across from Dantz. "So," he began. "Did the monsters give you very much trouble?"

As much as can be expected. But I was able to divert them and take them down one or two at a time. I explained my tactics. But I replaced the inclusion of 'Bomb Runes' with 'range attacks' to keep it vague. All the while, Dantz kept his eyes fixed on me. His countenance expressed fascination and respect.

"Unfathomable," he chuckled. "And you're so young! You couldn't possibly be more than a year or two more than Koyin at the oldest."

Well… I opted not to go into specifics. I'm also a trained soldier.

"Are you, now? From how old?"

As long as I can remember. Not a total lie.

"Really? Who did you train with?"

Sheikah and Hylians alike. I've also worked alongside Impa and Purah for a long time.

"Purah?" Dantz questioned. "The woman that lives up at the tech lab?"

Yes, sir. My visit to Hateno was to meet with her personally at Lady Impa's request. However, I'm not allowed to go into specifics on my business with her. My job is top secret for the time being.

"I see," Dantz pondered. "Well, for the time being then, I'll take you at your word. I haven't known Purah to be involved in any disreputable things. She used to work for the Hyrule royal family a century ago, after all. I highly doubt she would've been one of the Sheikah who turned bad." What was that supposed to mean…

Could you please explain?

"Oh, you don't know? Recently there's been a resurgence of evil Sheikah calling themselves the Yiga Clan. Thankfully, I've never come face to face with any of them, myself. But I've heard news from travelers and business collogues from out of town."

I've heard of them.

"Good! Good. And I'd keep my wits about me if I was you. No doubt you'll be setting off from this place sometime soon to continue your, uh… occupation. Keep a watchful eye on your surroundings, young man."

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, sir.

"Dinner's ready, Papa!" Koyin piped up. He stood to help her carry the food to the table. I stood up as well. "No, no, no. You don't need to help. You're our guest. Please sit." I receded back into my chair. Dinner looked exquisite! A full leg of lamb, herbal cream soup, and glazed carrots. I was excited to dig in! You know… I really don't need to write about food so much since it's not exactly important to my story… But dammit, it's important to me! She's a great cook!

Dantz brought a bottle of alcohol from a locked cabinet. "Ever had brandy before?"

No, sir. I don't believe I've ever drank at all before. I don't think I'm even old enough.

"Listen son, you're old enough when you've shown your growth," Dantz informed me. "In this family, we give our children their first tastes of wine at ten and their first full glasses at fifteen. Now, how old are you?" Do you mean biologically, or chronologically…

I'm eighteen, sir.

"Ah, so you are of age." He twisted an opener into the cork of the bottle. "But even if you weren't, screw what the law says about bein' eighteen. There hasn't been too much of a set of laws since the Calamity anyhow. You've been traveling on your own, you fought a slew of monsters by yourself, you have a steady occupation, right?" I nodded. "So, you're an adult now. If you're not doing anything reckless, and you're not making yourself sick," He popped the cork. "I say have a ball!" Koyin chuckled at her father. As did he. "This is apple brandy. Made by a close friend in the Atun Valley. Haytham's Orchard." That story seemed familiar.

I know a pair of brothers from there.

"Heath and Hawthorn?" he asked. I nodded. "They're the owner's sons. He and his wife and daughter help run the place while their sons do traveling for their business."

They were headed back home from Dueling Peaks when I met them at the Stable. We chatted at breakfast.

"Ah, yes. Heath does love to socialize, doesn't he. I've always liked those boys. Never had a bad thing to say about 'em. Hawthorn has a good head on his shoulders and Heath has adventure in his heart. They're definitely going places someday. Together, or separately." He poured a glass for Koyin and one for himself.

Not that this is important, but Hawthorn taught me how to catch my horse.

"Did he really?"

Yeah. And Heath named her.

"Yep, that sounds like Heath," Dantz laughed. "What's her name?"

Braeburn. Dantz continued to chuckle as he handed me the bottle to read the label: 'Braeburn Apple Brandy.' Oh… How convenient… Dantz poured me a glass of brandy that I graciously accepted it from him.

"A toast," he raised his glass, "to Link for saving our farm."

I wouldn't exactly say I did that…I took a sip. It was really nice. But you can't drink it quickly.

"Oh, come now," Dantz scoffed at me. "Don't be so modest. If it wasn't for you, those brainless rapscallions would have stollen our sheep until the day they were all dead! You returned half of our flock today! Well… what remains of it, at least. We started the season with thirty, and now all we have is eight. But we can still breed them. By this time next year, we might be able to have thirty again. If more than half of the remaining eight are female, that is." He went on for some time about the farm, their business, caring for their flock, et cetera. When he got to the subject of business and product, he stood up and went over to open the ice box. "As a reward for your assistance to us today, I'd like you to have some of our milk." He returned to the table and set a tray of half a dozen full bottles in front of me. I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath at the irony.

"What's so funny?" Koyin asked.

What's funny… I began. Is that I just bought milk from Pruce today.

"Oh…" Koyin seemed embarrassed.

No, no, don't feel that way. Of course I'll accept them.

"But how will you be able to carry a dozen bottles of milk on horseback? I can imagine half, but…"

It's only eight, I informed him. But I have a way.

"What kind of way?" He seemed skeptical.

