Chapter Four

Innocence and Small Talk

The night sky was cloudless, as it always was in Gerudo Desert. Raneem sat amongst the trees that lined the hidden oasis she and her king had used as a hideout for… how long had it been? The girl had to stop and think, her eyes lowering from the eastern horizon. One week, perhaps?

King Ganondorf had ordered her to the easternmost edge of the oasis three days ago, assigned to keep watch for any passing traffic, be it game or man. Ganondorf had left the obvious unspoken – watch for Hylians, not just soldiers and scout parties, but Hylian scholars and priests, as well.

The Hylians had been frequenting the desert as of late, as was to be expected after the discovery of Ganondorf's dagger in their fat king's throat. A score of twenty soldiers had arrived in the western desert one day after Raneem and Ganondorf had situated themselves within the oasis. Raneem was always tracking their movement.

The soldiers came and went, finding nothing left of the fortress Raneem had lived her entire life in. It was plain to see the Gerudo culture had been wiped away from this great desert. All that remained now was the Arbiter's Grounds. It was deeply sad to Raneem, but her grief always turned to hatred when it came to the Hylians.

The wretched race had been in their desert for far too long. After the score of soldiers left – they couldn't have lasted more than two nights – the frail scholars and priests arrived, riding on a wooden palanquin. It was nothing grand, not like the ones King Ganondorf had used before the Hylians' attack. The pale old men were like to drop dead had their modest palanquin not protected them from the sun. The days were unforgivably hot in Gerudo Desert, and these foolish Hylians had decided to cross the desert throughout the middle of the day, when the sun was the most relentless.

When Raneem had first reported the palanquin to Ganondorf, he was very interested in the scholars and priests. He seemed to know what they were up to, correctly predicting that they would travel to the Arbiter's Grounds before returning shortly thereafter to Hyrule. When Ganondorf had given the orders to let them pass unmolested, Raneem had been confused and angry. These Hylians were in their desert, travelling through the sand at a snail's pace, completely vulnerable in their wooden palanquin and small host of foot-soldiers. They were acting as if there was nothing to fear in the desert, as if they owned it… but then the grim realisation washed over Raneem, and once again she had to blink back tears.

When Raneem had asked Ganondorf why he was letting not only the palanquin but also the soldiers pass through their desert untouched, the king had mumbled something about prophecy, about darkness coming to Hyrule. He would say nothing more on the matter, and Raneem was left with her troubling thoughts. All the girl knew for sure was that this prophecy Ganondorf spoke of had something to do with the Arbiter's Grounds, perhaps even the Mirror of Twilight.

It had been four days since the palanquin left the desert, but more and more scouting parties arrived, their uniforms bearing the Hyrulean crest, marking them as soldiers of the Hylian Army. It didn't take them long to pack up their crude camps and return to the friendlier climate of Hyrule… but the next day, a new group would arrive. They mainly prowled around the Arbiter's Grounds, but they were also known to linger in the sands where the fortress had once stood. Clearly, they were searching for Ganondorf, no doubt under the orders of Princess Zelda to bring the man to justice. So far, though, the Hylians had made no such progress. The oasis was well hidden from these foolish Hylians; one had to know the lay of the desert to find it, and these Hylians were invading foreigners, as clueless as they were cruel. The smell of their cook fires often wafted over to Raneem's hiding spot, to her great dismay. The smoke carried with it the scent of roast fowl. Of course the Hylians had brought their own provisions – they did not have the knowledge to hunt and gather food in this environment. And they weren't like to bring down a boar, either. The ferocious beasts would overwhelm them, Raneem had no doubt.

Tonight marked the seventh day since the palanquin returned to Hyrule. Raneem shifted, lowering to the sand from a low crouch. She sat down heavily, her weariness a weight upon her shoulders. Early this morning, as Raneem and her king were breaking their fast, Ganondorf had told her that they were leaving the desert. They were to return to Hyrule.

Raneem had been furious; her anger had burned through her so quickly she forgot her place and spoke to her king with an unguarded tongue. "Why would we go back there?" She demanded. "And why are you letting their soldiers and their old stinking men travel through our desert as if they have nothing to fear?"

As Raneem sat amongst the tree line, her eyes once again returned to the eastern horizon. She recalled the memory easily, Ganondorf's response echoing in her head as if he'd just spoken to her. "You are not here to question me, girl. Our fortress may be gone, and your sisters dead, but I am still your king."

Ganondorf's eyes had been terrifying. Perhaps it was merely the early morning sun shining into his face as he broke his fast, but the gold of his irises smouldered like lava. Raneem remembered taking a step back from her king, frightened by his intensity.

For a long time Raneem had uttered no response and the lingering silence deepened. Ganondorf had just turned to leave her alone by the camp fire when she spoke. "If I'm not supposed to ask questions, what am I here to do?" Raneem's fists had clenched, her anger bubbling past her apprehension. "What are your orders, my king?" She dipped into a low, mocking bow.

All of a sudden he had been right in her face, closing the distance between their bodies in three long strides. He had grabbed her by the chin, pulling her head back until she looked at his eyes. "You are here to serve me, girl," he had emphasised the word, his voice a low growl, and a shiver had slid down Raneem's spine, despite the morning's pressing heat.

