Chapter 2
If It's Dinsday, This Must Be Castle Town
Chapter Two: One Flew Over the Cucco's Nest
I have to admit that, with the situation standing as it did between "the kids," I was vastly curious for news. The Postman, that indefatigable entity, was rarely spotted in Ordona Province, so updates were scarce, and I was eager to get back to Telma's and find out if they'd made any progress.
My disappointment was profound, therefore, when I returned to Castle Town the following month and found that the incident had blown over as though it had never occurred. There was a slightly elevated formality to the way Shad and Ashei treated each other, but otherwise, they were acting much the same as they always had. "I'd hoped for some sort of development," I complained to Auru over dinner. We were sitting in the corner of the bar which Telma continued to reserve for the Resistance members.
"Rusl, you're turning into one of the grannies who scuttle around doing nothing but inserting their noses into other people's love lives," he challenged with a laugh. "Telma and I want them to pair off just as much as you do -- possibly more, since we see it daily. But these things have to happen in their own time, as I keep telling her."
I paused, tankard halfway to my mouth, and eyed him over the brim. "You two discuss this often, I take it."
"Fairly frequently. It gives her something to do." He spread his hands. "She's given up on winning Renado's affections, after all...he made it quite plain that he's determined to be faithful to his wife's memory. Talking about her nestlings keeps her mind off of the matter."
"Ah. Of course." The gears in my mind were turning.
~Z~
"I figure this is perfect, Link," I told the Prince.
"I completely agree. I'm glad you like it."
I laughed. Link was showing me the new range he had planned. Shad had assisted him with the geographical specifics, and even as we spoke, it was being established just outside of the Castle Town borders. "It's part of my plan to revitalize the army," he explained. "The Gorons and Zora who have joined the ranks have their own special weaponry, but I really want to see some of the men in the army become proficient with the crossbow. It's immensely effective when used by someone skilled."
"You going to be the first one to try it?"
"Was hoping." He grinned.
"The targets shatter when they're struck, though, don't they? Isn't that going to go through a lot of targets in a short space of time?"
"They do," he agreed. "That's why they're going to be mounted on haystacks, for the most part; it will help absorb a lot of the impact and reduce the number of broken targets." He rolled up the parchment plans. "Of course, that won't help with the bomb arrows."
"Bomb arrows?"
"You know how Barnes taught me to attach bombs to my regular arrows in order to make explosive projectiles. He's worked out a way to do the same thing with smaller bombs and crossbow bolts. In fact, he's planning to open a second branch of his factory here in Castle Town, specifically to be able to supply the army at a more expedient, efficient, and cost-effective rate." He looked up, and did a double-take at the expression on my face. "...what?"
"You, my royal friend, have been spending entirely too much time with Shad."
It was Link's turn to laugh. "Maybe," he admitted. "Speaking of whom, he wants to try out the crossbow range when it opens."
"You're going to let our beloved scholar use a weapon that doesn't double as a bookmark? You think that's a good idea?"
Link smirked. "No, but you might, when I tell you that Ashei's being trained as the chief instructor."
"Aha. That explains a lot, doesn't it? I wondered about the sudden interest."
"For the sake of your scheme, I'm glad I didn't ask Auru to take on the job. Which reminds me, didn't you mention him when you first arrived?"
"Right. I'm starting to suspect that the situation between Ashei and Shad might just be analogous to the one between Auru and Telma."
He gave me a look. "Has Ordon grown that dull in my absence, Rusl?"
"No. Though I admit that drawing up romantic entanglements among our friends here is a lot more entertaining than imagining Ilia and Fado."
"Please, I just ate."
We both laughed. "I am serious about Auru and Telma, though," I continued. "And I actually have an idea. I've already got the two of them working with me on getting Shad and Ashei together, so maybe I should get the kids working on the same project in reverse."
"I don't think you'd need to work too hard on convincing Telma," he pointed out. "She's romantic enough to start, it wouldn't take too much effort. Auru's the inscrutable one. Getting Shad and Ash in on the plan isn't a bad idea, though. Might distract them from the fact that everyone's trying to run their love lives."
"Well, when they're all as happily settled as you and Zelda, you'll be glad I meddled," I joked. "But the day is getting on, and I do need to start for home before much longer. Any chance of you letting me see my godchild before I depart?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether or not you're planning to make my daughter the next target of your matchmaking enterprise."
~Z~
Before I left the castle, however, I paid a visit to Ashei at her post.
"I just stopped by to tell you -- Link told me all about the crossbow range, and how he's chosen you to be the chief instructor. You'll be perfect for the job."
Any defiance which had begun to spark in her eyes faded, and she looked pleased. "Thanks, Rusl. Should be interesting, yeah?"
"I'm looking forward to trying it out myself. Link said even Shad wants to learn how."
She paled slightly, not that it was easy to tell. "Shad?! Is he crazy? He'll get himself killed, yeah?"
"Oh, not with you teaching him. But listen, Ashei, I need to speak to you about something else before I go." I dropped my voice conspiratorially. "It's about Telma."
Her expression turned wary. "Telma? What's wrong with Telma?"
"Nothing, don't worry. It's just...I saw something the other day, and I thought maybe you might be able to confirm or deny it for me. I'm not positive, you know, but I think -- I think -- she was sort of making eyes at Auru."
Ashei snorted. "No surprise there. Only surprised it took you this long to pick up on it, yeah? Or hadn't you noticed he barely ever goes home anymore?"
"I'm not even sure where he lives, to be honest. Seems like he's always either here at the castle, or else there."
"That's about the size of it."
"I knew you were the right one to ask. I don't know about you, but I think it could be a good thing for both of them." I tried to keep my tone casual. "Auru's not as young as he used to be; he's older than I am, after all, and I'm retired. He'll probably want to do the same once the army's properly put together and running. He should be able to settle down comfortably, and you know how much Telma loves to take care of people. Let's face it, he'd practically live at the bar anyway."
"Hm, that's true." Ashei eyed me. "I get the feeling you're about to ask me to do something, yeah?"
"I just thought it might be a good idea if you gave Telma a...well, sort of a hint. You're like a daughter to her, you know." I saw a flicker of pride in her eyes. "She respects your opinion. My guess is that they haven't gotten together up to this point because they're not sure what anyone else will think. But if you let Telma know that we're all in favor of the match..."
"She'd jump on it like Louise on a bowl of fresh cream, yeah?"
"Exactly. And maybe Shad could drop a hint to Auru along the same lines."
At that, she laughed. "Rusl, have you met Shad? Subtle is not his middle name, yeah?"
"Point taken," I admitted. "Still, you might at least tell him about the plan. I wouldn't want him to feel left out or anything."
"Well...I suppose I could."