Link's Curse 4

   chapter 4

      Link was so exhausted from that little skirmish with the strange monster, that he hadn't noticed that the shop door and windows were now closed. As Link looked
   around in the setting sun, that's right the sun was already setting, he saw that other houses door's and windows were closed. He saw no sign of life, save a few
   chickens clucking nervously and moving towards the stables. Nothing else moved except for the grass from the cold wind blowing down from the north. For the first
   time since being on his own, he wished to be back in his warm bed. And he hadn't even been out for an hour. "Where do I go from here?" he thought. "If only I had
   a map." Then Link thought of something. There was a small house at the edge of Kakariko village where an old woman lived with her cat. Many in the village called
   her a witch or crazy, and even Link had tried to avoid going near her old place if he could.

      But he also recalled someone once telling him that she had a map of the entire land in her possession. And if there was ever a time he needed the map, it was
   now. Link couldn't remember the direction to the old woman's house, so he just started walking to see where he would end up. He passed a clearing with a tall
   statue of Kakariko's founder at the center. Just because, Link cut some bushes, and to his delight, he found a green rupee and a recovery heart. He quickly ate the
   heart and put the rupee in his pocket. Then he moved along. He soon came to a tavern who's door was opened. It seemed to be the only place opened. He darted inside
   and looked around. Merry music was playing, and a young girl was dancing. Three fellow Kakarikian's were clapping along to the music and dance. They were really
   enjoying the show. The bar tender eyed Link suspiciously, but said nothing. Link then realized that perhaps he should put away his weapons in such a place as this.
   But he then realized he had no holder for his sword, and no way to carry it aside from holding it. He slowly approached the bar tender and said in a bold voice,
   "Are weapons allowed in here?" The bar keeper looked down at the young elf. "You say something to me...?" he said, looking irritated. Link cleared his throat and
   a bit louder, "My sword, what should I do with it in here?"

      The bar keeper nodded in understanding and grinned. "I'll hang onto it, he said. "We don't want anyone losing an eye or anything..." He chuckled, half joking.
   "And my shield?" asked Link, holding it up to the bar keep. "I'll take it too. They'll be returned to you when you exit." Link looked nervous. Already that very
   day he had lost his lantern. He feared he would lose his sword and shield as well. All in the same day. "Now," said the bar keep, "What can I get fer ya?" Link
   yawned. After thinking a moment, he said, got any healing potions by chance?"
      The bar keep burst into hearty laughter. "Now yer pulling my leg," he said, "But that sure did brighten my day, indeed. Healing potions, indeed!" Link shrugged.
   "In that case, I'll take an ale, please. Make it hot, too. The cold has gotten to my bones." With that, the bar keeper sobered a bit and turned to get the ale
   for the young elf. "That'll be five green rupees," he said aloud. "Find yourself a table and I'll bring it to you soon as it's ready." Satisfied with the service,
   Link turned to look for a cozy spot to sit. Maybe near the fireplace. It was then that Link noticed a figure he hadn't noticed before. The figure was sitting in
   the closest seat to the large stone fireplace, glaring unblinking at Link from the shadows. The figures eyes made Link very uncomfortable.

      "Come," said the mysterious figure, "Won't you join me by the warm fire?" Link was beginning to get a bad feeling in his gut, as if this dark figure was to
   blame for all that was going wrong in the land. But another feeling told him to take the risk and go to this fellow who sat in the shadows. Something told link
   that he might find some answers he was searching for. So he hesitantly stepped forward and joined the figure in the dark corner of the tavern. A moment later, the
   bar keep brought Link his hot ale. Link paid the bar keep five green rupees, then turned to face the stranger. There was a long silence before either spoke.
   Finally, the stranger said in an unusually calm voice, "I have been watching you, Link. For a while now." Those words stung the young elf like one hundred honey
   bee stings. He couldn't speak, or even think. He was in shock. How could this stranger who he had never met in his life have been watching his every move for
   a 'while now' as he had put it. And how did he know Link's name? This all seemed wrong! Very wrong! Link's stomach tightened as he quickly stood to his feet and
   ran from the table where he had been sitting. "Wait, Link!" said the stranger from behind him. "It's not what you think! You are in danger! Don't go!" But Link
   had heard enough. He ran to the bar counter and quickly asked for his sword and shield back. "Hurry, sir!" he said frantically, "I have to get out of here!" The
   bar keep nodded and handed Link his sword and shield. As soon as he had them, he was out the door, quick as a wink.