Time for Chapter 29, Link is set to take on the leader of the Wyvern Keepers, and bring down their organization once and for all.
While Nemisa was in the middle of her battle with Jayde, Link burst in through the door of the slaver leader Master Rassan's room, his sword and shield both equipped and ready to battle with. Upon entering, he saw his opponent just sitting back on a chair, finishing an apple he was eating.
"Waahahaha, so someone finally showed up?" laughed Rassan, "I take it you'll be the one aiming to take me down, boy?"
"That's right." Link nodded, and pointed to him, "The name is Link, the future Gerudo King. I'm here to put an end to your operation, and get that key."
He referring to the skull shaped key hanging off of Rassan's belt, as Link recalled what Remo told him earlier before he set off to save Nemisa...
"The slaver leader, Master Rassan has a master skeleton key for all the slave collars made by the Wyvern Keepers. If you can get that we can free any and all slaves in Hyrule!"
"The Gerudo King, eh? It's an honor to meet you, friend, the name's Master Rassan!" chuckled the slaver leader, "Well here, before we start our battle, how about you sit for a spell?" With that, Rassan reached into the basket of apples by his side and picked out a shiny red one, which he threw to Link.
Link reached up with his shield hand and caught the apple, looking at it curiously.
"What is this about?" Link asked.
"Waahahaha, nothing to worry about!" Rassan said, "I didn't poison it or anything, I wouldn't taint a perfectly good apple! Now have a seat and relax!"
Deciding he was at least trustworthy about that, Link nodded and sat down, taking a bite of the apple, "It's uh... good." he admitted.
"Only the best for my guest!" said Rassan, amused at his own rhyming, as he took another apple and crunched into it, "Aah, and this one is particularly sweet! Nothing like this before a battle!"
"You're... a lot different then I would have expected." Link said, taking another small bite.
"Waahahaha! I'll take that as a compliment, friend!" Rassan laughed, "As a slaver, I don't expect you to think well of me, but I try to maintain a positive attitude."
Link took another bite of his own apple, "So why is someone like you the leader of the Wyvern Keepers then?"
"Well, in some ways I'm kind of like your new little friend Remo." Rassan said calmly, making Link's eyes widen. "Don't look surprised, I know he's the reason you guys were able to infiltrate the Wyvern's Nest. I don't hold it against him though, I know exactly what he went through."
Rassan took a drink of water and sighed, "When I was a boy, I had nothing going in life. I grew up without parents, or any real wisdom or skills, and I was just doing whatever I could to keep myself alive. Eventually I was met by the former leader of the Wyvern Keepers, he took a shine to me, and employed me into his organization. I didn't initially like kidnapping people, but I did what had to be done, I suppose doing it just got easier with time..."
"Huh, I guess you are like Remo in that sense." Link nodded.
"Three years ago, the Hylian army came to find some important information about us after one of our clients was murdered. My boss was captured, and the Wyvern Keepers had fallen apart. Those of us that escaped like me tried to rebuild, but it was difficult. My comrade Jayde seemed to have taken it harder then anyone." Rassan explained.
"And you rebuilt your group about a year ago?" Link asked.
"Yep, it seemed out of nowhere, I was met by a benefactor who supplied me with the funds and resources we needed to rebuild the organization, in exchange for thirty percent of our profits... well that and we get them a certain item using our connections to the black market." Rassan said.
'A benefactor... wonder who that is...?' Link thought to himself, he was tempted to ask Rassan, but he had a feeling the man wouldn't tell him.
"These slaver guys, they were all like me once, grew up with nothing to call heir own, lacking in skills and wisdom to succeed like normal folk. This business of ours, as despicable as it is, it's all we have, so I've worked hard to keep it, for the sake of my men, my old boss and what he did for me all that time ago..." Rassan lamented.
Link was pretty surprised to learn all this from the slaver leader, to find out how hard they had it, and the code the leader himself followed. In a small way, he felt a similar connection to Rassan, how Nabooru and the Gerudo have worked hard to rebuild their society after the war, and what he himself was doing to help them after his own personal role in the war. Despite being on very different sides of morality, in some odd ways, they weren't too different.
Rassan then finished his apple, took a deep breath and stood up.
