Chapter 10 Starlight…

Chapter 10

 

 

Starlight…

 

 

The group finished out the three weeks with no more interesting diversions. G-Link began to learn his powers quite well, and Selene, Aerica, and Sheik continued to improve as well. The group had gained a bit of muscle thanks to the hard labor of fixing the damage from Claire’s rampage.

Everyone was saddling up their mounts preparing for the trek back down Death Mountain.

“Calhan do you know if my father still has the medallions the sages gave him?” Gerad asked him while they made preparations to leave.

Calhan looked at him then dug in his satchel. Gerad watched him in curiosity as Calhan finally got what he was looking for out of the satchel.

“I took the initiative that you would need them and swiped them from the treasury.” Calhan handed Gerad a medallion.

It was a circle no bigger than the size of his palm. Around the edge were smaller circles in the colors that represented the original six elements. Green for earth, red for fire, blue for water, purple for shadow, orange for spirit, and yellow for light. There was an empty slot between spirit and light.

“You stole it from the treasury?!” Gerad asked his voice getting higher with each syllable. Calhan put his hand over Gerad’s mouth to shush him glancing around the room to see if the others had heard. If they had they made no sign of it. Gerad was glaring at him as Calhan sighed.

Calhan shrugged, “Your father isn’t using it.”

“No one ever said that I would be the next hero.” Gerad slapped Calhan’s hand away, “How do you know my father isn’t still?”

“All the other children are,” Calhan rubbed his hand, “so it’s a fairly good assumption.”

“Beside the point.” Gerad shook his head, “What if my father needs them and he can’t find them?”

“He never used them anyway? So he won’t know the difference.” Calhan retorted.

Gerad glared at him then sighed, “Fine. On a different note where do I get the wind medallion from?”

Calhan tapped his chin thinking. “That’s a good question. It would make sense that the wind sage has it, we could ask Meria.”

Gerad glanced to where Meria was packing her stuff with Sheik’s help, more, Sheik was trying to pack it and Meria was repacking it.

Gerad shrugged, “Sure why not.”

Calhan walked over to Meria with Gerad behind him. Meria looked up at them as they approached. She had traded her usual orange skirt for darker orange pants but still wore the customary loose white shirt and brown riding boots.

“Meria, do you happen to have a round pendant that has a strange symbol on it, which could possibly have been passed down by some grandparent?” Calhan asked.

“Oh that was tactful.” Gerad rolled his eyes.

Meria chuckled, “Yeah I do, why?”

“Well back when Ganondorf was trying to take over the world the sages gave the hero of time medallions that were infused with their powers to help him. So…we kinda need it.” Calhan explained.

Meria raised her eyebrows at this but shrugged her shoulders and unclasped the necklace she had around her neck. It was a black leather string and on it dangled a light grey stone circle. On the circle was a broken sphere with two small squiggles coming out of the top right.

“It wasn’t actually handed down; mom found it in some old trunk in the windmill on our farm and gave it to me.” Meria said handing the medallion to Gerad.

Taking it carefully in his palm, the stone felt warm to his touch. Gerad took the stone off of the necklace and handed the string back to Meria. Meria took it and refastened it around her neck; she unconsciously touched the base of her throat feeling for the stone.

Gerad carefully inserted the stone into the slot between the spirit and light medallions. Meria looked on curiously as Gerad rotated the pendant in his hand studying it.

“Thanks Meria.” Gerad slipped the pendant over his head. It hung there on his neck next to the necklace his parents had given him on his tenth birthday.

Gerad didn’t know what to expect, but he did expect something to happen. To his disappointment nothing happened, there was no sudden feeling of power or any glowing lights. The pendant just sat there as innocent as his other necklace.

“Did I break it?” Gerad asked Calhan as he walked back to continue his packing.

Calhan smiled, “Nah. What? Were you expecting a whoosh or something?”

 

The group, once packed and assembled outside, was once more addressed by Darunia. He grinned at them, which was not a sight for the faint of heart. He looked like a cross between an alligator and a boulder. Since Gorons rarely show them not many people know what their teeth look like, rocks being the Goron diet they had to have a strong set of teeth and also, sharp.

