Fan Fiction Friday: The Man Behind the Masks – Part 7

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With the fox mask in hand, I ran over the rickety drawbridge and headed towards the temporary barracks of the Hyrule army. It was here, tucked away on the northern side where the armorer could be found. Armed with my best smile and selling patter, I slipped inside.

“How much do you want for it then?” the armorer asked, his scarred forehead creasing into folds.

I shook my head. “Completely free, I simply need to borrow a few things.”

“What sorts of things?”

Scanning the shelves, I realized that perhaps some research into weaponry might have been wise. I knew a few terms however.  “A uniform, helmet and maybe… a pike?”  

He huffed and began to assemble quite a collection in his large arms. “I’ll give you the standard issue: tunic, chain mail, breastplate, shield, helmet-”

“Forgive me,” I interrupted in alarm, “but is all this equipment strictly necessary?”

“Yeah, problem?”

In a daze, I studied the ‘standard issue’ pile so far. It would be a doddle for a Goron to carry, but how could any human manage such a weight? “No, no. I’ll manage, somehow.”

A little while later, rattling and clinking, I lumbered towards the training grounds. The shield in my left hand was as heavy as a sack of potatoes, and as for the pike in my right, it had taken on a life of its own, determined to try and escape my grasp. I followed the trail until it opened out into a sea of different colored tents and smoke rising from the camp fires. Since the rain, the down trod grass had begun to transform into a path of muddy footprints. I squelched through the grime, my feet sinking with every step, as if I were wadding through treacle.

I passed the blacksmith hard at work, every swing at the anvil sending amber sparks flying to the ground. My head ached with the constant clang of the hammer; how the smithy could put up with such a din was beyond me. Heavy coal smoke mixed with molten iron burned my nostrils, although there was a sweeter smell which I could not quite put my finger on. It reminded me of home.

I searched my memory, thinking back to the peace and quiet of Kawaranai. The soft whispers of red maples and wisteria that fell like a purple waterfall into the tall grass. I craved birdsong, anything to take me away from the cacophony of clangs, shouts and squelching. Beeswax. I clicked my fingers in triumph, at least that was one less puzzle to consider today.

“Can I help you?” the smithy piped up as he moped the sweat from his brow.

“I was looking for someone, a musician with a phonograph?”

“You won’t find no musicians round here.” He pointed with his hammer. “Try over there.”

In the next area, soldiers clashed in sword play, circling their opponent waiting for an opening to slice through. Shouts of advice came thick and fast.

“Keep your guard up!” one yelled.

“Hit him, would yer?” cried another.

I gave a wide birth to these fellows and concentrated on finding Guru-Guru, although how to find him when everyone looked the same was an unfortunate conundrum. Plodding on, I walked the full length of the camp, until I could stand it no longer and wrestled off my sweaty helm.

“It’s too hot in this,” I remarked to another soldier who was polishing his boots.

He didn’t look up, only nodded as he scrubbed away at the dirt. “It does take a while, but you’ll get used to it. Head gear has saved my skin more than once, so don’t knock it.”

“Have you been here long?”

He paused for a moment. “This’ll be my twelfth year in General Impa’s battalion. Suppose I can allow myself to be called a senior officer by now.” He gave a grin. “The name’s Carter, what about you?”

“Err, Ronri. Just started today, sir.”

“Good, we need all the help we can get. The interlopers will make their move soon, their army’s been massing near the Gerudo desert.” Carter slid a large foot into his boot. “First time in battle?”

First time? I have no intention of being involved in any battle – let alone this one! Carter still looked at me expectantly and I smiled back. “How did you guess?”

“It can get a bit hectic when the trumpets start, everyone bumps off each other. But staying in formation is important, don’t go wandering off by yourself otherwise you could be singled out by the enemy.” He yanked at his boot straps, tying them into an efficient knot.

“Who are we fighting again?” I laughed, wringing my hands.

Carter’s grin faded. “Some of our own, now called traitors to the crown. Never thought I’d see the day when civil war came to Hyrule. Their minds were poisoned somehow and now they want the Sacred Realm for themselves. Then there’s the mages of course. I never trust rumors but some say, they can create fireballs the size of boulders and ice shards that can freeze a Goron rolling at full pelt.”

“How can you possibly fight something like that?”

“Stab them first,” he said. “Every enemy has a weak spot to exploit – you just need to find it.”

I couldn’t help thinking that might be easier said than done, but did not say so. The morale of a soldier was a precious thing and I was not going to be accused of bringing it down.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is it like to…”

“To kill a man?” When I nodded, he sighed. “As a kid I was taught to respect life, you know? Then you come here and you’re told to stab it out of a person. Doesn’t matter if you’re defending the kingdom, still messes with your head.” He unsheathed his sword and rubbed a cloth in small circles across the blade. “But at the end of the day, if it’s between you living and them dying, I know which outcome I’d prefer.”

