Chapter Text
The sun was shining brightly above the Rito Village. There were no clouds in the sky, the snow was sparkling in the sunlight. Though it was freezing, the light of the sun was warm. The village was bustling with life. Everyone was busy with their owns duties.
Such an incredible race of Hyrule – the Rito. Compared to the Hylians, the Zora people, or the Gorons, the Rito race is "very young". Its history is known only from songs and legends passed from beak to beak (Hylians would say "by word of mouth"), but, compared to the entire history of the same Hylians, this is negligible.
But even the Rito had its heros. For example, the legendary Rito Champion Revali, who fell in battle with Ganon more than 90 years ago…
“Teba! Why don't you stop slacking off training and get back to shooting targets?”
Teba startled. It wasn’t like him at all “slacking off training” like that; during a short break, he was just thinking and did not notice how time had passed; he was looking at the village from the mountain.
“Forgive me, teacher Olef! I’ll get back to training right away!” Teba said quickly.
“You shouldn’t have your head in the clouds if you want to be the village's top warrior someday! In the meantime, you’re not getting closer to this goal while shirking!” Teacher Olef was strict but fair Rito warrior. Although he was old and not as agile as in his youth, seeing his light blue plume, everyone, even the most fearsome rito warriors, stood up at attention. Nowadays, the old warrior was retired and taught recruits the skill of archery and other aerial martial art tricks.
Although the old rito was a good teacher, his pupils rarely could hear the words of praise from his beak. He knew his students well and understood their potential. So far, Teba was his best student, but even on his deathbed the old rito wouldn't admit it. He did not want Teba to become proud of his abilities and stop working on his skills, and also did not want to discourage his other students. Especially when there were many capable young men and women among them.
“I'll record the time, 2 minutes. You must hit at least 10 targets during this time.” Teacher Olef addressed the students, “One ... Two ... Go!”
All the students at the Flight Range started circling around the targets. Teba and Harth, of course, deftly shot targets one after another, leaving no chance for the others to keep up with them. Harth, Teba’s best friend, was also a talented student, but he preferred creating weapons (mostly bows) for rito warriors to learning archery. Today he decided to still attend a shooting lesson from teacher Olef. Keeping fit was still very important!
“Time’s up! Come back here!” shouted the old rito.
All five students quickly returned to the airfield at the Flight Range. Teba managed to hit 15 targets, Hart - 12, but there was another student ...
“Teba! Harth! You still need to work on accuracy. Although you hit the targets, not all of your arrows hit the center. Speed is good, but accuracy is equally important in shooting!” Gesticulating, the old teacher explained, “As for you, Rita, you just do not have enough speed ... Only 9 targets! You need to practice flying speed more often!” the teacher Olef turned to the girl with pink plumage.
“Understood! Sorry, teacher Olef!” Rita shook her head in frustration. She nervously clutched the bow in her winged hands.
When the teacher saw her upset face, his face softened a little.
“ Don't worry so much, Rita. Practice will do the trick!” Olef tried to cheer her up. “You three are free! That's enough for today... As for the rest...”
Taba, Harth and Rita no longer listened to the teacher. They quickly gathered their bows and quivers, wanting to get home to Rito Village as soon as possible.
“Don't worry, Rita!” Seeing the girl's still upset face, Harth said, “Do you want us to practice flight speed together tomorrow? I wouldn't mind a little extra practice either...”
Teba knew that his friend had tender feelings for the pretty pink bird, and training was just one more excuse to get close to her. He even suspected that Harth's feelings might be mutual.
“Really?“ Rita cheered up. “I will be very grateful to you, Harth!” she smiled. Finally, her mood improved.
Her smile had an effect and Harth looked away a little shyly.
“Shall we meet tomorrow morning at the Warbler's Nest? At 10:00, okay?” Harth said, already about to take off with Teba.
“Sure! See you tomorrow!” Rita said goodbye.
*****
It's already evening. The sky gradually darkened. The village has already begun to light fires.
Saki had spent the whole day at the counter of her father's shop, selling arrows and various products.
“You are still working, as I see it, huh, Saki?” At the entrance to the shop stood a girl with lime green plumage and blond hair.
“Amali!” Saki exclaimed, “You scared the feathers out of me!”
Saki began to dismantle a new batch of sunshrooms for sale.
“Sorry-sorry!“ Amali began to apologize. “ We haven't seen each other for a long time! And Rita too. She now spends all her time at the Flight Range along with other new warrior recruits.”
“It is true…” Saki agreed, “We need to gather together somehow. We haven't talked in a long time!”
Amali went to the stand with goat butter and began to examine the products very carefully.
“I’ll take two” said Amali.
“It will be 24 rupees.” Saki answered and began to wrap her friend's purchase.
Amali began to peer into Saki's face.
“There's clearly something on your mind, Saki. You can tell me... If you want, of course!“ added a light-green bird.
Saki paused for a moment, her face serious.
