Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: Masquerade ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

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

The next morning, Link awoke to the sound of his door being opened. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to focus on the woman backing into the room. When she finally turned around, Link recognized the matronly head cook. She was carrying a breakfast tray piled high with biscuits, a fluffy mound of scrambled eggs smothered in melted cheese, two thick slabs of ham, a glass each of milk and orange juice, and a gravy boat brimming with thick cream gravy. Link raised an eyebrow as she took no notice of the fact he was shirtless and set the tray across his lap.

“Maria, what is this?”

“I made you a special breakfast,” she announced. “I heard what you did for Karina. We are all very grateful. That man needed to be put in his place.”

“You’re welcome.” Link nodded. She smiled, patted his hand and left the room. Breaking open a biscuit, he smiled to see the puff of steam rise before he dipped it in the gravy and took a bite. There was something magical about Maria’s cooking. He swore she mixed potions and fairy dust into the food, because he could never think of anything more delicious.

By the time Sheik came to drag him down to breakfast, he had finished almost half the food. Sheik raised an eyebrow at the amount of food still piled on Link’s plate. “Are you going to finish that?”

“Want to, but too full,” Link sighed happily.

“Good.” Sheik grinned. “Go get ready and I’ll clean that up for you.” Link laughed as he handed the tray to Sheik and got out of bed. He went to wash his face and get dressed as the older man lounged, scooping up the remaining eggs, savoring the last of the meat, and mopping up the last drop of gravy.

“So what did you do to make Maria happy?” Sheik asked as he gulped the last of the milk.

“I kept the Duke from hitting Karina.” Sheik choked. “And told him I’d break his arm if I found out he did it again.”

“He’s been hitting the staff?!”

Link turned and nodded. “Karina said she didn’t tell because it didn’t hurt. I don’t know if he hit anyone else.”

“He won’t after today. I’ll assign the biggest man I can find to watch him day and night,” Sheik growled.

“How about what’s-his-name, the one who is in love Karina?” Link suggested as he pulled his armor from the wardrobe and packed it into his pouch. “I’m sure he’d jump at the chance.”

Sheik snickered. “We want him watched, not beaten to death,”

Link shook his head and decided to change the subject. “So do you really think this thing exists? Or are we going to end up on a wild goose chase?”

Sheik rolled his shoulders. “Hard to say. It’s not unheard of for other cultures to worship their own deities. The Zora have Jabu-jabu and the Ruto have their dragon god. But whether the item is actually here in Hyrule or not, I don’t know.”

“You think he’ll tell us where to look today?”

Sheik smiled. “Oh, he will. Because if he doesn’t, I’ll kill him and the damned thing can stay lost forever for all I care.”

********

They found the Duke once again in the garden, hunched over his book. As they approached, he fluttered his hand at them and muttered something under his breath. Sheik snatched his book away. The Duke rose in a fury, but Sheik glared him into submission. “We are done playing your game. So here are the new rules. You tell us where this thing is, we go and get it, and you leave. In the meantime, you will not harass Zelda or any of the staff. If you do, you will be going home without your artifact. Is that in any way unclear?”

The Duke’s face turned red, then purple as he began to tremble with rage. “How dare–”

“If you want to call my bluff, finish that sentence,” Sheik reprimanded.

“He doesn’t bluff,” Link advised. “I have the scars to prove it. Look, we just want to help. Won’t you be happier once you are back in Termina? You’ll have the food you like, your own bed, all your research materials. Isn’t that better than staying in this strange land? So why not help us help you?” He took a seat across from the Duke and gave him his best smile. “What do you say?”

The Duke glared at him, then at Sheik, in a manner meant to intimidate. Neither man backed down. “So be it, I will bend before your barbarian tactics, but only because I see I lack a choice in the matter. Suffice to say that had a guest of mine been treated with such audacity and disrespect, I would have had the servants flogged until all urges of such impudence abandoned them.”
“Yeah, yeah, just tell us what you know,” Sheik huffed.

“I fear I cannot yet yield much information. I have not acquired adequate geological or geographical mappings of this kingdom to decipher the thief’s cryptic last words. A prospect that will be accomplished much faster were you to return my manuscript to me.”

