Chapter Two – The Raid

The sounds of footsteps filled the halls within the Gerudo Fortress. Metal clanked together as well, giving the sign that some were preparing for a fight. A small band of Gerudo made their way up the sloped stairs to the king's chamber. At the lead was Nabooru in her dark red cloak, the hood tossed back and exposing her head. A sword lay within its jeweled and glittering sheath which was strapped to her belt. She approached the door to the king's chamber and stopped right outside. The band behind her stopped as well. There were two guards at either side of the door, grasping their polearms. About their faces were pieces of silk cloth, tied around behind their heads. They each wore capes that came down to their ankles. If the backs were visible, one could see the mark of the Gerudo: a crescent moon bearing a star between the tips. These guards watched Nabooru.

"I wish to speak to Ganondorf," she said, "The time for our raid is now."

The guard on the right nodded and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened and another guard came into view. "Follow me," she said.

Nabooru obeyed and passed thru the door. The others from the band remained behind, awaiting her return. The door closed behind her and the guard returned to her post at the side of the door. Nabooru looked around at the room before her now. She had seen it many times before. The walls were covered in tapestries and maps of Hyrule. Along the far wall directly ahead were tall shelves bearing many books and scrolls. There was a large wooden desk in front of the shelves covered in papers and books. A feather pen rested within its ink holder. To her right was a couch of crimson cushions, dotted with pillows of violet. In front of the couch was a small table. Off to her left was another doorway that led to the king's bedroom. Throughout the room, torches crackled, providing light within the chamber.

She stood there, waiting, until finally the tarp leading to the bedroom was pushed aside. The figure of a tall, muscled man appeared. His armor shone black and grey in the light with his cape trailing behind him. Bright red hair covered his head which was crowned with jewels, and dark eyes looked out from beneath his eyebrows. It was the king, Ganondorf. His deep, booming voice sounded as he entered the study. "Nabooru. What news do you bring me now?"

Nabooru quickly bowed her head in respect, then replied, "Ganondorf, today is the day for a major raid. The new supplies come in to Hyrule and we need to take our share."

Ganondorf nodded, walking over to his desk and shuffling through papers. "Indeed, that is today. When do you plan to go?"

"We're ready now, sir. I have a handful of our best waiting outside your door right this minute."

"Alright then, let us go to see them." And he moved from his desk towards the door. As he looked at Nabooru, he paused. "Where is your sister, Uganguzi? Doesn't she usually come with you?"

"Yes, she usually does," Nabooru shifted her weight. "But today she had some pressing matters to attend to."

As she was speaking, Ganondorf reached for his gloves on a small table beside the door and began to pull them on. "Oh? And what matters are those?"

Nabooru knew that she shouldn't lie to him. It was very risky. But then she remembered what she had told Uganguzi just that morning. "Well, there was an orphan brought to the fortress this morning. She has much potential for our kind. I sent Uganguzi to work with the child for today and find out what her strengths and weakness are so that we can get her into classes."

Ganondorf nodded, his hands strapping his belt around him that held his sword. "Very well. I have some of my own pressing matters to attend to today, so I will be leaving after your band heads out." He adjusted his gloves and straightened his cape. "But I would like to meet this child tonight at dinner, Nabooru."

"Of course, sire."

"Alright then, let's go." And he pushed against the door, opening it in. At the sight of the king, the band of Gerudo fell to one knee. Ganondorf strode out with Nabooru by his side, his features all reflecting power and greatness. He outstretched a hand to them and spoke. "The goddesses always watch over us and protect us. The Great Din is our beloved goddess and she grants to you all power and strength to fulfill your task for the good of our people. Now rise and go forth!"

The Gerudo rose back to their feet and parted against the walls as their king began to descend down the hallway. Nabooru followed close behind him. After the two leaders had passed, the rest filled the hallway once more and continued on outside. They all walked silently across the grounds to the stables. At the very back was a large black horse with eyes of fire. He was the king's steed. Ganondorf quickly climbed atop the stallion as one of the horse keepers opened the gate. With a loud cry, his steed reared up on two legs, then raced out of the stables. The hoofbeats rumbled loudly until they were near silent. Nabooru mounted her horse and shouted, "We pause at the borders!" Then she took off across the grounds, sand kicking up behind her. The band of Gerudo did likewise and followed her down the slope and along the narrow, rocky pass that lead to the Gerudo Valley below.

