Tales of Link
Starlight Sinking Into the Blue
Chapter 2: The Country of Hidden Darkness, Clariye
Scene 2: The Land of Clariye, End
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--Rustle, rustle…
They check our belongings one by one at the gate leading into town.
Soldier: ...all right! The inspection is over! Go ahead and enter!
The soldier's powerful voice finally grants us permission to enter the town.
Lippy: Whew… we're finally inside.
Zephyr: That was a pretty thorough inspection just to get into town...
As Zephyr ponders deeply, Kana sends him a backward glance, looking around at the townscape excitedly.
Kana: So this is the castle town of Clariye! Wow, it's huge!
He seems to lose his train of thought at her beaming smile.
He takes a breath, then looks around at our surroundings and voices his thoughts.
Zephyr: That's right. This was originally a major stop for commerce in the area, so they must've agreed to trade with lots of cities and countries.
Sara: But now…
While it's a big city, in contrast to the wide road, there aren't many people around.
Sara: It's because they banned foreign trade… when I came with Dad as a kid, the streets were bustling and full of people…
In the center of town is a plaza with a large fountain. For some reason, all the passersby walk past with heads lowered, ignoring the showy display.
When I look closer, I see a man letting out a deep sigh.
He's dressed flashily and there's an instrument beside him.
??: Haah… no business again today…
From his muttering, I realize he's a minstrel.
Zephyr: You're looking glum. What's wrong?
Minstrel: ...someone asked me the same thing while I sat here yesterday.
Zephyr speaks to him in a friendly way. Maybe we'll be able to get some information from him.
Minstrel: Well, you know. If I start performing and I don't get an audience, normally I'd think it was because of something I did… but there's no one to listen in the first place.
Minstrel: It wasn't like this before… to think it would be like this…
Link: We heard the rumors… entering and leaving the country is forbidden because of some festival, right?
I pretend I don't know much in order to draw out information.
Minstrel: Yeah. Do you see that art piece over there?
The wandering minstrel points toward the large castle, at the looming tower at the top of Clariye's royal palace.
Some kind of large jewel is enshrined up there.
Minstrel: They say an ancient god will bestow blessings on them if they pray to that. That's what the festival is about.
Lippy immediately begins fiddling with his SMARTFON.
He must be looking up the art piece.
Minstrel: No matter how solemn it is, they should be more reasonable… I don't know what kind of festival it is, but they've completely banned people from coming in or out.
I wonder if there's some reason they had to do so…?
Minstrel: To begin with, this port city flourished because of all the trade ships that came in. That's why it's like this now.
Sara: If no one's allowed to enter or leave… then there aren't many people around…
Kana: And that's why the people who live here are sad too.
Minstrel: Yeah. And what's more, there are also some dark rumors going around.
Sara: There's more… what kind of--
But when she tries to ask, another voice interrupts her.
???: ...hm…? ...oh, hey. If it isn't Link. What a strange place to meet.
It's a familiar voice.
It's a voice we've heard in the past. --A voice we also heard eons ago.
Sara: Ah…! You're…!
???: Link, Sara, Lippy. Why are you--
His greeting to us overrode our question. And he in turn is overriden by a delighted voice--
Kana: Yuri!
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