The golden chain mail shirt slid smoothly over his upper body that was clad in a linen shirt. It had nearly no weight, yet was sturdy like the skin on a Goron’s back. The chinking of the rings resounded eerily in the room, but fell silent when he slipped over his green tunic. He didn’t even need to lace it anew, although he had gained quite some muscles over the last six months thanks to Sirileij’s education. Carefully he fixed his however grown short pony tail and put the the long green cap over it. Luckily to Kafei’s secret recipe had his hair had gained more volume and didn’t fall as slack into his face as during his last weeks in Hyrule.
Now he picked up his gloves and padding from the big double bed, put them on, stuck the bracer onto the left forearm and tightened the straps. Then he tied his sword in the sheath around, fixed the strap on the belt with the small leather pockets and adjusted everything another time. Last he pushed his shield with the Gale Boomerang on its back from below onto the sheath, relaxed his shoulders, took a last deep breath and meant to leave the room.
Halfway towards the door he turned and studied himself in the mirror again. Something was missing. The thing Ilia had always cavilled about. Men weren’t supposed to do that. But he didn’t bother Ilia. He was here, in Clock Town, in a happy relationship with the King of Ikana. In Ikana it didn’t matter whether one was a man or a woman when doing that. So he opened Kafei’s beauty case and took out a carbon rod. His he had used up months ago. Since then he hadn’t put on any makeup. Precisely he drew the eyelid lines and blurred the colour upwards on the lids. Satisfied with the result he cleaned his fingers with saliva and a tissue from the case, closed that, threw his black cloak over his shoulders and went outside without locking. There was no need for locking. Nobody who wasn’t allowed would come up here. And if they did, they would face Kafei’s ban – what ever that would cause.
Mentally preparing for what was ahead, he crossed the town. From all chimneys smoke rose into the cloud-veiled sky. Very few snowflakes fell onto the white blanket on the roofs and the people in the alleys and on the squares. Market day. Every fifth stand served hot drinks or soups. The grocers had thrown furs, carpets and woollen blankets over their goods and revealed them on occasions. It was as cold as pure ice but Link had gotten used to the cold again. The air was filled with various smells as well as conversations in all tongues of the continent and the ocean. Yet there weren’t as many travellers as in the warmer months or at the turn of the year.
Some of the townsfolk greeted him friendly, others out of decency. Occasionally foreigners looked after him. Mainly young women and pubescent girls. Nothing he wasn’t used to. At one stand on the Southsquare he halted for helping himself to a baked apple. The flurry had drilled a hole into his stomach and there was still time.
It was the first time that the leaflets read the word `Master Course´. Well, the first time with his name as the teacher below. He had no idea what would await him. Either he would have to deal with a bunch of idiots or elite fighters. Though some that had registered belonged to people he knew off his Expert Courses, but there were also new names among the applications. But basically he didn’t care as long as they paid. The course fees benefited the workers at the harbour who had to make sure day after day that the jetties and anchoring ships wouldn’t freeze together in the wind coming from the mountains. Big shoes to fill considering the current temperatures.
Eventually he stood in front of the Swordsman’s School. With an uneasy feeling in his stomach yet no clear concept for the following hours in mind, he opened the door. Nobody was there. Why anyway. In spite of the stopover he was early. Only the owner meditated on at his usual place. Then the door behind the gong opened and Link noticed that there actually was somebody else present.
“Oh hello Dotour.”, he heard Ydin say, who had just come downstairs.
“Hello.”, that one returned a feeble smile.
He stood with his arms crossed opposite to the door to the upper floors, leaning against the wall. The black wrap skirt he wore was open at the front. Beneath it Link saw dark blue pants and black leather boots that were laced up to his knees. His dark blue strung tunic was unadorned but appeared noble nevertheless. Two crossed swords were bound onto his back.
“See that you don’t break Link’s balls.”
“Oh don’t worry.”, Dotour smirked. “I’m only here to take care that Link doesn’t break anybody else’s balls.”
“You old jokester.”, Ydin giggled and went over to stand by his side.
“And you?”
“I thought it was time I’d watch that. Oh! You’re already here!”, she had noticed Link.
“Yes, I am here. Hello, you two.”, sighed Link. “Since when do you have a side parting?”, he addressed Dotour.
“Since this morning.”, the latter answered. “I felt like it.”
“Looks good.”
“Thank you.”
“You didn’t have breakfast.”
“I know. I wasn’t hungry.”
“That’s just what you look like.”, murmured Ydin. “What Esra gains, you lose.”
“I only convert fat into muscles. Healthier than the other way round.”
“As if there was any fat on your body.”, Ydin chuckled when Link finally joined them.
For the following minutes however they only stood next to each other in silence and listened to the clock. Somewhen the owner of the school retired wordless into the back chamber. The door opened and two young women scurried in, shaking a load of snow off their hoods. It appeared it was now snowing more than earlier.
“Pardon us – ”, one of them panted. “I heard, somewhere here we are supposed to find the best tailor shop of the continent?”
“Oh that is a compliment I haven’t bargained for.”, smiled Ydin and buoyantly pushed herself off the wall. “What is it that you need?”