“We know this kingdom pretty well,” Link assured. “And between the two of us, there aren’t many places we haven’t been. So tell us the last words and let us worry about it.”

The Duke gave them a very superior look and pressed his lips into a thin line. “So be it. He claimed to have hidden the artifact deep in the mobile plain where the land and sky are one. As best I can figure, it is likely either your Death Mountain or Lake Hylia, for they are the only possible places where land and sky can truly meet in even the most abstract fashion.”

“We’ll take it into consideration,” Sheik shrugged and tossed the Duke’s book back on the table.

As Link got up, he smiled at the Duke. “I have also arranged for you to have your own, personal servant who will see to all your needs. Jarrell.” A large man lumbered into the garden, smiling in a way that was far too amused. “Now you won’t have to bother anyone else while you stay and no one will bother you. Enjoy!”

The two men left the Duke in the garden looking quite put out. They made their way back through the castle, heading for the stables. A page met them with their horses already saddled and packed to go.

“So where are we headed, Hero?”

Link sighed. “Not a clue. Let’s start with Death Mountain and see what the Gorons know. At least it’s a starting point.” Sheik nodded.

They made their way down the path that led from the castle to Castle Town. The guard at the gate saw them coming, and quickly let them pass, saluting as they did.  By the time they arrived in town, it was clear that the word had spread. People lined the streets, all other activities put on a back burner. Children sat on their parents’ shoulders or leaned out from behind their legs, stall owners stood on their stools so they could see without leaving their wares unguarded, and shop owners stood in their doorways.

Sheik smiled behind his scarf as he dropped his horse back half a length and let Link lead the way. The crowd cheered as they came down the street, and a blizzard of flower petals rained down from windows above. Shouts of “good luck” and “may the Goddesses be with you” rang in the air as bells in the temple tolled.

Then, above the din of the crowd, rose the high, excited screams of several young women. They all stood in a huddled mass, waving frantically as Link passed. Link smiled and dipped his head in a small bow, which created another high pitched squeal of delight from the group. Link’s ears rang from the sound, but he smiled at them again anyway as he moved on.

When they had finally passed the impromptu parade ground, Sheik came back even with Link, who gave him a withering glare. “Somehow, I know you are responsible for that.”

Sheik looked at him with large eyes. “Hero, what a thing to say. Your loyal fans take time out of their busy lives to see you off on your newest adventure, and you act as if it was all a charade to embarrass you.”

“And the whole town just so happened to know when we were leaving and what road we would take out of town. How very convenient.” Link snorted.

“Don’t let them hear you say that, Hero. Your fans probably stood there for hours, maybe days, waiting for you to begin your adventure so they could cheer you to victory.”

“Pardon me.” A small voice interrupted Link’s response. Both men turned in their saddles to see the girl from the bakery standing by the drawbridge, a large basket in hand. She blushed and smiled shyly as she stepped towards them and continued. “I heard you were on your way to help the Duke of Termina find something...and I thought you might like some bread and pastries to take with you.” Her blush deepened as she lifted the basket to Link.

Smiling he took it. “Thank you.”

“I made them all from my family’s secret Traveler’s Bread recipe. They will stay fresh much longer than any other baked good you could find. I have to get back to the shop, have a safe trip.” And with that she hurried away.

“I think she likes you,” Sheik cooed as she vanished from sight.

“She didn’t scream or swoon,” Link replied, motioning in the general direction they had come from. “That puts her one up on that lot back there.” Sheik gave a bark of laughter as Link carefully packed up the food and put it into the saddle bag. The basket he stored in his pouch, to return when he passed through town again.

Outside the gates they turned towards Death Mountain. The highest mountain in Hyrule, its summit was often hidden by clouds. But despite the fact its shadow could be cast all the way to Castle town, it was still several days ride just to reach the base, then they would have to climb up to meet with the Gorons.

Link glanced at Sheik, whose face was drawn into an expression of distinct distaste. “You don’t have to go with me,” he said mildly. “I’m all caught up on my politics and won’t cut myself on my own sword, you know.”

Sheik’s features relaxed a bit and he shook his head. “No, Hero, I don’t have to come with you. But I want to.” He grinned. “You make life interesting.”

