This was getting ridiculous.
I was used to long treks in the desert but this was a pain.
Despite the fact my sapphire circlet protected me from the heat, I was exhausted and the desert felt like it went on forever. I had been out here for two nights now, including one which was rudely interrupted by a vicious sandstorm. I had barely gotten any sleep.
I was tired and exhausted. My legs ached and I wanted to take a nap. I had tried teleportation, which made things slightly faster but it drained much of my energy and I was only able to teleport for short distances. I didn't want to disorient myself too much anyway. It took me rigorous training to master the art of teleportation but the act made me dizzy. Perhaps, it was my lack of Yiga blood.
Suddenly, I heard movement to my right, startling me. Immediately, I drew my vicious sickle, ready for an ambush. There were plenty of monsters in the desert, not to mention Gerudo patrols. I had also heard rumors of the viscous Maldoga, a fearsome predator that traveled unseen beneath the sands, swallowing you up in a single bite. The thought made me shudder at night. The sooner I got out of this desert, the better.
Fortunately, the cause of the noise appeared to be a wild sand seal. I breathe a breath of relief, putting my sickle down. The seal was a sign that I was close. They typically liked to gather close to Gerudo Town. I think the Gerudo fed them lots of treats. The seal lazily flopped on its belly, oblivious to my presence.
I had seen Gerudo ride these before and the desert was becoming agony. Maybe, I could do the same. I had a piece of rope in my bag. Most Gerudo I saw used harnesses but that was a luxury I did not have. However, I did have a cooking pot which could easily be used to surf on the sands.
Surely, it wouldn't be too difficult. It was just an animal after all. I was a Yiga and if I was to slay a hero, surely I would be able to ride a dim witted seal. I smiled, excited at the prospect of an easier journey.
I got my rope out and slowly snuck up behind the oblivious seal. When I was close enough, I silently, with expert precision, tied my rope around its tail. The seal didn't even notice as I finished the knot. I was a master thief, such an act was child's play.
Standing on my pot lid, I kicked the seal in an attempt to startle it so it would get moving. The seal barked in alarm and quickly swam away. Smirking, I gripped the rope hard.
The force of the seal pulling was so violent and sudden that I was whiplashed face first into the sand off my lid. I held on though. I was determined to get to central Hyrule as quick as possible and that involved keeping this damn seal from getting away.
The seal, however, was not happy nor cooperating. Apparently, tying a knot on its tail might not have been the best idea because the seal was flailing all about trying to get it off. It rapidly zig zagged this way and that, barking like mad and unfortunately taking me along with it. How I was able to hold on, I don't know.
Cursing countless expletives, I tried to somehow stand on my feet, get the seal under control, but to no avail. I was spending so much time trying to get the panicked seal under control ,that I didn't notice I was heading straight toward a cactus until it was too late.
WHAM!
I slammed right into it with such force that the cactus nearly uprooted. Fortunately, I had enough sense to let go to turn my body a bit or else I would have hit it head first and broken my skinny neck. I hit it sideways and immediately felt searing pain. I was seeing stars and feeling nauseous. I had just enough bearing to take off my mask before throwing up.
After multiple minutes of dry heaving, I sat up and looked off in the distance to see the sand seal happily swimming on its way, forgetting I had tied a twenty foot string to it. Figures.
Fortunately, my Yiga armor had protected me from all but the prickliest of spines, which, unfortunately, was still a lot. I spent the next half hour trying to remove them. The pain of my aching legs were soon replaced as the adrenaline of nearly being killed by a cactus subsided and the agony of having a few dozen pins in my side intensified.
I was tired and exhausted but suddenly I saw salvation.
Just in the distance, at the peak of my vision, I saw Kara Kara Bazaar and Gerudo Town.
I was so excited I attempted the fastest jog my tired body could handle.
I was excited not only for a break but also the adventure. Us Yiga never liked hanging around the Bazaar too much, despite popular belief. There wasn't anything of real value there, mostly fruit vendors. The guards there usually checked out travellers ahead of time to report back to Gerudo town. The only time we went there was to buy (or steal) bananas. Usually I avoided the Bazarr and went directly through the Gerudo gates. The guards there typically assumed that whomever made it to the gates was already checked at the Bazaar so I typically got in without many questions.
Exploring the Bazaar would be interesting and who knows, perhaps I could get some information. I'm sure that if there was any security, I could get past it. The Gerudo always talked a big game but they were really fools. We stole their heirloom like it was candy. Their pride usually blinded them. They were more concerned with keeping males out than thieves. I couldn't blame them on that last bit, there was no shortage of lovestruck travelers to keep out.
