The Legend of Zelda: Courage - Part Two

Chapter I

"It's true! I saw him!"
The large old man in the tavern swallowed another spoonful. "That little runt fought a Stalfos and lived to tell the tale!"

His friends showed their skepticism. "You can't kill what's already dead. Stalfos are way too dangerous! They fall apart and then come back. And you're saying some kid managed to kill one?"

He shook his head and pointed at his eye. "He stuck the sword into its eyehole. And the skull shattered. I've heard rumors but now I've seen it! They can die!"

They all still mocked. "Come on! You can't kill a Stalfos. Besides... don't they only come out during a Blood Moon, anyway?"

He was busy explaining what he saw again when the doors of the tavern opened and a hooded young man entered.

His eyes were narrow and his face was stoic. The bartender said, "Hey now! How old are you? I can't be serving minors here, ya know?"

The young man shook his head and pointed towards the upstairs bedrooms. He just wanted a bed for the night.
The bartender said, "You'll have to talk to the innkeeper, next door. Have you got a horse?"

The strange young man nodded.
"We have some stables in the back. About 30 rupees per night."

The old man who was telling his tale, stared at the young man. "Hey...that was you wasn't it?!"

The quiet young man ignored it and handed some purple rupees to the barkeep.

"Come on," he begged. "Don't leave me in suspense! You're pretty young for an adventurer. How'd you know to kill that Stalfos by stabbing it in the eye? I always thought Stalfos couldn't be killed but I saw it turn to dust! I mean, you turned it into dust! Ha ha!"

The young man raised a brow, gave a coy smile and walked away.

The barkeep chuckled. "He doesn't look like the talkative type. Just drop it already."

The old man persisted and followed the young man and asked, "Is it the sword? Maybe you've got some special sword or something. I may not look it, but I used to be quite the adventurer myself. I traveled all over Hyrule! I know Hyrule like the back of my hand!"

This piqued his interest and he asked quickly, "The Lost Woods?"

The old adventurer gave a puzzled look. "Why would you want to go there?"

He hesitated and began to make his way to the innkeeper next door. The old adventurer watched him ask with few words to buy one night's stay. He waited until he came back and continued the conversation, as one sided as ever. But the conversation ended soon after Link went into his rented room.

How foolish!, he thought, I fought a Stalfos out in the open like that once and now everyone will know. Not only that, he gave away a crucial piece of information.

No one goes to the Lost Woods by themselves.

Link prepared himself for bed, angry with himself.

No one is crazy enough to search for the Lost Forest. But then again no one has killed a Stalfos in ages either.

He tried to avoid any conversation the next morning. Unfortunately, he was almost immediately accosted by the old man.

"Young man! You're awake! Great! Listen, I can help you." He said in a low whisper as Link placed his equipment on Epona, "I can tell you how to find the Lost Forest."

Link tried to ignore him, but desperately needed some guidance. The Lost Forest was an ancient legendary forest, where magic battles and wizard blood was shed, causing its magic to seep into the dirt and water, transforming it, making it dark, thick and overgrown. Impossible to find and even more difficult to navigate.
Link finally strapped Epona with his bags and sighed. "Where is the Lost Forest?"

The old man laughed. "I knew you'd come around. Come with me, let's go to my shop, I have everything you might need."
The shop in question was a wooden cabin, hobbled together and had a large sign on the front with the name Morshu.
Morshu said as he dug around the back rooms for something, "You're searching for the Master Sword right?"

Link grew nervous. But nodded affirmative.

"So it's true then! Ganondorf is making his way across Hyrule to find the Triforce? I never thought I'd see the day."

He pulled from beneath the drawers, some rope and a lamp.

Link didn't want to say anymore. It's better for people to still think it's a rumor for now. Even though it's becoming more and more apparent Ganondorf's arrival is confirmed.

Morshu pulled out a rag that was stained with ink; it was a map with similar drawings to the one Link was given. He said, "My father told me he saw the Master Sword deep in the woods, and remembered exactly how to get into it. Never once did he try to even touch it. But he remembered to draw out a way to the entrance of the Lost Forest. Here!"

The map was laid across the rickety desk under the soft glow of a lantern.

Link took out his own and compared it.
The Village elder map had some landmarks but the map Morshu had pathing. It was the perfect combination for Link to find the Lost Forest.

Morshu then asked, "There's only one reason for finding the Master Sword: For unlocking the Triforce! Tell me son, are you looking to find the Triforce?"

Link said in a hushed tone, "Keep this a secret from everyone."

Morshu stroked his mustache and nodded. "Your secrets are safe with me. But ah, that map is a family heirloom. It's yours...as long as you have enough rupees."