Before Twilight

Chapter 7: The Damage

Link's P.O.V

I couldn't sleep. I attempted to rest but I had far too much on my mind. It wasn't long before it was morning. I gave up on trying to sleep and decided to go outside to see if the fog had dissipated. 

I opened to front door to reveal decay. The sun was hidden behind a thick mass of clouds. The green grass that usually was thick and tall was now brown and dead. 

I bent down and placed my hand gently on the earth. 

"The fog must have done this." I thought to myself.

It was the only explanation. Even the longest of winters we've had in the past never did this sort of damage.

"Link!" A voice shouted. 

I lifted my head to see that it was Mayor Bo.

"I see you've come across the damage." He sighed.

"Yes, but what about the crop?" I questioned.

Mayor Bo remained silent and lowered his head.

"Mayor Bo?" I insisted.

"I think you better see it for yourself." He stated.

I then stood up and followed in suit behind the Mayor. We walked through the village to see that the damage was far worse than I had anticipated. The memorable vast green hills of Ordon were now brown and the trees surrounding the area were shriveled with dead leaves. We made it to the pumpkin patch only to see that all of the crop was destroyed. 

"Its all gone." I gasped in disbelief.

"Our pumpkins were supposed to be shipped out to Castle Town this weekend. Without this shipment we won't be able to trade anything." Mayor Bo explained.

"What about the corn?" I asked.

"Gone." He answered.

"The squash?" I added.

"Gone too." Mayor Bo sighed. 

"Even the grain?" I questioned.

"Its all gone my boy." He answered. 

I was in complete disbelief that the village's only source of income was destroyed in all but one night. 

"What could have done this?" Mayor Bo asked as he walked amongst the destroyed crop.

"The Fog." I thought to myself. 

I knew there was something going on. I sensed this and I should have listened to my gut, then perhaps I could have prevented this. 

"The frost?" Mayor Bo inquired.

"No, its the middle of summer. There's no way a frost could do this sort of damage in the middle of the summer." I answered. 

"What are we going to do?" Another voice joined in. 

I turned around to find that is was Ilia, the mayor's daughter. 

"We're going to have to strip all this destroyed crop away, and start over."  Mayor Bo explained. 

I chose to ignore Ilia's presence as she stepped closer towards me.

"Perhaps we should burn the destroyed crop in case its a sickness?" I suggested. 

"Smart thinking Link. I'll gather the rest of the farmers and we will get started today. I suggest you check on the Oxen and see how the animals are doing." Mayor Bo proposed.

"Will do, sir." I answered before turning to leave. 

"Link." Ilia stated.

"Yes?" I inquired. 

Ilia stared at me longingly. 

"I have work to do Ilia." I said firmly as I walked past her. 

She said nothing and let me pass. 

After that I made my way back to Rusl's to inform him of the damage.