ButterflyBabyBlue
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I awake, not to the sound of birds chirping, but to the triumphant voice of Fintan, shouting something about a pool of lava. Confused, I sit up and creep past Zelda, who is stirring a little.
"Fintan," I say as I leave my tent, "what on earth is the matter?"
"I know where the next piece of the blade is!" Fintan says, elated. "The exact position!""That's wonderful!" Melaina exclaims, nearly falling out of her tent in her attempt to reach Fintan. "We can get it really soon then, right?"
"Yep," Fintan replies, smiling at her.
I watch them for a moment, taking a moment to note Melaina's expression, and Fintan's contentedness. Grinning, I wait until Melaina has turned around to talk to Bryarly, and grab Fintan. Pulling him aside, I lower my voice so as not to alert the others.
"Hypocrite!" I say to him, still smiling.
"What do you mean?" Fintan asks, his eyes darting away before returning to me.
"'Don't stray from your duty, Caoilainn'," I imitate him, lowering my voice. "'You must be focused and don't be distracted!'"
He seems to pick up on my point then, and colour flushes his cheeks. I knew it.
"Caoilainn," he says hastily, "it's not actually, I-I mean-"
"I don't mind, Fintan," I say. "But don't you go jumping down my throat again, okay?"
He nods sheepishly, not meeting my eyes. With a laugh, I pat him on the shoulder and walk off, grabbing my bow on the way into the fringe of trees so I can practice. Still smiling, I shoot down a pear and chew thoughtfully, musing to myself about Fintan and Melaina.
"I knew it," I say again, taking a satisfied bite.
-
I watch Leoni silently for a few moments, at the same time hearing gentle music coming from a little way from where the others have set up their camp.
"Why..." I falter. "Why would you want to know about that?"
"I want to know why it is you're so tense, why you restrict yourself so much."
"Well, I have no reason to tell you," I reply.
"I'm asking as someone who has also lost their family."
I run my fingers through my hair, which had grown considerably longer over the past while.
"My parents were people who made mistakes. My father was an unskilled worker for the Sheikah tribe. He was strong but never amounted to anyone of notice. My mother was a Sheikah archer, and she practiced hand-to-hand combat."
Leoni nods, his eyes drifting to my coarse knuckles and the quiver on my back.
"They met when they were very young," I say. "Much too young, and they both knew it. That was one of their first mistakes. And within a year of knowing each other, my mother was pregnant with me. Another mistake. The labour lasted sixteen hours, I'm told."
Leoni seems surprised at that. "Did she die afterwards?"
"No," I reply. "She made it, and they set up their house in the middle of a forest and began raising me. Yet another mistake."
I turn my back to Leoni, mulling things over in my head.
"There are some terrible things in the forest, Leoni. And my parents were stupid, they didn't scout it out once, or even ask a Sheikah to do it for them.They'd had some close encounters but managed to fend off most attackers. And then, one night when I was eight years old..."
I pause, my mind drifting back to that night.
"I don't think I'd ever seen my mother cry until that night. Or scream so loudly. My father too, my strong father who never felt the tiniest scratch."
Suddenly I kick a stone, sending it flying out over the lakeside and down into the water.
"And all I could do was stand there and watch. Even as they screamed at me to run, I just stood there. Useless."
I blink, pausing to take a deep breath. Leoni waits patiently for me to start again, seeming unsure of where to look.
"The Demon Lords didn't kill me, and I still don't know why," I say with a sigh. "They held my parents up for me to see, but I didn't recognise them. I couldn't see their faces, they'd been so badly mauled. And that's when I ran.
"I ran as far as I could, fear fueling me and refusing to let me stop to catch my breath. That's when I stumbled, alone and terrified, onto Sheikah territory. And now here I am."
I spread my arms as I finish, moving past Leoni quickly towards the camp.
"No more questions," I warn, not waiting for him to follow. I walk to where four tents have been set up, sitting down between Link -who nearly seems caught in a trance- and Bryarly. Melaina and Zelda are performing a duet, the harp and Zelda's voice harmonising flawlessly.
I close my eyes and lie back, looking at the stars above us. The harp music has a calming effect, and I'm able to finally relax a little in the serene stillness. I don't even hear Leoni rejoin us, I'm so distant.
