Chapter 72 - Unfinished Conversations

Summary: In the Calamity Timeline, Granté delivers the dedication page from Mila's "History of North Hyrule" to Purah. Fallon receives the Royal Guard exam results.

As the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Akkala Sea, Granté hugged his mother goodbye before leaving the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. He took a deep breath of fresh morning air and set off on foot, following the winding path towards East Akkala Stable. A gentle breeze from the east blew through his hair as he walked, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for the peace and quiet. His trusty horse, a strong and reliable companion, was waiting for him at the stable. Granté greeted his horse with a pat on its neck and a fresh apple before mounting up and setting off on their journey. The day ahead promised to be challenging, with many miles to cover and little time to spare before reaching their destination at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.

As he rode, the cool morning air brushed against his skin and carried with it the sounds of nature awakening. The gentle chirping of birds and rustling leaves accompanied him on his journey. In the distance, he spotted a Gerudo Vai walking north and gave her a quick nod in greeting as they passed each other. He was polite but curt without being rude, for conversations with wandering Gerudo were seldom short. They often seemed intent on sizing him up as a potential mate and insisted on asking many questions about him or bragging about their cooking and other skills. Granté had no time for that today.

His focus returned to the present as a Woodland Boar scurried off into the underbrush, startled by his passing as he rode through Shadow Pass. The sun had risen higher in the sky by now, and it was about eight o'clock when he reached the South Akkala Stable. After tending to his horse's needs with water and feed, Granté wasted no time in continuing his journey towards Hateno.

Granté's horse hooves pounded against the dirt road, sending plumes of dust behind them. The fields on either side stretched for miles, spotted with vibrant wildflowers and dotted with grazing animals. The winding road led them through dense forests, where the air was thick with the scent of pine and the sounds of chirping birds. As they emerged from the trees, a majestic mountain loomed in the distance, its peaks shrouded in clouds. Granté couldn't help but take in the ever-changing beauty of Hyrule as he rode towards his destination.

Passing another Gerudo traveler on the Ternio Trail, then glancing skyward, he realized it was getting close to midday. He decided to take a shortcut through the long-abandoned Lizafos Camp at the edge of the Lanayru Wetlands. This route would have been perilous many years ago due to the Lizalfos who lurked there. But now, the only creatures in sight were cranes and Bright-Chested Ducks foraging in the peaceful wetlands. His horse's hoofs made gentle splashes in the shallow water as he continued southwest and finally past the Millennio Sandbar, where the trail resumed.

The Sahasra Slope path was steep, but he urged his trusty horse on. A small herd of wild horses stampeded away as they passed, their hooves thundering against the ground. Eventually, they reached the main road that wound through the towering Pillars of Levia as they rode towards Kakariko Village, finally arriving at the western gate just before three o'clock in the afternoon.

Kakariko Village was Hyrule's premier Sheikah settlement, and Grantè usually would stop to see Paya when he was there. Paya would share the latest news, something his mother enjoyed learning, for it reminded her of the years she spent with her Sheikah husband Robbie. But today, he couldn't spare the time. After tending to his horse and ensuring it had enough food and water, he found a quiet spot in the village to sit down and eat the lunch he had packed for himself.

The villagers went about their business, paying no attention to the traveler sitting amongst them, which was not surprising. Kakariko Village was not particularly welcoming to visitors, like Lurelin, but it wasn't hostile to them either. It tended to leave people alone, happy to do only a small trade in vegetables and clothing but not much else. He ended his meal with a crisp apple picked from a nearby tree, then gave one to his horse as well. It was time to continue their journey.

Granté urged his horse through the eastern gate, leaving Kakariko Village behind and picking up speed as he rode towards the Kakarilo Bridge. It was a simple structure, yet it marked the beginning of his journey to the east. The sky darkened as he crossed, warning of a storm brewing over the Necluda Sea.

