Chapter XXIX – The Hunt

The wind blew into Ganondorf's face as his stallion dashed over the Fields of Hyrule, the capital growing smaller and smaller behind him. Long had it been since the air of freedom tasted this delicious, though how long it would last he could not say. At least he would give those Hylians a hard time if they wished to get their hands on him again.

While riding, Ganondorf loosened the leather straps and his armor fell down. His cover was blown anyway since he forced his way out of the town and the armor's slim protection was not worth squeezing his skin and limbs for.

The memories of the soldier's faces stationed at the passageways still amused him once he had trampled in there on horseback. They jumped aside to avoid getting stomped down before he smashed the door to get outside the capital. Although the men recovered soon from their bafflement, on foot they were too slow and could only shout after him. Ganondorf only grinned at their pathetic attempts to stop him. He would be a great fool to listen to their demands.

His grin vanished once a calamitous sound echoed over the field. He looked back and his heart missed a beat. The bridge got lowered, followed by noises of hoofs crashing on the ground, disrupting the silence of the night. The company, which the knights at the castle had called for after his blown cover, had already arrived for their hunt, and a merciless one it would be indeed.

After his surprise wore off, Ganondorf grinded his teeth. Never had he believed they would get prepared that soon. Certainly, he had a lead by now, but he must make sure to keep it as the Hylians never rested in their pursuit, they had showed it more than once to him. With their newly-made archenemy on the loose, they would be even more relentless until they had caught him, dead or alive.

His stallion increasing the speed on his command yet it would not be able to keep it up for long. He had to reach a rougher environment in which to hide. On the plains he was an easy prey, especially once the Hylians could come close enough to make use of their archers. They could not only hit him fatal but also cripple his horse and as a lone man, fighting them all on his own would be suicide.

As much as Ganondorf loathed to flee like a coward, he saw his only chance in heading to the nearby forest. The Hylians closed their distance way too fast and he already heard the hissing sound of arrows cutting the air. It was only a matter of time before those would pierce his flesh.

Without further thinking, he rushed into the woods aimlessly, just avoiding the trees on his way while jumping over rifts and streams. His wet rags stuck on his body when he just hasted further and further in, always accompanied by the subtle fear for his life. He never looked back, his view straight-forward the whole time, just deeper into the woods and further away from the threat called Hylians until he and his steed succumbed to exhaustion.

Alarmed, Ganondorf leaped to his feet and looked around when a whistling called him out of his sleep. Only a displeased nicker greeted him. Wiping the sweat away he looked at his stallion, the only one around. He had pulled its reins with his hectic movement since he had wrapped one loose end around his arm to avoid it running off without him while being asleep.

Ganondorf fell back against the tree in relief. He lay in its shadow and gazed into the sky. By now it had been five days since his escape. Though he had already traveled a long distance, he had still some miles to tackle before he would reach his destination: The desert, known as the Haunted Wasteland. It was the only place he believed safe as he could not imagine the Hylians would follow him into the abandoned area of his homeland.

Ganondorf observed his stallion browsing around while his own stomach grumbled just as he himself. Unbelievable, almost enviable, how it could be satisfied with just that green stuff while he had to be content with the vegetables he found on his way. He mourned after the daily and tasty meals back in the castle but he would never see those again. He had made sure of that very well and it hurt to see how he was denied what he had taken for granted in the last two years.

He balled his fists to curb his desire for a tasty meat. No time for it now, less any chance to get his hands on one, he had never been a hunter. He had to press on. Even though he had not encountered any soldiers the past day, they could very well track him down again if he stayed in one place for too long.

Ganondorf decided against mounting to preserve his stallion for dangerous situations in which he needed its speed. He headed again for the west while he pondered about his journey in the hostile land. No matter his origin and his royal descent, without a proper preparation, the desert would only serve as his grave. Nature had never cared for human titles and he would be no exception either.

As an outlaw, desperately wanted by the kingdom's forces to send to execution, he must be a fool to even set one foot into a town. By now, all men of the army must have been informed about his crime and especially his appearance which nobody could mistake. A Gerudo certainly had unique features and his size would make it even easier to spot him.