"This skeleton key is the only thing we have left now, to keep the Wyvern Keepers alive. If you really want it, then you'll have to fight me for it." Rassan grinned.
Link stood up himself and nodded, "Alright then, put em up." he unsheathed his sword and stood ready for battle.
"Waahahaha!" Let's go then, boy!" Rassan laughed, taking the whip from his belt and lashing it out, as small strange blades lining it stuck out. Rassan swung it to the right, slicing clean through a nearby chair, causing it to split in half.
With that, Rassan swung his whip at Link, who took a step and leapt over it, bring his sword down at Rassan, who swung the whip upwards, knocking Link away and to his feet. Rassan shot the whip forward at Link, who blocked it with his Hylian shield, then darted left and right to evade the whip's attacks, before ducking down and bringing up his sword, slashing it across Rassan.
"Gaaah!" Rassan shouted, he staggered back, then swung his whip all around him, forcing Link to duck down, but Rassan swung the whip upwards and brought it down on Link, who quickly rolled out of the way. Link got to his feet and went at Rassan again, who countered by suddenly swinging his whip to the side, striking Link and sending him flying into a wall. Link forced himself up and gasped.
"You're good Gerudo King, but my strength surpasses yours!" Rassan said, flexing an arm.
"He's right... this guy's really strong..." Link muttered, "Time for a little more strategy."
Rassan swung his whip at Link from the side once again, but this time Link pulled out his Longshot and aimed it at a wooden plank supporting the ceiling of Rassan's room, causing him to shoot up and evade the whip's attack, before coming down and slashing Rassan again.
"Graaaahhhh!" Rassan exclaimed, "That was... the Longshot?"
"A gift from my fiance." Link grinned, thinking of Ruto, "If strength won't win this for me, I have to mix things up a bit!"
"Well played, friend!" Rassan snickered, swinging his whip at Link, who fired his Longshot into a wooden wall plank, and used it to fly out of range of the whip. Rassan started to turn towards Link, but he charged in and bashed into him with his shield, making Rassan stagger back.
Rassan paused, taking a deep breath, then chuckled and laughed out, "Waaahahaha! This is fun! You're indeed a strong one!"
"You're pretty tough too." Link said, with the hint of a grin on his face.
"Now take this!" Rassan said, spinning his whip to the side like a windmill, before going into a fury of lashes at Link.
The young king ran at the slaver leader, dodging and evading each swing as best as he could. A few lashes managed to cut at him, but Link did his best to resist the pain, jumping and sidestepping through the rapid attacks. He then squatted down and leaped up into the air, avoiding the whip entirely. Rassan looked up as Link brought down his sword. In that moment, Rassan simply grinned and closed his eyes, realizing it was over, as Link cut him across the chest.
"G-Graaahhaaah!" Rassan shouted out in pain, before falling backwards and impacting onto the ground.
Link landed down to the ground safely, breathing heavily from the battle. Upon realizing Rassan was defeated, he spun his sword in his hand and sheathed it back into place.
Rassan laid back on the ground, staring up the ceiling, or perhaps at something beyond that ceiling, as he chuckled a little, then burst out laughing.
"WAAHAAHAAHAA! That was great stuff!" Rassan shouted, "You're a true warrior, friend!"
"You're not bad yourself." Link said nodding, "It's just a shame you had to pick this path in life."
"Yes.. I suppose so..." chuckled Rassan weakly, "So what are you waiting for, going to finish me off?"
Link paused, looking down to Rassan. He contemplated it just for a while, before shaking his head.
"No, I'm not going to."
Rassan was a little shocked at that, "Wait, seriously?"
"The battle's over, there's no need to take it any further." Link said, "I'm just here for the key."
"Heh... you're an interesting one, I see you're much different then the Gerudo King before you..." chucked Rassan, who took the skeleton key off of his belt and tossed it to Link, "There you are, that master key should open all the slave collars in Hyrule."
"Thanks for that." Link said, holding the key and then pocketing it, "So what will you do now?"
"Well, if you're going to make me live with my defeat and the fall of the Wyvern Keepers... I suppose I'll just have to find a new path in life..." Rassan said, "But there is one more thing..."
"What's that?"