“A wedding dress.”, grinned the other woman, visibly head over heels in love.
“Now if that isn’t some delightful news on these cold days. I congratulate you sincerely. Come along, then.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, I guess, so much for watching that, right?”, Ydin smirked to the two men before she took her customers upstairs. “Ithamashthanoij.”
Silence. Only the clock on the wall. Then –
“When will you two marry?”
“What?”, startled Link.
“Kafei and you, I mean.”
“W- no id- is that even licit?”
“Son.”
“I mean, I’m not even eighteen. I’d have to be twenty-one to be allowed to marry or my parents would need to declare me of age.”
“Link. Can you remember what I told you about Kafei’s proposal to Anju?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t care. They only married hylian because they were old enough then for not having Anidja in their way.”
“So that means, it wouldn’t be any problem if we married in Ikana?”
“Not in the slightest. And Kafei wouldn’t mind, I’m certain. My goodness – I didn’t even ask you whether you’d like to marry him at all.”
“Give me one reason for not wanting it. If you manage to convince me, I’ll jettison all considerations about it.”
“Could be difficult.”, smirked Dotour.
“Why are you actually here? I saw the way yo fight. I don’t think you need my lessons. You’re really good.”
“To tell you the truth, I try to keep myself busy.”
“Anju hinted that the day before yesterday.”
“Also I want to know whether these swords still do.”, he pulled the two reddish blades and Link didn’t believe his eyes.
“That – is – ”, Link only moaned.
“You know them?”
“Where did you get them?”
“From the grave of my grandfather. Where do you know these swords from?”
“I fought – against – him?”
“Since he died, the swords never left their place. I had to open the grave in order to find them. It was not easy for me on a personal account, but I wanted to know whether he was right or if he just exaggerated their strength. I would have noticed if anyone had laid their hands on his grave. And Ethchji guards the secrets of the weapons he forged with his life. The only ones who saw these swords up close apart from them, were my father, me, and those who didn’t see a thing of the world anymore afterwards. So nobody could have been able to craft copies.”
“But Kafei also found Igos’ sword, right where I had beaten him. Maybe Termin returned to his grave after he had surrendered to me.”
“Do you honestly mean to tell me you duelled my grandfather?”
“Who else would have introduced themself as the Master of the Garo?”
“And you have beaten him?”
“Yes. And I was still a child. So what ever he told you about what ever power in his swords, is either made up or has died with him and not reawakened when his ghost haunted Ikana. Though the swords were on fire. Maybe that is the power he had spoken of? The third time he was only an illusion conjured by Majora, however.”
“You have beaten him multiple times?”
“Yes.”
“And you say – flames? That is unusual. He always spoke of the deadly cold of the weapons.”
“Maybe he understood that he can accomplish more with the flaming tale of the Phoenix than with the icy spikes of the Crystalbug?”
“So you finally know our heraldic animals. Interesting.”
“You aren’t much wrong with `finally´. Anju explained them to me the day before yesterday.”
“And maybe, yes. Yet maybe it was a joke of Ethchji as he had received a commission from the opponent of his usual commissioner. You know, he makes everything as long as the task is challenging enough and the sum high enough. Igos was the exception. For him he worked personally and for free. In this case the honour was worth more to him. Therefore he keeps refusing Kafei’s payment. But that doesn’t stop Kafei from planting it on him anyhow. In some business matters he is much too honest and humble. If you even refuse the money, he won’t ever give in.”
“I know. That’s why our sex life is going so well.”, Link threw him an impish wink. “He wants to reward me for my actually voluntary work.”
“You scoundrel.”, giggled Dotour.
“Oh no. He’s getting double rewards. Barely any work and good sex. And he knows that I love the smell of paper and ink. That’s why he – lets me do.”
The door opened once again and ended their conversation instantly. In came a group of men, two women and another man who lead a little girl by the hand. All were Hylians armed with swords and shields – and literally snowed in. Nevertheless they didn’t appear to be unhappy. They talked loudly while they got rid of the snow and hung their coats and cloaks onto the clothes tree in the corner. Now the school owner returned from his chamber and sat down, watching, if though it wasn’t fully perceivable through his amount of hair.
“Are we right here at all?”, one of the men asked another.
“Sure. Over there, there’re two with swords already.”, said the older of the two women, who appeared to be in the early fifties.
“One of them is the teacher.”, noticed a man Link knew from one of his other courses and smiled at him.
“Ah yes. He looks very experienced.”, and Link knew she deemed the wrong one for the teacher.
Nevertheless he took off his cloak and laid it over the counter. When he was sure to have everyone’s attention, he pulled a folder and a pencil from his cap. A few of them were very astonished. From behind, he could hear Dotour’s subdued snicker. Yet he carried it off well, since it was rather natural for him to pull all sorts of things from his cap. It had taken him long to get used to the locket.
He opened the folder, searched for the list for the Master Course, found it as always where it shouldn’t be and asked himself why he could achieve keeping an order in all papers but not his own. So he sorted the paper in at the back which worked easily while standing due to all of it being loose sheets, checked those men he already knew and cleared his throat.
