As you approach the well-traveled Crossroads of Hyrule Field, a strange sight stands before you. No, it's not that monsters or beasts traverse the area, terrorizing the men and women that are traveling along, so you can put your weapon away. There isn't some strange man standing there, using mystic powers to create a vortex of flaming destruction or to entertain different onlookers. And there's not a big huge meeting of evildoers sitting around plotting the destruction of Hyrule, it's protectors, or anybody else for that matter.

Rather than something strange being present, it is that something is strangely missing. Din's Traveling Troupe, normally present in this area and acting as a thriving fair of activity, has mysteriously vanished. Tracks in the dusty road mysteriously present themselves as you glance around, leading to the southwest.

OOC: I saw ZV browsing this topic, but I started my post before his was finished, so that is why he isn't in my post.

IC: Orpheous was wondering by, and he happened to realize that the troup was missing. Where the heck did they go, he pondered to himself. There was absolutely nothing left there. He pinched himself a couple times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. After testing that thesis, and proving it to be false, he shouted, "Hello." There was no answer. Desserted. How could Din's troupe just up and leave. He noticed the tracks, and decided to wait for others to arrive, as to ask them what this is about.

Dogura, who normally traveled the crossroads (in order to get to Rauru), always passed Din's troupe on the way. It had become almost routine for him. Walking down the dirt road, Dogura stopped, and backtracked a few steps. Glancing to his left, he realized that something about the picture didn't fit. Din's troupe was missing from this otherwise beautiful canvas of the Godesses. It seemed as if the world hushed long enough for Dogura to notice the tracks leading in a southwestern direction. Cocking his head, he followed the path with his eyes, making different conclusions. Something chased them out of here? No, no, thats not very logical... Perhaps they've found a new more populous spot to perform? Maybe thats it... Thinking the issue moreover, the Vagabond decided against Rauru today, and rather began following the tracks. The samurai followed the tracks, until he dissapeared into the distance...

Rose walked up to the crossroads to visit her favorite troupe of entertainers. She always enjoyed stopping there to rest after a long morning of traveling. Or spending the night with them when she walked by in the evening and it was getting too dark to go any further. Of course, even with an hour of travel time left, it was often wise to set up camp with Din's troupe, for it was almost guaranteed to be safer than anywhere an hour down the road. Sometimes, she would even join in with their music with her own flute, refusing to fall out of practice with it. Baris had taught her how to play, and she felt that she was paying him respect every time a note escaped the metal tube.

The human was considering teaching the flutist of the troupe a song from Tarm, but as she walked up, she saw that they were gone. Only a strange man was there, and the form of someone else far in the distance. Odd, she though. Did they move to another location? I wonder why they didn't tell me; well, it has been a while since I've last seen them.

Ignoring the man there, she began to look around. She quickly made out the tracks leading southwest. Tracks were made to be followed, the ranger thought as she began walking alongside them. As she walked into the distance she began to hum Tarm's anthem, a slightly eerie tune, but one that radiated magnificence.

OOC: In case you're wondering what the Tarm anthem is, it's the Tarm Ruins theme from Oracle of Seasons.

Trudging along the pathway leading through the Crossroads up north towards Tantari Desert and the Ruto Mountains beyond it, Alpha sighs happily. For some reason, the journey this time around, one that he has taken many times before in his time here in Hyrule, seems a lot more pleasant. For some reason he's always gotten a little annoyed right around this point in the trip, yet at the moment he can't seem to think about what is causing such a change . . .

He glances around the Crossroads, where his eyes soon fall on the fading images of Dogura and Rose, as well as some stranger . . . wait, no, not a complete stranger. Hadn't he been one of the people up at the Tantari Cafe that one day? He does look somewhat familiar. With that thought of the Cafe, though, the Sheikah shakes his head. What a commotion there had been that day; not only had the cafe been noisy enough as it was, but then those idiotic men had picked a fight with them and the Sheikah had used up some of his valuable Magic Powder. Until he found Master again, who knew when he'd get a chance to experiment with that stuff again . . .

One word sticks with him, nagging his brain as he stops and takes another look at the area. 'Commotion . . .' Wait a second, where is Din's Traveling Troupe? That's what had been missing - the annoying commotion usually caused by the group whenever he was walking by here. Yet the group he had seen here every time he passed through since his very first trip to the Crossroads has suddenly vanished.

