Chapter Nine: Spirits Having Flown Before they could leave Hyrule Field behind them, Kage and Link checked back in with Malon and Sheik. To their surprise, Sheik was astride a beautiful bay stallion waiting for them as the sun rose. "You recovered from those broken ribs fast." Kage commented, as he and Link rode up. "The milk here has miraculous healing properties, but I am sure you two already knew about that." Sheik said, getting incredulous looks from both Link and Kage. "How did you convince Malon to give you some of the milk?" Link asked, noticing when Sheik’s eyes showed a hint of guilt. "She made me promise to let her come along with us to the Gerudo Valley." Sheik said, with a sigh of exasperation, as Malon came out to meet them, riding on a gray mare. "You actually agreed to letting her come with us?! Sheik!" Kage shouted, not really caring at that particular moment whether he was waking anybody up or not. Sheik cringed, but said nothing, as Malon cheerfully joined the group. "Let’s get going! I’m up for an adventure!" Malon said, revealing in the gray dawn that she had come prepared; she had a pack filled with food and who knew what else and had a small sword and shield strapped to her back. "I didn’t know you owned a sword, Malon." Link said, trying to break the tension that surrounded them. Malon smiled at that statement. "I bought it about seven years ago, shortly after you and Kage disappeared, so I could be prepared to fight in case Ganondorf attacked the ranch." Malon said, as they started riding away from Lon Lon. Link exchanged glances with Kage and Sheik, then they started riding towards the west, where the Gerudo Valley awaited them. They had gone about thirty or forty miles by the time the sun had reached its zenith, signaling that they stop and rest for a while. While the horses grazed in the shade of one of the few remaining trees in Hyrule, Link and Kage took the opportunity to get some much needed sleep, since they had gotten very little in the previous couple of days. "Even though they are all grown up, they still look like little boys when they sleep." Navi said as she and Mizuu perched on Malon’s shoulder and watched the two exhausted Heroes sleep. "Yeah, they do. Especially Kage." Malon said, as Kage muttered something in his sleep and turned over onto his side. Sheik, who was silently listening to the conversation, merely rolled his eyes and went back to playing his harp, his thoughts elsewhere. When they got back to traveling again, it was well into the afternoon. Sheik and Link took turns leading the group, while Kage chatted amiably with Malon. "You know, this is probably the first trip we have ever gone on that Kage didn’t complain once!" Navi commented, getting an insulted sounding ‘Hey!’ from Kage, who hadn’t been paying attention until then. "You spoke too soon, Navi." Sheik said, as Kage sent a dagger-filled gaze at his back. "Seems like I have." Navi said, dodging the glare Kage sent her way by hiding under Link’s hat. Then, suddenly, the path disappeared and a gap appeared in front of them. "Whoa!" Link yelped, stopping Epona just an inch from the edge. "The bridge is out." Sheik said, "And not by accident either." "Did Ganondorf’s lackeys do this?" Link asked, as he dismounted and took a look at the sawed off edges of the rope that had held the bridge together. "It could have been, Link, but it seems more likely that the thieves that call this valley home did this to prevent the Heroes' progress deeper into Gerudo Valley." Sheik replied, as he turned his ruby-eyed gaze to the other side. "Do you think we can jump this divide?" Kage asked, as he turned to his comrades for an affirmative answer. "Horses that come from Lon Lon can jump just about anything, you should know that by now, Kage!" Malon said, matter-of-factly. "Then it’s settled. We jump." Link said, as he led them far enough back for the horses to get a good running start. "We should go one at a time. That way we’ll have less of a chance of colliding on the opposite side." Sheik said. The rest nodded, and watched as Link went first. "C’mon, Epona, you can do it, girl!" Link murmured, as the red mare gathered enough speed to leap across. For a few seconds, time seemed to slow down around horse and rider as they soared through the air and landed gracefully on the opposite side. "Way to go, Link!" Kage cheered, then he got ready to jump. Sheik watched as the black horse flew across the ground and soared across the divide and landed with the grace of a being with wings. Even though Sheik didn’t like to admit it, jumping on horseback terrified him. A memory from his past reminded him of why he didn’t like riding horses. Almost as though she had heard the thundering of his heart, Malon gently put a hand on his trembling hands. "Don’t worry, it will be all right. Tama won’t let you fall." Malon said, gently, having complete faith in the bay stallion Sheik now rode. Sheik swallowed and nodded, watching as Malon cleared the gap with expert ease. "Okay, here I go!" Sheik thought, as he spurred Tama into action and built up enough speed for the jump. When he felt the horse leave the ground, he closed his eyes and prayed to whatever deity was up there that Malon had been right about the horse. He wasn’t even aware that the horse had made it to the