“Lura Emynin?”
“Yes.”, answered the father of the little girl.
“Medran – ”
“Just to make things clear,”, the man began to speak anew, “I don’t want any special treatment for my daughter. She’s damn good with the sword and won several tournaments.”
“How I treat my students, is still my decision. If I may call the roll now?”
“Your students?”, chuckled the woman who had spoken before. “I understand that a megalomaniac father wants to train his daughter to be a master warrior. But that a child like you wants to teach us – ”
“And you say, it’s allowed in Ikana?”, Link turned to Dotour. “Then I’d have a ring proving I’m not a child anymore. Because nobody seems to buy that I’ve saved Hyrule when I was only nine years old, if though everyone knows.”
“Go ahead. I don’t mind you marrying my son.”
“And a poof even.”, mumbled the overprotective father. “Come, Lura. We leave.”
“Why? That should calm you, shouldn’t it? After all you have a daughter. Imagine what would be if you had a son. Then I’d have to listen to that you leaving the room because you fear I’d rape him.”, said Link grim but definite. “Besides, the word for it is `homosexual´ or at least `gay´. You know, what makes a good warrior? Respect. Respect towards his enemies and friends, as well as those between the two. If you meant to be a role model for your daughter, I recommend a little respect. Children learn from their parents. Children learn by imitation. So if you don’t want your daughter to become an iffy cow one day, then don’t act like that. You don’t want special treatment? You won’t get that here anyway. Here, everyone is treated according to their demeanour. As the question, so the answer. I want to teach people something, not coddle them, because life didn’t coddle me either. Anyone else wishing to leave before I’m even through the attendance list?”
“Indeed, if you keep stultifying us, boy.”, sighed the same woman as previously. “I have seen many already who claimed to be the “Great Hero”, but to go as far as to try making profit of it –”
“If you care to know, it wasn’t my idea. Kafei meant I could use my reputation and skill to make money for the town. Yes, exactly. I won’t keep a single of your Rupees. I solely do this to maintain this land and its citizens.”, Link replied strident. “And so I don’t need to save all countries from hordes of monsters again, completely on my own.”, he added disparagingly. “Who ever is under the impression I am a useless show-off who adorns himself with another’s crown, please. Go through that door you just came in and don’t forget to complain in your next prayer to Farore that she carried me through all sorts of situations without scars. Believe me. I’d really like to have some scars to show. It’s a miracle that she didn’t have those holes in my earlobes healing. Striking how right Anju was. Wait a moment – everyone’s still here!”, his eyes travelled across the group again. “Well, then – ”
“Phew! That was hard to find, in this snowstorm.”
The door had been pushed open and a gust of cold came dashing in with thick snowflakes. Fortunately the man noticed it and slammed the door shut behind before he pushed back the hood of his noble appearing dark blue coat with golden buttons and loosened the lilac shawl in front of his mouth. Now Link honestly didn’t believe his wide open eyes.
“Sorry that I come late. I hope the course didn’t start yet.”, the young man explained himself while hanging his coat to the others. “Now. Well?”, robbing his hands, he turned and let his eyes wander around, whereupon they stopped at Link. “Ha! I knew I’ve read right. Would have been too bad.”
“Hello, Shad.”, murmured Link with a distorted, confused smile. “What by Din’s devouring inferno are you doing here?”
“I read your name. So – I – thought – ”
“That you take on the whole way here from Hyrule, just to see me?”
“One is still allowed to pay an old friend a visit, or not?”
“Sure.”, Link smirked, not less irritated than already. “But next time please pick a better moment.”
“Certainly.”
“You – well – I don’t assume you want to attend the course?”
“Noooo. You know me. I’m glad I can use a knife without hurting myself.”
“Of course. Then please take a seat at the spectator bench, yes? We can talk about everything else later. We’re behind already anyway.”
“Oh – yes. Of course.”
“And Mr Emynin as well, please.”, with a quiet murmur the father of the alleged prodigy sat down by Jargo and crossed his arms.
Link waited for the two to make themselves comfortable on the podium, took one deep breath and – was exceptionally glad that he could go through attendance list and introduction without interruptions at last. Afterwards he let the school owner raise the training logs so he could get a rough impression of the newcomers’ skills. At the same time they gave the advanced the chance to warm up. After about half an hour he asked for general attention again, which he luckily gained without negative connotation.
“I see that all of you are extremely good when it comes to posture. That is very important, because only who is one with their sword, can wield it flawlessly. Yet it’s also important that you don’t think of controlling your sword. A sword cannot be controlled. A weapon can only be wielded as good as you respond to it. Be part of the sword and the sword will become a part of you.”, he explained while pacing around and demonstrating posture corrections here and there. “That also applies on your surrounding. Only who can project one’s thoughts into their surrounding, knows how to use it. Feel with the ground beneath your feet and it will act to your benefit. An insecure step means that the ground will make you fall flat on your face.”
“So legwork.”, a man named Ulidor threw in.
