Chapter 9
The Capital
It was mid-afternoon by the time the city of stone came into full view. Having spent the last solid hour riding hard, Link and Gandor stopped for a break with only a couple kilometers to go.
They found a shady pond and dismounted their steeds. Link's legs were very sore as he found somewhere to sit down. Gandor did the same and tossed Link their shared canteen. It was a couple minutes before either of them spoke.
"Kind of a strange day," Link observed.
"Today can't be that crazy compared to some of the last couple days,"Gandor joked.
"Never thought we'd wind up coming out more fortunate after encountering bandits."
"That was intense," Gandor agreed. "What was that back there? You were pretty quick on your feet."
"Wouldn't have worked if you hadn't known what I was thinking. How did you know I was going to attack that way?" Link asked.
"Your body language," Gandor shrugged. "You were giving off some kinda weird energy though… It's like you wanted me to know."
Link thought about it. "I guess in the end I did want you to read my mind," Link chuckled. "What was up with those raiders though? I get the impression they weren't common bandits," he asked more seriously.
Gandor was first silent. Then, "Really? I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary."
Link decided it was time to put it out there. "I know those two women weren't Hylian, Gandor. They were Gerudo. Which is strange, because Gerudo are not allowed to leave the desert under regular circumstances. So what are the chances that two parties involving Gerudo would meet?"
"You're saying they were looking for me?" Gandor laughed. "Don't worry Link, I'm just one guy out of a huge population of desert people. Sure, if I had been caught leaving, I would have been killed, but I'm not important enough for them to come looking for me."
When Link appeared to not believe him, Gandor continued. "Well what about you? Obviously there's something you're not telling me, cause you have some sorta ability. There's something you do when you're with your horse. It's like you act a funny way, and you did the same kind of thing when those bandits cornered us."
"That… Even I don't know how to explain that. I didn't mention it because I didn't want to come off as a freak."
"Don't worry, I already knew you were a freak," Gandor laughed. "Seriously Link, I wouldn't have accompanied you if I would be putting you in danger. My leaving the desert is a little complicated, but I promise I'm not some psychopath escapee."
Link laughed and sat back. Over the next 10 minutes, he brought Gandor up to speed on what he had learned about his abilities. He told him about illuminating the cave while his body was very weak. He told him about when he healed that bird in the forest. He described his odd sense of creatures around him, and how it had become second nature after just a couple days. Link explained his heightened skill and fitness, like his sudden ability to use a slingshot with precision, and react quicker in combat.
Gandor appeared surprised. "And when did this all start happening?" he asked.
"After a couple odd dreams, I guess," Link replied.
The two of them stood and saddled up. Energy renewed, they set forth on their final leg of that trip.
A 10 metre wide stream coursed under the wooden walkway which Link and Gandor walked their horses along. At the end of the bridge was a guard, this one looking much more formal than the ones outside Clock Town.
Link feared he would have to billet his horse once again, and he worried it would be more expensive in such a large city. The soldier did not stop them when they approached the entrance. Link figured he would have to take it upon himself to confront the guard.
"Excuse me, sir," Link greeted him, Gandor standing next to Link with their horses behind them. "My companion and I are unfamiliar with this town, but we've previously not been allowed to bring horses inside town walls. Is that the case here?"
The soldier seemed amused. "New to town? You boys are in for a fun weekend," he chuckled to himself. When Link raised an eyebrow, the guard continued. "No lad, you can bring your steeds inside. The rule is you cannot ride them under normal circumstances."
"And there is somewhere inside that we can billet our horses?" Gandor asked.
"You guys really are new to town," the soldier said, surprised. "Nah, don't worry about legal restrictions about where to leave your horse. Take care of your horse however you choose. As long as your animals behave we have no problem with where you park."
"You seem surprised that we've never been here," Link observed.
"It's not very often I meet one such as yourselves. You'll find a wealthy class of people lives here," the guard explained. "I guess you'll find the capital to be rather different from the small towns in the Kingdom. Regardless, welcome to Hyrule Castle Town lads."
With that, Link and Gandor proceeded into the city. The ground was paved with elaborate designs of cobblestone. The buildings all stood tall, most of them made of stone. The people they encountered would give them the odd curious look. Link and Gandor clearly stood out.
The two of them spent around an hour exploring the city. In the middle of the town was a large fountain. Beyond the fountain was the great stone structure Link had seen since he set out. It was a large castle, which took up the entire north section of the town. There was a set of heavy gates blocking the entrance, with a crest engraved in the above concrete. The crest included a set of three triangles, two right next to each other with the third stacked on top. Below the triangle was what appeared to be a reef of some sort.