The sun turned her face towards the earth as Ganondorf noticed the woods growing thinner. Soon he would be on the open field again, always fearing to be attacked from a distance and be an easy prey. Though before he had time to worry, his eyes caught another thing he had not expected here. Still in the distance, a wall of stones emerged from the ground.

Soon it turned out to be a house which Ganondorf at first intended to just leave alone and continue his way to the west. Something kept him back when he looked again at it, scratching his chin. No denying, he still needed supplies for the desert which the wild alone could not offer him. A town remained out of question, but this here, this house in isolation, it might be the answer to his problem.

Ganondorf's worries vanished for a confident smile. Such a lonely house in the wild, the night was calling and although he wore no protection on his body, the steel in his hands always served as a fine defense. Indeed, it would be all he needed.

Ganondorf bound his stallion to a tree, not too near to avoid being seen but not too far away either so that he could reach it fast. He took a walk around the house to spot his possibilities. As expected, the shutters were closed and the door locked but wood alone would not keep him outside.

Once he made certain no other people were nearby, Ganondorf crushed one of the shutters. With a loud noise, it gave way and left a hole. First he pressed his back against the wall, concentrating on the sounds from within, and waited. Though he had no doubts about his fighting abilities and even take on more than one foe at a time, he preferred to get to know beforehand how many he must handle.

To his surprise, he heard nothing, even after he had let some other minutes slip by. He only hoped it did not mean this house was abandoned and all his joy in vein. Ganondorf grabbed the sill and lifted himself up, pushed the rest of the shutter away and crawled inside. Or at least tried; this here was certainly not his most preferred way to enter a house when he had to squeeze himself through a hole. For the way out, he would definitely use the door.

Ganondorf slid down into the room consumed by the dark except the slim moonlight shining in from behind. After a while, his eyes became familiar with the surroundings and he found himself in only one room as all the walls bore shutters. There was a table in the middle with chairs around it, a hearth to his right, shelves to the other side, all indicating at least one person lived here, yet surprisingly no sight of a bed.

A cupboard grabbed his attention and he headed towards it with high expectations. Once opened, he met disappointment when he only saw clothing and tools for hunting but nothing edible. Annoyed, Ganondorf slammed the door and intended to search further when he caught sight of a piece of metal attached on a rack. It had served its purpose a long time ago, judging from its ragged condition and the cracks spreading all over it. Probably not worth even a single rupee anymore but somehow he could not turn his gaze from it. Carefully he stroked over the leather. Oddly, it felt familiar, very familiar.

"You lot truly don't know where you're welcomed and where not." Ganondorf's hackles rose, he reflexively grabbed for his sword, intending to slice it through the man from behind, before even taking a look at him.

Before he could even draw it, the man had already hasted towards him and blocked his arm. Ganondorf tried to free himself but the man did not seem to engage in a struggle of power. Instead, he used Ganondorf's own against him. As he twisted his arm, a piercing pain spread from it and the more he braced himself against it, the fiercer it became.

Despite Ganondorf's vehemence, the man forced him to follow his movement if he did not wish to get his arm broken. With a loud crash, he slammed into the cupboard which could not withstand the impact and left splinters tearing his skin.

Ganondorf suppressed the scream of pain and tried to kick the man off, struggling as the fear of being caught and being confronted with death sooner or later gripped him. He only hit the air when the man kneed down on his back.

"How long do you intend to keep on struggling before admitting defeat? Trust me, it only hurts you, not me." The man remained unimpressed by his hopeless efforts and only tightened his own grasp. Ganondorf grit his teeth so he would not scream. "Believe me, I've tamed fiercer beasts in my life. Compared to them, your struggling is like that of a toddler."

Ganondorf stopped. That voice, he had not recognized it when he got caught by surprise, nor the armor. To get that easily disarmed by a single weaponless man where otherwise a whole company of men fell into despair… Indeed, there was one and only one who had the ability to pull that off.