“As well. But the most agile legs won’t be of any use if the mind is blocking them. Fear and security both start in your head. Fear is good. It is the sense that keeps you from stupid ideas. But letting yourself be owned by your fears, is the wrong way. Draw conclusions from your fears. Learn from them.”, now he explicitly looked at Dotour. “Learn to use the negative sides of your fears to create security. If I’m afraid I could hurt my opponent too much, I need to teach them a lesson in a way it wouldn’t hurt me too much if I was in their place. And if possible, with less force. You don’t attack an enemy at full tilt. Of course some foes can be beaten more easily with a surprise attack, but you always have to expect being outmuscled. Therefore it is better to stay defensive until you got a good impression of your opponent’s tactic and know how to circumvent it. Thus, never punch a Dodongo into the face. I hope, you at least know theoretically what I mean by that.”
An overall nodding and the one or other snicker went around. Just to make sure, Link took another look at the clock before he continued.
“And I solicit those for forgivingness, who are tired of hearing this example again.”, a quiet laugh came from his regulars. “Very well. I believe we are ready to practice with partners. Please form two rows, facing one another. As mixed as you can. How convenient that we’re an uneven number. Done? Great. Now pair up with your opposite and spread evenly in the room. Everyone should have enough space. Then try to break through the respective other’s cover in turns. Those who block shall try to fend off as long as they can. And please – I don’t want any serious injuries. No mercy, but as soon as you’re through, try to halt your sword. This is about victory, not life and death.”
“Uhm – question.”, the ten year old Lura raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“We two are left over. I find it unfair.”
“If you don’t happen to confront your opponent at will, you mostly don’t pick.”, Link replied.
“I meant, for him.”, Dotour could just hold back a laugh upon that statement. “He’s old. I don’t fight old people. And besides, he doesn’t even have a shield.”
“You don’t need a shield to be able to block.”, said Dotour. “But you may be right, asserting that I’m old. If you knew how old, you’d flee.”
“And he’s got red eyes.”, she noticed although she basically ignored him. “I don’t fight against ill people. What kind of illness is that anyway?”
“The illness that, if necessary, can kill a brewery horse with two fingers.”, Link meant to joke, actually.
“I want to see that.”, the girl scoffed.
“Sorry, but I’m a horse-lover. And you waste the money and patience of your father.”, Link said coldly. “He said, you won’t receive special treatment. So, show us what you’ve got. Well? Everyone ready? You have ten minutes, starting from now. Then we take turns.”
With a loud battlecry, Lura was the first to grasp the nettle and – her first blow was deflected by Dotour’s swords so well that she immediately flew seven feet backwards. Almost everyone laughed, except for Link, Dotour and her father, who threw Shad a single silencing look.
“We do not laugh.”, hissed Link. “If I notice that somebody is being laughed at, the jokester will find themself fighting me. And don’t you see this as a privilege. He or she will be given a fairy and we will have a real duel to death.”
Instantly they all were busy fighting. Somehow Link enjoyed that bit of power. More though, he would enjoy taking a comfortably warm bath with Kafei. However; he had expected it anyway; he had misestimated. They were neither idiots, nor elite fighters. They were a bunch of talented retards – and Dotour. Link noticed that the Sheikah contained himself. It was surely due to him being a father and grandfather und he knew not to ask too much of a child that was not blessed by a goddess. Still Link found that the girl wasn’t doing bad. She had the potential to be a killer. Yet only a few years from then. Now she was still a child and Link hated knowing that there were parents who meant to force them into being an adult. He knew ho much he had wanted a childhood. A child shouldn’t have to grow up without a proper childhood. Yes, even Tatl had it, in spite of some of her abilities that laid beyond Link’s, even after several months of Sirileij’s education. And then – there was blood.
Link’s heart stopped. Lura had broken through Dotour’s defence and hit his neck. Even before Link could get his legs moving, Dotour was on the floor and held his hand onto the wound, surprised himself. Lura was like petrified. Also her father who had jumped up, just stood there incapable of words.
“Everything alright?”, moaned Link desperate, but Dotour only nodded giggling.
“I’m fine. It’s over already.”, when the glowing of his eyes faded, he retrieved his hand and showed only blood, but no wound. “After that stupidity on the Clock Tower I have learned to pace myself better.”, he let a puddle of water appear in his hand and cleaned his neck.
“Do you have any idea what a fright I just had?”
“Why don’t you ask her.”, he nodded at Lura. “I think that was her first time injuring someone. Everything fine, Lura?”
“I-it’s – all good.”, she aspirated with wide open eyes. “H-h-how d-did you d-do that? A-are you a Mage?”
“Now. Just a common Sheikah.”, it was as though silent horror slid around.
“That can’t be. You are extinct.”, breathed the younger woman with the illustrious name Inmana.
“Now don’t let my son hear that.”, chuckled Dotour and raised. “He is the King of Ikana.”
Dead silence.
“There is life in I-Ikana again?”, Inmana whispered into the silence.
“My goodness – where do you come from? More than eight years already. Since nearly two it has a king again.”
“Er – I suggest we take turns. Or does anyone want to take a break?”, Link threw in unequivocally.
