Hyrule : Journey of the Gerudo
Chapter 4 : A Stretching Road
After a few hours of travel, Master Devon made his little bell chimes. This was the sign that the caravan would now make a stop. Their mounts have worked hard and deserved a rest. The different groups pulled to the side of the road. Well, this was a welcome halt not only for the horses. Komara was feeling pretty sore after sitting on her wagon bench for such a long time. On top of that, she also was made to realize that the sun was the same for all inhabitant of Hyrule. It was somehow less intense than in the arid expanse of the desert, but its rays would sweep down nonetheless.
Will jumping in the back of her wagon, she informed Ushara. '' I will make something to drink, let me try out something. '' She opened one of the many boxes that contained provisions for her travel. Picking among her fruits, she placed them on her counter. She then poured water from her barrel into her cooking pot. She was a bit sadden that she could not try the burner of that Zonai gadget, but the time would come. Right now, she diced palm fruits and crushed wildberries and made them float in the pot. For a final step, she took out an ice fruit and plucked it's many grape-like pieces. Her fingers stung while she handled the elemental fruit. She took a wooden spoon and made the brew spin a few time. She then picked glasses and pour her mixture in two of them.
She went back to the front and offered her sibling a sip. Ushara looked at the floating pieces inside her beverage with amusement. She brought the glass to her lips and took a long refreshing gulp. She smacked her lips with delight. '' Amazing, sister.'' The youngest offered a warm smile. After they finished their glasses, they got back inside they wagon to grab a set of tools made to care for their mount. Komara also made sure to grab plenty of water in a pouch to hydrate Tessoro. When they got out with those items in hand, they saw that the kind brother Liubô was making his way towards them. Without a word, he removed the harness out of of the sisters' horse and then took a look at the hooves. Afterwards, he made his hands move along gently the horse main muscles. He then had a quiet nod and started to massage an area of great strain.
The sisters looked at the Hylian man with gratitude. They may have the best intentions for their cute Tessoro, but they knew little about the aftercare she would require. Komara knew that a long litany of thanks was not required for Liubô. He was not doing this because he wanted something out of it. He was a kind soul that always placed the well-being of others, animals included, in the centre of everything. Still, she turned back to pour another glass of her brew and offered him the cold drink. His delighted expression was worth everything once he finished his glass. He then explained to the Khaalin. '' Have her take a small walk until her heart rate calm down. Then lead her to the shade so she can finish cooling down. Take that time to brush away the sweats and any debris. She will then probably enjoy eating some grains. Let her be if she try to approach the other horses. They are very social and need the companionship. We will have this pause three to four time a day. Next one shall be for lunch. Take care, Vai Ushara. Vai Komara.'' He completed with a small bow to both of the relative before returning to his own family.
Ushara seemed to be starring intently while the Hylian was making his way back. Her younger sister give her an inquisitive look. The soldier seemed to be startled and broke her line of sight with the Voe. Since Komara was not letting go of her interrogative expression, she answered with a bit of stuttering. '' This Liubô, he is... Quite the resourceful Voe. Ready to help without asking something more out of it. Caring for the animals. Projecting such kindness.'' Ushara anchored her green gaze into her sisters. '' You have to tell me sister, how come you made friend with these Voe? How do I approach them?''
Komara gave out a long sigh. While she was gathering her thoughts, she took handle of Tessoro and lead the animal to the side in a quiet walk. Her elder sister followed, showing some unnerving that was uncommon for her. '' We became friend by trading. I rarely bound with my client, the brothers and Master Devon are more of the exception. However, if you are thinking of making him into your Voe... '' She looked intently at Ushara, bothered that she might sadden her. '' You have to understand. He had chosen a Gerudo Vai long ago. Actually, all the brothers are engaged by now. That is why they are so used to our society. Why they return often to the bazaar. Their life is already entangled with the Gerudo. ''
Instead of the grief she was expecting to wash over Ushara, she saw a glint of... Pride? Ushara crossed her arms and puffed her chest. '' These Vai made an excellent choice. Our city will come out stronger by having bond with individuals of such good faith. '' That was some better way to handle this than being hurt, believed Komara.
The youngest added. '' I know that Kobô gave a child to Illyandra. ''
Ushara looked at her with such surprise. '' But that is our neighbour. You are meant to say, her Vehvi, that would be... Ah, the world sure feel small. '' Her eyes became distant, starring at the sky with a genuine smile.
Glad of the outcome of their talk, the sisters enjoyed the rest of the pause. They kept a close watch on Tessoro and made sure she would be ready to handle the next part of the travel. After some time, Master Devon made his bell ring again and the groups went back to their position. That last discussion somehow changed the attitude between the sisters, because after being so silent to each other, they started to chat without pause on the next segment of road. They went over some of their memory of youth. Then they would ask of the time they were apart. Only to shift back to their common experience. Komara's heart was bursting with joy. She had found back her confident. Her other half that could understand her better than herself some time.