They did not get far that day, since they left late in the morning, and were soon making camp in the open plains of Hyrule Field. They lit a small fire for light as the sun sank below the horizon and had a light supper of the fresh bread and some cured ham. They shared a comfortable silence through the night exchanging stories of their time apart, each more exaggerated than the last.

“...and then– ” Link froze mid-sentence and sat up.

Sheik laughed. “Forget what lie you were telling?” Link glared at him and put his finger to his lips. Sheik frowned and mouthed the word “what?” Link shook his head and motioned in the direction just off to his left. Sheik stretched, craning his neck as he did to peer into the darkness. With only a sliver of the moon it was almost pitch black beyond the small ring of light cast by their fire. Relaxing, the older man gave a slight shake of his head.

With a small nod, Link rose to a low crouch and turned to peer out over the tall grass. Though there was precious little moonlight, his eyes still cut through the darkness to pick out two hulking figures. Each stood about seven feet tall and moved with a stuttered, lumbering gate. The wind shifted and brought the distinct, rotting odor of moblin. He glanced a Sheik and the look on his face confirmed that he could smell it as well.

“Don’t do anything rash,” Sheik said as he tried to breathe through his mouth. “We are downwind and I don’t want to smell that all night.” Link grinned, but kept his attention on the two figures.

Moblin were many things, but sneaky was not one of them. The two grew louder as they stumbled closer, perhaps hoping to scare the two Hyrulians away. When they were within fifty feet of the camp, and it was clear they were not going to move away, Link rose to his feet.

The Master Sword sang as he slid it from its sheath. The sacred blade reflected the light from the fire with its mirror bright surface, making the sword appear to glow in the darkness.  The two moblin squealed and charged. Link said nothing as he darted forward and easily sliced through the first pig’s crude armor, before slashing the creature from shoulder to hip.

He spun on one foot, catching the second moblin’s club with his shield before removing its head in a single clean stroke.

“Smooth, Hero,” Sheik complimented as he came to stand next to the younger man. “Very quick, very clean, no wasted movement, no hesitation. You’ve come a long way from the frightened, angry farm boy.”

Link wiped the blood from his blade as he nodded. “Thanks.” He slid the sword back into its sheath. “Kind of odd to find a pair of moblin this far from the swamps.”

Sheik shrugged. “Yeah. But not unheard of. Let’s move camp, I’m not going to sleep with these things nearby.”

Link nodded and whistled for the horses, who had made themselves scarce at the moblin’s approach. It was not until they were atop the horses, that they realized they were surrounding. In the dim light more moblin lumbered out of the tall grass in all directions, some riding their large boar mounts, some on foot.

“By the Goddesses...” Sheik whispered. “What is going on?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to stick around to find out,” Link replied. Spinning the horses towards Kakariko village, they spurred them into a gallop. A horn cried at their backs and the thunder of cloven hooves shook the ground.

Link turned in his saddle. A small army of bokoblin raced past the moblin atop boars. Each boar carried a pair of the smaller creatures, one holding the reins and one wielding a weapon. Several had bows and arrows, but a few were also armed with tiny axes or swords.

Link swore and pulled out his own bow and notched an arrow. He shoved magic into the head and released the shaft. Golden light poured over the field, revealing the army before it struck one of the moblin riders, knocking him clear of his mount. Sheik gave a low whistle.

“I don’t think we can outmaneuver that many, Hero.”

Link notched another arrow. “Then we have only one option.” This time the arrowhead turned pale blue and steam began to rise. It released with a twang, striking the ground directly in front of the advancing riders. The ground instantly began shimmering in the moonlight, and when the boars hit the patch they began slipping and crashing into each other. The bokoblin behind began notching their own arrows

“Wind!” Sheik shouted as he raised both hands. A wall of solid air rushed past them just as the tiny shafts took flight. The small arrows had no chance and were tossed like toothpicks. Several of the bokoblin where blown from their mounts, and even some of the moblin on foot were picked up and tossed about.

As the wind died away the mounted moblin charged, leaping over the fallen boars as they raised their battle axes. Both men drew their swords and charged into the fray. It was more of a melee then a battle. The two Hyrulians cut blindly through the army, causing more chaos than harm on the whole. For every moblin they cut down, two more seemed to appear. Bokoblin arrows rained down around them.