-
I cringe away from the scars on Leoni's wrist, leaning a little away from them. I'd never liked seeing other people's wounds and scars, it had the tendency to make me feel a little uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry for you," I say quietly, then stand up again. "But Leoni, I don't mind being alone. I thrive in it. I can't think, I can't do things when I'm surrounded with people. I know your race is one of unity, and it's well-known that Hylians do well in each other's company. My race is too, but I've adjusted to a certain lifestyle."
I rummage around a bit, still intent on finding the piece of the blade.
"When you picked me up that day, you set off something," I continue. "I'd never felt so weak until then. And every day after that, I was weaker. And that's why I went to Sheik, I told him to whip me one hundred times and wash every trace of emotion from my body and my mind."
Leoni listens intently, and I notice him almost reach for his notebook. A glare is all it takes to stop that, though.
"And now, I'm as hard and as tough on the inside as I am on the outside. I've found my old self again, and I am genuinely content."
Leoni nods, seeming to at least partially understand. I stand up with a sigh.
"I'd rather you talked about this with someone else, though, Leoni," I say. "I don't like this kind of conversation. And I hate bearing my soul like that, too."
I watch him for a few moments, a mixture of expressions crossing his face in a mere few seconds.
"We should keep looking," I remind him, casting a wary glance in Fintan's direction.
"Of course, yes," Leoni agrees hastily, getting back to work.
I breathe out through my nose. I wasn't going to get frustrated again, over a piece of a sword that was definitely somewhere nearby. I don't look at Leoni, opting to keep my back to him as we work, training my eyes on the water of the Lake. No distractions.
-
I wake from a fitful, broken sleep, my back feeling absolutely raw.
I finally open the bottle of red potion, feeling a wave of relief when the pain lessens dramatically. There's still a sting, but that's there as a reminder.
I find a new shirt to wear, briefly tending to the damaged skin on my back before changing.
I begin to get ready for our new mission, rooting about to find my roll of cloth. I retrieve a knife from under my pillow and slide it into one of my walking boots.
Pausing to inspect my bloodied hands, I step outside. I'm met with Leoni, who appears to have been about to enter my tent.
"Caoilainn," he starts. "I'm-"
"Busy," I cut him off, striding past without a second glance.
"I just wanted to-!"
"Leoni!" I snap, whirling around to face him. "You should be getting ready, you should be preparing yourself. You should be somewhere else!"
I don't stop to take in his shocked expression, moving quickly to the area that archery is usually taught in. I receive permission to borrow a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Satisfied, I head to get some breakfast from the temple.
He and Sheik are there, chatting and looking somewhat worried. I walk over, clearing my throat as I approach. Sheik looks up, blinking.
"Caoilainn," Fintan addresses me, seeming both surprised and concerned. "Is... everything okay?"
"Fine," I reply, taking a bread roll and an apple. I knew there must have been tearstains on my face, and I do my best to keep my hands out of view for fear of exposure. Very likely futile, since Fintan's tent is quite close to Sheik's.
"Where is everyone?" I ask.
"They'll be here shortly," says Fintan. "In fact, here's Sault and Link."
-
Our walk back to the camp is spent largely in silence. I clutch my rented bow tightly, even feeling a strain on the wood, and keep my eyes trained on Fintan's back. I refuse to look over at Leoni, who walks midway between us, a little outside of my field of view.
Fintan was right in what he said to us. I'd been slacking since the moment I'd been picked up by Leoni in the middle of that fight. Any more time wasted like that and I'd be hopeless, I wouldn't amount to anything of worth. I won't deny that Leoni can make me smile and even laugh at times, but I'm a Sheikah. And more importantly, I'm me. And I don't slip up and get carried away with these kind of things. At least, I wouldn't anymore.
Upon returning to the camp, we're met with Melaina, Sault, and the other Hylians. There's no time for greetings, as Fintan immediately begins briefing us on what is to be our new mission.
"During the Sealing War," he starts, "creatures very much like the clone we dealt with were abundant. They created a weapon, the Blade of Duplicity. Hylia tried to destroy it-" Zelda nods in response, looking a little distant- "but she couldn't. Instead, she split it into four pieces. Three are on the surface, and one is in the sky. Sheik thinks that Blagdan will use Link's clone to get the blade. So it's up to us to find the four pieces of the blade before the clone does."
The group take it all in, some worried glances exchanged among a few.
"Link, of course, will still have to be supervised," Fintan says, and Link nods his agreement. "And none of us can afford to be... distracted."
