The origins of the Dark Lord are in some contention amongst scholars. Some say he came from a desert tribe, others that he was a vengeful deity, a few conjecture that he was a mere thief who gained great power. However certain commonalities persist in the Dark Lord's many descriptions; a magical aptitude, the ability to transform into a great beast, and most of all an endless lust for power.
-Chapter 2 of The Rise of the Demon King
The boy took deep shuddering breaths, trembling on the thin worn mattress. Ganondorf had taken the boy to a rundown inn where the auburn haired woman behind the counter had taken his rupees without a word.
Castle Town was a miserable place it seemed. On his brief night walk he had quickly spotted underfed children eyeing him from the shadows, lame and elderly beggars, and common thugs lurking Castle Town's alleys. Why a country with fertile fields and plentiful crops was also replete with hunger and desperation was a mystery to be unraveled.
This country is in need of a firm hand, a keen mind. The thought crept spider-like through his mind. It was a common refrain since he had entered Hyrule. He dismissed it with a shake of his head and refocused on the boy.
He had reacted violently to Ganondorf, presumably sensing his magic. Some rare individuals had a sensitivity to such things. If that was the case then he was worth talking to, not just for any knowledge of Castle Town but to ensure the depths of his arcane knowledge didn't make it's way to Hyrule's royal family.
Pale dawn slipped through a crack in the wooden shutters. He should have been returning to the castle. He had left Nabooru and Aveil to guard their quarters while he went to get his own impression of Castle Town.
Nabooru would certainly give him an earful when he returned. She was willful, cautious and wary of Ganondorf from his very infancy. The belief that she would be a better chief lay unspoken and impassable between them.
Yet the boy had intrigued him and Ganondorf had never been one to turn from a mystery. On the bed he murmured incoherently and blearily blinked his eyes.
"Wha…where..." He mumbled, trying to prop himself up. Ganondorf watched him impassively.
His eyes flicked from the window to the door before settling on Ganondorf. "Who're you?" He asked faintly, a note of caution in his voice.
"I am the man you passed out on last night." Ganondorf answered coolly.
The boy pressed a hand to his head. "Oh Farore, that's right." His cheeks flushed. "That's...uh, my bad, I don't know what came over me." He bit his lip and unease passed his face. "I suppose you'll want payment for…" he gestured to the room.
Then he has not made the connection between my magic and his condition. Excellent.
"Of a sort." Ganondorf answered. "We'll start with your name."
The boy gave him a searching look. "I have rupees, enough to pay for the room." He said firmly.
Ganondorf frowned. "I did not ask for rupees, I asked for your name."
"I'm Ravio." The boy answered, crossing his arms. Ganondorf scoffed, he was a diplomat, a ruler, and he knew when he was lied to. The slight shift of eyes and twitch of lips was enough to damn him.
"You're lying." He said, scowling. "Do not treat me like an idiot, boy. To risk my displeasure would make you a greater fool than the one you take me for." He said sternly.
Surprise but no fear flicked across the boy's face and his eyes gleamed with unhidden curiosity.
"I don't think you're a fool." He tied a cloth band tight around a ponytail of golden hair. "I think you're dangerous and that giving away information would make me the fool." He said, still fussing with his disheveled hair.
Ganondorf smiled, darkly amused. "Dangerous," he gave a small wry laugh. "How so?"
The boy returned his smile and Ganondorf noticed his legs shifting slightly, his gaze trailing to the door.
He'll try to flee. Ganondorf knew. He shifted his stance, ready to intercept the boy if such an attempt was made.
"You don't survive in Castle Town if you don't know who not to fuck with." He gave him a bold crooked smile before continuing. "You're not exactly hiding it, y'know. You carry yourself like a warrior; no slouching, balancing so that you're ready to move." He gestured vaguely at his feet.
"You're big too, bigger than near any Hylean and I know it's you who carried me off the street. That means you're strong." He chuckled. "But besides all that you've got a sword tucked under your robes."
