Chapter 66 - Old Scores

Summary: In the Calamity Timeline, Fallon and his colleague Torin investigate a series of robberies that lead to an encounter with a person from Fallon's past.

The early evening was still and dark, with not even a sliver of moon to light the path ahead. The only illumination came from a small lantern attached to Norton's horse-drawn wagon, casting a warm, flickering glow upon the well-trodden road just west of Mabe Prairie. Norton, a hardworking merchant from Castle Town, clutched the reins tightly as he guided his horse south on the road that meandered past Mabe Prairie, pulling the now-empty wagon he used to transport goods.

He had experienced a successful day of sales and was eagerly anticipating arriving home to the embrace of his loving wife and the laughter of his two young children. Facing the constant challenge of making ends meet, Norton appreciated having a stall in Castle Town, where his determination and hard work were rewarded with the opportunity to provide for his family.

With a click of his tongue, Norton urged his horse to press on, its hooves rhythmically thudding against the dirt road as they journeyed further south. Suddenly, the stillness of the night was shattered by a commotion from behind. Out of the inky blackness, a sinister figure emerged and leaped onto the back of Norton's wagon, brandishing a sharp, menacing object against Norton's throat.

"Don't turn around if you know what's good for you," the stranger hissed menacingly. "Just hand over your rupees."

Norton's body shook uncontrollably with fear, his breath catching in his throat as he hastily reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a pouch filled with the day's earnings. The stranger, concealed by a shadowy mask, swiftly dismounted the wagon and vanished into the night, leaving Norton alone with his racing thoughts.

Despite losing his hard-earned money, Norton knew he had been spared a horrible fate. He solemnly promised himself to report the theft first thing in the morning when he returned to Castle Town. But for now, he could only hold onto the hope that he would soon be reunited with his family. Norton's heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline still surging through his veins as he clung to the reins, guiding his horse down the road that led him back to the life he cherished so dearly.

The next day by Hyrule Castle, the sun shone brightly as Fallon made his way to the mess hall when his unit's Captain spotted him.

"Fallon!" the captain called out, approaching him.

"Yes, Sir," replied Fallon.

"We just received another report of a robbery near Mabe Prairie last night, a Castle Town merchant returning home," said the captain. "After breakfast, I need you and Torin to go to Mabe Village and gather information. These robberies must be stopped! People are once again afraid to travel at night."

"Understood, Sir," answered Fallon. "I'll inform Torin."

A few minutes later, he and his friend Torin sat down to breakfast in the bustling army mess hall nearby. The aroma of scrambled eggs and sizzling sausages filled the air as they found a table and settled in for their day's first meal.

"You feeling better?" Fallon asked as he set his tray down on the wooden surface.

They had returned from their training mission in the Gerudo Desert the night before last, and Torin had been under the weather the whole trip back.

"Yeah, I'm okay now," chuckled Torin, taking a sip of orange juice. "But I understand why they give us a day off after returning from maneuvers with the Gerudo. Those Noble Pursuits creep up on you."

"Maneuvers is definitely the right word," laughed Fallon, remembering their celebration night. "And I'm not speaking militarily. I'm glad I had enough sense to limit my drinking and get some fresh air. Their perfume goes right to your head."

They each took a moment to dig into the delicious breakfast, their plates piled high with fluffy eggs and savory sausages.

"I guess it should come as no surprise the Gerudo women are quite good at seduction," said Torin, resuming their conversation. "For ages, their race's survival has depended upon attracting non-Gerudo males. Anyway, while I was recovering from a hangover, how did you spend your time since we're back?"

"Well, the day of our return, I got to spend time with the Princess and make up for some lost time," Fallon replied with a smile, thinking of his love. "The next day, she was pretty busy with duties, but we had dinner in Castle Town and spent more time making up for our time apart."

"It's funny how you phrase things, Fallon," laughed Torin. "By 'making up for lost time,' I assume you mean you were wrapped in each other's arms and kissing madly? And are you fully caught up yet?"

Fallon blushed at his friend's teasing words, quickly taking a bite of eggs to hide his embarrassment. But he couldn't help but make a reply, his cheeks still flushed.

"What happens between me and Her Highness I consider a state secret," he teased. "And I hope we aren't caught up yet. She's incredible, Torin! Her gorgeous blue eyes are impossible to resist. I can't look away. And each kiss surpasses the last one. When she smiles at me, I become completely lost in her!"

"Royal Family witchcraft, I warned you," chuckled Torin, making Fallon laugh.

They paused to resume eating until Torin spoke up once again.

"Did you pick up today's orders, by the way?"

