Sorry for the wait, guys! Without schoolwork to avoid, I have little motivation. I was originally going to have this and chapter 14 as one, but it turned out longer than I had expected, and it's getting late. I'm very excited for the next chapter, though, so I will likely have it up as early as tomorrow. Please keep the reviews coming, I love every one of them!
The ride to Hyrule Castle was a long one for the captive Gerudo. They traveled tied to their horses, jostled and bruised by every bump or jolt the animals made. Nights offered little respite as they slept on the open ground, bound to trees rather than horses. Dorcas and the Hylian knights passed up no opportunity to punish their captives, whether the transgressions be real or not. They could not talk, move, or very well think without permission.
After four grueling days of riding, the party reached Hyrule Castle Town in the late afternoon of their fifth day. The town was bordered by the river that flowed from Zora's Domain, over which lay a large drawbridge. When raised, the drawbridge would close the only opening (other than sewage drains) in the stone wall that surrounded the city. Hyrule Castle Town was the economic center of Hyrule, and it showed. Two-storied buildings lined every street: homes, shops, taverns, and gamehouses. The cobblestone roads bustled with evening traffic. Merchants and farmers sold their wares, and town residents went from place to place, pushed aside every so often by the mercenaries and bodyguards leading the occasional nobleperson's litter. Travelers from all of Hyrule's races except the Kokiri were present: Hylians by far the majority, though Gorons were common, a handful of Zora were dispersed throughout the crowd, and even a single Gerudo runaway could be seen performing acrobatics for loose change. Much of the hubbub was located in the center of the city at the town square, centered itself by an ornate fountain.
It was through the town square that the castle-bound convoy now rode. The knights made a wedge formation with the Gerudo to the back. The crowd split as they made their way through, careful not to impede the king's ambassador, and a trail of silence was left in their wake as all eyes fell upon the travel-worn captives. Kirandorf and Ganondorf's glares moved the crowd farther back than the Hylian knights could ever hope to.
As they rode toward the castle, the houses surrounding them became larger and more outlandishly decorated. The powdered faces of noblemen and women could be seen staring disdainfully from windows. To his right, Ganondorf could see a large cathedral from over the rooftops, and noticed that Kirandorf's eyes seemed to follow it intently.
"What is that—" Ganondorf began to ask him, only to be met with a sharp jab to the ribs with the blunt end of a soldier's spear. Ganondorf gave the soldier an open-mouthed scowl, displaying his teeth, and felt some amount of satisfaction that the man rode slightly farther away after that. He turned back to Kirandorf, who shook his head slightly as if to say, 'I'll tell you later.'
Leaving Castle Town behind, the group entered an open meadow, the imposing Hyrule Castle waiting at the top of the hill. Through a checkpoint gate and up a winding path they rode. As they crossed the small moat in front of the palace, the guards stationed at the main entrance pressed the wide doors open for them, and they rode into the expansive entrance hall. A giant of a man with a beard that reached his chest was waiting for them as they entered.
Dismounting, Dorcas dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The knights did the same. "Your Highness, King Umbar Fait of Hyrule, I come to deliver good tidings."
The king's baritone voice seemed to rumble in Ganondorf's ear. "Rise, Dorcas, and speak."
"The Kokiri have assured me that they have no cares for the affairs of outside world and will not interfere with your campaign. They are weak and defenseless, and will be an easy conquest. Asla and his daughter have been dealt with and Gildo now sits on the Zoran throne. The Zora accepted the ruse without question. And," he swept his arm around to indicate the three Gerudo, who were being brought off of the horses at spearpoint to have their hands shackled behind their backs. "The King of Thieves has graciously agreed to your request for an audience."
Fait's malicious smile was unmistakable. "Excellent. Let us take this to the throne room."
The horses were taken away to the castle stables as the group made a short trek down several hallways. Ganondorf was careful to memorize the path they took. The throne room was as wide and long as the entrance hall. Behind the throne stood two women. One had white hair, though she was still young, and wore a polished blue breastplate and a choker with the red eye marking it. The other, the younger of the two, was clothed in familiar blue and white with the same red eye on her breast. Her Tek'talla hung threateningly from her belt. As Ganondorf's eyes fell upon her, a low growl escaped his lips. She looked confidently into those eyes, and much to her credit, did not budge.
Umbar Fait sat on his throne, his massive golden warhammer leaning against it in waiting. The captives were forced roughly to their knees before him. Dorcas took position behind the Gerudo, and the knights lined themselves against the walls. Fait smiled genially, though his eyes betrayed an evil glint.
"Kirandorf, my old friend; it has been far too long."
Kirandorf's face remained stoic, and his voice matched it. "You do not have my friendship, Umbar, and you never have."
Fait frowned at his rival king. "I could have had Gildo poison you along with that boor of a king Asla. But I took mercy in my desire to see you after so long. And especially," he turned to face Ganondorf, smile returning, "to meet this successor of yours who could beat one of my finest Sheikah. What is his name?" he asked Kirandorf.
"My name," Ganondorf said, angry at being ignored, "is Ganondorf."
The king turned back to face him, expression again a scowl, and dealt him a fierce kick to the face that sent him sprawling to his back. "You will speak when spoken to, boy!" he screamed at the bloodied Gerudo.
"What kind of king are you?" Kirandorf demanded. "You attack an incapacitated man, you poison a fair ruler, and you murder his six-year-old daughter just to further your ambitions! Have you not one drop of honor?"
The King of Hyrule laughed out loud. "Honor?" he spat the word, standing and pacing in front of the warriors. "What do I care for honor? Honor is simply a concept invented by weaklings so that they may feel important in front of other weaklings. I have no use for honor. I desire the one truly important possession." He stared intently at Kirandorf. "Power."
Kirandorf dropped his gaze dismissively. "Then you are a fool. Hyrule will not stand united under your rule."
"They will not have a choice," the giant king assured him. "I brought you here in hopes you could be made to understand, but I see now that it was useless." He turned and waved his arm at the Gerudo men. "Take them out and execute them. I have no further use for them. You, however," he began, walking toward Nabooru. He pulled her to her feet and felt her body roughly. "Hmmm," he grunted, smiling. "I will keep you as my own personal toy."
The girl glared into his eyes, unflinching. "I bite."
Fait's giant hand clamped around her throat, lifting her body off of the ground. He pressed her face into his as she choked for air. "Then I'll rip every tooth from your mouth," he whispered, then enveloped her mouth with his.
He sat back on his throne with Nabooru on his lap and ripped her top off. Erryn watched uncertainly from behind the king as he openly groped this girl no older than herself. Ganondorf had to force himself to remain still, his entire body shaking with rage.
"Take the men from my sight," he ordered the knights.
As they stepped forward, Dorcas motioned for them to wait. "Your Highness, if I may make a single request."
Fait frowned. "If it is quick, Dorcas. I want to break in my new concubine."
"Of course, sire. I promised this one," he motioned to Ganondorf, "that I would kill him in a fair fight. Would you grant me the pleasure?"
The king considered his ambassador's request. "A good show before bed would certainly not be amiss. Release that one and give him his weapon," he ordered the knights. "You have not had a challenging fight for many years, Dorcas," he said, grinning.
Dorcas returned the grin and bowed. "Alas, I am uncertain I will find one today."
Kirandorf was taken to the wall by several guards, as another unlocked Ganondorf's shackles, leaping back quickly as the Gerudo's hands were freed. Ganondorf stood, flexing his wrists, then caught the broadsword thrown to him.
"You have sealed your fate," he said, glowering at Dorcas.
"We shall see," the blonde replied, unsheathing his rapier as his smirk grew wider.