He looked to Ganondorf's waist where indeed, a gilt scimitar rested. Amusement mingled with something resembling admiration.
"You have keen eyes." Ganondorf admitted. "I am indeed quite capable of inflicting harm, if I so choose." He moved paced to the doorway, a silent rebuke against fleeing.
"Therefore it would be wise for you to disclose your name so I do not have to demonstrate my capability."
The boy stared at him a second, before slipping gracefully off the bed and offering a hand. "I'm Link."
Link. The name felt familiar, perhaps something he had come across during his studies. He took the hand and grasped it firmly, as was the Hylean custom.
Link. Yet somehow he didn't think it originated in tomes or histories. No, the familiarity felt ancient, something he had always known but never said. Perhaps it came from the Twinrova, some legend or lullaby from his infancy.
Link. The name was important. But why-
"So who're you?" Link asked, letting go of his hand and snapping him back to the present.
Ganondorf stared at him silently, weighing his options. It would do him little harm to tell Link his identity. A diplomatic meeting between the royal family of Hyrule and the king of the Gerudo was hardly a secret and the boy was bright enough to make a connection between him and his mission.
Yet it irked him to be crossed by a mere thief, a boy so insignificant that Ganondorf could dispose of him and be assured that he would never think of him again. However lying would be pointless, he was obviously Gerudo and there was only one male Gerudo. The truth was unfortunately plain to anyone who would search for it.
"I am Ganondorf." He said at last. Link's eyes widened for a fraction and a crinkle appeared on his brow. The change lasted only a second and he quickly returned to a bemused curious look.
"My name isn't all you wanted, was it? I mean Link is a fine enough name but I doubt it'll satisfy you." Though his tone was light, his gaze was sharp.
"I'm often told I am a greedy man." Ganondorf said mockingly. "So I will ask one more thing of you."
Link raised an eyebrow in askance and Ganondorf ran an idle finger over the hilt of his blade. "I require information on Hyrule. Information on it's people, it's customs, and it'...shadows, it's secrets. I believe you are capable of providing that."
Link blinked. "I...see. What for?" He asked.
Ganondorf smiled wryly. "Do you suspect me of some nefarious intent? I assure you I have none, I am a traveler to Hyrule and I find myself…" he considered his words, "curious, about your country."
Link's face was writ with skepticism. "I don't believe you." He said simply.
Ganondorf laughed. "I can assure you I have told no lies." To vocally and loudly attempt to rebuke him was a privilege reserved for his highest ranking generals but he found Link's attempts amusing.
Link crossed his arms. "That dosen't mean you told me the truth. You're no ordinary traveller."
"What exactly do you think I am?" He challenged, curious to see what Link could reason out.
He shrugged minutely. "I…" He paused, his brow crinkling. "I'd guess a merchant from your robes and jewelry but you seem too capable to be just a peddler." His brow crinkled thoughtfully. "Could be a mercenary but if you are, you're richer and more...well refined than those lot usually are."
A merchant or a mercenary? He felt a low thrum of anger. To be thought of as a lowly sellsword or costermonger was insulting. He frowned. Yet he could hardly blame Link, his guesses were well reasoned if sorely wrong.
"Merchant or mercenary?" He laughed. "No, think higher boy; you are speaking to the King of the Gerudo."
Link's eyes widened. "You're a king?" He asked aghast.
"I am. Why does that shock you so? Do I not carry myself like a king?" He asked mockingly.
Red crept into Link's cheeks. "You're the first king I've seen, I'd have to see a few more to compare." Shock was still in his voice.
Ganondorf smiled tautly. "So you've never laid eyes upon the great king of Hyrule?"
Link shook his head. "The king stays locked up in his palace and I'm not stupid enough to rob the place, so no."