"Open the dresser on the right over here." Rassan said, gesturing to a small dresser beside his bed. Link went over and opened the drawer, pulling out a long sheet of paper.
"What this...?" Link asked, looking at a list of names.
"I keep a list of all the folk who buy slaves from us, just in case any of them try to betray our deals." Rassan explained, "Go on and use that list for what you believe in, it's the least I can do for you after what me and my gang have done."
"...thank you for this." Link nodded, "You know, for a slaver, you're not as bad as you think you are. I think you're a lot more like Remo then you thought."
"Waahaahahaa..." laughed Rassan, "Just get going, I should be fine here for a while."
Link nodded with a small grin. He paused for a second in thought, before he walked up to Rassan and placed something down in his hand, surprising the man, and left Master Rassan's room. The now former slaver leader just laid back, looking up beyond his ceiling.
"Well boss, if you really are watching me from the world of spirits, sorry about this... but when I recover, I'm going to go on a new path now... but thanks a bunch for everything..."
Rassan then lifted up the apple Link placed in his hand and munched into it, savoring the taste of the fruit, and his own defeat.
Link started on his way back to meet up with the girls, despite his numerous injuries from battling Rassan, he was feeling pretty good in that moment. Maybe we was stronger now then ever, or maybe it was due to how high he spirits were from the success of the mission, or maybe it was even the thought of...
"Link!"
He turned to see Nemisa standing there before him, still wearing her dancer's garb, though it was a pretty torn up form her battle with Jayde. She had injuries as well, but seemed just as hearty and in high spirits as the Hylian male. He also noted her lovely long hair was untied from the bun she had put in earlier.
"So did you pull it off?" Link asked smiling, really a pointless question just taking a look at the confidence in her eyes.
"Yes." smirked Nemisa, "That man will never take another innocent again."
"...I'm glad to hear that." Link said with a nod, "Now come on, let's go meet up with everyone."
"Of course."
The Dank Salamander tavern's door burst open, and out poured many slavers, hurrying away from the building. Some were in good condition, but others staggered with multiple injuries, some of their team helped carry them off, and they all ran for their lives into the desert.
"And don't come back ya bastards, this tavern is Gerudo territory now!" Reirousa shouted out to them from the entrance to he tavern, alongside the Sandstorm Viper and a large group of their Gerudo sisters.
It wasn't long after that the Gerudo who participated in the raid all arrived in the tavern itself, along with the former prisoners. The Gerudo prisoners were overjoyed to be reunited with their sisters naturally, while the Hylian, Zora and Goron prisoners all stood around at a loss of what to say.
"All the prisoners are accounted for Lady Nabooru!" Togau said to the Gerudo leader.
"Very good, this has been a great victory for us!" Nabooru stated, "You should all be proud of what you're done today!"
"Hey guys!" Link called out, as everyone turned to see him come out from the underground Nest itself.
"Link! We did it!" Aviel exclaimed, as she, Togau, Kesuta, Korume and a number of the raid soldiers all gathered around Link and group-hugged him.
"Hey girls, it's great to see you all!" Link smiled.
"You look as if you were in an intense battle..." Sarami said, walking up and inspecting his wounds, "You really need to avoid pushing yourself so much." She smiled lightly, before joining in the group hug, "But I'm so happy you're okay."
"Thanks..." Link smiled, blushing lightly at the feeling of togetherness between everyone.
It was then at that moment the girls noticed a certain Gerudo woman walking up awkwardly from the door to the underground area and standing beside Link. Everyone looked to see her long flowing hair and torn dancers' clothes.
"Wait, what's Madame Scarlet doing here?" Kesuta asked, "And why does she look... so..."
That was when everyone took a close look at the woman they knew as Madame Scarlet, and suddenly realized who she was.
"NEMISA?!" shouted a good deal of the Gerudo in the tavern.
"Yer tellin' me you're Madame Scarlet?!" exclaimed Togau
"Umm... surprise?" Nemisa asked sheepishly.
Aviel then immediately lunged right at Nemisa and hugged her tightly, "Nemisaaa!" she sobbed, "I'm so happy to see you agaaain!"
"Dangit Nemisa!" Togau then shouted in anger, punching Nemisa on the arm, "You know how worried we all were for ya?! I outta pop you one!"
