Legend of Zelda: Curse of the Zonai - Chapter 6

 

Chapter 6

“A gift to time and courage, one to power and one to wisdom, yet still another for knowledge and finally one for the people. Six statues in all dedicated our beloved Hylia to bless Hyrule. I have found and reconstructed all statues but courage and knowledge. These elude me still, and we have yet no daughter.”

-Personal dairy of King Aldert Coen Hyrule

 

Mie remembered seeing the great castle as a little girl. They had been on a trip across the southern part of Hyrule field on their way to Tabantha. She’d seen the decrepit old castle sticking up like a black mountain in the distance. Her sister, two years younger, had begun crying and calling out about darkness and a black mist. Mie had only seen crumbling stone and rotting banners. 

“Tabantha.” She whispered. That was where she’d seen Mountain Down before.  She hurried to the Princess, making her way from the laboratory, which was more a greenhouse than a lab, to her highness’s study. Doing such a thing would have sounded highly improper to her just last week, but she’d come to realize that Princess Zelda was a lot more personable and relaxed as a leader. She’d taken a fascination with Mie’s explanations on the workings of different plant parts and their effects on the soil and people alike. Mie approached the study. There was a minimal guard of two men outside the circular tower. Mie knew that even they weren’t necessary; the princess had her champion with her at all times. She’d seen this man fight and knew the guards were a mere formality.

“Highness, I believe I know where we can get Mountain Down.” She paused, bowing slightly. Zelda nodded, raising from her chair at the desk where she had two books open. “Only, it’s not near here.”

“Where is it?” The princess asked.

“Tabantha. I remember seeing it as a child there. I think I remember the place.”

“Sounds like an adventure then.” Zelda replied. Mie’s face brightened. 

“Certainly would be. My memory isn’t perfect, so I’d have to ask around.” 

“I’ll make preparations for you. You’ll have a unit at your disposal-” She stopped short. “Actually, I forgot. I’ll be visiting the Zora Royal Family on my first official tour there since the restoration project. I can only supply you with an escort of two soldiers.”

“Don’t worry. I know how to climb a mountain.” Mie replied quickly. I’ve been in the wild a few times on my own.” Zelda was already shaking her head.

“You’re my charge now. You’re under direction from me. I will send someone with you.”

The ranks of soldiers were thin but growing as Hyrule restored itself. With a unit being sent to aid the scholars and Princess Zelda’s own political affairs, it was no surprise that there would be a shortage. There weren’t even guards at the gatehouses, only the main gate to the castle and the gates to the city itself. Mie prepared her belongings. As she did so, a post messenger greeted her. 

“From Hateno just yesterday.” The messenger informed as he dropped the letter into her hands. 

Mie read. 

Sister,

I hope you are getting your fill of adventure. When you are finished, please come home. Mother is sick. She’d been getting worse. We need you here to help with the planting. I can’t do this all on my own. 

-Medda

 

Mie felt her heart stop. It wasn’t the content so much as how her sister worded the letter. Her sister should be scolding her or lecturing her, but she wasn’t. She was pleading. She never asked for anything. Mie knew something must be terribly wrong if her sister was being this humble. She felt her whole body shake.  She knew she had taken a chance by coming to Castle Town in the first place.

Unsteady, she made her way back to the castle to tell the princess that she’d have to make a trip back to Hateno first. She wanted to go to Tabantha and help cure the land. She wanted to do great things to help the princess and Hyrule itself, but she couldn’t forsake her family for any of the great things in the world. 

 

“What’s bothering you?” Zelda asked. She had known immediately that something was wrong. 

“My family needs me.” Mie responded. She thought about explaining how her mother had been in bed for years and how she and her sister were the only ones left to take care of her. She hadn’t mentioned that the reason she’d come to Castle Town in the first place was to try and find a better place to move her family. 

Zelda nodded. “What can be done then?”

Mie looked stunned. She had thought the princess might understand but hadn’t expected help. She realized there was much more to the princess than the royal blood she was born of. 

“I had originally come to Castle Town to help support them, but I’ve been gone for too long and I’ve received a letter from my sister. My mother is unwell.” 

“Then there’s something I can do.” The princess said. She sat at her desk and pulled a pen and ink well from the drawer. She penned a series of instructions and sealed it with the royal family stamp. “Take this to the captain.” She said, handing the parchment to an attendant. Then she turned to Mie. “I will make good on my word. You’re my charge and under the employ of the royal family of Hyrule. I will arrange for your family to be provided for until they are able to move to Castle Town. It is my hope that you will continue under my employ until this land is healed. Bring your family here and they will be taken care of.” Mie bowed in deep gratitude and tried to show at the very least a fraction of the grace that Zelda possessed, yet tears still sprang to her eyes. She was met by a warm hand on her shoulder. “I know what it’s like to be worried about the safety of those closest to you.” For a moment it seemed that the princess’s eyes darted toward her champion as she spoke.

Putting her doubts aside, Mie accepted the princess’s offer for assistance. The fear and tension washed away as she watched the messenger leave the room with the orders.  

 

At the castle stables Mie met the two men who would accompany her. One was a soldier in pieced-together knight’s armor and the other a Sheikah warrior. The Sheikah’s white hair was pulled up into a bun on his head. Despite the snow-white hair, the man was much younger than the soldier. He wore no armor save a flexible Sheikah breastplate. Warriors of the Sheikah don’t use heavy armor like Hylian knights and soldiers. They preferred sleeker clothing that allowed them quick movements to fit their stealthy fighting style. 

“Miss Mie, meet Rem and Cade. They will accompany you on your errand.” The servant informed, pointing to each man in turn. 

“Thank you.” Mie replied. 

“Not at all.” Rem replied, bowing slightly. Mie wasn’t used to such attention and awkwardly stepped back. He was a tall man just past his prime and despite being a soldier, he carried himself with pride in his knight’s armor. Cade nodded and greeted her as well. 

“This horse will take you.” Cade offered, introducing the cream-colored mare. “I’ve worked with her myself, she has quite a calm temperament and is easy to get along with. Her name is Nayra.”

Mie petted Nayra a few times before climbing on her back. She settled into the saddle and was flanked by her two guides. As the party of three departed, the soldier took point and the warrior followed behind Mie’s horse. They exited the west gate with the rising sun on their back. 

The morning air was cold on the field and Mie patted her reddened cheeks, enjoying the heat transferred from her hands. The beauty of lush green rolling hills of Hyrule field took her mind off the chilly morning. When they’d first left she could still hear crickets in the tall grasses. Now, cheery morning birdsong filled the air as they passed by the old quarry. The abandoned quarry’s rocky white scarred surfaces were topped with green tufts of grass. The morning passed and slow heat from the sun began to warm her back. Soon she could hear the buzzing of insects. The sky was a brilliant blue and the tall grasses swayed in the breeze. Mie took a deep breath. The clean air filled her lungs and she felt fully awake. 

They passed by the skeletal husks of ancient guardians half-buried near the ruins of a town just beyond the quarry. Their dull metallic domes were spotted with new moss and the long spider-like legs were crushed and covered in dirt. Still, they were a chilling sight. While it had been said that these machines were made to fight evil, they were more known for their relentless pursuit of any Hylian that crossed their path. Their mechanical shape was something all Hylians had learned to fear during the time of the calamity. Mie shivered as Nayra trotted by the decaying machines.