Chapter 16
The Truce
"Hold still," ordered the Princess sternly, holding onto Bowser's injured arm. "I can't clean this if you keep squirming like a fussy child." Peach had torn her white robe into strips, and was currently trying to cleanse the wound. It was sliced pretty deep, and she was worried about infection, she just wished she could dampen the strips so it would work more effectively.
"This isn't right," complained Bowser, "I'm the biggest, baddest, brute around, and yet I'm being aided by a Princess I have captured!"
"Yea, yea, and I'm a reaper," retorted Toad sarcastically, standing beside the kneeling Princess. "We know you're not who you say you are."
"Someone tell that little fungus to shut up," the reptile grumbled as Peach another strip to the bleeding wound. "Peach, I know you have white magic, why don't you heal me instead?"
"I'm too weak due to the previous attack and from lack of food and drink. Plus the wound was caused by back magic. It will fester in the injury for quite awhile, and it'll prevent me from using my powers to heal the mark it made. Normally I can overcome most black magic, but," - she paused, - "this evil is too strong
A thick strand fell before her eyes while she was tying the longest white strip around Bowser's right arm. She couldn't push it out of the way since her hands were busy and her gloves were bloodstained anyway. Peach shook her head slightly to move the stubborn strand, but it still blurred her vision.
"Here, let me get that."
A long claw brushed her forehead softly, moving the hair out of the way.
"Thanks," she said gratefully, and finished the dressing. Bowser flexed his arm, it was still painful, but it was alleviated.
"Now," Toad said seriously, "you have some explaining to do. Just who was this Forgeron character you were talking to?"
"I don't know much about him," acknowledged Bowser, "but he has more black magic and evil in this veins than me. He came to my Koopa Keep one day, offering a special reward if I could help him create a perfect army. I'm not into joining other forces, I have my pride after all, but I couldn't resist the offer."
"What was the reward?" retorted Peach. "Money? Power?"
Bowser's mouth opened and closed a few times before he could summon enough courage to utter the one word.
"You."
"What?"
"He promised to leave you – and your Kingdom – unharmed for me to take over," said Bowser.
"Look," said Toad, changing the subject, "enough about your darkest desires. We're sitting around doing nothing while some crazy guy is making army slaves. I say we head back to the Mushroom Kingdom and get the military."
"What military?" Bowser sneered.
"Shuddap, at least we don't get beaten by plumbers."
"Fungus freak."
"Obnoxious reptile."
"Stop it!" shouted the Princess, placing herself between the wranglers. "This isn't going anywhere. You can keep arguing pointlessly in the desert if you want, but I'm going to find this Forgeron and get Mario back myself if I have to."
"Whoa, time out," said the retainer. "You can't go wandering around the desert alone. You could get lost, but if you insist on doing such a thing, we'll get lost together, okay?"
Peach smiled at her friend, "Thank you, Toad. I knew I could count on you."
The sun had sunk below the horizon and the last dim afterglow outlined the barren sands and the desert was beginning to lose its excessive heat. The Princess directed herself to Bowser and gave a graceful curtsy.
"King Bowser Koopa," she said kindly, "it would be an honour if you –"
"Fine, I'll let you join the Koopa Troop," he interrupted, "but only until I get my Sky Castle back. Think of my generosity as a thanks for attending to my injury."
"So it's a deal?" she asked sweetly, and Bowser nodded.
"We'll shake on it," he replied, sticking out his claw. Slowly, Peach removed her filthy gloves and offered her bare hand. Bowser shook it, amazed how soft it felt, and wished he would hold her hand longer. They both let go. She folded her gloves and stuffed them in her robe pocket, even though she felt uncomfortable without the protection and concealment they gave. Peach knew she couldn't continue to wear the dirty gloves.
"It's only a matter of time before it's completely dark," said Toad, looking toward the dying sun. "Which direction should we go?"
The Princess turned to her temporary ally.
"So," she said, "where should we go?"
"Well, the original direction was east to Iron Mountain," he replied. "That's were Forgeron planned to meet me before the disaster."
"Then we go west, right?" Toad said hopefully, but the King shook his head.
"We are past the half-way point," he explained. "Iron Mountain is much closer than the Mushroom Kingdom. We'll die of dehydration before reaching home."
"You're optimistic," muttered Peach, but, luckily, Bowser didn't hear her.
"I always hated the desert," grumbled Toad. "Now I have the honour to kick the bucket in this anonymous place."
"Actually," pointed out Bowser, "this is Sarasaland Desert."
"Oh!" Peach blurted out happily. "I remember someone mentioning the name while we were in the control centre, but I didn't know if I heard correctly. This is great! I'm sure Daisy can help us!"
"If we find her that is," Bowser said darkly, but his remark could not bring Peach and Toad's hopeful spirits down to earth.
"Don't worry," assured Toad. "Now that we identified which desert we're in, we know where to head."
"You do?"
"Of course," said Peach. "She lives in the south. We visit her biannually."
The two set off, and Bowser trailed behind, though a bit unwillingly. He remembered Forgeron saying the elements of the desert would destroy them, and he wasn't sure if they could survive the journey through Sarasaland. Forgeron was powerful, Bowser didn't know how he could obtain such inconceivable dark magic or energy to perform it. A gesture of the magician's hand could create a sandstorm strong enough to finish them off. In fact, Forgeron could attack them at anytime…
"Bowser?" a melodious voice asked softly, taking him off his dreadful thoughts, "what's wrong?"
Not wanting to cause the Princess concern, he produced a weak smile and said, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Her raised eyebrows elicited doubt about his answer, but she didn't say anything and the three continued.
