Hyrule : Journey of the Gerudo
Chapter 3 : Onward!
Komara stayed a long time staring at the roof before finding sleep. She installed herself in the suspended hammock of her new wagon. Ushara seemed to be sleeping off easily. She said that she would install her own tent during the travel, but this time around she installed her bedroll right under her and went to dreaming right away.
What was holding out Komara was a scenario she could not figure how it would play. There was something special she hoped would happen during this travel. Chances were high however that it would not be accomplished. Since she was keeping it a secret from her sister, she could not confide to calm her nerves. That guilt was weighing on her.
After turning around many times, she must have drifted off at some point because she waked up in shock from the noise. Out of instinct she told out. ''I am sorry Dune, I will be there to handle the shop soon.'' She was ready to start off her routine, only to look around confused from that unusual place she found herself into. It slowly came back to her and she found herself smiling. That was right, she was now off to claim her freedom.
She looked below her and her relative was not inside her wagon anymore. No surprise, soldiers are used to be active early. Komara let herself slip from her hammock and did her morning preparations. She could clean herself using the water from the rain collecting barrel. She had her soap and her mouth paste. She also also knew how to craft more and was eager to use her workbench for that. Guess she could also go and sell some if the recipe was a success. The then proceed to dress, taking time to button up her white vest that was not off Gerudo origin. She kept her copper-red hair simple, only using her headband to keep them away from her eyes.
The young woman was then ready to leave her wagon and walked out. She saw groups of people taking the road of the Gerudo Canyon to reach the desert. Those should be travellers aiming for the Kara Kara Bazaar. Once those were gone, only the groups attached to Master Devon were left at the Stable.
Komara found her eldest sister easily after the commotion was over. She was standing by the enclosure. She was wearing a different shirt from they day before, green with sleeves. Their horse Tessoro was by the fence and enjoying getting brush. Ushara gave the blue and white animal a swift carrot that they enjoyed before she returned to grooming the mount. Komara was a bit surprised. She did not expect the soldier to have a knack at handling animals. Yet, she was the one that showed up being drag by a sand seal. Maybe it was not so weird after all. It could be a part of a soldier training, but Komara had a feeling that it was more a genuine interest of Ushara to handle animal.
She stayed to observe quietly for some time. Ushara never seemed to be aware until she was done and turned around. She smiled at her little sister and went to join her. The soldier did not stop once she was by her side and instead pointed at the stable building. '' Master Devon informed me that our own caravan would get assembled once the traders were heading for the desert. They should be waiting for us by now.''
Komara followed out, a bit shy that she overslept and maybe got them all late. Once they stepped foot inside, she took time to look at all those gathered for the travel. Her green tint eyes were naturally drawn to the Goron brethren. After all, they took up so much space. She could not wait to speak about Zonai Devices with them, still very impressed by their buggy.
Then there was the four brothers. She took mental notes while going over them. '' Kobô in the green vest. Best storyteller that I know. Lobô wear blue today. So curious, he probably have read all there is to read. Donbô, looking impressive in red. Would never back down from any challenge. Then Liubô in purple. So calm, he can always diffuse any arguments.''
At another table was a family that she never met before, if for crossing them the day before. The Voe, quite the tall man, seemed to shine with happiness will he was talking to their wife and young child. These last two, adorable women, shared peculiar white hair and matching outfit. The combination of beige, blue and then red outline was interesting. While Hylian, they still seemed quite different with their red hue eyes.
Then there was Master Devon himself which needed no presentation to Komara. Once he saw that that everyone was now inside, he walked to a spot to be viewed by all and then cleared his throat. '' We are now ready to embark on our travel. I will now tell you in which order we are gonna align our caravan. I will be taking the head and open the path. Mister Sheldon, lady Sohara and little lady Shinra, please take place behind me. I would like the brothers to be in the middle. Then would come the Khaalin sisters. Finally, Bogozigo and Ragano, I would like your buggy to keep watch in the back.'' Shifting his gaze to every group to have their approval, he then concluded. '' Let us wait no more, bring your wagons to the front and harness the horses."
Ushara walked out front and went to the enclosure. Tessoro excitedly joined the older sister and accepted to be carried out. She brought her over to the carriage but was then a little confused. She never had prepared a pulling harness and did not knew what to do with the multiples straps. Komara tried to help out but had the same level of experience, which is none. While standing there and proposing off some guesses, they heard a soft-spoken voice from behind them. ''If I may, please let me help you out with that.'' It was the white-haired lady from earlier. She had the kindest smile. Without hesitation, Sohara taught them the different steps to prepare their horse. Tessoro had been trained for that task and she commented that she was easy to handle. '' Do feel free to ask my help again.'' She added when she was almost done.
During that time, her child which was basically a tinier version of herself, walked in to look what her was mom was up to. After walking around the sisters wagon, she looked at Ushara with wide-eyes and stayed frozen in place. Realizing the impression she had on the young girl, no older then 6 she would guess, Ushara knelt down to be more at her level and smiled at her in such a kind way. Komara was quite impressed. She did not took her sister for someone capable of such softness. But then she considered the age difference between the two of them and how she would always be there to take care of her little sister. Looking after the young might be a task she enjoyed more than Komara would have expected.
The young daughter giggled at then went to hide behind her mom. Komara took time to thank this Sohara profusely before she returned to her own wagon while holding the hand of the little Shinra. The child waved excitedly and Ushara made sure to return the hand gesture until she was out of sight. Komara went to put a hand on the shoulder of her kin. '' You know Ushara... I never considered it, but you might be an incredible Vai. It could be the seven years that separate us, but you were also somewhat a mother to my younger self. It seems you haven't lost that part of yourself.''
The eldest sister seemed to blush at the allegation but did not comment on it. '' It is time, let us take our place among the procession.'' She took place at the bench, Komara went to sit in the back, and with a click of the tongue got their horse to start moving. She made the wagon turn and head to the designated place.
Once everyone was in position, Master Devon made a long pole raise from his carriage at the head. A vibrant red flag was at it's top and could be easily seen even from all the way to the back. He then made resounds some small bell and with no more to be said, the caravan started moving away. The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the creaking of the wagons filled the air.
Komara was starring at the back, looking with great intent at the vehicle piloted by the Goron pair. They both were sat at different level. Bogozigo, that she could recognize from his sprout of white hair-like filament on the top of his head, was forward and lower. He was holding some stick that when tilted would make the wheels follow. Ragano was hanging at a second stage of their contraption. The Gerudo knew little of the rock tribe, but his appearance felt more rugged and she the impression he was older. He did not seem to be doing much at the moment, but he was surrounded by many levers. The buggy was emitting a strange buzzing sound this whole time.
Once she had her fill, Komara crossed her wagon to pull the cloth at the front. She stepped into the bench to take place by her sister. They stayed there in silence, enjoying the sight scrolling by them. After some time Komara heart sank while she was thinking of the stuff she was holding secret to her sister. She felt the time was right since their journey was officially on their way. But in the end she could never find the words to start it off and stayed uncomfortable the entire time. Not aware of the turmoil that was imprisoning the heart of her sibling, Ushara kept leading the wagon. The soldier herself had many things on her mind in the face of the unknown that she did not know how to address.
A long road was ahead of them however. The time would come for these sisters to open up. By shouldering the burden collectively, the weight on their heart would diminish. That was the power of family and by putting their trust into it shall clear away any doubt.