The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 26 - An Old Friend

...as the sun began to sink behind the trees sheltering the road. Link leaned back in his saddle as they rode through, enjoying the cool evening breeze. Summer was well in its full. It was surprising that it was so quiet, not that Link minded. It was good to have a break from all of the chaos that was this quest business. And with these Sage temples, who knew how long it would be until he got another quiet moment.

"Move!"

Epona reared, broadsiding the road as she panicked. Link ducked in towards Epona's neck to avoid being crashed into. Several more riders followed after, and Link ducked out of his saddle to avoid getting hit as a few were ambitious enough to attempt jumping the draft horse. Fortunately, succeeding.

After a moment, the riders turned around and halted in front of Link to see who was on their riding path. They were younger, training with the Academy no doubt by the looks of it. One of them leaned forward in his saddle. He scowled as recognition spread over his face. "You're the guy from the Hero's Shrine." Link didn't recognize the cadet, but it didn't surprise him. It didn't take long for the Academy to start shaping the recruits into soldiers, training went a long way for changing someone's face. And demeanor. The cadet growled, "What do you think now? Think I'm still weak?"

"I think you're still full of yourself. I never said you were weak," Link answered flatly as he dismounted to avoid any future riders unseating him, taking Epona's reins and walking on. Yore gliding overhead, he felt a certain urgency to keep going.

"You said a girl could beat me!" the cadet shouted after Link.

"What's wrong with a girl beating you?" Link answered, still walking away. "The Demon Lord's head underling is a woman. Do you think you could beat her because she's a woman?"

The cadet slid out of his saddle, stalking after Link in a way that suggested he was looking for a fight. Link turned to face the cadet. Like most cadets, he was a tall young man, and in shape. Unsurprising for the training. He said, "You lost to a girl, didn't you? That's why you're going to their defense, isn't it?" He sneered, a cocky grin crossing his face. This was starting to remind Link of someone else. Not surprising for first years in his experience. It would likely be gone in a few months when reality caught up.

Link shook his head and sighed. He turned away, but the cadet grabbed him and brought him back. Link replied, "I don't want a fight."

"Because you know you'd lose?" the cadet sneered.

"Because he's the Hero."

All eyes turned to the red-head knight as he walked up. Bruce said, "Are you idiots blind? I could see that purple hilt all the way from the Academy."

The cadet let go of Link and took a step away from Link. "Sir Bruce."

Bruce walked up next to Link, grinning towards him. "Boy, that has a nice ring to it." He turned back to the cadets, a new sense of responsibility that was a good change for him. "Now, you're going to say sorry to the Hero here, or you're going to enjoy a nice sparring match with me in the arena."

Apologizes were spat out quickly, before the group went packing towards the Academy. Bruce shook his head, saying, "Was I that bad?"

Link continued walked along as he answered, "Usually."

"You don't hold back now, do you?" Bruce said with a laugh. He looked at Link, then turned away faking a smile. "I suppose you're right though."

"You got better," Link said shrugging his shoulders. "They will too, sooner or later."

"If I have anything to say about it, they will," Bruce replied. "If they don't get off Rana's case then I'll—" Bruce blushed and turned away as Link looked up, recognizing the name. "I'll...forget I said it anything..." He looked up at the sky, trying to change the subject. "Why are you here?"