#incandescent

Culture Kultür

5 OF THEM!!!!!

She drew her kunai and knelt, just like Izzara. She wondered what it would be like when sacred light burst from the Princess’s hands. Not today, of course, maybe not any time soon. She couldn’t start training until she was seven next year. But it would happen, she knew it would. She’d never met Queen Hespera except in passing, and never saw her use Hylia’s light. Impa would be honoured to see it. 

“Your Highness,” Impa said, loud and clear, only a child and willing to swear her life to another. “It is an honour to meet you. My name is Impa.”

She was named in honour of the Sage of Shadow from so long ago. She had been the guardian of another Princess Zelda, and an ally to the Hero of Time.

Impa hoped she could be as strong as the other Impa, a legend among their people. Strong, dedicated and brave. That was what she wanted to be.

*

“You were Harper’s student,” she said. “Link told me.”

Truth be told, Zelda hadn’t paid much attention when Kass sang Harper’s song to Link. She’d been much more interested in talking to Urbosa. She had figured (correctly) that if Kass had anything of importance to say, Link would inform her later. 

“Yes, my lady,” Kass said. “He began teaching me when I was a child.”

Zelda had no idea what Harper’s journeys through a post-Calamity Hyrule were like. She wasn’t sure if it was the tie between Blood of the Goddess and the Hero, or if it was because so much of her power and will were focussed on holding Ganon back, but it was always easiest to watch Link. Not anyone else. Even briefly watching Impa, even when she wasn’t far from Link, had been draining. 

So then. Harper’s journey. His self-appointed mission. Zelda knew he must have faced great danger again and again. The Age of Burning Fields had been a dangerous and desolate time. And Harper, spoiled and arrogant Harper, was a court bard. A poet and performer, not a warrior. Had he learned to fight? Did he depend on evasion? How in the world did Harper survive?

Zelda still didn’t like him. How could she? He was pushy, arrogant, rude; he refused to take a hint and leave Zelda be. He had been horrible about Link, and that ableist song still made Zelda’s blood boil even now. 

*

In which Zelda meets Kass. They have someone in common: Harper the Sheikah court bard. Kass adores him. Zelda does not.