As he continued on, the road skirted the northern edge of the Blatchery Plain. This vast expanse of land was once littered with broken Guardians, but now all evidence of their destruction had been cleared away, whatever remained having been salvaged for ancient spare parts. In nearby Ash Swamp stood a small stone monument erected by the Hyrule Historical Society. Granté knew its significance well, but today, he couldn't afford to stop and visit; he had to reach his destination before it was too late. However, he couldn't help but recite the inscription in his head - a reminder of Hyrule's turbulent past.

On this spot in the year 17, Princess Zelda, accompanied by Champion Link, obtained her sealing power and achieved the first victory in Hyrule's hundred-year war against the Calamity.

As a mental exercise, he tried recalling where other similar monuments stood. There was one just up ahead at Fort Hateno, of course. And another at the Akkala Citadel, the site of the Hyrule army's last stand. Oh, and there was a small tablet by the East Gate of Lanayru Road where Zelda and the Champions had gathered when the Calamity attacked. There may be others, he realized, but that was all he could recall.

After passing through Fort Hateno's gates, Granté took a quick break to allow his horse to rest and finish his remaining food before continuing on. It was around 8:30 PM when he reached Camphor Pond, and a light rainfall prompted Granté to pull up his hood and keep riding, thankful for his waterproof Sheikah outfit. But soon, the rain increased to a steady downpour, and thunder could be heard in the distance. His horse whinnied nervously, prompting Granté to seek shelter under a nearby rock outcropping. He calmly stroked his horse's main to reassure it that they were safe as lightning flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled. Fortunately, the storm was short-lived, and after a half-hour delay, they resumed their journey.

He breathed a sigh of relief as they finally arrived at Hateno Village around ten o'clock. The rain had stopped, and the evening air was crisp as he rode through the quiet farming community. Most residents were already asleep, and the winding path to the Ancient Tech Lab awaited him at the far end of the village. He dismounted his horse and left it by the inn where it would be cared for before continuing on foot.

The sky above was dark, and a few bright stars twinkled between the remaining clouds while insects hummed their mating song. Now and then, an owl's hoot could be heard echoing through the trees. Granté couldn't help but smile at the soft glow of blue lanterns lining the path - each infused with ancient energy. It reminded him of his youth when his father Robbie would send him to retrieve blue flames from Tumlea Heights. Those were exciting times, filled with wonder but danger as well.

Approaching the lab, he could see the light spilling out from its windows and smoke rising from the chimney - a comforting sign that Dr. Purah was home and awake.

It was always a good bet Purah would be at the lab. She hardly went anywhere without some need, a habit she developed after her anti-aging experiment went amiss, and she regressed to a six-year-old, something few people knew at the time. But that was twenty-eight years ago, and Purah now looked like an attractive thirty-year-old, though she must be over 150. It felt funny calling her Aunt Purah, but that's what he did when he was alone with her or with just her and his mother. It was a Sheikah cultural thing.

When he reached the entrance, he knocked on the door. And after seeing Purah glance through a window, she promptly opened the door.

"Granté! Welcome! This is a pleasant surprise. I hope all is well. There is nothing wrong with your mother, is there?"

"No, no, Mother is fine, Aunt Purah," said Granté as he entered.

They briefly hugged, and Purah promptly closed the door behind him.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I ate on the way here."

"Some tea, perhaps?" Purah asked as she made some room for him to sit down.

"That would be nice,'" said Granté. "Oh, and if you can spare some, Mother would like me to bring some tea home for her. She says it helps her stay alert."

"Of course, I always keep an extra supply," said Purah as she heated a kettle and prepared to make two cups of tea.

Purah busied herself while waiting for the pot of water to boil. As she did, her thoughts drifted back through the past. She recalled her surprise upon learning that her protégé Robbie had gotten married and then fathered a son. He had always seemed more of an eccentric scientist than a family man. Perhaps age had changed him in that way.