“I’m out.”, Lura squeaked.
“This is out of question.”, her father was back from his trance. “You just struck the first hit of your life. If you stop now, you are – you – are – are – you – ”
Link would have given a lot to know what had happened in right that moment. Also he would have liked to have seen Dotour’s look that had obviously caused the eyes of the other man to pop more with each word of the last sentence.
“I-it – is alright, if you stop now, darling. Here you can.”, he swallowed well audible and visible. “Come over.”
“Anyone thirsty?”, Link asked hesitatingly, the eyes travelling between the two men. “Or any other needs?”, no answer. “Good. Then – we swap.”
“And how?”, it came from one of the men standing further from Link.
“We line up like before and the row Lura was in, moves one place towards hers. I will fill the empty space.”
In ways he was grateful that the girl had had enough. It felt good fighting against someone who wasn’t nearly unbeatable. Also it was for him like reading a book. A clear, understandably written book. He did worry about his opponent’s chances in a real fight, but hoped there was peace in his homeland.
The other fights were as well relaxing enough so he could even watch what everybody else was doing. At one point he had to admonish Dotour when he saw that he constantly broke his opponent’s cover at first strike but contained every single himself. If he had been an ordinary student, Link might have voiced his proudness. But since Dotour wasn’t even on the attendee listing and was undoubtedly more than an expert of swordplay, he indeed found it unfair towards the others. Admittedly, they could learn a lot from him, but Link himself had had too many frustrating foes to fight he could tell a school was not the place for such. After all he hadn’t learnt in a school either.
After almost an hour; during which Ydin’s overhappy customers had skilfully searched their way outside; he decided to give them a break. They had apples, warm tea and the restroom on the first floor. The air in the room had become too hot according to Shad. Whit this reason he said goodbye to Link, dropped the info that he would go to find some place to stay at and left the school.
While Link ate his second apple of the day, he pondered whether he should actually fight against Dotour or teach them some special techniques. Eventually he decided showing them special techniques, with Dotour as his partner.
“Now.”, he said when almost all were done with their apples and teas, but was interrupted once again.
This time however it was more to his liking. The person coming in and bringing wonderful fresh air into the actually hot room that already reeked of sweat, shook a fair amount of snow off his cloak, just like everyone before had. Elatedly he threw the black tent onto the clothes stand and mellowed his flowing hair. His beaming smile when he saw Link was like a sunrise for the latter. Yet with slightly dragging steps he went towards Link, placed a hand on his left cheek and gave him a brief but tender kiss.
“What are you doing here?”, asked Link while Kafei started fondling his cheek dreamily.
“After all that stress I just felt the need to see you.”
“Stress?”
“Market is cancelled. I helped getting everything inside in any way I could. There’s a blizzard raging out there.”
“What? Really? I mean, you came in so quick I didn’t see what’s going on. Did you run into Shad?”
“Yes. I shooed him into the Bombstore because he was standing more in our way than helping. What does he want here? Now?”
“I don’t have the slightest idea.”, sighed Link. “Fancy a tea? There’s still some over there.”
“Thank you. I do.”
“Pst.”
“What?”, Kafei wasn’t the only to prick his ears.
“Psssst!”, it came from the door leading upstairs.
“Ydin?”, chuckled Kafei and walked the few steps around the gong.
“I saw you slipping in.”, she whispered.
“How did you know – ”
“The way you walk.”, aspirated the elderly woman. “I need your help.”
“Huh? On what?”
“Take some tea with you.”, when Link leaned to the right he saw her brandishing at the kettle. “And one for me as well.”, Kafei took an entire can into his hand.
“What’s it that you need?”
“Your good taste.”, she hissed, slightly embarrassed.
“Oh.”, Kafei giggled and followed her, throwing a brief wave back at Link.
“I’ll survive.”, that one meant, dismissing him with a smile and took another deep breath. “Where was I? Oh yes. Special techniques. Some time ago I have learned techniques that no one but my master knew – or rather, not that I know someone would. It would be a shame not to pass them on. Of course I won’t teach you all of them. Some are just too risky.”
“Which would be?”, Lura was back in the group, ready to continue training.
“Well – ”, she did manage to charm a smirk onto his lips. “There is, for example, the Mortal Draw. It is a heavy surprise attack. You keep the sword in the sheath until the opponent is way too close. With that I mean, so close that you can strike with the side of your sword when your arm is stretched out. Dotour? Would you assist me, please?”
“Of course. What shall I do?”
“Attack me. From the right, for now.”
They positioned themselves facing each other. Link only held his shield in hand and Dotour lunged out with his right sword. Thereupon Link turned left, drew his sword in mid-step and stopped shortly before the other’s throat. Dotour had also been clever enough to not make any steps and to stop his sword as well.
“You see? In this case I would have been faster and he without a head. But it could have gone differently as well. That is the risk about it. You are completely unprotected and uncovered. We’ll do it again, while you try to block my attack and I block yours. Maybe you manage to strike a counterattack.”