That matched Ganondorf's impression of the man. He had greeted Ganondorf with routine courtesy and an air of disinterest. The plight of the Gerudo was a trifle to him, an afternoon's discussion, nothing more.
Link was watching him with the wary eyes of a desert hawk. "I heard your people, the Gerudo that is; live in Lanayru, far out in the desert. That's a long way from Castle Town."
"How observative." He said ignoring the unspoken question.
Link frowned at him. "Why would you even assume I could give you information?"
Ganondorf's smile sharpened and he pulled a thin leather sheath from Link's pack.
"I checked your possession while you slept, lockpicks, dagger, deku nuts. those are thieves' tools."
Link's face twisted in momentary displeasure. "So you want me to steal information. Why?"
"I am here on a mission of diplomacy; to ensure that there is no enmity between Hyrule and Gerudo." He lifted a dismissive hand. "I need information to ensure I do not offend Hyrule's esteemed nobility, trespass on some custom or tradition."
As he spoke the triforce appeared in his mind's eye. The golden power of the gods. With that power I could give my people Hyrule, I could rule a country with hope, with fertile land and plentiful water. With that power I could…
"I know Castle Town's streets; who answers to who, where to get a decent bargain and which alleys the guards don't bother with. But I'm no scholar or noble, I can't tell you much of anything about courtesy or history. You don't hire a thief to tell you which fork to use or how to bow properly." He said keenly.
Courtesy was nothing but a silken mask and Ganondorf could not don it, not to the satisfaction of the Hylian court. To them he was a desert savage neither king nor ally. History too was not what he sought. Long had he poured over dusty tomes and volumes learning all he could about the land blessed by the gods, he knew it's wars, it's dynasties, and it's treaties.
"You are correct on that front. History and courtesy can be gleaned easily enough from tomes and mimicry. I wish to know what the historians do not write, the knowledge hidden by history and the court."
"Why?" Link asked simply.
His lips curled upwards. "Because knowledge is a powerful thing." He ran a hand over his scimitar. "If honed and mastered it is deadlier than any blade."
Kotake had often said that ignorance of an enemy was akin to fighting blindfolded. He intended to know the Hyleans who so scorned him, to uncover their every buried shame and crime. The haughty fools would not trife with him then, not when he knew enough to bring their esteemed dynasties to disgrace.
"You want Hyrule's dirty laundry?" Link laughed. "We've got enough to clothe an army."
Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. "You speak of clothing?" He asked, irritation rising at the change of topic.
He shook his head, a playful look on his face. "It's an expression. Dirty laundry means secrets, scandals and such."
"Secrets are what I am searching for, not mere gossip." He pulled a bag of rupees from his cloak, noting the hungry look in Link's eyes.
"I will give you a target and you will use your...talents to find information that would be of use to me. If you are successful then I will compensate you."
"How much?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"Fifty rupees." That should have been enough to satisfy a petty criminal like him.
"A hundred. Fucking with nobility gets you killed and fifty rupees won't even buy the rope they'll hang me with."
Ganondorf scoffed. "I am a king not a common fishmonger, do not presume to barter with me."
Link laughed under his breath. "King or no, any thief who's willing to take fifty rupees for what you're asking is gonna get themselves caught and killed, but not before they squeal your name to the city watch."
Ganondorf considered. The boy was likely exaggerating however, the risk of exposure was something to be stamped out viciously. Besides that, it pained him to admit that the boy was correct, a cheap thief would be a liability instead of an asset.
"Seventy-five, with a fifteen rupee bonus if you can bring proof of what you find." Ganondorf said ruefully.
Link bit his lip and cocked his head thoughtfully. For a long second he said nothing before finally, he nodded.
"Alright. I'll assume the usual 'if you snitch I'll disembowel you with my teeth' standards apply."
To his own surprise a small laugh burst from his throat. "If you betray me disembowelment will seem like a mercy, boy."
To his chagrin the boy seemed unintimidated. "You won't believe me, but I've got a code. I keep my word and I keep my end of the bargain if you keep your's."