Raneem frowned at the memory, her eyes still to the east of the great desert. It had to be nearing midnight. The desert was freezing at night, and whenever there was a gust of wind it felt like the bite of a knife. Raneem was still wearing the clothes she had escaped the fortress in – a crimson sirwal with matching midriff. During the day Raneem's attire suited the harsh heat of the Gerudo Desert sufficiently, but at night it was her bane. If there was one good thing about returning to Hyrule, it was the climate. On every other basis for leaving the desert, however, Raneem disagreed with her king profusely, though she had no choice but to keep the opinion to herself.

She got to her feet as the moon reached the apex of the sky. Her shift was over and she could finally get some rest. She swiftly made her way to the camp fire Ganondorf still had burning. Her bedding consisted of nothing but sand and Ganondorf's cape as a blanket. When he had thrown it over her the first night they made camp in the oasis, Raneem had begrudgingly accepted. It had Ganondorf's scent on it, which at times could be overpowering.

When she arrived at the camp site, Ganondorf was nowhere to be found. Out late again, no doubt hunting or skulking around the Arbiter's Grounds, Raneem thought to herself as she sprawled on her back in the sand. Although the wind was piercing, the sand still held the day's heat, and it warmed Raneem's back as she nestled deeper into it. Ganondorf's cape was pulled to her chin against the insistent wind. She fell asleep quickly, her dreams laced with the scent of him.

It felt like two seconds had passed before Raneem was awake again. Ganondorf towered above her, prodding her shoulder with the toe of his boot. "Come with me," was all he said before he turned and walked away.

Raneem rubbed at her eyes, her mind slow and groggy with sleep. She rose slowly, noting the darkness of the hour. The sun had yet to rise, surely Ganondorf didn't intend on travelling to Hyrule now?

Yawning, Raneem followed Ganondorf's foot prints in the sand. The sky was bright with stars that lit the way to the body of water within the oasis. Raneem slowed her walk, confusion slipping past the sleepy fog in her mind. Why is he leading me to the water?

"Girl, would you hurry up?" Ganondorf's voice pierced the night air, making Raneem flinch. She turned to her right and her eyes found him immediately. He was already in the water, naked and glistening. Raneem halted completely. She stared at him, fully awake now. Her heart began to pump harder and harder against her ribs.

From the light of the moon and the stars, Raneem saw Ganondorf frown at her. "Are you deaf? Come here. That's an order."

Raneem had killed many Hylians in her seventeen years, all of them male. She had learned to spar as soon as she was able to hold a sword and stand upright; she had killed her first man before she was ten. She was in no way removed from the harshness of life, yet the girl still maintained a touch of innocence. Living in the fortress, Raneem had known she could be summoned to Ganondorf's chambers at any time, but it was never at the forefront of her mind as her king seemed to prefer the older sisters, those who had seen at least twenty summers. Now, though… Raneem hadn't even had the chance to stop and think about it, but she and Ganondorf were the last Gerudos left. Her stomach dropped. It was her duty now more than ever to sate her king's desires, to bear him children and keep the Gerudo people from extinction. The realisation thrummed inside her skull until her head began to ache. Ganondorf was still impatiently awaiting her response. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

"We have a long day of travel tomorrow," Raneem began in a soft voice, her eyes on her feet. Don't let him sense your fear or it will be your undoing. "Before the Hylians attacked the fortress, you had never spoken to me, never even noticed me. This… this is the first time you have asked this of me, my king, and as I said, we have to travel leagues tomorrow. I don't want to be slowed down by any… physical discomforts attained on this night." Raneem slowly looked up, after the silence had stretched longer than she expected.

Ganondorf had a quizzical expression on his face. Is this the first time he has been refused? Raneem wondered dumbly. Of course it is! He has been a king all his life, the only male amongst a tribe of beautiful women. The thought only served to increase Raneem's fear. What if he takes me by force? I am powerless to stop him.

"How old are you?" Ganondorf suddenly asked.

Raneem hesitated before answering. "I'm fifteen," she lied.

Ganondorf surprised her by laughing, the noise contrastingly loud in the still desert night. He climbed out of the water, making no move to cover his nakedness. Raneem's eyes once again dropped to her feet, albeit too slow. The sight of his muscled, formidable body sent a new wave of unease through the girl. It's only a matter of time, she thought, he will have me whenever he chooses, it may even be tonight.

As Ganondorf approached, Raneem stiffened, poised on the balls of her feet, instinct readying her body to flee. She swallowed hard, resisting the urge.

"You are not fifteen," her king said, his jaw clenched. He grabbed Raneem by the chin, studying her face as she held her breath. "I will ask you one more time. How old are you?"

"In a moon's turn I'll be sixteen. I swear, I –"

Ganondorf's arm shot out, the back of his hand slamming into Raneem's jaw with such force she lost her footing. As she fell to the sand her mouth filled with blood, the inside of her cheek stinging. "Never lie to me," he growled, taking a step closer to the girl in the sand. He pressed his heel into the hollow of her throat. "Do you honestly think lying about your age will sway me from having you? You're a fool, girl, an utter fool. I am your king, and you are mine to do with as I please. Best remember that. I won't be so forgiving the next time you forget your place." He pressed his heel down harder and Raneem gasped, her hands moving to her throat. Tears blurred her vision and stung her eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Ganondorf removed his foot from her throat, kicking aside her hands as he did so. "Your lies have soured my mood. Next time, I won't ask. And you can guarantee there will be a next time, and soon. Travel tends to wear me out, and I am often unable to sleep at night. You will be my new Hana, and if you're good and obedient maybe I won't fuck you bloody." He turned and walked away, kicking sand into Raneem's face as he stalked off. She shielded her eyes and rolled to her side, the tears spilling down her cheeks, hot and heavy.