The road kept it's serpentine allure, moving a narrow edge between the cliff and a river down below. They had many mountains to circumvent before officially pulling out of the Gerudo Canyon. The sisters didn't saw the time past, held by their stories. They were quite surprised when the bell at the front of the caravan resonated once again. Pulled out of their continuous talking, it brought them back to the present moment. Thus, what become apparent was their hunger. Not waiting, Komara went to the back of the wagon.
With great excitement, she looked at her Zonai Pot. Finally, she would have a chance to try out the gadget. First thing first, she took her soap and cleaned her hands thoroughly. She then took out the ingredients from her provision boxes. The ice fruit stashed in every box would make sure that nothing spoil. She prepared the spice first by grounding rock salt and cutting down hyrule herbs. She then diced a sunshroom and set it aside for later. Once all other preparation were done, she turned on her Zonai pot. She tilted a dial under it and blue flames sprouted. Mesmerized, she couldn't help but turn it off and on again. To think she could tame a flame by the tip of her finger. She made the gadget go to full power for the first step.
Once the pot turned warm, she brought out the main ingredient. A beautiful piece of prime meat. She rolled it in her mix of spices and dropped it into the pot. It started to sizzle right away. Using her cooking tool, she flipped it back and forth before reducing the heat. She then put a lid over the meat and left it there. Ushara commented on the great smell before she informing her she will be back soon after giving the aftercare to Tessoro. After letting the meat cook halfway, she dropped the mushroom on top. She stirred the food calmly, humming a simple tune while doing so. She sparkled the remaining rock salt ans set the lid back. She then prepared the plates and turned off the Zonai pot.
Ushara came back inside the wagon right on time. Komara displayed the food and saw the excitement in her sister. Without no more wait, they took place and started to enjoy the meat. A total success. Komara was swayed by the flavours. They stayed silent, simply focusing on the meal. In a short time, they had devoured their plates and felt satisfied. They stayed put for some time, simply being fulfilled from that good time. Ushara told that she would take care of cleaning up in order to do their part. She pulled out some water and started to scrub the pot and plates.
Komara looked at her sister help out, but her heart darkened. After all the bonding and fun they had, she felt that it was finally time to reveal what she been keeping secret about her journey. Anguish was building up. She joined her hands together and felt her heart ramping up. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She been pushing that conversation because she was afraid of it being painful. She stuttered a few time before finally being able to push out. ''S-s-say, Ushara... I'm sorry.''
Her relative turned around and looked at her with confusion. '' You worked hard cooking, that is only natural that I helped out.''
The soldier goofiness made Komara loosen and she proceed telling what was on mind. " Not that. No... They have been something you need to know and it just kept me feel more horrible that I had to hide it out. I am sorry for dragging you into this journey. This all been a selfish desire of mine. I... I don't want to look for a Voe. Not now, probably never. It was the only way I could get permission to leave the desert. I am not the first Gerudo to have made this lie, but it got you drag into it and that is not fair. It was all a ruse so I could see more of the world and take my trade somewhere else.'' Komara then started to look back at her hands.
Ushara looked at her for quite some time. Her poor sister was starting to tremble, keeping her eyes down. Ushara dropped the dishes and slowly walk to Komara. She went behind her, and to her great surprise, wrapped her hands around the youngest. She pull her against her, her embrace being strong like steel. Komara tried to break away, but what could she do against the insane strength of the warrior. After trying to shake out of it, she then started to sob quietly. Ushara seemed to be startled and loosen her grip. Only a little. She let her sister pour out her grief and quietly started to rock her back and forth.
Once she had a bit more control over herself, Komara took a deep breath. '' That's not all Ushara. There is something else I have been planning.'' Curious, the eldest let go of her embrace and let her finish what she wanted to say. '' This is something I had been planning with the help of mother. I am surprised that she did not spill that part. But I bothered her with this until I got my answer." She turned her tearful eyes into those of Ushara. '' I want to find our father. I found out where he had been living. Mother herself is not certain that he still live there. But from what she knows of him, he would most likely stay into his village to this day. I made preparation already. This caravan will lead us to him.''
Ushara tried to stay a strong pillar for the sake of her sister. To not flinch while she was sharing her pain. But this last news swept the foundation of her structure and her mind was sent spiralling. She tried many times to come up with words. Before they could try to speak more about it, a bell ringed clearly into the awkward silence that encrusted itself between the sister. '' We need to go.'' This was all Ushara could say and she focused her mind to the upcoming road.
The truth had been layered down. Could be for the best, but it left the sisters shaken. Komara stayed in the back of the wagon, not wanting to impose herself next to her eldest. It would have been much simpler if she would have left alone. She would not have to feel this way. The line of wagons returned to narrow path of the Gerudo Canyon, slowly leaving behind the harsh mountain path for a more lush land that extended beyond.
I do not know much about how to handle horse, but Chat GPT does. I been feeding the AI with questions regarding this story, it is an interessting tool.
For the cooking? That is all on me. I love cooking.
