Collateral

Zelda was hunched beneath the protective shell of her father, her eyes shut tight, as chaos ensued around. Her entire life, danger had been kept at a distance, and as a result, she had come to believe the whole world to be safe. To her, evil was the fabrication of disillusioned adults. But now reality was shattering her innocence like a rock though stained glass. Having never known genuine fear, she entered into a state of panic, which hindered her ability to take action. Incomprehensible shouts came from every direction, and she couldn't tell if they were meant for her. Were they instructions? Should she run? At last, she felt her father pulling at her. Thinking he was pulling her to safety she fought the fear and stood up, happy for once to do her father's bidding. But when she opened her eyes, she saw that his tugs had not been voluntary. He had been trying desperately to hold on to her as many strong hands pried her away.

Zelda went into shock as fear now took total control of her senses. The chaos around became surreal and quiet, as though she had exited her body and was now watching a silent play unfold of which she was just an observer. She gazed at her father reaching for her helplessly, and she lamented how she so often took his protection for granted. She looked over to see Impa wrestling three attackers in slow motion and considered how many times she had wished Impa would give her more space. Behind her the crowd pushed chaotically in all directions, and she knew they were frightened. So this was the danger from which her father had so diligently shielded her. For years she secretly mocked what she perceived to be paranoia. What a fool she had been.

The horrible scene faded to black as an unknown hand covered her eyes. Deprived of her sight, she felt as though she was all alone in a world of nothingness: just her and her shame. How could she be so naïve? All that remained now was the slightest sense of touch, though even that seemed ethereal. She had the vaguest notion she was being forced to drink something, and she wondered if she put up a good fight. Danger was literally being forced down her throat, and she cursed herself for not knowing any better about the world. Her mind began to swim as her eyes rolled back into her head. I'll never be so stupid again she promised herself, just before she passed out.

Link was the first to jump into action, though his initial charge was cut short when the royal guard that had moments before blocked his view of the princess fell against him and knocked him over. Link saw a dart sticking out of his neck, and as he pushed the limp body off, he saw the other guards falling one after another. Link got up and zeroed in on the beggar that had been nearest him and sprinted towards her at fairy-catching speed. She was running towards Zelda and the king, and Link pushed himself harder than ever to overtake this enemy. To his good fortune, the ruffian stopped short, brandished a small crossbow, and shot a dart straight up into the air. It popped with surprising loudness: a signal. Link didn't have time to think about the implications. He was determined to do his part. He dove forward and tackled the hoodlum to the ground.

The aggressor hit the ground hard with a grunt but wasted no time in swinging an elbow upwards. Link narrowly missed the blow, but the shift in balance was just what the assailant needed to break free. Link reached out to stop the escapee, but he managed only to grab a fistful of the burlap cloak. His opponent wrenched free of the garment revealing a cascade of hair the color of a Hylian sunset. As she twisted, Link was caught off guard by her exotic features. Instead of the rough exterior of a hardened criminal, as he had expected, he looked upon a young woman whose skin was tanned and silken. Her emerald green eyes distracted him just long enough for her to smash her fist deep into his temple.

Link reeled from the blow. Navi had finally caught up and was in a bright red rage over the incident. "You evil witch!" she yelled at the woman. Link tried to stand, but couldn't find his balance. Her strength impressed him. "Link!" Navi exclaimed. "Link! They're taking the princess!" This news was enough for him to push through the haze and finally get his feet beneath him. Sure enough, Zelda was being dragged by several more sunset-haired women. He glanced back at the female warrior that had just clocked him and saw she was surrendering to Borrix and Lance. It was good to see them stepping into action.

Link saw the archers on the ramparts drawing their bows, but no one fired. Impa was the kind of commander that would have trained them to know better than to risk injuring the princess or innocents in the crowd. There was no other choice but to pursue on foot.

Link ran toward the princess and saw Impa doing the same, but fighting the flow of a panicked crowd proved difficult for both of them. Link could hear Navi tugging on collars and hats yelling, "Move outta the way, people!" while Impa shouted orders over the people, "Close the gates! Close the city gates!"

It was useless fighting the crowds. Thankfully, he knew the streets well. The main thoroughfare was lined with markets. He pushed his way to one with an awning and hoisted himself up, then up to the flat rooftop. Now in possession of a detour, his years of racing through the forest kicked into gear. He moved with precision and speed from rooftop to rooftop, gaining precious ground on the kidnappers.

