Chapter 24 Calhan’s old ticker…

Chapter 24

 

Calhan’s old ticker…..

 

“I’m honestly very surprised we convinced your mother to let you come with us at all.” Gerad said as he waved farewell to Ruto and Vespa. Lucius grunted in agreement as they made their way over the bridge. It had taken them a week to clear out most of the monsters and rubble.

At first Ruto had been vehemently against Lucius continuing the journey with them, but thanks to Calhan, they were able to talk her into it.

“How was Sasha?” Meria asked Lucius.

Lucius smiled, “She’s ok. She told me not to blame myself too much. Heh, guess she knew I would.”

“How long will it take us to get to Kokiri village?” Selene asked Aerica.

Aerica shrugged, “A few days. There is a shortcut through the Lost Woods, but what with the way things are going I think it best if we stick to the trade routes.”

“Yeah, probably.” Gerad said waving one last time as they rounded the bend out of site of Zora’s Domain.

 

The crow with the red eyes and silver collar watched them leave Zora’s Domain in silence, as they rounded the bend out of site it seemed to smirk as it took flight to follow them.

 

“I still have no idea how you make rations edible, Meria.” Lucius said taking another bite of the food. Meria laughed as she served up another helping for Sheik.

“Family secret; I’d have to kill you if I told you.” Meria said conspiratorially.

Selene leaned back against Dahrin’s shoulder and watched the sky, a storm was coming but Meria had told them it wasn’t going to hit till later tomorrow. Selene had no clue how she new except that maybe it was because Meria was the Wind Sage. Selene closed her eyes and just listened to the chatter of her friends.

“Selene, why are you glowing?” Gerad asked.

Selene opened her eyes and looked at her skin, indeed she was glowing again, “I don’t know, it’s something I do when I’m content I guess.”

“Oh.” Gerad said taking another bite of food.

“So, when we get to Kokiri Village, are we going straight to the temple or what?” Dahrin asked.

Gerad shrugged, “I don’t want to alarm innocents, but we should check it out as soon as possible.”

“I’ll check it out when we get there.” Aerica said as she fed Meko some meat.

“Someone should go with you; we don’t need another repeat of last time.” Lucius said pointing at Aerica.

Aerica chuckled, “True.”

“I’ll go with her; it shouldn’t look too suspicious, me being the Lore Sage and all.” Calhan suggested.

“I suppose.” Gerad said hesitantly.

“We still have a day or two before we get there so we can discuss this further on the way.” Aerica said putting her arm on Gerad’s.

“Yeah, it’s late already, we should get some sleep. I’ll take first watch.” Dahrin said putting his plate down and getting his swords. His axe had been beyond repair and the Zora blacksmiths had crafted him two one-handed swords. The others bid each other good night and turned in.

 

Gerad awoke to the sound of metal scraping on metal and sat up just in time to see a Stalfos disintegrate after being killed by Dahrin. Gerad jumped to his feet waiting for more to attack but none did.

Dahrin caught sight of him and walked over, “There was only one. I don’t think we need to wake the others.”

“How did you kill him so quietly?” Gerad asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Gerad, I’m the king of the sand assassins.” Dahrin said looking at him.

“Oh yeah.” Gerad said.

Gerad was awake now that the adrenaline had rushed through his system. He and Dahrin sat just outside of the circle of firelight. Slowly Gerad got his night vision and saw shapes and slowly could distinguish between the shadows.

“Dahrin, we’re surrounded aren’t we?” Gerad asked calmly.

“Yeah, but they don’t seem interested in us. They stay out of the firelight.” Dahrin said just as calmly.

“So, I heard you got the medallions to lend you power?” Dahrin asked him watching the shapes of the monsters as they slowly walked past their campsite. As Dahrin had said they stayed out of the firelight and didn’t seem to be interested in them.

“Yeah, but only once, I haven’t gotten it to do anything since then.” Gerad said pulling out the pendant. The medallions glowed slightly in the dark. They also pulsed like heartbeats at different paces.

“What is your opinion of me?” Dahrin asked hesitantly.

Gerad glanced at him, “That was random.”

Dahrin chuckled, “Yeah, but all the same, what do you think of my having feelings for your sister?”

“I know she loves you. Well put it this way, treat her right, never make her cry, and I think we’ll be ok.” Gerad said dropping the pendant and going back to watching the shadows.

“But, I’m Ganondorf’s son.” Dahrin whispered.

“And? You aren’t Ganondorf.” Gerad countered, “Look, you love my sister, my sister loves you. You’re a decent guy that can hold his own in a fight and you’re one of the kindest people I know. You can’t help who your father is. But you can help that you don’t become your father. Make sense?” Gerad asked him looking him in the eyes, or what he could see of them.

Gerad saw Dahrin smile as he said, “Yeah. Thanks, Gerad.”