"Yes, we're doing criminal investigation work today," Fallon replied, followed by a fork full of eggs.

"Huh?"

"We'll be patrolling on foot and heading to the Mabe Village area to investigate matters," Fallon answered after sipping his juice. "There have been reports of travelers being waylaid and robbed around there, and there is no clear description of the culprit. The latest robbery was just last night. We're supposed to see if we can learn anything."

Torin nodded as they both resumed eating their meals.

When their breakfast was finally finished, they returned their empty dishes and headed out into the sunny, mild weather. They passed through the streets of Castle Town, where merchants were busy tending to their shops. Fallon and Torin exchanged friendly greetings with familiar faces from past patrols, including one of the Gerudo workers, Corona, at the Starlight Memories jewelry store outlet. Though Fallon and Torin didn't stop, she couldn't resist a sales pitch.

"Sav'otta! We have a special sale today for members of the Hyrule army. Come choose something special for a loved one," Corona urged.

"Sav'otta Corona. Sorry, I'm broke. Your Kara Kara Bazaar outlet already emptied me of my rupees," Fallon chuckled.

"We can extend credit for a modest fee," Corona replied. "And what about you, Torin?"

"Sarqso, I'll think about it," said Torin.

"We're open until ten tonight, and it would be a shame to miss out on this special sale," said Corona as Fallon and Torin continued on their way.

"The Gerudo are certainly aggressive as merchants, too," Torin chuckled after being out of earshot. "But speaking of jewelry, how did Her Highness like the bracelet you got her?"

Fallon couldn't help but grin. "She said she loved it and wore it while we were together. But she also sweetly encouraged me not to spend so much money on jewelry in the future."

"A princess who doesn't like jewelry?" Torin raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"She explained that she was always afraid of losing jewelry during combat training or battle, which would make her feel bad. So, she never got into the habit of wearing any save on formal occasions. But she said she loves flowers," Fallon reminisced with a smile.

Their patrol route led them along a winding path, passing by the Sacred Grounds, where many important ceremonies were held, including Astra's coronation. The grass was a vibrant green, dotted with colorful wildflowers, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves of nearby trees as Fallon's gaze lingered on the site.

"I wish I could have witnessed it up close," he murmured longingly.

"What are you talking about?" Torin asked in surprise.

"The Princess's coronation, of course," Fallon replied wistfully. "I just wish we were stationed closer so I could have had a view of the ceremony. I'm sure she looked even more radiant and beautiful than in the painting."

"You know only the Royal Guard were allowed that privilege," Torin reminded him. "And do you ever think of anything besides the Princess?"

Fallon chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, I guess I've become predictable and boring."

"It's fine," Torin reassured him with a pat on the back. "But if you had been there, I have a feeling you would have caused quite a stir while on duty when you realized who the girl you ate Honey Glazed Mushrooms with was."

"Ha, yeah, probably true," Fallon chuckled.

The Sacred Grounds faded into the distance behind them as they journeyed southeast.

Their path led to Mabe Village, a picturesque hamlet with charm and nostalgia. It had been lovingly restored to its original condition many years ago as part of Zelda's early efforts to rebuild the Central Hyrule settlements. A crystal-clear pond glistened in the sunlight, its surface reflecting the rolling hills to the west. Wooden cabins dotted the village, while a grand multi-level house loomed over all, with a smaller home nearby holding an open-wall shed with a proud Cucco weather vane perched atop. The air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds, giving Mabe Village a sense of serenity and peace.

"Pretty empty here," Fallon commented at the lack of anyone in sight.

"I suppose we could go door to door and ask if anyone has seen anything suspicious," Torin suggested.

"It's a start, though I expect many residents are away at work. Some villagers probably work at the ranch to the southeast, while others may be employed at Castle Town," Fallon replied.

With each knock on the cabin doors, Fallon's prediction came true—most remained unanswered. However, one door creaked open to reveal a middle-aged woman wearing an apron and holding a broom, looking as if she had been interrupted from her cleaning.

"Can I help you?" she asked politely.

"Good morning. My name is Fallon, and this is my partner Torin. We're investigating a series of thefts in the area. Have you noticed anything suspicious?" Fallon inquired.

"I'm sorry, I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary," the woman replied. "My name is Anna. Forgive me for not inviting you in. Our cabin is quite small, and I'm still tidying up."

"That's fine, Anna. But you mentioned 'our' cabin?" Torin pressed.

"Yes, my husband Lance and I live here. He works at the ranch during the day, though I fear he won't be able to keep it up much longer. It's physically demanding work, more suited to someone younger," Anna sighed.