"Sister Nemisa, you damn bitch!" Reirousa said, her tone both angry and sad and relieved all at once, "I would've been pissed off if you got yerself killed, I'd go march right into the world of spirits and kick yer ass for it!"
"Yes, you have a lot of explaining to do, Nemisa." Nabooru said crossly with Nemisa, walking up to her, but then gave her a relieved smile, "But regardless, I'm glad you're safe."
"Thank you everyone." smiled Nemisa, as she was hugging a sobbing Aviel, "I'm sorry for causing you all so much trouble."
It was then she was suddenly dog-piled by three more Gerudo girls, knocking Aviel away.
"Nemisa!" they all shouted, one in particular speaking up, "We're so glad you're okay!"
"Wait, Sumof, Otuko and Ifemi?!" Nemisa exclaimed, recognizing her friends, "You three all came too?"
"Of course, we came here as soon as we heard what you did!" Sumof said, "We couldn't let our friend get hurt!"
"We were worried when we heard you got captured, but King Link promised he'd get you back!" Ifemi said happily.
"You guys..." Nemisa said, trying to hold back shedding tears in that moment.
"And I can't believe you turned out to be Madame Scarlet!" Otuko said, "I had no idea you had talent like that!"
"We're going to have to see more of your dancing!" Sumof nodded.
It was in that moment that Nemisa just broke down and took her friends, hugging them all at once. Link himself smiled, seeing his newest fiance so happy after all she had went through.
'She's definitely earned this.' Link thought to himself.
"Um... excuse me..." said one meek voice. Everyone turned to see the former prisoners, the Hylians, Zoras and the Goron, all standing together, feeling awkward and nervous before the desert warriors.
"You... saved us all... " said the woman at the front of the group, the same one Aviel had consulted earlier, "But why did you help us?"
"You're not planning to enslave us yourselves are you...?" asked a worried female Zora.
"Not in the slightest." Nabooru shrugged, simply saying, "You're all free now."
"You're kidding me..." muttered one of the group, "You all set us free, just like that?!"
"Of course!" Aviel chirped, "And we've seen to it that you won't have to worry about the Wyvern Keepers any longer!"
"They're nothing like what I've heard..." said another former captive to another.
"Yeah, Father always told me they were nothing but thieving murdering bandits..." one of the male Hylian said.
"We used to be like that..." Nabooru said distantly, then smiled warmly, "But things have changed, and we're simply working to rebuild and reform our civilization. This is just another step towards that goal."
"She's right." Link said, "No one deserves a life like what was brought on you all, and we're going to do whatever we can to track down and save the other slaves as well, so no one has to go through this again."
Nemisa turned to Link when he spoke those words, who glanced at her and smiled.
'Did... he really figure out back then what my new goal was...?' Nemisa thought, bringing her hand to her chest and smiling warmly, 'It's strange... it's almost like he could read right into me...'
"Wow Nemisa... I've never seen you smile like that before..." Aviel said, making Nemisa turn a little nervous, "Link really does bring out the best in you!"
"T-That's..." Nemisa folded her arms and turned her head, muttering incoherently to herself, "Shut up..."
Aviel just giggled.
"I can't believe you all did so much for us...thank you everyone..." the Hylian woman said, followed by the other former prisoners all thanking and crying out in happiness for their freedom.
"Well, now that that's all done..." Togau said proudly, "I think we all need to celebrate!"
"Hell yeah!" Reirousa shouted, flexing her arm, "Time to party!"
"Sounds like a good idea!" Nabooru said, "We've earned this, so let's go all out tonight!"
Everyone in the tavern let out a collective cheer, as well as the former captives of the Wyvern Keepers.
It wasn't long before everything in the tavern had been arranged, and everyone were all gathered around celebrating the downfall of the slavers, and the freedom of the people. Drinks and food were handed out to everyone, unwilling compliments of the slavers who once ran the place, there was much laughter, singing and dancing among everyone there that night.
"Nemisa... I'm so sorry..." sniffled Sumof as she, Nemisa, Ifemi and Otuko all sat around a table, "You wouldn't had ever gotten mixed up with that bastard Jayde if I hadn't pushed you into going with us..."
