Shadow of the Hero

Progress

The days fly by in a mixture of sweat and exhaustion. It comes to the point where I am frustrated with my lack of improvement. Nari stays impassive as always, refusing to comment, always barking out her next order. Some days, the other women join us in the clearing. They always leave without comment, too. Every night, I get back after everyone is seemingly asleep in their homes. A meal and some water is always ready for me.

After a month of repeated days, the schedule finally changes. I am in the middle of my third set of push-ups for the day when Nari calls for me to stop. I pause with my arms extended and look at her, confused. She smiles and motions for me to stand.

The Shiekah teenager that I estimate to be around seventeen appears from behind a rock. In her arms is a large bundle of cloth. Nari takes the bundle from her.

"Thank you, Daina." She says. "You can go back home now."

The teenager, Daina, nods and leaves with hardly a glance in my direction.

"You have done well. In your training, you have honed your body to listen to your mind, and your mind to listen to your surroundings. You have learned my teachings at a remarkable speed."

I stand there, my face impassive, but my mind reeling. In a month, this is the first compliment I have received. It is high praise, from Nari.

"Now we can begin your real training."

Part of me wonders what I've been doing for the past month, if not training. The other part of me is very excited to learn.

Nari, still holding the bundle, begins to unwrap the cloth. She reveals two brilliant swords. They look thin, but strong. The mark of the Sheikah stands out on the hilt's leather.

"It has been years since we have used real swords. Most of our warriors prefer agility, so they use short swords or knives if they have need of a blade." She offers the swords to me, hilt first. "These swords were used by the last Sheikah warrior to defend the royal family. I hope that these swords can lend you the same strength, for the same purpose."

I gently grab both swords. I test the one in my right hand, swinging it a few times. Despite their light build, the swords are surprisingly heavy. I'm not certain that I would have felt comfortable handling them a month ago.

"Thank you." I say, looking back to Nari. She inclines her head, and for the first time, I see a fondness in her eyes.

"You will need to work hard." Nari gestures to my left arm. "You may be a swordmaster, but you rarely use your left hand. From now on, I want you to train with both arms. Should anything happen to your right arm, you need to be prepared."

She has valid reasoning. I nod.

"We will train your weapon skills for the first half of the day. Then we will travel back to the village, and you will learn about the other races in Hyrule, as well as diplomacy, and the ability of silence. This schedule will continue until I am confident in your abilities."

I incline my head again. "Thank you, for sharing your knowledge."

She makes an impressed sound. "That should become the phrase that you use most often. For the entirety of your journey, that sentence will create allies."

I file that information away for another day.

"Now," Nari says, drawing a short sword, "Let us begin."

She charges me. I raise my right arm to parry, but she is suddenly on my left side. Panicked, I raise my left arm in a desperate attempt to block her strike. She twists the sword out of my grasp, but I manage to disengage and back away. I only have one sword in my grip now, so I feel more comfortable. She frowns, but the duel continues. This time, she waits for me to take the offensive. I oblige, charging with caution. She surprises me, yet again, by flipping over my head. I duck, instinctively, into a forward roll. I feel the wind as her sword point brushes by my head. I come out of the roll facing the wrong direction. Normally, this would not be an issue. Monsters and the other knights in Hyrule are slower than me. Not the Sheikah. Nari is on me in an instant, her sword point firmly against my right side. I realize with embarrassment that she also had time to pick up my dropped sword. It is now pressed against my throat.

She doesn't move, and instead gives me my critiques at sword point. "We need to work on your speed, and your decisions. Not all of your enemies will think like Hyrule soldiers. I will train you to be versatile in your defense and offense. As far as dual wielding..." she releases me, allowing me to stand. When I do, she hands me my sword again. "We shall try for a few more days. If you show improvement, and wish to continue, we will. If not, then you will only use one sword."

I nod, grateful.

"For today, Let us return to the village. You will begin your lessons in diplomacy."

———————————-/ /———————————

For the first time, Nari returns to the village with me. I appreciate the gesture, but I am at a loss for words. Nari seems comfortable with the silence during the long walk.

As we enter the village, the twins run toward us with fresh fruit. I incline my head in gratitude, taking the fruit that Fyori offers to me. Nari pats Sahn on the head. The girls run off, and Nari leads me to a house on the East side of the village. I have never entered it before. Nari knocks before entering.

Directly in front of us, an elderly woman sits at the table. I am surprised to have never met her. "Hello, Impaz." Nari says, inclining her head at the figure.

Impaz smiles in response, turning towards me. One glance at Nari tells me everything I should know. I fall to one knee, bowing my head in respect. "Ma'am, I am grateful for all that you will teach me."

Impaz chuckles. "The first part of diplomacy is always sincere politeness. At least I can skip that step." She reaches down to raise my head. Her eyes widen momentarily. "You look just like your father."

"You knew my father?" I ask, standing up quickly. To my right, Nari shakes her head. The motion distracts me as Impaz speaks again.

"A long time ago, yes. I knew your father. But I will tell you no more than I have. It will affect your journey." Impaz explains.

I say nothing. She smiles again.

"Good. The second lesson of diplomacy: keep your disappointment to yourself."

Nari turns to me. "I will leave you two. But first, Colin..." she struggles to find the words, "...I, too, grew up without my parents. Once I knew my mother was the great Impa, it distracted me from becoming myself. She cast a large shadow, and I was determined to fill it. I do not want you to do the same. You should not feel required to fill your father's shadow."

"I understand." I say, reaching out a hand to her. "Thank you."

She grips my forearm, staring into my eyes. She must see something she approves of, for she smiles. Without another word, she leaves.

Impaz speaks from behind me. "You should sit. We have a lot to learn."