The main street ended in an open yard before the city gates. To his dismay, the gates were wide open with unconscious guards decorating the scene. The kidnappers were handing Zelda off to more female warriors mounted on powerful steeds. He leapt from the roof of the closest building within reach, transitioning flawlessly into a roll upon impacting the ground which granted him the ability to resume pursuit at full speed. It wasn't enough. The kidnappers had already handed off Zelda and were prepared to engage him directly.

He was so focused on reaching her, he nearly took another unarmed blow to the face. Navi, however, bought him some reaction time by flying in her face. He weaved away from the strike and took a steady stance a few feet away, preparing himself for battle, but the three kidnappers were already kneeling in surrender as Impa finally arrived with some soldiers. Link relaxed and gazed at the horizon beyond the gate. The horses were already a leagues away, Zelda with them. He couldn't believe how quickly and easily they seemed to escape. He recalled the explosive arrow shot by the ambusher in at the ceremony. It was so well planned and coordinated; he knew there was never a chance. He stood there, just staring. She was gone.

"Link!" declared Navi in an orange colored panic, snapping him out of his senses. "The stables!" Link turned to see where Impa had headed—toward the stables where the king's soldiers kept their horses. The stables themselves were out of view, but he could see smoke billowing upward in heavy black plumes from the general vicinity.

"Epona!" he said, and he bolted in the direction of the smoke.

Impa arrived at the stables to survey the damage. Soldiers where desperately trying to put out the raging fire while panicked horses could be heard fighting to escape. Overseeing the effort was Lieutenant Gudric, and she moved toward him saying, "Lieutenant, Status."

Gudric turned a stressed face to her and reported, "We can't get to the horses until the fire is out. The enemy blocked the doors hopin' to maximize our losses. My men are workin' to bust through, but it's slow. Given the time the horses have been trapped—"

"That's quite enough," Impa interrupted. "It is obvious the enemy has succeeded. We cannot mount an immediate pursuit. Do what you can here, Lieutenant, then—" She was cut short by a young cadet in a green tunic blasting past her at full speed. She recognized him instantly.

"Link!" cried Lieutenant Gudric, "don't!" The boy didn't stop. He hurtled over the burning barrier blocking the stable door and disappeared inside the smoky darkness.

Impa knew this cadet well, though mostly by reputation. There was no denying his skill as a warrior, but he was known to be obstinate and impulsive, two things Impa despised in a Royal Guard. She looked at her lieutenant, whose face managed to look even more pained. She knew the compassionate thing to do was to say nothing. After all, his only nephew may have just jumped into certain death. Compassion, however, was not her duty. "Is your apprentice always so undisciplined?" she asked condescendingly.

Gudric kept his gaze towards the fire and replied sheepishly, "My apologies, Captain. Being the top o' his class has its costs. His passions tend to get the better o' him."

"So it appears," said Impa, and left it at that. They both understood the meaning behind her words. This boy was nowhere near ready to be in the guard. Impa looked back at the stables and watched the boy's fairy darting back and forth. That fairy was the one reason she accepted the boy into training in the first place. The Sheikah see a fairy companion as the mark of destiny. The boy was special, no doubt, but also foolish. She just hoped his destiny wasn't to die in a stable fire.

With a great whinny, a brown foal burst forth from the stable doors flinging burning debris everywhere, with the boy mounted on her bare back. Several horses escaped through the clearance, many of them worse for wear, though they would have all been dead had it not been for this kid. There was only one thing Impa despised more than an obstinate and impulsive cadet: one that also happened to be an undeniably good soldier.

Link coughed deeply as the horse carried him towards Gudric. Navi flittered about him in pink concern, which quickly turned to hot red anger. "I could just kill you, you big fool!" she yelled at him in her tiny voice, "Don't you think of anyone but yourself? You could have been killed!"

Link managed to catch his breath and said, "What?! I couldn't leave Epona in there to die. She's the only important thing I have left." Navi stopped in her tracks, her crimson hue fading into cloudy gray. Realizing he'd hurt her feelings, he said to her, "I'm sorry, Navi, I didn't mean it that way. She's Father's horse. I'm just not ready to lose her too. If it were you in there, I'd have done the same."

Navi took a second to consider his apology and finally replied in good humor, "It's a good thing you're pretty." It was nice to see her back to her usual blue color.

"And lucky," imposed Impa in her typically stern tone. "That was an incredibly foolish act, cadet."

"I know it was risky," he said. It took every bit of inner strength to resist appearing indignant, but he always found it difficult to be berated for performing a good deed. "But," he continued, "We need every horse we can get if we're to rescue the princess."

