Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: The Ballad of Fallen Angels ❯ To The Southern Swamp! ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 7: “To The Southern Swamp!”

The four of them made excellent timing on their journey, leaving Milk Road behind as evening fell. They agreed to camp out under the stars and reach the swamp the next day.

Cremina and Tael were asleep almost as soon as they laid down, but Saetoushei and Romani stayed up late into the night, talking about everything that happened in the last seven years. The two fell asleep side by side as the twilight faded into the blackness of midnight.

Cremina slashed at the undergrowth with her javelin as the group trekked through the forest. The paths that led to the swamp had obviously not been used or cared for since Saetoushei left the last time, and the going was incredibly hard.

“About four years ago,” Romani was telling Saetoushei. “King Spintick of the Deku passed on. Princess Melondia became Queen and, for one reason or another, broke all communication with the rest of Termina. The Swamp Archery Range and Photo Contest were chased out by her armies. Apparently, the only non-Dekus allowed to remain in the swamp are Kotake and Kobei, the witch sisters. No one knows why she did it, but that's the way its been.”

Saetoushei shook his head. “I saved her from the Woodfall Temple, spent some time with her, she never seemed to be like that. So much is different now. Doesn't anything stay the same?”

They stopped for lunch by the blackened husk of a burnt-out tree. It was there the last time Saetoushei visited the swamp, although it had been alive then.

“More work of Deku aggression.” Romani said, pointing at the dead husk. “The Queen had her domain burnt nearly to the ground. Something about freeing it from the dirt of outsiders. Most of the swamp has grown back but you'll probably find more scorch marks around.”

“This is dangerous, Saetoushei.” Cremina said, looking at him. “We could easily be killed on grounds of trespassing.”

The party encountered nothing more dangerous than some Green Gel-Gels: green blobs of gelatinous masses with large mouths and teeth. These were easily dispatched by a good thrust from sword or javelin, or a well-placed arrow.

As the late afternoon sun began its fall towards the horizon, the group heard faint sounds coming from around the bend in front of them. Screams, along with the clanging of metal on metal, sounded from the path.

“Do you hear that?” Tael asked.

“Of course,” Saetoushei replied, drawing his sword and shield. “How could anyone not hear it?”

“There is battle and death ahead of us.” Cremina said softly, raising her javelin to a battle position. “We must check it out.”

Saetoushei blinked in astonishment. Romani had always been the more violent one, Cremina never wanted anything to do with violence.

Romani un-slung her bow from her shoulder, pulling an arrow from her quiver. “Depending on who it is, I'd like to get involved.”

Hurrying around the bend, the group ran headlong into a wild battle. Deku soldiers were backed against the forest wall, fighting wildly at the much taller, black-uniformed human soldiers that both outnumbered and overpowered them. Each of the human soldiers carried a round shield with a blood-red crest: a setting, dying sun surrounded by crossed sword blades.

“Death Horde soldiers! They're Descrod's!” Romani shouted as she loosed her arrow. It flew through the air and ripped through one of the soldiers' throats. He collapsed onto the bloodied ground.

The other soldiers found themselves attacked from both sides as Saetoushei hurled himself into their ranks, screaming battle cries as his sword decapitated a soldier. Cremina struck forward, wounding a soldier in the ribs. Romani put an arrow through the forehead of another soldier as the Dekus regained some of their confidence and hurled themselves into the fray, stabbing and slashing with their short swords.

It was over in a matter of minutes. The bodies of Death Horde soldiers littered the ground, equally numbered to the dead of the Dekus, their little frames nearly cleaved in two.

Saetoushei, Tael, Romani, and Cremina stood, breathing hard, warily watching the remaining Deku soldiers. The Dekus still outnumbered their small party by threescore.

One of the Dekus strode forward. He was obviously the commanding officer. Cremina noted that during the fight, he stayed behind the rest of his force.

Pointing at Romani, he demanded, “Who are you and why are you here?”