"I realize it was quite some time ago, but I hope there are no lingering hard feelings regarding my rejection of your parents' request for me to take you on as my research assistant. While I would have much preferred you over Symin, I was quite young-looking back then and didn't want to meet anyone under those circumstances."

Granté chuckled and assured her, "No hard feelings whatsoever. In fact, I was able to see more of the world because of it. As you know, I even dabbled a bit in the armor business until the Calamity's defeat and my father's passing, after which I returned to Akkala to look after my mother."

"I'm glad things worked out well for you," said Purah.

When the tea was ready, Purah poured two cups and sat opposite Granté.

"I'll come straight to the point," said Granté. "Much as I enjoy seeing you, Aunt Purah, this is not merely a social visit. Something was found on the shore of the Akkala Sea that Mother insisted you see."

Then Granté took the paper the East Akkala stable landlord gave him from his satchel and handed it to Purah. She quickly glanced through the paper, uttered an exclamation, then re-read it more slowly.

"Holy Hylia!" said Purah, laying the paper down and looking at Granté. "This is of immense significance!"

"Mother thought you would find it so."

"I already had one reason I wanted to visit with Princess Astra for a discussion, and this gives me an even greater one. The implications are staggering!"

"Perhaps for my benefit, could you elaborate?"

"This page clearly refers to events in the timeline Princess Astra came here from. So, there must be some way for objects to move between timelines."

"And Princess Astra will be interested?"

"Interested?" Purah let out a short laugh. "She'll be ecstatic! This could potentially provide a way for her to communicate with her original timeline, or even…" She trailed off, lost in thought for a moment.

"Even what, Aunt Purah?" Granté prodded gently.

"Nothing. Let's not get ahead of ourselves," said Purah, still quivering with excitement. "I need to think some more about this. Will you stay the night? The spare room is available."

"Yes, if you don't mind," said Granté as he finished his tea and stood. "I plan to leave at first light to return home."

"Before I forget, here is the tea I promised," said Purah, fetching a container full of tea and handing it to Granté. "Goodnight then. And thank you for bringing me a most intriguing item!"

Meanwhile, the following morning, Torin and Fallon sat across each other in the mess hall when Torin expressed his mixed feelings.

"I can't help but feel a bit sorry, too," said Torin.

"I understand how you feel," said Fallon.

"I'll truly miss working with you," Torin continued. "But congratulations again! You should be proud of yourself!"

The results for the Royal Guard exam had just been released that morning, and candidates were notified of their scores. Among the six people who passed was Fallon.

"I suppose you should hurry off and share the good news with the Princess after breakfast," suggested Torin.

"I'm sure she already knows," responded Fallon. "Being head of castle security, she would have access to the Royal Guard exam results when they were completed. But you're right - I can't wait to see her!"

"What happens next?"

"The letter says that those who pass will become official members of the Royal Guard during a ceremony at the Sacred Grounds in one week," Fallon clarified. "I should also receive my new uniform by then."

As Fallon and Torin ate their breakfast, the mess hall began to fill with other guards and castle staff. The buzz of conversation grew louder, and snippets about the exam results could be heard from various tables.

"I wonder who the other five successful candidates are," Torin mused, glancing around the room.

Fallon shrugged. "I'm not sure. We weren't given that information. I suppose we'll find out at the ceremony."

Just then, a messenger entered the hall and, after scanning the room, made a beeline for their table. "Fallon?" he asked, slightly out of breath. "Her Highness requests your presence in her office immediately."

Fallon's heart skipped a beat. He quickly stood up, nearly knocking over his chair in his haste. "Thank you," he told the messenger, then turned to Torin. "I guess I'll be seeing the Princess sooner than expected."

Torin grinned. "Go on, then. Don't keep her waiting."

Fallon quickly navigated through the winding corridors of the castle, then up the stairs, his mind buzzing with excitement and possibilities. He had always dreamed of being a Royal Guard, and now that dream was within reach - and maybe even another even bigger dream. As he approached Myra's desk near Astra's and Zelda's offices, Myra looked up.