I would play it safe though. I decided to undress and don some stolen traveler clothes. One of the advantages of not actually being native Yiga was that I didn't need to rely as much on illusions since I actually was a Hylian. This was the main reason the Yiga never sent me on assassination missions to find Link. I was just too valuable as a thief. Honestly, I was rather glad. The idea of killing things made me squeamish, another reason I preferred the bow. I witnessed less gore that way. So far, I have had no need to deal death to anything except animals but there have been quite a few times where I have been close. Rarely have I not been able to teleport out of a sticky situation. Fighting was counterproductive against a half dozen Gerudo guards.
Kara Kara Bazaar was clearly in view now and it looked inviting. There was a large pool of water, dogs, and a multitude of shops. I see why travelers liked to gather here. Instead of rushing to it, which would attract attention, I casually mingled with its residents as I entered. Looking around I saw a single Gerudo guard, a smattering of Hylains, more Gerudo, some shops, and oh my Ganon were those bananas?!
One of the shops, housed by an irritated woman, was a whole. Pile. Of. Bananas!
My impulse control immediately began to wane. The woman seemed to be barely paying attention. If I could just steal one! They looked so delicious! We were so low on bananas. If I was able to steal them, I wouldn't ever have to worry about rationing them again!
"What are you looking at?" snarled the old woman.
How dare she talk to me that way! Did she have any idea who I was!?
I looked into her bored and annoyed eyes. I guarantee she would not treat me with such disrespect if she knew that I could slit her throat before she could even utter one more word. If I had my mask on, she would be giving me all the bananas I wanted, begging me not to kill her.
I pulled myself together. Now was not the time. I needed to look around and get my bearings, maybe ask some questions. I could always steal bananas later. As much as I wanted to kill the asinine woman on the spot, that would give me unnecessary attention. Link was first. Revenge would best come another day. I was too tired anyway. It was nearing late afternoon and I thought I could rest at the inn that I had heard was located here.
The thought stopped me for a moment. It had been years since I slept in an inn. My sister and I used to beg to sleep at stables for shelter. The idea of sleeping at an inn made me uncomfortable. I may be Hylian, but I was still a Yiga ninja as well. An inn was a public space but I doubted someone would be bold enough to pick through my belongings and equipment.
I was too tired to ask questions or for information. Nobody probably knew anything of Link anyway. First, I would get some much needed…
"Hey you!" said a voice.
I looked over and saw a Gerudo guard, right by the pool, addressing me. Adrenaline kicked in and I immediately went into survival mode. A million questions went through my mind. How did I give myself away? Were there any other guards nearby? Would I have time to teleport?
The average thief might panic, probably run away screaming like a fool, but not a Yiga. Despite the fact my heart was beating faster than crazed Lizalfow, I made no indication that I was startled. I did not make any movements to draw a weapon. I simply feigned a typical travel's mild surprise, but nothing to suggest I was scared or had something to hide.
"Are you talking to me?" I smiled.
"Are you all right?" she asked, concerned, "You look tired!"
I quietly relaxed. I sensed no suspicion in her voice. I likely looked very worn out.
"Yes," I replied, "Thank you for asking!"
"You know, the desert is hot during the day and cold at night. It'll take the energy out of you in no time," she advised.
Well, she wasn't wrong. Even with the sapphire circlet, it was a difficult journey.
"You're telling me." I joked.
"If you plan to head out into the desert, make sure you're prepared." she said, "It may just save your life.
"Of course." I replied, "It's exhausting but fortunately I have already taken such measures."
I pointed to my circlet.
"Well good," she said, slamming her spear on the ground for emphasis, "It would be a shame to rescue another foolish traveler."
I smiled. Who was the real fool here, Gerudo? A Yiga, right in front of you, right before your very eyes.
"Well, thank you," I replied, "It must be difficult needing to rescue travelers all the time."
"Hah," she laughed, "I do not need any thanks. This is my job after all."
It was a job she was doing quite poorly. Gerudo got lost all the time. What a fool. If I killed her in the middle of the night, the Gerudo guard likely wouldn't even notice. I had heard stories of hilarious instances where Gerudo have lost track of their own, not noticing a disappearance for days after a soldier went missing. We managed to capture one that way I believe.
This guard reeked of arrogance. She was too friendly and naive for her own good. She was so pompous but couldn't see the threat right in front of her. She fancies herself as kind, giving me advice but have the Gerudo really protected anyone? I remember seeing a young woman, begging for Molduga guts for her husband at the steps of the Chief's dwellings, but the guard told her to go away. I remember hearing that a voe, dressed as a woman, had to rescue not one, but two Gerudo in the desert because the Gerudo guard was unable to do so. Actions spoke louder to me than words.
"Well, I must retire to the inn," I replied, waving goodbye, "It was nice meeting you!"
"Do not mention it!" she replied.
Idiot.
I stopped at the foot of the inn. It had been forever since I slept under someone else's roof besides the Yiga, especially one I had to pay for. The thought disgusted me. The Yiga asked for nothing in exchange for shelter. The inns did. I thought of my sister. I remembered being kicked, beaten, and hit on the head with a broom, asking for shelter we never got. If we had shelter we would have survived. She would never have gotten sick, never would have died in the cold.
