Dragon Roost Island

On your way to the island, feel free to stop and take out some of the raft-bound enemies you'll encounter. Otherwise, just sail straight for the island, which you should see towering above the water for a good while before you get there.

When you get to Dragon Roost, King of Red Lions will give you the wind waker. This will become one of your most-used tools throughout the rest of the game. Immediately head through the tunnel to the little altar located on a small island. There, you will learn the "Wind's Requiem" (C-stick: up, left, right). Zephos will speak to you and tell you about his angry brother, Cyclos. Remember this for later. Now, head back to the beach where you landed, and start heading up to the rito village.

You'll need to pick the bomb flowers and throw them at the rocks to clear the way. Eventually, you'll come to a narrow ledge that you'll need to sidle across. Once you're past that ledge, you'll see a mailbox. Go through the tunnel and up the path to the rito village.

Use the bomb flowers to clear the rocks.

Talk to the rito leader and learn about his son, Prince Nomali, and the troubles they've been having with the local dragon, Valoo. The king will also give you the delivery bag, which is used for Zunari's delivery quest, which you can begin next time you visit Windfall Island. Once the conversation ends, head up the ramp and enter the first door. There you'll meet Medli. Talk to her about Komali, and she will give you a letter to deliver. Exit the room and go down the ramp.

There are three exits on the lower level. Two go outside, as you can tell from the light streaming in. You want to go through the one that doesn't lead outside. Follow the hallway to a door, and enter the prince's bedroom. Give him Medli's letter, but he still won't trust you. Leave his room and meet Medli near the caverns, as she asked.

Medli will ask you to help her enter the cavern. Play the "Wind's Requiem" on your wind waker to change the wind's direction. You want it to blow toward the cavern entrance. Pick her up, and walk to the elevated rock nearby. Throw her toward the ledge. In exchange, she will throw you an empty bottle. Return to the village, where you'll learn that someone matching Medli's description was captured. It's only partially your fault.

You need to get to the cavern. To do so, return to the dry lake basin where you met Medli. Use the empty bottle to get some water, then walk up to the wilted bomb flowers. Pour water on a flower, and then pick one. Throw it at the big stone in the center of the basin. If you time it correctly, the rock will be destroyed and the water will return, allowing you to swim to Dragon Roost Cavern. Before entering, though, it's time to try your mail-sorting skills.

Return to the upper level of the village and talk to the rito behind the counter. He'll ask you to help him sort mail. He'll pay you money based on how many you can sort. You want to get 25 or more. Once you beat 25, a new employee will be hired the next time you enter this area. Speak with him, and then sort 25 letters again. He'll give you a letter to send to his mother. Later, she will send you a piece of heart as a reward.

Before leaving, you should also talk to the guard outside Medli's door. He'll tell you that he wants a golden feather for his sweetheart. What he won't tell you is that he wants 20 of them. When you eventually bring them to him, his girlfriend will send you a piece of heart for your hard work.

Now return to the lake and swim across to reach Dragon Roost Cavern.