Chapter 20 - Strength in Numbers
Telma's tavern was buzzing with activity by this time of night. Amber light provided by oil lamps hung from the walls and sat atop the crowded tables provided an inviting and warm atmosphere. Smoke trails from lit pipes danced through the air, hanging thick despite the open windows as if it, too, wanted to stay as long as it could among the revelry. A particularly large group of men were gathered at the middle of the room with arms draped around one another's shoulders. They swayed together and sang a drinking song in discordant slurred verses.
Link did his best to dodge between drunken patrons and hurried waitstaff without stepping on any toes. Despite her larger size, Telma moved with an almost feline grace ahead of him, leading the swordsman towards a section at the back that she promised was far less crowded. Link nearly tripped on the outstretched foot of a man slumped at a nearby table, earning him a few stuttered curses. He lowered his head further and pressed on. Isha's said worse to better. The humor in that thought made him feel a little less on edge about all the ruckus.
Finally they reached a thin dividing curtain somewhere near the back of the bar, which Telma flicked aside to reveal a brightened room that was largely taken up by an enormous wooden dining table. Seated around it were only four people, who huddled close together and faced the newcomers. Their faces were all hidden under helms and strange masks.
The curtain fell closed behind them, and the noise of the tavern faded away to a hardly more than a murmur. Telma stepped forward and placed a hand on Link's shoulder. "Everyone, at ease. This is that swordsman I was talking about! Link, these are a few of my good friends. Ashei, Shad, Rusl, and Koto."
Link started at a familiar name. A man sitting at the far end of the table removed his leather helm first, revealing a weathered face that bore a kind and relieved grin. "I told you Telma, that's my Link." He stood and approached the grinning hero.
Link extended his hand to shake, which Rusl used to pull the swordsman into a proper embrace. "I knew you were special, kid," he said in a quieter voice. "Telma told me all about your feats in the fields. I hear you've become one hell of a warrior!"
"That's what I'm afraid of," Link said with a little humor. "Hopefully she didn't oversell me by too much."
Rusl laughed and smacked the palm of his hand on Link's shoulder. "I'm willing to bet she's undersold you." He turned to the others, who were removing their headwear. "I trained this young man, I'll have you all know! Taught him everything he knows."
The woman Telma had identified as Ashei removed her gleaming silver helmet and raised a slender eyebrow, but said not so much as a greeting. Her dark features only added to the clear judgement written upon her face. Next to her sat a scholarly man, Shad. He sat his owl-shaped mask on the desk and adjusted his large glasses.
"I believe we've all heard tales of you by now," he commented in a light tone, running a finger through his wavy hair. "I was curious how much of them were hyperbole, though. Have you really faced entire armies? And did Rusl really give you a sacred sword?"
Link gave Rusl an exasperated look. His old friend shrugged and stroked his pointed beard, which had grown considerably since they'd last seen one another. "What? Every story needs a bit of flair. Besides, it'll be sacred in a few generations or so, when your great deeds become legends!" With a hearty laugh, he led Link to an empty spot at the table. Telma took Link's things to store away in his room, and promised to return with drinks for everyone.
"It's true I've faced a good number of monsters, but I didn't do it alone," Link told the rest of the room. "I had an archer with excellent aim alongside me. We were heavily outnumbered and did what we could to keep monsters off Telma's wagon. In the end it was more of a retreat than any glorious battle this old man has tried to imagine," he jabbed his thumb to Rusl. "And no, my goat horn sword is not sacred in the slightest."
"But I made it for the Royal Family!" Rusl said defensively. "That's gotta count for something!"
"Hm.." Ashei drummed her gloved fingers on the table. "As expected." Her voice was low and polished.
"But you have fought the monsters!" Koto, a Hylian soldier still wearing his uniform seated on Ashei's left, said excitedly. "You have the experience we're desperately needing. Please, allow me to-"
"Now, Koto, maybe we shouldn't rush to spill all our secrets to the first-"
"Telma brought him back here for a reason, yeah?" Ashei interjected, shooting a silencing glance at Shad. "Our mountain man endorses him as well. The sooner he's up to speed, the sooner we can go back to planning our next moves. I prefer discretion as well, but we're in dire straits. Boss lady says he's clear, so he's clear."
"Before we get to the meat of things, why don't we start by telling him what we are?" Rusl raised his hand. When the others nodded in agreement, he turned to Link. "This little ragtag team before you is the core of our new resistance, save one who wasn't able to make it tonight. I was caught in the city a few weeks ago and unable to leave due to increased monster activity outside the city walls. I was in this very bar dreaming of home when I got to talkin' with this young lady right here," he gestured to Ashei.
She nodded. "We both found it so strange, yeah? Monsters showin' up just as Hyrule Castle closed her doors and went dark. I was supposed to be on duty in the palace when the whole thing went down, but we were turned away by the royal guard. My entire squad was told we were to remain on standby in the city until further notice. Haven't been reinstated since the attack, so -"
"The alleged attack," Shad corrected, "that somehow escaped the notice of every eye in the city. The castle is in marvelous condition for having supposedly gone under siege."
"The city walls certainly looked as though they'd been breached."
"Could have been any of the monsters out in the fields! You're making assumptions based on the words of one low-ranking soldier-"
"Princess Zelda said they were attacked," Koto cut in, his tone harsh. "These are not my words, they are hers. Everyone in the city had their memories altered after Hyrule's defeat, but she remembers it all. Disparage my word all you like, but I've proven the message was from her. Don't insult your Princess just because she isn't here to have your head."
The idea that this soldier had snuck past Zant's puppet guards to see and speak with Princess Zelda caught Link's attention. If Koto had a way to contact Zelda, then Link would need to speak with him further. He regretted that his only meeting with the monarchy thus far was in the form of a wolf. He had many questions back then, and many more now.
