Since the art of swordplay is such an important part of life for heroes of Hyrule, it should come as no surprise that there have been a great many swordmasters who made Hyrule their home over the ages. Whether it’s the ancient spirit of the Hero of Time in Twilight Princess or just a humble teacher at the Skyloft Academy like in Skyward Sword, there’s almost always someone to teach the hero the ways of the blade. Why stop at one swordmaster, though? Why have only one when when you can have eight? Back in the days of The Minish Cap, Link was trained at the hands of the Blade Brothers, a group of eight swordmasters related by blood. Well, it might be more appropriate to say a group of seven living swordmasters. The eldest of the brothers, Swiftblade the First, is no longer in the world of the living, and has retired to his grave for eternity. Of course, that’s not gonna stop us from looking into his life and afterlife as a swordmaster of Hyrule.
First off, what makes the Blade Brothers swordmasters, besides the name? Thanks to their figurine description, we know that each of the Blade Brothers has won the Picori Festival, the same festival that Vaati won at the start of The Minish Cap, and proved their worth as a swordsman to the people of Hyrule. Vaati overcoming the Blade Brothers in that tournament must’ve been one incredible underdog story, if the brothers are as good as they sound.
This begs the question, though, could this tournament have been Swiftblade the First’s last stand during an attempt at a second tournament victory? It seems morbid that the Picori Fesitval tournament would be a battle to the death, but what other force could best such a warrior? Since the brothers all look to be around the same age, it’s doubtful it was age that ended him. It could’ve been sickness, or perhaps something much less dignified.
The new eldest brother of the family, Swiftblade the Second, publishes a new edition of the Swordsman Newletter with every new brother Link learns from. These newsletters consist mostly of hints to nudge you towards the secrets that lie in wait across Hyrule. The fourth newsletter bears the task of hinting at the existence of Swiftblade the First, and it does so in a rather intruiging way.
Apparently, Swiftblade the Second witnessed the ghost of his elder brother fight a cow at Lon Lon Ranch. Odd choice of opponent for a deceased master of the blade, but a possibility arises when Swiftblade the Second continues his description of the event as “kind of sad”. Could it be possible that the thing that managed to slay Swiftblade the First was, somehow, a cow? Does the regret of passing away in such a regrettable fashion tether Swiftblade the First to this world, seeking meaningless revenge on the entire species? After all, why else would he choose a cow as his opponent and not someone who could actually match his skill?
While the true fate of Swiftblade the First will remain unknown, his legacy will forever live on through his many very talented younger brothers. While it may make you chuckle to think of a great swordsman somehow failing to best a cow and then spend his afterlife pursuing revenge, don’t forget that the domestic animals of Hyrule are not to be trifled with. There’s always those pesky unkillable Cucco that’re ready and raring to send Link to an early grave whenever he hits it one too many times.