As Carter continued his polishing, I noticed soldiers devouring their portion of stew, mopping up the juices with great doorstops of bread. As their teeth tore the meat apart, my stomach grew queasy. “It sounds terrible.”

He shrugged. “Try not to think so much, Ronri. Go with your gut and you’ll be alright.”

“I appreciate that sir; the army is sure lucky to have you.”

“Nice of you to say.” He stood, sliding his sword smoothly into the scabbard. He reminded me of an older version of the soldier from the recruitment posters. His short, blond hair was stroked with grey in places, but there was no doubt in my mind that he was still very much a lethal force to be reckoned with.

“I don’t suppose you’ve heard any musicians with a phonograph around here?”

Carter smirked. “Funny you should mention that. Some of the lads were complaining about the music coming from that watch tower; might be worth a shot.”

“Really?” My shoulders sank with relief.  “Why, thank you very much, for everything.”

Despite the wallow of mud, my steps became quicker than before. At over sixty feet tall, the tower could easily be seen from anywhere in the camp. I could hear the repetitive, tinkering sound from the foot of the ladder, which may as well have been a mountain. My dislike for clambering to high places had sadly not improved with age, but trying to shout up to my friend would not gain me an audience, and so needs must. Carefully, I placed my pike and shield down and began to ascend the rickety rungs.

The climb was slow, trying to hoick my armored body up to the top was agony. And by the time I reached the summit, my voice was a wheezy splutter. “Guru-Guru?”

This soldier was indeed turning the handle of a large brown box. I fell onto my hands and knees, and crawled towards him. “Guru-Guru!” I tried again, but it was only when I pulled out the pipe connecting the box to the horn that the noise finally died.

He jumped back, eyes widening. “Who the heck are you?”

“Ronri,” I moaned, my legs and arms still burning from the climb.

“What are you doing here?” he asked in exasperation.

“I was about to ask you the same question.”

Guru-Guru stroked the few straggly whiskers on his chin. “Okane, you look ridiculous in that get up. Can you even see?”

I knew this helmet was too big! Off it came, and at last I had the chance to catch my breath. “Don’t change the subject, what is this nonsense about joining the army? Akisin is worried half to death. We’re moving to the new store next week; do you expect me to set up the business by myself? We were supposed to be partners.”

“I know, you haven’t talked about anything else.” He put down the phonograph. “Look, I don’t even want to work at the shop anymore.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I was going to but then…” his voice trailed off as he looked out over the vast fields of Hyrule.

I had never considered that my friend’s priorities could differ from my own. When did that happen? I thought as I wobbled to my feet.

“They had to evacuate Lon Lon Ranch you know and take some of the horses. See that wall along the western path?” I followed his finger, the wall he referred to had been fortified and strengthened. Blockades had been set up at strategic points along the main road that circled from Castle Town to other provinces.

“Well, never mind the shop then, just come home. It’s not safe here.”

“I can handle myself.”

“You’re under age and forged a signature.”

He barked out a laugh. “Prove it.”

We were bickering children again, and I knew no amount of logic would penetrate that thick skull of his. There was only one thing to do. “Oh, I intend to, after I bring Akisin back with me.”

But the musician sighed deeply. “This is why I left a note in the first place.”

“You could die,” I said. “I spoke to one of the senior officers, you’ll be fighting mages hurling fireballs and by the Goddesses who knows what else. Does that not frighten you?”

“Stop interfering,” he growled. “Spin her a yarn, tell Akisin you couldn’t find me. Tell her I joined an animal troupe and my boss is a dog, I really don’t care!”

To say I was not tempted to leave would have been a lie. There was only so much of Guru-Guru’s dramatic outbursts I could take, plus the threat of being skewered to death was hardly an attractive proposition. But Akisin could read me like a book, she would know. And I did make a promise, I reminded myself gloomily.

I stepped forward; my mouth set in a hard line. “Then I shall have to stay with you.”

Guru-Guru’s bared his teeth, fists clenched so hard I could see his knuckles turning chalky white. “You’re embarrassing yourself. We both know you wouldn’t last two minutes out there.”

“Maybe so, but you’re not invincible either.”

He shoved me back towards the ladder. “Just go away!”

“I know it is selfish, but you and Akisin are the closest thing I consider to be family.” I tried to smile but my lips tugged downwards instead. “I’m afraid that I have grown rather used to your company.”

“Damn you, Ronri –”

Boooooon! Boooooon! Boooooon! 

For a moment, the droning of horns went on and on. Fires were set ablaze at the top of the other watch towers and soldiers poured out of their tents.

“Too late now,” Guru-Guru gasped. “They’re already here!”

 

 

Featured art: Alison Brunyee via Canva.com

Alison Brunyee is an Original Content Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time.