I wonder if the two of us could help her escape the castle entirely? If the soldier knew the layout and guard patterns, surely the help of a "Legendary Hero" would be more than enough to sneak one woman to safety. Rescuing princesses was what Heroes were all about, right?
"Right…" Shad was saying with undisguised suspicion. "So you say, though I struggle to believe that such a thing is even possible. How can one person impact so many memories?"
"This, coming from the guy who believes in the sky people?" Ashei scoffed. "The idea of a powerful warlock invading from another land isn't exactly uncommon, which you should know considering how many tomes you've crammed into that massive head of yours!"
"I prefer a healthy dose of skepticism to new information. And of course I believe in the people of the sky, they're our ancestors!" he cried. "All of my research into Hyrule's oldest ruins proves this fact. I've authored books on the subject! You said you read them!"
"I did. The only thing you've proven with your research is that the crotchety old archivists at the library still know how to laugh-"
"Hey, knock it off, you two," Telma's voice came from the other side of the dividing curtain. She swept into the little nook with a platter balanced on one hand, full of drinks. "I've already had to deal with three brawls tonight, I'm not doing a fourth." So smooth were her movements that the drinks were hardly disturbed, even when she plopped the platter onto the table.
She handed Link a mug first. "Don't mind them, honey. They've been bickering since they were toddlers. Have they managed to give you any valuable information at all?"
"I barely got through our founding before they started in on each other…" Rusl said wistfully, taking a sip as soon as his mug was handed over.
"The important thing to know is that Princess Zelda has not abandoned us," Koto said, taking over the conversation as everyone else took to their spirits. "I cannot say how, but I have a line of communication open with her. She is doing all she can to protect Hyrule from within the castle from a threat beyond anything we can imagine. The entire royal guard and almost every commanding officer is under our enemy's control. Soldiers like Ashei and I have been left with vague instructions to sit around. Our enemy wants us complacent and disheartened in our leadership.
"Her Highness has stated that, for the safety of the kingdom, we must act as though we are unaware of any changes until this enemy can be defeated. We meet in secret and train in secret, and let them think they've won. They think she's rotting away in her rooms, feeling hopeless. They don't know she's still a threat to them, and we can't let them know. So, it's up to us to amass a force strong enough to defend her when the time comes, but we must do so cautiously."
"One wrong move, and it's the kingdom, yeah," Ashei said, setting her . "We have to be selective. If you are as strong as they claim you are, then we want you on our side when that battle starts."
Link considered the group before him. "I believe you," the hero finally said, choosing his words carefully. "I, too, have seen Princess Zelda, though it was quite a while ago. I wasn't able to speak with her myself, but I knew from the moment I saw her that she had far from given up. It sounds like our goals are aligned, and I would be more than happy to lend my sword to your cause."
"Awful lot of you seem able to speak with a Princess who's been hiding from her kingdom for months," Ashei mumbled, likely thinking she went unheard.
Before he could think on a response to ease the raven-haired warrior's suspicions, a sharp pain on his leg drew Link's attention. Midna glared up at him from the shadow of the table. He kicked his boot over her face and tried to hide his annoyance. That doesn't mean I'm abandoning your mission! For her benefit, Link began to offer clarity on his priorities. "But before I can dedicate my time, I have some other business to take care of first. I really should be -"
"Oh, honey, this isn't about that little archer, is it? She was just here," Telma smacked Link lightly on his shoulder. Isha had already vented her concerns about Link running about without taking care of himself first. She'd practically begged the barkeep to force him to take a break, if he passed through. Telma, of course, could tell there was more to the girl's eagerness to delay the swordsman, but looking at the disheveled and weary young man who occupied a new seat at her table, she could also see truth in Isha's concerns.
That man was going to get a proper night's sleep if Telma had to knock him out herself. "She said she had quite a lot to do in Zora's Domain. I doubt she'd mind if you gave her a day or two more to see the sights. At least take some time to get to know these fine folk before you cut Isha's little vacation short!" She winked, then left the room to return to tend to her regular patrons, feeling quite proud of herself. That'll give 'em plenty to talk about.
At the mention of her name. three of the four faces in the room turned to Link with a mix of amused and intrigued expressions. Shad looked about as confused as Link felt.
"'Chase her down,' eh?" Rusl threw an arm over Link's shoulder. "Uli mentioned something about you bringing a friend back to the village in her last letter. Did you run her off? Haven't I taught you anything about how to keep a woman around?"
Link rolled his eyes, ready to call out that Rusl had taught him exactly nothing about women, and in fact it was Uli who gave him the dreaded love and sex talk when he was younger, but Ashei spoke before Link could reply. "I know that name. She likes to fight with a staff, yeah?" He nodded. "I dueled with her several days ago down at the arena. Wasn't too horrible, for a civilian."
"She sounds very familiar," Koto tapped his armored fingers on the table. "Is she from Kakariko? Passed through there a few months ago. I'm pretty sure I had dinner with her and her sister… or was it her mother?"
"It would have been her mother," Link replied. He had a feeling he'd heard this very story from Isha's point of view. She'd probably be offended that he could scarcely remember the woman who'd offered him a seat at her table.
"If she's from Kakariko, does that mean she survived the shadow beast attacks?" Shad inquired. "My goodness, she must be quite the warrior!"
Ashei gave him a side-long glance. "Wouldn't go that far. Probably just got lucky with a good hiding spot."
Link watched on in silence and sipped his drink while they continued talking over one another. If Isha was just here, then there's no way she's already looking for the Fused Shadow, he thought. Show up in Lake Hylia too early, and the woman likely would never forgive him for ignoring her wishes yet again. They'd already parted in such anger. Perhaps he shouldn't go at all.
But I want to be there if she needs me. Of course, that was what a hero felt he needed to do for anyone, right?
He toyed with the idea of staying at Telma's for only a day or two longer. The members of the resistance group were lively and seemed to have noble intentions. Rusl's presence put Link at ease in a way he hadn't felt since he first ventured out of Ordon. It would be good to catch up with his best friend, and learn a little more about these others who had crossed paths with Isha.
