Okley-pokely people, this first part is happening at the same time as last chap, I couldn't just let Saphra drift off. Oh, and you'll get to hear what Link says to Randa in a minute. And then it goes back to Saphra, then back to Link and Randa
The horse's nimble legs picked effortlessly through the camp. Even at a quick gallop, the beast avoided obstacles with a liquid grace, as if she could see things before they were there. Saphra held her ornately tattooed and arms loosely around the messenger's waist. It was highly unnecessary because Saphra could ride a horse while standing on her hands, but better safe than dead as her mother always told her. Tiny, crooked entrances to the Gerudo homes shot by on her left and right, they were simple shelters carved right into the cliff side and descending under the earth, all connected like a giant subterranean maze.
Saphra looked ahead around the messenger and saw the leader's headquarters, not much fancier than the other homes accept for the elaborate engravings on the front of the edifice. She could remember staring at those pictures for hours when she was younger, interpreting the story that they told over and over. She didn't have time to admire them now though.
The horse stirred up torrents of red sand into a strangling cloud as it danced to a stop. It neighed and shook its thick neck as the messenger dismounted, followed by agile Saphra.
The inside of the headquarters was much different from the subtle outside, it was a palace! Marble walls and floors shone brilliantly in the desert sun. Tapestries of red and gold hung strategically at perfect intervals, each depicting exquisite design. Beautiful statues representing each of the golden goddesses guarded the corners of the grand room. Although she had been there many times, Saphra still had the urge to yell and listen to the endless echo in the hall.
The messenger needlessly lead her through the twisted hallways to the leader's chamber, Saphra could easily find the room in her sleep. They entered to a room, more cozy than the entrance hall but just as grand. At the far end, there were three steps leading to a chair, a throne. Gerudo guards stood on each step although the leader was perfectly capable of defending herself. She smiled behind her jeweled veil when she saw Saphra.
"Ah, Saphra, my lamb, thank you for coming," Ferrah greeted warmly. Her voice was rough from years of the wasteland sand eroding at her vocal chords but had the air of being very silky in her younger years. She was about forty, but still had the lean muscular build of her twenties. If it weren't for the deep wrinkles across her face from the excessive sun exposure, and her harsh, cracked voice, you would have never guessed she was middle aged at all.
Saphra sank into a low bow to show respect for the leader, causing her high ponytail of violent red hair to tumble forward into her face. "A pleasure to be in your presence, my liege. How may I serve you?" She asked without meeting Ferrah's amber eyes.
"Please my child, not so formal. Now come over here and sit down, I need to talk with you," Ferrah sounded almost grandmotherly, she had gotten quite a bit softer now than in her early years. She had lost the commanding bossiness and was now a cool and wise leader to the Gerudo. But she often appeared senile, forgetting people and events that happened less than two years ago. This was probably from the torture. Ganon and his brutes had tortured Ferrah and imprisoned her for weeks when he was still in power, trying to force valuable information out of her about Link, Hyrule, and the Triforce, but only managed in damaging her mind and memories forever. Nevertheless, she was a far superior leader than any that the Gerudo had been under previously.
Saphra walked lightly over to the leader and took a seat on the step below her, looking up through the red veil into her eyes, heavily defined with black paint.
Yay! Another cliff hanger type like thing! Please tell me if it gets annoying or confusing --''' I'm just trying to keep it interesting!
Link closed his eyes briefly before speaking. He would start from the beginning and tell all, his lies would be uncovered now. Link tried to first imagine the consequences of him spilling his guts to this highly untrustworthy Gerudo......but there was no telling.
"Ok," He began. "Zelda...she was my girlfriend before the war. She is the um, Princess of Hyrule and-"
"THE WHAT?!" Randa's jaw dropped and her eyes bulged. "YOU were dating the PRINCESS?! Why in hell didn't you tell me this before? You've got connections in the castle, and were out here sitting on the damn ground?" Link hung his head and dragged his fingers through his blonde hair, removing his hat in doing so. He dropped the red Kokiri cap in the dirt beside him and then turned his eyes to the still-stunned Randa.
"You need to work on your social skills Randa, people usually wait until after someone has finished talking to make comments," He laughed slightly and continued. "Yes, I was dating the Princess, and yes I did live in the castle. No I don't still have connection's there, so no im not going to take you there."
"You told me you lived in the damn forest all your life like some tree hugging sissy!" Randa growled, then to herself muttered, "Man, I'd love to get my hands on some of that palace loot, I'd be a hero!"
Link picked up his hat and threw it at her. "Would you let me finish talking?! I'm trying to clear my conscience here, and all you can think about is stealing!? Anyway, Zelda..." He trailed as her picture burned vividly in his mind. Her features twisted into a miserable cry, calling to him desperately, the last expression he had seen upon her delicate face. He chased the vision away with his voice as he continued, "She was a good person and I sort of.... abandoned her." He had to stop for a moment, he had never looked at it like that before. He had abandoned Zelda, only thinking of himself.
