Chapter Text
Sliding your pack and quiver off your back and to the ground below, you let out a contented sigh. As tired as you are from the day’s travels, you push yourself to tend to the premade fire and supplies littered around the camp. The low flames crackle and roar to life when you add the much needed new kindling.
You had been following the path along Zora river when you happened across two small lizalfos camps, with another just across the nearby bridge. With your boosted stealth and a few carefully aimed arrows, the monsters were reduced to dust, and the sites were yours. You had snagged the assortment of meats roasting by their fires, and settled at the larger camp across Oren bridge.
The spot was built under a natural alcove of stone, that would shield you from view and the elements for the night. If worse came to worse, you could use the open river before you to your advantage, and knock them into the depths. It was the perfect spot, you were amazed you got this lucky just as it was starting to get dark.
When you’re finally done taking into account the supplies and loot leftover from the monsters, you flop down in front of the campfire and lean against one of the wooden crates you had cracked open in your looting spree. Resting your eyes for just a moment, you take in the sounds and smells of the wild.
The continuous trickle of the river flow, the breeze rustling the different pine trees surrounding the region, and the chirping of the crickets coming out to play in the moonlight. All of the sounds play to your ears like a natural symphony. The smell of the moist earth and the savory meats roasting by the fire was invigorating, and you’re reminded just why you loved traveling across Hyrule.
Pulling yourself from your senses, you rummage through your pack. Let’s see.. Leftover food, clothes, bandages, ingredients, monster parts, potions--
“Aha!” With a triumphant huff you fish out your prized map and spread it out on the cool, smooth floor. The steady flames in front of you lit up the area plenty enough to clearly see the chart. The different tongues of flame painted everything around you with a soft yellow glow. Keeping one hand on the right side of the map as you grab one of the roasted bass you stole, you munch while you scope out the trail to your destination on the detailed parchment.
You had been on the road to Zora's domain for almost three days now, and according to your map you should arrive by tomorrow. That is, if Hylia grants you with the gift of clear skies. The region was notorious for having downcast weather, much to your chagrin. It was partially why you’ve never attempted to venture to the place before. You’d take a little sweat from the desert or even a few burns from Death Mountain over a week full of non stop storms. You shuddered at the thought, no thank you.
Finishing the first fish, you plant the spear it was on back into a soft patch of ground. You start to reach for the second, but freeze when something catches your ear.
A warning came in the form of a stray wave, pounding against the rocks of the river. Then, crack! You whirl your head around. In the darkness you manage to make out what used to be a large log, now snapped in half and floating in the water.
You launch to your feet and snatch your bow in an instant. Knocking an arrow against the bow just as quick. Pointing your weapon towards the water, you watch the broken segments drift downstream.
Just one of the halves could dwarf you in comparison. The trunk was so massive one could take a stroll across it without even an inkling of worry about losing balance. But that observation brought up two urgent questions. Who or what could snap such a gargantuan piece of wood in half like a mere toothpick? And what did it want with you?
Your grip on your bow is like iron, your stance just as tense. Your eyes are glued to the river in a permanent glare, ready to let the arrow fly at the first sight of danger. You wet your lips.
“I know you’re there! Come out and face me!” you call out. You let your words sink in for a few moments.
But soon seconds turned to minutes, and still, nothing moved. No new noises, no new threats. Just the same water, the same breeze, and the same crickets.
Eventually your grip relaxes, and you slowly retract the arrow. The tension, though still present, eases up. And you carefully take your original seat by the fire. You eye the bass from earlier, but find your appetite missing. Your eyes flick to the floor, your weapons, the water, and back to the floor. Over and over, as if your eyes were pacing rather than your legs. Your mind finally starts to settle down.
Perhaps it was nothing-
WHOOSH!
With a burst, a geyser of water surges upwards. Something had shot out of the river and soared high into the night. You instinctively rush forwards to protect the fire. The wave comes crashing down onto your figure, and cascades down your body.
So much for no rain.