other side until he heard Link, Kage, Malon, Navi and Mizuu cheering for him. "Way to go, Sheik!" Kage shouted, happily clapping the trembling Sheikah on the back. "Y-you mean I actually made that jump?" Sheik asked, somewhat shakily. "You sure did, Sheik! It was almost as though your horse had wings, that jump was so pretty!" Link said, with a grin. Sheik’s countenance brightened noticeably as he patted Tama’s neck and scratched his steed’s ears. The horse nickered its appreciation at that. "I do believe you have made yourself a friend, Sheik!" Malon said, laughing as the horse neighed its agreement. "Let’s get going. Let’s try to get to the Spirit Temple before it gets dark." Navi said, eager to get this part of the quest over with as soon as possible. All agreed with that as they started moving again, leaving the gap behind them. Before they had gotten very far, a man with a carpenter’s shop just off to the side stopped them. "What seems to be the trouble, sir?" Link asked, looking down at the stocky man who stood beside them. "It seems that you are the only ones who can help me. You see, I am a carpenter, and I was working on that bridge over the gap with my workers until yesterday. They got it into their heads that carpentry is boring and they went off to the Gerudo Fortress to become thieves. Do you think you could find them and find out what those thieves are up to?" the carpenter asked, looking very troubled about the whole thing. Link looked at his companions, those of whom simply shrugged. "We’ll go. It looks like the Spirit Temple will have to wait, for now." Link said, as he allowed Sheik to take up the leadership of the group and started in the direction of the Gerudo Fortress. After about an hour, they spotted the fortress. It was an imposing structure of foreboding, granite stonework. "Dismount." Link whispered, his voice carrying a commanding tone in it. They all did as they were told. "Now, Sheik, you probably know more about the Gerudo than we do, so you suggest the safest way of getting in there." Link said, turning to the one with the most knowledge. "This fortress is obviously well guarded, since I can see about two or three sentries on top of that wall. The best way to take them out is if you fire some arrows at them and knock them out. Then we’ll Hookshot our way up the wall. There are bound to be more thieves inside that structure than we can see from out here, so we had better be careful once we are inside. Avoid fighting if possible. Malon, I would prefer if you remained out here with the horses for your own safety. Link, Kage, you have bows, so you may fire when ready." Sheik said, as they launched their plans. Malon didn’t have time to argue, for, by the time she had realized that she had to remain behind, the three men were going in for a closer vantage point. Silently she sat down to sulk. When she saw the men again, she would give them a piece of her mind. Kage breathed a sigh of relief. Phase one of their plan had gone off without a hitch. The thief sentries were out cold and they had gotten in without being seen. With a silent gesture, Sheik motioned for the two Heroes to follow him. Cautiously, the three men avoided the gate and headed for a doorway that looked inviting. Once within, a voice caught their attention. "Hey! You three! Over here!" the voice called, desperately. "Shh! Are you the carpenters that were working on the bridge?" Link asked, as he and his two companions looked warily around for trouble. "Yes! We were stupid beyond measure! We thought we could have a more exciting life as thieves than as simple carpenters, so we came here, hoping they would teach us how. Instead we were herded into these cells and told that we were going to remain in here until our bones return to the dust. Please, get us out of here!" the carpenter begged. "We’ll do our best. Just hang tight." Link said, as he turned to Sheik and Kage. "We should try to find the keys for these cells." Link said, then realized that there was someone coming their way. And that someone was armed with a sword. "Split up! We’ll meet up later!" Sheik shouted, whipping out his scimitar and facing the warrior, making an opportunity of escape for the two Heroes. Taking Sheik’s advice, Kage and Link ran for their lives. With a snarl, the warrior slashed at Sheik, a blow that was easily parried by the Sheikah. When she opened herself up, Sheik rammed her in the head with the pommel of his scimitar, succeeding in knocking her out cold. With no further ado, Sheik grabbed the key that was on a chain around the neck of the Gerudo and unlocked the cell door. "Be as quiet as you can and don’t attract attention." Sheik said, as he led them to the gate and opened it just enough so the carpenters could get out. "Thank you." One carpenter said, before they all made their getaway. Meanwhile, Link and Kage were fighting against two more thieves. "The sword’s no good against these people! Let’s try the Megaton Hammers!" Link shouted, as one Gerudo swung her sword a little too close to Link for comfort. "Okay!" Kage replied, as he whipped out his hammer and whacked one thief on the head. The thief fell without a sound. "Looks like the hammer’s a real knockout!" Kage said, when heard Link’s assailant hit the ground. "Yes. Let’s go find Sheik, he might