Link took on his position again, put back his sword and Dotour lunged. Link turned, drew his sword and protected his torso with the shield. Dotour hit the side edge with full force, then lifted the left sword and blocked Link’s by it. With the other that broke through the cover, he hit Link at the waist. Link yielded to the right to avoid the force, because although the mail shirt would keep off the blade, he knew how painful bruises could be. With the same step he pushed off Dotour’s left sword and him back with a shield attack. Dotour remained steady, but Link aborted the attack by lowering his sword.
“Has everyone seen that?”, general nodding. “That’s why protection is important. I could only partly block his attack. That left me with the choice of protecting my stomach against his left sword or my side against the right. Both could have caused serious injuries, if I hadn’t manage to dodge. Had he hit me and if I wasn’t wearing a robust chain mail shirt, he would have hit my side fatally. I felt the strength of the sword and still remember from my last fight, that these two weapons are very sharp. He may have actually cut me in half.
The Mortal Draw bears always a good chance to hit your opponent on the least protected and most fatal area, namely the neck. Because to allow movability of the head, it is also the weak spot of most armours. Still it is very risky, as you have seen. Yet you have also seen that you may reckon with such an attack, should your opponent have that foolish idea and that parrying is possible.”
“Why having the idea?”
“I don’t know whether there’s anyone; apart from Dotour now; who has been attacked with that method and survived it. Also I don’t know whether my master had had other students he had taught it.”
“So you did have another Master?”, asked Dotour.
“Why another?”
“Next to Sirileij, I mean.”
“What?”, Link hissed surprised. “You know of that? Did Anju tell you or what?”
“No. You’ve just been talking like Ajrini all along. And since she passed on her knowledge to Kafei, but as far as I know, he hasn’t taught you yet Sirileij, it appears only logical to me that your occasional disappearing stands in connection with her probable try to save you from your laziness.”
“Am I – that predictable?”
“Only for a knowing Sheikah.”
“Oh. Then it can only be an advantage that I share beds with their monarchs.”, Dotour merely chuckled smiling. “Yes – er – you’ve already seen another technique as well now. The Shield Attack. It asks for a little more strength in the defensive arm, though can’t only fend the opponent but sometimes even push them to the ground. This way you can even deflect small projectiles like weaker arrows or slingshot ammo as well as magical energy balls. Anyone in for training the Shield Attack?”, the enthusiasm remained within limits. “Oh. It seems none of you has miffy Deku neighbours.”, sighed Link. “Or – yes?”
“So actually, the back is rather unprotected.”, Ulidor noted after having lowered his hand. “That’d be a good spot for an attack, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes.”, nodded Link. “But running around is quite dangerous and usually useless, if you don’t need time to think.”
“True, yes.”
“However, if you roll off and around to the side, you can either pull up your sword between the opponent’s legs or stab it into their back. And if you have quite some strength in your legs for jumping back up, you can achieve a devastating hit on the head. I have been taught those under the terms `Back Slice´ and `Helm Splitter´, just to dub the thing.”
“I imagine that to be relatively difficult.”, said another man.
“It is.”, confirmed Link. “But it is possible.”
He demonstrated his description on one of the logs and actually split it from above during the jump. When he even lunged himself off the log with that blow and landed smoothly on the other side, the amazement was audible. He even went the extra mile of splitting the log vertically before one of the pieces could hit the floor. And again, after the four massive wood pieces came to rest, remained nothing but the ticking of the clock. His face mirroring slight satisfaction, Link put his sword back into the sheath with some artistic and blazingly fast swings, with which he had already impressed Rusl.
Slowly one after another started clapping. Somehow Link found it pitiful how easily impressed they all were. After all he honestly wanted to teach them and not having them pay for him showing off his fighting skills – if however the workers at the harbour didn’t bother where their payment came from.
Yet a little embarrassed he silenced the applause with a move of his hand.
“Thanks. But you won’t be able to learn that within the remaining time. You don’t have any idea how often I rolled off in my life before I learned those techniques.”
“Uhm – but maybe another exhibition fight wouldn’t be bad?”, Inmana called attention to the matter. “You said yourself that we are good at studying.”
“So you want to analyse?”, considered Link. “Hm. Maybe not such a bad idea. At least nobody should get harmed by that. After all we’re training with sharp weapons here and I don’t want people to say of me that I charged for group suicide. Dotour?”
“It will be my pleasure.”
“Good. Everyone step back as much as you can.”, he waited for them all to line up against the walls. “Then show me what you’ve got. What ever frustration you want to release, now you may.”
“Very well. If you do the same.”
“Really? Want a fairy?”, Link joked.
“How many do you have with you?”
“A fair few.”, grinned Link. “Yet I think we should restrain ourselves. Some here don’t seem to appreciate seeing blood.”
“Just seconds ago you told me to vent on you.”
“Very well. But expect massive defence.”
“I hope for it!”, Dotour grinned and went into position.
Since the Back Slice had been received well, Link decided to bring some variety into the fight and try to perform every attack as well as defence method with both sword and shield he had so far learned.
