[EDITING] The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 4 - See You Soon

...and found the surrounding area far more dangerous than he had remembered. Either by the act of expelling them from the fortress, or from complete lack of attention upon entering, Link found the forest outside filled with enemies.

The entrance rested a little higher up from the rest of the forest as the forest floor sloped back down into the Valley of the Forest, giving Link an outstanding view of everything in his way. Deku Baba's grew in patches of grass that hid their roots. Chus sunk in and out of the ground. Bokoblins ventured aimlessly around the open glade around the fortress, though few wandered close to the road.

On the road, Link saw Bruce guiding Wind. The horse was finally brave enough to come close to the fortress, though still under great coaxing. Derek sat slumped in the saddle, gripping the horn for support. The knight's party approached under the shade where the trees came back in and covered the path. They sat up in surprise as they saw Bruce approaching, Derek waving weakly beside.

Link smiled as Bruce's voice drifted through the air, retelling their adventures in the Deku Fortress, centralized on Bruce in a more favorable light than perhaps what truly happen. He thought he heard his own name once or twice in the story though, which was an addition he didn't expect.

The group of knights began to move back towards home. If anything noticed them, it did well to stay away from the well-defended party. Link followed behind, wanting to give the group its berth to avoid conflict.

As he walked back under the shade of the trees, something stopped him. "There's our Hero."

Link stopped to look for the voice, finding Head Master Kaepora. He stood beside his horse, patting it as he went on, "I presume Bruce didn't speak the whole tale, but that's perhaps a teacher's intuition. I can tell you saved him more than once in there based on some...creative details." He chuckled, running a hand through his beard. "I'm not surprised, though I suppose letting Bruce keep all his credit will save you some trouble. Us some trouble. Perhaps it'll do him some good."

After a moment musing to himself, Kaepora pulled out his sword. "Give me your blade, Link. You will need something sharper for what you're about to face."

Drawing his sword for its sheath, Link handed over his blunt weapon. Kaepora set his own iron blade in Link's hands. "I hope it serves you well. It certainly has done me good in its time." Link paused, before reaching to hand the blade back. Kaepora raised his hand. "This was mine, and those who might ask questions will know it. Let no one say I didn't do what I could to help our Hero, regardless of his title."

Link looked down at the blade, his reflection showing in the flat of it. He bowed slightly. "Thank you."

Kaepora waved the comment off, turning instead to pat down his sides as he searched for something. After a minute, he pulled something out of his robes. "And this. It's a map of Hyrule as recorded by the knights we have stationed across these lands. I'm sure you can fill in any blanks along your adventure."

"Definitely," Link concurred as he unfolded the map for a moment. Hyrule, in its full, spanned so much further than his small corner of the world could have ever shown.

The knight's party was almost out of range. The two looked down the path. Kaepora said, "Unfortunately, that's all I can give you for now. If you ever want to practice your skills again, I'll be at the Academy, trying to put some discipline into these new cadets."

The Head Master swung into his saddle. He waved. "Safe travels, Link. I pray for success in your quest." He spurred his horse into a canter, and took off to catch up with the other knights.