Patches

<---Index

The group finally stopped in a corridor high up inside Death Mountain. Shadow turned to Sheik and said, “Any luck finding out where we are on the map?” Looking up, he asked, “You have a compass?” The dark elf sighed. “No, I left it in my other tunic! Of course I don't have a Freaking Compass!” Sheik nodded and said, “Then, according to the map, we're completely lost.” The group groaned in frustration. This was the tenth time in three hours that they have wound up in this situation, and it wasn't getting any more enjoyable.

Saria turned to the signs high on the wall and asked, “What do those signs say?” Looking at it for a moment, the warrior said while pointing to the respective sign, “Washrooms. Male. Female.” They stood there blankly at the rather unusual predicament that they were in. “Any that say how to get out of here?” Link asked. Sheik shook his head. “None. Only directions here is to the convenience store on this level and a couple of intersection signs.”

Shadow got to his feet and said, “Well, let's check out the shop. We're starting to run low on supplies and bombs anyways.” The group headed to the store with Sheik leading the way. When they reached their destination, the entered a stone shop with a small Goron standing at the counter. Saria asked in shock, “There are still Gorons in here? I thought they either ran off or got turned to stone!” The Goron looked at them with a look of relief.

“Thank goodness,” it said. “And here I was thinking that I completely forgot a holiday!” The four elves gave him a blank look. Smiling, the Goron said, “Interesting that outsiders were allowed to make it this far into the Mountain, but I don't mind. Business is business. Tell me, what are you interested in buying from my store, brother?” Link shrugged. Well, we could use a compass, a few bombs and supplies.” The Goron smiled. “I have plenty of supplies, brother. Bombs and compass however, that's my brother's store you want.”

Shadow nodded. “We'll need ten pounds of salted meat, twenty bottles of fresh water as well as cheese and bread. Oh, and Chu-Jelly potions if you can spare.” The Goron smiled and started collecting the items that were still being requested. Finally, the Goron said, “That comes to fifteen thousand Rupees, brother.” Shadow handed him a pouch saying, “Keep the change.” He turned to the others who were looking at him in shock and asked, “What?”

The Goron said, “If you want, brother, I can help with the bombs ad compass, for a price.” The group looked at him with interest. “I just need you to do an errand.” Saria, looking eager to the opportunity for free supplies, asked, “What's the errand?” The Goron smiled. “I seem to have lost my pet cat. If you can find her, I will give you the items free of charge.” Link looked at him and said, “What does the cat look like?” Smiling, the Goron replied, “Pure gray. Most beautiful feline in all Death Mountain.”

Shadow muttered, “Probably the ONLY cat in all Death Mountain.” Smiling, the creature said, “You don't need to get technical...” Looking reminiscent, he continued, “Patches was my first friend, and she means a lot to me. I will give you anything you need if you can bring her to me.” Not in the mood to ask why a solid gray cat would be called “patches”, they headed off to look for it, making sure to stay close to each other.

After about the two hour mark, Saria cried, “Do we even have time for this?” Shadow climbed out of a dumpster and said, “Not like we have a choice. If we don't get the compass, we're going to be stuck here for ages. We even managed to lose our fairies.” The dark elf had a point. Navi, Sprit, Dilt and Flint were asked to wait at the entrance to the area and they had no way to get back to them without any clues as to where they were navigation-wise.

Sheik looked at a sign and casually walked into a shop and remained there while the others continued looking. Link shook his head and said, “Bombos Boutique? Why did he go in there?” Shadow shrugged and replied, “Got me. It's a novelty store. Nothing useful in a place like that.” Saria smiled. “Maybe he's looking for a smoke bomb.” The sound of crashing came from the store and the group flinched. “That didn't sound all too healthy,” Link muttered.

After several minutes of destructive sounds, everything became silent. Sheik came out of the shop holding a particularly heavy sack. Shadow poked the rather solid item, asking, “What you grab that made so much noise?” The warrior shrugged. “Nothing much. Let's get back to Bindos Boutique.” Confused, the group followed. As the walked, Saria asked, “Did you trash the place?” Sheik nodded. “Yup.” Confused, the female asked, “Any particular reason?”

Shrugging, he replied, “Poor stacking and even worse footing.” This caught Link's attention. “You climbed on the shelves?”
“Yup.” They decided not to ask any more questions. They knew the only thing they would get out of their highly literate, yet socially lacking friend was frustration. They entered the store and the Goron smiled. “Did you find her, brother? Did you find my beautiful patches?” Carefully putting the bag down on the counter, Sheik said, “A deal's a deal.”

The Goron Opened the bag and pulled out a stone cat statue. The smile on his face told the group this was what he wanted. “Thank you, Brother. Thank you, Thank you, thank you! My beautiful Patches, My first successful sculpture! As promised, I will get the items for you.” He took the statue and walked to the back wall. Confused, Shadow asked, “All that for a chunk of rock?” Sheik shook his head. “For a lifestyle. Their sculptures define the race as an extension of their souls. His first successful sculpture is his right of passage. It's more valuable to him than his very life.”

Shadow nodded. “I get it. That's why there's so many statues in this place.” The Goron put the statue on a pedestal and it sank, opening a hidden door. Pulling out four bags and a box, he said, “As promised, Brother. Like you said, a deal's a deal.” Grabbing the bombs and compass, the group headed for the door. The Goron asked, “Was my brother the one who stole her? Did you teach him a lesson?” Sheik smiled and said, “Let's just say, when he's done cleaning up, tell him that next time he steals something and puts it on the top shelf, organize his shop a little better.” The Goron laughed as they left the shop and made their way back to the main pathway in the Mountainous labyrinth.

Shadow smiled and said, “Hey. He even gave us milk for our troubles.” Taking a swig, his cheeks turned a slight rose color. “I love this world.”