"We're all sorry, I can't believe that man would have turned out to be such scum..." sighed Ifemi.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Nemisa said frantically, trying to comfort her friends, "You all were just earnestly trying to help me meet a guy, I don't hold it against any of you, and I never did!"
"But... you suffered for three years because of it..." Otuko said with tears streaming down her face.
"I... won't deny it was a difficult time... but maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if I had asked for help from you all..." Nemisa said regretfully, "I was too afraid to trust any of you to help me... so I just allowed myself to wallow in despair..."
"Well you don't have to worry about that ever again!" Sumof said, "Anytime you need help, please ask us!"
"Yes, we're going to be working with Reirousa to make ourselves stronger so we can help you in anyway you need!" Ifemi said.
With that, Nemisa ad her three friends shared a group hug, all of them unable to hold back their tears.
"Thank you... you're all my beloved friends..." Nemisa whispered happily, "And I'll relay on you all more from now on then..." she then added as a half joke "With a king like Link to look after, I may need more help down the road dealing with him alone."
"Sooo, on that note... when are you gonna marry King Link?" Sumof grinned to Nemisa.
"What? Are they really that close?" Otuko exclaimed with a red face.
"Hey, quit teasing her!" Ifemi said, "Shes probably not ready just yet!"
Nemisa thought about that, as she took a glance over to Link, and knew what she had to do, she was tired of hiding her feelings to everyone...
"I have something I'd like to announce!" Nemisa then spoke up, standing and tapping a drinking glass to get everyone's attention, surprising her friends.
"As of today, me and King Link have, um... decided to... to..." Nemisa stumbled over her words, a little nervous of what to say as she was seeing everyone in front of her.
Link looked to Nemisa, seeing her trying to speak out, and decided to support her by finishing her statement, walking over to her and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"We'd like to say that the two of us have now fallen in love, and I'll be taking her as my next marriage candidate!" he stated.
Everyone sat at the tables in stunned silence of Link's words for what seemed like the longest time.
"You're kidding..." Togau muttered, before slapping her knee , almost falling backwards on her seat as she did, and shouting out, "Well gosh dangit, it's about time!"
The entire group seem to agree, and cheered out loudly for Link and Nemisa, who were met with many hugs and compliments. The former prisoners were shocked at this themselves, mostly unaware that the Gerudo had a new king after the old one was captured.
Sumof, Iferi and Otuko were especially ecstatic, finally getting to see Nemisa have the boyfriend she wanted, all three of them took to hugging both Nemisa and Link tightly. It was a comforting hug, though Link could have shown one of the three squeezed his butt as they did.
"Congratulations you two." smiled Sarami, "I wish the best for you both, and when you're ready to have children, I'll see to it they're all born happy and healthy!"
"T-Thank you Dr. Sarami..." Nemisa said with a blush.
Nemisa and Link were suddenly both hugged by Aviel and her bird wings, "I'm so happy for you two! I've been waiting for so long for you to admit your feelings, Nemisa!"
"Jees... even Aviel could see through me, huh...?" sighed Nemisa.
"Even a moron like me could." snickered Link.
Nemisa just rolled her eyes in annoyance, but chuckled a little under he breath, as she returned Aviel's soft hug to thank her.
"Nice work there, you two." piped up Nabooru, walking up to them, "I only hope for the brightest future for you both."
"I'm honored to hear that from you, Lady Nabooru." Nemisa said with a bow.
"Haha, no need for formalities with me now Nemisa. After all, someday when Link takes the Gerudo throne, you'll be his queen."
Nemisa blushed at that thought, "I-I still intend to hold you in the upmost respect regardless, Lady Nabooru..." she cleared her throat and spoke sternly.
"Still a hard-ass for professionalism, huh?" snickered Togau.
"...quiet you." Nemisa said, looking to the side annoyed.
"Some things never really change." Aviel said, "Then again, she wouldn't be Nemisa if she did."
"Don't make me crush the two of you." Nemisa scowled angerly.
"Uh oh, we got her angry again, run!" Aviel exclaimed, as she and Togau escaped.
The party went ahead and continued throughout the night, Link and Nemisa's announcement only served to make the celebration even more festive and joyous.