I sighed and pulled out my Sheikah Slate to explain it again. So… I began. This is a Sheikah Slate. This is what I came to speak to Purah about. Some of its main functions include a map, clock, temperature gauge, and a storage area. In this storage, I can keep many kinds of things: clothes, materials, and weaponry to name a few. Here, I'll show you. I stood up and went over to their side of the table. I set the Slate down between them and selected the Materials Storage and input the Deposit function. Then I placed the bottles of milk on the Slate and hit Submit. All six bottles transferred in a fade of blue light into the Slate, leaving the tray empty.

"What the…" Dantz exclaimed. He picked up the tray and turned it over and over in his hands in disbelief. "How?!"

Science, I responded. To be honest, I didn't know how it worked either. I just knew that it did and rolled with it. I selected the icon that showed milk and input the Retrieve function. Out came a bottle of milk in the same way that it left. Dantz picked it up and examined it. It was still cold.

"Well, I'll be darned…" I smiled at his amazement. "So, uh… How much can you store in there again?"

Lots of stuff. A whole wagon-full. As I once said, it would be useful for a traveling merchant.

"And… what kinds of things?"

Clothes, for one. I scrolled over to the Wardrobe and input the Deposit function. I pulled my sleeve over my hand and tapped it to the Slate. In an instant, my sweater was stored in the Slate. Koyin shrieked at the sudden change, but settled down when she saw I still had an undershirt. I couldn't help but laugh.

"You think you're so funny, don't you?" she scoffed at me.

It keeps me young! I proclaimed.

Dantz joined in with my laughter and patted me on the back. "I like you, Link. I can respect a man with a sense of humor." I retrieved my sweater from my Slate and put it back on. "Isn't that shirt made from our wool here?" He asked Koyin.

"It might be." She reached over and touched my sleeve. "It's very worn down though. How old is it?"

I couldn't tell you, I responded. It was a gift from my mentor.

"And who was your mentor?" Dantz asked.

I thought a moment of how to answer. An old man who lived on The Great Plateau.

After dinner, and another two cups of brandy, it was time for me to leave. "I'll walk him to the gate, Papa," Koyin offered.

"Alright, sweetie." He winked at her. I held the door for her then offered her my arm. I was aiming to only be polite, but I think she took it as meaning more than that…

She looked out at the pasture as we walked. "The sheep have calmed down. I think they know that they're not about to get snatched at any moment. It'll be nice to have a night's sleep without worrying about our flock."

I believe you. I'm sorry such a thing happened.

She nodded. "I don't expect it to be a problem for quite some time, if ever again, thanks to you."

It was nothing, I downplayed. I'm just happy to be of service.

"Nothing?! You singlehandedly saved the flock! You risked your life for us! We're able to continue our milk and wool production now. It's what our farm was founded on, after all."

I smiled. I suppose you're right. All was quiet for a moment, aside from a few crickets and frogs, and an owl in the distance.

She breathed in the night air. "The evening sure is beautiful, isn't it?"

It is. It's very peaceful.

"The light from the stars is almost as bright as your eyes." I chuckled at that. She shuddered and bit her lip. I don't think she meant to say that. But it was rather nice to hear. "So…" she began again. "You're leaving tomorrow, then?"

I am.

"I'll be able to see you again soon, I hope."

At some point. It'll be a while before I'll have the need to come back, considering my job. But I'll definitely be coming back. I like it here.

"I was hoping you would." We stopped at the gate and she released my arm. I hopped the fence and turned back around to lean on it a moment. "I-I suppose… this is goodbye then?" she said forlornly.

For now, I encouraged. She was silent as we looked at each other for a moment. I smiled. She held out her hand to shake mine.

"Thank you again for all your help. It really means a lot." I shook her hand warmly. "I look forward to your return. And, er… if you want… you can talk to me anytime."

You're very welcome. I'll be sure to keep you and your father in mind, in case you need me again.

"Of course…" she trailed off before biting her lip. Her hand still held mine; it was mildly trembling. Her eyes were contemplative. Eyes that wavered shut as she leaned in to kiss me. I inhaled sharply at the sudden gesture. It may have been unexpected, but it was by no means unwelcome. I let myself enjoy it, leaning into her. Her mouth felt lovely on mine; soft and delicate. My heart fluttered violently during that very long moment. Once she pulled away from me, I had to take a second to remind myself where I was.

I… I didn't know what to say. Thank you, I sighed. I may have sounded a bit too overexcited… and disoriented… because… well… I was.

"You're welcome." She smiled and blushed. I can only imagine what my face looked like at that moment. Was that emotion just because of her kiss, or was it due to the brandy as well… I leaned in again, and she gave me another kiss. Wow… Our lips parted slowly and I sighed with contentment. My eyes fluttered open and I smiled at her. "Have a good night, Link."

Goodnight, Koyin. I watched her as she went back up the path to her house. She looked back at me before opening the door. I raised my hand for one final goodbye. She waved shyly back.

I left their home feeling exhilarated. Inspired, even! When I figured I was far enough away, I thrust both fists into the air and:WHOO!cheered excitedly. It wasn't too late in the evening, so I don't think I disturbed anybody… At least… I hope not… It might have been a small gesture on her part, but it felt huge to me! The brandy certainly assisted in amplifying my emotions. Stay focused, Link. Don't lose your head. It was a one-time thing, let it go. But it felt great! And? You can enjoy it for today. But tomorrow you'll be leaving town and probably won't see her for a long time. You'll have more opportunities in the future. Just stay focused on your mission. And focused I stayed as I made my way back to the inn.

Now off to bed. I have a long ride tomorrow. Goodnight.

But… I don't know how much I'll be able to sleep after that…