"We?" said Impa taken aback by his presumption. "I do not bring amateurs to war, especially those with a death wish."

Link couldn't resist her bait, "I knew what I was doing—"

"Link," interrupted his uncle hoping to keep him in check. It didn't work.

"—and no one else managed to save a single horse."

"Link, please," his uncle said again.

"The ends," retorted Impa, "do not justify the means. I need soldiers, not heroes."

"Cowards, you mean."

"Link!" burst Uncle Gudric, "That is quite enough. Yer forgettin' yer place."

Impa's eyes drilled into Link's. "It's not often I have my honor put to doubt by a trainee. That being said, it is also not very often I witness a cadet single-handedly recover half my cavalry. I am willing to consider the matter settled unless you have something more you wish to say to me."

Link thought it over quickly. Just as he was able to find his way out of the burning stables, Link knew an escape route when he saw it. While it pained him to do so, Link said nothing.

"Very good." said the Captain, "Lieutenant Gudric, finish here and report to me in the courtyard." With that, Impa made an about face and left.

"Well," said Gudric finally, "that was embarrassin'. What were ya thinkin' talkin' to your superior in such a foul manner?"

"I'm sorry, Uncle." said Link, "I was just hoping for a little thanks."

"Thanks?" laughed Gudric incredulously. "It's you who should be thankful. Ya nearly lost your apprenticeship. Link, there's more to the Royal Guard than runnin' bull-headed into danger."

Link avoided his uncle's eyes and brushed soot from Epona's coat. He hated this feeling. It was the feeling he felt a thousand times when he had failed to catch a fairy. It was the feeling he felt when his father died. It was the feeling he'd hoped to avoid by rescuing Epona. It was the feeling of losing. He was angry with Impa because she stole his victory.

His uncle helped him clean and examine Epona, who miraculously managed to escape the fire without serious injury. "I know what Epona means to ya," said Gudric. "She's seen lots o' battle with yer father. She even has his strong spirit. As long as she's here, it's like he's here too."

His father was the last thing Link wanted to discuss. "What is Captain Impa waiting for?" he asked. "We have horses, shouldn't we go after her?"

"It takes time to prepare an army."

"Then send me now. Epona is the fastest horse in Hyrule."

"Even the fastest horse must stop to rest. Her kidnappers will have transfer points. They'll be movin' her without stoppin' until she's safe n' sound. There's no hope of catchin' 'em. Besides, yeh've already exhausted Impa's favor."

Link thought of the enemy, of the warrior woman that had knocked him for a loop. "They're taking her to the Gerudo desert, aren't they?" he asked.

"That'd be my guess."

Link touched his still throbbing temple. "I've never seen a Gerudo before," he said. "They're incredibly strong."

"As strong as they are proud," said his uncle.

"I didn't see any men during the fight," Link said, looking at his Uncle quizzically. "Why only send women into battle?"

"Because there are no Gerudo men, save for one born every hundred years."

This bit of information reminded him of stories he'd been hearing ever since he started his apprenticeship in Hyrule city. "Like the Gerudo man in the castle?"

Grudric eyed Link for a brief moment, obviously considering how to respond. Finally, he said, "So, yeh've heard the rumors."

Link shrugged, "You can't really keep someone like that secret forever, especially amongst the castle guards. If it's true that he's the only male, then the Gerudo must have taken the princess as collateral. They must want to barter for his return."

"I suppose there's some truth to that."

"So," prodded Link, "the king will do it, right?"

"You'd have to ask the king."

"Perhaps I will."

This got his uncle's attention, "Link, these matters are outside yer control, so don't go stickin' yer nose where it don't belong!"

"Outside my control?" questioned Link. "Anything can be controlled as long as you're not afraid to try."

Gudric took Link by the shoulders and implored, "Let it go, Link. I'm serious. Yeh've shaken the earth enough for one day."

Link said nothing.

"I have to report to Impa," he said, "but I want ya to go home and cool off, ya hear me?"

Link paused briefly and finally acquiesced. "Yes, sir," he sighed. But even as he watched his uncle leave, he could feel the urge to win swelling up inside him again. He had lost the princess, he had almost lost his horse, and he had completely lost his pride before Captain Impa. As far as he was concerned, that was enough losing for one day.

Navi could see Link's wheels turning. "You're not going to let it go, are you?" she said.

"Nope."

Her blue glow turned orange. "You're going to drag me into it, aren't you?"

Link looked at her and grinned. "Yep."