"I'm so sorry for everything..." Remo said to a small group of the former prisoners, standing behind the bartender's counter as he served them all some drinks he prepared from the bottles on the shelves, "I may not have been involved in your abductions, but I was still with the Wyvern Keepers at one point, and I intend to do anything I can to atone for what I've done..."
"Heh, don't worry about it." said one of the Zora, "We would probably have been auctioned off by now if not for your help."
"He's right, you did us all a great service, thank you!" said a Hylian.
Remo blushed lightly, looking down, before his girlfriend Usaulu hugged him tightly from behind.
"They're right my little man." Usaulu said, "It's your kindness that helped to save them all, I couldn't be more proud of you!" she then whispered into his ear suggestively, "And tonight I'd going to show you just how proud I am..."
Remo blushed lightly, as the others all laughed out at how close the two were.
"This drink is great stuff!" said another Gerudo to Remo, taking a long drink of her glass, "How long have you been making stuff like this?"
"W-Well when I was member of the slavers." Remo explained, "I used to supply drinks to my team, and a lot of it was a self-learning experience..."
"Well these are good results!" said another Gerudo, "Have you considered doing this professionally?"
"Maybe..." Remo said, "I don't really drink myself, but they're fun to make..." as he spoke that, he took a look around the tavern.
"You know, it'd be kind of a shame to let this tavern go to waste..." Usaulu said with a grin, seeing the look in her boyfriend's eyes.
"Yeah..." nodded Remo.
"Ooow, Dr. Saramiii!" whined one of the Gerudo in line to have her wounds treated by Sarami and her medical staff, "My arm hurts... how much longer before it's my turn...?"
"Everyone please wait in line!" Sarami stated, as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, "We need to ensure accuracy, not haste, and everyone needs to be fully treated of their wounds, please give us time."
"Um, can I help?" spoke up a Hylian lady, "I'm well educated in medical knowledge."
"I'd like to supply some aide as well." a male Hylian said walking up to them.
"..I'd like that, thank you." smiled Sarami, and with that the two took to aiding the doctor and her team in their medical work.
"Those wings are fascinating, miss." one of the former slaves, a Hylian man spoke to Aviel. He had glasses and short blond hair pulled backwards, with a single slim lock of hair hanging down over his forehead. He also had a compass strapped to his vest, "What are they called?"
"Oh, these?" Aviel asked, holding up the sleeves made of red feathers that covered her arms, "I found them years and years ago, they're called the Roc's Wings." She unfurled the feathers, causing her arms to transform into full red and yellow feathered bird wings, "I'm glad to be wearing them again, I had to take them off when I went undercover as a slave, and I feel naked without them!"
"That's fascinating... and you said they were 'Roc's Wings' specifically?" he asked as he quickly jolted down notes on a paper pad.
"Uh huh, why do you ask, Mr...?" Aviel asked for his name.
"Oh, apologies for my lack of manners, I'm Professor Bradson." he said bowing his head, "I'm a traveling researcher."
"I see." Aviel nodded.
"As for what I was saying, I think I might have heard legends of a 'Roc' in my travels as a researcher..." he pondered, "In fact, I recall hearing something like that may have been spotted somewhere in Hyrule..."
"Really?!" exclaimed Aviel, putting her hands on the table, "Can you tell me where exactly?!"
"...I-I'm sorry, but I don't quite recall the information on it..." the researcher said, a bit surprised by Aviel's outburst before she sighed upon hearing those disappointing words.
"Rocks? Aren't they're everywhere?" the Goron of the former prisoners asked passing by, "If you want to know, the tastiest ones are the top sirloin ones in Dodongo's Cavern!"
Aviel and Bradson both looked at the Goron walk by with drops of sweat going down their heads.
"Well as soon as I get back to my home, I'll look up what I wrote in my notes, and if you'd like, I can mail it to you." Bradson clarified.
"I'd like that a lot, thank you!" Aviel then said, smiling and nodding her head to Bradson so vigorously that she accidentally bonked her head on the table, she fell back in her chair, rubbing the large bump on her head, before her chair fall backwards, her legs sticking upwards.
'What an energetic young lady...' the researcher thought with an amused smile.
"Nabs, I think you had too much to drink." Sarami said, having done with her treatment to the injured and going to check on her friend, "You blood alcohol level is going to be dangerously high at this rate."