The valley was wide with a few rocks and boulders scattered around. Ahead was their gate that closed off the bridge across the gorge. A few guards paced along the edge of the gorge, grasping their spears, ready for an intruder to be dumb enough to try and sneak in. There were two tents set up off to the side where food and sleeping accommodations were kept as the guards shifted duties. Behind the tents in the rock wall was an opening like a cave. It was really a tunnel that lead all the way down to the river far below in the gorge. The river flowed from somewhere in the mountains all the way down to Lake Hylia. It was a good mode of transportation when getting into Hyrule undetected.

The approaching band caught the attention of the guards. One of them stood in front of the gate as Nabooru's horse trotted closer. "Does the king send you?" she asked.

Nabooru lowered her hood so that her face could be seen. "Yes, we go forth on a raid. New supplies are on their way to Hyrule, sister."

The guard nodded and moved to the side. Setting down her polearm, she began to crank the lever that lowered the gate on the bridge. Within moments, it was down. She bowed slightly to Nabooru. "May the goddesses be with you all, sisters."

Nabooru nodded once and yanked the reigns of her horse. With a whinny, the horse raced forward again across the bridge. The others followed after, crossing in single-file. Before long, they were all across and heading down another narrow pass that would lead them to Hyrule Field.

Several minutes passed and the band was soon at their borders. Before them was a large field of grasses and trees. Off in the distance was a faint view of the towers to Hyrule Castle. In the distance still, but closer, were the walls of Lon Lon Ranch. That's where most of the milk supply in the land came from. Hyrule Field was vast and open, dotted with trees and rocks. It was very hilly and covered in old—and newer—roads from wagons and horse tracks through the years. Nabooru sat upon her horse and gazed out across the land. It was so different here. The air held moisture and it was much cooler. Of course it was lovely, but just so different. She always felt much like an outcast in this environment.

"M'lady?" a voice behind her sounded.

Nabooru pushed her thoughts aside. "Sisters, the supplies are coming in from the forest. We must make our way in that direction." She turned her horse around so that she was facing the band and gave one nod. At that moment, several of the Gerudo took off straight across the field. Nabooru watched them go before she began to lead the rest north.

The forest was mostly dark, but some light managed to squeeze its way inside. It lit the road before the wagons as they tumbled along. The wooden wheels hit bumps and roots occasionally on the way. The canvas roofs held strong against the branches that brushed past them from the low-hanging trees. The goods that were kept in the wagon were all nestled within their bags and boxes, protected from the weather and any contamination. A man would sit in the back as well to watch over the goods and also to watch for raiders. One horse could pull a wagon and so only one man sat at the front of each. The wagon in the lead bore a middle-aged man with scruff on his chin and long dark hair pulled back into a pony-tail. He wore a grey hat that slumped to the side of his head, matching his old tarnished clothes. His boots were crusted with mud and dirt as he had to free the wagon a few times along the trip from mud holes. But now, he could see ahead where the trees were breaking and the light was getting brighter. Soon he would be out of the forest and in Hyrule Field. It was a good feeling to be out in the open again since the forest always daunted him, and yet it had its downside.

He had been driving wagons for several years now and he knew the dangers of delivering so many goods at one time across Hyrule Field. In the past, the Gerudo had attacked them and taken a significant amount of their items. He had survived each of their attempts, but it wasn't good business for the market in Hyrule. One time, he had even put fake goods in the first couple wagons and once the Gerudo had robbed them, the real wagons with the goods made their way to town. But that had angered the thieves and they returned in fury, taking almost all the goods that were there. It had been a big blow for him. So now any time he made the trips from his town to Hyrule, he brought extra men with him so that they could possibly have a chance to defend their items.

He gently touched the sword lying on the seat beside him. It made him feel safe. He then took a deep breath as the wagon emerged from the trees, light flooding over them and causing him to squint. There didn't seem to be anyone out at this time of day. No sign of the Gerudo either. But he knew they would come. They never missed it. No matter how often he would change the schedules, they somehow always knew. He figured those Gerudo whores took advantage of the guards in Hyrule and that's how they knew. But whatever the case was, he knew they would turn up soon. He jerked the reigns for the horse and they began to move faster along the dirt road. They were heading over a rise. For a moment, he glanced back at the other wagons behind him. They all seemed to be doing fine.