A sinking feeling in my gut follows Fintan's words, but I don't let it show. He leaves with Melaina, the two of them talking, and I make my way to my tent, rummaging around for a bit before I find what I'm looking for.
*
I enter Sheik's tent, bowing my head as I step inside. He sits cross-legged, frowning at some ancient text, looking toward me with a mixture of surprise and confusion when he realises I'm there.
"Caoilainn," he says. "I didn't see you. What is it you came for?"
I show him the belt in my hands and he immediately realises my intentions. Shaking his head, he stands up.
"Caoilainn, no," he says, "I won't-"
"Please, sir," I interrupt, before he can refuse my request.
"What have you done?" he asked. "Surely it can't be that bad."
"I've let you down," I tell him. "I've let my friends down, and I've let myself down."
He takes the belt from me, and I let out a sigh of relief. I kneel down and take my sash from around my waist, pulling my shirt over my head and exposing my bare, though heavily-marked skin, to Sheik. Setting my palms against the floor of the tent, I train my eyes on the canvas and on Sheik's feet.
Taking a deep breath, I brace myself. The first lash comes, and I take a sharp breath in as the leather thwacks against my skin. The next comes, and I barely supress my noise of pain. Another, and I feel a stinging in my eyes as well as on my back. A fourth, and a whimper escapes.
After thirty, I'm sobbing unashamedly, but I don't move from my postition, and Sheik doesn't stop.
Sixty, and I force myself to think of my parents, their mistakes and their death, my first days alone.
Ninety. I briefly think on my mistake, how I've been made a fool of.
At last, Sheik strikes for the hundredth time, and drops the belt to the floor. Any strength left in me is drained, and I fall to the floor, blinking away the last of my tears.
I don't stay down long, picking myself up again so as not to stain Sheik's tent too badly. I wince as I feel about my back gently for the areas that have been damaged the most.
Sheik hands me a red potion, and I thank him for it, but don't take it just yet. I put my shirt back on again, doing my best not to make any audible sounds of pain as the fabric rubs against my raw skin.
"Caoilainn," Sheik calls as I make my way out. "... Look after yourself."
I nod assuredly, and with renewed firmness.
I was back.
-
I wake earlier than usual, stretching before I head out into the cool morning air with my bow. It's quiet, very still even for this time, and I had the feeling I should have a little more protection. Shrugging the cold off, I keep moving until I'm within the forest.
I'm on my way to my tree when I spot a body, curled up and huddled against the tree. Upon closer inspection... it's Leoni. Confused, I make my way over as stealthily as possible, not making a sound to disturb him.
He has wrapped a blanket around him for protection against the cold. However I don't see any weapons about him, meaning he's been sleeping here all night without any sort of defence.
Shaking my head, I contemplate waking him up and reminding him of how much of a risk the Demon Lords are to us. But then I bend down, setting the bow aside for a moment, and slowly pull his blanket back. He shivers, muscles tensing up a little, and I quickly dart in beside him, pulling the blanket back into place.
I don't normally share a bed -in fact, it was a pet peeve pf mine- but I decided I wouldn't count this as a bed. I was on lookout, was all, and I pulled the bow closer to convince myself of that.
-
"What are you writing?" I ask, leaning across the table a little as I take a bite out of my bread. Leoni hastily packs his notebook away just before I see what's written, laughing nervously.
"Oh, nothing," he says. "I've been keeping a record of my travels, I like making notes and doing research."
"I've noticed, bookworm," I reply, sitting down again. I'd bet any money I had -which was a few coins to say the least- that there was some very private things in there. "Diaries aren't always the best idea, you know. Better to keep your thoughts to yourself."
Fintan watches us, chewing thoughtfully on his food and looking as if he's piecing something together. I give him a sideways glance that warns him not to speak up, and he grins back.
"Anyway," I say, "I'm gonna go back and train. You guys just slow me down."
They scoff, but I don't give them the satisfaction of replying, picking up the bow and arrow and jogging off with a crust of bread in my mouth and another piece in hand. I reach the outskirts of the camp fairly quickly, earning puzzled looks from other Sheikah when their eyes fall on my new weapon of choice.
I find my tree, and drop the bow, leaving it for now. I'm not about to convert entirely, though I do have a newfound fondness for archery.
Kicking hard, I knock an apple from my tree, grinning as it lands with a bounce. I punch twice, then kick, then kick higher, harder and harder each time. I don't even feel my knuckles bleeding until I stop to take a bite out of my apple.