"Dogura! Rose!" he calls out to the two who are swiftly following something along the ground. "And you too," he adds, looking to Orpheous. "What happened? Where's Din and her group?"

Dogura stopped, noticing Alpha. Dogura turned with a serious face. "I'm not quite sure... I'm used to hearing the festivities of the troupe when I pass. For some reaon, they've dissapeared!" A crisp wind blew in a southwestern direction, which seemed to carry Dogura finger, as he pointed down to the tracks. "This is my only lead. I've decided to follow these tracks, and see where they lead. In my travel, I would only assume they lead into Hyrule's vast plains... But why there?" The samurai looked into the thick blue Hyrule sky, and pondered. Reaching into his pack, Dogura revealed a small canteen. Taking a sip, he remebered Alpha's call. "Rose?" He muttered, putting his canteen away, and turning the other direction. Just as he had pictured, Rose was following the tracks as well. "Hey Rose!!" Dogura called out, cupping his mouth.

"Hey, Alpha, I guess none of us got the memo?" asked Orpheous inquisitively. "Hello to you,too, Dogura," he said, nodding at Dogura. He continued, "However, I have never met you before. Who are you, Rose?" he asked, glancing at Rose.

OOC: By who are you, he is asking general information, such as history and such...

OOC: Um, ZV, that figure Rose saw walking off into the horizon was supposed to be Dogura. You had already said you disappeared off into the distance, so I figured you wouldn't be posting again, or at least so soon after your first post here. But I guess I'll go along with it.

Guess I better start watching for replies, eh?

IC:
Rose stopped humming when her name was called, falling into a small state of confusion. Who would be calling out her name? She didn't know too many people in Hyrule, not being one to stop into towns too often. She looked back and saw three people; two of them she recognized as Dogura and Alpha and the other she had previously ignored in her search for clues to the whereabouts of the troupe. She frowned. She hadn't noticed the other two before. But then, one was a Sheikah, and the other was pretty much a Sheikah. She walked back over to them, nodding to each of the two men in turn. "Fancy meeting you two here," she said. "If you want something, I ask that you make it quick. I was following these tracks"-she pointed them out-"in an attempt to find Din's troupe. I was hoping to teach the flutist a new song while I was resting, but I guess that will have to wait."

Then the third man speaks to her, and she glanced over at him, annoyed that a stranger seemed to be prying into her life. "Never you mind," she said, her tone indicating that it be best if he left her alone. She was not one to trust strangers unless circumstance called for it, and circumstance was not calling for it.

She then looked back towards the horizon, where she had seen a figure going southwest, the same direction as the tracks. Her eyes were not that of an eagle or Hylian, so it was hard to tell, but she could've sworn it was Dogura. Must have been seeing things, or I was mistaken, she thought before bringing her gaze back to Dogura and Alpha.

OoC: Thank you all for starting something interesting while I'm away. *glares*

IC:

"Aqua, resperi il arbor cum vestri refoveo liquor!" - he chants, focusing his energy on his staff. In front of him, a glowing light blue circle is formed, a 5-pointed star resting carefully at the middle. A barrier of wind encircles the lad, much like a recently formed typhoon. On the teenager's cape, right at the center, a peculiar symbol glows warmly, similar to an 'S' with an arrow and a circle. Staff of Deku material, the only acquirable material in this region of Hyrule, Tayro is once again set out to train. "Inundantia totus cum vestrum liquidus potentia!" - he once again mumbled, eyes closed as his staff slowly distances itself from the archaic rune in front of it. The boy focuses, until at last he dares open his eyes. "Elemental Burst!" - he yells, thrusting his staff with all his might right against the center of the glowing glyph. Immediatly the symbol feels the impact, a slight shockwave spreading at a continuous rate in a small radius. It eventually starts binding itself, all of the external circle closing towards the middle, until a sphere made of lines is concluded. Immediately its interior starts gaining some attribute, one painted of a deep blue colour. "Water!" - the junior mage concludes, the magic-filled ball thrusting itself towards the target assigned - a large Deku Tree towering above the other trees. Upon contact, the sphere burst, tentacle like forms exploding outwards and sucessfully 'grabbing' the tree trunk. Moment laters it bursts as well, managing to wet the trunk in all sides... even if it was not a great part of such a massive tree. The winds eventually die down, as so does the relic on the teenager's back, as he, exhausted, falls back on the floor, sweating and panting.

