[center][h2][color=0072bc]Orin Ackermore[/color][/h2]
[i][h3]Returning to Kakariko Village. Morning.[/h3][/i][/center]

The low tone of a war horn rang down from the lower pass of Death Mountain. Front and center, Orin trudged his way down the path flanked by five members of his unit that had remained behind to cover the retreat. Waving a heavy arm, he beckoned to the guard at the trailhead, who opened the gate. The Captain didn't await questions as entered the village. [color=0072bc]"The mountain isn't passable. There are too many monsters along the way."[/color] 

Sullen and baggy eyed, he left the guard with a brief salute, and began crossing through the village center. It was a quiet morning, the early mist rolling down from Death Mountain hung low among the houses with a spectral weight. It was nothing like home. In days of old he would make similar returns to Castletown, where even in the times of peace, soldiers and knights returning were welcomed back with fanfare; the people of the city would flock to Hyrule's finest, adults looks to glean news and rumors from the far corners of the Kingdom, children simply to admire the warriors they might aspire to someday be themselves. Kakariko stood somber and desolate on the return of the patrol; they might have simply gotten their fill from those that had retreated ahead of Orin. In any case, there were no people to greet the rear guard. The sense of hollowness in desperate times was palpable. 

It was when Orin passed through the center of the village that hurried footsteps and an urgent voice broke the silence. "Captain! You're back. Thank Hylia."

Seeing one of the guards from the village entrance, Orin scowled, cutting down the man with a glare of strict discipline. "Did you just abandon post to come greet me?" It was all well enough that the civilians dropped their dealing to see in the army; a troop leaving station would be grounds for punishment, if not for the trying days. 

"Oh..." the guard recoiled, taken aback and embarrassed at the realization of what he might have just done. "Well uh... no Sir. Not exactly. Errr--"

[color=0072bc]"Well then what is it?"[/color] Orin grew more scalding. [color=0072bc]"Have you anything to report?"[/color]

"Yes sir. We've just had a new arrival. She seems to be another refugee. She brings news from Lon Lon Ranch."

[color=0072bc]"Lon Lon?"[/color] It had been some time since Talon and his daughter had ventured from their ranch in Central Hyrule; save for a few deliveries of rations and a few healthy steeds, they hadn't come through Kakariko much since Ganondorf's coup. Wondering if the refugee might be Malon, Orin ordered his guard hastily. [color=0072bc]"Bring her to me."[/color] 

The guard saluted, and ran back to his post to pass down the command. 

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