"Perhaps we will try to speak with him as well," Torin suggested

"You are more than welcome to, but I doubt he saw anything either. If he had, he would have told me. He's very routine in his travels: up at dawn, straight to the ranch, and home by sunset for dinner," Anna said.

"I see," Fallon nodded. "What can you tell us about the other residents in the village?"

"Not much, I'm afraid," said Anna as she shook her head. "We have a reputation for minding our own business here."

"A trait I'm sure you honor," Torin smiled. "But any information at all would be helpful."

"Well, that house over there with the weather vane belongs to the Miller family - husband, wife, and their grown daughter Andrea. They all work at the castle, I believe. Their story is quite sad, though. Andrea was engaged to an army soldier she met at work. But he was killed in battle by the Yiga Clan. I'll never forget the heart-wrenching cries that drew me to look out my door. And it was a Gerudo woman who brought them the tragic news," Anna shared.

"That is truly heartbreaking. We're all quite glad to be rid of the Yiga Clan," Fallon said solemnly. "And what about the large house down the road?"

"Ah, the original residents of that house date back to before Lance and I moved here. But I've heard two brothers inherited it when their parents passed on. Honestly, though, I've never seen them. They must work nights or something. Sorry, that's all I know," Anna replied.

"Well, we won't take up any more of your time," Torin said as he and Fallon nodded respectfully. "Thank you for your help."

"Of course. Good luck catching the thief," Anna said as she bid them farewell and closed her cabin door behind her.

"If what Anna said is true, nobody will be home at the Miller house. We can check on the brothers' house next," said Torin as he and Fallon headed toward the large house. "Though if they work nights, they might not appreciate being woken up."

"We'll just knock once," said Fallon. "The night shift can follow up if we don't get an answer. After that, it's about time for lunch at Hyrule Garrison."

The brothers' residence stood out as the most impressive in the whole village. With two floors and a steeply-pitched gable roof made of reddish-brown shingles, it was hard to miss. The walls combined light-colored stone and exposed wood, making the house look charmingly rustic. Small rectangular windows with white frames were evenly spaced across the front of the house, all adorned with curtains pulled closed. A wooden door had an awning above it supported by beams, and around it was a small porch. Surrounding the house was a wooden fence and some bushes and trees.

Fallon rapped on the door, but there was no response. Torin noticed something out of the corner of his eye and looked to his right.

"I could swear I saw a curtain move at that window on our right," he said.

"I'll try knocking one more time," Fallon suggested, doing just that. But once again, there was no answer.

"Well, we can't force anyone to cooperate, and maybe they resent the interruption if they work at night," Fallon shrugged as they turned away. "Let's head to Hyrule Garrison for lunch. I think they're serving roast pork today."

"We better watch out for boars if we cross any woods," Torin joked. "First sausages for breakfast, now roast pork for lunch? They might start thinking we have a vendetta against them."

Fallon laughed. But as their voices faded into the distance, someone peered intently from one of the windows of the house they had just left.

"Hmm," Frank muttered to himself. "If it isn't that uppity guard Fallon who arrested me for pickpocketing just over six months ago. And the Princess and him are responsible for putting my older brother Frond in jail. I've been waiting for a chance to get back at him. And that will really impress Frond as well."

The short walk to Hyrule Garrison was uneventful, the only sounds the crunch of gravel under their boots and the occasional cry of a bird. Fallon and Torin arrived in time for lunch with two fellow soldiers they knew named Dodson and Walton. The smell of roast pork and green beans filled their noses as they sat down at a table for four. The wooden chairs creaked as they settled in, the sounds of clinking silverware and friendly chatter surrounding them.

"What brings Prince Fallon to our humble outpost?" teased Dodson, a wide grin on his face. "And don't act surprised, Your Highness, like news of you and the Princess hasn't already spread everywhere."

"We're looking for information about a thief or thieves working in this area," said Fallon, feeling his cheeks flush despite himself.

"If it's someone who stole a heart, you should be checking at the castle," joked Walton.

"Yes, and I'm sure Fallon here would enjoy probing into the suspect's movements," laughed Dodson, causing Walton to snort with laughter.

"Come on, guys," pleaded Fallon. "Show some respect. You're making me very uncomfortable, and I'm going to leave if you don't lighten up."

"He's right," agreed Walton with a grin. "And Dodson, tone it down. We need to stay on the good side of our future Prince Fallon."

Fallon shook his head at his comrades' teasing remarks, but to his relief, the conversation soon veered into other matters. They discussed how everyone was doing and shared stories from past missions.

"We had better be off," said Torin after everyone finished their meal, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin. "We still have to interview people at the ranch and anyone else we encounter."