Link thought of Ooccoo, and considered cutting her loose without having to help him at all. She did not seem to be in any hurry to go anywhere else, but surely the little avian had her own life to deal with. He could take the slow way down to Lake Hylia and camp under the stars. No more worrying about everyone else, just a former ranch hand and his mare on the open road.
Well, and his ever-impatient shadow. He could feel Midna's frustration boiling from the floor. She did hate delays, and he wanted so desperately to get along with at least one of his traveling companions.
"Link?" Rusl's voice pulled the swordsman from his thoughts. "Dozing off already?"
"Sorry," Link replied sheepishly, then quickly made up his mind which of his adventuring partners he would be less bothered about pissing off. He leaned back in the chair and made himself comfortable. "I guess we've all got plenty to talk about, don't we?"
The palace library in Zora's Domain was an attraction to all knowledge seekers across Hyrule and her neighbors. Every travel log and advertisement claimed it to be a must-see for any scholar or historian, and it was rumored that it held more information than even the Hylian Royal Family's own collections.
Isha felt this qualified the library to be the perfect place to begin her survey of the wider world. She knew that other places existed, but she hardly knew anything about what kind of places they were. Only the most broad and boring of details.
Hyrule was dwarfed by the size of the known world. Wandering aimlessly would waste precious years, she needed to have some sense of direction before leaving the kingdom. Scraps of knowledge that dipped in and out of her conscious memory weren't going to be enough.
The library was quite easy to find - right off the main hall, guarded by massive doors made of a shimmering black rock. Silver designs were cast into it. Now-familiar patterns of swirls and shells framed the corners and the hinge side of the door, telling a story she could not yet read. If she stayed in the Zora village for a bit longer, she might take the time to understand the glyphs that incorporated Zora history into every structure, every street, every cliffside.
Isha smiled, feeling quite light despite the events of the evening before. Thinking like this felt normal. She didn't need light spirits or any marked Hero to help her chase her dreams. She'd let herself be led astray by honeyed words of deities that, by their own admission, didn't even know she existed until she was convenient. Isha still craved adventure, but she craved it her way, and now she craved it far away from this kingdom.
This setback was a blessing in disguise. She'd have to remember to thank Mikas before she left.
The interior of the library took her breath away. The stone in this building shone with a blue light, gliding across the stones like waves against the shore. The way the light poured from within cracks and crevices in the stone reminded Isha of the way Eldin's cave used to light up for her more recent birthdays. The ceiling stretched far beyond any height she felt was reasonable, allowing for enormous shelves housing all sorts of tomes and art pieces to fill the cavernous space. Stone bridges held up only by their attachment to the distant walls formed a web of pathways to the knowledge stored above.
Her head spun. This room was taller than Kakariko Canyon was deep! The rainbow of spines filling floor-to-ceiling bookshelves both beckoned and taunted her. It would take Isha years just to read all the contents of a single case. And this is just one library!
The young woman at one time fancied herself quite worldly, given how many books she'd read compared to her fellow villagers. She knew many turns of phrase and wordplay that her townsfolk could hardly keep up with. Her eagerness for knowledge and ability to was something everyone back home actually liked about her. They lauded her for it!
Standing amongst an innumerable collection of facts, historical accounts, passions, and whimsy, Isha realized just how far behind the rest of the world she still was. How far behind she always would be, for life was painfully short and Isha was painfully uneducated. Not for the first time, she envied all of Valan's four-hundred and twenty years. That might be enough time for her to understand and study most of the books within eyesight, as long as she didn't get too absorbed in research. And how absorbed I could get here…
A passing Zora saw her amazement and snickered, and Isha felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She didn't have time to sit around and gawk!
Looking around, she located what seemed to be an archivist's desk, which was carved of the same strange material as the library doors. Its metallic silver legs were carved in the shapes of shells that stacked atop one another. Isha approached the gold-speckled Zora who sat behind it, her nose buried in a large book.
"Hey! Um, sorry to bother…"
The Zora lowered her novel. "Can I help you?" she asked in a high-pitched voice that was neither rude nor overly friendly.
"I was wondering what shelves I should browse if I wanted to find information on lands outside of Hyrule. Preferably things like travel logs, cultural analyses, maybe even a few biographies of notable people would be a good place to start…"
"Can you be a bit more specific?" The archivist asked, rising from her seat. "What sort of regions are you interested in? Would you also like to take a look at our collection on nearby oceans and islands?"
Isha fell in step beside the tall woman, relieved that she would not have to traverse this labyrinth alone. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. I am thinking of leaving Hyrule to start a life elsewhere, but I know very little…"
The Zora led Isha up and down several aisles of books, guiding her based on the answers she gave to her never-ending questions. What kind of life did the Hylian want to live? Quiet and remote? Beachside?
"No, and no desert countries either."
"Alright then." The Zora guided Isha onwards, and her questions did not stop. Would Isha be interested in exploring the lives of those who lived in great canyon walls to the north? And what kind of climate did she prefer? Did she know of any ancestors from foreign countries whose cultures she might want to explore for herself?
Decades of experience had the Zora quite familiar with most of the collection, though travel was hardly her interest or specialty. Still, after a good while of searching, the archivist was able to connect Isha with twelve books that seemed promising. Isha found an empty alcove down one of the many corridors and made herself comfortable.
A new waterproof notebook she had picked up in town earlier that day was spread open on the table before her, and the sight made her smile. She loved filling blank paper with sprawling notes and commentary in elaborate layouts that helped her follow her own train of thought, even with the numerous abbreviations and shorthand that she'd come accustomed to using. There was something just so satisfying about the entire process, and Isha looked forward to the peace it would bring to her mind.
Hours passed, and Isha immersed herself deep in her research - so deep that she did not notice when a certain green-scaled soldier took a seat on a cushion across from her. Peras called her name, but the girl didn't so much as glance over her book. He sighed and made himself comfortable, figuring she couldn't stay so oblivious forever.