Blinking droplets out of your eyes wildly, a guttural cry of anger leaves your lips. Disbelief and shock smearing your face as your mouth forms into an “O.” You’re soaked to the bone, but the fire had managed to survive the downpour.
Whatever had caused the mini flood had landed with grace by the riverbank. In fact, more than grace. The thing landed a complex series of flips! What the hell is it? An acrobat?! You don’t recall ever angering the circus.
Recovering from the shock, you rolled forward and snatched your bow, nimbly knocking an arrow and pointing your weapon towards the figure. Your heart was pumping hard. The adrenaline and the cold push your system in a similar fashion.
Whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t another lizalfos.
But before you can even think of letting the arrow fly, the figure puts their hands high up in surrender. “Please! Lower your weapons! I mean no harm!”
You blink, confused, but your stance doesn’t change. Perhaps the yiga clan have finally learned some new tricks, but it doesn’t seem likely. The deceptive spies were always on the average size, aside from the bigger ones involved in ambushes, but this person is anything but average. You mull over your options.
“...Step into the light and keep your hands where I can see them.” You’re demanding, but they do as you ask. Though you suppose it’s a little hard to refuse when you have an arrow aimed at your face. When they’re finally visible, your eyes widen.
Cool red skin, multicolored fins, around ten feet tall, sporting a tail on the back of their hammerhead shaped… well, head. Your supposed “attacker” was unmistakably a zora.
On top of that! You had been traveling along the Zora river. On your way to the Zora Domain. This was the region of zoras. Zoras travel through water.
You felt like the biggest fool in all of Hyrule.
Your face flushes with embarrassment, despite the fact you’re still drenched from the aquatic fiend’s grand entrance.
Oh yeah, about that.
“Was that really necessary?!” You hissed, letting your weapon drop, but only a smidgeon.
The stranger tilts their head to the side, confused, but then they notice how your state resembled a stray cat caught in a storm.
“..Ah. My due apologies, I didn't mean to inconvenience you. I just... merely wished to make a good first impression,” he-- he? Yes he,-- concedes. His voice is plummy and modulating, holding some sort of accent you don’t recognize. Considering the intricate designs of the pieces of armor and jewelry dotting his body, along with the curly feather atop his head, you’d guess he’s somewhere in the upper class among his kind.
You scoff, “oh you’ve made a first impression alright.” The bitterness and sarcasm in your tone grants you a wince from your company.
“Please, I’d just like a few moments of your time,” he requests earnestly. You study his face, but annoyingly you don’t find anything but sincerity. You’re still pissed, but you didn't have a real reason to turn him away …...Yet.
“Fine. Make it quick,” you answer flatly. You lower your weapon completely, and he eagerly takes his seat on the floor by the fire. When you don’t move, he looks at you-- for he didn’t really have to look up due to his height, --with confusion on his features.
“Aren’t you going to..?” he gestures to the floor.
“I’ll stand, thank you.” You had meant what you’d said before.
“Right.” He clears his throat, but unfortunately not the tension. “Ahem, you’re a Hylian, yes?”
You give him a deadpan look, “No, I’m a fairy. What do you think?”
He flinches and fiddles with the frilly cravat tucked into his neck piece. “That was a silly question point taken.”
You huff and cross your arms. “Cut to the chase, what do you want from me?”
“Well you see, the Domain is in need of someone to help protect the..” he pauses for a moment and seems to consider his next words. “..The Prince, yes, on his way to another region. But zoras, as you may know, are highly sensitive to electricity, and the way there is filled to the brim with electrical monsters. The… King is worried of what might become of him if he were to journey there by his lonesome.”
You see where this is going. “So you want someone like me for the job because I’m not particularly weak to a few shocks, right?”
He nods feverently, and gives you a great big smile. He waves his arms grandly in excitement. “Yes! Oh I’m so glad you understand!” he cheers.
“Yeah, no thanks.”
He stops mid cheer, “Pardon?”