“This isn’t working!” Link shouted as he pulled Nightfire around. “There are too many.”

“How about Plan C?!” Sheik replied before calling up a wave of fire to push back a group of moblin. Link sliced through another bokoblin, before putting his heels to Nightfire’s side and racing off into the night. Sheik joined him as Link sheathed his sword and turned in his saddle. He opened his hand, fingers spread. In a blink, what appeared to be a dozen fireflies floated from his palm, swooping lazily towards the army.

“Cover your eyes,” Link warned as he turned away and hunched down over Nightfire’s neck. “LIGHT!” The fireflies exploded towards the moblin and bokoblin, turning night into day. Anything near the blasts was instantly vaporized, while everything that survived was blinded by the bright flash. Even Link felt a little dazzled, despite expecting it and having his eyes well hidden.

The explosion bought them time and distance, but not reprieve. As soon as the creatures had collected themselves, they were on their trail again. The boars, while heavy and awkward, were faster than they looked and could easily keep pace with a horse if driven hard enough.

Soon the two horses were blowing hard and in need of rest. Link and Sheik slipped behind a cliff near a stream and dismounted. Both animals rushed to the water’s edge and began to gorge on the liquid. While Sheik waited with the horses, Link slid along the edge of the cliff to peer around at the field beyond.

It was getting close to dawn and pale pink light was beginning to peek over the horizon. It allowed him to make out the army as it milled, seemingly without direction, some distance off. “We’ve lost them for now, I think,” Link said quietly.

“This is definitely not right,” Sheik said, as he pulled down his scarf and cupped water into his mouth. Link followed suit.

“Do you think they know about the artifact as well?” Link asked as he stood and took some rations from the saddle bag, passing some to Sheik.

“Possibly,” he agreed. “But they aren’t much for intelligence. If they are looking for it, they have a leader controlling them.”

“Like last time...”

“May the Goddesses have mercy on us all.”

They got precious little sleep over the next few days, as they fought or ducked the moblin and bokoblin. When they reached the Kakuriko village entrance, they discovered it had been barred with heavy metal siege gates. Fortunately, the guards saw them coming and opened the gates to let them pass.

Link tilted his head back to look up at Death Mountain as they crossed the threshold into Kakariko village. He had not been back here since the night they ran away from Thorvald and the well. The village had recovered from the dragon attack, but little else had changed. Thorvald’s mansion loomed in the back of the village, and cozy homes with small corrals or tiny coops sat in the front.

As in Castle Town, the residents cheered and waved as he passed. Caru and the innkeeper met them at the door to the inn. A boy took their horses as they dismounted and the robust woman shooed them inside.

“It’s good to see you again, sweetie. I’ll make you two some lunch.” In short order she had bowls of her stew and cool mugs of milk set out for them. “Eat up; I made a nice cake for dessert.” They dug into the stew without a word.  During their mad flight they had had very little time to stop for a proper meal. As soon as the stew was gone and they had sopped up the last of the juice with some bread, thick slabs of chocolate cake appeared before them.

“Bless you both for coming,” Caru said, wiping her hands on her apron. “We weren’t sure if our messages had reached the castle or not.”

Link swallowed the bite of cake in his mouth, washing it down with milk, before he replied. “We actually came to see the Gorons. What is going on?”

“Then it must truly be a blessing of the Goddesses that you are here,” Caru smiled. “I wish I could tell you, but I’m just a cook at an inn. All I know is gossip.”

“It’s more than we know,” Sheik added.

“Well, the moblin started appearing about a week ago.” She sighed and sat down in a chair. “No one seems to know why, but there are a lot of theories. Since then, it just seems to be getting worse. We sent messages to the castle, but got no replies.”

“I don’t think the messages ever made it,” Sheik said with a frown, then shook his head. “Do you have any rooms for rent? It was a nightmare getting here, and we are going to need some sleep before we can work this out.” Link nodded in agreement.

“A lot of travelers are stuck here,” she answered. “But I have one room left if you don’t mind sharing.”

“Not a problem.”

Caru showed them the room, which fortunately had two beds, though they were small. Despite it only being late afternoon, both men fell into bed and were asleep almost as soon as their heads hit the pillows.Converting /tmp/phpZXAOoe to /dev/stdout