Chapter Twenty-Two
Darbus
Death and destruction plagued the land around them, but Death Mountain stood strong, as it always had, and as it always would. They had taken risks in transporting Renado and the Ordon children through the mountains and into the lands to the east, but it had been well worth it. The children were dear to Link, and though Link was long gone,
The Gerudo were fierce warriors, only a fool would believe otherwise, but they would have to be extremely foolish to attack Darbus and his people. Death Mountain was not a hospitable environment, and was damn near impossible to climb if the Gorons made it so. Still, they had thought that way once before when the Hero of Twilight had scaled the mountain...
"Brother," Kogos, one of the guards of the entrance to the mines, greeted him. "A young Hylian has been spotted attempting to scale the mountain. Should we let him pass?"
Darbus thought for a moment, pondering his options. The Hylians had shown them no ill will, at least not since the fall of Hyrule. But they could not afford to become bigger targets than they already were by allowing passage through Death Mountain to every person who sought it. Still, this was the first person since the human children and Renado... "You will see to it he gets to my chambers safely."
"Understood," Kogos nodded and left Darbus alone once more. He could not help but wonder how any of this had happened. Link had been strong, a fierce, proud fighter. He had had no trouble breaking the curse that had been laid upon himself, but he had fallen at the hands of Ganondorf.
Half a day had passed before Kogos entered his chambers once more, the young Hylian by his side, the four elders following close behind them. "Brother," the Goron greeted. "I have safely escorted the Hylian."
Darbus thanked the guard and dismissed him before turning to the boy. He could not have been much older than Link had been, though he was certainly not as strong. Still, he had an aura of bravery about him. "Well don't just stand there," he said. "Speak."
"My name is Shad," the Hylian introduced himself. "I was a friend of Link's. We were in a group that opposed Ganondorf called the Resistance."
"Then what brings you here?" Darbus questioned. "We've stayed out of this conflict until now."
"We need more people if we're going to stand any chance of defeating Ganondorf and his forces," Shad spoke. "We need your help."
Darbus sighed deeply and glanced at the elders, each sharing the same concerned expression. They would be fools to risk their lives, and they all knew it. But they were also the strongest race in the land and could provide immense assistance. "We will consider it," he said carefully, not wanting to bring the boy's hopes up only to have them come crashing back down.
"Thank you," Shad sighed and left them to their thoughts.
"Now then," Darbus addressed the elders. "What are your thoughts?"
"We have always tried to stay out of the affairs of the politics of Hyrule," Gor Coron began and looked Darbus in the eye. Darbus nodded respectfully. Of all the elders, he held the greatest respect for Gor Coron, who had been the patriarch before him. "That being said, our honorary brother has been killed by this Gerudo King."
"And," Gor Amoto spoke. "Like it or not, we have already involved ourselves in this by allowing the Ordon children to pass through the mountain in order to reach the Akkala lands."
"It is our duty to defend our brothers," Gor Liggs spoke after a long moment. "And though not truly one of us, that Hylian boy earned the title of brother from us. We have a duty to him."
"I agree with the others," Gor Ebizo spoke. "We have the strength and resources this Resistance needs. They will not be able to get it anywhere else."
Darbus nodded and took several deep breaths, taking their counsel into consideration before calling Shad back into the chamber. "We will allow them to use our mountain as needed," he spoke. "We will not hinder passage, and we will not inform Ganondorf and his soldiers and allies that we know the whereabouts of anyone who has gone through this way. Any brother who wishes to fight with your resistance may do so, though that is their decision and their decision alone."
"Thank you," the Hylian spoke. Darbus was pleased to hear the sincere tone of gratitude in the boy's voice. "For everything."
Darbus nodded and left his chambers, heading to the mines, hoping beyond hope that he had not handed out a death sentence to his people.