Shadow of the Hero

A Shadow Cast

"Colin, where are you?" Captain Fenwa calls. I ignore him. "We need to train before I leave again."

He comes into sight below me, searching through the garden. He looks behind bushes but doesn't think to look in the one tree in the entire courtyard.

"Colin, this might be our last session." The Captain tells me with a sigh.

That statement intrigues me. "And why is that?" I call down to him.

"Why the hell are you in a tree?" He asks incredulously.

"I'm a sixteen year old boy. Do I need a reason?" I reply, leaving out that it reminds me of Link, who had a treehouse.

Fenwa sighs. "Just come down. I need to talk to you."

I jump out of the tree in one leap, then straighten up. "Yes, sir?" I ask him.

"The Princess has asked that I take my men to Gerudo. She is worried with their silence and asked me to go as an emissary. I'm taking your father with me." He says, gauging my reaction.

"How long will you be gone?" I ask him.

"Hopefully only a week. You need to stay out of trouble while I'm gone though." He points a finger at me. "No girls or solo excursions."

"Yeah, 'cause that's totally me." I roll my eyes. Fenwa laughs.

"Here. I've got one last thing to teach you." He says, pulling out his sword. "This is called the Great Spin."

He performs it for me, then asks me to try. After I do, he gives a few critiques, then I perform it a few more times before he says we're done.

"You've officially learned everything I can teach you." Fenwa says. I look at him in shock.

"Really?"

"Yes, Colin. At sixteen, you are a master at the sword. Congratulations." He holds out his hand. I sheathe my sword and grasp it firmly. He gives a small shake before letting go. "I'll tell Zelda that you are free for detail."

My mind is spinning. I'm going to be a knight? At my young age?

"Did you finish your other lessons as well?" He asks me. I nod.

I'd also been studying healing and horseback riding. Those two came much more easily to me than swordplay. I blame my kind personality and my hatred of war.

"Good. You should get called to see The Princess any day now. You may know her, but perhaps you could still be on your best behavior."

"Of course, sir." I say with a smile. "And good luck on your journey."

He grunts in acknowledgement before turning on his heel. Then he is gone.

That night when I get home, my dad is already sitting at the table. I take off my sword and light armor before sitting down with him.

"Did Fenwa tell you?" He asks.

"Yes." I reply.

"Good." He says.

"Make it back safely." I tell him with a smile. He hesitates before returning it. I sit back with a falling face. "Dad. I have a question."

"What is it?"

"What were you and Link talking about in the Tavern the day he left? He seemed angry." I ask.

"Oh that." Dad says, looking down. "I'm not sure that I'm at liberty to say. It's not my secret to give."

"Whose secret is it then?" I ask, leaning forward.

He sighs. "I can't tell you that either. I can tell you one thing though." He grabs my hand and refuses to look at me. "But first, know that your mother and I love you."

My brow furrows as he looks at me, tears in his eyes.

"Your mother and I had just been married. We were still moving things into the house when a man and a woman approached us. The woman was crying and holding a baby. The man had a large sword on, strapped over his thick leather armor. He was the one that spoke, explaining that we don't know him yet, but he knows us and trusts us deeply. Then he requested that we take the child. He hoped to be able to come back for it, but he was headed to war, and he didn't seem very confident."

"So you aren't my dad." Random moments hurtle through my brain. Moments with him.

"No, son. I am not. Nor is Uli your mother. I'm sorry we didn't tell you, but your father didn't want you to know in case he..."

"It's okay." I pat his trembling hands. "I still love you both, as well as Lissa. You're the ones I have fond memories of. This changes nothing."

He nods with a smile.

"Why was Link so angry?" I ask.

"He found out that day, and was angry. I guess he wanted to confirm it with me." Rusl replies, not looking at me again.

"And you can't tell me who my parents are?" I ask.

"No, I think that you should find out on your own. Or, if you find your parents, they could tell you." He answers.

"Okay." I pull him to his feet and give him a hug. "Thank you for telling me. It means a lot, dad."

"You took that better than expected." Rusl remarks as I pull away.

"I think part of me already knew." I reply with a smile. "Remember to stay safe on your trip."

"Will do." He replies with a smile. "Now, off to bed with you!"

With a laugh, I run into my room. When I get there, I make a decision.

As kind and loving as Rusl has been to me, I cannot stand to call him 'Father'. And even though the mystery man made me, I cannot call him 'Father' either. So neither of them will be. At least until I'm not confused anymore.