Shadow of the Hero

The Sheikah

I wake up to the sound of a branch snapping. It is close by, so I stay still and listen for anything else.

"Hey! Watch it! He almost woke up!" Someone whispers. It sounds like a young girl.

"You watch it!" It sounds like the same voice, but the context makes it sound like a different person.

I've heard enough to know they aren't monsters, so I sit up slowly, opening my eyes.

In front of me are two girls that are the same height and build. They both wear tight fabric on their bodies, and their faces are wrapped with white strips of cloth. They don't seem to notice that I am awake.

"You always mess up the missions!" The first one whisper-yells.

"You're the one talking!" Says the second.

"So are you!" The first.

"I think you both are." I decide to say. They aren't holding any weapons. What's the harm?

They both scream and jump backwards.

"You're awake!" The first one says.

"We're dead." Says the second.

I stand and pack up my stuff.

"What are you doing?" Both girls ask at once.

"I'm packing up. The sun is rising and I need to go somewhere." I say. As I turn to Lenaigrima, a thought strikes me. These girls don't seem to have adults with them, and we are a day's ride from any civilization.....but they don't seem concerned. "Do you girls need a ride home? My horse is probably big enough."

The girls exchange looks. "We're not supposed to invite strangers." The first one says.

"That's okay." I think quickly. "Could you girls do me a favor though? Can you go to your leader and tell her that I'm on a mission for the sages?" I smile at them. "It's important. I'll wait here if you want."

They give me a long look before running off. I sigh and turn back to Grima.

"Almost there, buddy. I'm sorry it's been such a long ride." I say, stroking his mane. He nickers happily.

"The sages, huh?" A deep voice says from behind me. I turn around. How did they sneak up on me?

A woman is standing behind me. The twins are beside her.

"Yes, mam." I reply. She looks me up and down.

"My mom sent you?" She laughs. "You look like you're barely anything under those clothes. And you're a knight. This is some kind of joke."

"Impa is your mom?!?!" I ask incredulously. She stops laughing.

"Yes." She answers slowly.

"My name is Colin." I say, holding out my hand. "Your mother and the other sages sent me in the hero's stead."

"Hm....." The woman looks at me again. I keep my hand up. "Persistent, are you?" She pauses again. "I am Nari. My daughters are called Sahn and Fyori." She says, gesturing to both girls. "Follow me."

I drop my hand and grab Grima's reigns.

"What does my mother want?" Nari asks as she leads me down a path I had passed yesterday.

"I am supposed to befriend all of the tribes and serve as a link between all of them." I swallow my laughter at the irony of the word choice. "Your mother thought you could train me. Although I'm not sure she knew it would be you specifically..."

"Train you in what?" Nari cuts me off. "Swordplay? Manners? Deceit?" She says them all with equal levels of scorn. "You are already adept at swordplay. That is obvious by your stance. Your manners could definitely use some work, especially since you'll have to act differently between each tribe. Your deceit is at zero right now. You are too innocent and trusting."

"Then teach me." I say. She stops walking and looks at me.

".......I can see why they chose you." She mutters quietly. Her daughters look up at her expectantly.

With that comment, she ducks under a rocky overhang.

"Welcome to the Sheikah Tribe."