Isha reached for her notebook to write down the name of an interesting-sounding village on the Southern Continent. Her hand brushed cold, empty stone, and she finally glanced up. Peras was flipping through the few pages she'd already filled.
"Hey!" Isha lunged over the desk, but her reach was far too short.
"These notes are quite incredible!" He said, smacking the pages. "I don't understand one bit of your shorthand, but the organization and the penmanship is great! Any chance you're looking for a job as a scribe?"
She stuck out her tongue, which only made Peras laugh. "I'm just studying the world outside Hyrule. I've never had access to knowledge like this before, and I wanted to take advantage."
He sat her book aside. "Well, as long as you're here, feel free to take notes on anything you'd like. And maybe slip some copies to our archivists, I'm sure they'd appreciate-"
"Alright, Peras, surely you didn't seek me out to talk about something as mundane as the notes you weren't aware of five minutes ago." Isha ran a hand through her hair, heart pounding in her ears. If he was here to sour her good mood, then he'd better hop to it. "I suspect Mikas went straight to you last night."
The captain huffed. "I've never been a fan of communicating through someone else if I can help it. It's why I'm still looking for a scribe," he winked. "Mikas gave me one story, but I'd like to hear it all from you, if you don't mind."
Isha fought the urge to groan. She hated repeating herself. Still, she did as Peras asked, daring not to hope that her luck was set to turn. He allowed her to speak without interruption.
"… I just don't want to have come all this way to fail at what feels like the most crucial moment," she finally concluded. "I can't let all of this misery have been in vain. After hearing the problems this thing has caused, I can't bear to sit aside when I'm not only able, but supposed to lend a hand."
Peras nodded slowly, considering her words. "Isha, I appreciate and respect what you're trying to do. It's very noble, and after what you've done for Ralis, I would love to repay you in any way that I can."
"Prince Ralis," she corrected softly.
Peras struggled with his composure for only a moment. "Right, I- Prince Ralis." He cleared his throat, and Isha kept her expression polite and neutral. Cute!
"My point is, I understand that you have gone through much and have been hardened by your experience. I understand that the great Lanayru has given you a monumental task. However, I'd like to clarify that Mikas is not underestimating you when he says it is too dangerous for you to go alone. The vault contains several artifacts of varying power and value that we have had to seal away. Normally, that room is defended heavily, and protect by runes that render it undetectable by hearts clouded by evil. It's a convoluted mess of mazes and puzzles just to get to the entrance, and for good reason. Rarely do we need access to that room. After the cave-in, all our precautions and guards are useless. All sorts of vile creatures began crawling out of the stonework and into the temple.
"A single warrior of any skill could not handle the army that awaits them now, there are simply too many. We can only assume that they have taken possession of any and all artifacts. I cannot begin to imagine what they may be capable of now."
Isha's heart sank. "I see." Magical monsters and relics were more of a Hero's line of work, anyways. Annoyingly, Link had been right. She should have let him handle it from the start.
"We believe that a proper party with skilled warriors will be enough to clear the way to the vault at least," Peras continued on. "Between all that has happened, though, I haven't had the time or manpower to dedicate to that task. So, I'm sorry Isha, but to go in there by yourself is a death sentence, no matter what Lanayru has promised you. I cannot in good faith allow you to march to your death so freely after all you've done for us."
"It isn't what I wanted to hear, but I understand," she conceded, rubbing her hand idly over the book in her lap. "I have been second-guessing my path lately, and perhaps this is the sign I was needing."
Peras stood and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please, let me finish before you make any life-changing decisions. Given all that's happened and is continuing to happen across the land, I fear that war is inevitable between us and whoever commands these shadow creatures. Considering their last visit to our lands, I'd prefer to have that dark power far away from here and give them less of a reason to return to our home.
"I'd like to send a party of our best available with you to scout the temple. We won't expect you to do a full sweep, but they'll help cover you while you look for that relic, and aid you in your escape. If a monster has gotten ahold of the thing, we'll all fight it together, or retreat and return with a stronger force. Either way, we will ensure your safety as you have done for our prince, and by association, our people. If you can tolerate the idea of sharing the battle with some familiar friends, then I'll be happy to grant you permission to enter."
"Wait… really?" Isha turned to look up at the captain. "You don't have to put yourselves at risk-"
He interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "It is something that will need to be done one way or another, and this gives us an excuse to investigate how overrun the temple is. From what you've told me, we are running low on time if we want rest assured that relic will pass to good hands. It's not often that we have an outsider come in and offer to help with our issues, and I will not pass up on your goodwill. Now, did I hear correctly that you're having Dento fit you some of our special armor?"
Isha nodded, rising to her feet. "Yes, for both I and Link. Dento sent a note this morning saying he'd have them ready to be picked up tomorrow." She began piling the borrowed books upon the desk. She could come back later and resume her studies, once she'd sent Link on his merry way with that 'dark power'. "He indicated that if I wasn't there by noon, he'd burn them."
"Great!" Peras chuckled. How very typical of that impatient old scale, he thought. He handed her a few books that had found their way to the floor at some unknown point. "Then it sounds like tomorrow is our day. I'll have Valan hold on to the hero's armor and remain on standby at the spring, just in case your friend appears at a time we could really use him." Isha moved to roll her eyes on instinct, but that expected pang of annoyance at the idea of Link showing up just… wasn't there.
Well, Peras' description of the state of the temple didn't exactly inspire confidence. Isha could be reasonable about this. If it was truly so bad, they might need every fighter they can get.
"You'll both need a bit of practice with the armor before heading into the monsters' den - most non-Zora find the sensation disorienting." Peras caught her confused look. "Don't worry, you'll see tomorrow. We'll meet you at Dento's in the morning and go from there. Spend the evening preparing yourself, Isha. We're counting on you to keep that confident attitude."
