“Link!” Kepoga said, looking up. He let out a dry chuckle. “Managed to get through my jungle, did you? Sorry about that, I really don’t have time to bother with it right now.”
“It’s fine,” Link said. “I could cut it for you if you want?”
Kepoga’s brow furrowed a bit and he cocked his head. “Don’t you have better things to do with your time right now?”
Link scratched his cheek and shuffled his feet. “I need money,” he admitted.
“Oh. Oh, well, that’s easy. Here.”
He left his travel bag for a moment to go to a chest of drawers in the corner of the room. He opened the top drawer and Link saw him get a red rupee out of it. He walked back to his pack and tossed it to Link.
“Happy birthday!”, he said. “Sorry it’s not much.”
“It’s not my birthday!” Link protested.
“Late birthday,” Kepoga replied with a shrug. “Or early, whichever. I already packed what I need, I can do without that red for now. Mom figures what you’re doing is important, and…”
He locked eyes with Link, narrowing them slightly. “Honestly, I think she’s right. Can’t see why else the wizard would want you so badly. Take the money, Link.”
Link swallowed but slipped the red rupee in his pocket. “Thanks,” he said lamely. “Er… where are you going?”
Kepoga put the last of the odds and ends he had gathered in the bag, closed it, and turned back to Link again.
“Trying something desperate,” he said with a sigh. “There’s a Great Fairy in the waterfall of wishes out by Zora’s Domain, apparently she can grant wishes. I’m going to go see her, maybe she can help us. Mom’s idea.”
“Grant wishes?” Link said. “Really?”
