The Legend of Zelda: The Magnum Opus

The evening progressed with great cheer. Although the rain pounded on the roof overhead, the tavern pounded with lively conversation and warm smiles. The atmosphere beamed with activity as friends and family converged to partake in the feast. The meat was hot, the drinks were frothed and the hearts were warm. Watching from the mezzanine, the man known as The Hunter spoke quietly with an acquaintance.

“This marks the last of your endeavors, Link. The town has relished in the fills of your hunting prowess. I wish the storm would relinquish its hold over the skies and allow more pleasant weather for your hunt tomorrow.”

Link, not looking away from the festive crowd below, spoke to the chubby man next to him. “The weather is what it is, Mandaral. The next day will be no different from the others.” Before he could proceed with his next thought, Link’s attention was drawn to a mysterious harper in the corner. The song he was delivering was eloquent and sweet, though the lyrics plucked a sharp chord of pain in Link’s heart. The familiarity of the words drew Link’s focus as the tune played above the noise.

“Through time he sped to Hyrule’s aid
With pow’r of gold and arrows of light.
Wielding the sword of evil’s bane
He banished the darkness, oh Hero of Time.”

Link stood without saying a word, peering at the man as he sang. When the harper had finished his melodious story, Link immediately turned from the feast and headed towards the stairs. “Mandaral, summon that harper to my quarters.” His plump accomplice fumbled with his plate in haste at the order. “Yea… Yes, sir.” Link didn’t look back as he strode down the corridor to his room and closed the door. He lifted a satchel from beside his bed and rustled through its contents. Pulling two red rupees from the leather bag, he looked out the window to the storm, thinking to himself.

Only a handful of Hyrule’s population ever knew of those events. Half of them were lost in war. How could this harper possibly know that tale let alone write a ballad for its perpetuation? That knowledge was to be lost so that none could undo their deeds. Should the wrong person find the key to Ganon’s demise… Link couldn’t even bear the idea. Luckily, a knock at the door broke his train of thought. “Enter!”

The door swung swiftly and Mandaral stuck his round head through its opening. “I present your guest, good sir.”

“Thank you, Mandaral. Come in, traveler.”

The man, looking to be near Link in years, stepped through the door as Link handed the rupees to Mandaral. The stocky fellow thanked Link before turning back to the tavern’s lively scene. The man sat his lute near the door and walked towards his host. Link took a good look at the new face. It was soft, straight and regal. His eyes were bright green and beaming with honesty. There seemed to be a joyous air about him. Link felt slightly uncomfortable at this and broke the silence.

“I heard your last ballad and must say that it is interesting.”

“Thank you, sire. I find that most children enjoy its fantastic tense.” The man spoke so eloquently. Link had to find more…

“I’ve not heard it before, where did you study?” Link pressed for information with an intensity he hadn’t found in himself in quite sometime. He took a step back, composing his thoughts and reasserting his intentions. “Forgive me, we’ve not been introduced. What is your name, traveler?”

“I am Corbin, Masterharper of Outset,” Link found himself enjoying the conversation almost immediately. The pleasant undertones of the man’s voice drew him to embrace their first encounter.

“Outset is quite a distance from our quiet village. Have you become lost in your travels?” Link honestly felt guilty for keeping his own identity ambiguous, but couldn’t risk his own exposure.

“Well, of sorts, yes I have,” Corbin looked away from his host for the first time, visibly collecting his thoughts. “I’m not even sure of my destination.”

“Unsure? You’ve traveled through a seemingly endless storm without knowledge of your journey’s end? Good Masterharper, you’ve certainly taken your mortality for granted,” Link lightened his tone to accommodate his lost traveler’s misfortune. “Corbin of Outset, I offer my services to you this evening. I’m sure you could enjoy a night of Hyrule’s finest meat, kindest villagers and purest wine.”

The harper’s eyes widened as he turned back to face Link. “I thank you kindly, sire, and will accept your offer. My mare would fare better than I to the supplies, however.”

“And she will also be rejuvenated. Let us make the most of an unusual circumstance,” Link found himself acting more like a Hyrulean nobleman than a rural hunter.

“So we shall. Might I ask the name of my gracious host?”

“My name is-“ The introduction was broken by a pounding on the door. It wasn’t until then that Link noticed a loud chorus of voices outside his room. Link went to the door, placing a hand on Corbin’s chest to usher him aside, and peered outside. There stood the bulk of a man twice Link’s height and width. His breath was stained with the sweet odor of wine and his balance was uneasy at best. His eyes were unfocused and he reached without success to grab Link by his tunic. Missing the green fabric, he held the door frame to steady himself.

“Charade, take your intoxication elsewhere!” Link cried at the drunken fool after easily evading the lunge. “I care not for lessons in manner this evening.” The words bounced harmlessly off Charade’s drowned ears. He took another step into the room.

“I lost three men to that landslide while retrieving your beast! And here you are, celebrating to their deaths!” The slurred words were barely understandable.

“We all know that the valleys fill during a storm, Charade. Every child in the village knows it. You led those men and they followed. The fault is not to be placed on me!”

He knew he was preaching to deaf ears, but he had to try before the inevitable would occur. And occur it did. Charade grabbed for his hunting knife but before his fingers could grip its handle a sharp kick to his chin sent him reeling out of the room. A moment later, a well-placed dagger flew across the hall and pinned Charade’s collar to the wall. The large man reached up to remove the blade’s hold, but he was immediately subdued when a hard rod came to rest against his throat. Link held the staff of his spear under Charade’s chin and leaned in, bringing Charade’s eyes down to his own. The onlookers were taken surprise at the speed with which their Carrier had been dispatched and stood in silence while Link spoke to the brute.

“It was a mistake, Charade. Yes, they trusted you. Yes, you led them there. But, it was a mistake! We’ve all made them! They gave their lives to bring this meal to their friends and family. We honor them with this celebration. We honor EVERY life in Sovern!” Link looked to the crowd, spotting Charade’s right-hand. “Paron, fill him with cauld and send him to bed. He has spouted the bottle with enough guilt this night. The rest of you, return to your affairs. Enjoy the last of the daggoth and bring peace to the memories of those lost carriers.”

As if the small romp had never occurred, Charade’s friend carried him away and the people went back to their dining. Link, without a heavy breath, returned to his room and noticed the pale face of his visitor. He walked over to Corbin, grabbing a chair to ease the man’s legs. As Corbin sat, he remained focused on Link and allowed the color to return to his cheeks. Link placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Are you okay, Masterharper?” Link asked with genuine concern. Corbin tilted his head and squinted his eyes. He now looked upon his host’s face with a great deal of recognition and honor. He removed his bottom from the chair and knelt on a knee before looking up at the Hylian. The words that whispered through his lips could not be mistaken.

“He banished the darkness, oh Hero of Time.”

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