Disclaimer: This seems a bit redundant… No I don't own The Legend of Zelda.
Chapter 2 Escape
Kail glanced at herself one last time before she left. The men's gear she had bought, claiming they were a gift for Haru, fit loosely and covered her feminine body. She tied the plain wool cloak around her neck and drew the hood up to cover her face. She strung her bow and slung it across her back and grabbed her saddle bags. They were light, only containing extra clothes and some money. I can buy food at Lonlon she thought, it will only have to last until I figure out how to hunt and can support myself. She leaned against her door listening for any movement. After a few minutes she opened the door and peaked out. Not seeing anyone she ran as quickly and quietly as she could down the hall and out into the training yard. She slipped silently through the shadows until she reached the back wall. Her and Marius had often snuck out to the market this way when they were younger. She climbed the wall praying no one looked out a window and saw her.
Nearly 4 hours later Kail arrived at the gate on Lonlon Ranch. It had taken little effort to convince some of the kids she knew from the city to lure the guards away form the gate. Their parents were wealthy and Kail had known they would be out late and agree to help. Pestering the guards was one of their favorite pastimes. Oh god my feet hurt, She thought, I hope Haru has a horse with good stamina so I don't have to walk this much again. She slipped silently into the stable she had been talking with Haru in only a few days before, this time feeling somewhat like a thief. The only sounds in the stable were the occasional stirring of hay. The moon shone through a window casting eerie shadows and providing just enough light for Kail to feel her way to the ladder up to Haru's loft.
Suddenly a strong arm wrapped around her pinning her arms to her sides and pulling her back onto a hard chest. The other clapped over her mouth trapping any screams in her throat.
"Thinking our beasts will fetch ya a nice piece of gold with th' rest of yer outlaw friends, thief?" Haru's voice drawled into Kail's ear. The feel of his warm breath on her neck made her shiver. She tried to talk but only muffled grunts came out from behind the broad hand covering her mouth. He pushed her roughly up against a wall holding her arms behind her back. "The King's gaurds will wish ta meet ye."
Now that her mouth was finally free she whispered fiercely, "Haru you horse crazed ruffian release me at once!"
"Princess?" came the incredulous whisper from behind as she was released. "I'm so sorry m'lady but what are ye doing' sneaking into th' stable?"
"I came to buy a horse." She said simply. Haru was facing the light and Kail could see the obvious confusion on his face.
"But why sneak in 'ere in th' middle of th'…" He trailed off as realization dawned. "Kail ye can't really be meaning ta do this. Ye be a Princess."
"So? You sound just like mother and father now. What happened to the boy I was talking with before that had faith in me."
"He was only kiddin'!" Haru said sharply before remembering where they were and continuing in a whisper. "You don't know how to hunt, you cant use only a bow to defend yourself. Did ye even think ta bring arrows?" It occurred to Kail she hadn't.
"Don't you dare take the tone with your Princess!" Kail didn't understand Haru's sudden anger. He was all for this plan earlier and besides that eh had no right to scold her. "You will supply me with the commodities I need and then you needn't bother yourself over me again but I am going to do this." The hurt on Haru's face made her instantly regret her words. He turned his back to her and sighed. He was silent for several moments before turning back to her.
"I'm coming with ye then." She opened her mouth to argue but he wouldn't let her speak, "There still be monsters out there not ta mention outlaws. I can hunt and I'm sure it be treason to let you do this alone. Plus I won't give ye any arrows unless ya agree"
"That's extortion but I guess adventuring with you will be more fun than going alone." She stood in front of her a hulking shadow before sighing again and climbing up him loft.
"How much money did ya think ta bring?" He asked her.
"Umm. 5000 gold."