Time passed with silence as they both watched the monsters outside of their camp. Dahrin looked over his shoulder and Gerad looked to see what had his attention. Calhan waved at them as he made his way across the camp as quietly as he could.

“I believe it’s my shift.” Calhan said squatting down between them.

Dahrin nodded and stood up and stretched, “Yeah, feels like it. Goodnight guys.”

Gerad and Calhan wished him goodnight and watched as he made his way to a vacant spot by the fire. Dahrin put some more logs on it to give it some life before he turned in for good.

“I’m guessing we aren’t worried about the Stalchildren?” Calhan asked taking Dahrin’s seat.

“Is that what they are?” Gerad asked.

“Yeah, they come out at night; they hate light so they will stay away as long as we keep the fire going.” Calhan replied as he sipped something from a canteen.

“What’s that?” Gerad asked curious as Calhan shivered in disgust.

“Hmm? Oh this? Nothing you need to worry about.” Calhan replied putting the canteen away in his pouch.

“I need to worry if it’s going to cause problems.” Gerad said walking over to him.

Calhan looked up at Gerad with a stern face, “It’s not alcoholic if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Then what is it?” Gerad asked not deterred by Calhan’s tone.

“It’s medicine. Kelith told me to drink it for a while.” Calhan replied turning back to watch the Stalchildren.

“Medicine? For what?” Gerad asked surprised.

Calhan didn’t answer but turned his gaze back to Gerad. Gerad thought he looked like he was trying to decide something then Calhan shrugged.

“How old do you think I am, Gerad?” Calhan asked him.

Gerad was slightly taken aback by the question. He thought for a bit then answered, “Twenty-five round about.”

Calhan laughed quietly, “I suppose you’d find it difficult to believe, but I’m actually one hundred twenty-five.”

Gerad didn’t say anything for a while as he processed this tidbit of information given to him.

“How is that possible?” Gerad finally asked, “Rauru is your grandfather but he was around when my father was my age.”

“You forget, we’re the Lore sages. We live longer than everyone else. I told you all a while back that I had replaced him, but I didn’t tell you when.” Calhan replied.

“How is that possible?” Gerad asked.

“My grandfather went back to the point in time he had become Lore Sage, which was about three hundred some odd years ago. My father didn’t take on the job and so it passed to me when I turned twenty. I’ve been in the Chamber of Sages up until five years ago, when I came to protect you guys because Ganondorf was loose once more.” Calhan answered.

“That’s when you joined the guard.” Gerad said.

Calhan nodded, “Yes, I thought it the easiest way to keep track of everyone.”

“So, what is the medicine for?” Gerad asked bringing Calhan back to the original point.

“Well, being Lore sage has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is I age slower than everyone else depending on if I’m in reality or in the Chamber of sages. Disadvantage is my age catches up to me when I’m in reality for too long. If I stayed here long enough I would age to a hundred twenty-five and die.” Calhan replied.

“What does that have to do with the medicine?” Gerad asked shifting his position to the ground instead of perched on top of the boulder.

“Organs are the first to go, so even though I look like I’m only twenty-five, I have the heart of a man of forty.” Calhan said an ironic smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“How long do you have?” Gerad asked.

“Oh, according to Kelith, a few years at best the way things are now, but if I returned to the chamber I’d revert back to the way I was when I entered.” Calhan said returning his gaze to the shadows. The Stalchildren seemed to have decreased in numbers and now only one or two roamed around outside the firelight.

“Well, can’t you go back now and revert then come back?” Gerad asked.

“Ha, doesn’t work that way. If I went back I’d revert back but once I stepped outside again I’d come right back to the way I am now.” Calhan answered.

“So the medicine is for your heart?” Gerad asked.

“Mostly yes, but it’s also for everything else. You see, one of my ancestors discovered a brew that could temporarily stall the aging process and gave this secret recipe to a Zora healer many, many years ago. Kelith knew of it and happened to know how to brew it and so she did for me.” Calhan said.

“What’s the catch?” Gerad asked.

“It will only work for so long. Once it stops working, I will continue to age at an even more rapid rate than before.” Calhan replied turning his gaze back to the shadows once more, “You should go get some sleep, Gerad; you have last watch after all.”

Gerad nodded realizing that Calhan didn’t want to discuss it anymore. Getting up he bid Calhan goodnight then walked to where his sister slept. She had kicked off her covers and was shivering slightly in the damp air. Gerad smiled and shook his head as he recovered her. He gently stroked her hair then went to his own bedroll.

As Gerad rolled up into his blanket he thought he heard someone muttering to themselves. He listened hard to figure out who it was and realized it was Calhan. Gerad looked to where Calhan sat but only saw a silhouette. Gerad shrugged and rolled back over to go to sleep.