Moments later was he walking towards North Castle, having cleaned himself on a nearby lake - making double sure that no-one was watching - that he had found.After such a sucessful training routine, he desired some rest... and perhaps some music. Nearby his location, if he did recall, was a traveling troupe with a marvelous dancer, who in fact shared the name with one of the great goddesses - Din the Oracle. He had already met the woman - if only briefly - as he had found her favourite bracelet that she had deemed lost, but unfortunately at the time did not stop to see her dancing. Seeing the sun was still high, what better opportunity than now? Mind settled , he changed his route to the northwest, and navigated his way through the woods, towards that particular entrance to the Dekus' natural abode, where the group usually settled.

What surprise he met when he found their localization abandoned, and a few familiar faces around. First, his eyes were set on a familiar female face, of a woman he had traversed with before. Rose Hillmound, corageous lady like he had ever seen one, and with powerful morphing abilities enough to frighten any competitor. Then his eyes met with a certain samurai he also knew. Dogura, Vagabond by nature and a man of valors, was also standing his ground there. Then, dark cloak, hood to match and a man of mystery and knowledge. Alpha the Sheikah Mage was also present on the scene, though the boy had doubts what were the man's intentions there, as he was not too fond of flutes by what he had heard. Then, there was another man, one the teenager had never seen examining the situation. Rose also seemed to not know him, so at least he wasn't the only one out. Waving his right hand high at them, he yelled at them. "Hey! What's up? Do any of you know what happened with that troupe that used to stay here?"

OoC: Sorry for the awful latin. I'm not too keen on it, so let's just say it's spell language, okay?

Rose heard the newest voice shout out to them, asking them of the troupe that was supposed to be here. She looked in that direction and sighted a familiar face: young Tayro Wind, an apprentice mage, and a good one as far as she good tell. He was no Doc Garrickson, but he was well on his way. She beckoned him forward, replying with, "That's what I was trying to figure out until Dogura and Alpha interrupted me. I suppose that's what you two want to know as well?" She sent an inquiring look over to the ranger and mage.

Heading on his way from the forest, Worru's ears perked up to listen to the music that normally accompanied this section of the crossroads. Strangely quiet melody, today. Must be-Wait . . . There is no music. he thought, looking up to search the surroundings. There was a small group of people where Din's troupe were normally at, apparently talking about the dissapearence of the famous troupe. He only recognized two people, Dogura and Orph, the former he only knew by face value. The other three he knew nearly nothing about, though it seemed like he had seen two of them somewhere else before.

Walking over to the group, having lost his grin, and searching them over with his gaze. "I'm guessing no one knows what happened. right?" he asks, as he nears them.

"And who might you be?" asked Orpheous noticing Tayro. After Rose's comment, he realized that some people don't like strange men prying into their lives. Thus, he quickly added, "If you wish to give me a rude remark, like this woman who seems to know you, than don't say the comment. If it helps at all, to those of you who have not met me, I am Orpheous, a genuine inkweaver(OOC: Nobody, I repeat, nobody, chew me out for using the word inkweaver)." Then he looked over at the approaching Worru, "Nailed it," he called out to Worru.

Alpha glances around as both Tayro and yet another stranger that he recalls from the Tantari Cafe approach the group, obviously wondering the same thing all of them were curious about. He eyes the one stranger that actually refers to him by his name, wondering how he knew it. He didn't know this guy's name, so how did the guy know his? With a shrug he decides to just ignore the fact; besides, he appeared to know Dogura (though whether or not this was another case of stalking or an actual case of him being an acquaintance of Dogura was something he couldn't know at the moment), so maybe the Hylian had communicated his name to the stranger.

"Well," he says after a few moments, "I suppose the only way to really find out the answer to our question is to pick up where Rose and Dogura left off." He nods to tracks on the ground, indicating that they can only just keep following them unless something else was to present itself.

there are many crazy things going on here, and I am to weak to do anything yet. I deaply regret that

Out of nowhere rides a man on a horse. "I was afraid this would happen," he says with a laugh as he reaches the group. His clothing marks him as a member of the Hylian Knights, and his laugh as a friend. "Quickly, my friends! You all must hurry back to North Castle immediately, or else you'll miss out on it!" He turns and gallops back towards the castle himself - apparently he doesn't want to miss out on whatever 'it' is either.