A thief with a code. The thought was a passing amusement. Thievery was akin to a tick on a boar, a better kingdom would've crushed the boy and people like him long ago. To hire such a person was an unfortunate necessity.
As they continued their negotiation he rubbed idly at his hand. It had begun to throb, white hot pain stabbing through it. It recalled the time he had been bitten by a skulltula on one of the Twinrova's trials. The poison had swelled his leg and the pain had been nigh unbearable.
Link looked at him warily and said something indistinct. His voice sounded as if it came from underwater and an aura of light seemed engulfed him.
He grit his teeth and gripped his free hand around his scimitar, and then the pain ceased as a vision appeared before him, brighter than the sun. The triforce.
I will have it. He thought madly. No matter what I must do.
Nabooru scowled darkly. "It will never work." She said, crossing her arms.
She looked out of place in the room the king had granted them. Everything in the room spoke of delicacy, an intricately carved wardrobe, and a tea table that bore a porcelain tea set.
Even the walls were decorated with carefully embroidered silk tapestries and the single window was of rose-colored stained glass. These items would not survive the desert, so unlike Gerudo craft where even items of luxury were built to persist.
Ganondorf kept his displeasure from his face. "Even if the boy fails, even if he names me as his employer, he has no evidence of my involvement."
Nabooru scoffed. "As if that matters. The king believes us all thieves already, they will leap to believe the words of one of their own."
Ganondorf allowed himself a frown. "That is a risk, a risk well worth taking. I require information on the chancellor, to that end a thief is necessary."
Nabooru started to speak only for Ganondorf to cut her off with a sharp gesture. "I will hear no more arguments on this." He said firmly.
He turned to Aveil, who leaned casually against the wall. "I have no arguments about your plan. But I must ask how long you intend to stay in the city. The drought worsens and many sisters whisper of sedition." Aveil warned.
Anger coiled inside him and he forced down the urge to shout. "I am aware of this Aveil." The fools. They don't see that I am their only hope for salvation, the only chance for survival.
"Send word to Urbosa, tell her that aid will soon be forthcoming." He said tautly.
Urbosa was the former chieftess of the Gerudo and despite Ganondorf's ascent she remained the chieftess in all but name; respected and beloved by the Gerudo where he was not. Yet despite her station, most Gerudo still held to tradition and so Ganondorf was by law, chief of the Gerudo.
Nabooru laughed derisively. "Hyrule will not help us. You know that as well as I do."
His hands clenched reflexively. She was right of course; the Gerudo would find no savior in Hyrule, however as always she mistook Ganondorf's discretion for meekness.
He had no intention of throwing himself upon Hyrule's meager mercy. But it was not yet time for Nabooru or her fellow Gerudo to know of his plan. Only the Twinrova, hermits and outcasts that they were, had an inkling of his intent.
Ganondorf's frown twitched into a bitter smile. "That remains to be seen, Nabooru." The king and his servants would prove to be of great, if not willing help to Ganondorf, that he was certain of.
Nabooru's eyes stayed narrowed and she only hummed in response.
Aveil had taken out her blade and began to polish it. "I've seen no sign of danger thus far. The guards here are pitiful. Half are in their cups and the other half may as well be." She said acidicly.
Ganondorf nodded, he had noticed much the same. He had watched the guards at practice. They stabbed at straw dummies, joked, and whispered about the savage king and his harem. They would fall easily when the time came.
"I would ask that you keep your eye on the princess and her attendant." He had heard many rumors of the princesses' cunning, of her Sheikah advisor's ruthlessness. The princess was half a girl still but he would be a fool to take the Sheikah lightly. Even in the Lanayru desert, there were tales of their skill and viciousness.
Aveil nodded obediently. "Got it, boss." She sheathed her blade in a fluid motion.