"Congratulations, Fallon! I heard the news," Myra exclaimed. "You're expected in Her Highness's office. And please close the door behind you."

Fallon knocked on the open door before entering at Astra's invitation. He closed the door behind him and couldn't help but tease her, "Is this an official or unofficial visit, Your Highness?"

"Do you want me to make it official?" Astra replied with a look.

"Definitely not!" Fallon exclaimed as he quickly rushed into her arms.

"I'm sorry for my silly joke," he added as they shared a kiss.

"I am so proud of you for achieving this!" Astra said between kisses. "I have a meeting with the Education Minister in a little while, but I wanted to congratulate you first thing, and I'd like to take you out for dinner tonight. How about eating at the Fish Feast again? Whenever I'm excited, I develop a craving for fish. I think I inherited it from my father."

"Dinner it is then!" said Fallon. "I'll wait for you by the castle entrance."

After a final kiss, Fallon opened the door and left as he saw the Minister of Education waiting to meet with Astra. As Fallon closed the door behind him, he couldn't help but smile, his heart still racing from the encounter with Astra. He nodded politely to the Minister as they passed each other, then made his way down the stairs.

Walking back through the castle corridors, Fallon's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Pride at passing the Royal Guard exam, excitement for his future role, and an overwhelming sense of joy from Astra's reaction. He found himself absentmindedly touching his lips, still feeling the warmth of their shared kisses.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of congratulations from fellow guards. Many were eager to hear about the exam and what it entailed, but Fallon kept the details to himself, knowing that discretion was a key trait for a Royal Guard.

As evening approached, Fallon made his way to the castle entrance, his anticipation building with each step. He stood there, watching the sun begin its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the castle grounds. The sight reminded him of Astra's radiant smile, and he found himself lost in thought. She was just so perfect in every way!

"Daydreaming about someone special?" a familiar voice teased from behind him. "It's not a skilled guard who lets someone sneak up on him."

Fallon turned to see Astra smiling at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. He couldn't resist pulling her into a tight embrace, and they leaned in for a kiss.

"Did you leave from another exit? I was expecting you to come through the main entrance," said Fallon as he took her hand, and they began walking toward Castle Town.

Astra laughed softly. "I decided to take a shortcut through the gardens to surprise you."

As they walked hand in hand towards Castle Town, the evening air was filled with the sound of conversation. The streets were still bustling with activity, some shopkeepers closing up for the day and announcing sales,while taverns and restaurants were coming to life. The aroma of various cuisines wafted through the air. A few passersby nodded respectfully to the Princess and her companion, but most were too wrapped up in their own affairs to notice.

"So, tell me more about the exam," Astra said, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. "I was reluctant to ask you about it until I knew the results, but I'd love to hear about your experience."

Fallon squeezed her hand gently. "It was… intense," he admitted. "There were physical tests, of course - combat skills, endurance, that sort of thing. But there were also mental challenges. Strategy, problem-solving under pressure, even etiquette."

"Etiquette?" Astra raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Oh yes," Fallon chuckled. "Apparently, a Royal Guard needs to know how to deal with any issues at a state dinner. You never know what might happen."

The Fish Feast restaurant was jointly owned by a married Zora couple. The wife's name was Finra, and among other things she worked as hostess. She quickly seated Astra and Fallon when they arrived, recognizing them both.

"Welcome back!" she said. "It's always encouraging to see customers return. It makes my husband and I feel we're doing things right."

"I think you serve the best fish in town," said Astra. "And you know how to prepare it for Hylians, which must have been challenging to learn."

"Yes, it goes against our nature to burn fish, as we think it dries them out," laughed Finra. "But the proper seasoning and sauces help. My husband, Weldon, who does the cooking, studied what cookbooks we could find before we decided to try the restaurant business. And, of course, we have ways of getting the freshest fish. As specials tonight, we have grilled Hyrule bass with lemon and herbs or a seafood paella made with Hearty Blueshell Snails, both Mighty and Armored Porgies, and seasoned with salt and Goat Butter. Both come with Hylian rice and vegetables."