Despite the butterflies swirling in her stomach, the young woman smiled. "Thank you, Peras."
The soldier shrugged as he turned to leave. "If I may be honest, I'm partially taking advantage of the situation. My grandparents once regaled I and my siblings with tales of a Hero chosen by the Goddesses, and the many great deeds he did in his quest to defeat vanquish evil. To meet the reincarnation of that Hero is beyond my wildest dreams, and yet you say you're bringing him to our doorstep. The least I can do is try to impress," he added with a smirk.
Isha restrained herself from scoffing. Though he bore the mark of the Hero, Link hardly struck an imposing figure. But Peras had spoken with such reverence, she couldn't bring herself to shatter the image he already had.
Instead, Isha thanked Peras once more for coming to speak with her, then made her way back to her rooms. She had so much to do, and the approaching sunset was already bathing the palace in a golden glow. She hadn't even checked her supplies yet! Time was running short.
I really need to brush up on my stances with the staff, too! Her previous methods of fighting were likely not going to sustain her for long in a monster-infested temple. Would her room be big enough, or would she need to find another place to train in the dark of night?
So little time!
With the click of the lock, Telma officially closed down her tavern for the night. She exhaled and slumped against the door. Her bar had always been a hot spot, but closing down for several days had only made her customers even more rowdy upon her return. Sorrows begging to be drank away only multiplied with each passing day in this city, and no bar around offered the same deals and top-quality spirits as Telma's.
She relished this time of day. Her ears still rang with the echoes of revelers, but her tavern was beautifully silent. The overnighters had already taken to their rooms for the night, and all her staff save for her night guard had gone home. He was currently out on business of his own at the moment, leaving her in peace. Though Telma loved every bit of her job, it was a draining one. These quiet moments of solitude helped her recharge and slow down after moving at top speed all evening.
She looked up to the corners of the door frame, where two small tags bearing seals of protection were hung, drawn in a language long considered dead. These and the tags over the windows were still crisp and clean - nothing dark or evil had so much as attempted to enter her bar that night, thank goodness. She'd made the mistake of letting the seals lapse while she was out of town, and it had taken her two days to remember to replace them. By then, she only had one seal left, and it was halfway to ashes.
Now, checking the seals would be a regular part of her day. With the knowledge that Princess Zelda was still alive and within the castle, she could not afford for her bar to be open to the prying eyes of the world's boogeymen. Even if all of Castle Town fell around them, she would make sure there was at least one safe house left standing.
Lousie, Telma's beautiful cat, wrapped herself around the woman's legs. When she looked down, Louise let out a croaked attempt at a meow before prancing up to the bar.
Telma smiled at her little cotton fluff of a pet. "What makes you think you deserve a treat, missy? I didn't see you helping out tonight!"
Louise alighted to the bar top and nuzzled the treat jar, in its usual spot in the corner. She always got a treat at closing time, and Telma never disappointed her.
While leaning against the bar and watching her cat enjoy several treats, the swordsman from Ordon popped his head around the corner. Seeing that the place was otherwise empty, he offered a friendly smile and approached.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping, young man?" In his plain night shirt and trousers, he hardly looked anything like the swordsman who'd impressed her so in Hyrule Field.
Link shrugged and took a seat. "Probably, but that's easier said than done these days."
"Warm milk?" She brandished a glass from under the bar. "Usually helps me when the mind won't rest."
"Please." He leaned forward and gave Louise some head-scratches, which pleased her greatly. "Beautiful cat. I've never seen anything like it."
"Louise is quite the lady," Telma agreed, looking over her shoulder fondly as she prepared his drink. She could hear Louise's purrs from here. "They say cats can detect and ward off evil spirits, so I try to keep her happy and well-fed."
The hero chuckled at this. "Sounds like Hyrule needs more cats."
"Among many other precious things she lacks," Telma said, passing him the glass of milk. "So tell me, what keeps a swordsman up at night? Or should I be calling you a Hero?"
Link waved her off as he took a long sip. "I used to think that I could never deserve such a title," he finally said, lowering his cup after a while. "Some days I still question it. But… guess I have been putting myself out there for others a lot more lately."
Telma eyed the mark on his left hand, which she was no longer surprised to see. She'd gotten over that little shock back in Kakariko. "Looks like you were born into it, child. Fate doesn't care much for what we think or feel."
"Oh." He followed her gaze and sighed, dropping his hand to his lap. "Seems everyone knows more about this stupid thing than I do."
"Honey, the Triforce is a central figure to our religion as well as our origins as Hylians. The legends that surround it are just as important as the rest of the tale. Don't tell me you've never heard any of them!"
"Religion isn't too important to us back home," he explained. "Wouldn't have had much time for it, even if it was. We had more important things to deal with here on the ground. Isha wasn't too thrilled at my lack of knowledge either, so she's told me some of the basics. Still not sure what I think about the whole thing."
Telma clicked her tongue. "Might want to get used to the idea, honey. Hyrule's in dire straits this time."
"Has it ever been this bad before?"
The barkeep shrugged. She pulled a rag from her belt and started wiping down the counter. "The last known Hero reincarnation was centuries ago, and detailed information about the evils he faced is impossible to find. We do know that someone within the court betrayed the Royal Family, so they destroyed all records pertaining to them and released a lot of misinformation to really muddy the waters. Commonfolk can't even agree if there was a Hero back then, let alone what the country was like in those days. There's a huge conspiracy that it was actually just four people acting together, not any sort of single Hero. But the smartest of us know that's a lie," she said with a knowing wink.
Isha had mentioned a story like that, but now that Telma had spoken of it, had his friend said there was one Hero or four? Damn him for not paying better attention to her ramblings. His memory wasn't that weak, was it?
Telma was still talking. "There might have been another reincarnation more recently, around a hundred years or so ago, but the monarchy dealt with things before that Hero ever showed up."
"Then how would they know whether or not the Hero was reincarnated?"