As he was used to, his opposite engaged him. Link simply jumped to the side and pursued, yet was blocked immediately by Dotour’s left sword, which he twisted off, as well as pushed the right sword away in a turn and launched into a stab. Though Dotour crossed his swords in a blink and wrestled Link’s blade out of his hand in a flowing turn around himself. Now it was on Link to regain his weapon. With a few rolls around Dotour he reached his sword again and could just in time lift his shield crouching in order to block.
He stabbed past his shield and pushed Dotour’s right sword to the side to get up. The same he did with the shield and the other sword. Dotour used the momentum to his own advantage however and lead the swords back together a little below. Link could only escape the shear by pushing himself across in a backflip with all the strength he could summon, out between the swords and their wielder.
“Is that all you can do?”, Link wisecracked, surprised himself why he had just said aloud what he would normally only think in battles with colossal, predictable monsters. “Now come on! If that’s how you treat your problems, I understand why you won’t cope with them!”
That he had hit home with that was clear to him right in the next moment when he had to fight off a series of heavy attacks. His plans of a varied fight were wiped out of his head from one second to the other as that one was in high danger several times in a row. Each attack he blocked was followed by an even heavier and more critical one, while he himself was not left a single chance for an attack on his own accord. Also he had no time for seeing the worried looks of the students. He was torn between veneration for Dotour’s talent regarding precision and speed, as well as near fear for his own life.
Link had indeed not expected to find himself in an actual battle. He must have truly and painfully hit a weak spot, because what Dotour did now, couldn’t be described as frustration relief anymore. It was pure rage. Rage over things Link had no idea of. Yet whatever it was, he already had to accept the hard way after two minutes in, that it would be a long, tough fight, whereas the toughness was clear to him in any case.
Few attacks later Dotour’s eyes began to glow more and more. With every stroke the glow intensified and so did Link’s panic. He needed to somehow find a way to stop Dotour, as there was no fairness in this fight anymore and when his eyes downright gleamed and the red around the widened pupils lastly turned into a blazing green apart from a thin rim on the outer edge of the irides – a turquoise green as he had only seen on the cursed remains of Igos so far – Link knew that he was not facing Kafei’s father anymore, but an elemental force of pent-up aggression, which he projected onto Link without being able to control it.
Faster and faster Dotour’s attacks got. For now, Link could keep up, only just. A sting on his cheek. Dotour had struck a glancing blow. Then Link felt a kick into the back and already laid prone, whereby his sword flew off in a true moment of surprise and got stuck in the wall, missing Lura’s head by a hair’s breadth. It had been a long while since something like that had happened to him and for the fraction of a second he was deeply ashamed of it, if though the shame counted least in his mind now. He was quasi scuppered. His contrary wouldn’t stop, though the only solution was absolutely inappropriate. After all he couldn’t and wouldn’t want to kill Dotour. So he once more had to have faith in his own skill and ability to react – and perhaps Farore’s mercy. But maybe he should just remain lying on the floor and start praying to all three – and the four Giants – Hylia – the Goddess of Time – the Forces of the Winds so that they would blow the door open and Dotour down to bury him in snow –
Almost as if on cue, yet not as hoped for: feeling a gust of wind, Link only rolled sideways. In fact Dotour had done a jump attack and rammed both swords into the floor, right where Link’s chest had just touched it. Dotour’s look zoomed at him. His expression resembled a hungry wild animal. Like a wolf that had witnessed the killing of its cubs – not that Link had ever done that himself, but he had once had to rescue someone who had been foolish enough to only wanting to touch the cubs. And Link knew he regretted terribly not to have grabbed Midna when she had returned to her home. As a wolf he would have stood more of a chance. Because again Dotour darted for him, and he could barely roll on in the last blink.
Now that he had at least fairly regained an overview of the room, it was time for tactics. Link strained his brain while only dodging and blocking with the shield as good as he could. In between he could fortunately yell a warning to one of the men who had only meant well by intending to pull the Master Sword out of the wall. So the weapon kept being stuck in the thick wall and out of Link’s reach, but at least there would be no unnecessary casualties – or that was what he hoped. Fearless helpfulness was the last he needed now. After all it wasn’t the first time he had to do without a sword. Instinctively he pulled the Gale Boomerang from the back of the shield and threw it at Dotour. Yet that one sent the boomerang back with the flat edge of one sword and swept Link off his feet once again, whereupon the boomerang hit the gong with a loud thunder and eventually, after flying against two walls, landed on the floor.
Despite his despair Link miraculously managed to think of Sirileij. Her drilling eyes before his mind he understood that the only chance against Dotour laid in continuing the fight like a Suro. However, he didn’t get to that. Accompanied by a cracking sound of his forearm, the shield was pulled off. Only when the power of the attack pushed him to his knees, he felt the pain in his broken arm, with which he had caught himself. Then he merely perceived dully, as if far away, a number of ear-splitting screams of terror. The moment he felt the cold metal penetrate the nape of his neck and slide past his spine, his breath got caught and everything went black.