“We greatly appreciate the help you have given us, both labor and heroics. We bid you fair journey and hope you will not hesitate to come visit us again. I’m sure there will always be tunnels or caverns aplenty.” Darunia gave a hearty laugh at this last bit; after he stopped the group rubbed their ears trying to get the ringing to stop.

Darunia turned to his son and held out his arms to him. G-Link stepped forward and grasped Darunia’s arms just above the elbows as Darunia grasped his. They bent their heads till they touched with their eyes closed.

The group waited patiently as their embrace continued for five minutes. When another ten minutes went past Gerad heard a snore from G-Link.

The girls tried to stifle their giggles as the guys rolled their eyes. Gerad stepped forward and poked G-Link.

G-Link and Darunia startled awake, “Be careful on your journey son and guard your friends well and they will do the same for you.” Darunia said.

G-Link nodded as Darunia continued, “Now off with ya to Hyrule Lake; give my greetings to Ruto and Vespa for me.” 

 

The group trekked down the same mountain path they had used coming up here a month before. They had set out at dawn and were making good time to arrive at Kakariko village just at midday. Aerica looked up at her trees as they passed under them on their way. Birds were already building nest in the branches.

She smiled as they twittered at the group as it passed. A brave sparrow dived at Bob’s head, and disappeared. A feather stuck out from the corner of Bob’s mouth. Selene shivered and Gerad made a face of disgust. G-Link patted Bob on the shoulder as he swallowed.

The sunlight spilled over the mountain basking the group in its warm embrace; unfortunately it also blinded them and made it difficult to navigate the path, this slowed their pace considerably. They finally dismounted to walk in front of their mounts to lead them.

 Selene dropped back to walk next to Dahrin and Gerad moved forward to walk next to Aerica. Sheik and Meria took up rear while G-Link and Lucius took up front. Calhan once again wore his guard uniform and walked in the middle.

Dahrin smiled shyly at Selene. She smiled back and he lowered his head to stare at the ground. Looking forward but occasionally stealing glances, Selene wracked her brain to find the right words to start a conversation, anything to kill this awkwardness.

 Hesitantly she spoke, stuttering slightly, “How are you today?”

He looked back up at her, “I’m fine; and yourself? You seemed worn out for a while there after our fight with Claire.” 

“Yeah, trying to heal her took a lot out of me. I’m still kind of tired.” She finished with a yawn.

Dahrin smiled, “Well don’t fall asleep; you might wander off the edge.”

She laughed with him then they heard a giggle behind them. She turned to see Meria blushing the brightest red and Sheik laughing with her at something he had said.

Selene smiled as she turned forward again, “They’re so right for each other, don’t you think?”

“Agreed,” Dahrin smiled, “After what he went through, he needs some happiness.”

“Yeah,” Selene nodded in agreement.

The both of them lapsed into silence of their own thoughts. Birds chirped over their heads as bits of conversation filtered back to them from the front of the procession.

“So what do you think of our adventure so far?” Selene asked turning back to him.

Dahrin thought for a moment as he pursed his lips, “Not quite what I expected.”

Selene laughed, “I don’t think it’s been what any of us expected.”

Again they lapsed into silence. Starfire snorted and nudged Selene causing her to trip slightly. Dahrin reached out and caught her about the middle. She thanked him as she regained her footing and blushed slightly. They heard giggles behind them and glanced to see Meria and Sheik conspicuously diverting their attention. Selene narrowed her eyes at her friend while Dahrin jerked his arm back.

“So, Dahrin,” Selene turned back forward, “What do you think your powers are?”

Dahrin grinned, “No idea but I can’t wait to find out.”

Calhan turned to face them, “You can borrow the book and see if you would like. But I would suggest you be careful and watch your step as well.”

Dahrin shrugged, “Sure why not.”

He stepped forward to reach for the book as Calhan handed it back to him. He grabbed the book and handed the reins of Desertstorm to Selene. Taking them she watched Dahrin flip open the cover of the book to the first page. It was the author’s note:

 

 

“To the reader of this book; be wary of the powers you find. They might kill you.”

 

Dahrin grimaced at the intro, “Morbid.”

Selene chuckled at the sentence after she read it. Dahrin flipped the page; the next one was the table of contents.