She took his now-empty glass and set it with the rest of the dishes. She'd need to get started on washing them soon if she wanted to get any sleep, but the boy seemed to need a listening ear. "They say the Triforce only wakes when all three pieces are in play - princess, Demon, and Hero. The princess of Hyrule at the time had her shard of Wisdom awaken, and it warned her of a threat from one of Hyrule's tentative allies in the desert. Their king was plotting a coup under the guise of a diplomatic visit to discuss trade and boarder contracts. The princess and an ally of hers exposed his ulterior motives before he could put any sort of plan into motion. They arrested that devious king at the city gates. Just before his planned execution, the old bastard had one last surprise up his sleeve for all of us, and revealed that he had a shard of the Triforce. He was purged from the world where he stood, no Hero needed. For once, it looked like Hyrule one step ahead of the gods," she said with a wink.
Link whistled. "Bet that Hero felt lucky he was granted an easy life."
"He might. Or he might have spent his whole life wandering, feeling like he was never living up to who he was meant to be," she said, a bit too wistfully.
"You seem to know quite a lot about Heroes, Telma."
The woman took great interest in the dishes suddenly and did not turn to face him. "I've had the luxury of hearing many stories in my time," she said. It was true, if not a bit of an understatement.
Link laid his chin on his crossed arms. "I never asked for any of this," he whispered. "Never dreamed of being some famed Hero or going on kingdom-wide adventures trying to help anyone and everyone. I liked my life in Ordon. Sure, sometimes I thought it would be cool to see Hyrule proper, but it's not like I thought of it often! So why would the gods choose me? Why not a soldier, like Ashei or Koto? Why not someone like Isha who actually wants to fight for the greater good? Who actually prayed for this sort of thing?"
"Why not you?" Telma countered. "You aren't in it for the title and treasure. Goodness, I can hardly get you to accept a free meal. You haven't come to our aid for selfish reasons. You protect on instinct, and have the skills to back it up. You face down the horrors of this world with the brave eyes of a wild beast, and I haven't seen you lose a fight yet. Sounds like a Hero to me, baby."
Link snorted, but her words did warm his heart a little. He lifted his head. "You sure know the right things to say to lift a guy's spirits."
"Not too shabby of a barkeep for an old woman, am I?" she cackled. "I do mean every word. The day you and Isha first walked through that door, the very air in here changed. Even before I saw that mark, some part of me knew who you were. City's been brighter ever since!"
At this mention of her name, the memory of his earlier nightmares came rushing back to Link. He shuddered. Maybe it was the late hour or the lack of decent sleep, but he felt so at ease talking with Telma. She knew everything, somehow.
"Is it wrong for someone to be selfish sometimes?" He drummed his fingers on the table, a habit he'd picked up recently, though he never thought much about where from. Just a new thing in a list of new things he was doing lately. "Would I still be worthy to be a Hero if I acted for once on my own feelings instead of the feelings of someone else?"
Telma tutted and toyed with one of her dangling earrings. Her too-short ears couldn't hear precise changes in tone like the Hylians could, but even a deaf and dumb rock could see through his miserable attempts at nonchalance. "That's a poorly worded question, child, but I'll answer the real one: Yes, your darling friend told me specifically she didn't want you getting in her way, though she chose to say it was because she was worried you'd be too tired." Telma eyed the sleepy-faced boy pointedly. "I can see why she might thought that little lie would be convincing."
"I just wanted to be there if she needed-"
"Honey, let me stop you there," Telma leaned across the counter and pushed her face close to his. "Isha doesn't want you to think she needs help at all. From what I gather, she's got a complex about her Dad and now the girl feels she has to measure up to you, the Chosen Hero, to honor his memory the right way. She thinks it'd be worse to be wrong than to die with her pride intact."
Link felt a twinge of irritation. "I know what Isha thinks, dammit!" At least he kept his tone down. "I want to know what you think! You saw her last, do you think she has any hope of surviving a fight with a monster on her own? What about groups of monsters? Do you even know what she's doing there or how much danger she's in?"
Telma blinked and tried not to laugh. Those eyes! They were just so intense, so out of place on such a young face. Sometimes, his eyes looked like they belonged to someone else entirely. "She mentioned she was doing something dangerous and stupid. I believe her on that. I believe she has the spirit of a warrior, and that will take her further than skill would for most. I think she may push herself to her very limit, but no, I don't think you have to worry about her shattering like a glass doll the moment a monster so much as looks at her. And calm down sir, I have residents sleeping upstairs!"
Link threw his head back and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry."
I wish I could just tell her the whole truth. It didn't matter what Isha was or wasn't capable of, or how strong Telma, Link, or anyone else thought she was. The evil beasts of the world were the least of the girl's troubles. The Fused Shadow would destroy Isha and turn her into a beast like it had done to the Goron patriarch.
Darbus had survived their fight, but was that because of something Link did? Or was it something special about Darbus himself, or the Gorons as a race that had saved the man? Even Midna didn't have the answers.
When Link closed his eyes, he could practically see the tragedy unfold. Isha, picking up some sort of shadowy piece of stone, with its foreign carvings and dark aura. It would drive her mad with its power, morph her until she was a monster as terrible as all the rest. The Fused Shadow would become a part of her, inseparable until she was slain by Link's own hands.
These nightmares aren't going away, are they?
"I failed her entire village and many more like it because I didn't get there in time," Link began. "My entire journey started because those kids from my village were taken. I couldn't even save the kids myself, by the way - she did that. I was too far behind, and too late to help her defend her village against the shadow beasts that came afterwards.
"Isha started her journey because of me. I was supposed to protect her, but she was taken by a kargarok barely a few days into our journey. I lost sight of her almost immediately when I tried to chase her down. I didn't save her from that stupid bird, the Zora did that. It was by sheer luck that I even found her again!"
