Eye of Truth

Part 1

   "A long time ago... There was a man in this very village who had an eye they said could see the truth! Now usually, you have to train your mind's eye most strenuously to actually see the truth... But this fella, no, they say he had a different way of doing things... His house stood where the well is now..."

   Shikashi chuckled at the faces of the curious Hylian children that had gathered around him. They sat in a semicircle on the grass, leaning forward toward the storyteller, who was standing by the stairs on the right side of the village square.

   "Hohoho!" he said. "But that's a story for another time."

   "Aw, c'mon!" one of the children said. "I wanna know!"

   "Yeah!"

   "Yeah!"

   "C'mon, Mr. Shikashi!"

   Shikashi gave the young children a warm smile. "And I will tell you in due time. I've already talked plenty about other interesting fables today."

   Several of the children whimpered bitterly. Shikashi expected such a response.

   "Now, now," he said. "Remember what I said about the Picori? Only well behaved children can see them. And I'm certain you all would love to meet one!"

   The children responded.

   "Yeah, I guess."

   "Fiiiiiine."

   "I think I stepped on one the other day."

   "Okay..."

   "Excellent," Shikashi said. "Now get back to your parents so you can get ready for the day."

   The children begrudgingly obeyed the kindly old storyteller, and rose to their feet. They departed all at once to their homes, eager for the day to be over already.

   Shikashi turned around and began ascending the stairs behind him, hands behind his back and eyes focused on the road. He made mindful movements to avoid tripping over his blue robes.

   The early morning in Kakariko was cool and sunny. The village began to awaken little by little as the sun rose higher. Shikashi even considered taking off his blue hat, but alas, he didn't consider himself a man who could pull off a balding appearance. A pleasant serenity hushed the world around them.

   Shikashi shuffled along the path silently. He felt the warm sun on his skin, and heard the Cuccos clucking energetically. He breathed deeply, and let out a sigh of relaxation.

   "Shikashi!"

   Shikashi turned to his right, and noticed a red haired woman in a brown vest and blue skirt by the Cucco pens of the chief's house. She held a broom in both hands, and stood near a small pile of freshly swept feathers.

   "Ah, Anju!" Shikashi said. "How are you today?"

   "Just fine," she said. "Just finishing up my cleaning is all."

   Shikashi glanced at the small pile near her feet. Then glanced at the numerous other feathers scattered around the premises.

   "Finishing?" Shikashi said, raising an eyebrow and giving a smirk.

   Anju laughed nervously. "Well, it was finished," she said. "But then I heard you telling the children a story and got enamored by your tale. Then I turned back and the feathers were everywhere again..."

   "Hah!" Shikashi said. "That's what lack of diligence can do to you. I'm shocked you're still working with them despite your allergies."

   "The pay's nice," Anju said, shrugging. "Plus, I love animals too much. Even the ones that I can't touch."