 

1.      Introduction-i

2.      Light-1-25

3.      Earth-26-57

4.      Fire-58-109

5.      Water-110-145

6.      Shadow-146-200

7.      Wind-200-222

8.      Spirit-223-267

9.      Evil-268-347

 

“Why does light have the least number of pages?” Selene asked looking over Dahrin’s shoulder.

“Actually, Wind has the least number of pages.” Dahrin pointed out to her.

Selene looked again, “Oh ok.”

“It isn’t as thick as I thought it would be.” Dahrin mused flipping to the Spirit section.

“What, did you expect it to be as thick as your arm from elbow to wrist?” Selene asked raising an eyebrow.

“No just a tad thicker than this.” Dahrin replied flipping a few more pages, “Why how thick did you expect it?”

Selene smiled as she faced forward again, “As thick as my arm from elbow to wrist.”

Dahrin chuckled as he shook his head and began reading the intro:

 

The Spirit sage is able to absorb the essence of the things around him; such as animals, inanimate objects, and also imagination. He is then able to project a manifestation of the object to use as he requires, for example: a shield to block attacks or shovel to shovel dirt and so on.

The sage must be careful for each manifestation takes a toll of energy from him.

He can also use this as an attack; this is where the imagination comes in. The sage can delve from a person’s mind their deepest fear and project it to them. The more the opponent is weaker in spirit the more real the illusion.

This attack is called ‘Spiritalios’.

 

“Interesting.” Dahrin said as he read on.

His reading was interrupted when Selene suddenly grabbed his arm and jerked him away from the three foot hole he was about to step into. He tripped sideways trying to catch his balance. He accidently knocked Selene off balance and she grabbed his arm again.

Since he was already overbalanced he fell with her to the ground. Training took over as he curled his shoulder and tugged Selene over himself, using his body to break her fall.

She landed on top of him chest to chest; they looked into each other’s eyes as they both realized how close the other was.

“Um…” Was all Selene could manage before turning bright red. Dahrin’s complexion was just behind hers in the color range.

“Need some help?” Meria asked trying to hand the reins of her horse to Sheik who was too busy laughing. Selene and Dahrin both turned redder.

Selene tried as politely as possible to scoot her legs up to get to her knees as she used Dahrin’s chest to push herself up. Dahrin lay still till she was up. He started to rise and a hand was offered to him. He looked up the hand to Gerad’s grinning face. Dahrin took the offered hand and got to his feet.

“Well that was fun.” Gerad laughed as Dahrin dusted himself off.

Selene turned redder if it was possible and Dahrin was silent. Still chuckling Gerad walked back to where Aerica was waiting with Artimus.

Calhan picked up the book and offered it back to Dahrin, “Care to try again?”

Dahrin scowled at him, “No thanks, I’ll just keep track of my feet from now on.”

Calhan laughed as he put the book away. The sun had risen enough for them to be able to see where they were going so they all remounted and continued on.

They arrived in Kakariko village at noon; Impa and Sheif were there to greet them. Sheik dismounted before the rest and ran to greet his parents.

They smiled fondly at their son as he remembered his etiquette and stopped to bow. Impa and Sheif bowed back then walked the distance between them and their son to embrace him.

The group dismounted and bowed to Impa and Sheif who bowed back.

“Come stable your horses and eat lunch with us.” Sheif said after they had straitened back up. The group smiled in agreement as they headed for the stables.

 

After lunch the group reclined around the table, tummies satisfied. Sheik sat next to Meria who was leaned against his shoulder. He sat with his arm around hers and gently stroked it as they listened to his father tell of what had happened since they had left.

Selene and Dahrin sat as far as possible from each other and avoided each other’s gazes. Gerad sat next to Calhan and Lucius and listened to Sheif. Aerica sat next to Impa and G-link across the table feeding Meko bits of food. After a while they all heard the sound of snoring. Locating the origin of the sound Lucius poked G-Link who snorted but remained asleep.

“Well I didn’t know I was that boring.” Sheif laughed with the others.

Impa stood and stretched, “I’m getting too old to sit in one position for very long, come Sheik take a walk with me. And anyone else who wants to join us can.”