Link brought his hands to his face. He knew he was rambling, but… "Ilia, my best friend in the whole world, I'm still failing her! I couldn't save her myself, and I can't help her with her memory. I can't get her or any of the kids back home to their parents. I wasted days trying to do that, while Hyrule waited for a Hero that can't seem to show up until it's too late! There's not one place I've made it on time to do anything for anyone without someone else telling me when and where to go. Everyone else seems to have a clue except for me. So when do I know when to go, Telma? When have I waited and worried long enough not to piss her off? How do I know where I'm supposed to be at the right time?"
Telma gave him a warm smile and patted his head, like a mother to a child. "Sweetheart, if regular folk like me could answer those questions, we wouldn't need legendary heroes of any sort. What I can tell you is that you must learn to respect other people's boundaries if you want them to stick around. It's not unnatural to worry, but if you want to keep traveling with that girl and fighting the good fight together, you'll need to come around to the idea of her handling her own shit. I worry about the both of you myself, but I see the strength and confidence in the way you both carry yourselves. I hesitate to think either of you would charge blindly into something beyond your capabilities."
Link didn't mind the contact, though it reminded him of how Midna would pet him in his wolf form to drive home his sub-human status, in her eyes. At least Telma's tone was warm and caring. "Someone has to worry about me, I s'pose."
He was so tired, but those images from his nightmares were waiting to pounce every time he blinked. "I just keep… seeing things. Images of what I'll find if I'm too late. They've been getting worse."
"That why you can't sleep?"
Link nodded slowly.
"I can't tell you the right answer, sweetie. Maybe your instincts are trying to tell you something, or maybe you've worked yourself up into a right fit. Hallucinating while you're tired is as common as bristles on a boar, and I take it you've been thinking about this since you two parted ways. I don't think you'll find any answers tonight. But whatever you decide, do at least try to give her the space she needs to shine. I think that young woman will surprise you if you'd give her the opportunity."
Telma took her rag in both hands and swung it around, twisting it. When it was sufficiently coiled, she reared back and smacked the air in front of the man still slouched on her barstool. The pop of air that followed started him upright. "Now, off to bed, and I'd better not see you awake before I open! Better yet, sleep till noon, since you decided to spend half your night chatting up a woman twice your age."
Link rose to his feet and gave her a sidelong glance. "Sorry to disappoint, Telma, but you're not my type."
"Oh, I know," she smiled a trickster's grin. "I live my life with a healthy dose of caution, and you clearly prefer a woman who can keep you up at night. Or is it the curves you're afraid of?" She swayed her voluptuous hips.
"It's not like that!" he growled, predictably defensive. "Why is it so strange to everyone that I want to protect a friend?" Telma relished in the scarlet hue that overtook his face.
"Bed!" she barked, winding up the rag again. "Enough stalling!" Link seemed relieved beyond measure at the chance of escape.
Can't imagine I'll be awake before he makes a break for it. Telma only hoped Isha would cut the poor kid a little slack. If Link was having prophetic dreams, maybe it was best that he listen to his concerns. An angry friend was preferable to a dead one.
Telma looked to Louise, who seemed a bit perturbed that her new best friend had left so suddenly, leaving her devoid of scratches. She smiled and hoped Louise would settle for the loving pets of the tired woman who filled her food bowl and scooped her litter. "If it's true that you've got any power over spirits or luck, try to help that poor boy any way you can. I think he'll need a lot of it."
Contented purrs were her only response.
Koto's sudden appearance in Princess Zelda's life was a sign that the Goddesses had not abandoned her, the princess decided. Her biggest and most selfish woe her own loneliness throughout this affair. Ever since Midna had found her blue-eyed beast, the imp did not come around anymore to engage in witty banter or give Zelda the tongue-lashing she deserved for letting that vile man intimidate her. The blue-eyed beast had not returned either, for that matter. Not even a legendary Hero came busting down her door, bearing a sword to defeat the darkness and restore peace. Zelda did not seem to have the same good fortune as her ancestors.
Amongst her many prayers for the deliverance and salvation of her people, the princess had dared once or twice to pray for an end to her personal misery. Just a single friend to talk to in these times would do her mind wonders. Visions from the Goddesses hardly made for good company.
Her long, delicate ears detected the increasingly-familiar footfalls of a soldier trying to walk quietly in uniform. She suppressed a smile. She had no business being happy during a time like this.
The familiar knock came at her door. "Enter," Zelda called softly.
Her one bright spot in this Twilight war ducked into her prison and softly closed the door behind him. As he always did, Koto dropped to one knee and removed his helm for a proper bow. She extended her hand, which he took in his own when he rose.
"My lady, I bring you great news." His voice was hushed but excited. "Another warrior has joined our inner circle, possibly two, if he brings his friend. He's a swordsman named Link, and according to several people, he's already been fighting armies of monsters. Guy's a real talent, apparently. Telma's taken a strong shine to him, and says she got to watch him fight firsthand. Our alliance is growing by the day, and I have the soldiers running their usual drills again. Your captain, Ashei, has been a real blessing in all of this. She's all we have left of our leadership."
Zelda offered him a prim smile, tried not to let her heart flutter at the mention of a well-skilled swordsman making waves in the world. Even if it was the legendary Hero reincarnate, the Master Sword was still not yet ready to call to her master. This was one of the many frightful facts that the Goddesses shared with her in her Visions. Until it was at its full strength, Hyrule's fate hung in the balance.
"I'm pleased to hear your efforts to inspire hope in the people are fruitful," she said. "But, Koto, I fear our enemies will not be vanquished at the hands of mere men, no matter their training. Have you seen anyone with the mark? Have you met anyone who seemed… divinely separate from the rest?"
Koto shook his head. "To tell you the truth, Princess, I don't think I'd know 'divinely separate' if it sat down for a meal in my own home. If you had any more direction, I would really appreciate it."
Zelda's shoulders fell, though she'd told herself she wouldn't get her hopes up. She turned to her vanity, where a leatherbound diary laid open. "Keep an eye on the swordsman for now. My notes on the most recent Vision are on that page."