But just then, he heard it. The sound of hoofbeats was unmistakable. He turned back quickly just in time to see the first Gerudo charging over the rise. He grasped his sword and held it up as the first woman came at him. She swung her sword, but he blocked it with his own. The man in the wagon with him scrambled quickly for his bow and began to shoot arrows out the back towards their enemies. Within moments, all the wagons were being attacked by the Gerudo. The horses were frightened and began running. The man at the front tried desperately to steady the horse, his sword falling from his hand. Shouts and cries were heard all around from the struggles behind him. Clanks from swords could be heard as well. Then there was a loud crashing sound. The man yanked hard on the reigns and the horse finally came to a stop. He dared a look back and saw that one of the wagons had fallen over. Some of the Gerudo had dismounted and were grabbing up the sacks of food and boxes of items. Angered, he tried to steer his horse around and he charged towards them.

"What are you doing?!" the man behind him shouted, trying to steady himself.

He didn't reply. He kept going forward.

He was almost there, when all of a sudden something struck him in the side. He went flying through the air, landing hard on the ground. He groaned and quickly rolled over, looking up. A horse trotted up to him, bearing a woman on top. She looked down at him and pointed her sword to him. "That sort of bravery is foolishness. Don't try to fight against us."

As she spoke, he could hear shouts and see his fellow men being held back as more Gerudo rode in from behind. Some of them began pilling the items up and tying them to their horses. He gritted his teeth angrily. "You damned Gerudo whores!"

The woman's expression did not change. A voice came from behind her, informing her that they were ready to go. She paused, then withdrew her sword, sheathing it. "It's what we have to do to survive. Be glad your life was spared." Then she turned her horse and began riding southwest. All her Gerudo sisters remounted and quickly followed after. Several men rushed over to his side and helped him up. Some began to reassemble the goods in the wagons. A cloud of dust was soon all that remained of the Gerudo band. The man watched for a moment longer, then snorted angrily and went to help his men.

It was a long ride back to the fortress, but Nabooru and her band had returned. As they approached the central entrance, several other Gerudo rushed out to meet them. Some began to untie the items and carry them inside. Others took hold of the horses as their sisters dismounted, then they led the horses back to the stables once unloaded. Nabooru hopped off her horse quickly and walked inside. She went directly to the kitchen. Within were a handful of the elderly Gerudo, preparing for the lunch hour. Many times the elders would do such chores as preparing food, teaching classes, and caring for the young. Nabooru approached one and sat beside her. "Kinutu? I need you to do something."

"Why of course, M'lady." Kinutu was a small old woman with her hair turning white. She kept it short because she worked mostly around the food. Her wrinkly face bore a tender smile and her eyes were still bright as ever. She wore a white dress with a belt about her waist. Upon her dress skirt was the symbol of a crescent moon with several stars below, signifying her old age. Kinutu set aside her bowl with the leaves she was crushing for seasonings. "What can I do for you?"

"We just had a raid this morning, and so I need you to count what all we got from it. Just make a list of what foods they are and how much of it we have."

Kinutu nodded, still smiling. "Of course. When shall I have the list ready for you?"

Nabooru stood up. "By this evening. When Ganondorf returns, I'll need to go over the results with him at dinner."

The old woman nodded. "Yes, M'lady. I'll be sure to get that done."

Nabooru smiled and then left the room. As she continued down the halls again, her cloak flowed out behind her, sweeping across the surface of the floor. Her new destination was the storage chamber. That was the room where they kept all cloth materials, jars and crates for holding items, and other such items. She turned another corner and finally came to the room. There was a guard standing outside the open door. A worker walked out and past Nabooru, carrying some fabric. Nabooru entered the room where two workers were already opening the crates of new goods. She called to one of them, "Dayna!"

The one on the right turned her head and quickly gave a short bow when she saw who it was. "Yes, M'lady?"

Nabooru approached her and motioned to the boxes. "I need you to keep track of what new items we get and how many of them. Just have a list ready by this evening so I can show Ganondorf at dinner."

"Yes, of course." Dayna bowed again, then returned to her work as Nabooru left.

Once she left the room, Nabooru headed back towards the central entrance. She wanted to find her sister and see how things were progressing with Ashekha. She passed several workers along the way. Eventually, she made it outside once again. Her eyes scanned the grounds for any sign of Uganguzi, but she saw none. Perhaps they were up at the Training Grounds. Quickly, she turned her direction to the slope and she made the long walk up.