"Yea, yea, I get it. You're a bad person. Now keep talking or im going to find something else to do!"
"My god Randa, can't you see this is hard for me? Be patient, please." Randa seemed to take the hint and motioned for him to continue. "I met Zelda when I was ten...then I didn't see her again for seven years. Her father made me live with them after I......um, saved Hyrule from....Ganon." He tried desperately to make it sound unimportant, but Randa reacted as severely as he expected
"That was YOU? You are the Hero of Time? Dammit Lyatt....you're Link!" Randa was beside herself.
"Hm, you've heard of me?" It sounded so weird to say that to someone he had known for six months.
"Heard of you? You're a legend around here! You got rid of the evil Gerudo, who made us slave and do....favors for him. Damn, you're a hero! And to think, I thought you were just some tree hugging sissy who was too wuss fight in the war. I have to tell everyone!" She made to stand but Link set a gloved hand on her shoulder.
"I know im famous around here, that's why I don't want anyone to know. I'm surprised nobody has recognized me." He was glad to see her submit and sit obediently, and was that a look of concern on her face?
In her softest voice, she asked, "Why not Lya- um....Link?"
Im sure it's getting annoying. But I won't do it anymore...at least not in this chap --''' o wait, yea I will.
Ferrah looked down gently upon Saphra's questioning face before speaking.
"That boy, Lyatt..." She trailed off as if gathering her words then began again. "Lyatt, he is a good boy isn't he Saphra? Yes, yes, and you love him, I can tell. So it saddens me to tell you this." Saphra sat up on her knees and placed a concerned touch on Ferrah's knee.
"What do you mean? What's happened to him?"
"Dear, it's not like that...This is hard to tell you, but that boy is deceiving us, lying to us. He cannot be trusted, my dear"
"Ferrah, what do you mean? He cannot lie to me, I can always sense it!" The leader sighed and looked off across the hall. Saphra became angry at the silence and stood, commanding,
"Answer me! What are you talking about?" The guards were set at attention, tightening their grips on their swords and eyeing Saphra cautiously.
"He has not always lived in the forest as he told us. He is from Hyrule Castle, he is the enemy! Now sit down Saphra before you do something you regret." But Saphra did not sit.
"The enemy!? What are you talking about? Have you gone completely senile? We are in alliance with Hyrule, having a Hylean in our camp is a good thing!" she said forcefully.
"We were in alliance with Hyrule. As of this morning, the Gerudo defend Termina and her allies. Before now we have been relatively neutral, but we will deploy troops in the morning. That boy isn't Gerudo, so is not to be trusted! I summoned you here because you must be the one to inform him. He must be gone by sunrise and if he is seen in this camp again, he will be executed." Ferrah sank back into her throne as if saying that had drained her slightly. Saphra stared at her for a moment then dropped slowly to her knees.
"I cannot tell him to leave, after all he's done for us! We took him in six months ago as a starving, terrified wretch of a man, bloodied and bruised from the war. Since then he has built homes, helped us better train, and defended us from attacks.....and you want me to tell him to leave just because he's Hylean?"
"He cannot be trusted! He came to us on false-"
"That does not matter! So what, he has something to hide! He is a noble man. This is not the new way of the Gerudo, you are ruling like Ganon!" At those words, the guards around Saphra jumped up and seized her forearms. She struggled against the restraint and they held tighter.
"You will not speak in such a way to the Leader, now apologize or you will pay!" One of the guards hissed in her ear.
"Let her be," Ferrah commanded, her rough voice laced with contempt. "Think what you like, Saphra. But if you choose to go against me and do not do as I have commanded, you will be executed as well." Silence. Saphra stared through the veil into Ferrah's eyes, which were cold and focused stonily back at her. Suddenly, Ferrah's mood melted back into the warm, grandmotherly feel as she said, "My lamb, I only want what's best for you, best for my people. It is not wise in these times of war to have strangers among us. At this time, we can only trust ourselves. Please try to understand, my child." With that she stood from her throne and placed her hands on Saphra's trembling shoulders. Ferrah attempted to pull the girl into a consoling embrace, but Saphra drew away without a word. She inclined her head slightly to the leader and proceeded slowly out of the room.
She had to squint against the high noon sunlight as she looked around for the messenger to take her back. "That ass!" She fumed, realizing the man was nowhere to be found. But she was cursing more at Ferrah. How could she expect her to do such a thing? Should she betray her people, or her heart? With an exasperated and angry groan, Saphra started over to the stables to retrieve her stallion.
"Why don't you want anyone to know?" Randa asked again.
"Because....Im trying to start over. I never really got to live you know? One day the goddesses came to me and bam! I was off saving the world. They say it's my destiny.....Always serving.... I served in the Hyrule Royal Guard as you know, defending my country against Termina, "The enemy" where....I....kill." He stopped suddenly and his eyes glazed over slightly. Randa prodded him in the shin after a moment and he came to.