"Nah, I didntnot!" Nabooru said with a groggy laugh, "I only haad about three glasseses... ess."
Sarami looked down at the eleven glasses laying around Nabooru's table and rose an eyebrow.
"...give or take sheventy two..." Nabooru said.
"...I think we better get you to bed, sweetie." Sarami said, helping Nabooru up.
"Ugh, why do yours havva be so much bigger then mine...?" Nabooru muttered as her head was lowering down against Sarami's chest. She poked one of Sarami's breasts causing her to squeak.
"Please Nabs, don't make me have to get sister Reirousa to carry you off instead." Sarami said. She took a look over to see Reirousa and the her Sandstorm Viper gang all passed out at one table with numerous bottles of alcohol laying around, "...never mind."
She turned to Link who was with Nemisa, busy getting acquainted to her three friends, "I'm taking Nabs to bed now." she called out getting their attention.
"Oh sure," Link nodded, "Did you need help with her?"
"No thank you, I'll be fine. I've been working to get stronger myself." Sarami said smiling, attempting to flex her arm, even though they lacked any real muscle definition compared to most Gerudo.
With that, Sarami worked to escort the staggering Nabooru off to a personal bedroom in the tavern. Setting Nabooru down on the bed, she pulled the sheets over her friend and gave her a simple kiss on the forehead.
"Sleep tight Nabs." Sarami said.
"Golnite..." Nabooru muttered, and fell asleep soon after.
Sarami stood there for a few minutes to make sure she was sleeping soundly, then turned and began to leave the bedroom. As she did though, she heard Nabooru mutter something in her sleep.
"No... please... don't go away..."
Sarami paused, she turned and went back over to Nabooru's side, but saw she was reaching upwards in her sleep for some reason. It was then she realized Nabooru wasn't talking to her in particular. Sarami looked sadly down at Nabooru and placed a hand on her forehead.
"...does it really still hurt you after so long...?" Sarami whispered to her old friend.
Back in the tavern, everyone was just about ready for bed, some went downstairs to the prisoner quarters to sleep, while some of the more battle-worn went to the tavern suites.
"Well, guess we better turn in for the night." Link said stretching out his limbs.
"Yeah, I'm beat, good night all!" Aviel said, waving her hand, "I'm going to get on those comfy beds downstairs, good night Professor Birdsun!" she added.
"It's... Bradson."
Link meanwhile looked over to Reirousa, who was still passed out on a chair snoring loudly.
"Looks like she'll be fine." Link said, "How about you Nemisa?"
Nemisa looked to her king, she fidgeted a little, and almost looked like she wanted to ask him something, but just then...
"Our king, if you'd like, we can relieve you of your battle-worn pain..." Kesuta said, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"We promise to treat you as gentle as a light and brisk rain." Korume whispered, standing beside him.
Link pondered on that note and looked over to Nemisa, and saw her bandaged wounds in particular.
"Uh, not tonight girls." Link said, giving them both a kiss on the cheek, "The battle I had was pretty rough, and I'd just like to rest for tonight."
"Aw jees." Kesuta said with her cheeks puffed out, then smiled, "Well we'll get to you later then, have a good night!"
"Yes, good night my love." Korume said, returning his kiss with a bit of a cool air to it from her breath.
As Nemisa got herself up from her seat, she felt a slight bit of pain, and in that moment realized that she herself was pretty worn out from her fight with Jayde, perhaps Link understood how tired and sore she was from the battle, and didn't want to sleep with Kesuta and Korume so she wouldn't feel left out tonight just after their confession...?
It was then that Link confirmed her theory for her, "You rest up too Nemisa, don't strain yourself too hard, okay? Good night." and he gave her a kiss as well.
'He really does understand me so much...' Nemisa thought smiling to herself, before getting up and going off to bed.
And that ends chapter 29, just one more chapter before the Nemisa arc is over, next time some more resolutions to the story will be concluded, and some new facts will be made known, with a special surprise coming at the end!
I really do love doing these little celebrations at the end of the arcs, they relieve a lot of the pain and sadness that happened throughout the arc, and allows me to flesh out the characters further.
Thank you all for your support, and for those new to the story, leave likes, follows and reviews if you enjoyed it!