Despite the disadvantageous situation he found himself in, Ganondorf grinned haughtily. "Well, I guess even in your retirement the beasts would be wise to stay clear of you, eh, Karlos?"

Although the man grunted in surprise, he did not loosen his grip. "Hm, that's the first time an unwelcomed guest knows my name. But if you wanted to make friends, don't you think you should've used the door and waited to be invited?"

"After all those years I was ordered around under your thumb, to become a friend would have been an improvement, that's for sure."

"Wait, that arrogant attitude…" Though some seconds still slipped by, Ganondorf felt the grasp loosening. "But how on earth is it possible you live? And are free?!"

Ganondorf did not show any restraint when he feasted on the meal Karlos had given him after hearing his stomach grumble. He had even offered his own once Ganondorf had stuffed up his one and still felt hungry. On some rather rare occasions, he had time in between bites to tell Karlos about his development after losing the tournament and his history as a knight, though he cut off the last day ultimately leading to his execution.

"You're worse than a locust infestation. I had believed the army to be in a better shape than letting its men starve." Karlos sighed as he refilled the lamp standing on the table. "Seems I have to go hunting again earlier than intended."

Ganondorf just nodded, as he was too busy filling the void in his stomach. Karlos looked forlornly at his vanishing food, before his expression became severe. "But honestly, Ganon. If you're a knight, why would you ran around in these rags?" He grinned desperately. "Started playing gladiator out there and the people weren't as excited as you had expected?"

"I merely challenged another man and got banished as a consequence," responded Ganondorf short-spoken. He grasped his knife tighter, struggling to prevent getting enraged by the mere thought of that arrogant Hylian called Aldar.

"And knowing you, that other one was probably your superior." Karlos scratched his forehead. "Still haven't learned your place, have you?"

"No, my superior was actually a pleasant one. Can't deny we had a rough time in the beginning and a dispute here and there afterwards but all in all he is an alright guy." In horror and with his jaw dropped, Karlos stared at him. "What's your problem now?!"

"I… I'm just surprised," stumbled Karlos after a while. "And also wondering if you're an imposter. Because hearing you speaking about someone above you in terms of power in any way positive is… well… quite out of character for you, Ganon."

"Just what is wrong with all of you?! If I say or do anything, you'll always find something to complain about, no matter what!" Angered, Ganondorf hit the table and leaned towards Karlos. "And just so you know, there's nothing, absolute nothing positive to say about that arrogant Hylian whom I challenged. That moron only deserves to burn in hell! I don't care if he's an all high-and-mighty general, who believes himself untouchable, one day I'll make sure he rots in hell forever! And I'll be there to rekindle the flames again and again! That's a promise!"

"You've challenged a general?" Karlos ignored most of his torrent of hate, as he looked apathetically at Ganondorf. "Aren't those the ones in charge of the kingdom's army?"

"Yes and he's their head. Must have been a lunatic who appointed such a moron to such a position. A total waste, even Mikrul would have made a better figure compared to him."

"By the Goddesses, Ganondorf!" Karlos slapped his hands to his face and stroked through his hair. "That is even worse than the time you rebelled against Azett and only thanks to a miracle didn't get thrown to the beasts. You have no idea what a hard time I had to excuse your rebellious phase and talk him out of this idea." Ganondorf remained unimpressed, much to Karlos' chagrin. "Say, do you actually realize what you've done? And what it means for you now? Even in the slightest?!"

"Sure." Ganondorf had no scruples about his actions and would challenge Aldar every time again given the chance. "That Hylian had it coming, just too bad he resorts to the same cheap tricks as Azett when driven into a corner. If it wouldn't have been for his cursed magic, this fool would bear the worms company by now."

Karlos still braced his head on his hand. "You're just as stubborn as you're arrogant. That this obnoxious attitude hasn't killed you by now is a miracle on its very own."

"You would've done the same!"

"No, most certainly not!"