“I am called Romani. This is my sister Cremina. We are the former owners of Romani Ranch.”

The Deku commander pointed at Saetoushei. “And you?”

His old bravado and Bomber routines returning to him in the face of a military officer, Saetoushei straightened up and saluted with his sword. “I am Saetoushei, Master Warden of the Gerudo Fortress and BCTB Captain, junior commanding officer of the Brotherhood of the Clock Town Bombers, retired, sir.”

The Deku was obviously taken back by such refined military manner coming from what appeared to him as a civilian. Even more than that, he found himself addressing a superior officer. The Deku snapped to attention at once.

“Company attention! Sir, yes sir! Lance Corporal Drywood at your service sir!”

The remaining Deku militia snapped to attention, saluting smartly. “Sir, yes, sir!”

Saetoushei sheaved his sword and shield, nodding to Tael, Cremina, and Romani as he did so. They followed suit, relaxing themselves. Saetoushei returned his attention to the Deku company in front of him.

“At ease, soldiers. No need to worry. We come bearing no ill will against you or any of your kind. I have urgent need to speak with your Queen, can this be arranged?”

Corporal Drywood was decidedly uncomfortable with the current situation. “Uh, Captain sir, I…well, to be honest with you, sir, I cannot make such decisions. I would have to return to the Queen and receive any kind of permission first, sir.”

“In that case, will you do that? And may we rest somewhere in the swamp?”

The Deku relaxed. This he could decide. “I can grant you entrance to the Queen's domain, however, you may only go as far as the old Boat Cruise. The witches still reside there. You may stay there until I can speak with my superiors and the Queen.”

Saetoushei grinned. “Thank you, Corporal. Thank you much.”

Cremina asked. “Would it be too much trouble for your company to escort us to our destination?”

Drywood shook his head. “Not at all, ma'am. Company, position!”

The militia arranged themselves around the small group in a flanking position. Drywood pointed with his sword to the continuing path.

“To the swamp! Company, move out!”

It was only a few minutes later when they reached a large wooden gate that had been erected since the Queen took command. Large, deadly-looking iron spikes covered the front of the door. To run into them would most likely mean certain and painful death.

A score of Deku warriors guarded the entrance to their Queen's kingdom. Each of them was armed with long lances and short daggers. Corporal Drywood marched forward and saluted one of the Dekus guarding the gates.

“Sergeant Splittwig, Corporal Drywood requesting permission to enter the kingdom of Her Majesty, Queen Melondia of the Deku. I have urgent words for General Cogstry and Her Majesty.”

Splittwig gestured at the party standing in the center of the Deku formation. “Who are these humans whom you bring with you?”

“Mistresses Cremina and Romani, formerly of Romani Ranch. And Captain Saetoushei of the BCTB, sir.”

As with Drywood, Splittwig and the gate guards snapped to proper military attention with Saetoushei's introduction. “We cannot just let them into the court, no offense to you, Captain.”

“None taken, Sergeant.” Saetoushei replied. “Corporal Drywood has informed us that we can receive lodging at the witch's home and that we can stay there until word comes as to whether or not the Queen will see us.”

The Sergeant nodded. “Yes, that seems to be correct, Captain. Alright, open the gates for the Captain.”

“Very nice they are to him, aren't they?” Romani muttered to Cremina and Tael.

Tael shushed her. “Don't give up a free ticket, miss. They probably would have attacked us back there if it weren't for Saetoushei's military record. I'm sure he doesn't exactly relish this.”

Tael couldn't know how right he was. As the Dekus hurried to open the gates, Saetoushei was seething inside. He was retired; he didn't want to return to the militaristic responsibilities he once held. However, if that was the only way to accomplish this mission, he would grin and bear it.

The heavy iron-spiked gates creaked open. Sergeant Splittwig and Corporal Drywood saluted Saetoushei again. Splittwig said, “Welcome to the Southern Swamp, Captain Saetoushei.”