Now I was giving them money. How fitting.
I walked in. I was aggravated. I couldn't steal shelter.
I came up to the desk where a rather bulky looking Gerudo sat. She looked bored. Business must be slow going. Funny, I thought with the Divine Beast gone and Ganon destroyed that this place would be more busy.
"Yes?" she asked expectedly.
Something within me seized up. I became nervous. I had never paid for an inn before...or at the very least in a long time. Despite the fact that I could easily kill this woman in seconds, she scared me. Part of me thought she would yell, tell me to get out. Why was that scaring me? I was a Yiga now, she had no power over me. I could defend myself. I kept reminding myself that I had nothing to fear. All I needed to do was hand over the rupees.
"Are you all right?" asked the Gerudo, getting annoyed.
I yanked myself out of my mind before cursing to myself. This was an almost unforgivable blunder! I was a master of deception and an expert smooth talker! I had never even so much hesitated for a second when I journeyed to Gerudo Town.!Was I seriously losing my cool to a simple innkeeper?
I quickly composed myself, snapping back to my typical demeanor, and taking out some rupees.
"Oh no, I'm fine," I smiled, "This is my first time staying in Kara Bazaar! I was curious if I could have a room?"
"But of course!" she exclaimed, obviously excited to have business, "Would you like a soft bed or a normal bed?"
"Normal." I replied. I wasn't going to waste my rupees on luxuries.
She scribbled something down and said, "All right. You're all set. Your bed is the third on the right over here. Dinner is at sundown."
I quickly accepted, glad to end the conversation. Why was this bothering me so much? I hated innkeepers. Trying to relax in the inn's main room, I began to think about my next move before spying a book, face open on a piece of sandstone.
Curious, I read the top of the page, which was in big bold writing…
"Rumor Mill: Volume 7"
Ah, so this was the rumor mill everyone talked about. I heard many Hylians visiting Gerudo Town speak of it highly. The girl who ran it supposedly was something of a celebrity. Perhaps, I could obtain some useful information. I read on…
This is Traysi! I have a taste for the rumors of worlds long gone and worlds yet to come! Everyone gossiping in the present world? Here's my favorite bit of the latest news...The Secret of the Royal Family of Hyrule. I heard a rumor that there's something to be found inside Hyrule Castle... And that something is a secret room of Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, the last king of Hyrule! There's also supposedly a laboratory that belonged to his daughter, Princess Zelda. A double discovery! I bet there are all kinds of amazing royal-family secrets hidden in those rooms just waiting to be revealed! "Secrets of the Royal Family Uncovered!" That headline alone would keep food on the table for months! But there's no way I'm going anywhere near a place as dangerous as Hyrule Castle. No way! Don't let that scare you, though... Traysi's Recommendation:
This...this was garbage! Putting aside this piece was very old and was obviously entered before Link killed Ganon, this was how Hylians got their news?! This was what they cared about?! A rumored secret room in Hyrule castle? What fool would have gone there when Lord Ganon was alive? What useless trash. Finding Link would be impossible. This Traysi character seemed like something of a naive gossip.
Dinner in the inn was nothing particularly interesting for me considering I was paying for it. There were no bananas. Only something called creamy heart soup and some wildberries. The innkeeper bragged about how they were so rare but Gerudo Town had managed to grow a patch. They didn't taste disgusting but were incredibly sour. Throughout dinner I couldn't help but look at the old woman's fruit stand. She had so many bananas! If I could just steal one!
I resisted the impulse. I was on a mission. Attracting attention unnecessarily was counterproductive. Sour tasting berries would have to do. I was exhausted anyhow. The sun had barely set but I decided it would be good to just go to sleep. I flopped on my bed and tried to sleep.
It was difficult. I felt exposed. I was in public. What if someone found out who I was? What if someone went through my stuff? I didn't like the idea of sleeping with other people. I missed the hideout, where everything was stagnant and predictable. This was an inn. I could almost hear someone coming, yelling at me and my sister and dragging me out.
What if someone found me?
What if I was acting too suspicious?
I needed to calm down. I tried to will myself to sleep but couldn't. At this rate, I would be exhausted tomorrow, which would slow me down on my journey and make travel more dangerous.
I decided to try Yiga meditation techniques. Sleep was not something that could be tamed by beating it with a stick. It needed to be conditioned with honeyed words and soft touches. I breathed in.
1
2
3
4
And out.
1
2
3
4
And back in again.
And back out.
In. Out. In. Out. In...out...in...out...in…..out…..in…..out…..
I fell asleep in the soft covers, suddenly comfortable within the nightmares of my childhood.
So yeah, one chapter down again. As shown, Juinee is not very comfortable in inns. Bad memories. I don't have much more to say. I hope you are enjoying the story!
Fight for All Fiction!