After wondering 2 of the main roads and a few back alleys, Link and Gandor found what appeared to be a tavern similar to the one Link had gone to in Clock Town. It was at the end of a narrow path just off the main road. Link and Gandor tied their horses' reigns to a peg in an open corner. The path seemed to lead to a much quieter area of town.
They walked in to a brightly lit room. Their assumption had been correct; this was in fact a tavern. A group of informally dressed soldiers sat around a table, chatting quietly. In the corner was a nearly empty bar. A large woman with braided red hair and dark skin stood behind the bar, tending to the few customers. She waved at the two of them as Link and Gandor entered.
"You boys look like you've had a long day," the woman said as Link and Gandor sat down.
"We're um… we're not of age or anything. We're kind of just new to town," Link explained.
The bartender nodded. "Of course, sit down and relax a minute." She poured them both a class of water. "Name's Telma. Where you kids from?"
When Gandor did not speak, Link answered. "I'm from the forest. Just came to Hyrule less than a week ago."
"An outsider?" Telma said, surprised. "Don't come across someone like you very often. And you, lad?"
"The desert," Gandor replied simply.
"Wow," Telma raised an eyebrow. "And how did you two come to meet?"
"Pure chance pretty much," Link said.
"Far out," Telma observed. "What are the chances of that? You boys been on the road long?"
"We met yesterday in Clock Town," Link explained. "We set out this morning by horse."
Gandor looked over at Link with a concerned expression. Link could feel Gandor was skeptical, but Link felt confident they were safe discussing this at that point in time.
"What brought you to the city? Come to meet the King?" Telma winked. "Or perhaps to see the Princess Zelda," she giggled.
"I do not know anything of either of those people. We actually have no idea what to do next. We've been taking one goal at a time, our last one was to make it this far," Link said.
"Young guys like you outta have a lot of working opportunity in a city like this," Telma pointed out. "You guys holding up financially?"
"We haven't even thought of much," Gandor replied. "We have some savings left over to keep us afloat the next few days, but no long-term plans. We can't even read or write this language."
"That does kind of narrow things down…" Telma said thoughtfully. "But hey! You guys are young and fit! The Hyrulian military would be great for you! Wonderful benefits. The pay is higher than it's ever been. They will teach you how to read and write. They even feed you if you're on duty."
"The military?" Link looked over to Gandor. Neither of them had considered becoming a soldier. Link had come from somewhere that war was not even a concept. What use would his people have had for an army?
"And what are international politics like in this land?" Gandor asked. "I don't want to join just to be shipped to the desert. That would be awkward."
"The kingdom is in peace right now," Telma explained. "That trade conflict with the desert colonies ended almost a decade ago. The Princess is still in negotiations with the Gerudo King to smooth out some of the rough patches, but they go well, from what I've heard. The people of the river are loyal as ever. The people of the mountain engage little with our Kingdom, but they have agreed to open trade."
"So why would the military be paying better if the world is settling down?" Link asked.
"Mistrust," Gandor said. "It's the same with the power hungry desert people. They would build in army in days if given the excuse."
"Nay," Telma disagreed, "Going by the news we in the capital have received, there is no hostility. The business of the military is increasing because so is international trade. The people of the mountains, rivers, and plains have all been united under the Kingdom of Hyrule. If unification continues, the government wishes to adopt a policy provision. I'm really not the right one to ask, but that's the news that's been going around lately. Doesn't sound too bad to me. If it keeps our people safe and our economy sustainable, I don't see any back drops."
"What do you think?" Link asked Gandor.
"I don't know…"
"Think about it," Link said. "We're going to have to get work eventually. Neither of us are literate, neither of us have any useable skills, and neither of us have enough money to last another week. This has got to be the safest solution I can think of."
"Well, I guess… I'm just worried I'll wind up back in the desert," Gandor considered.
"You get paid based on the amount of work you do," Telma added, "but you can still refuse postings. You'll just miss out on some financial bonuses."
Gandor nodded. "Let's give it a shot."
Telma poured a couple drinks and put them in front of Link and Gandor. "This one's on me. Normally wouldn't share this with kids, but it's not too strong. You guys could use a break. Relax tonight. You've earned it."
Link and Gandor accepted the drinks gratefully.
"To your new lives in Hyrule," Telma said, raising her own glass.
The two boys raised their glasses and took a swig.