Sheik smiled and stood to his feet and helped Meria up. The rest watched them walk out. Sheif looked at the rest of them, “Would you boys care to see the schoolhouse, we finished it a few days after you all left.”

He rose to his feet as did Lucius and Calhan, G-Link slept on. After they had walked out Gerad looked from Selene to Dahrin then to Aerica who met his gaze and smiled. Gerad smiled back and they both stood and left; Meko comatose on Aerica’s shoulder.

Selene came out of her thoughts to find herself alone with Dahrin. He came to the same realization and their eyes met. They hastily stared back at their plates.

Selene pushed her food around on her plate trying to think of something to say. She was about to say something when G-Link gave a loud snort.

Dahrin grinned as did Selene. He looked at her then got up and moved to her side. She watched him approach with a smile. He held his hand out to her wordlessly.

She looked at the hand then took it. As he helped her to her feet she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. From his burnt orange hair to his amber eyes, straight nose just long enough but not too long. His chin strong but not overly, his face was thin. He was lean muscled not built like an ox like most men were. His hands were soft despite the calluses of swordplay. His olive toned skin was beautifully healthy.

As she was admiring him he was doing the same to her. He always felt something beyond friendship for her, ever since his eyes had met the emerald green of hers. He loved everything about her, her long brown hair, the stray strands always getting in her eyes; her short cute nose that he longed to touch with the tip of his finger; her lips slender but still enticing. Her body was strong but femininely so. She had strength but also grace and you could see it in the way she walked, her hips didn’t sway as much as most girls and he loved it. She had all the right curves in all the right places.

They stepped back from each other. “Would you care to go for a walk?” Dahrin asked her quietly.

Selene smiled as she hooked her arm in his, “I would love to.”

They walked in silence out the door of the house leaving G-Link to sleep. They enjoyed each other’s company in silence for a time. They rounded the corner of the house and headed towards the Coucou Lady’s house for lack of a destination.

Dahrin wrestled with his thoughts trying to get them in order. Selene watched some butterflies twirl past, a small smile on her face. Dahrin started and stopped a number of times as they continued walking. They stopped next to the well, Selene picked a wild flower growing next to the well and tucked it behind her ear.

Dahrin finally plucked up the courage, “Selene?”

She looked at him, “Yes?”

“Uh…Do you…uh…do you…”

Selene waited patiently for Dahrin to find his courage again. He took a deep breath and took the plunge.

“I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU EVER SINCE I LAID EYES ON YOU AND WAS WONDERING HOW YOU FELT ABOUT ME IF YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING I QUITE UNDERSTAND AND HOPE THAT THIS OUTBURST OF MY FEELINGS HASN’T HAD A DAMAGING EFFECT ON OUR FRIENDSHIP I JUST REALY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.”

Dahrin gasped for breath as Selene looked at him with her eyebrows raised and a smile on her lips. Dahrin finally got his breath back and looked into her eyes. The wait for her answer was torture and Dahrin was beginning to regret his outburst.

Selene smiled softly at him, “I feel the same.”

Moving closer she embraced him leaning her head against his chest.  Dahrin was a bit surprised but recovered by wrapping his arms around her. Dahrin released her then took her by the hand and they set off once more.

Dusk was falling and they found they had traveled up to the windmill. Dahrin and Selene sat on the grass and watched the sun bathe the canyon valley in its last rays of light. Watching the villagers slowly disappear into their homes, husbands to wives, children to parents. Selene leaned her head on Dahrin’s shoulder as the sun slowly sank beyond the canyon walls.

Dahrin looked at Selene in the dying light and noticed he could see her quite clearly. She glowed with a soft white light like a star. Selene looked up at him and he caressed her cheek.

“You glow.” Dahrin whispered not wanting to break the moment.

Selene looked at him puzzled then looked at her hands; they did indeed glow.

“Hmm…” Selene rubbed the back of her hand gently, “That’s new.”

Dahrin took one in his hand gently, his fingers tingled where they contacted with her skin. “You’ve never glowed before?”

“No, I wonder why I started now.” Selene raised her eyes from her hands to his face.

He was smiling at her again; she couldn’t help but smile back. Slowly Dahrin leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips.

“You glow like a star.” He whispered caressing her cheek, “My star.”