The next he noticed was the abating pain in his right forearm and pink glittering dust around, when he opened his eyes again. In ongoing panic he crawled forward, hearing swords rush into the floor beside him. Somehow he managed to get back his shield. As soon as he rolled onto his back and held the ornate metal plate with the Hylian Bird protectingly before his upper body, he briefly saw Dotour’s face that was taut with mania and the tip of a sword rush down. It slid off the shield and drilled into Link’s larynx again. Another time the room turned black. When his ability to see and perceive returned, he felt the next blade, which hit him hard in the gut and tore both layers of fabric as well as the mail shirt.
Struggling for air in his pain, the screams of the otherwise like petrified watchers in his ears as if he was under water, he only saw a blue rush zoom past, before the sword remained swaying in his belly. Then Dotour was gone. While he tried to breathe with his eyes closed, Dotour’s breath got caught as well.
A strong hand pressed his throat shut and him against the wall mutually. Dashing the wall wildly, he tried to intervene, but a hand on his forehead and piercing equally green gleaming eyes before his slowly brought him back to sanity.
Finally Link could lift a hand for the handle of the shortsword to pull it out of the floor. Panting and coughing blood he sat up. Also Dotour panted, when the pressure on his trachea faded and the hand moved down to his chest, holding him calmingly to the wall.
The glow in his son’s eyes reduced with his. With each of Dotour’s fast breaths more and more worry stepped into Kafei’s face and he turned his head around to Link, who had meanwhile succeeded at sitting somewhat upright, the hand still held onto the badly bleeding hole in his belly and his half closed eyes looking at them in turns.
“Link?”, Kafei only aspirated.
“Everything – alright.”, that one coughed flatly. “I’m fine.”
“No.”, it was admonitory concern.
“Really.”, Link dropped a feeble smile while blood was running down his chin as well as flowing over his fingers. “Was feeling far shittier many times already.”
Trembling he pulled a bottle from his cap, removed the cork with his teeth and sacrificed the last fairy he had with him. Nobody needed to know it was the last, he thought, relieved about the easing of the pain and Dotour started sobbing quietly as he was realising the picture he just saw and that it was his fault. Kafei took him into his arms, stroking, and quietly tried to calm him in their mother tongue.
“Kafei! What’s the matter! Why did you run o- Kafei?”, Ydin came hurtling from behind the gong, followed by her husband. “Link? What’s going on? My goodness! Is that your blood?”
“Dotour?”, breathed Frano. “What happened here?”, the only answer was a louder cry.
“Could you please bring Father upstairs?”, asked Kafei softly, but wouldn’t let go of him.
“Sure.”, said Frano and approached the two, supportingly reaching under Dotour’s arms to take over from Kafei. “Come with me, my friend.”
“Kafei?”, asked Ydin again.
“We’ll join you in a minute.”
He waited until she was out of earshot. Link didn’t dare to look at anybody but him. Also he had troubles keeping his eyes on Kafei’s silhouette. Something told him, that the momentary loss of his sword that still stuck in the wall, was the least disgrace of the day – or maybe of his entire life. It was only a whisper, and not even a question, but it dragged his full attention onto Kafei.
“What did you do.”
“Nothing – I – ”
“Did you say something. Anything.”, Kafei only looked at a spot somewhere to is own right, slightly above the floor.
“I – didn’t think – ”
“Obviously. You were dumb lucky that I felt something wasn’t alright. You were lucky that I felt something was wrong with Father.”
“What – was – that? Actually?”
“What that actually? That was what we Sheikah are feared for.”, he directed his look on Link again, who wasn’t sure whether he saw anger or disappointment there. “That, Link, is commonly known under the term `Bloodrush´. It is complete loss of control. All Conscience, all morals, fear and such don’t exist anymore. It is as if a ravenous wolf scents a wounded deer. He will hunt it until it doesn’t move anymore. Once in Bloodrush, a Sheikah can only be stopped by an even more powerful Sheikah. Only few of us can bring themselves back out of Bloodrush. Only very few can control themselves while in it.”
Again the memory on Igos flickered before his eyes: if though his minions had been busy defending their king literally to the bitter end, as well as protecting their own being, the emperor had picked his methods well. Even after the intense battle the glowing of his eyes hadn’t vanished, although he had sunken into self-pity and grief over the downfall of his folk. Igos had been capable of putting himself into the Bloodrush and this ability had allowed him to control himself during it to some extent. Along with the next thought Link understood that this ability must have somehow passed on to Kafei via his mother’s bloodline. Yet the waft of an assumption that Kafei may have learned it, scared him honestly.
“You were brazenly lucky.”, the latter pulled him back into the present. “He could have killed you again and again. And if Farore herself had descended to stop him, he would have attacked her as well. Never put a Sheikah into that state. Never. It is generally the last you do in your life. Be sure to remember that and if you have to write it in capitals behind your obtrusively long ears before somebody chops them off. That doesn’t only apply on you. You all do well to remember.”, with a huff he dropped his head. “The course is over. If anyone wants their money back, I can understand.”
“They haven’t paid yet.”, sighed Link, what instantly felt stupid to him.
“Just as well.”
“Kafei?”, Link aspirated in hope to not have lost all credit with him, but he only disappeared upstairs without another word.
~o~0~O~0~o~
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