Life in Zora's Domain - Part Two

Chapter 68 - A Clue From the North

Summary: In the Calamity Timeline, Astra and Fallon engage in combat training at the Sacred Grounds. Fallon considers proposing to Astra but wants to qualify for the Royal Guards first. Fallon's friend Torin is still starstruck over the Gerudo Vai he met named Farana. Something washes ashore at the North Akkala beach that may be of future importance.

In the heart of the Sacred Grounds, two figures battled as the orange hue of a sunset cast a warm golden glow over the land. The crack of wooden training swords hitting against sword or shield stood in stark contrast to the calm sounds of nature: the gentle chirping of birds as they prepared for nightfall and the soft hum of insects starting their nightly mating calls. Astra moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior as she sparred with Fallon. Despite clearly fatigued, Fallon refused to give up.

"Have you had enough, dear?" Astra asked. "I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Try that lunge attack one more time," Fallon said between deep breaths. "I think I can improve on my defensive timing."

"Okay, are you ready?" Astra asked as she prepared to attack.

She faked left and lunged right, pleased to see Fallon successfully parrying her thrust.

"Well done!" Astra complimented him, and Fallon smiled in acknowledgment but was too winded to speak. "I think this is a good place to stop."

"I agree," gasped Fallon. "How would you rate my overall performance?"

"Well, your defensive technique isn't too bad," said Astra, her voice firm yet gentle. "Though you're not always as quick raising your shield as I would like."

She shook her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "But I'm glad we did this. I wanted to ensure you hadn't picked up any bad habits from sparring - or whatever you did - with those Gerudo Vai. And I decided to take it easy on you since your left arm is still slightly injured."

"Take it easy on me?" Fallon panted, sweat glistening on his forehead despite the cool weather as he still struggled to catch his breath. "I have never been so hard-pressed in all my life! Are you sure you aren't harboring some resentment over what happened with the Gerudo and are taking it out on me?"

Astra's bright blue eyes narrowed playfully as she chuckled. "Resentment? Oh, you mean if I thought you were unfaithful to me?"

She paused momentarily before continuing, her tone laced with a hint of humor.

"No need to worry, sweetheart. I trust you and what you told me about the Gerudo, though I don't trust them. But if it turned out you lied and did betray me...well, let's say you wouldn't be standing here in one piece right now."

"What?!" Fallon exclaimed, his eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Then he shook his head and smiled, realizing she was teasing him as her laughter echoed across the serene surroundings.

"You're fun to tease, and I'm only joking, dearest. But you're lucky I'm not a female Zora. They get jealous very easily. Deliberately cheat on one of them, and you could end up as fish bait."

"Really? I always thought of them as mild-mannered people. You know much about Zora's, then?" Fallon asked between deep breaths, still amazed Astra had hardly broken a sweat the whole time they sparred.

"More than you might think," laughed Astra. "Someday, perhaps I will explain."

"Anyway, trust me, sweetheart, nothing happened between me and any Gerudo Vai," Fallon reassured her earnestly as he finally recovered his composure. "I would never betray you. I love you. Very, very much. I'm touched you're jealous, but I want you to know I gave you no reason to be."