“Alright, that appears to be everyone accounted for…”
Sheltered in the forest with the rest of the islanders, Daphnes looked on with worry as he watched each family huddle together for warmth and reassurance. Storms on the Great Sea were not uncommon, though this particular storm had proved to be far worse than what they were used to. He was sure most of the village had been destroyed by now.
Shifting his focus back to the howling wind and pounding rain, he could not help but be reminded of darker times. His own home had faced destruction by similar means. Link had most likely understood the unease he displayed earlier when they had ushered every villager to the safety of the forest summit.
And speaking of…
His eyes widened when realization struck. Silently counting again, he realized the group was now one person short. This was no time to be fooling around, he thought worriedly.
“Where is Link?”
“Daph! Daph!” No sooner had the man spoken, Aryll was running up to his side. Her eyes were wide with terror, and she shook like a leaf in the wind. The girl tugged at the hem of his shirt as tears streamed down her face. “Daph, it’s Link! I saw him running down towards the village. He went inside our house, and then this big wave came and- and- N-now they’re both gone!”
______
“Waaah!” Link clung to the floating piece of splintered wood. Wave after wave crashed over him, and he felt more like a drowned body than a living person. He spluttered and coughed water out of his lungs. Meanwhile Outset was becoming increasingly lost in the rolling water and the darkness of the storm. The glowing gossip stone hung about his neck, and even the boy was beginning to wonder if it had been worth the risk after all...