"Ok that should pay for 2 horses and some food and I'll take what money I got so we can buy other things if we need ta." He jumped down from the loft, a saddle bag slung over his shoulder. He dropped it at Kail's feet and trhust a quiver full of arrow sinto her arms. He walked down the stalls about half way before stopping and letting himself into one. He started to get the horse inside ready to go. "Ye know how ta do this sorta stuff don't ya? Come get the one across from this fellow ready." Kail did what she was told. In short order both horses were ready and Kail held two sets of reins outside the stable as she waited for Haru to get back with food. "Ok I left th' money on th' table and got enough food to last us 'bout a week. Now where exactly did ye plan on goin'?" He took the reins to his horse and swung himself up into the saddle.
"Well I figured I, we could head west then down to Lake Hylia. I heard my father mention monsters being on the rise again over there so it seems a good place to start."
"Of course ye would be wanting to go where there be monsters on the rise." Haru commented dryly.
With that the two of them set of into the night. Kail smiled and glanced at Haru whose eyes were set on his horses neck, a small frown played across his lips.
"Do you regret coming already?" Kail asked worried about her friend.
"No I be regretting not simply tyin' ye up in th' stable and taking ye back to yer father at first light. Princess this be insane"
"Yup," Kail replied cheerily. "But you aren't wholly sane yourself so what are you complaining about?" Haru stuck his tongue out at her but was smiling now. That's a step in the right direction Kail thought. He'll be having as much fun as me within a day.
They were just passing by the Haunted Wasteland when the sun stared to come up. Only traders with scores of guards or patrols ever went in there.
"We should try and find somewhere sheltered to rest for th' day."
"Why? Traveling by day is much nicer than by night and the horses aren't in dire need of a rest just yet."
"Maybe not but how long 'til yer discovered missin' and yer father sends men out ta look for ya?"
"I'm so glad you came with me Haru." Kail meant every word. She had never considered that. Suddenly she felt ashamed of what she was doing. Her parents would probably be worried sick. She pushed the thought aside.
Haru smiled, "I'm glad I came too, this might be a bit o' fun after all." He swerved his horse towards the Haunted Wasteland. Suddenly he stopped and dismounted. He walked over to a few spare trees and bent the branches back to reveal a cave. Everyone would fit but it would be a tight squeeze. Kail led her horse over and dismounted also.
Once to horses were settled Haru slid back down the back wall with the saddlebags. Streams of light filtered throught the brances of the trees covering the entrance but not too much. Kail sat down beside him and Haru gave her some cheese and bread. They ate in silence. Before too long Kail was slumped against Haru's shoulder fast asleep.
Sometime later Kail started awake. The sound of thundering hooves echoed in the cave. She looked at Haru who put a finger to his lip and pointed to the entrance of the cave. Kail saw horses galloping past. When the final one had gone by they both sighed.
"Let's just go back Kail. We were lucky this time but how long 'til we be found by a search party just like that? I could see th' colors they wore as plain as ye." He said to the innocent look on her face.
"No." Kail said firmly. "How long was I out for?"
"'Bout 10 minutes. We should both git a bit a rest I s'pose." Kail Rested her head on Haru's shoulder again, all the excited of the past night catching up with her again.
Haru yawned but didn't sleep. I hope I can keep her safe, he thought. The thought of Kail getting hurt made his heart twist in his chest. When her father catches up with us I'm dead. He knew that thought should worry him more but he was too tired. He rested his head on top of Kail's and was sleeping soundly in moments.
Kail's eyes fluttered open and she yawned. She looked around momentarily having forgotten where she was. Haru's head was slumped forward and rested on his chest. The sun must be going down, thought Kail. I'm sure it wasn't this dark in here last time I woke up. But what had woken her up? She glanced around again not seeing anything out of place, then one of the shadows moved. She gasped as it stood up and walked forward towards her. She wanted to scream but it stuck in her throat. The man's light brown hair fell to his shoulders and looked like it hadn't been brushed in a while. He wore loose brown pants and a leather tunic over a ragged shirt. Finally he stood in front of her looking down with an evil grin. Kail could do nothing but shake.
"Well wut have we 'ere?" He asked. His deep voce only scaring her more. His broad shoulders and large hands looked like they could snap her in two with little effort. Suddenly she found her voice.