You remove your trusty, now soggy, cloak and lay it by the fire. “Being the personal bodyguard of some pompous rich boy and walking to Hylia knows where for Hylia knows how long? I’m good.” Your resignation left the fish gawking at you in disbelief.
“But this is an urgent matter! I wouldn’t be out here unless it was of utmost importance!” He insists, his voice bellowing.
“You know what was important to me?” you pull off one of your boots and turn it upside down, water pours out and splashes on the rocky floor below. “Staying dry.”
He huffs, clearly frustrated. “If I had known this is what would've happened, I wouldn’t have wasted my time here.” You pull off your other boot with a flop. He clicks his teeth, “Do you not have the decency to help people in need?”
You pull off your wet socks and let them drop to the floor. You cock your head to him, aghast. “Excuse me?”
You stand, and march over to him with speed the still comfortable zora wasn’t prepared for. He scrambles to his feet and barely has enough time to back up enough from your fury. But you still manage to get in his face, or close to it from your lack of height compared to his. You aren’t fazed.
“You sneak up on me in the middle of the night, quite literally rain on my parade, you ask me to travel far across Hyrule with some royal guy I’ve never met!” You jab your finger at his face with each point you list. “And you have the audacity to criticize me for NOT agreeing to help you?! Who the hell do you think you are?!” You’re seething at this point, and internally regret leaving your bow by your pack.
He bares his teeth, shark fangs glistening in the light. “Well, I’ll have you know that I’m the Pr-”
“Stop!” you cut him off, putting your hands up in the air and shutting your eyes tight. “You know what? I don’t care. Just get the hell away from my camp and pray to Hylia you don’t see me tomorrow.” You storm back to your things and start laying your socks out. “As you can see, I’m cold and wet! Which is thanks to you, might I add. So I’d really like to get these dry as soon as possible and catch at the very least, an hour of sleep.”
He’s angry now too, you can see it clear as day. But you don’t care. If he didn’t use his brain and leave in the next five seconds, you were going to force him into that blasted river yourself.
Thankfully, he manages to get the message. “Fine then. If you change your mind, speak to King Dorephan at the Domain.” He strides towards the riverbank and stops to only speak two more terse words. “Good day.” And with a thankfully smaller splash, he dove into the river and out of sight. Presumably swimming upstream to said Domain.
Good.
You let a few seconds pass before you sigh in both relief, and exasperation. You were already tired, now you were exhausted, and cold, and wet.
Speaking of, you start to strip the last few garments you wore now that you were finally alone. Your cloak had thankfully dried by then, and you pull the long fabric over your bare form with a shudder. Better.
As you wait for your other clothes to dry-- you could just use your other packed clothes but those were for specific regions, --you let your thoughts wander, only to repeatedly set on your encounter with the zora.
Maybe if the bastard didn’t try to win you over with his aquatic circus tricks you’d consider his request. You had nothing against the king and his people, for you were travelling there to experience it all. But you weren’t about to spend a chunk of your life miserable for those you hardly knew about.
You shake your head, and look to the stars. They were always more clear away from civilization, the lights of the town always toned down their shine some. When you started getting closer to the Domain, you figured it would slowly gain the same effect. But looking now, you find the same crystal clear view among the night sky. Perhaps they appreciate the view enough to prevent the loss of it. It was a comforting thought among your uncomfortable situation.
You smile at that, then check your clothes to see if they’ve dried. Still ever so damp, but it will have to do. You start to pull on the different layers and wonder how a trip could be so important to the zoras, that they’d ask an outsider for help.
You start to huddle in for the night. Pulling your cloak around yourself like a blanket, you lean against the boxes and try to relax. But the frustration from your encounter still wears on you.
If they were royals, they could always just pay somebody to do it. They’re rich and powerful, they can figure it out. You were just here to take in the sights, explore the mountains, and buy a few wares. You couldn’t imagine them wanting anything to do with you otherwise. Let alone trusting a complete stranger to escort their precious prince.
You chuckle at the thought. Right, as if.