be needing some help." Link said, as they ran off to find the Sheikah. They found him leading a man out to safety. "You work fast, Sheik." Kage said, as they rejoined the Sheikah. "In my line of work, you must be fast. Come, there are two more carpenters to free in this place." Sheik said, not giving Kage any time to ask any questions. As they sneaked through, they could tell that they were up against an all woman thief group. After taking a few turns, they found another carpenter. "Don’t say a word, we’re here to free you." Sheik whispered, as he slipped the key into the lock and unlocked the cell door. "Thank you. I am Jiro, a carpenter under the employ of the man that was working on the bridge. I was the one who had suggested becoming thieves for a more exciting life. I deserve to be hanged." The carpenter said, shamefully. "Just don’t get it into your head that you can be better at being anything other than yourself ever again." Kage said, getting a look of surprise from Sheik and Link. The carpenter nodded then went to make his escape. After freeing another carpenter from his cell, the three warriors came out of the prison area. "I hear one more carpenter in the lower level, I’m going down there. Meet me here in a few minutes." Link said, as he went down a flight of stairs in the direction of the voice. "We don’t have much of a choice." Kage muttered, before looking warily around him for any more trouble. Link had not gone very far before he’d found what he was looking for; the last carpenter. "Thank goodness! I thought I was never going to go free!" the carpenter said, when Link had unlocked his cell. "Are you the last one in here?" Link asked. "Yes. My name is Shiro. There is something you must know. In the land just a few miles from here is the Haunted Wasteland. If you take the path through there you will find the Colossus, the halfway mark to finding the Temple of Spirit." The carpenter said, startling Link with that information. "How did you know that my friends and I had come to find the Spirit Temple?" Link asked. The carpenter shrugged. "I dreamed one night that the two heroes of legend would come here seeking the Spirit Temple and its medallion. Something told me just now that you are one of them. Where is the other hero?" Shiro asked. "He’s waiting for me with another friend of mine. You’d best make you getaway now before s those Gerudo find out that their prisoners had been freed." Link said. The carpenter nodded, then, before he disappeared, he called back to Link. "Come and visit my tent sometime! You and your friends are welcome!" Shiro shouted, before dashing away. "You three strangers are to really be commended. You got in without our realizing it and freed those fools right out from under our noses. Who are you?" another thief asked, as she appeared in front of Link. "I am Link and my two friends go by the names of Kage and Sheik." Link said, deciding to keep his true mission and identity (and those of his companions) a secret. "I am Kousa, a proud Gerudo Thief under the command of the Esteemed Nabooru. I have the authority to make you and your friends honorary Gerudo." The thief said, with an air of importance in her voice. "I thank you, Kousa, but there is one more member of the group that is outside of the fortress watching the horses till we return. Would you mind if we let her in on this membership as well?" Link asked. "Of course! Since she is a female, she is a Gerudo! You see, this group consisted of all females, until today. You, your friend Kage, and the other man, Sheik, are the first male Gerudo. Come, let’s get your membership cards." Kousa said, as she led Link back to where Kage and Sheik were waiting. Kage froze with a look of shock on his face, while Sheik whipped out his scimitar, ready for a fight. "Stand down, Sheik. Ease up, Kage. She means us no harm. We’ve just been made members of this group." Link said. Both Sheikah and shadow elf gave him an incredulous look, then they looked at the Gerudo. "Hmm. This is the first time I have ever seen a shadow elf and a Sheikah. Do not worry, I will not let Ganondorf know that you are here. You see, I believe that what he is doing is wrong. There hasn’t been a war between the people of Hyrule and the Gerudo for almost three hundred years. But now, here we are, in the midst of the bloodiest war that has ever been seen by either side." Kousa said, with genuine regret in her tone, as she led them to the pace where they could get their membership cards. Just when they had gotten there, Malon was escorted into the fortress, with the horses in tow. "Hey Malon, come and join us!" Kage said, happy to see the redhead again. "Looks like I have no choice in the matter. At least they didn’t hurt the horses." Malon said, as he watched the Gerudo take a closer look at the four fine beasts. "We would never hurt such fine creatures! You four are obviously fine riders." One Gerudo said, as she gently patted the neck of the horse Sheik had ridden earlier. "By the way, we need to go to the Spirit Temple. Can we leave from here and go there?" Kage asked. "Not until you have passed the two trials. First you must successfully navigate your way through the River of Sand, then you will have to follow the Phantom Guide. If and when you do pass these trials, you will be free