Everywhere there was space, there were people. They lounged in the shade of palm trees, engaging in loud chatter, or stayed inside of their houses, their windows a vortex into domestic lives brimming with laughter.
But most of all, people swarmed the streets. They danced about, swinging from one stall to another, pointing to things and spiraling into conversation, the vendors always engaging them.
Everywhere one looked in Gerudo Town, there was motion.
Link himself was still, observing the glittering assortment of precious gems. Presented before him on sandstone pillars, it was like they were being offered to the gods themselves.
He reached into his pocket to gauge his rupee count, though all that greeted him was a meager handful. All he would be able to afford with this amount was poultry.
When he turned to meet Jade's gaze, her eyes softened around the edges. "It's alright," she assured him, "come back when you've got the funds. You're always welcome here."
His nod was slow, solemn. He trudged toward the door with an uneven gait, his shoes still rubbing against his skin-
The pain flew out of his mind when a voice pierced the din.
"Thief! Thief!"
At once, Link shot through the doorway into the light, his head whipping around. In a sea of people, he didn't know where to even begin his search-then a man raged like a wildfire through the crowd.
An awfully familiar man with a head of fire red hair.
Link's shoes exploded against the cobblestone as he hared after Ganondorf, diving into the crowd of people, ducking under elbows and dodging bodies in his way.
Ganondorf's massive build and the clunky jangle of his jewelry made the chase an easy one, and once Link broke free of the crowd, he made a beeline toward him, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
The two passed underneath the previous night's archway, Link going to draw his sword when-
A spear stopped Link's trajectory, and he caught himself just in time to not ram into it.
His eyes shot up to see not one, but two guards, one in front of him, and one guarding Ganondorf's escape. Both wore scowls, and their grip on their weapons made them seem like extensions of their hands rather than golden poles.
"You," growled the one in front of the exit, "how did you reach the marketplace unsupervised?"
"Well, I'm old enough to go on my own now," he retorted, his lip quirking up.
"Don't play smart!" she snapped. "Empty your pockets. Now."
Now that Link could do so, he peered over the spear and took a good look at Ganondorf-gone was the half dressed man of last night; before him stood a king. A golden headpiece gripped his head, his crown. In fact, he was drowning in jewelry; a necklace, a ring on each finger of his left hand, and long, dangling earrings adorned him. A dark blue sash covered him from right shoulder to stomach, covered in bright yellow dots and topped with a twinkling golden belt that held his pants up, as decorated and colorful. And, this time, he carried a weapon-a massive spear speckled with rubies, as large and threatening as he.
This Ganondorf wore the appearance of a king.
He made a show of patting himself down, running his fingers along each wrinkle, even over his bare skin where he couldn't have even hidden anything.
"Hurry up!"
"I'm being thorough," he insisted. "I wouldn't want to miss anything."
He dragged it out a few moments more, before, finally, he drew things out of crevices and anywhere there was a gap.
Link watched his loot hit the ground-children's dolls and rubber balls and a threaded necklace that was three sizes too small to fit around his own neck, much less Ganondorf's.
The items were completely useless.
"Is that all?" barked the guard.
"That's all."
She nodded to the guard in front of Link, who motioned him to step away. He did.
"Is it necessary for… her to be here?" he grunted in his direction.
"This is a public area, and you chose to steal. Anybody can watch what happens to you."
He was pressed against the wall, her hands nimble over his body as she searched every fold, every nook and cranny.
"Alright," she said and he shifted, "since that's all you ha-"
Disturbed by Ganondorf's movement, a piece of meat escaped onto the ground with a slap right from under his pant leg.
Gruuuuumble, his stomach groaned.
Immediately, Ganondorf glanced over to Link, his face dark and wrinkled with humiliation. Link only stared back, pupils large and face slack.
Four hands grappled his body, gripping his elbows and dragging him through the sand. "Your failure to comply is not tolerated, Your Majesty," the guard once at the door spat.
Even while the guards wrestled him to the archway, Ganondorf twisted his head to see Link, who stood glued to the ground for what felt like an hour-then, at once, he leaped forward and sliced through the guard's path.
"What are you-" they began, then they saw it.
Link's hand was brimming with rupees, glistening and bright. Just enough for poultry.
Ganondorf's face scrunched in like a cork. "What are you doing?!"
The guards glanced at the rupees, then back at him.
"A lovely sentiment," one started.
"But he still must be punished," finished the other.
Again, Link held out the rupees, his mouth open with a wordless plea.
iHe's hungry./i
The first guard, sensing his plight, slowed her pace. "...there could be an alternative to jail," she mumbled.
"He committed a crime," reminded the second. "That's where criminals go."
Ganondorf's voice boomed, "I'll repay the vendor with the money!"
The two came to a halt, glanced at each other, then at Link. Their voices, soft yet still firm, mingled in the air for minutes.
Finally, the second guard's shoulders slumped, and she nodded.
The first guard turned to Link and held out her hand, her other still hooked around Ganondorf's elbow.
With a sigh of relief, he pressed the rupees into her palm.
As they escorted him away, Ganondorf's eyes locked onto Link's. "I don't owe you anything."
And then Link was standing alone.