“…I’m afraid, Amali, my father will have to sell this store to other owners,” Saki’s eyebrows arched in a sad expression, “I don’t want to be in the family business, but I want to be a healer!”
Amali was not surprised. She knew Saki well and expected such an answer.
“Are you afraid that your father will be disappointed in you?” Amali asked. Saki's father, Milvus, was a strict rito, but everyone knew that he just adored his only daughter.
“No.” Saki shook her head, “Rather, he will be very upset.”
Saki. Kind, soft-hearted Saki. Everyone in the village knew that Saki, being the first beauty, also had a gentle heart. But, despite this, it was impossible to say that there was no “tough streak” in Saki. She could stand up for herself, but she really didn't like upsetting others.
“I understand,” Amali said quietly, “But Saki! If you want this, then maybe your father will be upset, but still he will accept your decision! This is your life!“ Wanting to support her friend, said Amali. “And yet I'm curious ... Why healing?”
Saki smiled slightly and tilted her head thoughtfully.
“There are more and more monsters at our borders... I have a premonition that something bad is about to happen... Therefore, I would like to help our warriors. I'm not proficient with any weapons at all, but I can still help! I can heal our warriors!” Saki said excitedly.
“I think it's very noble of you, Saki!“ Amali supported her friend.
Suddenly, a white rito entered the store. Teba's face was very serious and determined. Both girls fell silent. Everyone in the village knew that Teba was a stubborn and hot-tempered youth, even a daredevil; everyone (except those who knew him close enough) was a little afraid of him.
Harth was waiting for his friend outside the shop; in his eyes one could read the expectation of something interesting ...
“Welcome to our shop!” Saki managed to put a smile back on her face.
Teba looked at her. “Oh, Goddess, what a stern look! Maybe I did something wrong?!” a little panicking inside, thought Saki.
“I…I…” Teba drawled, looking down.
“What does he want? He looks so serious!" flashed through Saki's head.
“I'll take two sunshrooms.” Finally said Teba.
Saki was a little confused, but quickly came to her senses.
“Yes, of course…It will be 20 rupees for you”
Saki quickly wrapped up the purchase. Taking the package, Teba went to the exit, to his friend, turning his last glance towards Saki. At that moment, Saki's heart sank into her talons, but she did not show it: it seemed to her that he looked at her very sternly, even ... spitefully ..?
“Ahem-ahem!” Amali indicated her presence. “You should not be so afraid of Teba; he is not what he seems at first glance.”
Amali smiled meaningfully.
Saki was very surprised (and even a little outraged).
“Goddess, he has such a stern look!” exhaling and putting her hand on her chest, Saki said. “I think he was clearly dissatisfied with something. Maybe I somehow annoy him ..?”
“Annoy him?!” Amali laughed. “Saki, I think he was more bashful than angry.”
“Bashful?!” Saki exclaimed in shock. It was hard for her to believe it.
“Exactly!” Her friend smiled even more, “My dear Saki! You do not see what I see.” Amali, put her hand on Saki's shoulder. “And I see how he looks at you, every time he passes by the store! How he hesitates to approach you…
“Amali, are you sure you're not delirious?!” quietly and indignantly said lavender rito, “Teba the daredevil hesitates to approach me?! Do you think this looks like the truth?”
Amali rolled her eyes slightly.
“Well, when people are in love, they can behave strangely ...” she drawled.
“In love? Don't joke like that, Amali!” Saki said to her. “I'm sure that someone like me could hardly somehow interest him.”
*****
“Teba, here we go again?!” Harth patted his friend on the shoulder. “Again you come back with another batch of products without even talking to her!”
Teba walked with his eyes down on the package in his hands. He had been going to this store for a couple of months, but still couldn't speak properly to Saki. One day, returning from another training, he saw her behind the counter. He didn't believe in love at first sight...until that very moment. He immediately fell in love with her. With her gentle voice, with her sweet gestures, with her beautiful azure eyes...
“I can't believe it! When he needs to rush into battle with the frost talus, he is the first! But just cannot talk to a girl!” Harth crossed his arms over his chest.
“Now who’s an expert!” Teba proclaimed indignantly. “As if you and Rita had moved beyond languid glances!”
At this, the feathers on Harth's cheeks fluttered sharply (among Rito, this was the analogue of "blush of embarrassment").
“I can at least talk to Rita without falling into a stupor!” his friend replied sharply.
“Okay, this argument is valid.” Teba decided in his head.
“You need to be more confident, my friend! - Deciding to cheer up a friend, said Harth.
Teba himself understood this very well. After all, Saki really was the first beauty, and Teba was more than sure that many young guys in their village were in love with her.
Now, he accidentally overheard the conversation between Saki and Amali. He knew that Saki wanted to practice medicine to help their warriors protect their village from danger. She wanted to help their village... Teba always appreciated this desire in people, and therefore he began to like Saki even more...