This is what I'm used to. Not some Hylian wanting to look after me, as if I needed it. I've taken care of myself for the past eight years, and I intended to keep things that way.
-
I give a start, turning to look at Leoni, who grins back at me. Blinking slowly, it takes me a moment to speak up.
"And what was that for?" I ask. Leoni laughs, shrugging his shoulders.
"It felt right," he said. "So I took the opportunity."
"Well..." I trail off, frowning. "Well you're just lucky we're invisible, Leoni, otherwise I'd kick you."
"Well, it'd be worth it," he says, laughing again when I glare at him.
"I won't stand for this," I say jokingly, getting up with the bow in tow. I peer down at the forest floor, and smile. Without giving Leoni warning, I turn to face him, and then let myself fall backwards.
"Caoilainn!" he yells, and I grin as I free-fall to the floor below, twisting in time to roll as I hit the ground.
Fintan stops his slashes to look over his shoulder at me, shaking his head with a smile.
Leoni is scrambling down the tree like some terrified animal, immediate running over to me.
"Don't you do that to my heart!" he says, eyes wide. I put one hand on my hip, tilting my head to the side.
"I can handle myself fine, as you can see," I reply. "You have to stop worrying about me, you're breaking the ground rules by doing that."
Leoni shakes his head, but laughs a little anyway. Fintan looks a litte confused, but I'm not about to say anything just yet. Instead, I nock another arrow and strike an apple from a nearby tree, catching it neatly and taking a bite. All the while, I smile to myself. Allowing myself to behave like some silly girl was an indulgence, but I allowed it for now.
-
Leoni winces when his foot comes into contact with the tree bark, but keeps going. I watch him repeat the kick again, each one a little higher than the last.
"How... do you... do this barefoot... Caoilainn?" he asks, shaking his head as he tries to regulate his breathing.
How do you use this big clunky thing?" I reply, giving his sword another slash through the air. Too heavy, too awkward.
Fintan is trying his hand at the sword too, frowning at it like the answer lies in the inscriptions on the blade. He chips away at the bark of his tree, trying out different angles and directions.
Letting mine drop to the floor, I pick up the bow and arrow that Pipit let me borrow, and decide to try it again. Not a lot of Sheikah use bows, though Melaina has a proficiency in that area. It was better than a sword too, I thought, even if this bow was a little too big for my liking.
Drawing back, I let an arrow fly into the bare trunk of a tree. It sails effortlessly through the air and lands with a thud. I nod to myself - if I was to fight with a weapon, it'd be one of these.
Leoni has exhausted himself, and I smile as he sits down and pulls a book out from his pouch. Fintan is still practicing his swings determinedly, and it seems he's making excellent progress.
I walk a short distance away, the bow and arrow with me, to another tree, and scale it easily, perching on a thick branch. I look around and find some fruit hanging from a branch on the tree nearest to me.
Making myself a little more comfortable, I nock an arrow and draw back, aiming carefully. I shoot once, and the arrow misses by about an inch. I try a second time, taking a breath to steady myself beforehand.
The yellow fruit drops from the branch, falling to the forest floor below. I hear it break open and grin. Shooting at another fruit, it goes down easily. Only this time, I'm met with a cry of surprise, and Fintan's laughter.
"Caoilainn!" Leoni yells up at me. I'm going to kill you when you get down from there!"
I giggle to myself, looking about for more targets. The bow and arrow was definitely a favourite.
-
"Er... Sure," Fintan says, seeming cautious.
I fidget for a moment, unsure of what to say for fear of getting angry again. After a moment, I put my hands away and get to it.
"Fintan,I have to apologise to you," I say. "I'm sorry for not recognising you'd been replaced, and I'm sorry for blaming you... and I'm sorry for punching you when you got back from the demons' territory, and giving you a bruise."
Fintan laughs a little at my list of apologies, and I give him a small smile back.
"Apology accepted, Caoilainn," he says, offering me his hand. I shake it, and pull him in for a hug.
"Caoilainn?" he says after a moment. "You're a lot stronger than I am."
"Oh!" I let him go, stepping back. "I'm sorry. I forget sometimes."
He looks down at my bandaged foot, a knowing look on his face. "I see you were busy training. Are you going off again?"
"I was actually going to get some breakfast," I admit. "But I'll be training. I might try out some weapons."
