Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 8

As Link left Zora's domain he pondered his feelings. He was still so unsure why he had felt so different around Mipha. He had met Mipha years ago and back then he hadn't felt this way, he just thought she was a really kind Zora. When he reached the end of the bridge he saw Epona missing. His heart sped up, had she run away or had someone taken her? Epona wasn't just his ride back to the castle she was also someone Link truly cared about.

Just when Link was about to turn around and head back into Zora's Domain when someone called out to him. "Oy!" Lnk whipped around and let out a sigh of relief when he saw a reddish brown Zora walking towards him, Epona in tow. "I didn't expect you to be awake and leaving so early. Princess Mipha had asked that we give your horse some shelter so she wouldn't get sick from the cold rain. I was going to bring her back when the rain stopped but had I known you would be leaving so early I would have brought her back sooner."

Link accepted the reins from the Zora and nodded. "Thank you and it's alright."

The Zora nodded before heading back into the domain.

Link stroked Epona's muzzle. "How are you feeling?"

Epona didn't give any sign of a response and Link shrugged, this was normal she was just a horse. Link climbed onto her back and flicked the reins. Hopefully if he kept a consistent quick speed he would be able to get back to the castle before noon.

...

The trip was long and for the most part uneventful. There were a few times when Link had though he saw someone or something hiding behind trees, in trees, on cliffs, and other places. They never attacked, they just watched but when Link focused on the figures they would duck out of sight. Link tried to convince himself that it was just his eyes playing tricks on him but he wasn't sure. Even when he felt a little tired he was always alert, it was part of his knight training. Perhaps when he returned he would mention to his father about the slim shadowy figures that had always seemed to be seen out of the corner of his eye.

When he finally reached the castle he was greeted by multiple guards and also congratulated. Link assumed that either his father or the king had announced that Link had managed to retrieve the Master Sword. When Link reached the stable someone took Epona and brought her to her stall. Link was about to head inside when a group of three other knights approached him. Link knew these boys and also knew that each of them had gone to retrieve the Master Sword and had failed.

"Look everyone," the boy in front, Dmitri, chortled, "it's Link, the Hero that is supposed to seal the darkness. You don't actually believe in all the Calamity Ganon nonsense do you?"

Link rolled his eyes and started walking past him. The biggest of the three, Botrick, grabbed Link's arm forcing him to stop. He then pushed him back so he was standing in front of Dmitri.

"Don't ignore me, hero." Dmitri spat. "Now answer my question."

"That's my business."

The third boy in the group, Falmark, who was also the skinniest chuckled. "Looks like the whole Hero thing has gotten to his head."

Dmitri smiled. "You're right. Perhaps we should teach him a lesson in modesty." The three young men removed their swords and lunged at Link. Not knowing what else to do Link removed the master sword and again felt that feeling of awakening. He danced out of the way of the group and they all stumbled as they had lunged at him and missed. Not wanting to hurt them Link just turned and kicked Botrick in the back causing him to fall on his face and drop his sword. Link kicked the sword out of reach just as Dmitri and Falmark recovered.

Falmark was easy enough for Link to deal because although he was fast when Link did get a few blows in he wasn't strong enough to counter then and he eventually dropped his sword. Link again kicked it out of the way and then turned to face Dmitri.