Chapter: XV
"Fire, Blood, and Justice"
As Viscern raced from the barn toward the others, Alfon and Russell shattered the locks on the stables, and set the horses free. Many having already been whipped and tortured by Ingo and the moblins, charged for the ranch gate without orders. Viscern's great agility allowed him to leap over or dodge around the horses as they came at him, but the dull moblins were not so skilled, and were quickly trampled by the charging herd. Half of their mission complete, the three soldiers raced back to the house and barn. Alfon ordered Russell to the house to deal with the traitor Ingo, while he and Viscern searched the barn for Link and Malon. They found Link, screaming at the top of his lungs, as he ruthlessly bludgeoned a ruined Ingo on the barn floor. Behind him, hung Malon, still sobbing in terror at everything happening around her.
Alfon dragged Link away from Ingo as Viscern quickly grabbed the key from Ingo's belt and released the poor Malon. "Easy hon, easy, it's ok... I've got you. It's ok... I'm here." he soothed in a fatherly voice. Her arms and legs were useless from the torture, so Viscern gently cradled her in his arms and wrapped his cloak around her. Alfon, stunned at the bloody mess on the floor, looked from Ingo to Link. Link was gasping for air and crying tears of rage, but his eyes remained locked on Ingo's body. "My Lord..." Viscern began, when Ingo suddenly twitched and let out a gurgling groan. Link dashed forward, but Alfon lifted him off his feet and held him captive in his arms. "Leave him lad! Leave him!" Bellowed the knight as he looked at the fire spreading over the back wall and floor of the barn, "He'll get justice, don't you worry."
Rushing to the ranch's gate, Alfon let out a long, piercing whistle. A whinnying answer came from the snow covered landscape and soon the tramp of hooves could be heard, rushing back towards the soldiers. Several of the liberated horses, including a handsome red filly, had met the soldiers' mounts and stayed near them for protection. Now a whole throng of horses galloped up to the ranch gate to meet the soldiers. Alfon released Link, and quickly mounted. Russell rushed out of the ranch house; forcing several pieces of paper into his satchel as he ran. "The Traitor is gone!" he exclaimed. Alfon pointed to the growing fire that was now burning through the nearest side of the barn, "He will be. Get your horse, we're leaving." Alfon took Malon from Viscern so that he and Russell could mount their horses. Epona found Link in the darkness, and lovingly nuzzled at his hair. "Ride the filly if she'll have you Link," called Alfon, "I need to carry the girl." Link grabbed Epona's mane and pulled himself up. She stood very still and accepted the rider without complaint. The team had only ridden a short distance from the ranch when a piercing scream rose up from the engulfed barn. Looking over their shoulders, they could see that the fire was now spreading to the farmhouse nearby. "More than the traitor deserves!" Spat Russell, who felt disappointed that he had not dispatched Ingo himself. "Fire will do in a pinch, when there's need." replied Alfon, cradling Malon. "Aye, My Lord. That it will." answered Russell as the firelight flickered on his face. Link remained silent as the roof of the barn collapsed inward and great flames roared up into the night sky: "He was actually trying to force her to... pray to Ganon." He thought bitterly. A small part of him knew it was wrong, but he, like his comrades, took great satisfaction in Ingo's death.
Once the barn roof collapsed and the flames towered over the palisade, Alfon realized that its light would be seen for miles around. Even the white stone gates of Castle Town were now visible in the flickering orange light. "Ride hard!" he urged, "They already know what we've done!" Spurring his horse to a gallop, the others raced after him. For several minutes, they dashed southward down the cobblestone road, with the winter wind blasting in their faces. Far away to the North, an unearthly wail rose up and pierced their ears. "Bats!" shouted Russell over the wind. Link had heard stories of Ganon's giant bats, but had never seen one. Their shrill cry filled him with dread as he leaned forward and held onto Epona even tighter. Malon, however, knew exactly what that wail meant, and she struggled and screamed in terror against Alfon's grasp.
In moments, the rush of wings could be heard low overhead. Several of the ranch-horses screamed in terror, and broke off from the group, hoping to escape. As Link looked to his left and right, he could see great winged shadows dive down upon the terrified horses, and lift them away into the darkness. "Keep going!" shouted Viscern as he and Russell broke formation and wheeled back. They lifted their bows and began firing arrows into the sky. "We should help them!" shouted Link over the wind. "No!" Answered Alfon, "We have to get you and the girl back to the lake! They know their duty!" Link did as he was told, but he felt a burning anger in his stomach toward his master. "How can he just leave them to those monsters?!"
They galloped hard, for as long as their horses could bear it. After several miles, they let their tired mounts slow to a walk. The sound of wings and fighting were gone now, and Link could only hear the rush of the wind and the distant ripple of the Zora river to the East. Soon they would reach a fork in the road: East to Zora's Domain, or South toward the lake? Alfon pondered hard for the safest course: Zora's Domain was closer, but he was not sure what measures they had taken to protect their front gate. His own men would recognize him at the lake, and he knew the passwords for entry, but the lake was several hours away at a hard ride, and their horses were already exhausted. Malon had finally succumbed to her exhaustion, and lay unconscious in Alfon's arms. He looked down the poor ruined child. Her arms were awkwardly bent and curled up on her chest. Her bare legs were terribly bruised and lacerated by Ingo's wickedness and her once brilliant red hair was mud-caked and foul. She shivered pitifully in the cold wind. Alfon unclasped his cloak, and wrapped it about her, like a father would swaddle a newborn baby. His mind was made up, he had to get her to safety as soon as possible.
As they approached the fork, a very dim light was starting to grow behind the clouds to the east. "Dawn's coming." Alfon muttered to Link. "Once the light grows strong we won't have to..." but he was cutoff. A great shadow suddenly crashed down in front of them, blocking their path. The mounted horses reared in terror as the great bat hissed menacingly at the two soldiers. The rest of the horses scattered in all directions, galloping for their lives, but the monster ignored them. Link was frozen with horror on Epona's back. The great bat was massive; its body at least three times the size of Alfon's horse and its sinewy wings stretched far out to each side. Its body was covered in deep black fur, while blazing red eyes peered out from its twisted face. Its mouth was very wide and mercilessly packed with yellow fangs; long as daggers and still blotted with dried blood and scraps of its latest victim. The beast turned toward Link as Epona backed away; its evil eyes boring into Link's mind.
Alfon was shouting something to Link, but Link could not hear him. The bat's shrieking wail forced him to cover his ears. It was so painful, like knives being driven into the sides of his head. Epona, again reared in terror, and threw Link from her back. He scrambled to his feet as the bat lunged toward him, jaws opened wide. He drew his sword and watched the gaping maw come closer. Epona's hooves smashed into the bat's cheek just in time. Turning away from Link the great beast bore down now on the young filly, who defiantly whinnied at her attacker. Alfon, unable to release Malon, pulled a large, silver horn from his satchel and blew a long, clear note. The bat folded back its ears at the sound, and hissed in pain. Link, seizing his chance, charged forward and brought his sword down on the bat's head. A great gash spewed black blood onto the snow, but the beast's skull had been too strong for Link's blade. With its clawed wing, the bat threw Link away, hissing and screeching with great fury at his attack. Epona, returning to the attack, kicked the bat's wing and side, desperate to protect her friend.