Fintan smiles. "I'll go with you. I'm glad we're on good terms again, Caoilainn."
"Me too," I reply, grimacing as my stomach growls. "... We'd better move quickly."
-
"This tree has blood on it," Leoni remarks as I strike yet again.
"It's mine," I tell him, balanced on the balls of my feet as I ready another kick. "This is... my... training area."
"Just yours... And you train until you bleed?"
"Sometimes. Like right now."
Leoni seems worried, looking as if he's about to give me some sort of advice. I cut him off with a glare, and kick hard.
"I was so... stupid," I say, recoiling. "I thought... that it was Fintan... without even thinking."
"You just made a small mistake," Leoni said assuringly. "After all-"
"But it was a mistake!" I cut him off, ashamed and angry. "And mistakes get you killed, Leoni! I've known Fintan years now, how couldn't I tell that something was off?!"
I kick again, harder. A thwack follows, and then a stinging in my foot.
"There it is," I say as I regain my balance. I gesture to the red stain left on the bark, shining under the moonlight.
"... Do you have any bandages?" Leoni asks, hesitant.
"In my tent," I say gruffly, turning away from the tree. "I'll do it myself, so don't worry."
"Alright..."
We walk in silence back to the camp, and stop outside my tent. I scrub my hand through my hair, taking a deep breath.
"I'll apologise to Fintan in the morning," I tell Leoni. "Good night."
"Night, Caoilainn," he says with a small smile. Patting me gently on the shoulder, he makes for his own tent, looking back over his shoulder at me as he walks.
I step into my own tent, patching up the cut on my foot as best as I can. I'm suddenly exhausted, and am asleep before I fall onto my pillow.
-
We'd searched the camp for Link, Zelda, Sault and Fintan at least three times now, and there was still no sign of them. Sun was setting and no one had spotted them. Not until we left one of the tents, and spotted a rather odd sight indeed.
Link, looking exhausted, is just barely carrying Fintan, setting him down as they reach the entrance. Zelda and Sault are with them, each looking just as worn out.
"There they are!" Melaina exclaims, about to run over to join them.
She lets out a startled cry as I whizz past her, feet pounding against the earth. Adrenaline overrides the pain in my head, but it's still there and it's what keeps me going.
Fintan and Sault barely look up in time to anticipate my arrival, alarm flashing across their faces. The first punch lands on Fintan's jaw, knocking him over with it's force.He goes down with a cry of pain.
"Caoilainn!" Sault yells, grabbing me before I can land a kick. "Caoilainn, calm down!"
"Let go of me Sault!" I snap, wriggling free and landing none too gracefully on my bottom. Furious and embarrassed, I spring up from the ground and make to attack again, but this time I'm grabbed by both Sault and Link, each taking one of my arms.
"Caoilainn," Zelda says, gentle but firm. "We'll explain everything to you, please don't worry. You'll see that this has been one big misunderstanding, I'm sure."
I'm about to protest, but her soft smile and Fintan's groan of pain win me over. Grudgingly, I concede with a nod.
-
I blink in surprise, a little taken aback at his honesty. After a moment, I clear my throat and speak up.
"Well that was... something," I say. "I don't think anyone's ever said something quite like that to me before. Most of the others aren't quite as... articulate."
"I'm sorry," he says quickly, "I was just rambling and I-"
"It's okay," I cut him off with a little smile. It drops quickly though. "But if you want things to be serious between us, you ought to know the rules. Firstly, no more rescues; I'm fine fighting by myself. Second, no distracting me from any training or work I have to do. And lastly, no public displays of affection!"
He nods, a grin spreading across his face. "Agreed."
"Alright then," I say, getting up and ignoring the pain in my head. "Now that that's all over, let's go sort out all of this. We should find your friends, I think."
Striding ahead and refusing to grimace, I listen for the sound of Leoni's footsteps and smile softly when they pick up behind me.
-
"Some more bread would be great," I reply without thinking. After a second though, I change my mind. "Actually no, don't do that, I have enough. Sit down."
I still find Leoni's nervous behaviour to be amusing, smiling softly as he sits himself down quietly.
Lying down again, my arms folded underneath my head, I close my eyes. "Now tell me what Skyloft is like."
He frowns, looking puzzled. "Why would you want to know about Skyloft? This ordeal with Fintan-"
"Can wait," I interrupt, opening my eyes as I address him. "After all, I've been instructed to stay here and rest. Much as I hate it, they have a point. My head is still pounding. So tell me about Skyloft."