"Good luck. We heard about the thievery," said Walton with a frown. "The Captain here put on extra evening shift patrols, but so far, nothing. Hopefully, we can catch whoever commits these crimes so things can return to normal."

"Say hello to Her Highness for us," added Dodson as everyone stood. "Seriously, we're all happy and excited for you, Fallon. You're one lucky person!"

"Don't I know it!" agreed Fallon with a smile.

"Just make sure we all get wedding invitations," added Walton mischievously, unable to resist one last tease.

The group shared another round of laughter before saying their goodbyes, and Fallon and Torin began their travel back toward Mabe Village.

"I guess I should have expected all that teasing," said Fallon as he shook his head.

"At least they didn't get too out of hand," laughed Torin. "Those two can get a bit rowdy sometimes, especially after a few drinks. It was good you forced them to change the subject."

They continued down the road heading north until they reached the southern outskirts of Mabe Village, where they turned east and crossed an open field to reach the ranch southeast of the village.

The ranch had one house, a barn to keep horses and cows, and a fenced paddock to exercise horses. The ranch raised both types of animals and was famous for supplying some of the finest milk in Hyrule.

As they approached, a man in worn work clothes trudged toward them from the barn area. Sweat glistened on his brow, and he wiped it off with the back of a rough hand. His gaze was steady as he looked them over.

"Afternoon," he greeted, voice gruff from shouting orders all day.

"Good afternoon," Fallon replied. "We're here concerning the recent thievery issues in the area."

"Aye, I heard about that," said the man, nodding solemnly. "Quite a nasty business. I'm Harold, and I run this ranch. What do you want to know?"

"We're just trying to gather as much information as possible," Fallon replied. "Have you seen anything unusual recently? Strange people around? Or noted anything missing?"

Harold scratched at his stubbled chin thoughtfully. He glanced back at the barn and then towards the house before sighing heavily.

"Can't say I've seen anything out of sorts on the people front," he confessed, "As for missing anything, we got sturdy fences and some large dogs we let loose at night - they keep wanderers out."

"Could we check with your workers?" Torin asked. "We'll keep it short to not disrupt too much of their work."

Harold nodded and gestured for them to follow him towards the barn. The scent of hay and animals filled their nostrils as they entered. Unfortunately, the workers there had no more information than the one tending to the horses in the paddock.

"Sorry we couldn't be more help," said Harold as Fallon and Torin prepared to leave.

"That's fine. Thanks for your cooperation," said Fallon. "It seems this thief is pretty clever at avoiding notice."

Fallon and Torin said goodbye, leaving the ranch no wiser than when they arrived.

Torin finally spoke up, breaking the silence. "So, what's our next move?" he asked.

"Unfortunately, our day's work hasn't yielded much," Fallon replied with a sigh.

"Well, I guess we shouldn't be surprised. If anyone had any information, they would have spoken up by now," Torin said, his disappointment evident.

"I think it might be best if I extend my patrol hours and try to speak with villagers returning from work. They may have seen or heard something," Fallon suggested.

"I'll stay with you," Torin offered.

"That's kind of you, but I don't want you to stay out too late and overexert yourself. You're still recovering from the Gerudo festivities. How about we split up and cover half the village each?" Fallon proposed.

"Sounds good to me. I don't think I'll be much help staying out too late anyways; I didn't sleep well last night," Torin admitted.

The two guards split up, with Torin heading north and Fallon taking the area's south side. As the sun began to set, people started returning from the direction of Hyrule Castle. Fallon saw Torin approach the Miller family before focusing on the other direction.

The sky grew darker, and only a sliver of moon was visible. Fallon interviewed two farm workers who were returning from the south, but like everyone else, they had seen nothing out of the ordinary. When he looked back at the village, he noticed that there were no lights on in the brothers' house. He wondered if someone was still asleep or if they had missed whoever lived there while they had been at lunch at Hyrule Garrison.

However, that was not the case. Frank was actually peering carefully out of his window, his focus solely on Fallon. It seemed like opportunity was knocking at his door as Fallon was alone now, his partner having wandered off to the north. And the Princess that his brother Frond had warned him about confronting, the person the cowardly Fallon hid behind when his brother and the other gang members attacked, was nowhere to be seen. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Frank decided to take it. He grabbed his sword and slipped out a back window out of sight of other buildings. Then, he stealthily approached Fallon, using bushes for cover along the way. He couldn't wait to settle a score and earn his older brother's praise.

Meanwhile, Fallon continued his rounds, the village growing quieter as the night drew on. He was now past the last of the houses, near the edge of a small forest that skirted Mabe Village. He shook his head at his lack of success, wondering if the thief was too cunning. In the distance, a church bell tolled the hour, the area otherwise deathly silent.