"What the hell was that about? Are you ok?" He shook his head as if she startled him, and then continued like nothing happened. "I killed a man and you know, just, snapped. I tried to get over it and return to the war but it's not that easy I guess. For awhile I hid out in the forest, that didn't last long. I contemplated going back to the castle and asking for a pardon for deserting, but I knew they would hang me. It's their no tolerance policy. I didn't have anywhere to go, so...I came here and you know the rest. But I'm not worthy of Zelda or living in the castle now, now that im a...murderer. And weird things keep happening, I get extremely angry for no reason and I wake up every morning so tired that it's painful. Last night, I woke up at the castle and I don't even know how or why. Anyway, the castle is not my life anymore so im trying to move on and forget about all that. If not for Saphra, I'd probably move on to a new land, separate myself completely from these memories. You understand now?" Link turned his crystalline eyes to Randa and thought he saw a tear slide down her cheek.
"You would just leave us like that? You're only here for Saphra? ...." She asked quietly.
"Aw, come on, that's not what I meant. I care for you, for everyone." Link set his hand gently on her shoulder and she smiled at him.
Fast paced, heavy hoof beats reverberated off the cliff walls, coming in their direction. The largest stallion in the camp, perhaps the entire country came thundering towards them on golden hooves. Ornate tack decorated with jewels and bells adorned the black beast. On its back, controlling him like a mere pony was Saphra, a look of foreboding on her face. As she dismounted, Link shot a warning look to Randa, advising her with his eyes to keep mum.
Saphra dismounted and ran over to Link, throwing herself into his arms. "Oh Lyatt, it's terrible!" She cried and buried her face in his tunic. Shocked, Link slowly wrapped his arms around her in condolence.
"Um...should I be leaving?" Randa asked hesitantly. Saphra slowly drew away from Link and wiped her eyes.
"No, you should stay...." She said.
"What's wrong Saphra?" Link asked and held her out by her shoulders at arms length.
"Lyatt, the leader says you aren't welcome here anymore!" There was a moment of anxious silence before Saphra continued. "Ferrah says you will be killed if you aren't gone by sunrise!"
"What? Why?!" Saphra turned away from him and placed her hands over her face.
"Because you are the enemy...." she said weakly. Link was confused beyond confusion.
"Enemy of what? Saphra, explain to me!"
Saphra turned to him. The desperation in his voice hurt her. She replied as calmly as she could. "......She says we are allies with Termina now and therefore you are the enemy....But Lyatt, she also said you are deceiving us. What does she mean?" Link hoped this was just coincidence, because that was too weird. He sat down exasperated and stared at the ground.
"Lyatt..." Saphra kneeled next to him and slid her arms around his shoulders. She repeated his name consolingly, letting him know he could tell her anything.
"First of all, my name isn't Lyatt...." Link went into his explanation of the situation once again. After he finished, both girls stayed silent and didn't look at him so he turned and away observed life in the Gerudo camp. Young children having mock sword fights in the afternoon sun, troops training in a far off lot. An elderly woman was outside her home, sweeping red sand off of the small stone entry. She looked up and met Link's eyes with a distrusting scowl. Neighs of bored horses greeted his ears, he could pick out Epona's bray above them all. Finally, Saphra spoke.
"I don't care about any of that, its past. All I care about is the present and our future. I want us to be together. Link, we'll run away together!"
They made plans until the sun danced low on the horizon. They would pack all they could and leave before sunrise. Link suggested going to the forest, then the ocean, or the mountains, but nothing was decided. They would simply see what happened. Randa agreed to stay among the Gerudo after much persuasion. Although she would miss her sister more than anything, she knew it was what had to be done. By the time the sun had said its final goodbyes, so had Link and Randa. It was an emotional moment, but Randa seemed to be alright.
"Just...don't get yourself killed ok?" She said while hugging Link a little too tight. He patted her awkwardly on the back and told her not to bloody up the boys too much. Holding back her deep feelings, Randa socked Link in the arm and started off to the home she and Saphra shared. Link stepped to Saphra and took her in his arms.
"We'll be alright," He whispered then gave her a reassuring kiss. The last kiss.
A sharp pain came to rest in Link's skull as he tried to sleep that night. Deep raw pressure was gnashing at his brain, tearing at the back of his eyes. He got headaches every night, but never this severe before. The pain was making him angry, or maybe his anger was making him hurt. He ground his teeth and clenched his fists, sure he could tough it out. Finally, it became too much. Link gave in and took a dose of the powerful black potion, instantly falling into an incomplete and uncomfortable sleep.
Sorry it that was too long -- it took me forever to write. Something is really going to happen next chap!
BTW, my favorite flavor of jelly bean is pink or orange, sometimes red.