The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 21 - Rocky Ride

...arriving back in the City of the Drex. The Queen and Endeavor were walking away towards the Queen's tent ahead of his arrival. Zelda was waiting for near where he landed, a mixed expression as she watched the two Drex go. As he walked over to join her, she asked, "What do you think a Drex celebration is like?"

Link sheathed his sword, saying, "I'm not sure." He didn't know much about the Drex at all if they were being honest. Endeavor hadn't shared much.

"Well, I suppose no one but the Drex know," Zelda replied. "The Queen said something about having one for Endeavor. I guess we're waiting anyway. And we'll get to find out."

The sound of thundering hooves echoed through the valley. Link and Zelda looked up as the Drex who had greeted them chased after Epona. The fiery mare raced up to Link, before sliding to a hard stop in front of him. Stable's horse slid to a halt after, turning hard to try and not run into Epona. Stable got launched from his saddle, tumbling over himself in the process.

Zelda rushed over to Stable's side as he collapsed on the ground. Link took the two horses' reins in his hand, hoping to keep from making another problem once the horseherder was awake again. As he did, he heard Zelda ask, "Are you alright?"

"Heh, yeah," Stable answered, standing up as he rubbed his head. "Happens all the time."

"Really?" Link asked, handing the reins back to Stable.

"Well, no, but seems nicer to say that it has. That's quite the spirited horse you have there. I'd love to see that mare's lineage. Hasn't been a draft like that in a long time. You're pretty lucky." Stable waved a hand in Epona's direction, smiling respectful. Possibly to abate any new moods from the horse.

Epona nuzzled Link's neck, obviously aware she was being complemented. Link rubbed the mare's nose in response, hoping it would settle her from causing more problems. Stable went on, "I suppose you won't have to worry about anyone stealing her. Won't let anyone near her." Epona whinnied, seemingly well aware she was a lot of trouble. Stable said, "If you ever want to train, my wife and I teach the Drex riders. More her than me, but I'm sure we could find some time to help prepare you two."

"We were trying to see if we could help with Endeavor's ceremony," Zelda replied, lighting up.

"That's all fancy stuff," Stable replied, mounting again as his head grew steady once more. "Ceremonial set up. You'd spend more time having to learn the significance of it all than actually doing any work. It'll take 'em at least a day on their own, and you don't have time to spare. The Queen may be smiling, but it's not been sunshine out here either. It's been chaos.

"The Sages' Temples are being pillaged," Stable went on as Zelda and Link expressed interest in this news. "The monster attacks haven't let up on Fort Lanayru in days. There's an everlasting blizzard of Frostbite Village. Port City is about to wage open war against Sir Dragmire's warships. The post has been cut off, the Lost Woods is dying, and that's just the beginning of it all. Dragmire is waging war against Hyrule, and right now we're losing."

Zelda gasped. Link looked between Stable and Zelda, sure he wasn't hiding his expression much at all. "If that's true..."

"We can't leave...but we have to," Zelda said.

Stable smiled and nodded. "I understand. Well, we've got about a day. Give me half that time, and I'll have you set to ride through anything."

"What are doing, Stable?"

A Drex woman was fast approaching their conversation. Her blacksmith's apron was cover in soot, a clear sign of a heavy day's work. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, neat and clean. It was quite the contrast; her fixed, sharp upper half to the rugged craftsman's outfit. "You aren't trying to rip off the Hero and the Princess, are you, Stable?"