Ch. 3: The Military Base

Link rode Epona into the ranch with many welcomes. It was now much larger and was much like a small town, but for military personnel only. People were screaming and yelling all around. They yelled at each other, themselves, the horses, and random objects. In the part of the ranch that Link remembered, the part with the cow barn and horse coral, a tall, read haired girl was yelling at everyone.

"Malon!" Link cried, riding over to her.

"Link!" Malon replied.

"What's happened to the ranch?" Link asked. Malon was also on a horse. She and Link walked along next to each other on their horses.

"King Hyrule asked if he could use our ranch to supply him with horses. As you can see it's a major property increase. Our horses have multiplied as well. The only problem is that we are in the middle of Hyrule, giving us a bad defensive position. Although, we have a great scouting position. But what about you, you've been gone for so long. And the time you returned two years ago was so short." Malon asked, giving link deep, curious eyes.

"Oh. I was looking for my fairy. I actually met a girl much like you." Link replied, smiling a great big smile.

"Why did you return?" Malon asked.

"Remember when you were in the Castle Market those seven years ago, when we first met? That Happy Mask Shop, the owner followed me. I need to find out where he is." Link replied.

"When they rebuilt the Castle Market that property was sold to someone else." Malon replied.

"He probably sold it when he followed me through the Lost Forest." Link guessed.

"Most likely. But why have you come here? To the Military Base, I mean." Malon asked.

"I am on a spy Mission to the Gerudo Fortress. Hyrule told me to report here first." Link explained.

"Why? Does he think your horse is not properly adjusted for this? There's got to be a reason to come here." Malon asked.

"He didn't say. He just said come here." Link said. As he said it, here was a large explosion in a building.

"YOU FOOL! HYRULE WILL KILL US IF THESE SWORDS ARENT DELIVERED FIRST THING TOMORROW!" a voice cried out, quieting everyone.

"There father goes again, getting all worked up on work. Remember the simple days when he'd fall asleep on the job?" Malon said. She dismounted her horse and walked it to a stable boy. He took it into the stables. Link just followed her on his horse. She went into the explosion building. Link dismounted and followed her it.

There was a soldier on the ground, picking up pieces of metal. A large, bulky man was pointing everywhere. He looked very angry and impatient. He had white clothes on. They had blue trim. He had a large button nose and brown hair.

"Dad, stop yelling. I'm sure it was only an accident." Malon said, patting the man on his shoulder.

"Talon?" Link gasped.

"If it isn't Link. How's my favorite horse doing? She's still alive, right?" Talon asked.

"She's fine. She's just outside if you would like to see her." Link replied.

"Nah, I'm good right here." Talon replied.

"What happened to you, Talon? Were you put into slavery or something? You look so fit!" Link exclaimed.

"That's a good one, kid. Since I joined the Hylian Army, I was forced to buff it up. I'm in charge of operations in this Base. I was sent a message by an owl telling me to brief you." Talon said.

"Alright, let's get going." Link said, walking toward Talon.

"Upstairs I have it set up." Talon guided Link up the stairs and through a few sets of rooms. As they walked, Link heard the sounds of metal clashing. "We make swords, armor, and horseshoes here, for King Hyrule."

"Ah." Link said, realizing the noises and their meaning.

They entered a room that had some papers laid out on a table. A candle was in the center of the table. Light was shining through the windows.

"You are to sneak into the Gerudo Fortress. We believe the best vantage point is to go around and sneak in from the Archery Range. Even if no one is outside, you must go in that way. That direction will have the least defense. They won't expect infiltration from the back. This is your set of tools!" Talon dropped a bag on the table. It was rolled up. Talon opened it up and it rolled out. Inside were bombs, a pick, a hookshot, and a grappling hook.

"Now we're talking!" Link cried, reaching for the equipment.

"Wait! If you break it you will need to pay for it." Talon said, suppressing a laugh.

"What?" Link gasped.

"I'm just kidding." Talon laughed. Link grabbed the tools and put them where he could hold them. The hookshot was on his belt as well as the grappling hook. The Bombs were in a bag hanging from his belt. The pick was placed in his pocket. Link ran out the door. He returned to Epona and jumped onto her. He kicked her sides and she ran through the Base, eventually leaving its gates.