Perhaps she should be ashamed to be sharing so much of her family's secrets and magic with a commoner, but Koto hardly seemed interested in the secrets of her family for personal gain. It had not escaped Zelda's notice that he hardly seemed interested in anything but her.
Still, he did as she asked, and tried to bring as much information as possible back to her. She was grateful for that. Every morsel of information he fed her was a tiny victory.
"They really didn't give you much to go off of," Koto said after a few moments of reading, rubbing his chin.
"Visions that quickly leave my memory are often more speech than image. I suspect we had quite the conversation."
"And that's the part of the memory you lose first?"
"Unfortunately. Dreams are similar, you know."
The soldier smiled. "Interesting. Wonder if any of my dreams have ever been prophetic."
Despite herself, Zelda giggled. He wasn't even from one of the main villages of Hyrule. The goddesses likely knew little of his existence, let alone ever sent him any visions. They were quite partial to true Hylians, those who dwelled within Lanayru's province and close to the crown.
"So I see you've underlined 'Six Sages' a few times. Anything there?"
"The sages were involved in the banishment and execution of one believed to be the reincarnation of hatred. Unfortunately, the Sage of Water was killed before he was taken care of, and there hasn't been another one since. It's been over a hundred years."
"So there's only five sages now?" Koto tapped the word "six." "Seems the shrine needs a new name."
"There are always six sages," Zelda replied. "How do I explain… Sages are immortal spirits, beyond the laws of time as we understand them. They have always existed, in one form or another. They dwell in all worlds and all times, and there are always six to represent the elements. Light, forest, fire, water, shadow, and spirit. We only see them in times of war, and the rest of the time they're… Somewhere else. I don't know. It's beyond our understanding, even with my gifts."
"But now one's dead?"
"The… previous vessel is dead, I suppose. The person who was that vessel hasn't existed for however long the Sage has been awake, but their physical form is the connection that allows the Sages to work in our world. When that form is destroyed, they must be reborn in a new vessel before they can resume their Sagehood." The princess desperately wished Auru was present. Her old tutor knew much more about the sages than she did, and had even spoken to them. But even though he was a member of Koto's little resistance group, he'd been out of the city for weeks now on his own missions.
"The Sage of Water has always been and always will be, just like all the rest. They are merely slumbering in their vessel and waiting for a time when they are needed once more. It seems that something has gone wrong, and the sleeping sage isn't waking like they should. I have been tasked with mending this issue."
Koto leaned back in the chair he always sat in when he visited. "How do you spot a sage? Do they have some sort of mark as well?"
"Vessels are nothing special on their own. No powers, no marks, not a single change that we know of." Zelda responded, shaking her head. "Until they've been awakened, not even the vessel knows what spirit they harbor. And little is known of the sages' previous lives as mortals, so we can't use them as examples of what to look for either. Even they do not remember any part of their lives before they ascended to Sagehood."
"Why would the Goddesses give you such an impossible task?"
Because they're as desperate as the rest of us. No, that was too blasphemous to say. Zelda would have to pray for forgiveness for even thinking such a foolish thing. "They feel it is within my capabilities to fix whatever has gone wrong. I should be honored with such a responsibility, but something tells me I am running out of time to find the sage."
"The offer to help you escape this place is still on the table," Koto said, taking her hand once more. "I think we have enough people to pull it off. You can't search for the sage locked in this room."
"No, I must stay. I must keep Zant's eyes on the castle. My very refusal to submit to his dark realm is a reminder to him that I may be imprisoned, but I am far from out of the picture. The more he focuses on restricting my powers and keeping me contained, the less attention he may afford the rest of you."
Koto squirmed in his seat. "Your highness, with all due respect, I feel I am of little actual use to you. I can't help you with your missing sage, or with your imprisonment. I can't face down the man responsible for so many stolen lives, cant free my fellow soldiers from his spell… Is there anything at all that I can offer that will actually aid you?"
Your company, your gentle touch, your kind eyes… Such swooning would be improper. Zelda kept her expression stoic. "You have been doing more than I could have ever asked, Koto." She meant every word. "My best assumption is that a sage who should have awakened by now may be having symbolic dreams, or perhaps a new affinity for magic corresponding to their element. There must be some indicator that sets a sage's vessel apart. Scrutinize every strange happening you hear, and look for someone who would not lust after a position of great power. The Chosen are rarely ones who seek fame and title. Above all else, a sage's heart is pure of intent."
Koto hummed. "And when I find them, tell them to go find a shrine that's in an undisclosed location in the desert?"
Zelda nodded. "Auru will be able to guide them. Be cautious of who you reveal this information to. There are those who would kill for a chance to loot the Sage's shrine, and few outside of the Royal Family know of its existence at all. I'm entrusting you with great secrets, soldier. I pray that you will guard them closely."
Koto stood and raised his fist to his chest, bowing low. These visits were always so painfully short. "I will guard them with my life, as I would do for the one who shares them with me, if she would only allow it."
Another smile had to be forcefully kept from Zelda's lips. She shouldn't encourage him at all, but he knew all the right things to say. "She would prefer that you guard your life just as well, so that you may be justly rewarded once she returns to her throne."
When he left her room moments later, Zelda swore it was more cold and lonely than ever before. How much longer would she suffer this miserable existence before something finally broke? She could only hope her beloved people were prepared for the war that would follow.
A/N: I am praying the formatting shows up correctly. I've been having issues with FFN left and right.
You may have noticed a rating change - upcoming chapters get pretty gory (as I'm sure you can guess, we've got some big battles comin'!) Also Isha held me at bow-point and demanded I let her say fuck.
Thanks for reading and supporting this story! Every time I get a review, follow, or fave, my heart soars. Seriously.
Next chapter will be around in a week or so. I've been on fire with writing lately and have built my buffer back up, so I'm more comfortable doing near-weekly updates again. We'll see how long it lasts :)