"Well..." Leoni hesitates at first, but then sighs his defeat. "Alright, okay. But only because you're sick."
I close my eyes again, and wait for him to start.
He starts with Skyloft's location, high up in the clouds and out of the reach of demons and other surface-dwellers. Only their birds, Loftwings, can carry them back and forth. Leoni describes the houses, the people who lived in them, the buildings scattered about the place.
All the while I lie contentedly, images of birds and colourfully-dressed people flitting across my field of vision.
"Caoilainn," Leoni pauses. "Do you want me to stop?"
I crack one eye open. "Fine, you've talked long enough anyway. And you probably want to discuss what's happening with Fintan, am I right?"
-
My eyes open wide and I bolt upright, hearing someone make a startled noise close by. I look down, confused, to find I'd been tucked into a bed. Melaina sits watching me, a worried expression on her face. Sault is in a chair next to her, snoozing.
"Where's Fintan?" I ask her, kicking my blankets off. "Where did he go?"
I'm about to get up when Melaina takes me by the shoulders and forces me back. Panicking momentarily, I let her settle me back. There's a throbbing pain in the side of my head, much as I hate acknowledging it.
"You need to lie down for a bit, Caoilainn," she says gently. "I haven't seen Fintan around, I couldn't tell you where he is. Why do you need to know?"
"He attacked me," I inform her. Momentary shock passes over Melaina's face, quickly replaced with the same concern as before.
"Caoilainn, he'd never attack you!" she says assuredly. "Your memory is probably hazy, maybe your attacketlr happened to look like him?"
"Just like Fintan!" I insist. "It was him, Melaina!"
She seems to be debating with herself. After a moment she arrives at a conclusion.
"I'll go and have a look around for Fintan later, I promise," she says. "But Caoilainn, you probably need something to eat, you were out for a while. Do you want some breakfast?"
About to protest, I scoff when my stomach growls, directing a half-hearted glare at Melaina.
"... Fine. But you have to keep your promise!"
-
As the sun sets over the camp, I decide to retire, taking a small loaf of bread with me, for if -or rather, when- I got hungry.
Fintan is still striding about, a stony expression on his face. As he passes by, I catch his arm and he stops, pausing to look down at me.
"What is it now, Caoilainn?" he asks. I hold up my food as a sort of gesture of invitation.
"Do you want to take a break and meditate, maybe?" I suggest. "You seem a little stressed, and I was hoping for some company."
He seems to be debating with himself, but eventually nods, somewhat reluctantly. It's unusual, especially for someone like Fintan, who usually loves to meditate.
We step outside, and find a shaded area to sit down. Fintan assumes the lotus position naturally as ever, and I mirror his movements successfully but without the same grace.
"Thanks, Fintan," I say, before closing my eyes.
I don't meditate often, preferring combat training, and so it takes me a few minutes to find the connection that Fintan and other Sheikah talk about. I fumble around for it but after a while, it comes as naturally as if I were an expert. But something isn't right.
Instead of the tranquility that is to be expected, there's a moment of blazing heat, coming from far away but still tangible. Frowning, I concentrate on that heat. I don't know an awful lot about auras or energies, but this is distinct, like... a plea. And it's definitely coming from Fintan.
My eyes open quickly as I feel hands on my shoulder. Fintan has me pinned to the tree bark, his stance firm.
"Fintan!" I yell, immediately struggling. A surprised grunt of pain leaves me as he drives his knee into my abdomen, leaving me winded.
"You're not going to say a thing," Fintan warns, his eyes fierce.
A solid punch lands on the side of my head, and all is black.
-
I don't notice Fintan until I walk right into him, stumbling to the side a little. He walks right past, completely silent. I frown at his back, confused.
"Fintan," I call after him. "Fintan!"
He turns around, an impatient look on his face. "Yes?"
"What's wrong?" I ask. "Why are you rushing about?"
"I could ask the same of you," he replies instantly, his voice cold. I raise my eyebrows; this isn't like him. After a moment of awkward silence, I speak up.
"Well, you're obviously busy, so... I'll leave you to it. See you around, Fintan."
He gives me a simple "mhm" in response before he continues on as he had beforehand. Still frowning, I shake my head. He's probably stressed, being the leader of our mission. With a shrug, I leave him to it and continue toward where the evening meal will be held.