Ganondorf nodded before leaving the room without a word. He made his way to the castle's throne room, past the inquisitive eyes of the many servants and the barely concealed contempt of the nobles.
He came eventually to the massive double doors that guarded the throne room. The doors were made of heavy iron and gold and two solemn-faced soldiers stood by the door.
"I am to meet with King Daltus." He said briskly. The soldiers looked at each other, one giving him a long considered glance before slowly opening the doors.
The throne room was long and ostentatious. Suits of gleaming armor stood guard every ten feet against the walls and a rich blue rug went from the door to the dais where the King's throne rested. Above the throne was a great display, three marble statues, effigies of the goddesses creating the world; all circling a gold wrought triforce.
Bitterness rose in him at the sight of statues. Their vanity was beyond measure, almost beyond contempt. The Hylians were eager, were greedy to believe that the triforce was rightly their's. To believe that they were purer, better, than those who had been passed over by the god's favor.
He had long ago vowed to prove them wrong. But the sight of the King, fat and haughty beneath their false goddesses woke in him an old long buried fury. It burned inside him, a long tended molten flame that if awoken would scorch the gods themselves.
The king himself was as grand as his surroundings. He was stout and stern-faced with a carefully trimmed white beard and imperious blue eyes. He had been garbed in gold-trimmed red robes and atop his head was an elaborate crown of shining gold, it's center inlaid with a great red ruby.
"Ah, Lord Ganondorf." The king's proclamation jarred him from his observations. He approached the throne, dropping to one knee and bowing his head.
The humiliation was a necessary one, he needed the king's trust, his credulity but still, anger and shame welled within him. To grovel before a Hylian was nearly unbearable.
It is but temporary, soon I will never need kneel again. Instead, it is they who will beg on bended knee.
"Your majesty." Ganondorf acknowledged.
The king's gaze rested searchingly on him and Ganondorf met his gaze, concealing his contempt. After a long moment, the king leaned back, seemingly satisfied with what he'd seen.
"You've traveled far to reach Hyrule, Lord Ganondorf. I've read your missives, you come to us in need, I believe. Your people want for water."
"That is so, your Majesty. The recent survival has wracked Lanayru, my people starve." He admitted slowly.
The king nodded. "I see. I am sorry to hear of the Gerudo's troubles, Lord Ganondorf. I will speak with my advisors regarding what aid we can share."
Ganondorf's teeth clenched. While the king discussed and haggled with his advisors, the Gerudo suffered. The weeks long journey had been unfortunate enough, to now be further delayed was infuriating.
"I understand that this will take time but I have brought a list of necessary provisions, your majesty." Ganondorf pulled the parchment from his pocket, offering it to the king.
The king's brows raised and he slowly plucked the papers from his grasp. After a few seconds, his pensive expression gave way to a smile and he shook his head.
"I'm afraid these claims are quite impossible, Lord Ganondorf. Hyrule is recovering still from the civil war and to give up so much on behalf of…" He paused, his face faintly amused. "Well, on behalf of those who we have often found robbing our caravans is absurd."
Fury rose in his chest, swift and molten. "The rains have not fallen on Lanayru for months, our livestock sicken and die, if they steal it is because they have no other choice."
The king sighed and held the list back out. "Be that as it may, I cannot spare what you are asking. That is…" He paused, his eyes gleaming. "Unless you were a part of Hyrule, there are treaties, charters, documents which would give Hyrule sovereignty. Then, of course, this would be a different matter."
Ganondorf choked down his fury which now burned like a sun in his chest. "I see." He nearly hissed, unable to conceal his sun-hot fury.
The king looked won at him chastisingly. "It's something to consider, wouldn't you say Lord Ganondorf. After all, to be part of the land of the gods is an invaluable thing."
Ganondorf nodded rigidly. "I've planned for many years to share in Hyrule's great blessings." He said deliberately.
At his side, his fist clenched and he swore to himself, to the goddesses above that he would see the king and he cared about destroyed.