Okay-this is part 2. It picks up where part 1 ends. If you are reading this and haven't read part 1, there will be confusion.

I would love to say that my first sight of the Gerudo Fortress was one that inspired shock and awe at the ability of people to create and sculpt nature to their will. I would love to say that the difficulty of such a feat was first in foremost in mind as I stared at the elegant entrances wrought out of the cliff, or that I thought of majesty as the complexity the interconnection of the fortress dawned on me as I stared at the layers and layers of doors and walkways. But I cannot say that as I entered the bowl made by the red cliffs I had an epiphany, any feeling inspired by the fact that someone had been crazy and daring enough to found a settlement out here in this empty land.

No, my thoughts all darted in one direction. Fuck, here we go again.

Grimy grey stone buildings rise like tombstones nestled in the arm of a cliff, while filthy tents flutter like forgotten banners. The visible residents of the city slink around the labyrinth of streets like rats in the walls of a condemned house. All the residents are eyeing us up like some new and exciting snack. Some are clothed so heavily that nothing may be discerned from their appearance. It is impossible to tell if they are armed or not, male or female, even human or other. Others wear so little that nothing is left to the imagination.

The most notable of these costumes appears in repeat. Women are clustered in a few groups wearing nothing but strips of colored fabric across their bosom and puffy pants of matching color that cling snugly to the hips, going just high enough not to be considered lingerie. The women wearing these outfits must be the Gerudos. Besides being dressed in matching outfits they all have very similar features. They all have dark skin that borders on ruddy stretched across limbs that are thin and graceful yet well toned. Generous crimson lips slash across their faces underneath a pointy, almost beaklike nose. Giant eyes sit an odd angles and a jewel has made its home in the center of the brow. Fiery red hair adds the finishing touch on these foreign people. To call them pretty would be inaccurate. I suppose the best term for them would be striking. I feel like a mouse fascinated by birds of prey.

"Shit," Ganty curses softly. Too softly for anyone but me to hear.

"Well, huh," Mutoh grumbles in his rolling voice. "I thought the ladies would be tending to their palace, not roaming the streets. Something must have happened to get the patrols out here." That would explain Ganty's frustration. She said that she had been here before so she would be able to tell if something is out of place. Ah damn, this means that I might actually have need of all the etiquette that Ganty had been pouring into my skull.

As we approach one of the Gerudo patrols heads us off.

The leader, at least I would suppose she is based on the color difference of the uniform, waves us off to the side. As she steps forward, a red rose emerging from a garden of violets, the rest of the group grips their weapons tighter, hugging them closer to their bodies. Something must have happened.

"Hail travelers," her voice is deep and rich and brimming with power. Thank Nayru there is no hostility in it. "What brings you to Our city?" By the emphasis of Our I can tell that the Gerudos are very possessive of their land. But who can blame them? It is their home.

"Hail Mistress," Mutoh rumbles reverently. "My sons and I have come here by the request of your people," I didn't know that. "A messenger told us that the aid of a carpenter was needed. So I have come with my sons to see what work we may do for the angels of this city."

The Gerudo raises and amused eyebrow at the flattery. Her face resumes its fierce look as scans over our small party. "Your sons, stranger? I suppose some of these may belong to you, but the mistress in the back is most certainly not one of your boys and this pup," she motions her head towards me, "lacks the coloring of your people. So boy," she hefts a guandao* and fixes me with a hard stare, "what brings you to My city?"

Shit. I know I am supposed to answer this, but the means to do so currently escape me. If looks can kill I very well might be dying. I can't lie. Don't get me wrong, I am a very good liar, but if I lie right now, to her, I might as well dig my own grave. She will be able to tell.

"Peace Sister. The boy is mine. We are travelers who met misfortune on our travels. I have come here seeking the Mother, on business that only the Mother may be privy to." Thank you Ganty!

The Gerudo slowly turns to face Ganty, leaving me free to think again. Okay… Gerudos seriously scare me. They are intense.

"And who are you to seek an audience with the Mother? Who are you to call me Sister?" Now there is hostility in her tone.

Not that anything like that will faze Ganty. She speaks softly, almost sadly, "I am part of the cycle. I am the Moon's Tear and the North Star as set by Time itself." Then her voice because sharper than a razor, "And I am here to speak to the Mother."

Okay… Ganty scares me. The Gerudo pales as Ganty speaks and I can see a slight tremble running up and down her arm. She bows her head. "I am sorry Mistress," I think Ganty just got a promotion, "I failed to realize who you are. Please forgive my insolence." Then the Gerudo ducks down to a knee.

"It is in the past sister, but it is imperative that my companion and I reach the Mother as soon as we are able. I would also ask that the carpenter be treated with respect as he has provided much aid and has asked for naught in return."

The Gerudo rises from her knee. "It will be done as you wish." The Gerudo motions to the rest of her team. "You there," she points to one of the taller girls, "send word a head about our guests." The girl sprints off without even a nod. "The rest of you, form an escort. You are being honored today."