Before Ganondorf could counter, Karlos had already pressed his hand against Ganondorf's mouth and seemed to prick up his ears. Enraged, Ganondorf grabbed Karlos' arm and pushed it aside, yet his wrathful words remained unspoken as he now heard it as well. The sound of hoofs walking over wood and stone. And not only that of one horse, but of many.

"Well, seems like we'll get company soon. Guess I've found the answer to why the soldiers are up in arms for the past few days, though I'd never believed the reason would turn out to be my troublesome trainee. But whatever, best you go downstairs and hide." Ganondorf did not move and just stared at the broken shutter. He felt his blood freezing in an instant as he realized his doom drawing near. "Say, do you prefer to challenge them with your sword alone? If so, I can also just claim you've broken in here to disrupt my midnight meal and you can have your fun with them. The choice is yours."

"No," responded Ganondorf, still in horror. "But my horse is outside. They must know I'm here. Hiding won't help, they'll search as long as it takes."

"Oh, Ganondorf, you're just a big…!" Karlos raised his hands but let them fall down soon. "Forget about it. Just go downstairs and take whatever you need for your escape. The house once belonged to a bandit chief long since sentenced to death. There's a trapdoor under my bed which he often used to escape his pursuers. Use it, I never cared to shut down the tunnel. Would be a way too much work for what my belongings are worth."

Ganondorf still needed a few seconds before understanding Karlos' sayings and stumbled, "Thank you."

"Trust me, men never betray their sons, bound by blood or not, regardless of what idiocy they commit. Though I admit, you make me start to doubt that statement." Karlos put the dishes into the nearby cupboard. "Now go! Hurry! I won't be able to hold them back forever!"

Ganondorf nodded as he headed to the wooden stairs behind him. A small light shined down here, giving him sight on the larder. Though he was more than thankful about Karlos' generosity, he indulged himself and stuffed a bag full of food to last at least a few days.

Once he put it and the water bag over his shoulder, Ganondorf heard men knocking at the door, followed by the yelling. "In the name of the crown, open the door! Immediately!"

No time to waste anymore. Ganondorf pulled the bed aside and looked on the trapdoor overshadowed by dust. He pushed the bolt aside and slid down into the tunnel, already hearing footsteps from above and the treacherous sound of armor. Before following the path, he grabbed for the bed's leg, pulled it back to his old position and closed the trapdoor. This way, they might oversee it and give him more time to escape.

Down here, surrounded by darkness, Ganondorf could only trust his sense of touch. Besides a few steps, the tunnel showed a straight forward way which he crawled along before hitting a dead end. When he touched the ceiling, he felt iron instead of wet earth and wooden balks. He searched a bit longer before he found a lever and pushed the door open.

He lifted it a bit to get an idea of the outside and to hear if someone was near. After he made sure he was alone, he climbed out of the hole and closed the door beneath him, hidden by a good amount of plants and with no lever either to open it from this side.

Ganondorf felt such relief to escape the claws of his doom once again, albeit it was scarce, very scarce. Next time his carelessness would most likely cost him his head. From now on he must make sure to return to his homeland as soon as possible without any detours. Thanks to Karlos' support, those would not be needed anymore. A wonderful feeling to know that he had at least one person still on his side when otherwise the whole kingdom solely desired his death.

He still did not know what would await him in the desert, yet he set off with determination to the west again. It was time that the king returned to his country, even though by now there was nothing but dust left.

Author's Note

With this chapter, part two comes to an end, two years after I've started the story here. And more than half of the story is finished as well. So no worry that I might drag on and on just because I can't bring myself to put it to an end. There is one and I still have enough motivation left to get there.

I wanted to thank all the ones who stick with this story even after all that time. Even though writing is my passion, it makes me happy you enjoy and support this story. That's really awesome! I hadn't expected it since Ganondorf is definitely not the most liked as a protagonist and the whole storyline is rather uncommon as well. Glad I was proven otherwise.
Thanks also to my beta Debo who still sticks around since the first word. :)

Hope to see you again once the last part starts and see where it takes Ganondorf now.