to do what you wish." Kousa said. Link then turned to his companions. "What do you think? Shall we take up these challenges?" Link asked. "We must, if we are going to reach the Spirit Temple." Sheik said, knowing that they had only one chance. "We accept the challenge." Link said. The Gerudo nodded, their expressions grim. "These two who call themselves Link and Kage, they have the very presence of Fate on them. Could these two possibly be the Heroes of Hyrule that the Hylian legends speak of?" Kousa wondered, as she led the four adventurers to the beginning of the River of Sand. "The rules are simple. If any one of you can make it to the structure that is surrounded by flags, all of you will get credit for it and you will all be one step closer to going to the Spirit Temple. Good luck." Kousa said, as she watched the four of them set off. Kage grumbled ominously as they walked through the course. Link and Kage had already equipped themselves with their Hover Boots and Lenses of Truth. After a little while, they came to a circle of flags. They had passed the first trial in record time! "Well done! Now, to pass the second and final trial, you must follow the friendly Poe through the desert. The Poe is the Phantom Guide." Kousa said, obviously pleased that the four had passed the trial with flying colors. "Wha’s going on?" Navi asked, peeking out from under Link’s hat and looking around. "Have a nice nap, Navi? Mizuu?" Link asked, as the second trial began and the Poe became visible to him and Kage. "Nicest one I’ve ever experienced. So, have I missed anything?" Navi asked. "We’ll tell you later what you’d missed, Navi. For now, we have a trial to finish." Sheik said, as Link and Kage led the way in following the Poe through the desert. When they had gotten to a huge Colossus, Kousa was waiting for them. "You four are simply amazing! No one has ever breezed through the trials like you have this day! Here are your horses and some extra supplies. Good luck to you on the rest of your journey!" Kousa said, as she handed over the horses and other essentials to the four adventurers. "Thank you, Kousa! Maybe someday we’ll meet again, only on friendlier terms!" Kage said, as the Gerudo started to leave. "Yes! that will be nice! We shall meet again as friends!" Kousa said, before the swirling sand hid her from view. "Well, where to now?" Link asked, as he looked around. "There is a Fairy Cave nearby. It might be to yours and Kage’s advantage to go in there." Sheik suggested. Link nodded and they all entered the cave. As before, with Fairy Caves in their youth, Kage and Link played Zelda’s Lullaby on the Triforce symbol on the cave floor and a Great Fairy appeared before them. "So, you have finally come to my humble abode! And to think that the other Great Fairies had told me to expect children when the Heroes came around! But you two are handsome young men!" the Great Fairy said, getting a blush from both Kage and Link. "Are you ready to learn some more magic?" the Great Fairy asked. Link and Kage nodded. "Good. Now, pay attention. Nayru’s Love!" The Great Fairy shouted, hurling a blast of energy at a stalactite, shattering it into a million pieces. Kage and Link exchanged glances. They could use this magic! After a few tries and moments of near death for Sheik and Malon, Kage and Link got the hang of their new magic and bid the Fairy farewell. Before they left the Fairy Cave, they could see that the Spirit Temple was surrounded by an evil aura. "This means that in this time, we are too late to reach the Sage of Spirit. But, if the Heroes traveled back in time, they would be able to reach the Sage of Spirit before the evil does." Sheik said, as they started riding back towards the Gerudo Fortress. "Does this mean we’ll have to time travel again?" Kage said dreading the thought. Sheik nodded. Kage then started grumbling expletives under his breath while Malon patted him on the back, her statement sympathetic. "And, to add to Kage’s bad mood, I have yet another tune to teach you. This is the Requiem of Spirit." Sheik said, as he pulled out his harp and played the tune. Link and Kage listened carefully, then duplicated the sound on their ocarinas. This time, to their surprise, Sheik stayed with them, instead of disappearing like he normally did after teaching them something new. "He never ceases to amaze me." Link muttered, as they all traveled back to the Gerudo Fortress and went through there. By the time they had reached the gap, the carpenters had repaired the bridge and they went safely across. Without even asking, Malon knew what the next destination was; the Temple of Time. "Hey, Sheik, why don’t you travel back in time with us? We could use some extra help." Kage said, as they turned in the direction of the Temple of Time. "You couldn’t convince me to travel back even if you wanted me to. My life seven years ago was a nightmare." Sheik said, opposed to the idea of traveling back in time. "Suit yourself. You can stay in this time and help Malon keep an eye on the horses. We’ll go back and try to get to the Sage of Spirit. See you later." Link said, as he and Kage dismounted, took out their ocarinas, played Prelude of Light, and disappeared in a flash of light. "Good luck, Kage." Malon murmured, hoping that Kage and Link would return unharmed.