They arrange themselves around us, covering not just our flanks but also the rear of the group. There are maybe ten of them in all, ignoring the leader and the runner. Ganty moves to lead us and Mutoh falls to the back with an awed look. He shoots me a question and all I can do is shrug. I have no idea what is going on. Ganty did not warn me about this.

We are lead deep into the city. It really is a maze. Truth be told I would have difficulty backtracking, so I hope I don't end up needing to escape. I have a feeling that I would be more screwed than usual. Especially with the looks we keep getting. I keep wanting to touch my valuables to make sure they are still there, but I resist the urge. It would be stupid of me to signal the lowlifes here, showing them where I keep what I don't want them to know about.

I think all the twists and turns double the amount of time it takes us to get the Fortress itself. Now I am in shock and awe about the wonders people can do with architecture. The cliff is high, maybe even as high as the gorge that attempted to swallow Sabooru and I is deep. It has been carved down, creating smooth blocks and structured paths from door to door. A wall of cliff, too short to be seen from the entrance to the city but far too polished to climb, bars the way in. Another gate made of iron seems to be the only way to enter the Gerudo stronghold. It stands open with another patrol of Gerudos sitting at its mouth. Silently they join our honor guard as we make our way into the fortress.

Okay… Ganty is not being honest with me. Having been to the desert before is not exactly the same thing as having acquired a title in the desert. When was she planning on telling me this? How the hell am I supposed to be playing hero for her when she keeps giving me mild anginas. One of these times it is going to be a full-blown heart attack. We are going to have to talk about this.

But not now. There are too many Gerudos about. Another group wearing different colors, this time a light tan in a garment of rougher material, has come. They seem to be handling the horses. I dismount, biting my tongue to hide a wince as agony shoots up my arm. I didn't place it in a sling because I didn't want to go to a new city looking injured. Though I am glad of my choice (the people here look as though they would try to eat me alive if they though for a second I was weak) it doesn't change the fact that by Din my shoulder aches. Especially where Ganty hit it.

The horses are quickly led away, not even giving anyone enough time to grab our bags. Well, it saves me from carrying it. Though I hope to see it again everything of importance is currently on my person. I can't count on dream mail to make sure I always have what it is I wish to.

Gerudos wearing pale green flit through the stone entrance way, like leaves on the wind. They circle around us boys while Ganty speaks with an elder woman wearing modest white robes.

The green girls seem to be younger and smaller than the patrol group. "Please sirs," one of them chimes up, "follow us to your lodgings." Mutoh and his clan follow the girls, barely even teenagers, into the Fortress.

"Please sir, won't you follow me?" Oh shit, I was included in that list. I look at the speaker, a mere child who is staring up at me with big brown eyes and a lip drawn into a slight pout. She looks concerned, like she'll be the one in trouble if I don't follow her.

Well I'll probably be in trouble if I do. Ah, I hate these types of situations. I look towards Ganty again, who is still speaking to the woman in white. I think she might be a priestess. She has that feel to her. Her gestures as precise but unhurried, as though one this close to the Goddesses need not worry about mortal concepts such as time. And whatever divine secrets she happens to be talking about has Ganty fully engrossed.

I stare at Ganty, will her to look this way. I have a feeling that if I did anything more than that at this point in time I would probably be punished for heresy. Yet if Ganty is supposed to be the guide for this 'Hero of Time' farce she had better hurry up and give me some guidance.

"Sir?" Oh crap, the girl sounds like she is one the verge of tears. She looks like she is on the verge of tears.

Think Link! I drudge my memory for the etiquette lessons. Ha! Found a solution. I kneel down so I can look the girl straight in the face. "I think it would be unwise for me to leave before I am dismissed, and the lady with the power to do so seems to be busy." The girl's gaze follows the flick of my head as I motion to where Ganty and the priestess are currently talking. The girl's eyes grow even wider, becoming two dark brown disks.

"Ohhh," she breathes heavily. Her mouth hangs open a little as she stares. Wait… that face looks a little bit like hero worship. I've seen it on the faces of girls chasing after the knights. Why is she looking at me like that?

"Link!" Yes Ganty? Oh, wait, shit!

"Yes Ganty?"

Ganty waves me towards her. I guess I get to go where she goes. I shoot the young girl an apologetic shrug and scramble to where Ganty is. I can still feel her saucer eyes burning a hole in my back.

Ganty spins and dashes after the priestess into the nearest entranceway, making me jog a bit to keep up. I guess I am off with her to meet the Mother.

***

* For those who have played soul caliber- what Seung Mina uses. For those who've played ocarina of time-it's the weapon the Gerudos carry. For those still confused-google.

Wow… this chapter was really long. oooOOOOOoooo I didn't expect that. Though it's been a while since I have written. It is nice to be back in the groove. For all you new to me, please review. I'm an egoist. Plus I appreciate constructive criticism.