-
I wince as my bare foot strikes the tree bark again, but keep attacking relentlessly. Pipit stands off to the side, watching, with Karane by his side.
"Caoilainn," Karane speaks up, "you're bleeding."
"It's fine," I say, speaking in pauses. "Happens a lot. How are you two doing?"
"We're okay," says Pipit, almost managing a smile.
However his eyes tell a different story. Karane looks like she could start crying at any moment, and I don't blame her. How would I react to the Sheikah camp, my home for the last eight years, burning to the ground?
"You don't seem okay to me," I remark, lunging for another punch. "You just lost the settlement you'd invested so much in."
Almost immediately, Karane loses her composure, clutching at Pipit's yellow tunic and burying herself in the fabric. I stop my practising for a moment, regarding Karane with a blank expression.
"I'm sorry," I say after a moment. "But the truth can usually hurt, so avoiding it isn't the best way to go."
Pipit nods in agreement, his expression solemn.
"I know that losing a home can be hard," I venture. I was never great at comforting people. "But there's more than enough resources available on the surface for you."
Karane pulls herself away from Pipit then, still sniffling but able to smile a little.
"Your friends are safe," I continue. "This is a winnable situation. The longer you spend worrying, the less time you can put into fixing the problem. That's the way I see it."
-
I raise my eyebrows in mild surprise at his nervousness, a fleeting smile flashing across my face.
"Me?" I ask. The poor, poor guy. Oh, the poor guy. Nevertheless, I can't do anything to stop my face from heating up a little.
He nods, an embarrassed look on his face.
"I see," I say slowly, getting up. After a moment, I add, "You're not so bad yourself."
He blinks, looking extremely puzzled. "What-?"
"Well, I've gotta go catch up with the others," I interrupt, offering him one last smile before I dart away, stepping quickly and avoiding meeting the eyes of the other Sheikah.
Walking quickly, I don't notice Fintan and the others until I walk right into them, just barely stopping myself from falling over.
"Oh, hello," I greet them with a laugh. "Sorry about that, I was... a little distracted."
-
The arrow flies from the bow, striking the wooden post in the centre. Pipit's breath escapes him in a low whistle as I stride over to retrieve it, and Link nods approvingly.
"Why is it that you don't use weapons?" Pipit asks, frowning.
I shrug, looking down at the bow. "I don't know. I choose not to, is all."
Sault chatters on about the different types of woods that can be used for making bows, how each of them has a different effect, and the two Hylians listen attentively. I occupy myself with inspecting Pipit's dagger. It's very different from any I've seen among our people. The blade is stouter, and slightly curved. There are tiny engravings in the steel, looking far too elaborate for a simple dagger.
I hand it back to him and turn away. Surely they had something better to talk about than a single weapon? But then I wouldn't know.
I was already getting hungry anyways, and I wanted to get some more rest.
As I enter the camp, I glance over to where two of the Hylians are sitting together, discussing something with troubled look. The word "powers" is what catches my attention.They stand up, seemingly about to leave. Curious, I make my way over before they can get very far.
-
"I would have been fine by myself," I replied as coolly as I was able to, even managing to direct a flicker of a smile in the Hylian's direction. Turning sharply on my heel, I make my way to where Melaina and Fintan are standing.
Still irritated, I stand with my arms crossed and a frown on my face. No one picked me up like that, whether they were trying to make amends or not. That would definitely not be permitted again.
Melaina offers me a smile that I don't return, so caught up in my own frustrated thoughts. From the corner of my eye, I notice Sault looking curiously toward the Hylians, clear interest in his eyes.
It isn't too long a walk," Fintan says after a moment, taking off with a sure stride. Melaina, Sault and I follow him swiftly, moving almost perfectly in time. I don't bother looking back to see if the Hylians have followed, the sound of their footsteps a little distance away, but steady.
Shaking my head, I tug at my bandages with an annoyed noise, wrapping them around my bloodied knuckles. To distract myself, I focus on making as little sound as possible as I move over fallen leaves and small stones.
It was a challenge, not punching the nearest tree bark.
-
I block yet another swing from the Demon Lord I face, lips curled into a malicious sneer. Though his attack doesn't hit, I can already tell I'll end up with bruises. The strength of these pale, lean creatures is really something to marvel at.
Sault, Fintan, Melaina and I have been separated, each of us taking a Demon Lord head on. I don't dare risk a glance over, but from the grunts and heavy breathing I hear, I can make out enough.