Astra's eyes lit up at the options. "The paella sounds wonderful. I think I'll have that."

Fallon nodded in agreement. "Make that two, please."

As Finra left to put in their order, Astra turned back to Fallon, a playful smile on her lips. "So, tell me more about this etiquette portion of the exam. Did they make you practice using the right fork for each course?"

Fallon laughed. "Not quite that detailed, but close. We had to demonstrate knowledge of proper protocol for various royal events and how to handle potential security threats discreetly without causing a scene."

"Well, I'm glad to know my future guard will be well-versed in which spoon to use for dessert," Astra teased. Her expression then turned more serious. "But truly, Fallon, I'm proud of you. You've made me very happy."

"Then I'm happy, too, sweetheart," Fallon replied as he squeezed her hand. "I know I have you to thank for the motivation to see it through."

Dinner was delicious, and the conversation was lighthearted. Astra and Fallon shared stories of their childhood adventures, and Fallon felt encouraged to learn more about Astra's somewhat mysterious past.

Fallon held her hand as he walked her back to the castle afterward.

"I'll go through the main entrance this time," Astra laughed. "And I'm looking forward to the ceremony where you receive your promotion."

"I just hope I'm not too nervous," Fallon chuckled.

They kissed goodnight, and then Fallon watched as Astra entered the castle.

She went straight to her room and noticed a note from Myra on her end table.

Your Highness,

Dr. Purah sent a note saying she would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience about a very important matter. Please let me know when you prefer to meet her, and I will make the arrangements.

Myra

"Hm, wonder what that's about? If we had Tabs, she could simply message me," Astra muttered to herself as she got ready for bed, then opened the window for a look outside.

A gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying the scent of an upcoming rain shower. An orange moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the castle grounds, but storm clouds loomed above. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about her evening with Fallon. His success in the Royal Guard exam filled her with pride and proved that her trust in him was well-placed. He had a kind heart and was a genuinely good person.

One thing she prided herself on, besides her combat skills, of course, was her ability to read someone's character by looking deeply into their eyes. Her mother had this skill as well, and they both saw the goodness in Fallon's heart.

And she had another ability as well. Ever since she turned six and was allowed to wield the sacred sword, she felt able to detect the presence of danger. For example, she sensed those three riders were up to no good as they approached Fallon and her on Crenel Peak. Or she sensed a bear ahead as she rode with Fallon through Hickaly Woods. Her skill at detecting danger might even surpass her father's, possibly because she combined his abilities with the blood of the Goddess Hylia from her mother. She recalled an incident from her distant past.

She was about ten years old and walking through Hyrule Forest Park with her father, Link when she sensed a Woodland Boar hiding in some shrubbery just ahead of them.

"Wait!" she said, grabbing Link's hand to stop him.

Woodland Boars weren't terribly dangerous and generally avoided contact with travelers. But come too close to one, and it could charge at you, delivering a nasty fall or worse. Astra picked up a small stone and threw it at the bushes, prompting an angry squeal as the boar rushed off into the forest.

"How did you know a boar was hiding there? I didn't hear it," said Link.

"I didn't hear it either - I just felt it somehow."

"You're a handy person to be with," chuckled Link as he squeezed her hand."I can often sense danger ahead, and Epona was very good at it, too. But I think you may have us beat. And that makes me happy, sweetheart. May that skill keep you safe in life."

Then he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead as they resumed their walk.

She wondered how her father was doing and hoped he was well and happy. Then, as she turned from the window, closing it for the night, her eyes fell on Myra's note again. Curiosity piqued, she wondered what urgent matter Dr. Purah could have to discuss. The scientist rarely requested meetings unless it was truly significant. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now.

She climbed into bed, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep to the sound of rain beating against the windows.