Just as he turned to head back to more populated parts of the village, a rustling in the bushes startled him. He turned towards the sound with a hand on his sword hilt. For a moment, all was silent except for the soft whistle of wind through leaves. And then abruptly, Frank burst out from behind a bush, wielding a sword and an expression full of malice.

It happened so quickly that Fallon barely had time to draw his sword and block Frank's wild swing. The shock reverberated down his arm, but he held firm, gritting his teeth. He instantly recognized Frank - one of the thugs he had caught pickpocketing in Castle Town.

"You?!" Fallon gasped out. "I should have guessed you would be the one involved here. I forgot that you finished serving an all too-lenient six-month sentence. And now I realize who the brothers are."

Frank grinned maliciously. "I'm not thieving now, just settling a score," he spat and lunged again. "And you can't hide behind your girlfriend this time."

Fallon parried his attack successfully and pushed him back, his anger rising at Frank's words. His heart raced in his chest as they circled each other warily.

The clash of steel echoed through the air as Fallon and Frank circled each other, blades at the ready. Fallon's eyes narrowed, searching for an opening in his opponent's guard. Frank, a hulking brute with a reputation for cruelty, sneered and lunged forward.

Fallon parried the attack with a swift motion, the impact reverberating up his arm. He pivoted, using Frank's momentum against him, and slashed at the villain's exposed flank. Frank twisted away, but not before Fallon's blade drew first blood, leaving a thin cut.

Enraged, Frank unleashed a flurry of strikes, each more vicious than the last. Fallon found himself on the defensive, forced to give ground as he deflected blow after punishing blow. Sweat beaded on his brow as he searched for a way to turn the tide.

The two fighters moved across the ground, their blades glinting in the pale moonlight. Fallon's footwork was precise, and each step was calculated to maintain his balance and position. On the other hand, Frank relied on brute strength and aggression, his heavy steps leaving gouges in the soft earth.

As they neared a crumbling stone wall from ages past, Fallon saw his chance. He feinted left, then spun right, using the wall as cover. Frank's sword struck a stone, sending sparks flying. In that split second of vulnerability, Fallon struck.

His blade found its mark, slicing deep into Frank's arm, not holding his sword. The villain roared in pain and fury. Fallon pressed his advantage, raining down a series of precise strikes that drove Frank back.

But Frank was far from finished. With his wounded arm, he grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at Fallon's face. Fallon barely managed to close his eyes in time, feeling the grit sting his skin. He retreated, blinking furiously to clear his vision.

Frank seized the opportunity, charging forward with renewed vigor. His blade whistled through the air, missing Fallon's throat by mere inches, but the tip grazed his arm, opening a wound. Fallon stumbled backward, his heel catching on a loose stone. For a heart-stopping moment, he teetered on the edge of losing his balance.

In that instant, time seemed to slow. Fallon saw Frank's triumphant grin, the glint of his blade as he prepared for a killing blow. But the Princess's defensive training took over. Fallon let his body fall, turning the stumble into a controlled roll. He came up behind Frank, who was caught off guard by the maneuver.

With a final, desperate swing, Frank overextended himself. Fallon ducked under the wild arc and thrust upward, his sword piercing Frank's shoulder. The villain's weapon clattered to the ground as he stumbled backward, clutching his wounds.

Fallon stood over his fallen foe, sword tip hovering at Frank's throat. "It's over," he said, breathing heavily. "Yield."

With a fierce glare and evident hatred in his eyes, Frank reluctantly nodded in defeat. The sound of Torin's shouts grew louder as he approached, causing Fallon to lower his blade slowly, still on guard despite his victory.

"Are you alright?" Torin asked worriedly. "I rushed over as soon as I heard."

"I'll be fine," replied Fallon, wincing slightly at his arm's bruise and a small cut. "I think we've solved the mystery of who's been thieving."

Turning to Frank, Fallon spoke sternly.

"And if you were missing your brother, I'm sure your punishment will allow plenty of time for a family reunion," said Fallon. "Let's take this criminal back to the castle and call it a day."

"I'm sure you'll receive a commendation for your actions," remarked Torin as they helped Frank to his feet.

As they began their walk back to the castle, Frank still clutching his injured arm, Fallon added, "I'll have to thank the Princess for her combat training. It definitely came in handy."

"Ah, there it is again - talk of Her Highness," chuckled Torin. "I guess I should have expected it."

"Why not? I love her," Fallon admitted with a chuckle.

"Witchcraft," Torin teased, and they both laughed.