Caught off guard, a sweep to the ankles sends me down, landing hard on my back. I let out a cry, pain shooting up and down my spine.
"Caoilann!" Melaina calls, panic clear in her tone. She can't help, however, being cut off from me completely.
The Demon Lord leered down at me, laughing deviously. Lifting one foot, he readied it to come down with force. I needed to move, I needed to do something before-
-Before I was off the ground and set down some distance from the fight. Baffled, I look up only to meet the blue eyes of the yellow-clad Hylian we'd met before.
"What-?"
"No time," he interrupts, offering me a quick smile before he brandishes a sword and runs off to join the others.
Left sitting in surprise for a moment, I shake myself back to the now, scowling. He thought he could leave me here like some helpless animal, did he?
"I don't think so," I mutter, tightening my bandages and standing up a little more slowly than I'd have liked. "...Idiot."
-
I work my wrists around in circles as our group strides along out of the Hylian's territory. We still take quick glances at the new inhabitants of the surface, but avoid making eye contact with most.
Fintan's eyes are open, but it's clear he's somewhere else entirely, only barely aware of us. Melaina holds an arrow, staring down at it as if it might offer some sort of explanation.
"Well," Sault breaks the silence. "I suppose it could have been worse."
"It could have been better," I reply drily.
"I just don't know how an arrow like that landed in their land," Melaina says, eyebrows drawn into a frown. "But at least we're on relatively good terms."
I don't respond, focusing on ignoring the urge to scratch at my wrists. Being bound was horrible, especially when you were weaponless.
"I wonder what Sheik will make of this," Sault muses. I shrug, splaying my fingers apart and rolling my shoulders.
I honestly have no idea how he'll react. It's rare to see Sheik get upset, and I can't think he'll be too fazed by this. But I'd never been sent on a mission, and I'd never seen anyone fail in their own.
-
The tension in the room couldn't have been more oppressive. The Hylians have their eyes trained on Melaina, while we had our eyes trained on the arrow. I glance toward Fintan. He appears composed, but there is a tightness about his eyes.
"Well?" the dark-haired boy prompts.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. This kind of hostility was never pleasant, and now least of all. Too much sneaking about in the shadows, I thought. I wasn't one for being talkative, but perhaps it could have been a better idea than 'spying' on the Hylians.
I test the ropes that bind me, but as I expected, they're thick and I'm without the weapons to sever them. The others are having the same trouble.
"One of you had better offer an explanation," the boy in green warns, glaring.
I move to shrug my shoulders, but think better of it and clear my throat.
"None of us know why you came across the arrow," I said. "We hadn't been to this area until now. We were sent here to make negotiations with you; the last thing we would do would be to start firing arrows into your land."
Establishing Hyrule
in Roleplaying
Posted
I come up after Sault, scratching my knees and gasping at stinging pains from where flecks of lava have landed on me.
Immediately upon reaching the top of the ladder, I turn and pull Link up, offering Zelda a hand as she follows. My eyes glaze over the others as I try to help, searching frantically for Bryarly. She climbs frantically, grimacing as she moves.
"Bryarly, hurry!" the others urge her. Desperately, I reach out a hand, waiting for her to climb up enough to reach.
She lets out a cry of pain as her leg is burned, tears streaming from her frightened eyes. She's going to be too-
"No," I tell myself. I wasn't about to let another person die, I wasn't about to stand there watching again.
For a moment I falter, but then I take my knife, and ram it through my trousers into the ground, before leaning over the edge further in order to better reach her.
"Caoilainn!" Zelda cries, her panicked voice filling the air.I ignore her for now, and kick away whoever it was that tried to pull me back.
Finally, after what seems like forever, Bryarly's hand clasps mine, and I grab her hand with both of mine, pulling her up with all my strength.
And then we both fall back onto the ground, breathless and worn out. Bryarly turns her head to gape at me, eyes wide.
"Th-Thank you," she manages. I retrieve my knife, noting the cut on my calf. Getting up, offering Bryarly a hand and pull her to her feet.
"You're welcome," I say, making for the exit. "The lava will probably continue rising, so let's get out of here."
The others agree. Bryarly hands Fintan the shard of the blade, looking like she'd rather not have it.
"Maybe the Gorons will let us rest here," Zelda wondered. "We could all do with a little fixing up."