The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 58 - The Chasm

...peacefully, and uneventfully, a relief after the trials not that long before. Link woke refreshed, if a little stiff, with the sound of a Cuccoo in the distance. Stretching to pop joints, he pulled himself out of the bedroll.

The last hint of the fire was fading as Link turned to check on Endeavor. They weren't where they'd been the night before, but Link spotted them across the pavilion before worry could set in about his vanished companion.

"Good morning," they called as they unbent from a stretch, it looked like for their recovery. "I will be done soon."

"No worries," Link answered, scooping the rest of his bedroll up. "Everything all right?"

"Therapy, doctor's orders. If I would like to be able to make the ride to Cleff, then I am inclined to follow them closely," Endeavor answered, leaning over into another stretch.

"How far away is Cleff?"

"It could take up to a week, due to the crossing in the desert. It is not far, but that region of the desert is forbidding to most and there is only a small portion of the day where we can make progress," Endeavor replied, easing themself into another stretch.

"And there's no other way there?" Link asked.

"Not that I am aware of, but I am sure there is. Travel between Underborough and Cleff are not uncommon, and they are clearly not traveling over land," Endeavor said, before shrugging briefly. "But there is only so much I can do about secret ways beneath the earth not told to me."

"Could we ask?" Link pressed.

Endeavor rose, finishing the short workout. "If the peoples of Underborough and Cleff have not told my people their secrets by now, how likely do you think it is that they would tell you, who is already going to be traveling in secret to enter their halls?"

Link sighed a bit. "Not very likely."

"It is worth asking, but I very sincerely doubt it," Endeavor replied, adjusting their sword belt and cloak. "Now, we have a half day's ride to the entrance to the Clever Grove. Out of respect of the people in Underborough and to protect their path, we will be avoiding all signs of people, so I am afraid we will not have time to visit your grandfather today."

"That's fine," Link answered, though the reminder hurt a bit. With Endeavor's future task, his heart ached a little more for his own family.

"I will let you know when you need to activate that charm, though you are welcome to spend more time with it if you need more practice with the alterations," Endeavor said, motioning to Link's pack.

"Alterations?"

"The illusion, it alters your appearance. I know you were distracted by the use cost last night, but I assumed in using it you had realized how it had altered your appearance," Endeavor replied. When Link shook his head, they sighed. "Very well, then I will find us a body of water for you to familiarize yourself with it so as to not ruin your own cover. I know the mirror itself is not as clear as others."

Link's brow knitted as Endeavor moved to mount Quicksilver. They moved into the saddle smoothly as Link started wondering what could possibly be so different that he could blow his cover upon realizing the illusion.

Endeavor however didn't offer any explanation and simply waited on Link outside the pavilion of the Hero's Shrine. Link finished breaking their camp, resaddled Epona, and hurried to join them.

Despite more than a little concern about whatever had actually happened because of the illusion, the morning was largely peaceful and a welcome break from the breakneck speeds of one dungeon to the next. Link made an effort to count the days since this whole quest had started, but it felt like years as he totaled up just a handful of months.