Twilight Aftermath

Chapter 2: Shad

"It's not like I have much of a choice, do I?" They looked at each other, confused. "What?" asked Telma. I answered with this; "my entire family might be dead." Ashei looked down in thought, as if she understood my problems. "But...maybe this is a chance at a better life. If they are all dead, I have no-where to go." I was truly giving it a thought. "Yes. My family and their ancestors pledged to guard the Tri-Force with their lives. To work with you, it would be an honour." Telma smiled. "Then, you have your first task. Shad here was planning to go to the Ordona Province tomorrow. He wants to find out where the legendary hero went. I know a sweet young woman there who may know of his whereabouts." But, for now, you focus on healing. You will set out tomorrow morning. She helped me upstairs and in bed. I was looking forward to the next morning as I wanted to forget what happened over the last week.

The Next Morning...

I got up and did my usual morning routine. My side felt a lot better. Now, I don't fall without help. I reckon I could use a sword as well. I walked downstairs, holding the rail as I went. Telma was opening the bar. "Well, you look a lot better. Shad just had to get something. He'll be back." I sat on a stool. Telma served me a glass of water. "Can I ask you something?" she asked. "Feel free" I replied. "You know your ancestor. Impa. Was she one of them?" It took me a while to realise what she meant. "No. Definitely not. In fact, she was a Sheikah." Telma smiled. "It all connects." I had to admit, I became intrigued in what she was implying. "Tell me more" I said. She thought for a moment and then began. "During the era of the Great Cataclysm, the Hero of Time gathered seven beings from different races." I knew exactly what she was talking about. "Yes, the Seven Sages." Telma was impressed. "You sure do your studying dear. There was the sages of Light, Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow and Spirit." My father would teach me the legends from an old book. "The final sage was Princess Zelda herself" I clarified. "Correct" Telma said. "Shad only just recently found out this information. Would you know besides Impa and Zelda, the other five?" The truth was, I didn't know, the stories I was taught always referred to Impa and her great deeds for Hyrule. There was no mention of the others. "No. Sorry. My tribe only taught me of Impa and Zelda. The others are a mystery." She put her thumb and finger on her chin. "Sounds like more research for me then."

That was when the door opened and Shad came in. "Aaah. Sorry to have kept you waiting. I trust Telma told you more?" Telma wasn't very impressed. "Of course I did!" Shad laughed as if he did this often. "Are you ready?" I smiled. "Yes." Telma waved us off. "Have fun and don't get killed." Me and Shad walked through Castle Town. "So, Callum, have you been to Ordona before?" My mother told me about legends of forest children playing. They were nice tales. "No. I've heard many legends though." Shad looked at the trees nearby. "They say that an old and wise tree once grew there and that it was the biggest tree in the forest." Now that, I've heard of. It was one of the legends that my mother told me. "Yes, they say he was one of the eldest beings in Hyrule at that time." Shad seemed impressed. "You seem to know a lot." I smiled proudly. "Well, it was important for me to know as my tribe studied historical texts and taught them to children. I know a lot so you may have to question me on it sometime." He seemed honoured. "Of course. Anyway, there is a chariot that'll be here soon. We need to go near the exit of South Castle Town."

He lead me to a sign with horses on it. "Now we wait." I had a few questions. "Where does this drop us off?" Shad answered the question quickly. "Just outside of Faron Woods. They won't go in because the greenery makes it impassable for the actual chariot to go through." I heard trotting and looked at the sights of horses. It stopped by us. A Castle Town Knight looked down. "Where to men?" Shad stepped forward. "Faron Woods please." We both stepped in and sat down. "We'll be there at midday." Shad nodded and the horses started trotting again. "Callum, tell me what you know about Impa" Shad asked. I was eager to tell him. "She's really praised as a Sheikah hero. She was the nursemaid of Princess Zelda just before the Great Cataclysm took place. Her home town was Kakariko Village but after the darkness was vanquished, she made The Hidden Village. She wanted to separate the two as far as possible because if the darkness ever returned, they'd most likely hunt down the next in line as the Sage of Shadow. The Hidden Village was perfect for that single purpose. To hide the Sage of Shadow." Shad was writing this down.

"Fantastic. There was not much I knew about Impa but as you say it, she sounded kind-hearted and wonderful." I was wondering about what Shad knew about her though. "Do you know much about her?" He put his hand behind his head as if he was embarrassed. "I hadn't uncovered much. I wanted to ask the royal family but they do not tend to share that kind of information. For security reasons, of course." I looked out and we were approaching the woods. "We're here" the knight said. Me and Shad stepped off. "Thank you" Shad said. The knight turned around and headed back to Castle Town. Me and Shad looked at each other as we faced the beautiful woodlands. "Let's go" Shad said.